Round Midnight

Is your kid’s idea of fun brushing a baby goat? Or do they really dig dinosaurs? Perhaps they prefer practicing kickflips or traversing hiking trails. Whether your child is into Picasso or planets, skipping rocks or riding roller coasters, there is something for every interest, every age, and every family in the Baltimore area.

For Rachel Zillig, a mom of two in Baltimore County, the pandemic had a huge impact on her family’s activities. With libraries, museums, and just about every other kid-friendly place shut down, “We had to seek out other stuff or we’d have gone insane just sitting in the house,” says Zillig, whose Instagram account, @BaltimoreFamilyFun, details their adventures in the area. Now that most places have opened back up, she’s looking forward to visiting old favorites like Port Discovery and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, but she’s not giving up the local parks and outdoor activities they enjoyed during COVID-19. “Just walking around the Inner Harbor during the day is a fun activity for my kids. They love looking at the boats.”

If your family has a particular place you love to visit again and again, consider purchasing a membership. The pandemic had a devastating impact on the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector, with nearly 60 percent of museums forced to cut back on education, programming, and other public services, according to Artnet News.

But things are looking up, with plenty of Baltimore regional destinations open and ready to safely do business. Check out our guide to find out what’s happening at new and old family favorites throughout the region this summer.

PORT DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
35 Market Pl., Baltimore, MD 21202.
Three floors of interactive exhibits and settings for imaginative play will keep toddlers and preschoolers entertained for hours. Kids ages 5-12 can build confidence and motor skills as they scale the multi-story SkyClimber. This always-changing museum is “huge but never seems crowded,” says Zillig, whose family’s favorites include the replica Royal Farms, a delightfully realistic pretend diner, and a water playroom. (Pro tip: bring a change of clothes!)

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM
501 E Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
No matter how many times you visit the Aquarium, there’s always something new to see. You could spend an entire day searching for the sloths in the tropical rainforest or being mesmerized by all the different kinds of jellyfish. With more than 20,000 aquatic creatures, an enormous shark tank, and hands-on exhibits, kids will be educated and entertained every time. Note: strollers are not permitted.

MARYLAND SCIENCE CENTER
601 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21230.
Come for the dinosaurs, stay for the interactive science exhibits. Kids can create their own inventions, lie on a bed of nails, learn about the human body, and experience the electromagnetic spectrum through light and prisms. Don’t miss the planetarium, rooftop observatory, and IMAX theater, too.

THE MARYLAND ZOO
1 Safari Pl., Baltimore, MD 21217.
From the perky prairie dogs to the gentle giraffes to the cheeky chimpanzees, this world-class zoo is home to more than 1,500 amazing animals—including the largest African penguin breeding colony in North America. Your wild things can run amok along the shady paved paths and ride the new zero emissions electric shuttles back to the free parking lot when they’re tired.

BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART
10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, MD 21218.
There’s more to the BMA than the Cone Collection’s Matisses and Monets. Kids who like dollhouses will adore the Cheney Miniatures Gallery, and the museum’s African art collection features 2,500
masks, textiles, and other works from more than 200 cultures. Indoor voices are not required to explore the outdoor sculpture garden. Currently, reservations are required for free admission. Strollers and front baby carriers are permitted in the museum.

LAKE ROLAND PARK & NATURE CENTER
1000 Lakeside Dr., Baltimore, MD, 21210.
The Lake Roland Dam is the focal point of this 500-acre sanctuary in the middle of Baltimore. Popular among pet owners for its fenced-in Paw Point dog park (membership required), Lake Roland features a unique playground, a new nature center, various hiking and biking trails, and a boardwalk from the Falls Road Light Rail station. Stop by Tropicool Italian Ice afterward for a sweet treat.

OREGON RIDGE PARK & NATURE CENTER
13555 Beaver Dam Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030.
This 1000-plus-acre park is a great place to burn off energy. It features several playgrounds, picnic areas, plenty of trails ranging from easy to challenging, and a quarry where you can skip rocks and watch the ducks. Several animal enclosures house bunnies, geese, chickens and more, and the nature center hosts educational events and storytimes.

LADEW TOPIARY GARDENS
3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111.
Unicorn-shaped shrubs, windows carved into hedges, koi ponds, an enchanting teahouse, butterfly house, and gift shop are just some of the delights you’ll find here, along with 22 acres of space to run wild and enjoy nature. Admission required; children under two are free.

RASH FIELD PARK
300 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230.
Baltimore’s newest park opened last November in the heart of the Inner Harbor. Kids can clamber up a pair of 35-foot wooden towers in the Adventure Park, slip down a giant slide, soar on the swings, dig in the sand pit, or bring their board and drop into the skate park.

THE GO-KART TRACK
10907 Pulaski Hwy., White Marsh, MD 21162.
Feel the need for speed? With three different go-kart tracks, a mini-golf course (half price on weekdays), and all the classic arcade games, there’s something for everyone here. Kids aged 3 and up can join a driver age 16+ on the Family Track, and speed demons at least 52” tall can drop the pedal to the medal on the Drift Track.

SKATEPARK OF BALTIMORE
1121 W 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211.
Got a budding skateboarder or trick scooter rider? Strap on your pads and helmet and hit this Hampden hotspot. It’s free and open daily from dawn to dusk. If you need some new grip tape, Vu Skate Shop is just around the corner on Falls Road.

EASTERN WATERSPORTS
4001 Bay Dr., 7200 Graces Quarters Rd., and 7400 Graces Quarters Rd., Middle River, MD 21220.
You don’t have to drive to Annapolis or Ocean City to get a taste of salt life. With three locations, two within Gunpowder Falls State Park and two with legitimate sandy beaches, this seasonal shop rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes by the hour. Children under 10 can accompany a parent or guardian on a tandem kayak or paddleboard. Kids 10 and up can rent their own with a renting adult.

SPLASH PADS
Multiple locations.
Looking to cool down and get wet on a hot day, no pool membership required? Baltimore City is home to several splash pads, including at West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor, Mt. Vernon Children’s Park, and The Rotunda. Visit BaltimoreFamilies.org/pools for locations.

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY “STORYVILLE”
There’s more to the library than storytime. Storyville, located at Baltimore County Public Library’s Rosedale and Woodlawn branches, is a play-and-learn center designed to promote early literacy and school-readiness skills in children ages 0-5. This enchanting child-sized village features books, toys, and activities for tots and their parents or caregivers.

DUTCH WONDERLAND
2249 Lincoln Hwy. E, Lancaster, PA 17602.
This amusement park in Amish country is extremely popular with young families for a reason. The 48-acre layout is accessible, not overwhelming, and the rides are geared toward little kids. Duke’s Lagoon is a water park within the park that’s worth a visit all on its own.

HERSHEYPARK
100 Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA 17033.
Thrillseekers throng to this family theme park, created by the famous chocolatier Milton S. Hershey, which features tons of rides, including 15 roller coasters. There are plenty of attractions for the littler set, too. The one-price admission includes all the rides, the water park, and ZooAmerica.

SIX FLAGS AMERICA
13710 Central Ave., Bowie, MD 20721.
Six Flags is home to some of the fastest, tallest, wildest rides in the country, including Firebird, billed as “America’s only floorless roller coaster.” Younger kids can enjoy at least a dozen rides all by themselves. Admission includes access to the Hurricane Harbor waterpark, featuring an 800,000-gallon wave pool and 25 water slides.

KINGS DOMINION
16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047.
Got tweens and teens? Take a three-hour drive to this amusement park near Richmond. Already home to 13 roller coasters, the park will introduce Tumbili, a brand-new, 4D spin coaster, as part of its new-in-2022 immersive Jungle X-pedition. For the little ones, there’s Planet Snoopy. Admission includes access to the Soak City waterpark.

GROWN UP DINING, KID APPROVED

Dining out with kids doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful if you choose one of these family-friendly eateries, offering everything from pizza to medieval feasts.

R. HOUSE
301 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211.
Food courts and food halls, like this one located in Remington, are great options for dining with kids for a few reasons. First, there’s something for even the pickiest eater. Choose from 10 stalls offering a variety of fare, from pizza and fried chicken sandwiches to poké bowls and Korean BBQ. Second, the kids can be as loud as they like, and there’s room to stretch your legs when sitting at a table gets tiresome.

BELVEDERE SQUARE MARKET
529 E Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD 21212.
More than a food market, this North Baltimore hotspot near The Senator Theatre is a great place to dine indoors or out at any time of day. Food vendors include Atwater’s, Ejji Ramen, Plantbar, and The Pizza Trust. The Square hosts a Friday night concert series during the summer months.

STONE MILL BAKERY & CAFE
10751 Falls Rd. Suite 123, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093.
If you’re shopping at Greenspring Station or have a kids’ sporting event across the street at Meadowood Regional Park, pop into this bustling cafe for refreshments. Choose from salads, soups, sandwiches, and unparalleled sugar cookies. If the weather’s nice, sit outside by a babbling brook and let the kids climb on the stone turtles.

JASON’S DELI
8874 McGaw Rd., Columbia, MD 21045.
With menus for kids, vegetarians, and gluten-sensitive diners, this reasonably priced chain has long been a favorite for families. (The free ice cream doesn’t hurt!) Sadly, the Timonium location closed during COVID, but the Columbia restaurant is open for business.

MEDIEVAL TIMES
7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD 21076.
If you dread family dinners or just want something different, there’s nothing like a meal and a show set in a medieval Spanish “castle.” Feast on turkey legs–or a surprisingly tasty vegetarian option–as you watch knights on horseback jousting for a fair maiden’s hand. Yes, it’s a bit sexist and over-the-top, but the spectacle is part of the fun. If you’re looking to get your kids off screens and into a real-life adventure, this is it.

In early February, Thibault Manekin, sporting a mop of dirty blond hair, wearing a beaded shark tooth’s necklace and blue T-shirt, sits in a crowded family room in Brazil, trying to secure some semblance of privacy for this Zoom. Manekin, 43, and his wife, Lola, along with their young sons, Finley and Durban, have spent nearly the past year in his wife’s home country. When they had children, he promised Lola that they would spend a year there, so the kids could know her family and that part of their cultural heritage. It just happened to coincide with the coronavirus pandemic.

Every so often, the conversation is interrupted by the sounds of his boys, arguing in the other room. He then quietly and politely asks in Portuguese for a little help controlling the ruckus.

Not that the trip looks as if it has been hard on Manekin. Trading in the Baltimore winter for a Brazilian summer amid COVID-19 certainly has agreed with him. He’s chatty, relaxed, and appears infinitely more comfortable than when his typical days as a principal at one of the region’s most innovative real estate development firms, Seawall Development, thrust him into the limelight.

Despite the roughly 13-hour flight away, Manekin’s hometown of Baltimore is never fully out of mind. That’s due in large part to his company tackling its highest-profile project to date, leading the $40-million redevelopment of Baltimore’s hallowed Lexington Market.

“Everybody in Baltimore has a Lexington Market story, and everybody in Baltimore has a reason they do, or don’t, go there today, but they all have an opinion about why it’s important that Lexington get back to the place that it really once was for our city,” Manekin says.

It’s a daunting task, but one that Seawall Development, the firm that Manekin co-founded with his father, Donald, in 2007, has handled well so far.

Founded in 1792, Lexington Market served as a hub of Baltimore life for generations. It was the place to grab fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty items like raccoon or muskrat. It was the place to stop for lunch after weekend day trips to one of the department stores in what’s now downtown Baltimore’s Westside.

First, Seawall forged plans for an affordable development after the initial cost swelled beyond what the city was willing to pay. Their proposal for a new market shed harkens back to what Lexington Market looked like in 1910—a modern take on the turn-of-the-last-century structure. Renderings depict barn-like architecture, flooded with natural light and constructed with materials such as brick and metal to reflect the surrounding neighborhood’s industrial-age aesthetics. Construction continues despite having broken ground in early 2020, shortly before the pandemic, and they’re still on track to open in early 2022.

As is his tendency, at least publicly, Manekin downplays the difficulty of the project. While he admits “the last year was really scary,” he is also adamant that he approaches challenges with an open mind, setting the company, and its projects, up for whatever the post-pandemic world holds.

“We’re on fire now, you know, there are projects that we can’t wait to talk about,” he says. “I really think that we are just beginning to hit our stride.”

What’s positioned Seawall to succeed, particularly with Lexington Market, is an emphasis on community inclusion in real estate development through hours spent engaging residents via various outreach efforts. Via surveys, town halls, and feedback sessions, they’ve worked to create a vision for the public market that features a diverse array of vendors and an environment that is welcoming to all. Both points were of particular concern to the many Black residents of surrounding neighborhoods, who feared they suddenly wouldn’t feel welcome in a market that’s become a piece of their cultural heritage.

This sensitivity to neighborhood concerns, evidenced in its earliest and highest-profile projects in the city’s Remington neighborhood, has furnished Seawall with a largely positive reputation as transparent and accommodating. That standing is rare in real estate development, an industry that many residents remain skeptical of for a variety of reasons, ranging from the impact of gentrification on long-time residents to developer’s outsized influence at City Hall.

Seeking out community engagement, however, is more than just sound business practice. It reflects the ideals that Manekin consciously pursued after graduating from Lehigh University with a degree in marketing in 2000. At the time, he and brothers Sean and Brendan Tuohey started the D.C.-based nonprofit PeacePlayers, where they traveled to countries ranging from Northern Ireland to South Africa, teaching kids to play basketball to promote conflict resolution.

When Manekin returned home, he was struck by the incongruity of healing wounds in other parts of the world while his hometown struggled with many of the same problems of poverty and trauma. On one visit, as he passed through West Baltimore, he began to realize how the real estate industry, which his family had deep ties to, could bridge divides in Baltimore.

“WE WANTED TO BE NEIGHBORS, NOT GUESTS IN THE COMMUNITY.”

“I remember coming back from South Africa, I was on North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue,” Manekin says. “I had this epiphany—that real estate is the most powerful, connected industry on the planet, but it’s done more to divide us than actually bring us together as human beings.”

In 2007, he coaxed his father into joining him in launching Seawall Development. It was a natural fit, as Donald had spent decades at the helm of the family’s real estate development company, Manekin Corporation. After its sale in 2000, he also served as Baltimore City Schools interim chief operating officer.

When his son asked him to join the company, Donald says, he felt “an instant sense of gratification.” He had long believed that the Manekins were more than just landlords, but stakeholders in the community’s success. “This was a natural opportunity to be part of something larger than ourselves,” he says.

From the start, Seawall’s founders emphasized listening to local needs over forcing their vision on residents, working to connect neighbors and garner community support for projects.

“I’ve always been fascinated with this idea of reimagining industries where we take something that we know, flip it upside down, and insert our own kind of purpose into it,” says Manekin. “We had no idea what we were doing, but we were driven by this purpose of rewriting the script to see what that might look and feel like. That was 14 years ago, and we’ve been on this wild ride ever since.”

Seawall’s first high-profile undertaking was the overhaul of Remington’s 100-year-old American Can Company on Howard Street, which they turned into the mixed-use Miller’s Court in 2007. Two other developers had previously abandoned projects because they couldn’t get neighbors to buy in. In early meetings with Seawall, residents vocalized their desire for a locally owned coffee shop, which Manekin didn’t think would work at the time. But when Charmington’s opened as a worker-owned co-op in the building’s first-floor corner at West 26th Street, it quickly thrived. Five years later, President Barack Obama sat in the cafe, promoting guaranteed paid sick leave for American workers.

“Baltimore just hit the jackpot with that group at Charmington’s and how much love they put into that project, and that just propelled us forward,” says Manekin.

From there, Seawall also redeveloped Hampden’s Union Mill in 2011, where Artifact Coffee now stands, using a similar model as Miller’s Court. Drawing inspiration from Donald’s work with public schools, the company also redeveloped a block of rowhomes in Remington to help teachers achieve homeownership, all done with community feedback.

“We wanted to be neighbors and not guests in the community,” Donald says, before echoing a sentiment his son has also emphasized: “None of these ideas are our own.”

By 2015, the company took on the ambitious, $60-million, mixed-use Remington Row, seeing the neighborhood’s potential in its proximity to Johns Hopkins University and I-83. The overhaul would come to include the $12-million R. House food hall, which quickly became one of the city’s most popular gathering spaces. “Those [projects] were the neighborhood’s master plan,” says Manekin. “They wanted to create a walkable urban boulevard.”

It was the success of R. House that attracted the attention of Lexington Market Inc., which for years had been struggling to breathe new life into the fading landmark.

For much of the city’s nearly 300-year history, Lexington Market was a cultural linchpin, beginning as an open-air market bustling with horse-drawn wagons hawking local goods, before becoming the center of Baltimore’s thriving retail sector, just a stone’s throw from the theater district and a convergence point for the city’s transit system.

But after World War II, and particularly following the integration of city schools, many of the department stores followed affluent white residents to the suburbs. By the 1990s, most were closed, along with many of the other smaller retailers, leaving a wake of vacant or deteriorating buildings.

Through it all stood Lexington Market and its venerable vendors, such as Faidley’s Seafood, circa 1886. But business at the market precipitously declined as concerns about safety started to outweigh the allure of crab cakes. Decades of neighborhood disinvestment spurred a rise in crime that scared off customers, causing the number and quality of market vendors to plummet.

Serious efforts to revitalize the space began with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in 2010. In 2013, her administration hired urban planning group Market Ventures Inc. to conduct a study, which called for a complete overhaul of the market. Firms were then selected for architectural, engineering, and specialty consulting, and to serve as construction managers.

In late 2016, Baltimore City and Lexington Market Inc. unveiled their plans, but the proposed cost quickly escalated from about $35 million to as high as $60 million, which Lexington Market couldn’t afford. In desperate need to regain momentum, and shave millions off the price tag, the city sought a new company to steer the redevelopment. By the fall of 2018, Seawall was officially on board.

Over the next few years, Manekin and his team launched into community outreach efforts, similar to their previous projects, including multiple public meetings to gather input on a new Lexington Market. At these events, residents did not shy away from demanding that executives directly address issues of race and class in their plans, with many often bluntly sharing their concerns that the new market would not be welcoming to people of color, as has been expressed about other new developments in and around the Inner Harbor.

“It takes a long time to build trust, and we don’t have everyone’s trust yet,” Manekin admitted at the time, before vowing to deliver an inclusive space. More recently, he said he feels those conversations about inclusion served as “driving forces” behind plans for the market, ranging from aesthetics to the price point of the vendors.

The town halls continued, with community feedback incorporated into the design and development processes, as well as vendor recruitment, with the company aiming for a diverse lineup that resembles the demographics of the city. Two rounds of applications attracted 300 submissions for some 45 stalls. Seventy percent of applicants were Black, and more than half were women.

At the same time, Lexington Market isn’t the sole focus for Seawall, which also played a role in the development of Union Collective, a 138,000-square-foot former Sears warehouse near Hampden turned thriving retail-manufacturing complex. Seawall continues to consider new projects they are “spiritually aligned with,” in Baltimore and beyond.

But despite projects in other cities, and being on another continent for now—a pre-bedtime squabble between his two sons briefly requires his attention—Manekin stresses his continued passion for his hometown. After all, Baltimore is not just his home. It was his grandfather’s home. It’s where his father was born, raised, and still lives today.

Growing up, he remembers his grandfather and father both telling stories about weekend trips to Lexington Market. With construction on the new shed set to finish in under a year, Manekin hopes to be able to continue that tradition with his own sons. “It needs to be the heartbeat of the city,” he says.

In response to the fried chicken wars that have recently played out on social media, we have only one thing to say: Eat your heart out, Popeye’s. Baltimore has a long-standing love of fried chicken. Chicken boxes are a Charm City staple that dates back to the 1930s. (One of the earliest records of the tradition, which is believed to have derived from the packed lunches of the Great Migration, is a 1933 Baltimore Sun ad for a $1 box of fried chicken and a loaf of toasted bread.) And the rise of Royal Farms has put us on the map as a bonafide drumstick destination. Locally, there are plenty of restaurants that take this reputation seriously.

Among them is BRD (pronounced Bird), the R. House chicken-sandwich concept that was part of the Remington food hall’s opening roster when it debuted in 2016. In October, owner Alex Janian officially spread BRD’s, well, wingspan with a second location on the bottom floor of the new Wheelhouse apartment complex in Federal Hill. Designed by PI.KL Studio, the same firm that built the Remington stall, the new space carries over a similar aesthetic with light woods, touches of red and black, communal seating, and the same counter-service model as the flagship.

But, when it comes to the menu in the larger spinoff space, there are plenty of new additions to savor. Of course, loyalists can count on old standbys such as the “Bmore Bird” sandwich—an inevitably messy but filling affair that stacks two hefty hunks of crispy-fried chicken with house-made pickles, Old Bay, and the signature BRD sauce reminiscent of spicy mayo. There’s also the Japanese-inspired “Katsu Sando” layered with cabbage and a tangy katsu sauce, as well as the “Angry Buffalo” dripping with hot sauce in between a soft potato bun.

But, the second location—which is open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate Fed Hill revelers after last call—also wisely highlights expanded offerings, including an Indian-influenced “Bombay BRD” sando with cilantro and curry sauce, wings tossed in maple honey mustard and Carolina barbecue sauces, hand-spun milkshakes (banana split and PB&J flavors are a hit), and “BRD Bites”—Janian’s version of chicken nuggets.

After a recent visit to Mothers’ Purple Patio to catch a Sunday afternoon Ravens game, we made our way across the street to sample an order of the nuggets alongside an overflowing box of piping hot, seasoned fries. Although either would have been satisfying on their own, in this case, the dipping sauces took them to the next level. You can’t go wrong with a side of orange BRD sauce, but in an effort to get out of our comfort zone, we tried the maple mustard—which provided just the right amount of sweetness to enhance the dunkable snacks to the next level.

While enjoying the eats in the space, diners will notice a glowing neon sign that reads, “Fried and True.” It’s a fitting mantra—because if you’re going to run a fried chicken joint in Baltimore, it has to be the real deal.

›› BRD 1104 S. Charles St., 667-210-2222. Mon.- Wed. 5-10 p.m., Thur. 5-midnight, Fri. 5 p.m.-3 a.m., Sat. 11- a.m.-3 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

CH-CH CHANGES

STEM: It’s going to be a big year for Urban Pastoral—the local development firm that specializes in high-tech urban farming. In the coming months, founders J.J. Reidy and Christian De Paco are planning to unveil 3,000 square feet of hydroponic greenhouse space inside a new learning center at Green Street Academy in West Baltimore. Once it’s up and running, the project will not only serve as an educational tool for students, but it will also provide an estimated 25,000 pounds of leafy greens per year to local restaurants. The produce will certainly come in handy for STEM, the newly rebranded iteration of Reidy and De Paco’s Stall 11 inside R. House in Remington.

Beginning this Sunday, January 12, the plant-based eatery will feature a redesigned counter experience, DIY bowls and salads, and a rotating roster of seasonal items. Although there will be many new options, Stall 11 regulars will be happy to hear that favorites including the Korean barbecue cauliflower, vegan mac and cheese, and avocado BLT will remain on the menu. “R. House was created as a launchpad for food entrepreneurs, and this is the evolution of our business and vision,” Reidy said in a statement. “After three amazing years with Stall 11 at R. House, it was time for a change in concept. . .We can’t wait for Baltimore to meet STEM and to share more of the delicious plant-based dishes that we know will become new favorites.”

Friends and Family: Speaking of rebrands—and vegan and vegetarian options—Fells Point mainstay Sticky Rice is closing its doors on Tuesday, January 21 with plans to reopen as Friends and Family in March. Known for its sushi, tater tots, and wide array of plant-based options, the restaurant will soon transition into a breakfast-all-day concept that maintains its emphasis on vegan and vegetarian dishes. “As we settled into our tenth year of business, we have determined it is time to retire the current concept and expand on our core principles,” managing partner Ginny Lawhorn, who will remain at the helm of the bar program, said in a statement.

Slated construction plans include renovated bathrooms, the removal of the large sushi bar to make way for more communal seating, and Lawhorn’s curated installation of artwork by—you guessed it—friends and family of the business. The new name was also inspired by the building’s former inhabitant, Friends—which Lawhorn and her husband, owner Ronnie Pasztor, describe as a cozy neighborhood dive bar. “Friends was a local favorite driven by comradery,” Lawhorn says. “Sticky Rice built on that comradery with an inclusive menu and welcoming team. We are looking forward to expanding on these pillars and cultivating our place in the community.”

Cunningham’s: Yet another dining destination starting the decade with a refresh is this Towson hotspot, which closed its doors earlier this week. The farm-to-table restaurant will reopen this spring after a major redesign by Patrick Sutton and the expansion of its downstairs cafe. Executive chef Jay Rohlfing tells us that the decision was influenced, in part, by all of the retail and residential development happening in Towson. “We figured it was time to be part of that renaissance,” he says. Though details about the new concept are still in the works, Rohlfing confirms that the locally sourced menu will emphasize American classics and the dining space will be downsized to include more bar seating. Read more here.

OPEN

Rooster & Hen: Just when we thought Cross Street Market had everything we could ever want (from pizza and beer to pho and Haitian cuisine), the newly renovated Federal Hill staple now boasts its own mini grocery store. Located just off of the Light Street entrance, the new “market within the market” offers a selection of produce, flowers, dairy, snacks, baked goods, and prepared foods for diners to grab on the go. Husband-and-wife owners Joe McRedmond and Allison Smith, who started Rooster & Hen in Catonsville in 2016, will also use their new space to continue Lucky Pantry—the store’s home meal kit program that now offers pick-up at the market every Monday. The new space also features a full kitchen for the owners to host food pop-ups, cooking classes, and other programs that contribute to their community-focused mantra.

The Veranda at The Milton Inn: Executive chef Brian Boston has launched an extension of this fine-dining den in Sparks. What was previously the outdoor patio is now The Veranda, an enclosed lounge highlighting a stone fireplace and retractable roof for the warmer months. It will also be a venue for live jazz and feature its own menu of drinks and small plates including crabmeat cocktail, charcuterie samples, and deconstructed s’mores that diners can roast at their tables.

EAT

Jan. 3: Water Song Pop-Up at R. House

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

As the weather turns chilly this weekend, curl up with a bowl of authentic rice noodles to get a taste of Yunnan, China. During its final weekend in the R. House pop-up stall, Water Song will be serving up its signature combination of Mixian rice noodles, a tasty broth, a touch of meat, and tons of chili oil, along with fan favorites like spicy wonton soup and crispy pork chunks. If you still need a bit of convincing, check out Water Song’s drool-worthy Instagram photos to seal the deal.

DRINK

Jan. 3: Foam Fridays

Diamondback Beer, 1215 E. Fort Ave. 12-11 p.m. Free.

If your New Year’s resolution was to make 2020 the year of beer, this lager-loving night at Diamondback Brewing is the perfect way to kick it off. Every Friday, the South Baltimore brewery celebrates its growing selection of crisp lager beers with half-liter pours at only $4.50. Belly up to the bar to try this week’s featured brew: A 4.0 percent Czech pilsner with, of course, a healthy layer of foam on top.

SEE

Jan. 3-5: Baltimore Crankie Fest

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Times vary. $18.

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.

HEAR

Jan. 3: Letitia VanSant and Arty Hill

True Chesapeake Oyster Co., 3300 Clipper Mill Rd. 9-11 p.m. Free.

There’s been plenty of buzz going around about True Chesapeake Oyster Co., the new farm-to-table concept inside Whitehall Mill in Hampden. This Friday, in between slurps of half-shell oysters, hear local songstress Letitia VanSant and country singer Arty Hill serenade the late-night crowd with original tunes and classic covers. Or, as Hill puts it, it’ll be a night of he and VanSant “singing harmony and making fun of each other near delicious seafood.”

DO

Jan. 3-12: Pajama Party Palooza

Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Pl. Times vary. Free-$17.95.

Let’s face it: We all get a little stir crazy during the holidays. Luckily, Port Discovery Children’s Museum is hosting the perfect opportunity to get the kiddos out of the house with this daytime pajama party, featuring pillowcase races, sock “skates,” and oversized games. Your little ones will spend the final days of winter break making jammies, watching movies with new friends, and participating in tons of indoor activities at the downtown museum.

OPEN

Taharka Bros. Ice Cream: Tonight, the team from this homegrown sweet shop will celebrate the grand opening of their new R. House location with a lineup of guest scoopers—including 92Q radio personality Pork Chop, rapper and “Secretary of Shade” commentator DDm, and our own New York Times best-selling author D. Watkins. Taharka, which also operates a stall at Broadway Market in Fells Point, will take over the Remington food hall space that formerly housed Little Baby’s Ice Cream, which closed all of its shops last month. “We could not be more excited about this new location, especially given that we make the ice cream at our factory in Hampden so close by,” founder Sean Smeeton said in a statement. “R. House offers a unique venue and a chance for us to host events that help promote a positive image for Baltimore.”

Though Taharka has become known for its scrumptious scoops (Honey Graham, Key Lime Pie, and Coffee Oreo are among its standout flavors), the local business is equally celebrated for its socially conscious philosophy. Since rolling out its hot pink “Change Maker Mobile” in 2015, Taharka has used its ice cream as a vehicle for change—employing Baltimore City youth, hosting events to raise awareness for social justice issues, and creating innovative flavors that pay homage to community leaders.

Sizka: The old firehouse at the intersection of O’Donnell Street and South Linwood Avenue in Canton has a whole new look. The property that was most recently Firehouse Coffee Co. has transformed into this new Japanese fusion restaurant. Now in soft-opening mode, the refreshed space features a black-and-white aesthetic, wooden floors, and a long sushi bar. The menu—from team behind Niwana Restaurant in Charles Village—offers tons of colorful sushi rolls, omakase (chef’s choice) meals, and entrees including salmon teriyaki and barbecue-marinated short ribs.

NEWS

Acropolis Restaurant: Dinner service on Christmas Eve will be the last to savor the stuffed grape leaves, whole branzino, and lamb souvlaki platters at this 33-year-old Greektown staple. Owner George Avgerinos—who inherited the business from his father, the late Dimitrios “Jimmy” Avgerinos—announced last week that the family had sold the restaurant and would be closing for good after the holiday. “This type of business becomes your life,” he wrote in a message posted to Facebook. “And Acropolis and all of you have been such a huge part of ours. We take this step, not to lose a legacy, but to continue it with our loved ones and families.” In keeping with that sentiment, Averinos added that the family is continuing its catering services and he hinted at a possible new location in the future. (Read more about the family business in our upcoming February issue.)

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/19: Christmas in Mexico
Don’t be surprised if you see a line snaked around the block at The Charmery’s flagship location in Hampden tonight. Master creamer David Alima has once again collaborated with his pal Carlos Raba of Clavel to serve festive fried ice cream to the masses. This year’s treat, “Adornos Navideños,” will top fried scoops of The Charmery’s Pure Vanilla flavor with raspberry sauce and a leche drizzle to resemble an edible ornament. A portion of all the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Guardian Baltimore—Raba’s yet-to-open jiu-jitsu youth center in Remington.

12/23: Navidad en Baltimore
In yet another holiday-themed collaboration, the teams from Fells Point favorites Ekiben and Cocina Luchadoras are coming together to host this epic pop-up next week. Swing by Ekiben on your lunch break to start the holiday feast early with Chinese red-braised short rib tamales, soups, and other Chinese-Mexican fusion fare—which, judging by previous collabs, we can only expect will sell out quickly.

EAT

Dec. 6: Heritage Smokehouse Feast

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St. $75.

Although we still miss the locally sourced lamb chops and steak cuts from now-closed Parts & Labor, former head chef and butcher George Marsh is keeping its spirit alive through his new venture, Heritage Smokehouse. In preparation for the restaurant’s opening in early 2020, the Heritage team is serving up this feast of epic proportions at Union Craft Brewing, with everything from smoked pork belly and spare ribs to pig heads and kielbasa. This meat-lover’s dream also includes sides like local vegetables and suggested beer pairings from Union’s tasting team.

DRINK

Dec. 7: Mahaffey’s Pub Winter Wonderland Party

Mahaffey’s Pub, 2706 Dillon St. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.

Mahaffey’s Pub is a longtime Canton staple for its no-frills attitude, drink specials, and annual all-day holiday block party. Bring the kiddos early for pictures with Santa, face-painting, and a toy drive for the Saint Francis Neighborhood Center, and then stick around for snacks by Snake Hill Food Truck. But the main attraction of the party is what will keep you warm all day: Flying Dog beers as well as spiked hot cocoa and apple cider.

SEE

Dec. 8: Holiday Pagoda Lighting

Patterson Park, 27 S. Patterson Park Ave. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Watch as the stars and snowflakes that decorate the Pagoda turn on during the fifth annual lighting at Patterson Park. Bring the whole family to the park to meet Santa and other holiday characters, squeeze in some holiday shopping with local gift vendors, or donate to the toy drive. Plus, this much-anticipated community kick-off doesn’t end once the park’s centerpiece is lit, but instead, welcomes locals to stay into the evening with tons of food trucks and live music to keep the celebration going.

HEAR

Dec. 6: Save Your Soul with DJs Baby Alcatraz and Rob Macy

Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St. 8-11 p.m. $6.

Let’s face it: This is a stressful time of the year. Between last-minute holiday shopping and work performance reviews, we could all use an excuse to let loose and dance the stress away. Luckily, one of the city’s most beloved dance parties returns this Friday with an all-out vinyl shindig hosted by famed local DJs Baby Alcatraz and Rob Macy. Boogie down to a mix of Motown hits, funk breaks, big-beat blues, girl groups, swinging instrumentals, and (almost) every other genre at this monthly get-down.

DO

Dec. 6: R. House’s 3rd Birthday Bash

R.House, 301 W. 29th St. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. Free.

This weekend marks the third anniversary of Remington’s favorite food hall, and to celebrate, the theme of its all-night birthday party is, well, three. While the family-friendly activities like face-painting, balloon animals, and a scavenger hunt run until 9 p.m., the neighborhood favorite bartenders at R. Bar will be slinging $3 cocktails, boilermakers, and select beers and wines all night long. During the “adult swim” portion of the party, knock back a few edible glitter-infused Jello shots and take a turn at the microphone for a few celebratory rounds of karaoke.

Creole Soul: Ever since R. House said goodbye to Arba Mediterranean last month, regulars have been wondering what would fill the void in the Remington food hall. This week, it was announced that local pop-up Creole Soul—which emphasizes, you guessed it, New Orleans-style soul food—will settle in the space later this month. (Get a first taste this weekend when chef Que Neal and her fiancé, co-founder Dedric Richardson, take over R. House’s pop-up stall one last time before becoming a permanent vendor.) A grand opening event on December 20 will feature on-theme touches including Mardi Gras-inspired face painting, a King Cake, and live music by Rufus Roundtree. As for the menu, chef Neal will offer classics such as shrimp and grits, seafood gumbo, oyster po-boys, beignets, and “Mee Maw’s Famous” banana pudding.

In other R. House news, the communal spot will celebrate its third birthday with drink specials and festivities this weekend, and plans for the Little Baby’s Ice Cream stall—which closed last week after the Philadelphia-based company announced that it was shutting down all of its locations—will be announced next week. Stay tuned for more details.

Maximón: Atlas Restaurant Group is just about ready to reveal yet another concept in Harbor East. A swanky bash on New Year’s Eve will be the first night for diners to experience Maximón—the group’s Latin American-inspired restaurant set in the former home of Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore. After that, regular dinner service will begin on January 2. Chef Colin King, previously of New York restaurant group Empellon, will present a menu of ceviches, salads, and entrees including portobello fajitas and whole roasted bass with yucca and black mint. A selection of taco fillings range from Chesapeake catfish with Baja crema to oxtail with salsa verde. The bar program will also have a South American focus, offering an exclusive blend of tequila produced at the Patrón headquarters in Jalisco, Mexico.

Döner Brös: Back in 2015, Alex Politsch and Steven Banks went to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany and fell in love with authentic döner meat—which is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The duo brought the delicacy back to Baltimore and roamed around on their Döner Brös food truck for a year before debuting a brick-and-mortar location in Charles Village in 2018. Their salads, bowls, wraps, and sandwiches filled with the flavorful proteins have caught on so much, in fact, that the founders are preparing to debut another shop in Harbor Point this summer. In addition to the signature meats, fries, falafel, and Turkish nachos (fries layered with döner meat and nacho cheese), the new spot will also offer beer and wine. Plus, to accommodate business professionals in the area, it will highlight a special shareable menu for small groups that can be eaten on the go.

OPEN

Andina: Fans of Peruvian gem Puerto 511 have kept their eyes peeled for this spinoff empanada shop from husband-and-wife owners José Victorio Alarcon and Connie Vásquez. After four months of work, the restaurant has officially opened at 101 W. Lexington Street downtown. While Puerto focuses on refined dishes such as cassava fritters stuffed with ribeye and lomo saltado (stir-fried beef with fried potatoes and white rice), Andina offers more casual fare, including rice dishes and an expansive empanada menu. But, at both locations, the owners’ love for their culture shines through. “We can again say thanks to our dear Baltimore, a city that grows with people’s dreams,” the owners wrote in a post to Facebook. “Total thanks.”

Plantbar: On the heels of Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro’s debut on Allegheny Avenue in Towson, the block has also welcomed a new location of this homegrown juice bar and cafe—which has other spots scattered everywhere from Belvedere Square to Brewer’s Hill. Snag a seat in the space decorated with dark woods and interior greenery, to enjoy made-to-order juices, superfood smoothies, açai bowls, coffees, and wellness shots.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/5: Origins: A Speaker Series

In the latest installment of this sustainable speaker series at Artifact Coffee, listen in as Seeva and Vivek Malik of New Jersey-based Bhumi Growers explain the ins and outs of growing exotic citrus in the mid-Atlantic. Following the conversation, stick around for a family-style feast featuring some of the speakers’ prized produce. 6:30 p.m. $60

12/6: Noisy Burger at The Charmery Ice Cream Factory
Remember when students from Baltimore City’s Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School first debuted their own burger pop-up at R. House in 2017? The young chefs are back in action and ready to host another community event with The Charmery this weekend. From 6-10 p.m., enjoy Noisy Burger’s turkey and beef patties topped with locally sourced ingredients alongside orders of fries. Of course, no burger is complete without a shake. And naturally, the team from the Charmery will be on hand to mix up signature flavors to pair with all of the eats.

SHUT

Jack and Zach’s: After eight years on North Charles Street in Mt. Vernon, this small-but-mighty diner closed its doors for good on November 27. “The J&Z red counter has been home to so many incredible customers and conversations over the years,” owners Jack Neill and Zachary Schoettler wrote in a message announcing the closure. “We’re grateful for all of you helping this little farm-to-table 12-seater become the community that we dreamed of.” Although diners will no longer be able to enjoy the duo’s hearty breakfast sandwiches and omelets in the space, this certainly isn’t the last we’ll see of Jack and Zach’s. In fact, the owners have teamed up with Larder in Old Goucher to host a brunch pop-up this Sunday, December 8 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by to get your fix of locally sourced omelets, grits, bacon, and, of course, coffee blends from Larder’s trusty neighbor Sophomore Coffee.

EAT

Nov. 22-24: Roll Up at R. House

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.

The rotating space at R. House has been a launchpad for several local food concepts (Urban Oyster and The Big Softy, to name a few), and now Roll Up, an Americanized eggroll pop-up, is taking its turn at the helm. Created earlier this year by Baltimore food industry veteran Whitney Johnson, the concept’s handmade eggrolls are packed with experimental fillings, such as crab dip and baked mac and cheese, and best paired with a pile of Roll Up’s beer-battered onion rings. Stop by the Remington food hall to sample one of each roll, including the “That’s Bananas” dessert roll, before the pop-up ends on Sunday.

DRINK

Nov. 23: Baltimore Whiskey Festival

The Assembly Room, 316 Guilford Ave. 12-4 p.m. $69.

Spend the evening sipping whiskeys from around the world during this fine spirits festival. Choose from 100-plus craft-distilled whiskeys, stop by the Founder’s Finds table to browse a curated selection of rare products, or learn about the art of distillation from experts during a series of free seminars. If the entry price makes you pause, keep in mind that a portion of the event’s proceeds will directly benefit the Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation.

SEE

Nov. 24: Opening of Mickalene Thomas: A Moment’s Pleasure

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free.

Starting this weekend, the lobby at The Baltimore Museum of Art will be transformed into a homey living room, thanks to the linoleum floors, picture frames, and mixed-pattern furniture of artist Mickalene Thomas’ latest installation. Best known for her jewel-encrusted portraits of African-American women and high-profile clients such as Michelle Obama, Thomas is using this two-year exhibition to showcase works by Baltimore-based artists. Among them will be music videos by the likes of TT the Artist, Abdu Ali, and Hunter Hooligan—which will play on a loop as part of the installation. Be one of the first to see this immersive work during its opening reception on Sunday, and stick around for a signature cocktail, beats by DJ Trillnatured, and custom nail art by Power Decals.

HEAR

Nov. 23: Caleb Stine & The Revelations

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. $15-50.

To say that singer-songwriter Caleb Stine is a longtime mainstay of the Baltimore folk scene may be an understatement at this point. His Americana sound has drawn comparisons to artists from Townes Van Zandt to Neil Young, and this month, he will return to Creative Alliance to premiere a new batch of songs. Stine will bring his thoughtful and poetic lyricism to the stage and invite The Revelations band and a few other special guests to share it with him. Come out to support this local troubadour and revel in the good vibes he brings to every show.

DO

Nov. 23: Greedy Reads Grand Opening

Greedy Reads, 320 W. 29th St. 11 a.m. Free.

It’s been less than two years since the independent bookshop Greedy Reads brought new life to the corner of Aliceanna and South Ann streets with its curated selection of titles, author talks, and monthly book club. Now, owner Julia Fleischaker is opening a second location of the fan-favorite store in Remington. On Saturday, stop by to see the new digs—located just a stone’s throw away from R. House—before spending the afternoon browsing for a new winter read, participating in opening-day giveaways and games, and petting Audie, Fleischaker’s Labrador-greyhound mix and the official Greedy Reads mascot.

COMING SOON

Merriweather District Announces Three More Eateries: The Howard Hughes Corporation has been hard at work finding regional restaurants to fill its brand new Merriweather District in Columbia. Following the news that beloved Washington, D.C. coffee shop Busboys and Poets would be moving into the development next year, Howard Hughes recently announced three more tenants that are following suit next summer. The first will be a new location for D.C.-based pizza hotspot Matchbox, which focuses on wood-fired fare and brunch. The team behind Ashburn, Virginia’s acclaimed Sense of Thai St. will also expand to the area with a new concept called Dok Khao Thai Eatery, and owner Satish Gunisetty of Indian restaurant Rangoli in Hanover will open a globally inspired spinoff called Clove and Cardamom. The district is part of Downtown Columbia’s massive revitalization plan, which will include 14 million square feet of new development when completed.

The LVH: Soul food fans’ lives were forever changed when Taste This Baltimore came onto the scene in 2014. The carryout started with a location on Harford Road in Lauraville, and later brought its famous fried-chicken platters and loaded baked potatoes to Charles Village. Now, owners Craig Curbean and Dante Davis are returning to their roots with a full-service restaurant located just down the street from the flagship. Set in the former home of barbecue restaurant Lauraville House, The LVH—a name that pays homage to the former inhabitant—will offer plenty of seats and a menu of Curbean’s signature comfort foods when it opens this fall. Be on the lookout for dishes like crab dip-stuffed chicken breast, vegetable fettuccine, and blackened tilapia with herb-lemon butter.

Fire & Rice: On the subject of Hamilton-Lauraville—which has recently exploded with new dining options like Farm to Face and Char’d City—the area will also soon welcome this Japanese-inspired restaurant from the former owner of Tooloulou, which once operated locations on Harford Road and in Belvedere Square but has since closed. Chef/owners Shawn Lagergren and Kevin Scheuing will offer ramen, sushi, and grilled meats at the spot on the bottom floor of the new SoHa Union retail-and-residential development at 4801 Harford Road. As it progresses in the coming months, the project is also expected to house a new space for Touloulou’s former Belvedere Square neighbor Pure Chocolate by Jinji.

Good Neighbor: A new quasi-cafe and homegoods store is slated to take over the former Sirkis Hardware space on Falls Road in Hampden next year. Owner Shawn Chopra recently told the Baltimore Business Journal that he’s transforming the three-story row house into a destination for shoppers to explore handmade wares from Baltimore makers, ceramic artists, and woodworkers while also enjoying coffee and cafe fare. The spot comes on the heels of another Hampden addition, Treehouse Cafe & Juice Bar, which is now operating in soft-opening mode on Chestnut Avenue.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

10/18-27: Maryland Food Truck Week

Just because the temperatures have dropped doesn’t mean our favorite food trucks roll out for the season. In fact, the annual Maryland Food Truck Week proves that it’s just the opposite. The ten-day celebration to benefit Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland kicks off with a free food truck rally at South Point in Port Covington on Friday, October 18 from 5-9 p.m. Throughout the week, diners can catch their favorite chefs on wheels (think favorites like Crossroads Bistro, 410 Empanadas, and Dizzy Cow Pizzeria) at daily events happening everywhere from Halethorpe to Elkridge. The festivities will close out with a Halloween-themed bash on October 27 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

10/18-27: Max’s Empanadas Pop-Up at R. House
While contemplating your options at R. House this week, make your way over to the rotating pop-up stall to browse the menu at this farmers’ market favorite. Max’s specializes in Argentinian empanadas stuffed with fillings including beef, chicken, chorizo, and mixed vegetables.

When Julia Fleischaker first saw the Fells Point space that would become Greedy Reads, she had an immediate vision for how her store would lay out and where everything would go. Eighteen months later, Fleischaker had a similar picture in her head when she came upon a space across the street from R. House in Remington, which will soon serve as the second location for the independent bookstore, set to open in late fall.

“I love my Fells Point store—I’m obsessed with it,” Fleischaker says. “It’s incredibly beautiful and I love the vibe. But the one thing I can’t really do is the events that I want because it’s a smaller space.”

That will change in Remington, as Greedy Reads will take over the front half of the former Twenty 20 Cycling space. The new location will be twice the size of its Fells Point counterpart, around 1,300 square feet, which will allow for more inventory and a bigger selection. The stage from the cycling space will remain, giving Fleischaker the opportunity to put on a whole host of events, from author readings, stand-up comedy nights, to even jazz trio performances.

This news also comes on the heels of Baltimore County’s The Ivy Bookshop’s recent announcement that it will move to a bigger space two blocks south of its original location. In total, it’s proof of Baltimoreans’ willingness to support local, independent bookstores.

“I think there was this kind of recognition over the past 20 years where communities were losing their bookstores and saying, ‘Wait a second, this isn’t what we wanted—we didn’t realize that this is the consequence of bargain shopping online,'” Fleischaker says. “I think that Baltimore is particularly conscious of that dynamic.”

Fleischaker says the reception to the expansion has been overwhelmingly positive, a testament to how the bookshop has ingratiated itself within the Fells Point community and beyond. She hopes to collaborate and work together with R. House and her future neighbors like Mount Royal Soap Co. and B. Willow, and is excited to establish new connections in Remington. Fleischaker picks and curates every book in her flagship store along with personalized recommendations, and that won’t change at this new store.

“I love books and talking about books,” says Fleischaker, a Chevy Chase native. “Getting to know this community of people and getting to know the city a little bit, it’s exciting for me to expand. The way I set up the bookstore allows for discovery and happenstance. I feel like that’s reflected itself in my life in the last few years. I’ve been fortunate to stumble into these two great locations.”

EAT

Aug. 9-11: FishScale Pop-Up

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

We love R. House—Remington’s modern, industrial-style food hall—for many reasons, but especially because it provides a space for up-and-coming chefs to test new recipes and engage with the community. This weekend, D.C.-based restaurant FishScale will take over the rotating stall to introduce local foodies to its chef-crafted burgers made from wild caught fish or true-blue Maryland crab. The best part? The fish sandwiches (served with housemade sides like grilled corn and romaine salad), are sustainably sourced in accordance with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program.

DRINK

Aug. 10: Barks, Brews, and Views

Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-3 p.m. $15-18.

If you’re tired of paying for a dog sitter while you’re out and about, BARCS Animal Shelter is here to help with the perfect Saturday day drink. Kick off the afternoon with this waterfront bar crawl beginning at Canton Waterfront Park, which will benefit the locally loved animal care center. Enjoy views of the harbor while downing Raw Bar’s bottomless mimosas, Raw & Refined’s house sangria and margaritas, and Bo Brooks’ specialty cocktails. As you sip on summertime libations, your furry sidekicks can indulge in pup-friendly ice cream. End the day with a ride on the water taxi, where non-alcoholic dog “beer” will be served.

SEE

To Aug. 17: SuperHeroes

Y:ART Gallery and Fine Gifts, 3402 Gough Street. Fri. 12-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free.

What is a superhero? Is it someone with supernatural strength? Is it a cape-wearing figure? Or maybe just someone with immense courage? Those are the questions that more than 80 area artists explore through varied mediums in this group exhibition at Y:ART Gallery and Fine Gifts. This weekend, illuminate your senses and consume fascinating 2D, 3D, and performance art that highlights each artist’s unique interpretation of an extraordinary being. Don’t miss your last chance to visit the successful summer exhibition in the Highlandtown contemporary gallery before it closes on August 17.

HEAR

Aug. 9: Songs of 1969 with Fractal Cat

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $15-18.

Shortly after it was announced that Woodstock 50 would take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion later this month, the co-founder cancelled the anniversary concert. But local rock fans don’t need to be too disappointed, because this Friday local psychedelic band Fractal Cat is hosting a commemorative show to honor the legendary festival. Hear a set of original material along with the septet’s selection of 1969 hits by the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix. In between sets by special guests Jax Martone of Psycho Killers, Quinton Randall, James von Lenz, and Kim Gravatt, the musicians will share stories and visuals inspired by the cultural and political events of that momentous year to round out this truly nostalgic evening.

DO

Aug. 10-11: AFRAM Festival

Druid Hill Park, 3001 East Drive. Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free.

AFRAM, one of the largest African-American festivals on the East Coast, returns to Charm City this weekend for its 43rd year. The two-day festival in historic Druid Hill Park will feature tons of noteworthy musical acts including “Aston Martin Music” rapper Rick Ross, R&B singer-songwriter Sevyn Streeter, local favorite Dru Hill, and actor-turned-singer Quincy. Between sets, curb your appetite with local fare and engage in a little retail therapy at the open-air marketplace. This family-oriented event will also have a designated kids zone with games, sports, and crafts for your little ones.

COMING SOON

Tire Shop Pop-Ups at Parts & Labor: We’ve been keeping tabs on this former car-and tire-repair-shop-turned-Remington restaurant since Parts & Labor served its last cuts of meat in the space last summer. A new pop-up series is preparing to reactivate the space with public food events featuring local purveyors. The first of many such events is scheduled for August 10 from 12-5 p.m., when the barbecue buffs with Bark BBQ will serve up their Texas-style smoked meats with signature sides like pickled cucumbers and corn on the cob. Joining them for the inaugural celebration will be Locust Point’s Diamondback Brewing and R. House’s R. Bar. Hopefully we’ll see a more permanent revival soon, but, for now, it will be nice to see (and smell) meats being smoked in the space again.

Koba BBQ: It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a restaurant operate inside the standalone building at Belvedere Square—which has become notorious for its turnaround rate throughout the years. North Baltimore locals might remember as far back as 2004, when it operated as Taste. Concepts that followed included Crush, Demi, Spike Gjerde’s Shoo-Fly, and, most recently, Starlite Diner. Now, the space is straying from its previous life as a cocktail bar and diner with an entirely new on-trend theme. Koba BBQ, a locally owned Korean barbecue concept is slated to open in the space by the end of this year. The spot adds to the development’s diverse lineup of food offerings, which include Ejji Ramen, Atwater’s, Grand Cru, and Neopol Smokery.

Brazil Gourmet Marketplace, Cafe, and Coffee Bar: Baltimore’s Brazilian food offerings will expand in the coming weeks with the arrival of this multi-use concept on Eastern Avenue. The Fells Point shop will be home to a market featuring authentic Brazilian grocery items like coffee, yucca and tapioca flours, smoked and dried meats, and mango and guava fruit juices. After stocking up on the comestibles, patrons are invited to stay for a meal in the cafe, which will highlight delicacies like classic empanadas, açai bowls, cachaça-infused caipirinha cocktails, and Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread).

EPICUREAN EVENTS

TO 8/11: Baltimore Restaurant Week
The city’s annual dining-out promotion is officially in full swing with an array of participating places to choose from. Treat yourself to two-course lunch and brunch menus ranging from $12-20, or a three-course dinner for $20-35. Newbies including Blackwall Hitch, Noona’s, The Tilted Row, and Orto are all participating for the first time this year if you’re hoping to try something new. But it’s also a great opportunity to revisit old standbys like Tio Pepe’s or Annabel Lee Tavern. (You can find our globally inspired suggestions here.)

8/3: Vegan SoulFest

This plant-based party returns to Clifton Park for its sixth year with a jam-packed lineup of speakers, cooking demonstrations, live DJ entertainment, shopping, and, of course, plenty of vegan eats to go around. Local vendors to look out for include L’Eau de Vie Organic Brasserie, The Greener Kitchen, Refocused, and The Land of Kush—whose co-owner Naijha Wright-Brown organizes the event each year.

SHUT

TigerStyle: Earlier this week, diners devoured the last of the steamed buns and stir-frys at Chad Gauss’ wok-inspired outpost in Hampden. The chef and Food Market owner recently confirmed to us that the restaurant has closed for good. Gauss says the closing is not for lack of business. The space was simply sold to another buyer who expressed interest in taking over the former commissary kitchen. “It was a fun place and exactly what we wanted it to be,” he tells us. “We have a few bigger projects coming our way, and it just made sense to let this one go since we had someone that was interested in the location.” There’s no word yet on who, exactly, will be taking over the carryout—which Gauss opened only six months ago and named after the lyrics of a popular Wu Tang Clan song.

On a cold evening in February, Johns Hopkins University sophomore Jesse Wu pulled out his wok, heated up a dutch oven, and prepped a three-course meal for some of his friends. The menu featured chicken wings sous vide in Shaoxing wine with hoisin vinegar sauce, mapo tofu with szechuan peppercorns and doubanjiang bean paste, and a traditional red bean soup with tapioca pearls and orange zest.

“It’s basically your classic Chinese banquet dessert,” Wu explains. “Even after a full meal, you always have to save space for that red bean soup.”

The impressive menu is one that could easily be found at any upscale Chinese restaurant in the area, but, in Wu’s case, the kitchen and dining room were all set up in his cozy Hopkins dorm.

Symbolizing “something precious” in Chinese culture, Wu’s restaurant concept Jade is a way for the biomedical engineering student to share his heritage with his peers, while also expanding his studies.

“I’m very interested in, not just clinical, but also social and cultural medicine,” says Wu, who wants to go on to medical school and eventually pursue a career as a physician-chef. “I think that food plays a really important role in all three. I’d really like to incorporate what I know about food and my experiences working in restaurants to make systemic change.”

The son of an engineer and a food scientist, Wu says that STEM has always been in his blood. But it wasn’t until he got to college and began writing for the Johns Hopkins News-Letter that he started to learn more about the local food scene and flex his cooking skills.

“Since I’m the youngest in my family, I was always barred from the kitchen,” he says of his upbringing in Massachusetts. “My parents were always like, ‘Don’t let Jesse get cut or get burned. We have to protect our youngest and make sure he does well in school’—only for me to later go off to school and get burned and cut in the kitchen.”

The greatest burn came just one week after Wu’s inaugural Jade pop-up in his dorm. Just as he was about to announce the next night of service to his friends on social media, Wu got a call from the residential director of his building, who informed him that Hopkins was shutting the operation down.

Although Wu is ServSafe certified and was only permitting invited guests into his dorm, the university has a strict anti-dorm business policy. It also has a non-compete agreement with its food management company, which prohibits outside organizations from serving food on campus. (Wu later penned an opinion piece for the News-Letter about the university’s role in fostering young entrepreneurship.)

In a true reflection of his enterprising spirit, Wu didn’t let the obstacle stop him from continuing Jade: “You can’t ever let anything like that get you down,” he says. “No matter how overwhelming or looming the institution imposing it upon you may seem.”

Instead, he chose to turn to the community around him to figure out how to keep the restaurant going. Through the university’s TCO Labs incubator, he connected with fellow student Pava LaPere—who has founded three different startups in her undergraduate career. After hearing about Jade, LaPere let Wu use her apartment building as the venue for the second pop-up in April.

He also connected with local chef mentors like Rey Eugenio of the Masarap pop-up and Steve Chu of Ekiben. These experiences in the local food scene have prepared Wu for his biggest gig yet—a stint in the rotating pop-up stall at R. House May 28-June 2. The menu will highlight riffs on Jade’s signature dishes, which include crispy scallion pancakes, popcorn chicken and tapioca longjin milk tea, and a vegan version of the mapo tofu.

“I came to Hopkins because of the biomedical engineering program, but I stayed because of Baltimore,” Wu says. “The food community is so cooperative. People who work in food service know how hard it is, and they’re so willing to help if you have a good mindset. It’s really fantastic to see all of that love and support be channeled toward one kid with a pipe dream.”

Moving forward, Wu is excited to see how Jade will evolve throughout his undergraduate career and beyond.

“I want to see it grow,” he says. “That’s what immigrant food has to do. We have to be flexible so that we can share it with as many people as we can, and in as many spaces as possible.”

OPEN

The Bun Shop: It only took two years, but the Towson location of this beloved coffee and pastry palace is finally open for business. The Mt. Vernon-based shop brings its signature gold-and-teal aesthetic, comfy furniture, loose-leaf teas, and delectable pastries to its new Baltimore County outpost just off of the Towson Circle. The worldly drink menu highlights a Vietnamese iced coffee, dos leches latte, honey macchiato, spicy mocha with chili and cinnamon, and even a vanilla-infused Paris tea latte. As its name suggests, the pastries, stuffed with everything from apple and gruyere to spinach and feta, are also not to be missed. Plus, Towson University students will be happy to hear that the new location continues the shop’s reputation as a late-night study spot, staying open until 3 a.m. daily. 40 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson. 443-991-5901

Flying Dog Taphouse: Happy Opening Day, Baltimore! If you’re spending the city’s unofficial holiday at Camden Yards, swing by the new hoppin’ headquarters on the lower concourse near Gate C. Flying Dog Taphouse—a smaller version of the Frederick brewery’s gastropub inside BWI—will pour four draft beers including The Truth imperial IPA, Bloodline blood orange ale, Thunderpeel hazy IPA, and Under Dog gold lager. There will also be ice-cold cans of Bleacher Beer, Raging Bitch, Snake Dog IPA, Numero Uno Mexican lager, Dead Rise Old Bay summer ale, and Dogtoberfest Marzen. (Backing the birds from a neighborhood bar? Be sure to check out our list of food and drink specials.)

COMING SOON

Steak ’N Shake: Midwestern transplants are beaming about the news that Baltimore County will be getting its first Steak ’N Shake this summer. The Illinois-based chain has one location in Anne Arundel County and previously operated a spot at BWI, which closed after a short-but-sweet run in 2016. Locals will be able to get their hands on the eatery’s signature steakburgers—a blend of brisket and Chuck beef—when it opens in the Greenleigh at Crossroads development in White Marsh. Joining Thai Rainbow, Crossroads Wine and Spirits, and the newly minted Michael’s Cafe, Steak N’ Shake will take up 2,100-square-feet and have its own drive-through window. Aside from the hearty burgers, the chain is a go-to for shoestring fries, hand-dipped milkshakes, and the famous Frisco melt—a play on a classic patty melt with Thousand Island dressing and Worcestershire sauce. MD Rt. 43 at Crossroads Circle, White Marsh.

NEWS

Chef Andrew Weinzirl Joins The Choptank: As this new Fells Point crab house readies for an early summer opening inside Broadway Market, owners have brought on former Brewer’s Art chef Andrew Weinzirl to head up the kitchen. A collaboration Atlas Restaurant Group and Billy Tserkis of Captain James Landing, The Choptank will be a neighborhood seafood spot that emphasizes takes on Maryland specialties. (Think crab cakes, fried chicken, and, of course, hard-shell crabs.) The partners thought Weinzirl would be a perfect fit for the gig given his 15 years of industry experience, which includes opening Maggie’s Farm. Weinzirl says he jumped at the opportunity to settle in Fells Point. “My first memories of Baltimore, aside from Orioles games at Memorial Stadium, are of times spent in Fells Point,” he says. “You can’t think of Fells Point without envisioning the neighborhood’s familiar centerpiece, Broadway Market. It’s an iconic landmark that deserves to properly honor and showcase Baltimore cuisine.” 1640 Aliceanna St.

Local Dining Week: There’s still time to get in on this dining promotion running through April 7. Presented by local organizations like Strong City Baltimore and Community Wealth Builders, this third-annual event offers discounts at more than 50 restaurants throughout the city. Unlike Baltimore Restaurant Week, where each eatery offers a prix-fixe menu, Dining Week offers a number of different specials that encourage diners to support the local restaurant economy. Plus, in partnership with the Orioles, 100 patrons at each participating eatery will receive vouchers for free tickets to any game in April. Noteworthy deals include three sliders for $6 during happy hour at Abbey Burger, weekend brunch specials at Frazier’s, and 20 percent-off of your bill at BrickNFire Pizza Co.

Luigi’s Italian Deli: It’s a big week for Luigi’s on the Avenue in Hampden. In conjunction with launching a new breakfast new menu, which will be offered Wednesday to Sunday from 9-11 a.m., the go-to sandwich spot announced that it will be opening its BYO-patio for the season on Saturday, April 6. Sample the new Breakfast BLT, veggie sandwich, or “Specky Breaky” (speck, roasted bell peppers, and basil) while soaking up some sun. Free koozies will be given out to the first 50 people who stop by. 846 W. 36th St. 443-438-4195

EPICUREAN EVENTS

4/4-7: Green Street Academy Pops Up at R. House
The students of sustainability-focused Green Street Academy in West Baltimore are setting up shop inside R. House’s rotating pop-up stall this week. Throughout the weekend, Green Street will operate directly next to Molina Pizza from the founders of Urban Pastoral—which donated a climate-controlled greenhouse to the charter school’s campus. All proceeds from the menu of grilled sandwiches will benefit GSA Farms, the school’s agri-tech education program that teaches students about urban farming and healthy eating. 301 W. 29th St.

4/5: Hampden West Fest
Gypsy’s Truckstaurant is honoring its food truck roots by hosting this mini-rally in its parking lot off of Clipper Mill Road. Head to Hampden to enjoy live music, cocktails, beer, wine, and plenty of eats from some of the greats. Dig in to a classic Gypsy Queen crab cone, an order of feta-topped fries from Greek on the Street, a barbecue plate from Kommie Pig, or a scrumptious scoop of Honey Graham from Taharka Bros. The free event is dog- and kid-friendly. 3515 Clipper Mill Rd. 5-10 p.m. 443-869-5602

4/5: Cholita’s Tacos Turns Two
Spend your Friday celebrating Cholita’s second birthday with tacos, tortas, and lots of margaritas. In addition to all-day happy hour specials, the Mount Vernon Marketplace stall is ringing in year two with giveaways, a live DJ spinning all night, and a special nacho challenge kicking off at 5 p.m. 520 Park Ave. 5-10 p.m. 443-796-7393

SHUT

Ceriello Fine Foods: The days are numbered for this stalwart Italian grocery store inside Belvedere Square Market. The New York-based chain has anchored the market for more than a decade, but recently decided not to renew its lease. Owner Andy Ceriello recently told The Sun that the store will close in mid-April, mentioning that it “got old” and it was time for the brand to move on. Known as a one-stop-shop for the makings of an Italian feast, the shop was best known for its house-made sauces, cheeses, and prepared foods. Its Brewers Hill location on the bottom floor of the The Porter apartment building also recently closed due to maintenance issues. There’s no word yet on whether that location will get back up and running. 529 E. Belvedere Ave.

COMING SOON

Abbey Burger Bistro: Husband-and-wife owners Russ and Marigot Miller—along with their business partner Jason Zink of Smaltimore—have already graced Federal Hill, Fells Point, and Ocean City with their mouthwatering burgers and tots. This fall, they’re expanding yet again with another Abbey spinoff in the former home of The Nickel Taphouse in Mt. Washington. This time around, the team is partnering with chef Patrick Morrow to add to Abbey’s sports bar vibe with seafood steamers like shrimp and clams. “We want to use the Abbey concept and keep some of the exotic meats, but also add some things to broaden it up a little bit,” Russ says.

A renovation will yield new floors and revamped bars that will emphasize local and Belgian craft drafts. Of course, in keeping with Abbey tradition, the plan is for the bar to be a hub for European soccer matches. Having grown up in the area, Russ adds that he’s excited to enhance the dining scene in North Baltimore. “Our food scene in Baltimore is continuing to grow and get better and better,” he says. “It’s exciting that we’re stepping up our food game and it’s being recognized from all over.” 1604 Kelly Ave.

On Top Hot Dogs + Burgers: Chef Federico Tischler is shifting his focus from Venezuelan street food to all-American classics at his stall inside R. House in Remington. This Friday, the former White Envelope concept will transform into On Top Hot Dogs + Burgers, Tischler’s new brainchild inspired by his grandmother’s ability to whip up meals using whatever she could find in the refrigerator. “You learn how to cook using recipes, but at the same time, using associations and the ingredients available to you,” he says in a statement. In keeping with that mentality, Tischler will highlight hot dogs topped with mish-mashed ingredients. (The signature “Bullet on the Blue Sky” dog comes dressed with bacon, cheddar cheese, red cabbage, and ground crispy plantains.) Additionally, the menu features classic burgers with DIY toppings including everything from fried egg to confit cherry tomatoes and 12 different sauces. 301 W. 29th St.

Papi’s Tacos: It’s an exciting month for this Fells Point taqueria best known for its Mexican street vibe and killer margaritas. Not only is the Aliceanna Street staple celebrating its fifth birthday this week, but a second Papi’s is expected to debut any day now in the former home of Dimitri’s Tavern in Hampden. Opening across the street from its sister-restaurant Wicked Sisters on Falls Road, the new location will mimic the style of the flagship with its signature antojitos (small snacks) and build-your-own street tacos in a space decorated with interior greenery and lots of sugar skulls. While patiently awaiting the new opening, fans of the restaurant are invited to celebrate Papi’s big birthday at the Fells Point location tonight. Swing by for specials including $5 house margaritas and house wines, $4 sangria, $3 draft beers, and $3 shots of tequila. 1703 Aliceanna St. 410-299-8480

NEWS

Yelp Names Baltimore a Top Foodie City: On the heels of last week’s James Beard Award semifinalists announcement, the national acclaim keeps rolling in for the local dining scene. This week, Yelp ranked Baltimore among its top 10 foodie cities throughout the country. In compiling the list, Yelp’s data science team examined factors such as ratings, reviews, cuisine diversity, and percentage of food photos to determine where users love to eat right now. Coming in at No. 9, Baltimore’s write-up gives nods to our casual pubs, award-winning chefs, and food halls—specifically mentioning spots such as Water for Chocolate and Annabel Lee Tavern. We’re in the company of famous foodie hubs including St. Louis, Houston, San Diego, Honolulu, and San Francisco.

Grand Central Sold to Landmark Partners: It’s the end of an era for this decades-old dance club in Mt. Vernon, a landmark in the LGBTQ community, which was put on the market by longtime owner Don Davis more than a year ago. “My heart has always been there,” Davis told us after making the decision in 2017. “I’ve met so many wonderful people in the past couple of decades. I’ll miss it, but it’s just time.” Last week, it was announced that the club had finally sold to local developers Landmark Partners—the firm behind the City House coworking space located just a few blocks away from Grand Central on Eager Street. For now, the bar remains open under new management, but in the coming months the new owners plan to transform the space into an office building with two retail storefronts on the street level. Stay tuned for more updates. 1001 N. Charles St. 410-752-7133

Sandlot Sets Spring Reopening Date: The current frigid temperatures might make it difficult to envision sipping frozen cocktails at Sandlot in Harbor Point, but the waterfront hangout will be back up and running before we know it. The Woodberry Kitchen sister-spot will officially reopen for the season on May 3. Throughout the past two summers, we’ve gotten to know the beach-themed peninsula as a social spot for enjoying lawn games, live music, and eats on a stick. This time around, expect all of the same attractions with a slew of new events including silent disco parties, plant workshops with B. Willow, wine tastings with Old Westminster Winery, and sunset cruises on board the Baltimore Water Taxis. 1000 Wills St.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

3/8: International Women’s Day at Topside
Gather your favorite boss babes and head up to Topside on the 14th floor of Hotel Revival for this Women’s Day celebration benefiting My Sister’s Place—a local resource center serving women and children experiencing homelessness in the city. The bar will be offering $5 wine specials for all of the ladies, and from 5-9 p.m., a percentage of all purchases will be donated to the cause. Aside from the wine, the bar team will feature a special cocktail dubbed the “Friday Evening”—a nod to Baltimore suffragist and philanthropist Mary Elizabeth Garrett and her friends. 101 W. Monument St. 410-727-7101

3/11: Moccagatta Wine Dinner at Cinghiale
Next week, Cinghiale in Harbor East is welcoming master vintner Martina Minuto all the way from the Barbaresco in Piedmont region of Italy. The wine-making expert works on her family’s estate in Barbaresco, which has roots dating back to the 1800s, and will pair several of their wines with a special menu by executive chef James Lewandowski. Dishes on deck will include roasted forest mushroom bruschetta, beef tenderloin with smoked potato puree, and a hazelnut cake with dark chocolate cherry sauce. 822 Lancaster St. 410-547-8282. $129

SHUT

Lupa: Foreman Wolf Restaurant Group served the last meal at its Roman trattoria in Columbia last weekend. After transitioning from Petit Louis in January of 2018, Lupa quickly became a neighborhood spot for housemade pasta, focaccia pizzas, and some of the best gelato this side of the pond. “We love Lupa and will miss Howard County and all of our regular guests,” Foreman Wolf co-owner Tony Foreman said in a statement. Foreman went on to explain that the restaurant’s investors were no longer interested in funding the spot. “We’re proud and grateful for our time here.” 10215 Wincopin Cir, Columbia

Trinacria Cafe: Stationed on West Centre Street across from Mount Vernon Marketplace, this neighborhood cafe is a go-to for glasses of wine paired with Italian pastas and subs. (Not to mention the lively drag brunches.) But, for the time being, regulars are going to have to visit Trinacria’s decades-old flagship market on West Paca Street to quell cravings. Owner Vince Fava posted a handwritten note to the cafe’s front door last week, which announced that the spot will be closed “until further notice.” Luckily, the downtown deli is open for business to hold everyone over until the Mt. Vernon location—hopefully—reopens in the coming weeks. 111 W. Centre St.

EAT

March 1: Steve Irwin Day

Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, 6526 Holabird Ave. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free.

This Friday, trade the Inner Harbor for the Australian swamplands in honor of America’s favorite crocodile hunter. During this Steve Irwin-inspired bash, don your best khakis-and-bucket-hat ensemble and spend the day snapping pictures with baby kangaroos and an American alligator, testing your stomach with gator and Foster’s Beer specials, and supporting the Irwins’ Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors cause.

DRINK

March 3: Baltimore Bartenders Guild’s “Ryes Up”

Kimpton Hotel Monaco, 2 N. Charles St. 5-8 p.m. $75.

Although scientists are closer than ever to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, there’s still about 30,000 people nationwide living with the genetic disorder. Now in its eighth year, this rye whiskey-inspired fundraiser brings some of the city’s top bartenders under one roof to revel in the amber-colored spirit and support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With more than 20 concoctions, eats from 15 local restaurants, and a silent auction, it’ll be hard to tell whether the warm feeling in your chest is from the whiskey buzz or helping to find a cure.

SEE

March 2: Jonathan Van Ness

The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7 p.m. $55-$149.

I mean, can you believe? Star of the Netflix series Queer Eye and the Getting Curious podcast Jonathan Van Ness is gracing Charm City with his spunk, sass, and show-stopping locks for one night at the Hippodrome Theatre. There’s no telling what this stop on the Road to Beijing tour will bring because while he’s happy to set you up with a new do, this grooming guru is always ready to talk politics and social justice. Come for the comedy, and stay for the tea, honey.

HEAR

March 2: Ed Schrader’s Music Beat

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $13-15.

After a year of touring around the U.S. and Europe, this Baltimore-based, post-punk duo is returning to their roots with a performance at one of city’s most intimate venues. Fans have been hungry ever since last year’s release of the band’s latest album, Riddles. Joined by poet-musician Param Anand Singh and local artist Infinity Knives + Randi, this lively line up has all the makings of a standout show.

DO

March 2: Greater Goods Market

R. House, 301 W. 20th St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

R. House is known for being a one-stop shop for all things delicious, so why not indulge in a trinket or two while you’re at it? After grabbing lunch in the food hall, swing by the garage to browse through this monthly market packed with wares from more than 70 local makers while jamming to tunes by D.J. Discuji from Better on Foot. With a portion of the proceeds supporting the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, this pop-up adventure will keep your shopping impulses heartwarmingly local and completely justified.

From the beginning, R. House in Remington was meant to be a launchpad for aspiring chefs and restaurateurs to grow their budding food businesses beyond the communal food hall. A solid example is Alex Janian, the owner of BRD and Amano Taco who is expanding his fan-favorite chicken sandwich stall to South Baltimore this summer.

Though he was solely focused on getting the two concepts up and running inside R. House when it opened in 2016, as time went on, Janian started to think about how BRD could translate into other neighborhoods.

“We saw customers really latching on to it and coming back all the time,” he says. “And that’s when I really started thinking this could be something cool for Baltimore to experience in other parts of the city.”

Featuring BRD’s drool-worthy chicken sandwiches, wings, and fries, the Federal Hill shop will be located on the ground floor of Wheelhouse—a five-story apartment building currently under construction on the corner of South Charles and Cross streets. The late August debut will come at an ideal time for the neighborhood’s dining scene, which will also welcome the newly renovated Cross Street Market just across the street this spring.

Given the restaurant’s location in the heart of the Federal Hill bar district, Janian plans to stay open after last call on weekends.

“We want to be there when people want it,” he says. “We don’t want to close when people are hungry. We want to be there when the crowds are there, and we want to be enjoying the night right along with them.”

Diners can expect to see the same globally influenced sandwiches and wings (everything from spicy Japanese katsu to Jamaican jerk chicken), as well as the Old Bay-seasoned “Bmore Bird” and French fries with vinegar inspired by Janian’s local upbringing. But the new menu will also grow to include crispy chicken tenders and thick milkshakes to wash down all of the eats.

Taking up 1,700 square feet of Wheelhouse’s ground-level retail space, the eatery will offer 40 seats and feature the same counter-service model that BRD does at R. House. In fact, Janian says that many aspects of the new space will take inspiration from the food hall flagship, developed in part by his brother, Chris, founder of Vitruvius Co.

“We’re going after a similar vibe,” he says. “The developers at R. House did such a great job creating a communal space where people can come and stay for hours. We want that convivial atmosphere where people can rub elbows with friends, or even meet people they don’t know.”

Designed by Kuo Pao Lian of PI.KL Studio—the same local firm that dreamed up the interior for R. House—the new spot will offer all communal tables, warm woods, and pops of red and black throughout.

“It’s going to be a space that’s both modern and very comfortable,” Janian adds. “It really centers around the communal table and the counter so that the focus is still on the food and the people sitting next to you.”

Janian, who says opening restaurants has been a dream of his since he was young, is looking forward to spreading the BRD footprint throughout his hometown.

“I’ve lived in Federal Hill before and I know the energy that’s there,” he says. “That’s the exact energy we want for BRD—people who love their food, love having a great time, and really just have a love for Baltimore.”

EAT

Dec. 7: R. House’s Birthday Blowout

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. Free

This Friday marks the second anniversary of Remington’s beloved food hall, and we have to admit—we’ve spent the better part of the past two years sipping cocktail creations from R. Bar and eating our way through stalls like Amano Taco, Be.bim, and BRD. Celebrate R. House’s big day with two-for-one food specials, a birthday-themed bar, and fun-filled activities like face painting and a scavenger hunt. The adults-only part of the celebration starts at 9 p.m., so be sure to tuck the kiddos into bed and sneak back over before then.

DRINK

Dec. 7: Baltimore Spirits Company Invades Old Line Spirits

The Ready Room Cocktail Bar, 200 S. Janney St. 7-10 p.m. Free.

Since Old Line Spirits added The Ready Room cocktail bar to their Highlandtown facility this summer, it has become a go-to spot for creative cocktails made with the distillery’s signature rums and whiskeys. But for one night only, Baltimore Spirits Company will take over bar with its crowd-favorite spirits like Shot Tower Gin and Fumus Pumila Smoked Apple Brandy. In between sampling sips of winter warmers, try a barrel-smoked meat sandwich from local newcomers Scalawags Pit Meat.

SEE

Dec. 9: A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Modell Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 1 & 4 p.m. $25-55.

We all know and love the Peanuts, and this Sunday, see Snoopy and the whole gang come alive on the Lyric stage during this all-new production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Follow along as Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and their merry band of Peanuts characters discover the true meaning of Christmas during this family-favorite musical, featuring classic tunes by original composer Vince Guaraldi.

HEAR

Dec. 8: Version with Trillnatured

The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Free.

Although Trillnatured originally made her mark on Baltimore’s music scene with her R&B and jazz-influenced club mixes, Version—her monthly turnups at The Crown that celebrate this city’s LGBTQ community—have made her a local icon. During the final event of the year, dance until all hours of the morning to sounds by Trillnatured herself and rising local rapper Kotic Couture. Be on the lookout for details about Version’s two-year anniversary party in January.

DO

Dec. 7: Handmade in Hampden

SweetSide Cafe, 3543 Chestnut Ave. 4-8 p.m. Free.

With holiday shopping season well underway, stop into this one-day-only market to find locally made gifts for everyone on your list. From handmade scarves and dolls to Baltimore-inspired trinkets, this pop-up shop at SweetSide Café will feature tons of homemade goods by Hampden-based makers such as MerinoCreation and BeautyCounter. While you’re at it, grab a toasty panini and warm latte to fuel your gift-hunting habits.

Celery juice, turmeric, kombucha, and activated charcoal might sound like items from your local health food store or cold-pressed juice stand. But lately, these ingredients are showing up on area menus as part of a national trend toward more health-conscious cocktails. “Baltimore is a little behind on this movement, but you’re starting to see it more and more,” says Gino Kozera, who just opened coffee and beer cafe Amber in Locust Point. “Trying to use as much natural, non-GMO, and fresh fruit as possible is a part of our ethos.”

Amber highlights drinks concocted with locally made Wild Kombucha flavors such as elderberry in the Gin Fizz or grapefruit-ginger that’s mixed with rye in the Port Authority. There’s also the St. Pablo, a rum drink containing honey and cayenne pepper—ingredients usually associated with a cleanse.

Of course, it should be noted that no alcoholic drink is 100 percent good for you. But national brands such as Ketel One’s new all-natural botanical products with cucumber and fresh-squeezed peach are trying to help consumers drink more responsibly by veering away from artificial flavors. Even a recent Crown Royal commercial encourages its viewers to take a “water break” while watching NFL games.

“Fully embracing wellness and finding ways to live a healthier lifestyle is something you’re seeing more of in the industry,” says Ginny Lawhorn, who runs Baltimore Cocktail Week and the bar at Landmark Theatre in Harbor East (which offers a drink made with activated charcoal). “Bartending is no longer a pay-my-rent-while-I-can job. People are now in it as a career and thinking about their own health and longevity.” Lawhorn’s most recent Cocktail Week included an all-day series of wellness workshops—including a yoga flow followed by conversations centered around nutrition—at R. House hosted by bar manager Amie Ward.

That industry passion is translating to consumers. It’s something we’ve seen in older institutions—like Woodberry Kitchen and Wit & Wisdom, which use fresh juices and even have mocktail menus—and new establishments alike. The recently opened Vida Taco Bar in Harbor Point has a carrot juice cocktail, and The Regal Beagle in Canton makes the Between Two Ferns with celery juice and black pepper and Daytime Drama with a turmeric cordial.

“Just as cuisine has gone farm-to-table, cocktail programs have gone garden-to-glass,” Lawhorn says. “Beets were very popular for a while, turmeric is now, charcoal is a mixed bag of opinions. The overall goal is using little to no sugar while still maximizing flavor.”

As with any trend, there is a limit (we’ve come across distilled non-alcoholic spirits, which gave us a moment of pause) and the pendulum is likely to swing back. But for now, we’re really enjoying feeling like a saint while we sin—and the easier hangovers are certainly a plus.

EAT

Nov. 9: Pop Up Night Market

Baltimore Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. 6 p.m.-12 a.m. $8-85.

On the heels of the first-ever Charm City Night Market that brought thousands of people downtown for authentic Asian-American eats, crafts, and performances, a pop-up version of the successful block party will take over Center Stage on Friday night. Stop by the Mt. Vernon theater to browse wares by local makers and samples snacks from local vendors like Ekiben, Pinch Dumplings, and Wight Tea Co. For an all-night affair, snag VIP tickets for the chance to see Center Stage’s latest production, King of the Yees, along with post-show perks in the theater’s Deering Lounge.

DRINK

Nov. 10: Proof: Maryland Spirits and Cocktails

College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr. 6-9 p.m. $35.

Since the number of businesses producing spirits in the Old Line State has jumped 425 percent in the past five years (from 7 to 30 distilleries), it comes as no surprise the state has dedicated a month to the historic and booming industry. To celebrate the inaugural Maryland Spirits Month, make the quick trip to College Park to sip crafted cocktails by Lyon Distilling, Blackwater Distilling, and Baltimore-based favorites like The Baltimore Spirits Company and Old Line Spirits. In between pours, take in a small-batch seminar to learn about the art of mixers and creating the pucker-perfect sour cocktail.

SEE

Nov. 11-March 9, 2019: Romare Bearden

Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E Pratt St. Times vary. Free-$8

Starting Sunday, a collection of pieces by the prolific visual artist Romare Bearden, best known for his collages and other works depicting the realities of African-American life during the 1960s, will be on view at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in dedication to the artist’s tremendous impact on the community. Take advantage of this weekend’s “pay what you can” rate and see more than 70 of the late artist’s collages, watercolors, and drawings at this downtown museum and honor his depiction of African-American religion and spirituality.

HEAR

Nov. 4: Caleb Stine’s ’Round the Mountain

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $22-28.

Known around town as one of the key players in Baltimore’s folk music scene, Caleb Stine and his rustic, Americana sound will lead this year’s edition of ’Round the Mountain. During this annual show, long revered for its tradition of connecting musicians from around the world through country music, hear the singer-songwriter play alongside steel guitarist Dave Hadley of The Bumper Jacksons, Baltimore-based fiddle player Audrey Hamilton, and West African-inspired group Jess Sah Bi & Peter One. Catch this one-of-a-kind jam session and get ready to hear songs from Stine’s latest album, Moon, played in a whole new way.

DO

Nov. 10: Harvest Festival

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 12-5 p.m. Free.

Thanks to R. House’s annual fall extravaganza, you don’t have to leave the city to revel in classic autumn activities. Bring the kiddos to the Remington food hall’s harvest festival for pony rides, a petting zoo, and face painting while the grown-ups sip on fall libations from Charm City Meadworks, Monument City, and punch made with Le Monade’s pumpkin cider. During this afternoon affair, learn how to plant succulents inside pumpkins and gourds, peruse vintage and craft wares, and celebrate these final days of fall in style.

What makes brunch brunch? Many would say it’s the combination of late-morning reservations, eggs on everything, and gingerly nursed hangovers that sets the weekend ritual apart from other meals. But Jason Bass and Ryan Rhodes, cofounders of The Night Brunch, are questioning that formula, and the success of their bimonthly foodie fête proves that brunch isn’t relegated to lazy Sunday mornings anymore.

Bass and Rhodes met five years ago through mutual friends, and although neither partner has a background in food—Bass is the cofounder of local bag shop Treason Toting Company, and Rhodes spins records as DJ Impulse—Rhodes points out, “We’ve been eating brunch a long time.”

After years of sampling how cities such as New York and Los Angeles approach the weekend meal, the Maryland natives wanted to bring a taste of that bustling lifestyle home. The duo launched The Night Brunch series this past April at Remington’s popular R. House food hall, and since then, hundreds of gourmands have flocked to the exclusive Wednesday and Saturday night gatherings at local eateries such as Wet City, Gertrude’s, and Topside.

Each event boasts a specialty menu of brunch eats ranging from shrimp and grits to coffee cinnamon rolls, with Bloody Marys and mimosas flowing throughout the night. Tickets run between $5-10, and they go quickly: August’s event at Southern Provisions in Canton sold out in just 14 hours.

The Night Brunch redefines brunch not just as a meal, but as a meeting place where people of all ages and from all corners of the city can rub elbows. Bass and Rhodes have already expanded their concept to include Night Brunch-branded cooking classes, and they hope to continue to use brunch as a way to unite all eaters.

“People are starting to come together more than ever,” says Bass. “Through these kinds of events, we can create the culture we want to see in our city.”

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

EAT

Aug. 12: Ancestor’s Dinner

Ida B’s Table, 235 Holliday Street. 6-9 p.m. $60.

This Sunday, our go-to comfort food spot will premiere this first-of-its-kind dinner series that invites renowned chefs to take over the kitchen at Ida B’s Table to serve a family-style meal inspired by their ancestors. For the first installment, Charleston-born chef Benjamin “D.J.” Dennis, known for his appearances on Top Chef and Moveable Feast, will make a five-course dinner that will infuse the flavors of the Lowcountry into his signature Gullah Geechee cuisine. Revel in the chance to expand your culinary palate and learn more about the history and culture of Gullah food traditions.

DRINK

Aug. 10: Pints in the Park

Center Plaza, 120 W. Fayette St. 5-8 p.m. Free.

Leave the office on Friday afternoon and head straight to Center Plaza in the heart of downtown for Pints in the Park, a monthly outdoor happy hour featuring libations from local favorites Calvert Brewing Company, Heavy Seas Beer, and Linganore Wine Cellars. While sipping on three-dollar glasses of red, white, or hoppy, hear live tunes by Baltimore singer-songwriter Joi Carter, play a round of corn hole or Ping-Pong, and unwind during this perfect summer set-up.

SEE

Aug. 12: Sunday Summer Camp Series

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 5-9:30 p.m. Free.

We miss the good ol’ days when our summer months were filled with bunkbeds, bug bites, and bonfires at sleepaway camp. From now until mid-October, relive those carefree days every Sunday night at R. House with a camp-themed movie series and frozen drinks from the food hall’s tropical mobile bar. This weekend, settle in for back-to-back screenings of The Parent Trap, featuring Lindsay Lohan’s still-charming film debut as a pair of twins, and Wet Hot American Summer, with pre-fame Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, and Elizabeth Banks in this ambitious and hilarious parody.

HEAR

Aug. 11-12: Moonrise Festival

Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $109-$299.50.

You don’t need to rock kandi or know the PLUR handshake to have fun at Moonrise, but it sure wouldn’t hurt. This weekend, Baltimore’s fifth-annual EDM festival returns for a two-day celebration of every style of dance music from bass drops to hip-hop, with a stacked lineup highlighted by the likes of heavy-hitters Diplo, Marshmello, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Be sure to catch Saturday’s set by dub legend Rusko and an appearance by avant-rap royalty Vince Staples on Sunday.

DO

Aug. 11-12: AFRAM Festival

Druid Hill Park, 3001 East Dr. Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free.

For its 42nd year, the city’s annual celebration of African-American life, music, and culture will return to Druid Hill Park for two days of family-friendly activities and events. During this jam-packed weekend, learn more about financial literacy, try your hand at yoga, peruse the open-air marketplace, and hear headline performer and pop songstress Ella Mai, whose single “Boo’d Up” has been inescapable this summer, along with sets by rising rapper Jacquees, local R&B group Dru Hill, and gospel singer VaShawn Mitchell.

Typically, the annual Baltimore Cocktail Week kicks off with a cocktail competition. But rather than pitting local bartenders against one another, organizer Ginny Lawhorn is taking a more collaborative approach this time around.

“In the face of the heartbreaking number of restaurant closures in the last year and a half, I didn’t feel like we needed another competition,” says Lawhorn, the co-owner of Sticky Rice, who started the event in 2015. “There’s more of a desire to create a community conversation and focus on cultivating small businesses, whether it’s engaging in them as consumers or supporting the jobs that they create.”

This year, the weeklong initiative happening July 30-August 4 will launch with an across-town happy hour at five bars scattered from Hampden to Canton, including Holy Frijoles, The Red Star in Charles Village, Sticky Rice, Bartenders Pub, and The Regal Beagle. On Monday, July 30 from 4-10 p.m., each spot will create a specialty drink using a certain spirit, and a portion of the final sales will be donated to local nonprofits.

“Baltimore has so many unique communities,” Lawhorn says. “People become so comfortable exploring their own, but sometimes it’s nice to engage customers and try to get them just a neighborhood away.”

The inclusive feel of the kick-off happy hour is fitting for this year’s theme, “Better Together”—which Lawhorn says will be an undertone in all of the Baltimore Cocktail Week meetups. From a special brunch to a conversation about collective bargaining, the daily events (many of which are open to the public) will address subjects like sustainability, innovation, and wellness in the hospitality industry.

Feminism will also be a topic of discussion, as five female industry leaders gather for a “Badass Business Babes” panel at Waverly Brewing on July 31 at 7 p.m. Admission to the talk is $25 with all proceeds being donated to House of Ruth. Panelists will include Lane Harlan of Clavel and W.C. Harlan, Judy Neff of Checkerspot Brewing, Carrie Podles of Alexander’s Tavern and Papi’s Tacos, Emily Lerman of Mera Kitchen Collective, and Paige Baskauskas of Opici Wines.

“It’s going to be great to hear everyone else’s opinions about working in the hospitality industry from all sides,” says Baskauskas, a wine sales representative for Opici. “This is a great event to show everyone that we’re educated when it comes to our craft. We know what we’re doing and we want to expand on that even more.”

The week continues with a free, all-day series of wellness workshops at R. House in Remington on August 1. Led by our own local “healthtender” Amie Ward, the gathering will begin with yoga followed by a series of conversations about nutrition, sobriety, and sexual assault prevention.

Another industry trend being represented is sustainability, which will be addressed at a get-together at Foraged in Hampden on August 2. Six national brands, including Bombay Sapphire and Sierra Nevada, will present local bartenders with information about how to minimize their ecological footprints.

“It’s not a secret that we’re a wasteful industry,” Lawhorn says. “It’s a lot of packaging and food waste. But where do you start? Paper straws and compostable to-go containers are amazing. It’s all about focusing on that next step to lower your environmental impact.”

Later that day, Ceremony Coffee in Mt. Vernon will host “Punch with a Purpose,” a collaborative cocktail class that will teach consumers about the versatility of different spirits by creating a seasonal punch. “It’s super fun to dump bottles in things,” quips Lawhorn. “It’s also exciting to be able to engage a beautiful space like Ceremony in a different way for an evening conversation.”

Closing out the week will be a Baltimore Cocktail Week collaboration with the Fells Point Farmers’ Market on August 4. Attendees will be able to sample sips from eight neighborhood bartenders and vote for their favorites. The winner will be the signature cocktail at the End of Summer Soiree at the Sagamore Pendry on August 23.

In keeping with the “Better Together” theme, Lawhorn says she hopes that the weeklong initiative sparks a sense of community engagement in patrons and bartenders alike.

“There’s something so important about conversations next to your friends at a bar stool, or across the bar with a bartender,” she says, “and what that can mean to cultivation of ideas and a sense of community in a city.”

EAT

July 13: Harbor Market

McKeldin Square, 101 E. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 443-743-3308.

Whether you’re on your lunch break or cutting out of work a little early (we won’t tell), start your weekend with bites from Harbor Market, a bi-weekly pop-up marketplace at McKeldin Square. This Friday’s lunchtime lineup includes eats from Mt. Vernon favorite Dooby’s, barbeque fare from The Smoking Swine food truck, and foodie-approved drinks from Le Monade. Stick around to hear live music and play lawn games like corn hole and can jam during this afternoon escape.

DRINK

July 14: Das Bier Haus Block Party

Das Bier Haus, 1542 Light St. 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Free. 443-708-8854.

Oktoberfest is still three months away but fear not—Das Bier Haus’ annual summer block party will have enough beers to tide you over until then. On Saturday, the South Baltimore beer hall will take over Light Street for eine feier with live music by Baltimore-based acts Mike Manos and The Readys, drinking games, and, of course, tons of ice-cold beer. With free-flowing brews like Devils Backbone, Goose Island, and Hofbrau, raise a giant stein and revel in this third annual al fresco street party.

SEE

July 14-15: Baltimore Caribbean Carnival

Clifton Park, 2801 Harford Rd. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free-$20. 410-362-2957.

This weekend, experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the 37th annual Baltimore Caribbean Carnival at Clifton Park. The highlight of this two-day festival is hands down Saturday’s must-see parade, featuring a mile-long procession of fluorescent costumes, masked revelers, and pulsing calypso and reggae beats. Join thousands of attendees at this can’t-miss tradition for tons of authentic eats, live music by jab jab superstar Tallpree and socasinger Patrice Roberts, and the chance to see one of the city’s most colorful parades.

HEAR

July 15: Charm City Junction at Ladew Gardens

Ladew Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 6-8 p.m. Free-$15. 410-557-9570.

Pack up the lawn chairs, a pair of shades, and a picnic basket—that’s all you’ll need to enjoy this Sunday’s Charm City Junction concert at Ladew Gardens. This beloved local acoustic quartet released their sophomore album, Duckpin, on Thursday, so think of this outdoor concert as a release party of sorts. Their plucky, Americana sound is ideal for all ages, so bring the kiddos and dance along to tunes like “Frog on a Lily Pad” and “Train on The Island.”

DO

July 14: Derby Daze

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 12-5 p.m. Free. 443-347-3570.

Remington’s R. House has become a local staple for its rotating food stalls and themed cocktails. But this weekend, the popular food hall will become part-baseball stadium and part-roller skating rink during this first-of-its-kind fundraiser to benefit MissionFit Baltimore. Grab a hot dog from White Envelope and enjoy the family-friendly fun, including a dunk tank, a skate party in the parking garage with beats by radio station WTMD, and a home-run derby. Best of all, the guest of honor at Saturday’s celebration is none other than the Orioles Bird.

EAT

June 23: Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival

Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. & 5-9 p.m. Free-$95. 800-830-3976.

Some things are better enjoyed together: hot summer days and Snoasis snowballs, an O’s game and a crab mac and cheese dog, and, of course, crabs and beer. This Saturday, Baltimore’s biggest crab feast returns to the Inner Harbor for its fifth all-you-can-taste extravaganza featuring more than 30,000 Old Bay-doused crustaceans, plus bottomless brews, wines, and spirits. Grab a mallet, stake out a picnic table, and dig into this time-honored tradition.

DRINK

June 23: Mai Bar Summer Launch Party

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. 6-8 p.m. Free-$25. 443-347-3570.

Don your best hula skirt or Jimmy Buffet-inspired Hawaiian shirt and head to R. House for a tropical-themed patio party to debut Mai Bar, the Remington food hall’s new outdoor oasis of frozen libations. Get into an island state of mind with lei-making, lawn games, and a lush Instagram-worthy photo booth from B. Willow, all while sipping blended cocktails like frosés and gin mai tais. While you’re there, be sure to stop inside to try R. Bar’s new summer camp-inspired seasonal menu.

SEE

June 23: World Refugee Day Festival

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 12-3 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651.

There’s never been a better time to rally around and support Charm City’s growing refugee community. This Saturday, bring the whole family to Highlandtown to see performances by traditional African dancer Jackline Ndaizye, the award-winning Silk Road Dance Company, Nepal pop music superstar Prem Raja Mahat, and afro-fusion band Mokoomba during this 10th annual celebration. Get there early to check out hands-on workshops and sample international eats from local vendors.

HEAR

June 22-23: Outdoor Summer Jam Weekend

Motor House, 120 W. North Ave. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Sat. 4-11 p.m., $5-10. 410-637-8301.

During this two-day music festival hosted by local arts hub Motor House, the technicolor Graffiti Alley, one of Station North’s best-kept secrets, will act as the backdrop to two distinct performances. On Friday, as part of a collaboration between the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Motor House, hear a chamber jam hosted by local beat boxer Shodekeh with performances by contemporary orchestra Mind on Fire and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun’s band OK Miss. Head back on Saturday night to catch a street party in the alley with tons of Korean soul food, a high-stakes bboy/bgirl battle, and an after-party at Motor House to keep the beat going all night long.

DO

June 22: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25. 443-573-1700.

Known around town as “Baltimore’s best art party,” the Baltimore Museum of Art’s after-hours soiree returns this Friday in honor of its revolutionary Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture, 1963-2017 exhibit. Once the gallery lights go down, hear performances by Abdu Ali with drummer Josh Stokes, saxophonist Sarah Hughes, and singer Randi Withani, create laser-cut wearables with artist Sarah Juanita, take in an in-gallery talk with this year’s Sondheim Artscape Prize finalists, and explore the museum’s African art collection with BMA curator Kevin Tervala, all while enjoying light bites and rubbing elbows with fellow creatives.

EAT

June 15-17: The Big Softy Pop-Up at R. House

R. House, 301 W. 29th St. Fri. and Sat. 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 810-531-8022.

Soft-shell crab season is in full swing, and to celebrate, local chef Craig Falk is bringing his crustacean-centric pop-up concept to R. House for a few days of deep-fried deliciousness. This weekend, head to Remington’s popular food hall to get your hands on the Big Softy’s namesake soft crab sandwich, as well as daily specials like wild mushroom crab pasta on Friday, crab-and-corn stuffed squash blossoms on Saturday, and crab cakes for a dad-approved brunch on Father’s Day.

DRINK

June 16: Baltimore Wine Fest

Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. 12-7 p.m. $15-89. 410-409-7123.

With temperatures predicted to climb into the mid-80s on Saturday, cool off with a few glasses of vino and a stroll around the picturesque Canton Waterfront Park. A ticket to this fourth annual festival allows you to sip on a selection of more than 160 wines from around the world, and pair your vintages with bites from local favorite like Ekiben and Taharka Brothers Ice Cream to balance out the buzz.

SEE

June 16: 1 West Mount Vernon Place Opening Celebration

The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000.

This Saturday marks the grand unveiling of The Walters Art Museum’s magnificent new 1 West Mount Vernon Place. After a four-year revitalization process, this 19th-century mansion has received a stunning facelift, with its Tiffany stained-glass skylight and grand spiral staircase on display in all its restored glory, plus a new ceramics exhibition on the second floor. Celebrate this historic space in the heart of Mt. Vernon with a block party featuring live music, eats from Dizzy Cow Pizzeria and Mr. Souvlaki, and ceramics-themed activities.

HEAR

June 16: Baltimore Band Block Party

WTMD, 1 Olympic Pl., Towson. 2-10 p.m. $20-60.

WTMD’s First Thursdays concerts are the see-and-be-seen shows of the summer, both for the fans in the crowd and the bands onstage. On Saturday, head to WTMD Studios to support local acts like singer-songwriter Shelby Blondell, dream-pop sirens Waterplanet, and epic rockers Lenore LeNoire as they compete for the chance to join the September lineup. During this annual fundraiser for the alternative radio station, each ticket buys a vote for your favorite act to perform a live set that night and to move onto the final round of this high-stakes competition.

DO

June 15-17: Baltimore Pride Weekend

Old Goucher, Charles North, & Station North. Locations & times vary. Free.

Rock your rainbow gear and celebrate Baltimore’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community during this weekend’s 43rd annual Baltimore Pride. With a jam-packed weekend of events, kick off the festivities on Friday night with the Twilight on the Terrace benefit cocktail party at Gertrude’s, a drag show at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore featuring local queens Dusty Ray Bottoms and Washington Heights, and GayCon, a new Pride dance party created by Abdu Ali and featuring performances by DDm. On Saturday, join thousands at the annual big-bang block party, featuring the high heel race up Cathedral Street, the colorful 11-block parade to Station North, and headline performances by Baltimore Club maven TT the Artist and rising hip-hop artist Taylor Bennett. To wrap up the weekend, head to Druid Hill Park on Sunday for a family-friendly festival with live music, face-painting, and drag performances.

Spring is finally making its debut in Baltimore—with flowery buds blooming on trees and neighbors venturing out to sit on their stoops. With that also comes fresh area produce and the use of herbaceous and fruity local ingredients on cocktail menus around town.

“A lot of what we do with cocktails here is fun and quirky anyway,” says Jake Lefenfeld, co-owner of Minnow in Riverside. “But spring is that great time to get locally sourced carrots and beautiful fruits like huckleberries.”

Minnow’s new spring cocktail menu, which launches on Monday, include drinks on the entire color spectrum including Through the Looking Glass, a gin martini with lychee pearls infused with a bright, naturally blue butterfly pea extract.

“We were lucky enough to work in the McCormick science lab to test what products we could infuse that would still hold up their forms,” Lefenfeld says. “You’ve got to fail at eight different things before you get it to work. My goal was to use something natural to achieve a beautiful color.”

Natural ingredients are also highlighted on the new, John Waters-inspired menu at R. Bar, which uses titles from the filmmakers’ irreverent portfolio as inspiration.

“We’re finally getting the fresh things that are locally produced,” says R. Bar manager Amie Ward. “You’re looking at more greenery and herbs; berries start to get on the radar. Any opportunity I have to sneak in carrot juice or snap peas into cocktails, I’ll take it.”

One way Ward’s staff is sneaking in those vegetables in is through the Suspicious Scotty Barnhill (based off a character in Serial Mom), which uses Barr Hill Gin, Mastiha Greek Liqueur, carrot juice from R. House’s Stall 11, and Shrub District Celery.

“At first, you wouldn’t think all those ingredients would pair well together except if you were a health nut,” Ward says. “But it’s delicious! People say it’s a great Bloody Mary substitute.”

An ode to Female Trouble, the Trouble Maker cocktail also uses stall ingredients—in this case, matcha tea, from Ground & Griddled—to compliment the funky notes of Paranubes Oaxacan Rum, herbaceous honey-thyme flavor of Vecchio Amaro del Capo, and lemon.

When thinking about summer festivals in Baltimore, most probably visualize toilet bowls racing down The Avenue at Hampdenfest, or children sucking lemon peppermint sticks at FlowerMart in Mt. Vernon. These community events have become time-honored traditions in neighborhoods all across the city. And now, Remington is following suit by launching its own annual summer soiree.

“The more we thought about it, we were really the last neighborhood in Central Baltimore that didn’t have its own festival,” says Greater Remington Improvement Association (GRIA) board member Peter Morrill, who has lived in the community for the past six years. “Hampden has two of them, Charles Village does their thing, and now Pride has moved to Old Goucher. Everyone’s got one except us.”

To celebrate the area’s rich history and bright future, the GRIA is partnering with many of Remington’s small businesses to host Remfest on Saturday, May 12 from 12-9 p.m. The community’s first-ever large-scale festival will feature local music, food, beer, and street vendors set up from 27th to 29th streets along Remington Avenue.

Morrill says that 2018 is a great year to host the inaugural event—not only because of the various developments in the neighborhood over the past two years (including food hall R. House and the Remington Row apartment building), but also because this year marks the centennial of some of the area’s most celebrated properties. A portion of 27th Street, as well as the 2800 block of Howard Street, were built by a developer named E.J. Gallagher starting in the summer of 1917. The buildings later sold in the spring and following summer of 1918.

“Initially, I just wanted to do a centennial block party for our neighbors,” Morrill says. “But then I started thinking about all of the new things popping up and all of the huge changes. It’s interesting—we have all of these 100-year-old buildings and one-and-a-half-year-old buildings all right next to each other.”

Though details are still in the works, many local businesses have been pitching in during the planning stages of the festival. For example, Liz Vayda, who opened her indoor plants shop B. Willow on 27th Street last year, has been organizing all of the vendor applications. And the team from the Ottobar, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary on North Howard Street, has booked the music lineup. Featured performers will include art rock quintet Surf Harp, soul singer Joy Postell, new wave rockers PLRLS, indie-pop group Raindeer, and more. 

Festival-goers can also expect food from neighborhood eateries like Charmington’s, R. House, and The Dizz. Beer will be provided by Union Craft Brewing.

“We’ve been trying to get as many of our neighbors who make things and do cool things to get involved with it,” Morrill says. “Our biggest focus is keeping it local. It will be fun to get everybody to come out whether they’ve been here for a long time, or they just moved in.”

As the population continues to grow in Remington, the GRIA is persisting with its various initiatives including facade-improvement programs, working to rezone the area’s corner stores for commercial use, and promoting a master plan that supports inclusionary housing. Though the association has hosted smaller block parties in the past, Morrill says that, given all of the improvements, it “feels like the right time” to upgrade to a larger event.

“We’re really lucky to have some of the most motivated people in the city here getting things done,” he says. “It’s going to be a great event to talk about all of the work we’ve been doing and get excited about what’s to come.”