EAT

Sept. 14: Baltimore Seafood Festival

Canton Waterfront Park. 12-7 p.m. Free-$100.

What better way to honor Baltimore’s undoubted love for seafood than a full-blown festival with crustaceans as far as the eye can see? Head to Canton Waterfront Park for this sixth annual extravaganza as local seafood spots—including favorites like Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Nick’s Fish House, and The Local Oyster—serve up crab cakes, shrimp salad, oysters, and steamed crabs. Indulge in the only large-scale seafood festival in Baltimore City and spend the day trying new drinks, listening to live music, and taking in cooking demonstrations.

DRINK

Sept. 14: WTMD’s Rock and Rye

South Point, 101 W. Cromwell St. 6-9 p.m. $65.

With five cocktail tastings and unlimited samplings of 75-plus hand-crafted spirits, Rock and Rye is the idyllic goodbye to summer. Sip the night away while enjoying DJ Who’s soundtrack. In between glasses, hear from representatives of 18 Maryland distilleries—including local favorites like Sagamore Spirit and Old Line—which will offer insights into the trade and how to best serve their whiskey, gin, and vodka at home.

SEE

Sept. 14: Central Library Grand Reopening

Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

After three years of top-to-bottom renovations to the Enoch Pratt Central Library, the city’s 86-year-old institution will celebrate its grand reopening on Saturday with a block party and open house featuring some of the best performers, musicians, and authors Baltimore has to offer. As you take a virtual tour through the library to see its new additions and expansions, take in the host of activities going on in each section, including a performance by The Ellen Show-famous drummers A1 Chops, a Black Cherry Puppet Theater show in the Children’s Department, and readings by revered local authors like Laura Lippman and Kondwani Fidel in the Wheeler Auditorium.

HEAR

Sept. 13: Eze Jackson & The Backwudz Band

Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $20-25.

If you haven’t yet tuned in to local legend Eze Jackson’s latest record, Fool, start binge-listening ahead of this Friday’s can’t-miss show at Baltimore Soundstage. Joined on the downtown stage by a packed lineup of up-and-comers—including FUNSHO, Apex Tha Genius, Dre Thompson, MC Bravado, and Christen B, as well as rising comedian Ivan Martin—the frontman of beloved hip-hop collective Soul Cannon will take the audience through new songs like “Unapologetically Black” and “Be Great” in the same fiery, high-energy way that he’s known and loved for.

DO

Sept. 15: Abell Community Street Fair

Abell Ave. 12-5 p.m. Free.

Whether you’re a longtime Abell resident or new to the neighborhood, spend Sunday afternoon exploring the sights and shops along its main avenue during this annual street fair. After grabbing a bite from local food trucks like Farm to Charm and cm.pops, browse through free books from The Book Thing of Baltimore, snag some fall-inspired pieces from The Clothing Swap’s free collection, and jam out to live music from 13 local acts including Bobbi Rush and School of Rock Baltimore. There is something for everyone at this fun-in-the-sun event, including a parade and game booths for the kiddos, as well as beer from Peabody Heights Brewery for the grown-up set.

Chalk It Up – Madoranni Festival
Sept. 6-8. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.. Little Italy, Baltimore. Free. After Michael Kirby discovered his talent for street art as a teenage spray-painter, the Parkside native went on to create thousands of Renaissance chalk paintings and become the first American artist to achieve the title of “master street painter” in major European festivals. Now the founder of local studio Murals of Baltimore, Kirby has seen the Little Italy Baltimore Madonnari Arts Festival grow into a much-anticipated affair that draws thousands of onlookers to the neighborhood to watch local and international artists create pavement masterpieces. Kirby says the most important part of the festival (September 6-8) is that it brings both new and familiar faces to Baltimore. “People will visit on Friday to see what the artists are drawing and then come back again on Sunday to see the finished piece,” Kirby says. “Every day you come back, you see and experience something new.”—KP

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Locust Point Festival
Sept. 7. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.. Latrobe Park. Free. This South Baltimore neighborhood is known for being a mix of the old and the new, with some of the city’s oldest rowhomes mere blocks away from luxury high-rises and high-tech office spaces. So it’s no surprise that this annual festival at Latrobe Park will have tons of food and entertainment for residents of all ages, including delectable eats from City Limits, Hull St. Blues, and HarborQue, a kids zone packed with activities, a crush station, and live music by local band The Wafflers. Don’t miss the chance to give back to neighborhood projects through this family-friendly event.

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Baltimore Seafood Festival
Sept. 14. 12-7 p.m.. Canton Waterfront Park. Free-$100. What better way to honor Baltimore’s undoubted love for seafood than a full-blown festival with crustaceans as far as the eye can see? Head to Canton Waterfront Park for this sixth annual extravaganza as local seafood spots, including favorites like Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Nick’s Fish House, and The Local Oyster, serve up crab cakes, shrimp salad, oysters, and steamed crabs. Indulge in the only large-scale seafood festival in Baltimore City and spend the day trying new drinks, listening to live music, and taking in a cooking demonstration.

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Charm City Night Market
Sept. 21. 3-11 p.m. 200 Park Ave. & 100 N Charles St.. Prices vary. During the inaugural Charm City Night Market last fall, more than 12,000 people visited this one-day festival to sample authentic Asian-American eats, peruse locally made wares, and take pictures under the illuminated lantern walk. This month, the Park Avenue block party will make its much-anticipated return with 70 vendors, tons of entertainment on the festival’s outdoor stage, and a true showcase of the booming popularity of Asian cuisine in Baltimore. Be on the lookout for upcoming details about how a permanent revival of Baltimore’s Chinatown is on the horizon, thanks to efforts from the Chinatown Collective and Park Avenue Partners.

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Hampdenfest
Sept. 21. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.. 36th St., Hampden. Free. Nothing describes Hampden quite like the neighborhood’s much-anticipated toilet bowl race down Chestnut Avenue. Cheer on your favorite high-speed seat and then spend the rest of this day-long festival jamming to live music by more than 20 local bands, sipping on brews from The Brewer’s Art and Union Craft Brewing, shopping along The Avenue, and taking in the sights and sounds of this quintessentially Baltimore neighborhood.

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Pigtown Festival
Sept. 21. 12-7 p.m.. Pigtown Main St.. Free. The historic Pigtown annual neighborhood celebration will have you squealing with joy for the 18th year in a row. This fan-favorite event has all the key ingredients for a great festival experience: local food, craft beer, arts and crafts vendors, and kids’ activities. Not to mention live music from Ursula Ricks Project and The Scotch Bonnets. Oh, and did we mention the live pig races?

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Trash Wheel Fan Fest
Sept. 21. 7-10 p.m.. Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St.. $30-40. Although the Trash Wheel family has gained a national following, we know that the truest fans of these lovable garbage-suckers are right here in Charm City. Celebrate these solar-powered trash receptors with unlimited Peabody Heights brews, performance pieces and songs inspired by the trash wheels, and even a make-your-own fan art station to commemorate the trash-tastic evening.

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Charm City Run 20 Miler
Sept. 22. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.. The Northern Central Trail, Freeland. $55-60. Whether you’re preparing for a fall marathon or just need an excuse to get some early-morning pep in your step, sign up for this abbreviated run at the Northern Central Railroad Trail. This popular (but tough) 20-mile race will take runners from Hunt Valley to the Mason-Dixon Line. If you need extra motivation for this long-winded race, think about the cash prizes waiting for the top three male and female runners at the finish line.

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Maritime Magic
Sept. 27. 7p.m.. Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames St.. $120-2,500. A good time for a good cause——what could be better than that? To attend one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year, head to Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and enjoy unlimited bites and drinks from local vendors, a silent auction, and incredible live music by renowned New Orleans-based funk and jazz jam band Galactic. This jam-packed benefit will directly support the Living Classroom Foundation’s education, job-training, health and wellness, and violence prevention programs.

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Bmore Historic
Sept. 27. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.. Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy. $10-25. Calling all history buffs and die-hard Charm City lovers: This annual unconference (AKA participant-led meeting) will delve into everything you’ve ever wondered about the history of Charm City and its preservation. This Baltimore Museum of Industry forum is open to the public and will allow visitors to connect with local historians and archivists to enrich their understanding of this great city.

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EAT

Sept. 15: Baltimore Seafood Festival

Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston Street. 12-7 p.m. Free-$105.

Even the impending Hurricane Florence can’t stop Marylanders from one last end-of-summer seafood feast. On Saturday, more than 35 area restaurants and food trucks will take over Canton Waterfront Park to serve up some of the best blue crabs, crab soup, crab cakes, and oysters the Old Line State has to offer. Spend the day checking off our list of must-have bites, jamming to live music by local favorites The Scotch Bonnets and Honey Extractor, and honoring the bounty of the bay from noon until sundown.

DRINK

Sept. 15: Opening of Baltimore Spirits Company

Baltimore Spirits Company, 1700 W. 41st St. 12-8 p.m. Free.

Since opening its doors in June, Union Collective has welcomed four local independent businesses into its booming makerspace, and this weekend, the Baltimore Spirits Company will add its award-winning spirits to the pack. Formerly the Baltimore Whiskey Company, this hometown distillery is celebrating its grand opening with an all-out party featuring drinks and eats from fellow tenants The Charmery, Vent Coffee Roasters, and Union Craft Brewing, as well as tunes by DJ Jack Denning of All Mighty Senators. Take a tour of the new production space, sip on cocktails made with the brand’s signature gin, brandy, amaro, or whiskey, and revel in the much-anticipated opening of this locally loved distillery.

SEE

Sept.14-Oct. 7: Putin on Ice

Single Carrot Theatre, 2600 N. Howard St. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $25-29.

In an era when headlines are dominated by claims of “fake news,” Baltimore arts organizations Single Carrot Theatre and The Acme Corporation have collaborated on a project where everything that happens on stage is said to be a lie. This experimental production incorporates made-up ancient texts, falsified scientific data, and manipulated video evidence to present a wacky satirical portrait of Vladimir Putin in a performance that is sure to be one of this season’s don’t-miss events.

HEAR

Sept. 15: Afro House Concert No. 6

Hamilton-Lauraville, address disclosed upon ticket purchase. 7-9 p.m. $25.

To the artists that make up Afro House, a company of performers from across all disciplines and corners of the city, music is the thread that connects us all. For the sixth edition of the collective’s concert series, guests are invited to grab a seat in the living room of a local home to hear the creative ensemble play a fusion of classical, soul, and rock music in an intimate setting. This is a new music experience in Baltimore, led by local composer and pianist Scott Patterson.

DO

Sept. 16: Abell Community Street Fair

3000-3200 Abell Ave. 12-5 p.m. Free.

Home to beloved local spots like The Book Thing and Normal’s Book and Records, this growing neighborhood is one to celebrate. Start your Sunday by watching the annual children’s costume parade stroll down Abell Avenue at 11:30 a.m., and then enjoy an afternoon of sampling eats from local food trucks and brews by Abell’s own Peabody Heights Brewery, exchanging your summer clothes at The Clothing Swap, and browsing works by area artists. Best of all, this year’s fair boasts two stages of live performances, featuring rising acts like James & the Giant Peach and Joseph & The Beasts.

There are so many things to love about the annual Baltimore Seafood Festival at Canton Waterfront Park. The end-of-summer tradition, which returns on Saturday, September 15 from 12-7 p.m., offers a blend of live music (this year’s headliners include local favorites The Scotch Bonnets and Honey Extractor), cooking demonstrations, crafters, and family-fun activities against the backdrop of the sparkling harbor. But, at the heart of the five-year-old fête is its wide array of seafood specialties.

With more than 35 area restaurants and food trucks participating this year, the event will have plenty of diverse dishes paying homage to the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Among the purveyors returning is The London Chippy—a can’t-miss food truck (just look out for the massive Union Jack logo) that specializes in authentic fish and chips. Owner Anthony Robinson, who was born and raised in London, says that he was pleasantly surprised by the adventurous palates at the Seafood Fest last year.

“Typically, we get a lot of customers who stick with fried catfish or trout, but at the festival last year people were like, ‘No we want the cod and the traditional fish and chips,’” Robinson remembers. “It was a great feeling knowing that people really understood who we are and what we do.”

Despite potential cloudy skies, Robinson is looking forward to serving up his authentic delicacies to festival-goers rain or shine: “Fish and chips in the rain is very London,” he says with a laugh. “We welcome every single drop.”

Whether you prefer fish, crab, oysters, shrimp, lobster or a sampling of them all, here are a few highlights on the menu this weekend.

CRAB

Flash Crabcake Co.: This mobile crab company prides itself on peddling its signature six-oz. cakes at an affordable price ($10 with saltines and $11 as a sandwich on a potato roll). Flash will also be selling its classic cream of crab soup—an ideal snack to warm your soul in the potentially soggy weather.

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood: No Bawlmer seafood event is complete without hard-shell crabs. This Dundalk favorite—which has been particularly vocal about its love of crabs in response to the controversial PETA billboards that recently sprouted up in the city—will be slinging half-dozen orders of premium males while supplies last. Jimmy’s will also feature steamed shrimp and crabby fries for attendees who are down to get their hands dirty.

FISH

The London Chippy: The regional food truck, which makes stops everywhere from Northern Virginia to North Baltimore, will be frying up its signature cod and haddock and serving it alongside crispy “chips” and creamy coleslaw. Specials for the day will include mini lobster rolls, crab fries, and hush puppies.

RA Sushi: Harbor East diners are probably familiar with the colorful rolls at this dimly lit sushi spot. Catch RA at the festival to sample the Rainbow Roll (a classic California roll topped with tuna, yellowtail, shrimp, and salmon) and the Tootsy Maki, which mixes crab, shrimp, cucumber, and crunchy tempura bits and tops it in a sweet eel sauce.

OYSTERS

The Local Oyster: Head to the red, white, and black tent to slurp oysters from this fan-favorite seafood spot headquartered at Mount Vernon Marketplace. The Local Oyster will be shucking Skinny Dippers on the half shell from partner True Chesapeake Oyster Co. farmed in Southern Maryland.

The Urban Oyster: Swing by this local pop-up to visit chef Jasmine Norton, who will be hawking her oysters prepared three ways. Sample them raw, chargrilled, or fried and tucked into a taco with cilantro and lime.

SHRIMP

Nick’s Fish House: At this Port Covington staple, regulars typically start their meals off with an order of the chef’s famous “Boom Boom Shrimp”—crispy fried shrimp in a spicy Sriracha aioli. Try it at the festival alongside Nick’s crab balls and soft shell crab bites.

Southern Provisions: This Canton Square bar will be showcasing its Lowcountry influences with a warm shrimp gumbo over rice. Get your barbecue fix by pairing the gumbo with SoPro’s one-bite pulled pork sliders.

LOBSTER:

Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls: Chow down on mounds of Maine meat from this Annapolis favorite, which is widening its Baltimore footprint with a new stall in Belvedere Square and a yet-to-open Inner Harbor location. The brand will feature its classic rolls (chilled lobster salad with mayo and lemon), warm Connecticut-style rolls with butter, New England clam chowder, and signature “lobstah” bisque.

SNACKS

Alexander’s Tavern: Crab tots are an essential part of the Seafood Fest experience, and Alexander’s has some of the best in town. Dig in to the orders of crispy tots smothered in cheesy crab dip, or go handheld with a classic crab pretzel from the Fells Point pub.

Dessert Fantasies: If you happen to save room for dessert, local baker Tosha Williams will have plenty of cupcakes to satisfy sweet tooth cravings. Her Locust Point bakeshop highlights flavors ranging from to classic strawberry shortcake to chocolate fudge cakes topped with Berger cookie bits.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

September 16: Baltimore Seafood Festival

Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-7 p.m. Free-$99.   

Maryland and seafood go together like Old Bay and, well, pretty much anything. The crab season might be reaching its end (aka its peak), but oyster season is officially upon us, and there’s rarely a better time for rockfish. At this waterfront festival, now in its fourth year, join fellow seafood-lovers for sea-fare of all fashions, like Faidley’s crab cakes, fried oyster tacos, and the ever-classic lobster roll, plus cooking demos, live music, and activities for the kids.

 DRINK

September 16: Parktoberfest

Mount Vernon Marketplace, 520 Park Ave. 12-10 p.m. Free.

Remember ParkFest, Mt. Vernon Marketplace’s first summer block party? Well, that was so last year—it’s all about Parktoberfest now. Despite the festival will still celebrate Charm City through delicious eats, lots of beer, and groovy tunes. Outside on the city streets, enjoy the cool September air and sip on Union Craft beers, as well as cocktails from Cultured, drafts from Taps Fill Station, and other local brews from throughout the marketplace. To soak up the suds, sample your way through the market’s around-the-word offerings, from Pinch’s traditional pork dumplings to the new Cucina Al Volo’s ravioli di burrata to those R-month oysters at The Local Oyster. Once you’re satiated, continue raving in the revelry with a plethora of crafters’ booths and a fresh local music lineup featuring gypsy jazz group Ultrafaux, experimental duo Holy Ghost Party, and old-school DJ Rob Macy.

 SEE

September 14: High Zero Festival

Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. 8-11:59 p.m. Free-$15.

While some might argue that Baltimore has lost its edge, the city’s eclectic arts scene is never more alive and well than during the annual High Zero arts festival. Now in its 19th year, musical mad scientists and world-class creatives will defy genre expectations and reinvent music as we know it with expert and out-there improvisations. Half of the core musicians are Baltimore locals, such as abujaphone player Baba L’Salaam and vintage Casio keyboardist Maria Shesiuk, validating the virtuosic talent of the city’s experimental music subculture. Embrace the alternative with a new range of audio possibilities.

 HEAR

September 15: Outcalls

WTMD Studios, 1 Olympic Pl., Towson. 7:30-11 p.m. $15-17. 

When we first heard of Outcalls earlier this year, we couldn’t get enough of their debut single, “No King.” This weekend, they’re finally releasing their first EP, featuring four tracks and two remixes, and while you’ll have to wait for our full review in the October issue, we’ll just say: it’s friggin’ awesome. This weekend, catch a live broadcast of the female-fronted sextet’s hypnotic melodies and edgy beats, plus a sneak peek of their first music video. Led by Baltimore opera queens Melissa Wimbish and Britt Olsen-Ecker, both classically trained at Peabody Conservatory, the band is making waves with its dreamy vocals, lush electronic instrumentation, and rich alt-baroque sound. Be sure to arrive early as stellar local acts Super City and J Pope and the HearNow will be kicking things off, but be sure to don your best regal garb. You might get crowned the best-dressed royal of the night.

 DO

September 16: Korean Festival

Centennial Park, 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 

There’s more to Korean culture than kimchi and bibimbap (though we love them both). Since 1977, the ever-growing Korean-American population in Baltimore has been sharing its vibrant traditions with the local community. With 15,000 attendants last year, this 40th annual event proves to be a public favorite. Located at the beautiful Centennial Park in Ellicott City, the celebration features eight hours of non-stop entertainment—from taekwondo demonstrations and traditional fan dances to rising k-pop stars like HeeSun Lee and singer-songwriter Dabit. Food trucks will be serving up mainstream Korean dishes like bulgogi and japchae, and a pojangmacha-style beer garden will pay homage to South Korea’s pop-up street bars. But drivers beware: there will be no public parking at Centennial Park, so make sure to leave your car at one of the six satellite parking locations.

Hampdenfest
Sept. 9. W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. For one Saturday, celebrate the hons and Hampdenites of one of our city’s most quintessentially Baltimore neighborhoods. This beloved block party features regional food, local beer, and three stages of music for homegrown bands like PLRLS and Wume. Don’t miss the annual toilet bowl races, as porcelain flies past the rowhomes of Chestnut Avenue.

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Baltimore Comedy Festival
Sept. 1-4. Locations & times vary. Free-$15. 410-960-7821. If laughter is the best medicine, the first-ever Baltimore Comedy Festival is the ultimate Rx. For four days, attend standup showcases, podcast recordings, and comedy-themed discussions at different venues across the city.

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Madonnari Arts Festival
Sept. 8-10. Little Italy. Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. 410-967-5441. Madonnari art is an age-old practice of street painting, still found commonly along the cobblestones of Italy and, for one weekend, alongside the byways of Baltimore’s Little Italy. At the beginning of the month, watch master Madonnari artists from around the world—and right here at home—set up shop in the heart of the Italian neighborhood and create beautiful works of chalk art to the theme of “Freedom.” Listen to live music, dig into carb-loaded eats at local enotecas, and kick things off early during a cabaret dinner on Thursday at Germano’s Piattini.

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Maryland Collects: Jacob Lawrence
Sept. 9-Jan. 7. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 803 E. Pratt St. Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 12-5 p.m. Free-$8. 443-263-1800. In this new exhibit at the Lewis, explore more than 50 artworks by Jacob Lawrence, one of America’s most acclaimed 20th-century artists. Using bright colors, blocky shapes, and mesmerizing patterns, the celebrated painter weaves stories of African-American life in the 1900s. Featuring pieces culled from collectors in and around Maryland, the show might just be the must-see art event of the fall.

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Sturgill Simpson
Sept. 15. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7 p.m. $40-59.50. 410-715-5550. As summer slowly comes to a close, we recommend getting outside for one last night of live music. What better way than to giddy up with this Southern outlaw, who blends rock-and-roll, bluegrass, and country into a boundary-breaking, Grammy-nominated sound. With both rebellious rock numbers and heartbreaking ballads (we swoon over “The Promise”), Sturgill is sure to send the season off with a bang.

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Baltimore Seafood Festival
Sept. 16. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-7 p.m. Free-$99. 410-409-7123. Maryland and seafood go together like Old Bay and, well, pretty much anything. At this waterfront festival, join fellow seafood-lovers for blue crabs, local oysters, cooking demos, live music, and activities for the kids. 

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Baltimore Book Festival
Sept. 22-24. Inner Harbor. Free. During the Baltimore Book Festival, the Inner Harbor transforms into a bookworm’s dream, filled with book sales, author signings, poetry readings, and more. For the 22nd year, peruse the goods and gather for panel discussions with renowned writers like TED Talk celeb Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, former Sun sportswriter John Eisenberg, and National Book Award winner Alice McDermott. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy a Dogfish Head happy hour with brewmaster Sam Calagione, a meet-and-greet with a Guerrilla Girl, and a chance to ask rock-star-matriarch-turned-author Virginia Grohl your burning Foo Fighters questions. 

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Baltimore Comic Con
Sept. 22-24. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 1-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $25-1,000. 410-526-7410. At the 18th Baltimore Comic-Con comic book convention, come dressed to impress and let your geek flag fly. Compete in the costume contest, peruse or purchase your favorite cartoons, and meet famous superheroes, like OG Wonder Woman Lynda Carter. You might even get an autograph from Maryland cartoonist Frank Miller, of late-era Batman comics, Daredevil, Sin City, and 300 fame.

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Baltimore Innovation Week
Sept. 29-Oct. 7. Locations & times vary. Free-$75. Move over, Silicon Valley­—Baltimore was recently named one of the fastest-growing cities for tech. During Baltimore Innovation Week, release your inner techie and foster the city’s burgeoning innovation scene with events related to business, development, media, the sciences, and more. 

Akimbo Dance & Movement Art Festival
Sept. 12. Station North Arts District. 1-6 p.m. Free. This September, Station North will be overrun with a band of artists, but they won’t be wielding paper or paintbrushes. Instead, they’ll be dancing and performing as part of this fourth annual arts festival celebrating creative diversity in Baltimore and beyond. For one afternoon, wander the neighborhood and see performances by 17 city and regional dance companies—including the Baltimore Dance Project, Masala Soul Project, and Full Circle Dance Company—at indoor and outdoor venues like Station North Chicken Box, The Windup Space, and Ynot Lot.

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Diana Ross
Sept. 13. Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. 6 p.m. $40-100. 410-783-4189. Diana Ross is the O.D.—the original diva—first making her mark as the lead singer of The Supremes some 50 years ago. Her copious love songs and enduring pop hits—“Stop! In The Name of Love,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “I’m Coming Out”—have cemented her legacy as a fearless female force to be reckoned with. This month, catch her in the Inner Harbor for one unforgettable night.

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Baltimore Book Festival
Sept. 25-27. Baltimore Inner Harbor. Fri.-Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. Now in its 20th year, the Baltimore Book Festival is bigger and better than ever. Over three days, across multiple stages, hundreds of writers will be in attendance for readings, signings, workshops, and discussions. Hear locals Laura Lippman, D. Watkins, and Wes Moore, plus dozens of booksellers, cooking demos, kids projects, and live music.

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Kinky Boots
Sept. 29-Oct. 4. Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. Tues.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $47.50-131. 410-837-7400. In 2013, three decades after the release of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” 1980s pop icon Cyndi Lauper made her Broadway composer debut with Kinky Boots. The smash-hit musical about bright red stilettos shattered box-office records with its warm-hearted, colorful cast and universal tale about overcoming hard times and stereotypes through spirit and strength. Its anthem says it all: “Just be who you want to be. Celebrate your life triumphantly.”

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Hampdenfest
Sept. 19. W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.
Hampdenfest is all the free, street-festival fun of HonFest, but without the flamingos and frills. Instead, it’s just simple summertime pleasures—good beer, good music, and good friends. The Avenue will stir with a bevy of Baltimore talent, like indie-pop rockers Raindeer, post-punkers PLRLS, and this year’s headliner, Bosley. Toilet Race pot-peddlers will barrel down Chestnut Avenue, karaoke stars will compete in Hampden Idol, and onlookers will dangle out of colorful row-home windows.

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Baltimore Seafood Festival
Sept. 19. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-7 p.m. Free-$100. As summer nears its end, celebrate the bay’s best at the city’s second annual seafood festival. Dig into Chesapeake cuisine from local eateries like Captain James, Jimmy’s Seafood, and The Local Oyster, and wash it all down with cocktails, wine, and beer. Feel the breeze off the Canton waterfront and groove to funky tunes by the 8 Ohms and Unity Reggae bands.

[Image credits from top: Hank Wang; Pier Six Pavilion; Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts; Matthew Murphy; Russ Bradshaw; Shutterstock.]