EAT

Aug. 25-Oct. 21: Maryland Renaissance Festival

1821 Crownsville Rd., Annapolis, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $7-19.

This Saturday, brush up on your Old English and travel back the Middle Ages for the return of this 41st annual festival of medieval entertainment, featuring a 27-acre village filled with costumed artisans and performers, jousting tournaments, and plenty of mead to go around. Stop by the White Stage Grove to indulge on hearty fare fit for King Henry VIII like mac-and-cheese stakes and Scotch eggs and visit Meadow Lane for Renn Fest favorites like smoked turkey legs and chicken on a lance.

DRINK

Aug. 25: Leinenkugel’s 7th Anniversary

Leinie Lodge & Beer Garden, 34 Market Pl. 4-8 p.m. Free.

We can’t believe it’s been seven years since Leinenkugel debuted its brewpub inside Power Plant Live. In celebration of the anniversary, the spot is refreshing its name and menu in an effort to strengthen its lodge vibe year-round. Now named Leinie Lodge & Beer Garden, the bar features an updated look with new communal seating and outdoor furniture near its electric fireplace. This Saturday, swing by the official launch party to sample eats off the new menu (think pimento cheese potato skins, tuna poke tacos, and an avocado-ranch burger), listen to live music, participate in a beer stein-holding competition, and, of course, down a few cans of Summer Shandy.

SEE

Aug. 24: The Local Oyster Stout Documentary Screening

Waverly Brewing Company, 1625 Union Ave., Ste. C, 7-10 p.m. Free.

Baltimore has been known as a beer-drinking, oyster-shucking town for centuries, so it seemed like only a matter of time before someone found a way to put the two together. This Friday, The Local Oyster and Waverly Brewing Company will premiere a documentary about the creation of the Local Oyster Stout. Produced by Towson University filmmakers Mark Burchick and Jena Richardson, this small-budget documentary chronicles how the two locally loved businesses collaborated to revive the city’s industrial traditions, chart a future for sustainability in the Chesapeake Bay, and make a beer with a quintessentially Baltimorean flavor. Before the screening, hear live music by DJ CheakyWillie, slurp down raw and grilled Skinny Dipper oysters, and walk the red carpet as a “shellebrity.”

HEAR

Aug. 25: Ru-Jac Records Local Soul Dance Party

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8-11 p.m. $12.

This weekend, the Creative Alliance will be celebrating the historic West Baltimore record label, Ru-Jac Records, with an old-school funk and soul dance party in Highlandtown. At the Patterson Theater, get down to music curated by Washington, D.C.-based DJ Nitekrawler, grab your favorite vintage vinyl records at the Baltimore Record Bazaar pop-up, and explore the new Ru-Jac memorabilia exhibition, which will be unveiled in the Amalie Rothschild Gallery at 6 p.m. Spend the evening boogying to throwback sounds from the ’60s through the ’80s and learn a little bit about Baltimore’s music legacy.

DO

Aug. 24-Sept. 3: Maryland State Fair

Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Rd., Lutherville-Timonium, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. $5-10.

During the opening weekend of this beloved 137-year-old tradition, explore new activities like the Here We Grow! center, a hands-on workshop created by Port Discovery Children’s Museum where attendees can learn about the science and innovation behind farming, and the Lego Interactive Display, a maze of rooms made entirely out of Lego blocks with themes like Maryland traditions, the ocean, and the fair. Of course, the state fair wouldn’t be complete without farm animal exhibits and classic country fare like funnel cake, ice cream, and corn dogs. And be sure not to miss local attractions like the Riptide Roller Coaster and Maryland Foods Pavilion’s famous Crabby Patty, a crab cake topped with an entire soft shell crab on a freshly toasted bun.

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

 EAT

Nov. 12: Wonders of Damascus

Clavel, 225 W. 23rd St., 6:30-9:30 p.m. $90.67. 443-900-8983.

With the current political climate, seeing the local community unite over food is a breath of fresh air. This Sunday evening, join Mera Kitchen Collective and Clavel for a dinner starring Syrian-style delicacies to support Baltimore’s refugees. Underneath the twinkling lights of Clavel’s cozy space, dine on a five-course Syrian feast prepared by Carlos Raba of Clavel and Iman AlShehab of Mera Kitchen Collective, the worker-owned co-op aimed at empowering women refugees through culinary projects. Plus, owner Lane Harlan will be expertly hand picking natural wines. AlShehab, who was an executive chef at Four Seasons in Damascus before the Syrian War, will be sharing her country’s dishes while talking about her experiences as a refugee. The best part is that 100 percent of the proceeds will go to assist our refugee neighbors here in Baltimore.

 DRINK

Nov. 11: Highlandtown Basement Bar Tour

UN Club and Hall Sunwa, 201 S. Easton St. $20. 

What better way to spend a Saturday evening than meeting people, drinking booze, and hawking the streets of Highlandtown? In its 12th year, Baltimore magazine’s “Best Pub Crawl” is bringing back the opportunity to peruse through Highlandtown’s most unique spaces. For one night, homes and businesses are welcoming strangers at their door—and to their liquor cabinets—to support improvement projects and community growth in the ‘hood. Pick up a map, go on a self-guided tour through game rooms with retro minibars or extravagant basements with kegerators, and mingle over cans of Natty Boh and comfort food. Afterwards, head to the closing reception at DiPasquale’s with your new friends for some good ol’ Italian fare.

 SEE

Nov. 10-12: Charm City Fringe

Locations & times vary. $27-98. 410-682-8902. 

This non-traditional theatre festival has taken the Bromo Arts District by storm once again with its diverse program and captivating performers. This weekend, don’t miss out on the last few days of the eclectic festival featuring enticing performances—from off-kilter comedy and poetry readings to magical productions and an interactive rock opera. With a centralized location, attendees can walk to every venue and witness cutting-edge acts or partake in amusing activities for all ages—from Family Fringe Day’s youth-empowered arts to Fringe After Dark’s dance tournament, comedy jam, and late-night afterparty.c

 HEAR

Nov. 11: Ru-Jac Records & The Legacy of Baltimore Soul

Arch Social Club, 2426 Pennsylvania Ave. 8-11:30 p.m. $8-13. 410-276-1651. 

If you have a hunger for the crackle of vintage vinyl, stop by the Arch Social Club to celebrate Baltimore’s rich R&B history with Ru-Jac Records, one of the nation’s first African-American-owned record labels. Don your best attire and time travel to Baltimore’s vibrant musical past inside the last surviving lounge in the Penn North neighborhood. Start off the night with a panel discussion about Ru-Jac Records and its influence on Baltimore’s ’60s music scene, led by funky frontman Brooks Long. Then, get carried away by Ru-Jac stars Winfield Parker and Joe Quarterman’s soulful crooning, along with Joy Postell, Baltimore’s up-and-coming neo-soul singer, all backed by young Baltimore musicians.

 DO

Nov. 10: Pandora Ice Rink Opening

Inner Harbor Amphitheater, 201 E. Pratt St. 2 p.m. Free-$14. 

We’re still early in November, but the icy temperatures have us giddy for the holiday season. This Friday, revel in a winter-wonderland experience by the waterfront on Pandora Ice Rink. Even if you can’t land a triple axel, bundle up in your warmest gear, lace up your skates, and be the first to break the ice in the heart of Baltimore’s bustling Inner Harbor. After doing a couple figure eights, take a break and defrost with warm cookies and hot cocoa. Veterans and active military will also be recognized for their service with a free skating session the next day.