Inaugural Frederick Pride Parade is history in the making
LAND’: Work by Frederick artist Christopher Madden will be shown at the London Art Biennale PAGE
FREDERICK WILL MAKE HISTORY WITH ITS FIRST-EVER PRIDE PARADE
June 27 will mark a watershed moment in Frederick when the city hosts its inaugural Pride Parade at 7 p.m., beginning at South Carroll and East Patrick streets. This event is the culmination of decades of quiet advocacy finally bursting into joyful public expression. The parade traces its DNA directly to the 1969 Stonewall uprising, when patrons of a Greenwich Village bar transformed police harassment into a clarion call for dignity. Frederick’s iteration emerged from a practical collaboration between The Frederick Center and city government, proving that institutional support can nurture grassroots activism. More than 50 groups will participate. The festivities continue June 28 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Carroll Creek with the annual Pride Festival. The festival is both educational and entertaining, featuring drag performances, live music, food and drinks, DJ sets and activities for all ages.
FREDERICK ARTIST’S POLITICAL SATIRE EARNS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Christopher Madden’s provocative painting “Alice in MAGA Land” has been selected for exhibition at The London Art Biennale in July, catapulting this Frederick artist from local studios to international spotlight. Madden’s work exemplifies how satirical art can function as a cultural mirror and political weapon. In this piece, he uses Lewis Carroll’s whimsical framework to examine contemporary American polarization. Madden’s Appalachian background informs his satirical sensibility; growing up in mountain culture provided him with humor as survival tool, which now translates into sophisticated political commentary. His role as president of the Master Art Copyists at the National Gallery of Art adds scholarly gravitas to his rebellious streak, resulting in technical mastery and cultural critique coexisting in his work. The London recognition validates Frederick’s growing reputation as an arts destination. We extend a big congrats to him ahead of the event!
COUNTRY ROADS & GARDENS TOUR CULTIVATES A SLOWER-PACED WEEKEND (STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES)
June 28 and 29 bring the return of the Country Roads & Gardens Tour for a second year, showcasing 11 gardens across Braddock Heights, Middletown, Myersville, Wolfsville and Smithsburg. This self-guided driving tour represents an exercise in slow living and intentional observation. Participating gardens range from Zion Lutheran Church’s intimate memorial space to Surreybrooke Gardens’ sprawling 20-acre landscape. Six Wicket Vineyards adds wine tastings and a regulation croquet court. Perhaps most magical, at this tour, every gardener becomes a teacher, every visitor a student in the ongoing seminar of sustainable living.
ANOTHER CREATIVE HUB IN FREDERICK
Named after the pyrometric cone that measures kiln temperatures (a delightful nod to 18th-century potter Josiah Wedgwood’s scientific innovations), the new Cone Six pottery supply store on Market Street occupies the former Pasta Palette space with ambitions extending beyond retail. Co-owner Leigh Anne Thompson envisions Cone Six as a community catalyst to bring people together through educational and creative workshops. The store’s parent company, Perennial Clay and Garden, which Thompson also co-owns, has already proven this model’s success with botanical dyeing workshops and wreath-making classes in 2024. Just stopping in to shop might feel like a quiet destination in and of itself. Thompson’s eye creates an aesthetic experience that feels more European boutique than American supply shop. The next onsite event is a watercolor workshop scheduled for June 28.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your community stories and events with us! Email llarocca@newspost.com.
Meet Bob & Freddie. When it comes to local businesses, businesspeople and organizations in Frederick, they know best. Here is a personal interview with a 2024 Best of the Best winner or finalist about why they love what they do, helping those they serve and working in Frederick.
Blue Crab Tattoo & Body Piercing
2024 WINNER FOR BEST TATTOO SHOP & BODY PIERCING SHOP
WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART?
Blue Crab Tattoo offers custom tattoos, specialty curated piercings, and worldclass, high quality jewelry. When it comes to our technique, finesse, and specialization in state of the art sterilization methods, you can put your trust in our hands.
Our tattoo artists are versed in a variety of tattoo styles to help your dreams come to life! Our jewelry selection is unmatched, and our unique ability to offer custom jewelry for any need or aesthetic sets us apart from the rest. Our piercers are the only members of Association of Professional Piercers (APP) in Western Maryland.
Family-friendly and intimidation-free, Blue Crab Tattoo stands out from the other shops in Maryland. You can see and feel the difference. We offer a warm, clean and inviting environment to provide an unparalleled experience for all who enter our studio.
WHAT MAKES FREDERICK A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS?
Frederick County is an amazingly unique place with such a diversity that lets us connect with clients from all walks of life. We get to meet and connect with so many individual stories and help create the art to represent that moment in time for them.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN FIVE YEARS?
Bigger, better, always growing and learning. The tattoo and body modification industry is ever changing, especially lately here. Artistic boundaries are getting pushed more and more, which helps develop new styles, techniques, equipment and tools rapidly. We want to be leaders in the industry and set newer, higher standards all the way from the art itself, safety and health standards, the best quality products, to the clients experience, offering the best possible end product, while creating meaningful memories.
Wine Kitchen on the Creek brings a taste of community
Though you might enjoy their classic braised short rib or a vegan-friendly dill hummus with hot sauce falafel, one of the best things about the Wine Kitchen on the Creek is the restaurant’s place in the community, manager Kat Strauss says, from offering wine classes to making regular donations to the city of Frederick’s Community Table program.
The Wine Kitchen on the Creek, located on Carroll Creek in downtown Frederick, offers a variety of wines that change seasonally. Its menu includes burgers, seafood and fine dining options that also change with the seasons.
WHAT’S GOOD?
Know of a great restaurant, bartender, food truck or farmers market? Found a new favorite dish or mocktail in your neighborhood? Let us know! We are always looking for people and places within our community to feature in our Eat & Drink section. Email 72 Hours editor Lauren LaRocca at llarocca@newspost.com.
The restaurant pays its workers all livable wages and health insurance, Strauss said, and aims to make sure its employees can all live in Frederick.
Bri Mansberger, a chef at the Wine Kitchen on the Creek, said she has “a blast” creating and cooking her own menu items.
Strauss said the restaurant makes its dishes from scratch.
The restaurant also tries to source as many of its ingredients locally as possible, Mansberger said.
Strauss said the restaurant tries to have a variety of options for those on different budgets, including relatively low-cost menu items.
For those on a budget, the kitchen has a two for $25 menu where eaters can select an entree and one of either a dessert, wine or appetizer. It also has a happy hour menu from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
The restaurant offers varying drink menus. One recent drink menu, Strauss said, was based on a video game theme with preferences from games like “Donkey Kong” and “Zelda.”
— Nolan Wilkinson
WINE KITCHEN ON THE CREEK
50 Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick 301-663-6968
Hours : Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday closed.
Price : Starters ranging from $5 to $18. Sunday brunch ranging from $16
to $25. Lunch ranging from $13 to $36. Dinner ranging from $7.50 to a $79 meal-for-two.
Chef Bri Mansberger recommends : Short rib — 8 ounces of beef short rib with veal gravy, mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and green beans for $38.
The Braised Short Rib and Dill Hummus with Hot Sauce Falafel at The Wine Kitchen.
Staff photos by Ric Dugan
The Wine Kitchen on Carroll Creek.
The Orange Crush
is officially the Maryland
state drink.
Here are a few places to find it in
BY ERIN JONES Special to The News-Post
It was a moment that would change history — one of the rare occurrences when a fierce debate between senators moves beyond words and becomes physically demonstrative.
I’m not referring to the violent caning of Sen. Charles Sumner in 1856, nor the infamous 1826 duel between Sen. John Randolph and Secretary of State Henry Clay that had pistols flying.
I am, of course, referring to the senatorial clash of the cocktails that took place July 30, 2024. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland and Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware faced off in a battle of bartending to see which state ultimately laid claim to the Orange Crush.
Despite the unanimous acknowledgement on both sides that the Orange Crush was created in Harborside Bar and Grill in Ocean City in 1995, Sen. Coons maintained during the livestreamed event, “We know that anything that can be invented can be improved.” And Sen. Coons credited Dewey Beach, Delaware, with perfecting and popularizing the drink.
Sen. Cardin, however, stressed that Harborside’s creation, a mixture of orange vodka, triple sec, lemon-lime soda and fresh orange juice, is “often imitated, never duplicated.”
“We believe in diplomacy. That’s why we’re using distilled spirits rather than weapons to solve this problem,” Sen. Cardin said in his precompetition remarks. “We’re great friends, but on this issue of the Orange Crush, we had drawn the line in the sand.”
Sen. Coons added, “We share a peninsula, we share a history, we share a hope, we share a yearning, and today we will not share victory because we will have made the best Orange Crush.”
With that, the senators set to mixing their cocktails, four in total, for the judging panel: Sen. Chris Van Hollin of Maryland, Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, Emily Heil of the Washington Post and Jessica Sidman of the Washingtonian.
Maryland emerged victorious with a 3-1 victory, and Sen. Cardin read aloud a proclamation from Gov. Wes Moore, declaring the Orange Crush the official drink of Maryland for the summer of 2024. That proclamation was not the last time the Orange Crush would come across the governor’s desk.
Despite his defeat as a mixologist, Sen. Coons declared the Orange Crush to be Delaware’s State Cocktail just weeks later. All was not lost for Maryland, however.
This spring, Maryland Delegate Wayne Hartman, who represents Wicomico and Worcester counties, introduced a bill designating
the Orange Crush officially as Maryland’s State Cocktail. With a successful vote and a signature from Gov. Moore, that declaration became effective on June 1, 2025.
“Happy Orange Crush Day to Maryland and Maryland only,” Gov. Moore posted on his social media accounts that day.
The summer of the Orange Crush is here to stay.
Where can those bursting with Maryland pride find the newly minted state cocktail? The short answer is, most local bartenders will probably be able to make it on request. However, there are a few cocktail menus in downtown Frederick that feature the Orange Crush, some putting their own spin on the cocktail.
Bentztown on 6 S. Bentz St. offers the Orange Crush along with a selection of additional flavors to pair with the restaurant’s Nashville-inspired cuisine.
“At Bentztown, we like to keep it local, and nothing says Maryland like a fresh-squeezed Orange Crush,” owner Greg Brown said. “This iconic cocktail is a hometown favorite, and we make ours the right way: freshly squeezed juice, quality vodka, along with seasonal touches. Every Friday, we offer our signature Crushes at half price
Frederick.
as the perfect warm-up for our Friday night music lineup.”
The White Rabbit Gastropub on 18 Market Space in Frederick also offers not only the traditional Orange Crush but includes several variations of the drink. Additional flavor options include grapefruit, limeade and even the Arnold Palmer, a popular lemonade-iced tea hybrid. They also offer the option to make it “skinny” by ordering with club soda, rather than the traditional lemon-lime soda.
Isabella’s Taverna and Tapas Bar on 44 N. Market Street transforms the Orange Crush into an Orange Crush Mule. Their menu lists the drink as a mixture of Deep Eddy orange vodka, orange liqueur, orange juice and ginger beer. The mule traditionally is vodka, lime, ginger beer and mint. In addition to the Orange Crush, Isabella’s offers several iterations of mule on its cocktail menu.
The Irish pub Bushwaller’s at 209 N. Market St. also offers the Orange Crush but with an Irish spin on it. Vodka has been swapped out for orangeflavored Jameson to create the Jameson Orange Crush.
“The orange flavored Jameson has a rich citrus flavor but gives a refreshing and whiskey twist to the traditional cocktail,” said Mandi Molina at Bushwaller’s. The cocktail has been a beloved staple of the bar’s offerings for years, even before the recent attention given to the drink.
Agave 137 Tequila Bar and Kitchen on 137 N. Market St. crafts cocktails for over 70 varieties of tequila and mezcals. Fittingly, then, their unique twist on the Orange Crush is to substitute tequila for vodka, resulting in their Tequila Crush. Agave 137 offers the drink in both orange and grapefruit flavors. The crushes are made with 21 Seeds Tequila and have been infused with Valencia orange and grapefruit hibiscus flavors respectively.
Front of house manager Hannah Harboard says the drink is a good blend of a traditional American cocktail with the cultural fusion offered by the tequila bar. A recommended food pairing with the Tequila Orange Crush is the honey butter bay wings, which add an additional layer of Maryland to the experience.
Whether on the bay, at the ocean or walking Market Street, an Orange Crush will be raised by many this summer, a toast to victory … or at least a toast to peace with our peninsula neighbors.
Erin Jones is a freelance writer, former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter. com, or follow her on Instagram @ErinJonesWriter.
Erin Jones
The Orange Crush at Bushwaller’s in downtown Frederick.
Country Roads & Gardens Tour offers a countryside driving tour of flourishing sites
BY SOFIA MONTOYA-DECK sdeck@newspost.com
The Country Roads & Gardens Tour will return for a second year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 and 29. This year’s tour will feature 11 gardens located around Braddock Heights, Middletown, Myersville, Wolfsville and Smithsburg.
“Last year was our first year and we had a good response,” said tour coordinator Lynn Harshman. “It’s just a nice drive through country roads visiting gardens. You just stop and enjoy the quiet, peaceful country roads and the sites of the mountain side and the valleys.”
The self-guided tour takes participants through history-rich farmlands, memorial gardens, extensive landscapes, woodlands, private outdoor residences and school education gardens.
Participating sites include Dahlia Den & Gardens, Valley Ho Farm, Zion’s Memorial Garden, Surreybrooke Gardens, New Bremen Garden, Edgewood Gardens, Six Wicket Vineyards, Stoney Gardens, Wolfsville Elementary School Garden, Jewel Vinsota & Sculpture Trail and Painted Pastures. Each garden can only be visited once over the course of the weekend. Advanced Eventbrite tickets cost $25, plus a processing fee. Day-of tickets will be available at Myersville Town Hall for $30.
The tour can be started at any of the gardens by showing an Eventbrite ticket purchase confirmation. From there, visitors will receive a tour wristband and a brochure that includes a map and garden descriptions.
“You can probably do all of them in one day if you don’t take your time and look at everything,” Harshman said. “If you want to take two days, you could definitely see every inch of the gardens.”
Activities available for garden-goers include rock scavenger hunting, plein air artists, food trucks, garden-specific activities and craft products from local vendors available for purchase.
“We [at Six Wicket Vineyards] will probably have different things set out like corn hole and Connect 4, said Kathy O’Laughlin. “We also have a full-size regulation croquet court so people can hit some balls around on the court.”
Six Wicket Vineyards will also give visitors the opportunity to taste a wine of their choice and will have additional glasses and bottles for purchase.
This is the first year the vineyard is participating in the garden tour.
“We were invited to participate and thought it would be a great opportunity for people to come and see our vineyard
locations for tour participants to hunt, find, re-hide and/or keep.
and get to know us,” O’Laughlin said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for people to see what Myersville has to offer and get to know the people that are here and the different shops and local businesses.”
Photo by Robert Buckheit, courtesy of Lynn Harshman
Six Wicket Vineyards, a participant of the 2025 Country Roads & Gardens Tour, is located near Myersville.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Harshman
New Bremen Garden, a participant of the 2025 Country Roads & Gardens Tour, is located near Myersville.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Harshman
Stoney Gardens scavenger stones will be hidden in the flowers and landscapes of all 11 tour
Gardens participating in the tour significantly vary in size, from Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Garden, which takes up a small space next to the church, to Surreybrooke Gardens, which spreads across nearly 20 acres.
“I like the idea of local gardens being open to people to come and enjoy them,” said Nancy Walz, owner of Surreybrooke. “In the spring, we have lots of bulbs and flowering shrubs, and then, as summer comes on, we have a lot of perennials. In the fall, we have all the foliage from both the trees and the shrubs.”
Harshman, who is the owner of Stoney Gardens, was inspired to create the garden tour after attending Frederick’s Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour, a self-guided tour that features 10 Frederick city gardens.
“It was a brainstorm of mine because I love that walking tour downtown and I thought, well, we have pretty gardens out here in the countryside — let’s just kind of move that to the countryside and you drive to all these gardens instead of walk,” she said.
Harshman discovered her love for gardening at a young age.
“I grew up taking care of a vegetable garden, and my parents taught me how to raise vegetables and my grandmother taught me how to plant
COUNTRY ROADS & GARDENS TOUR
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 and 29 Where: Various locations at Braddock Heights, Middletown, Myersville, Wolfsville and Smithsburg Tickets: Tickets can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite for $25 or day-of at Myersville Town Hall for $30.
flowers,” she said. “I just fell in love with flowers and adding color to the lawn. Gardening is my landscape and my canvas outside.”
Participation in the garden tour is largely generated through word of mouth.
“This year, we’ve got a nice variety with a vineyard and also a nature trail with sculptures, so it’s a nice variety,” Harshman said. “Some of them are open to the public, some of them are a one-time thing, but most are private residences.”
Harshman plans to continue the garden tour either annually or every other year, depending on demand.
“We’re playing it by year,” she said. “I’d like it to be annual, but it depends on the interest and if we can get new gardens to pull that interest in.”
Spirit of ’75 Tour will rock the Weinberg Center featuring Zebra, Angel & Starz
Lane Six Entertainment presents the Spirit of ‘75 Tour featuring Zebra, Angel & Starz at 7 p.m. June 28 the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick. The show brings together three legendary bands for one electrifying night celebrating 50 years of rock ‘n’ roll history.
Zebra, the hard rock trio founded in New Orleans, returns to the stage with original members Randy Jackson, Felix Hanemann and Guy Gelso. Known for their signature mix of technical musicianship and soaring vocals, the band will perform fan favorites including “Tell Me What You Want” and “Who’s Behind the Door?”
Angel brings their glam-infused, progressive rock sound with original members Punky Meadows and Frank Dimino. With hits like “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” and “The Tower,”
Angel delivers a high-energy set that blends theatrical flair with serious rock chops.
Opening the night is Starz, featuring Richie Ranno and Joe Dube. Known for their power-pop style and catchy hooks, Starz sets the tone with tracks like “Fallen Angel” and “Detroit Girl.”
This milestone tour celebrates the lasting impact of three trailblazing bands that helped shape the sound of the mid-‘70s and beyond. From anthemic hits to cult classics, the Spirit of ‘75 Tour promises a night of rock nostalgia and powerful performances.
Tickets start at $50 and are available at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-6002828, or in person at 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick.
Courtesy photo
Photo by Robert Buckheit, courtesy of Lynn Harshman
Painted Pastures, a participant of the 2025 Country Roads & Gardens Tour, is located near Smithsburg.
Perennial Clay & Garden blossoms into 2nd business
BY ERIN JONES
Special to The News-Post
How can a potter measure the temperature inside a kiln, where the heat exceeds the boiling point of a mercury thermometer many times over? This was the conundrum faced by famed potter Josiah Wedgwood in the 18th century. While most now associate the name of Wedgwood with that particularly elegant shade of blue, ornamented with the intricate white design he made famous, Wedgwood’s approach to pottery as a scientist is just as significant. He developed a method for measuring the heat in a kiln based on the contraction of clay.
Today, a variation of this idea exists in the pyrometric cone, which enters the heat of the kiln along with the pottery pieces. They are designed to bend when the desired temperature is reached, in-
dicating that the accompanying pottery has also reached that temperature. Each cone is designed to indicate a different heat level. Cone six is a common temperature for midrange pottery, approximately 2,200 degrees fahrenheit.
pottery supplies but for education and community. Cone Six will host demonstrations and workshops, the first of which was a watercolor class on June 4.
IF YOU GO
Cone Six will host a Watercolor Workshop on June 28. See conesix.com/ pages/cone-six for details.
Cone Six may also be a familiar name to those who have perused the storefronts of Market Street lately. The stoned storefront, previously occupied by Pasta Palette, is now Cone Six, a pottery supply store. The business’ parent store, Perennial Clay & Garden, once contained a section for pottery supplies in the back. The opening of Cone Six in mid-April of this year marks the expansion of that section into its own space.
Leigh Anne Thompson, who coowns the business with husband Steven Glenn, envisions a place not just for
By the end of the year, Thompson hopes to create an outdoor space in the back as a gallery space or a gathering place for artists.
The desire to cultivate community at the store is reflective of the past year at Perennial Clay & Garden. Since its opening on Mother’s Day in 2024, the boutique garden store has been bustling with business and building a following of regular customers.
“We were really overwhelmingly pleased with the response from the community,” Thompson said.
In the fall, Perennial Clay & Garden
hosted a dried wreath-making workshop and another for Christmas wreaths. Another workshop focused on botanical dyeing and featured local artist Margaret Holt.
Workshops paused while preparations were underway to separate clay from garden and expand into Cone Six, but the watercolor class marks the return of opportunities for education and exploration.
After all, at the heart of both businesses is a connection over shared interests and passions, whether pottery or gardening or simply an enjoyment of the European aesthetic Thompson has cultivated.
Thompson designed the boutique garden center to feel like something a traveler might stumble upon in the cobblestone streets of France or
Courtesy photo
The ribbon cutting for Perennial Clay & Garden in downtown Frederick.
THE FREDERICK MOM
The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of June 27
Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom.
Pick Your Own Fruit
8 a.m. to noon June 27, 28, 29
Catoctin Mountain Orchard, 15036 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont
Cost varies It’s berry season! At CMO, black raspberries and blueberries are growing for pick-your-own experiences. Because crops are weather-dependent, call the answering service at 301-271-2737 before heading out for picking availability and to see if the field is open for picking that day. When you arrive, check in at the white trailer outside the market to purchase your container before picking (no outside containers allowed). The experience is cash only. Once you are finished picking in your paid container, you are free to leave. There is a playground for kids to play, too.
•••
Bear-y STEAM: Math Activity
11 a.m. to noon June 27
Dancing Bear Toys & Games, 15 E. Patrick St., Frederick Free
This Friday, head downtown to Frederick’s favorite toy store for an hour of free STEAM activities, recommended for kids ages 4 to 10. Put your math skills to the test with a competitive fun game — Mobi Games. Supplies are provided and will be offered first come, first served.
Dragon Party
•••
1 to 2 p.m. June 27
Urbana Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick
Free
If your kids love dragons, this event is for your littles! Friday afternoon, bring the kids to the Natelli Community Room at Urbana’s library to enjoy free, fire-breathing, dragon-themed crafts, games and activities for the whole family.
•••
Storytime & Crafts with Cats
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 28
Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont Free
Have you ever attended a Meow Mixer? Now’s your chance! Cat lovers, bring your family to a special story time all about kitties and meet the sweet rescue cats from Jellybean Rescue and Friends.
Stay for a ‘purrfect’ craft, some silly songs and fun activities. •••
Frederick Pride Festival
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28
Carroll Creek Linear Park in downtown
Frederick
Free
The Frederick Center presents the annual Frederick Pride Festival, where the community is invited to join our LGBTQ neighbors and friends to uplift each other with love and support. Enjoy drag performances, a food court comprised of local food trucks, music acts, vendors, a children’s area with activities, a beer garden with our local breweries and wineries pouring, and more! Additionally, all are welcome to stop by the Delaplaine Arts Center (40 S. Carroll St, Frederick) and make a free pride-themed craft.
•••
Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day
11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. June 28
E. Eugene Myers Community Park, 201 W. Lincoln Ave., Emmitsburg Free
Celebrate the historic small town of Emmitsburg this Saturday at its annual
Heritage Day! Families can check out history tours at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, as well as two National monuments and two museums that are open to explore. Enjoy kid rides and activities, a craft and vendor show, hayrides and barrel rides — plus the Emmitsburg Community pool is open and free! Be sure to catch the parade, listen to music at the bandstand, get a drink at the beer garden and, finally, stay for the Independence Day fireworks that start around 10:30 p.m. Rain date is set for June 29.
Middletown’s Independence Day
Noon to 10:30 p.m. June 28
Middletown Community Park, 7628 Conlentz Road, Middletown Free
Your family won’t want to miss this allday event! Middletown is celebrating Independence Day this Saturday with activities starting at noon. You’ll find a petting zoo, pony rides, four large inflatables for kids, and a train to ride! Families can stop by Middletown Recreation Council’s booth to pick a prize and create a craft! The Military Tribute will begin at 5:45 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Rain date is set for June 29.
Pick your own fruit, like these black raspberries, at Catoctin Mountain Orchard.
Drive-In Movie Night
6 to 11 p.m. June 28
Frederick Shopping Center, 1305 W. Seventh St., Frederick Free
Beep beep! Enjoy a free, family-friendly evening out in your car this Saturday! Frederick Shopping Center is hosting
(See MOM 16)
TIFFANY MAHANEY
Courtesy of Catoctin Mountain Orchard
John Schwarzman/The Frederick Shopping Center
The Drive-In Movie Night at The Frederick Shopping Center in 2024.
Work by Frederick artist Christopher Madden will be shown at the London Art Biennale
“ALICE
IN MAGA LAND” HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PRESTIGIOUS EVENT IN JULY
BY JENNIFER LEE
Special to The News-Post
The painting “Alice in MAGA Land,” by Frederick artist Christopher Madden, has been selected to exhibit at The London Art Biennale, a museum level award exhibition curated by the International Confederation of Art Critics, the Chianciano Art Museum and Gagliardi Gallery.
“I’m thrilled at this honor and achievement as an artist,” Madden said. “The painting certainly strikes a timely chord in our world today.
“This level of exhibition is akin to a minor league player being called up to the majors,” he added. “Honored to be given this opportunity to show my art and perhaps find new opportunities to exhibit internationally.”
Madden is currently focused on working in oil paint, and he paints from his studio in Augusta, West Virginia. Madden’s work is represented by The Artists Gallery (TAG), a co-op gallery located in downtown Frederick.
Along with his full-time studio practice, Madden is the president of the Master Art Copyists, which is a group of dedicated painters selected to study master works in the National Gallery of Art. He teaches at the Delaplaine Art Center in Frederick and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown.
72 Hours chatted with Madden ahead of the London Biennale, which runs July 17 to 20.
Is there a general theme that runs through all your work? How is “Alice in MAGA Land” different from what you’ve created in the past?
The subject matter and themes in my paintings tend to skew towards the use of satire. It has been my observation that quite serious topics and ideological expressions may be addressed in art by in-
“Alice in MAGA Land,” by Christopher Madden, will be shown at the London Art Biennale in July.
fusing a satirical and/or paradoxical approach. People seem to respond more fully to a work of art when they are first amused, then later perhaps challenged by the concepts put forth — the old “spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” thing.
And I believe artists have the opportunity, if not the obligation, to use their creative skills to bring a sort of mirror to the culture in which they live. Great art we revere from the past had the courage to create a dialog and not just decorate. This art has a lasting sort of power that becomes part of the public consciousness.
Can you talk about the meaning behind the piece?
My painting “Alice in MAGA Land” was the continuum of a short series of “Alice” themes. I had been working from a live model set up with colleagues who meet
each Friday at Hood College, and after the first “Alice” painting, I felt the idea come to take the concept into a far more satirical and political direction.
Given the events currently unfolding, this painting strikes a timely chord, I think. The narrative tries to suggest the sort of cultural subset that has congealed to bring our country the sort of polarization we see now.
The irony that the slogan MAGA has become the rallying cry for the very same subset of our culture who have always suffered the most from these sorts of Orwellian campaigns presents itself to me as ripe for satirical reflection, as well as a would be slap in the face to the people who decry woke but need to wake up themselves.
So it sounds like you see your work as contributing to cultural or political conversations?
I want my work to create a dialog. I want my work to stir reflection.
Some people attend protests to stand up to power and perceptions of unfairness and that is a great thing. It is our right in our country. Some writers use that skill as their voice. I want to use my visual creativity in this fashion.
The satirist Honore Daumier once produced a political cartoon of the king of France that was seen as so inflammatory, he was imprisoned. Francisco Goya produced many etchings that decried the war crimes in 1808 to great effect and put himself in political peril, but he produced them nonetheless and now they are considered very important to human culture. The same could be said for Pablo Picasso’s “Le Guernica” painting.
Art need not be pretty to be beautiful. Art may be more substantial dealing with more challenging ideas.
Courtesy photo
Frederick artist Christopher Madden.
PERENNIAL
(Continued from 8)
England. Many of the products sold are European in origin, and even the American-made products match the curated aesthetic.
As the owner of both businesses, Thompson considers the displays in the store to be another form of artistry.
“I love doing displays,” Thompson said. “I like that aspect of retail where you can change things up, get new products and surprise folks when they come in with how beautiful the ambiance can be.”
While Cone Six carries a different variety of wares than its garden counterpart, its displays are no less thoughtful. Even in the oriel window jutting out against the stone exterior, a fan of brushes showcase the supplies within and pique the curiosity of passersby.
Interestingly, the concept of staging a showroom can be traced back to the very same Josiah Wedgwood whose work informs so much of the ceramics world today.
And it’s worth noting another curious coincidence.
Above Perennial Clay & Garden is a third Thompson business, this one an Airbnb named The Wedgewood Inn. The space originally opened in the early 1900s as The Wedgewood Cafe and Inn but fell into disrepair until Thompson and her husband, Steven Glenn, reopened it.
Erin Jones is a freelance writer,
former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter. com, or follow her on Instagram @ ErinJonesWriter.
I think all art is political, to some extent. Artists can use their skillsets and creative outlook to do more than decorate. Art can be a weapon.
How do you think this piece of art will impact the community or culture?
Only time and history can tell if and how a work of art might impact the world. An artist can only speak. The words may resonate or fall on deaf ears. But the artist must continue in any case.
How has your background influenced the type of art you create?
As a kid, when I could afford it, I loved collecting and reading Mad Magazine. I’ve always been wired to the satirical. It was an important survival tool to see the humor in tough situations growing up in an Appalachian culture.
What responsibility do artists have in addressing current issues?
I think artists have the opportunity to be a voice in the culture. I know many fine painters who can paint as well as any 16th-century Baroque artist, yet their sub-
ject matter is usually something that just mimics the same 16th-century ideas instead of using their considerable skills to say something pertinent about our world today.
Are you ever fearful that your art could set off a firestorm?
I think as artists and people, we have the right and must have the courage to use our free speech. Especially when using satire, it seems art largely gets a pass when taken in by those viewing it.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about your art?
I’m super happy with the progress I’ve been making as an artist over the last 10 years and look forward to making and sharing my work in the coming years.
I will always strive to learn and improve as a working artist. I tell students and kids that we must always be open to learning and expanding. When we stop feeling available to growth, we start a regression that truly isn’t healthy for us as artists and humans.
Courtesy photo
Frederick artist Christopher Madden goes heavy on political satire in his paintings.
Erin Jones
Cone Six is at 121 N. Market St., Frederick.
Courtesy photo
Leigh Anne Thompson and her husband, Steven Glenn, are owners of Perennial Clay and Garden, Cone Six and The Wedgewood Inn.
”Duality” — through June 28 at Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Frederick, and July 5-26 at NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. For “Duality, two become one. Each show will feature new work in all media from local artists and a fresh take on what it means to be a part of a thriving arts community here in Frederick. 301-2289816 or frederickbookarts. org, or 240-367-9770 or nomagalleryfrederick.com.
”Old Gods” — through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Sumner Crenshaw’s paintings pull from mythological and folkloric imagery to explore the inner psyche. The artist brings to life figures from many pantheons, including Greek, Irish, Welsh, Norse and Persian traditions.
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Summer Fun” — through June 29, GALLERY 322, 322 N. Market St., Frederick. Celebrate the warmth and joy of summer through vibrant artwork, featuring partner artists Lissa Abrams, Michael Douglas Jones, Jan Kaufman, Linda Kirvan, Ann Schaefer, Anne Gibson Snyder, Russell Schofield, Tom Ritchie and Homer Yost, along with associate artists Carol Cowie, Deborah Lovelace Richardson, Jane Knighton and Karen Winston-Levin. Gallery hours 4-7 p.m. Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 301509-8212 or gallery322.com.
”SILVER: A Journey Through Space and Time” — through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Multidimensional digital art and animation photography by Dan Silver. Fusing colorful animated loops and photography in collaboration with technology, Silver finds the process forms the journey of his art, continually inventing a new creative communication between mediums. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Hinterland” — through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40
Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
S. Carroll St., Frederick. This series of paintings reflect upon DeAnna Boyer’s relationship with and understanding of nature, inspired by time spent sketching and observing various biodiverse ecosystems from the Appalachian Mountains to the Burren National Park in Ireland. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
“SHROUDED: CYANOTYPES”
— through June 29 at Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Work by Jillian Abir MacMaster. For gallery hours, call 301-473-7680 or visit frederickuu.org.
Art Exhibit — through June 29 at TAG/The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St., Frederick. Featured artists are Colleen Clapp and Rhonda J. Smith exhibiting large-scale cold wax and oil paintings and linoleum prints. The artists focus on the natural world as seen through the lens of Japanese aesthetics. 301-228-9860.
”Five Grandsons” — through June 29, NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. A solo exhibition by Gary Schlappal — his first one-person show at NOMA and his first in Frederick since 2009. This vibrant mixed media collection is inspired by Schlappal’s life as a grandfather to five boys, all under the age of 6. Their boundless energy and chaotic joy are captured in pieces like “TUSSLE 1,” a handbuilt brown clay sculpture with inlaid blue clays, evoking the spontaneous wrestling matches of small children.
Artist talk 3-4 p.m. June 21. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 240-367-9770 or nomagalleryfrederick.com.
”Life Expressions” — through June 29, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. As a part of our continued “Wine and Art Series”, Links Bridge Vineyards hosts an exhibit of artwork by The Tuesday Painters of Frederick County. Weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; other days by appointment. 301-466-2413, linksbridgevineyards@gmail. com.
“My Secret Garden” — through
“Life Expressions” is a group exhibition at Links Bridge Vineyards featuring work by the Tuesday Painters of Frederick County. The Tuesday Painters originated more than 33 years ago when Mary Pfister first offered her “Tuesdays with Mary” art instruction. The show will remain on view through June 29.
June 29 at Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Beth MacNeil Stinson invites viewers into a deeply personal and contemplative botanical world. Using a process she calls echo printing, Stinson works directly with plants to imprint their forms and essences onto paper through an organic dyeing process. Artist talk at 1 p.m. June 22. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsideartistsgallery.com.
”Tea and Tranquility: Savoring the Beauty of Small Moments” — through June 30, Frederick 50+ (Senior) Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Jamie Moore is a food, lifestyle and fine art photographer based in Frederick County. Her work will be on display at the
around the region and the nation. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301698-0656 or delaplaine.org. Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibit — through July 27, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Juried, annual exhibition showcasing artists of the Cumberland Valley region. 301-739-5727 or wcmfa.org. ”Curiosities” — through July 29, Gifts Inn Boonsboro, 16 N. Main St., Boonsboro. Paintings by Kelly Scuderi. Combining realism and surrealism, her characters, surrounded in majestic color studies, come to life. To Scudieri, the mystery is a part of the beauty of the art. “It’s not so much about “who” specifically these characters are as to the human complexities they represent.” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 301-432-0090, giftsinnboonsbor.com.
Rosemary & Thyme Gallery in the Frederick 50+ Community Center. Hours are 8:30 am. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 301-600-3525. essentialquince. com.
”Faces and Whatever” — through July 1, Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Penny Knobel-Besa exhibits her unique photographic style. Virtual exhibit online. Use the A&E parking deck at 25 Renaissance Way. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. TuesdayFriday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. 301-791-3132, washingtoncountyarts.com. National Juried Exhibition — through July 13, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Features works in a variety of media by artists from
”Marine Scenes” — July 3 through Aug. 5, Washington County Arts Council, Main and Michael G. Callas Galleries, 34 S. Potomac St., Suite 100, Hagerstown. Works by Denny Clarke. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. July 3. Artist talk 2-4 p.m. July 5. Virtual exhibit available July 5. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Use the A&E parking deck at 25 Renaissance Way. 301-7913132, washingtoncountyarts. com.
”Two Painters, Separate Paths” — July 4 to 27, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Artwork by artists Tom Ritchie and Lissa Abrams. These two successful and increasingly well-known plein air artists each have their own unique styles which visitors will enjoy contrasting. Where Ritchie uses a lavish “thick and juicy” brushwork, Abrams is more delicate and sensitive. Weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; open July 4, other days by appointment. 301-466-2413, linksbridgevineyards@gmail. com.
Courtesy photo
‘Cross Pollination’ exhibition features work by Judith Kornett and Karen Peacock
Karen Peacock and Judith Kornett bring a maximalist aesthetic to the Mary Condon Hodgson Art Gallery at Frederick Community College’s Visual and Performing Arts Center. Their exhibition “Cross Pollination” reflects an interest in texture, layering and vibrant colors across a variety of media and processes.
Peacock and Kornett are affiliated with two North Market Street galleries in Frederick: TAG/The Artists Gallery and NOMA. They have long admired each other’s work and are happy to be showing in a beautiful space with room for their large-scale mixed-media projects.
Speaking of her modular piece, “Pajama Party,” Peacock says, “Versions of it have been shown at TAG, the Delaplaine and Artomatic, but this is the first time the public can see it in its intended 8-foot-square format.”
Kornett’s showstopper “Homage to the Honeybee” also benefits from generous wall space. A brightly painted and collaged kimono provides the base. Kornett created a mask, needle-felted torso and gloved hands to complete the exuberant and monumental work.
In addition to their individual pieces, Peacock and Kornett collaborated on a group project at the entrance of the show. It consists of 24 small canvases in a variety of media.
“Cross Pollination” will be on view until July 9 at MCH Art Gallery at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Call 301-846-2513 for more information.
Karen Peacock’s “Morbid Rumination” features ravens and other motifs associated with Edgar Allen Poe.
“Conspiracy of Ravens,” a collage by Judith Kornett.
ABOVE: From left, Judith Kornett, FCC gallery director Wendell Poindexter and Karen Peacock pose in front of Peacock’s “Pajama Party.” LEFT: “Homage to the Honeybee,” by Judith Kornett.
Courtesy photos
From Stonewall to Baker Park
Inaugural Frederick Pride Parade is history in the making
BY SCOTT HARRIS Special to The News-Post
The Stonewall Inn, a queer bar in New York City’s West Village neighborhood, was the site of perhaps the most pivotal moment in the nation’s LGBTQ equal rights movement. In 1969, following the most recent in a string of police raids, Stonewall patrons rebelled, taking to the streets in an uprising that lasted several days.
FREDERICK PRIDE
The Inaugural Frederick Pride Parade, featuring businesses, nonprofits, clubs, marching bands and more, starts at 7 p.m. June 27 at the corner of South Carroll and East Patrick streets. This gathering of the LGBTQ community, supporters, friends and allies will include floats filled with organizations, clubs, drag queens, and a Frederick Pride Court will be parading through the city. The parade ends at Baker Park.
In the intervening years, Stonewall assumed mythical status in the queer community. While bitterness and anger sometimes run the risk of occluding the principles that spark protests in the first place, the LGBTQ evolution took a brighter path. One key outgrowth of that rebellion was the multicolored, multicultural spectacle that now anchors contemporary pride events around the world: the pride parade.
The Frederick Pride Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 28 along Carroll Creek Park in downtown Frederick, featuring live music, drag performances, local businesses and nonprofit vendors, a children’s area, local food trucks, a beer and wine garden with local beverage vendors, DJ sets and more.
Learn more at thefrederickcenter.org.
On June 28, Frederick joins the tradition with its inaugural pride parade, set to anchor the annual Frederick Pride festival for the first time since the festival’s inception in 2012. Part performance art, part abiding display of defiance, the parade is more than anything an old-fashioned party, loud and proud, rendered in every color of the rainbow.
“The entirety of the pride parade stems from that single event at the Stonewall Inn,” said Kris Fair, executive director of The Frederick Center, a nonprofit advocacy organization for LGBTQ people and families and the parade’s primary organizer. “The people at the Stonewall had had enough, and they decided to push back. What proceeded was individuals going to the streets to demand their humanity and demand equal respect under the law.”
The parade kicks off downtown at the corner of South Carroll and East
Scenes from Frederick Pride in 2024.
Patrick streets and ends at Baker Park. (Locals might recognize the route as the same followed by the popular Kris Kringle Procession every holiday season.) The parade will include upwards of 50 groups, parade officials said. A lot of the details are still under wraps or being finalized, but floats, decorated vehicles and entertainers are expected to be part of the proceedings.
The original founders of The Frederick Center — Austin Beach, Cindie Beach and Brian Walker — will serve as grand marshals of the
parade, with a “royal court” of drag performers in tow. Groups from The Frederick Center also will march, including the center’s youth group, which will occupy a special place in the procession.
For years, financial and logistical barriers kept a pride parade from happening in Frederick, to the point where festival organizers weren’t sure they could ever pull it off. But cooperation forged with the Frederick city government — including partners in the mayor’s office, the police department, and the parks and public
works departments — eventually helped turn the parade into reality.
“We’ve proudly supported the Frederick Pride Festival for years, and this year we were happy to expand that support to include the inaugural pride parade,” said city communications manager Allen Etzler. “These are easy decisions because events like [Frederick] Pride reflect our values.”
According to Etzler, the city is providing logistical and operational support, including temporary road closures, emergency and public
safety planning assistance, and communications support. The city also contributed financially through its Pride Visibility Grant program, which helps fund LGBTQ-friendly events.
For organizers, it’s a satisfying final answer to a question Frederick LGBTQ activists and allies have been hearing — and asking themselves — for more than a decade.
“Every single year, we would get asked: ‘When is the parade? When is the parade?’” said Glorie Cassutto,
(See PRIDE 16)
Staff file photos by Katina Zentz
Scenes from Frederick Pride in 2024.
(Continued from 15)
support programs director at The Frederick Center. “It was always a little sad to tell them we would love to do a parade but that it’s extremely expensive and difficult. So we’re thrilled to be able to answer those questions and tell people we’ve got it ready to go.”
For organizations like The Frederick Center and the people they serve, pride parades can act as a means of communication, both inside and outside their core constituencies.
“We wanted [the parade] for two reasons,” Fair said. “One, we need people in the general public to understand who LGBTQ+ people are, so that they are not seeing only one version that is misrepresenting our community and how our community simply wants to live its day-to-day life without the risk of being assaulted, abused, having their rights stripped away, or being murdered. We want to show folks that we are inherently interwoven into the fabric of society. The second is to show people in our own LGBTQ+ community, both those that are out and those that are not out,
can hear out what people really want, especially during a time when our community is being silenced,” Cassutto said. “We are fighting tooth and nail for representation in government and to be acknowledged. So it’s really exciting that, when folks are asking us if we’re canceling pride this year because of everything that’s going on politically, our answer is not just no, but also we’re making it bigger and better.”
The idea that pride parades are ongoing symbols of both defiance and inclusion takes on particular meaning, parade officials said, in modern times, as the push for equality is still needed just as it was in 1969.
that it is OK, and there is opportunity for you to live your authentic life and be happy.”
People recognize the impact of the parade both literally and as a symbol, center officials said, and as a
result provided the public influence that helped bring the parade to life, even at a time of mixed cultural and political attitudes toward LGBTQ populations.
“We’re really excited that we
MOM
(Continued from 9)
a Drive-In Movie on the big screen! The movie “Moana 2” will start at approximately 9 p.m. at sunset. The parking lot area will open at 6 p.m. so arrive early to give your family time to get dinner from nearby restaurants before the show begins. Parking will be first come, first served in the lot behind Ashley Furniture, at the direction of the parking attendants. Up to 60 cars maximum.
•••
Chalk-Palooza & Bubble Fest
Noon to 7 p.m. June 29
Sophie and Madigan’s Playground, 632 Contender Way, Frederick Free
Everyone’s invited to Sunday’s Chalk-Palooza & Bubble Fest! Swing by SAMP anytime between noon and 7 p.m. to flow through the bubble fun and grab some chalk to be a “doodler” on the sidewalks. Or, sign up to be a Chalk Artist and compete! There are three competitive chalk artist categories: youth (ages 7-15), amateur and pro. It’s free to compete; just fill out the online form. Kotei Kids Shaved Ice will be on-site serving up delicious organic, dye-free shaved ice and soft-serve vegan ice cream.
•••
Keys’ Minecraft Day
3 to 5:30 p.m. June 29
Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium
“That is the impetus of why we decided to do the parade in the first place,” Fair said. “We celebrate that march in the streets, that push for a sense that our community deserves to be acknowledged, that we deserve to be treated equally, that we deserve the same respect and dignity that every citizen deserves.”
Scott Harris is a writer based in Frederick. In his spare time, he writes science fiction and tries to grow houseplants.
Drive, Frederick
Cost varies
Steve from Minecraft will be at the Frederick Keys Game on Sunday! Celebrate Minecraft Movie Day at Nymeo Field! The Keys is offering a Minecraft Picnic experience in the courtyard and it includes a hot dog meal, exclusive meet and greet with Steve from Minecraft, and a general admission baseball ticket to the game against the Williamsport Crosscutters! For fans who purchase the Minecraft character picnic for $25, you can add on a custom Minecraft movie t-shirt for $20. Gates open at 2 p.m. Get tickets online.
Ice Cream Storytime
6 to 6:30 p.m. June 29
Sweet Babe’s Creamery, 3534B Urbana Pike, Frederick Free
This Sunday, join Frederick Co. Public Libraries for a special “library-on-thego” storytime at a fun, yummy location: Sweet Babe’s Creamery in Urbana. Swing by for cold treats, silly songs and a surprise guest at this storytime, perfect for the young and old.
Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifth-generation native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. She is the owner of The Frederick Mom on Instagram. Follow her @thefrederickmom.
Painting by Mary Page Evans
Staff file photo by Katina Zentz
Scenes from Frederick Pride in 2024.
LIGHT IN A DARK BOX
With AI coming to Hollywood, is this the end of art as we know it?
There was a moment on a recent episode of the TV comedy “Hacks” where one of the main characters, the head writer of a talk show, bemoaned the gimmicky path the show was taking, lamenting that they need to be making “art,” not just churning out “content.”
I thought of that a lot the past few weeks as I’ve been inundated with news about Hollywood’s slow embrace of artificial intelligence. (Because we can’t do anything without involving AI now, for some reason — there’s even AI in our fastfood drive-thrus now. Our drive-thrus! Is nothing sacred?) But hearing about Hollywood executives planning to utilize AI, including to make cheaper, faster animated films, is just another nail in the coffin of the pursuit of making original works of art — we’ve gotten so lazy that we’re getting computers to spit it out instead. Like “Hacks” said, are we making art or are we making content?
And listen, I’m not trying to be all boomer about AI, which I know a lot of people use and love. I’m trying to keep an open mind about its benefits, since it’s obviously here to stay now, and I know it has its uses, like in how beneficial it can be in analyzing documents. But I’ve also read a number of articles about how fallible it is, especially when people don’t check its work for mistakes. And I’ve unfortunately been exposed through social media to AIgenerated music, and while some of it is certainly better than Katy Perry’s latest album, that is a very low bar, and not one that means AI should get the keys to some of Hollywood’s biggest movie studios.
It’s also not like Hollywood needs to be concentrating on getting AI to create content ... after being fed previous content ... to replicate similar content. Seeing as the majority of movies in theaters now are either sequels, reboots or live-action remakes of animated films, I’d say Hollywood is heading in the wrong direction either way. Remember how audiences lined up
Runway’s third-annual AI Film Festival kicked off with a screening at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York on June 5..
for the recent horror film “Sinners?” It became a huge hit and proved that the public will embrace an original film not based on IP. How is the lesson Hollywood learned from this “Let’s get computers to create films now”? Did “M3gan” and/or “M2gan 2.0” teach us nothing? (Not to mention the myriad other smart-computers-gone-wild movies in existence.)
To me, AI’s inclusion in moviemaking seems to be the death knell of true creative expression in Hollywood. I can just foresee it becoming harder for an up-andcoming filmmaker to have his vision fully brought to the screen because the movie’s producers thought it was too expensive, so they used AI instead at a fraction of the cost. And I
don’t think it’s too far off from reality. We’ve already seen some big films start to use AI behind the scenes, with recent Oscar winners “The Brutalist” and “Emilia Pérez” using AI software in post-production sound editing (though its use, oddly enough, is not the worst thing in “Emilia Pérez”).
Of course, I could be all wrong. While I’m sure a number of film executives will use AI for only nefarious purposes, several acclaimed film vets, like actor Natasha Lyonne and director Darren Aronofsky, have announced using AI in new projects, testing out the technology’s effectiveness in what seems to be the same way filmmakers tried out early computer animation when it first came on the scene several decades ago.
So it does give me some hope that people in Hollywood who are familiar with making good art are jumping into the playing field, though time will tell how successful the results will be.
So as AI continues to wrap its seven-finger hand all over the world, I’m trying to stay hopeful that Hollywood (and humanity) will use it wisely and smartly, like the delightful Johnny 5 in “Short Circuit.” But based on what I know about world and filmmaking history, I have a feeling “Black Mirror” is going to start looking like a documentary soon.
Michael Hunley is a copy editor at POLITICO’s E&E News in D.C. He previously worked as a copy editor for The Frederick News-Post. Contact him at mr85mt@gmail.com.
MICHAEL HUNLEY
Associated Press file photo
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Maryland Ensemble Theatre announces 2025-2026 season
Maryland Ensemble Theatre recently announced its 28th season of MainStage and FUN Company Shows, as well as MET Comedy Night offerings, special events and a new performance space.
Show tickets range in price from $15 to $36, with discounts for students, seniors and military. Pay What You Will tickets, starting at $7, are available for each performance while supplies last. Subscriptions will be available for purchase beginning July 1. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 301-694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org, or in person at the MET at 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick.
MAINSTAGE
June 2025_FNP_The
timeless classics to groundbreaking world premieres. MET’s lineup is designed to allow audiences to feel more, think deeper, and laugh longer.
The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Directed by Gené Fouché
Sept. 12 to Oct. 5, 2025
It’s 1974 and the hit movie “Jaws” is being filmed. Well, it would be, if the prop shark wasn’t a mechanical mess. In this laugh-outloud comedy, testy, feuding costars Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider take center stage as booze flows, egos clash, and tempers flare. The actors pray for an end to the shoot, not knowing it will change their lives forever.
Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this biting satire, as a troupe of “woke” thespians scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month without any cultural stumbles.
Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl
Directed by Peter Wray
Feb. 13 to March 15, 2026
Six strangers find themselves at a silent retreat in the woods, each seeking connection while struggling with their own silent, inner demons. Both awkwardly hilarious and strangely compassionate, “Small Mouth Sounds” asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Directed by Julie Herber
the rigid Puritan society of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. The accused face the choice of maintaining their ideals or conforming in order to survive in this play about the dangers of unchecked fear, the fragility of justice and the consequences of history.
Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillian and Johnny Donahoe
Directed By Tad Janes
May 15 to June 14, 2026
A transcendent coming-ofage tale and a call to reach out to each other, “Every Brilliant Thing” is a warm-hearted, hilarious, heart-wrenching play about how depression can affect a family, and the lengths we will go for those we love.
MET’s MainStage offerings cover a wide variety of theatrical experiences- ranging from powerful dramas to uproarious comedies,
The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse
Directed by Suzanne Beal
Nov. 7 to Dec. 7, 2025
April 3 to 26, 2026
A group of teenage girls creates mass hysteria as they accuse fellow villagers of witchcraft in
FUN COMPANY
MET’s FUN Company produces a full season of family-friendly productions for young audiences.
(See MET 23)
Thursday June 26
CLASSES
Yoga in the Garden — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Heritage Frederick Garden, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. A new outdoor yoga series in the gardens. Join Jennifer Carpenter, aka Jenuine Yogi, for an all-levels flow surrounded by summer blooms, historic charm and community connection. $20. 410-707-1105. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org.
ETCETERA
Senior Cafe: The place to come for coffee, conversation, friendship and fun events!
Tarot Cards — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Come and learn about Tarot and how it can help with your self-reflection journey. 21 and older.
301-600-8200.
www.fcpl.org.
2025 Exhibits at the Museum of Frederick History — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. See our all new and renovated exhibits, now through Dec. 13. Free admission on Wednesdays.
$5, $10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Tween/Teen Leadership Camp (Ages 11-18) — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us every Thursday this summer for a Tween/Teen Leadership Camp and earn Community Service hours each week. Come join the fun!
301-600-6329.
www.fcpl.org.
Teen Library Council (TLC) (Ages 11-18) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Tweens and teens, grades 6 through 12, meet to collaborate with each other and teen librarians on upcoming library events and to plan teen-led projects. Teen Library Council (TLC) is an opportunity for teens to make an impact within the library and earn a volunteer hour.
Teen Time: OH Crit Presents DND — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Oh Crit performs improv comedy fused with Dungeons & Dragons! Join them as they embark on an adventure of twists and turns, bizarre characters, occasional epic failure. This program
is for teens in 6th through 12th grades (ages 11-18). 301-600-7250.
Author Talk with Susie Dumond — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Give Rise Studio, 125 S. Carroll St., #101, Frederick. What if the happily ever after didn’t work out? Find out in Susie Dumond’s latest novel, “Bed and Breakup,” in which a separated couple crosses paths once again, this time to renovate and sell the inn that they opened together when they first married. Susie will discuss her work with local romance author Andie Burke, then answer questions and sign books. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. 18 and older. 240-575-4496. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/susie-dumond.
FAMILY
ThorpeWood Community Day — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at ThorpeWood, 12805A Mink Farm Road, Thurmont. Explore the natural wonder of ThorpeWood! Reconnect with nature while you visit the horses, goats, cows and chickens, get dirty in the mud kitchen, take a tractor ride, and enjoy a nature scavenger hunt on this beautiful 156-acre farm. The fun kicks off with storytime at 10 a.m. courtesy of the librarians from Thurmont Regional Library, but families are welcome to drop in anytime 10 a.m.-1 p.m. for this outdoor community event. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Summerfest Family Theatre: Mr. Jon & Friends — 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Baker Park Bandshell, Bentz and Second streets, Frederick. Frederick’s own Mr. Jon & Friends is multiple Parents’ Choice Award-winning music for kids and their families. Mr. Jon & Friends makes music for kids and their families that inspire fun, laughter, and dancing. In lieu of admission, bring a nonperishable canned food item for the Foodbank Program. 301-600-2841. celebratefrederick.com.
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, stories and more. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
A BEAR-Y Fun Week of STEAM — 11 a.m. to noon at Dancing Bear Toys and Games, 15 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Calling all STEAM enthusiasts! Join us our annual BEAR-y fun week full of STEAM activities. Each day will have a theme, so stay tuned for details!
Activities are designed for ages 4-10. This event is free and registration is not required. Please note that supplies for certain activities are limited and will be first come, first served.
Our World — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join Mr. Chris at the library this summer for “Color Our World” – a movement-filled adventure! This year’s program features 10 exciting PE-style stations, including rolling, underhand and overhand tossing, an obstacle course, and much more! Participants can move at their own pace, completing challenges and earning stickers on a special challenge card. Plus, each child will receive a fun coloring page to take home!
301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Elementary Explorers: Pudding Picasso
— 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. In this playful, sensory-rich program, kids will use pudding as paint to create colorful masterpieces while exploring texture and creativity. As they swirl and smear their sweet art, they’ll engage their senses and develop fine motor skills in a deliciously fun way! 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories, and more! Designed for ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301600-6329.
cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
MUSIC
Alive@Five: Four Star Combo — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick. Craft beverages and food available by local breweries, distilleries and food trucks. 21 and older, with ID. $6. 301-698-8118. downtownfrederick.org.
Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.
Friday June 27 CLASSES
Mental Health, First Aid for Military, Veterans, Veterans & Families — 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Mental Health First Aid provides evidence-based training for military members, veterans and their families to support mental health conversations. Healthcare workers can access this training for free. Participants receive a threeyear valid certificate upon completion. Free lunch will be provided during the training. bitly.cx/EjiQ.
ETCETERA
Mahjong — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Recurring mahjong and game event hosted by the Asian American Center of Frederick. Join us to watch, learn, and play! All skill levels are welcome! 301-600-1630. mtong@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Guided Exhibit Tours — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Experience the Museum of Frederick County History through a guided tour. Join either archivist Jody Brumage or curator Amy Hunt as they explore the exhibits. Each tour is a unique experience based on the interests of the group and what special things staff wants to highlight that week. Descriptions of each week’s tour can be found on the Heritage Frederick website, which includes accessibility notes. Tours are included with admission.
The Known Agitators — 8 p.m. at Bentztown, 6 S. Bentz St., Frederick. Join this exciting band for an evening of rock and blues. The band is made up of Mary Shaver, Michael Tash, Dean Dalton and Raice McLeod. Two-time WAMMIE award-winning vocalist Mary Shaver is first and foremost a blues artist influenced by the likes of Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thornton and Etta James. She labels her own style as “Texas, Louisiana and Chicago Blues meets Memphis Soul,” and local critics and musicians have likened her powerful voice to all her idols. 21 and older.
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St., Frederick. Take a remarkable journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300
years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the “paranormal” with “Maryland’s Oldest Operating Ghost Tour!” Reservations recommended. $17 for adults. 301-668-8922. info@MarylandGhostTours.com. marylandghosttours.com.
FAMILY
Pick Your Own Fruit — 8 a.m. to noon at Catoctin Mountain Orchard, 15036 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont. It’s berry season! At CMO, black raspberries and blueberries are growing for pick-your-own experiences. Because crops are weather-dependent, call the answering service at 301-271-2737 before heading out for picking availability and to see if the field is open for picking that day. When you arrive, check in at the white trailer outside the market to purchase your container before picking (no outside containers allowed). The experience is cash only, cost varies. Once you are finished picking in your paid container, you are free to leave. There is a playground for kids to play, too.
Bear-y STEAM: Math Activity — 11 a.m. to noon at Dancing Bear Toys and Games, 15 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Recommended for ages 4 to 10. Put your math skills to the test with a competitive fun game — Mobi Games. Supplies are provided and will be offered first come, first served. 301-631-9300. dbeartoys.com.
Dragon Party — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. If your kids love dragons, this event is for your littles! Bring the kids to the Natelli Community Room at Urbana’s library to enjoy free, fire-breathing, dragon-themed crafts, games, and activities for the whole family. 301-600-7000. fcpl.org.
FILM
Why We Fear Microbes & Migrants — 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.. Hood College will screen the American Experience documentary “Plague at the Golden Gate” (2022). The year is 1900. The bubonic plague has come to the U.S. An outbreak centered on San Francisco’s Chinatown stoked fear and intensified anti-Asian sentiments — much like the COVID-19 pandemic more than a century later. 301-696-3663. chee@hood.edu. tinyurl.com/mph-film-fest.
Silent Film Series Presents “Aelita, Queen of Mars” (1924) — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Engineer Mstislav Sergeyevich Los travels to Mars where he leads a popular uprising against the ruling group of Elders with the support of Queen Aelita who has fallen in love with him after watching him through a telescope. $7. 301-600-2868. bhiller@cityoffrederick.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/ aelita-queen-of-mars-1924.
MUSIC
GreenSpring Foundation presents Harp Extravaganza, — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Utica, 10621 Old Frederick Road, Thurmont. What is better than one harp? Multiple harps playing together! The Harp Extravagan-
za concert will feature the talented MSHI harpists in a harp ensemble performance showcasing their work at the Institute. All concerts are free to the public. A free-will offering will be collected in lieu of tickets to support GreenSpring’s music education programs and performances. 804-837-9355. academy@greenspringmusic.org.
Drum Circle with Aya Cultural Arts Studio — 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Drum circle facilitator Ayanna Gallant of Aya Cultural Arts Studio weaves together her training in Village Music Circles, West African drumming and mindfulness to guide participants in a rhythmic journey playing amazing rhythms together, inviting various instruments from around the world, songs, movement and whatever else rhythmically moves you. Drop in on May 30, then fourth Fridays through October.
Singer-Songwriter Showcase Presented by FAME — 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Member-musicians of the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise are featured in this 4-show series on Fridays, May 23, June 27, July 25, and Aug. 29 (4th Fridays May-July, 5th Friday in August). Includes acoustic soloists, duos or bands. See Facebook.com/FrederickAcousticFAME for announcements of featured artists. All-ages. Pay-what-you-can donation at the door. Doors 7:15 p.m. 301-662-4196. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/programs/ sky-stage.
Live Music at the Cocktail Lab — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Every Friday in the Cocktail Lab we’ll be servin’ up our deliciously wild concoctions and some sweet tunes to get your weekend started off right. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.
PERFORMER
Berkeley Center for Dance Presents: 9th Annual Recital - “Trendsetter Going Viral” — 6:30 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Also 6:30 p.m. June 28. This performance will feature the center’s talented dancers as they showcase routines inspired by the latest trends —from viral TikTok dances to iconic trends from the ‘90s and 2000s. The recital will offer a diverse array of performances, including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, acro, jazz, tap and hip-hop. 301-790-2000. boxoffice@mdtheatre.org. www.mdtheatre.org/bcfd#trendsetter.
RECREATION
Let’s End Homelessness Night — 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium, Stadium Drive, Frederick. The “Let’s End Homelessness Night” Frederick Keys game. Make a real impact by purchasing your tickets — all proceeds go to local agencies fighting homelessness. The first 100 ticket buyers will
get a free hot dog and soft drink. $10. 301-606-3012. gabennett01@comcast.net.
Saturday June 28 CLASSES
All-levels Yoga with Yogamour — 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Join the Yogamour Team for another season of our all-levels flow yoga classes in the open air venue. Every Saturday, May through September. Please bring a yoga mat and water with you. Parking is available on street or in the city parking garage.
$20 drop in, $150 for 10 class pass. 301662-4190. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. yogamour.org.
FCC Health Meets Food: Community Adult Beginner Series — 9 a.m. to noon at The Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Ave., Frederick. Join Frederick Community College’s (FCC) Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute (HCTI) in this new community education class and get ready to cook healthy and delicious recipes, create healthy meals, eat on a budget, and plan for future culinary adventures! Discover cooking techniques based on Mediterranean Diet principles and prepare different recipes each week. Available in-person or online. Taught by HCTI with curriculum from the American College of Culinary Medicine. Pre-registration required, ages 18 and older. 240-629-7912. HCTI@frederick.edu. frederick.augusoft.net/info/landing/ HCTICommunityEducation.
Shri Yoga — 10 a.m. to noon at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. A calming but challenging style practiced in an informal environment. Classes include various asanas, breathing exercises, chakra vibration, mantras, and relaxation techniques. Attendees are welcome to bring their own mat.
301-600-7000.
Conversation Class for English Language Learners — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Adults who want to practice their English are welcome to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Participants will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the Literacy Council of Frederick County. 18 and older. 301-600-7250.
Online Job Search Skills — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Designed to help participants confidently navigate the digital job market. This program focuses on the essential skills needed to search for and apply to jobs online, with hands-on guidance and practical strategies. Attendees are encouraged to bring their personal laptop or digital device. 18 and older. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com. Iced Tea Tasting with Paulella — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Get ready for the hot summer months with iced tea! Join Paulella
Burchill to sample and learn techniques to make deliciously different and refreshing iced tea beverages from her new book. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
ETCETERA
Frederick Pride Activity — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Stop by the Delaplaine during Frederick Pride to take a break from the heat and make a themed project. (Note that the Frederick Pride Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Myersville Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to noon at Municipal parking lot, 301 Main St., Myersville. Saturdays through Oct. 25. myersvillefarmersmarket.com.
Country Roads & Garden Tour — 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. at Myersville-Wolfsville Area Historical Society - Myersville Town Hall, 301 Main St., Myersville. Enjoy a day exploring charming country roads and beautiful gardens throughout the picturesque Maryland mountains and valleys of Braddock, Middletown, Myersville, Wolfsville and Smithburg on this self-guided driving tour! Various locations will also feature garden and rock scavenger hunting, “en plein air” artists, specific garden activities and other garden and craft products from local vendors available for purchase.
Frederick Art & Architecture Walking Tour — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Museum of Frederick County History/Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Look at Frederick with new eyes. Experience the history and beauty of downtown and explore some of the popular architectural styles, local art, and history. Tour starts at and returns to 24 E Church St. RSVP required.
One Vast Hospital: Civil War Walking Tour in Downtown Frederick — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Saturdays and Sundays from April through September, join NMCWM docents for a walking tour of Downtown Frederick focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862. $15. 301-695-1864. chris.reed@civilwarmed.org. www.civilwarmed.org/weekendtours.
Black Hog BBQ & Steadfast, Standing Firm Against Youth Homelessness Fundraiser — 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at ThorpeWood estate, 13002 Mink Farm Road, Thurmont. Featuring the music of The Knight Brothers. The proceeds from last year’s fundraiser were a huge factor in the continued stability & nurturing home life that gave our residents the opportunity to make the dean’s list, honor roll, get a driver’s license, participate in a nature-oriented retreat, go to prom in new suit and shoes, connect with a mentor and part-time job, healthy eating program, join the military, pursue a career
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Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Juliany Taveras
Sept. 20 to Oct. 12, 2025
Morris loves space adventures, painting, and especially the bright tangerine dress in his classroom’s dress-up center. But when others question his choices, Morris must find the courage to stand tall in who he is. With the help of his vivid imagination — and the roar of space tigers — he shows everyone that bravery means being true to yourself.
Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells adapted by Allison Gregory, based on the book by Barbara Park
Nov. 29 to Dec. 21, 2025
Follow the feisty and irrepressible Junie B. Jones as she plays Secret Santa to her least favorite classmate, Tattletale May. Will Junie B. give Tattletale May exactly what she thinks she deserves, or will the holiday spirit force a change of heart? With plenty of laughs and life lessons, it’s a holiday treat for the whole family.
Tiny Stages’ POP! a MET original production/Theatre for the Very Young
Jan. 29 to Feb. 8, 2026
Bubbles, balloons and popcorn come to life in this joyful, immersive show filled with music, puppets, and playful surprises. A gentle, sensory adventure where every pop brings a new delight. For kids up to age 5.
Peter Rabbit & the Secret Garden Gate, a MET Original Feb. 15 to Match 9, 2026
Step into a world of wonder, whimsy and woodland mischief in this bold new re-imagining of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale!
“Peter Rabbit & The Secret Garden Gate” invites young audiences on a thrilling journey beyond the hedge, where gardens grow secrets, animals talk back and even the smallest rabbit can change the world.
Arthur and Friends Make a Musical
April 18 to May 10, 2026
Mr. Ratburn’s class is putting on a show, but Arthur’s not so sure he’s ready. With help from his family and friends, Arthur learns that being yourself is the best part of any performance. A fun, feelgood musical for the whole family.
COMEDY NIGHT ON MET’S KEY STAGE
MET’s newest venue, The Key Stage, will be home to MET Comedy Night. Every Friday and Saturday at 8:30 p.m., September through June, MET Comedy Night will host a variety of improv shows by MET’s resident improv teams, from familiar favorites like The Comedy Pigs and Oh Crit! to newer additions such as That’s What She Said, Off Key: An Improvised Musical, Key City Improv and more.
MET’s Key Stage will debut with our Fall Comedy Extravaganza on Sept. 5 and 6. It is located on the ground level of the Francis Scott Key building at 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. MET’s occupancy of this historic space will return it to a public event space for the first time since 1975.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Hedwig and the Angry Inch a MET-X Production
Aug. 15 to 23, 2025
This groundbreaking Obiewinning Off-Broadway smash tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.” Join Hedwig and her band as she tells her life story and follows the former lover/band-mate who stole her songs.
Inebriated Halloween a MET-X Production
Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, 2025
Spooky Halloween stories are told on screen by imbibing actors while a team of performers recreates the antics live onstage.
The Rocky Horror Show
Oct. 31 to Nov. 8, 2025
This is a coproduction with Frederick Community College, performed at the JBK Theatre at FCC. Squeaky clean couple Brad and Janet have some car trouble and are forced to seek refuge in the gothic castle of the mad scientist Dr. FrankN-Furter. Break out your fishnets and join MET in partnership with Theatre FCC for some campy humorous fun.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 5 to 7, 2025
It wouldn’t be the holidays without it. Performances at Weinberg Center for the Arts.
Retro Prom Spring 2026
Put your dancing shoes on for the party of the season.
in military law enforcement, reunite and live with family, and more positives. $110. 301-257-1953. sfutran@steadfastmd.org.
Tour Schifferstadt Architectural Museum — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick. Step back (way back!) in Frederick’s history to see how the pioneering Brunner family lived in the 1750s. You can do that at the Schifferstadt — Frederick’s oldest intact house, built in 1758. You can see how German engineering and home design came to Colonial America. Guided tours explain the features and tell the history of the family and their home.
$8 adults, under 12 free. 301-663-3885. boycerensberger@gmail.com. fredericklandmarks.org.
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St., Frederick. Take a remarkable journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the “paranormal” with “Maryland’s Oldest Operating Ghost Tour!” Reservations recommended. $17 for adults. 301-668-8922. info@MarylandGhostTours.com. marylandghosttours.com.
FAMILY
Pick Your Own Fruit — 8 a.m. to noon at Catoctin Mountain Orchard, 15036 N. Franklinville Road, Thurmont. It’s berry season! At CMO, black raspberries and blueberries are
growing for pick-your-own experiences. Because crops are weather-dependent, call the answering service at 301-271-2737 before heading out for picking availability and to see if the field is open for picking that day. When you arrive, check in at the white trailer outside the market to purchase your container before picking (no outside containers allowed). The experience is cash only, cost varies. Once you are finished picking in your paid container, you are free to leave. There is a playground for kids to play, too!
Read to a Dog — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Practice reading to a furry friend with Wags for Hope. This program is designed for children ages up to 10. 301-600-7250.
Family Storytime: Meow Mixer — 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Curl up for a cozy storytime all about our favorite furry friends — cats! Enjoy meow-gical stories, silly songs, and fun activities that are the cat’s meow. Great for little animal lovers! Stories, movement, music and fun for the entire family. Stay after for a cat craft and meet and greet with Jellybean Rescue and Friends. Designed for kids with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.
Family Storytime — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Stories, movement, music and fun for the entire family. Designed for kids, with a caregiver.
Drive-In Movie Night: “Moana 2” — 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Frederick Shopping Center, 1305 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Beep beep! Enjoy a free, family-friendly evening out in your car this Saturday! Frederick Shopping Center is hosting a Drive-In Movie on the big screen! The movie will start at approximately 9 p.m. at sunset. The parking lot area will open at 6 p.m. so arrive early to give your family time to get dinner from nearby restaurants before the show begins. Parking will be first come, first served in the lot behind Ashley Furniture, at the direction of the parking attendants. Up to 60 cars maximum. 240-215-8218.
FESTIVALS
Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day — 6:30 a.m. at E. Eugene Myers Community Park, W. Lincoln Ave., Emmitsburg. Breakfast at Vigilant Hose Co. 6:30-8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. ‘til gone Lions Club BBQ chicken meals, field games 11 a.m. Other activities begin at noon. Hay rides, car show, bingo, kids’ games and rides, history tours at the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, free pool all day, crafter/vendor show, chalk art contest, beer garden, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments, dog demonstration, parade at 5 p.m., food trucks, music by Sticktime 6:30-9 p.m., fireworks 10:30 p.m. (Rain date is June 29.) emmitsburgevents.com.
Frederick Pride 2025 — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick . Full food truck court, beverage garden, musical guests, drag performances, DJ sets, guest speakers, a children and youth area, pride merchandise shop, hundreds of nonprofit and business vendors, the Lambda Car Show, The Frederick Center information booth, cool down areas, and more at this year’s Frederick Pride festival! Free pridethemed craft at the Delaplaine Arts Center. 301-383-8787. TFC@thefrederickcenter.org. thefrederickcenter.org/frederick-pride.
Middletown’s Independence Day — noon to 10:30 p.m. at Middletown Community Park, 7628 Coblentz Road, Middletown. A petting zoo, pony rides, four large inflatables for kids, and a train to ride! Families can stop by Middletown Recreation Council’s booth to pick a prize and create a craft! The Military Tribute will begin at 5:45 p.m. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is June 29.)
MUSIC
Live Acoustic Saturday — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shab Row Stage, 100 N. East St., Frederick. Located behind the Frederick Coffee Co & Cafe. Enjoy live acoustic music by local & regional acoustic performers at the cutest outdoor music venue in the mid-Atlantic region. Music happens every Saturday (weather permitting) with two shows: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. Performers interact with the crowd and will gladly accept tips. 301-639-1050. todd@toddcwalker.com.
Harp & Soul, MSHI Harp Ensemble Concert — 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ritchie Chapel, 14304 Castle Drive, Fort Ritchie. MSHI Harp Ensemble Concert in historic Ritchie Chapel. Join us for the final concert of the MSHI
Harp Ensemble in the picturesque mountain-top community of Fort Ritchie. This is a concert you won’t want to miss. The Chapel has welcomed U.S. presidents and dignitaries and will resonate with the sound of harps at our final concert of the Institute. 804-837-9355. academy@greenspringmusic.org. www.greenspringmusic.org.
Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker ‘25 World Tour — 7 p.m. at The Event Center at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, W.Va. Seven-time Grammy nominated singer-songwriter praised as “one of rock’s most talented songwriters.” See website for ticket information. 21 and older. www.hollywoodcasinocharlestown.com/ entertainment.
OUTDOORS
Painting with Ponies — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Maryland Horse Rescue, Westminster. Come join us at Maryland Horse Rescue for a fun-filled evening of painting and ponies! This event is perfect for all ages and skill levels. You will be assisted by one of our volunteers while creating your artwork with the help of one of our horses! Dont miss out on this unique opportunity to combine art and animals in a beautiful setting. Invite your friends, schedule a date night, come hang out with us!
No-Bake Fourth of July Treats — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join Weis Dietitian Christina Pelletier as she demonstrates how to make fast and easy summertime treats just in time for your 4th of July picnic. Samples will be provided. 18 and older. 301-600-7250.
ETCETERA
Green Grove Flea and Farmer’s Market — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Green Grove Gardens Flea Market , 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, Pa. Yard salers, antiques, collectibles, crafts, ammo sales, food, baked goods and more. Plus a petting zoo, bounce houses. Dog friendly. Themed weekends too with bands.
717-765-1311. tonyaschroyer@yahoo.com. Summer Crab Feast at Milkhouse Brewery! — noon to 5 p.m. at Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm, 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Frederick . This summers feasts will occur on June 29, July 27, August 31 and September 28. Tickets are now on sale for all of them. AYCE crabs, plus pit beef, fried chicken, mac salad, corn on the cob, mac & cheese, brownies and blondies, sweet tea. Not a crab lover? The cookout only menu can be purchased for $36.99. All beer is available as a separate purchase. RSVP online. $51.99. Marketing@Milkhousebrewery.com. tinyurl.com/bde9t773.
Travel Talk: Let’s Visit the National Parks — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Join Jaime Crosthwait from Terrapin Travel
to learn more about the national parks of Utah! She will be sharing information on Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and a few others. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Author Talk with Barbara Pronin — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Pronin talks about her latest novel “Winter’s End,” a story that explores the lives of the women of the Dutch Resistance during WWII. Following her talk, Barbara will answer questions and sign books. Copies of “Winter’s End” will be available for purchase at the event. 18 and older. 240-575-4496. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/barbara-pronin.
Tour Schifferstadt Architectural Museum — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick. Step back (way back!) in Frederick’s history to see how the pioneering Brunner family lived in the 1750s. You can do that at the Schifferstadt — Frederick’s oldest intact house, built in 1758. You can see how German engineering and home design came to Colonial America. Guided tours explain the features and tell the history of the family and their home.
$8 adults, under 12 free. 301-663-3885. boycerensberger@gmail.com. fredericklandmarks.org.
One Vast Hospital - Civil War Walking Tour in Downtown Frederick — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Join
NMCWM docents for a walking tour focused on the city’s role as a makeshift hospital in the final months of 1862, every Saturday and Sunday from April through September. Tickets include admission to the museum. too. Tickets are free for museum members, but you must still reserve your spot. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
Keys’ Minecraft Day — 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Frederick. Steve from Minecraft will be at the Frederick Keys Game to celebrate Minecraft Movie Day. The Keys is offering a Minecraft Picnic experience in the courtyard and it includes a hot dog meal, exclusive meet-andgreet with Steve, and a general admission baseball ticket to the game against the Williamsport Crosscutters! For fans who purchase the Minecraft character picnic for $25, you can add on a custom Minecraft movie T-shirt for $20. Gates open at 2 p.m. Order tickets online. tinyurl.com/3tvmk3n4.
Ice Cream Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Sweet Babe’s Creamery, 3534B Urbana Pike, Frederick. Join Frederick Co. Public Libraries for a special “library-on-the-go” story time at a fun, yummy location. Swing by for cold treats sing silly songs and a surprise guest at this story time, perfect for the young and old.
FESTIVALS
Chalk-Palooza & Bubble Fest — noon to 7 p.m. at Sophie & Madigan’s Playground, 632 Contender Way, Frederick. Flow through the bubble fun and grab some chalk to be a “doodler” on the sidewalks. Or, sign up to be a Chalk Artist and compete! There are three competitive chalk artist categories: youth (ages 7-15), amateur and pro. It’s free to compete; just fill out the form at forms. gle/uxyDBATesgxS5YSE9. Kotei Kids Shaved Ice will be on-site serving up delicious organic, dye-free shaved ice and soft-serve vegan ice cream.
HEALTH
Rabies Vaccination Clinic — 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Thurmont Community Park, 19 Frederick Road , Thurmont. The Health Department is offering a clinic for community members to get their pets vaccinated. You do not have to live in Frederick County to attend the clinic. Dogs, cats and ferrets 3 months and older can be vaccinated at the clinic. Payment is accepted in cash or check only. No credit or debit cards accepted. Rain or shine. $10 per animal. 301-600-6005. FCHealthDept@frederickcountymd.gov. health.frederickcountymd.gov/rabies.
MUSIC
Sunday Brunch Concert Series — noon to 1:30 p.m. at Shab Row Stage, 100 N. East St., Frederick. Enjoy live acoustic music at the cutest outdoor music venue in mid-Mary-
land, the Shab Row Stage. Located behind the Frederick Coffee Co & Cafe. Grab a coffee, muffin or a sandwich and listen to music from local and regional performing singer-songwriters. Artists enjoy interacting with the crowd and appreciate tips. 301-639-1050. todd@toddcwalker.com.
Wildwood Summer Concert — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wildwood Park, 400 Park Ave., Mount Airy. The Wildwood Summer Concert Series is back! Hosted by the Town of Mount Airy. The June 29 concert will feature vocalist Shelby Louise. Bring folding chairs or a blanket to watch the show, grab some carryout food from our local businesses and bring it to the show to enjoy. 301-829-1424. nhernandez@mountairymd.gov. www.mountairymd.gov.
Summer Concert Series: Quick Shift — 7 p.m. at the Baker Park Band Shell, North Bentz and Second streets, Frederick. Variety, dance rock. The band has been packing dance floors for over 25 years with a set list that shifts between multiple genres and spans decades from the 1960s to 2020s. Their roster is a perfect mix of classic rock with ‘70s and ‘80s pop, ‘90s rock and new and classic country! In lieu of admission, guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable canned food item(s) for the FCAA Foodbank Program. 50/50 raffle. 301-600-2841. celebratefrederick.com.
THEATER
Sherlock Sundays — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick . The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes radio plays read live, in-person complete with sound effects! Join Holmes and Dr. Watson at Sky Stage for a mystery and surprise bonus! All ages. Free. 301-305-1405. contact@esptheatre.org. www.esptheatre.org.
Sherlock Sundays — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Sherlock Sundays return to Sky Stage. Join another episode from “The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” — radio plays that Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and friends bring to life for a Frederick “studio” audience! Admission is pay-what-you-want. 301-305-1405. contact@esptheatre.org. www.esptheatre.org.
Monday June 30
CLASSES
Volunteer Information Session — 7 p.m. at Virtual event, Frederick. Learn about the Literacy Council and get information on the ways to volunteer and what volunteering involves. You will learn about our programs, who we serve and how you can help. 18 and older. 301-600-2066. info@frederickliteracy.org. frederickliteracy.org.
ETCETERA
Summer Teen Zone: Singing 101 for Teens with Renee’s Music Studio (Ages 13-18) — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Love to sing or want to develop your vocal skills? Join us for a fun and engaging program designed to introduce the fundamentals of singing in a relaxed yet structured setting. Explore key techniques such as proper singing posture, breath control and vowel shaping to help improve vocal tone and confidence. Perfect for teens (ages 13-18), this program welcomes both beginners and those looking to refine their skills. 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Mondays in Mount Airy Weekly Food Truck Event — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Railyard, 3 N. Main St. , Mount Airy. This community event is designed to support locally owned and operated food trucks as well as the businesses along Downtown Main Street. Continues Mondays through Sept. 29. 301-829-9660.
Teen Paper Lantern (Ages 13-18) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Light up your creativity with this workshop! Design and decorate your own unique lantern using paper, markers and embellishments. Ages 13-18, supplies limited.
Family Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories and more! Designed for ages up to 5 with a
Baby Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories and play for babies and their grownups. Designed for children up to 24 months with a caregiver. Afterwards, we offer a “stay and play” for all to enjoy. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Little Adventurers — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Children learn and explore through hands-on activities using science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts at the library. Caregivers are encouraged to connect with children and participate in the activities! 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
FESTIVALS
Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. Carnival — 6 p.m. at Carnival grounds, 79 W. Frederick St., Walkersville. Continues nightly through July 5. Food available including crab cakes, fried country ham, pizza and more; games and rides. Ride all night for one price June 30-July 2 and July 4. Nightly entertainment: Full Effect Band, June 30; Bootleg, and bingo with $1,000 jackpot, July 1; Acute Triangle Band, July 2; Rewind featuring Michele Maulo, bingo and fireworks night, July 3; The Feehan Brothers Band, July 4; and Park Avenue Band, July 5. walkersvillefire.com.
Tuesday July 1
CLASSES
Align and Restore Yoga — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Center Frederick, 28 E. Sixth St., Frederick. A slow flow gentle practice to engage the parasympathetic nervous system with breath control, body scans, and ending with an extended savasana that includes the rejuvenating practice of yoga nidra (yogic sleep) on heated floors. All levels welcome. 18 and older, pre-register. $20. 301-305-0693. parkerpsyd@gmail.com. www.thecenterfrederick.com.
ETCETERA
Summer Lunch — 10 a.m. to noon at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. While supplies last, lunches are available for youth 18 and under each Tuesday (June 17 to Aug. 11). Lunches are provided by Helping Hands and Caring Hearts, a local nonprofit. 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Weekly Tuesday Night Bingo — 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Windsor Fire company, 101 High St., New Windsor. Weekly Tuesday Night Bingo. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Food and drinks available. 410-635-6373. d_pstrine@msn.com. nwfd10.org.
FAMILY
Preschool Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories, and fun for preschoolers and their grownups. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.
Get Ready for Kindergarten — 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Have fun exploring literacy, STEM, and art through play-based activities that integrate essential school skills. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.
Bear Cubs at Dancing Bear! — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Dancing Bear Toys and Games, 15 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Bear Cubs is returning in the month of June & July! Enjoy a morning of engaging activities and wonder at Dancing Bear Toys and Games at 11 a.m. each Tuesday through July 29 with new adventures each week! Activities include story times, interactive songs, and more. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Intended for children under the age of 2.
Summer Explorers: Animal Habitat Dioramas (ages 5-10) — 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Choose an animal and build a diorama of a habitat to meet its needs. This program is for children in kindergarten through 5th grades (ages 5-10). 301-600-7250.
Tween/Teen Garden Time (Ages 9-18) — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us in the library garden. Learn how to properly care for vegetables and flowers. This handson activity will take place next door to the library along Cedar Avenue. Be sure to wear old shoes! If it rains, we will meet inside the library for a craft night. 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Night Owls — 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Storytime, pajama style! Enjoy movement, music and stories with the whole family. PJ’s optional! Designed for kids, with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
FESTIVALS
American Spirit Parade — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company Carnival Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. Pay tribute to America’s heroes! The Town of Mount Airy hosts. The parade route runs from Mount Airy Elementary School (405 N. Main St.) to the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Co. Carnival Grounds (1008 Twin Arch oad). A band will be at the Carnival Grounds playing live music as well as patriotic tunes and the National Anthem during a flag raising ceremony.
Sky Stage Swing Dance — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Every first Wednesday, May through October. Starting at 7 p.m., Amanda will offer a beginner lesson covering swing and blues basics. Social dancing will follow until 10 p.m. The DJ will choose moderate tempo jazz, blues and soul for lindy hop/WCS/ blues dancers — taking into consideration the hot summer weather and the concrete dancing surface. All ages, beer/wine for 21+ with ID available for purchase, other small concessions.
Line Dancing Night — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Bentztown, 6 S. Bentz St., Frederick. Every Wednesday. Led by Sharon Grimet of Sharon’s School of Dance, this fun and easygoing class is perfect for dancers of all skill levels.
$10, includes your first beer, soda or rail cocktail. 301-301-8430. info@bentztown.com.
FAMILY
Toddler Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Designed with beginning mobility in mind, join us for movement, songs, stories and more that will guide caregivers toward early learning and literacy for toddlers. 301-600-7200.
Junior Gardeners — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Is your child interested in learning how to care for a garden? Look no further! Join a fun morning of exploring, creating and learning how to care for plants and gardens. For ages up to 12. 301-600-6329. MDeHart@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
Evening Storytime — 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join us for an evening of stories, songs and games! This program is for children ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7250.
FESTIVALS
Mount Airy Farmers Market — 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Watkins Park , 615 Center St., Mount Airy. The opportunity to shop, buy and support local farms and businesses. Through Sept. 24. 301-829-1424.
OneFrederick Collaborative — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Serendipity Cafe, 37 N. Market
St., Frederick. Every Wednesday morning to talk about keeping creativity alive and well in Frederick by finding more spaces for studios, rehearsals and performances, storage, and live-work places for artists and makers 301-606-6717. feinberg.alan2@gmail.com. onefrederickcollaborative.com.
Thursday July 3
ETCETERA
Green Grove Flea and Farmer’s Market
— 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Green Grove Gardens Flea Market , 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, Pa. Yard salers, antiques, collectibles, crafts, ammo sales, food, baked goods and more. Plus a petting zoo, bounce houses. Dog friendly. Themed weekends too with bands.
717-765-1311. tonyaschroyer@yahoo.com.
2025 Exhibits at the Museum of Frederick History — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. See our all new and renovated exhibits, now through Dec. 13. Free admission on Wednesdays.
$5, $10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Tween/Teen Leadership Camp (Ages 11-18) — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us every Thursday this summer for a Tween/Teen Leadership Camp and earn Community Service hours each week. Today’s theme is Public Speaking. Anyone
can have a good idea, but leaders know how to inspire people to listen to their ideas! In this workshop, teens will play games and complete challenges that teach public speaking skills and boost their self-confidence. Project H.E.A.R.T.S. facilitates dynamic workshops on healthy relationship skills at schools and youth organizations in Frederick County.
301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Tween/Teen Leadership Camp (Ages 11-18) — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us every Thursday this summer for a Tween/Teen Leadership Camp and earn Community Service hours each week. Come join the fun! 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
Teen Time: Window Painting (ages 1118) — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Come and decorate the Teen Zone windows with fun art! This program is for teens in 6th through 12th grades (ages 11-18). 301-600-7250.
FAMILY
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, stories and more. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories, and more! Designed for ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
FESTIVALS
Mount Airy Fireworks — 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company Carnival Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. The Mount Airy Fireworks celebration is set for July 3. Gates open at 4 p.m. with the event starting at 5 p.m. There will be live bands, food vendors and a free fireworks display approximately at 9:30 p.m. 301-829-1424. acollier@mountairymd.gov. www.mountairymd.gov.
GALLERY
Denny Clarke: Marine Scenes — 11 a.m. to 7:05 p.m. at Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Opening reception 5-7 p.m. July 3. Artist talk 2-4 p.m. July 5. 301-791-3132. gallerymanager@ washingtoncountyarts.com. www.washingtoncountyarts.com/july-2025.
MUSIC
Alive@Five: Honest Lee Soul — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick. Craft beverages and food available by
local breweries, distilleries and food trucks. 21 and older, with ID. $6. 301-698-8118. downtownfrederick.org.
Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.
Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hub City Vinyl, 28 E. Baltimore St., Hagerstown. Max Wareham is a banjo player, songwriter, and author from Boston. He is a member of the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and was featured on the Grammy-nominated album “Calling You From My Mountain.” $18. 860-685-0000. maxwareham@gmail.com.
Friday July 4
ETCETERA
Green Grove Flea and Farmer’s Market — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Green Grove Gardens Flea Market , 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, Pa. Yard salers, antiques, collectibles, crafts, ammo sales, food, baked goods and more. Plus a petting zoo, bounce houses. Dog friendly. Themed weekends too with bands. 717-765-1311. tonyaschroyer@yahoo.com.
