Leisure is the section where we highlight the intriguing, exciting and all-around fun events and activities happening in Baltimore over the weekend.
My family has never put much stock in planning out trips. We almost always arrive at our destination barely in time to eat dinner, despite agreeing the night before to arrive at lunchtime. We also like relaxing, so we never create full daily agendas. We just wake up and see where the days take us.
Thursday Barista vs. Bartender, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Kick off Coffee Fest at Ceremony Coffee Roasters’ Harbor Point location. Local bartenders and baristas compete to make the best coffee cocktail. Sales will help support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. $10.
“He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met.” “He’s very snarky and sarcastic.” “He’s got a dark sense of humor, pretty pessimistic with his jokes — just a warning. But great guy!” With the above slew of messages blowing up my phone, I nervously texted the aforementioned boy a couple of “creative” first date ideas.
Thursday HUMBUG: The Great P.T. Barnum Seance, The Peale Center, 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Opening night of a performance/seance focused on circus mogul P.T. Barnum, this event features authentic artifacts from the man’s life, including the Fejee Mermaid. $25.
As a rule, I try not to encourage general audiences to hang out with a bunch of dead bodies. However, exceptions must be made. Initially, I felt bad about recommending the Green Mount Cemetery as a destination for friends to go to when they need to clear their minds and take a breather.
Going into my last semester at Hopkins, I’d like to think that I have the whole “dealing with visiting family members” issue down pat. My mother was in Baltimore for the weekend recently, and I had to take a step back and think about how far I’ve come.
Thursday Water in a Broken Glass, The Senator Theatre, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Based on the novel of the same name by Baltimorean author Odessa Rose, Water in a Broken Glass debuts at The Senator. Dress code is black tie, and there will be a Q&A with the cast and crew after the film. $12.61.
I’ll confess: My idea of a good time usually involves running around campus in search of a place to finish a paper I was supposed to turn in a day ago when all the cubicles on B-level are inevitably full.
Thursday Get Out, The Charles, 9 p.m. A special one-show-only event of Jordan Peele’s horrifying smash hit. Watch the film before it goes off to compete for four Oscars, including best screenplay and best picture. $11.
I am a firm believer in the idea that a city is only as good as its weakest bar, and I’ve yet to find that bar in Baltimore. (But I assure you that I’ll keep trying. Located on the Fell’s Point edge of Canton, Myth & Moonshine is everything that a self-professed tavern ought to be: warm, full and loud.
Last Friday was Chinese New Year, but I celebrated it on Saturday since I had an essay due on Friday night. I don’t really know how lunar calendars work, but the real meaning behind Chinese New Year isn’t about the moon or even about getting together with family and friends.
Like the good millennial I am, I prioritize experiences over commodities, and as a cinephile I deeply value the experience of filmgoing. One of my favorite theaters is the Parkway in Station North.
At the risk of sounding too much like a knock off Ron Swanson, I am sincerely shocked that there are people out there who wouldn’t rather be eating breakfast foods. Indeed, in my opinion a city is only as good as its breakfast options, and we are lucky to live in a place with a plethora of them.
Thursday Love Hangover, One World Cafe, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Valentine’s Day a bust? Shake it off with this fun, disco-themed evening. Jailbreak Brewing and Troegs Independent Brewing will be taking over the taps for the night, and there’ll even be some free stuff. No cover.
Thursday Writing Circle, The Baltimore Science Fiction Society, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Head over to Highlandtown to participate in this bimonthly writer’s circle. Critique the work of others, or bring a six to eight page piece of your own. Many stories workshopped in the circle have gone on to be published. Free. Friday I Heart City Life Happy Hour, Oliver Brewing Company, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Kick off your weekend by stopping by this reoccurring happy hour in northeast Baltimore. The first 100 guests to register will receive a pint class designed by Baltimore’s very own Annie Howe. Live entertainment provided by The Soul Magnets. $10 donation. Constellations & Crossroads, Arena Players, Inc., 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Come see the opening night of two back-to-back, musical performances: Determination of Azimuth, dedicated to the black female NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and The Battle of Blue Apple Crossing, a fictionalized account of legendary guitarist Robert Johnson. Doors open at 7:30. $20. Saturday Elsa Fitzgerald: The Art of Lace, Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Stacy Stube, one of the Bromo Tower’s resident artists, was inspired by the traditional Kebaya dress on the island of Bali to create an exhibit that showcases this historic fashion in detailed dresses. Light refreshments will be served. Free. When ___ Met ___ , Baltimore Improv Group, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with this “improvised romantic comedy.” The show is set in the style of classic Hollywood rom-coms, but the two stars will be audience volunteers. $5. Sunday 4th Annual Chili Cook Off, Barcocina, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Not only do you get to sample chili from multiple chefs, but also enjoy discounted beer and cocktail specials to warm you up during this cold February. $5.
As February is roaring into action with the first delayed opening of the year and consistently near-hurricane strength wind, Hopkins students everywhere are wondering how to beat the chill of another Baltimore winter.
If you’re about to read this article while cozy in your bed in Nine East, these next few paragraphs might not really be for you. After four semesters of living in the dorms, when I moved farther into Charles Village junior year it felt like the commute to get anywhere became roughly 45 minutes, barring traffic.
Thursday Trivia For a Cause: Fluid Movement, Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
As another semester at Hopkins begins, it’s important to remember that there’s more to Baltimore culture than Eddie’s and CVP.
Two goals of mine this past semester were to spend more time off campus and to see more theater. I was aware of Baltimore’s substantial and vibrant theater community but previously had never prioritized making time to see shows.
