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Spring has sprung: So. Md.'s arts and entertainment preview
Friday, March 12, 2010
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN
A rainbow shines behind Point No Point Lighthouse, off the coast of Ridge, after a spring rain.
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It's been a tough winter, yes, but spring is just weeks away.
There are 49 days before the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs' first regular season baseball game at Regency Furniture Stadium, 64 days before the public beaches open in North Beach and 93 days before former state Sen. Bernie Fowler puts on overalls and white sneakers for his annual Patuxent River wade-in, which, after 32 years, has moved from Broomes Island to Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum.
In other words, now is the time to start planning ahead.
So here's an early look at what's happening this spring, summer (and even early fall) in local arts and entertainment. You will also a find a few tips on how to better explore what's out there and connect with local farmers.
Big concerts
Though it's a bit too early to know what big-name acts will come to Southern Maryland in 2010, the staff at Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons recently confirmed two such events.
On July 3, two bands (including one local act) will perform prior to a stand-up comedy performance by Bill Engvall, a member of the Blue Collar Comedy group.
On Sept. 3, 1980s rockers REO Speedwagon will return to Southern Maryland. The band last performed in August 2008 at Regency Furniture Stadium's first concert. This time, REO will share a bill with Pat Benatar.
Calvert Marine Museum, which has a concert capacity of 5,000, is also in the process of working out a partnership with the Blue Crabs to host a concert at the stadium, but details of the agreement have yet to be confirmed.
Last year, Regency partnered with Waldorf's Kool Productions for two concerts. R&B artists T-Pain and Flo Rida performed there in June, and country star Trace Adkins headlined a concert on Independence Day.
Meanwhile, St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department, which last hosted country stars Alan Jackson and Kellie Pickler in September, is still in the process of booking its 2010 acts, said Roberta Baker, chairwoman of the fire department's fundraising committee.
Thinking local
So. Maryland, So Good: The program helps connect consumers to Southern Maryland products and farmers. You will find the "So. Maryland, So Good" logo on products at stores. And if you go to www.somarylandsogood.com, you can find out about local farms near you and even check out what's in season.
Southern Maryland Trails: The free guidebook, "Southern Maryland Trails: Earth, Art, Imagination," suggests "trails" around Southern Maryland, with stops at area restaurants, art galleries, shops, historic sites, markets and parks. Go to www.somdtrails.com.
Festivals/outings
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs: Opening day at Regency Furniture Stadium will be April 30, when the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs face off against the Long Island Ducks. The opening series will continue at 6:35 p.m. May 1 (Civista Health Night, featuring fireworks) and at 2:05 p.m. May 2 (Bike to the Park Night). General admission is $6, $4 for youth, senior citizens and military and free for children younger than 5. The stadium is at 11765 St. Linus Drive, Waldorf. Prices for seats range from $7 to $13. Call 301-638-9788. Go to www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Maryland Day events: Celebrate Maryland's birthday at the site of the first English colonists landing at 11 a.m. March 25 at St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point. Call 301-769-2222. Maryland Day will also be celebrated in Historic St. Mary's City from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 28 with free admission to living history exhibits. Call 800-762-1634. Go to www.stmaryscity.org.
Great Big Home & Leisure Show: The event will return to Capital Clubhouse from April 9 to 11. The home show will feature more than 18,000 square feet of exhibition space and entertainment for children. Fee is $8, $5 for senior citizens and military. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. April 9, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 10 and 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. April 11. The event is at 3033 Waldorf MarketPlace. Go to www.greatbighomeshow.com.
Chapman State Park: Open house events at Mount Aventine at Chapman State Park will begin April 11 with "Wild Bird Day" and continue on the second Sunday of each month. Visit the park from 1 to 5 p.m. The events are free, but donations are accepted. Chapman is at 3452 Ferry Road in Indian Head. Call 301-753-6754.
Celebrate La Plata Bed Races: The second annual race will start at 3 p.m. April 17 at the town hall in La Plata and continue down La Grange Avenue. Entry fee is $50. Call 301-932-6500.
Celtic Fest: The 32nd annual Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 24 at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. The event will feature three stages of music, crafts, country dancing demonstrations, a Celtic market, myriad competitions and storytellers. Fee is $20, $15 for senior citizens and military. The park is at 1015 Mackall Road in St. Leonard. Call 443-975-0972. Go to www.cssm.org.
Solomons Maritime Festival — Calvert Marine Museum's event will feature more than 60 collectors of antique and classic boats, and vintage and marine outboard and inboard engines. Taste local food. Learn how to pick crabs and shuck oysters. Listen to old-time music. Calvert Marine Museum is at 14150 Solomons Island Road in Solomons. Call 410-326-2042. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
Point Lookout Lighthouse Open Houses — The lighthouse will be open for free to visitors (though there is a park entrance fee) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1, June 5, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 11. Tour guides will answer questions. Call 410-586-1064.
Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage Tour: The series of tours which explore both historic and contemporary sites will come to Charles County from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8. Participants will travel to 10 sites, beginning with Thomas Stone National Historic Site in Port Tobacco and ending at Westwood, "a dream home" built in Indian Head in 1966. Proceeds will support preservation projects. Call 410-821-6933. Go to www.mhgp.org.
Fun in North Beach: North Beach's annual farmers market and classic car show will kick off from 6 to 9 p.m. May 14 and continue on Friday nights through Oct. 1 on Fifth Street between Bay and Chesapeake avenues. Buy goods from local farms, check out classic cars and taste the county's wines. On May 15, North Beach's welcome back to the beach event will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. And to learn more about campfires and movies on the beach, go to www.northbeachevents.com.
Children's Day on the Farm: The 25th annual Children's Day on the Farm will be held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. June 6 at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. A tractor parade will be held at noon. The park is at 1015 Mackall Road in St. Leonard. Call 410-586-8501. Go to www.jefpat.org.
North Beach Home and Garden Tour: Select homes will be open to the public from 1-5 p.m. June 6. See bayside homes and stroll the boardwalk. Call 301-812-0044.
Sharkfest!: The annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 10. For it, Calvert Marine Museum will focus on sharks, both living and fossilized. Touch the rough hide of a shark in the shark touch tank or have your picture taken in the jaw of a shark skeleton. Calvert Marine Museum is at 14150 Solomons Island Road in Solomons. Call 410-326-2042. Go to www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
Summer Arts Festival: Formerly Art in the Park, an event featuring music, food, open air painting, art demonstrations, jewelry appraisals and activities for children will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 31 at Mattawoman Creek Art Center in Smallwood State Park, Route 224 in Marbury. Fee is $3. Call 301-743-5159. Go to www.mattawomanart.org.
Governor's Cup Yacht Race: The oldest and longest overnight race on the Chesapeake Bay will start at 6 p.m. Aug. 6 in Annapolis and finish the next morning in St. Mary's City, where a post-race party will be held. Go to www.smcm.edu/govcup.
Maryland Hunting & Outdoor Expo — The fourth annual event will be held on Aug. 28 and 29 at Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairgrounds Road in La Plata. Go to www.somdexpo.com.
Calvert County Jousting Tournament — Maryland's official state sport will be celebrated Aug. 28 at the 144th annual event at Christ Church in Port Republic. Jousting will be held at noon and a church bazaar will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A country supper will be served from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. The church is at 3100 Broomes Island Road. The event is free but donations will be requested. Call 410-586-0565.
War of 1812 Re-enactment and Tavern Night — Discover the site of Maryland's largest naval engagement from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 18. Later, unwind in Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum's version of a 19th century tavern. The park is at 1015 Mackall Road in St. Leonard. Call 410-586-8501. Go to www.jefpat.org.
Artsfest — Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park and Arts Center's annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 and 19. The sculpture park will be full of vendors and artists displaying their work. Fee is $6, children younger than 12 get in for free. Annmarie Garden is at 13480 Dowell Road in Solomons. Call 410-326-4640. Go to www.annmariegarden.org.
Music
Ward Virts Concert Series: The lineup for the College of Southern Maryland's music series includes international pianists Brian Ganz on March 14 and Robert Jordan on April 11 and tenor Antony Zwerdling on May 2. The concert will be held at 3 p.m. at 115 J.W. Williams Road in Prince Frederick. Though free, tickets are limited. Call 443-550-6000.
Jay Armsworthy: Jay Armsworthy and the Sons of the American Legion will present a concert by the Bluegrass Brothers at 2 p.m. April 11. Doors will open at noon. The show will also feature a local opening act, The California Ramblers. The American Legion is at 6625 Brandywine Road in Hughesville. Call 301-737-3004. Go to www.americanlegionbluegrass.com.
Latin Music Festival: The College of Southern Maryland's Latin Ensemble will kick off the festival at 8 p.m. April 23 in the La Plata campus's fine arts center. Tickets are $5. Free workshops will be held at 3 and 6 p.m. April 24, and a concert by Son Quatro will cap the event at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $5. Call 301-934-7828.
Spring Choral Concert: Under the direction of Michael Santana, the College of Southern Maryland's chorale and chamber choir will perform in concert at 8 p.m. April 30 in the La Plata campus's fine arts center at 8730 Mitchell Road. Tickets are $5. Call 301-934-7828.
Jazz Festival: The College of Southern Maryland's annual festival will start at 8 p.m. May 7 with a performance by Randy Runyon & Animal Zoo. Tickets are $5. Free clinics will be held at 2 p.m. May 8 and Solid Brass Jazz Ensemble with Terri Lyne Carrington and Animal Zoo will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5. All of the events will be held in La Plata's fine arts center at8730 Mitchell Road. Call 301-934-7828.
U.S. 257th Army Band: Under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Sheila M. Klotz, the band will perform at 8 p.m. May 15 at the College of Southern Maryland at 8730 Mitchell Road in La Plata. The event is free. Call 301-934-7828.
COSMIC: The community orchestra will cap its season with a concert called "Beethoven and Bess" and the "Do You See What I HEAR?" art exhibition at 7 p.m. May 15 at Great Mills High School. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students. Family passes are $25. Go to www.cosmicmusic.org.
Downtown Tunes: The concert series on the Leonardtown square will begin May 22 with a jazz concert and continue with an acoustic show June 26, country July 24 and rock Aug. 28. The free events will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair.
La Plata Summer Concert Series: The summer concert series will kick off with 25th Hour Band at 6 p.m. May 28 and continue on Friday nights throughout the summer and fall. Bands include Road House, the U.S. Navy Band, Sweetwater and Special Blend. Concerts will be held at 305 Queen Anne St. in La Plata. Go to www.townoflaplata.org.
River Concert Series: St. Mary's College of Maryland's annual classical music series will open at 7 p.m. June 18 and continue on Fridays through July 30. The concerts draw thousands to the college's Townhouse Green, which opens at 5 p.m. Bring a chair and blanket; picnic baskets and coolers are allowed. The college is in St. Mary's City.
Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival: Three jazz groups will perform and seafood specialties will be served from 3-9 p.m. July 10 at St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point. Tickets usually sell out before the event. Call 301-769-2222.
Lil Margaret's Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival: The annual event will be held from Aug. 12 to 14 at Goddard Family Farm at 21810 Clay Hill Road in Leonardtown. Enjoy live bluegrass, home-cooked food, crafts and old cars. Call 301-475-8191. Go to www.lilmargaretsbluegrass.com.
Park Rock Fest: The eighth annual event will be held from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5 at Chancellor's Run Regional Park, 21905 Chancellor's Run Road, Great Mills. There will be five stages and 125 bands are expected to perform just about every genre of music imaginable. New for 2010, two performance areas at each stage will allow for nonstop music. Go to www.parkrockfest.com.
Theater
‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)': Shakespeare's 37 plays will be condensed into a 90-minute parody onstage at two College of Southern Maryland. See the play at the Prince Frederick campus at 9 and 11 a.m. March 25 and 8 p.m. March 26 and 27; and in La Plata at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. April 8 and 9 and 8 p.m. April 10.
Port Tobacco Players: The La Plata theater troupe's upcoming productions include William Gibson's "The Miracle Worker," based on the autobiography of Helen Keller, from March 12 to 28; Marsha Norman and Lucy's Simon's musical "The Secret Garden" from April 30 to May 23; Mel Brooks' musical "The Producers" from July 9 to Aug. 1; and Joseph Kesselring's comedy "Arsenic and Old Lace" from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12. Friday and Saturday performances are 8 p.m.; Sunday shows are 3 p.m. Tickets are $17, $14 for students and senior citizens. Port Tobacco Players Theater is at 508 E. Charles St. in La Plata. Call 301-932-6819. Go to ptplayers.com.
Twin Beach Players: The North Beach theater troupe will perform Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" from April 9 to 25; Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in June; and the Shakespeare classic "A Comedy of Errors" in August at Holland Point Civic Center at 919 Walnut Ave. Go to www.twinbeachplayers.com.
Newtowne Players: The Lexington Park theater troupe will perform Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" from March 26 to April 22; Margaret Edson's "Wit," winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, from May 14 to 30; and James McClure's comedy "Laundry & Bourbon," with its companion piece, "Lone Star," from Aug. 6 to 22. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15, $12 for senior citizens, students and military and $10 for groups of 10 or more. Thursday tickets are $10. The theater is at 21744 S. Coral Drive. Call 301-737-5447. Go to www.newtowneplayers.org.
Hard Bargain Players: The Accokeek theater troupe will perform A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" from March 26 to April 10 at the Black Box Theater, 4185 Indian Head Highway, Indian Head. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Players will return to its outdoor amphitheatre at Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek for Jim Leonard Jr.'s "The Diviners" from June 11 to 26 and Peter Schaffer's "Equus" from Aug. 13 to 28. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The farm is at 2001 Bryan Point Road in Accokeek.
Races and rides
St. Charles Half Marathon: St. Charles will take part in the United States Running Association Half Marathon Running Series on April 17 and 18. A fun run for children and a runners' expo will be held on April 17 and a half marathon and 5K race will start at 8:15 a.m. April 18. The 2010 USRA Series includes 18 cities in middle size to small markets. Go to www.stcharleshalfmarathon.com.
National Trails Day 5K Fun Run: Discover the beauty of the St. Mary's tidewater backwoods on June 5 during a 5K fun run and walk sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Running Club. Meet at Historic St. Mary's City's visitor center at 8 p.m. There is a fee. Call 800-762-1634. Go to www.stmaryscity.org
Southern Maryland Fall Century Ride — On Sept. 12, the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club will lead 16-, 29-, 63- and 100-mile bike rides, beginning at the Indian Head Village Green, 100 Walter Thomas Road and continuing throughout Southern Maryland. Go to ohbike.org.
Visual arts
CalvART: The cooperative gallery rotates shows monthly or bi-monthly and usually hosts free receptions on the second Saturday of each month. Upcoming: "Collaborations with Clay and Wood," featuring David Wardrup and Ray Bogle in April; Ann Trentman, Pat Troiani and Mary Blumberg in May; the gallery's fifth anniversary show in June; George Stolt in August; and "Hung Up on Art," a member show, in September. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The gallery is at 110 Solomons Island Road in Prince Frederick. Call 410-535-9252. Go to www.calvertarts.org.
Mattawoman Creek Art Center: Snowstorms forced the center to cancel its winter member show, but a new show, "Winter Tea," an exhibit of works by Robert Wayt Smith, will open on March 26 and a reception will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 28. Upcoming: The invitational show, featuring Anthony Neville, Marsha Brown, Jeanne Ulrich and Peter Ulrich, will run April 23 to May 22 and the 16th annual juried exhibit will be held from June 6 to July 18. The gallery is in Smallwood State Park on Route 224 in Marbury. Park fee is waived for art center visitors. Call 301-743-5159. Go to www.mattawomanart.org.
North End Gallery: Exhibitions are rotated monthly or bimonthly and receptions are held from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month during Leonardtown First Fridays. Upcoming: "Mixing it Up," featuring Angie Wathen, Karen Vaughn and Keith Wood, in April; Tom and Kathleen Ball in May; Sarah House, Linda Epstein and Linda Wharton in June; "Summer Breezes," a member show, in July and August; and Cynthia Rosenblal and Karen and Lee Russell in September. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is at 41625 Fenwick St. in Leonardtown. Call 301-475-3130. Go to www.northendgallery.org.
Potomac Wildlife Art and Decoy Show: The fourth annual show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 15 at the College of Southern Maryland, 8730 Mitchell Road in La Plata. Call 301-934-1366.
Dance
The Ballet Project: In collaboration with the Ballet Arts Academy in Waldorf, the College of Southern Maryland will host "The Ballet Project," a program featuring national and international dancers and a question-and-answer session with the artists after the performance at 8 p.m. April 17. Tickets are $5. The event will be held at the La Plata campus at 8730 Mitchell Road. Call 301-934-7828.
