November comes to a close this week, and in turn, opens up to December and all its goodies. Whether you celebrate or not, Annapolis is stacked with entertainment for all ages. Don’t know how to entertain visiting family? Need an inexpensive yet special gift? Want to rock out with USNA, cool local musicians, and famous acts? Want to go green? Craving a holiday ballet a little earlier this year? It’s all in Annapolis this week. Discover and do.
Annapolis Entertainment
United States Naval Academy never fails to uphold tradition and even offers entertainment for the whole family. This Sunday, the USNA Band features an oboe concert by Emily Madsen at Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia. Madsen begins her performance at 7 p.m. For more information on this concert, head to www.usna.edu and search USNA Band.
Over at Ram’s Head in downtown Annapolis, rockin’ music is always in season. On Monday, try out Coco Montoya and John Hammond’s electric guitar show at 7:30 p.m. The show costs $35 and is sure to please. Tuesday, another duo hits the stage–Jack Ingram and Radney Foster. This country music duo is young, handsome, and prepared to serve up soulful tunes. The show begins at 8 p.m. and costs $20. On Wednesday, the Reunion Tour of Graham Parker and The Rumour visit Ram’s Head at 8 p.m. This funky rock show costs guests $45 for each ticket. Thursday, Steep Canyon Rangers brings a different musical genre to Ram’s Head: bluegrass infused with country. Steep Canyon Rangers plays for $23.50 and hosts two shows: one at 6 and the other at 9 p.m. Jazzy pop musicians, Blood, Sweat, and Tears hits Ram’s Head on Friday for two shows: one at 7 and the next at 9:45 p.m. Each show costs $52.50. Big band/swing music and Christmas pair seamlessly, and this Saturday, the beloved downtown Annapolis venue proves so with “Big Band Christmas.” This nighttime show begins at 8 p.m. and costs $34. The last performance of the week, this Sunday, comes from Maysa. This soulful lady brings R&B music to the stage at 5 and 8 p.m. Each show costs $35. For more on these show or to obtain tickets, head to http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com/.
49 West Coffeehouse entertains with smooth jazzy tunes in a cool atmosphere. This Monday, delight in local talent with “The Nine Songwriter Series” from 8 to 11 p.m. The show features nine passionate locals–see the list on 49 West’s website, www.49westcoffeehouse.com. The show costs $10. Wednesday, Daisy Castro brings upbeat jazz blended with a spontaneous gypsy flair to 49 West. Her show begins at 8 p.m. and costs $20. Friday, 49 West favorite, Jeff Antoniuk & The Jazz Update bring classic jazz to the stage. The cover charge for this show is $20. Antoniuk and his group play two shows: 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Gary & Leah performs acoustic jazz at 4 p.m. for free. Earlier on Sunday, Jonathan Stone performs smooth tunes at 10 a.m. for free.
It wouldn’t be a complete week of entertainment without a dance performance. This week’s comes to us from Ballet Theatre of Maryland: The Nutcracker ballet rendition. The exquisite classic begins at 7 p.m. at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts–not too far outside Annapolis. To buy tickets and discover more about this magical ballet, look to www.balletmaryland.org.
Here’s a craft fair with a philanthropic flair: the 10th Annual ALS Artisan Boutique. The upscale craft fair hosts 55 vendors this year, and proceeds go to fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The Sheraton on Jennifer Road hosts this event on Sunday-from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to the early Christmas gifts and beautiful art purchased, you can enter for the chance to win an iPad. Call 410-991-4959 to learn more. Admission is free; spending is encouraged.
Annapolis History
Need some excitement but can’t wait until Christmas? Satisfy your craving for fun this Sunday with a colonial tour at William Paca House on Prince George Street. The tours are led by colonials and are very affordable: $10 for adults and $5 for children ages six to seventeen. Children ages five and below cost nothing. Tours remain around the William Paca House premises. Step back into Annapolis history with a tour–they run from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Head to www.annapolis.org to learn more about the tours and other upcoming events. Tours are held on Sunday.
Annapolis Families
Oftentimes, shopping for Christmas gifts morphs into a very expensive time-consumer. However, this year, ‘tis the season to be crafty and spend quality time with your little ones. Chesapeake Children’s Museum puts on two wonderfully thrifty Christmas-gift-giving opportunities this weekend. First, there is a craft fair this Saturday from 8 to 1 p.m. that’s free with museum admission. Secondly, on both weekend days, there is a gift-making workshop that teaches kids (and perhaps enthusiastic adults) the art of making holiday gifts. There are candles, puppets, and more to be made. The workshop runs from 2 to 4 p.m. both weekend days. All ages are welcome. Go to www.theccm.org to find out more.
Annapolis Green
It’s always festive and important to go green. As a major resource in the green community, Annapolis has plenty green events to enjoy. Namely, the outdoor activities planned at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian. Between this Thursday and Saturday, Jug Bay hosts three events to partake in. On Thursday, there is a winter waterbird survey, which allows participants the chance to observe early morning birds with the help of a guide. Participants should wear comfortable, perhaps old, shoes for this event and the two that follow. The waterbird survey is free and runs from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, there’s another birding activity planned–a birdwalk this time. This is similar to the waterbird survey but this event supplies the chance to learn to identify birds by sound and sight. The birdwalk takes place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Finally, Jug Bay needs volunteers to remove non-native plants ffrom 9:30 a.m. until noon. Volunteering, birdwatching, and connecting with the great outdoors (albeit the chilly great outdoors) will surely put you in the giving spirit for the upcoming Christmas season. To find out more about these events, head to www.annapolisgreen.com.
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