1. Baltimore Book Festival
Don’t just read all about it — head out and meet authors Amy Goodman, Omar Tyree, Naomi Wolf, Dr. Cornel West, Michael Ian Black and Ron Suskin at the Baltimore Book Festival. There will be plenty of panel discussions and signings, plus kids’ activities, food and entertainment. Details: Free; 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Mount Vernon Place Park, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 410-837-4636, bop.org
2. Maryland Beer and Food Fest
Drink the finest local brews and learn how to make your own at the two-day Maryland Beer and Food Fest. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the large selection of varietals as well. Pair this wide selection with signature dishes at the Celebrity Chef Arena located right at the show and benefiting Habitat for Humanity. Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; $10 for designated drivers; $15 for attendees 21 and over; Ripken Stadium, 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen 410-612-9330; mdbeerfoodfest.com
3. The Main Event
After 18 months of road closures, digging, pouring, dust, dirt and grime, the Main Street Streetscape Project is finally coming to a close. Rejoice at The Main Event, a Streetscape Finale Celebration. The event kicks off with The Main Street Mile Fun Run. A kid’s area will be set up in front of Tiny Toes at 4 N. Main St. with continuous carnival games and ongoing entertainment from face painters, balloon makers and caricature artists. Details: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; Main Street between Churchville Road to Gordon Street, Bel Air; Harfordcountymd.gov
4. Greek Festival
Enjoy dancing, games and all things Athens at this three-day celebration. Details: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday; noon to midnight Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday; $5; Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, stdemetriosmd.org/festival
5. A Girl’s Night Out
Toast to the cure at a seminar and dinner that could save your life. St. Agnes Hospital hosts A Girl’s Night Out, a free dinner presentation about breast cancer. Physicians and breast cancer survivors will discuss the latest screenings, diagnostics, and medical treatments. Details: Free (registration required); 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; Columbia Sheraton, 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia. 866-690-9355, stagnes.org
Family
1. Casey Cares Foundation’s 6th Annual Rock and Roll Bash
Dine, dance and help critically ill children and their families. The 6th Annual Rock and Roll Bash comes to Baltimore for the second year at Rams Head Live. This year’s musicians include Mark Rivera (Billy Joel Band), Hugh McDonald and Jeff Kazee (Bon Jovi), Jeff Carlisi (.38 Special), Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live Band), Bruce Kulick (Kiss) and more. Details: 7 p.m. Saturday; $100; Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore. 410-244-1131, Caseycaresfoundation.org
2. Dog Adopt-a-Thon
Does your tiny toddler want a puppy? This weekend, you’re in luck The Humane Society of Harford County will hold a dog adopt-a-thon at Harford LIVE! Home & Garden Show/Maryland Beer and Food Fest. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $5; Ripken Stadium, 873 Long Drive; Aberdeen. 410-612-9330
3. Day to Play
The Carroll County Youth Service Bureau hosts its third-annual “Day to Play.” After engaging in a Westminster County-wide scavenger hunt, enjoy a dancing and dinner event, with silent auction. All proceeds will help fund the organization’s construction and operation of its new state-of-the art Counseling Center. Details: 2 p.m. Saturday; $95 to $200; Carroll County Youth Service Bureau, JCK Center, 332-140 Village Road Suites 1-7, Westminster. 410-848-2500. For times and information, call 410-848-2500.
4. Fall Into Fitness Day
The Rotary Club of Catonsville-Sunrise Foundation and St. Agnes Foundation to Host 3rd Annual Catonsville Fall into Fitness 5K. Participants can either run the course or they can walk with family and friends. Details: 7 a.m. Saturday; $12 to $30 to register or free to watch; Matthew’s 1600 parking lot, 1600 Frederick Road, Catonsville. 410-368-3155, charmcityrun.com
5. Tots & Tales
Every Wednesday in September and October the Aquarium hosts “Tots & Tales.” Children will learn about aquatic animals through story and song. Musical entertainer Ellis Woodward performs Oct. 1. Recommended for children ages 3 to 5. Details: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, free with aquarium admission, National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. www.aqua.org
Music
1. Mahler’s Titan and Berstein’s Jeremiah
Mezzo-soprano Kelly O’Connor lends her gorgeous voice to a spectacular performance by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Marin Alsop conducts Berstein’s first symphony, “Jeremiah” and Mahler’s first symphony, “Titan.” Details: 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday; $26 to $60. Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore. 410-783-8000, Bsomusic.org
2. Lez Zeppelin with The Cheaters
It’s time to get the Led out — but with a girly touch! Since forming in 2004, the New York City-based quartet Lez Zeppelin has toured throughout the United States and Europe to become the first and foremost female rock act to pay homage to Led Zeppelin. Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, $15. Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson. 410-337-7178, Rechertheatre.org
3. Joan Osborne and Matt Morris
Joan Osborne, the songstress who scored national fame with “One of Us,” belts out soul classics from her latest release “Breakfast in Bed.” An interesting side note: Tattooed alt-rocker/opener Matt Morris was in the Mickey Mouse Club with Britney, Justin and all the other pop stars. Details: 7 p.m. Monday, $45. Rams Head OnStage, 33 West St., Annapolis; Ramsheadonstage.com
4. Midnight Groove Cruise
It’s a concert on a boat featuring Sunshine Jones of Dubtribe, Soul DJs Lovegrove, Adam Auburn, Knowledge and percussionists play for Saturday’s “A Midnight Groove Cruise” on the Lady Baltimore. Details: 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday, $60 to $75. Baltimore Inner Harbor at Light and Pratt streets, Baltimore. 410-332-4191
5. Opera Night
Head to Sotto Sopra on Sunday for its Opera Night and Six Course Gourmet Italian Dinner. Details: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, $57; Sotto Sopra Restaurant, 405 N. Charles St., Baltimore. 410-625-0534.
Exhibits
1. Curators’ Incubator Program
Give the visionaries behind the great art exhibits some of the spotlight. Maryland Art Place presents the Sixth Annual Curators’ Incubator program, featuring this year’s curators Rebecca Weber and the curatorial team Zoma Wallace and T. Shareen Dash. Details: Gallery Talk and Reception, 6 p.m. Friday; Exhibit runs through Oct. 25. Free. Maryland Art Place, 8 Market Place, Suite 100, Baltimore. 410-962-8565, Mdartplace.org
2. ‘Selling the Candidates’
Before you vote, check out “Selling the Candidates: Presidential Campaign Music and Memorabilia.” From George Washington to George W. Bush, presidential candidates have captured the American voter’s attention with music and memorabilia. Details: 8 a.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday. Free. Milton S. Eisenhower Library, Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore. 410-516-034, jhu.edu/news/happening/
3. ‘Is You Is or Is You Ain’t’
Weird toy figures re-enacting scenes and other fictional scenarios more comes alive at “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t” is the Creative Alliance’s first major touring exhibition featuring seven works on video by artists of national and international significance. Details: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; free. Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. 410-276-1651; creativealliance.org
4. David Hess: Reconstructions
Check out the colorful industrial artwork of David Hess: Reconstructions. Details: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, Free. Goya Contemporary, 3000 Chestnut Ave. Suite 214, Baltimore. 410-366-2001; goyacontemporary.com
5. Stevenson University Celebrates 100th Gallery Show
The Art Gallery at Stevenson University will celebrate its 100th show this fall with a centennial exhibition featuring the work of James von Minor, Adjunct Instructor in Art at SU. Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Stevenson University, 1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson. 877-468-6852
Theater
1. La Cabaret de Carmen
Theatre Project’s La Cabaret de Carmen tells a traditional tale via modern drag cabaret. Details: Friday to Sunday, 8 p.m., $10 to $20. Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., Baltimore. 410-752-8558
2. Once Upon a Mattress
The Matthews Players present the charming modern fairy tale “Once Upon a Mattress.” Details: 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $6 to $25. Cardinal Shehan Auditorium, 5407 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore. 410-665-3682
3. As You Like It
Watch William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “As You Like It” come alive at Anne Arundel Community College. Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday; $8. Pascal Center for Performing Arts on AACC’s Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway, Arnold. 410-777-2457.
4. A Time to Speak
The Performance Workshop Theatre’s 2008-2009 season opens with “A Time to Speak,” a drama adapted by Sam McCready from the Holocaust memoir of Helen Lewis. Details: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $15 to $20. Performance Workshop Theatre Company, 28 E. Ostend St., Baltimore. 410-659-7830
5. ‘Take Me Out’
Hilarious and hard-hitting, “Take Me Out” explores the issues of celebrity, homophobia, race and friendship through America’s favorite pastime — baseball. Details: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 S. Ann St., Baltimore; $15 to $17; 410-276-7837.
Reader’s Choice
Karen Summerville
Occupation: Education Coordinator at Creative Alliance
1. Open Minds, Fire in the Belly and Slave Ship
As part of my job I’ve been planning intensively for free Open Minds art classes for students ages 7-18. They will start their long-awaited art and photography programs at Patterson Park and Southeast Anchor Libraries today. I’m anxious to see who’s returning. But, I have to hurry and return to the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., when classes are over to view the start of the Fire in the Belly series, featuring Amiri Baraka with his “Slave Ship: A Historical Pageant” produced by Kuumba Collective, directed by Rosiland Cauthen at 7:30 p.m.
2. Kerplunk before Womb Work
My beau’s daughter Asha and I will head back to the Patterson Friday to make some art at the free family drop-in, Kerplunk from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then, I’ll be back by 8 p.m. to the Patterson for the second part of the Fire in the Belly Series, featuring The Last Poets and my favorite theater group in the world, WombWork Productions.
3. Def Poetry Jam meets Inside the Actors Studio
Shawn (my beau) and I are opening a gallery soon in Charles Village and I’d like to get some advice from Myrtis Bedolla and Alex Hyman owners of Galerie Myrtis 2224 N. Charles St. sometime after 2 p.m. Saturday. Then, I’ll wind down for some Art of Conversation, interactive poetry, at the Yabba Pot 2433 St. Paul hosted by E the poet-emcee. The vibe is like Def Poetry Jam meets “Inside the Actors Studio.” It’s awesome and only five bucks!
4. Coffee, extra cream and Wyman Park
Sunday, I’ll walk over to Wyman Park and relax in the morning. Maybe grab some hazelnut coffee from Donna’s on 31st and St. Paul … lots of cream!
Cheap Date
1. Concours D’Elegance
More than 100 Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Ducatis and other marquee Italian cars and motorcycles will line the streets of Harbor East. The car show will also feature a downtown festival atmosphere with food and shopping. Details: Free; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; Harbor East, Bond Street Wharf Plaza, Thames and Bond streets, Baltimore; 410-444-3800.
2. Harford Live Home and Garden Show
More than 350 exhibits, amazing live bands, a rock climbing wall, petting zoo, pony rides. Details: $5/person; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Ripken Stadium, 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen; 410-612-9330.
3. Lecture at MICA: Allan McCollum
Allan McCollum has spent more than 30 years exploring how objects achieve public and personal meaning in a mass-produced world. The New York City-based artist has recently focused on collaborations with historical society museums in small communities around the world. Details: Free; Noon Monday; Maryland Institute College of Art, 1301 Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore; 410-225-2300.
4. Apres: Jeremiah Baker, saxophone & Jacqueline Pollauf, harp
Lauded as memorable and absorbing, the duo Après seeks to explore and expand classical music through their unusual instrument combination and engaging musical style. Details: $5 to $12/person; 8 p.m. Saturday; An die Musik Live, 409 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 410-385-2638.
5. Returned Treasures: A Baltimore Family Reunion
Paintings once owned by Ignatz Pick, the grandfather of Baltimore artist Monique Goss, have recently been recovered as part of a lengthy legal battle over custody of several paintings looted during the Nazi era. These two fall programs will clarify the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding art looting during World War II. Details: Free; 2 p.m. Sunday; Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 410-547-9000.
Posh Date
1. ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’
Legally Blonde follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn’t take no for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Details: $22 to $120/person; 8 p.m. Tuesday; The Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore; 410-727-7787.
2. Maryland Renaissance Festival
A recreation of a 16th century English village named Revel Grove in Crownsville. Bonus points if you dress up. Details: $18 to $28/person; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 19; 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis; 410-266-7304.
3. Fall Festival Cruise
The evenings are perfect — not too hot, not too cool, but just right for a leisurely fall dinner cruise. Details: $45/person; 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Lantern Queen, 100 Congress Ave., Havre de Grace; 410-939-1468.
4. Allman Brothers Band and Phil Lesh & Friends
Southern rockers the Allman Brothers Band have been awarded eleven Gold and five Platinum albums between 1971 and 2005. Details: $55 to $75/person; 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; Merriweather Post Pavilion, Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia; www.merriweathermusic.com.
5. The Clay Ball
The Clay Ball, an annual gala, will feature a silent and live auction led by renowned Baltimore artist David Paul Bacharach, a catered dinner provided by Linwoods, and the dynamic sounds of Gabriel Ware Quintet featuring Lafayette Gilchrist. Details: $150/person; 7 p.m. Friday; American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore; 410-578-1919.
