'Spice It Up' at Clayworks
There'll be a hot time in the old town. Baltimore Clayworks is sponsoring "Spice It Up!" an evening of street dancing and international food tomorrow from 7 p.m. to midnight. The benefit event for the nonprofit ceramic art center in Mount Washington (5707 Smith Ave.) will feature Mama Jama, a rhythmic world-
beat band, and all-you-can-eat spicy and mild cuisine prepared by local restaurateurs and artists. The evening also includes Clayworks' Seconds Sale, where you can buy handmade pottery and sculpture at reduced prices. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $12 for children ages 12 and younger. Call 410-578-1919.
Alanis Morissette at Merriweather
At 8 p.m. tomorrow, Alanis Morissette, former pop princess of Ottawa, Canada, brings her off-kilter, worldly-wise sensibility to the Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Morissette is touring in support of her first studio album in four years, Under Rug Swept, which debuted in February at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Tickets cost $29.50-$39.50. Call 410-481-SEAT or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Italian, Filipino festivals
Baltimore will celebrate two of its most vibrant cultural heritages -- Italian and Filipino -- at separate, free festivals this weekend. The Italian festival will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday on the streets surrounding St. Leo's Catholic Church, 227 S. Exeter St. in Little Italy. There will be a ravioli pasta dinner, cash bingo, a bocce tournament, a procession and Sunday-morning mass. Call 410-675-7275 for more festival information; call 410-685-7013 for more information on the bocce tournament. The Filipino Festival runs from noon to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Towson Courthouse Plaza, at Bosley Avenue between Pennsylvania and Chesapeake avenues. The event will feature folk dances and traditional songs, crafts, delicacies and a Sunday mass. Call 410-584-7339.
Home and garden tour
If you loved the 1911 classic children's book A Secret Garden, you won't want to miss the eighth annual home and garden tour in Reservoir Hill. Explore 12 homes and 32 "secret" gardens in a Victorian setting. (Most are walled off from public view.) Visitors also can enjoy musical performances and an art exhibit, and browse for garden gifts. Self-guided tours costing $8 are available between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday; guided tours costing $10 will be conducted from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. (Call for reservations for the guided tour; space is limited.) Tickets can be bought on the tour dates at the corner of Park Avenue and Reservoir Street. Call 410-383-8535 or 410-728-1893.
Fire-breathing fun !
Boomers had Puff, who lived by the sea. Their children have Cassie, Ord and Zak & Wheezie, all residents of Dragon Land. PBS' Dragon Tales, the top-rated television show for preschoolers, is coming to the Baltimore Arena for eight performances starting today. The live show, called Missing Music Mystery, has sing-along music, special effects and, of course, flying dragons. Performances are 7 tonight; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. tomorrow; 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $12, $18 and $24. Call 410-481-SEAT or visit www.ticket master.com.
Calling all Hons
Lycra alert -- it's time, once again, for Baltimore's annual Hon Fest. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, try your luck in the Bawlmerese Contest. (It would help to know the difference between arful, harble and turble.) Enjoy the Summer Fun Fashion Show featuring the latest funky creations from Oh! Said Rose. Tease your hair up high for the Best Hon contest and a chance to win fabulous prizes (a total of $500 for the lucky winner and runners-up). Get yourself a Hon makeover. Enjoy live music, a screen-painting demonstration, kids' games, food and drinks. All events take place in the big tent behind Cafe Hon, 1002 W. 36th St. Call 410-243-1230.
Fiddle dee dee
Think of it as dueling fiddles. There will be more than 10 hours of competitive music from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Fiddlers' Convention at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Prizes will be awarded in categories ranging from bluegrass to mandolin. Contestants may register beginning at 8:30 a.m.
In addition to the music, the farmhouse will be open for guided tours, the general store will be stocked with candy and souvenirs, and there will be such food treats for sale as fried chicken, Polish sausage and ice cream. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $2 for children ages 7 to 18 who are accompanied by an adult. (Unaccompanied children will be charged the adult price.) Children ages 6 and younger admitted free. Call 410-848-7775 or 410-876-2667.
