Just because “THE WAR CAME BY TRAIN” may be the B&O Railroad Museum’s primary attraction from now through 2015, don’t assume there’s no rush to get there: Hop aboard early to glimpse the largest collection ever assembled of Civil War railroad locomotives and artifacts— some of which have never before been viewed by the public. Celebrating the five-year commemoration of the Civil War’s sesquicentennial, the exhibit highlights the Baltimore railroad’s prominent role in one of our nation’s greatest conflicts. B&O Railroad Museum. 410-752-2490, http://www.borail.org —K.H.

This visual tour at Ladew Gardens will include such well-known parks as Luxembourg, Tulleries & Bagatelle, smaller gardens such a Monceau, Rodin & Carnavalet. CeCe Haydock is a lecturer on historic gardens & a practicing landscape architect.

Ladies, get out your Austen-inspired frocks and bonnets, and gentlemen, dig up that smart cravat you’ve been saving. Period attire is optional at the Maryland Historical Society’s upcoming event Our Flag Was Still There: The Bicentennial Gala of the War of 1812. Even if you opt for black tie, you’ll still enjoy a multicourse dinner with an open bar and dancing to live music by Big Ray and the Kool Kats. And you’ll get a privileged first look at the new exhibit “In Full Glory Reflected: Maryland During the War of 1812,” which encapsulates not just the war itself, but the culture of the whole era. Through paintings, household artifacts, jewelry, portraits, uniforms and documents, visitors get a complete picture of what life was like during the period. Gala: June 9 at 6 p.m. Tickets, $250. Exhibit opens to the public June 10, and will remain open through 2015, undergoing periodic changes to reflect the progression of the war and the era. http://www.mdhs.org.

BSO presents The Music of Led Zeppelin, July 27, Pier Six Concert Pavilion, 410-783-4189, piersixpavilion.com

New Eyes on America: The Genius of Richard Caton Woodville at the Walters Art Museum, http://www.thewalters.org

How do you figure? The Baltimore Museum of Art explores this question in Max Weber: Bringing Paris to New York, the first exhibition to focus extensively on the American artist’s formative years in Europe (1905-1908), when he transitioned from classical figure painting to cubism and futurism. (Palling around with Pablo Picasso will do that to a guy, apparently.) The exhibition includes more than 40 works, including some rarely seen sketches and even a few paintings from the modern master’s friends Henri Matisse, Henri Rousseau and, yes, Mr. Picasso. March 3- June 23. Free. 443-573-1700, http://www.artbma.org

It’s the classic tale of forbidden love, complete with dancing street gangs and a beautiful Natalie Wood acting her heart out—but lip-syncing her lyrics. (Alas, veteran dubbing artist Marni Nixon never received proper credit.) Re-live the drama on the big screen at West Side Story: Music and the Movie, with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra providing the live soundtrack. Added trivia bonus: Look for Baltimore’s own John “Gomez Addams” Astin, who plays a social worker in one of his first movie roles. June 13-16 at t­­he Meyerhoff. Tickets, $33-$68. 410-783-8000, http://www.bsomusic.org

Since Germano’s Trattoria debuted its cabaret series in 2008, it’s been pulling in crowds to listen to a thoughtfully curated lineup of local, regional and national musical talents. On June 29, Véronneau, an acoustic group fronted by acclaimed jazz artist Lynn Véronneau, presents An Evening of Latin Jazz and Gypsy Swing in the intimate, upstairs performance space. Expect a healthy dose of bossa nova from the group’s award-winning 2012 recording. Tickets, $20. 410-752-4515, http://www.germanostrattoria.com.

Grease up your gears for a good cause. The 11th annual Tour Dem Parks, Hon! bike ride promotes urban cycling and supports Baltimore’s parks. Over the past 10 years, this event has raised more than $100,000 for organizations that support cycling, the Parks Department and environmental agencies. Riders can choose among four possible routes, ranging from 12 to 64 miles. The ride begins and ends in Carroll Park, where riders are welcomed back with a live jazz band and barbecue. June 9. Registration fees, $20-$35. 443-310-8810, http://www.tourdemparks.org

He was nominated for an Emmy for his work in the TV sitcom “The King of Queens.” More recently he starred in “Mall Cop.” Oy. Actor/comedian Kevin James is coming to town to try to make you laugh. May 29, at The Lyric. Tickets, $45-$70. 410-547-SEAT, http://www.ticketmaster.com 

They boys are back in town in Everyman Theatre’s season finale, The Beaux’ Stratagem, which follows two down-and-out friends who travel from village to village in search of wealthy women to con into marriage. Things get sticky when the gold-digging gents end up falling for their targets. June 5-30, Tickets, $32-$60. 410-752-2208, http://www.everymantheatre.org

The 33rd annual Latino Fest in Patterson Park features performances by bachata musician Toby Love, salsa sonero Herman Olivera and singer/percussionist Frankie Vazquez, along with a full day of dancing, eating and celebrating with all the proceeds benefiting Education Based Latino Outreach. June 22-23. Tickets, $5. 410-783-5404, http://www.latinofest.org

A conversation about race and community. A call and response. An homage to Lorraine Hansberry’s seminal American play. The Raisin Cycle—featuring the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Clybourne Park” and Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah’s new play “Beneatha’s Place”—is all these things. And it’s a new move for Center Stage, which is presenting the plays in rotating repertory with the same cast and set. On June 8 at 4 p.m., the public can watch the set turn over between performances. Through June 16. 410-332-0033, http://www.centerstage.org.

Ever wake up on a Saturday morning and think, “Today I’d sure like to hear some bluegrass and Nepalese folk songs, watch Native American dancing, learn how to carve duck decoys and decorate Ukrainian eggs—and tuck into a slice of Smith Island cake.” We do! Lucky for us, there’s the Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival each June in and around The Creative Alliance. Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Free. 410-276-1651, http://www.creativealliance.org

Arbutus’ own David Byrne and singer St. Vincent (Annie Clark) visit Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with their eight-piece brass band, part of their “Love This Giant” tour. The former Talking Heads frontman and Clark, whose musical style has been described as “chamber rock meets cabaret jazz,” make for one eclectic musical match. June 13. Tickets, $45-$140. 410-547-SEAT, http://www.ticketmaster.com

From its founding in 1929 until its closing in 2010, Baltimore’s Globe Poster Co. churned out iconic concert ads for some of the top acts in R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop.  Globe Posters: Not To Be Missed! celebrates the company’s contributions via an exhibit at the Creative Alliance, plus a series of concerts, screenings, workshops and lectures inspired by the posters. Through June 15. 410-276-1651, http://www.creativealliance.org

France is one of the most romantic destinations in the world, but when divorced couple Elyot and Amanda honeymoon on the French Riviera with their new partners, no one expects them to fall back in love. See what happens next in Noel Coward’s classic comedy of manners, Private Lives, at Vagabond Theatre. May 31-June 30. Tickets, $18. 410-563-9135, http://www.vagabondplayers.org

In Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A Delicate Balance, middle-aged couple Agnes and Tobias try to maintain their marriage as it is strained by Agnes’ live-in alcoholic sister, a daughter who returns home after her fourth divorce and a long visit by old friends who are running from an unknown terror. May 24-June 30, at Spotlighters Theatre. Tickets, $20. 410-752-1225, http://www.spotlighters.org

Daniel Tosh, host of Comedy Central’s “Tosh.O,” brings his dark sense of humor to an otherwise cheery month as part of his June Gloom Tour, which makes its way to Baltimore on June 21. Tosh’s quick wit has made him loved (and hated) by audiences across the nation. At The Lyric. Tickets, $57-$72. 410-547-SEAT, http://www.ticketmaster.com

We can’t remember the last time Gordon Sumner, aka Sting, played a venue in town as intimate as the Pier Six Concert Pavilion. Maybe that’s why the concert sold out long ago. Still, if you’re a true Sting fan, you’ll find a way… June 12. http://www.piersixpavilion.com