Freeze your butt off
Polar Bear Plunge
Sandy Point State Park // 1100 E. College Parkway // Annapolis // 8 am // Saturday
Running into a near-freezing Chesapeake
Bay isn’t exactly our idea of a fun Saturday morning, but for tens of thousands of do-gooders — at least once a year — it is. Watch a bunch of crazy Baltimoreans who aren’t afraid of a little cold water raise money for Special Olympics Maryland. Rather stay dry and warm? There will be tailgating, contests, food, drinks, vendors and live music to distract you all day. A minimum of $50 in pledges is required to participate. // plungemd.com

Local music at its best
Aural States Fest II
Sonar // 407 E. Saratoga St. // Downtown //
6 pm // Saturday
Could this be the last Aural States Fest? If what Baltimore-based music blog auralstates.com says is true, the indie music crew won’t be in Charm City much longer. Do the smart thing and catch one of the best roundups of local music while you can. Pontiak, Leprachaun Catering, Thrushes and Caleb Stine all perform. // $15-$20 // sonarbaltimore.com

Who are you?
Alphabet Soup: LGBTQQIIAA and Sometimes Y
Creative Alliance // 3134 Eastern Ave. // Highlandtown // 7 pm cocktails, 8 pm show // Friday-Saturday
Identity, schmidentity. Charm City Kitty Club looks into what makes us … well … us in a night of gender-bending entertainment. Charm City Boys perform along with a dance by Masha Balovlenkov dance company, super Hula-Hooping by Michelle Clark and music by SONiA and Disappear Fear. You’ll leave either enlightened or even more confused. // $12 general, $10 members // creativealliance.org MARISSA GALLO, B
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thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN

beehives, baltimore and beauties
“HAIRSPRAY”
Lyric Opera House // 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. // Mount Royal// 8 pm Friday-Saturday // 2 pm Saturday
It’s John Waters’ Baltimore-based movie that became a musical … that became a movie musical … that’s back on stage! If only all “well-fed” Charm City teens could tear down stereotypes in the face of adversity and shed light on racism. Way to go, Tracy Turnblad! // $45-$65. //
ticketmaster.com

return of the hair band
FRONTIERS: “THE WORLD’S GREATEST JOURNEY TRIBUTE”
Rams Head Live! // 20 Market Place // Harbor // 8 pm doors // Saturday
’80s band Journey is a little lame and cheesetastic, we admit, but their songs are so damn catchy who really cares? Admit it, you loved it when the cast of “Glee” sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” and probably tear up when “Open Arms” plays on the radio. It’s OK, we won’t tell. // $10-$12. // tickets.ramsheadlive.com

delicious delights
KRAUTFEST
Gertrude’s // 10 Art Museum Drive // Charles Village// 6-9 pm // Friday- Saturday
Now you won’t have to wait until Oktoberfest to fill all of your sauerkraut needs. Bring an empty stomach — and some breath mints — to this annual celebration of the cabbage dish. We’re all for bratwurst, stuffed cabbage rolls and kraut corn dogs, but will likely stay away from the krauty Berger cookie cheesecake … whatever that is. Polka band Joy of Maryland performs. // $30 in advance, $35 at the door. ticket prices // johnshields.com Marissa Gallo, b
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thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN

in the clouds
Holiday Heap
Saint John’s United Methodist Church // 260 St. Paul St. // Charles Village // 10 am-5 pm // Saturday

Merry Mart
Creative Alliance // 3134 Eastern Ave. // Highlandtown // 11 am-5 pm // Sunday
creativealliance.org
With the bevy of holiday shopping opportunities thrown at us, it was hard to choose just one. Good thing there are two days in the weekend. Mosey on over to Charles Village for Charm City Craft Mafia’s annual Holiday Heap to get your indie craft on. The hipster in your life will thank you. Then, on Sunday, sneak a peek at Creative Alliance’s Merry Mart. There’s no way you’d be able to find this assortment of unique gifts at the mall. Plus, it has what every day of shopping needs: a bar. // charmcitycraftmafia.com

Feeling the heat
48 HOUR FILM PROJECT
Baltimore Museum of Art // 10 Art Museum Drive // Charles Village // 6 pm galleries open, 8 pm film screening (through Dec. 11) // Friday
Making a movie can take years and millions of dollars. Or, if you’re one of the masochistic minds behind the 48 Hour Film Project, it takes two sleepless nights and a lot of willing friends. Watch what these filmmakers have come up with when given the challenge of creating an Edgar Allan Poe-themed movie. // free // artbma.org

the angels are blushing
THE NIGHT OF 100 ELVISES
Lithuanian Hall // 851-853 Hollins St. // Southwest Baltimore // 6 pm doors // Friday
Maybe Elvis really isn’t dead. Try not to get all shook up when you’re surrounded by a hundred Elvises (Elvii?). There will be more rock ’n’ roll and free drinks than you can swivel your hips at. Saturday’s event is sold out, so act fast before Friday’s tickets are all gone. // $55 in advance // nightof100elvises.com MARISSA GALLO, B
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Weekend events to match every mood

In the clouds:
MATISYAHU
SONAR // 407 E. Saratoga St. // Downtown // 7 pm // Saturday
One of the most unique artists to come on the music scene, the Hasidic Jew mixes spiritual lyrics with a reggae and hip-hop sound that appeals to all. You can’t deny he has a rockin’ beard, too. Now that’s a good combination. // $26 in advance, $28 at the door // sonarbaltimore.com

Feeling the heat:
JIM GAFFIGAN
Lyric Opera House // 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. // Mount Royal // 8 and 10:30 pm // Friday
Can jokes about Hot Pockets really be funny enough to listen to for a few hours? When it’s Jim Gaffigan telling them, definitely. See for yourself when the extraordinarily pale comedian takes the stage. // $33.75-$40.75 // ticketmaster.com

The angels are blushing:
CHESAPEAKE OYSTER AND BEER FESTIVAL
Timonium Fairgrounds // 2200 York Road // Timonium // 6-10 pm // Friday
Oysters — good. Beer — very good. Mix the two in an all-you-can-eat-and-drink extravaganza — you won’t want to move on Saturday. Take breaks between the thousands of oysters and 20 kinds of beer with live music and exhibitors. // $55 // beerandoyster.com MARISSA GALLO, B
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Larry and Jerry have a sure-to-be-cringeworthy talk {thanks, HBO}

SUPER DAVE’s SPIKE-TACULAR
11-11:30 pm saturday SPIKE
Super Dave is trying to break a speed record in a Mini Cooper. On a track rigged with explosives.

WORLD WAR II IN HD
9-11 pm sunday HISTORY
A 10-part history, in case you’ve wanted to see more battles — but clearer.

curb your enthusiasm
10-10:45 pm sunday HBO
In the season’s penultimate episode, finally a “Seinfeld” reunion table read. ’Bout time.

thanks, ap

IN THE CLOUDS:

BARRY LEVINSON, DAVID SIMON AND JOHN WATERS
Maryland Institute College of Art
1300 Mount Royal Ave., Mount Royal // 5:30 pm for all-access pass holders, 7 pm doors for conversation and auction-only ticket holders // Saturday
Not one, but three of Baltimore’s film and TV directors come together for a talk about the industry and what it’s like filming in their home state. Our movie-loving hearts just skipped a beat. The event is moderated by film critic Elvis Mitchell and raises funds for the Maryland Film Festival. // $125 and $250 // 410.752.8083

FEELING THE HEAT:

MT6FEST
The Hexagon // 1825 N. Charles St., Station North // 4:30 pm // Saturday
Alex Strama, owner of local record label MT6 Records, loves music. Strama loves music so much that he’s spreading the love to Baltimoreans with a showcase of 22 bands from the label. Wait, it gets better: The two-stage, all-night extravaganza is just $5. It’s feels like Christmas has come early. // hexagonspace.com

THE ANGELS ARE BLUSHING:

Maryland Irish Festival
Timonium Fairgrounds // 2200 York Road, Timonium // 6-11 pm Friday, Noon-11 pm Saturday and Noon-6 pm Sunday
You don’t have to wait until St. Patrick’s Day to unleash your inner-Irishlad (or lass) and down a few pints of Guinness. Celebrate the Emerald Isle with international and local music and dance, workshops, cultural exhibits and vendors. Oh yeah, and tons of beer. It is the Irish Festival, after all. // $5-$10 // irishfestival.com MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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If you’re feeling angelic …

fri
CLAYFEST! 2009
BALTIMORE CLAYWORKS
5707 Smith Ave., Mount Washington
Noon-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s always enjoyable doing our own version of that scene in “Ghost.” Sexy, muddy encounters aside, ClayFest! will have art, food, live music and hands-on (heh, dirty) activities. All the proceeds support Baltimore Clayworks’ educational, artistic and collaborative programs. | Free | baltimoreclayworks.org

sat
BARCSTOBERFEST
PATTERSON PARK
Corner of Eastern and Linwood avenues
11 a.m.-4 p.m., Strut Your Mutt at noon. We’re a sucker for a cute face, wet nose and wagging tail. How can you resist a whole day of adorable dogs and supporting the Baltimore Animal Shelter? Proud dog owners participate in the Strut Your Mutt Walk — in its fifth year — while raising awareness and money for the 12,000 animals BARCS takes in each year. There will also be a silent auction, pet costume contests (cute!), local artists, vendors and pets up for adoption. | Free, $40 to participate in Strut Your Mutt. | baltimoreanimalshelter.org MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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thanks, AP

If you’re feeling angelic …

fri
BSO PRESENTS HOLLYWOOD: THE EPICS
JOSEPH MEYERHOFF SYMPHONY HALL
1212 Cathedral St., Mount Vernon
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. It’s like going to the movies, but classier … and more expensive … and with less popcorn. Hear classic songs from the silver screen from cinematic giants such as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Ben-Hur,” “Star Wars,” “Gone with the Wind” and “Titanic.” It’s OK if you tear up thinking about Rose letting Jack go into the water. We know we will. | $26-$70 | bsomusic.org

sat
STOMPIN’ FOR THE CORD
BOORDY VINEYARDS
12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes
4-8 p.m. You had us at wine and barbecue. If a night filled with charcoaled goodness, wine tastings and bluegrass music wasn’t reason enough to go to the vineyard, proceeds go to rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury and paralysis. Way to go, Boordy. In its second year, the event will have silent and live auctions, a money wheel and a 50/50 drawing. | $150 | spinalcordrecovery.org marissa richardson, b
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Will you see Poe this weekend? {thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN}

If you’re feeling angelic this weekend …

fri
EXHIBIT PREVIEW PARTY
AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM
800 Key Highway, Federal Hill
7 p.m. AVAM changes exhibits only once a year, and when it does, it does it with a bang. The offbeat museum celebrates the opening of “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness,” which features works by Saddam Hussein’s doctor, Guantanamo Bay detainees and the Shrinky Dinks of the last surviving descendant of the Russian Tsars. Cool, huh? In addition to art and the best gift shop we’ve ever been to, there will be music, drinks and light fare. | $20, members free | avam.org

fri-sun
‘POE IN PERSON’
BALTIMORE THEATRE PROJECT
45 W. Preston St., Mount Vernon
8 p.m. It feels more than appropriate to usher in October with the works of one of the most beloved — and creepiest — writers Edgar Allan Poe. David Keltz takes on the work and persona — minus the opium and booze — of Poe in his one-man show. | $10-$20 | nevermore2009.com MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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Yay, books! {thanks, THE BALTIMORE SUN}

If you’re feeling angelic this weekend …

fri
BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL
Mount Vernon Place
600 block of N. Charles St., Mount Vernon
Noon-8 p.m. (through Sunday). To us, fall means pumpkins, apple cider and the Baltimore Book Festival. Used books galore, a stage dedicated to food lit and author readings (what? Buzz Aldrin?), this three-day fest has enough literary geekiness to get us through until next year. There’s even an after-party Saturday, 8-10 p.m., for $20. Free. | baltimorebookfestival.com

SPX-PLOSION 2
ATOMIC BOOKS
3620 Falls Road, Hampden
7 p.m. Head to the kickoff party for this year’s Small Press Expo in Bethesda with new releases by Emily Flake, Julia Wurtz, Peter Kuper and Diario De Oaxaca. Stay for the 4th Annual Nerdlinger Awards. It’s not every day someone can win a beer bottle award and accept it to their own theme song. Now that’s an awards ceremony. Free. | atomicbooks.com MARISSA RICHARDSON, B
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