Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
April 16: Easter Brunch at La Cuchara
La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $32.
Move over boring chocolate bunnies and tired Easter ham—this Sunday, spend the holiday basking in the Basque Country cuisine of Spain at La Cuchara in Woodberry. The 2017 Best Restaurant will feature a special prix fixe brunch including the likes of charred octopus with saffron aioli, crispy oyster bocadillo, butternut squash tortilla espanol, and serrano ham. We would gladly trade in our Easter baskets for one bite of chef Ben Lefenfeld’s tribute to this pintxos holy land. And don’t worry—if you’re not into Spanish cuisine, there are hoards of other options.
DRINK
April 15: My Lady’s Manor Steeplechase Race
Ladew Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 10 a.m. $40-400.
This weekend, horseracing season kicks off in Baltimore, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to don your sundresses and sunglasses and tailgate with warm-weather cocktails. Nicknamed “the preppy cocktail,” and with good reason, the Southside is a refreshing sour sip that marks the start of spring in the Land of Pleasant Living. On Saturday, tip back some cold ones, listen to live bluegrass, and admire the luscious scenery of Ladew Gardens during the first steeplechase of the year.
SEE
April 14: Paisley FunkShun: A Prince CelebraShun
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 7-11 p.m. $17-20.
We can’t believe it’s been a year since we lost the one-and-only Purple One. In true Prince fashion, honor his musical legacy this Friday with a “celebrashun” as eclectic as the sensational singer. At the American Visionary Art Museum, enjoy a dance party of epic proportions with four hours of Prince’s hits and other Prince-inspired pop, rock, and funk. Expect hits like “Raspberry Beret,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Kiss,” with purple, velvet, and lace attire highly encouraged.
HEAR
April 14: Nico Sarbanes
An die Musik, 409 N. Charles St. 8-11 p.m. $10-20.
Jazz has deep roots in Baltimore, with the city formerly home to legends like Billie Holliday and Cab Calloway. Luckily, local artists are still leading the charge, like young Baltimore native Nico Sarbanes. This weekend, hear the music of his debut album, “Live in Baltimore,” featuring jazz standards and original compositions and featuring fellow noted musicians as Russell Kirk on sax, Deante Childers on piano, Ethan Philion on bass, and Kelton Norris on drums. Fresh off a performance at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, the group is sure to fill this Mount Vernon brownstone with a soulful sound well beyond Sarbanes years.
DO
April 15: March for the Animals
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This Saturday, join the Maryland SPCA in their annual walk-a-thon to support the city’s homeless animals. As the local nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year, the big event helps the group aid about 15,000 homeless (yet adorable) pets, many of which are put up for adoption at their location on Falls Road. Grab your furry friends and partake in for an afternoon that will make a local difference.