It's the holiday season, and the events dry spell we experienced is over.

First up is the Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore #12 Release Party at Cyclops Books tonight at 7. You can join Eight-Stone Press' William P. Tandy and a few of the 30 featured authors as they read their essays and share their Charm City insights, with musical accompaniment by Wild Bonerz. Need I say more?

There are a couple of great events tomorrow night. At 6 p.m., the BMA hosts A Cinematic Celebration of Poe, in collaboration with the Baltimore 48 Hour Film Project. Professional and amateur filmmakers will screen their 11 Poe-inspired short films at the Meyerhoff Auditorium. The best part? It's completely free.

And at 8 p.m., the Reginald F. Lewis Museum hosts Floetic Friday, where you can join the museum's youth volunteers, The Travelers, for an evening of poetry and music. The $8 open mic event ($6 for members) begins at 7:30 p.m., and features the Black Diamond Band and performer Jason Reynolds.

On Saturday afternoon, the Evergreen Museum and Library brings you Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," directed by Michael Carlton. The dramatic reading by Baltimore Shakespeare Festival actors uses the special performing edition Dickens himself used for his presentations. The event is free with museum admission, and you can make your required reservation by calling 410-516-0341.

For you writers out there, the Baltimore Free Writers at Constellation Books and Ukazoo's Creative Writing Group both meet on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 16th this month. So head on down to either store to get your write on in a creative, supportive environment.

And there are many more events on the Read Street calendar. Check it out, and go have some bookish fun!