Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you necessarily should do something. That was the thought I kept having as I watched Disney’s photo-realistic remake of their own The Lion King. Yes, we have reached a point with CGI technology where the lions look like real lions and the hyenas look like real hyenas and the crickets look like real crickets and the blades of grass really do seem to sway in the wind and the puddles of mud seem goopy and wet and the rocks seem craggy and dense. It’s impressive as hell—for a while at least. But at some point, a nagging question keeps coming up: Why?

The original The Lion King, from 1994, is a rightful classic, with a gorgeous hand-drawn animation that was blended with then-new CGI technology to create realistic (by animation standards) animals, heart-pulsing stampede scenes, and sweeping vistas. Throw in a wonderful plot about a young cub losing his king father and fulfilling his destiny, some memorable Disney villains and sidekicks, and Elton John’s ace score, and it’s no wonder the film became a global hit. It spawned a Broadway show, that combined the songs and story of the movie with the visionary genius of Julie Taymor.

“Vision” is a key word here, because that’s what missing in this remake. As directed by Jon Favreau, it’s an achievement of technology not artistry. Indeed, it’s a downright slavish imitation of the original, with a few notable deficiencies: For one, as incredible as this CGI is, they still haven’t quite mastered the facial expressions of the talking animals. I guess you have to sacrifice one for the either: Either you get a lion that looks just like a lion or you get a lion that can sneer and laugh and cry. Also, when I think of the animated The Lion King, I think of all those beautiful, rich hues—the caramel colored lions, the deep sunrises, the black-blue night sky. Here, there’s often a dingy grayness to the proceedings, particularly in scenes toward the end that take place in the rain.

So what works? Well, lots of course. It’s still a great story with great music. And the cast is pretty great, too. John Oliver is a particularly pleasant surprise as the hornbill Zazu, who is assigned by the lion king Mufasa (James Earl Jones, reprising his role from the original) to look over the cubs Simba and Nala. Who knew the satirical news host could act? Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner provide a nice dose of comic relief as the “Hakuna Matata” duo themselves, Pumbaa and Timon (even if Rogen can’t really—what’s the word I’m looking for?—”sing”). As Scar, Chewitel Ejiofor treats the material like he’s doing Shakespeare, so let it never be said that he plays down to the material. And an electric wave of excitement coursed through my audience when Beyoncé’s voice was first heard as the grownup version of Nala (they even wrote an extra song just for her—a generic, gospel-tinged number called “Spirit”—because what are you going to do, not give Beyoncé a solo?). The ever-likeable Donald Glover makes for a solid grown-up Simba.

What can I say? The Lion King is good because, well, The Lion King is good. But the original was a work of artistry and genius. This is a work of mimicry. So let’s just call it what it is: A cash grab by Disney that will make them . . . hundreds of millions of dollars. Dammit, foiled again.

What has the reception been like for you?
It’s been amazing! I mean, I knew the power of Beyoncé, but I had no idea that working on this project would get me the attention that it has. BSA was over the moon that three of its alumni were a part of it [Winslow and Christian Siriano]. It’s pretty crazy. About a year ago I got into the Art Directors Guild, which enables you to take bigger jobs and work on bigger union stuff. Taking that step has really done a lot for my career. This job, in particular, has really gotten me a lot of exposure.

How did you learn that “Hold Up” was nominated for a VMA?
I saw it myself online the day it was announced. I was expecting and hoping it was going to be nominated so I just checked the MTV website. I was super excited. A VMA nomination is nothing to take lightly; it is such a great accomplishment. “Hold Up” actually ended up winning best female video, which is no small feat. In our industry, anything that wins an award is part of your body of work and résumé.

Did you know that Beyoncé actually broke the record for all time VMA wins at this year’s award show?
I saw that! It’s funny I was thinking about it and Beyoncé has 21 “Moon Men” and Michael Phelps has 22 gold medals. She is kind of the Michael Phelps of the VMAs.

What did it mean to you to be a part of a such a huge nominated project?
It felt really great, especially at this young point in my career. Film-making, art direction, and production design are all long careers that take awhile to reach the top so being so young and being recognized for my work makes me good and energizes me for the future and what I still have to give this industry. I feel really fortunate to be a part of such an amazing project.

Okay, last Beyoncé question. Do you know who Becky is?
I do not. I don’t and I haven’t met her, but I guarantee she lives in Los Angeles. There are a lot of them in Los Angeles.

And now you are working with American Horror Story?
Right now I am the assistant art director on American Horror Story season six. I’ve been a part of the entire season from day one. The theme this year is really secretive, which has been really fun to work on and I’m looking forward to the first episode premiering. It’s really fun to see everyone’s guesses.

What is your day-to-day like working on the show?
A lot of my day-to-day is interacting with the production designer and the art director to get the sets prepped for the next episode. As the assistant art director, I’m not so much involved in the day-to-day filming of the show. The art department always has to stay a step ahead, so I’m more involved in prepping for the next episode about a week or two in advance.

As far as art direction goes, I can’t think of a more fun show to be a part of. Were you always a fan of the show?
Before I even got the job, I was a huge fan of the show. I have seen all of the seasons since day one and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this would be a great show to work on.’ So honestly it was really a dream job come true. And really you are fortunate to be on any Ryan Murphy show. All of his work is amazing and I feel lucky to be with such a great group of people.

What has been your favorite season of American Horror Story?
Well the first season is amazing because it set the tone and all aspects of it were just really well done. But being an art director, I think my favorite seasons in terms of design were Asylum and Hotel. Those sets were absolutely incredible. So I would say in terms of story, the first season is my favorite and in terms of visuals and art the second and fifth seasons. But, once everyone sees the sixth season, that will be the new favorite.

American Horror Story season 6 premieres on September 14th on FX.

The Avett Brothers
June 3-4. Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. 8:30 p.m. $38-55. 410-783-4189. With the warm sun on your face and cool breeze in your hair, there’s no better way to settle into summer than with a little live music on the Inner Harbor. The Avett Brothers are a perfect band for the season, with their Southern folk rock as pure and American as a cold beer in hand on a hot June night. Dig on fan favorites like “I and Love and You” and “Head Full of Doubt,” as well as new songs like “Ain’t No Man” from their brand-new album, True Sadness.—LW

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Design for Mobile Living
June 1-Nov. 27. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. Step into the art and culture of Eastern Africa’s nomadic societies. In this exploratory exhibition, admire jewelry, accessories, and gear from the 19th and 20th centuries, and discover the ways in which artwork can be lightweight, functional, portable, and adorned.

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Taste of Three Cities
June 4. Patterson Park, 2806 Eastern Ave. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $16.74-69.24. 410-276-3676. Calling all foodies. Once again, Patterson Park will transform into a food-truck playground with the region’s top 40 four-wheelers offering culinary indulgences that range from lobster rolls and barbecue to grilled cheese and cupcakes. Spend your summer Saturday touring their treats, voting for your favorites, cooling off with wine and beer, and listening to live music. Proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit that delivers food to people in need, and the (RED) Campaign, whose global efforts are fighting to end AIDS.

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Hairspray: In Concert
June 3-5. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 & 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $43-109. 410-783-8000. We have Diner, we have Avalon, we have parts of Sleepless in Seattle, but few films are more iconic for Charm City than John Waters’s Hairspray. Back by popular demand, the famous musical will take over the Meyerhoff stage for the first time since 2013. Relive the favorites in this semistaged concert production, featuring Waters himself as narrator alongside members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

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Beyoncé
June 10. M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 7:30 p.m. $45-305. 410-261-7283. Beyoncé is the queen bee of pop culture, with five platinum records, 20 Grammys, and her own HBO documentary, plus flawless fashion, kickass choreography, and once-in-a-lifetime concert tours. (Not to mention her much talked about marriage to hip-hop royalty, Jay Z.) Over the years, she has brought us such seminal smash-hits as “Say My Name,” “Drunk in Love,” and “Single Ladies,” and this past winter she released her first new single in three years, “Formation,” which instantly skyrocketed to the top of the charts. It also sparked BeyHive hysteria for her latest album, Lemonade, which set the internet on fire when it suddenly dropped this spring. For one Friday night, see what all the buzz is about as the living legend brings down the house on our very own Ravens turf.—LW

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Tour Dem Parks, Hon!
June 12. Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, 3100 Swann Drive. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $20-48. For one Sunday in June, put your rubber to the road as hundreds of bicyclists take a trip through Baltimore’s beloved parks. Whether you opt for a difficult trek or family-friendly cruise, you can swing through the likes of Druid Hill, Clifton, and Patternson parks, followed by a picnic lunch, live music, and lovable rescue puppies, all to benefit Baltimore’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

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HonFest
June 11-12. The Avenue in Hampden, 36th Street. Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free. Get your hairspray, boas, and high heels ready for the 23rd annual HonFest. At this weekend-long festival in Hampden, honor the historic working women of Bawlmer in true eclectic Charm City fashion. Join thousands of attendees for three stages of live music, plus food, crafts, and, of course, a contest for the Best Hon.

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Baltimore Wine Fest
June 18. Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-7 p.m. Free-$85. 410-409-7123. For the second time, Canton’s waterfront will turn into a vino lover’s paradise with more than 100 wines from all over the world, gourmet local eats, and live music. Grab a glass, sip some samples, then stumble home.

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Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival
June 25. Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $29-89. 410-396-7931. As Marylanders, we all know there is nothing better than a June afternoon with a bushel of crabs. Now in its third year, this annual tradition has upped the ante, becoming the largest crab feast in Baltimore with more than 22,000 people, 30,000 crabs, and 50 beers, plus wines, spirits, live music, and arts and crafts. With enough brown picnic-table paper to stretch across the harbor and back, this festival is ready to dig in, rain or shine.

Last summer, Baltimore thought it was big-time when Jay Z and Justin Timberlake came into town. But this month, Jay Z has found himself a possibly even more high-profile partner in his wife Beyoncé, as their On The Run tour comes to M&T Bank Stadium on July 7. “I think it sold so fast primarily because of the novelty of them touring together,” says Mike Burke, Ravens senior manager for ticket sales and hospitality. “But also, there is no D.C. show and

no Hershey show, so people are going to come here from all over.” The couple recently made headlines when video of Beyoncé’s sister Solange kicking Jay Z in an elevator at the Met Ball went viral. But this month, all eyes will be on the two as performers since they’ve never officially toured together. “Unlike the Timberlake show, and even U2, this sold out every

seat almost instantly,” Burke says. “I guess that’s the power of Beyoncé.”