The List: July 2023

7/4: AVAM FOURTH OF JULY PET PARADE
Happy Fourth of July, Baltimore. We’ve got all the traditional events on offer—sparkling fireworks over the harbor, crab feasts, rousing performances of the 1812 Overture. But for our money, there’s no tradition greater (or at least cuter) than AVAM’s pet parade and talent show. Per custom, our furry companions will take to the streets sporting red, white, and blue for this annual event, in honor of late museum volunteer and animal lover Ellis Rosen. After trotting, scampering, and wagging their way through the museum’s campus, pets and their owners can sign up for this year’s talent show, with trophies given out in such categories as “Best Pet Haute Couture,” “Best Visionary Pet Hair-Do,” and “Pet Congeniality.” Do any of these sound like your best buddy? American Visionary Art Museum. Registration: 8:30 a.m. Parade: 9 a.m. Free.

7/1: BALTIMORE BY BALTIMORE
Munch, shop local makers, and hear music out on the waterfront with Baltimore-based author and youth mentor Devin Wilkins, who produces this installment of the arts and culture fest, exploring Baltimore’s “Black Renaissance.” Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore. Times vary. 

7/1: LL COOL J
Joined by The Roots and Queen Latifah, the “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper takes CFG Bank Arena as a part of his “F.O.R.C.E. Live” Tour. CFG Bank Arena. 8 p.m. Prices vary. 

7/1-2: PUFF FEST
Celebrate Maryland’s legalization of cannabis with munchies, live performances, crafts, beverages, and more, downtown. Power Plant Live! 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. $75-1,300. 

7/1: ROSEBUD VINTAGE FLEA MARKET
Browse Towson’s first vintage flea market for handmade goods, retro finds, live tunes, and local fare. Radebaugh Florist and Greenhouses. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

TO 7/2: THE WORLD GOES ’ROUND
Courtesy of ArtsCentric, Everyman Theatre, and Olney Theatre, this musical pays homage to the songs that made Broadway, such as “And All That Jazz.” Everyman Theatre. Times and prices vary. 

7/3: BALTIMORE KIDS CRUISE
This Inner Harbor cruise has all your kiddo’s favorite cartoon friends, an interactive show, and fun activities to keep them happy. Kids Cruise Entertainment. 3:30-6 p.m. $60-250. 

7/3: STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR
This Fourth of July bash at Oregon Ridge honors our nation’s composers. Watch the fireworks, check out the food truck lineup, and tune into a sounds by spoken word performer Wordsmith. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. $17-28. 

7/4: FOURTH OF JULY
The official celebration includes music by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and fireworks. Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. Times and prices vary. 

7/4: CHERRY HILL ARTS AND MUSIC WATERFRONT FESTIVAL
In its seventh year, the neighborhood-wide music and arts festival celebrates unity, freedom, and remembrance. Middle Branch Park. 1-10 p.m.

7/6, 7/20: AMPED IN THE PARK
Pack a chair and snacks, or spread a blanket on the turf at Columbia’s Colorburst Park to hear the sounds of soul group Bassel & The Supernaturals. Merriweather District. 7 p.m. 

7/6: MICHELLE BRAFMAN: SWIMMING WITH GHOSTS
The author debuts her new novel, a bone-chilling, sensitive look into children’s competitive swimming, alongside writer Jessie O’Dea Walker on The Ivy Bookshop’s patio. The Ivy Bookshop. 6 p.m.

7/6: WTMD FIRST THURSDAY FESTIVAL
Our state’s largest free concert series continues at Canton Waterfront Park with music by Micah E. Wood, The Heavy Heavy, and Michigander. WTMD. 5:30 p.m. 

7/6: WRITERS LIVE! WESLEY LOWERY
The Pulitzer Prize winner joins Baltimore author D. Watkins at Enoch Pratt, unpacking racial progress in the U.S. and the ways it often leads to pushback. Enoch Pratt Free Library. 7 p.m.

7/7-9: BALTIMORE ONE CARNIVAL
Visit Druid Hill Park for this annual festival honoring Baltimore’s Caribbean communities with a dazzling parade of bands, delicious foods, and flashy costumes in its 42nd year. Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore. Times and prices vary. 

7/7: CHOIR BOY
In Remington, the synth pop group, well-known for songs like “Hellmouth” and “Complainer” rocks the house alongside Philly darkwave band Night Sins. Ottobar. 7 p.m. $16.

7/8-9: BUBBLE DAYS
At the Science Center, little ones will learn all about bubbles, gain wand-waving skills to help them make the biggest ones, and craft their own soap formulas. As a treat, world-famous bubble artist Casey Carie will dazzle with his fun-filled “Bubblemania” show. Maryland Science Center. 12-4 p.m. Free with paid admission.

7/9: ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS
The London-born performer, known for songs including “Everyday I Write the Book,” makes magic with his band at Lyric Opera House. Lyric Opera House. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. 

7/9: HAPPY NAPPY DAY
Celebrate your hair’s natural kinks and curls while catching onsite food trucks and performances at Gwynn Oak Park, where the natural hair festival will ring in its 20th year. Dreadz-n-Headz. 1-8 p.m. Free- $400.

7/10-21: CHARISMATIC WATER CREATURES OF THE BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR
Youth members of the water ballet program Fluid Movement dress as Inner Harbor creatures such as blue crabs, eels, striped bass, herons, and mallard ducks, informing viewers all about Charm City’s water infrastructure systems. Fluid Movement Junior Scene. Pool location, time, and pricing TBD. 

7/12: SAD SUMMER FESTIVAL
Featuring musical acts like The Maine, Hot Mulligan, and Taking Back Sunday, the music festival will make a stop downtown at Pier Six. Pier Six Pavilion. 2 p.m. Starting at $47. 

7/14: MUSIC FOR MANKIND: WORDSMITH
As part of the B&O Railroad Museum’s showcase, “The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad,” the spoken word performer joins a live band and invites guests on a journey of blue collar wins and losses. B&O Railroad Museum. 7 p.m. 

7/14: PINTS IN THE PARK
Bring a blanket or a chair to Center Plaza to enjoy live music brought by Too Much Talent Band, canned wine, and crispy brews from local watering holes like Guilford Hall Brewery. Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. 5-8 p.m.

7/15: SCHROEDER CHERRY: CIVIL RIGHTS CHILDREN’S CRUSADE PERFORMANCE
Using wooden cutouts and a rod puppet, the local puppeteer heads to The Walters Art Museum to tell a Civil Rights-themed story of a young boy who was jailed with his grandfather. The Walters Art Museum. 2 p.m. 

7/15-16: SUMMER REGGAE FESTIVAL
Visit Linganore Winecellars to sip some wine, cider, and beer and enjoy two full days of reggae acts and beats spun by DJ Sprang International. Linganore Winecellars. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $33-99. 

TO 7/16: THE CULTURE
With upwards of 90 works of art, this chatter-generating BMA showcase commemorates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Baltimore Museum of Art. Times vary. Free-$15. 

7/17: FOR THE RECORD: HIP HOP CONVERSATIONS WITH DEVIN ALLEN
The Baltimore photographer joins special guests at Enoch Pratt to talk about the history (and everlasting influence) of hip-hop artistry and culture. Enoch Pratt Free Library. Central Library. 6 p.m. 

7/18-8/12: THE BIG SHOW
In its 28th year, the Creative Alliance event invites members to hang their own art and perform on the stage at its Highlandtown venue. Creative Alliance. Times vary. Free for members. 

7/19: LE TIGRE
Frontwoman Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill reunites with Le Tigre bandmates JD Samson and Johanna Fateman for their first tour in 18 years. Baltimore Soundstage. 8 p.m. $72-154. 

7/20: RAMBLING READERS
Lace up your hiking boots and join the walking book club on excursions near Enoch Pratt’s Central Library. Enoch Pratt Free Library. Central Library. 10 a.m. 

7/22: STRAW LOOM WORKSHOP
At Creative Alliance, join Rissa Karpoff to weave colorful looms using yarn and a bunch of straws. Learn how to finagle fun patterns, and then take your creation home with you. Creative Alliance. 12:30 p.m. $15-18. 

7/21: MUSIC UNDER THE DOME: FLEETWOOD MAC
Inside the Science Center’s planetarium, the sounds of these long-idolized soft-rockers (See: “The Chain,” “Don’t Stop,” “Rihannon,”) will be paired with trippy imagery. Maryland Science Center. 7-10 p.m. $35. 

7/21-30: BALTIMORE SUMMER RESTAURANT WEEK
Amicci’s, Allora, and Ash-Bar—oh my! Feast your way through Charm City’s food scene at fixed prices. Baltimore Restaurant Week. Locations and times vary. $35-55. 

7/23: BRB (BALTIMORE RECORD BAZAAR)
In Abell, shop for records, CDs, tapes, plants, stereos, art, comic books, and music memorabilia. Peabody Heights Brewery.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. 

7/26: THELMA AND THE SLEAZE
The Nashville-hailing, queer, all-female rock group, known for songs like “Sister Honey Baby,” takes their music to North Charles Street. Metro Gallery. 8 p.m. $12. 

7/27: FLICKS FROM THE HILL: HAIRSPRAY
Hit the American Visionary Art Museum’s Hughes Family Outdoor Theater to enjoy John Waters’ revolutionary, retro film. American Visionary Art Museum. Times TBD. 

7/28: BALTIMORE’S BIRTHDAY BASH
Ring in Charm City’s 294th birthday with light bites, an open bar, delicious birth- day treats, and good times in South Baltimore. Baltimore Peninsula. Live Baltimore. 7-11 p.m. $55-125. 

7/28: OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL
Badass 90-year-old singer Willie Nelson heads this lineup, boasting acts including Rateliff & The Night Sweats, in Columbia. Merriweather Post Pavilion. 5 p.m. $45-199. 

7/29: ’90S ROCK FEST
This rockin’ fest brings cover versions of Weezer, Stone Temple Pilots, and Foo Fighters to downtown Baltimore. Rams Head Live! 7:30 p.m. $19.