In the same small, former basketball gym on Pennsylvania Avenue that a pair of uncles first dragged him to at age 8 after seeing him fighting on a Sandtown street—and where he’s since thrown millions of more punches with gloves on, sweated off pounds of weight, and honed his boxing skills, mostly with only his coaches and other fighters watching—Gervonta Davis bounced around the ring last week at Upton Boxing Center, the spotlight fully on him.

A giant promotional banner hung from the ceiling, bearing the pertinent information for all to see—Gervonta Davis vs. Ricardo Nunez, alongside their giant likenesses, Saturday, July 27, Royal Farms Arena, Live on Showtime. The eyes and smartphones of a couple hundred fans and the media in attendance, fanning themselves to keep cool in a crowded room warmer than the West Baltimore air outside, tracked Davis’ steps and shadow jabs during a public workout.

“This right here,” said Calvin Ford, the real life inspiration behind the character, Cutty, from The Wire. He’s a former drug dealer turned neighborhood do-gooder who runs the gym and has coached and mentored Davis since he showed up at the front door 16 years ago, “This is what we dreamed about.”

It’s a story worthy of a book—or another HBO show. As we wrote in this December 2016 story, as a tiny kid, Davis often slept on the floor of his drug-addicted parents’ house in possibly the roughest neighborhood in Baltimore City before going into foster care. He “came from nothing,” says Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe. And, excuse the hyperbole, “he’s made himself into something.”

Now 24, and with a one-year-old daughter of his own, the 5-foot-6, 130-pound spark plug is about to host the homecoming championship fight of his childhood and young adult dreams, before an expected sold-out, 12,000 person crowd Saturday night at downtown Royal Farms Arena. It’s a show, he says, that’s he’s long waited to star in. Over the last six years as a pro—in a career that’s taken him to London, Los Angeles, and New York—Davis has compiled a 21-0 record with 20 knockouts. In January 2017, when he won the IBF junior lightweight title, he became Baltimore’s first world champion since Hasim Rahman in 2001.

Davis’ super featherweight bout against Nunez, a 25-year-old challenger from Panama with a 21-2 career record, marks the first championship boxing match in the city in more than 80 years. The last time being when Harry Jeffra won in 1940 at Carlin’s Park. It comes in a venue that, in a previous life, hosted six Sugar Ray Robinson fights.

It’s also Showtime’s first-ever boxing broadcast from Baltimore, and the undercard is filled with other local fighters who Davis hand-picked to show off—including super lightweight Malik Hawkins (15-0) and 19-year-old super featherweight Malik Warren making his pro debut. They’ve all known each other for years, and have trained together again the last two months—sparring at Upton and taking three-mile runs along North Avenue.

“My brothers,” Davis said. “I’m not fighting alone. We’re all fighting together.”

Think what you want about the violent, gladiator-like nature of the sport we’re talking about (and, yes, a pro boxer just this week sadly died from injuries sustained in the ring), but boxing has been Davis’ refuge, and it provided the platform for a tale of triumph in a city that is on pace for 300-plus homicides for the fifth consecutive year. “We used to be young,” Ford says, “sitting down talking about these times. Now we’re actually in the mix of it.”

And, Saturday, if even only for one night, Davis said he wants to be a “crime stopper,” like Patterson High basketball player Aquille Carr was once known. “It was like they shut down the whole city to watch him,” Davis said. He’s on his way. Mayor Jack Young just presented “Tank” a golden key to the city this week, and Ellerbe said this event won’t be Davis’ last here.

So, what should we expect? As he’s shown in the past, Davis is capable of quick knockouts with his ferocious left fist, but it sounds like he wants to give the crowd its money’s worth. “I always want to give the fans a great performance,” he said on a conference call promoting the event. “That’s my job when I step in the ring, not just try to go in there and look for a knockout, but try to give [the fans] excitement. Give them what they paid their money for.”

He’s a headliner, sure, who “very soon will be the biggest star in the sport,” Ellerbe said. “That’s where we’re guiding him.” But to simply talk about these good times foolishly overlooks the climb it took to get here. Davis’ young eyes have seen tragedy.

“All of them got killed,” he says of the fighters—Angelo Ward, Ronald “Rock” Gibbs, Ford’s son, Qaadir—he once looked up to for inspiration. And danger lurks. Four private security guards watched over last week’s public workout, and a personal guard was never more than a few feet away from Davis. As he finished up a few interviews toward the night’s end, his guard closed a fist, signaling it was time to leave.

Although he says he wants to be a role model, Davis is still admittedly maturing himself. Just in February, he was arrested for an alleged fight at a Northern Virginia mall, news that made TMZ.

“I’m getting older and wiser,” he said. And there’s an endless stream of social media posts, at times showing off the things he’s spent his money on, and the combative barbs he trades with potential future opponents that might give off the wrong impression. “But deep down Tank has a tremendous heart,” Ellerbe said in the middle of the Upton ring, shortly before Davis presented 100 free tickets to Saturday’s fight to local foster children. If all goes according to plan, this is just the start of his star turn, or at least the next few chapters of the story.

“It’s amazing coming home,” Davis said. “I always believed if I was in arm’s reach of a kid, it would mean more than doing it from away. I want to show them anything is possible. I came from the same projects, the same block.”

Cirque du Soleil is what dreams are made of, but not many people get to live out the dream of being a gymnast with the largest theatrical producer in the world. Annapolis native Betsy Zander is one of the lucky few to travel and perform with the Canadian entertainment company. From July 3-7, Zander is returning to her home state for the enchanting arena production of Corteo at Royal Farms Arena.

Corteo is the story of a clown Mauro’s funeral, but instead of mourning, the procession celebrates memories and the hereafter with laughter and exuberance. Zander participates in an act titled “A Bed That Puts Some Bounce Into Life,” which is a celebration of the mischievous prankster’s gleeful past. We sat down with Zander to talk gymnastics, the message of Corteo, and her favorite memories of Baltimore.

How long have you been practicing gymnastics?
I’ve been doing gymnastics since before I can remember, and I love it now just as much as I did when I was a little kid. I started when I was 2 years old at Docksiders Gymnastics [in Millersville] and continued through division one athletics at George Washington University. I auditioned for Cirque du Soleil after graduation.

What is your day-to-day like working with Cirque du Soleil?
The day-to-day work mostly revolves around recovery, training, and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to perform the way we do. Unlike many other professional athletes, we don’t train for one or two competitions or games every so often. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. We perform every night, sometimes two to three times per night. So the day-to-day training really evolves into a lifestyle for us.

What is the hardest part of your routine for Corteo?
Corteo was touring as a big top show from 2005-2015, where the big top tent would stay in one city for one to two months. In 2018, it was brought back as an arena show that travels to a new city every week. So one of the hard parts about it is the constant travel. We all live our lives out of suitcases. One of the craziest realizations is finding out how much stuff you don’t really need. The average person would find it hard to live out of two suitcases, but that’s our normal. A couple of nice pairs of clothes, some good shoes, toiletries, and training clothes gets you a long way.

What is the atmosphere like behind the scenes?
The atmosphere backstage is just as intense as it is onstage. There’s a show going on for the audience, but there’s also a show going on behind the curtain. Between technicians, artists, coaches, and wardrobe everyone is “on” during the show. We all work so hard to produce the same level on premiere night as we do for the last show of the city. Sometimes it chaos, but it’s organized chaos.

How do you connect with the overall message of Corteo?
Something so special about Corteo’s story is the humanity of the show. The performers don’t apply a ton of makeup. We are portraying real feelings everyone has had in their own life, whether that be joy, sorrow, or just pure excitement. What you see on stage is an emotion every person can connect with. The overall message of the show is a celebration of life, and for me personally, connecting with that isn’t difficult. As one of the trampo-bed artists, if I can’t be happy going to work jumping on a bed and throwing pillows at my friends, there’s something wrong.

How is the performance in Baltimore going to be different for you?
Personally, the performance in Baltimore is so unique because my people are in the audience. Whether that be family and friends, or just Maryland folk, this is where I grew up. I couldn’t be more proud to represent that.

What is your fondest memory of visiting Baltimore growing up?
I started going to Ravens tailgates when I met my now fiancè, and there is truly nothing like it. There is so much pride and heart in the city of Baltimore. It’s contagious.

Fleetwood Mac
March 24. 8 p.m. $73.50-207.50. Across its 50-year history, legendary rock-blues band Fleetwood Mac has had a revolving door of guitarists and singers, but despite its rotating crew, it has cemented its place as one of the world’s bestselling bands. During this one-night stop on the group’s 50-city tour, hear original bandmates Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, longtime members Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie, and newcomers Mike Campbell and Neil Finn rock the Royal Farms Arena with classics such as “The Chain” and “Dreams.”

Ed Schrader’s Music Beat
March 2. 9 p.m. $13-15. We’ve been following this post-punk duo’s climb through the city’s DIY scene for years and, following the release of Riddles last spring, have watched them finally get the kudos they deserve. To tie up a year of touring around the U.S. and Europe, frontmen Ed Schrader and Devlin Rice will rock this hometown show with crowd favorites such as “Dunce” and “Kid Radium,” following sets by up-and-coming acts Param Anand Singh and Infinity Knives + Randi.

Jonathan Van Ness
March 2. 7 p.m. $55-318.30. Whether you recognize his flowing locks and gut-busting catchphrases from the popular Netflix series Queer Eye or his parody web series Gay of Thrones, you know Jonathan Van Ness. This month, the grooming guru is bringing his pop culture quips to the Hippodrome Theatre as part of his first-ever stand-up comedy tour, where fans can laugh along with “America’s sassiest sweetheart.” Can you believe?

Expressions
March 2-3, 5. $20-375. The Baltimore School for the Arts has long been heralded as a shining star in the city’s arts community, and its annual fundraiser, Expressions, has become a can’t-miss event. This year, the series of performances—along with the traditional gala and cocktail party—is dedicated to the beloved creator of Expressions, Sally Michel, who passed away in August. Support the esteemed local art school during this honorary benefit and celebrate the memory of one of BSA’s longtime leaders.

Love Thy Self
March 7. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. In our February issue, we featured a few of the love-inspired letters and drawings included in Beyond Beautiful: One Thousand Love Letters, an exhibition by Baltimore-based artist Peter Bruun that explores expressions of love. In conjunction with the final days of this heart-stirring exhibit, hear testimonials and performances from exhibit participants, including singer-songwriter ellen cherry and artist Phylicia Ghee, during this one-night event. Arrive to Maryland Art Place early to hear local jazz keyboardist George Spicka perform during the opening reception.

Dinner with Friends
March 12-April 7. Times vary. $43-52. With serendipitous timing to our Best Restaurants issue, the latest production from Everyman Theatre takes on a tension-filled dinner party thrown by two food writers whose guests are grappling with loyalty and commitment issues. Head to the downtown theater to see resident company actors Megan Anderson, Danny Gavigan, and Beth Hylton bring this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama to life and prove that even a picture-perfect dinner can get messy.

National Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20-April 14. Times and prices vary. In the DMV, spring has not officially sprung until the trees surrounding D.C.’s Tidal Basin turn pale pink and white with an abundance of cherry blossoms. Celebrate the nearly four weeks that these famed trees are in bloom with springtime festivities such as a pink-tie party, a kite festival, a lavish parade, and an all-out festival along the National Harbor.

Burn Baby Burn
March 23. 12-4 p.m. $25-85. On the first day of spring in 1978, Annapolis boatbuilder Bob Turner decided he was sick of wearing his “oppressive” winter socks and invited his fellow sailing enthusiasts to join him in burning his socks to celebrate the start of another sailing season. Although Turner moved south in 1994, the sock-torching tradition lives on through the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s annual Oyster Roast & Sock Burning (this year on March 23), where locals and visitors alike recite the poem “Ode to the Equinox” before tossing their mid-calfs into the bonfire. “Let’s face it: We all have socks that have gotten worn out by March,” says AMM executive director Alice Estrada, middle. “That moment when socks of all different sizes and colors are cascading onto the fire just fills my heart.”

The Big Baltimore Kite Fest
March 30. 12-4 p.m. Blowing into Patterson Park for the first time, this high-flying festival invites artists, kids, and kite-lovers to enter nontraditional kites in its park-wide contest. For a birds-eye view, watch the vibrant sky-flyers from the top of the Pagoda. Back on the ground, enjoy live music and the chance to be a part of this brand-new springtime tradition.

The Ghost of Johns Hopkins
March 24. 4-5:30 p.m. $10. There’s no debating that the philanthropist Johns Hopkins and his namesake institutions have shaped modern-day Baltimore. In his latest book, The Ghost of Johns Hopkins, longtime Baltimore Sun journalist Antero Pietila examines the effect they’ve had on the racial patchwork of our city. Hear the well-regarded writer at The Engineers Club in Mt. Vernon for an in-depth discussion about what has been deemed the first real biography of Hopkins and how it explores the city’s complicated relationship with race and community.

Visual Art

Young Blood
Art has the power to reflect the culture in which it was made, often expressing ideas that cannot be articulated as effectively through words alone. In the case of the exhibit Young Blood at Maryland Art Place, we see—through painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and animation—what inspires and stimulates the minds of our local creative youth culture. Each year, MAP celebrates recent Baltimore-area masters of fine art grads with an exhibit of their work.

This year’s Young Blood showcases pieces by graduates of Maryland Institute College of Art; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and Towson University, including Caroline Hatfield, Mollye Bendell, Mitchell Noah, Madeline Stratton, Ryan Lytle, and Sara Kaltwasser. Through Aug. 25, with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. July 11 and an artist talk at 1 p.m. Aug. 18 at MAP, 218 W. Saratoga St.

Sondheim Artscape Prize exhibition
From sculpture to photography to painting, fiber art, and video installation, work by this year’s Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize finalists is visually spellbinding, and the artists don’t shy away from exploring such issues as spirituality, race, gender, and immigration. Baltimore-area visual artist finalists Erick Antonio Benitez, Nakeya Brown, Sutton Demlong, Nate Larson, Eunice Park, and Stephen Towns are each exhibiting selected works at the Baltimore Museum of Art through August 5. The winner will be announced during a ceremony at 7 p.m. July 14 and awarded a $25,000 fellowship. Exhibit runs through Aug. 5, awards ceremony at 7 p.m. July 14 at the BMA, 10 Art Museum Drive.

Summer ’18
The current show at C. Grimaldis Gallery in Mount Vernon revisits the exhibitions shown over the past year while giving a little preview of what’s to come. This survey exhibition features pieces by British sculptor Anthony Caro, abstract expressionist Grace Hartigan, and Korean light artist Chul Hyun Ahn. It also debuts work by 2018 Guggenheim Fellow Rania Matar, Colin Van Winkle, and 2017 Rome Prize recipient Beverly McIver. Through Aug. 18 at C. Grimaldis Gallery, 523 N. Charles St.

Intimate Women
Intimate Women, currently on view at Full Circle Gallery, explores the relationship between women’s minds and bodies through photography-based collage and sculpture by women artists. Their inner worlds are revealed through stories of culture, gender roles, and sexuality. As curator JiaJia Chen puts it in a statement about the show, “Every work in the exhibition is an adjective, presenting personal but universal subject matter from different perspectives.” Artists include Asha Holmes, Jianan Liu, Layla Choi, Michelle Cuevas, and Rachel Hartman. Through Aug. 4 at Full Circle Gallery, 33 E. 21st St.

Music

Jack Novotny Sextet
The Jack Novotny Sextet will bring their original music, composed in the spirit of the great jazz masters, to An die Musik. They’ve studied the nuances, style, and flavor of works by icons such as John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Wayne Shorter, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman, and expand upon and integrate those ideas into their own pieces, rather than duplicate the originals or even replicate improvs.

“Performing new material that has never been heard is exhilarating for our group,” says Jack Novotny, saxist in the group. The sextet also includes bassist Juini Booth, pianist Benito Gonzalez, trumpeter Marlon Jordan, tenor saxophonist Edwin Bayard, and Baltimore drummer Nasar Abadey as a guest, filling in for regular drummer Mark Lomax II. Novotny will play tenor/soprano saxophone and flute. 8:30 and 10 p.m. July 12 at An die Musik, 409 N. Charles St,.

Literary Arts

John Lingan
Rockville-based John Lingan, who has written for the Oxford American, New York Times Magazine, and others, brings us his debut book, Homeplace: A Southern Town, a Country Legend, and the Last Days of a Mountaintop Honky-Tonk. Lignan spent four years researching the early-American town of Winchester, VA, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He first went there to seek out Jim McCoy, a honky-tonk owner and the DJ who first gave Patsy Cline airtime. What he uncovered though was a story about a town facing an identity crisis. He’ll launch his book tour this month with a reading and signing at Bird in Hand. 7 p.m. July 17 at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33rd St.

Miscellanea

Cirque du Soleil Crystal
Cirque du Soleil’s show Crystal explores the artistic limits of ice through jaw-dropping acrobatics on the ice and in the air—synchronized skating and adrenaline-pounding extreme skating will be performed alongside traditional circus arts like trapeze. This dreamlike world is brought to life with visual projections and an original score. July 5-8 at Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St.

Artscape
Our beloved Artscape returns this month, taking over 16 blocks of Baltimore and boasting three outdoor stages, 11 indoor venues, over 200 concerts, an artist market with more than 150 vendors and craftspeople, plus large-scale projects showcasing visual and performing arts, visual art exhibitions, film, street theater, and youth-focused entertainment. Performances include theater, dance, comedy, and more. And all of the above is free. It’s a great way to celebrate the city and all the arts in one fell swoop. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. July 20 and 21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. July 22 at Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street, Charles Street, Bolton Hill, and Station North Arts & Entertainment District neighborhoods.

Ratscape
After a two-year hiatus, the wonderfully bizarre Ratscape will return this year in conjunction with Artscape. A lineup of more than 40 local bands spanning rock, rap, punk, experimental, hardcore, and more will perform free shows at the Ynot Lot, an outdoors venue in Station North, throughout the weekend: JPEGMAFIA, Jeff Carey, and Bound by the Grave on Friday; Butch Dawson, Joe Bidan, and Homosuperior on Saturday; Wume, Sneaks, and HexGirlfriends Sunday. The grassroots festival is produced by Baltimore Music Preservation, aka Joshua Christy Schuelpner, Mike Franklin, and Caroline Devereaux. 2 to 10 p.m. July 20-22 at the Ynot Lot,1904 N. Charles St.

Expressions

Mar. 3-4, 6. Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral St. Sat. 6:30 p.m., Sun. 2 & 5:30 p.m., Tues. 6:30 p.m. $15-375. 443-642-5165. At the end of every winter, there comes a bright moment in the form of the Baltimore School for the Arts’ annual fundraiser, Expressions. Support the local art school during one of four awe-inspiring student shows—plus a cocktail party and evening gala—which we consider among the don’t-miss performance art events of the year.

Stephen Towns: Rumination and A Reckoning

Mar. 7-Sept. 2. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. In late 2016, Stephen Towns became an official artist to watch in Baltimore with the debut of his Take Me Away to the Stars exhibit at Galerie Myrtis. Towns’ installations were used to draw parallels between Nat Turner’s historic slave rebellion in 1831 and the modern violence and inequities that still plague African Americans today. Many of these profound textile works are now on display at the BMA, continuing both the conversation and the artist’s compelling reputation in Baltimore.

Intercambio

Mar. 9. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8 p.m. $25-30. As part of Stoop Storytelling’s “Stoop Special Engagement” series, and coinciding with the closing of the BMA’s Mexican modernist print exhibit, these two cultural institutions are teaming up for a night of positive foreign relations. Seven Baltimoreans will share personal stories about exchange and inspiration found across the U.S.-Mexico border.

National Cherry Blossom Festival
Mar. 20-Apr. 15. Tidal Basin, 1500 Maine Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. Times & prices vary. 877-442-5666. In the DMV, spring is marked by a bounty of flowers— including daffodils, dogwoods, and, of course, an abundance of cherry blossoms. At the end of the month, those blooms reach their peak in Washington, D.C., with the entire tidal basin turning pale pink and pillowy white. For nearly four weeks, admire their beauty and celebrate the new season with a variety of festivities, including a pink-tie party, parade, kite festival, and world-renowned performances.

Snail Mail

Mar. 21. Ottobar, 2549 N Howard St. 8:30 p.m. $10. 410-662-0069. It wasn’t long after the 2016 release of Snail Mail’s debut album, Habit, that Lindsey Jordan and her two bandmates started to get national attention. The band’s lo-fi indie rock music was suddenly getting written up in Pitchfork and, before long, sprawled across a multi-faceted feature in The New York Times. The trio sold out local shows at WTMD and the Ottobar, recorded an NPR Tiny Desk concert, signed a deal with national label Matador Records, and then went off on tour with indie darlings Beach Fossils. (We also awarded them a Best of Baltimore for “Rising Star” this past August.) Fresh out of high school and already well beyond their years, it’s safe to say that they are officially the next big thing to come out of Baltimore. See for yourself as the trio returns home to perform at the Ottobar on March 21.

BSO Pulse: Valerie June

Mar. 22. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8:30 p.m. $35-55. 410-783-8000. After three short years, the BSO Pulse concert series has become a beloved arts institution here in Baltimore thanks to its unlikely fusion of classical music and indie rock that features artists from near and far. This time, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and WTMD team up with June, the vibrant singer-songwriter from Tennessee whose Memphis roots shine in her soulful blend of gospel, folk, and blues. Before the show, be sure to catch a performance in the lobby by local Americana musicians Nick and Luke.

Mobile Unit: Twelfth Night

Mar. 22–25. Various Locations. $25. 410-332-0033. They say that all the world’s a stage, and Mount Vernon’s Center Stage takes that adage literally. In 2017, the local theater company launched the Mobile Unit, a free-wheeling production project, in the belief that everyone deserves access to the arts. For those who don’t have the option to enjoy a night of theater, the Mobile Unit brings it to them, and to date, actors have delivered dramatic, whimsical, and comedic performances in such unconventional spaces as shelters, jails, retirement homes, and recreation centers in underserved communities. From March 22-25, a cast of five will perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at various sites around the city. Center Stage calls these shows “minimal,” but we think they’re pretty grand.

Annapolis Oyster Roast & Sock Burning

Mar. 24. Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second St., Annapolis. 12-4 p.m. $25-75. 410-295-0104. Every March, it’s worth the drive down I-97 for this spring tradition in the state capital. For the 40th year, celebrate the spring equinox with roasted oysters, live music, and an oddball sock burning (literally) in Annapolis to welcome the beginning of boating season (for brave, blanket-wearing souls) on the Chesapeake Bay.

Crowning Glory: Art of the Americas

Mar.-Oct. 7. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. 410-547-9000. The exhibits at the internationally renowned Walters have long traversed the globe, from the tapestries of Medieval Europe to the textiles of the Middle East. In this new exhibit, the museum stays close to home with a collection culled together from North, Central, and South America. Some 20 objects spanning thousands of years will explore the two continents’ various cultures and their relationships to power, spirituality, and identity through head-worn decorations.

Jimmy Buffett

Mar. 30. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $52.50-152.50. 410-347-2020. For one evening at the end of the month, Baltimore will transform into the blue waters of the Florida Keys with the island-themed country-pop music of the legendary Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band. Whatever the weather—lion or lamb—imagine sun, sand, and margaritas in hand during this feel-good Friday night show.

With two consecutive championships, how does it feel to be part of a successful sports team like the Baltimore Blast?
It feels great, I can’t complain. When you’re playing any sport that you love, as a professional, you want to succeed. We’ve been back-to-back champions—I’ve won three of the five since I’ve been here—but the reality is, we put in a lot of work to be where we are. 

Last season makes nine wins for the Blast. How did this championship game compare to others in the past?
At the championship in Mexico, they scored on us with 18 seconds left in the game. They had won the first game, so that meant they would win the championship if they beat us. We scored back with five seconds left. Then we went into overtime, and then second overtime, and we won. We still can’t believe we did that. 

How do you feel about the team moving from the Royal Farms Arena to the Towson SECU Arena this fall?
Wherever the team goes, we are going to play. As a goalie, for my personal game, I prefer a bigger field, but we won the last two championships in really tiny fields, which makes me think this will be a good move. It’s a transition, but it’s definitely going to be for the best. Our fans are going to be closer. It’s going to be really loud. 

What do you think sets the Blast apart from the rest of the league?
We play as a unit. Everybody knows that when you’re playing against the Blast, you’re going to have trouble, because of our teamwork. We are so committed to playing as a team. There’s not a single player that is going to outshine the rest.

How is being a goalie different from other positions?
Goalkeepers are always the most pressured player. You can’t really make mistakes. But I love playing under pressure. I like playing away games because all of the fans are against you and I love that atmosphere. The goalkeeper also works really hard during the week but we don’t do much when we perform in the game. You make a couple saves here and there, but you have to be more mentally prepared than physically. 

The Blast has a very loyal fan base.
This is another huge thing that makes us different—and makes people love us. They will likely only meet a Ravens player once in a lifetime, or take a selfie with them and never see them again, but they can be in touch with us easily. They can chat with us and see us after the games. It’s also a family environment. It’s a safe place to let your kids roam and enjoy themselves. 

You’ve been a Fan Favorite for the Blast for five years in a row. Why do you think that is?
When people come to the games and watch me play, they can see how much I care. I really, really love what I do. This was my dream as a kid, and I think I show that side of myself when I play. 

Tell us about your journey with soccer.
I was born in Brazil, and in Brazil, it’s a religion. I started when I was four, and by the time I was seven, I was playing for a travel team and became goalie. I didn’t like to run much, so that worked better for me [laughs]. You had to be a little quicker, smarter, and a little crazy. I moved to a professional team when I was 13 for seven years, and then moved to Italy, where I now have dual citizenship. I was playing for Italy in the 2011 World Cup. The Blast coach saw the game and everything went from there. 

Your team is comprised of men from all different backgrounds and countries.
It’s fun. We have a lot of Brazilian players on this team right now, so we are really close. I played with Elton [de Oliveira] back in Brazil when we were 13. I played with [Jonatas] Melo in Italy when we were 21 or 22. Melo played with Daniel [Peruzzi] in Italy. Soccer is a small world. We are all really good friends. Portuguese is the second language of the Baltimore Blast [laughs]. 

You also coach at Johns Hopkins, McDonogh School, and the Baltimore Celtic Club.
Coaching is very special. It gives you the chance to teach somebody based on the knowledge you have. You watch the improvements and you’re just really proud—I’m like a proud papa. You also get so nervous coaching. It’s worse than playing. You can’t do anything about the outcome. You’re just on the sideline watching. It drives me nuts sometimes, but I love it.

What do you tell kids to motivate them to play?
Play what you love. You have to be happy when you’re a kid. I sometimes think parents forget that and put too much pressure on the kids. I really want them to have fun. The teamwork in soccer is very special. 

What motivates you every day?
I dreamed of being a soccer player and I am a soccer player. How blessed am I? I wake up every morning and go for my dream. Money is important, but for me, happiness is the most important thing. I really, really love this sport, which starts to worry me, because at some point, I’ll have to stop. 

What will you do then?
A friend of mine became a huge soccer player. He stopped playing two years ago and now he does skydiving. He said it’s the same pre-game feeling—the adrenaline. So now I think I’m going to be a skydiver, too!

Craving football in the Ravens off-season? You’re in luck! This month, the Arena Football League (AFL) kicks off its inaugural season in Charm City with the brand-new Baltimore Brigade. The indoor team has the first of its 14 games on April 7 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., followed by its home opener shortly after that at the Royal Farms Arena on May 7.

“The arena is thrilled that the Baltimore Brigade will play at our venue this spring and summer,” says Frank Remesch, general manager of the Royal Farms Arena, which also features indoor soccer games played by the Baltimore Blast. “Baltimore has always been a sports town, and we are proud to continue that tradition.”

The AFL has many of the same rules as the NFL, but with a smaller field and fewer players (eight on the field at a time per team compared to the NFL’s 11, with a roster of 24 compared to the NFL’s typical 53). The AFL uses a rebound net, which can keep the ball in play, and sorry boys—no punting allowed (on fourth down, a team may go for a first down, touchdown, or field goal).

In their sleek blue and silver uniforms, the Baltimore Brigade includes seasoned players and rookie talent, with a few athletes hailing from Maryland and even Baltimore. “You have to have great people from top to bottom,” says head coach Omarr Smith, a longtime AFL champion. “Building a football team from scratch is a huge challenge and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

In a city that treasures its underdog status, the team hopes to gain a loyal following. “Baltimore has a great fan base for all of its sports,” says wide receiver LaQuan Williams, who played at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and the University of Maryland before joining the Ravens in 2011 and now the Baltimore Brigade. “I’m excited to see how the town takes to the new team. It’s an exciting game and it gives the community something new to cheer for.”

Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
April 23-Dec. 17. E Saratoga and Holliday sts., 7 a.m.-noon. Free.
With 48 farms, 45 vendors, and an average of more than 120,000 attendees each year, Maryland’s largest producers-only market has become a Sunday staple in Charm City for the past 40 years. Nestled under the Jones Falls Expressway, the beloved weekend ritual is a vibrant, fragrant microcosm of Baltimore—teeming with crisp fruits and seasonal vegetables, craft beer and local wine, ice-cold crabs and farm-fresh meat, and, of course, the buttery smell of breakfast biscuits wafting from the grill of Blacksauce Kitchen. The market draws Baltimoreans and tourists of all ages and walks of life to popular businesses like Hex Ferments, Zeke’s Coffee, The Mushroom Stand, and “the potato man,” who hawks killer sweet potatoes from Knopp’s Farm. When the market returns this season, the lineup will include some newcomers such as the sustainable Old Line Fish Company and the upstart city farm Urban Pastoral, as well as local favorites like Ekiben and The Baltimore Whiskey Company.—EB

The Emporiyum
April 1-2. Inner Harbor, 600 E. Pratt St. Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $15-40. Mark your calendars, foodies, and make your way to the Inner Harbor for this one-of-a-kind, edible experience, now in its fourth year. With more than 90 vendors, The Emporiyum lets you dig into dozens of eats from far and near (Ekiben, La Cuchara, The Local Oyster), imbibe in a Baltimore brew from Union Craft or Diamondback, and take home tasty treats.

Orioles Opening Day
April 3. Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 3:05 p.m. Prices vary. 410-685-9800. baltimore.orioles.mlb.com. After just barely missing the playoffs last season, thanks to a heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Orioles fans are fired up and ready to go. Grab your friends, family, and foam fingers and head down to Camden Yards for the first game of the year—against, no less, those very same Jays.

Bill Nye
April 20. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 7:30 p.m. $50-65. 301-600-2828. Bill Nye the Science Guy is more relevant than ever as he continues to make science both exciting and relatable. Since his show first aired on PBS in the early ’90s, the Emmy Award-winning scientist, comedian, author, and inventor has inspired generations and become a household name. For one night, listen, learn, and laugh alongside America’s favorite science teacher.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
April 20-30. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. $15-98. 410-347-2020. Cue the lights. The Greatest Show on Earth is coming to town for one last visit as the world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus performs its final tour. For more than 50 years, the celebrated troupe has perfected the big-top experience, entertaining millions of families and creating a right of passage in kids’ lives. Don’t miss your last chance to see their awe-inspiring stunts.

Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen
Apr. 28. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $92-399. 410-837-7400. From the real deal on global issues to Real Housewives, these TV hosts always deliver the latest in politics and pop culture. Newscaster Anderson Cooper and reality-TV pot-stirrer Andy Cohen will bring a night of unforgettable banter and behind-the-scenes stories at this live event.—EB

Charm City Bluegrass Festival
April 29. Druid Hill Park, 3100 Swann Dr. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Free-$55. Now in its fifth year, this once small parking lot jam session has grown into Baltimore’s biggest bluegrass festival, known for its stellar lineups, quality food, and local craft beer. Rain or shine, prepare to move and groove to local talents like Cris Jacobs and Seldom Scene, plus national acts such as The Lone Bellow and Dustbowl Revival.

The Ground
To May 19. Hutzler’s, 200 N. Howard St. Thu.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 410-756-0397. There are few artistic institutions in Baltimore more avant-garde and awe-inspiring than The Contemporary. In recent years, the nomadic gallery has presented mesmerizing, mind-bending, and moving projects, showcasing the power of art through alternative exhibits. For its first 2017 show, delve into The Ground, a solo commission by New York-based artist Michael Jones McKean, who has transformed the historic Hutzler’s department store into a massive labyrinth and metaphor on “place.” Through replicas, dioramas, and scenes, he explores dichotomies and turns time on its head, merging past and present, human and nonhuman, and material and digital into a future yet to be seen.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 12. Washington Monument, 699 Washington Pl. 2 p.m. Free. ’Tis the season to celebrate the Emerald Isle, with green beer, green clothing, and the 62nd annual St. Patty’s Day parade. After you run in the annual Shamrock 5K race, make your way to the Washington Monument on Charles Street for a great view of the bagpipers, floats, dance groups, and local officials hoofing it to celebrate the contributions of Irish Americans.

Off the Shelf: Modern & Contemporary Artists’ Books
March 12-June 25. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. Over the years, artists have gone off the canvas and onto the page to turn books into works of art. At the BMA, explore more than 100 rarely shown “artists’ books” by more than 50 iconic artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Baltimore’s own Grace Hartigan.

Misty Copeland
March 22. MICA, Brown Center, 1300 W. Mount Royal Ave. 7 p.m. $30. 410-396-5494. Since breaking out on the national stage with her memorable “I Will What I Want” ad for Under Armour, American Ballet Theatre dancer Misty Copeland has become an adopted Baltimore icon, and role model for women the world over. This month, at the Maryland Institute College of Art, meet the artist-athlete, hear about her new book, Ballerina Body, and learn the secrets of her envy-inducing calves.

Terry Gross
March 22. Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson. 6-9 p.m. $45-175. 410-235-1660. Terry Gross, the host of NPR’s Fresh Air, will speak at Goucher, sharing stories and wisdom from her 40-year career (which has included more than 13,000 conversations with the likes of Johnny Cash, Hillary Clinton, Mel Brooks, and Maurice Sendak). There will even be a chance for audience members to turn the tables and ask the expert interviewer their very own questions.

Harlem Globetrotters
March 25. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 2 & 7 p.m. $25.50-124.50. 410-347-2020. With March Madness finally upon us, we’re fully engulfed in all things basketball, and we don’t just mean the NCAA. At the end of the month, see the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters as they dribble their way into town for a winter game with b-ball wizardry and hoop-shooting tricks that are fun for the family.

Stevie Nicks
March 26. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 7 p.m. $66-600. 410-347-2020. More than 50 years after Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks wrote her first song, she is still enchanting audiences, touring behind her latest release, 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault, a collection of never-before-released gems, some of which date back to her pre-Fleetwood Mac days. This month, Nicks—joined by special guests The Pretenders—will cast her spell in Baltimore.

Light City
March 31-April 8. Locations & times vary. Free. 410-752-8632. We didn’t know what to expect from the Light City arts festival last spring, but boy, did it deliver. A celebration of light, music, and innovation, the inaugural event contributed a whopping $33.8 million to Baltimore’s economy, and attracted some 400,000 attendees to city streets. Starting this month, with a fresh lineup of installations, musicians, movers, and shakers, we anticipate nine nights that will beam even bigger and brighter than last year.

Rent
March 31-April 2. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $48-142. 410-837-7400. It’s been 525,600 minutes—times 20—since this smash-hit musical burst onto Broadway. Two decades later, Rent has become a Pulitzer and Tony award-winning show with beloved characters and an iconic rock soundtrack. A loose adaptation of Puccini’s La Bohème, the story follows seven artists struggling to follow their dreams in New York City.

A Christmas Story, The Musical
Dec. 6-11. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Tue.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $42-147. 410-837-7400. You already know the story of Ralphie Parker, a young boy in the 1940s with his heart set on Santa bringing him a Red Ryder BB gun. The 1983 cult-classic film, based on the legendary radio stories of humorist Jean Shepherd, is brought to new life in this hilarious musical adaptation directed by Tony Award-winner John Rando, with the Hippodrome even offering local auditions for two children to be featured in special roles.

Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 1. Mount Vernon Place between Cathedral & St. Paul Sts. 4-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. If you have yet to admire the Washington Monument’s $5.5 million renovation, make your way to Mt. Vernon for a holiday season kickoff. For the 45th year, join thousands of onlookers, street party festivities, and a massive fireworks display over the heart of the city.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 3. Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St. 4-11 p.m. $60-90. 410-494-9558. Everyone loves Elvis, and for some odd reason, everyone seems to love Elvis even more around the holidays. Gather at Lithuanian Hall for a celebration of The King, as dozens of cover bands, tribute artists, and diehard fans pay homage with this colorful night of rock and roll.

About Face
Dec. 8-Jan. 28, 2017. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 410-276-1651. Local artist Amy Sherald has skyrocketed to artistic stardom since becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Outwin Boochever competition at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. this March. Shortly thereafter, she graced the pages of our October 2016 issue and is now the centerpiece of a new exhibit at her resident Creative Alliance. Alongside those of artists like Rozeal, Tim Okamura, and Ebony Patterson, her bright, brilliant paintings attempt to reconcile art with racial stereotypes, forcing viewers to examine a deeper understanding of black identity.

Army vs. Navy Game
Dec. 10. M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St. 3 p.m. 410-261-7283. In this rivalry for the ages, two of the country’s best military academies go head to head for the 126th time, this month at M&T. Maryland must pick sides between the underdog Black Knights and their Annapolis Midshipmen, with Navy enjoying a 14-game winning streak and devoted fans longing to make it a lucky 15.

Shifting Views: People & Politics in Contemporary African Art
Dec. 18-June 18, 2017. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. This stirring exhibit—the Baltimore Museum of Art’s first foray into contemporary African art––uses photographs, prints, and drawings by multiple artists to offer political perspectives on African life and its diaspora. In the 1970 photograph of singer Margaret Singana by David Goldblatt, the black-and-white still takes a quiet look at the continent’s capitalism, while other works explore themes such as slavery and racism.

UMD Basketball vs. UNC Charlotte
Dec. 20. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 7 p.m. $15-103. 410-347-2020. For one night only, just a couple dozen miles up I-95 from their home, the men of the University of Maryland Terps basketball team battle the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers. Without a national basketball team, Charm City hangs its hat on these College Park ballers, spreading the message of “Fear the Turtle” from November through April. With guard Melo Trimble entering his third season and guard Dion Wiley returning after a knee injury, this hoop showdown is one you shouldn’t miss.

A John Waters Christmas
Dec. 21. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $28-30. 410-244-0057. The legendary local filmmaker—most famous for his cult-classic, Charm City-centric cinema (Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Cry-Baby)—hosts a critically acclaimed evening of adult humor. Far more naughty than nice, the mischievous one-man show tackles the hoopla of the holidays, from religious fanaticism for Santa Claus to terrible decorations and perverted gifts. A sharp and witty raconteur, his merry monologue calls it like it is, using shock, awe, and magnetic storytelling to point out the absurdity of the season and to put “the X in Xmas.”

50th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 30. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 3 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. While the thought-provoking National Museum of African American History & Culture just opened in Washington, D.C., here in Baltimore, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum has been dedicated to celebrating Maryland’s African-American history and culture for more than 10 years. This holiday season, head to the museum to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kwanzaa. Whether you’re a practiced celebrator or simply want to learn more about the holiday, enjoy African dancing and drumming performances, partake in arts and crafts, and explore a variety of workshops

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.

Justin Bieber
July 7. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 7:30 p.m. $47.50-113. 410-347-2020.
They say the higher you fly, the harder you fall, and boy, did Justin Bieber shoot straight for the sky. From a YouTube discovery at age 12 to a debut album at age 15 to platinum sales less than two months later, this Canadian pop star went from a cute haircut to an overnight media sensation. Sweet dance moves, swoon-worthy vocals, and a picture-perfect romance with Disney star Selena Gomez solidified his success, but then came his turbulent late teens, a time of fast cars, mouthy remarks, and overall bad-boy behavior that tested the conviction of even his most die-hard “Beliebers.” But, lo and behold, the Biebs is now making a miraculous comeback, with apologetic appearances on Ellen, new number one singles, and a world tour, aptly titled Purpose. His Instagram followers exceed 67 million, his latest album is packed with party-starters (we unabashedly have “Sorry” on repeat), and all the while, his newsworthy tattoo tally continues to climb. For one Thursday night, don your purple hoodies, get ready to catch finger-lip kisses, and see if you still belieb.

Cinema Al Fresco
July 1-Aug. 26. Little Italy, at the corner of High & Stiles Sts. Fri. Music 7 p.m., movie 9 p.m. Free. Few things say “Baltimore summer” quite like sitting in the parking lot of Da Mimmo Ristorante, watching old movies outside on a summer evening, amidst row homes and twinkling stars. Such is the beauty of Little Italy’s Cinema al Fresco open-air film series, now in its 17th season. On Friday nights through the end of August, gather some friends and unfold some lawn chairs for live music, free popcorn, and the main event, starting this month with the ever-comedic Moonstruck, followed by the likes of Diner, The Sound of Music, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Flicks From the Hill
July 7-Aug. 25. American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 9 p.m. Free. 410-244-1900. As the sun begins to set, pack a blanket and picnic for this beloved Baltimore tradition on Federal Hill. For the 11th summer, AVAM drops a giant screen down the side of the museum on Thursday nights for harbor-side films beneath the stars. Snuggle up with friends, snack on eats from local food trucks, and catch some favorite flicks, like last year’s Labyrinth and Big Fish.

Kimono and Obi
July 10-Jan. 15, 2017. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. During Japan’s Edo period, the Land of the Rising Sun was kept in the fashion dark ages, as common folk were forbidden from wearing showy clothing, especially colors like purple and red. When the laws were lifted in 1868, the country was entering an industrial age, and with its newfound prosperity, citizens were once again free to flaunt fineries in their own personal style. Embroidered kimonos and embellished obi sashes became en vogue, which are now on display at the BMA.

Baltimore Caribbean Carnival
July 9-10. Clifton Park, 2701 St. Lo Dr. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free. For the 35th year, the paths of Clifton Park will transform into a full-on fiesta during this annual celebration of Caribbean culture. Beginning with a party-starting parade on East 33rd Street, you can follow thousands of spectators as hundreds of colorful costumes, festive performers, and the sounds of soca and calypso musicians march for five full hours. Afterward, attend the two-day festival, with live music and entertainment, authentic food and drink, and arts and crafts until 9 or 10 p.m. Grab some jerk chicken, sip some summer wine, and saunter beneath the stilt dancers on your way to seeing the steel drums.

Artscape
July 15-17. Mount Royal Avenue & Cathedral Street. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. In the middle of the month, Station North will transform into an otherworldly galaxy as Artscape returns for the 35th year with an all-new outer space theme. From iconic art cars to big name concerts (read: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Wyclef Jean), this weekend block party is the largest free arts festival in the U.S., with thousands of guests, dozens of food vendors, and hundreds of artists, musicians, and performers. It’s a Baltimore tradition not to miss.

Baltimore Pride
July 23-24. Mount Vernon, Druid Hill Park, & other locations. Times vary. Free. 410-777-8145. With the LGBTQ community finally finding its place at the forefront of national conversation, there’s no better time to celebrate its achievements as well as acknowledge the road ahead. For an entire weekend, Baltimore will throw the largest event of its kind in the state, with an afternoon parade and evening street party in Mount Vernon, followed by an all-day festival in Druid Hill Park. Compete in a high-heel race down Cathedral, get your groove on in a streetwide dance party, and don your brightest colors at this big shebang.

The Music of David Bowie
July 30. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 7:30 p.m. $25-65. 410-783-8000. It was six months ago that Ziggy Stardust left this earth, but it’s safe to say that his legacy will not be forgotten. Through music, art, and fashion, David Bowie transcended definition—always moving forward, unafraid of taking risks or thinking outside of the box. For one night, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will honor the rock-and-roll superstar’s influence, joined by a full band.

Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize Exhibition
To July 31. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700. In conjunction with our city arts festival, the BMA presents the 2016 finalists for the prestigious Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize. Highlighting some of the most talented artists in the region, the exhibit features the works of local visionaries like art activist organization FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture, painter Darcie Book, videographers Theo Anthony and Stephanie Barber, and photographers Eric Kruszewski, Christos Palios, and Larry Cook, whose work is pictured above. Explore the exhibit, and attend the award ceremony on July 9.

Along with the Free State, Old Line State, and Land of Pleasant Living, Maryland is also nicknamed America in Miniature, in reference to our medley of history, landmarks, and people. Celebrate that diversity with these six cultural festivals.

PHILIPPINE FIESTA
6/4: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Timonium. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $3. 443-812-3241. This 34-year-old festival is full of Filipino activities, including cultural crafts, live music, and festive games at the state fairgrounds.

MARYLAND TRADITIONS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
6/4: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 12-8 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. Experience Baltimore Club music, Nepalese food, and Norwegian painting at this celebration of cultures from around the world.

FEAST OF ST. ANTHONY ITALIAN FESTIVAL
6/4-5: Little Italy, S. Exeter & Stiles Sts. Sat. 12-8 p.m. & Sun. 11-7 p.m. $1. Little Italy celebrates its roots with one big weekend of Italian food and wine, with a Sunday parade.

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK FOLK FESTIVAL
6/9-12: Greektown Square, 701 S. Ponca St. Times vary. Free. 410-633-5020. Dive into the culture of the Aegean Sea with four days of baklava, Mythos beer, and regional dance troupes in Southeast Baltimore.

LATINOFEST
6/25-26: Patterson Park, Eastern Ave. & S. Linwood Ave. Sat. 12-10 p.m., Sun. 12-9 p.m. Free-$9. 410-563-3160. For the 36th year, this giant outdoor celebration takes over Patterson Park with Latino food, music, and art.

LITHUANIAN FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL
6/30-7/3: Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. $10-92. 410-347-2020. Nearly 2,000 dancers gather for a weekend of galas, live music, poetry readings, and traditional dances from Eastern Europe.

April will mark the the one-year anniversary of the Baltimore Uprising. In that moment and the months that followed, our city was in a state of turmoil, but we came together to clean up, rebuild, and reconnect our communities, though we still have a long way to go. Get involved, starting with these events.

PAUL’S PLACE SERVICE OUTING
April 2: Paul’s Place, 1118 Ward St. 8:30 a.m. Free. 410-357-6242. Participate in the Sierra Club’s Baltimore Inspiring Connections Outdoors community outreach program, which introduces urban youth to nature through exploration, lessons, and community service.

TORREY SMITH CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME
April 2: Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., 3 p.m. $17-80. 410-347-2020. Meet former Raven Torrey Smith at his annual charity basketball game for the Torrey Smith Foundation, which supports Baltimore City youth.

BALTIMORE STORIES
April 3: Red Emma’s, 30 W. North Ave. 8:30 p.m. Free. 443-602-7611. Local activist, author, and Loyola professor Kaye Whitehead hosts an evening of storytelling where community members can share recollections of the Uprising.

COMMUNITY LOT CLEANUP
April 6-27: Locations vary. 9 a.m. Free. 410-366-8533. Every Wednesday throughout the month, join AmeriCorps members as they work to transform vacant lots into beautiful community gardens and green spaces in neighborhoods across Baltimore.

CONVERSATION THREAD
April 7: Locations vary. 6:30 p.m. 410-660-8343. This local community organization brings 1,000 people together at 100 dinners across Baltimore, where attendees will gather, eat, and connect to help support young people in the local community.

URBAN ALLIANCE MOCK NETWORKING EVENT
April 8: The Urban Alliance, 1500 Union Ave., Ste. 2100. 3:30 p.m. Free. 410-366-5780. All professional are welcome to this mock networking event to help under-resourced students sharpen their interpersonal skills and prepare for interviews.

BOUNDARY BLOCK PARTY
April 16: Pennsylvania Ave. & Presstman St. 12-4 p.m. Free. 410-728-1199. This large community festival will feature live entertainment, art activities, and a “Get out the vote” campaign in Upton.

BMORE THAN THE STORY
April 16-Aug. 28: Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 1 p.m. Free. 443-263-1800. Local students have collaborated to present powerful narratives and a series of visual performing arts to show different perspectives of the Baltimore riots.

SBLC CELEBRATION GALA
April 16: Horseshoe Casino, 1525 Baltimore St. 6:30 p.m. $125. 410-625-4215. For the 25th year, this cocktail party benefits the South Baltimore Learning Center, which helps provide life-skills training and career preparation to Baltimoreans in need.

BALTIMORE CLEANUP
April 27: 316 S. Caroline St. 5 p.m. Free. 410-685-0295. Join kids from the POWER House Community Center and members of the Living Classrooms Foundation in this new neighborhood cleanup series, conceived last summer after the Baltimore Uprising.

QUESTION BRIDGE: BLACK MALES
April 28-Aug. 30: Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8. 443-263-1800. This video installation offers a glance into the perspective of 150 black men living in cities throughout the U.S. to deconstruct stereotypes and build a constructive dialogue.

Whether you’re spending it with a favorite friend, first date, old flame, or your own fabulous self, show a little love this Valentine’s Day with our roundup of weekend rendezvous.

Art for the Heart

2/11: PAPER-CUTTING AND PRESSED FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP
B. Willow and Annie Howe Papercuts are teaming up to host this artsy workshop where students will learn how to create their own paper-cut design and adorn it with pressed flowers. The price of admission to the pop-up includes cocktails, snacks, and a 15 percent-off discount on all Trohv merchandise before the class begins. Trohv, 921 W. 36th St., 6 p.m., $120, 410-366-3456.

2/12: VALENTINE’S DAY OPEN STUDIO SESSION
Mix and match flowers, clippers, and vases to create a one-of-a-kind arrangement for your valentine at this self-directed event. No need to worry if you aren’t a botanical buff— experts will be on-hand to give advice throughout the session. Local Color Flowers, 3100 Brentwood Ave., 6:30 p.m., $30-75,410-262-1494

2/13: BLOCK PRINTING
This year, make your loved one a handmade Valentine’s gift at this DIY workshop, using one of the oldest forms of printmaking. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 10:30 a.m. $15.410-545-5980

Boozy Bashes

2/10: 30th & WELDON GALENTINE’S DAY PARTY
The trio behind local lifestyle blog 30th & Weldon is throwing this love-themed networking event to celebrate Charm City women who are doing big things. Guests are invited to sip cocktails, nosh on smoky snacks from Blue Pit BBQ, and mingle with other local movers and shakers. A portion of the night’s cocktail proceeds will be donated to the House of Ruth.
Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 1601 Union Ave., 6 p.m., Free admission,
443-948-5590

2/12: THE BITTER HEART CLUB: AN ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY TAKEOVER: Ware House 518 is teaming up with Drinkable Genius to host this party for all of the V-Day cynics who would much rather sip cocktails than snack on heart-shaped chocolates. Throw back cleverly named drink specials like “The Alanis Punch,” “The Black Heart Old Fashioned,” and “The Tinder Special” while rocking out to angsty music all night long. Ware House 518, 518 N. Charles St., 9 p.m.,443-869-3382

2/13: FEDERAL HILL V-DAY BAR CRAWL
In true Federal Hill fashion, neighborhood favorites like Noble’s, Stalking Horse, Mad River, and Mother’s are hosting this cupid-inspired crawl. Highlights will include $2 Miller Lite cans, $3 glasses of wine, costume contests, and live DJs at each bar. Multiple locations including 1113 S. Charles St., 5 p.m., $20-30

2/13: ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY AT 14FORTY
If you’ll be flying solo this V-Day, grab your best buds and head to this multi-level lounge inside Horseshoe Casino. Singles are invited to sip specialty cocktails, sock the casino’s signature ‘I Hate Valentine’s Day’ punch board, and enter to win cash prizes by sharing their “Best Worst-Ex” stories. Horseshoe Casino, 1525 Russell St., 8 p.m., Free admission, 844-777-7463

2/14: VALENTINE’S DAY PAJAMA BRUNCH
Mother’s is spreading the love by throwing one of its signature boozy brunches on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy plenty of bacon, Bloodies, and benedicts, and receive half-off of your entire check if you show up in your pajamas. Mother’s Grille., 1113 S. Charles St., 9 a.m., 410-244-8686

Dashing Dance Parties

2/13: LOVE SONGS OF THE PRESIDENTS
Sway to the sounds of romantic POTUSes like Washington, Adams, and Jefferson in this original, comedic concert. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 3 p.m. $5-8. 410-276-1651

2/13: CHERUB
Grab a date and get your groove on as this electro-indie duo performs its disco dance party hits, like “Doses & Mimosas” and “Disco Shit.” Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $22-25. 410-244-0057

2/13: VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE PARTY
In the spirit of love, the Ottobar is donating all of the proceeds from this all-night dance-fest to Moveable Feast—an organization that puts healthy food on the table for locals in need.Grab your friends and get down to DJ sets from Dan Deacon, James Nasty, Chiffon, Young Coconut, and Dianamatic. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., 9 p.m, $7-10 donation, 410-662-0069

2/13: FAMILY VALENTINE’S DANCE PARTY
Dress up the little ones and head to this evening event where families can explore the museum, create light-up valentine cards, decorate cookies, chow down on pizza, and dance to kid-friendly tunes spun by DJ Holly. Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl., 6 p.m., $15-18, 410-727-8120

2/14: ENCHANTMENT UNDER THE SEA DANCE
Baltimore Soundstage is recreating Back to the Future’s iconic high school dance theme this V-Day, complete with dating games, door prizes, Hawaiian fusion fare, and live covers by local alternative band Sucker Punch. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl., 7:30 p.m., $20-30, 410-244-0057

Out of the Ordinary

2/13: CUPID’S UNDIE RUN
For one wintry Saturday, strip down to your skivvies for this 1.5-mile run around Baltimore to benefit The Children’s Tumor Foundation. Luckie’s Tavern, 10 Market Pl. 12-4 p.m. $45-55

2/13: TASSELS & CHAMPAGNE
Gilded Lily Burlesque presents a special Valentine’s Day show set to the sexy sounds of 1940s Chicago rhythm and blues. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 & 10 p.m. 410-276-1651

2/13: SEX AT THE ZOO
Learn about love in the animal kingdom with a lecture on mating habits, an open bar, and plenty of food. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Dr. 6-9 p.m. $80. 410-396-7102

2/14: KATT WILLIAMS
Love doesn’t have to be so serious, so spend one knee-slapping night with this outrageous, velvet-loving comedian. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 8 p.m. $52-175. 410-347-2020

Sweet Soirees

2/11: CHEZ CHARMERIE
The Charmery is being transformed from a laid-back hangout into a swanky sit-down spot. To gear up for the romantic holiday weekend, scoopers will be serving up a fancy three-course ice cream dinner highlighting dishes like chilled ice cream soup with pecans and caramel jello, chocolate chip cheesecake ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate-covered strawberry milkshakes. The Charmery, 801 W. 36th St., 6 p.m., $20, Reservations required, 410-814-0493

2/13: MAYAN CHOCOLATE MAKING
On Valentine’s Eve, learn the ancient Mayan art of chocolate making. Willow Grove Nature Center, 2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd., Parkville. 1-3 p.m. $10-12. 410-887-3014

2/13: CANDY AND CHOCOLATE MAKING CLASS
Throw on an apron and join the experts at Schola for an afternoon of sweet treats. Students enrolled in this confectionery class will learn how to create their own truffles, rum balls, chocolate bark, fudge, and pecan pralines. Schola, 1005 N. Charles St., 12 p.m., $52, 443-714-7516

PRATT CONTEMPORARIES BLACK & WHITE PARTY
Jan. 30. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $100. 410-396-5430. Don’t miss the party of all parties when the Pratt Contemporaries annual Black & White Party returns to the local library this month. This year, at the central Mt. Vernon location, guests will head out of the winter cold and into the warm forest of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Dress up in your finest fairy-queen garb, mingle with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company performers, and sip on beer from The Brewer’s Art. Like Puck’s love potion, this soirée will surely leave you enchanted by the end of the night.

TEDXBALTIMORE
Jan. 14. Morgan State University. 2201 Argonne Dr. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. $60. 410-982-0799.
The annual TEDxBaltimore event will provide the perfect opportunity to clear out the cobwebs that may have gathered in your brain during the holidays. Modeled after the popular TED talks, the symposium will see 18 movers, shakers, and thinkers distill their messages into 18-minute multimedia presentations around this year’s theme of “Outliers.” In addition, speakers will address hot-button issues such as mental illness, the future of higher education, prison reform, reproductive rights, and African-American-led social justice movements. In between the talks, there will be time for refreshments and networking. We’re sure attendees will have no shortage of conversation material. —AM

AS YOU LIKE IT
Jan. 15-Feb. 14. Towson University, Mainstage Theatre, 1 Fine Arts Dr., Towson. Times vary. $10-69. 410-332-0033. On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, Center Stage kicks off the new year with a classic Bard comedy. Traditionally performed by an all-male cast, this new production lends the spotlight to the ladies with an all-female troupe. While its Mt. Vernon digs undergo renovations, the theater company sets up shop at Towson University to perform this entangled tale about love, politics, and gender roles.

LOWER DENS
Jan. 15-16. Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m. $13. 410-662-0069. It’s been a big year for Lower Dens. The local indie-pop quartet dropped a heavily heralded album, Escape From Evil, embarked on a European tour, and made national news with frontwoman Jana Hunter discussing topics like politics, race, and gender with big-name outlets like CNN, BBC, Pitchfork, and Cosmopolitan. As the band embarks on a new North American tour, hear its ambient, ’80s-tinged rock for two nights in Remington this month, with fellow locals like Abdu Ali, Microkingdom, and Chiffon.

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARADE
Jan. 18. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw St. 12 p.m. Free. 410-752-8632. It was more than 50 years ago that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took the national stage to champion racial equality, nonviolence, freedom, and peace. Today, his words are more relevant than ever, and in light of recent social unrest and urgent calls for justice around the country, there’s no better time to honor his important civil rights legacy at this 15th annual parade featuring dance squads, school bands, handmade floats, and community organizations.

UNDER THE SKIN
Jan. 20-Feb. 21. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. Times vary. $10-60. 410-752-2208. After a sold-out world premiere in Philadelphia, this new play makes its way to Everyman to join the local theater’s already-stellar season. The funny, moving, yet somewhat dark work by Michael Hollinger (also of award-winning drama Opus and spy spoof Red Herring) examines family dynamics, complicated relationships, and unexpected love. Follow a sick father, his estranged daughter, and a kidney-donating stranger in this tangled love story that explores what it means to give part of yourself to someone else.

GARTH BROOKS
Jan. 22-23 & 29-30. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. Sold out. 410-347-2020. Since 1989, Garth Brooks has won multiple Grammys, dozens of CMAs, and sold more than 100 million records, making him the best-selling solo artist of all time (outdoing even Mr. Presley himself). The Oklahoman country legend cemented himself in music history with top 10 hits like “The Dance,” “The Thunder Rolls,” and the ultimate drunken bar song, “Friends in Low Places.” This month, he comes to the RoFo Arena for five sold-out performances with his wife of 10 years and a superstar in her own right, the one-and-only Trisha Yearwood.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Jan. 27-Feb. 7. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $27.25-147. 41å0-837-7400. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s dark romantic masterpiece has been a Broadway bastion for nearly 30 years, with its timeless story, iconic half-mask, and organ-riddled theme song haunting us long after the curtain falls. Now helmed by musical producer Cameron Mackintosh (also of Cats, Les Misérables, and Mary Poppins fame), the smash-hit show comes to Baltimore bigger and better than ever, with an all-new production featuring fresh sets, choreography, costumes, special effects, and a 52-member cast and orchestra.

FETTY WAP
Jan. 28. Towson University, SECU Arena, 8000 York Rd., Towson. 8 p.m. $20-30. 855-888-4437. This young rapper skyrocketed to stardom last year after his breakout hit “Trap Queen” met the masses and went viral. Within no time, the debut single became the hands-down song of summer 2015, racing up the Billboard Hot 100, racking up 300 million views on YouTube alone, and inspiring every mom to awkwardly ask her kids, “What’s a trap queen?” It solidified itself in pop and sports culture, too, as a trivia answer on Jeopardy! and a post-game prank, when the Kansas City Royals confused reporters by repeatedly slipping its lyrics into interviews during their World Series run this past fall. That kind of fame might be hard to follow up, but with his wobbly verses, infectious beats, and subsequent singles featuring the likes of meme-dream Drake, it’s safe to say the 2015 VMA Artist to Watch will have our attention for some time to come.

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 6. Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Ln. 1 p.m. Free. For one wintry Sunday, join tens of thousands of Baltimoreans for the 42nd annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade. The 2.5-mile route meanders through Hampden, heading south on Falls Road before ending at 37th Street. Throw on a jacket and see Santa Claus, festive floats, marching units, local TV and radio personalities, over 100 Harley Davidsons, the Mummers of Philadelphia, and this year’s Miss and Junior Miss Yuletide.

A Monumental Occasion
Dec. 3. Mt. Vernon Pl., 600 N. Charles St. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-244-1030. At the beginning of the month, see the Washington Monument lit up in all its fresh, new glory at the 43rd annual lighting ceremony in Mt. Vernon. After its $5.5 million renovation was completed this summer, the 200-year-old marble landmark is spick-and-span, with a polished exterior, new interactive displays, and a freshly restored staircase for its 227-step climb. See for yourself at this long-running holiday tradition, with music, food, drink, and a fantastic fireworks show.

Makayla Gilliam-Price
Dec. 3. MICA, Fred Lazarus IV Center, 131 W. North Ave. 7 p.m. Free. 410-669-9200. You might have heard this extremely eloquent 17-year-old speak at this year’s Artscape. Makayla Gilliam-Price took to the Lyric stage and spoke to an enraptured audience with dynamic wordplay and an impressively powerful voice as part of the annual arts festival’s Wired Up! event, which reunited the cast of The Wire to tell real stories of Baltimoreans who lived through this past spring’s uprising. When she finished, the packed house was the most excited it would be all night. It was clear that the youth leadership award she received just moments before was beyond well-deserved. The young activist and founder of local youth justice organization City Bloc has also been awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations and was an invited speaker at TEDxMidAtlantic this past September.

The Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 5. Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St. 4 p.m.-12 a.m. $60-90. 410-494-9588. Elvis left the building last year, when this eclectic annual event ditched its longtime home of Lithuanian Hall for new digs in Hunt Valley. But now, The King is back, as the 22nd annual celebration returns to Hollins Market. Party like Presley with cover bands, tribute artists, hot rods, showgirls, a Vegas-themed lounge, and his personal favorites: fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwiches and plenty of booze.

Ciara
Dec. 4. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 8 p.m. $42-74. 410-837-7400. At the beginning of the month, the princess is here . . . “Ciara!” Made famous by her 2004 self-titled debut and smash-hits like “1, 2 Step” and “Goodies,” the Grammy-winning R&B artist is coming to Baltimore on the heels of her latest album, Jackie, performing live for the first time in six years. Head to the Hippodrome to see her rockin’ bod and hear her sultry new singles, including the breakup ballad “I Bet” and the super sexy “Dance Like We’re Making Love.”

Straight No Chaser
Dec. 5. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $36.50-56.50. 410-783-8000. It’s easy to see how, in the era of Pitch Perfect and Glee, these 10 troubadours were made famous by a Christmas performance gone viral a few years back. The a cappella group performs playful versions of holiday favorites, mixing Top 40 with classic crooning, skilled harmonies, and witty wordplay in royal Rat Pack fashion. At the Meyerhoff, hear their humorous hits like “Who Spiked the Egg Nog?” and “Text Me Merry Christmas.”

Matisse Prints and Drawings
Dec. 9-July 3, 2016. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 410-573-1700. The BMA has created a Henri Matisse treasure trove, with more than 1,000 works culminating in the world’s largest collection of his art, which now includes some 20 additional drawings and prints from the artist’s twilight years. From December 9 to July 3, 2016, browse the expressive artworks as part of the museum’s “New Arrivals” series, fittingly on display where it all began—the galleries of the Cone Collection.

Orioles FanFest
Dec. 12. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $6-12. 888-848-BIRD. Baseball season might be over, but it’s once again time to don your orange and black and head to the makeshift Birdland that is Orioles FanFest. Earlier than usual this year, the Baltimore Convention Center will fill with thousands of fans, all filing in to meet current players and coaches, snag some autographs (don’t forget to bring your Buck gnome), and, hopefully, experience the highly anticipated Adam Jones pie-facing. Stick around for hilarious question-and-answer sessions, tours of the clubhouse, and to take home some memorabilia that will tide you over ’til spring.

Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 26. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 1 & 6 pm. $18-118. 410-347-2020. For the past 90 years, ball has been life for the Harlem Globetrotters, as the world-famous team has dribbled and dunked its way around the planet in an unparalleled display of athletic swag and skill. The players return to Baltimore at the end of the month for a day of family-fun, perfect for getting out of the house after all the holiday hoopla.

For the second year in a row, Baltimore is hosting the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) men’s basketball tournament. Running March 6-9 at Royal Farms Arena, the Division I tourney will pit the league’s 10-member teams against one another with the winner earning a seed in “the big dance”—the NCAA’s March Madness tournament.

In advance of that, we sat down to talk to Towson University’s head coach, Pat Skerry. Here’s what he had to say about the league, the Tigers, and his future at Towson.

How long has Towson been in the Colonial Athletic Association?
That’s a good question. I think it has probably been close to 20 years now.

A lot of teams from the CAA have then gone on to the NCAA. Is that common? Is it seen as a feeder league?
There’s usually at least one from this conference that goes on to the dance. There have even been a few instances where we’ve had multiple teams go. That’s always the goal. That certainly depends on how well your non-conference [games] go, normally. But what happens now is whoever wins the conference tournament gets the automatic bid. That’s the true definition of why they call it March Madness. And what I think it really neat about the tournament. Last year was the first year it was in Baltimore—and I thought it was pretty good turnout. We’ve got to have some patience as the tournament grows—and we all know Baltimore is a great sports town. There are over 100,000 alums from all the CAA member institutions in the greater Baltimore area.

Right. The teams are William & Mary, Elon, College of Charleston, Hofstra, Delaware, James Madison, etc.—there are tons of people from all of those schools in Baltimore, and many bars that have allegiances to them. How was attendance last year?
There’s the quarterfinals, two games in the afternoon, two games at night. The semis are the next day, there’s two games, then the finals. I think they averaged about 5,000 people each session, which I thought is a pretty good start. I would anticipate that will grow. But I think that everyone involved in the tournament needs to be both mindful and have some appreciate for—it takes a little bit of time to build something, too.

Right. The CAA tournament is coming back to Baltimore again next year, right?
Yes. They initially signed a three-year deal, so my personal opinion and that of most of my coaching brethren in the conference is that they want to stay in Baltimore for a long time. Hopefully, Baltimore is willing to do that.

Well, it’s certainly very convenient for you guys at Towson. Do you get home-court advantage?
You know, it is, obviously, from a travel standpoint. It’s funny though because I don’t know if it’s any advantage. We don’t get to the tournament as early as the other teams.

Oh really, why?
Well, I don’t want them missing class. We’re right here, you know.

Well, but you must be able to attract more fans than the other teams.
Well, I hope. We’re still growing. We had good turnouts last year. Our last couple seasons here have been really good. We’ve got a young group right now, but certainly we think that our potential is pretty high over the next couple months and next couple years. I think our fanbase and everything at Towson has undergone so many good changes in athletics and academics that that will continue to improve. But we don’t get to play any games down in Baltimore, so it’s not like we have a big advantage where it’s the court or the floor that we play on all the time.

Your current record is 12-19. But a lot of those losses have been in really close games.
That falls on me. We’ve got to do a better job in close games. That’s something the last couple of years we’ve done a really good job of winning close games, and we’ve gotta get better with that. But I do like the group. We’re young. There’s roughly 350 teams in the country, and there’s an advance stats site called kenpom.com, and we were rated the 307th most experienced team in the country, so we’re very young. That’s not necessarily a good thing. We’ve got a lot of freshman and sophomores.

What are you doing to help that?
So we’re trying to put a pretty good emphasis on defense and rebounding. I think that gives you a chance every night out. And on offense, we want to try to get good players and help them get better and give them a lot of confident.

What’s the recruiting picture at Towson?
Pretty good. We also have a very, very good player sitting out who will be playing next year, a transfer from Wake Forest. He’s a Cameroonian kid. His name is [Arnaud William Adala] Moto. He’s a forward, 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, very athletic, skilled. He’s going to be really, really good. So we’ll have our whole team back, so I think our upside is really high.

Has Towson sent people to the NBA before?
You know, it’s funny you say that. A couple have played before, mostly recently—he’s still in there—Gary Neal. We had a special player my last two years I was here by the name of Jerrelle Benimon. He was played of the year in the conference the last two years. He is right on the cusp. He’s in the D-league, the NBA Development League right now. But he might be signing something. He’s close, he’s really close. He’s playing great. So not that often, but if Jerrelle can make it we’d actually have two guys from Towson in the NBA. That’d be pretty cool.

What made you want to come down to Towson in the first place?
I worked as a Division I assistant [coach] in a lot of places. I got a big break going to Pittsburgh a few years ago. We had a really good year. I thought I’d be there a while. We were the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and this opportunity came up here. And everyone who was kind of a mentor close to me told me not to do it. We’d had, like, the nation’s third-longest losing streak as far as consecutive under-.500 seasons and all that good stuff.

But I just looked at the situation: great academics, a beautiful area to live, we had a new arena coming. In my mind, I thought the opposite: Why can’t we get good here? And I’m one of those guys who likes to kind of build something. I guess I’m a glutton for punishment. I mean that in a good way! I’m on my fourth year here and hopefully I’m fortunate to get to coach here for a long time.

How long is your original contract?
My original was for six. I think I’m signed right now to 2020, 2021, something like that. I’ve got a good marriage at home and a good marriage here with Towson.

So going back to the tournament. What’s it like to be in it? Is it a whirlwind?
Oh, no question. We could be playing three or four games in a weekend. You’re in the bunker. It’s quick turnover. You just survive and advance, pretty much. That’s what makes it cool for people to come to the games. It’s literally guys playing for their life, their dream to get to the big dance.

Chicago
Mar. 3-8. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Tues.-Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. $25-110. 410-837-7400. Forty years and many awards later—including Tonys, Oliviers, a Grammy, and an Oscar—this smash-hit musical has cemented itself as one of Broadway’s very best. Set in Prohibition-era Chitown, this racy, roaring-’20s story combines razzle-dazzle costumes, burlesque dance, and catchy classics like “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango” to tell the tantalizing tale of fortune, fame, corruption, crime, and revenge.

Hannibal Buress
Mar. 13. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $25. 410-900-1150. lyricoperahouse.com. You might not know Hannibal Buress by name yet but you’ve probably already seen the young comedian’s work. As a former Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock writer, he’s touched some of the last decade’s best comedy, and now he stars in Comedy Central’s hip, unapologetic, new series, Broad City. A regular standup comedian, Buress is back on the road with a new tour of his dry, direct humor.

Maroon 5
Mar. 2. Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. 7:30 p.m. $29.50-125. 202-628-3200. The uber-popular pop-rock band and its celebrity heartthrob leader, Adam Levine, is coming to D.C. on the heels of a new, No. 1 album, V. The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artists will perform new hits like “Maps,” “Moves Like Jagger,” and “Animals,” as well as old favorites like “Sunday Morning” and “This Love.” Plus, opening act Magic! will jam out its reggae-pop chart-topper, “Rude.”

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Legends!
Mar. 25-Apr. 5. Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Times vary. $7.50-45. 410-347-2020. Cue the lights and music: The circus is coming to town later this month. This all-new, traveling tour is a big-top bonanza that brings out all the stops, with fire-juggling clowns, high-flying acrobats, trapeze swingers, and motorcycle daredevils. The family-fun performance will also feature captivating cameos by your kids’ favorite animals, like hoop-jumping dogs, galloping horses, a star cast of big cats, and majestic, magnificent elephants.

Singin’ in the Rain
Mar. 27-29. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $50-105. 410-783-8000. This classic movie produced one of the most iconic song-and-dance routines in cinema history, with a smitten Gene Kelly tapping, twirling, and bursting into song in the middle of a sodden city street. This month, the film returns to the big screen, with a live score by the BSO SuperPops.

[Credits from top: Jeremy Daniel; The Lyric; Verizon Center; Ringling Bros; Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.]