FlowerMart
Baltimore’s FlowerMart, a tradition for more than a century, is a little late this year after the riots in the city caused a postponement from spring. The delay may mean less emphasis on flowers, but everything else will be as usual — lemon sticks, loads of other edibles, a grand hat contest, etc. A great chance to check out the restored Washington Monument, too. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday throughout Mount Vernon Place, Monument Street between Cathedral and St. Paul streets. Free admission. flowermart.org.
‘Pride and Prejudice’
Jane Austen’s ever-popular 202-year-old novel, “Pride and Prejudice,” has inspired several films and treatments for the stage. It gets another theatrical ride this week, courtesy of Center Stage, which offers a recent adaptation by Christopher Baker. A cast of 21, directed by Hana S. Sharif, will animate Austen’s colorful story of manners and marriage prospects. Preview performances Friday through Sept. 17 ($19 to $39); opens Sept. 18 and runs to Oct. 11 ($19 to $59) at Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. 410-332-0033, centerstage.org.
BSO Season Preview and Gala Concert
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra launches its centennial season with help from former resident conductor Christopher Seaman. He returns for the first time in about 15 years to lead a preview of the season’s coming attractions. He’ll also conduct a gala concert featuring superstar pianist Lang Lang, whose career got an early boost from appearances with the BSO. The season previews will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday at Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda; and 8 p.m. Friday at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. $15. Gala concert will be held at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. $75 to $100. 410-783-8000, bsomusic.org.
Star-Spangled Banner ‘Defender’s Day’ Weekend
If you thought everyone would take a break after all the festivities surrounding the bicentennial of the War of 1812 last summer, think again. This year’s Star-Spangled Banner “Defender’s Day” Weekend, is packed with concerts, musket drills, parades and much more on the grounds of Fort McHenry, 2400 E. Fort Ave. The terrific U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will perform Saturday night, when there will be fireworks, too.Friday through next Sunday. $10 (children under 16 free); Saturday’s concert/fireworks are also free. 410-962-4290, nps.gov/fomc.
‘An Inspector Calls’
J.B. Priestley left quite a mark among England’s great 20th-century writers, excelling at novels, essays and such plays as “An Inspector Calls,” which shows off Priestley’s uncanny ability to weave incisive social commentary into a detective story. This 1945 classic gets a revival to open Everyman Theatre‘s 25th anniversary season. Preview performances 7:30 p.m Wednesday and Thursday ($25); opens 8 p.m. Friday and runs through Oct 11 ($40 to $60) at Everyman Theatre, 315 W. Fayette St. 410-752-2208, everymantheatre.org.
Escape Artists gallery opening reception
In a city with a national reputation as a haven for artists, there’s always room for another exhibit space. Enter the Escape Artists gallery in Mount Vernon. This new co-op gallery, formed by Katia Baskina, is scheduled to launch this week by showcasing a dozen artists from the area and covering a wide variety of media. Opening reception is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday at Escape Artists Gallery, 827 N. Charles St. 443-306-8760. facebook.com/escapeartistsgallery.
Fells Point Crab Fest
Baltimore never runs out of occasions or good causes to serve up crabs, the city’s signature food item. This week, you can get your fill at the second annual Fell’s Point Crab Fest. The event, postponed from June 25, benefits Fell’s Point Main Street, a community organization launched to promote revitalization of the history-rich district. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at Fells Point Square, South Broadway and Thames Street. $65. missiontix.com.
‘Rosenwald’ and Q&A with director
Julius Rosenwald, the Chicago businessman and philanthropist who defines mensch, collaborated with Booker T. Washington to provide badly needed funding for African-American schools in the Jim Crow South. Fellowships for aspiring artists (including incomparable contralto Marian Anderson) also became part of Rosenwald’s legacy. He’s the subject of a new documentary by Aviva Kempner, who will take part in a Q&A at the Charles. The film opens Friday at the Charles Theatre, 1711 N. Charles St. Time and price for Q&A to be listed Monday. 410-727-3456, thecharles.com.
Reisterstown Festival
The slogan for the 29th annual Reisterstown Festival, “Where Summer Lasts a Week Longer,” might be meteorologically questionable, but this post-Labor Day event certainly has a summery feel. Presented by the nonprofit Reisterstown Recreation Council, activities include a parade and an abundance of live music, not to mention aerialist shows and a mechanical bull. Parade starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Cockeys Mill Road and Main Street. Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. next Sunday at Hannah More Park, 12035 Reisterstown Road. Free admission. reisterstownfest.com.
Old Bay Festival
Nothing tastes more of Baltimore than Old Bay, the seasoning that debuted more than 75 years ago and has been sprinkled on a zillion crabs by now. The Old Bay Festival, presented by the Padonia Park Club and McCormick & Co., will feature area chefs competing in the Old Bay Cook-Off. Festivalgoers will find food and drink vendors, as well as live music by Sons of Pirates. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Padonia Park Club, 12006 Jenifer Road, Cockeysville. $8 to $49. 410-252-2046, padoniaparkclub.com.
