Free Fun in Baltimore

Washington is known for its plethora of free events, but beginning this weekend and running through October, Baltimore might just have the District beat.

First, the city is hosting its annual Baltimore Book Festival today through Sunday. More than 200 authors, including Walter Mosley, Omar Tyree and Avi, will be in Charm City to talk about their books. There will be food demonstrations, kids activities and the Radical Bookfair Pavilion, showcasing independent titles.

And to prove that this is not your mother's book fair, there will be plenty of weird and wacky titles, including Michael Ian Black's "My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face" and Jill Conner Browne's "The Sweet Potato Queens' Guide to Raising Children for Fun and Profit."

Baltimore Book Festival Today from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mount Vernon Place at the 600 block of North Charles Street. 410-752-8632 or http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com.

Free Fall Baltimore

After the book festival comes Free Fall Baltimore: Thirty-one days of free events across the city. Mark your calendars for the following highlights and best deals, and check out more offerings at http://www.freefallbaltimore.com:

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Free on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Have close encounters with more than 1,500 birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Druid Hill Park. 410-396-7102 or http://www.marylandzoo.org.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Open Rehearsal Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Watch the BSO and vocalist Michael Cavanaugh from Broadway's "Movin' Out" practice for their next concert, "The Music of Billy Joel." Tickets must be reserved online. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. 410-783-8159 or http://www.bsomusic.org.

The Village Learning Place "Sound Off!" Oct. 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Experience hip-hop culture through various activities for teens and families. Show off your talents in the open-mike session and see special guest performances. 2521 St. Paul St. 410-235-2210.

Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum Free on Fridays in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out where the Great Bambino was born. 216 Emory Pl. 410-727-1539 or http://www.baberuthmuseum.com.

Baltimore Public Works Museum's "Heavy Metal: Big Truck Day" Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow the "Big Truck Trail" map, stopping at each of the 22 vehicles. Look for mounted police, a helicopter, fire engine and more. Eastern Avenue at President Street. 410-396-5565 or http://www.baltimorepublicworksmuseum.org.

Baltimore Museum of Art's Shriver Hall Concert Series Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. Singer Lura presents the music of women from the remote interior of Cape Verde that is infused with jazz and Brazilian influences. Come early to view African art in the museum's permanent collection and stay late for a question-and-answer session with the artist. 10 Art Museum Dr. Reservations required. 410-516-7164 or http://www.shriverconcerts.org.

Hot Glass Center Glassblowing Workshops Sundays in October from 1 to 5 p.m. Learn how glassblowing works, then create your own small piece of glass. Advance registration required. McFadden Art Glass Glassblowing Studio/Art Gallery, 6800 Eastern Ave. 410-631-6039 or http://www.mcfaddenartglass.com.

Fells Point Corner Theatre, "East Side West Side Stories: Oral History Project" Oct. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. Baltimore seniors tell their stories. 251 S. Ann St. 410-276-7837 or http://www.fpct.org.

Baltimore Women's Film Festival Oct. 26 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. There will be two free screenings as part of a weekend of women's films: The first will be a documentary about camerawomen around the world; the second is a series of short films about women in sports. Landmark Theatres Harbor East, 645 S. President St. 410-624-2622 or http://baltimorewomens.bside.com/2008.

-- Amy Orndorff