Annapolis Entertainment

It’s the classic yet patriotic rivalry: Navy versus Army. When football is involved too, the excitement and hype go through the roof, from both sides. Watch or attend the annual Navy vs. Army football game at the USNA stadium off Rowe Boulevard. The game begins at 4 p.m. this Saturday. Head to www.usna.edu to learn more. You know who to route for!

Here’s another way to show your support for local talent: attending The Foursome, a new play put on by Bay Theatre Company. This performance starts on Friday, December 7, and features wild ride around the golf course with four friends revisit their high school memories. The comedic play showcases nostalgia and good values. Head to www.baytheatre.org to find out more about this play and obtain tickets.

The Christmas season is finally here, and this Christmas, like ones past, The Colonial Players spin Scrooge in a positive light with a redemptive play entitled A Christmas Carol. Join Scrooge as he revisits his past and upholds the true Christmas spirit. The play begins on Thursday and runs through December. For tickets and additional information, look to http://tickets.thecolonialplayers.org/.

Ram’s Head offers up rock, country, folk, and comedy this week. First up is the Peter Mayer Group, which features a folk musician with heartfelt lyrics. This group begins at 8 p.m. and plays for $22. 50 on Wednesday. Thursday, Will Hoge with Erick Baker perform Americana tunes at 8 p.m. The show costs $20. Ring in Friday with legend Lou Gramm, from 80s rock group, Foreigner. Naturally, Gramm’s show is rock-filled. The show begins at 8 p.m. and costs $75. Saturday, the goofy, fun-loving comedian Paula Poundstone comes to the stage for two shows: 6 and 9 p.m. Each show costs $38.50. Saturday, The Last Bison, folk musicians, head to the stage with The Black Lillies for an all ages show at 12:30 p.m. The family-friendly show only costs $13.50. Sunday, there are two Christmas-filled shows by Peter White with Mindi Abair and Rick Braun. The first show begins at 5 and the second starts at 8 p.m. Each show costs $49.50. Tickets for these shows are available on http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com/.

At 49 West Coffeehouse, there’s jazz music to hear. Monday, enjoy the talents and sounds of local singer/songwriters from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The cover charge is set at $8, but the musical genres vary. Tuesday, Unified Jazz Ensemble takes to the stage for jazz tunes at 8:30 p.m. The admission for this show is $6. Wednesday, Starr’s Jazz Jam hits the stage for eclectic jazz at 7 p.m. See this show for $10. Thursday, Rob Levit takes over with his group of talented friends and bandmates. This jazz and acoustic show begins at 8:30 p.m. and costs $6. Friday, Tom Mitchell brings his own group of musical friends to 49 West, for a show that’s set to begin at 8 p.m. The cover charge is $10. Saturday, Caesar Ulsano Duo rocks the scene at 4 p.m. There’s no cover charge for this event. Also on Saturday, there’s an intimate jazz show scheduled with Gene Berticini at 8 p.m. The cover charge for this show is $20. Sunday JBMC plays at 2 for free, Big Foot brings elusive jazz at 8 p.m. for $6, and Jonathan Stone sings at 10 a.m. for free. For more on these very happening events, head to www.49westcoffeehouse.com.

More music included in the calendar of events for this week comes from Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. This mecca of music and all things entertaining features “Celebration of Christmas” this Thursday and Friday, a live musical performance. Tickets range from $40 to $15. If you’d like a classic Christmas tale set to music and dancing, try The Nutcracker from Maryland Hall. Performances start this Saturday, December 8, and go until December 16. This Saturday’s show begins at 7 p.m. and can cost anywhere from $15.50 to $45, depending on age and seating. Let the enchantment of the holiday season in with these live and lovely performances. Go to www.marylandhall.org to discover more.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland also features The Nutcracker performances this week, as they started on Sunday, December 2. This Saturday, catch the magical musical if you haven’t already. The show begins at 7 p.m. To find out more information like ticket cost, go to www.balletmaryland.org.

Annapolis History
Still in the Christmas spirit, Historic Annapolis Foundation offers families the chance to build memories and stroll downtown to view gingerbread houses displayed in windows. Various businesses throughout the historic district set up their gingerbread houses to be judged by you! Cast your vote for your favorite one. Of course, this event is free and available for viewing starting this Thursday.

On Friday, there are holiday open houses at three historic Annapolis locations: William Paca House, Hogshead, and the Historic Annapolis Museum. Tour the historic sites and participate in various holiday-themed activities. Some of these sites require an admission fee, but it’s no more than $5. Tours begin around 5 p.m., but the hours of operation for each site vary slightly. To learn more specifics, head to www.annapolis.org. Let the festivities begin!

But wait, there’s more! This Saturday, December 8, there is a Christmas gift-making workshop at the Historic Annapolis Museum off Main Street. Gifts vary, but there are elves there to help! In the true Christmas spirit of giving, the workshop is free. Be there with the kids from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Annapolis Green

Celebrate the progress of preserving wildlife with the National Wildlife Federation Mid-Atlantic Regional Center’s bash and cocktail party at Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis. Donations would be nice to give. There is a cash bar, but free appetizers are served. The celebration ensues this Tuesday, December 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, there are two very green events to attend. First up, the Winter Waterbird Survey at Jug Bay Wetlands, where participants look for winter birds over the expanse of land. This is best for early morning risers–it begins at 7:30 a.m. Also on Thursday, Green Drinks takes place, this time, at Maryland Inn on Main Street. Enjoy the networking social event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Everything is free, minus the cash bar.

Saturday, head to the “Moving, Cooking, and Learning: The Power of X3” workshop at Power of Fitness Studio in Annapolis to learn about health improvement. This workshop begins at 9 a.m. Get the facts about health before we launch full-fledged into the holiday season of sugary treats. For more on these events, head to www.annapolisgreen.com.