dance parties – Baltimore Magazine

Into the Groove: Baltimore’s Vibrant Dance Scene in Photos

Aaron Hope — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:00:57 +0000

Arts & Culture

Febuary 2025

ONE NIGHT back in 2015, I was walking home from work when I heard a hum coming from the corner of Ann and Fleet streets. I poked my head inside the brick building, the American Legion, Post Number 95, and found the small room packed with a five-piece band and several dozen dancers of all ages, swinging and spinning and dipping in time with the music’s swift tempo, as they did most Wednesdays.

The sight was mesmerizing, as if I had stumbled upon a secret society and, in many ways, I had. After all, one doesn’t usually think of the mid-aughts as one of America’s iconic dance eras—we tend to think of 1920s swing, 1970s disco, or even the techno, house, and Baltimore Club waves of the 1990s, when it was a part of everyday life.

And yet there in Fells Point, in the early 21st century, both stresses and smartphones were cast aside to partake in this deeply human pastime. A moment of uninhibited movement. Of rug-cutting abandon. Of connection and community. And for a brief spin, even bliss.

Undoubtedly, we could all use a bit of those feelings as we brave the ongoing winter and weather this new year. And luckily, as that fateful weeknight foreshadowed, it turns out that this city is full of dancing. On any given evening, Baltimoreans are two-stepping, lindy-hopping, crazy-legging, and moshpitting their way around town at a range of recurring dance nights, dance parties, and even dance classes.

And anyone can join them. As Alex Lacquement, host of the monthly Baltimore Honky-Tonk once told us, “I always tell people, if you can move your feet back and forth, and if you’re having fun, you’re dancing,”

Below, turn up the volume on our playlist—curated by Version DJ Kotic Couture—and feel the rhythm of the local scene. Then, whether you’ve got minimal skills or serious moves, find your own way to one of these very dance floors, too. —LW

Above: Version, a monthly queer and trans dance party, at The Compound. Opener: From left, Rocking out to disco-punk at the Ottobar; the Deep Sugar house-music dance party with DJ Ultra Naté at Club 1722; Background: DJs and disco ball on weekends at The Royal Blue.

Above: Scenes from the Ottobar, which hosts myriad dance nights, including Metal Monday moshpits; Version DJ Kotic Couture; DJ Rob Macy spins during the monthly Save Your Soul vinyl dance party at Lithuanian Hall; Version; The Royal Blue; Deep Sugar; Dancing beneath the disco ball on a recent winter night at The Royal Blue.

Above: Scenes from the weekly Lindy Hop at Mobtown Ballroom, which starts with a lesson for beginners; Boot scooting during the monthly Baltimore Honky-Tonk at Waverly Brewing; Showing off swing moves at Mobtown; The dance floor at Lithuanian Hall.

Above: Indie Sleaze Night at the Ottobar; the stacks at Save Your Soul; into the groove at Deep Sugar, which takes place on the Lord Baltimore Hotel rooftop during the summer; on the ones and twos with vintage 45s at Save Your Soul; spinning at Save Your Soul.

Into the wee hours of the night.

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Where to Kiss 2019 Goodbye in Baltimore This New Year’s Eve

Lauren Cohen — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 12:00:00 +0000

When it comes to resolutions, this New Year’s Eve is a big one. With a new decade comes an even bigger opportunity to wipe the slate clean and get cracking on those goals that you’ve long been wanting to accomplish. But, before we all start hitting the gym and polishing up our personal budgets, there are tons of local celebrations to say sayonara to the past 10 years in style. Whether you’re looking for an all-out dance party, fancy meal, fireworks show, all-you-can-drink package—or some combination of them all—here are some of the best New Year’s Eve happenings.

Dance Dance Resolution

The Roaring 2020’s New Years Eve: A Burlesque Revue: The roaring twenties are back and better than ever at Creative Alliance’s clever nod to the past. Celebrate with a night of burlesque, dancing, two live bands, and CBD cocktails—an event worthy of a 21st-century Gatsby. $30-35

The Crown NYE in the Red Room: Everyone’s favorite dancing spot is opening up the Red Room this New Year’s Eve for a night of throwbacks. Two DJs will spin classics from the past decade (think Beyonce, Billie Eilish, and everyone in between) along with a mix of soul and funk. Bring your best moves and fit one last dance session into 2019. Free

NYE Bash at Mobtown Ballroom: Located in a restored Pigtown church, Mobtown Ballroom brings back its tradition of starting the New Year off with live music and dance. Mzz B & Company Dance Band will supply the tunes, including pop, R&B, and soul, with performances throughout the night. Tickets include a complimentary Champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight. $50

A 2020 Burlesque New Year’s: Dance like a flapper at The Charles in Federal Hill. Partygoers will groove to music by DJ Neil Paul and indulge in other offerings provided by the all-inclusive ticket, such as a six-hour premium open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, surprise performances, a photo booth, and party favors. Top off the night by watching the countdown and Times Square ball drop on The Charles’ 16-foot projector screen. $75-130

Midnight Shows

NYE Murder Mystery Train: Ride into 2020 aboard the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, and step into the shoes of a detective with an evening of murder mystery fun. Guests will dine with a special three-course meal, enjoy a bar stocked with wine and beer, and relax to enjoy the show—which takes place on board. $185

Better Off Dead: There’s no better New Year’s fun for Deadheads than this late-night show with Better Off Dead, the touring tribute band that reimagines the music of the Grateful Dead. The 8×10 tradition includes admission to an after party featuring experimental jam group Squaring the Circle. Want to go all out this year? VIP tickets include an acoustic set with Better Off Dead and access to a potluck. $30-45

Firework Spectaculars

NYE Duck Drop and Fireworks: Havre de Grace celebrates the 20th anniversary of their annual duck drop, a tradition where a symbolic lighted duck takes the place of the Times Square Ball. The celebration includes a midnight fireworks display at the Concord Point Lighthouse, set off from barges just offshore, and tons of outdoor dancing.

New Year’s Eve Spectacular: Baltimore: Once again, this 15-minute fireworks display will light up the skies above the Inner Harbor. Baltimoreans will gather on the promenade, groove to live music courtesy of Rufus Roundtree & Da B’More Brass Factory, and enjoy a late-night skate around the Inner Harbor Ice Rink, which will be open past midnight to ring in the New Year.

NYE Deck Party on the USS Constellation: Giving a new definition to the party boat, the last sail-only warship used in the United States Navy brings the fun on board. The deck of the USS Constellation hosts a spread of attractions, from an all-inclusive gourmet menu, hot cider and other drinks, party hats and noisemakers, cannon firings, and a prime view of the Inner Harbor fireworks.

Cheers to the New Year

Suspended Brewing’s Countdown to 2020: This charming Pigtown brewery hosts its third-annual New Year’s party to close out the decade. Toast to the new decade with a choice of beers from hoppy to spiced, or with the three thoughtfully crafted cocktails on draft. Tickets also include a dinner by Asian-fusion favorite Ekiben, a special themed gift, and a dance party led by a brewer-turned-DJ. $100

Brew Year’s Eve Bash at Nepenthe Brewing Co.: Hampden beer haven Nepenthe is opening up its bar for those looking to ring in 2020 with a brew in hand. Five hours of open bar means plenty of time to try a few beverages—from beer to wine to cocktails—with entertainment such as a photo booth, a flip cup tournament, hourly prize drawings, cult drinking game Drinko, and a barrel drop at midnight. $65-95

NYE at Tagliata/Elk Room/Italian Disco: Three rooms, three experiences—one big New Year’s Eve party on Fleet Street. With the restaurants neighboring each other, and sharing an outdoor patio, guests can easily move between the live piano in Tagliata’s lounge, the jazz band at the Elk Room, and the DJ at Italian Disco. Enjoy an open bar, festive fare on a standing buffet, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. $146-195

One Star Country Club’s NYE Party 2019: Known for its comedic one-star reviews, this Federal Hill favorite knows how to keep things fun. With a friendly and inviting atmosphere, the bar will host a one-hour premium open bar to get the drinks and cheer flowing, and a special live DJ performance throughout the night. $6-16.50

New Year’s Eve at Barcocina: Tiered ticket packages at this Fells Point hangout allow revelers to get as fancy as they would like this New Year’s Eve. Depending on which package you choose, enjoy a top-shelf open bar or admission to both Barcocina and its sister spot, Bond Street Social. Plus, the waterfront bar provides the perfect patio for watching the fireworks shine over the harbor. $40-90

New Year’s Eve 2020 at The Point: Start your January out “on point” at this Thames Street mainstay. Though general admission is free, guests have the option of indulging in a $25 buffet with a Champagne toast at midnight or a $75 premium open bar package. Plus, DJ Mike Jointz will be spinning and taking requests until 5 a.m. If you happen to stay out that long, you might as well stick it out until 9 a.m., when The Point will start serving brunch. Free-$75

New Year’s at Woody’s and Slainte: These Fells Point sister spots are doing it up with a gourmet buffet, premium open bar, prime view of the fireworks, and party favors galore. $80

Fancy Food:

New Year’s Dinner and Brunch at True Chesapeake Oyster Co.: Not only is this Hampden newbie offering dinner with free shuttle service to the Avenue on New Year’s Eve, but it’s also celebrating with two brunch seatings on New Year’s Day. Come in your PJs and enjoy live DJ music while sipping mimosas or Bloody Marys and, perhaps more importantly, unlimited coffee. All-inclusive tickets include the drinks, a brunch dish (try the French toast or a chicken-and-waffle Benedict), and a housemade bread basket for the table. $35

Charleston: For a feast that’s worth the splurge, head to Harbor East to savor one of chef Cindy Wolf’s unique, four-course menus with optional wine and Champagne pairings. Among them are “The Forest” (mushroom bisque and roasted beef tenderloin), “The Sea” (Scottish smoked salmon and grilled sea bass), “The Field” (fingerling potato salad and a chanterelle mushroom tart), and “Autrement,” with Maryland lump crab gratin and grilled calamari. $169-269

Little Havana: If Cuban food and a first-rate view of fireworks feels like a perfect night, greet 2020 at Little Havana in South Baltimore. Snack on appetizers such as puerco fritas, or fill-up on a dinner buffet before getting drinks at the canopied open bar. All the while, jam to party band Bye Felicia. $85

Papi’s Tacos: A night of tacos, salted margaritas, and shiny party favors sounds like a New Year’s Eve well spent to us. Tickets to this Hampden bash include bottomless beer, wine, house margaritas, sangria, and Champagne. And what could be better than starting January with a quesadilla buffet at midnight? $50

Rye Street Tavern: Snag a table at this Port Covington destination to feast on a special three-course fixed menu. Special dishes will include a Wagyu beef tartare, red wine-braised short ribs, chef Andrew Carmellini’s famous fried chicken, and a classic Baked Alaska for two. $85

Wayward Smokehouse: Four words: mac and cheese bar. Need we say more? Head to this South Charles Street staple in Federal Hill to line your stomach with all-you-can-eat mac and cheese before taking advantage of the open bar from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There will also be a photo booth, live DJ, and a Champagne toast. Another added perk? Guests in need of a hangover cure will receive 10 percent off of their checks at Wayward on New Year’s Day. $65

Cinghiale: New Year’s Eve at this Harbor East hotspot features a four-course modern Italian menu, party hats and favors, a sparkling toast at midnight, and a killer view of the fireworks display. Dishes to look our for include house-smoked swordfish crudo, wild boar bolognese, porcini-crusted monkfish, and prosecco cake with spiced plums. $99

Magdalena: Chef Mark Levy is pulling out all the stops at this Mount Vernon gem for the holiday. Diners will enjoy a four-course prix-fixe featuring chilled lobster salad, winter squash ravioli with sage, Beef Wellington, rack of Colorado lamb, and a salted caramel chocolate tart. $150

“Walk of Shame” Brunch at Topside: The team at this rooftop destination at Hotel Revival in Mount Vernon is hoping to make the often-brutal New Year’s Day hangovers a bit easier this year. Come in your pajamas, or the outfit you wore the night before (no judgement!), to take full advantage of a Bloody Mary bar, cold pizza, prosecco pops with Pedialyte, cocktails infused with vitamins and minerals, and more.

The Night Brunch NYE Party: The brains behind The Night Brunch are taking over the arcade at Lexington Market, transforming the food hall into an immersive New Year’s bash. Along with food stands from The Urban Oyster and Lexington Market favorites, the halls will get jazzed-up with decorations, lights, live DJs, and Instagrammable installations. The night will finish off with an ecstatic sequence of countdown, ball drop, and balloon drop. $40

Baltimore Blowouts

NYE Live! New Year’s Eve Baltimore: With nine bars and nightclubs, five gourmet buffets with classics such as crab cakes and jumbo shrimp, and four-hour all-inclusive drink packages, Power Plant Live! might keep you too distracted to notice the ball drop—although you’ll be able to follow the countdown on two 20-foot LED screens alongside live music and a laser light show. $95

Gatsby on the Harbor: If you’re waiting for a green light to party like it’s the roaring ’20s, head down to the edge of the water and wait no longer. Harbor East’s Marriott Waterfront Hotel will host this ball that is shaping up to be a monument to decadence—featuring several open bars and buffets, dazzling decorations, and a no-holds-barred midnight extravaganza that’ll be the talk of the town for a decade to come. $125

Charm City Countdown Charity Gala: Branded as Baltimore’s biggest balloon drop, this year’s Charm City Countdown will take place in an enchanted forest (inside the Hilton BWI Airport Hotel), with 12 party zones, specialty bars, a silent disco, heated outdoor lounges, and perhaps a touch of magic. Plus, funds raised will support the disability advocacy of nonprofit Caring Communities. $119

Sagamore Pendry: For an exclusive New Year’s Eve experience in the form of a double-gala, choose between either a Venetian masquerade or a winter wonderland, depending on your style. You won’t want to miss this gala at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel, and you certainly won’t want to miss the five-hour premium open bar. $33-500

The Lord Baltimore Hotel: We may be approaching a century since Prohibition began, but that doesn’t mean modern partygoers can’t enjoy the thrill of a speakeasy bash at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. But that’s not all—be sure to nab the two-person overnight package to enjoy a packed evening of celebration fit to ring in the ‘20s, with a Great Gatsby murder mystery dinner, hotel ghost tour, psychic readings, and a costume contest. $135-376

Loch Bar: Stay inside to watch the fireworks burst over the Inner Harbor with views from Loch Bar inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. Decked out with a ceiling covered in gold and silver balloons, the elevated event will offer a standing buffet with treats such as oysters Rockefeller and crab balls, an open bar, live music, and complimentary Champagne. $120-150

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Baltimore’s Most Spirited Halloween Parties, Performances, and Events

Lauren Cohen — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:00:00 +0000

BOO-ZY BASHES

10/26: Federal Hill-O-Ween
Creep and crawl around Federal Hill for the neighborhood’s biggest event of the season. Tickets to the 11th- annual event get you no-cover access to 14 top Federal Hill bars. Roll through and take advantage of the epic night of brews and boos featuring spooky drink specials, a costume contest, and complimentary koozies and beads.

10/26-27: Fright Night: A Weekend on Zombie Island
Get dropped into the dark world of Zombie Island, a two-night dance experience at South Point in Port Covington. Creepy zombie characters and state-of-the-art lighting backdrop two music stages, which feature a lineup of 30 DJs and performers. Off the dance-floor, visit the food stands, full bars, and merch vendors. $79-$89. 101 W Cromwell St.

10/27-31: Harry Potter Halloween at Johnny’s
Calling all witches and wizards! Harry Potter Halloween returns to Johnny’s by popular demand. For the entire week leading up to October 31, the dining rooms of the seafood joint will be decked out as different Hogwarts houses with plenty of butterbeer, spooky treats, and witchy adult drinks. Whether you’re a Hufflepuff or Slytherin, don’t miss this family-friendly tradition. 4800 Roland Ave, (410)-773-0777

10/27: Halloween Moonlight Cruise
Out on the water, the annual boo-ze cruise from Spirit of Baltimore will keep the party going. Come dressed up and ready for the costume contest, dance to live DJs, and eat and drink from a moonlight menu and cash bar. With the cruise leaving at midnight, see Baltimore at its spookiest hour, and revel in the lit up skyline along the shore. $44.90. 561 Light Street, (410)-347-5552

10/31: Boos on the Beach Halloween Party at Sandlot
This is the only haunted pirate ship you’ll want to find yourself aboard. Transformed into a spooky ship navigating treacherous waters, Sandlot will serve up a night of spooktacular activities. A $10 cover includes a welcome cocktail, entertainment by DJ Janko & friends, and drink specials all evening long. $10, 1000 Wills Street

10/31: Halloween at Nepenthe Brewing Co.

This Hampden hangout is celebrating its first-ever Halloween in style with a costume contest, photo booth, themed cocktails, spooky tunes, candy for all, and, of course, plenty of brews to go around. The price of admission includes your first two beers and a special-edition pint glass. 3626 Falls Rd. 7 p.m. $25

PHANTASMIC PERFORMANCES

OCT 18-20: Rocky Horror Picture Show! Interactive Movie Night

Looking to vary your typical Halloween plans with something a bit…alien? Look no further than Creative Alliance’s interactive performance of the 1970s cult classic, complete with pre-show cocktails, a costume contest, and plenty of naughty musical numbers featuring local guest performers. Check out the ‘lite’ show on Thursday if the raunchy version isn’t your thing, or stay for a later show to get the unfiltered experience. 3134 Eastern Ave.

OCT 24: Stoop Storytelling: Twilight Zone

It’s ghost story season. Get strange at this night of storytelling with Stoop at the Senator Theater. Performers will divulge their experiences with everything from the supernatural to the super weird. Get there early for cocktails and live music by local heartthrobs Super City. 5904 York Rd

OCT 26: Casey Cares’ 17th Annual Rock ‘N’ Roll Halloween Bash

Halloween meets rock and roll at this annual night of electric guitars and pyrotechnics at Rams Head Live. Rock out to performances from AC/DC tribute band High Voltage and beehive queen Christine Ohlman while making the most of the open bar, food, auction, and raffles. The show kicks off with a Battle of the Bands competition, so come early to cheer on the kids from Baltimore, Columbia, and Silver Spring Schools of Rock. 20 Market Place

OCT 26: Halloween 2019: Maryland Science Center

Every year, costumed attendees pack into the halls of the Maryland Science Center for a night of eclectic musical acts. Baltimore acts from Ed Schrader’s Music Beat to Soul Cannon to DDm will perform at the seven different music stages throughout the museum. If you manage to snag a ticket, don’t forget to register for the costume contest, but move quickly, they go scary fast. 601 Light Street

OCT 31: A Stranger Halloween with Kotic Couture and Eze Jackson

Pull together your best Eleven costume at this Stranger Things-themed dance party at North Avenue Market. Try your hand at the free arcade games, sip strange cocktails, and check out the huge Mind Flayer installation. Of course, you can also dance like it’s the ’80s to musical performances by Amsies, Kotic Couture, DDm, and Eze Jackson. 30 W North Ave.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FRIGHTS

OCT. 18-31: Monsters, Mystery & Magic

Monsters and ghouls will take over downtown’s Port Discovery Children’s Museum through Halloween with fangtastic family entertainment like monster costume parades, a mystery fun house, and performances from the museum’s Trick and Treat Theater. Plus, kids and parents can make their own Halloween fun with wearable monster hats or friendly monster puppets at Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster Factory. 35 Market Place.

OCT. 19-20: Halloween Tricks, Treats, and Trees

Trick or treat with Mother Nature on a self-guided tour through the trees at Columbia’s Robinson Nature Center, which will also host potion-making with a witch, puppet shows, crafting and tot-friendly games at it’s annual celebration. Come out for the seasonal festivities, but stay for the adorable animals and tasty treats from MOM’s Organic and David’s Natural markets. 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia 21044.

OCT. 24: Toddler Time Halloween & Costume Parade

What’s cuter—a bunch of toddlers on a train, or a train of toddlers chugging their way around the B&O Railroad Museum? Come see for yourself at the downtown museum’s Halloween event, which includes a reading of Alice Shertle’s Little Blue Truck’s Halloween, monster grab-bags, and, of course, trick or treating during the costume parade. 901 W. Pratt Street.

OCT. 25: Ar-Boo-Retum

Thrill the whole family with a spooky evening at the haunting Cylburn Arboretum. A trick or treat trail, craft stations, and educational workshops surround the mansion. Come in costume for the full Halloween treatment. Cylburn Mansion and Mansion Circle, 4915 Greenspring Ave. 5-8PM. Free-$10

OCT. 25-27: ZooBOOO! 2019

Grab your costumers and trick-or-treat bags and have a spooktacular time at the Maryland Zoo’s 36th annual festival, featuring a packed lineup of games, two costume contests, and live performances from child entertainers Silly Goose & Val and the Kapow Show featuring Evan Young. 1 Safari Place.

OCT. 26: The 20th Annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival

Creative Alliance’s premiere Halloween celebration hits 20 luminous years with a parade through Patterson Park, this time around featuring an artist-commissioned finale and post-parade dance party. Head down in the afternoon to enjoy lantern workshops, a kids costume contest, hayrides, and local craft and food vendors. Then, join stilt walkers, dance teams, and other performers alongside thousands of fellow Baltimoreans in a light-filled procession. Patterson Park.

OCT. 26: SOBO Halloween Bash

For a celebration that’s more friendly than goulish, join your neighbors at Riverside Park for the eighth-annual South Baltimore Halloween Bash. The gazebo and surrounding fields will be packed with food trucks, lawn games, and straw bales marking a special toddler play area. Everyone can take home a pumpkin or other prize, like a book from the Maryland Book Bank, but be sure to enter the costume contest if you’re feeling festive. Riverside Park.

OCT. 27: Trick or Treat at the Square
This year, Belvedere Square is going all-out for its eighth-annual Halloween extravaganza, with a kids costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and a “Monster Mash” dance lesson and performance from White Marsh Ballet Academy. Bring the whole family down to trick or treat with the market’s merchants and local organizations including the Belvedere Veterinary Center. 540 E. Belvedere Ave.

OCT. 27: AVAM’s Free Fall Halloween Celebration

Get freaky at this free fall celebration at Federal Hill’s American Visionary Art Museum. With free museum admission, a “Lumin-Eeries” lantern workshop, and a Young Frankenstein screening from Flicks on the Hill, there’s plenty to love for Charm City’s little monsters and their mummies (and dads, too). 800 Key Highway.

DEADLY DANCE PARTIES

OCT 12: Dungeons and Drag Halloween Edition!

Head to the Ottobar for this pre-Halloween bash that starts with an all-out dance party. The fun will continue with a drag show and costume contest by host Cher Rub and performers Elizabeth Wayne Gaycee, Bellatrix Foxx, Kelsey Kadaver, and Peggy Uranus Alastor. 2549 N. Howard St., 8 p.m.

OCT 24: Halloween Rally: Glow Edition

Kick off Halloweekend on the dancefloor for a night of glow sticks, inflatables, confetti, and beats. Tickets include free cover and five drink tickets good at nine bars around Power Plant. Power Plant Live! 34 Market Pl. 10-1AM $35-$45

OCT 26: Halloween 19: Zombie World

Power Plant Live is also getting in the spirit with this apocalyptic rager, in which each of its bars will take inspiration from a different zombie movie. Come dressed in your spookiest garb for a chance to win cash prizes, and dance the night away with live DJ entertainment spun from the district’s centerpiece stage.34 Market Place. 8 p.m. $5

OCT 31: Halloween Silent Disco at Horseshoe Casino

Accessorize your costume with a pair of wireless headphones for this silent disco celebration at Horseshoe Casino. The event will feature two different channels of live DJ music, as well as drink specials and a costume contest. Winners will receive a free dinner for two at the casino’s restaurant GDL Italian. 1525 Russell St. 8-11 p.m. $10

OCT. 31: Halloween at Ottobar

Get ready to shake your bones to all of the horrifying Halloween hits at this upstairs dance party. DJs Candy Corn and Badlife will be taking requests, playing spooky sound effects, and even spinning classics from old-school horror movie soundtracks throughout the night. There will also be plenty of candy, fall-themed drinks, and ghoulish decor. 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m. Free

HAIR-RAISING HAUNTINGS

ONGOING: The Original Fell’s Point Ghostwalk
Spooky season is the perfect time to embark on this eerie tour of historic Fells Point. Learn about the beginnings of the waterfront locale—which was once a rowdy seaport town full of stumbling sailors and immigrants anxious to start anew—and attempt to spot spirits lingering around Broadway Square. If you’re in the mood for something even more spirited, opt for the haunted pub crawl. 731 S. Broadway. 8 p.m. $14-15

ONGOING: The Nevermore Haunt

Billed as one of the state’s scariest haunted houses, this chilling attraction takes inspiration from Baltimore’s own dark past. Set in the late 19th-century, the interactive performance highlights drowned sailors, tortured factory workers, unlicensed physicians, and other kooky characters. Work up your courage with the local craft beers on site before embarking on the terrifying tour. 450 Mott St. Times vary. $22-56

ONGOING: Annapolis Ghost Tours
Navigate your way around the dark and narrow streets of downtown Annapolis with expert guides who recount stories of some of the city’s spookiest spots. Don’t be surprised if you get goosebumps while walking through Hogshead on Pinkney Street—the house which once served as barracks for military recruits during the Revolutionary War—or the old St. Anne’s cemetery. 25 Market Space., Annapolis. $13-23

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Weekend Lineup: August 3-5

Kaitlyn Pacheco — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 08:14:00 +0000

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

EAT

Aug. 4: Fort McHenry Crab Feast

Fort McHenry National Monument, 2400 E. Fort Ave. 4-8 p.m. $45-725.

There’s still a few weeks of crab season left, and that’s something worth celebrating. Spend Saturday evening at the historic Fort McHenry for this fifth annual crab feast, featuring tons of Maryland blues as well as backyard barbeque fare like pulled pork, corn on the cob, homemade potato chips, and refreshing summer salads. Wash down the Old Bay-encrusted crustaceans with libations from Atlantic Wines and Heavy Seas Brewing Company, and groove along to live music by the Eastport Oyster Boys, a group of Chesapeake Bay troubadours. Whether you’re an out-of-towner or a born-and-bred Baltimorean, get a taste of the city’s most authentic flavors at this outdoor extravaganza.

DRINK

Aug. 3-4: Baltimore Cocktail Week

Locations, times, and prices vary.

In its fourth year, Baltimore Cocktail Week is swapping competition for collaboration with its “Better Together” theme, and nothing brings people together like a round of drinks. The initiative’s five participating bars—Bartender’s Pub, Holy Frijoles, Sticky Rice, The Regal Beagle, and The Red Star in Charles Village—will offer signature cocktails, each with a different liquor as the base. With a focus on wellness, sustainability, and inclusivity, one of the summer’s booziest weeks will be hard to pass up.

SEE

Aug. 4: Puppy Days of Summer

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 4:30-8 p.m. Free.

Some might call it puppy love, but we call it the cutest event of the summer. Grab your four-legged friends and head to this outdoor block party for an evening of doggie pool parties, pet-and-owner photoshoots, a canine costume contest, and free tennis balls and treats for both the dogs and their owners. Spend some quality time with your favorite pup, get involved with local pet charities, or even adopt a new best friend at this family-friendly event.

HEAR

Aug. 4: The Shopping Mall Ball

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

To mark the release of his debut solo album, Soundtrack to a Shopping Mall, Baltimore-based rapper DDm is throwing the party to end all parties. Come decked out in your best ’80s and ’90s-inspired attire (a nod to the decades of DDm’s adolescence) to this can’t-miss show hosted by fellow Baltimore artist, Abdu Ali. Catch special appearances by some of Charm City’s top acts, including Bmore Club star TT the Artist, local rapper Kotic Couture, and DDm’s hip-hop duo Bond St. District, enter the costume contest, and design a one-of-a-kind shopping bag.

DO

Aug. 3: 90s By Nature

Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free.

Grab your slouchiest jean jacket, tie a flannel around your waist, and head to Station North to relive the ’90s at this all-night dance party. Maryland b-boy DJ FLEG will join Baltimore-based DJ and producer Loc Spice to combine the decade’s best tunes with modern electronic beats for a nostalgic night full of moves like the running man, the sprinkler, and maybe even the electric slide. If you can’t make it this weekend, your ’90s-kid spirit won’t go to waste—Motor House will hold dance parties dedicated to this iconic era on the first Friday of the month through December.

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The Music Issue

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 07 May 2018 08:30:00 +0000

Edited by Lydia Woolever
Written with Lauren Bell, Christine Jackson, Lauren Larocca, Jess Mayhugh, and Sam Sessa
Photography by Micah E. Wood
Poster & Lettering by Nolen Strals
Illustrations by Alex Fine

Arts & Culture

The Music Issue

We celebrate 50 local artists to know right now.

Edited by Lydia Woolever. Written with Lauren Bell, Christine Jackson, Lauren Larocca, Jess Mayhugh and Sam Sessa. Photography by Micah E. Wood. Poster & Lettering by Nolen Strals. Illustrations by Alex Fine.

When this story hits stands, it will mark exactly one decade since Rolling Stone dubbed Baltimore’s music scene the best in the country.

At the time, in 2008, DIY spaces spread across the city like kudzu, and Dan Deacon was the rabble-rousing ringleader of the underground arts community, with his eclectic Wham City collective propagating wild festivals like Whartscape, where a fledgling Future Islands—fresh off the bus from North Carolina—performed some of their very first shows. Local indie music was on fire, as Wye Oak inked their first record deal and Beach House finished their first world tour. Meanwhile, Baltimore Club music had made a comeback, with young producers like Blaqstarr and K-Swift carrying on the frenetic dance legacy of legends like Miss Tony and Scottie B. And even the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with its new leader, Marin Alsop—the first female head of a major American symphony—was looking toward the future.

All of that to say, Baltimore was the epitome of cool.

Then, as now, it was the artists—working, creating, breaking boundaries (or never letting them get in their way in the first place)—who transformed this city into a nexus of ferocious creative energy. Then, it was a bunch of ’80s kids, raised on punk rock and hip-hop, who channeled their youthful angst into art. Now, it is a genre-blurring blend of veterans and rookies, from rappers to rock bands, who are upholding and evolving things, even finding inspiration through some of our city’s darkest hours following the Baltimore Uprising in 2015.

Today, Deacon is still here, expanding his repertoire and supporting the local scene. As is Future Islands, when they’re not starring on late-night television shows or gallivanting across the globe. The rap scene is at full tilt, with fiery talents like JPEGMAFIA and Lor Choc leading the pack, and Bmore Club is back, again, blossoming outward with the help of TT The Artist and Abdu Ali. Even Baltimore’s bluegrass music might be the most popular it’s been since the 1950s.

Biggest of all, “the scene” is no longer seen as just a bunch of hip, young, white dudes; it is a cornucopia of ages, races, genders, and orientations, culling together their distinctive stories and styles into the musical petri dish of Baltimore.

In the same vein as the past decade’s era of unruly experimentation, these days, it seems like some new talent or original sound is born every time we blink. On any given night, you can find a dozen acts of all genres performing their hearts out across the city, now with the help of legitimate venues like The Crown. And at each of these shows, there is a muster of other musicians, either playing on the same bill or dancing with abandon at the foot of the stage.

It’s that sense of community that will sustain the music scene’s momentum this year, and next year, and for the foreseeable years after that. The scrappy, fearless heart of things is as strong as it was a decade ago, but with all walks of Baltimore life exchanging ideas and letting their freak flags fly, we would argue it’s even stronger.

Of course, always, it also comes back to Baltimore—our underdog city, which, for better or worse, has long been unafraid of its own reputation, let alone anyone’s outside opinion. Like the local music scene, this town prides itself on its unapologetic authenticity—one that hotspots like New York City, Nashville, Austin, or Los Angeles could never touch.

As Matmos’ M.C. Schmidt once told us, “In places like New York or San Francisco, there are a lot of folded arms, like, is this really cool enough? There’s very little of that in Baltimore. People here don’t care if it’s ‘cool enough.’ It’s like, I’m deciding for myself. I came here to enjoy myself, or be illuminated, so I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt, which is very fertile ground to be in as an artist.”

In short, Baltimore isn’t trying to be the next Brooklyn; it is totally and uniquely itself.

For that, we’d like to celebrate the local music scene—right now, in this very moment. We’ve rounded up 50 artists who are demonstrating the kind of raw talent that keeps us on our toes. There are singers who are soaring to new heights, bands on the precipice of stardom, and a few who have already made it but never forget that Baltimore is the place where it all started. And this list is just the beginning. We encourage you to get out there. Go see a show, even if you’ve never heard of a single soul on the lineup. Try out a new genre, even if you’re intimidated or afraid of being bored. Open yourself up to the amazing sounds of this city, and we guarantee, you’ll surprise yourself. Most importantly, though, we urge you to support this remarkable group of musicians who continue to keep music alive and well in Baltimore. Thanks to them, the country’s best music scene is only getting better.

The Music Issue Playlist

Experimental Rap

Abdu Ali

With a backbone of Bmore Club and a brushstroke of jazz, Ali’s music is an amalgam of futuristic punk-rap. He’s become a fierce leader for queer artists and creatives of color in Baltimore and beyond, and his FIYA!!! mixtape is sure to be exactly that.

Listen to: “DaWon,” “Did Dat,” “Keep Movin’.

Hip-Hop

Al Rogers Jr.

This beloved hip-hop artist imbues optimism into every inch of his heart-on-his-sleeve songs. With playful wordplay and infectious melodies, there’s a buoyancy to Al’s beats, reminding us that bright days lie ahead.

Listen to: “Sayno,” “Choozyluva,” “Luvadocious.”

POP-PUNK

All Time Low

These Towson headliners have given us New Found Glory vibes since they were in high school. Now, they’ve joined the big leagues, bringing their new hits to this summer’s final Warped Tour.

Listen to: “Missing You,” “Good Times,” “Dear Maria, Count Me In.”

ELECTRONIC R&B

Amy Reid

Last fall, this DIY habitué and one part of experimental R&B duo Chiffon dropped her solo debut to much fanfare. With twinkling tones and ethereal arias, her euphoric electro-pop sends listeners into a welcome daydream.

Listen to: “Like Laughter,” “Only Tonight,” “Threshold.”

Even as big, shiny venues become commonplace across the country (hello, The Anthem in D.C.!), here in Balt, our favorite spots are still a few small, stellar stages that we hope play on for years to come.

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POWER POP

Andy Bopp

This dedicated performer’s magnetic pop-rock music has won over local audiences across multiple bands and decades. Last year’s melodic solo single, “Shadow,” was named WTMD’s top song of 2017, and his new album, Wherewithall, drops this month.

Listen to: “Sure and True,” “Shadow,” “Cannibal.”

ROCK

Arbouretum

This committed quartet is revered for its meandering medley of fuzzed-out folk-rock. Each song is a world unto itself, with poetic frontman Dave Heumann offering heady meditations on the likes of mythology and nature.

Listen to: “Song of the Rose,” “The Highwayman,” “Renouncer.”

EXPERIMENTAL HIP-HOP

Boom Bap Society

Every third Tuesday, The Windup Space transforms into this boisterous brainchild of Wendel Patrick and Erik Spangler. The 7-year-old collective turns hip-hop into an onstage jamboree, inviting artists to join in and break new ground.

A debut record is slated for this year.

Dream Pop

Beach House

For over a decade, the haunting vocals of Victoria Legrand and hypnotic instrumentation of Alex Scally have given us all the feels, with the superstar indie duo always sending us down a sepia-toned memory lane. But on their new album, 7, they reinvent that sensation—his guitar more urgent, her synth more staccato and swift—as if they’ve awoken rejuvenated from their velvety sonic slumber, still the same blissful Beach House, but ready to start anew.

Listen to: “Lemon Glow,” “Dive,” “Myth.”

SOUL

Brooks Long

Whether strutting his stuff solo or fronting The Mad Dog No Good, this dynamite soulman takes us back to a bygone era. Now a Creative Alliance fellow, he hosts the intimate Songster Series to highlight the region’s talents.

Listen to: “Got Soul,” “The Runaround,” “Heavy Petting.”

AMERICANA

Bumper Jacksons

Capturing the sounds of New Orleans to Appalachia, this skilled septet is a ball of Americana energy, weaving zydeco jazz, folk, and blues into one of the most funky, feel-good shows around.

Listen to: “White Horse,” “Many Paths,” “Trouble In Mind.”

Roots Rock

Cris Jacobs

With the chops of Sturgill Simpson and the jam-band genius of the Grateful Dead, this hometown hero has been rocking solo or with The Bridge for nearly two decades. He recently toured with Steve Winwood and was named a 2017 country artist to watch by Rolling Stone. We’re excited for his future (and upcoming album), but we’re going to miss the days when he was our best-kept secret.

Listen to: “Jack the Whistle and the Hammer,” “The Devil or Jesse James,” “Turn Into Gold.”

FOLK

Caleb Stine

As the shepherd of the local folk scene, Stine is one of the city’s most celebrated storytellers, with his country-tinged tunes chronicling journeys, physical and spiritual, that are fundamentally human. Moon is just the latest chapter.

Listen to: “Higher Ground,” “Spirit,” “Ain’t Nobody.”

ELECTRONIC R&B

:3ION

This R&B singer (pronounced “Elon”) has the voice of an angel—his falsetto floating like a feather across his luminous nocturnes and sultry slow-jam beats. Hear him live on a bounty of genre-crossing lineups.

Listen to: “Many Moons,” “Floating,” “Ronin.”

PSYCHEDELIC ROCK

Fractal Cat

If Sgt. Pepper took a quick trip to The Dark Side of the Moon, he’d come back as this kaleidoscopic seven-piece. Whether they’re gigging in West Virginia or Patterson Park, the band is dedicated to spreading good vibes to the entire family.

Listen to: “Have I Lost My Way,” “Be Careful What You Dream,” “Tryptide.”

Electronic

In a way, Dan Deacon is the founder of Baltimore’s modern-day music scene. When he moved to the city in 2004, the electronic artist and his zany Wham City arts collective began cultivating a DIY community where no rules applied. There might be a madness to Deacon’s exuberant music, but there’s also a clear and thoughtful vision. While he continues to find personal success—his full-length Gliss Riffer getting national renown; his playful NPR Tiny Desk concert inducing serious FOMO; his composer side hustle setting the sparse, sensational score for acclaimed documentary films—he still terribly wants this city and its musicians to succeed. There’s no ETA, but we’ll be waiting with open arms for his eighth album.

Listen to: “When I Was Done Dying,” “True Thrush,” “Wham City.”

Post-Punk

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat

We can’t think of many artists more deserving of the spotlight than Ed Schrader and Devlin Rice. This rebellious post-punk duo has been a staple of the DIY scene for years, but it wasn’t until now, with the spring release of Riddles (produced by Dan Deacon), that the guys are finally getting their due. (Hello, Rolling Stone!) The record is a robust revival that has us revved up for what comes next.

Listen to: “Dunce,” “Riddles,” “Kid Radium.”

Hip-Hop

Whether he’s rapping on the battle circuit, performing with his beloved hip-hop duo, Bond St. District, or emerging as a serious solo artist, Manny Williams, aka DDm, or Unkle Lulu—whatever you choose to call him—is one of the city’s most charismatic acts. (Not to mention just one of our all-time favorite humans.) And it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve heard swift and witty rhymes—this dapper dynamo will always manage to surprise you. Who else could drop a The Price Is Right-themed banger called “Come On Down”? His June record, Soundtrack To A Shopping Mall, is guaranteed to dazzle.

Listen to: “Try Me On,” “Mondawmin,” “Show Me Your Hands.”

INDIE ROCK

Future Islands

Few, if any, bands have made bigger waves out of Baltimore than this treasured indie trio. With the help of frontman Sam Herring’s illustrious dance moves, their Letterman performance brought the band viral fame in 2014, but it’s their trademark sound—anthemic, synth-studded, with a flurry of fury and passion—that has made them rightful stars.

Listen to: “Ran,” “Doves,” “Balance.”

There are more ways to experience music than just mosh ready rock shows and fancy symphonies. Break out of those convetional scenarios with these seven noteworthy series.

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AMERICANA

The Herd of Main Street

At the crossroads of country and rock, this down-to-earth quintet transports you away from the hubbub of city life. Any track off 2017’s Heyday will have you sipping tea on a front porch or flying down a back road—outlaw style.

Listen to: “Never Look Back,” “Next Weekend,” “July.”

NOISE-RAP

JPEGMAFIA

This bicoastal provocateur is not for the faint of heart, but take one listen to his spring Veteran and find yourself unable to turn away. Across dystopian soundscapes, his anarchistic rap liberates frantic beats and in-your-face lines that have the national media completely hooked.

Listen to: “Baby I’m Bleeding,” “1539 N. Calvert,” “Does This Ski Mask Make Me Look Fat?”

Neo-Soul

With one of the city’s most soulful voices, this singer-songwriter’s sound is well beyond her 25 years. Through husky, honey-coated melodies and fierce, sophisticated rhymes, Postell fluently speaks to serious matters. Exhibit A: “Consciousness” (and its must-watch video), in which she channels her idols to challenge systemic oppression, poignantly capturing her fury and frustration toward past and present racial injustices with an agile, jazz-like flow. Through her cri de coeur, she exudes a passionate warmth, using her music to inspire self-awareness, self-love, and growth—both personally and as a society. Expect more socially charged songs on her forthcoming Diaspora EP.

Listen to: “Consciousness,” “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” “Keep It Movin’.”

ALT-SOUL

J Pope and the HearNow

For nearly a decade, the former Funk Friday has been putting on some of the most dynamic shows in town. On last summer’s debut Soul Searching, this spirited sextet bottled that live energy—their masterful improv laying the groundwork for Jasmine Pope’s lyrical prowess.

Listen to: “Soul Searching,” “Breaking Point,” “Let Them Come.”

OLD-TIME

Ken & Brad Kolodner

The family that plays together stays together, and this father-son duo has become a pillar of the local folk scene, combining traditional instruments into tight, timeless tunes that conjure up simpler times. Brad’s other gig, Charm City Junction, releases a new album this summer.

Listen to: “Steel Rail Blues,” “Sap’s Rising/Dull Chisel,” “Tippin’ Back the Corn.”

ROCK

Kurt Deemer Band

With earnest vocals and guitar-driven gumption, this WTMD Artist of the Year nominee plays the kind of good, ol’ American rock music that would make the ’90s proud. Be on the lookout for a new album by fall.

Listen to: “Fire Escape,” “Stockholm Syndrome,” “Stick Around.”

SOUTHERN ROCK

J. Roddy Walston & The Business

We’re glad these Southern rockers, led by a sort of punk-rock Jerry Lee Lewis, call Baltimore one of their two homes (sorry, Richmond—we had ’em first). Wherever they are, their rowdy anthems remain in our constant rotation.

Listen to: “The Wanting,” “Sweat Shock,” “Brave Man’s Death.”

JAZZ

Lafayette Gilchrist

For 25 years, this high-powered jazz pianist has wowed listeners with his lively arrangements, as heard on The Wire. Last spring’s “Blues for Freddie Gray” struck a poignant chord. His band, The New Volcanoes, drops Deep Dancing Suite on May 11.

Listen to: “Assume the Position,” “Blues for Freddie Gray,” “Rumble.”

FOLK

Letitia VanSant

As the Joan Baez of the local folk community, this sage songstress uses hearty vocals and acoustic strums to honor her roots. In Gut It to the Studs, she confronts complicated questions, moving gracefully between the personal and political.

Listen to: “Where I’m Bound,” “Gut It to the Studs,” “Sundown Town.”

Indie-Pop

LOWER DENS

Helmed by the heavy-hearted vocals of Jana Hunter, this indie-pop group’s nostalgic sound hits you like a John Hughes film. Hope mingles with despair as ruminative lyrics join aching guitar and uplifting synth in an ’80s tour de force. When she’s not singing, catch this fearless frontwoman discussing important issues with outlets like CNN.

Listen to: “Real Thing,” “Maneater,” “To Die in L.A.”

RAP

Lor Choc

This 20-year-old rapper is on the cusp of something big, with last summer’s skyrocketing single, “Fast Life,” making Spin’s top rap songs of 2017. With a genuine flow informed by her West Baltimore streets, we’re all ears for her next release.

Listen to: “Fast Life,” “Run Up On Me,” “No Favors.”

CLASSICAL

Manuel Barrueco

As the Eric Clapton of classical guitar, this Cuban-born Peabody professor is known as one of the world’s finest players. Instilled with international influence, he dances between standard and contemporary compositions, steadily pushing the possibilities of his instrument.

Listen to: “Cavatina,” “Estrellita,” “Odeon.”

ELECTRONIC POP

Micah E. Wood

We swoon over the lovestruck pop music of this electronic troubadour (and featured photographer). On See Me, he navigates the maze of modern romance, candidly combining minimal, melancholic melodies to aid any aching heart.

Listen to: “Without You,” “Something,” “Match.”

EXPERIMENTAL

Matmos

They’ve collaborated with Björk, made an album solely from washing machine sounds, and once performed live for 97 hours inside a California arts center. This electronic duo, made up of mad scientists Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt, is the wonderful epitome of Baltimore weird.

Listen to: “Ultimate Care II,” “You,” “For the Trees.”

NEO-SOUL

MovaKween

This young siren’s earthy vocals swing like freestyle jazz from lilting lows to urgent highs. Get lost in her soothing vibes, but pay attention to her messages of creative freedom and female empowerment.

Listen to: “Florescence,” “Peachy,” “FreKweency.”

ELECTRONIC POP

Outcalls

Opera and pop don’t usually go hand in hand, but Britt Olsen-Ecker and Melissa Wimbish ingeniously united the unlikely two on last fall’s No King. Their feminist follow-up should be nothing short of stunning.

Listen to: “No King,” “Skip to Sunrise,” “Pillcauzbee.”

All-Time Greatest

In the past century, this city has been home to some of music’s brightest stars, who conjured up whole new styles and sounds. Each notable in their own right, these eight legends are all undeniably Baltimore.

By Sam Sessa. Illustration by Sean McCabe.

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POST-PUNK

Natural Velvet

Searing guitar, feminine rage, and killer outfits? This punkish quartet has it all. Since last June’s reverberating Mirror to Make You, they’ve set out on their biggest tour, recorded a wily Britney Spears cover, and delivered the glittery badassery of our dreams.

Listen to: “Fruits,” “Kristina,” “It’s All Mine.”

BEATBOX

Shodekeh

This gifted beatboxer has defied all logic when it comes to making music. Without instrument or song, he’s performed with the BSO, taught workshops at Peabody, and founded the must-see Embody series, using stamina and originality to flaunt the wonders of the human voice.

RAP

Peso Da Mafia

Fresh off SXSW, this tenacious trio shows no sign of slowing down. With nearly 4 million YouTube views, their viral “Money Man” separated them from the rap pack, but their upcoming Never A Drought has them ready for their close-up.

Listen to: “Money Man,” “Winning,” “About Us.”

Indie-Pop

We hope that by now you’ve seen Super City’s quasi-viral music video for “Artificial Sin.” Wearing white jumpsuits and Chelsea boots, this indie quintet launches into their jangly slow-jam single and then unleashes choreographed dance moves that make you want to throw on a turtleneck and join in on the fun. This music, crafted by Towson and Peabody grads, is simply that—playful, sprightly, confident fun. Guitar is laid on thick, undulating in waves or searing in like a 1970s hair-metal solo, while frontmen Dan Ryan and Greg Wellham shift between low croons and outright cries. Every inch shimmers; every melody shines. Keep an eye out for their stellar new record, Sanctuary, which is slated for later this year.

Listen to: “Artificial Sin,” “Find You,” “Easier.”

Indie Rock

Snail Mail

Last year, Lindsey Jordan became a buzzed-about indie darling with her rock band’s debut, Habit. Full of scrappy guitar and vulnerable yet mighty vocals, it landed the Ellicott City 18 year old in The New York Times and behind an NPR Tiny Desk, but she’s not just the next young artist at the edge of stardom. There’s a depth to her lo-fi sound that, with June’s already-lauded, axe-slaying Lush, will carry her well past her teenage years.

Listen to: “Pristine,” “Thinning,” “Slug.”

COUNTRY WESTERN

Snakes

This rockabilly band’s vintage tunes could make the perfect score for a dusty Western. On No More Songs About Wildflowers, they use pedal steel, old-school organ, and fuzzed-out guitar to tell tall tales of drinking, cowboys, and the law.

Listen to: “Flora,” “Young American,” “Preaching to the Choir.”

EXPERIMENTAL HIP-HOP

Soul Cannon

Eze Jackson and his Peabody-trained bandmates have been breaking rap boundaries since 2008. On their summer album, they’re ready to blow minds again with their NWA-meets-Rage Against The Machine fire.

Listen to: “Dilapidated Buildings,” “2010 A.D.,” “Hands High.”

INDIE ROCK

Surf Harp

This rambunctious quintet makes us want to grab a guitar, pot, or pan and rock along. Their spring Mr. Big Picture fuses New Wave, post-punk, and krautrock into a boisterous beast that’s all its own.

Listen to: “D.I. Cig,” “I Lost You,” “Catholic Glass.”

We all love a good dance party. Whether its a heart-pounding club jump-off or John Waters-worthy soul shakedown, the city's DJ scene will get your adrenaline pumping with its bounty of boogie nights.

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4 Hours of Funk 12 W. North Ave.

Looking to work off that lingering winter weight? Every third Friday, this sweat-inducing funk party will have you moving and grooving for literal hours as DJs Fleg and Graham turn the clock back to the 1970s at The Windup Space.

James Nasty

Anytime you see this Bmore Club producer and veteran DJ on a bill, be sure to check out the show. With high-energy mixes and hard-hitting percussion, we can guarantee that, wherever he goes, be it Light City or The Crown, a party will follow.

Emo Nite Bawltimore 2549 N. Howard St.

Nineties kids, rejoice! Every second Friday, the Ottobar opens up the emo floodgates with this pop-punk pick-me-up, featuring DJ sets of My Chemical Romance, Blink 182, and even Towson’s own All Time Low.

Friends Records DJS 201 E. Fort Ave.

Every so often, the South Baltimore dive bar Idle Hour turns its turntables over to local label Friends Records for a night of picks by Baltimore bands like Bond St. District, Natural Velvet, and Surf Harp.

Save Your Soul 851 Hollins St.

On first Fridays, the basement of Lithuanian Hall in Hollins Market transforms into a carefree dance fest with DJs Rob Macy and Baby Alcatraz spinning vintage vinyl into the wee hours of the night.

Skin Tight Soul Party 1910 N. Charles St

There’s never a dull moment with DJ Landis Expandis. Every third Saturday, throw on your fliest threads and head to The Crown to shimmy, shake, twist, and shout to the last century’s best soul.

Take Me Out 2549 N. Howard St..

The aughts is one of the most underrated music eras. But a few minutes into this indie night, and DJs Craig Boarman and Matt Walter will move Le Tigre and LCD Soundsystem back to the top of your playlist.

Version with Trillnatured 1910 N. Charles St.

Every second Saturday, this free queer dance party from lauded DJ Trillnatured is an energetic, all-encompassing celebration of music and the LGBTQ community at The Crown, with MC Kotic Couture on the mic and an always-stylish, ready-to-party crowd at the foot of the stage.

CLASSICAL

Symphony Number One

Featuring pieces by women and people of color alongside “dead white guy” classics, this classical collective uses their unique repertoire to bridge the future, present, and past.

Listen to: “Baltimore Prelude,” “Light Cathedral,” “Saxophone Concerto 2.”

JAZZ

Todd Marcus

On his new On These Streets, this seasoned bass clarinetist uses freewheeling arrangements to capture the beauty, struggle, and promise of his Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood.

Listen to: “On The Corner,” “Ground Zero,” “Pennsylvania Avenue Hustle.”

INDIE ROCK

Us and Us Only

This indie slowcore quintet begs to be listened to in some quiet, comfortable space—their thoughtful songs evoking hazy summer days of yore. Listen to their national debut, Full Flower, and let it blossom like the title.

Listen to: “Kno,” “Sun4u,” “Hex.”

BMORE CLUB

Tedra Wilson is the new queen of Bmore Club. As a rapper, producer, filmmaker, and style icon, the MICA grad is both a fixture and a breath of fresh air for our hometown genre with its up-tempo breakbeats, staccato loops, and defiant danceablity. Her style is bold and fun, bringing a high-energy vibrancy wherever she goes. And the world is watching. Her tracks “Lavish” and “Real Bitch Problems” have appeared on HBO’s Insecure. She’s played Coachella. She’s collaborated with Diplo. And Johns Hopkins just awarded her a $75,000 grant to direct her own documentary, Dark City: Beneath the Beat, which tells Baltimore’s story through its club music. She’s even launching her own digital label, Club Queen Records, on May 3.

Listen to: “Lavish,” “Cut It Up,” “Gimme Yo Love.”

HARDCORE PUNK

War On Women

There couldn’t be a better time for this hardcore feminist punk band. Leaving no female issue behind, spring’s riotous Capture the Flag shows that frontwoman Shawna Potter is not backing down anytime soon.

Listen to: “YDTMHTL,” “Predator In Chief,” “Servilia.”

JAZZ

Warren Wolf

Following in the footsteps of local jazz legends, this virtuoso has made a name for himself on the vibraphone. Part of the distinguished SF Jazz Collective, the newly minted Peabody professor has returned home a star.

Listen to: “Montara,” “Soul Sister,” “Cell Phone.”

EXPERIMENTAL

Wume

Albert Schatz’s labyrinthine synth rolls out like a digital road, and then April Camlin’s building drumbeats and vocal incantations urge you to follow. Do so, with new music from this mesmerizing duo on the horizon.

Listen to: “Gold Leaf,” “Control,” “Ostinaut.”

Indie Rock

Wye Oak

Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack may no longer live here, but the beloved indie duo will always be part of Baltimore. After 12 years, one of the city’s biggest bands has emerged on the cusp of new beginnings, with their gorgeous spring record, The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs, evolving their signature rock into sweeping synth-pop that cascades like a dream.

Listen to: “The Instrument,” “Lifer,” “Civilian.”

Kings of the Road

Future Islands makes it big but sticks to its Baltimore roots.

Variations on a Theme

Local institutions make classical music accessbile—and relevant—in the 21st century.

For the Record

The resurgence of vinyl culture is on full view at the Arbutus Record Show.

Source

Best in Show

Jess Mayhugh — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 08:30:00 +0000

If only these walls could talk. With its panoramic views of the colorful Howard Street Bridge and the changing Station North landscape, the building at 120 West North Avenue has seen a lot through the years. Home to a Ford dealership in the early 20th century, the space subsequently housed Lombard Office Furniture. Then, when artists flocked to Station North, it was sold and some its sign letters were rearranged to spell Load of Fun. For nearly 10 years, the venue hosted arts groups like Single Carrot Theatre until the owner couldn’t afford to bring it up to code and closed it in 2012.

The space has now been rebranded as The Motor House, owned by nonprofit developer BARCO, and features 14 artist studios, space for seven nonprofits, a gallery, a performance venue and Showroom, a new café, bar, and performance space that’s open for every meal and mood of the day. The 2,800-square-foot space is industrial with a dining area and bar on one side and venue space separated by sliding wooden doors on the other. The floor-to-ceiling windows make bustling North Avenue feel like part of the space itself.

Bar manager Ben Yager, who cut his chops at Sugarvale in Mt. Vernon, has created a simple and straightforward cocktail menu. Numbered 1-6, the drinks are a playful combination of spirits with inviting descriptions. We were partial to the No. 2, a well-balanced mix of smoky Pelotón de la Muerte mezcal, spicy Goslings rum, and ancho chili, sweet tamarind, lime, and soda. Like the names, cocktails are understated, served in simple glassware with minimal garnish.

That simplicity is a nice counterbalance to the rest of the excitement at Showroom. The menu has myriad options, but focus on the bolsitas, or tacos in a bag, with ingredients such as sweet coconut braised pork shoulder and house-made plantain chips. Clearly, chef Daniel Horwitz wants to keep your taste buds on their toes.

There’s dancing most nights at Showroom, too, and things really rev up on Thursday during Turntabliss Happy Hour, when DJs spin ’90s hip-hop and R&B. As guests shimmy their way back and forth between the dance floor and the bar, three letters from the original signage mounted overheard say it all: “F-U-N.”

Source

Light City Nightlife to Feature Dance Parties and Cocktails

Jess Mayhugh — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 12:57:00 +0000

Adding to that nightlife energy is this year’s Light City signature cocktail. Determined by a judge’s panel earlier in the year, B&O American Brasserie‘s Eric Fooy won this honor for the second year in a row with his “Golden Hour” creation made with Sagamore Spirit Rye, Luxardo Maraschino, Angostura bitters, orange and lemon juice, and a cherry garnish.

“I wanted to create a cocktail that would be approachable to a mass audience while also introducing a unique ingredient—maraschino liqueur,” Fooy says. “It’s also a tribute to a really beautiful hour of the day, which is why I used orange with red hues.”

The cocktail will be available at various stalls throughout the festival and participating bars around the city.

A number of local restaurants are also creating signature cocktails of their own. In particular, the Lord Baltimore Hotel will host a special happy hour throughout the festival featuring discounted appetizers and drinks served in light-up glasses including “The Orange” (moonshine, peach brandy, orange bitters, and maraschino cherries), “The Red” (white whiskey, watermelon juice, Aperol, and rosemary), and “The Green,” which combines vodka, Chartreuse, lime juice, and soda.

In general, local organizations feel that the Light City festival, especially in its second year, is a great excuse for Baltimore to come together.

“We’re really going to be all hands on deck that week,” Evitts says. “Now that people know what the festival is about and have seen how cool it is, the interest is really growing.”

Source

Baltimore at Night

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 09:00:00 +0000

EDITED BY LYDIA WOOLEVER Photography by Christopher Myers Written By Jess Mayhugh, Amy Mulvihill,
Mike Unger, and Lydia Woolever

As the day winds down and stretches into night, Charm City wakes up with an electric energy. Bright lights stir across the skyline, Uber drivers prowl the busy streets, dress hems inch upward, and beer bottles go down easy. Our city comes alive in the dark of night, and even as Baltimore has lost some of its seedy allure (R.I.P. Old Fells Point and the glory days of The Block), its nightlife carries on an authentic spirit. Whatever the activity or hour, it’s a celebration of the senses that’s more invigorating than a full eight hours of sleep. Whether it’s the taste of a well-poured nightcap, the sight of glowing neon signs, the smell of an old-school diner, the sounds of Foxtrot helicopters overhead, or the feel of sweat breaking on your brow at an underground dance party, there’s no better time to call it a day and make the most of Baltimore at night.

NEIGHBORHOOD BARS

Fells Point MAX'S TAPHOUSE Vibe: Just off the cobblestone streets of Broadway Square, beer nerds and sports fans alike pack this lively microbrew mecca, filled with label art, neon signs, and more than 100 rotating drafts. Order: With so many options, ask Casey for a recommendation, but a Left Hand Milk Stout on nitro was a recent favorite. 737 S. Broadway, 410-675-6297.

sports fans watch COLLEGE FOOTBALL at max's.

Locust Point HULL STREET BLUES CAFE Vibe: Amidst the old row homes of this newly popular neighborhood, make like a South Baltimore native with cheap beers and chummy conversation with the avuncular barkeeps at this circa-19th-century saloon. Order: A Brewer’s Art Resurrection. 1222 Hull St., 410-727-7476.

Riverside BARFLY’S Vibe: This narrow hidden gem is simultaneously highbrow and low. Feel fancy as you peruse a menu of more than 435 whiskey varieties, but right at home eating Matthew’s-style pizza on paper plates. Order: If your wallet allows, go for the 15-year Pappy Van Winkle. Otherwise, get the more affordable option: Pennsylvania-based Wigle Whiskey, neat. 620 Fort Ave., 443-682-7227.

Federal Hill MOTHER’S GRILLE Vibe: Whether you’re outside on the jam-packed patio or inside beside the throngs of local youth, this Fed Hill staple has a penchant for purple on Sundays and extra-large portions of pub grub all week long. Order: An Orange Crush with an order of “buffacue” boneless wings. 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.

Ridgely’s Delight CAMDEN PUB Vibe: From University of Maryland students to diehard Orioles fans, this solid sports bar provides the perfect place for post-exam happy hours or Camden Yards pregames. Order: O’s-themed Natty Boh tallboy. 647 W. Pratt St., 410-547-1280. Little ItalyPALMERE’S Vibe: In a neighborhood known for restaurants rather than watering holes, this laid-back bar is much more about barstools and burgers than tablecloths and tagliatelle. Order: Budweiser, shot of Fireball, and a trio of homemade meatball sliders. 1018 Eastern Ave., 443-835-1953.

MIDTOWN BELVEDERE MOUNT ROYAL TAVERN Vibe: Beneath a faded ceiling mural of the Sistine Chapel, belly up to the long blue bar and admire its eclectic artwork while rubbing elbows with salty dogs and MICA students. Order: A Baltimore special: Pikesville Rye, a can of Natty Boh, and a bag of Utz. 1204 W. Mount Royal Ave., 410-669-6686.

The ceiling mural at mount royal tavern

UPPER FELLS POINT SPIRITS TAVERNVibe: Haunted with the ghosts of drunken nights past, this former funeral home turned dimly-lit drinkery is decorated with a ghoulish flair. On a recent evening, we watched Blazing Saddles on one of the TVs—R.I.P. Pryor and Wilder. Order: Something from the Tub of Fun—if you correctly guess which brand of decidedly nonpremium beer the bartender will randomly pull, you win a free shot. Also, killer nachos. 1901 Bank St., 410-563-1612.

CANTON BALTIMORE TAPHOUSE Vibe: While the cozy confines and friendly regulars make this corner bar feel like a Baltimore standard, its beer selection is a cut above. Order: One of 14 craft drafts and a stick of beef jerky from the jar near the register. If your appetite demands, ask for the three-ring binder full of delivery menus. 600 S. Potomac St., 410-276-7553.

DUNDALK POP’S TAVERN Vibe: On an empty stretch of highway in Sparrows Point, this rowdy roadhouse is a rollicking good time, with a fun-loving, blue collar clientele and boot-scootin’ country bands on weekend nights. Order: Whiskey. Whatever’s closest. 4343 North Point Blvd., 410-477-0270.

HIGHLANDTOWN THE LAUGHING PINT Vibe: This pocketsize den has all the true grit and good vibes of its eclectic East Baltimore neighborhood. With friendly bartenders and a congenial crowd of locals, it proudly lives up to its reputation as the “nicest little bar.” Order: A pint (naturally) of Union Anthem or a fresh squeezed Greyhound. 3531 Gough St., 410-342-6544.

STATION NORTH CLUB CHARLES Vibe: Affectionately known as “Club Chuck,” this little red-lit hipster haven is the place to go to unwind from the hustle and bustle of North Charles. Slide into a plush leather booth beneath the art deco mural, order something strong, and wait your turn for the jukebox. Order: The obvious choice on Manhattan Mondays. 1724 N. Charles St., 410-727-8815.

a packed house at club charles

BUTCHERS HILL THE LIFE OF REILLY Vibe: One of the only bars for blocks, this small standalone pub is worth a sit for Gaelic football (read: Irish soccer) and Emerald Isle cuisine like fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. Order: Smithwicks for the beer lovers. Magners for the gluten-free. 2031 E. Fairmount Ave., 410-327-6425.

DOWNTOWN THE SIDEBAR Vibe: Nearing its 20th year, this subterranean dive caters to everyone from lawyers and business execs at happy hour to hardcore head bangers at night, when it transforms into a rough-and-tumble, all-ages music venue for punk, metal, and rock 'n' roll. Order: PBR tallboy. 218 E. Lexington St., 410-659-4130.

MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON STABLE & SALOON Vibe: Easy to pass over in the bustling heart of the city, this down-to-earth basement bar boasts cheap drinks, comfort food, and an always active jukebox. Order: Jameson and ginger ale, liberally served in a tall pint glass. 909 N. Charles St., 410-685-7427.

CHARLES VILLAGE OTTOBAR Vibe: Now in its 15th year on Howard Street, this hallowed two-floor venue features a gritty-but-grand rock club downstairs for both small-town and big-name acts, as well as a dance floor upstairs with pool tables, leather couches, and DJ parties. Order: Two rail drinks at a time. 2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069.

FRIENDS SHARE CIGARETTES OUTside of ottobar

REMINGTON THE DIZZVibe: Tucked away from the high-rise apartments and hipster invasion of rapidly refurbishing Remington, this corner bistro, aptly nicknamed “Baltimore in a bar,” features local sports on the tube, hon-style hospitality, and some of the best burgers in town. Order: Bottle of Boh. 300 W. 30th St., 443-869-5864.

MOUNT WASHINGTON THE NICKEL TAPHOUSE Vibe: Don’t miss out on the other Mount Washington bar, as northwest neighbors flock here for Edison light bulbs, warm woods, and an impressive raw bar of iced oysters. Order: Evolution Lot 3 IPA and a beef on weck sandwich. 1604 Kelly Ave., 443-869-6240.

BELVEDERE SQUARE SWALLOW AT THE HOLLOW Vibe: Dark, tiny, and timeless, the Hollow has been a favorite gathering place for Loyola students and neighborhood denizens since the 1940s. Order: Yuengling with honey-ghost wings and a juicy cheddar cheeseburger. 5921 York Road, 410-532-7542.

HAMILTON HOLIDAY HOUSE Vibe: On the southern stretch of Harford Road, these down-home dingy digs are home to a working-class clientele, pool tables, and live music on Friday nights. The fact that John Waters used the dive as the set of his 2004 film, A Dirty Shame, (and dubbed it “a real biker bar”) says it all. Order: Natural Light and a round of Keno. 6427 Harford Road, 410-426-6794.

HAMPDEN FRAZIER’S ON THE AVENUE Vibe: With Baltimore mementos on the walls, worn leather booths, and cheap drinks all night, this old-school standby is the perfect respite on a long (and fuzzy) winter or summer night. Order: Union Craft Duckpin. 917-919 W. 36th St., 410-662-4914.

a LONE POOL SHARK PLAYS At frazier's

PARKVILLE FREDDIES ALE HOUSE Vibe: The bar formerly known as Dead Freddies still has much of its old neon sign plus a fresh beer focus with more than 20 beers on tap. Order: A Maryland local, like Manor Hill or RaR. 7209 Harford Road, 410-254-8373.

TOWSON KENT HOUSE PUB Vibe: While other Towson bars have spiffed up and spanned out, this traditional Celtic pub has stuck to its Irish-inspired roots with dark wood, live folk music, and knickknack décor. Order: Pint of Guinness by the fireplace. 506 York Road, 410-825-2650.

TIMONIUM MICHAEL’S CAFÉ Vibe: After more than 30 years, this Timonium mainstay offers a hoppin’ happy hour for county residents, plus handcrafted cocktails and top-notch crab cakes. Order: A Moscow Mule, or discount rosé until 7 p.m. on weeknights. 2119 York Road, 410-252-2022.

CATONSVILLE MORSBERGER’S TAVERN Vibe: This family-owned packaged goods shop is like Nashville meets the beltway, with walls covered in neon signs, taxidermy, and miscellaneous memorabilia, plus karaoke Wednesday through Sunday. Order: A house eggnog during the holidays. Otherwise, Miller Lite. 713 Frederick Road, 410-747-9801.

LATE NIGHT EATS

There’s something primal about the way our cravings change at night. A cigarette. Another drink. An ungodly, greasy, indulgently delicious late-night snack. In fact, scientists have shown that it’s our sleep-deprived brains that jones for junk food, associating those salty or sweet comforts with pleasure and reward. Baltimore’s nighttime dining options get better by the day, so go ahead, give into the midnight munchies. Thanks to some of these noteworthy nocturnal noshes, you definitely won’t go hungry.

9 p.m.
Parts & Labor, 2600 N. Howard St.

While it’s not always easy to get a seat at this Spike Gjerde protein lover’s paradise, the bar clears out toward closing time, with plenty of room for you to fill your belly with juicy burgers, pictured, and finger-licking Korean short ribs. Kitchen closing time: Mon.-Thu. 10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 p.m., Sun. 9 p.m.

10 p.m.
Clavel, 225 W. 23rd St.

On weekends, you have until 12:30 a.m. to indulge in this Instagram-worthy Northern Mexican cuisine. Grab a spot at the busy hipster-chic bar for muchas spicy mezcalitas, handmade tacos, and of course, the queso fundido. Kitchen closing time: Mon.-Thu. 11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 12:30 a.m.

11 p.m.
The Bun Shop, 239 W. Read St.

This little Mount Vernon cafe is open extra late, offering comfy couches, keep-you-up coffee, and tasty treats like sticky buns, puff pastries, and savory tarts. Kitchen closing time: 3 a.m. daily.

12 a.m.
Blue Moon Cafe, 1621 Aliceanna St.

To beat the crowds, it’s best to arrive at this Fells Point row home well before the bars let out for late (read: early) breakfast including massive omelets and their famous Cap’n Crunch French toast, pictured. Open 24/7 on weekends.

1 a.m.
Stuggy’s, 809 S. Broadway

There are few things that curb a late-night craving (and ward off a hangover) quite like a hot dog, especially one covered in lump crab, Old Bay, and gooey mac-n-cheese, pictured. Kitchen closing time: Sun.-Wed. 8 p.m., Thu.-Sat. 3 a.m.

2 a.m.
Hot Tomatoes, 717 S. Broadway

When your inhibitions have fully lowered, it’s time for pizza. These giant, super-thin slices, pictured, are arguably some of the best in town. Kitchen closing time: 3 a.m. daily.

3 a.m.
Jong Kak, 18 W. 20th St.

One of the last Korean barbecue joints in the city, this Station North noshery features charcoal-cooked meats, spicy fried chicken, kickass kimchee, and ice-cold beer buckets. Just mind the grill, if you’ve been drinking. Kitchen closing time: 4 a.m. daily.

4 a.m.
Sip & Bite, 2200 Boston St.

Open 24 hours, seven days a week, this old-school diner serves up the kind of mean milk shakes, chili cheese fries, and cheap coffee, pictured, you need to sober up again, with epic people-watching to boot. Open 24/7 daily.

5 a.m.
Royal Farms, multiple locations.

Okay, screw it. A box of RoFo chicken, pictured. End of story. Open 24/7 in most stores.

Night Caps

DRINKS FOR after dinner

By Jess Mayhugh

Sazerac Colette

This New Orleans darling is made with Peychaud's bitters, cognac or rye whiskey, and an absinthe rinse. Head bartender Crystal Wack says it’s “by far” the bar’s most popular drink.

Amaro Rosa Sugarvale

A variation on a Manhattan, this Mount Vernon creation combines bourbon, Amaro CioCiaro, Fernet Branca, and brandied cherries into “the perfect digestif,” says owner Phil Han.

Eastern Promises Of Love & Regret

Head bartender Ryan Travers whips up this mix of apricot and plum brandies, Barolo Chinato, Velvet Falernum, citrus, honey, and egg white in a modern take on your grandfather’s after-dinner brandy.

Lith Hall Maggie's Farm

As co-owner Matthew Weaver’s tribute to the Lithuanian Hall, this adult’s-only take on iced tea uses the Baltic country’s Virtya honey liqueur, rye whiskey, lemon juice, old-fashioned bitters, and a twist.

Chai Metropolitan Wine Market Bistro

Bar manager Aaron Simons infuses Dolin Rouge with black tea and spices like clove and cardamom for this chai-inspired brandy drink, which he says many guests treat like dessert.

pinball wizards

Old-school arcade games are back and better than ever, with a bevy of bright tables blipping, blinging, and dinging around town.

BOILER ROOM
27 E. Cross St.

This Federal Hill beer-and-a-shot bar boasts pinball, skeeball, basketball hoops, and Golden Tee Golf, plus two multicade machines that house more than 100 vintage games, including Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong, and Space Invaders.

CRABTOWNE USA
1500 Crain Hwy., Glen Burnie

Twenty minutes outside of the city, this Glen Burnie crab shack is a step back in time with nearly 100 retro arcade and pinball games for as little as 25 cents a play.

JOHNNY RAD’S
2108 Eastern Ave.

Grab a can of craft beer and head to the side room of this skater-hip Fells Point pizzeria for Harley Davidson-themed pinball, skeeball lanes, and an oft-overlooked multicade featuring Frogger, Galaga, and Pac-Man.

THE LATE SHIFT

The Broadway Diner has seen it all.

By Mike Unger

It’s minutes before midnight and the workday for Phil Mills, pictured below, has just begun. As a night manager at Broadway Diner on the far reaches of Eastern Avenue, he serves on the front lines of the battle between Baltimoreans and their late-night cravings. After 25 years in the business, Mills, 41, sure has seen some things. We sat in a booth in the wee hours and asked him to share some war stories.

ALL OF THE LIGHTS
In 1817, Baltimore became home to the first gas street lamp in the United States. A monument commemorates this landmark on the corner of Holliday and East Baltimore streets.

What are your shifts?
Wednesday through Sunday, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. I’m up all night anyway because I have four kids—13, 11, 8, and 2.

When is the late-night rush?
Most of the time it’s 2:30 to about 3:30 a.m.—people that had a really good time at some other place. They come in here and eat til they’re crazy. There’s a second rush around 5 or 6. That’s the older people coming in and getting their coffee and ordering the specials. We see all walks of life.

Do people ever fall asleep in their booths?
A lot of times. Sometimes I have to wake them up because they’re just out of it, in a food coma.

Have you ever seen people making out?
Every once in a while we catch somebody but we just walk by and act like we don’t see it. I don’t get involved in that sort of stuff. I figure their hands are full.

Do you ever have to call the cops?
We usually have security here on Friday and Saturday nights, so it doesn’t go that far, thank God. To be honest, it's not that bad. Of course people are going to get loud, but it’s not where you have to call security every five seconds either.

What’s the most you’ve seen one person eat?
We have this platter called the Lumberjack with three large pancakes, three and a half ounces of eggs, bacon, and sausage. Then they ordered other things on top of that, like a side of Disco fries. But they polished it off.

Has anyone ever thrown up?
Oh yes, in the bathrooms, on the floor, on the table.

Guess that’s a sign that it’s time for the check?
I would think that they’ve reached their limit, that’s for sure.

How much coffee do you drink?
Ten to 12 cups a night.

NIGHT OWLS

City nightlifers on their Baltimore after dark

Illustrations by Danielle Dernoga

Briana Savage
Bartender, Bookmakers

“On my nights off, Clavel is my absolute favorite place in Baltimore. I really like to chat with the bartenders and have them pick out a mezcal for me to sip.”

Bowtie Bob
Social butterfly

“Many Friday nights, I go to art openings in Mount Vernon, Station North, or the Bromo Arts District, at galleries like Escape Artists, Jordan Faye Contemporary, and Maryland Art Place.”

Rob Macy
Host & DJ, Save Your Soul

“I like to get outside of the so-called ‘White L’ and hit Harford Road dive bars to chat with the old-timers. Be it Mencken, Waters, or Coates, Baltimore is made of the stories of her citizens.”

Trillnatured
Aka Jessica Hyman, DJ

“I like to catch other DJ sets at The Crown, during events like Kahlon and Blush & Brews. The material tends to be fresh and diverse, just like the crowd.”

Sean K. Preston
Musician

“Working in Fells can feel like being a carnie. There’s a lotta light, sound, hustle, bustle, masses to entertain and entice. The breeze off the harbor, music carrying through the air, the cobblestones, and plenty to drink—I sometimes catch myself taking for granted how special it is.”

Fare Thee Fells

With stalwarts shuttering and a shiny hotel opening, a new Fells Point emerges.

By Jess Mayhugh

AMID THE CHANGING FACE OF FELLS, BERTHA'S REMAINS A LAST BASTION OF THE OLD 'HOOD, OPEN ON BROADWAY AND LANCASTER STREET SINCE 1972.

“There’s an old saying in Fells Point,” says Ana Marie Cushing, who opened Cat’s Eye Pub with her now late husband, Tony, and another partner in 1975. “We don’t have a town drunk. We all take turns.” That carousing sense of self has come to define the historic waterfront neighborhood at the foot of Broadway for the past 40 years. Home to many sailors, eccentrics, and, yes, drinking buddies, Fells Point has become synonymous with the independent spirit.

POTENT POETABLES
Established in Fells Point in 1775, The Horse You Came In On Saloon is said to be the last stop of famed poet Edgar Allan Poe before his mysterious death.

“Fells Point used to be a real working-class community,” says Andy Norris, who owns Bertha’s, which his parents bought in 1972. “There were lots of artists, a heavy Polish population, old tugboat guys. It was a real bawdy kind of place.” Those characters (“a real John Waters crowd,” says Cushing) continued to stumble along the cobblestones for decades. “It was mostly a community of artists with after-parties every night at someone’s house,” says Bryan Burkert, who opened his record store The Sound Garden in 1993. “When you’re young and work in the service industry or play in a band, it comes down to where can I live that’s cheap. For a while, Fells Point was that place.”

But a gradual transformation took place, some attributing it to the decline of Broadway Market and others crediting the development of Harbor East in the 2000s. “When Harbor East popped up, you felt that financial shift,” says Norris. “It connected the corporate world to our little funky arts community.” This caused housing stock to go up and a different type of patron to come out. “We definitely started seeing more young professionals,” says Cushing. “It became gentrified and started to feel more like Georgetown.”

The change has been evident most recently with the closing of stalwart music club Leadbetter’s in June, which was replaced by the new iteration of the cocktail bar Rye. “I see that old guard moving on a bit,” admits Cushing. “All those kids that went there to play music were so upset that they put a designer bar in there. That’s just not the way Fells Point used to be.”

But, business owners admit, not all change is bad. Many seem optimistic that Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Pendry Hotel, which is set to open on the old Recreation Pier in early 2017, could do wonders for the historic ’hood. “I can’t wait for that hotel to open up,” says Norris. “Sure, it will be a higher-end clientele. But hopefully they will seek out authentic Baltimore. There are a lot of new shiny dimes opening up around here, but people can’t forget about that old quarter in their pocket.”

KARAOKE KINGS

We might not be Tokyo or NYC, but here in Baltimore, amateur sing-alongs abound
with plenty of places to sing your heart out.

▾

ALOHA BAR

1218 N. Charles St.
On Fridays and Saturdays, descend into this small, subterranean bar beneath the Mount Vernon sushi joint for Japanese karaoke (aka fantastic background lyric videos) that lasts extra late.

▾

LONG JOHN’S PUB

398 W. 29th St.
On certain nights behind the Formstone walls and bright green sign of this Remington dive hides a herd of songbird regulars and a stellar selection of oldies-but-goodies.

▾

WALT’S INN

3201 O’Donnell St.
Every night of the week, this cozy Canton corner bar is the place to go for boy band belt-outs with a side of Jell-O shots and Old Baltimore charm.

Members Only

Social clubs provide recreational sanctuary

By Amy Mulvhill

We Baltimoreans are obsessed with localism. Our high school, our neighborhood, our corner bar—these are our talismans of identity. But for ultimate insider cred, there’s no place like the private social club.

Over the course of the city’s history, scores of these members-only outposts have existed—and many still remain, ranging from the august, antebellum Maryland Club in Mount Vernon to the determinedly discreet Dizzy Pleasure Club in Dundalk. They vary in size, atmosphere, amenities, clientele, and rules and regulations, but they all offer one coveted quality: exclusivity. Aspiring members must have their applications sponsored by an existing member, and there are yearly dues. But once you’re in, you have access to a space that’s somewhere between a bar, a banquet hall, and a friend’s basement.

In Canton, The Ducky Pleasure Club has occupied the first floor of a South Clinton Street row home since it was founded in 1953. Like many social clubs in the city, it has a limited liquor license, allowing it to serve cheap beer and wine seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Members can also sometimes bring their own liquor.)

MALTS BY MENCKEN
Notorious drinker and “sage of Baltimore” H.L. Mencken used to brew his own beer in his home at 1524 Hollins St.

“You get a key card that buzzes you in whenever you want,” says club president Ed Wykowski. “If you drink five beers, you’re supposed to put $7.50 in the register. It’s self-serve, honor system.”

Cheap beer isn’t the only attraction. Clubs offer flat-screen TVs, stereo systems, and bar games. The posh Maryland Club even has squash courts. Mostly though, the clubs provide lots of friendly, familiar faces—all without overcrowding or crass commercialization.

The 100-plus-year-old Clifton Pleasure Club sits on a quiet side street in Lauraville in a rambling white building, part of which used to be a one-room schoolhouse. The club’s next-door neighbor is a German Lutheran cemetery.

We popped in recently and found the club’s den mother, Amelia Reitz, in the industrial kitchen preparing meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and gooey banana-chocolate bread pudding for a member’s birthday. Her parents sat at the bar and chatted as her dog, Luna, trotted around.

Reitz admits that she is ambivalent about publicizing the club. Then again, clubs need new members, especially as older generations die off. Clifton’s membership has grown in recent years, and many new members are Gen Xers and millennials.

“We are all so inundated with social media,” she says. “We have so many ‘friends’ that it’s nice to have a community to hang out in.”

On the other hand, she’s afraid that increased attention will rob the place of its subdued magic. “We like to keep things pretty low-key.”

THE MIDWAY

A last glimmer of nostalgia on the Baltimore Block

By Lydia Woolever

A VINTAGE PINUP OF the block's famous BLAZE STARR HANGS ON A WALL OF THE MIDWAY BAR.

These days, when looking for adventure and amusement, out-of-towners and county dwellers often head to the Inner Harbor, but just three blocks from the water, a stretch of Baltimore Street—also known as The Block—used to be the star. The strip was once a destination—covered in bright lights, glittering marquees, grand theater houses, vaudeville acts, and its world-famous burlesque—promising cheap thrills and adult entertainment to the crowds that filled the streets.

Today, the scene is something else entirely. A few flashy signs intermingle with boarded-up buildings. Pushy bouncers heckle passersby to enter their near-empty clubs. A few sly handshakes pass off a pocketful of drugs. The Hustler Club and Norma Jean’s still maintain a touch of frill, with stiff drinks, high-dollar dances, and velvety crimson décor, but the rest, now tattered and tawdry, have gone to seed. There’s barely an ounce of the glamorous good-old-days left.

BLOCK BOMBSHELL
In the 1950s, The Block’s Blaze Starr gained national notoriety in an Esquire magazine story titled, “B-Belles of Burlesque: You Get Strip Tease With Your Beer in Baltimore.”

But near the eastern end of the 400 block, past Club Pussycat and the Jewel Box, before you reach the headquarters of the Baltimore City police, there’s a neon light, sometimes only partially lit, that beckons you inside. Behind the brick façade and red cursive letters of Midway Bar, this dark, deserted dive is the last vestige of the old Block that disappeared decades ago.

Unlike its neighbors, there’s still of a hint of nostalgia in the knotty pine panels of the Midway. The interior is little changed, with vintage “Ladies” and “Men” bathroom signs illuminated in the back (even if the bartender has to buzz you in), and dozens of faded glamour shots near the ceiling, all glowing in glitzy light. Blaze Starr is there, of course—The Block’s most famous female—but also other icons of the day, their makeup perfect, their hair just so; barely wrapped in fur and silk, wearing little more than high-heel shoes and elbow-high gloves. Dreamy, timeless, untouchable, they look like Hollywood stars.

Behind the long black bar stands Jim Brandt, who owns this establishment and started working here when he was 21 years old. “It was a lot of fun,” he says of the early 1980s, his fresh plaid shirt tucked into his faded blue jeans. “Baltimore was more of a sailor town back then. Everybody had a good time.”

Of course, even the ’80s were past The Block’s prime. It started to go downhill after World War II, when full nudity—not to mention pornography and prostitution—replaced the more artful burlesque tease, and crime and drug activity spiked across the city and country. Blaze Starr shuttered her business at The Two O’Clock Club in 1972, and Polock Johnny’s stopped serving their signature Polish sausage not long after that. Even still, Brandt says that business remained good. The Midway continued to be a welcoming rest stop for center-city businessmen and the city’s abundance of third-shift workers. Always simply a bar, the only dancers you’d find inside were those stopping in for drinks before or after work.

Today, even with the neighborhood’s reputation stained with sin, the Midway’s packaged goods business keeps them busy. The clientele is a motley crew, from seedy characters in need of a fix to hospitality folks at the end of their shift; veteran and amateur strippers taking a load off to uppity old white men in blue blazers and coiffed hair. Patrons come in for the cheap drinks, as five bucks cash gets you two ice-cold cans of Boh, cordially served with a glass. There’s also Utz potato chips and pub mix, plus one lone flat screen for watching the Ravens and O’s.

ALL THAT JAZZ
In the early and mid-20th century, Pennsylvania Avenue was an African-American-run entertainment district that rivaled Harlem and Chicago, attracting performers such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong.

With the last glimmer of Baltimore Street’s former glory all but faded away, the Midway, fittingly, remains as a midway point between what The Block now is and what it used to be. Seven days a week, Brandt stays open until 2 a.m., even in the thick of blizzards, much to the appreciation of old regulars like Charlie, who’s been coming here for decades. “I like to say that the Midway is The Block’s neighborhood bar,” he says over a midday Miller Lite. Adds Brandt, “It’s a nice place. We ain’t never had no problems.”

On any given night, he and his mother, Vickie, are happy to talk about the past. “It’s nothing like the old days,” she says, now in her 35th year as a Midway bartender. “There used to be parking out front, and as one car pulled out, another car pulled in. The bar was full of sailors, lawyers, just everyday working people. Now they’re all in a hurry to get going somewhere else.”

Bucket List

DON'T MISS THESE CHARM CITY EVENING ESSENTIALS

After a long workweek, it can be hard to muster up the strength to get off the couch or even find a baby sitter. But before you surrender to Netflix and chill, be sure to cross off these eight nighttime necessities from your Baltimore bucket list.

ORIOLES NIGHT GAME
In the dead of summer, we understand the urge to stay inside next to the a/c. But bearing the heat to see Chris Davis hit a homer out of Camden Yards with a cold beer in hand? There’s no better place in the world.

OUTDOOR MOVIES
Beneath the dog-day moon, lay out a blanket with friends for alfresco summer flicks, be they projected over the Federal Hill lawn, a Little Italy parking lot, the end of Broadway Pier, or the hood of your car at Bengies Drive-In in Middle River.

STATE FAIR FERRIS WHEEL
There’s a brief moment at the top of the sky-high Ferris wheel at the Maryland State Fair—above all the bright lights, carnival rides, barnyard animals, and Timonium traffic—where everything is calm and peaceful. Soak it all in before you barrel back down again.

GREAT LANTERN PARADE
On Halloween weekend, the hills of Patterson Park illuminate with handmade lanterns and custom costumes in a spookily spectacular parade of lights. From neon glow sticks to jiggling jellyfish headdresses, this beloved tradition is fun for kids and adults.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
At the end of November, thousands of onlookers converge on a small stretch of Hampden to watch its houses transform into a winter wonderland with hundreds of twinkling lights. Stop and snap a selfie in front of the hallowed Hubcap Tree.

MONUMENT LIGHTING
Once a year in the heart of Mount Vernon, the dark December night lights up with the color and smoke of fireworks as Baltimore's 200-plus-year-old Washington Monument becomes a spectacle not to be missed.

WINTER RAVENS TAILGATE
Forget the frigid forecast. Throughout winter, wake up early, throw on your warmest jackets (layers are key), and head to the M&T Bank Stadium parking lot for even colder beers, hot chili, and a roost with the Ravens flock.

FIREWORKS
Be it the Fourth of July or New Year’s Eve, make your way to an urban rooftop for Baltimore's big-bang fireworks. From way up there, with the skyline glittering over the harbor, Charm City stands in all its glory.

Neon Nights

FUZZY SIGNS STILL SHINE ACROSS THE CITY

photography by Mark D. Phillips

When the sun goes down in Baltimore, the warm glow of neon buzzes across the city. From the red head of Mr. Boh to the giant letters of Domino Sugars, this town, like many before it, was built on those colorful, radiant tubes. There is something innately nostalgic about neon—its luminous pulse reminiscent of another time, another place; of a forgotten America covered with highway motels and small-town diners, bowling alleys and corner stores and drive-in movie marquees. Many of these signs came down a long time ago, gone with the good old days of industry and economic prosperity, replaced by the less romantic LED. But intentionally or not, those that remain—in bar windows, outside restaurants, above businesses, and beside shops—serve as relics of the past and live on as beacons of a bright future that once again might be. Imbued with that potent possibility, a few new signs still stir like fireflies across our skyline. From taco joints in Remington to noodle bars in Mount Vernon, they come alive, electric and abuzz, like little heartbeats of the city.

CROWN JEWEL

Station North mixed-use space is a champion of Baltimore’s DIY arts and music scene

By Lydia Woolever

THIS FALL, THE CROWN HOSTED DIVAWEEN, A PLANNED PARENTHOOD BENEFIT DANCE PARTY FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS.

Sitting on a barstool with a Natty Boh in hand, Brendan Sullivan compares his first day at The Crown to being tossed the car keys before even knowing how to drive. “I was like the nerdy kid working the valet who gets handed a really expensive car,” he says, as red lights glow overhead and ambient music hums all around. “The guy didn’t ask any questions, so I just tried my best to park.”

Sullivan had never worked in a bar before, let alone managed one. But the owner, Eun Lee, had been looking for someone to turn a shuttered Korean karaoke bar on North Charles Street into a successful venue. The then-26-year-old MICA grad wasn’t completely green—he’d spent the last four years as co-founder of the artist-run gallery Open Space in Remington, where he helped curate a diverse mix of local art exhibits, film screenings, lecture series, and fittingly, as he is one half of the post-punk duo Weekends, live music shows.

BMORE MUSE
During his years in Baltimore, F. Scott Fitzgerald finished his acclaimed 1934 novel, Tender Is the Night.

At the time, the city’s DIY scene was largely shepherded by the merry pranksters of the Wham City arts collective and restricted to underground venues like warehouse spaces and house parties. But because these locations lacked proper permits and liquor licenses, the cops would show up in no time. The Crown was the answer to all that, providing a legitimate, legal space for up-and-coming performers and events. “I still had to worry about the cops,” says Sullivan. “But when they came, I had all the paperwork.”

In June 2013, Sullivan began booking local artists to perform on the second-floor venue’s stage. “From very early on, I was pretty open,” he says. “I viewed it as a place to see artistic expression that might not fit into other venues, or that other venues might not be willing to give a try. I wanted it to be a space for anyone who is welcoming and accepting of the people in the room.”

His eclectic lineups opened doors for creatives of all colors, genders, and talents, with acts ranging from hip-hop shows and indie-rock concerts to comedy and karaoke nights, not to mention the popular, bimonthly DIY dance party Kahlon. “It felt so scrappy and secluded in the beginning that even though it was open to the public, you still had to know it was here,” Sullivan says. “The silver lining is that actually endeared a lot of people to it.”

Try your hand at our Baltimore Bingo Board of NonAlcoholic Activities

Within no time, The Crown started to draw larger crowds, and to keep up with the demand, the venue expanded in size to include both its main “red room” for headliner shows and a smaller “blue room” for DJ sets and more, all while maintaining its inclusive attitude and appropriately dingy décor. On any given night, the crimson bar—equipped with craft cocktails, funky art, and a sparkling curtain of silver streamers illuminated on the stage—is a beloved hangout for art-school transplants and music lovers, including a sort of who's who of local artists, gallery owners, and notable musicians.

“The music scene is so much more fluid and integrated than it used to be and I think The Crown has a lot to do with that,” electronic artist Dan Deacon told us last year. “It’s a nexus for so many different types of music and people.”

“It doesn’t matter if you just started a band, practiced twice, and want to play a show, Brendan will put you on,” says Jimmy MacMillan, founder of Friends Records, whose artists perform regularly at The Crown. “There’s this willing support. Everybody just wants to see everybody succeed.”

Sullivan shies away from taking too much credit, attributing the city's wealth of talent and drive to what The Crown has become. His only real goal for the future is to continue to provide a platform for artists and musicians to perform and grow. “I just get to say ‘yes,’” says Sullivan, "which is the beauty of it.”

By doing so, in three short years, The Crown has become a stalwart in an otherwise rapidly changing neighborhood. “It’s not the ‘it’ bar—it’s not the spot that everybody visits when they come to town,” says MacMillan. “It’s the secret place you show your friends. For Baltimoreans, it’s a staple.”

ART AFTER DARK

Forget gallery and museum hours. Step outside of your regularly scheduled programming and admire art beyond just the light of day.

ALLOVERSTREET
stationnorth.org

Get to know Station North creatives during this neighborhood art walk with openings and events up and down East Oliver Street on the first Friday of every month.

BMA ART AFTER HOURS
artbma.org

Nearly one year old, this monthly museum party has quickly become a Baltimore favorite, with local food and drink, live music, and the BMA’s impressive art collection.

BROMO AFTER 5
bromodistrict.org.

On the last Friday of every month, spend your happy hour perusing the art galleries and mixed-used spaces of the Bromo Arts District from 5 to 8 p.m.

CREATIVE ALLIANCE
creativealliance.org

While attending a concert or performance at this Highlandtown nonprofit, take advantage of the open-floor exhibition space, which features a rotating selection of noteworthy artworks that typically closes at 7 p.m.

A Little Night Music

The sounds of the city include some expert instrumentation.

BLUES THE CAT’S EYE PUB
Calling all sea dogs, Deadheads, and blues lovers—there’s no better place to cut a rug than the Cat’s Eye, seven nights a week. 1730 Thames St., 410-276-9866.

CLASSICAL AN DIE MUSIK
This historic Mount Vernon townhome provides an intimate setting for soaking up classical, jazz, and world music by local and internationally acclaimed artists. 409 N. Charles St., 410-385-2638.

JAZZ BERTHA’S
Grab a stool (and an “Eat Bertha’s Mussels” sticker) for freestyle jams by the acclaimed Jeff Reed Trio on Thursday nights. Extra points for the occasional hot sax. 734 S. Broadway, 410-327-5795.

HONKY-TONK
1919 Beneath the blue and green Christmas lights of this itty-bitty dive, lose yourself in the Americana sounds of steel, slide, and acoustic guitar. 1919 E. Fleet St.

Night Vision

A Q&A with Foxtrot

By Lydia Woolever

An aerial view from Baltimore at night.

CHASE ST. SPEAKEASY
The Owl Bar at The Belvedere Hotel was a speakeasy during Prohibition. Legend has it that if the owl statue blinked, the party was on.

We all know the choppy whir of rotor blades, the swooping beam of spotlight. The Baltimore City Police Department’s Foxtrot helicopters are an omnipresent part of the Baltimore sky, whether they’re responding to shootings or car thefts, conducting missing person searches, aiding in homeland security, or just out there on patrol. On a gray windy day at the end of summer, we sat down at the BPD headquarters with chief pilot Renonzo Belcher, who commandeers the unit’s four aircraft, and tactical flight officer Debra Swinney, who operates all of the onboard mission equipment, to talk about what it’s like being the eye in the sky.

Tactical flight officers (TFOs) begin as seasoned street police officers. What made you make the switch?
Debra Swinney: It was something I always wanted to do. I love flying. I love being in the air. It’s a totally different lifestyle up there.

Are there other women in the unit?
DS: I’m the only female. I wish there were more. As long as you’re not afraid of heights, you’re good. The guys don’t treat me any different.

You’re based out of Martin State Airport in Middle River. How long does it take to get to the city?
Renonzo Belcher: About five minutes. At any given time, we have one aircraft up, so there is constantly someone out on patrol for the officers on the ground.

How fast do you fly?
RB: The aircraft can get up to 130 miles an hour, but it all depends on the weight and conditions.

DS: If it’s windy, you think you’re going fast, but you ain’t movin’. It takes forever to get where you need to go.

And how high?
RB: The aircraft can go up 15,000 feet, but we’re usually at about 500 feet.

Is it more difficult to work at night?
RB: Certain visual cues are different. The searchlight brightens everything up, and the infrared definitely helps us out. If we can’t see what we’re looking for, we’ll use [infrared] to try to detect a weapon, or body, or car. It measures different sources of heat, so on a cold winter’s day, we might have a suspect fleeing officers who hides in a park and throws leaves over himself and the ground officers might walk right by.

DS: But we can see his body heat, even though he’s covered in leaves. It’s like when you hold a flashlight under a blanket, you can still see the light coming out.

RB: You ever play video games?

Is it kind of like that?
RB: It is.

Is that mindset something you have to get used to?
RB: It’s just like any police. When we come on a scene, we look at the totality of the situation and just try to do everything we can to assist the officers on the ground. . . . For TFOs, it takes months of training to learn how to operate the technical side of things and just acquire the feel for the job. Even then, it still takes a few months to build up your own way of doing things. It’s a whole different ball game going from the streets to the air.

Is it strange to be removed like that?
DS: Yes. Even during the hard times of the city, it was hard for me because I couldn’t just jump out and help.

RB: But we have other ways of helping out. In high-risk situations, we are the on-scene commanders. If we have an officer that’s injured, we’re calling for the ambulance, or fire rescue, or blocking off streets. We have to be in control of the scene so we can quickly get help to those units.

What does the city look like from way up there?
RB: Oh, it’s a beautiful view, both day and night. They’re completely different. But the nighttime view . . . I like all the lights. Downtown is like a heart and all of the streets that come out of it are like the veins. We see the traffic flow. For me, it’s calm and peaceful.

Bump in the night

As dance clubs disappear across the city (R.I.P. Paradox), dance parties are keeping the hip bumping, booty shaking spirit alive and well.

MOBTOWN BALLROOM SWING DANCES
Mobtown Ballroom

Swing into Pigtown on Monday and Friday nights for dance sessions that go as late as you want to hop, jump, and jitterbug. 861 Washington Blvd.

SAVE YOUR SOUL
Lithuanian Hall

On the outskirts of Hollins Market, head to the Lith Hall basement every first Friday for packed dance floors, shots of honey liqueur,and vintage vinyl on the ones and twos. 851 Hollins St.

BALTIMORE SQUARE DANCE
Ideal Arts Space

Skip the trendy eateries and hip shops of Hampden to travel back in time with old-time string bands at this bimonthly square dance, open to beginners and masters alike. 905 W. 36th St.

BALTIMORE WHISKEY COMPANY DANCE PARTY
De Kleine Duivel

Once a month, this German beer bar joins the BWC for DJ dance parties with themes like Geek-chic, Sci-Fi, and Soul Train. 3602 Hickory Ave.

Goodnight Moon

SUNRISE AT THE Baltimore harbor close to the dock by Key Highway. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN BURROUGHS.

There is a moment at the end of the night when the darkness fades out and daylight shuffles in. Time seems to slow down, if only for an instant, with the embers of the evening’s endeavors—be it bad decisions or a deep sleep—still flickering in your mind; the anticipation of the next 24 hours just a few seconds away. It’s a strange adrenaline rush that can keep you going a little longer, or wake you up better than any cup of coffee. The exact moment changes by the day, but whatever the time, wherever you are, be sure to stop and soak in the sunrise at one of the city’s prime perches.

DRUID LAKE
At the edge of Druid Hill Park, grab your dog, bike, or running shoes for stellar sunrises and early morning strolls around this waterfront path.

FEDERAL HILL
Couch potatoes beware—the hike up Federal Hill is harder than it looks, but from the top, you can enjoy a panoramic vantage point over the entire Inner Harbor.

INNER HARBOR LOOP
From the steps of the Maryland Science Center, the benches of the Bond Street pier, or the grassy lawn of the Canton waterfront, this promenade offers endless vistas.

PATTERSON PARK PAGODA
At the top of this historic tiered tower, ogle as far as the eye can see with nearly unobstructed views over the city and out to the Key Bridge.

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Monster List of Baltimore Area’s Best Halloween Events

Jess Mayhugh — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 14:18:00 +0000

From spooky kid parties to spirited adult soirées, don your Halloween best and get bewitched this month with a cauldron of candied, costumed events.

Deadly Dance Parties

THE HAUNTING OF POE: A BURLESQUE MASQUERADE
10/30: Don your ballroom masks for this sexy show about Edgar Allan Poe’s life and literary works. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 410-276-1651

HALLOWEEN FLASHBACK DANCE PARTY
10/31: Do the “Monster Mash” at this retro Halloween dance party, with ’90s hip-hop artist Biz Markie, ’90s tribute band Here’s To the Night, and ’80s cover band The New Romance. The Fillmore, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-960-9999

HALLOWEEN ’80S DANCE PARTY
10/31: If costumes and covers sound like the makings of a perfect party, sip $3 drinks and shake your bones to ’80s classics from the likes of The Cure, Talking Heads, and The Smiths at this haunted bash. The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069

HALLOWEEN PARTY AT MICHAEL’S CAFE
10/31: Dance the night away to the ’80s New Wave sounds of Synful Pleasure, enjoy Halloween-inspired eats and drinks, and rock a ghoulish get-up for a chance to win up to $400 in the costume contest at this Timonium bar. 2119 York Road, Timonium, 410-252-2022

Boo-zy Bar Crawls

HALLOWEEN AT POWER PLANT LIVE
10/29-10/31: As always, this downtown nightlife destination is going all out for the haunted holiday with live music, costume contests, and plenty of drink deals. The festivities kick off with a glow-in-the-dark Halloween Rally on Oct. 29 featuring complementary glow sticks and live DJ entertainment, and on Oct. 31 the space will transform into a haunted carnival with every bar boasting a different theme. 34 Market Place

FEDERAL HILL-O-WEEN
10/31: Gather some friends and hit the bars in Federal Hill to sip boozy slushies at Stalking Horse, down drafts at Mother’s, and enjoy $3 Miller Lites, $4 Redds Apple Ales, and $4 Blue Moon bottles at more than 10 other participating spots. Multiple locations including Mother’s Grille, 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686

SINNERS & SAINTS BLOCK PARTY
10/31: Canton favorites Claddagh Pub, El Bufalo Tequila Bar, Portside Tavern, and Jokers n’ Thieves are getting in on the fun by hosting this creepy crawl. Show off your creative costume and enjoy food specials and discounted drinks all night long. Multiple locations including Claddagh Pub, 2918 O’Donnell St., 410-522-4220

BOATHOUSE MONSTER BASH
10/31: The Boathouse Canton is throwing this all-inclusive bash on Halloween night, highlighting a photo booth, candy stations, live DJ entertainment, ‘horrors’ d’oeuvres, and an open bar until midnight. Prizes up for grabs in the costume contest include a $100 Boathouse gift card, a free happy hour for you and 20 friends, and $500 cash. 2809 Boston St., 410-773-9795

HALLOWEEN BALL AT 14FORTY
10/31: Make your way to this multi-level lounge inside Horseshoe Casino to sip spirits and enjoy live music performed on its elevated stage. Lucky winners sporting the best costumes of the night will walk away with up $5,000 in free slot play. 1525 Russell St., 844-77-7463

Family Frights

ZOOBOOO!
10/23-25: Lions, and tigers, and bears—oh my! Spend a spooky weekend at the zoo with face painting, trick-or-treating, costume contests, and live entertainment. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Drive, 410-396-7102

AR-BOO-RETUM
10/23: Nothing says Halloween like the Cylburn Arboretum’s 1860s mansion decked out in spooky splendor. Grab the kids and take a tour of the house, decorate trick-or-treat bags, learn about nocturnal creatures, and embark on carriage rides at this family-friendly event. And, if the little ones haven’t experienced a full-blown sugar rush from all of the candy, IcedGems Baking will also be onsite to dish out its signature confections. Cylburn Arboretum Mansion and Formal Gardens, 4915 Greenspring Avenue, 410-367-2217

GREAT HALLOWEEN LANTERN PARADE
10/24: Bring the kids for an afternoon of hayrides, costume contests, and family fun, culminating in the Great Halloween Lantern Parade, now in its 16th year in Patterson Park. Pulaski Monument, Eastern and Linwood Aves, 410-276-1651

TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE CAN COMPANY
10/24: The Canton Can Company is hosting its first-ever Halloween party this year, complete with pumpkin decorating, a kids’ costume contest, and even a “Thriller” dance tutorial led by the White Marsh Ballet Academy. Stroll around the plaza, enjoy live music spun by DJ The Show, and visit the Can Company’s restaurants for treats at the door and festive food and drink specials. 2400 Boston St., 443-577-4826

TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE SQUARE
10/25: Now in its 4th year, this fun-filled Belvedere Square celebration features thrills such as complimentary caricatures, pumpkin decorating, and trick-or-treating at each of the merchants. The event’s costume contest charges a $5 entry fee and all proceeds will benefit the Enoch Pratt Free Library. 529 E. Belvedere Ave.

HALLOWEEN EVE CAMPFIRE & HIKE
10/30: Enjoy s’mores and stories around the campfire, followed by a hike in the woods. Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum, 300 Oella Ave., Catonsville, 410-887-1081

FALLOWEEN
10/31: Dress up with your little ones and learn about the science behind popular Halloween traditions. Port Discovery, 35 Market Place, 410-727-8120.

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN SKATE
10/31: Mix up your Halloween routine this year and head to Patterson Park for a night of ice skating, prizes, and family fun. Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center, 200 S. Linwood Ave., 410-396-9392

KIDSPEACE TRICK OR TROT
10/31: Join KidsPeace, the Orioles, and the Showalter family in a 5K run or 1-mile walk to benefit children in foster care. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St., 410-685-9800

WIZARDS & WANDS
10/31: Take a trip to Hogwarts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, performing a magical night of the Harry Potter film scores. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., 410-783-8000

TRICK AND TREATS
10/31: Grab your costume and gallivant through the woods in search of holiday treats. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, 410-887-1815

Midnight Music

GLOWBALL
10/24: Keep the party going after the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at this annual concert hosted by the Creative Alliance. After the kids are in bed, grown-ups are invited to jam to the horn-heavy funk sounds of Joe Keyes and The Late Bloomer Band at the parade’s official after-party. The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., 410-276-1651

KIP MOORE
10/31: Hear country music star Kip Moore perform at WPOC’s Jam-BOO-ree Halloween event. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, 410-244-1131

SAME AS IT EVER BOS: HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
10/31: Spend the night getting down to the sounds of local soul sensation Bosley, as the band covers Talking Heads classics at The 8×10. 10 E. Cross St., 410-625-2000

HALLOWEEN AT THE SCIENCE CENTER
10/31: Once again, eat, drink, and be scary as the Science Center teams up with Flying Dog Brewery for their annual craft-beer-and-costume bash with food trucks, local brews, a costume contest, and live, local music from the likes of ELM, Cris Jacobs Band, and a Save your Soul dance party on the roof. 601 Light St., 410-685-5225

Late-Autumn Art

ZOMBIE PROM
10/16-11/8: Part high-school romance and part sci-fi thriller, this modern-day musical follows a zombie as he tries to win back his crush and take her to prom. Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St., 410-752-1225

HALLOWEEN HAVOC
10/17: Sip your spirits while dressed in your Halloween best at this lively art competition in Remington. The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069

MICA HAUNTED HOUSE: FEVER DREAM
10/22-10/24: Now in its eighth year, MICA’s student-run haunted house is a must-try if you’re looking for a thrill that’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps. If you dare: Stroll around this season’s twisted dreamscape-themed house adorned with fog machines, strobe lights, and other mysterious sights and sounds. 1601 W. Mt. Royal Ave

FLYING DOG SCARY MOVIE SERIES
10/28 & 31: Flying Dog Brewery presents classic horror flicks and craft beers with A Nightmare on Elm Street on Wednesday, followed by Invasion of the Body Snatchers on Halloween night. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, 301-600-2828

AVAM’S FREE FALL HALLOWEEN
10/30: Spend your Mischief Night at the American Visionary Art Museum with lantern-making, food trucks, and an outdoor screening of The Goonies. 800 Key Highway, 410-244-1900

A TALE OF THREE COFFINS: LIVING AND DYING IN ST. MARY’S CITY
To 12/6: This eerie exhibit at the Maryland Historical Society displays three lead coffins that represent the only remains of Maryland’s founding family, the Calverts. Learn about 17th-century life and check out the coffins up close before they’re reburied in St. Mary’s City in early December. 201 W. Monument St., 410-685-3750

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