No Winter Lasts Forever

So we have sprung forward, and this Sunday is the long-awaited first day of spring, and with it comes the phenomenon I like to call the vernal equinox exodus.

After months of it being dark by 5:30 p.m., it's hard to stay indoors as the days lengthen and evening hours stretch longer and later—so people don't. Within the next few weeks the sidewalks, streets and parks will be full as everyone comes out of their winter hibernation to soak in some sunlight and fresh air before the blazing heat of summer forces everyone inside once again.

There are a variety of different yet familiar things to do this weekend after you've spent the day re-acquainting yourself with some of your favorite places you've been neglecting all winter long. This Friday at Golden West is the latest installment in Songwriter Sessions beginning at 10 p.m. If you've not been to one of these shows yet, or heard about what Scenic Route Recordings is doing, local and out-of-town singer/songwriters are brought into a more intimate setting in order to focus on the actual songwriting, and the relationship between the singer and audience as well as singer and song.

This Friday's Songwriter Sessions will feature all local bands, all at different ends of the alt folk spectrum, from the traditional acoustic folk of Lawrence Lanahan, to the indie folk sound of Geoff Grace of the Tall Grass and The Dodgers, to Bob Keal of the nouveau folk, down tempo Small Sur, to the ethereal madrigals of Wheatie Mattiasich. All of the Songwriter Sessions are recorded and available by Scenic Route Recordings. It's perfect for a low-key early spring night.

Saturday night at the Wind Up Space is a spring-themed evening of Burlesque brought to you by the ladies of Baltimore's Gilded Lily. Beginning at 10 p.m. they present Metamorphosis, drawing on themes of rebirth from Goethe to Kafka, Deanna Danger from Virginia will appear in the show. Burlesque has taken a firm hold on Baltimore and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. First we had the trapeze artists, then the Charm City Roller Girls, and now Baltimore Burlesque. If you haven't checked it out yet, why not now? Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. and tickets are only $10.

Sunday, at 7:21 p.m., is the first day of spring, and it's also the date of Baltimore band Spark to Inferno's CD Release party at the Ottobar. The show begins at 5:30 p.m., and is all ages. If a daytime show isn't really for you, there is an upstairs free show beginning at 9 p.m.—sorry, you have to be 21 years old—with South Carey, the Quarantines, and the Matrimonials.

If a show isn't how you want to spend your Sunday at all, Golden West is offering up a movie night with a unique film by French film maker Vincent Moon. A four-day collaboration with Moon and Danish musician Efterklang along with 200 musicians interpreting Efterklang's third album, Magic Chairs. Pretentious? Yeah. Interesting? Probably. Starts at 10 p.m. Check out more info here.

Spring into spring!

• Friday at the Ottobar, A.D. Dance Party: Synth pop, new wave, industrial, and E.B.M. (I don't know what that is) spun by DJ Dr. Fleshchopper & Inkfairie. Win tix to see Peter Murphy in April at Bourbon Street. 9 p.m.