Upholding the Maryland Jazz Scene with Tom Lagana
By Aaron Kilbourne
brThe Tom Lagana Group is a jazz trio with over 10 years’ experience playing together. Bandleader and guitarist, Lagana, has been steadily building a strong reputation as a multi-faceted artist in the mid-Atlantic region. He and the group have released three full length albums and played numerous festivals.The Tom Lagana Group Ft. George Garzone will be performing at The Mainstay Friday, April 7th, 8 p.m.
Check out our exclusive interview with Tom Lagana here.
The What's Up? Weekend Rundown
Anne Arundel County
Severna Park Community Centers Annual Fundraising Gala
brSaturday, April 8th, 6:30–11 p.m.
brThe Severna Park Community Center (SPCC) annual fundraising gala will be held at the Chartwell Country Club. This year’s gala will honor Stew Smith, founder of Heroes of Tomorrow. Stew is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former Navy SEAL Lieutenant, and author of several fitness and self-defense books. After almost eight years in the SEAL Teams and an instructor at the Naval Academy Physical Education Department, Stew resigned his commission to start his own fitness and freelance writing business. 15 years ago, Stew founded Heroes of Tomorrow to meet a community need: to provide free physical training for anyone preparing to enter professions that serve our country. These professions include, but are not limited to military, special ops, police & firefighting professions.
Annapolis Book Festival
brSaturday, April 8th, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
brThe Annapolis Book Festival is a free community event that features a full day of discussions with best-selling authors, as well as book signings, family activities, and new and used book sales. In addition to author appearances, the 15th annual festival includes family-friendly entertainment and educational performances, live music, and a variety of interactive children’s activities including ComicKey, a family-friendly comic adventure for children and teens with an exciting line up of comic writers and illustrators. For more information visit Keyschool.org.
Season Finale! Music for a New World II
brSaturday, April 8th, 8 p.m.
brThis super-sized season finale is an all-out festival of ethereal and luscious works for chorus and orchestra. Maestro Green started the 2016-2017 season with W.A. Mozart’s Requiem, one of the most well-known and celebrated works ever written and one every composer that came after it was influenced by. “Music for a New World II” completes the circle. No one appreciates a great live music experience more than Ernie Green. One of the area’s most visible and enthusiastic cheerleaders for music of all kinds, if he hears something he loves, he wants to share the experience. Happily, for area music lovers, the Annapolis Chorale’s season finale is all about that kind of music.
A Very Important Bunny (VIB) Breakfast Show
brSaturday, April 8th, 8:30 a.m.
brThe Easter Bunny is anxiously awaiting your arrival at the annual Bunny Breakfast Party! Gather your friends and family and join the Easter Bunny and the Talent Machine Cast for a cheerful celebration of Easter and the upcoming Spring season. Your very Important Bunny Breakfast Party ticket includes the delicious Buddy's Breakfast Buffet and entertainment by Talent Machine Soundstage kids. The Easter Bonnet Parade--led by our favorite Easter Bunny--is the highlight of the party.
Eastern Shore
Compass Regional Hospice Gala
brFriday, April 7th, 6:30–10:30 p.m.
brThe Compass Regional Hospice Gala is an annual event traditionally held at Annie's Paramount Steak & Seafood House in Grasonville. The event features a seated steak and lobster dinner, entertainment, and premiere live and silent auctions.
2017 Arbor Day Run
brSaturday, April 8th, 8 a.m.
brJoin fellow runners and nature enthusiasts for the 12th annual Arbor Day 5K/10K Run and One-Mile Fun Run/Walk at Adkins Arboretum. The event offers a 5k run/walk, a 10k run, and a one-mile family fun run/walk. Races begin with a healthy kids’ dash at 8:50 a.m. Participants will pass by the Arboretum’s goat herd as they traverse the cross-country course plotted along the Arboretum's network of scenic, easily navigable paths. Post-race festivities include refreshments, an awards ceremony with one-of-a-kind tree ring medals, and a goat puppet raffle. Proceeds will benefit the Arboretum’s goat herd, which is used for targeted grazing of invasive plants.
Talbot Special Riders Spring Classic Bike Tour
brSaturday, April 8th, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
brCycling enthusiasts will once again converge on the scenic town of Easton for the Talbot Special Riders (TRS) fifth annual spring classic bike tour. Cyclers can take part in the 50-mile half-century recreational bicycle ride along some of the most scenic routes on Talbot County's Eastern Shore, 62-mile metric-century, or a 25-mile ride. The TSR spring classic will start and end at Easton Middle School. All proceeds from the ride will benefit Talbot Special Rider's therapeutic horseback riding program.
2017 Dorchester Family YMCA Crab Run
brSaturday, April 8th, 6 a.m.
br2017 marks the eighth Crab Run! This event serves as a fundraiser for the Dorchester Family Y. It's the best half marathon and fun 5K on the Eastern shore. Need more of a challenge? Register for the King Crab Challenge and complete the Half Marathon (must complete in 2 hours) and then run the 5K! King Crab challengers can receive special awards.
Kent School Red and White Ball
brSaturday, April 8th, 7–10 p.m.
brKent School is hosting its annual auction The Red & White Ball on the school campus, celebrating 49 years of tradition! Guests will have the opportunity to bid on items in the silent and live auctions, while enjoying a dinner featuring local fare and cocktails. Music will be provided. Proceeds from the Red & White Ball support all facets of Kent School's educational programming. The event is open to the public.
Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival
brSaturday, April 8th, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sunday, April 9th, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
brThe sixth annual Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival will be held in the Historic Mill District of St. Michaels, creating a unique backdrop for the festival. The festival will include two fun filled days and over 35 artisans from all over the East Coast, from Maine to South Carolina. Local musicians will keep the festival atmosphere going throughout the weekend. Retail shops throughout town will also feature their favorite sea glass artisans all weekend long, a list of participating shops and galleries can be found on the festival website.
Family Day
brSaturday, April 8th, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
brThe public is invited to Family Day at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels! Guests can follow a special Quest Card to explore family-friendly exhibits and enjoy hands-on activities along CBMM’s 18-acre campus. Families can examine the critters living on an oyster reef, try their hands at trot lining for pretend crabs, and test the water quality of the Miles River. Guests can dress as a lighthouse keeper and explore what life was like for those who worked in the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, before climbing to the top for a bird's-eye view.
Regional
Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees
Friday, April 7th, 7:05 p.m., Saturday, April 8th, 4:05 p.m., & Sunday, April 9th, 1:35 p.m.
brPut on your orange gear, grab a mac and cheese hot dog, and cheer on the Baltimore Orioles as they take on the New York Yankees in a three-game series. Will Mark Trumbo hit one out of the park, will Adam Jones make a crucial catch, or will Kevin Gaussman throw a no hitter? Don’t miss the action and grab your tickets now!
Light City
brThursday, April 6th & Friday, April 7th, 7–11 p.m. & Saturday, April 8th, 7 p.m.–12 a.m.
brLight City, the nation’s first large-scale light, music, and innovation festival returns to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. For nine consecutive nights, this free public festival will redefine what is possible in the public realm by transforming Baltimore into an interactive playground of light art installations, activities for the whole family, concerts, and performances. City will also showcase Baltimore’s creative culinary community with themed food concepts such as Asian street food, sustainable seafood, and more.
Celebrate Easter at Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa
brSunday, April 9th, 2–5 p.m.
brThe Easter Bunny is Hopping its way to Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa! Welcome Springtime at this free Easter community event! Enjoy plenty of activities including a scavenger hunt, petting zoo, games, music, egg decorating contest, races, food, and more!
John Mayer: The Search For Everything World Tour
brThursday, April 6th, 7:30 p.m.
brGrammy Award®-winning singer/songwriter, John Mayer, has launching his Search for Everything World Tour! This tour marks the first solo trek for Mayer since 2014 and will be sweeping through arenas across North America and Europe in the spring before concluding on May 12th in London, England. Each concert on the tour will be comprised of a full band, solo acoustic, and John Mayer Trio sets of music.
"Maryland Heritage: East of the Bay Bridge" Meet the Artist Reception
Meet the Artist Reception is Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at What's Up? Media Office // 201 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD. Light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be available.brbr
RSVP HERE
Best Of 2017: Don't Forget to Vote!
What's Up? Media Promotions
brWhat’s Up? Media loves our community and wants to give back. Check out our promotions page for opportunities to win amazing giveaways such as tickets to the most happening local events around, gift cards to your favorite local restaurants, and more! More details here.
