THURSDAY
'Preserving Treasures' In honor of Preservation Month, the Enoch Pratt Free Library's preservation department displays an array of techniques the library uses and the average person can use to preserve books, photos, CDs, DVDs and other items. The exhibit, Simple Measures: Preserving Treasures, will be up through Aug. 22. The library is at 400 Cathedral St. Call 410-396-5430 or go to prattlibrary.org.
Wine tasting Savor a variety of local wines, enjoy an array of foods and hear live music at the eighth annual Federal Hill South Wine Tasting, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway. Tickets are $30 and include appetizers, entrees, dessert, six wine samplings, AVAM admission and a glass to take home. Call 410-244-1900.
'So You Think You Can Dance' It's back. Mary Murphy and company return in search of America's favorite dancer. Idol may be the ratings champ, but few reality shows are as fun or freaky. Airs 8 p.m. Thursday on WBFF, Channel 45.
Sculpture show Catch the new exhibit A Sculpture Show With Works on Paper, which opens with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at C. Grimaldis Gallery, 523 N. Charles St. The show, featuring works by Chul-Hyun Ahn, Jon Isherwood, Jane Manus, John Ruppert, Annette Sauermann, Richard Serra, John Van Alstine and Costas Varotsos, runs through June 27. Call 410-539-1080 or go to cgrimaldisgallery.com.
Comedy show Comedian Kareem Green, who's appeared on Showtime at the Apollo as well as BET's ComicView, brings his stand-up schtick to the Baltimore Comedy Factory, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $17. Call 410-547-7798 or go to baltimorecomedy.com.
Dock at Port Discovery It's "Thrifty Thursday" at the kids' museum, so if you haven't checked out the new exhibit Chagall for Children, with its 14 reproductions of the artist's works, now is the time. Admission is $6 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the museum, 35 Market Place. Call 410-727-8120 or go to portdiscovery.org.
FRIDAY
Living history African-American author and activist W.E.B. Du Bois will come alive Friday thanks to actor and motivational speaker Bill Grimmette. Fully costumed in Du Bois' style of attire, Grimmette will act as a proxy, leading a discussion on the activist's life at the Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St. Grimmette's rendition of Du Bois will cater to high school students in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. The Maryland Humanities Council is host for the event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Admission is free. Call 410-685-3750, Ext. 354 or go to www.mdhs.org.
'Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian' A sequel to 2006's Night at the Museum, the new adventure comedy takes place at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. Ben Stiller stars as a museum security guard who must rescue stored exhibit pieces (that have come alive) from other "living" pieces. Yes, it could be quite the melee.
'Wittenberg' Baltimore Shakespeare Festival is branching out from the Bard. But don't fret; Hamlet is still involved. The play rethinks the prince's education with professors John Faustus and Martin Luther. Opens 8 p.m. Friday at St. Mary's Outreach Center, 3900 Roland Ave. Tickets are $15-$25. Call 410-366-8596 or go to baltimoreshakespeare.org.
Larry the comedian Listen to Larry the Cable Guy, the man in the plaid vest, as he recounts everyday life from the perspective of a freewheeling Southerner. As a member of the "Blue Collar" comedy group, Larry is a veteran of stand-up comedy, celebrated for his inimitable catchphrases and family anecdotes. Join the former "funniest bellhop at the Ramada Inn" at 8 p.m. Friday at the 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. Tickets are $46.75. Call 410-347-2020 or go to www.baltimorearena.com.
Grown-up puppet show Experience Nana Projects' creative approach to theater with Alonzo's Lullaby. The play, which was inspired by the 1918 Hagenback-Wallace circus train wreck, incorporates shadow puppetry and live music by Ellen Cherry to invigorate its audience. While puppets are involved, the show is for mature audiences, and premieres at 8 p.m. Friday at Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue. Admission is $15, $12 for members. Call 410-276-1651 or go to creativealliance.org.
Balticon Re-watch Star Trek to prepare yourself for Maryland's big science-fiction convention - Balticon 43 - taking place Friday through Monday in Hunt Valley. Guests include Charles Stross, Kurt Miller, Mary Crowell, Mark L. Van Name and the late Edgar Allan Poe as the "Ghost of Honor." Readings, discussions, workshops and games will entertain thousands of fans, authors, publishers, artists and musicians. Balticon takes place at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley. Admission is $60 at the door for nonmembers, $30 for members. Call 410-563-2737 or go to balticon.org.
SATURDAY
