EAT

Sept. 8: No Fun Brunch

Vent Coffee Roasters, 1700 W. 41st St. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $30.

The second Sunday of the month is now officially “vegan brunch day” at Vent Coffee Roasters. During the third iteration of this family-style feast, start with a glass of herb-infused coffee or a non-alcoholic cocktail (hence the name) before sitting down to try dressed cornbread, caprese salad, jackfruit salad, soft pretzels, and caramel apple galette. Along with an empty stomach, attendees are requested to bring school supplies to support the Women’s Advocacy Coalition of Baltimore’s back-to-school drive.

DRINK

Sept. 6: Patterson Pumpkin Pre-Release Party

Full Tilt Brewing, 5604 York Rd. 5-10 p.m. Free.

Now that it’s September, it’s time to shove aside the fruity summer cocktails (although they will be missed) in favor of pumpkin-flavored ales, lattes, and everything in between. Celebrate the start of spooky season with a glass (or two) of Full Tilt Brewing’s much-loved imperial pumpkin ale during this post-work happy hour. Stick around to hear live music by local legend E. Joseph, and since the Govans brewery’s “pumpkin-spiced nightmare” clocks in at a whopping 9 percent ABV, plan to finish the four-pack from the comfort of your own couch.

SEE

Sept. 6-8: Little Italy Baltimore Madonnari Arts Festival

Multiple locations and times. Free.

Not even an inbound hurricane (or its after effects) can stop this three-day chalk art festival from taking over the streets of Little Italy. This weekend, dozens of visual and performing artists from around the world will paint the city sidewalks in the old-school Italian tradition of Madonnari art. After watching the master street-painting artists create everything from Renaissance-style works to Baltimore-inspired drawings, enjoy live music, a pop-up art market, street performances, and al fresco dining specials at neighboring restaurants.

HEAR

Sept. 7: Future Islands

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. 2-10 p.m. Free.

When it was announced on Tuesday that Future Islands—the hometown synth-pop heroes who have been praised in the likes of Rolling Stone and The New York Times—would be playing a free show at Union Craft Brewing this weekend, you could practically hear hundreds of Baltimoreans cancelling their Saturday night plans. For one night only, pack the brewery to hear these indie rockers perform hits from their latest album, The Far Field, as well as a few new tunes they’ve been testing out on the road. Be sure to get there early, down a few beers, and bop along to local heavy-hitters Joy Postell, Smoke Bellow, and DJs Jason Willett and Jay Buim before the boys take the stage.

DO

Sept. 7: Locust Point Festival

Latrobe Park. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

This South Baltimore neighborhood is known for being a mix of the old and the new, with some of the city’s oldest rowhomes mere blocks away from luxury high-rises and high-tech office spaces. So it’s no surprise that this annual festival at Latrobe Park will have tons of food and entertainment for residents of all ages, including delectable eats from City Limits, Hull St. Blues, and HarborQue, a kids zone packed with activities, an Orange Crush station, and live music by local band The Wafflers. Don’t miss the chance to give back to neighborhood projects through this family-friendly event.

EAT

Sept. 9: Heavy Seas Food Truck Festival

Heavy Seas Beer, 4615 Hollins Ferry Rd., Halethorpe. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5.

We love Heavy Seas Beer for its go-to brews and pirate spirit, and this month, the ever-expanding brewery will host scores of hungry swashbucklers at its first-ever food truck festival, featuring some of the region’s best mobile kitchens. Make the quick trip to Halethorpe and spend the afternoon sampling snacks such as wood-fired pizza from Pieces of Eight, locally sourced burgers from Farm to Charm, and Mexican-style street tacos from Pablo’s Toc O’s. If you need another excuse to down a few signature beers, know that one dollar for every pint purchased will benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

DRINK

Sept. 9: Ravens Home Opener

Mother’s Federal Hill Grille, 1113 S Charles St. 9 a.m. Free.

After missing the playoffs for three straight years (and this miserable Orioles season), the Ravens flock is eager to kick off its new season with a win against the Buffalo Bills. Although the whistle won’t blow until 1 p.m., Mother’s will start its signature Ravens rager at 9 a.m. with a $35 all-you-can-drink special out on the Purple Patio. Get to this fan-favorite bar early, located just a few miles from the stadium in Federal Hill, to load up on morning cocktails like Bloody Marys and mimosas as well as game-day brews like Heavy Seas’ Loose Cannon, Blue Moon, and Miller Lite.

SEE

Sept. 7-10: Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival

Multiple locations and times. Free.

Although it originated centuries ago on the cobblestone streets of Italy, Madonnari art is one of the old-school traditions that still binds Baltimore’s Little Italy community. During this three-day festival, more than 160 visual and performing artists from around the world will paint the city sidewalks to this year’s festival theme: respect. After watching the master street-painting artists work on their chalk masterpieces, enjoy al fresco dining specials, art lectures, and workshops throughout the historic neighborhood all weekend long.

HEAR

Sept. 9: Brooks Long & Mad Dog No Good with The Lushpockets

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m. $8-10.

Since local soul sensation Brooks Long came onto the city’s music scene many years ago, he and his five-piece band have become legends around town for their funky, old-school sound. They haven’t performed together in quite some time, but this Sunday, the boys are back and ready to bring the house down with boogie-ready tunes off their most recent album, Mannish Boys, including favorites “Heavy Petting,” “Got Soul,” and “The Runaround.” And head to the Metro Gallery early for an opening set by Baltimore-based rock-and-soul quartet The Lushpockets.

DO

Sept. 8: Hampdenfest

W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

On Saturday, Hampden’s can’t-miss block party returns with its annual celebration of one of the city’s most quintessential Bawlmer neighborhoods. Spend the day indulging in local food and drinks, browsing regional arts and crafts vendors, cheering on contestants in the Dangerously Delicious pie-eating contest, and rocking out to three musical stages boasting hometown bands such as F City and Raindeer. Just be sure not to miss the iconic toilet bowl races as porcelain flies down Chestnut Avenue.

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

 EAT

Sept. 9-10: Baltimore Ukrainian Festival

St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 2401 Eastern Ave. 12-6 p.m. Free.

Baltimore is the home to one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest Ukrainian community, and this weekend, there will be a celebration of that rich Eastern European heritage during this 42nd annual festival near Patterson Park. For two days, celebrate beneath the golden domes of the St. Michael church, with live music, folk dancing, arts and crafts, a Ukrainian beer garden, and a hefty dose of traditional cuisine, such as kielbasa, latkes, borscht soup, homemade breads, and, of course, sweet and savory pierogis. On Saturday, even watch in awe or test yourself during the much-loved, highly competitive pierogi-eating contest. 

 DRINK

Sept. 9: Mommies & Mimosas

Dovecote Cafe, 2501 Madison Ave. 12-4 p.m. $35.

When you become a new mom, it can be hard to get out and socialize, let alone find time to eat a warm meal. But this Saturday, thanks to the Mommy Up meet-up and Best of Baltimore-winner Dovecote Cafe, local mothers can gather together for a three-course brunch featuring fellow inspiring women. Over Dovecote’s home-cooked fare and a few rounds of much-needed fresh mimosas, you can network and talk about the joys and challenges of motherhood. Bring your babes or come solo, but biggest of all, sit back, relax, and soak up some you time.  

 SEE

Sept. 8-10: Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival

Little Italy. Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

Madonnari art is an age-old practice of street painting, still found commonly along the cobblestones of Italy and, for one weekend, alongside the byways of Baltimore’s Little Italy. This weekend, watch master Madonnari artists from around the world—and right here at home—set up shop in the heart of the Italian neighborhood, where they’ll create beautiful works of chalk art on the city streets. With a sunny forecast, things look brighter than last year’s rainy weather. Stroll the streets to listen to live music, indulge in carbs at neighborhoods enotecas, and kick things off early during a cabaret dinner on Thursday at Germano’s Piattini.

 HEAR

Sept. 8: Underground Dance Party

The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $6.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Baltimore’s beloved Ottobar (see our September issue, on stands now, for more), and to ring in the two decades, the Remington rock club has brought back some of its old favorites. J. Roddy Walston recently performed a few rabblerousing sets, and later this month, Candy Machine and Roads to Space Travel will be perfomring a throwback combo, as both bands performed during the Ottobar’s first month downtown on Davis Street in September 1997. This weekend, the venue is also reviving its “Underground” dance party, featuring classic Brit-pop, indie, and new wave anthems on the ones and twos all night. Think James, Blur, Oasis, Daft Punk, Depeche Mode—with drink specials to boot. A regular favorite for the last 10 years, this former monthly ritual is sure to pack the house. We only have one request: “Age of Consent” by New Order. 

 DO

Sept. 9: Hampdenfest

The Avenue, W. 36th St. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 

There are few neighborhoods in the city more quintessentially-quirky Baltimore than that of Hampden. On Saturday, head north and celebrate the hons and Hampdenites of its eclectic avenue with an end-of-summer block party, full of fun for the whole family. As you wander 36th Street, dig into eats from local restaurants, including slices by Paulie Gee’s, shucks by The Local Oyster, scoops from The Charmery, and a pie-eating contest with Dangerously Delicious, and sip on local beer, including the special Brewer’s Art/Union Craft Hampdenfest collab, Hampden On Rye. With three stages for live music, you can catch more than 20 homegrown bands, such as Snakes, Wume, Raindeer, and the inimitable headliner, Bond St. District. Just don’t miss the annual toilet bowl races, as porcelain flies past the colorful rowhomes of Chestnut Avenue.