At hip beer garden and wine den Fadensonnen in Old Goucher, words and wine collide to bring local poetry lovers a “Hidden Palace.” The series—which takes place on the first Wednesday of the month and is organized by writers Ashleigh Phillips, Joseph Grantham, and the staff at Remington’s Greedy Reads bookstore—gathers writers in the upstairs tavern to share their poems and other compositions of all genres. 

“No matter who finds ‘Hidden Palace,’ as soon as the writer starts reading, everyone in the room is ready to listen,” Phillips says. “It never gets old.”

The winner of the 2019 C. Michael Curtis Short Story Book Prize for her debut collection Sleepovers, Phillips says that the event took off in the early days of COVID-19, when she was transitioning from working behind the bar at Fadensonnen to managing its natural wine shop, Angels Ate Lemons. When her book came out, Fadensonnen owner Lane Harlan bought a copy for everyone on staff, and later asked Phillips to curate the reading series after pandemic restrictions loosened. 

“It was like Lane read my mind,” Phillips says. “Joseph and I have both hosted reading series in other cities. I had been wanting something like that in Baltimore.”

The very first installment in March 2022 featured local Poet Sylvia Jones, along with North Carolina novelist Mesha Maren and New York City poet Joshua Garcia. In the year since, other participants have traveled from as far as Louisiana and Oregon.  

“Often, it’s the first time many of these writers have been to Baltimore,” says Phillips, a Baltimore transplant from North Carolina. “It’s fun to get to show them around the city that Joseph and I have come to love so much.”

The monthly events are free to the community, and typically feature readings from four different writers and poets. In the digital age, Phillips is pleased to see gathered lit lovers put down their phones and tap into the power of good storytelling.

“Sadly, so many readings these days are rarely about the words,” she says. “So often they’re about networking, who knows who, and who ends up in what picture on Instagram.

“But here in Baltimore, it’s so inspiring to see a packed house of people giving themselves over to the poem and the story. People who come aren’t trying to meet a literary agent or an editor at a magazine, they’re there to really listen. It speaks to what Baltimore’s about.”

As “social distancing” continues to be encouraged and more and more workers are told to stay at home, we’ve suddenly found ourselves with more time to catch up on a good book. We spoke with with Ivy Bookshop owner Emma Snyder and Greedy Reads owner Julia Fleischaker about their picks for what to read while we have some time alone.

Don’t forget: You can still order from your local booksellers via their websites, bookshop.org, or Libro.fm, and local libraries continue to offer digital versions of many titles. Enoch Pratt branches have even started offering a digital library card to allow those who weren’t previously registered to get instant access to online materials while the physical branches are closed.

Emma Snyder’s Picks

Weather by Jenny Offil: Heralded as timely and witty, Offil’s newest novel takes the perspective of a university librarian, Lizzie Benson—a mother, a wife, and a caretaker of her “God-haunted” mother and brother, a recovering addict. The story picks up as Benson is tasked by an old mentor to answer emails sent to her in response to her climate change- themed podcast. The job gives Benson a sort of reality check—teaching empathy, self-worth, and perspective on a polarized world. It’s certainly a read that will hit home.

Disturbance: Surviving Charlie Hebdo by Phillipe Lançon: In 2015, Paris was attacked. Terrorists claiming to be from ISIS targeted a weekly publication, Charlie Hebdo. Lançon was a contributing writer on scene who was left gravely injured. This is his story—recovering after his relationships, his writing, and his career are turned upside down. A narrative for those who want to feel inspired by resilience and transformation, Disturbance is a spring must-read.

The Resisters by Gish Jen: A dystopian novel set in a divided “AutoAmerica” run by artificial intelligence follows the story of Gwen, a girl born with a golden arm. She attracts the attention of the olympic team, playing amongst the very people her family is against. Family, values, and the disruption of normalcy, this story is another take on a future America.

The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré: In her debut novel, Daré tackles self-confidence, resilience, and perseverance as she tells the story of Adunni, a 14-year old Nigerian girl on the search for her own kind of freedom, what her mother calls her “louding voice.” Though wanting to get an education, her father attempts to marry her off. She runs away, but her work in servitude for a wealthy faces her with prejudice and degradation. Readers follow a triumphant story as she finds her “louding voice,” standing up for herself and the women among her.

The Brilliant Darkness by Jeff Sharlet: A writer and author himself, Sharlet has been a storyteller his whole career. Yet, after his father has a heart attack, and he himself later suffers one, he turned to photographs. First on Instagram and then beyond, Sharlet has captured images of people, forming a photojournalistic book taking on the concept of suffering and how we cope.

Julia Fleischaker’s Picks:

Severance by Ling Ma: This sci-fi satire set in a world stricken by a pandemic called “Shen Fever” may seem a little on the nose for the current moment, but if you need to laugh in the face of danger, this is the book to read.

How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell and Silence: In the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge: Both of these picks encourage us to slow down and log off. With a world that seems to be yelling about just about everything, Odell and Kagge offer a small respite and some guidance for those who want to pursue the quiet.

Suffrage: Women’s Long Battle for the Vote by Ellen Carol Dubois, Hood Feminsim: Notes From The Women That A Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall, and Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman: With the news dominated by pandemic updates, Women’s History Month has been moved to the back burner for most. Take some time with these titles to remind yourself what this month was supposed to be about.

The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel and My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell: These two new releases are some of the most anticipated of the year and are both on sale now. Whether Mantel’s tale of the fall of Thomas Cromwell or Russel’s #MeToo-era novel is more your speed, they’ll both give you plenty to talk about once everyone returns to their water coolers.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi: With the kids out of school and stuck at home, take some time with this educational young-adult nonfiction selection. It’s full of important history and conversations dissecting how racist ideas came to be and the ways they manifest in the present.

The works of D. Watkins, Kondwani Fidel, R. Eric Thomas, Dora Malech, and Elizabeth Hazen: Both stores and local authors are feeling the effects of author talk and event cancellations. Show your local talents some love by picking up their books in the meantime.

OPEN

South Moon Under Reopening in Towson: If you were worried that South Moon Under was going to be closed before you start your spring shopping spree, here is some relief: The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson leaked a preview of their South Moon location completely renovated and restocked with all of your spring wardrobe needs. We spotted racks of bikinis and beachy crochet sweaters, as well as dressing rooms designed for the perfect try-on selfie. They’ll be back and open for business before the first weekend of March.

EVENTS

How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe at Impact Hub: Practicing a sustainable lifestyle is tricky, especially when we talk about fashion. Trends cycle in and out every month, making it oh-so easy to shop and drop clothes. But if you’re kicking off your spring cleaning with the idea of rebuilding a more environmentally friendly closet, this event might just be the talk to tune into. Head over to Impact Hub on March 3 to learn how fashion affects the environment and how you can do your part in making conscious shopping decisions.

Women of Spectrum at the Maryland Historical Society: Back in October, we let you know about the Maryland Historical Society’s epic fashion collection displayed through the “Spectrum of Fashion” exhibit. In honor of Women’s History Month, on March 7—the 100th anniversary of the signing of the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote—MDHS will be offering hour-long tours of the exhibition highlighting the stories of the women behind the clothes. Learn about the Duchess of Windsor’s iconic 1970s two-piece, the stunning designs of one of America’s earliest modern designers Claire McCardell, and other great female Marylanders.

B.Willow & Greedy Reads Book Club: Plants and books—what more do you need? Two of Baltimore City’s most popular small businesses, B.Willow and Greedy Reads, have teamed up to give us something that we didn’t know we needed: A book club. “Our mission is to not only be a resource for plants and plant care, but also to promote societal awareness of the mental and physical health benefits one can acquire through engaging with nature,” B.Willow posted in an announcement of the event on March 20. This month, it’s all about the healing nature brings as readers delve into The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. There will be wine, a discount on plant purchases, a 10-percent discount for buying your copy of The Nature Fix at Greedy Reads, and a visit from Williams herself via Skype. All $5 ticket proceeds will benefit to Blue Water Baltimore.

Colorstrology, Birth Charts, and Jewelry Making at Keeper’s Vintage: Vintage shopping takes a turn on March 21 as Keepers Vintage brings jewelry designer Rachel King into her Hampden shop to offer a free discussion on colorpsychology, birthstones, and crystal cleansing. The talk will be followed by a jewelry-making workshop (for the cost of $40), in which King will teach attendees how to create necklaces or bracelets. It’s a pop-up that aims to have you leave feeling good about your energy with a stunning handcrafted necklace or bracelet to boot.

6:15 A.M. FRESH START

This is way earlier than I usually wake up. The store opens at 11, and my sleep schedule has definitely adjusted to the later start. That said, the past two years have seen a lot of good habits fall by the wayside. A 7 a.m. class at Pilates House in Fells Point is an attempt to get one of them back.

9 A.M. PLAYTIME

Time to walk the dog in Patterson
Park. Audie is pretty much my
constant companion. As much as
she likes being in the shop and
getting love all day every day
from her regular visitors, I try to
give her enough outdoor time to
keep her energetic and healthy. Plus, she loves to watch the squirrels run around.

10:30 A.M. BACK TO WORK

Head to the Remington store to open up and begin the day. I start by filling special orders and reordering anything we need back in stock. A few vendors come by and drop off products. I love working with other small businesses in the city; it’s such a collaborative and supportive environment.

12 P.M. IN THE WEEDS

Meet with a publisher’s sales rep to go over my order for the upcoming season. I heard a bookstore owner joke once that opening a bookstore means you stop reading books and start reading catalogs. That’s not entirely, or even remotely, wrong.

3 P.M. HUSTLIN’

Leave the store in the capable hands of my new booksellers to run errands. The second store has been a big adjustment to my schedule; I’m busier but also have more time and flexibility to get housekeeping and administrative things done.

5 P.M. AFTER HOURS

Pick up Audie and walk to the Fells Point store. I’ve been doing special evening hours for book club members. It’s a fun way to see and thank this great group of people who have become my reading community.

9 P.M. IN A DAY’S WORK

Home. Take out the laptop to answer emails and do some buying for the store. I read for a while, but my eyes and brain are tired. I’ll fall asleep to the dulcet tones of Paul Hollywood critiquing people’s proofing times on the Great British Baking Show, and get ready to do it all again tomorrow.

EAT

Nov. 22-24: Roll Up at R. House

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

The rotating space at R. House has been a launchpad for several local food concepts (Urban Oyster and The Big Softy, to name a few), and now Roll Up, an Americanized eggroll pop-up, is taking its turn at the helm. Created earlier this year by Baltimore food industry veteran Whitney Johnson, the concept’s handmade eggrolls are packed with experimental fillings, such as crab dip and baked mac and cheese, and best paired with a pile of Roll Up’s beer-battered onion rings. Stop by the Remington food hall to sample one of each roll, including the “That’s Bananas” dessert roll, before the pop-up ends on Sunday.

DRINK

Nov. 23: Baltimore Whiskey Festival

The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 12-4 p.m. $69.

Spend the evening sipping whiskeys from around the world during this fine spirits festival. Choose from 100-plus craft-distilled whiskeys, stop by the Founder’s Finds table to browse a curated selection of rare products, or learn about the art of distillation from experts during a series of free seminars. If the entry price makes you pause, keep in mind that a portion of the event’s proceeds will directly benefit the Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation.

SEE

Nov. 24: Opening of Mickalene Thomas: A Moment’s Pleasure

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Starting this weekend, the lobby at The Baltimore Museum of Art will be transformed into a homey living room, thanks to the linoleum floors, picture frames, and mixed-pattern furniture of artist Mickalene Thomas’ latest installation. Best known for her jewel-encrusted portraits of African-American women and high-profile clients such as Michelle Obama, Thomas is using this two-year exhibition to showcase works by Baltimore-based artists. Among them will be music videos by the likes of TT the Artist, Abdu Ali, and Hunter Hooligan—which will play on a loop as part of the installation. Be one of the first to see this immersive work during its opening reception on Sunday, and stick around for a signature cocktail, beats by DJ Trillnatured, and custom nail art by Power Decals.

HEAR

Nov. 23: Caleb Stine & The Revelations

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. $15-50.

To say that singer-songwriter Caleb Stine is a longtime mainstay of the Baltimore folk scene may be an understatement at this point. His Americana sound has drawn comparisons to artists from Townes Van Zandt to Neil Young, and this month, he will return to Creative Alliance to premiere a new batch of songs. Stine will bring his thoughtful and poetic lyricism to the stage and invite The Revelations band and a few other special guests to share it with him. Come out to support this local troubadour and revel in the good vibes he brings to every show.

DO

Nov. 23: Greedy Reads Grand Opening

Greedy Reads, 320 W. 29th St. 11 a.m. Free.

It’s been less than two years since the independent bookshop Greedy Reads brought new life to the corner of Aliceanna and South Ann streets with its curated selection of titles, author talks, and monthly book club. Now, owner Julia Fleischaker is opening a second location of the fan-favorite store in Remington. On Saturday, stop by to see the new digs—located just a stone’s throw away from R. House—before spending the afternoon browsing for a new winter read, participating in opening-day giveaways and games, and petting Audie, Fleischaker’s Labrador-greyhound mix and the official Greedy Reads mascot.

When Julia Fleischaker first saw the Fells Point space that would become Greedy Reads, she had an immediate vision for how her store would lay out and where everything would go. Eighteen months later, Fleischaker had a similar picture in her head when she came upon a space across the street from R. House in Remington, which will soon serve as the second location for the independent bookstore, set to open in late fall.

“I love my Fells Point store—I’m obsessed with it,” Fleischaker says. “It’s incredibly beautiful and I love the vibe. But the one thing I can’t really do is the events that I want because it’s a smaller space.”

That will change in Remington, as Greedy Reads will take over the front half of the former Twenty 20 Cycling space. The new location will be twice the size of its Fells Point counterpart, around 1,300 square feet, which will allow for more inventory and a bigger selection. The stage from the cycling space will remain, giving Fleischaker the opportunity to put on a whole host of events, from author readings, stand-up comedy nights, to even jazz trio performances.

This news also comes on the heels of Baltimore County’s The Ivy Bookshop’s recent announcement that it will move to a bigger space two blocks south of its original location. In total, it’s proof of Baltimoreans’ willingness to support local, independent bookstores.

“I think there was this kind of recognition over the past 20 years where communities were losing their bookstores and saying, ‘Wait a second, this isn’t what we wanted—we didn’t realize that this is the consequence of bargain shopping online,'” Fleischaker says. “I think that Baltimore is particularly conscious of that dynamic.”

Fleischaker says the reception to the expansion has been overwhelmingly positive, a testament to how the bookshop has ingratiated itself within the Fells Point community and beyond. She hopes to collaborate and work together with R. House and her future neighbors like Mount Royal Soap Co. and B. Willow, and is excited to establish new connections in Remington. Fleischaker picks and curates every book in her flagship store along with personalized recommendations, and that won’t change at this new store.

“I love books and talking about books,” says Fleischaker, a Chevy Chase native. “Getting to know this community of people and getting to know the city a little bit, it’s exciting for me to expand. The way I set up the bookstore allows for discovery and happenstance. I feel like that’s reflected itself in my life in the last few years. I’ve been fortunate to stumble into these two great locations.”

Packing for a beach vacation always starts off simple: sunscreen, a beach towel, that hot new bikini, and a good book. Except, when you reach for a good book, you may notice your reading list has gone off the page with titles you meant to read this winter but never really got a chance to reading. So, how do you choose?

We’ve consulted with Julia Fleischaker of Baltimore’s beloved Greedy Reads to get her take on this season’s reads, including both local writers and some other popular titles from around the globe. “These are perfect summer reads,” says Fleischaker, “whether you’re on an exotic beach or taking your lunch break on a park bench.”

FOR THE BOOK OF THE SEASON
Normal People by Sally Rooney
According to Fleischaker, this is a summer go-to. Running in different social circles, Connlel and Marianne’s connection is both confusing and undeniable. Readers follow the two as they grow up through college, navigating the emotional rollercoasters of first-loves, the intricacies of social class, and the value of friendship.

FOR A TRIP TO THE PAST
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
So vividly depicted and wildly imaginative, this coming-of-age novel feels more like a true biography. Reid crafts together a story from fictional anecdotes as told by Daisy, her band, and the comers and goers of her fantastical rise (and fall) to fame that transports readers to the heights of the 1970s rock ‘n’ roll scene. It’s a novel that’s spellbinding, that’s fun, and a perfect read to just let loose.

FOR A VOICE FROM BALTIMORE
We Speak for Ourselves by D. Watkins
“What a wealth of talent we have in this city,” Fleischaker reflects. Her first recommendation for a voice of Baltimore is a collection of essays by D. Watkins. In this book, we are given truths of the economically disadvantages communities and lessons learned from Watkins’ journey between his world at home and the world of the public figures.

FOR AN ADVENTURE
The River by Peter Heller
Nature versus man, Heller’s adventure story follows two college friends on a trek up the Hudson Bay. Along the way, the boys are matched with the unrelenting temperament of the woods, suspicious strangers, and the haunting realities of home. It’s a novel that will captivate you into the whirlwind of survival that Jack and Wynn must endure.

FOR AN INSIDE SCOOP
The Ghosts of John Hopkins by Antero Pietila
Not much is known about John Hopkins’s personal life other than that he was incredibly wealthy and had much to do with the development of Baltimore City. Pietila digs into history, telling a story of how Baltimore became what we know it as today: its social history, its infrastructure, and its politics.

FOR FAMILY TRIUMPH
The Care And Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray
Anissa Gray’s debut novel is timeless story of triumph over strife that you won’t want to put down. Told from the perspectives of three sisters, the book follows a family navigating heartbreak, unfurling secrets, mental health, and the true meaning of family. Though emotionally gripping, it’s an entrancing read you can breeze through.

FOR A MURDER MYSTERY
The Suspect By Fiona Barton
The mystery around two missing teenage girls in Thailand unravels as a reporter digs into the case with a personal agenda attached—to find her son who had set out to explore Thailand and whom she hasn’t heard from in months. A timeline that jumps and perspectives from heart-sick parents, a determined reporter, and a detective needing a distraction will keep readers wondering at the edge of their seats.

FOR BALTIMORE NOIR
Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
Out in July, Lady in the Lake is set to be a fascinating look at 1960s Baltimore from the prolific local writer. Fleischaker describes the book as “a murder mystery with the noir elements that Lippman does so well, and an affectionate ode to local newspapers and the people who work there.”

Visual Art

Spring 2019 Design Soiree
For the past 15 years, the Design Soiree has given artists and creatives a change to interact, exchange ideas, and get feedback on their work. Reserve your spot early to experience the latest evening of artistic exchange at Y:ART Gallery. And don’t forget to bring some food and drink to share before you settle in to see presenters share their newest projects. Y:ART Gallery & Fine Gifts, 3402 Gough St. 7-10 p.m., March 20.

Logan Visionary Conference 2019: The Art of Parenting
Celebrate AVAM’s themed exhibition Parenting: An Art Without a Manual by soaking up some knowledge from a panel of luminaries including Dr. Daniel J Siegel of the UCLA School of Medicine and the Mindsight Institute, Alison D’Alessandro of the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, and Joe Jones of The Center for Urban Families. This yearly conference is free, but reservations must be made in advance. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 1-4 p.m., March 24.

Literature

Blythe Roberson: How to Date Men When You Hate Men
Join Blythe Roberson at Bird in Hand for a discussion of just how weird it is to date men in the modern world. The New Yorker and Onion contributor’s new book features such helpful sections as “Real Interviews With Men About Whether Or Not It Was A Date” and “Definitive Proof That Tom Hanks Is The Villain Of You’ve Got Mail,” so you know it’s sure to be a good time full of great advice. Bird in Hand Charles Village, 11 E. 33rd St. 7-9 p.m. March 9.

Confessionals: Writing the Hard Stuff
Truth hurts, so they say, but this MoonLit event seeks to help writers put their true selves down on paper and learn the importance of doing so. Local poet Ashley Elizabeth will help guide the group through readings, writing, and a discussion on truth-telling, and editing/workshopping will be available if time allows. Greedy Reads, 1744 Aliceanna St. 7-9 p.m., March 27.

Dance

Addict
Seven dancers will each portray a different experience with addiction in this performance in support of Helping Up Mission, a Baltimore nonprofit that provides for those dealing with homelessness, poverty, and addition. Featuring a live accompaniment from Two Rivers Chamber Music, Addict seeks to address the portrayal of addiction in media and how people are affected by society’s lack of understanding. Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. 8 p.m., March 12-13.

Music

That’s What She Said
Grab your best girlfriends, because this women-powered night featuring some of the best voices in town is not to be missed. Electro-opera duo Outcalls, gloom-pop group $100 Girlfriend, and New Jersey rocking sister act Nalani & Sarina will join forces for one night only at Motor House for a no-boys-allowed evening of comedy and music. Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 7-10:30 p.m., March 16.

Inaugural Baltimore Old Time Music Festival
A Friday night concert, a day of workshops and intimate performances from headliners, and a Saturday evening square dance will celebrate the Old Time music that made its way from Appalachia and cemented its legacy in Baltimore during the 20th century. This foot-stomping new fest at Creative Alliance will feature acts such as Ken and Brad Kolodner, Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Corn Potato String Band, and The Local Honeys, who are sure to bring out the best of Old Time with fiddles, banjos, dulcimers, and plenty of dancing. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary, March 22-23.

Chaunter Dream Dynamics LP Release Party
Get acquainted with Baltimore’s latest cool kids at this release party for Chaunter’s new LP, Dream Dynamics, featuring the dreamy sounds of songwriting duo Brooks Kossover and Jenghis Manning-Pettit. Nerftoss, Infinity Knives + Randi, Frogohmine, and Matmos will get the evening started before Kossover, Pettit, and the rest of Chaunter take the stage to share their creative sound and impeccable style. Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m., March 29.

Film

The Case Against Adnan Syed
Part one of this four-part documentary series revisiting the murder of Baltimore County teen Hae Min Lee and the conviction of Adnan Syed for the crime premieres March 10 at 9 p.m. on HBO. The series, directed by Academy Award nominee Amy Berg, has been in production since 2015 and includes new evidence discovered by private investigators and interviews with friends, family, and people involved in the case over the past 20 years of uncertainty. Part 1 premieres on HBO 9 p.m. March 10.

Visual Art

Perspectives: Annual Highlandtown Arts District Exhibition
Head to the Amalie Rothschild Gallery at Creative Alliance to view this showcase featuring artists who live and work in the Highlandtown Arts District. Entrants into the annual competition were asked to submit works that display their personal perspective on the world around us, and the winner will earn their own solo exhibition at the gallery in 2020. Kick off the annual celebration of Highlandtown’s artistic community with a reception on Oct. 19 from 6-8 p.m. Reception from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 19; show on view during gallery hours through Nov. 10. Amalie Rothschild Gallery at Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.

Atomic Banana: Emotion and Heirospliffics Exhibition
Where language fails, symbols fill in the blanks and bring people together. Artist Gerry Mak knows that better than most, and his new exhibition at the Waller Gallery seeks to explore the significance of symbols in the information overload of modern life. Need some help with interpretation? Not to worry, Mak will be on hand on several occasions throughout the exhibition’s six-week run for artist talks and tours. Opening and artist tour from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 20; Make Studio Panel from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 27; Closing cocktails and artist talk from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 1. Waller Gallery, 2420 N. Calvert St.

The Necessity of Tomorrow(s): Hank Willis Thomas
The latest installment of this free BMA series exploring the relationships between art, race, and social justice hosts Hank Willis Thomas, cofounder of For Freedoms, a platform for creative civic engagement, discourse, and action. This year For Freedoms launched the 50 States Initiative, a nationwide public art project to place provocative artist-designed billboards in every state (plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.) during the 2018 midterm elections and the largest creative collaboration in U.S. history. The billboards are now up throughout the country, and the group hopes to foster civil discourse and engagement through their installations and artist and institution partnerships, including those with MICA and the BMA. Reception at 5 p.m.; Doors at 5:30; Artist talk begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 17, Falvey Hall at MICA, 1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave.

Music

WTMD Towson Rock Block
Grab the whole family and spend your Saturday celebrating one of Baltimore’s favorite radio stations. As part of their 15th Birthday Celebration WTMD is closing down the block for a full day of music, food, drinks, and art. Hear from Brooklyn psychedelic rockers Sunflower Bean, John Brodeur’s Bird Streets, and German indie-pop duo HAERTS as you wander the Art Village and grab good eats from local spots such as Cunningham’s, The Point, and Burger Bros. 4-9 p.m. Oct. 20, 1 Olympic Pl.

Theater

A Chaste Maid in Cheapside
Follow Moll Yellowhammer as she sets out to marry her true love in this 1613 comedy presented by The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory. Don’t miss your chance to see Thomas Middleton’s scandalous romp through London (performed by an all-female cast in this production). This masterpiece of Jacobean city comedy is rarely staged. Oct. 26 through Nov. 18, The Great Hall Theater at St. Mary’s Community Center, 3900 Roland Ave.

Sweat
If last year’s performance of Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel is anything to go by, this staging of the playwright’s Sweat is sure to be a hit. Everyman Theatre’s Dawn Ursula and Deborah Hazlett star in this tale of two working-class friends, their tight-knit community, and the unpleasant realities that could force them apart, which won Nottage the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Oct. 23 through Nov. 25, Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St.

Evil Dead: The Musical
Want to mix up your Halloween season with a theater experience beyond Rocky Horror? Look no further than Motor House, where Deer in the Spotlight Productions is bringing Evil Dead to the stage with music, comedy, and a bloody splash zone. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the cult classics, you may want to binge beforehand. This show covers Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, and Army of Darkness. And we shouldn’t have to say it, but maybe leave the kiddos at home for this one. The show is recommended for ages 16-plus due to violence, language, sexual situations, and gore. 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27, Motor House, 120 W. North Ave.

Film

The Art of Style
Join professional skaters Joey Jett, Mike Vallely, and Ron Allen for this demonstration, art show, and screening of Jett’s film The Dream to benefit Jake’s Skate Park and Sharp Dressed Man. The 20-year-old Jett, a Baltimore native, directed, edited, and stars in the film showcasing original skate tricks performed all over the world. At this final premiere of The Dream before it’s released Oct. 22 viewers can also snack on local bites, sip on beers from Key Brewing, and catch a live set by local rockers To The Moon. 7-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Coppermine Field House at Du Burns Arena, 3100 Boston St.

Literary Arts

The Art of Making Books
Ever wonder how those beautiful tomes on antiquarian shelves came to be? Join Ink Press Productions founder Amanda McCormick to learn about bookbinding and printmaking, as well as how the way a book is made helps tell its story. Attendees will be learn about the process using tools, supplies, and reference materials supplied by the workshop, which is part of a five-event series presented by Greedy Reads and D.C.-based arts/literature programming group MoonLit. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Greedy Reads, 1744 Aliceanna St.

Behind the wrought-iron gate at the corner of Aliceanna and South Ann Streets, visitors will find two things: hundreds of handpicked books—displayed on wall-to-wall shelves, stacked on tables and benches, perched in the windowsill—and Julia Fleischaker, the owner of this new independent bookstore in Fells Point.

Since officially opening Greedy Reads in March, Fleischaker has transformed the cozy bookshop into a neighborhood salon of sorts, a breeding ground for community and community.

After spending nearly 20 years in book publishing, the Montgomery County native came to Baltimore in November and fell for the city’s community spirit and dedication to local businesses. Surprised by the neighborhood’s lack of bookstores, Fleischaker decided to take over the former Maja Jewelry space and stock it with a collection of novels, nonfiction, and kids’ books that balances the bestsellers with lesser-known gems.

“There’s a joke in publishing that everyone who works in the industry either wants to write a novel or open a bookstore,” says Fleischaker with a laugh.

Greedy Reads, named after the can’t-get-enough feeling of browsing for a book, is a one-woman operation, and it’s teeming with personality. Something that sets it apart from other bookstores is its thoughtful variety of titles, with an emphasis on books by women and people of color, as well as Fleischaker’s recommendations and frequent visits from Audie, her labrador-greyhound mix.

In addition to hosting a monthly book club, hanging handwritten “Why I’m Greedy About This Book” notes from customers, and organizing readings and talks from notable authors, Fleischaker plans to expand the store’s charitable components to local and national causes.

“A lot of people think reading is very serious and solitary,” says Fleischaker, “but books can bring people together, and mostly, they’re just fun. I want my store to say that.”