Jessica Henkin and Laura Wexler are sitting at a sun-soaked table in Wexler’s Roland Park dining room on a Sunday afternoon, a binder stuffed with 20 years’ worth of memorabilia scattered around them from Stoop Storytelling.

There are programs, postcards, photographs, articles (including one from The Washington Post, when they hosted all of the Baltimore’s mayoral candidates), and even a neatly folded branded T-shirt that looks like it’s never been worn.

There’s also a thick folder full of consent forms—all storytellers need to sign them. Wexler reaches in, pulls a page out at random, immediately recognizes the name, and remembers the exact story they told. And then she does it again, and again.

That’s especially impressive considering that more than 4,000 people have told a seven-minute, purportedly true tale at one of Stoop’s live shows or workshops, according to Henkin, pictured left above. “Don’t you think that number is low?” presses Wexler, right.

One day, perhaps, they’ll do an official count. So far, though, themes have ranged from “My Nemesis” to “The Seven Deadly Sins” to “Cool Cruel High School” to “Parenthood” and one of Wexler’s most memorable—“Abortion is Autonomy: Stories About Freedom, Challenge, Care, and Joy” in August 2022.

Their very first show took place at the Creative Alliance in February 2006. “We picked the theme ‘failure’ because we thought that would be clever if it was a failure,” jokes Wexler. But they enlisted a stellar group of storytellers, including writer Laura Lippman, TV personality Marty Bass, filmmaker Charles Cohen, and Valerie Perez-Shere, founder of the water-ballet troupe Fluid Movement.

“We sold out that first show by begging people to come,” says Wexler. But it was a hit—even with their first musical guest playing a “man drum” (yes, he played drums on his own body) and providing a really jarring thunderclap sound as an audible cue for storytellers who went over their allotted story time (now they use a bell).

Music has always been an important part of the night, too—they had Caleb Stine & The Brakemen as their house band for years—because “we wanted it to be a show and not a talk or a presentation,” says Wexler. “It was supposed to be a night out. We definitely wanted alcohol. We wanted it just to be a full buffet of things.”

In the years since, they’ve taken the show to Center Stage, the Senator Theatre, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (their biggest crowd ever), and smaller incubators like hospitals, synagogues, board rooms, art spaces—even to the airways with a podcast on WYPR.

Wexler has stepped down as part of the live shows, and Henkin, a specialist with Baltimore County Public School’s Birth to Five Services, has carried on without missing a beat, often tapping her husband, Aaron Henkin, a longtime WYPR producer, as co-host. Wexler, who wrote for season three of Apple TV’s The Morning Show and is now finishing a play about an infamous 1925 annulment case, has taken on the role of Stoop education director, presenting storytelling workshops and collaborating with researchers to investigate how first-person storytelling can be applied in the medical field.

Their 20th year will kick off with two days of shows next month at the Creative Alliance, their old stomping ground—yes, Caleb will be back, too—and it’s brought about lots of reflection on where they’ve been and what’s next.

For now, though, Henkin is mostly just amazed that Stoop continues to exist in the very best way.

“It has been an incredibly loving act to produce this show in Baltimore,” says Henkin. “I am very grateful. And that is what I continue to be—grateful that people still come out for it, that I am still surprised by stories, that I’m still incredibly moved by stories. I definitely think it has made me a better human being.”

Visual Art

Eye to Eye

Rethink the way African-American male bodies are viewed at this new exhibition featuring artists Christopher Batten, Schroeder Cherry, and James Williams II. Observations are both welcomed and obscured in these three contemporary painters’ works. Stop by Oct. 10 from 5-8 p.m. to celebrate the pieces at the opening reception. Oct. 10 through Nov. 9. Catalyst Contemporary, 523 N. Charles St.

Elizabeth Catlett: Artist as Activist

Elizabeth Catlett spent a lifetime using her art to advocate for social and political change, lending her support to Mexican workers and African-Americans living under racist policies during the Jim Crow era. Starting this month, dozens of her sculptures and graphic prints will go on display at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, beginning a long stretch of programming surrounding the iconic artist-activist. Oct. 26 through March 1, 2020. Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St.

Literature

Story Time with Rachel Kolar

Grab your littlest ghouls and head to The Children’s Bookstore for this story time with local author Rachel Kolar, who will read from and sign her book of spooky retellings of classic nursery rhymes. Enjoy such spirited new versions as “We Willie Werewolf” and “Mary Had a Little Ghost,” and don’t forget to grab your own copy of Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters. Oct. 19. 1-2 p.m.The Children’s Bookstore, 4717 Harford Rd.

An Evening with Mike Rowe: The Way I Heard It

Baltimore’s own jack of all trades and Discovery Channel superstar Mike Rowe is coming home to share some highlights from his new book, The Way I Heard It, featuring a collection of 35 true(ish) stories about figures you think you know. Grab your copy at the door and join hosts from The Ivy Bookshop for a moderated Q&A and audience questions. Oct. 19. 7-9 p.m. Church of the Redeemer, Baltimore, 5603 N. Charles St.

Music

Off the Cuff: Brahms Symphony No. 4

Johann Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4” represents a transitional period from the lush Romantics to the very beginnings of the 20th century’s modernists. Join Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conductor Marin Alsop for an evening of food, drinks, and lively conversation as she reveals the importance of this 19th-century master work. 7 p.m. Oct. 19. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St.

Theatre

Charm City Fringe Festival

Charm City Fringe is back and ready to spread its stories all over the Bromo Arts & Entertainment District. Catch such exciting new pieces as WombWorks’ The Channeling of Ms. Sybby Grant, Amanda Erin Miller’s The Jew in the Ashram solo show, and Tres Brujas Productions’ exploration of witchcraft and Virginia Woolf, Modern Witches. There are 10 days of productions across six venues to explore, so we suggest you start making your checklist now. Oct. 10-20. Various locations.

August Wilson’s Radio Golf

As we roll ever closer to an election year, August Wilson’s final play feels as timely as ever. Resident company member Dawn Ursula will be joined by Charles Dumas, Anton Floyd, Jamil A.C. Mangan, and Jason B. McIntosh on the Everyman stage for this tale of real estate developer Harmond Wikins’ run at becoming Pittsburgh’s first black mayor. Oct. 15 through Nov. 19. Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St.

Stoop Storytelling: Twilight Zone

Everyone knows someone who swears that thing that went bump in the night was more than their imagination. Meet a few more at this month’s iteration of the Stoop Storytelling series featuring takes of all things strange and supernatural. Be sure to come early for cocktails and live music from local rockers Super City. 7 p.m. Oct. 24. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd.

Film

Art, Youth, and Justice Day at the Baltimore Museum of Art

Greenmount West Community Center and Advocates for Children and Youth are celebrating Youth Justice Month with a whole day of programming at the Baltimore Museum of Art. In addition to self-guided tours of Generations: A History of Black Abstract Art (the ticketed exhibition will be free all weekend long) and an evening concert, the day will feature screenings and panels of both PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools and Rethink Baltimore. 12-5 p.m. Oct. 26. Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr.

Volunteering Untapped Fake Wedding
Feb. 23. The Baltimore Museum of Industry. 7 p.m. Prices Vary. On a Saturday night last February, John Magiros jumped in front of a crowd of dressed-to-the-nines party-goers at the Baltimore Museum of Industry and called out, “Who’s single and wants to get married tonight?” Magiros then ushered two volunteers forward, gave the “groom” a top hat and the “bride” a veil, and “married” them using Mad Lib-style wedding vows in front of hundreds of strangers. And while the wedding was fake, the mission of the party—to support the local nonprofit network Volunteering Untapped—was very real. At this year’s Black Tie Baltimore Fake Wedding on February 23, the VU leadership team including Jeremy Raichle, Teddy Davidson, Brittany Fowler, and Magiros, will cut out the obligations of attending a wedding—no presents or plus-ones required—while keeping the drinks flowing all night. “It’s all the fun of a wedding with none of the commitment,” says Magiros. “What more could you ask for?”

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Grateful Dead Tribute for Kids
Feb. 2. 800 Key Hwy. 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Free-$50. Deadheads, rejoice! If you’ve been looking for a way to introduce your kids to the mother of all jam bands, you’re in luck: the American Visionary Art Museum and local radio station WTMD are hosting a Saturday morning celebration of all things Grateful Dead. Local cover act Ed Hough’s Dead Collective will perform kid-oriented favorites in the museum’s banquet hall, with plenty of snacks, drinks, and art to go around.

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Jim Gaffigan
Feb. 7-8. 140 W. Mt Royal Ave. 7 p.m. $35.25-204. Whether it’s in his scene-stealing TV roles, his bestselling books, or his four Grammy-nominated comedy albums, Jim Gaffigan always manages to earn a laugh. The family-friendly comic, who launched his Quality Time tour in January, is known for finding humor in the mundane, such as doctor visits, food, and fatherhood. Get your tickets quickly—his show is almost guaranteed to sell out.

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Lunar New Year Celebration
Feb. 10. 600 N. Charles St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Across Asian cultures, the lunar new year marks the beginning of a new calendar year. To ring in the Year of the Pig, the Walters Art Museum is throwing a free, family-oriented celebration in their sprawling Mt. Vernon complex. Visitors of all ages can explore the museum’s expansive and much-lauded Arts of Asia exhibition, followed by a chance to create their own Asian-inspired works. Make sure to catch the traditional lion dance performance, which is believed to bring good luck in the new year.

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Creature Feature
Feb. 12. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 7 p.m. $15-$23. Whether you love them, hate them, or are allergic to them, there’s no denying that animals have a special connection with humans. This month, the Stoop Storytelling Series invites locals to get onstage at the Senator Theatre to share the good, bad, or the ugly about their relationships with four-legged friends (or foes). Get to the theater early to grab a pre-show cocktail and hear live music by (appropriately) Brooks Long and the Mad Dog No Good.

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A Date With John Waters
Feb. 14. 124 Market Place. 8 p.m. $44-110. Perhaps no one embodies the spirit of Charm City more than hometown auteur John Waters. Fresh off of a retrospective at The Baltimore Museum of Art, the beloved director of films such as Pink Flamingos and Hairspray is making Valentine’s Day a little weirder with a monologue about his artistic influences, good taste, and sexual politics. To make date night unforgettable, filth followers can even spring for a meet and greet with the Pope of Trash himself after the show.

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Max’s Belgian Beer Fest
Feb. 15-17. 737 South Broadway. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Free. According to Lyft, Max’s Taphouse was the most visited bar in Baltimore during 2018, and for a good reason. During this annual beer fest, belly up to the bar and sample a selection of rare European pours that will join the pub’s usual 200-plus bottles and taps for the entire weekend. If you have one dubbel or tripel too many, no worries, the Fells Point favorite will be serving up Belgian-inspired snacks to soak up the suds.

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Charm City Django Jazz Fest
Feb. 22-23. 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. $25-28. In celebration of this finger-plucking music genre pioneered by Belgian jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, gypsy jazz musicians from near and far will take over Creative Alliance for two days of blazing guitar runs and jazz heat during this fourth annual jam fest. Revel in the chance to hear the likes of Ellicott City-based wunderkind Samuel Farthing, local jazz group Ultrafaux, and Philly-based accordionist Dallas Vietty and his group Passarinho. creativealliance.org.

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Frozen Harbor Music Festival
Feb. 22-23. Inner Harbor, 34 Market Pl. Prices vary. While most music festivals wait until the warm weather months to host big-name acts and sold-out crowds, the Frozen Harbor Music Festival embraces the cold and parties on anyway. This year, spend the weekend show-hopping to Inner Harbor venues (think Baltimore Soundstage, Rams Head Live!, and Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden) to hear 160 regional and national acts jam out across 10 stages.

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American Craft Show
Feb. 22-24. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St. $5-$50. Times vary. Whether you’re visiting this revered makers festival for an hour or for the entire weekend, the American Craft Show is guaranteed to have something for everyone. The three-day downtown event, which features work by artisans from near and far, hosts wares such as jewelry, ceramics, and furniture at every price point. Be sure to stop by one-of-a-kind booths like Tristan Sopp’s, where you can buy DIY folded-paper animals, and Marc Tickle’s, which features handmade kaleidoscopes.

Night of 100 Elvises
Dec. 1. The Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W Baltimore St.. 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Prices vary. When he was 15 years old, Jed Duvall watched an Elvis Presley impersonator perform in his high-school auditorium and thought: “I bet I could do that.” On the bus ride home, he stood up and belted out “Heartbreak Hotel” to the astonishment of his classmates, and he has been perfecting his impression of the King of Rock and Roll ever since. Unlike other Elvis-themed events, where he’s one of dozens of entertainers donning the singer’s signature white jumpsuit and mutton chops, Duvall looks forward to the Night of 100 Elvises, taking place this year on December 1, where the only thing the bands and acts have in common is that they’re performing songs by the King. “When you hear a bluegrass band do ‘Suspicious Minds,’ then it’s a party,” he says. “At the end of the day, we’re all out here honoring Elvis any way we know how.”

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Washington Monument Lighting
Dec. 6. 699 Washington Pl. 5-8 p.m. Free. ’Tis the season for the city’s longest-standing holiday tradition, which fills the cobblestone streets of Mount Vernon Place with thousands of visitors, festive performances, and tons of holiday cheer. After fueling up on hot cocoa and snacks from local vendors, find the perfect spot on the lawn to watch the big-bang firework display illuminate the night sky during the annual lighting of the beloved Washington Monument.

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Olde Tyme Christmas

Dec. 1. Fells Point. 9AM-7PM. Prices Vary. Fells Point already feels otherworldly thanks to its storied history and cobblestone charm, but, for the 15th year, the waterfront neighborhood will transform into a winter wonderland during this annual fête. Snap pictures with Santa Claus after he arrives by tugboat, compete in the eggnog-drinking contest, and then cap off the night by witnessing the annual tree lighting in Broadway Square and the Lighted Boat Parade floating down the harbor.

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Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Dec. 2. Locations vary. 1 p.m. Free. Ring in the most wonderful time of the year with this 46th annual parade that leads a jolly assortment of local marching bands, giant balloons, festive floats, a fleet of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and, of course, Santa Claus and Miss Yuletide through the streets of Medfield and Hampden. Find a spot along the two-and-a-half-mile parade route—which begins at Poly Western High School, winds down Cold Spring Lane, and ends at 37th Street—to catch some candy, sip on hot cocoa, and give a wave to Mayor Catherine Pugh.

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Anastasia
Dec. 4-9. 12 N Eutaw St. Times vary. $99-225. Based on the 1997 Disney film of the same name, this dazzling musical travels back in time to the Russian Empire during the 1920s and follows the tale of an adventurous young woman searching for answers about her past. With direction by Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak and a rich new score, this wintertime classic will warm the hearts of Hippodrome Theatre audiences with songs such as “Once Upon a December” and “Journey to the Past.”

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The Importance of Being Earnest
Dec. 4-30. 315 W Fayette St. $25-65. This month, Everyman Theatre’s critically acclaimed resident company will bring to life Oscar Wilde’s uproarious comedy that’s been applauded by generations for its portrayal of Victorian marriage, morality, and mistaken identities. Head to the downtown theater to experience the many twists and turns of this fast-paced play that’s considered Wilde’s masterpiece.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas
Dec. 9. 140 W. Mt Royal Ave. Times vary. $25-55. We all know and love the Peanuts, and this winter, see Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole gang come alive on the Lyric stage during this all-new production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Bring the entire family to this one-night-only musical and sing along to holiday carols and classic tunes by original composer Vince Guaraldi. $25-55, modell-lyric.com.

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The Stoop Ha-Ha-Holiday Show
Dec. 11. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 7 p.m. $15-23. Whether it’s good, bad, or ugly, everyone has a memorable story about their holiday adventures (or misadventures). Pack the Senator Theatre for the Stoop Storytelling Series’ can’t-miss holiday show featuring cocktails, live music by Tongue and Cheek Jazz Band, and side-aching laughs as locals share their most unforgettable holiday tales.

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Baltimore Chanukah Festival
Dec. 12. McKeldin Square, Inner Harbor, 101 E. Pratt St. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Free. One of our city’s bragging points is that the Esther Anne Menorah, which stands in McKeldin Square during the holidays, is the second-largest menorah in the world. While the lighting of the 30-foot-tall menorah is the main event of this lively festival, head to the Inner Harbor early to hear live music, grabs eats and drinks from local vendors, and follow the dancing dreidels to the Chanukah Wonderland.

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Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 29. 830 E. Pratt St. 12-4 p.m. $5. Whether you’re a practiced celebrator or simply want to learn more about the week-long holiday, devote the third day of Kwanzaa to this all-out celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Visit the downtown museum to take in traditional African dance and drumming performances, learn more about the holiday’s rich history during workshops and lectures, and browse locally made goods in the African Marketplace.

Visual Art

Odyssey: Jack Whitten Sculpture
The Baltimore Museum of Art will introduce to the world 40 sculptures by Jack Whitten (1963-2018), the renowned artist who influenced the next generation of painters and passed away in January. As he was known primarily for his paintings and mixed-media work, this show, co-organized with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, marks the first of its kind. Sculpture mediums include wood, marble, copper, and bone, and the collection also features personal mementos, as well as Whitten’s Black Monoliths series, which reveals how sculpture influenced his paintings. April 22 through July 29 at the BMA, 10 Art Museum Drive. Free Opening Celebration, 1 to 5 p.m. April 22.

Bonnie Crawford Kotula
Baltimore-based artist Bonnie Crawford will show a series of drawings and sculptural works around the theme of sleep—and more specifically, insomnia—in an exhibit at Montpelier Arts Center. The body of work was inspired by Louise Bourgeois’ Insomnia Drawings. At an artist talk, there will be blankets and tea. April 7 to May 27 at Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel. Opening reception from 2 to 4 p.m. April 8; artist talk at 3 p.m. April 28.

Music

Negative Gemini, Amy Reid
The Metro Gallery will host a night of electronica with a packed lineup of local and national acts. Negative Gemini will headline with her indie dream-pop dance beats. Also on the bill: George Clanton and two Baltimore-based artists, Amy Reid and Giddeon Gallows (Drew Scott). It’s a good excuse to dance and shake off those winter blues. 9 p.m. April 11 at Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St.

Snakes album release show
Frontman George Cessna eases through each of Snakes’ dark and twangy rockabilly rides, creating a lo-fi sound while crooning out lyrics that have a timeless quality about them. The five-piece, which essentially started as a backup band for Cessna, released its second full-length record, No More Songs About Wildflowers, in March (with a cassette option, per tradition), and they’ll play their album release show this month at EMP Collective. Catch them before they hit the road this summer for an extended tour. 9 p.m. April 13 at EMP Collective, 307 W. Baltimore St.

Theater

Peter Pan, an original stage adaptation
Playwright Joshua Conkel (Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) re-imagines the classic story of Peter Pan for a 21st-century audience in Single Carrot Theatre’s world premiere of Peter Pan. As part of its community outreach, the theater partners with people in Baltimore each year to create an original production. This one borrows stories and inspiration from local LGBTQ residents to present a Peter and Wendy who grapple with questions of gender and sexuality in Neverland. 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays from April 27 through May 20. Pay-What-You-Can Previews on April 25 and 26. Single Carrot Theatre, 2600 N. Howard St.

Literary Arts

CityLit Festival
In its 15th year, CityLit Festival returns with a lineup so packed, it’s probably best to clear your whole day on April 14. The event includes workshops, readings, lectures, and panel discussions spanning multiple genres and local and international talent. The keynote author is New Yorker staff writer Philip Gourevitch, Yrsa Daley-Ward will give a master class, plus Elizabeth Acevedo and Joanne Gabbin will be speakers, among many more. Most events at the festival are free, but some require registration and/or small fees. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14 at William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center at the University of Baltimore, 11 W. Mount Royal Ave.

Fashion

MICA’s experimental fashion shows
Avant-garde and experimental fashion by MICA students will be highlighted during two shows this month. First, designs by 20 students in fiber, painting, illustration, fine arts, graphic design, sculpture, and other programs at the school will make their debut at Authenticity, the annual benefit show in its 25th year. Artists explore personality, social class, and cultural heritage through their work, reflecting on their individual as well as collective identities. Several garments will be auctioned off at the event. The second event, MEZZO: An Experimental Fashion Event, is by the Fiber Department’s Multi Media Event class and encompasses costumes, performance, puppetry, and sculpture by 12 designers. Authenticity is at 9 p.m. April 13 and 8 p.m. April 14 at MICA’s Falvey Hall, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave., and MEZZO is at 5 and 8 p.m. April 21 at the Baltimore War Memorial, 101 N. Gay St.

Miscellanea

Refugee and Immigrant Arts Feast
Mera Kitchen Collective’s inaugural Refugee and Immigrants Arts Feast celebrates cultures from around the world through food, art, crafts, and music. The all-day event is free and family-friendly. 11:30 a.m. to  4p.m. April 28 at 2640 Space, 2640 St. Paul St.

#RiseBmore
April 19 marks the third anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death while in police custody. In commemoration, several artists will present a free event, #RiseBmore2018, that evening at Union Baptist Church. The lineup: Words by Abdu Ali, Erricka Wonder Voice Bridgeford, Brittani McNeill, Tariq Touré, and Shannon Lo Wallace, and music by Judah Adashi, Akua Allrich, Japheth Clark, Mark G. Meadows, Joy Postell, Letitia VanSant (leh-tih-sha), and Voices Rise: A Baltimore Choir of Hope.

On Drugs: Stories about dependence, destruction, and salvation
As the Stoop Storytelling Series so aptly puts it, elixirs have the power to both heal and destroy us. In a night of stories around this central theme of drugs, storytellers include a poet, a family medicine doctor, an independent drug researcher, a retired state police captain, and others. 8 p.m. April 19 at the Senator Theatre, 5904 York Road.

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

 EAT

March 11: Pig Parts & Pancakes

Foraged Eatery, 3520 Chestnut Ave. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 410-235-0035.

For many of us, Sunday brunch is a must-do weekend ritual, so naturally we were excited to hear that this new farm-to-table eatery would be debuting its inaugural service this weekend. On Sunday, head to the tiny, trendy Hampden spot for a hyper-seasonal brunch menu featuring chef  Chris Amendola’s trademark pig parts and made-to-order mimosas (and beermosas!). While it sounds like an unconventional pairing, let your adventurous weekend self be pleasantly surprised by crispy pig ears and fluffy pancake stacks drizzled with a local delicacy—black walnut and red maple syrup, harvested from Whistle Pig Hollow and Third Way Farms.

 DRINK

March 9: End of Prohibition Party

Chuck’s Trading Post, 1506 W. 36th St. 3-11 p.m. Free. 410-366-0178.

Baltimore has a long, storied history with Prohibition, with speakeasies and hidden stashes of booze fueling the city’s best parties in the 1920s. Now, almost a century later, this Hampden hideaway will break in its new liquor license and celebrate its own end to Prohibition with free-flowing Union Craft brews and an all-afternoon party. For the first time ever, pair Double Duckpins and Old Pros with Best of Baltimore-winning skillet dishes and cured meat sandwiches as you raise a glass to our country’s hooch-filled future.

 SEE

March 10: Adam Davies ‘Reroutings’ Exhibition

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 6-9 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. 

This month, Creative Alliance resident artist Adam Davies will transform the Highlandtown gallery into Reroutings, a brand-new exhibit featuring his large-format photographs of ordinary public structures, such as overlooked bridges or tunnels, that have served another purpose as accidental civic forums. During the opening reception on Saturday, LA-based musician Alex Zhang Hungtai, known largely for his lo-fi electronic project Dirty Beaches, will perform the soundscapes that helped influence the artist’s photos. Listen as the waves of sound fill the room and immerse yourself in Davies’ monumental photographs of graffiti-covered walls in this dark, intimate space. 

 HEAR

March 9: March 9: Super City/:3ION/Raw Silk

Metro Gallery, 1700 N. Charles St. 8 p.m. $10. 410-244-0899. 

If you weren’t hiding under a rock last year, you probably caught wind of Super City’s infectious music video for its even more addictive single, “Artificial Sin.” If you didn’t, Google it now and you’ll instantly know why you need to be at The Metro Gallery this Friday night. Watch the indie-pop-rock group perform their choreographed dance moves and hear new music off their upcoming 2018 album. Local electronic R&B singer (and Best of Baltimore winner) :3ION will be opening the show with his bewitching pop music, as will New York City’s dance band Raw Silk.

 DO

March 9: Intercambio

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 7-10 p.m. $25-30. 443-573-1700.

With the U.S. immigration debate at the forefront of national news, there’s never been a more important time to come together and hear stories from Baltimoreans about their experiences with exchange and inspiration across the U.S.-Mexico Border. As part of Stoop Storytelling’s “Stoop Special Engagement” series that coincides with The Baltimore Museum of Art’s Crossing Borders: Mexican Modernist Prints exhibit, listen to seven storytellers share their personal, deeply human anecdotes, including local artist Alfonso Fernandez on re-discovering his Mexican heritage through art and Clavel’s chef Carlos Raba on his father’s murder and growing up in Culiacán, Sinaloa. While you’re there, take advantage of after-hours access to the modernist print exhibit before it closes on Sunday.

CTB Podcast
Description: An extension of the sardonic The City That Breeds blog, this podcast—hosted by Evan The Mayor, Dennis The Cynic, Casey The Kasem, and a rotating cast of guests—is a sometimes crude, always opinionated romp through Baltimore news and culture.
For Fans of: The Howard Stern Show
Platforms: FeedBurner, iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher

Undisclosed
Description: When Serial ended its first season in late 2014, a lot of questions remained about the 1999 murder of Woodlawn High School senior Hae Min Lee and the subsequent conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. Hosted by Rabia Chaudry (yes, the Rabia who first brought the case to Serial host Sarah Koenig’s attention), this podcast continues the investigation with help from law school professor Colin Miller and D.C.-based attorney Susan Simpson.
For Fans of: Serial
Platforms: AudioBoom, iTunes

Section 336
Description: We have it on good authority that even some MASN employees listen to brothers Josh and Matt Sroka and their childhood-friend-turned-in-law, Bert Rode, as they discuss the Ravens, Orioles, Terps, and other sports and pop-culture news of the week.
For Fans of: The Bill Simmons Podcast
Platforms: iTunes

Stoop Storytelling
Description: For the past 10 years, Stoop Storytelling has brought together Baltimoreans from all walks of life to tell stories around a dedicated theme. (Full disclosure: Baltimore magazine is a media sponsor of the series.) These recordings bring those revealing speakers to your speakers.
For fans of: This American Life
Platforms: iTunes

Keep Calm and Rock On
Description: Towson High grads Michael Koehler, Jamie Green, and Angelo Christino discuss the latest rock news and welcome big-name guests like E Street Band member Nils Lofgren and veteran Rolling Stone editor Anthony DeCurtis.
For Fans of: U Talkin’ U2 To Me?
Platforms: iTunes

PodMed
Description: Hosted by Elizabeth Tracey, director of electronic media for Johns Hopkins Medicine, and Dr. Rick Lange, a professor of medicine at Hopkins, this weekly podcast is a brief digest of the latest health headlines, covering everything from sleep to the safety of silicone breast implants.
For Fans of: Science Friday
Platforms: iTunes

Enoch Pratt Free Library Writers LIVE
Description: Can’t make it to the Pratt to see your favorite scribe? These recordings are the next best thing, capturing poetry readings, lectures, and appearances by writers of both local and national renown.
For fans of: Longform Podcast
Platforms: iTunes

The Digression Sessions
Descriptions: Baltimore comics Mike Moran and Josh Kuderna riff on comedy, life, and pop culture in this weekly(ish) podcast. They often get great guests as well, including national comedians such as Patton Oswalt, Matt Walsh, and Ralphie May.
For fans of: WTF with Marc Maron
Platforms: iTunes, Stitcher

The Hawk Chronicles
Description: This old-timey radio series follows Kate Hawk, a Baltimore police detective who becomes an intergalactic crime-fighter after finding a TARDIS-like capsule on top of a grocery store in Little Italy.
For Fans of: Welcome to Night Vale
Platforms: The Eastern Shore’s WCEM-AM 1240 every Friday at 12:30 p.m.

The Startup Soirée Podcast
Description: A continuation of the Startup Soirée business networking organization, each episode features an interview with a local entrepreneur.
For Fans of: Foundation
Platforms: iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher

New Arrivals: Gifts of Art for a New Century & Maryland Artists
Feb. 7-May 8. 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. The BMA’s New Arrivals series is officially complete, and now, in nearly every corner of the museum, you can see a new exhibition, with each of the seven on display to honor the institution’s 100th anniversary. Explore approximately 200 recently acquired artworks, including decorative African hats, French sculptures, and American Gilded Age etchings in “Gifts of Art for a New Century,” as well as creations by accomplished locals like painter Raoul Middleman, auteur-cum-photographer John Waters, and Baltimore printmaker Gabrielle de Veaux Clements in “Maryland Artists.”

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The Stoop Turns 10
Feb. 10. The Senator Theatre, 5904 York Rd. 8 p.m. $20. 410-323-4424. It’s been quite a year for Stoop Storytelling, the beloved Baltimore series that shares sometimes-touching, often-hilarious stories about everything from blind dates with Monica Lewinsky to losing a hairpiece on live television. Not only is the brainchild of Laura Wexler, pictured right, and Jessica Henkin, left, turning 10 this year, but it’s also got new digs: the historic, 700-seat Senator Theatre. In honor of the Stoop reaching double digits, check out its upgraded space and reminisce on the awkward adventures of adolescence with a whole slew of fresh tales at this special anniversary show. Come early for cocktails and live music from the All Mighty Senators.

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BSO 100th Anniversary Concert
Feb. 11. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 8 p.m. $50-150. 410-783-8000. This month, come out and celebrate 100 years of our beloved Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. After a century, the BSO continues to move forward, melding classic orchestral works with new ventures like its contemporary Pulse concert series with WTMD. To honor the past and the future, conductor Marin Alsop joins superstar violinist Joshua Bell, pictured left, for a fresh take on music new and old. Hear Ravel’s turn-of-the-century Boléro, Gershwin’s Caribbean Cuban Overture, Bernstein’s West Side Story suite, and Mason Bates’s electronica Mothership.

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Romeo & Juliet
Feb. 11-12. Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. 7:30 p.m. $58.50-80.50. 410-837-7400. With an oeuvre as thick as Shakespeare’s, it says a lot that this 16th-century romantic-tragedy remains his most famous masterpiece, as the star-crossed play still pulls at the heartstrings of audiences across the globe. Just before Valentine’s Day, the timeless tearjerker comes to Baltimore with a full-scale production by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

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Beach Boys
Feb. 17. Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 7:30 p.m. $35-70. 410-900-1150. God only knows what pop music would be without the Beach Boys and their iconic, sun-kissed hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Now, 50 years after the release of their seminal Pet Sounds album—and following decades of breakups and make-ups—the boys are back on the road. This time around, original bandmate and lead singer Mike Love hits the stage with vocalist/bassist Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965 following Brian Wilson’s retirement from live performing.

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Rye Rye
Feb. 20. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651. Before there was TT The Artist and Abdu Ali, there was Rye Rye, who, in 2008, was one of the first to revive the homegrown, high-energy, breakbeat genre of Bmore Club, initially made famous in decades prior by DJ Scottie B and 92Q’s K-Swift. At the ripe age of 17, the artist’s vivacious style and confident sound led to Rolling Stone reviews, a spot on Billboard’s “21 under 21,” and collaborations with M.I.A., Robyn, and Diplo. Lately, the 25-year-old has been lying low, but this month, you can catch her dance-party fire at the Creative Alliance.

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American Craft Council Show
Feb. 19-21. Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free-$36. 612-206-3100. In the midst of the winter doldrums, surround yourself with pretty things at this three-day celebration of all things American-made. With more than 650 jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists in attendance from Baltimore and beyond, meet the makers, browse their beautiful goods, and buy something nice to ward off those bad-weather blues.

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1st Annual Charm City Django Jazz Fest
Feb. 26-27. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. $22-28. 410-276-1651. You might not know his name, but you’ve definitely heard the influence of Django Reinhardt on jazz music. During the 1940s, this Belgian-born guitarist toured with legends like Duke Ellington, revolutionized what it meant to be a solo jazz artist, and made “gypsy jazz” a household phrase. This month, celebrate the musician’s legacy with two music-filled nights at the Creative Alliance’s first-ever tribute festival, featuring the likes of Ultrafaux, a rip-roaring local gypsy swing group, and Stephane Wremble, who was recruited by Woody Allen to score his Oscar-winning 2011 film, Midnight in Paris.

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Concert for Hope 10
Feb. 27. Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Pl. 8:30 p.m. $25-35. 410-244-0057. Four years ago, hearts broke when one of Baltimore’s most beloved jam bands decided to split up. A decade into their career, The Bridge had become a hometown favorite for their funky rock music, but like some of the greatest love stories, it didn’t work out, as the sextet was unable to sustain the taxing lifestyle. In the years that followed, frontman Cris Jacobs embarked on his own solo adventures while the band reunited here and there including, unfailingly, at its annual benefit concert for HopeWell Cancer Support, now 10 years strong.