EAT

September 3: La Cuchara’s Tomatina Battle & Food Festival

La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Ste. 125, 1-6 p.m., $15 entry fee for tomato fight.

It’s been two years since La Cuchara first brought the Spanish and French flavors of the Basque region to Woodberry—gracing us with everything from pintxos and prosecco pairings to charred meats and calcots (grilled green onions native to the Catalan). Now, the restaurant is continuing that authenticity by putting its own spin on La Tomatina—an annual end-of-summer festival held in Buñol, Spain in which revelers pack the streets to partake in a massive tomato fight. This weekend, throw on a pair of goggles and pelt the ripe fruits at friends and neighbors in La Cuchara’s inaugural tomato battle benefitting local youth development program Baltimore SquashWise. Of course, no party is complete without eats and drinks, and there will be plenty of options from local favorites Blue Pit BBQ, Ekiben, The Local Oyster, and Union Craft Brewing. Plus, D.C.-based folk rocker Tomas Pagan Motta will be on hand to provide the soundtrack for the afternoon.

 DRINK

September 2: Labor Day Par-tay at Hysteria Brewing Company

Hysteria Brewing Company, 9570 Berger Road, Columbia, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Free

Hysteria Brewing got off to a good start with a grand opening soiree over Fourth of July weekend, and now it’s closing out the summer in a similar fashion—with a full-blown Labor Day bash. Not only will the party toast the debut of the brewery’s new experimental series (and a few fresh batches), but it will also celebrate the brand-new 1624 Corn Whiskey from next-door neighbors Lost Ark Distilling Company. Head to the steampunk-themed taproom to explore whiskey and beer collaborations, sip Hysteria signatures (think the Idle Hands Sour Cherry Tripel, Yellow Sudmarine Hefeweizen, and Trash Panda IPA), and sample from limited-release firkins. All the while, line your stomach with food truck fare from River House Pizza Company and Anegada Delights Caribbean Cuisine. The all-day event will also feature unplugged sets from local duo Acoustic Wheelhouse and Americana jams from Columbia rockers Artistic Differences.

 SEE

September 2: 10th Annual DIY Fest

St. John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul St., 12-6 p.m., Free

Nowadays it seems like everything taps into the DIY trend. But we can’t forget that Baltimore DIY Fest was teaching locals how to take charge of tasks long before Pinterest came around. Now in its 10th year, the hands-on festival returns to St. John’s Church with upward of 15 free workshops exploring everything from vegan cooking to independent filmmaking. Learn how to plant fruit trees with The Baltimore Orchard Project, paint selfie portraits with local artist Katia Baskina, repair a bike tire with Baltimore Bicycle Works, make your own ’zine with local storyteller A. Jarrell Hayes, and more. In keeping with the event’s innovative spirit, there will also be scratch-made goods and gifts for sale by more than 25 area artisans. Following the festival, head to Baltimore Free Farm in Hampden to dance the night away at an after-party featuring the sounds of local surf rockers The Flying Faders and new-wave group PLRLS.

 HEAR

September 1: Friends Records Presents: Wing Dam, Spaceface, Natural Velvet

Current Space, 421 N. Howard St., 7-11 p.m., $10

There’s just something about the energy of a show under the stars. As the end of summer officially nears, soak up every second at this outdoor performance in the parking lot of downtown arts venue Current Space—where Friends Records label mates Spaceface, Wing Dam, and Natural Velvet will take the stage. The show doubles as a release party for Spaceface’s new LP “Sun Kids,” a model showcase of the band’s psychedelic style led by the dreamy vocals of Flaming Lips guitarist Jake Ingalls. Local post-punk rockers Natural Velvet—with their powerful lyrics and thundering sound—are also not to be missed, along with a closing set from alt-rockers Wing Dam, who return to Charm City after touring the country this past year. With plenty of rosé, cocktails, and $2 cans of Natty Boh at the bar, we can’t think of a better way to say goodbye to summer.

 DO

September 2: Charles Street 12

The Shops at Kenilworth, 800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson, 7:30 a.m., $85-90

Though to some it might seem sacrilegious to rise at the crack of dawn on a Saturday (especially during a three-day weekend), hundreds of runners will be up bright and early this weekend for this annual race down historic Charles Street. This year, the run returns with a new route that descends into Under Armour’s global headquarters at Tide Point Waterfront Park in South Baltimore. Curate the perfect playlist and lace up your running shoes to hit the pavement while taking in some of the city’s most beautiful sights along the way. Afterward, treat yourself to snacks from Upslide Down Dave and Wolo food trucks, as well as local libations from the likes of Charm City Meadworks and Key Brewing at Under Armour’s post-race party. 

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

 EAT

June 30: Sac and Pizza

Paulie Gee’s, 3535 Chestnut Ave. 9 p.m. Free.

When you think of New Orleans, you don’t necessarily think of pizza, but this Friday, head to the back bar of Paulie Gee’s in Hampden for slices of pie alongside the Big Easy sound of Sac Au Lait. The quirky six-piece is known around Charm City for their energy and humor, and has performed everywhere from bars and restaurants to parades and Mardi Gras festivals for more than 10 years. Just don’t miss the “Stinger Bell,” named after Idris Elba’s infamous character from The Wire, and covered with mozzarella, lemon slices, and fresh basil. 

 DRINK

July 1-2: Hysteria Brewing Company Grand Opening

Hysteria Brewing Company, 9570 Berger Road, Columbia. Sat. 12-11 p.m., Sun. 8-11 p.m. Free. 

Just as Maryland’s beer scene seems like its about to burst, along comes Hysteria Brewing Company, ready to join the ranks in Columbia. During their grand opening weekend, test their new brews in a pop-up beer garden, with local food trucks, lawn games, and live music. Check out the new digs with group tours and come back a week later when they open for full service. The weekend’s festivities are family friendly—just leave your four-legged friends at home.

 SEE

July 1 through 2018: Reverend Albert Lee Wagner’s Miracle at Midnight

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Tue.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$15.95.

One small moment in time was all it took for Albert Lee Wagner to have an epiphany that would completely alter the course of his life. On the eve of his 50th birthday, the Cleveland moving-company owner was struck by the inspiration to start marking art. His hobby progressed into a movement, and Wagner (who went onto become a reverend) became one of America’s most prominent visionary artists with his plethora of bold and colorful paintings and sculptures. Commemorating that pivotal eureka moment and the man himself, this new exhibit will include more than 50 of his recently donated masterpieces, including the featured Red Sea.

 HEAR

June 30: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

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

Okay, so we’re suggesting you go to Columbia a lot this weekend, but with summer concert season officially upon us, it’s time to shake out that old camping blanket and head over to Merriweather for some quality lawn time. This Friday, hear the acclaimed musical sounds of former Drive-By Truckers frontman Jason Isbell and his four-piece band. Since his departure from the group in 2007, the singer-songwriter has pursued a successful solo career, and his blues-riddled Southern sound is perfect for a warm summer night beneath the stars. 

 DO

June 30: Baltimore Bike Party: 2000s

Ride starts at St. Mary’s Park, 600 N. Paca St. Party starts at Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St.  6:30 p.m. Free.

Throw it back to the days of Avril Lavigne, MySpace, and trucker hats with this month’s Baltimore Bike Party. In a celebration of the early aughts, the monthly bike ride will end with an outdoor party at Lexington market, complete with DJs, food vendors, and Heavy Seas beers. After avoiding potholes and obeying traffic signals, flaunt your best “Hey Ya” dance moves in your low-rise, boot-cut jeans. 

With all of the competition in the local craft beer market these days, it’s hard to imagine there’s a void to fill. But the team at Hysteria Brewing Company, which is about to open its doors this weekend in Columbia, wants to stand out in the market.

“When I was working at The Wine Source, I would lament what I saw missing,” says Zachary Michel, an assistant brewer and marketing manger for Hysteria. “We didn’t see a lot of local barrel-aged beers, not a ton of sours or stouts. We’re excited to be making beers we haven’t seen much yet. It’s like how bands play music they have always wanted to hear.”

Hysteria was originally the brainchild of owner Richard Gue, who has been home brewing for a decade. While he currently owns a business right next-door from the brewery space—with two partners Geoff Lopes and Jordan Baney—a brewery was always the dream.

“He’s a guy who is really entrepreneurial and driven to start projects,” Michel says. “I think the spark started with that first batch he brewed 10 years ago and has taken off ever since.”

The philosophy behind the brewery and its name is taking the creativity and experimentation from home brewing, or the “mad science” as Michel calls it, and bringing it into the commercial side. Hysteria’s barrel-aging program is something the team is particularly excited about—especially head brewer Jordan McGraw, who came from DuClaw Brewing.

“Brewers have really been pushing the boundaries of barrel aging and it’s so cool to look at these flavors from an almost culinary standpoint,” Michel says. “A chardonnay barrel could enhance the flavors of an IPA, a red wine barrel with a stout. We’re hoping to play around with gin and brandy barrels soon, and want to push beyond the staples.”

Expect releases like a barrel-aged sour with barrels from Black Ankle Vineyards, a coffee milk stout made with Orinoco Coffee beans, and a New England-style IPA named after old Orioles baseball tactic The Baltimore Chop.

“Any way we can pay homage to the local area, we’re going to try to,” Michel says. “Our goal is to eventually source everything as locally as possible and really have the terroir of Maryland in our beer.”

In addition to beer, Hysteria will feature non-alcoholic offerings on tap, including nitro coffee and handcrafted sodas, as a way to be more inclusive with its customer base and entice a more diverse clientele.

“It was really important for us to have a place where everyone feels included,” Michel says. “We want to attract people outside of the craft beer nerd world and tried to brainstorm ways to engage people who aren’t yet engaged.”

Some of those ideas can be seen in its Columbia taproom, which boasts a steampunk vibe, multi-shelf library, record player, and many communal tables. In essence, the brewery is combining the community-minded spirit of a cafe with the offerings of a pub.

“What I love about cafes is that you can hang out alone, pull out a book, and read,” Michel says. “Community isn’t just about events. It’s about making all kinds of people feel welcome and included on a daily basis.”

For now, that welcome party starts this weekend with a grand opening party July 1 and 2. They’ll be four special cask ales throughout the weekend, as well as live music, yard games, and food from The Green Bowl, Homeslyce, Bullhead Pit Beef, and Mike’s Gelato.

“Rich grew up in Columbia so this will be a homecoming of sorts,” Michel says. “But we’re all huge fans of Maryland and we’re excited to make products that speak to what’s happening on a local level.”