Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Feb. 22: Blue Pit BBQ Mac-N-Cheese Cook-Off
Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 1601 Union Ave. 6-8 p.m. $5 to compete; $20 to eat and judge. 443-948-5590. bluepitbbq.com
This weather needs to break or I’m going to. There are only so many sweaters we can wear and so much whiskey we can drink before we all burst like a Baltimore City water pipe. Luckily, this Sunday, you can warm up for a good cause, when the fundraising cycling team, Fierce Chicks Rock, throws a mac-n-cheese cook-off at Blue Pit BBQ to benefit Moveable Feast. Anyone can participate—though my secret recipe is really just a late-night microwave bowl of the classic blue box Kraft, made with whole milk, and often preceded by a number of beers—or come and simply indulge. Awards will go to the best traditional, creative, people’s choice, and even vegan macaroni.
DRINK
Feb. 20: DuClaw & Cigar City Brewing Launch Party
Max’s Tap House, 737 S Broadway. 5 p.m. Free. 443-559-9900. duclaw.com
You might recognize the early, short French film,
A Trip To the Moon, but what you might not know is that the original story isn’t set in the City of Love, but rather the late 19th-century city of Charm. In it, the Baltimore Gun Club president, Impey Barbicane, decides to send himself and his comrades, via cannon, to the moon. Also inspired by the adventurous tale is a new session ale from Baltimore’s own DuClaw Brewing and, interestingly enough, Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing called Impey Barbicane’s Moon Gun. With strong malt flavor, caramel notes, and a slightly hoppy bitterness, the new craft brew launches in Fells Point on Friday, served on tap and in firkins with the two founders and brewers on hand to celebrate.
SEE
Feb. 20-22: American Craft Council Show
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $5-36. 410-649-7000. craftcouncil.org
The nation’s largest contemporary art show is rolling into town for a three-day celebration of all things “Made in America.” With more than 650 jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor artists from all across the country, you can browse, buy, watch demos, or meet the artists. While you’re there, check out some local talent, including Charm City Craft Mafia members like
Bmore Papercuts, Stitch & Rivet leather goods, Dylan Design furniture, Metamorphisis Metals stamped jewelry, and Broken Plate Pendant Co. goods, as well as beer tastings by—fittingly enough—Union Craft.
HEAR
Feb. 21: Dirty Soul Dance Party
The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St. 10 p.m. Free. 410-625-4848. facebook.com
This monthly late-night dance party brings you all the funk you need to get out of that winter one and into a full-on, feel-good groove. Before long, you’ll be peeling off layers while digging on an eclectic mix of soul, funk, and rock-and-roll, with
DJ Landis Expandis spinning on the ones and twos. And we’re not talking Bruno Mars; we’re talking the good stuff: Otis, Ray, Stevie, James, Marvin, Prince—though, admittedly, we do kind of love that song. It’s a definite don’t-miss. So this weekend, throw on some fly threads, gather up the crew, and get down at this booty-shaking, floor-quaking, good time.
DO
Feb. 21: Baltimore Square Dance
Mobtown Ballroom, 861 Washington Blvd. 8-11 p.m. $7-10. mobtownballroom.com
If soul music isn’t your bag, you can still get your dance on this Saturday—your square dance, to be exact—at Mobtown Ballroom in Pigtown. You probably don’t know how, but that’s okay. Everyone’s welcome at this fun,
music-filled night, beginners and all, and lessons will be taught throughout the evening. Plus, if you need a little liquid courage to get down to the old timey music, there will be a full bar to help you (for a little while, at least) with all the steps.