5. Buskers such as “Rawk,” the wolf-mask-wearing accordion player.
Also, obligatory gnomes and shrubs.

4. Jet, whose rhythm section is ideally suited to live performance.
Resistance was futile.

3. Merriweather’s laidback, natural vibe. Sorry, Pimlico.

2. St. Vincent creating her own arty world in the middle of Columbia.

1. It was free.

Other observations

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We love us some Swifty Swine Swimming Pigs at the Maryland State Fair {thanks, Maryland State Fair}

August kind of blows.

The days (and nights) are often sticky-hot. It’s the only month with no federal holiday (Congress, if you can’t work out health care reform, give this a shot). And Baltimore’s summer festival season is waning.

So the Maryland State Fair comes at just the right time. The 128th (!) year of the 11-day fair in Timonium will, as always, feature thousands of arts and agriculture exhibits, barnfuls of lively livestock and as much rides and food as your stomach can handle. Plus, Boyz II Men! Really!!

Check out our favorite fair attractions (swimming pigs!) — and a few guilty pleasures (cow milking!):

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Two out of how ever many Kardashians they are approve of “Take Miami” {thanks, E!}

1. ‘Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami’
Amid the “reality” world that spans from “The Hills” to “Bromance” to “Keeping Up with Kardashians” this new entry looks to be the most effective yet for obliterating your IQ. Premieres 10 p.m. Sunday, E! ANNE TALLENT, B

2. Ravens v. Redskins
The Ravens meet their beltway “rivals,” the Redskins, in the first exhibition game of the 2009. The starters, probably won’t be on the field for long, so spend too much time pregaming in the parking lot. 7 p.m. Thursday, M&T Bank Stadium and WBAL. MATT VENSEL, B

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Natasha Bowden dances at last year’s festival {thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

WHAT: The African American Heritage Festival

WHEN: 4-10 p.m. Friday; noon-10 p.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: M&T Bank Stadium, lots B and C

COST: $5 (children 12 and younger free)

EXPECTED CROWD: The festival typically attracts 500,000 people over the three days.

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NYC at night. Gotta love it {thanks, stock.xchng}

Whether you call it the Big Apple, NYC, the City That Never Sleeps or a moniker you’ve made up, it’s hard to deny that New York City is pretty freakin’ sweet.

This summer, why not try a day trip to the city? Let Melissa Sorger, a Brooklyn native and Towson graduate, be your guide for the best food, nightlife and free stuff New Yawk has to offer this season.

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Ashanti stars in an update of “The Wiz” this summer in NYC {thanks, AP}

ON AND OFF-BROADWAY: NEW THEATER FOR THE SUMMER

‘Things of Dry Hours’
previews now; opens Monday
Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs Naomi Wallace’s new play about a black Sunday-school teacher and a Communist Party leader in Depression-era Alabama. Santiago-Hudson, an August Wilson specialist, stars in the drama at New York Theatre Workshop, 79 W. Fourth St. $65. telecharge.com.

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Bruce Springsteen: rocking the summer music fest circuit {thanks, AP}

Impatiently awaiting news of whether Virgin Fest is returning to Pimlico — come on, we can handle it either way — we’ve decided to move on and look for other summer festivals to satiate our music jones.

And good news, there’s a lot out there. So whether you go local at Merriweather, hit up Tennessee for a wild Bonnaroo ride or splurge for a San Francisco treat, there’s something this summer for every kind of music lover — and budget.

STAY LOCAL

•••• Capital Jazz Fest capitaljazz.com
lowdown: Live contemporary jazz, soul music on two stages. Smooth.
when: Friday-Sunday
where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
damage: $39.50-$260
headliners: Chaka Kahn, Al Jarreau, George Duke, En Vogue
others not to miss: Angie Stone, Raheem DeVaughn
distractions: The Capital Jazz Challenge competition; arts and crafts at the festival marketplace; artist workshops

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Debonair Samir {Thanks Milkcrate}

I said I’m cool/like some ice cream
Wit them cherries on the top/cause them haters wont stop

Swizz Beatz
“I’m Cool”

Those four bars, along with that undeniable baseline from DJ Debonair Samir, will probably be the catalyst to get the party started at your favorite mid-summer barbecue. Hip-hop heavyweight Swizz Beatz is the latest mainstream constituent engaging in the new-found musical glory that Baltimore club music has become for pop music artists. But for Samir Singletary, there’s nothing new about the beats and rhythms that he has helped bring to the club music faction since he migrated to Baltimore City. Born in Newark, New Jersey and spending some of his formative years in New York City, Samir used the elements of hip-hop {rapping, dee-jaying, graffiti, break dancing, etc.} as the focal points for his creative direction. It wasn’t until he heard the infectious tones of European house music making its rounds in his hometown’s hottest clubs that he found his true calling as a club music maverick. Read the rest of this entry »

{thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

How well do you know Ocean City?

1. Which is not a hotel in Ocean City?
a. Castle in the Sand Hotel
b. Bonita Beach Hotel
c. Dunes Manor Hotel
d. Coconut Bayside Hotel
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{thanks, The Baltimore Sun}

Sophisticated travelers who zealously journey to exotic shores have discovered magnificent beaches nearby, on the Delaware shore. The beaches are ranked among the cleanest in the U.S., with soft, golden sand and heaping dunes.

Formerly deemed “the quiet resorts,” Delaware’s coastal towns — such as Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany — are revered today for chic shops, year-round eclectic dining scene and progressive music and arts vibe.

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