COMING SOON

Pekara: Former Roggenart regulars will be happy to hear that a new iteration of the now-closed Mt. Washington cafe is opening in Roland Park next month. Pekara, the Serbian word for bakery, is the brainchild of Serbian-born owner Radomir Mihajlovic and head baker Borislav Petkovic—both of whom previously worked for Roggenart. The duo will bring the bakery’s signature European breads and pastries to the new shop, which is expected to open on West Coldspring Lane across from Miss Shirley’s in November.

Be on the lookout for a variety of fresh-baked loaves (think white, rye, challah, spelt, and multigrain varieties), as well as fruit tarts, Danish and French pastries, and Petkovic’s savory Burek pie made with flaky phyllo. Mihajlovic says that the coffee program will be simple to start, but he hopes to add more complex drinks as time goes on. After weeks of gas and electric delays, he’s excited to finally unveil the spot to the community. “I’ve lived in Roland Park for 30 years, so I know a lot of the neighbors,” he says. “Everyone just keeps asking and asking about it. I can’t wait for us to open.”

BRUNCH BULLETIN

The Urban Oyster: Five months after opening a permanent home for her roving oyster bar in Locust Point, chef/owner Jasmine Norton has added weekend brunch into the mix. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to the bright McHenry Row spot to indulge in options like a plump crab cake and fried oyster benedict, Cajun jambalaya topped with a runny egg, and a shrimp BLT sandwiched between two waffles. To make the deal even sweeter, every fourth Saturday diners will be able to sip cocktails and enjoy all of the mid-morning fare during an intimate drag brunch hosted by Dee Dee Dereon, with performances by Kayden Amore Chloe and Venus Fastrada.

The Night Brunch Festival: For more than a year, Treason Toting Company co-owner Jason Bass and local DJ Ryan Rhodes (more fondly known as DJ Impulse) have been hosting evening brunch pop-ups—which inevitably turn into all-out dance parties—at area bars and restaurants. Now, they’re throwing the first-ever Night Brunch festival October 4-6 at Harbor Point. The three-day celebration will feature eats from the likes of Clavel, The Local Fry, The Urban Oyster, Home Made, Orto, and Vida Taco Bar. Plus, enjoy photo booths, a Truly cocktail bar, and, of course, plenty of live music.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

10/5: Cōl Bōl Tire Shop Pop-Up

The former Parts & Labor space will fill with the scent of classic Liberian cuisine by chef Carleen Goodridge this weekend. As part of the ongoing Tire Shop series that activates the Remington restaurant with local chef pop-ups, Goodridge is hosting an authentic takeover with recipes that reflect her family’s heritage, including jollof rice and nut-based palm butter soup. To add to the experience, there will also be Afrobeat music spun all afternoon, a photo backdrop created by Regal Clothes, and West African-inspired brews from Washington, D.C.-based Sankofa Beer Company.

10/5: Stein Day // Lagerfest 2019 at Diamondback Brewing

Head to Diamondback in South Baltimore this weekend the welcome fall in an Oktoberfest-style tented biergarten on the brewery’s patio. Throughout the day, take in the live sounds of D.T. Huber & The Whale Show, The High and Wides, and Fried Pickin’ while sipping special releases like the “Forte” German-style pilsner and “Everything All the Time” Helles lager. There will also be plenty of offerings to line your stomach including sausages by Snake Hill, a whole-hog barbecue by John Brown Butchery, and Diamondback’s own Bavarian soft pretzels.

SHUT

Melody Cafe: Last week, Mt. Vernon said goodbye to this coffee shop, study spot, live performance venue, and all-around community hub. The subterranean space—opened by Darryl Strange and his teenage son Juwan Davis in December 2017—closed its doors for good last week after its landlords gave the owners a 60-day notice to vacate back in July. The owners recently took to social media to clarify that it wasn’t their decision to close. “We want to thank each and everyone of you for your dedication, your support, your love, and most importantly your encouragement,” they shared on Instagram. “Being a small business is hard, but we are here having started off with just a few drinks and a prayer to having formed many relationships with many people and businesses.” In addition to its coffees and breakfast plates, Melody became known for its frequent open mics, karaoke nights, spoken word performances, and movie viewing parties.

EAT

July 14: The Night Brunch at South Point

South Point, Port Covington, 101 West Cromwell St. 6-11 p.m. $10.

We love a good brunch, but who says you can only eat eggs Benedict and bacon in the morning? Step outside the norm with this popular evening brunch series which, for the very first time, will host local foodies for brunch cocktails and eats on a Sunday night instead of its usual weeknight slot. Head to South Point in Port Covington to sample bites courtesy of the seasonal waterfront location, and, if that’s not convincing enough, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Night Brunch Summer Lunch Program that distributes meals to Baltimore City kids.

DRINK

July 13: Lee’s Christmas in July

Lee’s Pint & Shell, 2844 Hudson Street. 11 a.m. Free.

Are you already counting down the days until it’s socially appropriate to wear Christmas sweaters, hang red-and-green decorations, and sip holiday ales? Well, look no further than this boozy Christmas in July celebration. Don your (most lightweight) festive garb and revel in the holiday cheer at this Canton corner bar with $1 Rumple shots and $5 Mad Elf drafts all afternoon long. Come dressed to impress (antlers encouraged) and bring a new unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots for the chance to win a $100 gift card.

SEE

July 14-Jan. 5, 2020: Isaac Julien: Baltimore and Every Day: Selections from the Collection

Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.

This Sunday, the Baltimore Museum of Art will unveil two new exhibitions, Isaac Julien: Baltimore and Every Day: Selections from the Collection. Explore the past, present, and future of African-American culture with filmmaker Isaac Julien’s video installation about two individuals making their way through Charm City’s significant cultural sites, such as the Walters Art Museum and the Great Blacks in Wax museum. The BMA will also debut the first reinstallation of its contemporary collection about the black artistic imagination—showcasing nearly 50 photographs, sculptures, videos, and prints that emphasize how African-American artists have shaped modern art.

HEAR

July 14: Charm City Junction

Ladew Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike. 6-8 p.m. Free-$9.

This Monkton topiary garden will be hosting outdoor jams all summer long, but we’re particularly excited to hear bluegrass group Charm City Junction take on the laid-back soiree. The acoustic quartet is sure to get you groovin’ in the grass with old-time rhythms and foot stomping Irish melodies. Find a space on the picture-perfect garden to hear the folksy band take roots music to new heights with the sounds of the fiddle, expressive clawhammer banjo, harmonic button accordion, and upright bass.

DO

July 13-14: Baltimore Washington One Carnival

Lake Clifton Park, 2801 Harford Road. 12 p.m. $15-20.

Experience rich Caribbean culture during this two-day festival at Lake Clifton Park, featuring energetic music beats, international flavors, and, of course, tons of feathered and sequined costumes. Don’t miss the Saturday parade featuring color-filled masqueraders, drummers, stilt walkers, floats, and steel bands. After sampling authentic eats such as mouth-watering jerk chicken, spend the afternoon jamming along to live music by Pan Masters Steel Band, Trinidadian singer Nadia Batson, and Strykers Posse Reggae Band.

EAT

June 30: The Night Brunch

The Field, 200 E. Cromwell St. 6-10 p.m. Free.

We can’t get through a weekend without spotting a new way to eat brunch—bottomless, all-day, or accompanied by a drag show—and now, thanks to The Night Brunch, Baltimoreans have an excuse (like we need one) to now eat breakfast for dinner. On Saturday, this bimonthly foodie hangout will take over Port Covington’s pop-up event space, The Field, for a night of elevated eats under the stars. Dig into South American-inspired plates by Chef Patrick Morrow of Ryleigh’s Oyster and Bluegrass Tavern, including brioche French toast topped with roasted stone fruit and drizzled with agave nectar and smoked salmon tacos garnished with mango cabbage slaw and griddled avocados.

DRINK

June 30: Checkerspot Brewing Co. Grand Opening

Checkerspot Brewing Company, 1399 S. Sharp St. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. 410-591-5527.

After a year and a half of planning and taste-testing, the long-awaited Checkerspot Brewing will open the doors of its new South Baltimore home this Saturday. Named after Maryland’s state butterfly, this farm-to-glass brewery uses locally-sourced ingredients to create a variety of beers like Keeper’s Stout, fortified with crab shells from J.M. Clayton Seafood Company, and opening weekend pours like the Juniperus juniper IPA and Southside pale ale.

SEE

June 30-July 28: Ronald Jackson Solo Exhibition

Galerie Myrtis, 2224 N. Charles St. 5-7 p.m. Free. 410-235-3711.

This weekend, Galerie Mrytis will debut its first-ever solo exhibition by Virginia artist Ronald Jackson. Head to Station North to take in Profiles of Color III: Fabric, Face, and Form, featuring paintings from Jackson’s reimagined world of African-American portraiture. On display until late July, arts lovers will be wowed by the way his bold use of geometric patterns, vivid colors, and rich fabrics to imbue each work with power and emotion.

HEAR

June 30: Bmore BeatClub

The Windup Space, 12 W. North Ave. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. $10. 443-243-5400.

This Saturday marks the return of Bmore BeatBlub, the epic bimonthly hip-hop gathering where MCs and rappers of all experience levels are invited to show off their skills on the Station North stage. Hosted by local MC Eze Jackson, this open-mic series is the go-to spot to catch rising talents and established artists alike as they prove their bent for beatmaking. Hear new tracks from local producers, like the ambient-inspired Gentei and the trap-minded SocialN3rd, and be sure to stick around until the end of the show for a late-night dance party.

DO

June 29-July 1: Dundalk Heritage Fair

Dundalk Heritage Park, 2717 Playfield St., Dundalk. Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12-10 p.m. Free-$8. 410-284-4022.

With July 4 right around the corner, get a jumpstart on your Independence Day celebrations this weekend with Dundalk’s 42nd annual Heritage Fair. During this three-day extravaganza filled with everything from amusement rides and carnival games to a petting zoo and pig races, join locals and don your red, white, and blue in this time-honored tradition that leads up to the community’s parade and fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Each night will feature big-name entertainment, including the lead singer of Mötley Crüe, the Get The Led Out Zeppelin cover band, and legendary local rocker Crack The Sky.