I'm writing this column with a mild case of poison ivy. I'm pretty sure my backyard is out to get me. Also, someone clipped the back of my minivan (yes, I drive a minivan and I am unashamed about it) while it was parked across the street from my house, and knocked out my taillight without bothering to leave contact info. So I feel physically uncomfortable while I'm also in a pretty bad mood.
Fortunately, Saturday, June 18 is right around the corner and it's a big rock and roll night, so if anything's gonna pick me up, that will.
Celebrated Summer Records is celebrating 10 years as a record store with the Ten Years of Celebrated Summer Records Fanzine Release Party at Atomic Books (3620 Falls Road) from 7 to 9 p.m. Tony Pence will present a slideshow, a Q&A and generally act strange in front of a group of people. And he'll have a commemorative 40-page, full-color zine chronicling the history of his little record store that could.
But wait, that's not all. There's also a celebration for the infamous cult documentary "Heavy Metal Parking Lot." Back in 1986, filmmakers Jeff Krulik and John Heyn went out to a Judas Priest concert at the Capital Centre in Landover and documented the parking lot culture. Despite its 17-minute running time, it's become one of the most influential documentaries of all time. And now, the film is celebrating its 30th anniversary at Union Craft Brewing (1700 Union Ave.) from 7 to 11 p.m. Union's Heavy Metal Parking Lot limited-release beer will be available on draft. Earlier in the day, from 12 to 5 p.m., commemorative cans featuring the art of Alex Fine will be on sale. There will be a special outdoor screening of the film, alumni from the film will be in attendance, and live music will be provided by metal cover band Iron Priest, plus the Ottobar's Metal Monday DJs will be playing classic hair metal. And should you get hungry, there will be food pop-ups from Pork Lord Tacos and Headbangin' Hot Dogs. Tickets are available through Missiontix.com.
And, on Monday, June 20, you can get your burrito on for a good cause. As long as you present a flier (so I guess technically, it's sort of a coupon) to Chipotle (1040 W. 41st St.), between 1 and 6 p.m., the Hampden Family Center will get 50 percent of the proceeds. To get a coupon, stop by the Hampden Family Center (1104 W. 36th St.) or call 410-467-8710.
Then, on Tuesday, June 21, the Skatepark of Baltimore (Roosevelt Park, 1121 W. 36th St.) will celebrate National Go Skate Day by beginning the new phase of its development. From 3 to 8 p.m., there will be a ceremonial groundbreaking, a presentation and a number of speakers. Congratulations, Skatepark!
And if you are into bikes and beer, on Saturday, June 25, you'll want to head on down to Union Craft Brewing by 11 a.m. for Bikes and Beers Baltimore 2016. It's a 15-mile ride that highlights three of Baltimore's most renowned breweries: Union Craft, Heavy Seas and Peabody Heights. Participants start at Union, where they will sample beers, then head on to the other breweries, only to finish back at Union, where there will be live music and food trucks waiting. A portion of the proceeds go to Bikemore and Bike MD.
Finally, on Thursday, June 30, local author Justin Sirois will have a book release party for his newest book, "The Last Book of Baghdad," at Atomic Books from 7 to 9 p.m. This event will be a conversation among the author, his editor Haneed Alshujairy and Bret McCabe.