Polar Bear Plunge – Baltimore Magazine

How the Polar Bear Plunge Became a Chilly Chesapeake Bay Tradition

Ron Cassie — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:40:37 +0000

—Shutterstock

It was in 1996 that the first few brave souls took the Polar Bear Plunge in support of Maryland’s Special Olympians.

“The story I’ve been told is that Special Olympics was simply looking for a way to raise money other than running around the state selling T-shirts,” says Kira Northrop, senior director of marketing and communications for the nonprofit. “I doubt they had any idea it would get this big.”

In its second year, the now-annual chilly dip in the Chesapeake Bay drew 300 people into the 35-degree water at Sandy Point State Park. By its third year, the number of “polar bears” in the Bay totaled 1,000, raising more than $200,000 for the cause.

From the start, support for the event has been led by the Maryland State Police, whose officers provide logistical assistance and were among the first to participate. Also from the start, Maryland’s elected officials have backed the effort—though not always with the courage of former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who dove headlong into the surf back in 1999.

The Baltimore Ravens’ cheerleaders and pep band have been turning out for years to provide encouragement. Players going for a swim include former quarterback Joe Flacco and former nose tackle Haloti Ngata, who displaced a great deal of icy water in 2008 as a “super plunger”—a polar bear who pledges to take 24 dips over a 24-hour period.

Last year, the now multi-day Maryland Plunge raised more than $3 million for the state’s 15,588 Special Olympians. This year—with five events between January 26 to February 3—10,000-plus plungers are expected to splash off in Sandy Point, helping fund the organization’s 27 sports, free training programs, and competitions.

Explore more winter outdoor activities from our Winter Wonderland issue, here.

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Winter Wonderland: Your Guide to Getting Outside in Baltimore During the Colder Months

Aaron Hope — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:00:33 +0000

By Ron Cassie

Illustrations by Alicia Corman

Opening photo by Marcus Payne

Travel & Outdoor

Winter Wonderland: Your Guide to Getting Outside in Baltimore During the Colder Months

The best places to ski, skate, sled, hike, plunge, and more this season.

By Ron Cassie

Illustrations by Alicia Corman

Opening photo by Marcus Payne

January 2024

Recalling the “Maryland Alps”

Garrett County’s mountains and the first ski race south of the Mason-Dixon Line inspired a winter sports tradition in the state.

On the heels of a picturesque February 1941 snowfall, 200 of the region’s top winter athletes strapped on their hickory skis and flashed down Western Maryland’s Allegheny Mountains at the first-ever championship races south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Events included a winding, 3,300-foot downhill run, a sharp, flag-marked slalom, and a four-mile cross-country competition.

Following an 8-inch carpeting of fresh powder a day before the event, one official reported, “The conditions couldn’t possibly be better.”

Representatives of clubs from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Western Maryland competed, as well as a pair of Baltimoreans with New England and European racing experience—including one of the co-founders of the two-month-old Baltimore Ski Club.

The most memorable competitor, however, may have been a young female skier from the Norwegian embassy in Washington, D.C. “I can still remember her,” one of the local foresters wrote years later in a memoir. “She was tall and had a white ski outfit. She looked beautiful in that outfit. She made it down the slope in 52 seconds!”

A second round of downhill and slalom races at the New Germany Recreation Center was held for novices. Over the weekend, an estimated 1,000 people turned out, many toting not just skis, but toboggans and sleds. The first Alpine ski event at the Winter Olympics had only been introduced a few years earlier—at the Austrian Games in 1936. (In fact, skiing was so new to the U.S. that there was debate over the American pronunciation of the sport: the German way, “sheing,” versus the Norwegian pronunciation, which was “skiing.”) Competitors and visitors stayed on-site at the barracks and cabins first constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps; other lodged with local farmers, who stocked up with sausage, pancake flour, and then-famous Garrett County maple syrup, and opened concessions as well.

Forgotten now, the ski area at what ultimately became Savage River State Forest and New Germany State Park was known as “the Maryland Alps” for its plethora of winter activities in the 1940s and 1950s.

Above: The first ski event south of the Mason-Dixon Line was held in present-day New Germany State Park. MARYLAND ALPS: COURTESY OF SPRINGS (PA.) HISTORICAL SOCIETY (2); COURTESY OF MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The skiing boom coincided with the stewardship of Maryland’s legendary first state forester, Fred Besley, who thought winter recreational opportunities could boost both environmental protection efforts and the local economy. Over his tenure from 1906-1942, the amount of state park and forest land grew from literally zero to more than 100,000 acres. By the time the New Germany ski slopes opened, Garrett County was home to roughly half of the state’s publicly held lands.

The first ski slope, the curving, pitched Whiskey Hollow trail, was built in 1939. That was followed by the four-mile cross-country course, along nearby Meadow Mountain—with the resort at New Germany opening in January 1940.

“Father believed that forests should not only be conserved, but that they should be used,” Besley’s daughter, Helen Besley Overington, told former Green Ridge State Forest manager Francis “Champ” Zumbrun, who documented the state’s early skiing history for the Department of Natural Resources. “[He] was very interested in getting the public to use the land...[he] thought this would bring more public support for conservation.”

This was before the advent of fiberglass, aluminum, and carbon fiber skis—or chair lifts. In those days, Western Marylanders generally required a carpenter to cut, bend, and sand down boards of hickory or ash and attach leather bindings. The first rope tow to get skiers up the mountain at New Germany was powered by a 1935 Dodge pick-up.

“Father believed that forests should not only be conserved, but that they should be used.”

Ironically, by 1960, growing interest in skiing—and a new road cutting through the state land—led to the demise of New Germany’s downhill slopes. At nearby Deep Creek Lake, the still-thriving Wisp Resort opened for the 1955-1956 season. The same year, another resort, on the site that became Canaan Valley Ski Resort, attracted skiers across the state line to Davis, West Virginia.

The legacy of the New Germany resort and that first race 83 years ago survives at Wisp and Canaan Valley, but also at Savage River State Forest, which offers backcountry skiing, snowshoe, and snowmobile trails. And at New Germany State Park. There may not be downhill skiing there anymore, but the original 4-mile cross-country trail has been expanded into a 12-mile network, with ski and snowshoe rentals available.

Today, visitors often call New Germany State Park, tucked between Big Savage Mountain and Meadow Mountain and the eastern Continental Divide, the area’s “best kept secret.”

For Baltimoreans, who have not seen much snow in recent years, rest assured, Garrett County still gets its fair share. Most of the county receives between 60 and 80 inches per year, with communities at higher elevations averaging more than 100 inches annually. Alleghany County, to the east, averages between 32 and 36 inches, and state parks in Western Maryland receive cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and sledders each year.

It’s with that in mind, but also with the Old Farmers’ Almanac predicting a snowy and colder winter ahead for Maryland, that we present outdoor activities for those, like us, who need to get outside—particularly during the winter months when opportunities for fresh air and sunlight become more elusive.

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The List: January 2020

Angeline Leong — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 11:12:17 +0000

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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The List: January 2019

Kaitlyn Pacheco — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 08:00:00 +0000

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.”

Getty Images

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.

Delita Martin

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.

Howard Korn

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.

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.

Courtesy of Super City

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.

Theo Anthony

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.

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.

Courtesy of The Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

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.”

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.

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Weekend Lineup: Jan. 26-28

Jess Mayhugh — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 17:05:00 +0000

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

EAT

Jan. 28: Shrimp & Oyster Roast

Lee’s Pint & Shell, 2844 Hudson St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $10. 410-327-2883.

Last year, Dave Carey launched Lee’s Pint & Shell, a rebrand of the former Canton brunch staple Saute, in hopes of attracting customers to a more relaxed seafood and beer bar. Needless to say, he’s been successful as neighbors fill up the barstools and pour in for family-friendly food events like this weekend’s shrimp and oyster roast. On Sunday, jump on the bandwagon for an all-you-can-eat feast. Peel all the shrimp you can devour—steamed with onions, potatoes, and Old Bay—and slurp back local oysters on the half shell. Wash it all down with a local beer and stay for the Sunday Funday after party with DJ Nick Paros.

DRINK

Jan. 27: Black & White Party

The Assembly Room, 316-318 Guilford Ave. 8 p.m. $150. 410-396-5430.

The Pratt Contemporaries’ Black & White Party always falls in the dead of winter, yet the annual fundraiser continues to be one of the hottest social events in the city. Now in its 11th year, the party boasts its largest attendance to date as they move a new location, The Assembly Room, due to the library’s renovations. With a fresh Cuban theme, a nod to the 1950s paradise heralded by Ernest Hemingway, enjoy a brief reprieve from the cold weather with a night in Old Havana. Revel in live music, local eats, and a hefty dose of handmade cocktails—from classic daiquiris to refreshing mojitos—plus local beer from Brewer’s Art. Best of all, the evening benefits the local library system’s programs for children, teens, and adults.

SEE

Jan. 27: Orioles FanFest

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Times & prices vary. 410-649-7008.

Opening day may be months ahead of us, but we can hardly wait to see the O’s in action. If you’re like us, don’t worry—FanFest is back to hold us over until we return to Camden Yards. On Saturday, join thousands of fans for this beloved day-long celebration of the birds. Bring the kids to chat with players, snag coveted autographs, and win some prizes. With a little luck, you might even find out what is going to happen to Manny Machado.

HEAR

Jan. 27: Classical Revolution Chamber Jam

Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. 9 p.m. Free. 410-637-8300.

There’s something extra exciting about watching a Bach performance with a beer in hand, but maybe that’s what makes the Classical Revolution experience so satisfying. Swing by The Motor House on Saturday for a night of chamber music sans the fancy concert hall—with string and woodwind music performed by local artists Yoshi Horigushi, Dorothy Couper, Patrick Quinn, and the Pique Collective. Every performance ends with an open jam session so feel free to bring your own instrument.

DO

Jan. 25-27: Polar Bear Plunge

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 January, thousands of shivering souls brave the Chesapeake Bay’s frigid waters to benefit the Special Olympics of Maryland. This year is no different as more than 10,000 plungers will jump into the 30-degree bay once again. Join them if you can muster up the courage to dip your toes in the icy waves or cheer on the cause to benefit statewide athletes with special needs.

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The Launch: January 2018

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 08:30:00 +0000

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.

Christopher Myers

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.

Lexington Market

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.

Shutterstock

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.

Shutterstock

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.

Gunther & Co.

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.

Steve Ruark

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.

Shen Yun

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.

Baltimore Orioles

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.

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Weekend Lineup: Jan. 27-29

Lydia Woolever — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:03:06 +0000

Weekend Lineup: Jan. 29-31

Lydia Woolever — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:23:00 +0000

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

EAT

To Feb. 7: Baltimore Restaurant Week Extended

Locations & times vary. $15-35. 410-244-1030. baltimorerestaurantweek.com.

Well, we might have said last weekend that Restaurant Week had your cold-weather hankerings covered for Snowpocalypse 2016, but sadly, many local eateries were unable to safely stay open through 29.2 inches of snow. Luckily, though, winter be damned, you didn’t completely miss out, as more than 65 area restaurants are extending their special menus through the first week of February, including Sotto Sopra, Wine Market Bistro, Verde, and The Food Market, whose Spanglish-oriented La Food Marketa boasts bites like smoked trout nachos, wagyu steak tacos, and chocolate empanadas. To that, we say, “Sí, por favor.”

DRINK

Jan. 30: Pratt Contemporaries Black & White Party

Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $100. 410-396-5430. prattlibrary.org.

Don’t miss the party of all parties when the Pratt Contemporaries’ annual Black & White Party returns to the local library this month. This year, at the central Mt. Vernon location, guests will head out of the winter cold and into the warm forest of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dress up in your finest fairy-queen garb, mingle with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company performers, and sip on lots of local booze, with beer from The Brewer’s Art and speciality cocktails made with Sloop Betty vodka and Picaroon rum by Blackwater Distilling. Like Puck’s love potion, this soirée will likely leave you enchanted by the end of the night.

SEE

Jan. 30: Beautiful Walls for Baltimore

School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street.
12 p.m. Free. 443-263-4350.
school33.org.

It’s been 40
years since the beginning of the Baltimore Mural Program. Over those decades, the community
arts initiative has decorated the city’s neighborhoods with more than 250
murals, bringing us such beautiful billboard-size treasures as portraits of
historic African-American leaders on a North Avenue rowhome; that long, lithe
alligator on 28th Street in Remington; the Harriet Tubman portrait on Gilmor Street
in Sandtown-Winchester; the giant “THIS MUST BE THE PLACE” letters on Russell
Street in South Baltimore; and those colorful columns at the Baltimore Farmers’
Market beneath the JFX. This Saturday, see the final days of School 33’s dedicated
exhibit, enjoy a film screening about the project (“Off The Wall” by Alan
Lifton), and join in on a panel discussion. Best of all, get to know the
backstories of some of the city’s most magnificent art.

HEAR

Jan. 30: Bmore Kahlon 2016 with Abdu Ali, Future Islands’ Sam Herring, Joy Postell, & more

The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $8. 410-625-4848. bmorekahlon.tumblr.com.

There’s a good chance you didn’t get in to Kahlon’s Second Anniversary party this past fall, with Dan Deacon, and TT The Artist, and Natural Velvet, and Al Rogers Jr. The event sold out and the line still wrapped out the door and around the corner, with dozens of fans itching to get inside for a night of stellar local talent. But this weekend sounds just as epic, with Abdu Ali spreading his positive, party, love gospel once again at The Crown, this time with hometown artists like Future Islands’ frontman Sam Herring (aka epic rapper Hemlock Ernst), girl-crush soul singer Joy Postell, and futuristic R&B artist Elon, to name a few. It’s the ultimate way to get out of the house after last weekend’s hibernation, so throw on your dancing shoes and hit the city streets for this true Baltimore gem.

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Jan. 30: Polar Bear Plunge

Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. ColleIge Pkwy., Annapolis. 10 a.m. $75. 410-242-1515. plungemd.com.

Throwing your near-naked body into the ice-cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay this weekend might not sound like a lot of fun, especially after everything you endured last week and an expected high of 40 degrees. But, then again, being one of the hundreds of brave souls who sprint into the surf at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis to help raise $2.5 million for a worthy cause—the Special Olympics of Maryland? Well, that sounds pretty cool to us.

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