Wicked, the musical tale from Oz that L. Frank Baum didn’t tell, returns to the Hippodrome this week, and with it a colorful, magical cast of characters. At its center are two good friends—two best friends—the verdant Elphaba, destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the popular girl with a bubblegum personality who would eventually float down in her bubble to guide Dorothy to the Emerald City.

Before that bubble descends on Eutaw Street for the show’s month-long run, we caught up with Glinda actress Allison Bailey to chat about why people still want to travel to Oz and what it’s like to have a dream come true.

You’ve been on tour with Wicked for quite a while now. How has it been?
I have! I understudied [as Glinda] for over three years, and I was only home for like six weeks and then got the call that I was coming back to lead the tour. So I’ve been leading the tour for about five months now. We’re definitely in the middle of our run, and we’re so excited.

What are you looking forward to as you bring the show to Baltimore?
I’m really excited to see the little local things that make Baltimore tick. I’m hoping to visit the aquarium and the little coffee shops, and I have heard the crabs are very good. I’m very excited about that. I’m just so excited just to come to Baltimore. It’s a dream, and I’ve never been, so I’m just looking forward to being able to be there for a month.

Having understudied as her for so long and now leading the tour as Glinda, can you tell us a little about what it’s like to get to share this character with so many different audiences?
I mean, honestly, it’s a dream. The role is so iconic. I’ve dreamed about playing this role since the musical came out when I was 12 years old and I saw it at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City. It’s nothing short of a dream, just because I think this is a character that so many little girls look up to. It’s an honor to be able to play that every night.

Glinda really goes through such a journey in the two and a half hours that we see her. She goes from being such a shallow, surface-level college girl, and then we see the hard lessons that are learned throughout. And I think she has such a strong character arch that makes it so interesting to play every night eight times a week. It’s funny, because we see the Wicked Witch, and we see that she’s perceived differently than how we really see her in the movie. And so they almost discount Glinda because it seems like she has such a happy facade. But when we see her throughout the show, she really goes through so many different changes.

Do you have a favorite number in the show?
I love “Popular.” I love my pink fluffy dress, and it’s the first time that you see the friendship between the two girls and really see them bond. You hear an audience reaction every single night, and it changes from night to night. It just makes it so much fun.

Why do you think this show persists and continues to be so popular?
I think it has so many messages that resonate with the age group from 8 to 80. I think people find themselves in the characters and identify with them on stage. We see bullying and not judging a book by its cover, and I think everybody can find themselves in one part of the story.

There’s so much heart to it. There’s so much spectacle with magic and flying and the bubble, but there’s so much heart at its core. I really can’t wait to bring that joy to every single person who comes to see the show.

Black & White Party
Jan. 25. When it comes to planning and executing The Pratt Contemporaries’ annual Black & White Party, Alexa McCulloch and Lindsey Stone, co-owners of Union3 Event Productions, jokingly refer to themselves as the “conductors of that crazy symphony.” This year, the duo will orchestrate the two-day overhaul that will transform the Central Library into the iconic land of Oz on January 25. It’s all to honor the fundraiser’s “no place like home” motto that revels in its return to the downtown library following two years of renovations. And while the pair is excited to see their creative takes on the Emerald City and Munchkinland come to life, McCulloch, left, says her favorite part of the event is watching the main hall fill up with guests ready to dance the night away. “The best thing about this event is that it’s a party for party’s sake,” she says. “Watching people let loose on the dance floor and have a good time in support of the library—there’s nothing better.” Enoch Pratt Free Library. 8 p.m.. $175.
—KP

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Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 23-25. Over the past 23 years, the ice-cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay have become the site of one of Maryland’s most anticipated charity fundraisers, thanks to the Maryland State Police. To become one of the brave souls that throws their near-naked body into the frigid waters at Sandy Point State Park, fundraise ahead of the plunge and help Special Olympics Maryland meet its $3-million goal. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. Times vary. $75.

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Elizabeth Catlett: Artist as Activist
To March 1. If you’ve driven or walked past the Reginald F. Lewis Museum lately, you’ve already seen one of the standout pieces, “Sharecropper,” from this exhibit draped over the side of the downtown museum. Revered as one of the most important artists of the 20th century in both the U.S. and Mexico, Catlett’s portrait of a woman gazing into the distance is one of 20 prints and 14 sculptures on display through the start of spring. Walk through this thought-provoking exhibit to learn how the award-winning artist used her work to confront injustice in 1950s Mexico, with particular attention to the plight of sharecroppers. Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Times vary. Free-$8.

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Baltimore Crankie Fest
Jan. 3-5. Rediscover the art of storytelling through crankies—scrolls that are hand-cranked to show one illustrated scene at a time—during the seventh annual Baltimore Crankie Fest. Head to Creative Alliance for this celebration of the niche visual medium, featuring four performances with handmade crankies accompanied by musical guests. Watch as these hand-drawn stories unfurl before your eyes, and participate in workshops on how to make your own crankie. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. $18.

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Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week
Jan. 10-19. Start scouring menus and planning your meal schedule now to prepare for Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week, the biggest buzz in Charm City’s cuisine scene. Brave the icy weather for hot deals at nearly 100 local dining gems, such as two-course lunches for $15 or three-course dinners for $25. Break bread at up-and-coming spots such as Orto and Noona’s, or revisit old haunts like Tio Pepe’s and Alexander’s Tavern. Locations, times and prices vary.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 20. Honor the icon of the Civil Rights Movement during this 20th-annual parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, where thousands of onlookers will gather to commemorate the reverend’s lifelong fight for racial justice. This year, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts will invite an honorary grand marshal whose work embodies King’s legacy to lead the proceedings. Find a spot along the parade route to watch as floats, marching bands, and community groups trek through the city streets to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. Location varies. 12 p.m.-2 p.m.. Free.

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Harbor Point Ice Festival
Jan. 11. It’s that time of year when Baltimoreans typically stay inside to avoid the blustering wind and bitter cold, but the Harbor Point Ice Festival gives locals and visitors alike the chance to wrap up, come together, and warm our hearts in this magical winter wonderland. Visit Harbor Point during this one-day affair and spend the day marveling at handmade ice sculptures, enjoying live music and eats from area food vendors, and participating in tons of family-friendly activities. Harbor Point, 1310 Point St.. 12 p.m.-6 p.m.. Free.

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CATS
Jan. 21-Jan. 26. With the live-action adaptation of this award-winning musical now playing in theaters, most audiences are already familiar with the weirdness of a show dedicated to a tribe of cats prowling around at night. Hear iconic songs like “Memory” and “Jellicle Cats” live when the national tour stops at the Hippodrome Theatre this month. Although this set of six shows will feature the original score and costume design from the musical’s first years on Broadway, awe-struck audiences will experience the classic tale with brand-new sound design, choreography, and direction as CATS gets an update for the new generation. The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N Eautaw St. Times vary. $52-201.

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A Beautiful, Terrible Thing
Jan. 23. Calling all local musicians! This month, the Stoop Storytelling Series is partnering with legendary rock club Ottobar to give space to stories about the pitfalls and triumphs of life as an independent artist. Whether you have experiences to speak on or would rather sit back and listen, grab a drink and prepare to hear live retellings of musicians’ best and worst gigs, most meaningful sets, and everything in between. The Ottobar, 2549 N Howard St. 8 p.m. $15.

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Chesapeake Oyster, Wine, & Beer Festival
Jan. 25. What’s the best way to wash down a bushel of world-class oysters? Heavy Seas beer, of course—and the two dozen other wines and spirits you will find at this 13th annual, adults-only seafood extravaganza. Blend briny bivalves and boozy flavors downtown at The Assembly Room, where tickets give you an all-access pass to a shuckin’ good time. The Assembly Room, 318-316 Guilford Ave.. 12 p.m.-4 p.m. $69.

With the season of ghosts and ghouls upon us, it’s only fitting that a phantom is on its way to haunt the halls of the Hippodrome Theater at France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.

Beginning Oct. 9, the Hippodrome will play host to the national tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, featuring the much-lauded Derrick Davis as the title man in the mask. Davis has the distinction of being the first actor of color to take up the mantle of the Phantom on tour, and just the third to play the character in any production. After three years of portraying the iconic anti-hero, he’ll finally bring his rendition to a Baltimore stage for the first time.

We caught up with Davis ahead of the tour’s stop at the Hippodrome to talk taking on the mask, what’s new with the show, and the experiences he hopes to share with audiences both new and returning.

Tell me a bit about the tour so far. Obviously Phantom is a huge draw for theater crowds anywhere.
Yeah, it’s been absolutely amazing. I’ve had such a good time. First of all, the cast that I’m working with is really second to none, in my opinion. It’s such a close-knit family, and it definitely shows on the state. But being part of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece has just been a game changer, not just because I can say I played The Phantom, but because being a part of something that is so strong in content just really changed my life completely.

What has it been like for you taking on the role of such an iconic character?
It was daunting at first, I’m not gonna lie. I mean, there’s only a certain amount of men who have gotten the privilege to don the mask. But once I met the creative team and got past the audition process, getting into an understanding of the character has been such a joy. The murdering and the seemingly womanizing behavior aside, he is so human that it’s frightening sometimes when I’m playing him. But it’s my pleasure to be able to give the audience a glimpse into themselves while looking at this creature of an individual. It’s been a roller coaster ride.

The Phantom is sort of what someone could become after a series of worst case scenarios. It must be an interesting headspace to get into.
That’s the fun part about it really, because if you just dial it down and dig deep enough to find the base level of who he is as a a human being, he’s not far different from any of us. He’s just experienced a lot of rejection, a lot of unrequited love, a passion for his craft—things like that everybody can relate to. But you couple that with a lifetime of people shunning him, ostracizing him, mocking him, jeering at him, and everything like that, then it pushes humanity to a place that really is just not human.

Why do you think this particular show persists and connects with people so much?
First it’s the brilliant music. The melodies are so simple and they’re almost like a lullaby in some places. But then the orchestration of the music is so lush and emotion-packed that it’s something that you would go back to over and over. But beyond that, the spectacle is unmatched. The beauty of the costumes by Maria Björnson and just the staging design and the lighting are so incredibly captivating that it just brings the audience back over and over and over. And, of course, who doesn’t love a good love triangle?

The Hippodrome Foundation brings Baltimore-area students in for matinees, and for many of them your production of Phantom will be their first Broadway show. What do you hope to bring to those audiences?
I would love for them to have the same experience with this production that I had with this production. This is the first show that my parents took me to see as a kid, and it locked in my love for musical theater. So I hope when they walk away, they are so dumbfounded that they can’t speak for a moment, and that they take the time to digest it. Much like all the great stories of our world, people come back to it again and again. You see it as a child and it’s one thing, you see it as a teenager and it’s another thing. So I hope that they take away a fresh perspective, but a perspective that will bring them back to see it again.

What can people expect from this particular version of the performance?
Technology has made incredible advances in the 30-plus years that the show has been around, so I want them to know that, while this is an older story, the technology is certainly advanced. We’ve advanced the lighting design and the sound design. We bring our own surround sound systems to every theater that we go to, and it takes a huge crew of men and women to set that up. And then this is a newer set design, so we’re taking a darker, more gritty approach to the show. It’s an action-adventure, it’s a love story. There’s literally something for everybody. So if anybody’s on the fence about coming to see it, I would say come see it for sure. And everybody who’s excited to come to see it, you prepare to be completely blown away.

This March, Baltimore band Beach House quietly announced a summer show—their first big hometown performance since the Windjammer music festival at Pier Six in 2015—and at none other than the hallowed Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in downtown Baltimore.

With the show set to start at 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, the dream-pop duo will be performing as part of the North American tour to promote their seventh and latest album, aptly titled 7, which was released last spring. The luminous record carries the trademark trappings that first put them on the national map more than 10 years ago—Victoria LeGrand’s haunting vocals and lush synth and Alex Scally’s searing guitar—as well as a fresh dose of newfound energy and urgency that marks a subtle but significant evolution in their decade-long perfection of the dream-pop genre.

A sort of Windjammer encore, the lineup also features other local music legends of the last decade who performed at the waterfront festival four years ago, with opening acts including electronic artist Dan Deacon, as well as a solo set by Future Islands bassist William Cashion, who also performs as a part of instrumental duo Peals.

In what will surely be an iconic Baltimore performance, Beach House will play a mix of new songs and greatest hits from over the course of their 15-year career. In a sneak peak of the set list, Scally shares some tidbits about a few of the band’s favorite tracks.

“Drunk in LA”
Released last spring on the band’s seventh record, 7, this hypnotic song stems out of the production of their previous full-length release. It’s a blossoming song that unfolds as if watching the world through a haze, which, it turns out, they were. “The lyrics to this song were written in Los Angeles while mixing our album, Depression Cherry, and during an inspiring afternoon in the studio,” says Scally. “We were drinking a lot of wine and feeling both alive and very dead.”

“Myth”
Off the band’s 2012 sophomore record, Bloom—dubbed one of the best records of the year by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR—this classic Beach House song continues to be one of the band’s most-listened-to tracks. “We wrote this song in 2011, but it still vibrates in the ‘right’ way, so we keep its light burning,” says Scally.

“Lemon Glow”
The first single off of 7 captures the fresh energy and innovation found on the rest of the new record. It’s one of the many songs that speak to the beauty in contrast, as the glitchy beat climbs into a shimmering crescendo and then abruptly ends, leaving the listener wanting more. “This is a song about love, but we use the ugliest keyboard sound ever for it,” says Scally. “It’s really fun to make ugly sounds work in a song.”

“Dive”
The second single off of 7, this signature slow-burner builds before erupting in a newly potent moment of thunderous live drums and lustrous guitar. “This is the last song we wrote for 7, and to us, it feels like a runt from a litter of puppies that jumps in the backseat of a car and charms everyone,” says Scally.

“Levitation”
The opening of the band’s gorgeous 2015 Depression Cherry sets the stage for the entire fifth record—a lush, lilting collection of songs that are at once sparkling, nostalgic, sad, and hopeful. As we wrote all those years ago, it rises like the light at dawn, all slow and dewy and soft. “The end and the beginning often have a similar feeling,” says Scally, “and we feel this song captures that paradox.

Lunar New Year Festival
Jan. 29. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. While the Gregorian calendar’s New Year might have come and gone, the Chinese Lunar New Year is once again upon us. At The Walters Art Museum, celebrate the Year of the Rooster with a special focus on traditional Chinese and Korean dance. Several groups will perform, including the Baltimore Chinese School, Johns Hopkins’ Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe, and the Korean Sang Hee Ju Traditional Dance Company. With fun for the whole family, partake in arts and crafts and take group selfies in the Pixilated photo booth to ring in the new year.

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Mamma Mia!
Jan. 13-15. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $48-142. 410-837-7400. For one weekend only, this smash-hit Broadway musical is making its way to Baltimore. The Tony-nominated crowd pleaser follows a mother and daughter through love, laughter, and family drama in a comedic coming-of-age story set in the Greek islands. Best of all, it features Swedish pop supergroup ABBA’s greatest hits.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 13-22. Locations vary. $20-35. Charm City might be best known for crab cakes and Berger cookies, but it’s so much more than that. For nine days this month, fulfill your foodie-on-a-budget dream, and choose from more than 100 of Baltimore’s best restaurants offering discounted meals for dinner and lunch—including the newly rebranded Bar Vasquez, classic Prime Rib, and more casual Rowhouse Grille.

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Orioles FanFest
Jan. 28. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $6-12. 888-848-BIRD. Bring friends or the whole family to this daylong celebration of Orioles baseball, where you can shake hands and rub elbows with players, coaches, and super fans. Catch the hilarious kids’ press conference, snap a selfie with the Bird, and grab an autograph from Buck Showalter. Sorry guys, no Adam Jones pie-throwing this year.

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Dancing With The Stars: Live!
Jan. 15. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $34-595.50. 410-900-1150. As a part of a 43-city North American tour, the ABC hit series Dancing With the Stars is making its way out of the television and into a theater near you. During this live performance, get a front row seat to all the glitter and glamor of the show, with top-notch dance numbers and celebrity contestants, including recent DWTS and Olympic champion Laurie Hernandez and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy.

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Ina Garten
Jan. 17. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $69-97. 410-837-7400.
Over the years, Ina Garten has encouraged countless people to cook with her bestselling books, and has garnered a huge fan following thanks to her Barefoot Contessa show on the Food Network. But it’s her husband, Jeffrey (also a Johns Hopkins alum), who has been her greatest admirer, inspiring her 10th and latest tome, Cooking For Jeffrey, which she’ll be talking about this month. “It’s a little bit of a love letter to my husband, who has been unbelievably supportive,” says Garten. “Jeffrey always told me, ‘If you love something, you’ll be good at it’—and that was really good advice.”—Jane Marion

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LaxCon
Jan. 20-22. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $10-160. 410-235-6882. In the midst of football season, celebrate Maryland’s state team sport at the US Lacrosse Convention. Back in Baltimore with hopes to be bigger and better than ever, the convention will feature all lax everything, with dozens of speakers, educational clinics, on-field demonstrations, gear, swag, and the nation’s best coaches and athletes. Grab autographs from Team USA players and catch keynote speaker John O’Sullivan, founder and CEO of the Changing the Game Project.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabaar
Jan. 26. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 7:30 p.m. $50-65. 301-600-2828. Don’t miss all-time leading NBA scorer and recent Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he brings his life lessons to Frederick. Both on the court and off, the U.S. cultural ambassador, black activist, and CML Leukemia survivor has served as an inspiration. For one night, he shares personal experiences and his new book, Writings on the Wall.

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Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 26-28. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. $75. Take a dunk in the Chesapeake Bay this month as the Polar Bear Plunge celebrates 21 years of freezing our tails off for a good cause. With a pledge of $75 or more and a frigid few seconds in our ice-cold state estuary, you can help support the 7,311 athletes of Special Olympics Maryland.

It’s finally happening. Hamilton, the award-winning, record-breaking musical about one of America’s most fascinating founding fathers, is on its way to the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.

Those who signed up through the one-week Ticketmaster Verified Fan registration will have the jump on getting their shot at seats, but that’s not the only way to make sure you see this Broadway smash. For those willing to do things the old-fashioned way, there will be a limited number of tickets available at the Hippodrome box office. Get there early to try to avoid those high(er)-priced resale tickets online.

Hamilton won’t take the stage until June 25, but in the meantime, we caught up with cast member Olivia Puckett, who plays Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, to talk about touring, telling stories, and what it’s like to have history’s eyes on you.

What has it been like to tell this story?
It has been an honor and, honestly, a dream come true. This show has shifted the global impact of musical theater and made the medium accessible in an unprecedented way. It’s always exciting when I meet people after the show and they normally don’t see musicals but they felt compelled to see Hamilton.

What are you looking forward to in bringing Hamilton to Baltimore?
It’ll be exciting to bring Hamilton to a city that hasn’t yet hosted the show, especially a city with as rich a history as Baltimore. Plus I want to eat all the seafood—all day, every day.

What challenges are there in touring with the show as opposed to performing in one place for a prolonged period of time?
Tour definitely comes with a unique set of challenges. The constant moving around can be a shock to the system, so I have to be diligent about establishing routines and finding even a tiny bit of stability when possible. Having my dog, Queen Esther Solange Puckett, on the road with me certainly helps. This is my third time touring, and even though I’ve gotten pretty used to the challenges that come along with it, it’s always exciting getting to explore cities I might not have otherwise.

How is this show different from your previous experiences?

The diversity, inclusivity, and representation in this show is different from so many of my experiences in the past. It’s rewarding and gratifying. I get to really own my space as a brown woman, and it rocks.

Why do you think Hamilton resonates with so many people?

It is a fundamentally an American story that people are somewhat familiar with, but the modern music and diverse cast that reflects the American experience today make it accessible to audiences and makes them interested in history in a new way.

What have you learned from this show?

I won’t lie and say I knew a ton about U.S. history prior to joining this cast. If I had to take a test on Alexander Hamilton’s life, I would hopefully get an A now!

What parts of your character do you most identify with?

I definitely relate to Peggy’s sassiness and anxiety. Maria is a bit of a stretch for me, but I love her tenacity and willingness to do what she must to survive in this crazy world. I hope people are inspired by the women in this show. Without female figures, none of these men would have accomplished even half of what they did.

Visual Art

Voices: Joyce J. Scott, Oletha DeVane, Christopher Bedford
Don’t miss your chance to hear from two of the guiding voices of the Baltimore art scene, jewelry maker and sculptor Joyce J. Scott (who was recently named the 2019 Smithsonian Visionary Artist) and multimedia artist Oletha DeVane. In this conversation moderated by BMA director Christopher Bedford, the pair will discuss their works, their inspirations, and the city they both call home. 7-8 p.m. April 10. Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles St.

TAPROOT
Two artists with varying backgrounds but shared experiences meet in this exhibition examining colonialism, consumption, and how they work their ways into the other parts of life. Working from their distinct perspectives “one of assimilation and one of frequent migration between continents,” Catherine Khammouane and Samiha Alam will present sculptural pieces that express their view that “what is manmade is natural.” Artist talk 5-7 p.m. April 6; on view through May 4. Waller Gallery, 2420 N. Calvert St.

Pile of Craft
Head to Space 2640 to peruse more than 50 vendors’ wares at this 13th annual craft fest hosted by Charm City Craft Mafia. Past favorites such as Annie Howe Papercuts and Tiny Dog Press will be on hand, and several new vendors will be hawking everything from rosé jelly to 3d paper and watercolor plants for those whose thumbs aren’t quite green. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 27. Space 2640, 2640 Saint Paul St.

Music

Abdu Ali Album Release Show
Abdu Ali has one of the most powerful voices in Baltimore music right now, and this launch of their debut album, FIYAH!!!, is going to be one heck of a party. Catch Ali’s blend of punk, rap, and Baltimore Club from the Ottobar’s intimate stage before this New York Times-lauded artist really blows up. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. April 26. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Theater

Come From Away
When planes were unexpectedly forced to land following 9/11, some 7,000 people found themselves stranded in the small town of Gander in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. What began with tragedy grew into a week of friendship and humanity among travelers in unfamiliar territory and the town that took them in. This award-winning musical based on their true story is not to be missed. April 23-28. The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St.

Pink Milk
Single Carrot is leaving its Remington home behind soon, but first they have another story to tell. This Technicolor reimagining of codebreaker Alan Turing’s life story from Chicago-based playwright Ariel Zetina explores Turing beyond his history-making work. Zetina is also working with Single Carrot to update the text and score for the first time since writing the piece in 2013. Gala opening April 27, runs through May 16. Single Carrot Theatre, 2600 N. Howard St.

Film

Making Cinema Matter: Masterclass with Sandi Tan
Singaporean filmmaker, zine publisher, and writer Sandi Tan returns to her cult roots for this workshop and screening of 2018’s Shirkers, which premiered and earned the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award at Sundance in 2018. Tan and her cohorts made what could have been a cult hit in 1992, when they were just teens, but their film was stolen by an American collaborator. Shirkers follows Tan back to Singapore to revisit the film, the American who stole it, and what both of them did for her dreams. Free screening at 7 p.m. April 5, masterclass April 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Ave.

Literature

CityLit Festival
CityLit is known for bringing great authors and events to bibliophiles of all stripes at their annual fest, and this year is no different. During this day-long celebration of all things literature, visitors can attend more than a dozen session and check out the Literary Marketplace to pick up a few more additions to their nightstand stacks. Stick around for keynote speaker Dani Shapiro, whose memoir, Inheritance, delves into what happens when family secrets find their way to the surface. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 27. University of Baltimore William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, 11 W. Mount Royal Ave.

Hilton Carter’s Wild at Home Book Signing
Local plant expert Hilton Carter’s Baltimore home is filled with more than 300 ferns, cacti, and other green friends. His lush designs on have earned him national attention, but he’s sticking close to home for this celebration of his first book, Wild at Home. Grab some friends and head to Trohv on Earth Day for a book signing, Q&A, and cocktails with the Instagram plant guru himself. 7-9:30 p.m. April 22. Trohv, 921 W. 36th St.

Jonathan Van Ness, star of Netflix’s massively popular Queer Eye reboot, is coming to town for a stop on his first solo comedy tour, “Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing.” Audiences can expect plenty of the signature JVN charm they know and love, along with some fresh surprises. We caught up with America’s newly minted sweetheart and talked trying new things, believing in yourself, and some very interesting childhood memories of Baltimore.

You’re one-fifth of such a dynamic group on Queer Eye, and you all have such amazing chemistry together. Is it nerve-wracking to go on the road by yourself?
Yes! Headlining a standup comedy tour is definitely different than doing Queer Eye with such good friends, however it’s a whole new art form and world for me to learn and thrive in, and it’s really fun for the artist in me to figure that out, so it’s a challenge I’m into accepting.

Since most people know you from the show, what can folks expect to be different in your solo comedy show?
They can expect to get a much more fleshed out, layered version of my personality including tons of physical comedy inspired by my obsession with gymnastics, yoga, and, of course, figure skating. I’m never afraid of taking a hard and fast detour from what I think I’m going to talk about, so it can be a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants good time.

You’re on figure skates in the promos for your tour. What inspired you to start skating?
I’ve been obsessed with figure skating for my whole entire life and always wanted to try it out. As soon as I had my first lesson a few months ago, I knew I was going to be absolutely addicted, and now it’s something I’m going to keep working hard at for the rest of my life.

On your podcast, “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” you cover everything from renaissance art history to the current political and humanitarian situation in Central America. How do you track down your expert guests for such a varied line up?
It used to be in the first season that I tracked them down myself. But now my team and I come up with what ideas we’re going to cover and start searching who will be the best fit. It’s a lot of research and a lot of emails.

Audiences connect with you so readily because you put your true self out there. Is it ever hard for you to put your heart out there and be vulnerable with the world?
For sure. It’s always scary to put yourself out there, but it was really important to me when this all started to stay authentic, and it’s definitely been worth it so far.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to try something new, or to show up more fully as themselves every day?
You can’t trust your fear. Of course, you’ve got to listen to her sometimes, but just go for it. Just go!

Have you traveled to Baltimore before? What do you know about the city?
I peed my pants in the [National] Aquarium when I was 7 and have unfortunately not gone back since. So I’m really excited to right the wrongs of my Christmas past in Baltimore.

Ever rocked our city’s signature hairstyle, the beehive?
I have NOT, but I would totally like to.

What do you think of Baltimore’s style in general? What would you do to give the city a makeover?
I think Baltimore is killing it. She’s northeast and gorgeous.

Fleetwood Mac
March 24. 8 p.m. $73.50-207.50. Across its 50-year history, legendary rock-blues band Fleetwood Mac has had a revolving door of guitarists and singers, but despite its rotating crew, it has cemented its place as one of the world’s bestselling bands. During this one-night stop on the group’s 50-city tour, hear original bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, longtime members Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie, and newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn rock the Royal Farms Arena with classics such as “The Chain” and “Dreams.”

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Ed Schrader’s Music Beat
March 2. 9 p.m. $13-15. We’ve been following this post-punk duo’s climb through the city’s DIY scene for years and, following the release of Riddles last spring, have watched them finally get the kudos they deserve. To tie up a year of touring around the U.S. and Europe, frontmen Ed Schrader and Devlin Rice will rock this hometown show with crowd favorites such as “Dunce” and “Kid Radium,” following sets by up-and-coming acts Param Anand Singh and Infinity Knives + Randi.

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Jonathan Van Ness
March 2. 7 p.m. $55-318.30. Whether you recognize his flowing locks and gut-busting catchphrases from the popular Netflix series Queer Eye or his parody web series Gay of Thrones, you know Jonathan Van Ness. This month, the grooming guru is bringing his pop culture quips to the Hippodrome Theatre as part of his first-ever stand-up comedy tour, where fans can laugh along with “America’s sassiest sweetheart.” Can you believe?

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Expressions
March 2-3, 5. $20-375. The Baltimore School for the Arts has long been heralded as a shining star in the city’s arts community, and its annual fundraiser, Expressions, has become a can’t-miss event. This year, the series of performances—along with the traditional gala and cocktail party—is dedicated to the beloved creator of Expressions, Sally Michel, who passed away in August. Support the esteemed local art school during this honorary benefit and celebrate the memory of one of BSA’s longtime leaders.

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Love Thy Self
March 7. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. In our February issue, we featured a few of the love-inspired letters and drawings included in Beyond Beautiful: One Thousand Love Letters, an exhibition by Baltimore-based artist Peter Bruun that explores expressions of love. In conjunction with the final days of this heart-stirring exhibit, hear testimonials and performances from exhibit participants, including singer-songwriter ellen cherry and artist Phylicia Ghee, during this one-night event. Arrive to Maryland Art Place early to hear local jazz keyboardist George Spicka perform during the opening reception.

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Dinner with Friends
March 12-April 7. Times vary. $43-52. With serendipitous timing to our Best Restaurants issue, the latest production from Everyman Theatre takes on a tension-filled dinner party thrown by two food writers whose guests are grappling with loyalty and commitment issues. Head to the downtown theater to see resident company actors Megan Anderson, Danny Gavigan, and Beth Hylton bring this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama to life and prove that even a picture-perfect dinner can get messy.

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National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20-April 14. Times and prices vary. In the DMV, spring has not officially sprung until the trees surrounding D.C.’s Tidal Basin turn pale pink and white with an abundance of cherry blossoms. Celebrate the nearly four weeks that these famed trees are in bloom with springtime festivities such as a pink-tie party, a kite festival, a lavish parade, and an all-out festival along the National Harbor.

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Burn Baby Burn
March 23. 12-4 p.m. $25-85. On the first day of spring in 1978, Annapolis boatbuilder Bob Turner decided he was sick of wearing his “oppressive” winter socks and invited his fellow sailing enthusiasts to join him in burning his socks to celebrate the start of another sailing season. Although Turner moved south in 1994, the sock-torching tradition lives on through the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s annual Oyster Roast & Sock Burning (this year on March 23), where locals and visitors alike recite the poem “Ode to the Equinox” before tossing their mid-calfs into the bonfire. “Let’s face it: We all have socks that have gotten worn out by March,” says AMM executive director Alice Estrada, middle. “That moment when socks of all different sizes and colors are cascading onto the fire just fills my heart.”

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The Big Baltimore Kite Fest
March 30. 12-4 p.m. Blowing into Patterson Park for the first time, this high-flying festival invites artists, kids, and kite-lovers to enter nontraditional kites in its park-wide contest. For a birds-eye view, watch the vibrant sky-flyers from the top of the Pagoda. Back on the ground, enjoy live music and the chance to be a part of this brand-new springtime tradition.

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The Ghost of Johns Hopkins
March 24. 4-5:30 p.m. $10. There’s no debating that the philanthropist Johns Hopkins and his namesake institutions have shaped modern-day Baltimore. In his latest book, The Ghost of Johns Hopkins, longtime Baltimore Sun journalist Antero Pietila examines the effect they’ve had on the racial patchwork of our city. Hear the well-regarded writer at The Engineers Club in Mt. Vernon for an in-depth discussion about what has been deemed the first real biography of Hopkins and how it explores the city’s complicated relationship with race and community.

Visual Art

Raoul Middleman: Watercolors & Monoprints
An artist’s passions are explored with frenetic mono-prints and impressionist watercolors in this new show from Baltimore native Raoul Middleman at C. Grimaldis Gallery. From his studio 19 floors above the city streets, Middleman has documented the changes in daylight as well as changes in the skyline itself. Back on the ground, his inky depictions of horses and burlesque capture motion and beauty in two distinctly different venues. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Jan. 17; on view during gallery hours Jan. 17-Feb. 16. C. Grimaldis Gallery, 523 N. Charles St.

Art and Healing with WombWork Productions
Explore The Walters Museum’s historic property at 1 West Mount Vernon Place, and enhance your experience of this storied residence with a performance from local social change theater group WombWork Productions. One of WombWorks’ goals is to use art as a method for healing, and this new work will seek to connect the present to stories from 1 West Mount Vernon Place’s past. 7-8 p.m. Jan. 24, The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.

Music

BSO Pulse: Dan Deacon
Two forces of Baltimore’s music scene will combine their talents for one night only during the next iteration of the BSO Pulse series. Come early for Deacon-curated entertainment from Jamal Moore, Amy Reid, Stewart Mostofsky, Alex Silva, and Amanda Schmidt in the Meyerhoff lobby and stay to hear the world premieres of new compositions blending acoustic and electronic sounds. 6-10 p.m. Jan. 17, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.

Kentavius Jones Album Release w/ Brooks Long & Mad Dog No Good
An Eastern Shore native releasing his long-awaited album and the return of Brooks Long & The Mad Dog No Good? Count us all the way in. Join singer-songwriter Kentavius Jones as he celebrates his new album, The Bohemian Beatbox, at Creative Alliance. He’ll be joined by CA curator of special projects Brooks Long and his rock and soul band for a full night of homegrown hits. 8-11 p.m. Jan. 25, Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.

Super City, Chaunter, and Soul Cannon
Embrace the “freakwave” sound of Baltimore’s Super City as they return home after dancing their way through the south. You’ve probably heard tracks off the band’s latest project, Sanctuary, by now, but nothing compares to experiencing these guys’ rock anthems and expert choreography live. Local acts Chaunter and Soul Cannon will also join the party at the Ottobar. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. Jan. 26, Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Theater

Thank You, Dad
His twisted legacy has been immortalized by filmmakers, songwriters, authors, and poets. Now revisit Jim Jones’ deadly Peoples Temple with the world premiere of this collection of three plays by Aladrian C. Wetzel. Performed by Rapid Lemon Productions Artistic Director Lance Bankerd, this trio of works based on the life of Jones will kick off RLP’s 2019 season, which explores the power of belief. Jan. 11-20, Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Dive into a world of pure imagination with Charlie, Willy Wonka, and the rest of Roald Dahl’s colorful characters in this musical based on the beloved work of children’s fiction. With colorful costumes, classic songs, and plenty of twists and turns, this tale is sure to be a delight for all ages. Just be sure not to slip Slugworth any trade secrets on your way out of the theater. Jan. 22-27, The Hippodrome Theatre, 12. N. Eutaw St.

Film

Who Will Write Our History
When lies and hate took over their world, a group of journalists, scholars, and community leaders fought back with the only weapons they had left—their words. This new documentary from Roberta Grossman exposes the secret band of writers known at Oyneg Shabes, who documented life under Nazi rule in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Drawing from the group’s writings, new interviews, dramatizations, and archival footage, Grossman has crafted a film that carries on the legacy of this brave group determined to ensure their stories would survive. The Who Will Write Our History screening at Landmark Theatres, Harbor East is one of several around the world that will take place as part of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 1 p.m. Jan. 27, Landmark Theatres, Harbor East, 645 President St.

Literature

Roxane Gay With One N
Loyola University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation always brings incredible personalities with powerful stories to Baltimore, and this year is no exception. For the 26th annual event, author Roxane Gay will discuss feminism, body image, and social justice at Reitz Arena and end the evening with a book signing. Though the event is free, you’ll want to register early to secure your seats. 7-9 p.m. Jan. 22, Loyola University Maryland, 4501 N. Charles St.

Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 26. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E College Pkwy, Annapolis. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Prices vary. Ever since Stephan Timchula adopted his “Major Offense” superfan persona 10 years ago to honor the Baltimore Ravens’ (sometimes) strong offense, it has become his way of reminding fans that sports go beyond wins and losses. A longtime member of the Ravens Roost 115 and the Pro Football’s Ultimate Fan Association, Timchula shares the Special Olympics Maryland’s creed—that sports create new opportunities for people with disabilities—and he’s supported the nonprofit by proudly wading into the chilly waters at Sandy Point State Park for the past five Polar Bear Plunges. “Most importantly, it’s a day dedicated to the Special Olympic athletes, and watching them have fun rubs off on everyone else,” says Timchula, who will take the plunge again on January 26. “It makes jumping into the icy-cold water worth it.”

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan. 21. 830 E Pratt St. Times vary. $5. In honor of what would’ve been Martin Luther King Jr.’s 90th birthday, commemorate the life and legacy of one of the most influential civil rights activists in American history at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum’s annual remembrance. Bring the whole family to the downtown museum to celebrate King’s powerful vision of freedom and peace through music and dance performances by local acts, readings by Baltimore-based author Kevin Shird and Baltimore Center Stage actors, and kid-friendly activities.

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Between Spirits and Sisters
To Feb. 2. 2224 N Charles St. This month at Galerie Myrtis, view works by mixed-media artist Delita Martin that explores womanhood and the power of narrative impulse. Inspired by oral traditions and vintage photographs, this Texas-based artist uses printmaking, drawing, sewing, collaging, and painting techniques to bring portraits of African-American women to life.

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Black & White Party
Jan. 19. The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 8 p.m.-midnight. Since the Pratt Contemporaries’ first Black & White Party a decade ago, this all-night affair has become one of the city’s most anticipated see-and-be-seen parties of the year. This year’s theme of Studio 54 will transport guests back to the disco days of the iconic ’70s nightclub with live music, festive eats, and themed cocktails flowing all night long. Pro tip: Mark your calendar for January 4—the day tickets go on sale—as general tickets typically sell out within minutes.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 11-20. Prices vary. After a whirlwind year of openings and closings in the area dining scene, the city’s winter restaurant week is the perfect time to try out new spots, revisit neighborhood standbys, and get your foodie fix without breaking the bank. Nearly 60 local spots will be on board for this 10-day deal, which offers prix-fixe menus priced between $12-20 for brunch and lunch and $20-35 for three-course dinners. Map out your must-try meals, make your reservations early, and take advantage of this annual culinary celebration.

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Super City
Jan. 26. 2549 N Howard St. 9 p.m. $12. After playing their latest album, Sanctuary, to audiences in every corner of the country, this Baltimore-based “freak wave” band is back home and ready to remind us what we were missing. Pack the Ottobar to hear this rising indie-pop group play showstopping hits such as “Artificial Sin” and “Find You,” and get there early to catch sets by homegrown acts including songwriting duo Chaunter and hip-hop collective Soul Cannon.

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BSO Pulse: Dan Deacon
Jan. 17. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $25-55. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has collaborated with acts ranging from big-name indie artists to up-and-coming groups for its BSO Pulse series, but this month’s joint performance with local legend Dan Deacon is a can’t-miss marriage between two iconic figures in the city’s music scene. Hear this genre-defying artist debut several new joint compositions with the BSO during this electronic-acoustic performance.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade
Jan. 21. Locations vary. 12 – 2 p.m. Free. For the past 18 years, the city of Baltimore has commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with an all-out parade that starts on King’s namesake boulevard and winds down to Baltimore Street. Find a spot along the parade route to wave to local community bands, color guards, dance squads, and other civic organizations as they pass by.

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Jan. 22-27. 12 North Eutaw Street. $72-199. Times vary. Gather your everlasting gobstoppers, Oompa Loompas, and golden tickets for the sweetest production of the season. For six days, the Hippodrome Theatre will transform into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for this family-favorite musical that brings new life to songs from the original film such as “The Candy Man” and “Pure Imagination.”

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Baltimore Orioles FanFest
Jan. 26. 1 W Pratt St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $12. As the saying goes, there is no offseason in baseball. Put last year’s abysmal season in the past and kick off the Orioles’ 2019 season with a day-long celebration at the Baltimore Convention Center. Orioles FanFest offers games and press conferences for kids, one-of-a-kind memorabilia for purchase, and autographs and Q&A sessions with select players from the team.

Light City
April 6-21. Locations & times vary. Free. 410-752-8632. Since the inaugural event in 2016, this bright and bold arts festival has become a cherished citywide tradition. Now, Light City’s organizers are taking this year’s theme of “More Love! More Lights!” to heart by expanding the festival to include as many people and installations as possible. Head to the Inner Harbor or one of 14 participating neighborhoods to see awe-inspiring illuminations that are sure to elicit ooohs, ahhhs, and about a million Instagrams.

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Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
April 6-7. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. 12-6 p.m. $29-99. 410-252-0200. Picture this: two days of unlimited sampling of more than 40 bourbons, 60 beers, and all-you-can-eat barbecue with all the fixins. In between local brews from Flying Dog, Jailbreak, and Heavy Seas, or Maryland-distilled whiskey from Sagamore Spirit, enjoy live rock and bluegrass music, participate in bacon-eating or stein-holding contests, or take in a tasting seminar. If that doesn’t describe your dream weekend, then we can’t help you.

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Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
April 8-Dec. 23. Underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Sts. Sun. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. For more than 40 years, locals have dragged themselves out of bed on Sundays to fill their stomachs and totes with the best locally grown and handmade products that Maryland has to offer. From typical farmers’ market fare like fresh produce and flowers to made-to-order eats such as mushroom fritters and falafel, this is an event worth setting an alarm for. Reward yourself for getting up early with a breakfast sandwich from Blacksauce Kitchen.

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Motown The Musical
April 13-15. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $49-117. 410-837-7400. For one weekend only, flashback to the groovy glory days of 1960s and ’70s Detroit with this behind-the-scenes look at the iconic record company that launched the star careers of Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and many more. From Broadway, the story of Motown Records comes alive on the Hippodrome stage in this smash-hit jukebox musical, featuring hit songs such as “ABC” and “Dancing in the Street.”

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CityLit Festival
April 14. University of Baltimore, William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, 11 W. Mount Royal Avenue. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 410-271-8793. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the CityLit Festival, the signature event from CityLit Project that celebrates reading, writing, and creativity. To tie into this year’s focus on poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, The New Yorker writer Philip Gourevitch will keynote the event with conversations about his book We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda. Make time in between editorial and speaker sessions to participate in guided discussions about motherhood, the #MeToo movement, and local funding for literary artists.

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Under Armour Sole of the City 10K
April 14. Charm City Run, 1713 Whetstone Way. 9 a.m. $50-75. 410-645-8266. Spring has officially sprung, so lace up your sneakers, breathe in some fresh air, and get moving during this annual 10K. Start your Saturday early and dash through the streets with more than 4,500 other runners at this race that starts and ends in Locust Point. While the mileage might sound intimidating (10K = 6.2 miles), it’s a prime opportunity to embrace our city, especially with the route’s stellar views of the city skyline and the Inner Harbor.

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Peter Max Retrospective
April 20-29. Y:ART Gallery & Fine Gifts, 3402 Gough St. Wed.-Thurs. 12-5 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-928-2272. Peter Max was practically born to be an artist. He was raised in Germany, China, Tibet, Israel, and France, gaining inspiration from vibrant societies and shifting art movements along the way. As a young art student in Manhattan during the late 1950s, he worked diligently under the American painter Frank Reilly before being swept up in the counter-cultural revolution of the ’60s. The budding artist would go on to create bright, radical posters and psychedelic art—the style he’s mostly recognized for today. The abstract expressionist has been called the United States’ “Painter Laureate,” painted portraits of six presidents, and crafted posters for major events like the Grammys, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics. Despite his global fame, his art remains immediate and accessible. This month, catch his remarkable collection of major works in Highlandtown, carefully curated to include pieces that span his five-decade career. View never-before-seen celebrity portraits, iconic pop art like the above “Cosmic Runner,” and even a special tribute to Charm City.

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Charm City Bluegrass Festival
April 27-28. Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swann Dr. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free-$55. This year’s two-day party is slated to be bigger and better than ever with three stages, 21 bands, plenty of local food, and homegrown brews from Union Craft Brewing. With national acts like The Devil Makes Three and The Travelin’ McCourys and local talent such as Caleb Stine and The Honey Dewdrops, the dynamic lineup promises to be a little slice of Americana heaven for all music lovers.

Women of the World Festival
April 28. Notre Dame of Maryland University, 4701 N. Charles St. 9 a.m. $20. 410-435-0100. The past year was defined by female voices—from speaking out against sexual harassment to becoming a tenacious political force. In April, the Women of the World Festival returns just in timeto explore women’s issues through panels, performances, and activities. Get inspired by keynote speakers Tarana Burke, the #MeToo founder who was named a Time magazine “Person of the Year,” and Roxane Gay, cultural critic and The New York Times best-selling author of Bad Feminist and Hunger.

Black & White Party
Jan. 27. The Assembly Room, 316-318 Guilford Ave. 8 p.m. $150. 410-396-5430. The Pratt Contemporaries’ annual Black and White Party always falls in the dead of winter, but this year, enjoy a brief reprieve from the cold weather with a night in Old Havana. With a fresh Cuban theme and a nod to the 1950s paradise heralded by Ernest Hemingway, this library benefit will feature live music, local eats, and a hefty dose of handmade cocktails (daiquiri, anyone?). Tickets go fast, as this do-good party has become a can’t-miss event of the year.

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Cyrus Chestnut Meets Warren Wolf
Jan. 12-13. An Die Musik, 409 N. Charles St., 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m. $10-27. 410-385-2638. Baltimore sons Cyrus Chestnut and Warren Wolf have not let the light fade on the city’s rich jazz scene. The pianist and vibraphonist, respectively, have brought their homegrown talents into the national spotlight, with the former being dubbed “the best jazz pianist of his generation” by Time magazine, and the latter touring and recording with the likes of New York City’s Wynton Marsalis. The two musicians will team up and return home, bringing their swinging sound to the intimate, 90-seat venue of An die Musik. At one or all four shows in Mt. Vernon, fall under the spell of Chestnut’s blues-tinged keys and Wolf’s swift, skilled vibes. 

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Lexington Market Catacombs
Jan. 13. Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. 10:30 a.m. Free. 410-332-9992. They say Baltimore is a city built on tunnels, both heavily used and long-abandoned. The latter gets a little less mysterious this January with Baltimore Heritage’s guided tour of Lexington Market. Swing through the centuries-old marketplace and stop by its famous vendors, such as crab cake king Faidley’s Seafood and sweet-treat titan Berger Cookies, before journeying beneath the bustle for one of the city’s best-kept secrets. With the help of local historians, prepare to be awed by the city’s age-old catacombs, rumored to even have housed Prohibition-era distilleries.

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Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Jan. 15. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 12 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 89th birthday with live performances, community talks, and arts and crafts at the African-American history and culture museum, including a step salute and freedom-square quilting party.

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LaxCon 
Jan. 19-21. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $10-200. It’s no secret that Maryland’s favorite sport is lacrosse, with grown-ups still rocking their high-school pinnies and local universities coming out on top in the NCAAs. For the fourth consecutive year, whether you’re an active athlete or retired benchsitter, join your fellow laxers for this all-lax-everything event, where you can grab some gear, network with players, or hone your skills at one of the weekend’s many workshops.

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Baltimore Restaurant Week
Jan. 12-21. Locations & times vary. $20-35. 410-244-1030. As Baltimore’s food scene continues to boom, it’s hard to keep up with the ever-growing array of dining options around town. This month, make it your resolution to sample your way through the city, with more than 100 old favorites (Gertrude’s) and trendy newbies (Gunther & Co., pictured) offering discounted brunch, lunch, and dinner for 10 days.

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Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 25-27. Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Pkwy., Annapolis. Thu. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $75. 410-242-1515. At the end of each January, thousands of shivering souls brave the Chesapeake Bay’s frigid waters to benefit the Special Olympics of Maryland. Muster the courage to dip your toes in the icy waves, and warm your heart thinking about the 7,549 local athletes that your chilly dunk will benefit. 

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Shen Yun
Jan. 26-28. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. $91-194. 410-837-7400. For one weekend, the hallowed Hippodrome stage will transform into Ancient China, also known as the Land of the Divine, as Shen Yun brings some 5,000 years of Chinese culture to life in modern-day Baltimore. Be sure to see this world-famous performance troupe, whose ancient dances, bright costumes, and mesmerizing movements have grown into a global phenomenon.

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Orioles FanFest
Jan. 27. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Times & prices vary. 410-649-7008. mlb.com. Baseball has always been America’s great uniter—even in crazy and turbulent times—and this year proves no different. Thousands of fans will crowd the convention center for the annual Orioles FanFest. Bring the kids to chat with players, snag coveted signatures, and play games for prizes. It might be a few months until we’re back in Camden Yards, but this beloved event should hold you over until the spring. 

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

 EAT

Dec. 31: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Ida B’s Table

Ida B’s Table, 235 Holliday St. 9 p.m. $91.79. 410-844-0444.

Although Ida B’s Table opened its doors four months ago, it has quickly become one of the most exciting establishments in the city. If you haven’t experienced this modern soul food yet, make it a New Year’s resolution and find yourself there for a special Sunday feast. Ring in 2018 with a four-course dinner by chef David Thomas plus live music by local soul singer Ama Chandra to boot. Each plate on the menu is inspired by African-American history and traditions, including the re-envisioned “chicken” and waffles, black bass with black-eyed peas, and grilled rack of lamb with spoon-bread masala. Just be sure to leave some room for Ida B’s fantastic desserts, like scratch-made sweet potato cheesecake with a champagne toast.

 DRINK

Dec. 31: Suspended Brewing Company’s First Pour New Year’s Eve Party

Suspended Brewing Company, 912 Washington Blvd. 8 p.m. $60.

After three years in the making, Suspended Brewing Company is finally pouring out the first brews from its brand-new brewery in Pigtown. On Sunday evening, grab an inaugural pour (or few) of their creative and sustainable microbrews before singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Cocktails will also be on tap, non-alcoholic drinks will be flowing from Vigilante Coffee and Wild Kombucha, and hangover-repellent chow will be slung by the bun masters of Ekiben. Partake in a midnight beer toast when the clock strikes 12 and fill up a crowler to take home.

 SEE

Dec. 31: John Oliver

The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St. 7-9:30 p.m. Prices vary.

This New Year’s Eve, say goodbye to another crazy year with some much-needed, unfiltered humor from this irreverant British comedian. We were as surprised as anyone when John Oliver became one of America’s most beloved nighttime talk show hosts after cutting his comedic chops as one of Jon Stewart’s foreign correspondents on The Daily Show. But his brainy, sometimes cantankerous brand of comedic news has become a household favorite thanks to his half-hour HBO show, Last Week Tonight. With two back-to-back shows at the Hippodrome this New Year’s Eve, allow this beloved Brit’s charming wit and candid commentary send 2017 off with a bellyaching bang.

 HEAR

Dec. 30: A Tom Petty Celebration

The 8×10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m. $15. 410-625-2000.

In early October, heartbroken fans and fellow musicians mourned the loss of Tom Petty, one of the greatest singer-songwriters and guitarists of all time. Known as a mainstay of rock-and-roll since the 1970s, Petty, with the help of his band, The Heartbreakers, has become a legendary icon with his masterful guitar skills, signature harmonica riffs, and insightful lyrics, evident in hit songs like “Free Fallin’,” “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” and “I Won’t Back Down.” On Saturday, pay homage with a tribute concert featuring local musicians such as Jack Denning, Warren Boes, Keith Tuttle, Eric Dixon, and Steve Blake. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Grammy Foundation’s MusiCares Charity, who named Tom Petty their Person of the Year.

 DO

Dec. 30: Kwanzaa Celebration 2017

Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 12-4 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. 

The New Year is just around the corner, but we’re not quite finished with the holiday season. After all, we’re only midway through Kwanzaa. This holiday is not limited to a religion but is rather an all-encompassing celebration of African-American culture, tradition, and heritage. On Saturday, learn about the seven-day holiday at Baltimore’s biggest Kwanzaa event featuring African-American dance, storytelling, workshops, and art at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Catch performances by the Sankofa Dance Theatre, listen to lectures by food nutritionist Tambra Raye Stevenson and genealogy expert Dr. Donna Hollie, and participate in a gallery walk with quilter Joan Gaither through her new exhibit, Freedom: Emancipation Quilted & Stitched. And don’t miss out on the traditional African marketplace where artisans will be showcasing unique crafts and handmade gifts. 

British Invasion 
Dec. 31-Jan. 1. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St., 7-9:30 p.m. Prices vary. We were as surprised as you were when this irreverant British comedian became one of America’s most beloved nighttime talk show hosts. Of course, John Oliver was nothing new to the U.S. airwaves, having cut his comedic chops as one of Jon Stewart’s foreign correspondents on The Daily Show. But once he landed his own half-hour show at HBO, his brainy, sometimes cantankerous brand of comedic news took off, and, before long, he joined the ranks of Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher as a titan of late night. Through charming wit and candid commentary, his Last Week Tonight delves into deeply reported topics, including segments on net neutrality, opioid addiction, and voter identification laws, the kind of coverage that has landed the show eight Emmys since premiering in 2014. And now, with the announcement that the series has been picked up through 2020, Oliver will have us laughing well into the new year and beyond. This New Year’s Eve, say goodbye to another crazy year with some much-needed, unfiltered humor with back-to-back shows at the Hippodrome that are sure to see 2017 off with a bellyaching bang.

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Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1-3. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St. Fri. 7-11 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices vary. Slick back your hair and hop in your best flared jumpsuit for Charm City’s eclectic three-day tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Whether you’re a fair-weather Elvis fan or a full-time Presley devotee, mingle with scores of impersonators at the new location of the Lord Baltimore Hotel for lots of live music, local brews, and the legend’s favorite snack: fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

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Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 3. Medfield & Hampden. 1 p.m. Free. Bundle up and join more than 20,000 onlookers as beating drums and blaring tubas make their way through the neighborhoods of Hampden and Medfield. This festive parade will feature dozens of marching bands, dance troupes, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles all heading towards 37th Street, with Miss Yuletide, Santa Claus, and Mayor Catherine Pugh in tow. 

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Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 7. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. For the 46th year, the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place will buzz with the sounds of sizzling food, clinking cocktails, chattering passerby, and, loudest of all, the big-bang boom of fireworks during the annual lighting of Baltimore’s beloved Washington Monument. 

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Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 9. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 2 & 7 p.m. $19-118. 410-347-2020. Baltimore might not have its own basketball team, but every December, the star-studded roster of the Harlem Globetrotters dribbles its way into town for an epic night of tricked-out dunks, finger-spinning stunts, and awesome athleticism at the RoFo Arena. This year, watch the world-famous troupe take on the Washington Generals, and for a few hours, consider them our home team in a makeshift, courtside Battle of the Beltways.

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A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 19. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $44-49.50. 410-244-0057. For more than a decade, Baltimore’s irreverent filmmaker and cult-classic comedian has created a seasonal tradition out of his critically acclaimed one-man show that puts the X in Xmas. Laugh out loud to John Waters’ twisted takes on the “most wonderful time of the year,” with holiday-horror stories, cringeworthy tinsel tales, and all around merry mischief.

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Cirque de la Symphonie: Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 22-23. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 & 8 p.m. Prices vary. 410-783-8000. At this dazzling circus, watch as world-class acrobats dangle from the rafters, gymnasts contort into impossible angles, and dancers move to seasonal scores from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

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KIX-mas
Dec. 23. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $27.50. 410-244-1131. Baltimore has always had a soft spot for ’80s hair-rockers Kix. The Maryland natives blew up decades ago but never forgot their roots, and while there’s less hairspray and leather involved in their present-day performances, the group is still rocking out up and down the East Coast. This holiday season, transport back to ’89 as the band plays hits like the Top 40 power ballad, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” as well as new numbers off of their first record in nearly two decades. No one will judge if you gently wave a lighter through the air. In fact, we highly encourage it.

The Lion King
Nov. 16-Dec. 10. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St. Tues.-Sun. 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Prices vary. Hakuna matata. Whether you sang it as a kid or to your tots, who can forget belting out these words along with Timon and Pumbaa as scenes of Africa and its animal kingdom crossed the silver screen? The Lion King was a childhood dream, in the heyday before kids’ movies became overcomplicated by too much computer animation and 3D. Since 1997, Julie Taymor’s record-shattering stage interpretation has hauled in millions of viewers and heaps of awards to make it the third-longest running show on Broadway. It’s been 20 years since the original cast graced the stage in gigantic animal head costumes and intricate patterns of bright body paint, but the show has proved its staying power, still churning out about $2 million in sales each week and nabbing the title of highest-grossing show in history. This month, see what all the hype is about when The Lion King comes to Baltimore for some 30 performances at the Hippodrome. From November 16 to December 10, bring your young ones—in age or at heart—and let the show transport you to the savanna as you sing along to all those beloved songs. We know you remember the lyrics.

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Baltimore Voices
Nov. 1-3. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Wed.-Fri. 10 & 11:30 a.m. Free-$6.50. 410-783-8000. From its outdoor community concerts to the BSO Pulse series, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has been upping the ante when it comes to celebrating our homegrown musical talent. This month, the symphony highlights city voices during its mid-week educational concert, featuring beatboxer Shodekeh, hip-hop collective Baltimore Boom Bap Society, and the co-founders of WYPR’s Out of the Blocks podcast. In a showcase of talented Charm City residents, high-energy remixes and local student interviews mingle with Beethoven classics.

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Trevor Noah
Nov. 4. The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 & 9:30 p.m. Prices vary. 410-837-7400. For one night only, The Daily Show host and South African comedian brings his signature stand-up—a mix of incisive political commentary with charmingly comical personal stories—to the hallowed Hippodrome stage. 

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Charm City Fringe Fest
Nov. 2-12. Locations & times vary. $27-98. 410-682-8902. At the beginning of the month, Baltimore’s indie performing arts festival returns for the sixth year, with 11 days and more than 90 performances across six stages in the Bromo Arts District. Catch eclectic, original works, from off-kilter comedy, poetry readings, and magic to a rock opera and even a haunting thriller performed on roller skates.

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Across the Bay 10K
Nov. 5. Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Stevensville. 5 a.m.-2 p.m. $60-200. For one fall Sunday, lace up your sneakers and join the more than 20,000 people in the state’s largest running event—a 10K across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Whether you’re a practiced runner or novice jogger, this 6.21-mile course should be a breeze, with stunning views of the Eastern Shore and crisp autumn air blowing over the brackish waves beneath your feet.

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Fabergé and the Russian Crafts Tradition
Nov. 12-May 27, 2018. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed., Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. Through the lens of the famous Fabergé egg, learn about the extraordinary artistry of Russian jewelers and enamel workers during the turn of the 20th century. Explore more than 70 ornate objects, including two original Easter eggs crafted for Romanov royalty, plus a contemporary print exhibit that reimagines the delicate shells.

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Bazaart Holiday Art Market
Nov. 24-25. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Fri. 12-6 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. Escape the commercialized chaos of Black Friday sales at this Baltimore-centric art shop, equipped with hand-crafted gifts by more than 40 regional artists. From homespun jewelry and hand-pressed prints to organic beauty goods and kids’ toys, there’s something for everyone on your list, including visionary art as whimsical and wacky as AVAM itself. 

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Just a Kid from Highlandtown
To Nov. 18. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. Graffiti, skate, and club culture have deep roots in Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood, thanks in large part to local success story Aaron LaCrate. With his rise to international renown in the early 2000s, the creator of streetwear brand Milkcrate Athletics put the city’s counterculture movement on the map and has since become a trendsetting staple and collaborator with everyone from JAY-Z and Kanye West to Madonna. This month, the Creative Alliance celebrates the Southeast Baltimore native’s career with an exhibit that journeys all the way back to his crate-hopping youth.

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Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 25-Dec. 31. 700 block of W. 34th St. Times vary. Free. The holidays officially arrive in Baltimore when the 34th Street stretch of Hampden transforms into its annual winter wonderland. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and partake in this kitschy tradition. See the neighborhood houses decked in thousands of twinkling lights, including illuminated Natty Bohs and Maryland crabs and, of course, the iconic Christmas tree made entirely out of hubcaps. 

Fluid Movement
July 29-Aug. 6.  July 29-30: Druid Hill Park, 800 Wyman Park Dr. Aug. 4-6: Patterson Park, 148 S. Linwood Ave. Fri.-Sun. Times & prices vary. One of the city’s most weirdly wonderful summer events is the Fluid Movement water ballet. This summer, the avant-garde group delves into the 16th-century Renaissance as aquatic ballerinas re-imagine Shakespearean classics such as Hamlet, Macbeth, The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Expect loads of glitter and good times as the local troupe fuses Old English prose with Baltimore swimming pools.

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Flicks From The Hill
July 6-Aug. 24. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Thu. 5-9 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. Baltimore is home to a hoard of outdoor movie options throughout the summer, but for our money, you can’t top AVAM’s Flicks From the Hill. Perched atop Federal Hill with a sweeping view of the city skyline, it’s the place to be on warm Thursday nights, as the art museum projects big-name blockbusters, cult classics, and family favorites onto a 30-foot screen. Spread out a blanket, unpack your picnic, and best of all, enjoy free museum admission during each and every show.

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Little Italy Open Air Film Festival
July 7-Aug 25. High and Stiles streets. Fri. 7 p.m. Free. 410-558-0022. Every Friday night through August, set up some lawn chairs, grab some free popcorn, and bring friends to watch open-air flicks projected onto the outside wall of Ciao Bella. This year, catch classics like Moonstruck, Grease, Rocky, The Godfather I and II, and, of course, Cinema Paradiso.

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
July 7-23. Evergreen Museum & Library, 4545 N. Charles St. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 4 p.m. Free-$20. 410-662-9455. One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays will certainly feel like a summer dream in the grassy meadow at the historic Evergreen Museum. In this magical setting, join the Baltimore Shakespeare Factory for a mischievous, laugh-filled love story.

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David Blaine
July 8. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $74.50-127. 410-837-7400. Known more for death-defying illusion than rabbits and top hats, magician, illusionist, and stunt artist David Blaine promises to mesmerize a packed house during his first-ever North American tour. For one night only, let down your guard and prepare to be wowed.

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Merriweather 50th Anniversary Concert
July 15. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 6 p.m. $55-125. 410-715-5550. It’s been 50 years since Merriweather, arguably Maryland’s best music venue, opened in the Columbia woods. To celebrate its half-century, the iconic stage is in the midst of a major summer lineup—from Jack Johnson and John Legend to Paul Simon and Santana—and now it’s about to kick off a four-act anniversary concert of epic proportions. In one night, hear fiery singer Grace Potter, eccentric songwriter Father John Misty, and two legendary headliners, the ever-gentle Jackson Browne and the pot-smoking country poet Willie Nelson, with his family band. 

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Baltimore Caribbean Carnival
July 15-16. Clifton Park, 2701 St. Lo Dr. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free. Take a trip to a Caribbean island this summer without even leaving Baltimore. During this weekend-long celebration of paradise in Clifton Park, soak up the sounds of steel drums, dig into endless authentic eats, and see the colorful costumes at the lively parade. 

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Artscape 2017
July 21-23. Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. The long stretch of iconic art cars, outdoor concerts, and local food vendors will once again take over the heart of Baltimore. Embrace all the youthful excitement that comes with the tradition of summer camp with this year’s theme.

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Zoo Bop Kids Music Festival
July 29. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 12-4 p.m. Free-$25. 410-396-7102. Finally, kids have a music festival to call their own. The Zoo Bop outdoor concert will feature two kid-approved artists—Baltimore’s own Baby Beats and Latin Grammy winner 123 Andrés, pictured. When the kiddos aren’t grooving to the tunes, they can visit activity tables and food trucks, and partake in all-day admission to view the zoo’s own young ones, like Willow, the baby giraffe.

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

 EAT

May 12: Blacksauce Kitchen + Ekiben Collaboration

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 6-10 p.m. Free.

In a collaboration that pairs two of Baltimore’s paramount food purveyors, farmers’ market-famous biscuit bosses Blacksauce Kitchen and Asian street food bun brothers Ekiben will come together for an epicurean experience we didn’t know we needed until now. In fact, the former inspired the latter to get into the business all those years ago in Fells Point. This weekend, at the time of the event, the two eateries unveil their mouthwatering menu that pays homage to the iconic Baltimore chicken box. And, of course, we’re always in for an ice-cold Duckpin.

 DRINK

May 13: Maryland Craft Beer Festival 

Carroll Creek Linear Park, 44 South Market St., Frederick. 12-5 p.m. $Free-50.

For one day only, all of our favorite Maryland brewers (and even some who are not yet known to the public) will gather together for a Saturday festival in Frederick that features more than 180 local craft beers. Rain or shine, you can expect staples like The Brewer’s Art, Evolution Brewing, Flying Dog, and Heavy Seas, with sneak previews from soon-to-open newcomers like Barnwerk Farm Brewery and Frederick’s own Midnight Run Brewing. There will also be live music, crafts, and grub from local eateries to go along with all those suds. 

 SEE

May 13: Ali Wong

Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 p.m. $58.

Ali Wong never takes a break from comedy and even filmed her first standup special while almost eight months pregnant (now available on Netflix). But the young comic is no newbie, having performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Chelsea Lately. Catch her hilariously inappropriate humor at the Hippodrome with an arsenal of rants about sex, motherhood, and racism. 

 HEAR

May 13: Ryan Adams

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $40-55. 

Ryan Adams may have won us over in decades past with albums like Heartbreaker and Love Is Hell, but if last year’s 1989 Taylor Swift cover album is any indication, the alt-rocker has still got it. Catch his heartfelt, angst-riddled sound this weekend at Merriweather with new songs from his latest, Prisoner, hopefully a few oldies (like “Hallelujah” and “New York, New York”), and opening act Jenny Lewis.

 DO

May 13: Pile of Craft

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul St., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

If you still haven’t found a gift for Mom (seriously, no judgment), head to the annual Pile of Craft show this Saturday where more than 50 local vendors will be hawking their handcrafted goods. If you’re too old to give mom an I-O-U breakfast in bed or construction paper chore coupon, be creative with presents, home goods, or even treat-yourself tidbits from Annie Howe Papercuts, Row House 14 card company, the ever-spicy Huckle’s Sauce, and the always-appreciated Pure Chocolate by Jinji, to name a few.

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
April 23-Dec. 17. E Saratoga and Holliday sts., 7 a.m.-noon. Free.
With 48 farms, 45 vendors, and an average of more than 120,000 attendees each year, Maryland’s largest producers-only market has become a Sunday staple in Charm City for the past 40 years. Nestled under the Jones Falls Expressway, the beloved weekend ritual is a vibrant, fragrant microcosm of Baltimore—teeming with crisp fruits and seasonal vegetables, craft beer and local wine, ice-cold crabs and farm-fresh meat, and, of course, the buttery smell of breakfast biscuits wafting from the grill of Blacksauce Kitchen. The market draws Baltimoreans and tourists of all ages and walks of life to popular businesses like Hex Ferments, Zeke’s Coffee, The Mushroom Stand, and “the potato man,” who hawks killer sweet potatoes from Knopp’s Farm. When the market returns this season, the lineup will include some newcomers such as the sustainable Old Line Fish Company and the upstart city farm Urban Pastoral, as well as local favorites like Ekiben and The Baltimore Whiskey Company.—EB

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The Emporiyum
April 1-2. Inner Harbor, 600 E. Pratt St. Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $15-40. Mark your calendars, foodies, and make your way to the Inner Harbor for this one-of-a-kind, edible experience, now in its fourth year. With more than 90 vendors, The Emporiyum lets you dig into dozens of eats from far and near (Ekiben, La Cuchara, The Local Oyster), imbibe in a Baltimore brew from Union Craft or Diamondback, and take home tasty treats.

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Orioles Opening Day
April 3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 3:05 p.m. Prices vary. 410-685-9800. baltimore.orioles.mlb.com. After just barely missing the playoffs last season, thanks to a heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles fans are fired up and ready to go. Grab your friends, family, and foam fingers and head down to Camden Yards for the first game of the year—against, no less, those very same Jays.

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Bill Nye
April 20. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 7:30 p.m. $50-65. 301-600-2828. Bill Nye the Science Guy is more relevant than ever as he continues to make science both exciting and relatable. Since his show first aired on PBS in the early ’90s, the Emmy Award-winning scientist, comedian, author, and inventor has inspired generations and become a household name. For one night, listen, learn, and laugh alongside America’s favorite science teacher.

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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
April 20-30. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. $15-98. 410-347-2020. Cue the lights. The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to town for one last visit as the world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus performs its final tour. For more than 50 years, the celebrated troupe has perfected the big-top experience, entertaining millions of families and creating a right of passage in kids’ lives. Don’t miss your last chance to see their awe-inspiring stunts.

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Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen
Apr. 28. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $92-399. 410-837-7400. From the real deal on global issues to Real Housewives, these TV hosts always deliver the latest in politics and pop culture. Newscaster Anderson Cooper and reality-TV pot-stirrer Andy Cohen will bring a night of unforgettable banter and behind-the-scenes stories at this live event.—EB

Charm City Bluegrass Festival
April 29. Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swann Dr. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free-$55. Now in its fifth year, this once small parking lot jam session has grown into Baltimore’s biggest bluegrass festival, known for its stellar lineups, quality food, and local craft beer. Rain or shine, prepare to move and groove to local talents like Cris Jacobs and Seldom Scene, plus national acts such as The Lone Bellow and Dustbowl Revival.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Trim and scrub the carrots. If the carrots are more than 1 inch in diameter, cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the carrots in large diagonal slices 1 inch wide × 2 inches long (they will shrink when they roast) and place in a medium bowl with ¼ cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Toss well and transfer to two sheet pans. (If you use just one, they’ll steam instead of roasting.) Roast for 20 minutes, tossing once, until the carrots are tender. Transfer all the carrots to one of the sheet pans, add the maple syrup, toss, and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are caramelized. Watch them carefully! Toss with a metal spatula and set aside for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and orange juice in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, then set aside for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the arugula in a large bowl and add the carrots, cranberries (with their liquid), goat cheese, almonds, and the vinaigrette. Toss with large spoons, sprinkle with salt, and serve at room temperature.

Make Ahead: Prep all the ingredients. Cook the cranberries and make the vinaigrette and refrigerate for up to a day. Roast the carrots and assemble the salad just before serving. maple-roasted carrot salad.

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Vanilla Rum Panna Cotta With Salted Caramel

serves 8

Since I discovered Fran’s salted caramels, I’ve loved the combination of salt and caramel. I particularly like caramel with undertones of vanilla to balance the sweetness. Cold, silky panna cotta is perfect with warm, salty caramel. Make this panna cotta in advance and just heat the caramel and pour it on top before serving.

• 2 teaspoons (1 packet) unflavored gelatin
• 3 cups heavy cream, divided
• 2 cups plain whole-milk yogurt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Dark rum, such as Mount Gay
• 1/2 cup good caramel sauce, such as Fran’s
• Fleur de sel

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin on 3 tablespoons of cold water. Stir and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the gelatin to dissolve. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups of the cream, the yogurt, vanilla extract, and vanilla seeds. Heat the remaining 1 ½ cups of cream and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Off the heat, stir the softened gelatin into the hot cream until dissolved. Pour the hot cream–gelatin mixture into the cream-yogurt mixture and stir in 3 tablespoons of rum. Pour into 8 serving glasses and refrigerate uncovered until cold. When the panna cottas are thoroughly chilled, cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill overnight. Before serving, heat the caramel sauce with 2 teaspoons of rum in a small bowl in the microwave or a small saucepan set over low heat, just until warm. Spoon a thin layer of warm caramel on each cold panna cotta, sprinkle with fleur de sel, and serve. Note: I make vanilla extract by soaking vanilla beans in vodka. Note: I use 12-ounce old-fashioned glasses from CB2.

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Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

serves 3

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this! I have the butcher butterfly the chicken so all I do is grind the thyme, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper, mix it with olive oil, and brush it on the chicken. When the lemon slices are roasted and caramelized, you can eat them with the chicken.

• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄3 cup good olive oil
• 1 lemon, halved and sliced 1⁄4 inch thick (see note)
• 1 yellow onion, halved and sliced 1⁄4 inch thick
• 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 (4-pound) chicken, backbone removed and butterflied
• 1⁄2 cup dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the thyme, fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor and process until ground. Pour the olive oil into a small glass measuring cup, stir in the herb mixture, and set aside. Distribute the lemon slices in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet and distribute the onion and garlic on top. Place the chicken, skin side down, on top of the onion and brush with about half the oil and herb mixture. Turn the chicken skin side up, pat it dry with paper towels (very important!), and brush it all over with the rest of the oil and herb mixture. Roast the chicken for 30 minutes.

Pour the wine into the pan (not on the chicken!) and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 to 160 degrees. Remove the chicken from the oven, sprinkle it with the lemon juice, cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut the chicken into quarters or eighths, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices, cooked lemon, and onion. Notes: Remove the ends of the lemon, cut in half through the stem ends, and slice thinly crosswise. Sometimes I sprinkle the chicken with minced fresh rosemary before allowing it to rest.

Make Ahead: Assemble the chicken in the pan and refrigerate for a few hours before roasting.

Reprinted from Cooking for Jeffrey. Copyright © 2016 by Ina Garten. Photographs copyright © 2016 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

A Christmas Story, The Musical
Dec. 6-11. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Tue.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $42-147. 410-837-7400. You already know the story of Ralphie Parker, a young boy in the 1940s with his heart set on Santa bringing him a Red Ryder BB gun. The 1983 cult-classic film, based on the legendary radio stories of humorist Jean Shepherd, is brought to new life in this hilarious musical adaptation directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando, with the Hippodrome even offering local auditions for two children to be featured in special roles.

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Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 1. Mount Vernon Place between Cathedral & St. Paul Sts. 4-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. If you have yet to admire the Washington Monument’s $5.5 million renovation, make your way to Mt. Vernon for a holiday season kickoff. For the 45th year, join thousands of onlookers, street party festivities, and a massive fireworks display over the heart of the city.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 3. Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St. 4-11 p.m. $60-90. 410-494-9558. Everyone loves Elvis, and for some odd reason, everyone seems to love Elvis even more around the holidays. Gather at Lithuanian Hall for a celebration of The King, as dozens of cover bands, tribute artists, and diehard fans pay homage with this colorful night of rock and roll.

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About Face
Dec. 8-Jan. 28, 2017. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 410-276-1651. Local artist Amy Sherald has skyrocketed to artistic stardom since becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Outwin Boochever competition at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. this March. Shortly thereafter, she graced the pages of our October 2016 issue and is now the centerpiece of a new exhibit at her resident Creative Alliance. Alongside those of artists like Rozeal, Tim Okamura, and Ebony Patterson, her bright, brilliant paintings attempt to reconcile art with racial stereotypes, forcing viewers to examine a deeper understanding of black identity.

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Army vs. Navy Game
Dec. 10. M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 3 p.m. 410-261-7283. In this rivalry for the ages, two of the country’s best military academies go head to head for the 126th time, this month at M&T. Maryland must pick sides between the underdog Black Knights and their Annapolis Midshipmen, with Navy enjoying a 14-game winning streak and devoted fans longing to make it a lucky 15.

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Shifting Views: People & Politics in Contemporary African Art
Dec. 18-June 18, 2017. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. This stirring exhibit—the Baltimore Museum of Art’s first foray into contemporary African art––uses photographs, prints, and drawings by multiple artists to offer political perspectives on African life and its diaspora. In the 1970 photograph of singer Margaret Singana by David Goldblatt, the black-and-white still takes a quiet look at the continent’s capitalism, while other works explore themes such as slavery and racism.

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UMD Basketball vs. UNC Charlotte
Dec. 20. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 7 p.m. $15-103. 410-347-2020. For one night only, just a couple dozen miles up I-95 from their home, the men of the University of Maryland Terps basketball team battle the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers. Without a national basketball team, Charm City hangs its hat on these College Park ballers, spreading the message of “Fear the Turtle” from November through April. With guard Melo Trimble entering his third season and guard Dion Wiley returning after a knee injury, this hoop showdown is one you shouldn’t miss.

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A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 21. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $28-30. 410-244-0057. The legendary local filmmaker—most famous for his cult-classic, Charm City-centric cinema (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Cry-Baby)—hosts a critically acclaimed evening of adult humor. Far more naughty than nice, the mischievous one-man show tackles the hoopla of the holidays, from religious fanaticism for Santa Claus to terrible decorations and perverted gifts. A sharp and witty raconteur, his merry monologue calls it like it is, using shock, awe, and magnetic storytelling to point out the absurdity of the season and to put “the X in Xmas.”

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50th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 30. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 3 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. While the thought-provoking National Museum of African American History & Culture just opened in Washington, D.C., here in Baltimore, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum has been dedicated to celebrating Maryland’s African-American history and culture for more than 10 years. This holiday season, head to the museum to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kwanzaa. Whether you’re a practiced celebrator or simply want to learn more about the holiday, enjoy African dancing and drumming performances, partake in arts and crafts, and explore a variety of workshops

Maryland State Fair
Aug. 25-Sept. 5. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free-$8. 410-252-0200.
The Maryland State Fair will feature 12 jam-packed days of agriculture exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, horse racing, bull riding, and blowout concerts by the likes of pop star Charlie Puth and country singer Jana Kramer. Stand beneath the bright bulbs of the amusement rides, breathe in the comforting smell of fried food, taste the sweet cotton candy that’s spun on-site, hear the reverberating sound of live music from the racetrack, and feel the warmth of your own grip as you wrap your fingers around the metal bars of the giant swing carousel and are whisked away into the hot night air.—MM

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Fluid Movement
Aug. 5-7. Patterson Park, 148 S. Linwood Ave. Fri. 9 p.m., Sat. 7 & 9 p.m., Sun. 5 & 7 p.m. $10. What do glittery swimsuits, safety goggles, and painful middle school memories have in common? They’re all featured in Fluid Movement’s 15th synchronized swimming spectacular, Science Fair!: The Water Ballet. Using eccentric choreography, comedy, and special effects, the award-winning performance troupe recreates a childhood event that most kids (and parents) dread.

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Maryland Latino Fest
Aug 7. Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free-$15. 410-327-6005. This month, follow the sound of Latin beats to the Maryland State Fairgrounds for the fifth annual Maryland Latino Festival. This full-day event celebrates the culture of Baltimore’s growing Hispanic and Latino communities with art, food, drink, live music, entertainment, and area nonprofits. Spend the afternoon sampling everything from piña coladas to traditional Mexican and Salvadoran fare before heading to the main stage to hear popular artists like bachata dance musician Zacarias Ferreira, reggaeton duo Alexis and Fido, and Duranguense group K-Paz De La Sierra.

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Summer of 69: No Apostrophe
Aug 19. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $58-80. 410-837-7400. Get ready Parks and Recreation fans—Ron and Tammy 2 are leaving Pawnee and making their way to Baltimore. As part of their new tour (yes, you read its title correctly), comedic real-life couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally take over the Hippodrome stage to share stories and perform innuendo-filled songs, dances, and skits about their marriage. They’ll likely reference some of their well-known characters, like breakfast-loving Ron Swanson or feisty Karen from Will & Grace, so prepare to laugh with the husband-and-wife duo as they reveal details of their 16-year relationship.

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Hot August Music Festival
Aug. 20. Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free-$189. 877-321-3378. Baltimore County’s blues and roots festival returns this month, bringing together a medley of talent for one hot night of unforgettable music. The stacked lineup includes headliners Thievery Corporation, Grateful Dead cover band Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Americana string bands Railroad Earth and Leftover Salmon, and soul-rockers The Revivalists.

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Pet Sounds
Aug 23. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $68.50-147. 410-837-7400. In 1966, The Beach Boys made Pet Sounds, a luscious concept album that catapulted the band from sunny surf-pop stars to rock-and-roll legends. It is arguably one of the greatest albums of all time, and 50 years later, we still know the words to “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” This month, for one night only, we can sing along with Brian Wilson and former members of the group in honor of the record’s 50th anniversary. Fingers crossed that they play at least one rendition of “Good Vibrations,” too.

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Bonnie Raitt
Aug. 24. Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave. 6 p.m. $40-85. 410-783-4189. Legendary blues singer Bonnie Raitt makes a triumphant return to Charm City this month with a smooth set of songs from a career spanning 45 years and 17 studio albums. Raitt’s latest album, Dig in Deep, features her heartfelt blend of blues, folk-rock, and Americana, accented by her breathy vocals, tasteful instrumentation, and incomparable slide guitar. Soak up the warm weather, sip a cold beer, and hear hits like “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “Something to Talk About,” and “Angel From Montgomery.”

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Baltimore Summer Antiques Show
Aug. 25-28. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Times vary. $20. 410-649-7000. Whether you’re searching for the perfect piece of vintage furniture or you just need to escape the August heat, this giant indoor antiques show is a summer must, with more than 400 vendors featuring everything from prized silver and estate jewelry to major works of art.

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Miranda Lambert
Aug. 25. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $45-125. 410-715-5550. Grammy-winning singer Miranda Lambert is no country music sweetheart. Her fiery lyrics and powerful songs—“Gunpowder & Lead,” “Little Red Wagon,” “Somethin’ Bad”—have made her a female country icon among the ranks of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. Watch her rock the Merriweather stage during one of the final stops on her “Keeper of the Flame” tour.

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Maryland Renaissance Festival
Aug. 27-Oct. 23. 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis. Times vary. Free-$24. 410-266-7304. On weekends throughout the fall, all the world’s a stage at the 40th Maryland Renaissance Festival. Set in 16th-century England, the fest allows you to put on flower crowns or suits of armor and indulge in the jousting matches, one-pound turkey legs, mugs of mead, and arts and crafts of yesteryear.

Light City Baltimore
Mar. 28-April 3. Various locations. Free.
To celebrate the vibrancy of Baltimore’s arts scene, the city will host Light City Baltimore. The weeklong festival will combine art installations, music and theater performances, and tech and innovation conferences in an eclectic, electric experience unlike anything ever staged in the U.S. Highlights will include a 1.5-mile Inner Harbor promenade past 51 large-scale, luminous installations, and four innovation conferences with speakers ranging from AOL founder Steve Case to Radiolab host Jad Abumrad. All events are free, except for the conferences, but organizers are reserving a quarter of all conference tickets for community members, free of charge.—AM

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Leon Bridges
Mar. 4. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $48-58. 410-837-7400. Man, Leon Bridges. The 26-year-old Southern soul singer did a number on our hearts last spring when he dropped his swoon-worthy single, “Coming Home.” By summer, he was a radio sensation, reminding us of such seminal songwriters as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, and by winter, he had become a likely contender for “Best R&B Album” at the 2016 Grammy Awards. Quick shot to stardom or not, he’s one of the best young voices out there, and his retro sound is here to stay.

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Kurt Vile & The Violators
Mar. 4. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 8 p.m. $20. 410-662-0069. We love the opening of Kurt Vile’s “Wakin on a Pretty Day.” You can feel every swipe of fret in each guitar twang; every ounce of suburban ennui in each lusty lyric; every inch of warmth in the song’s slow, heart-tugging prettiness. This former War on Drugs bandmate makes you feel as if you’re in on his internal monologue, like you’re riding in a car together, lazily staring out the window at the sun. Go out of your way to hear his gentle indie-rock in Remington at the beginning of the month.

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Motown
Mar. 8-13. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $48.50-213.50. 410-837-7400. It all started in Detroit, in a little white house with blue windows, and the words “Hitsville U.S.A.” above the door. There, Berry Gordy created an iconic record label that would go on to launch legends like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and The Temptations. This month, hear their hits at the Hippodrome, like “My Girl” and “ABC.”

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Baltimore Jewish Film Festival
Mar. 12-Apr. 17. Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills. Times vary. $5-15. 410-356-5200. Now in its 28th year, the Baltimore Jewish Film Festival returns with more than a month of cinema, featuring 13 films steeped in Jewish culture, tradition, and life. Each travels across the globe to show different perspectives of Jewish history, ranging from Paris in 1944 and Israel in 1985 to Argentina in 1994 and Texas in 2014. Through comedy, drama, documentary, and animation, the films tell tales of food and family, tragedy and triumph, with director presentations, Q&A sessions, and special guests.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Mar. 13. Washington Monument, 699 N. Washington Pl. 2 p.m. Free. During the month of March, Charm City turns into an Emerald Isle outpost as windows are riddled with shamrocks and taps overfloweth with green beer. On the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, celebrate Irish culture and heritage with the city’s 61st annual parade, featuring bagpipes, marching bands, floats, and antique cars as they make their way to Market Place.

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Ira Glass
Mar. 13. Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson. 7 p.m. $45-135. 410-235-1660. You know his voice. It comes to you in your car, at work, before bedtime, telling you stories of average and extraordinary people, from 9/11 survivors to long-lost friends. As the creator and host of This American Life, Baltimore native Ira Glass can be heard on his 20-year-old show via more than 500 stations across the country. This month, put a face to the name when he comes to town to talk about the future of radio. (See our recent interview with Glass.)

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National Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar. 20-Apr. 17: Washington, D.C. Locations, times, prices vary. 877-44-BLOOM. Washington, D.C., dusts off its red and blue colors and turns a special shade of pink this month, during the 104th Cherry Blossom Festival. For more than three full weeks, celebrate the arrival of spring with over 3,000 beautiful, budding cherry trees, 1.5 million spectators, and countless international cultural performances and events, including a blowout party, kite festival, and parade down Constitution Avenue. While you’re there, be sure to swing through some of the city’s spectacular national landmarks and free museums.

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BSO Pulse: Dr. Dog
Mar. 24. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $35. 410-783-8000. When it launched last fall, we praised Pulse for its innovative concept of creating concerts that paired indie-rock bands with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. But we didn’t fully appreciate its importance until we saw Baltimore’s beloved Wye Oak perform in November. Chills, is all we can say, so now we’re extra excited for the next one, with outside-the-box alt-rockers Dr. Dog.

New Arrivals: Gifts of Art for a New Century & Maryland Artists
Feb. 7-May 8. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. The BMA’s New Arrivals series is officially complete, and now, in nearly every corner of the museum, you can see a new exhibition, with each of the seven on display to honor the institution’s 100th anniversary. Explore approximately 200 recently acquired artworks, including decorative African hats, French sculptures, and American Gilded Age etchings in “Gifts of Art for a New Century,” as well as creations by accomplished locals like painter Raoul Middleman, auteur-cum-photographer John Waters, and Baltimore printmaker Gabrielle de Veaux Clements in “Maryland Artists.”

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The Stoop Turns 10
Feb. 10. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 8 p.m. $20. 410-323-4424. It’s been quite a year for Stoop Storytelling, the beloved Baltimore series that shares sometimes-touching, often-hilarious stories about everything from blind dates with Monica Lewinsky to losing a hairpiece on live television. Not only is the brainchild of Laura Wexler, pictured right, and Jessica Henkin, left, turning 10 this year, but it’s also got new digs: the historic, 700-seat Senator Theatre. In honor of the Stoop reaching double digits, check out its upgraded space and reminisce on the awkward adventures of adolescence with a whole slew of fresh tales at this special anniversary show. Come early for cocktails and live music from the All Mighty Senators.

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BSO 100th Anniversary Concert
Feb. 11. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $50-150. 410-783-8000. This month, come out and celebrate 100 years of our beloved Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. After a century, the BSO continues to move forward, melding classic orchestral works with new ventures like its contemporary Pulse concert series with WTMD. To honor the past and the future, conductor Marin Alsop joins superstar violinist Joshua Bell, pictured left, for a fresh take on music new and old. Hear Ravel’s turn-of-the-century Boléro, Gershwin’s Caribbean Cuban Overture, Bernstein’s West Side Story suite, and Mason Bates’s electronica Mothership.

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Romeo & Juliet
Feb. 11-12. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7:30 p.m. $58.50-80.50. 410-837-7400. With an oeuvre as thick as Shakespeare’s, it says a lot that this 16th-century romantic-tragedy remains his most famous masterpiece, as the star-crossed play still pulls at the heartstrings of audiences across the globe. Just before Valentine’s Day, the timeless tearjerker comes to Baltimore with a full-scale production by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

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Beach Boys
Feb. 17. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 7:30 p.m. $35-70. 410-900-1150. God only knows what pop music would be without the Beach Boys and their iconic, sun-kissed hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Now, 50 years after the release of their seminal Pet Sounds album—and following decades of breakups and make-ups—the boys are back on the road. This time around, original bandmate and lead singer Mike Love hits the stage with vocalist/bassist Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965 following Brian Wilson’s retirement from live performing.

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Rye Rye
Feb. 20. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. Before there was TT The Artist and Abdu Ali, there was Rye Rye, who, in 2008, was one of the first to revive the homegrown, high-energy, breakbeat genre of Bmore Club, initially made famous in decades prior by DJ Scottie B and 92Q’s K-Swift. At the ripe age of 17, the artist’s vivacious style and confident sound led to Rolling Stone reviews, a spot on Billboard’s “21 under 21,” and collaborations with M.I.A., Robyn, and Diplo. Lately, the 25-year-old has been lying low, but this month, you can catch her dance-party fire at the Creative Alliance.

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American Craft Council Show
Feb. 19-21. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$36. 612-206-3100. In the midst of the winter doldrums, surround yourself with pretty things at this three-day celebration of all things American-made. With more than 650 jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists in attendance from Baltimore and beyond, meet the makers, browse their beautiful goods, and buy something nice to ward off those bad-weather blues.

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1st Annual Charm City Django Jazz Fest
Feb. 26-27. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. $22-28. 410-276-1651. You might not know his name, but you’ve definitely heard the influence of Django Reinhardt on jazz music. During the 1940s, this Belgian-born guitarist toured with legends like Duke Ellington, revolutionized what it meant to be a solo jazz artist, and made “gypsy jazz” a household phrase. This month, celebrate the musician’s legacy with two music-filled nights at the Creative Alliance’s first-ever tribute festival, featuring the likes of Ultrafaux, a rip-roaring local gypsy swing group, and Stephane Wremble, who was recruited by Woody Allen to score his Oscar-winning 2011 film, Midnight in Paris.

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Concert for Hope 10
Feb. 27. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8:30 p.m. $25-35. 410-244-0057. Four years ago, hearts broke when one of Baltimore’s most beloved jam bands decided to split up. A decade into their career, The Bridge had become a hometown favorite for their funky rock music, but like some of the greatest love stories, it didn’t work out, as the sextet was unable to sustain the taxing lifestyle. In the years that followed, frontman Cris Jacobs embarked on his own solo adventures while the band reunited here and there including, unfailingly, at its annual benefit concert for HopeWell Cancer Support, now 10 years strong.