When the Maryland Film Festival (MdFF) postponed its annual May fest, it just seemed like another COVID-19 bummer to be thrown on the pile with other canceled events including Artscape, AFRAM, and the Inner Harbor fireworks.

But rejoice, Baltimore cinephiles! In the true spirit of “the show must go on,” the MdFF is back—and while not quite bigger than ever, certainly more accessible.

From June 12-21, the Parkway Theatre will host the first-ever Virtual MdFF. The 17 feature films and 15 short film packages can be accessed directly through the festival’s site. And just like a regular festival, you can buy individual tickets or an all-access pass to attend all of the films and events.

“We’re so excited about this,” says MdFF executive director Sandra Gibson. “And the filmmakers are excited, too.”

Gibson says she and the MdFF team will do everything in their power to recreate the “energy” of the live festival. That includes streaming Q&As with filmmakers, casts, and crews; some pre-recorded Q&A sessions with the directors of the shorts; and even virtual comedy shows and Twitch dance parties co-hosted by The Crown in Station North.

“We really want to encourage people to have fun,” Gibson says.

Among the many titles being screened are TT the Artist’s highly anticipated Dark City Beneath the Beat, about the Baltimore club music scene; Ramona Diaz’s A Thousand Cuts, about a Filipino journalist who speaks truth to power; and the beautiful, tragic-comic Mayor, about the mayor of Ramallah in Palestine.

Gibson notes that there are certain advantages to the virtual fest. For one, a single film can now be watched by a small group of folks who are social distancing together, as opposed to each person having to buy their own ticket.

“I’m going to have a watch party with my husband and son,” she says.

Also, the films can be watched any time once you have a ticket. In the past, it was tricky to watch every single film because of overlapping screenings and simple time constraints.

Now, says Gibson, “You can curate your own festival.” And finally: “No lines!”

Not all of the films that were scheduled to run in the original live fest have made the transition, as some are holding out for theatrical release. And some of the features (not the shorts) are geo-restricted, meaning they can only be watched by people in the DMV region (sorry folks in New York and LA!). But Gibson is thrilled they were able to pull the whole thing together.

“There are a lot of moving pieces,” she says.

Gibson’s ultimate recommendation? Buy an all-access pass and watch all the films and content on offer. After all, you have 10 days.

“You can totally binge out!”

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Learn more about the MdFF and buy tickets, here. Also, watch this space for reviews of select titles.

EAT

Feb. 1: Ice Cream for Breakfast at The Charmery

The Charmery, Towson, Medfield, and Hampden locations. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

Instead of starting your Saturday with cereal and milk or burnt toast with butter and jam, make your way to The Charmery to try ice cream inspired by those breakfast favorites instead. Keep your jammies on for this annual sugar-crazed morning—taking place at all three of the ice cream shop’s locations around Charm City—and sample outside-of-the-box flavors like cold pizza, vegan açaí bowl, and whole bean coffee infused with Vent Coffee. If you really want to indulge your sweet tooth, order the Cereal Bowl, featuring five baby scoops, or the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” milkshake, made with cold brew coffee and croissant flakes.

DRINK

Feb. 2: Super Bowl Sunday

Locations, times, and prices vary.

Yes, we’re all still heartbroken over the Ravens’ early exit from this year’s playoff run, but no, that won’t keep us from celebrating football’s biggest night with plenty of booze, wings, and more booze. We rounded up the best places to watch Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs—featuring beer specials and all-you-can-drink packages at local bars—where you are almost guaranteed to find crestfallen Ravens fans still mourning the Super Bowl game that got away.

SEE

Feb. 2: Groundhog Day on Groundhog Day

The SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Avenue. 1-3 p.m. $8-11.

This Sunday, the world will watch with bated breath to see whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day. Whether the all-knowing groundhog declares six more weeks of winter or spring, celebrate this zany tradition by taking a matinee showing of Harold Ramis’ 1993 comedy of the same name at the historic Parkway Theatre. Whether it’s your first or thousandth time seeing the classic Bill Murray flick, don’t miss the chance to watch him relive Groundhog Day again and again on the big screen.

HEAR

Jan. 31: The Honey Dewdrops

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8-11 p.m. $15-18.

Since this Baltimore-based Americana duo released their fifth record, Anyone Can See, last spring, we haven’t been able to get tunes like “More Than You Should Say” or “Ecola” out of our heads. This Friday, snag a seat at Creative Alliance to hear Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish perform a collection of their harmony-soaked songs for an intimate audience. Be sure to pay close attention to the lyrics of songs like “Welcome to the Club” and “Going Rate”, which reflect the storytelling duo’s thoughts on the changing neighborhood of Hampden and the Baltimore Uprising.

DO

Jan. 31: Art After Hours

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 8-11 p.m. $20-25.

Art lovers, rejoice! The Baltimore Museum of Art’s late-night affair is back with a celebration of radical self-expression through art and fashion, thanks to inspiration from current exhibits Ellen Lesperance: Velvet Fist and Mickalene Thomas: A Moment’s Pleasure. As always, this night of revelry is packed with things to see and do: An anarchist sweater workshop with artist Ellen Lesperance, a retro brooch-making tutorial with artist René Treviño, and live performances by local R&B songstress Joy Postell and the Baltimore Boom Bap Society. Don’t forget to take advantage of the after-hours access to the galleries, where visitors can take in the exhibitions that influenced the event.