The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s waterfront campus will come alive with Bluegrass on the Bay, featuring The High & Wides, on Saturday, July 26, beginning at 5:30pm.

This inaugural concert event invites guests to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to enjoy an evening of Eastern Shore bluegrass overlooking the Miles River at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand. The doors open at 5pm before The Folk Villains take the stage 30 minutes later to kick off the evening, leading into the headlining performance from The High & Wides, a four-piece string band whose high-energy, bluegrass-inspired sound has entertained audiences around the region since 2015.

Tickets are available now at cbmm.org/BluegrassOnTheBay and can also be purchased at the door.

Food vendors, including Hot Off the Coals BBQ, and a beer truck will be on site. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to the concert, which will be held rain or shine.

Bluegrass on the Bay promises a lively evening of great tunes amid a stunning backdrop at CBMM.

With roots on the Eastern Shore and in Baltimore, The High & Wides have been called “The Apostles of Hillbilly Boogie” by The Washington Post. Band members Marc Dykeman (guitar, vocals), Sam Guthridge (banjo, mandolin, vocals), Nate Grower (fiddle), and Mike Buccino (bass) draw on bluegrass backgrounds and weave in influences from new wave to old time to make music that defies boundaries while evoking the era when country, bluegrass, western swing, and early rock ‘n’ roll mingled freely.

A sibling trio from nearby Tyaskin, Md., in Wicomico County, The Folk Villains will be the evening’s opening act. Elijah, Isabel, and Guinevere Cockey grew up admiring their father’s band The Folk Heroes, and today, they honor that family tradition with a folk style all their own featuring standards, originals, covers, and improv.

Bluegrass on the Bay admission is set at $25 for adults, $24 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $14 for active and retired military members, and $6 for children ages 6-to-17, with all children 5-and-younger admitted free.

CBMM members receive discounted pricing for Bluegrass on the Bay and other events throughout the year. Adult members receive $5 off their concert tickets, and all children of members (17-and-younger) receive free admission. To support CBMM’s mission as a member and discover all the terrific benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].

Please note that the concert will be ticketed separately from CBMM general admission on Saturday, July 26.

CBMM is also excited to offer a Summer Concert Pass that also includes Big Band Night, featuring the Shades of Blue Orchestra, on Saturday, July 5. For CBMM members, these ticket packages are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $9 for active and retired military members, and free for all children of members (17-and-younger). For non-members, they are $35 for adults, $33 for seniors (65+) and students (17+), $14 for active and retired military members, $9 for children ages 6-to-17, and free for children 5-and-younger.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM’s events, including Bluegrass on the Bay.

Learn more about CBMM’s full slate of upcoming events, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day coming on Sunday, Aug. 10, at cbmm.org/Festivals.

 It’s murder, mystery, and mayhem this August as Tred Avon Players (TAP) brings the wildly funny CLUE: On Stage to life at the Oxford Community Center. Running August 14-24, this fast-paced farce by Sandy Rustin is based on the 1985 cult classic film and the infamous Hasbro board game that has kept us guessing for generations.

Directed by Jess Newell, CLUE: On Stage opens on a dark and stormy night at Boddy Manor, where six suspicious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party. When their host winds up dead, everyone becomes a suspect—and the hunt is on to discover who did it, with what, and where!

“This show is a blast,” said Newell. “It’s fast, it’s ridiculous, and it’s full of surprises. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or brand new to Clue, you’re going to have a great time.”

The colorful cast of characters includes both new and returning TAP actors:

• Bruce Grove as Wadsworth

• Natalie Page Laney as the Cook

• Zachary Schlag as Colonel Mustard

• Dena Transeau as Mrs. White

• Lynn Sanchez as Mrs. Peacock

• Mike Sousa as Mr. Green

• Erik Fair as Professor Plum

• Cecile Storm as Miss Scarlett

• Ben Malone as Mr. Boddy

• Matt Kimball as the Motorist

• David Cherry as the Cop

• Rob Sanchez as the Chief

The show is produced and stage managed by Sammie Adams-Mercer, with sets, lighting, costumes, and sound conjuring the eerie elegance of a murder mystery dinner party gone terribly wrong—brought to life by TAP’s talented and dedicated all-volunteer crew.

Performances run August 14-24 at the Oxford Community Center, with evening shows Thursday through Saturday and Sunday matinees. Tickets and full show details are available at www.tredavonplayers.org.

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About Tred Avon Players

Tred Avon Players is a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality theatrical experiences for the Eastern Shore community. Founded in 1982, TAP produces four mainstage shows each year at the Oxford Community Center and offers opportunities for local actors, directors, and volunteers to participate in all aspects of live theater. For more information, visit www.tredavonplayers.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Identical twins Peter and Will Anderson, Juilliard-trained jazz  virtuosos known for their fresh interpretations of swing-era greats, return to the Eastern Shore  on Friday, August 1 for a 7:30 PM performance at the Oxford Community Center. Their show, A Tribute to Duke Ellington, is part of the ongoing Jazz on the Stage at OCC series.

Praised by The New York Times as “virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” the Andersons don’t  just perform jazz—they bring its story to life. “We love to incorporate an educational element  into the shows themselves,” said Peter Anderson. “Audiences love learning about the  composer while absorbing the music.”

Their Ellington tribute will feature classic arrangements, live storytelling, and the wit and charm  that have made them favorites at venues like Blue Note, Birdland, and the Kennedy Center.  “Ellington’s music is just beautifully written,” Peter said. “It’s hard to screw up Duke.”

Executive Director Liza Ledford says, “We’re thrilled to welcome the Anderson Twins back to  Oxford. Their connection to this music is deep, their artistry is world-class, and their  performances are always unforgettable.”

Ticket options include:

General Admission Seating: $65

VIP Experience: $150, includes front cabaret seating, two complimentary drinks, a meet-and greet with the artists, and an elegant post-show dessert and bubbly reception created by Chef Mark Salter.

The Andersons last appeared on the Shore at the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival and previously  performed at OCC. “We love the area—we’re from Maryland originally,” said Will Anderson. “It feels like coming home.”

Tickets for the August 1st performance are available now at(http://www.oxfordcc.org/jazz or by  calling 410-226-5404. Doors open at 7:00 PM; a cash bar will be available.

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On Friday, July 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Zebra Gallery will open two new shows featuring artists Gabriel Lehman and Evan Fitzgerald.

Gabriel Lehman’s show, “A Bird’s Eye View,” will feature his fanciful, dreamlike landscapes with a particular emphasis on clouds, imbuing a sense of joy and wonder into his art. Lehman is a self-taught artist who started painting in 2009 after a career in construction with a focus on flooring for 14 years. Despite not having any formal training, Lehman’s unique perspective and whimsical style quickly gained him a following.

Lehman is also offering painting classes from July 14 to 19 to learn his secrets to gorgeous clouds and fantastic creatures.  Classes offered include “Three-Color Clouds,” where students will learn the secrets of capturing the softness, depth, and movement of clouds while transforming three simple colors into breathtaking skyscapes. The “Sunset Skies” class offers students an enchanting journey through the colors of dusk as they learn to paint breathtaking sunsets on 16” by 20” canvases. In this immersive class, students learn how to capture the delicate gradients, vibrant hues, and ethereal beauty of the sky at its most magical moments. The “Rays of Light” class guides students through techniques to achieve the perfect balance of light and shadow, subtle color blending, and atmospheric perspective, making the clouds look like they could float right off the canvas. This class invites participants to explore the endless possibilities of acrylic paint while creating stunning skyscapes that will brighten any space. All skill levels are welcome to all of these classes.

Evan Fitzgerald’s current work explores the ideas of persona. The word persona is rooted in the Latin word for a theatrical mask. Carl Jung described persona as a social mask that we all put on – something to embody, a different mask for a different setting. By obscuring the subject’s face, their headdresses are the focal point. The individual is merely a pedestal for displaying these objects.

“Both of these artists bring such creative and whimsical works to the gallery. I hope visitors will be mesmerized by the details these painters bring to their paintings. We are thrilled to have them exhibiting here,” shares Susan Schauer John, owner of the Zebra Gallery.

For more information or to sign up for Gabriel Lehman’s class, call 410-253-9131 or email

[email protected]. The Zebra Gallery is located at 5 North Harrison Street in Easton, Maryland (across the street from the Historic Tidewater Inn). The gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to  5 p.m. or by appointment. For further information, visit www.sfsfiber.art or www.thezebragallery.com.

Easton, MD – On Thursday, June 5, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) honored two major cultural leaders with its 2025 Legacy Awards at a sold-out Gala Dinner in Easton, Maryland. Now in its 27th year as the regional professional orchestra of the Delmarva Peninsula, the MSO presented its National Legacy Award to Deborah Rutter, immediate Past President of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and its annual Legacy Award to Maestro Julien Benichou, Past Music Director of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.

In presenting the awards, MSO Chairman Jeffrey Parker stated, “Deborah Rutter has inspired all of us in America’s arts community as the long-time leader of our national arts center, and Julien Benichou dramatically raised the professional quality of our orchestra, and expanded its season and its supporter base.”

Deborah Rutter, in her 11 years heading the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has provided the Nation with leadership across the broadest range of the arts, including arts education, multi-disciplinary arts training, support and enrichment; and symphonic music, opera, theater, contemporary dance, ballet, vocal music, chamber music, hip hop, comedy, international music and jazz.

She oversaw the Kennedy Center’s first physical expansion with the REACH, which opened in September 2019, and transformed the Center’s mission into one inclusive of diverse art forms. In 2022, she conceived and opened the permanent exhibit Art and Ideals: President John F. Kennedy. Rutter previously served as President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and held leadership roles at the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Julien Benichou served for 17 years as Music Director and Conductor of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, transforming it from a community ensemble into a fully professional orchestra. Appointed in 2004—under the leadership of then Board President Andrea Barnes—Benichou was quickly embraced by the MSO community, including early patron Lucienne Wolf, who supported him like family.

Under his charismatic leadership, audiences across the region grew steadily—not only for the music, but to experience the energy and warmth Julien brought to the podium. He worked tirelessly alongside the MSO Board to expand performances across the Delmarva Peninsula, including outreach to Rehoboth Beach and the creation of the now-beloved Toast to the New Year concerts, which will celebrate their 11th season this December.

One of Julien’s long-held dreams became reality in 2019 with the founding of the Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition (ELICC). Despite a brief interruption due to COVID-19, the competition has become a central feature of the MSO’s season.

In 2020, while most orchestras suspended operations, Benichou—together with MSO leadership—rapidly developed the “Season of Strings,” safely performing at the Church of God in Easton and livestreaming every concert to continue serving audiences during the pandemic.

Julien also led the MSO in special performances at the Embassy of France in Washington, DC, and in collaboration with the Washington Opera Society. His 17-year tenure left a profound artistic and organizational legacy. It is not an overstatement to say that the MSO as we know it today owes its very existence to his leadership. In 2024, he was knighted by the Ambassador of France with the title Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Deborah Rutter, in her keynote remarks, emphasized the need to “continue to support the artist wherever they feel welcome, supported, empowered and unencumbered to share their art and express their creative talent.” She called on artists and leaders alike to embrace their roles as citizen artists, a concept she co-developed with Yo-Yo Ma during her time at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, advocating for artists to engage deeply with their communities and to consider the broader impact of their work.

The Legacy Awards Dinner featured a performance by the MSO’s principal string musicians, remarks from Music Director Michael Repper on the future of the Orchestra, and a lively auction that included a chance to conduct the MSO at its 2025 Holiday Joy concert, a private plane excursion over the Chesapeake Bay, an eight-day European Viking cruise, and a private dinner for eight with celebrity chef Jordan Lloyd.

 

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ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Sussex County (Delaware) Council, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2025-2026 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, including venues, times, and other details, is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

The Talbot County Free Library and Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore are proud to present a special installation of quilts to celebrate TCFL’s 100th Anniversary. The installation will be displayed at the Easton Branch of the Talbot County Free Library from May 29 to October 3, 2025. 

The installation features 64 beautifully designed and constructed quilts created by Bayside Quilters guild members and hung throughout the library. The quilts display a range of styles – including traditional, contemporary, modern, appliqué, hand and machine quilting and art. 

From the exuberant swirls of a modern appliqué quilt to traditional quilts honoring the Eastern Shore and the natural world – visitors are sure to be dazzled by the array of colors, patterns and themes on display.

The collaboration is a part of the library’s year-long Centennial Celebrations – a brochure with information on the Bayside Quilters and the quilts displayed will be available at the Circulation Desk for the duration of the installation. 

The Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore is a guild committed to the creation, study, and sharing of quilts and quilt making, and have been proudly serving the community for over 30 years. 

“Outreach is core to our mission statement … We are honored to help celebrate the Talbot County Free Library’s 100th Anniversary. The art and craft of quilting goes hand in hand with reading” reports a Guild representative. “Whether it’s learning how to quilt through How-to books, getting inspired by reading fiction or nonfiction or just taking a break. Audible books can be checked out through Hoopla. Listening to a book while stitching is another way quilters use the library services.”

Bayside Quilters meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 9a.m. to about noon at the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, 4001 Powell Ave, Trappe, MD. Visitors are welcome, and everyone is invited to join. For more information visit, baysidequilters.com, or check out on Facebook at Bayside Quilters of the Eastern Shore.

For more information about the installation and the Talbot County Free Library, visit www.tcfl.org, or call (410) 822-1626. \

Once a year, something extraordinary happens in the forest at Adkins Arboretum. The sound of music weaves between tree trunks, rustles new leaves, and flows under bridges, beckoning curious ears closer. Forest Music is a unique live music experience featuring young musicians and their mentors who are participating in the two-week National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. The musicians are situated at intervals on the Arboretum’s wooded trails and play for event attendees who meander the trails at their own pace. 

Over the years, Forest Music has featured the sounds of violins, clarinets, horns, bassoons, double basses, and even steel drums. The repertoire is equally diverse,

ranging from classical masterpieces by Bach to timeless hits by the Beatles and even original compositions explicitly crafted for the Arboretum’s forest. The event draws a vibrant mix of more than 300 visitors from the Festival, the local community, and beyond. 

While the National Music Festival provides numerous performance opportunities, Forest Music is its most unique. It offers the musicians an opportunity to participate in a performance art event, experience the acoustics beneath a woodland canopy, and interact one-on-one with the visitors who pause on the trails to hear them play. 

This year’s event sponsors include the Caroline County Council of Art, the Maryland State Arts Council, Unity Landscape, and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor Catherine Joyce. 

Forest Music takes place on Thursday, June 12 from 2–4 pm. Light refreshments will be served, and wine will be available for purchase. Golf carts with drivers will be available for less mobile individuals. Advance registration is requested. Tickets are $10 per person. 

To register, visit adksinarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847. 

A 400-acre native garden and preserve, Adkins Arboretum provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship. 

The Kent County chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center  is proud to announce that it will host the powerful photo exhibit Authentic Selves:  Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families at the Garfield Center for the  Arts in Chestertown throughout the month of June, in honor of Pride Month. 

Developed by Family Diversity Projects, Authentic Selves is a traveling exhibit that uses  photography and personal narratives to amplify the voices and lived experiences of  transgender and nonbinary people across the United States. Each portrait is paired with  heartfelt stories that explore the joys, challenges, and resilience of individuals and their  families. Photographs by Robin Rayne, Gigi Kaeser, Jill Meyers, and others. Interviews by  Peggy Gillespie. 

“The Authentic Selves exhibit offers an intimate and deeply moving look at trans and  nonbinary lives,” said Francoise Sullivan, Chair of the Kent County chapter. “At a time when  LGBTQIA+ communities, particularly trans individuals, are facing increasing scrutiny and  threats across the country, this exhibit offers both visibility and celebration.” 

The exhibit will be on display in the lobby at the Garfield Center for the Arts, located at 210  High Street, Chestertown, MD, from June 1 through June 30, 2025. Visitors can view the  exhibit in the lobby during Tuesday Pride Center drop-in hours (10am-1pm) or regular  Garfield Center box office hours (Wed-Fri 10am-3pm). To schedule a visit outside of normal  hours, please contact Francoise Sullivan at [email protected]. 

The Kent County chapter of the Delmarva Pride Center invites residents and visitors to  engage with Authentic Selves as part of a broader celebration of Pride Month, which  includes a variety of events aimed at fostering inclusion, education, and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families. 

For more information about the exhibit and other chapter events in Kent County, please  visit www.dpckentcounty.org.

About Family Diversity Projects: 

Family Diversity Projects is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people of all  ages about the full range of diversity. Through award-winning traveling photo-text exhibits,  the organization aims to eliminate prejudice, stereotyping, bullying, and harassment of  people who are discriminated against due to sexual orientation, gender identity, race,  national origin, religion, and disabilities.  

About the Delmarva Pride Center: 

The Delmarva Pride Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and  advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the Delmarva Peninsula. Through  educational programs, outreach initiatives, and social events, the Center strives to create a more inclusive and affirming society for all. 

For more information about the Delmarva Pride Center, please visit 

www.delmarvapridecenter.com or email [email protected].

Allegro Academy invites all singers to join the Summer Sing Choir Festival to take place July 26 at Easton’s Waterfowl Building.  Nearly 100 community musicians alongside professional soloists and instrumentalists come together to perform a major choral work for this annual event.  This year’s program will feature Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo, a global, celebratory setting of Psalm 100 in seven different languages. 

“Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo brings to life the global aspect of the traditional Psalm 100 text, “O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands,” by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences. Each movement combines some characteristics of its language-group’s musical culture with the composer’s own musical language. Movements include liturgical Latin, intertwined Hebrew and Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Zulu, Spanish, Song of the Earth (untexted), and a closing movement combining several of these languages with English. The result is a stunning global celebration of joy, as all the earth sings as one, “omnis terra, jubilate!””

Singers will begin rehearsals the week of July 7, and will find plenty of assistance along the way including recordings and rehearsal tracks.  There is no audition or participation fee required for singers, in keeping with the Allegro mission to make exceptional music performance and education opportunities available to all.  The Summer Sing Choir Festival was founded and is directed by Amy Morgan, a skilled conductor, educator, performer, and Artistic Director of Allegro Academy.

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For more information please visit www.allegroacademyeaston.com or call 410-603-8361. Programs of Allegro Academy are funded by generous community members, Talbot Arts, the Mid-Shore Community Foundations, and the Maryland State Arts Council.