Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.
EAT
Dec. 26: St. Stephen's Day at Slainte
Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1700 Thames St. 7 a.m.–close. 410-563-6600. slaintepub.com.
Take a hint from the Irish on this one and celebrate good ole St. Stephen on the day after Christmas. Raise a glass to making it through the holidays, sending off your in-laws, and celebrating upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities. At this Fells Point pub, do it all while watching Premiere League soccer matches with piping hot plates of classic Irish breakfasts like bangers and mash. When the sun goes down, blow off some steam with local Irish rock band The New Brigade.
DRINK
Dec. 24: Yippie-Ki-Yay at Rye
Rye, 807 S. Broadway. 7 p.m. 443-438-3296. ryebaltimore.com.
If you’ve outgrown drinking milk and watching the Grinch steal Christmas, throw back some whiskey at Rye in Fells Point during a special screening of the 1980s classic Die Hard. Whether it’s Cindy Lou Who or Bruce Willis who saves the day, you’ll enjoy feeling warm and fuzzy with Doug Atwell’s potent spirits. Come before 9 p.m. for some pre-screening eggnog, where ugly sweaters strongly encouraged, and you might be greeted at the door with a “Welcome to the party, pal!
SEE
Dec. 26: Casablanca at The Charles
The Charles, 1711 N. Charles St. 11:30 a.m. $7.50. 410-727-3463. thecharles.com.
As part of the Charles weekly revival series, see this iconic 1942 film in all its 35-mm glory. Travel back in time to the dawn of World War II and find yourself face-to-face with the glitz and glamor of gamblers in Morocco as they risk more than just their chips. Schemes, scandals, and steamy secrets will keep you on the edge of your plush theater seat, so spend the day after Christmas in a world of close calls and clandestine courtship. Maybe you’ll even be inspired to revisit some old flames of your own in the coming year.
HEAR
Dec. 26: Can't Hang
The 8x10, 10 E. Cross St. 8 p.m. $10. 410-625-2000. the8x10.com.
Does anyone else remember Can’t Hang’s song “Uptown” from the early 2000s? We heartily do, listening to it on a mixed CD in our first car. But this weekend, the jam band is back, bringing its surf guitar riffs, island rhythms, sunny vocals, and all around good vibes to Federal Hill for one night only. The four Towsonites started rocking in 1999 before making waves on college campuses up and down the East Coast. Part reggae, part punk, the band’s catchy tunes will help get those Christmas carols out of your head.
DO
Dec. 27: Kwanzaa Celebration at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 1–5 p.m. $5. 443-263-1800. lewismuseum.org.
Whatever your religion, spend your Sunday learning about and celebrating Kwanzaa, the weeklong holiday honoring African heritage and culture. See exhibitions of African fashion, dance, art, and music, featuring an African drum call. Gather round for storytelling, get crafty in a bookmaking workshop, and listen up to lecturer Dr. Jeffry Menzise as he connects current events to the Kwanzaa principle of self-determination. Everyone will learn something new at this educational and cultural celebration, culminating in a Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony.
