Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Oct. 14: The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival
West Shore Park, 401 Light St., 1-5 p.m., Free-$12
Shucking season is officially in session. As we continue making our way through the months ending in “r,” Charm City is fulling embracing its fondness for local oysters. This weekend, venture to West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor for an all-out bash dedicated to the beloved bivalves. Slurp ’sters prepared every which way (raw, fried, or grilled) while also chowing down on scrumptious specialties from area restaurants. (We hear that Dooby’s will be on-site slinging burgers and donuts.) There will also be a shucking contest, food truck fare, live music, and family-friendly activities—all to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor initiative.
DRINK
Oct. 13: Chilibrew 11
Zion Lutheran Church, 400 E. Lexington St., 7-10 p.m., $25, 410-727-3939
Given this dreary weather, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate fall than with a pint of beer and hearty bowlful of chili. Both will take center stage at this weekend’s 11th annual Chilibrew competition, which benefits local grassroots organizations like Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition and Real Food Farm. One of the many kickoff events for Baltimore Beer Week, the contest pits more than 40 culinary contenders and homebrewers against one another to see whose beers and bowls reign supreme. Both attendees, as well as a panel of esteemed judges, will cast their votes for the best chili con carne, vegetarian chili, and home-brewed beers.
SEE
Oct. 15: Inside the Artists’ Studio
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., 2-6 p.m., $45, 410-276-1651
Ever wondered what kind of creative environment some of the city’s most celebrated artists thrive in? In honor of Baltimore magazine’s Fall Arts feature in our October issue, we’ve teamed up with the Creative Alliance to co-host this studio tour highlighting six local artists-in-residence. Get an inside look at their personalized live-and-work spaces, while also indulging in light bites, wine, and craft beer from Monument City Brewing Company. Led by expert guides—including Creative Alliance exhibitions and programs manager Jeremy Stern and former Baltimore Museum of Art director Doreen Bolger—the tour features the diverse spaces inhabited by photographer Adam Davies, sculptor Alice Gadzinski, painters Alfonso Fernandez and Christopher Batten, printmaker Jerry Allen Gilmore, and interdisciplinary artist Samantha Sethi.
HEAR
Oct. 14: 16th Annual Pigtown Festival
Historic Pigtown, 700-900 Blocks of Washington Blvd., 12-7 p.m., Free, 443-908-7038
Sure, we love watching speedy thoroughbreds charge around Pimlico at The Preakness Stakes in the spring, but, this time of year, it’s all about the high-pitched squeals of “Squeakness”—Pigtown Main Street’s annual iteration that sends prompt piglets racing around a ring set up on Washington Boulevard. Snag a front row seat to the spectacle at the 16th annual Pigtown Festival this weekend, which offers craft beer, local eats, a family-fun zone, and a soundtrack provided by three regional bands that will be sure to get you on your feet. Throughout the day, jam to the sounds of hip-hop and R&B-influenced Footwerk, as well as local ska and reggae rockers The Players Band. Then, as the sun sets over the historic ‘hood, dance the night away with the Empresarios—a blend of salsa, reggae, cumbia, dub, and house music led by Puerto Rico natives Javier Miranda, Frankie Rosado, and Felix Perez.
DO
Oct. 15: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
McHenry Row, 1700 Whetstone Way, 7:30 a.m., $15-45, 410-938-8990
Lace up your (preferably pink) running shoes for this annual 5K organized by the Maryland affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which has helped to raise more than $900 million in global breast cancer research throughout the years. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the event has moved from its longtime location in Hunt Valley to Locust Point. Hordes of runners decked out in their most festive pink athleisure (tutus are encouraged) will step off from McHenry Row, proceed down Fort Avenue, and loop around Fort McHenry before heading back for post-run festivities at race village. If you can’t make it to the race this Sunday, there are tons of local outlets (think pink cocktails at Iron Rooster, pink bagels at THB Bagels & Deli, pink tailgates from Bmore Around Town, and more) that are doing their part to support the cause all month long.