Things to do in Baltimore, Aug. 23 to 29

Take your pick of great concerts: an R&B pop icon or a rock band, get your share of scares at a horror convention, see artwork by recent grad-school graduates or celebrate our furry best friends.

Ongoing: Usher

See Usher, the Grammy-winning pop icon and recent Super Bowl headline act, perform for his “Past Present Future” tour at CFG Bank Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., this weekend in back-to-back shows. Usher is known for such hit songs as “Yeah!,” “U Got It Bad,” “More” and more. Ticket prices start at $297. cfgbankarena.com/event/usher-past-present-future-2/

Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.

Ongoing: Shock-O-Con 2

Can’t wait for Halloween for a scare? You should go to Shock-O-Con 2 at the STAR Centre, 700 Congress Ave., Havre de Grace, this weekend. Check out horror novels at the Vampire Library, take a selfie at the haunted cabin at “Evil Dead the Musical Set” experience, free yourself from the “SAW”-themed escape room and more. Tickets cost $35 for a day pass and $70 for a weekend pass. Dates and times are Friday 1 p.m. to midnight, Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. starcentremd.com

Friday-Sunday

Ongoing: ‘Young Blood: Exhibition’

See exceptional work from recent Master of Fine Arts graduates at the “Young Blood: Exhibition” at the Maryland Art Place, 218 W. Saratoga St. The free event provides a platform and outreach program for these transitioning students. Dates and hours are Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. mdartplace.org/exhibitions

Through Sept. 7

Friday: Imagine Dragons

Prepare to rock out at the “Imagine Dragons: Loom World Tour” at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. The Grammy-winning rock band is known for hit songs “Radioactive,” “Believer,” “Demons,” “Thunder,” and more. Ticket prices start at $59.50. merriweathermusic.com

Friday 7 p.m.

Saturday: National Dog Day

Pets and their human companions are invited for a day of fun at the National Dog Day Festival at The Rotunda, 711 W. 40th St., Baltimore. Admission is free. There will be games, photos, food and drink for all. PAWS-Ports will be sold at the door for $8 and the proceeds will benefit the Maryland SPCA. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 25. rotundabaltimore.com

Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.