Much like the art that will be experienced here, the interior aesthetic of the soon-to-open, artist-owned space Le Mondo is experimental, nonlinear, and slightly unorthodox—a collage of various time periods, architectural styles, and visions housed under one roof (and, if things go according to plan, two more roofs by 2020).

An unearthed swatch of floral wallpaper from a bygone era is left intact near the entrance and will, perhaps, become a component of an art installation that incorporates live plants, echoing the abandoned buildings nearby whose hollow windows serve as frames for weeds that grow wild inside them. Antique tin ceiling tiles found elsewhere were brought to the 406 N. Howard St. building for decorative appeal. A long, wooden bar with two large mirrors on the wall behind it was gifted by a contractor who found it in a building being rehabbed on Calvert Street. Who knows how many conversations were shared on it over decades of drinks, and how many more will come forth when the bar is given new life as a nightly meeting spot and arts hub here in the historic Howard and Lexington shopping district, where the building originally opened as The Strand movie theater in 1916.

After a trial run from summer through fall of 2017 that included art exhibitions, concerts, and dance and theater performances, the long-awaited grand opening of the first of three Le Mondo buildings will come this fall, complete with the aforementioned bar, a performance space that can be manipulated to serve both large-scale and intimate productions, and 10-12 artist studios.

The arts incubator, three years in the making (so far) and estimated to cost roughly $4 million upon completion, was financed through private and public funding and loans. It will later include two additional adjacent buildings, which will house a 100-seat black box theater, a headquarters for one or more arts groups, artist apartments, and a cafe. A small grassy lot—where another building once stood but burned to the ground in 2015—will remain a green space.

Le Mondo is the grand vision of Carly Bales, Evan Moritz, and Frederick Gerriets (another founder, Ric Royer, was fired after several women accused him of harassment and abuse). All three remaining founders have deep roots in the DIY arts scene here—Bales as the brains behind EMP Collective, and Moritz and Gerriets as creators of Annex Theater—and all of them desire a secure foundation for that scene to thrive.

“There’s a real need for an affordable, flexible space for developing new work,” Bales says. “We’ve been seeing a decrease in accessible spaces for the type of work we want to see flourish.”

Annex Theater, which will use Le Mondo as its permanent venue, has moved “from space to space to space—warehouses and storefronts,” Moritz says. “The idea is to have a bunch of groups team up and share a long-term building . . . a midsized venue with a bar and diverse programming.”

Bales spent several years immersed in the Washington, D.C., arts scene as an actor but ultimately made Baltimore her home in 2013 because of the ability—and affordability—to produce work here that takes risks rather than what she calls “fear-based” work that you’re more likely to find in D.C.

“Economics plays a lot into the psyche of an experimental arts community. If it’s more accessible financially, you have an opportunity to fail and use that for growth, rather than it being a detrimental setback to your career,” she says.

Le Mondo will serve as the Charm City Fringe Fest headquarters in November, one of the first events to christen the space.

Ultimately, Bales, Moritz, and Gerriets see Le Mondo as a catalyst that can spur a revitalization of the whole block. Across the street, for instance, Current Space gallery, which has leased its city-owned property on a month-to-month basis since 2004, is now buying its building as well as the large, three-story building to the south of it, and developers’ interest has already spiked in buildings on the block that have lay dormant for years.

“We fell in love with the idea of being here and creating a footprint,” Bales says. “You get this feeling of history on this street. There’s a spirit to the area that’s really sort of beautiful, and there’s so much untapped potential.”

Two years ago, a rustic summer camp in Darlington transformed into a millennial hippie’s daydream. For one weekend, Fields Festival parked its metaphorical RV and threw a celebration of local DIY—an umbrella term for Baltimore’s vibrant arts scene that dances across genre, medium, and style. Hundreds of art students, music lovers, and merry pranksters flocked to the rustic grounds of Camp Ramblewood to see scores of area artists, musicians, and performers. Tents were pitched. Art was hung. Donut rafts filled the pool, Dan Deacon started dance parties, and cans of Natty Boh were crushed beside campfires. It was messy, magical, and uniquely Baltimore, and this month, it returns Aug. 19-21, bigger and better than ever. With everything from sets by Future Islands and TT The Artist to camping and lakeside yoga, here’s what you need to know for this Bonnaroo-meets-Burning Man-meets-Wet Hot American Summer weekend.

1. Relive your summer camp glory days by renting an old-school cabin.

2. Or get in touch with nature by glamping in your very own tent.

3. Required attire is up to interpretation. Sundresses, bathing suits, boas, bro tanks, jorts, hula hoops, face paint, glow sticks, bare feet—you name it, it’s all welcome.

4. Be sure to BYO: Natty Boh, grills, guitars, firewood, fanny packs, sunscreen, snacks, and campsite decorations.

5. Across 200 acres of campground, there are plenty of grassy knolls to lounge upon.

6. Sing “Kumbaya” around the campfire pit.

7. Take a dip in the pool with rafts all day and concerts at sunset.

8. Center your chakra with lakeside yoga and a wellness area for all the massage, acupuncture, and astrology your heart desires.

9. With six stages, don’t miss big names and up-and-comers like Future Islands, Dan Deacon, Lower Dens, TT The Artist, Abdu Ali, Flock of Dimes, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, Chiffon, Horse Lords, Wume, Nudie Suits, etc. Plus, the eclectic costumes and cosmic jazz of the iconic Sun Ra Arkestra.

10. Get to know local creatives through art installations, theater, film, and poetry, including the likes of Wham City Comedy, street artist Reed Bmore, and members of Le Mondo, EMP Collective, and Best of Baltimore-winning Balti Gurls, to name a few.

11. Stop and smell the roses with décor at the entranceway and throughout the festival by local artists Beth Hoeckel and Becca Morrin.

12. Food Avenue will include tacos from Clavel, Vietnamese spring rolls by chef Stefano Porcile of Colette, Thread Coffee from Red Emma’s, plus falafel, pizza, and farm-to-table fare.

13. Show your skills with tennis and basketball courts open game for festival-goers.

14. Sorry: No children or fireworks allowed. Things might get a little wild as is.