Three Hot Weekend tips
1. Street Beat Festival in Federal Hill Sunday
Live music by Bill Iuso & the Restless Natives, the Eva Castillo Trio, Can't Hang, Old Man Brown, the Kelly Bell Band, Lafayette Gilchrest, Kustom Blend and a slew of other bands. The free festival starts at 11 a.m.
2. MD Microbrewery Festival Saturday in Westminster
About ten local microbreweries -- Clipper City, DuClaw, Ellicott Mills and more -- will be on hand at this day-long festival. There will also be seminars, food and live music. $12 for designated drivers and $18 for drinkers.
3. Savory James/Squaaks CD release party at the Talking Head tomorrow
Indie rockers the Squaaks were supposed to release their new CD Rock Control at the ill-fated Lo-Fi re-opening a few weeks ago. Second time's the charm. Savory James also has a new album out. Doors at 8:30 p.m. $7.
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
