Here are some of the hottest shows hitting area venues this summer.

By Sofia Appolonio and Molly Szymanski

Opening photo courtesy of Pier Six Pavilion

The classic Baltimore heat and humidity are starting to settle in, so you know what that means: it’s time to get outside to dance (and sweat) to some great live music. 

The Charm City area is chock full of superb concert venues—from the waterfront Pier Six to the spacious grounds of Merriweather—and there are lots of acts both big and small stopping by throughout the summer. 

As Baltimore continues to embrace impressive headliners taking the stage at CFG Bank Arena—going strong in its second year with upcoming names like Usher (Aug. 23) and Sabrina Carpenter (Oct. 5)—it’s also mourned the loss of a few massive music festivals in the area. Firefly in Dover, DE won’t be returning for the second year in a row, and Moonrise Festival isn’t coming back to Pimlico Race Course this summer. 

Still, there are still plenty of sights and sounds to look forward to. From upbeat entertainers to country stars (plus returning local summer concert series), here’s an overview of some of the hottest shows to catch in the next few months.

Industry Icons

7/13: Janet Jackson
CFG Bank Arena
The queen of pop is coming to help you lose control to No. 1 hits like “Escapade,” “When I Think of You,” and “That’s the Way Love Goes.” You can also look forward to hits like “Hot in Here” and “Air Force Ones” by special guest, Nelly.

8/6: Fantasia
Pier Six Pavillion
The Grammy and American Idol-winning songstress is bringing her sparkling vocals to Pier Six Pavilion on the heels of her starring role in last year’s The Color Purple movie musical and an extraordinary tribute to Tina Turner at this year’s awards for the recording academy.

8/1: Missy Elliott
CFG Bank Arena
Make sure to drop it, flip it and reverse it when you see one of hip- hop’s most dynamic performers for an out-of-this-world show—featuring her legendary peers Ciara, Busta Rhymes, and Timbaland. 

8/16: New Kids On The Block
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Eighties and ’90s nostalgics are going to flood the Merriweather grounds for this one. Following the release of their Still Kids album—their first LP in nearly 11 years—the forever boyband is bringing their charismatic blend of synthpop and hip-hop on the “Magic Summer” tour with special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

8/23: Usher
CFG Bank Arena
Still can’t get enough of Usher after his incredible Super Bowl halftime performance? Or just obsessed with TikToks of him serenading women in Vegas? You’re in luck. The R&B icon is coming to CFG Bank Arena toward the tail-end of summer to have us all falling in love again with his discography of hits and killer dance moves.

Pop Performers 

7/26: Countess Luann
Rams Head Live
Money might not buy you class, but it can buy you an unforgettable cabaret experience with Luann “The Countess” de Lesseps. The Real Housewives of New York star arrives in Charm City fresh off performing at festivals across Europe, ready to share her infinite etiquette wisdom from her “Marry F Kill” tour.

7/27: Two Door Cinema Club
Pier Six Pavillion
You might not be familiar with the group’s name, but you’ve undoubtedly heard the addictive guitar riffs on viral tracks like “Undercover Martyn” and “What You Know”—which blur the lines of funk, electronic, and indie rock. The Northern Ireland-based group will have you dancing with classics from their album Tourist History all the way to their new single “Happy Customers.”

7/28: Justice
The Anthem
Known best for their genre-blending electronica, the festival favorite French duo is set to have The Anthem jumping all night with the fresh psychedelic influences from their latest album Hyperdrama, alongside their classic brand of experimental funk and rock house music.

8/14: Joshua Bassett
Pier Six Pavillion
An instantly recognizable Gen-Z icon for his role in High School Musical The Musical: The Series, Joshua Bassett’s romantic soft pop sound will have you swooning all night long as he tours for his debut album, The Golden Years.

8/17: Glass Animals
Merriweather Post Pavilion
The chart topping alternative pop group—known for their smash hit “Heat Waves”—will have you on your feet all night with their radio candy melodies. Get there on time to catch an opening set from eclectic rapper and singer Kevin Abstract, formerly of the group BROCKHAMPTON.

Reliable Rockers

7/14: Gideon
Baltimore Soundstage
Through searing metalcore and angry, punctuating delivery, Gideon’s brand of distinct hardcore sets them apart from many of their contemporaries. Join the crowd at Soundstage to experience a “giddy” state of disorientation at the show.

7/19: G. Love & Special Sauce
Rams Head Live
Get in the groovy summer spirit as G. Love & Special Sauce looks back on 30 years since the release of their laid-back, blues-infused debut album.

7/19: Third Eye Blind with Yellowcard and Arizona
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, we can almost guarantee you’ve had Third Eye Blind’s catchy “Semi-Charmed Life” stuck in your head at one point or another. Embrace the summer spirit with the alternative rockers, who will be joined by pop-punk legends Yellowcard (“Ocean Avenue”) and electropop band Arizona.

8/3: Hootie and the Blowfish
Merriweather Post Pavilion
They only want to be with you, Baltimore. After releasing a new single “For What It’s Worth,” the band is stopping by Merriweather to play their hit-making blend of rock, blues, and country.

8/6: Black Flag
Ottobar
Seven studio albums and almost 50 years later, Black Flag’s rebellious sentiment within their classic punk sound still hits just as hard today. Dust off your leather jacket and break out those buried chains for a punk-filled night at the Ottobar.

8/10: Taking Back Sunday
Rams Head Live
Over two decades into their career, one of the most memorable ’00s alternative/pop-punk groups is headed out on tour to celebrate their eighth studio album, 152. If you’re a fan, you better make damn sure you grab tickets.

Country Stars

7/12: Conner Smith
Power Plant Live!
At only 23 years old, the rising star from Nashville is embarking on his first national tour, celebrating his debut album Smoky Mountains.

7/31: Whitey Morgan & the 78s
Baltimore Soundstage
Old-school outlaw country is the vibe from this Michigan-based band, which brings frontman Whitey Morgan’s smokey vocals and acclaimed songwriting to the forefront.

8/3: Niko Moon
Power Plant Live!
Best known for his work with the platinum-selling Zac Brown Band, musician Niko Moon continued blazing his own trail of positivity as a solo artist with his hit 2021 song Good Time. Now, he’s headed to Power Plant Live to promote his sophomore album Better Days.

8/8: Dierks Bently
Merriweather Post Pavilion
After “Drunk on a Plane” took the country scene by storm in 2014, Dierks Bently has been on a steady rise to superstardom and platinum recording artist status. Now, he’s planning to set Charm City ablaze during his Gravel and Gold Tour.

8/23: Brett Young
The Hall at Live!
Close out the season with one last country summer night headlined by Brett Young, whose unique West Coast take on modern country makes the tour for his new album Across the Sheets a must-see.

Festivals

7/20: Sonar Fest 2024
Fish Head Cantina
The Halethorpe bar will become a metal lovers paradise with headbanging headliners Revenge Beast and Marc Rizzo of the groups Ill niño and Soulfly.

8/2-8/4 Artscape
Station North
America’s largest free outdoor arts festival is celebrating its 40th year with an epic live music lineup. Aside from the array of Baltimore musicians performing throughout the weekend, the fest will welcome 10-time Grammy Award-winning queen of funk Chaka Khan on Friday night, renowned drummer Sheila. E on Saturday, and reggae stars The Original Wailers on Sunday.

8/9: Sad Summer Festival
The Chrysalis at Merriweather
Get your fill of summertime sadness when the national pop-punk/emo festival returns this year to The Chrysalis at Merriweather—featuring Mayday Parade, The Wonder Years, Knuckle Punch, and Daisy Grenade, to name a few.

8/10: Hot August Music Festival
Oregon Ridge Park
Celebrating its 31st year, this Baltimore County staple is once again bringing the heat. See headliners Snarky Puppy and Grace Potter, joined by the feel-good funk acts Neal Fracis, Eggy, and more. Kids under 12 get in free.

Local Concert Series

8/10, 9/7, 10/5: Baltimore by Baltimore
Inner Harbor Amphitheatre
This monthly concert series is a celebration of the diverse musical communities that call Baltimore home, with themes for each all-day lineup including Bmore Club and acoustic roots. The gatherings also highlight local makers, with an array of locally sourced vendors and food trucks.

6/2-8/18: Bel Air Sunday Concert Series
Shamrock Park
The Town of Bel Air is hosting a handful of community ensembles every Sunday from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at Shamrock Park, which provide fun for the whole family. Weekly acts playing jazz, bluegrass, and big band music will make the listening—and the relaxing—very, very easy. Acts on deck include the Bel Air Jazz Ensemble, the rock and roll-inspired Sagamore Band, and the Seth Kibel Quintet—which is known to fuse the styles of jazz, swing, and klezmer. 

6/7-8/2: Feet On the Street
Allegheny Avenue, Towson
This First-Friday block party in Towson brings in a new band from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., as well as a bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails. This summer, catch local cover groups That’s What She Said, Crushing Day, and Weird Science. 

6/21-8/30: Frederick Road Fridays
15 Mellor Ave, Catonsville
After a long workweek, get out in the street and jam to local bands in Catonsville. With local acts like The Soul Magnets, Foreplay, and The Rescue Party spanning genres from rock to funk to soul, life will certainly be great in 21228 this summer. 

6/9-8/18 Patterson Park Summer Concert Series
Patterson Park
Spread out a blanket on select Sundays this summer to hear the stylings of Joe Falero Band, the Haitian Festival Concert, and reggae rockers Strykers Posse.

7/19, 8/23, 9/13: Summer Sounds at the Square
One Friday per month, Belvedere Square transforms into an open-air concert featuring local musicians, food from market purveyors, and shopping from art vendors. Acts like ’80s tribute band The New Romance and the specialty curated mixes of DJ Chris Luciano are on deck this year. 

6/11-8/27 Summer Sunday Concert Series at Harborplace
Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Every Sunday until the end of August, bring the family to the Inner Harbor for everything from local ska to authentic German performers. 

7/6-9/7: WTMD’s First Thursdays
Canton Waterfront Park
As usual, WTMD is pulling out all the stops for its annual First Thursdays free fest. The four small festivals are going to host visiting performers like DEHD from Chicago and Phosphorescent from Alabama, but also some big Baltimore names, as well. 

Fall Watchlist

Keep hanging onto summer, even as it gets chillier. Even though these events aren’t happening until the fall, tickets are going fast and you won’t want to miss them. 

9/01 Mitski
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Mitski has slowly rocked the indie scene with her experimental and poignant lyricism. Dive right into sad girl fall with the Land is inhospitable…and so are we tour, featuring Sierra Ferrell as the opener.

9/14 ​​Love Groove Music Festival
Robert C. Marshall Park
Grab GA tickets for Love Groove’s eighth year, featuring an extensive lineup of genres and visual artists alongside the opportunity to learn more about the fest’s mission to nurture the next creative generation with its academy.

9/19-9/22 High Zero Music Festival
The Red Room Room at Normals Books and Records
Fortunately for the experimental fan, the High Zero festival will be returning in the fall to highlight the extraordinary and improvised work of local musicians exploring the possibilities of their medium—from drums to strings to vocals. 

9/27-29: Ocean’s Calling Festival
Ocean City Boardwalk
Keep your eyes on Stubhub and local Facebook groups to score tickets to the second iteration of this end-of-summer beach fest, which sold out within days. Headliners providing the sunset soundtrack throughout the three days include Blink 182, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, The Beach Boys, Rebelution, and Maryland’s own O.A.R. 

Rams Head Live
Veronica M Eduardo top ($66) and Joggers ($84) at Brightside Boutique. Long fringe earrings ($10.95) at Doubledutch Boutique. Lovoda Black Satchel ($28) at Doubledutch Boutique. BLANK NYC Onyx studded suede jacket ($218) at Brightside Boutique. Donald Pliner Billie sandal ($345) at Sassanova.

Merriweather Post Pavilion
Fiona Midi dress ($58) at Brightside Boutique. Hammitt North Mist Snake Clutch ($175) at Sassanova. Savana heels ($99.95) at South Moon Under. Gold Circular Earrings ($28) at Sassanova.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
One shoulder green dress ($280) at Panache. Sam Edelman Haide Black heels ($91) at Sassanova. Statement necklace ($32) at Poppy & Stella.

WTMD First Thursdays at Canton Waterfront Park
Echo Panama hat ($69) at Sassanova. Kara bag ($88) at South Moon Under. Cotton Candy LA gingham tie dress ($40.95) at Doubledutch Boutique. Clear sunglasses ($15) at Doubledutch Boutique. Adam Tucker Tarin suede heels ($100) at Poppy & Stella.

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

 EAT

Feb. 3: Fifth Annual Chili Cook-Off

The Wharf Rat, 801 S. Ann St. 1-4 p.m. $5-10. 410-276–8304

When the weather dips below 40 degrees, there is really only one remedy: a fireside bowl of chili at a neighborhood pub. Enter The Wharf Rat, which has been asking its patrons to make their favorite chili recipe to see who can be crowned cook-off king or queen. Whether you prefer yours mild or hot, with beans or not, vegetarian or full of meat, head down to Fells Point this Saturday to sample all that these local cooks have to offer. In addition to the English-style ales on tap and in the cask, Wharf Rat will be pouring beer by Bell’s Brewery, so you can have a couple Two Hearted IPAs to wash your chili down. The best part is the event benefits BARCS and its mission to care for homeless and unwanted animals in Baltimore City.

 DRINK

To Feb. 3: CiderCon

Locations, times & prices vary.  

Move over craft beer and local cocktails—cider is having a moment in the sun. In fact, the crisp apple beverage has been on the rise for years now, and this week, CiderCon is in town to unite enthusiasts, makers, and curious crowds over this age-old concoction. This weekend, participate in activities throughout the city—from tastings of more than 75 ciders at the B&O Railroad Museum to a cider social at Charm City Meadworks. Just don’t miss out on the cider parties at Wet City, where you can try Graft Cider’s latest release of Cloud City and enjoy a food pairing led by Vermont’s Shacksbury Cider. 

 SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway, 5 W. North Ave. 7:30-9:10 p.m. $8-10. 443-438-6144.  

There’s no better way to celebrate Groundhog Day than watching Harold Ramis’s 1993 comedy of the same name. After 25 years, Groundhog Day still a crowd favorite with the lovely Andie MacDowell and the inimitable Bill Murray at his very best. On Friday evening, a few hours after Punxsutawney Phil dictates our future forecast, either celebrate or abate your sorrow with a screening of this cinematic treat inside the historic Parkway Theatre, hoping that spring comes early and Saturday starts anew. 

 HEAR

Feb. 3: SZA

Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8-11:30 p.m. $25-30. 410-244-1131.  

At only 27 years old, R&B singer-songwriter Solána Imani Rowe, aka SZA, has quickly become a name to know. Her most recent album, Ctrl, hit number one on the charts and helped her become the most-nominated woman at the 2018 Grammys, though unfortunately, she didn’t take any accolades home. That being said, we’re fairly certain we’ll see her back there next year, and until then, hear the Jersey artist’s hits for yourself during her Saturday performance at Rams Head. 

 DO

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day Party and Fundraiser

Congress Hotel, The Marble Bar, 306 W. Franklin St. 5:30-10 p.m. $30-100. 410-625-2585. 

Before there was the Ottobar, Baltimore had the Marble Bar. In the late ’70s and mid-’80s, this underground club in the old Congress hotel was the place to be for punk and new wave music, even attracting then little known acts such as the Psychedelic Furs, Talking Heads, and Iggy Pop. The iconic venue has been collecting dust for years, but now the Baltimore Architecture Foundation is giving it new life for their annual Groundhog Day celebration. For one night, experience a legendary part of Baltimore’s music history with eats by La Cuchara, drinks by WC Harlan, records spun by Baby’s on Fire, and live music by Baltimore’s own rising indie-pop-rock band Super City, all to support the BAF’s goal of upholding the city’s architectural legacy. 

British Invasion 
Dec. 31-Jan. 1. The Hippodrome Theater, 12 N Eutaw St., 7-9:30 p.m. Prices vary. We were as surprised as you were when this irreverant British comedian became one of America’s most beloved nighttime talk show hosts. Of course, John Oliver was nothing new to the U.S. airwaves, having cut his comedic chops as one of Jon Stewart’s foreign correspondents on The Daily Show. But once he landed his own half-hour show at HBO, his brainy, sometimes cantankerous brand of comedic news took off, and, before long, he joined the ranks of Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher as a titan of late night. Through charming wit and candid commentary, his Last Week Tonight delves into deeply reported topics, including segments on net neutrality, opioid addiction, and voter identification laws, the kind of coverage that has landed the show eight Emmys since premiering in 2014. And now, with the announcement that the series has been picked up through 2020, Oliver will have us laughing well into the new year and beyond. This New Year’s Eve, say goodbye to another crazy year with some much-needed, unfiltered humor with back-to-back shows at the Hippodrome that are sure to see 2017 off with a bellyaching bang.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1-3. Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St. Fri. 7-11 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Prices vary. Slick back your hair and hop in your best flared jumpsuit for Charm City’s eclectic three-day tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Whether you’re a fair-weather Elvis fan or a full-time Presley devotee, mingle with scores of impersonators at the new location of the Lord Baltimore Hotel for lots of live music, local brews, and the legend’s favorite snack: fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. 

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 3. Medfield & Hampden. 1 p.m. Free. Bundle up and join more than 20,000 onlookers as beating drums and blaring tubas make their way through the neighborhoods of Hampden and Medfield. This festive parade will feature dozens of marching bands, dance troupes, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles all heading towards 37th Street, with Miss Yuletide, Santa Claus, and Mayor Catherine Pugh in tow. 

Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 7. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. For the 46th year, the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place will buzz with the sounds of sizzling food, clinking cocktails, chattering passerby, and, loudest of all, the big-bang boom of fireworks during the annual lighting of Baltimore’s beloved Washington Monument. 

Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 9. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 2 & 7 p.m. $19-118. 410-347-2020. Baltimore might not have its own basketball team, but every December, the star-studded roster of the Harlem Globetrotters dribbles its way into town for an epic night of tricked-out dunks, finger-spinning stunts, and awesome athleticism at the RoFo Arena. This year, watch the world-famous troupe take on the Washington Generals, and for a few hours, consider them our home team in a makeshift, courtside Battle of the Beltways.

A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 19. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $44-49.50. 410-244-0057. For more than a decade, Baltimore’s irreverent filmmaker and cult-classic comedian has created a seasonal tradition out of his critically acclaimed one-man show that puts the X in Xmas. Laugh out loud to John Waters’ twisted takes on the “most wonderful time of the year,” with holiday-horror stories, cringeworthy tinsel tales, and all around merry mischief.

Cirque de la Symphonie: Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 22-23. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 & 8 p.m. Prices vary. 410-783-8000. At this dazzling circus, watch as world-class acrobats dangle from the rafters, gymnasts contort into impossible angles, and dancers move to seasonal scores from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

KIX-mas
Dec. 23. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $27.50. 410-244-1131. Baltimore has always had a soft spot for ’80s hair-rockers Kix. The Maryland natives blew up decades ago but never forgot their roots, and while there’s less hairspray and leather involved in their present-day performances, the group is still rocking out up and down the East Coast. This holiday season, transport back to ’89 as the band plays hits like the Top 40 power ballad, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” as well as new numbers off of their first record in nearly two decades. No one will judge if you gently wave a lighter through the air. In fact, we highly encourage it.

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

 EAT

June 23-25: Johnny’s Ice Cream Cart

Roland Park Shopping Center, 4800 Roland Ave., 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $2

We all remember the excitement of spotting a pop-up lemonade stand during the dog days of summer, and Johnny’s is mimicking that feeling with its roadside ice cream cart in Roland Park. Stationed in front of the Roland Park Shopping Center daily, the cart peddles scoops of house-churned flavors including pistachio, birthday cake, blueberry cobbler, and coconut-passionfruit sorbet. Make sure to have your phone handy this weekend, as the restaurant is offering a buy-one, get-one deal for anyone who tags Johnny’s on social media. With temperatures creeping up near the 90s this weekend, we can’t think of a better way to cool down. 

 DRINK

June 25: Spirits of Maryland

Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway, 12-3 p.m., $15-50

In case you haven’t already heard, Maryland is killing the distilling game. (Just a few weeks back, our own Baltimore Whiskey Company’s Shot Tower gin was awarded top honors at the prestigious World Spirits Competition in San Francisco.) At this Sunday afternoon showcase, gather beneath the harbor-side pavilion at the Baltimore Museum of Industry to feel the warm breezes while mingling with some of the most innovative distillers in the state. Line your stomach with light bites before sampling spirits from 15 members of the Maryland Distillers Guild hailing everywhere from Charm City to St. Mary’s County. Be on the lookout for favorites like Old Line Spirits’ malt whiskey, Lyon Distilling’s 90-proof rum, Lost Ark’s spiced rum, and Blackwater Distilling’s beloved Sloop Betty vodka. Ticketholders will also be granted full access to the museum. Sunday Funday, indeed.

 SEE

June 24: Pics in the Park: Ghostbusters

Center Plaza, 100 N. Charles St., 8-11 p.m., Free

Downtown Partnership is starting the summer off right with its annual outdoor movie screenings on the lawn at Center Plaza downtown, which continue this weekend with a special showing of the new Ghostbusters reboot. Okay, okay. So it isn’t the original version, but we happen to think Kate McKinnon, Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, and Kristen Wiig did the 1984 classic plenty of justice. Bring popcorn and your favorite movie candy when you gather around the giant inflatable screen to laugh aloud and partake in what we’re sure will be an epic “Who you gonna call?” chant.

 HEAR

June 23: Bleachers

Rams Head Live, 24 Market Place, 7 p.m., $24

You might remember Jack Antonoff as the lead guitarist of indie-pop trio Fun, which dominated in 2012 with chart-toppers like “We are Young” and “Some Nights.” Since then, the New Yorker has spearheaded this bold solo project fusing an alternative sound with diverse spoken-word samples and catchy, ’80s-influenced beats. All of which are evident in energetic anthems like “Rollercoaster” and Bleachers’ debut single “I Want to Get Better.” (We bet you’d know it if you heard it.) This Friday night, pack into Ram’s Head Live to hear the shout-along hits in person, plus new tracks off of the recently released album Gone Now. The show kicks off with an opening set from female synth-pop superstars MUNA—who hit the road with former One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles later this summer.

 DO

June 24: Manor Hill Farm Fest

Manor Hill Farm, 4411 Manor Lane, Ellicott City, 1-5 p.m., $15-25

Back in 2011, Victoria Gastro Pub owners Randy and Mary Marriner purchased a 54-acre working farm in Ellicott City. And, while it wasn’t originally their intention, it didn’t take long for the couple to realize that the grounds were ideal for farm brewing. This weekend, celebrate the beautiful evolution of Manor Hill Brewing at this festival featuring tours of the facility and hop-harvesting tutorials from the staff. Outside, crack open a cold one and get down to the live sounds of local blues group Dirty Secret and funk jam band Soul Island Rebels. There will also be tons of on-site food vendors, including sister-spots Victoria Gastro Pub and Manor Hill Tavern offering duck-fat fries, corn on the cob, pulled chicken sandwiches, and chips with fruit salsa. The bash will double as a release party for the brand-new Malt Shop Imperial IPA and Dust Up Pale Ale. 

JUDAH FRIEDLANDER
6/2. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $17-23. This Maryland native and 30 Rock castmate performs his dry and witty standup comedy in Highlandtown.

STANDUP COMEDY TO BENEFIT THE HOMELESS
6/6. The Windup Space, 12 W. North Ave. 8:30 p.m. Free. Catch more than 25 comics to benefit HashtagLunchbag, an organization working to feed the city’s hungry.  

BRIAN POSEHN
6/9. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $15-20. This seasoned comedian has starred in The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, and The Sarah Silverman Program, and now comes to Baltimore for a live set. 

CHRIS D’ELIA
6/15. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 7:30 & 10 p.m. $30-50. This comedian turned up-and-coming actor brings his raunchy humor to the downtown stage. 

LOUIE ANDERSON
6/18. Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis. 5:30 & 8:30 p.m. $35. Throw back some laughs with this lauded entertainer who boasts three Emmys, a nod on Comedy Central’s list of 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time, and a lauded new role as a woman on Baskets by Louis C.K. and Zach Galifianakis.

JOHN MULANEY
6/18-19. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $28-38. Live from Baltimore, it’s John Mulaney! Known best for his writing with Saturday Night Live, this comedic natural displays his wit and charm at the Meyerhoff.  

AWKWARD SEX & THE CITY
6/23. The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., 8 p.m. $10. This New York City-based comedy group comes to Remington for just one night to tell stories about their most embarrassing sexual experiences. Be sure to attend for all the hysterical—and cringe-worthy—moments from from this group of women (and one guy!). 

CRAIG ROBINSON
6/23-6/25. Baltimore Comedy Factory, 5625 O’Donnell St. 7 p.m. $27. Though he started off as a Chicago public school teacher, Craig Robinson is now known for his hilarious roles in The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, and his own Mr. Robinson. Expect him to blend his two passions on stage: comedy and music.

BILL MAHER

6/24. Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $45-305. This dry, unfiltered HBO host performs standup at The Lyric.

Animal Collective
Nov. 3. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 7:30 p.m. $25-28. 410-244-1131. It’s been more than 15 years since Animal Collective got together in Baltimore. Their otherworldly, electronic sound changed the indie music scene, and brought us memorable albums like Merriweather Post Pavilion and enduring songs like “My Girls.” This spring, they released their first new record in four years—an accomplished, colorful collection made just in time for summer. For one night this month, come out and support this local-turned-international band and hear the new tracks for yourself.

Great Baltimore Oyster Festival
Nov. 5. West Shore Park, 501 Light St. 1-5 p.m. Free. 410-779-4700. After a successful inaugural launch, the Waterfront Partnership is back with its second annual Great Baltimore Oyster Festival. Benefiting the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative, the festival pairs an impressive array of Maryland oysters with local food trucks, beer, and wine on the waterfront. Slurp down shucks, listen to live music, and celebrate the rich waters of our Chesapeake Bay.

Baltimore Blast
Nov. 5-Mar. 5, 2017. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times & prices vary. 410-732-5278. Start the month off right by cheering on Baltimore’s most underrated sports team—the Baltimore Blast. Returning to their home field at the Royal Farms Arena as last season’s reigning indoor soccer champs, their jam-packed lineup includes evening matches against teams from across the country. With Lucas Roque and Tony Donatelli leading the charge, the Baltimore Blast is set to impress as they aim for yet another indoor championship.

Charm City Fringe Festival
Nov. 3-13. Locations, times, & prices vary. With fall finally upon us, Baltimore’s bigwig theater institutions are back in full swing, but it’s once again time to celebrate the underdogs. At the fifth annual Charm City Fringe Festival, get to know the city and country’s independent thespians with nearly 20 productions across Hampden and Station North. For 11 days, enjoy off-center comedy and cutting-edge drama, plus ballet, puppetry, and magic.

Ferocious Beauty: Wrathful Deities From Tibet and Nepal
Nov. 13-April 16. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. See Buddhist deities in a new light through artworks of the Himalayas. Despite their at times intimidating appearance, these supreme beings used their fearsome power for good, protecting their followers from obstacles on the journey to spiritual enlightenment.

Amy Schumer
Nov. 12. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $47.50-113. 410-347-2020. Over the past few years, Long Island native Amy Schumer has skyrocketed to raunchy-humored stardom, but many Baltimoreans still like to claim the onetime Towson University student as one of our own. Luckily for us, even after a hit television series and a Judd Apatow-directed and LeBron James-starring film (that she wrote and starred in, too), Schumer hasn’t been a stranger. At a no-holds-barred show at her alma mater this spring, she joked about her days on campus, from freshman year and Greek life to heavy drinking and bad decisions. This August, in her bestselling debut memoir, The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo, she reprinted an angry journal entry from her early days at TU, some 15 years ago, followed by an affectionate footnote: “Baltimore is not bullshit; I grew to really love it.” This month, she returns to the heart of the city for one night of cringe-worthy memories and unapologetic humor.

Bazaart Holiday Art Market
Nov. 26. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. The holidays come early at AVAM each year with Bazaart, the museum’s annual shopping spectacular. Whether you’re grabbing gifts for family and friends or simply treating yourself, meet more than 40 regional makers selling paintings, sculptures, paper crafts, metalwork, jewelry, and textiles. Don’t miss the early bird preview day on Black Friday, Nov. 25.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses
Nov. 26-Dec. 23. Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. Times vary. $20-64. 410-332-0033. Admire the brand new renovations of this Mount Vernon mainstay during the first play of the new season. Translated as Dangerous Liaisons, this scandalous French tale follows two aristocrats who start a twisted game of seduction, love, and betrayal. Some scenes from the 18th-century novel might feel familiar, as it inspired the 1988 film of the same English name and the 1990s pop-culture classic, Cruel Intentions.

Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 26-Jan. 1, 2017. 700 block of W. 34th St. 5-11 p.m. Free. Just like the iconic Hollywood movie, Hampden’s aptly named Miracle on 34th Street is a classic Christmas tradition. Celebrating its 70th year, the annual lighting is an eclectic display of hundreds of glittering holiday lights. Locally organized, this Charm City custom touts everything from dancing Santas and reindeer to Maryland crabs, Mr. Natty Boh, the Utz Girl, and the legendary hubcap tree. Join hundreds of locals and tourists alike to wander the street and soak up the sights. You’ll be sure to leave with a twinkle in your eye.

141st Preakness Stakes
May 21. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Doors open at 8 a.m. Race begins at 6:18 p.m. As the second jewel in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is where champions either emerge or collapse. Over the race’s 141 years, many favorites have come to Pimlico Race Course, only to find their dreams dashed a mile and three-sixteenths later. But then there are moments like last year, when American Pharoah—on his way to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years—went wire-to-wire on a sloppy, rain-soaked track to remind us why horse racing is The Sport of Kings. This year’s race will see another promising field compete for a place in racing history. But even if the Preakness doesn’t offer the drama of American Pharoah’s run, there will be plenty to enjoy, including 10 other races and the annual InfieldFest, headlined this year by DJ duo The Chainsmokers, hip-hop chart-topper Fetty Wap, and Towson’s own pop-punkers All Time Low.—Amy Mulvihill

Santigold
May 4. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $28-30. 410-244-0057. Santigold made her mark on the music scene in 2008 with a debut album of instant, indie-hip-hop hits like “L.E.S. Artistes” and “You’ll Find A Way.” Four years later, her much-anticipated second record was another success, with tracks like “Disparate Youth” and “GO!,” and now her third release is just as addictive. On 99 Cents, she still maintains her trademark balance between being contemplative and playful. You’ll be hooked to songs like “Can’t Get Enough Of Myself” and “Banshee” in no time.

Maryland Film Festival
May 4-8. Locations & times vary. $12-375. 410-752-8083. Now in its 18th year, the Maryland Film Festival returns with more than 100 films—from full-length features to documentaries and shorts—all shown in and around Station North. While the festival prides itself on bringing together filmmakers from across the globe, it still stays connected to its Maryland roots, highlighting local talent alongside internationally known directors. And, of course, there’s always the special feature selected by our own accomplished auteur John Waters.

FlowerMart
May 6-7. Mt. Vernon Place, 699 Washington Pl. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free. 410-274-5353. Over the past 105 years, FlowerMart has blossomed from a one-day flower festival into a weekend event full of flora, food, art, and entertainment. Walk through the Mt. Vernon squares to buy spring flowers, suck on lemon-peppermint sticks, and admire the recent renovation of the Washington Monument. For the first time ever, FlowerMart also will donate a portion of its proceeds to two local nonprofits: House of Ruth Maryland and the Mt. Vernon Place Conservancy.—JKC

Kinetic Sculpture Race
May 7. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 10 a.m. Free. 410-244-1900. If you’ve been on the lookout for Chessie—a.k.a. the Loch Ness monster of the Chesapeake Bay—this just might be your month. As the 18th annual human-powered sculpture race takes its 14-mile route through the city, the streets will overflow with hordes of handmade creatures inspired by this year’s “myths and monsters” theme. Find a spot at AVAM, Patterson Park, or the Canton waterfront to watch participants compete in this eight-hour event for irreverent prizes, like the “Grand Mediocre Champion” and “Worst Honorable Mention.”

Sweetlife Festival
May 14. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 12 p.m. $100-150. The sustainability-focused festival is back with a full day of food and music in the Merriweather woods. This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix, including Canadian dream-pop artist Grimes, Drake-signed R&B singer PartyNextDoor, English rockers The 1975, and New Wave icon Blondie, as well as grub from regional eateries like Toki Underground and Woodberry Kitchen.

Kenny Chesney
May 19. Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 7:30 p.m. $50-692. 410-715-5550. Some dismiss Kenny Chesney’s music with the term “bro-country,” but in the middle of a Baltimore spring, who doesn’t want a night of music inspired by island beaches and football tailgates? For more than two decades, Chesney has kept our attention with love songs, party anthems, and beer-tinged staples, like “Keg in the Closet” and “Summertime.” For one Thursday night, embrace his summertime sound in Columbia.

Courtney Barnett
May 25. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $23-28. 410-244-1131. It was two years ago that this introspective Australian indie-rocker made waves with the release of her double EP, catching our attention halfway across the globe. (We’ll love “Avant Gardener” forever.) By the time she dropped her first full-length debut last spring, we were all ears, and happy to find that the Grammy-nominated singer and solid guitarist continues to stay true to her witty, observational style. See her perform downtown at the end of the month.

Matt Sesow: Shock and Awe
May 27-June 4, 2017. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$15.95. 410-244-1900. Opening Memorial Day weekend, this eclectic art exhibit presents works by Matt Sesow—a D.C.-based, self-taught artist—all painted with one hand, due to his left arm being severed by a plane as an 8-year-old in Nebraska. With vibrant color, raw detail, and a unique perspective, the exhibit features more than 150 original artworks, including paintings honoring the first 100 U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq War, alongside others inspired by fantastical birds and Sesow’s own life.

Brew at the Zoo
May 28-29. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 1-7 p.m. $25-69. 443-552-5276. Conventional wisdom says alcohol and wild animals don’t mix, but at Baltimore’s annual Brew at the Zoo, you can combine them with confidence. For one spring weekend, sample more than 80 local and national beers—including brews from Bmore favorites like The Brewer’s Art and Monument City—and listen to local music by the bluesy Kelly Bell Band and the funky, soulful Bosley. All proceeds benefit the zoo, ensuring that you can continue to visit your animal friends year-round, even after the buzz wears off.

Forget crowded Home Depot.
In case you are total procrastinators like us and have yet to scour the shelves of Home Depot and Ace Hardware, Station North Tool Library has you covered. On Thursday from 5-8 p.m., the tool shop and workspace will be selling custom-made flat head and snow shovels.

Put on some Drake and make yourself a cocktail.
Pretend it’s still 80 degrees out there by making a cocktail inspired by the song of the summer. Wit & Wisdom‘s head bartender Jonathan Levy shared the recipe for his winter cocktail Hot Line, which you can make at home or enjoy by one of the restaurant’s many fireplaces.

• 1.5 oz. Dewars White Label
• 0.5 oz. Drambuie
• 0.5 oz. honey syrup
• 0.5 oz. lemon juice
• 0.5 oz. orange juice
• 2 dash Angostura Bitters
• 3.5 oz. hot water

Combine in a preheated dock glass and top with hot water, orange twist garnish.

Do sweaty yoga inside a rock venue.
If you live local and want to layer on and trek over to Rams Head Live, the zen vibes will be flowing inside the concert venue on Sunday. M.Power Yoga Studio is hosting a Rock ‘n Flow event that will feature a beginner’s vinyasa class by instructors Nila Mechali and Lindsay Lusignea, set to a soundtrack of live music performed by Mickey Coviello of bluegrass band Cabinet and ambient tunes from The Herd Brothers. Update: Not surprisingly, Rock ‘n Flow has been postponed to February 12 due to weather.

Pelt snowballs at a bunch of strangers at the Washington Monument.
A couple of planned, neighborhood snowball fights have been cropping up, but we like the sound of this epic event taking place at the Washington Monument at noon on Saturday. (Organizers are also considering moving it to Sunday due to blizzard-like conditions.) Some important rules: stay warm, load up on carbs beforehand, and don’t be a jerk.

When all else fails, head to the bar.
Once you’ve exhausted all your available resources, enjoy one of the most characteristically Baltimore pastimes: trudging down to the corner bar. In all likelihood, they’ll be open and ready to serve. In fact, some of them, like Banditos in Federal Hill, are turning all of these Doppler radar reports into one giant party.

The T-shirts tell a story. At any concert, the shirts worn by fans offer a carefully curated peek into the band’s history and appeal, and the attire at a recent Kix show at Rams Head Live does exactly that. There are shirts bearing the logos of Mötley Crüe, Winger, and Ratt, bands considered Kix’s contemporaries in the late-1980s/early-1990s hair-metal scene. Other tees rep classic-rock bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC—acts that inspired Kix’s high-voltage swagger—and a few nod to punk influences like The Ramones and The Clash. And then there are the Kix shirts, some of them at least 20 years old, emblazoned with mottos like “Dirty Boys of the Underground” and “Rock and Roll Overdose.” Suggesting decadence, they seem to be in dialogue with the generic “Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Good Girls Go to Heaven, Bad Girls Go Backstage” shirts circulating through the club.

These folks are
all devoted fans. Numbering about 50 or so, they’ve shown up hours before the concert for a “soundcheck party” sponsored by 98 Rock.

Many of them remember when Kix’s power ballad, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” cracked the Top 40 in 1989 and eventually peaked at No. 11 (between songs by Cher and Paula Abdul). They recall the now-legendary shows at Hammerjacks and tours opening for the likes of Aerosmith. They remember when Kix ruled Baltimore.

“They are rock and roll royalty in this town,” says 48-year-old Brian “Metal” McBride, a longtime fan and Internet radio DJ. “The people of Baltimore feel a kinship with Kix.”

Standing nearby, Cavett Kwiatkowski—his friends call him “Stick”—agrees. “They almost feel like family at this point,” says the 47-year-old Kwiatkowski, proudly sporting a Kix bandana and shirt. “We grew up together, them and me.”

Evan Richards can’t say that. He wasn’t even born when McBride and Kwiatkowski were banging heads and pumping fists at Hammerjacks. “They’ve always been my favorite band,” says the 21-year-old, who first heard Kix listening to 98 Rock as a teenager. “They kick ass.”

“I actually heard Casey Kasem say my name on the radio. How cool is that?”

Kix’s appearance onstage halts all conversation, and the fans press forward, as guitars tune and drums pound. The guys in the band are dressed casually for this soundcheck—no leather pants, scarves, or snakeskin boots just yet—and look remarkably fit for middle-aged rockers.

Launching into a new song, “Mean Miss Adventure,” they smile easily and appear genuinely pleased to be in each other’s company. They are, after all, in the midst of an unlikely resurgence—the band disbanded from 1995 to 2003—and the second career has proved more lucrative than the first. A recent album,
Rock Your Face Off, is their first release in nearly 20 years.

Singer Steve Whiteman, sporting an Orioles jersey, shimmies in place, as guitarists Brian Forsythe and Ronnie Younkins circle the stage staking out positions and checking the monitor mix. Bassist Mark Schenker drifts toward drummer Jimmy Chalfant, the two of them creating a walloping beat that seems at odds with their nonchalant demeanor.

As the tune winds down, Whiteman jokes that he’s still working on his moves for the new material and asks his bandmates if they’re all set. They nod.

“Play one more!” someone hollers.

Whiteman turns in the direction of the request and furrows his brow in mock exasperation. “I can’t,” he says, “because I gotta save it for the big show. After all, I’m no spring chicken anymore.”

The members of Kix first got together nearly 40 years ago in Frederick. At the time, all of them were banging around Western Maryland in cover bands with names like Nova, Starship, Mama Kin, and Atlas Ram.

Forsythe, for his part, dropped out of high school and headed south with two musician friends. They gigged around Alabama and Mississippi, playing everything from KC and the Sunshine Band to Lynyrd Skynyrd, sometimes performing Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” three or four times a night. At one point, they even auditioned to be Hank Williams Jr.’s backing band, but didn’t get the job.

After returning home, Forsythe ran into Ronnie Younkins at a 7-Eleven on Route 40. Over microwaved burritos, Younkins invited the guitarist to join a band he’d formed with Donnie Purnell, a talented local songwriter and bassist. Forsythe, impressed by Purnell’s songs and determination to get a record deal, eventually came aboard, and the quartet began practicing in Forsythe’s parents’ basement in late 1977.

They went through a few lead singers (including a guy named “Buffalo Ed”) before meeting Whiteman—at that time, a drummer with a knack for singing Zeppelin songs—and his band at a club in Cumberland. Sensing Whiteman was a perfect match for their original material, they took him out to Purnell’s VW Beetle between sets and played a tape of the songs they’d been practicing.

Whiteman joined the band on the spot. “I didn’t want to be in a cover band forever,” he recalls, sitting backstage before the Rams Head show. “I knew it was the right thing to do.”

The group—which called itself The Shooze, and then The Generators, before settling on Kix—began a grueling cycle of rehearsals, club shows, and more rehearsals. That regimen continued for years and turned them into an explosive live act. An Atlantic Records rep came to a 1981 gig at The Stardust Inn in Waldorf and was so impressed that he flew the band to New York for a showcase with fellow record executives.

Forsythe says the show ended with the label’s president shaking hands with the band and asking, “Well boys, how would you like to be on Atlantic Records?”

“It was like something out of a dream,” says Forsythe, still astonished by the memory.

“We were shittin’ ourselves,” adds Whiteman. “We were on our way. Or so we thought.”

The next decade was a whirlwind of, well, pretty much the same thing—band practice and shows, though the tours got longer and the venues grew larger. “Not much really changed,” notes Whiteman. “But we did record our albums in some exotic studios.”

Indeed, Kix recorded in A-list studios in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, racked up huge tabs, and rubbed elbows with celebrities in the process. Forsythe remembers running into David Bowie, Boy George, Andy Warhol, AC/DC, and Johnny Depp over the years. One night in L.A., he rented movies and drank margaritas with members of U2, who were at the same studio mixing a song. And he once left his car in a studio parking lot overnight, only to get a frantic call the next morning saying he had to move it immediately—it was in the spot reserved for Barbra Streisand’s motor home. “When I got there, she was pissed,” says Forsythe, who moved the car.

Kix’s first three records sold modestly, but that changed with 1988’s
Blow My Fuse, which spawned the hit “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and eventually went platinum. “I actually heard Casey Kasem say my name on the radio,” says Whiteman. “How cool is that?!”

After touring for 18 months—“we essentially didn’t go home for a year-and-a-half,” the singer notes—they were summoned to Atlantic’s New York headquarters. “We sat around this big table with all the suits,” recalls Whiteman. “They said, ‘Well boys, you’ve had a great run. We’d like to get another record done and do it again. You only owe us a million dollars now.'”

“I thought, ‘It’s a career, put a fork in it, time to move on.'”

Whiteman thought they were kidding and that the band had come to New York to collect a check. But they weren’t joking. The spiraling costs of studio fees and promotion expenses had resulted in substantial debt.

Still, Kix soldiered on and recorded what Forsythe considers the band’s best record,
Hot Wire. It was released in July 1991, just weeks before Nirvana’s Nevermind, the album that launched Seattle’s grunge sound and made Kix’s brand of flamboyant hard rock irrelevant practically overnight. “There was a new party in town, and we weren’t invited,” says Whiteman. “We kept at it for a few more years, but the crowds kept getting smaller. I thought, ‘It’s a career, put a fork in it, time to move on.'”

Kix was done. Forsythe relocated to Los Angeles, where he played with hard rockers Rhino Bucket and the country group The Snakehandlers. Though the other guys formed bands, they settled into lives built around wives, children, and day jobs. Whiteman, who’s been married for 31 years, teaches singing at the Musician’s Institute of Baltimore. “I put Kix behind me, and I was okay with that,” he says. “It was over.”

Or so he thought.

Rocklahoma changed everything. A persistent booking agent arranged for Kix to play the four-day rock festival in Pryor, OK, in 2008, though Whiteman was skeptical. The band had reunited, with Mark Schenker on bass, to play some one-off shows around Baltimore, but hadn’t ventured outside that comfort zone and didn’t know what to expect.

They took the stage during a torrential downpour that didn’t deter the 20,000 fans cheering every song. “It opened all our eyes,” says Whiteman. “We had no idea that many people still cared.”

It led to a steady stream of bookings at festivals (including the M3 Rock Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion), casinos, cruises, and clubs. Instead of touring for weeks at a time crammed into a van, they usually fly in on a Friday, play the show on Saturday, and fly home on Sunday. Their annual “Kix Mas” show at Rams Head is scheduled for December 20.

Because they aren’t paying lawyers, accountants, and studio bills, they actually make more money now than back in the day. Instead of working through a giant corporation like Atlantic, they record for Loud & Proud, an indie label with a roster that also includes Steve Miller Band and Rush. “It’s more personal,” says Forsythe, “and we have so much more control over what we do.”

“It feels pretty damn good,” says Whiteman. “Everybody took good care of themselves, and hopefully, we can keep doing this as long as people want us to.”

Smiling, Forsythe thinks of yet another reason to be grateful; in fact, it’s something many of Kix’s rock and roll contemporaries no longer have.

“We lucked out,” he says. “We all still have our hair.”

Home Court

August 9, 2014
Druid Hill Avenue

The squeals of high-tops and “pop, pop, pop” of basketballs pounding asphalt fill the sweaty, tense August air rising off the Cloverdale Park court. There’s barely a word spoken, let alone any trash talk, before former NBA All-Stars Gilbert Arenas and Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) arrive—in T-shirts and long shorts like everyone else—to select 10 local players to take on the national “Ball Up Streetball” touring team tonight at Towson University. An American Idol-like competition for streetballers, there’s also a $100,000 contract and chance to join the professional Ball Up squad at stake.

“I’m looking for players with fundamentals, who are tough,” the Queens-born, 6-foot-7, 260-pound World Peace tells a cable sports outlet filming the tryouts. “Gilbert, he’s going to be looking for flashy guys who can finish.”

For 90 minutes, 75 players sprint through lightning-paced drills, half-court three-on-three games, and end-to-end battles punctuated with dunks, three-pointers, and ferocious blocks.

“All these people [here], the younger kids playing ball, checking everything out—we need more of this,” says JaJuan “Ice” Robinson, a former Dunbar guard who dropped several left-handed threes and later made the final roster, glancing around the park and packed bleachers.

Afterward, at midcourt, 6-foot-3 Stephen McCray, a recent graduate of St. Catharine College where he played forward, smiles following a call from his mother. “Oh, she’s happy I made the team,” laughs McCray, who threw down a number of rim-rattling slams. “But she was calling because I took her cell-phone charger when I left the house.”

Abiding Mom

August 23, 2014
Market Place

Sitting near the human-bowling ball cage—picture climbing into a 4-foot steel sphere and being pushed down a “lane” toward pins the size of boxing heavy bags—Dr. David Jaffe, 54, soaks in the action in Venice Beach muscle pants and a Japanese baseball T-shirt, calmly sipping a White Russian. A joint in one hand (okay, faux joint), Jaffe is, of course, impersonating “the Dude,” the radically laid-back protagonist portrayed by Jeff Bridges in the Coen Brothers’ comedy, The Big Lebowski. Given his attention to detail—authentic jelly sandals, for example—Jaffe wins “best male” costume at the first-ever Cult Classic Fest at Rams Head Live. Meanwhile, his wife, Brenda, creatively channels the never-on-camera Cynthia Sobchak, ex-wife of the Dude’s best friend, Walter, by donning a Hawaiian lei and pinning a photo of her beloved Pomeranian to her dress.

“We’ve watched it 75 times,” he says. “You find something new every time.”

The event offers virtual bowling and coconut rolling—bowling is the Dude’s main recreation (along with driving around and the occasional flashback)—a trivia contest, a screening of
The Making of The Big Lebowki, plus the film itself.

Kayla Meier, 19, wins best female costume, scissoring a bright red wig into avante-garde artist Maude Lebowski’s severe bob. Meier’s mother, a “dudette” in bathrobe, sunglasses, and oversized Bermuda shorts, takes second.

“I love the message,” Mary Ann Kinsella-Meier says. “The Dude is not competitive with other people, he’s forgiving, knows who he is, and lets things roll off his back. We need people to be more like that.”

Asked if her mother displays those qualities, her daughter smiles.

“Generally,” she says, paraphrasing the movie’s famous line, “Mom abides.”

Good Spirited

August 24, 2014
Falls Road

At twilight on a recent Sunday, David London, a magician by trade, welcomes 13 guests to the creepy space above the old stone Hampden Presbyterian Church. Among the relics on hand: a Victorian sofa suspended from the rafters, medieval rapiers, pickled animal remains, apothecary glassware, Renaissance-style portraits, dusty books on metaphysics, and a mounted deer head. London is not performing illusions or a religious ritual, per se, but hosting a more light-hearted, “Creative Spirit Séance.”

The idea is to have fun, he explains, “not to talk to your grandmother, but explore where ideas, dreams, and the imagination comes from.” Initially, guests participate in subconscious writing exercises and twist wire into random sculptures. Later, London provides a history of spiritualism, noting the Ouija board—used by Sylvia Plath (among others) for inspiration—was patented in Baltimore.

Moving to the séance area, he asks that everyone place their palms on the table and requests that the “Creative Spirit” make itself known. Eventually, a faint, ghostly voice (pre-recorded, we assume) comes across the 1970s transistor radio in front of London, who offers his own physical body to the spirit for use. After the sudden crash of a falling sword, London takes questions. “Does the ‘Creative Spirit’ have a sense of humor?” a woman asks, as London, rocking back and forth, struggles to remain in character and not break a smile.

“Yes,” the Creative Spirit intones through London. “We are in on the great cosmic joke—the mystery of life.”

Now Playing

Ray LaMontagne
June 4: Merriweather Post Pavilion,  10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.
5:30 p.m. $45-69.50.
ticketfly.com

Jack Johnson
June 5: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy.,
Columbia. 6 p.m.
$39.50-64.50.
ticketfly.com

Capital Jazz Fest
June 6-8: Merriweather Post Pavilion,
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.
Fri. 7:30-10:30 p.m.,
Sat.-Sun. 12-10 p.m.
$52.50-185.
ticketfly.com

Liner Notes & Key Tracks

Join the Grammy-winning musician on his Supernova tour, which celebrates his album of the same name.
Key Tracks: “Drive in Movies,” “You Are The Best Thing.”

With his breezy tunes and beach-bum style, this surfer-turned-musician is touring on the heels of his latest release, From Here to Now to You.
Key Tracks: “Radiate,” “Banana Pancakes,” “Better Together.”

The likes of John Legend, Chaka Khan, and Erykah Badu will be among the 30 contemporary jazz, soul, and R&B artists gracing the two stages at the 22nd annual outdoor festival.
Key Tracks: “All of Me” (Legend), “On & On” (Badu).

Now Playing

Lucinda Williams
June 8: Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl.
8 p.m. $35. 410-244-1131. ticketfly.com

Brad Paisley
June 12: Merriweather Post Pavilion,
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.
5 p.m. $40-75. ticketfly.com

Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss & Union Station
June 14: Merriweather Post Pavilion,
10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.
5 p.m. $45-75.
ticketfly.com

Liner Notes & Key Tracks

TIME magazine called the alt-country singer-songwriter “America’s best songwriter” in 2002.
Key Tracks: “Passionate Kisses,” “Ugly Truth.”

Paisley’s endearing persona—killer guitar skills, a cowboy hat, and an aw-shucks wit—earned him the 2010 CMA Entertainer of the Year award.
Key Tracks: “Beat This Summer,” “Celebrity.”

These country-music heavyweights are teaming up for a unique collaboration with Nelson on guitar and Krauss on fiddle.
Key Tracks: “On the Road Again” (Nelson), “Stay” and “When You Say Nothing At All” (Krauss).

Summer Concert Playlist