Annapolis is beautiful this time of year–thanks to content citizens and the promise of winter weather beauty hanging in the air. The events scheduled this week are just as pleasant and worthwhile. Peruse below and pick your favorites.

Annapolis Entertainment

Children’s Theatre of Annapolis brings a musical that will be precious to both children and adults: Legally Blonde. Parents love the light hearted and inspirational message the musical sends and children will love the goofy fun.The musical kicks off on Friday, January 11 and ends on January 20. For the hearing-impaired, there is a special performance with sign language interpretation on January 12. For showtimes and ticket prices, activate the following link: http://www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.com/our-season/2012-2013/.

An adult performance, The Foursome by Bay Theatre, is also available for viewing this week. The play features actors portraying old high school friends who reconnect on the golf course. This funny and endearing performance ends this week–on the 13th. To catch this performance before its gone, obtain tickets from http://www.baytheatre.org.

Like Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, The Colonial Players open a fun-loving, adventurous performance this week called Shipwrecked. The play features a story of treks across high seas and discoveries of native lands in the 1800s. This performance is interactive, meaning that the actor on stage will pull two volunteers from the crowd to be parts of the show. This incredible show is suitable for all ages. See the performance from this Friday, January 11, to the 26th. Head to http://thecolonialplayers.org to find out showtimes and more.

The music continues with live rock and pop shows at Ram’s Head on West Street. The downtown rockin’ venue begins the entertainment with a tribute to arguably the most entertaining performer ever: Elton John. Almost Elton John and The Rocket Band bring the hits to the stage in a style that even Elton would dance to. The show begins on Thursday, January 10, at 8 p.m. The cost is $39.50. Friday, January 11, another tribute of quite a different genre and image–Bruce Springsteen–visits Ram’s Head. Bruce in the USA performs the classics at 8 p.m. for $29.50. To acquire tickets, head to http://tickets.ramsheadonstage.com.

Still on stage yet vastly different from the previous performances, the Hong Kong Dance Company comes to Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts for a special performance on Monday, January 7. This performance is part of Maryland Hall’s series “World Artists Experience” and, like the previous performances in the series, is sure to both please and educate. There are no tickets or fees required to see the show. In addition, this unique show is open to the public. Head to the venue at 7 p.m .to catch the entertainment.

At Maryland Hall on Wednesday, Jayme Stone’s Rooms of Wonders, a part of the “Showcase Artist Series,” is available. Stone offers a range of international music played on his banjo. Enjoy the show at 7:30 p.m.

The final performance by Maryland Hall this week comes from Barry Louis Polisar in joint effort with The Chesapeake Children’s Museum. The funny and light hearted musical performance is ideal for all ages. See Polisar on Sunday, January 13, at 2 p.m. To obtain tickets for any of these three events, go to http://tickets.marylandhall.org.

At 49 West Coffeehouse, both veterans of the stage and newcomers entertain. First up, local singer/songwriters come to the stage to share inventive songs from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The cover charge is $8.Tuesday, Unified Jazz Ensemble returns to the stage at 8:30 for a jazz show. The cover charge is $6. Wednesday, Pam and Paula entertain with classic music on the flute and violin. The show begins at 5 p.m. and is free. Also on Wednesday, the Shook/Russo Quintet performs at 8 p.m. for $6. Thursday, Steve Fidyk entertains at 8 p.m. for $10. Saturday, it’s another round of intimate jazz with The Lenny Marcus Trio at 8 p.m. for $20. Sunday, Jonathan Stone sings low-key songs at 10 a.m. for free; JBMC takes to the stage at 2 p.m. for free; and Swing Brothers perform at 4 p.m. for free. To learn more about these performances, look to http://49westcoffeehouse.com.

The haunted ghost tours of downtown Annapolis and pub crawls by Annapolis Ghost Tours may be a bit scary, but are affordable and fun. The walking tours take guests around downtown with a guide while the pub crawls stop at various drinking spots in downtown Annapolis. Both tours last two hours and are currently available. To learn about these tours and crawls, go to http://www.toursandcrawls.com.

From USNA, the Momix Ballet brings a spectacular dance show that weaves gymnastics, ballet, and incredible theatrics. The performance is scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. See this unique and riveting show at Navy’s Alumni Hall. Tickets are required for the event; purchase them by calling the ticket office at 410-293-8497.

Annapolis Green

Going green is an initiative well-known in Annapolis. Join the recycling, reusing, and reducing effort by turning in your recyclable things like TVs and old electronics. The E-Waste Recycling Event takes place at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Annapolis Exchange Lot from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 12. This event is free and incredibly beneficial to the Earth and to your house’s storage space. Learn more about going green, recycling, and this event at http://www.annapolisgreen.com.


Annapolis History

Central to downtown Annapolis is its history which has managed to remain amidst the modern stores and entertainment. At the William Paca House on Prince George Street, people have the chance use the interior of the Paca House for painting inspiration. Join watercolorist Jean Brinton Jaecks for the first installment of painting in the Paca House of the year. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 12. The cost for this event is $75 for the general public. To take advantage of the opportunity, call 410-267-7619 and reserve your ticket.