Despite the popular notion that monks spent all their time praying while peasants worked from dawn ’til dusk, the Walters Art Museum’s CHECKMATE! MEDIEVAL PEOPLE AT PLAY depicts scenes that contradict the gruesome status quo that we tend to envision: monks playing a game of blind man’s bluff, peasant boys lobbing snowballs at each other, monkeys dancing to “Ring Around the Rosie,” and more. The exhibit sheds a whimsical light on an era we typically associate with alligator-infested moats, chain mail armor and the bubonic plague. Free. 410-547-9000. http://www.thewalters.org
If you’re trying to squeeze in the last bit of summer fun before Labor Day, the MARYLAND STATE FAIR is the exclamation point to a great season. From thoroughbred horse racing, swine races and cow milking to chainsaw sculpting, carnival rides, arcade games and enough competitions for everyone, this fair isn’t called “The 11 Best Days of Summer” for nothing. Timonium Fairgrounds. Tickets, $3 for children, $6 for senior citizens, $8 for adults. 410-252-0200. http://www.marylandstate-fair.com
Navy Week, with parachute teams, rock bands, flight simulators, demonstrations by Navy divers and more, http://www.navyweek.org
Fly high for a good cause at Rising Above It, a two-day hot air balloon festival to benefit the Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center. The Balloon Glow Gala on Friday includes a meet-and-greet and reception with balloon pilots, as well as music, dancing and a live auction. Family Fun Day on Saturday features craft and food vendors, tethered balloon rides, kids activities and more. Harford County Equestrian Center. Friday, 7-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-6:30 p.m. Tickets, $5-$100. 410-836-8431, http://www.sarc-maryland.org
If the Fourth of July is one of your Top 10 holidays, you don’t want to miss Star-Spangled Banner Weekend, which commemorates American troops’ valiant defense of Baltimore against the British in September, 1814, a battle that inspired the writing of the national anthem. Going above and beyond the usual Defenders Day celebrations, the weekend offers a parade, a patriotic band concert and a living history military encampment complete with re-enactors, cooking demonstrations and cannon and musket firing. Fireworks top it all off. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Tickets, $7 for adults, free for children. 410-962-4290, http://www.nps.gov/fomc
Ever wonder what Maryland was like before you came along? The Maryland Historical Society’s “Four Centuries in Four Saturdays” lecture series invites you to walk through the state’s past, beginning with the 1600s. Each Saturday explores a different century, all the way up to the millennium. Catch exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the society’s collections and enjoy a light breakfast with fellow history buffs. Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Tickets, $200; $175 for society members. 410-685-3750, http://www.mdhs.org
If you scratch your head and ask, “How’d he do that?” every time you see one of Walter Wick’s popular “I Spy” or “Can You See What I See?” books for children, now’s your chance to get answers. “Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic” features 55 large-scale photographs, six life-size models and behind-the-scenes video clips to show viewers how Wick creates his visual puzzles and optical illusions. Walters Art Museum. Sept. 18-Jan. 2. Book signing at 2 p.m. Tickets, $6-$10. 410-547-9000, http://www.thewalters.org —A.B.
The city’s premier nonprofit ceramic arts organization turns 30 this year, and to celebrate, Baltimore Clayworks is introducing a unique spin on its annual gala, the Clay Ball, complete with a seated gourmet dinner, live jazz, stilt walkers and performance artists. Silent and live auctions showcase one-of-a-kind ceramic art, jewelry, get-away destinations, specialty parties and more. Guests also can enjoy a live auction of 30 unique teapots, each created by a renowned ceramic artist. 7-11 p.m. American Visionary Art Museum. Tickets, $175; $195 for VIP. 410-578-1919, http://www.baltimoreclayworks.org
The Smartish Pace Reading Series continues with poets Michael Collier and David Gewanter. Collier is the author of five books of poems, most recently Dark Wild Realm; and co-editor of A William Maxwell Portrait. Poet Laureate of Maryland from 2001–2004, his poems appeared in Smartish Pace, Issue 17. Gewanter is the author of three books of poems: In the Belly, The Sleep of Reason and War Bird; and co-editor of Robert Lowell: Collected Poems. His poetry appears in Smartish Pace, Issue 9. Gewanter is a professor at Georgetown University. Free. The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201. 410-547-9000 or http://www.smartishpace.com
The Inner Harbor isn’t just for crabcakes and cheesecake— at least not during Baltimore’s second annual Inner Harbor Art Festival. The open-air exhibition features displays by local and traveling artists, as well as paintings, sculptures and photos. Everything is for sale— you can purchase a necklace for as little as $10 or a sculpture for as much as $50,000. (Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m-5 p.m.) Free. 954-472-3755, http://www.artfestival.com
Don some lederhosen for the ninth annual Maryland Brewers’ Oktoberfest, featuring 75 beers from 11 Maryland breweries and a smorgasbord of bratwurst, sauerkraut and other authentic German cuisine. Oompah bands will play traditional German drinking songs as contestants compete for Biggest Beer Belly and Miss Oktoberfest. Dedicated beer students can attend a seminar in the tasting theater to learn the facts about their favorite brews. Timonium Fairgrounds. Noon-6 p.m. Tickets, $15-$35. 800-830-3976, http://www.dasbestoktoberfest.com
Come join us Saturday October 16, 2010 for the 10th Anniversary Baltimore Running Festival. Register today at http://www.acsDetermiNation.org/Baltimore. For more information contact Eric Heydorn at 410-933-5130 or http://www.Eric.Heydorn@cancer.org .
Give your beer belly a rest and bring your best friend to BARCStoberfest, the ultimate fall celebration and fundraiser for people and their pets. Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter’s annual event is a fun-filled day for the whole family— especially the family pet— with food, entertainment, a silent auction and lots of animal activities, from costume contests to micro-chipping. And don’t miss the “Strut Your Mutt” walk through Patterson Park, which raises funds to support the more than 12,000 homeless animals that come to BARCS each year. Patterson Park. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. http://www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org
Join us for “An Evening of Celebrity Fashion and Fun” presented by Bob Davidson Ford Lincoln Mercury. This will not be your typical fashion show, but rather, a lively party that happens to have an incredible auction, great food, inspiring fashions and dancing. This years guests will be among the first to see Legg Mason’s incredible new headquarters, located in the tallest building in Maryland and featuring global design influences and a panoramic view of Baltimore’s Harbor. Models will include local and national celebrities in some of the hottest fashions of the season.The event will be held at Legg Mason Tower, 100 International Drive, Fourth Floor from 7:00pm to midnight. For more information or to buy tickets, please call 443-330-5370 or visit http://www.pathfindersforautism.org .
