EAT

April 17: The Charmery “Chef’s Signature Flavor” Collaboration with Clavel

Multiple locations including 801 W. 36th St. $11.

If you’re looking for a surefire way to spark a little joy during quarantine, ice cream is the answer. Not only is The Charmery offering its whimsical flavors for delivery and curbside pickup at its Hampden and Towson locations, but husband-and-wife owners David and Laura Alima are continuing to dream up fun ways to give love to their fellow hospitality workers during this time of need. Beginning this Friday, the duo will launch a new series called “Chef’s Signature Flavor,” in which they whip up a limited number of pints of a local chef’s favorite variety. The Alimas’ buddy Carlos Raba of Clavel is up first, collaborating on a Rosac Con Su Mezcal flavor that highlights strawberry, hibiscus, lime, and mezcal. Each pint costs $11 with $1 of all sales benefitting The Charmery’s scooper fund, and another dollar donated to the Clavel employee fund. If you can’t grab a mezcal pint before sellout, stay tuned for the next collaboration with Chef Opie Crooks of A Rake’s Progress.

DRINK

April 17: Union Tour and Taste Live!

Facebook Live. 4-5 p.m. Free.

Switch up your virtual happy hour plans this Friday and join Union Craft Brewing co-founder Jon Zerivitz on Instagram Live for a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewery. Crack open a cold can of Duckpin and follow along as Zerivitz talks through the style, aroma, and tasting notes of fan-favorite brews like the Duckpin Pale Ale and Steady Eddie IPA. Stock up on six packs before the happy hour with delivery, dockside pickup, or by grabbing from your favorite local liquor store.

SEE

April 17-18: MICA MFA Thesis Film Virtual Showcase 2020

7 p.m. http://micafilmmaking.org. Free.

Though MICA’s MFA filmmaking class of 2020 won’t be able to screen their thesis films in front of a live audience for the time being, students remain excited to get the projects they’ve worked long and hard on out into the world. In collaboration with the SNF Parkway Theatre, the films will be screened on three different platforms, including the MICA film program website and the Parkway’s Facebook page, beginning with the first half on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. The second half will premiere on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Kick back and enjoy five documentaries, three dramas, and three horror films, and be sure to stick around for live Q&A sessions with the filmmakers after the broadcast.

HEAR

April 18: Qlub Q Dance Party With DJ Rob Macy

9-11 p.m. Zoom. Free.

We might not be able to go out, but that won’t stop stir-crazy Baltimoreans from attending a DIY dance party. Break out your laptop to break it down at the virtual Club Quarantine with DJ Rob Macy of the famous Save Your Soul Dance Party. After you shimmy, shake, and dance the night away, throw a few dollars in the virtual tip jar and check back each week to see which Charm City DJ is spinning next.

DO

April 17: Earth Treks Virtual Rendezvous

6-10 p.m. Facebook Live and Zoom. Free.

Unfortunately there’s no virtual alternative to bouldering with your buddies at this Hampden climbing gym, but the Earth Treks team has put together a jam-packed evening of online activities that evoke the gym’s communal spirit. After pre-registering, hop on Facebook Live for a HIIT class with instructor Jenna Scott before a dance party with beats spun by Union beertender and DJ dagm, a group trivia game, and a collective watch party of the sci-fi classic Tremors, with commentary encouraged in the Zoom chat box.

EAT

Feb. 2: Valentine’s Pajama Brunch

Miss Shirley’s Café, 513 W. Cold Spring Lane. 7:30-9 a.m. Free-$27.99.

Valentine’s Day might not be for another few weeks, but we’ll take any excuse to indulge in cheesecake-stuffed French toast or red velvet pancakes on a Saturday morning. Keep your pajamas and slippers on from the night before and treat the whole family to this two-course brunch, featuring special breakfast boxes for the kiddos and tons of sweet and savory entrees for the grown-ups. Stick around for crafts, balloon art, and Valentine’s Day-themed activities that will leave everyone ready for a mid-morning nap.

DRINK

Feb. 3: Super Bowl Sunday

Locations, times, and prices vary.

Let’s face it: It’s hard to find a reason for a Baltimore fan to get hyped for this year’s Super Bowl. But luckily, local watering holes around the city are throwing watch parties with enough drink specials to give us something to cheer about. Spend Super Bowl Sunday booing the New England Patriots with bottomless brews at Mother’s Grille, knocking back $3 cans of Natty Boh at R. House, or bellying up to the bar at any of our best places to hate-watch the game. And remember: There’s always next year for the Ravens.

SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Ave. 7-9 p.m. $8-10.

After a week of fighting the chill of the polar vortex, we’re practically begging Punxsutawney Phil not to see his shadow on Groundhog Day. Whether the all-knowing groundhog declares six more weeks of winter or not, celebrate this hair-brained harebrained tradition by watching Harold Ramis’ 1993 comedy of the same name this Saturday night. Settle into the (warm) Parkway Theatre and laugh along with the inimitable Bill Murray as he relives Groundhog Day over and over in this crowd-favorite flick.

HEAR

Feb. 1: Live at the Hive

Charm City Meadworks, 400 E. Biddle St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $5.

Not only is Charm City Meadworks known for its wide range of still and sparkling meads, but the Mt. Vernon space also draws crowds for its one-of-a-kind events like gear swaps, video game tournaments, and this Friday’s multi-genre concert series. Pack the meadery to sip $5 drafts and slushies while jamming to a headline performance by standout local MC Eze Jackson, along with DJ Mac Hewitt, Ring WorldØØØ, and Revvnant—a new project from local songwriter Elias Schutzman.

DO

Feb. 1: Earth Treks Rendezvous

Earth Treks Hampden, 1700 W. 41st St., Suite 400. 6-10 p.m. $20.

Whether you’re a first-time climber or just taking advantage of the discounted day pass, stop by Earth Treks Hampden on Friday night for its monthly community climbing meet-up. Get to know other local enthusiasts, sip on free cider and beer from Union Craft Brewing, and check out equipment and accessories from vendors like Buddy Boulders and Banjo & Bean.

Anyone who has driven on 83 these past several months has seen a giant black-and-white sign sprawled across the former Sears Roebuck warehouse that reads “Future Home of Union Craft Brewing and the Union Collective.” Now that future is looking much more present.
 

With beer tanks in, climbing walls erected, and nearly all eight vendors confirmed, the 138,000-square-foot makerspace and brewery home of Union Craft is becoming a reality.  

“It’s been amazing to see the level of hard work, passion, and creativity it has taken from all involved to get to this point,” says Union co-owner Adam Benesch. “We are excited to see the impact the project is going to make on our community and businesses that make up the collective.”

The collective is made up of Union Craft Brewing and eight other local vendors, some using the space as their main headquarters, others as a manufacturing location, and almost all as a storefront. There are still two open slots left and owners are excited to complete the roster. 

“We continue to search for the best and brightest growing Baltimore-based businesses,” Benesch says. “We look forward to finding the perfect fit for the last of the available space.”
 

Until then, though, these confirmed vendors have plenty in store for tenants as they gradually begin to open throughout the spring and summer.
 

Well-Crafted Pizza: The mobile pizza business, which was started by two couples, is known for its kitchen built on the back of a 1949 Dodge truck. Coinciding with the brewery’s opening this summer, Well Crafted will have a new 920-square-foot kitchen in the taproom itself serving its signature wood-fired pizzas, as well as kabobs, sausages, stuffed potatoes, and soft pretzels.  

Earth Treks: Most likely the first to open in the space, this rock-climbing mecca will be the first of its kind in the city include an exclusive space for bouldering, and also have a yoga studio for patrons.
 

The Charmery: This beloved Hampden corner ice cream spot (with a location in Anneslie on the way) will have its 5,500-square-foot factory headquartered inside Union Collective. The additional room will allow for more production, as well as themed events and famous “guest scoopers.”
 

Baltimore Whiskey Company: On the heels of releasing its 100-proof Epoch rye whiskey, which has been aging in oak barrels for three years, the BWC will be moving into Union Collective this spring. The facility will use a sustainable, geothermal system to cool its pipes using ground water, the first of its kind in the region.  

Huckle’s: Also opening this spring will be a test kitchen and storefront for beloved local hot sauce company Huckle’s. Besides making its signature spicy sauces like Fire-Roasted Habanero and Original Honion, the company will be co-packaging with other small-batch businesses in town.  

Vent Coffee Roasters: With her first brick and mortar location opening at Union Collective in early spring, longtime barista Sarah Walker is eager to have a permanent home. Vent will feature a small-batch roaster and espresso bar with seating for up to 45 people to enjoy espresso drinks, nitro cold brew on tap, coffee mocktails, and options for Aeropress and Chemax. Look out for homemade pastries and other drinks from local Wight Tea Co.  
 

Union Craft Brewing: Of course, the pièce de résistance of the collective will be Union Craft Brewing, which is looking to triple the capacity of its current Woodberry home. There will also be a 7,500-square-foot taproom with a stage for live music, a private event space, and a glass wall that looks through to the brewing equipment. There will also be an outdoor beer garden with a living wall, modular walls to reconfigure the space, and games like bocce.  
 
 
 

Union Craft Brewing has announced that it will be expanding in 2018 with a new brewery, taproom, and adjoining makerspace in a 138,000-square-foot warehouse in Medfield off of I-83. And the first tenant to sign on to join the communal workspace certainly puts into perspective just how big the new digs really are.

Union Collective—the brewery’s adjacent marketplace allotted to house eight additional makers, nonprofits, and small businesses to produce and sell their goods on site—will be home to a new 20,000-square-foot Earth Treks climbing gym.

The local brand began as a mountaineering guide service and outdoor rock-climbing school in Columbia in 1990, and has since evolved to operate four gyms throughout the state and two in Colorado—one of which will debut in 2018.  

“Climbing gyms barely existed back when we started,” says Earth Treks COO Chris Jenkins.  “But over the years, the indoor climbing world has just grown and grown.”

When Earth Treks first partnered with Union co-founders Jon Zerivitz, Kevin Blodger, and Adam Benesch a few months back, Jenkins says that the collaboration seemed like a good fit because of the property’s high ceilings, ample parking, and easy-access off of I-83.

“It used to be you would go to landlords desperate to find spaces, and they didn’t really understand what climbing was and didn’t want to work with you,” Jenkins says. “Now we’re finding folks who have visions for spaces like Union has. The evolution of the industry is making these things possible.”

Though Earth Treks has become known for its all-ages climbing, rope walls, yoga classes, and personal training services at county facilities in Timonium, Columbia, and Rockville, the Hampden location will mark the gym’s first foray into Baltimore City. 

The location will also be the first to focus entirely on bouldering—a sport where the climber moves up the wall without the support of ropes or harnesses. The gym will feature 10,000-square-feet of bouldering terrain, as well as its own yoga studio, functional fitness and cardio zones, training areas, and a retail pro-shop. 

“Bouldering has become a sport in itself,” Jenkins says. “Each one of our gyms is custom-designed to fit the space, so it’s nice that people can go from Earth Treks to Earth Treks and feel like they’re getting a different experience.”

Construction on the project at 1700 W. 41st Street is expected to begin on July 1, with some tenants slated to move in late 2017 and brewing to begin spring 2018. Construction on the gym itself will begin this November.

Benesch says that the addition of Earth Treks furthers Union Collective’s mission of assembling local businesses to connect, collaborate, and share resources all under one roof.

“Our goal in developing Union Collective is to do our part to make our city a better place to live, work, and play in,” he said in a press release. “Not only will this facility foster community, which is also a part of our mission, it will offer something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Baltimore City.”

Jenkins agrees that, above all, the partnership is ideal because the two companies share a community-driven philosophy.

“Hampden seems like it’s going to be a great home for us,” he says. “It’s going to make it much more of a destination and a community. Climbing gyms are already all about community. This will only strengthen it.”