Summer doesn’t officially end until Sept. 22, but with the school year starting for many in the next week or two, the end of sunburn and melty Popsicle season is in sight. Kiss the season goodbye this weekend by doing something outside, like a movie, a musical performance or a nature experience. Should rain chase you indoors, there’s plenty to do there as well, from going to an adult prom to learning the two-step.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Free outdoor movies
If you haven’t seen an outdoor movie yet this summer, this is the weekend. On Thursday, have a drink on the water, 5-7 p.m., and watch the rom-com “The Materialists” starting at sunset, around 8 p.m. (Seagarten at Port Covington Marina, 321 E. Cromwell St., Baltimore) or hit the burbs for “Inside Out”, also kicking off at sunset (Hunt Valley Towne Centre, 118 Shawan Road, Cockeysville). On Friday, a showing of “Freakier Friday” starts at sunset in downtown Columbia (10275 Wincopin Circle) and “GOAT” airs at 6 p.m. at Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum (300 Oella Ave., Catonsville). On Saturday, recite along with the “The Princess Bride” at 8:30 p.m. (The Wine Bin, 8390 Main St., Ellicott City).
If you’re willing to splurge a little, rent headphones for a so-called silent movie, “Wicked: For Good,” starting at 8 p.m. on Saturday ($10; Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St., Baltimore). And, of course, most nights of the week, there’s the king of outdoor movies: Bengies, Maryland’s only drive-in (3417 Eastern Blvd., Middle River).
Time: Various
Price: Various
Location: Various
Family friendly? Yes, all but the Seagarten event (and certain movies at Bengies).
Amped in the Park: Ladama
Ladama is a Latin alternative band made up of three women — one from Brazil, one from Colombia and one from Venezuela — along with a male American bassist. Their sound is joyful, highly danceable and informed by all the countries from which the members hail. You’ll hear instruments like the Venezuelan bandola llanera and the Brazilian pandeiro. For more Latin rhythms, check out Noche de Travesura on Saturday at 8 p.m (Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore).
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: 6221 Mango Tree Road, Columbia
Family friendly? Yes.
Agalisiga Mackey
This 22-year-old singer/songwriter has carved himself a brand-new niche and it’s awfully cool: He sings country music in his native Cherokee. Originally from Kenwood, Oklahoma, Mackey grew up singing ceremonial music and now teaches the language and culture at a Cherokee immersion charter school in his home state. His voice is deep and captivating, and it’s intriguing to listen to new music in a language that’s so rarely heard. A free two-step lesson is included — no partner or experience necessary.
Time: 6:30-10 p.m.
Price: $20
Location: Waverly Brewing Company (1625-C Union Ave., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
Friday, Aug. 21
I Love the 90s Show at Oriole Park
Dust off the scrunchies and break out the bucket hats for a live appearance by some icons of the ’90s. Vanilla Ice, Tone Loc and Treach, the front man for Naughty by Nature, will perform at a post-game show after the Orioles take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Also on the bill: one-hit wonder Tag Team, who will no doubt perform “Whoomp! (There It Is).” The show is included in your ticket if you go to the game, but true fans can pay extra for a field pass.
If you’re not into baseball but still feeling nostalgic, catch ’90s death metal sensation Six Feet Under on Thursday at 6 p.m. (Metro Baltimore, 1700 N. Charles St., Baltimore); The Powell-Younger Project playing oldies as part of the Liberty Live Summer Concerts series on Friday at 6 p.m. (8212 Liberty Road, Windsor Mill); Y2K Night on Saturday at 6 p.m. (Columbia Lakefront Stage, 10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia); or beloved ’60s cult rock band NRBQ on Saturday at 7 p.m. (Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St., Baltimore).
Time: Game starts at 7:15 p.m.; show immediately after
Price: $27-$255 for a game ticket plus the show; $50 extra to watch the show from the field
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards (333 W. Camden St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes, but good luck explaining “O.P.P.”.
Moth Night
Butterflies get a transnational organization dedicated to their conservation. Moths? One crummy week. But several truly gorgeous moths live in Maryland — including Luna moths, Polyphemous moths and Cecropia moths — and Friday is your chance to give them their due. Moth expert Eric Warner will be using a mercury vapor light to lure them in. Bring a flashlight, a lawn chair and your stamina: Many of the bigger species don’t come out till after midnight.
Time: 8:30 pm.
Price: $10
Location: Serviceberry Farm (1994 Cromwell Bridge Road, Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
Back-to-school teen block party
It may be painful to contemplate, but the school year is fast approaching. Give your teen one last hurrah at a block party designed just for them. A live DJ will be on site, along with caricature and henna artists. Participants can test their skills on the obstacle course, do chalk art, use the photo booth, make friendship bracelets and play carnival and lawn games like giant Jenga. Plus, there will be food trucks. Fingers crossed they have bubble tea.
Time: 3-8 p.m.
Price: Free, but registration is required.
Location: Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia)
Family friendly? Ages 13-19 only.
Saturday, Aug. 22
National Dog Day
Apparently, every dog does have its day, and it’s Aug. 26: National Dog Day. But The Rotunda is celebrating this weekend with an all-day festival instead. The event will feature activities including hot dog bobbing, paw painting and making your own dog toy. Pet photos, live pet portraits, a flea-less yard sale and food and drink round out the celebrations. Adoptable dogs and — the nerve! — cats will be on site.
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Price: Free; a bundle of activities require a $10 “PAWS-port,” with proceeds benefitting the Maryland SPCA
Location: The Rotunda (711 W. 40th Street, Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
Pickle Party
The incredible edible pickle is having a party. Sample a variety of vinegar and fermented pickles from around the world or enter the contest yourself and compete in one or more of the following categories: Best Quick Pickle, Best Fermented Pickle and Most Original Pickle Dish. The event features door prizes every 30 minutes, pickle merch and a pickle selfie station. All proceeds go to GroGive, a local organization that helps people with food insecurity by teaching them how to garden. Afterward, check out another brewery fundraiser, 3-6 p.m., with an equally suggestive name, Schwingo Bingo (Checkerspot Brewing, 1421 Ridgely St., Baltimore). Proceeds for this one go to Make Studio, an organization supporting Baltimore artists with disabilities.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Peabody Heights Brewery (401 E. 30th Street, Baltimore)
Family friendly? Yes.
Adult proms
Inexplicably, Baltimoreans will have three adult proms to choose from Saturday night. Layer on the eyeliner and join the other mopes, 5-10 p.m., for Emo Prom, with live covers by Guyliner, a DJ set by Marie Ann Hedonia and a costume contest ($10; Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St., Baltimore). The theme is flamboyance at Queer Prom, 8 p.m.-midnight, with DJs and a drag show hosted by Kenny Rooster ($10-$15; Le Mondo, 406 N. Howard St., Baltimore). Or go dark with Goth Prom, 8 p.m.-midnight, featuring live music, dancing, DJs, a costume contest, drag, burlesque and aerial performances, and tarot and star chart readings ($25; Mobtown Ballroom, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore).
Time: Various
Price: Various
Location: Various
Family friendly? Nope
‘Experimental Theater, Music, Cabbage’
Now that I have your attention, let’s discuss what may be the strangest offering this weekend. A succession of performers will wow you with their weirdness, beginning with local musician Albert Bagman, who performs spooky music wearing a paper, burlap or popcorn bag over his head. Al & Dog — no relation to Mr. Bagman — has been known to toss heads of cabbage at the audience. Also on tap: the local DIY theater group Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? Collective and a new music and performance art project by poet/musician/writer Aris who will perform as a masked alter ego of themselves.
Should you choose to go avant-garde all weekend, check out the “carefully controlled chaos” of renowned experimental modular synth composer/performer Mark Cetilia on Thursday at 8 p.m. ($10-$20 or pay what you can; The Red Room at Normals Books and Records, 425 E. 31st St., Baltimore).
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Price: $15-$25
Location: Black Cherry Puppet Theater (1115 Hollins St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Unclear. But there will be a dude with a bag on his head singing about the occult.
Living history events
Can you imagine wearing a corset and petticoat in this weather? The women at the Hogshead Trades Museum can. This museum devoted to the working people of colonial Annapolis is devoting Saturday to the female variety. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., drop by to meet the wives of signers, female spies and soldiers, Abigail Adams, Mary Hays and others as they discuss women’s roles during the American Revolution. (free; 43 Pinkney St., Annapolis).
Drop by the Fire Museum of Maryland from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday to meet fire heroes of yore and chat with Benjamin Franklin, who formed the first formal volunteer fire department (adults are $15, children 2-18 are $7; 1301 York Road, Lutherville).
Or on Sunday, 1-4 p.m., check out War of 1812: Remember the Lion, a free commemorative display honoring the “Lion of Baltimore,” an American schooner privateer that was burned by a British raiding party. The Aisquith Sharpshooters will do a demo, and there will be guided tours of a historic farm dating to the 17th century (Historic Hancock’s Resolution, 2795 Bayside Beach Road, Pasadena).
Time: Various
Price: Various
Location: Various
Family friendly? Yes
Union Collective Coffee Festival
A draw for those who love the bean with caffeine, this festival includes a cold brew coffee competition, roasting demos, a nonalcoholic coffee cocktail competition and a latte art throwdown. Sample coffee ice cream, coffee liqueur, coffee beer and coffee cocktails and join a raffle to win a coffee tattoo.
Time: Noon-5 p.m.
Price: Free; $7 for a tasting ticket
Location: Union Collective (1700 W. 41st St., Baltimore)
Family friendly? Technically, but the ice cream may be the only draw.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Nitro Circus
Led by stunt athlete Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus is … an event? A brand? A reality show? Whatever the case, it’s apparently brought to you by “the world’s most passionate individuals.” The live event features loud music, flashing lights and feats of daring involving freestyle motocross, BMX, scooters and more. Buy a ticket for the adrenaline junkie in your life.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Price: $79-$182
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (550 Taylor Ave., Annapolis)
Family friendly? Yes
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