The Post-Labor-Day Blues

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September 3, 1:48 AM

by Mark Burlet, Baltimore Drink Examiner

 

 

A nice, summer memory for Flat Stanley.

Anyway, my point is that those people are bitches.

My other point is that I've never really understood the whole "end of summer" lamentation. Yes, I enjoy the beach and cookouts and baseball and outdoor drinking that goes along with the season, but Labor Day is NOT the end of the world, people! Think about it! There are so many things to look forward to in the coming months... and I'm not just talking about football season (although that is a huge plus in my book). We have Oktoberfest and all the amber-colored beers that accompany the fall drinking season. There may also be the impending return of your favorite TV show (Heroes, in my case). And some may even welcome a bit of a dip in temperature... perhaps a few days in the 70's and nights in the 50's will be a welcome respite from the summer swelter.

Before you start... yes, I know it's been nice up here the past few weeks, but I wouldn't get too used to it, what with the rains on their way... which brings me to the next topic in which we may all rejoice: the end of hurricane season! Even with the relatively mild (compared to 3 years ago) passage of Gustav through Louisiana these last few days, it was not without stress and panic for friends and family and millions of others. And now, we have three more storms on the horizon, with little (once and future) Hurricane Hanna due to make her way up the east coast in time for the weekend. It's likely that none of these will be another Katrina, but I know we'll all breath a sigh of relief when they disappear until next summer, at the very least. I'm counting down the days to November!

So don't discount the end of summer as a totally negative thing... that's all I'm saying here! However... if you still need proof, here are just a few events happening in the upcoming days to let you know that the fun is not over. So keep your pants on... or shorts if the weather permits... and keep on drinking with me!

WTMD's First Thursday Concert
Mt. Vernon Park - Thursday, Sep. 4th - 5:30pm
Yes, these are still going on! Catch a free show featuring classic storytellers Jeb Loy Nichols and Ben Taylor by the monument in Mt. Vernon for some nice afternoon tunes, a brew or two from the Brewer's Art and a nice, dog-friendly crowd. Get there while they're still happening!

Ukrainian Festival
Patterson Park - Saturday and Sunday, Sep. 6th and 7th - 12:30 to 9pm
Join the Ukrainian peoples (yes, I said "peoples"... sue me) this weekend for some rollicking music, hot pierogis and the finest in Ukrainian beer (whatever that is). Food and folk dancing are great, but what better way to find culture than through booze? Admission is FREE!

Maryland Renaissance Festival
Crownsville - Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 19th - 10am to 7pm
Knights and ladies and the official sport of Maryland... jousting! What's not to like? Channel your inner geek, or just your inner love of meats on sticks, and enjoy the 25 acres of revelry. Hell, just shooting a freakin' crossbow or throwing an axe is enough for me. $17 is a great deal, but bring cash for foodstuffs. They ain't so cheap.

Boordy Vineyards Summer Concert Series
Hydes - Saturday, Sep. 6th - 5:45 to 9:30pm
This is the last "summer" concert of the year at Boordy. Swing on down with the music of the T-Birds... strangely enough, playing tunes from the 50's and 60's. And get ready to dance... the lessons start at 6:30, so you have no excuse!  Doors open at 5:45 if you need a head start on your wine for some liquid courage. $17 at the gate.

DuClaw Real Ale Festival
Bel Air - Saturday, Sep. 6th - 12noon to 4pm
The original DuClaw hosts a sort of Maryland version of the Great American Beer Fest... and I can't find any reason to complain. For $45, you get live music, plus all you can eat and drink from some of the best breweries in the region: Clipper City, Brewer's Art, Flying Dog, and of course, DuClaw. Not to mention some very pub-specific brews from the likes of Red Brick Station and Pub Dog (in Fed Hill). If only I could take a cab home from Bel Air...

Well, that's really all the time I have... and this is just what's happening this weekend! But as always, I'll throw one extra little curveball that might not "fit" with the Drink Examiner title.  For the next two weekends, the Theatre Project in Mt. Vernon is putting on a show called "What's a Little Death" that I will be checking out in the near future (Sep 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 at 8pm and Sep 7 & 14 at 2pm). Why don't you give it a shot and help support local theatre in Baltimore?

Hell, you can always buy me a drink afterwards.

Keep it in mind.  I'm thirsty.

Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual

p.s.: Sorry, but I want to get serious for a moment. I know this is not a soapbox, and I will not use it to plug any specific charity, but please... if you have the means... donate a few bucks to help the hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. My friends and family may be able to pull through, but there are many others for which simply evacuating has strained them to their limits. If you can't give yourself, feel free to pass this message on to someone who can.
In addition, I know many of you reading this are from the region affected by Gustav, so I wish you all the best. Let me know if you need anything and I'll be sure to help out if I can! Take care...

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