In response to the devastating flood that ravaged Ellicott City’s Main Street last Sunday, Charm City businesses are coming together to host fundraisers, dining promotions, and benefit concerts to help community members in need. Check out our growing list of ways to give back to those affected.

 EAT

June 2: Taste of Three Cities

Patterson Park, 27 S. Patterson Park Ave. 12-9 p.m. Free-$65. 410-960-9908.

As more food trucks join the local scene, it can be difficult to try all of the city’s new wheels while remaining loyal to longtime staples. (We’ll always have a soft spot for local favorites like Gypsy Queen Café and Greek on the Street.) Luckily for us, Maryland’s largest food truck festival will return to Patterson Park this Saturday with more than 50 regional food trucks, making it easy to sample eats from a variety of four-wheeled kitchens from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. At this seventh annual extravaganza, fill up on snacks like savory seafood from the D.C.-by-way-of-Brooklyn Red Hook Lobster Pound, locally-sourced oysters from Charm City’s own Urban Oyster, and fried cheese from Philly favorite The Cow and the Curd.

 DRINK

June 1: Goodbye Union Avenue

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 5-10 p.m. Free. 410-467-0290. 

With less than two months until the grand opening of Union Craft’s new brewery and makerspace at the Union Collective across I-83, it’s almost time to close down the beloved Woodberry tap room that’s been pouring out Duckpins for more than five years. This Friday, celebrate the next chapter with one last parking-lot party, featuring those well-loved corn hole boards, tunes by local indie band Cara Kelly & The Tell Tale and grub from The Local Oyster. Get there early to grab one of the limited-edition anniversary sours for an extra-special farewell toast.

 SEE 

June 1: Baltimore Youth Arts Showcase

116 W. Mulberry St. 6-8 p.m. Free.

Since Gianna Rodriguez (featured on our list of Baltimore Visionaries) established Baltimore Youth Arts back in 2015, the program has become one of the cornerstones of the city’s effort to provide artistic and professional opportunities to local kids. This Friday, stop by the Platform Arts Center to view various artworks and design projects by the next generation of artists, including pieces by young people involved with or in the justice system. Afterwards, BYA encourages attendees to walk one block over to Resort gallery for its silent auction fundraiser that helps support the youth program.

 

 HEAR

June 1: Celebration of Lafayette Gilchrist

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8-11 p.m. 410-276-1651.

To the city’s delight, Baltimore-based pianist and jazz virtuoso Lafayette Gilchrist recently took home a 2018 Baker Artist Award for his signature funky, soulful sound that has been exciting critics since his debut album, The Music According to Lafayette Gilchrist, in 2004. (Not to mention when his music made it onto soundtracks for iconic television shows like Treme and The Wire.) This Friday, head to Creative Alliance to hear this genre-defying musician give a victory-lap performance with exceptional guest artists like drummer Eric Kennedy and trumpet player Dave Ballou.

 DO

June 2-3:St. Anthony Italian Festival

Little Italy. Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 

With pizza, pasta, and cannoli around every corner, it’s almost too easy to gain a few pounds during a trip through Little Italy. During this weekend’s Feast of St. Anthony celebration, kiss your beach body goodbye as you indulge in endless authentic Italian eats and, of course, glasses of vino. To walk off the carbs, stroll through the tiny historic neighborhood and participate in the festival’s many activities, including a bocce tournament, cooking demonstrations, and, if you’re still hungry, the annual Roma sausage-eating contest.

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

 EAT

June 10-11: St. Anthony’s Italian Festival

St. Leo’s Church, 227 S. Exeter St. Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 12-7 p.m. Free.

It’s easy to eat your heart out in Little Italy, and this weekend, beach bodies beware—the tiny neighborhood will be celebrating the Feast of St. Anthony with even more Italian food. All weekend long, enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, bocce tournaments, mass amounts of vino, and plenty of pasta, pizza, and cannoli. Just be sure to swing by on Sunday, to participate or observe, for the Roma Sausage-eating contest. Chin chin!. 

 DRINK

June 9: Pints in the Park

Center Plaza, N. Chares & Fayette St. 5-8 p.m. Free.

On second Fridays through the summer, head to the heart of downtown for al fresco drinking under the city skyscrapers and setting sun. During these monthly happy hours at Center Plaza, start your weekend with Heavy Seas beer, tiki bar cocktails, and Linganore wines, plus BrickNFire Pizza bites, corn hole, ping pong, and live music, this month by Brave Noise. Kids and pets are welcome, know before you go: the bar is cash only.

 SEE

June 10-11: HonFest

1002 W. 36th St. Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 12-6 p.m. Free.

There are few more truly “Bawlmer” celebrations than HonFest in Hampden. This weekend, for the 24th year, don boas, beehives, and other 1960s garb to honor the blue-collar spirit and historic workingwomen of Baltimore. It’s a rite-of-passage block party with lots of local food, three stages of live music (Caleb Stine, Raindeer, Fractal Cat, etc.), dance contests, and, of course, the colorful crowning of Baltimore’s best hon.

 HEAR

June 9: Paul Simon

Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 6 p.m. $55-175. 

After a handful of memorable concerts at Merriweather over the course of his five-decade career, Paul Simon will once again grace the Baltimore region for the first time in more than 10 years. This Friday, catch Rhymin’ Simon for a night of enduring favorites from his classic albums—fingers crossed for “The Boy in the Bubble,” “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes,” and “Obvious Child”—and new hits from his most recent release, Stranger to Stranger. (He’s also bringing Lilith Fair songstress Sarah McLachlan along for the ride.) We, indeed, are still crazy for Paul Simon after all these years.

 DO

June 11: Tour Dem Parks Hon

Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. 7 a.m. $20-55.

With this weekend’s weather looking like something close to perfection, there’s no better way to soak up that fine line between spring and summer than hitting the pavement for this 15th annual bicycle tour of Baltimore’s local parks. With the wind in your hair, cycle through the city’s diverse neighborhoods and luscious green spaces and make new friends along the way. Best of all, there’s a post-ride barbecue with live jazz.