EAT

July 6: Sandlot First Friday Crab Feast

Sandlot, 1000 Wills St. 4-10 p.m. $45-80.

Just when we thought Sandlot had everything we needed to get our beach fix in the city—waterfront views, a sandy shoreline, and spiked slushies—they added the one thing that was missing: steaming piles of crabs. Starting this Friday, Harbor Point’s waterfront oasis will be serving up crabs from Conrad’s Crabs & Seafood Market on the first Friday evening of the summer months along with must-have sides like potato salad and corn on the cob. Wash it all down with beers from event partner Flying Dog Brewery, including the Old Bay-infused Dead Rise brew for the perfect pairing.

DRINK

July 6-7:Bluebird Cocktail Room Anniversary

The Bluebird Cocktail Room, 3600 Hickory Ave. Fri.-Sat. 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

Somehow, it’s already been a year since Hampden’s literary-themed cocktail bar opened its doors, and this weekend, The Bluebird is celebrating its first birthday with tiki-inspired drinks, eats, and music. Starting on Thursday, the neighborhood favorite will transform into a tropical oasis as part of its weekly summer event and continue the vibes through its anniversary on Saturday. Don your best Hawaiian shirt and raise a frozen absinthe frappe to many more years of artisanal cocktails and bookish style.

SEE

July 6-28: Diaphanous Shades and Sweet Sweat

Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. Fri.-Sat. 12-4 p.m. Free.

Since coming onto the Baltimore arts scene almost 15 years ago, this small Bromo Arts District gallery has become known for hosting experimental exhibitions that push artistic boundaries. On Friday, the gallery will debut two new exhibitions: Diaphanous Shades, a collaborative work by Virginia-based artists Brian Burr and Lauren Rice that visually compresses the past, present, and future of Western civilization, and Sweet Sweat, a solo exhibition by photographer Lindsey Bottos that focuses on faded relationships. Head downtown to see these thought-provoking works, which will be on display through the end of the month.

HEAR

July 7: Jazz Odyssey: The Sun Ra Arkestra

The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. 5-9 p.m. $35-50.

Jack Whitten, whose revelatory works are now on display at The Baltimore Museum of Art, had a deep appreciation for jazz music and is the inspiration for this year’s summer concert series at the museum. This Saturday, hear outer space-inspired experimental jazz music from the renowned Sun Ra Arkestra in the BMA’s Sculpture Garden, and, before the music starts at 7 p.m., enjoy evening access to Whitten’s widely-regarded exhibition.

DO

July 7: Party in the Park

Whitelock Community Farm, 922 Whitelock St. #4. 3-7 p.m. Free-$20.

This weekend, the “Excellent Women” of Baltimore are throwing a can’t-miss picnic party in the spirit of making new friends and celebrating girl power. For this meet-up hosted by the Society of Excellent Women, head to the Whitelock Community Farm to sample eats from local women-owned businesses (think Wild Thyme Food Truck, Cocina Luchadoras, and Mrs. Married Mack’s Hand Pies), splash around in summertime-themed mini pools by Minnidip, and get to know other Charm City movers and shakers.

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

 EAT

April 28: Baltimore Bike Party’s 5th Birthday

Mount Vernon Marketplace, 520 Park Ave. 6:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Free.

This weekend, everyone’s favorite party on wheels turns five years old, and its birthday celebration is going to be epic. Kick it all off with a killer route through Mount Vernon and Bolton Hill—starting at St. Mary’s Park with a rest stop at Whitelock Park—followed by food, live music, and drinks at the Mount Vernon Marketplace. Get post-ride fuel with bites from The Local Oyster, Pinch Dumplings, and the new Cholitas Tacos, then “rehydrate” with cold, local brews from Taps Fill Station and Between2Buns. With themed and oftentimes costumed events, the monthly bike ride has become a must-attend happening and a creative incubator for the city’s cycling community. As always, party hats, noisemakers, and balloons are encouraged. 

 DRINK

April 29: Baltimore Cocktail Week Wellness & Rejuvenation

YogaWorks Midtown, 107 East Preston St. 12-3 p.m. $15. 

We know it’s hard to decide between brunch cocktails or a morning workout, but luckily this weekend, you don’t have to choose. On Saturday, join Yogaworks for a restorative yoga class, followed by fruity, bubbly, spring cocktails as part of the annual Baltimore Cocktail Week. With tipples like blood orange cocktails and prosecco-studded sips, we can’t think of a better reward after sweating it out. All proceeds also benefit House of Ruth Maryland. Namaste, indeed! 

 SEE

April 29: CityLit Festival

University of Baltimore, William H. Thumel Sr. Business Center, 11 W. Mount Royal Ave. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

For the 14th year, Baltimore’s CityLit Festival returns with an exciting lineup of acclaimed writers. With a focus on poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, award-winning author and TED Talk celebrity Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will headline with conversations on feminism, poetry, and prose. Adichie—whose 2010 The Danger of A Single Story is one of the top 10 most-viewed TED Talks of all time and inspired her 2014 book We Should All Be Feminists—will chat with WYPR’s Tom Hall about writing, raising our voices, and activism. With a full day of sessions, also sit in on discussions about writing as political resistance, editing tips and tricks, and character building through the written word.

 HEAR

April 29: Fifth Annual Charm City Bluegrass Festival

Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. $55. 

Now in its fifth year, this once small parking lot jam session has grown into Baltimore’s biggest bluegrass festival, known for its stellar lineups, local food, and festival-only beer by Union Craft (we love the cleverly named When I Say Charm You Saison). Rain or shine, prepare to move and groove at two stages with local talents like Cris Jacobs and Seldom Scene, as well as big-name national acts such as The Lone Bellow and Dustbowl Revival.

 DO

April 29: The Society of Excellent Women Dance Party

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 9 p.m.-1:40 a.m. $7. 

This weekend, the “Excellent Women” of Baltimore are bringing you the ultimate girls night. In the spirit of making new friends and celebrating girl power, the new Society of Excellent Women meet-up group is hosting a Saturday night dance party at the Ottobar with DJ Pancakes spinning the best girl-power jams all night long. If the event is anything like the girl groups’ previous get-togethers—full of fun like cotton candy, tie-dye—we expect a full-on fete with hits like Pat Benatar’s  “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” TLC’s “No Scrubs,” and Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls).” Because, let’s be honest . . .