Best gatherings
1. Farring-Baybrook Recreation Center holds special program
This unique and interactive program offers acting and dancing instruction to children with and without disabilities. The Variety Children?s Theater and Dance project will culminate with a play and dance recital.
Venue: Farring-Baybrook Recreation Center, 4501 Farring Court
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
Details: Free; Ages 8 to 18; Registration required; 410-396-5766
2. Shop around: Teen day trip to Lancaster, Pa., malls.
Details: $25; 410-396-5016
3. Bowl For A Cause: Domestic Violence Center of Howard County fundraiser. Details:
www.dvcenter.org
4. Boat and Roast: Kayak the marsh to Snake Island. Details: www.otterpointcreek.org
5. Family Movie & Photo Night: At Northwood SACC. Details: 410-396-7431
Best Theater
1. Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: At Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. $29.50 to $49.50; www.ticketmaster.com
2. ?Double X: The Bad-Ass Lands?: Six short plays. $10 to $12; www.mobtown.net
3. ?Twelfth Night?: At Anne Arundel Community College. $12; www.aacc.edu
4. ?New Work 2007: A Collaborative Showcase?: At Peabody Institute. $7 to $14; 410-659-8100 ext. 2
5. ?The Mineola Twins?: At Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre. $15; www.spotlighters.org
Best Music
1. Bob Schneider: A little bit songwriter, a little bit singer and a whole lot of interesting sound. $22.50; www.ramsheadonstage.com
2. Peabody Latin Jazz Ensemble: Musician Dave Samuels is the guest artist. $8 to $18; 410-659-8100
3. Evening of Improvisations: Features Wilbert De Joode on double bass. $13 to $15 www.andiemusiklive.com
4. Chamber Music: Peabody concert features Qian Zhou, violin, and Thomas Hecht, piano. $8 to $18; 410-659-8100
5. Orchestral Enchantment: Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. $42 to $67; www.baltimoreareana.com
Best family
1. Wildlife stories for children at the Cylburn Arboretum
Children ages 3 to 6 are invited to hear stories about the natural world. Insects, trees, flowers, birds and other wildlife star in these tales told by arboretum staff. Weather permitting, staff will lead children on a short nature walk following story hour.
Venue: Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore
Times: 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday
Details: $1; 410-367-2217
2. 16th Annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day: Face painting, a moon bounce and healthy snacks are just some of the offerings at various area YMCAs on Saturday. Details: Cost varies; www.healthykidsmaryland.com
3. Enchanted Day at the Farm: Saturday and Sunday, children can participate in pony rides, visit the petting zoo and enjoy other fun activities at Clark?s Elioak Farm. Details: $4.50 for petting zoo; $2 for pony rides;
www.clarklandfarm.com
4. Meet the Critters: Staff introduces visitors to many of the center?s animals and explains tidbits about them. Details: $1; Register by Thursday; Ages 5 and up with adult; 410-484-2413 ext. 10
5. Drop-in Crafts: Children and accompanying adults participate in two nature-craft projects Saturday. Details: $2 to $3 suggested donation per child; 410-367-2217
Best Exhibits
1. Laddie Waters
MINASGallery; 410-732-4258
2. NUNO
Baltimore Museum of Art; www.artbma.org
3. Jim Butcher
Liriodendron Mansion;
www.liriodendron.com
4. The Art of Nature
Artists? Gallery, 410-740-8249
5. The Model Show
Sowebo Arts Gallery; [email protected]
Best Day Trips
1. Sugarloaf Crafts Festival: Features the creativity of 450 craft designers and fine artists at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
www.sugarloafcrafts.com
2. Valley Forge: Visitors can stop by George Washington?s Headquarters. www.valleyforge.org
3. Longwood Gardens: Thousands of flowers plus miles of paths, lawns and groves in Kennett Square, Pa. www.longwoodgardens.org
4. Hershey, Pa.: The Sweetest Place on Earth is open and boasts plenty of attractions, shows and events. www.hersheypa.com
5. Danville, Va.: The Sixth Annual Racin? and Tastin? BBQ features plenty of food and live entertainment. www.visitdanville.com
Best Home & Garden
1. Spring Open House And Flower Show: More than 16,000 spring bulbs and hundreds of Easter lilies at the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore. 410-396-7900
2. Pretty Up the Parks: Use your gardening or design skills to help shape up area parks. 410-396-0339
3. Garden Walk: Join Cylburn?s naturalist for a guided walk through the grounds, gardens and trails to see the signs of the season. 410-367-2217
4. Go Wild: Take photos of animals in natural outdoor settings at The Carrie Murray Nature Center. 410-396-0808
5. Pruning Tuneup: Learn basic techniques at a Cylburn Arboretum hands-on pruning practice session. 410-367-2217
Best Brain food
1. Kids Across America: Participants create exhibit panels of family members as children. Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture; www.africanamericanculture.org
2. Special Reading: Authors Richard Peabody and Joseph Harrison give a reading. MINAS; 410-732-4258
3. ?Lost Woods?: A discussion of the book by Rachel Carson. Gudelsky Environmental Education Center; www.hcconservancy.org
4. Critter Dinner Times: Watch turtles, fish and snakes eat. Tickets: Anita C. Leight Estuary Center; 410-612-1699
5. Maritime Spotlight: Exhibits and events showcase the rich maritime history of the area. Fells Point Maritime Museum; 410-732-0278
Best Outdoors
1. Six Flags America
www.sixflags.com
2. My Lady?s Manor
Steeplechase Races
410-557-9570
3. Senior Friendly Fridays
410-396-7900
4. Motorcycle Trade Show
www.motorcycleevents.com
5. Gwynns Falls hikes
410-396-0440
Best Movie
?Disturbia?
Stars: Shia LaBeouf, Sarah Roemer
Takes the story of the classic voyeur murder thriller and updates it with postmillennial teen angst and tons of tech gadgets.
Rating: PG-13 Length: 104 mins.
