Worth the Trip to America’s largest free arts festival returns to Baltimore to showcase local art, theater, opera, fashion, film and American music. Performers step on to four stages:
• The Wachovia Stage, featuring nationally known artists — Maysa and Musiq Soulchild (July 16); Cold War Kids (July 17); and Gov’t Mule and Rebelution (July 18);
• The Festival Stage, featuring regional bands — Higher Hands, Mambo Combo and Fools & Horses;
• The Charm City Stage, featuring local groups — Word Smith, Analog Anthem and Corrin Campbell and the Election;
• The Urbanite Street Stage featuring blues groups — Jump Street, Michael Raitzyk Trio and Eric Kennedy Quartet.
Explore the festival’s BetaScape, a three-day series of artistic demonstrations, exhibits, workshops and events that focus on the cutting edge of art technology. Find a laugh at LOL@Artscape, where regional comedians take turns raking in laughs, July 17 (8-10pm).
Stroll the Midway III to browse local sculpture, performance arts, art cars and an alternative carnival. Fall into step at Dance Artscape and learn a wide variety of dance styles. Families find hands-on projects and workshops teaching basic art techniques at the Target Family Art Park. Screen short films from the Maryland Film Festival at the Charles Theatre. Browse arts to buy, hear vocalists compete in the Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald vocal competitions and see large exhibits of public art.
noon-10pm FSa; noon-8pm Su at 1200 block of Mt. Royal Ave. & 600 block of Charles St., Baltimore. free: 877-BALTIMORE; http://www.artscape.org/.
