John Mellencamp
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, one of rock’s hardest working (and most commercially successful) troubadours, kicks off the third week of his “John Mellencamp Show” tour Feb. 20 at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Expect “Jack & Diane,” “Pink Houses” and all the classics. 8 p.m. $38-$308.02. modell-lyric.com.
American Craft Show
For 43 years, crafters from all over the U.S. have been flocking to this flagship show of the American Craft Council, competing for prizes and showing off all the amazing things they can make. More than 550 exhibitors are expected, offering such handmade items as jewelry, clothing, home decor and more. You know you’ll find something you’ve got to have. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. $14-$16 daily, $34-$36 for the whole weekend. craftcouncil.org.
‘Madea’s Farewell Play’
Tyler Perry says he’ll be retiring his sass-talking grandma after this final tour (and the March 1 release of one last movie, “A Madea Family Funeral”), so if you’re among the millions of Madea fans out there, you know where you need to be the night of Feb. 22. Showtime is 8 p.m. at Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. $53-$133. royalfarmsarena.com.
Pinewood Derby
A pitched battle between handmade race cars, none heavier than five ounces, nor longer than seven inches. Expect a spirited race, with competition in categories of both speed and style. Winners get their name on the Union Trophy, plus gift cards, T-shirts and pats on the back (awww!). Noon-5 p.m. Feb. 17 at Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W. 41st St., Suite 420. $5 to watch, $10 to race. unioncraftbrewing.com.
Elgar Cello Concerto
Cellist and Tchaikovsky International Competition winner Narek Hakhnazaryan joins the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Edward Elgar’s “elegiac” concerto. Also on the bill: works by Debussy and Prokofiev. 8 p.m. Feb 21 at the Meyerhoff, 1212 Cathedral St. ($25-$80), plus 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda ($35-$90). In addition, “Off the Cuff” presentations on the concerto, offering more background and including a Q&A, are set for 8:15 p.m. Feb. 22 at Strathmore ($35-$90) and 7 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Meyerhoff ($25-$80). bsomusic.org.
Charm City Django Jazz Fest
One of Baltimore’s best times, a two-day celebration of the legacy of the great jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, teeming with “blazing guitar runs, accordion virtuosity, clarinet insanity, and jazz heat.” Includes lectures, performances (from Ultrafaux, 15-year-old gypsy jazz guitarist Samuel Farthing, Giacomo Smith and Evan Price and others) and workshops. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Feb. 22 and 23; tickets are $25-$31 per night, $45 for both nights. A schedule of lectures and workshops begins at 3 p.m. Feb. 23; some are free, some are $35-$40. It all takes place at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. in Highlandtown. creativealliance.org.
‘The King and I’
Rodgers & Hammerstein at their best, in this musical tale of a stubborn Siamese king who nevertheless wants to engage with the modern world, and the headstrong English schoolteacher who encourages, enrages and enchants him. You know the songs: “Shall We Dance?” “Getting to Know You,” “Something Wonderful.” 8 p.m. Feb. 19-23, 2 p.m. Feb. 23, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Feb 24 at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center at the Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St. $84-$199. france-merrickpac.com.
‘Hamlet’
The Bard’s famously melancholy Dane, in an adaptation from The Organic Theatre designed to show that “the ideas written by Shakespeare’s pen are just as valid in 2019 as they were in the 1500s.” True that. 3 p.m. Feb. 17 and 24, 7 p.m. Feb. 21-23 at Motor House Baltimore, 120 W. North Ave. $10. motorhousebaltimore.com.
‘My Fair Lady’
Highbrow Prof. Henry Higgins tries to give culture and proper enunciation to Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle in this delightful film adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe musical. Won a ton of Oscars in 1965, including Best Picture and Best Actor (to Rex Harrison, as Prof. Higgins). With Audrey Hepburn as Eliza, in a part that perhaps should have gone to Julie Andrews (who originated the role onstage), though Hepburn is marvelous. They don’t make ’em like this anymore. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 17 and 20 at area theaters, including the Towson Mall 15, 111 E. Joppa Road; AMC Owings Mills 17, 10100 Mill Run Circle; AMC Columbia Mall 14, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway; and Egyptian 24, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover. fathomevents.com.
Marcus Dagan: ‘Songs by Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Me’
The longtime Baltimorean performs songs from two of the greats, with some of his own mixed in. 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Cabaret at Germano’s, 300 S. High St. $15. germanospiattini.com.
