Make it a red-letter summer day

Get hot and bothered about these upcoming events

By Eve Shafi

Special to Metromix
April 8, 2008

• Email
• Print View
• Share
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Furl
  • Google
  • Reddit
  • Spurl
  • Yahoo
• Add To Favorites
• Add to playlist

Ahh. The lazy days of summer. How on earth are you going to spend three months doing nothing? Don't tax your vacationing brains figuring out ways to avoid your parents' rambling rants about gainful employment. That's what we're here for. Fill up those empty schedules with everything from art festivals to must-see concerts. Pick out a few of your favorites, or attend them all and you won't cross paths with your parents all summer.

July 11-Aug. 29, Little Italy Open Air Film Festival
There are only a handful of events in Baltimore that anyone who passes through must attend at least once. This is one of them. The scene is right out of a movie. Picture it: A bottle of vino, treats from Vaccaro's and you and your honey nestled together in camp chairs as you discover what it feels like to be part of a real community—even if the experience is only fleeting.
Also see: Fresh air films

July 11-13, All Good Music Festival
This summer, head down to good old West Virginia, where the beer never stops flowing and you can't get arrested (hopefully). This music and arts festival, situated on 655 acres of land called Marvin's Mountaintop, provides down-home music from folks such as Phil Lesh and Friends and Widespread Panic. Pack up the RV, and don't forget the brownies.

July 18-20, Artscape
The largest public arts festival in the country is free. It's also conveniently set up along a Light Rail stop, so there's no excuse to not make an appearance. Enhance your creative side by enjoying tons of visual exhibits including outdoor sculpture, art cars and fashion designs. Or, if you're more into the performing arts, enjoy dance and concerts. We're stoked for two new features this year: The D.I.Y. crafts area and a local battle of the bands.
Also see: Lineup pics

Aug. 9-10, Virgin Festival 2008
This year, some of our fave national acts make an appearance at Richard Branson's Virgin Fest. Included in this two-day drunken escapade will be the Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Stone Temple Pilots, Kanye West and Nine Inch Nails.
Also see: Artist tip sheets

Aug. 22-Sept. 1, Maryland State Fair
The annual arrival of the State Fair usually serves as a sign that the summer's over and we'll soon be taking our fun inside. For that reason alone, we brave a trek to the county to ogle ginormous veggies, moo at farm animals and get swindled at carnival-style midway games. The rides are usually pretty good, but expect massive crowds.
Also see: Ridemania

Aug. 23-Oct. 19, Maryland Renaissance Festival
When we have a hankering for men in tights, maidens with boobs up to their chins and all sorts of food stuffs on sticks, we go to Crownsville. The scene points are low, but the people-watching is off the charts.
Also see: Special Ren Fest munchie