WHO’S IN TOWN
Get on your dancing boots for a night of ska, punk and reggae! Badfish, one of the hottest Sublime tribute bands, rocks out with Soldiers of Jah Army, Scotty Don’t and Shoreline at tonight’s all-ages show. 7 p.m. doors; 8 p.m. show. $23. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place, Baltimore. www.ramsheadlive.com
From record setting motorcycle jumps to a man who paints masterpieces with his tongue, cameras caught some pretty wacky video in 2008. See the best, and wierdest clips tonight on Fox45 News at Ten.
MUSIC
Baltimore’s shoegrazer/psych-rock band Bad Liquor Pond joins hometown garage bad Heroin UK for a night. With Scary River, Solar Temple Suicides. 8:30 p.m. $8. The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore. 410-662-0069; www.theottobar.com
Groove out mod style at the monthly SoulNight with DJ Amanda Otto, DJ Bobby Babylon and others. 9 p.m. Lithuanian Hall, 851 Hollins St., Baltimore. 410-494-9558
Start the new year right with a swing! The Friday Night Swing Dance Club’s workshop and dancing (with the Bayside Big Band) is great for couples and singles without a partner. 8 p.m. lesson; 9 p.m. dance. $12. American Legion Towson Post #22, 125 York Road, Towson. 410-769-8220; www.fridaynightswing.com
ART
An Ethiopian New Year celebration kick off the first Friday of 2009 at The Walters Art Museum. Get in for free and get dancing on two floors. New York City lifestyle apparel company Wildchild Nation will be on hand to promote their “LISTEN: Africa” campaign, a global relief effort to promote awareness and change in Africa. Proceeds from sales of “LISTEN: Africa” hoodies and T-shirts benefit U.S. Doctors for Africa’s Mobile Clinic Initiative. The Walters’ Ethiopian Art gallery and special exhibition Portraits Re/Examined: A Dawoud Bey Project will be open as well as the Islamic, Medieval, Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine galleries. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; free. The Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street, Baltimore. 410-547-9000; www.thewalters.org
“Twelve,” Art Under Ground Studio’s final 2008 show, features past and present Studio artists plus a new face or two. See works by Baltimore favorites like Rick Santiago, who’s created charming postcards (of six Hampden neighborhood images) and cloth silk-screen patches that can be sewn onto jackets. Other artists, including Matt Muirhead, are also selling their latest works. 4 to 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; Art Under Ground Studio, 826 West 36th Street, Baltimore. artundergroundstudio.com
The January Show exhibit features artist Bernard McGibbon’s oils, watercolors of still lifes, landscapes and portraits. Through January 25. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday (reception); 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Art Gallery of Fells Point, 1716 Thames Street, Baltimore. 410-327-1272; www.fellspointgallery.org
KIDS
Take a ride around the rink while it’s still cool. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday. $2 to $4 admission. Dominic ‘Mimi’ DiPietro Family Skating Center, 200 South Linwood Avenue, Baltimore. 410-396-9392
EVENTS
At the Professional Bull Riders’ Baltimore Invitational, the reigning PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi defends his title against the top 45 cowboys from around the world. See who can stay on a bull one-handed for at least eight seconds. Pyrotechnics and rock-and-roll are part of the thrill ride. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $12 to $102. 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore. 410-481-7328; www.baltimorearena.com
Enjoy a brisk hike tonight. Gwynns Falls Trail has organized campfire hikes for all outdoorsy types ages 6 and up. Just be sure to register 24 hours in advance and dress warmly. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $5. Gwynns Falls Trail, 4500 N. Franklintown Road at Winans Meadow Trailhead (T2), Baltimore. www.gwynnsfallstrail.org
Bring a date or a friend to McFadden studio’s monthly Date Night for a glass blowing demo, with live music and hands-on activities. Make art for your date, or grab a bite at the Glass Grill next door. 7 to 10 p.m. Free; glassware sold separately. McFadden Art Glass, 6800 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. 410-631-6039; www.mcfaddenartglass.com
SATURDAY PREVIEW
Asterism, the latest exhibit capturing those inside the renovated 4,000-square-foot Gallery 4, features paintings, sculptures, and photography by five artists from Baltimore, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free. Gallery Four, 405 W. Franklin Street, Fourth Floor, Baltimore. 410-962-8941; www.galleryfour.net
