Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Apr. 11: Kooper’s 1st Annual Bacon & Bourbon Festival
Kooper’s Jacksonville, 3493 Sweet Air Rd., Phoenix. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free; pay as you go. 443-689-7252. facebook.com.
Mmm, bacon. It’s not just for breakfast. In fact, this Saturday, you can eat it all day long at Kooper’s first-ever Bacon & Bourbon Festival in Jacksonville. From warm bacon donuts with maple bourbon glaze to braised pork belly sliders and sliced country ham, there will be plenty of ways to pig out. Also, if you find yourself thirsty after all that salty swine, there will be a bevy of bourbons to sip on, with samples from fine Southern distilleries as well as handcrafted cocktails, made with and inspired by—you guessed it—bacon.
DRINK
Apr. 11: Heavy Seas Island Jam
Rash Field, 201 Key Hwy. 1-7 p.m. $29-59. 410-247-7822. hsislandjam.com.
This Saturday, head
down to da beach for Heavy Seas’ inaugural, island-themed beer-and-music festival, with good tunes, good brews, and lots of feel-good vibes. If you’ve never seen or heard The Wailers before, prepare to be wowed, as the former Bob Marley band mates channel the late, great, reggae legend and groove out their classic one-love hits. There will also be a ton of food, with Caribbean cuisine, local food trucks, and solid shucks from our good pals, The Local Oyster and True Chesapeake Oyster Company. And, of course, there will be beer, with the brewery bringing their very best, including the new Smooth Sail summer ale as well as tried-and-true classics like Cross Bones. Just remember to drink responsibly. A few too many Loose Cannons, and you might become one, too.
(O SAY CAN YOU) SEE
Apr. 10: Orioles Home Opener vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 3:05 p.m. 888-848-BIRD. orioles.mlb.com.
The boys are
back! Whether you scored a lucky ticket to the Yard or are watching from your favorite bar or couch, its time to don ever piece of O’s gear that you own and watch Birdland bleed orange for another season of Orioles Magic. We might have lost our chances for a sweep in that third game against Tampa, but we saw some amazing things from newbies like Travis Snider and returning players Steve Pearce and Alejandro De Aza. Let’s just hope the weather holds on Friday, but as Buck Showalter told the media: “Oh God. I don’t care if it’s snowing, raining or sleeting, I’m in. I feel like we have been gone for a long time. We have.” Like the official Orioles hashtag says: Welcome home, birds!
HEAR
Apr. 11: Bob Dylan
Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $53-128. 410-900-1150. lyricoperahouse.com
It’s not everyday that you get to hear a live show by one of the most influential musicians of all time, but this Saturday, you can, when the one and only Bob Dylan rides on into town. The man is a living legend. He is folk-rock royalty. I mean, he wrote “Like A Rolling Stone.” “The Times Are A-Changin’.” Frickin’ “Mr. Tambourine Man.” And my personal favorite, ”
Girl From the North Country,” avec Mr. Johnny Cash. He changed the songwriting game forever, made folk-music kind of cool, and played—and still plays—a mean harmonica and guitar. Now, some 50 years after his first record, he takes to the Lyric stage on the heels of his 36th release, a Frank Sinatra tribute album called Shadows in the Night. With his gravely voice and five-piece band, he’ll perform Ol’ Blue Eyes covers and hopefully some of his own iconic hits.
DO
Apr. 10-12: Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 2 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat. 11-12 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $20-40. villainarts.com.
Maybe you’re looking for your first tat or something to add to your sleeve. Maybe you’re a lover of the arts or just kind of curious. Whatever your intrigue, be one of the thousands who flock to the Convention Center this weekend to celebrate body art and self-expression at the 8th annual tattoo emporium. There will be dozens of artists creating and showcasing their work, as well as vendors, seminars, and contests—but it’s not just about the ink. There will also be lots of live entertainment, with burlesque shows, aerial performances, sideshow and daredevil acts, and a tattooed beauty pageant. The celebration starts on Thursday with an opening party at Bookmakers Cocktail Club, full of beer, music, and skateboard art.