It is not every day that a band that plays the 9:30 Club decides to make a stop in Frederick, which is exactly what makes the latest SilverVox announcement so remarkable. The New York indie-pop duo Cults — Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion — will headline the festival’s Saturday night music programming on June 20 at the Weinberg Center as part of the SilverVox Festival, running June 18 to 21 across Frederick. Also just announced: Kishi Bashi, the genre-defying singer, songwriter, violinist and filmmaker, will join the festival’s Saturday night music lineup.
A SEASON FULL OF BIG NAMES
The Weinberg Center and New Spire Arts have begun announcing their 2026-27 season, and the early lineup is enough to clear a few weekends on the calendar. New Spire Arts opens with Las Áñez, twin sisters Valentina and Juanita Áñez Rothmann from Bogotá, whose original folk-meets-avant-garde songs have won multiple awards, on Oct. 8. The Weinberg follows the next night with The Hot Sardines, the Brooklyn jazz outfit whose bilingual swing has racked up more than 60 million streams worldwide, on Oct. 9. Then on Oct. 10, David Sedaris returns to the Weinberg for a 60-minute reading followed by audience questions (and if you’ve never seen Sedaris live, this is your reminder that the man is as funny in person as he is on the page). Plus TOAST on Oct. 24 and TolumiDE on Nov. 6. Tickets went on sale to the public on May 26. Reserve yours while you can.
CARNIVAL SEASON IS HERE
There are few things more reliably Frederick than a summer carnival circuit, and the 2026 season just got underway. Mother Seton School’s carnival in Emmitsburg runs through May 30, and the 4 County Lions Club Community Carnival in Mount Airy runs June 1 to 6. From there, the season rolls through every corner of the county — Walkersville, Thurmont, Urbana, Jefferson, Rocky Ridge — before culminating with The Great Frederick Fair on Sept. 18 to 26 at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Each carnival is hosted by a local Ruritan club or volunteer fire company and funded by the rides, food and games, so don’t hold back on the funnel cake.
A WEEKEND OF LIVE MUSIC
The local music scene packs a full card this weekend, and all of it is worth your time. The YAAC show, Frederick’s in-person variety talk series hosted by Dewey Stewart, closes out season 1 on May 29 with SilverVox organizers in conversation about the upcoming festival, plus live electronica from B4WE8. Also May 29, hip-hop artist ROIYALTY plays the inaugural concert at Dalé Futbol Club with SVRGE and DOMM in support. On May 30, the day opens at 3 p.m. with Carroll Creek Live, a rotating multi-act showcase at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater featuring Stitch Early & the Populatn, Asa Weeks & Friends, Dewayo and BIKES, running to 9:30 p.m. That same evening, Sandbox Brewhouse hosts Zootu, Daryltron and Marshal Fuzz as part of the new Rock Steady Sounds series; Still Mountains play a vinyl release show with Timberwolves and Gaspers at Cafe Nola; and Sunniva, Stainless Steve and D.C.’s Shame Shame raise funds for Food Not Bombs DC at Sky Stage. On May 31, Ecstatic Dance Frederick makes its debut at the Y Arts Center with DJ Andy Roy.
DOWNTOWN FREDERICK EARNS TOP NATIONAL DISTINCTION
It is an honor that comes with receipts. Downtown Frederick Partnership has earned designation as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program (the top national tier of recognition for community revitalization efforts!) for the 26th consecutive year. Main Street America evaluated the organization across six areas, including organizational capacity, preservation-based economic development and demonstrated impact. In 2025 alone, Downtown Frederick Partnership awarded seven Mission: Interior grants totaling more than $64,000 in retail reinvestment, helped guide 13 new businesses through the final stages of opening, coordinated eight ribbon cuttings and launched Artopia, a new arts event. A holiday video campaign generated more than 567,000 organic views on a $4,000 production budget with no paid advertising. Congrats to our city!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your community stories and events with us! Email 72 Hours editor Lauren LaRocca at llarocca@newspost.com.
SCHOOL STUDENTS! Engineering Genes &
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July 13–17, 2026
Explore biotechnology through hands-on lab experiences and entrepreneurial learning. Extract DNA, study genetic traits and discover how biotech innovations become real-world businesses.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily at Hood College 401 Rosemont Ave. Frederick, Maryland
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EAT & DRINK
Signature Dish: Manalú Italian Restaurant
BY ALEXANDER DACY adacy@newspost.com
At most hours, Manalú Italian Restaurant is bustling.
Whether it’s the loyal crowd of regulars or a family celebrating a special occasion, the restaurant has seen steady business since owner Marco Pontecorvo opened in Westview Corner in Ballenger Creek in 2014.
Inside is a classic Italian restaurant. Pop and opera music play as guests eat massive portions of Southern Italian favorites. Waiters will grate cheese at the table, and a chef periodically pops out of the kitchen to chat up customers.
The wide-ranging menu has a heavy emphasis on seafood. The shrimp parmigiana — egg-battered, cooked in tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and served with pasta — is a classic, as is the seafood-based Manalú pizza, topped with shrimp, clams, mussels and crab meat. All pizzas are made in a brick oven that looms in the corner of the seating area, regularly churning out Neapolitan pies and the pre-meal bread.
Chicken francese is another classic, egg-battered and served with pasta, shallots and mushrooms in a white wine lemon sauce. Each entree comes with a side soup or salad and is served with an edible flower.
IF YOU GO
Where: 5227
Presidents Court, Frederick 240-578-4831
Hours: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday
Price: Menu items range from $8.25 for a cup of pasta e fagioli to $65.75 for the Manalú steak
The chicken francese is egg-battered and lightly pan-fried, served with pasta, a white wine lemon sauce, shallots and mushrooms. All entrees at Manalú Italian Restaurant also come with an edible flower.
Photos by Alexander
Manalú is a classic Italian restaurant in Ballenger Creek with massive portions and familiar faces.
Frederick’s live music scene is having a moment
BY ROY GHIM Special to The News-Post
I’ve been in a continual state of shock since getting word last week that Cults are set to headline the music portion of the SilverVox Film & Music Festival. This is a cultural earthquake hitting the city. A band that ordinarily stops at the 9:30 Club … is playing Frederick. By simply appearing at the Weinberg on June 20, the hip quotient of Frederick will have been elevated exponentially. OK, Cults wasn’t originally the topic for this column. Where was I?
Yes — the state of Frederick’s live music scene. Factoring in the perceived quality and array of venues in town, it can be a bit of a Rorschach test. One either sees it as incredible, with dynamic original artists punching above their weight for a small city … or incredibly lame, with a lack of appropriately sized venues (years and counting), poor sound systems (or none at all) in a number of quasi-venues, and cover bands blotting the landscape, stuck in the parodied nostalgia of “Napoleon Dynamite’s” Uncle Rico. The reality is more nuanced. While there’s clearly work to be done, if staying on the positive side of things, creatives constructing music in original bands and producing shows in established and nontraditional Frederick venues are working their collective tails off in the current moment. A jumping-off point, then — let’s get to this weekend.
MAY 29
The YAAC show, Frederick’s live inperson variety talk show hosted by the hilarious and ever-buzzy Dewey Stewart, closes out season 1 with a bang-up lineup on May 29 featuring the SilverVox Film & Music Festival organizers to talk about the inaugural festival (happening June 18 to 21) and their ambitious plans to organically build a citywide festival modeling itself after SXSW. Magician Jeff Madsen drops in with a trick or more up his sleeve. The YAAC show’s live music guest is B4WE8, an electronic band that swaps out digital console knob-twiddling for live instruments. Ricole Barnes, when he’s not rapping as Retro/Ricole, is the musical director, responsible for booking B4WE8 along with a number of outstanding Frederick and DMV bands throughout season 1. “I’m always looking for ways to do things and create different platforms for people to bring major city energy to small-town Frederick,” Barnes said, as he’s already drawing up plans for season 2 starting in September. 5:30 p.m. at Y Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. $10 (free for Y members). Also: ROIYALTY at Dalé Futbol Club. A bit of a mystery — my intel about this
An EDM event on July 15, 2023, at the former Frederick Arts Council church building on Second Street in downtown Frederick.
hip-hop artist from Frederick is limited, and this is the first concert staged at Dalé FC, normally a small-sided warehouse soccer pitch near the airport. While there are some unknowns here, sometimes the adventure is in not knowing what you’re getting into, particularly with a new alternative venue space. SVRGE and DOMM in support. 7 p.m. at 1341 Hughes Ford Road, Unit 119A. $10.
MAY 30
It’s decision time with four shows to choose from.
First choice is easier, starting at 3 p.m. with Carroll Creek Live, a new series driven by Brain Dead Live with rotating sets by Stitch Early & the Populatn (currently working on a fun video inspired by Chris Rock’s “CB4”), 2024 WAMMIE award-winning Asa Weeks & Friends, Dewayo (Tom Seymour and Austin Litz’s band project) and BIKES (Retro/Ricole + Eric Moss French’s electro-hip-hop duo), with DJ sets by Baspy, Sounds By Fred and Zzingg. 3 to 9:30 p.m. at Carroll Creek Amphitheater. $15 ($10 online). Sandbox Brewhouse gets things going with Zootu, Daryltron and Marshall Fuzz, part of the new Rock Steady Sounds series. 6 to 10 p.m. at 880 N. East St., Frederick. $10.
Timberwolves and Gaspers play alongside Baltimore indie rockers Still Mountains for their vinyl release show at Cafe Nola. 9:30 p.m. at 4 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Ages 21 and older. $5.
Over at Sky Stage, Frederick locals Sunniva and Stainless Steve join forces
with D.C.’s Shame Shame for a good cause. Per Shame Shame’s Instagram, they’ll be “raising funds to support Food Not Bombs DC, an amazing organization that supplies struggling and impoverished families.” 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. $10.
MAY 31
From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. — not AM, for all you late-night EDM heads — something overdue arrives in the city.
Ecstatic Dance Frederick will debut at the Y Arts Center in a new monthly series. The first edition features DJ/facilitator Andy Roy, who goes by Toaster as his DJ moniker.
“Ecstatic dance is a place for people who want the opportunity to go out and dance, and for whatever reason are choosing not to do that in a club environment,” Roy said. “Now ecstatic dance has a set of guidelines that really allows people to be able to immerse themselves in dance. I’ve been to a variety of different ones — most revolve around an opening movement-based practice, usually yoga … and then transitioning to the music side of it.”
Already sizable clues point to this being no ordinary EDM event. Take for instance the orientation of the sun.
“One of my favorite things,” explained Roy, “[is that] they’re usually hosted in the middle of the day. To go out and dance my little keister off, and then go home at a reasonable time — that’s really appealing to me.”
No shoes (socks OK), no phones
out, leave the chatter outside — rules meant to politely signal that dancers may need more personal space. Make no mistake, the DJ still curates to maximize the boogie-down, but there’s a different vibe that allows dancers perhaps a more transformative, spiritual release.
“I feel like it really opens up my ability to pull and play tracks that I wouldn’t play in a club setting … pulling music a lot more special to me,” Roy said. That permission to dig deeper in his crate gives him license to be adventurous. “I think the dancers really respond to that, because you’re able to play music that you’re emotionally connected to.”
“So you know, L.A., New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, D.C. — almost any major metropolitan city, places that have a substantial nightlife, you will find ecstatic dance pop up,” Roy said. “Seeing an option for ecstatic dance is a real coming-of-age thing for Frederick, and I’m really excited for it.”
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Y Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. $10 suggested donation.
PREVIEWING JUNE
June 5 — Hip-hop returns to Cafe Nola with Snapback Smith and his Make It Count showcase.
June 6 — Still haven’t left Cafe Nola? Then you won’t miss bands who can turn it up to volume 11 with High Noon Kahuna, Coma Hole and Mishima.
June 13 — Sandbox Brewhouse hosts
Courtesy photo
MUSIC
Jackie Venson will bring her genre-defying sound to New Spire Arts
BY J.D. VALDEPENAS
Special to The News-Post
On June 4, Texas-based musician Jackie Venson will perform at New Spire Arts as part of the DISCOVERY series presented by the Tivoli Society.
Venson’s breakthrough album “Joy” received critical acclaim upon its 2019 release. Unable to tour due to the pandemic, she pivoted to livestreaming throughout 2020, garnering a significant online following and rising to the ninth position on Pollstar’s Top 50 Livestreamers list. That visibility led to a taping for season 46 of Austin City Limits.
She has since shared the stage with musical icons Alanis Morissette and Lainey Wilson at the 2023 CMT Awards, as well as Gary Clark Jr. and Melissa Etheridge. Venson was also named Best Guitarist at the Austin Music Awards, becoming the first Black woman to receive the title, and performed at Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase at SXSW.
Beyond performing, Venson founded Found Sound ATX, a rehearsal studio and creative workspace for musicians in her hometown of Austin. According to a previous profile in the Austin Chronicle, her mission for the space was simple: “Yes, this is a real job … Come here and be treated like an actual professional and also have a good time.”
A largely self-taught guitarist — she trained formally in piano and composition at Berklee College of Music before picking up the instrument — Venson’s sound blends electric guitar with jazzy, drawn-out vocals to create what Rolling Stone calls a “refreshingly electric” listening experience.
songs start. Those songs are “Keep On,” “Make Me Feel,” “Rollin’ On” and “Back to Earth.”
When creating a new song, do you write the lyrics first or compose a melody?
IF YOU GO
The lyrics are last. I start with a beat or a chord progression, then I play a guitar solo over it, record that, and then listen back for melody ideas. Then I put the lyrics to the melody.
Jackie Venson will perform on June 4 at New Spire Arts. The show sold out shortly before press time.
Venson answered a few questions via email ahead of her Frederick appearance. What can audiences expect from this performance? Is there any song you are most excited about performing?
I have a few songs that have gone semi-viral on the internet and I’m always excited to play those because the crowd really lights up when the
Are there any songwriters or poets you look to for inspiration?
I like to keep my mind open. I also like to revisit soundtracks, artists or albums that inspired me in the past. Mostly I’m running a playlist or listening to a live band, and always listening with a keen ear.
You mentioned in a previous interview that it took you several years to learn piano. What was the hardest part of learning guitar, and why did you choose to make it your primary instrument?
As far as I know, it takes everyone several years to learn an instrument. All instruments are challenging — this is why such a tiny percentage of humans are even capable of playing at all. Guitar was challenging because of the layout of the
fretboard. Having to memorize and internalize the fretboard was my greatest challenge.
Besides the blues, what are some other genres of music that interest you?
I hardly ever listen to blues anymore, and I’ve never been exclusively a blues artist ever in my career — this is apparent on my albums. I listen to ‘90s hip-hop, ‘90s and ‘80s R&B, modern underground hip-hop, and miscellaneous oldies like Stevie Wonder and Anita Baker.
Who are you listening to right now? Any recommendations?
Right now I have been listening to ‘90s R&B like Fugees, SWV, Blackstreet, Jon B. and Tevin Campbell, pretty obsessively.
Who would you like to work with in the future? What is your dream collaboration?
It would be cool to work with underground hiphop artists at some point. I really love hip-hop and would love to contribute to the scene.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
J.D. Valdepenas is a senior at Pace University majoring in English language and literature. Along with writing about arts, culture and entertainment, she studied classical and medieval literature and Shakespearean drama.
D. Anson Brody
Jackie Venson will perform in Frederick.
Discovering Julius Hemphill through the Hemphill Stringtet
BY DARYL CAMPBELL
Special to The News-Post
I came to Julius Hemphill the way many listeners will: knowing the pillars of jazz — Coltrane, Davis, Monk — but not the visionary whose work helped reshape the music’s outer edges. When I heard the Hemphill Stringtet was going to be performing his music soon, I jumped at the chance to write about it, always eager to learn more about jazz.
That’s why speaking with composer, arranger and author Sam Bardfeld — second violin for the stringtet — felt like an invitation into a world yet unexplored. In many ways, that lack of familiarity became an advantage: it allowed me to experience Hemphill the way so many readers will, peeling back the layers with fresh ears and discovering, step by step, what makes this composer such a fascinating figure in jazz history.
I did listen to one of Hemphill’s pivotal works, “Dogon A.D.” Troy Collins of All About Jazz described the album as a “historic masterpiece” and “widely considered the missing link between the avant-garde and populist forms such as blues, funk and soul.”
What follows is my conversation with Bardfeld.
Can you give us a bit of history about Julius Hemphill?
He’s from Fort Worth, Texas. He was in St. Louis and part of the Black Artists Group — similar to the AACM in Chicago, a pioneering group of African American musicians. They played each other’s music, and a lot of great people came out of the AACM: Anthony Braxton, Leo Smith, Muhal Richard Abrams — a historically important group in the late ‘60s. Lester Bowie went to Chicago, but he was a part of it. Hemphill came to New York in the mid-’70s and was part of the loft scene. He straddles free jazz and more “inside” playing. In the early ‘70s, he put out a record, “Dogon A.D.,” which is still a classic. It was recently remastered and rereleased. There’s a tune of the same name, which we’re actually going to perform from an arrangement for string quartet. An impetus was that he had a close relationship with cellist Abdul Wadud, who played a lot on his records — he was a big inspiration to Tomeka [Tomeka Reid, cellist of the Hemphill Stringtet]. Abdul Wadud is perhaps the greatest improvising cellist of all time.
He passed a couple of years ago … a remarkable player. Hemphill led the World Saxophone Quartet — a very commercially successful group, not that they played commercial music. He left the group in the early ‘90s and started a saxophone sextet, because he loved dense harmonies, then passed away in the mid-’90s.
Can you tell us a bit about the pieces you’ll be playing?
IF YOU GO
Hemphill wrote for his wife, the great classical pianist Ursula Oppens. She won’t be at the performance in Maryland, so we won’t perform that piece.
I’d like to know a bit about you and the other members of the stringtet.
I’ll tell you about our band first!
OK, cool!
Sure! Our first record came out last year on Maryland’s own Out Of Your Head Records, run by Adam Hopkins. It’s a mix of a string quartet written by Hemphill — commissioned by the Kronos Quartet — and four pieces that were originally for the World Saxophone Quartet. For our next recording, we’re starting to work on all-new repertoire. For the concert, we’re doing more pieces written for the sax quartet and my transcription of “Dogon A.D.” Also Hemphill’s arrangement of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life.” On the record, we’re doing a piano quintet that
The Music of Julius Hemphill with The Hemphill Stringtet at 8 p.m. May 29 at Hodson Auditorium, Rosenstock Hall, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. For more information, contact Bill Shoemaker at admin@pointofdeparture.org. (See STRINGTET 13)
Our founding was rather serendipitous. I was at a gig with a man named Marty Ehrlich, whom Bill brought down for another concert about a month ago.
[Bill Shoemaker is a jazz writer, historian, critic and founder of the Frederick Experimental Music Association, or FEMA — not to be confused with the federal agency. He brought the Hemphill Stringtet to my attention.]
Marty is a great saxophonist and is in charge of the Julius Hemphill Archive at NYU. Marty said to me, “Sam, I’ve been publishing Julius’ works for sax quartet, and I made some edits. I’m releasing it for string quartet, and you should play
them!” I’ve been a big fan of Julius’ music for a while. I called up Tomeka, who was in Chicago, and said, “Hey, I was just hanging out with Marty and he mentioned this.” She said, “As a matter of fact, Peter Margasak [a jazz critic who lived in Chicago and runs a festival there but now lives in Berlin] asked if I could play the piece that Julius wrote for the Kronos Quartet … for this festival! You gotta help me with this though.”
Tomeka was living in Germany for the year, but we put our heads together and thought about musicians we wanted to add. We thought Curtis and Stephanie would be the perfect additions [Curtis Stewart and Stephanie Griffin are the principal violinist and violist, respectively].
This was in February of 2022, for the Chicago Frequency Festival. We rehearsed at midnight in Chicago the night before. It was a special concert because we were still really coming out of Covid. Musicians were starved to play, and audiences were starved to hear live performance. It was a beautiful moment. We very much appreciated the audience, and the audience the music.
Courtesy photo
The Hemphill Stringtet will perform in Frederick.
Event Onsite classes Over 75 vendors Saturday, June 13 9am-4pm Sunday, June 14 10am-3pm
Air Supply will bring classic hits and new music to the Weinberg Center
BY GARY BENNETT Special to The News-Post
Air Supply, the sentimental balladeers of ‘80s power love songs, brings all their romantic hits to the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. The concert promises all their legendary hits plus some original music from their new album.
In the 1980s, there was never any mistaking the iconic music of Air Supply. They were that distinctive and that good.
Their love songs either wallowed in heartache or soared triumphantly in bliss. They perfected their craft so totally that there didn’t have to be anything else. They proudly inherited the reliable love-song hit-maker mantle from the likes of Barry Manilow, Barry White and Al Green from the ‘70s.
As far as best duos ever, they’re easily above Hall and Oates, Loggins and Messina and Seals and Crofts — but perhaps just a notch behind alltime greats Simon and Garfunkel, The Everly Brothers and The Carpenters.
ORIGINS
English singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and Australian singer Russell Hitchcock comprise Air Supply. They formed the group along with a backing band in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 while singing in the chorus of the Australian production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“We’ve always had a great band with us but, really, it’s just Russell [Hitchcock] and me as Air Supply,” said Graham Russell. “In the very early years, it would just be the two of us playing acoustically. We’d play little clubs after ‘Superstar.’ The two of us became very good at playing together.”
Forming a band in 1975 was a no-brainer, according to Graham Russell.
“We had so much in common when we met — born three days apart, have very similar names, and we both loved the Beatles. We saw them when we were 14. I’ve always been a songwriter and when I heard Russell’s voice I thought, ‘Oh, here we go. This is the voice I need for my songs.’ It just fell into place so naturally. Russell doesn’t write songs. He just wanted to sing. And I just wanted to write songs. So, it was the perfect scenario. I said ‘let’s
Air Supply will perform in Frederick.
IF YOU GO
Air Supply at 7:30 p.m. June 3 at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets are $79.35 to $149.35. See weinbergcenter.org for tickets and information.
form a band’ and he said ‘okay, let’s do it.’ It was that simple.”
NAME THAT BAND
Coming up with a name for the band was not so simple, however.
If you thought the name “Air Supply” was a carefully invented phrase designed to connote love being in the air with Graham and Russell supplying it, you would be wrong. That was a popular misconception in the early ‘80s. Instead, Graham recounts how a pressing deadline and a strange dream led to the iconic name.
“Our first record was coming out and we didn’t have a name. The record company said, ‘You’ve got to have a name by the morning because we’re going to press the record.’ Nobody knew who we were, of course. That night I had a dream and saw a
big giant billboard with flashing lights all around it. And in the middle were two words in big, black letters — Air Supply. I told Russell the next morning about this weird dream and the two words and he said ‘let’s go with it.’ So, we went with it and it just clicked. It became synonymous with our kind of music. We were never strong planners; we kind of let the universe unfold. We are blessed in this weird way.”
CELEBRATING
THE
BIG 5-0
Air Supply is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 and 2026 with a worldwide tour and new album, “A Matter of Time,” their first album of new music in 15 years.
Graham Russell is proud of the new album. “We both believe it’s the best album we’ve ever made. Whether people hear it or not, I don’t know, but that’s not important to us because we wanted to make one more and this will be the last. It’s a beautiful, beautiful record and we’re very proud of it. We wanted to go out in a really nice way.”
Prolific tourers throughout their career, Graham and Russell will have played sold-out concerts across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia and South America before landing in Fred-
erick on June 3. “Our first show in Buenos Aires in May will make 5,700 shows we’ve played in our career. I think that’s more than any other band in history, but I’m not sure. We simply love to play!” said Graham Russell.
UNMISTAKABLE MUSICAL STYLE
Air Supply caught lightning in a bottle by becoming synonymous with ‘80s love songs. Their reliably romantic hits tugged relentlessly at the heartstrings of fans. They didn’t set out to be that type of band. It just happened, according to Graham Russell.
“We never sat down and said ‘let’s go down this romantic love songs lane.’ That was just the kind of people we were and the songs that I wrote. I’ve always been this way since I was 13. I’ve always written very romantic songs. But consequently, people latched onto it. They’re very passionate and very emotional, bordering on the spiritual. We don’t have to work really hard at it. It’s just there all the time.”
Air Supply’s biggest fans are known as Air Heads. Graham Russell is appreciative of their devotion. “The fans
Cari Hitchcock
THE FREDERICK MOM
Recommendations for the weekend of May 29
Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom.
Carnival season kicks off this week with the Thurmont Ambulance Carnival from May 26 to 30! Enjoy live bands and entertainment, games, rides, and of course, good food. Rides are open 6 to 10 p.m. and ride tickets are $25 per night per person. A special night of fireworks will take place Friday, May 29 at 10 p.m. with Saturday, May 30 as the rain date.
Kids Only: Clay Castles
6 to 7:30 p.m.
May 29
Hot Fired Arts, 1003-D W. Seventh St., Frederick
$28/artist
For kids ages 5 to 12, time to get your creativity out of your head and into the mud — well, clay, that is. This hands-on, drop-off class will be messy and fun! Hot Fired Arts is instructing kids how to make castles and painting them the same day! Artists will leave their castles behind to dry and the staff will glaze and fire them in the kiln, ready for you to pick up at a later date. All supplies provided. Get your kids’ tickets at hotfiredarts.com.
Earth Fest
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 30 University of Maryland Extension, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick Free
Earth Fest is a free, family-friendly event to learn more about the Master Gardener and 4-H programs in Frederick, as well as other non-profits and county government activities focused on the environment. Find out how you can protect the planet and respond to climate change in your own backyard. There will be crafts and activities throughout the day for children, including Storytime in the Garden, plus displays inside and outside of the University of MD Extension Building. Tour their Demonstration and Children’s Gardens. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and make it fun!
Let’s Go Fishing with Mom
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. May 30
Parents Night Out
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 30
Talley Rec Center, 121 N Bentz St., Frederick
$20-30
Looking for a fun and safe place for your kids ages 5-12, while you (the parents) enjoy an evening out? Frederick City Parks and Rec is hosting Parents Night Out as the perfect solution! Designed for children of all energy levels and interests, this supervised program allows mom and dad to drop off their kids and enjoy a worry-free night within walking distance of downtown Frederick! Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/ cofparentsnightout. Miss this one?
Other Parents Night Out are offered on June 27, July 25, and August 29.
Books in the Barn
2 to 4 p.m. May 31
Grape Creek Farm, 9011 Water Street Road, Walkersville Free
Whittier Lake Park, 2200 Whittier Drive, Frederick Free
The City of Frederick and More Than a Father presents Let’s Go Fishing with Mom! Learn the basics of fishing, side by side, just mom and her son(s). From casting a line to identifying your fish, this event isn’t one to miss. No experience is needed; it’s about connection and fun. Whether it’s your first time at trying the skill of fishing or a family tradition, consider this event at Whittier Lake Park and be sure to register at frederickmd.gov/thrive.
Barnyard Bash
3 to 5 p.m. May 30
Woodsboro Bank Arena at Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick Free
The Flying Cows’ annual Barnyard Bash is back! Barnyard Bash is a free, family-friendly, pre-game tailgating event from 3 to 5 p.m. this Saturday
right outside the Woodsboro Bank Arena at Hood College! Expect lots of food trucks, ice cream, live animals, live music, and games — all to celebrate the end of the Cows’ basketball season! Following the Barnyard Bash, grab tickets to the game. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at goflyingcows.com.
Beginner Archery
4 to 6 p.m. May 30
Cunningham Falls State Park, 6709 Cunningham Falls State Park Road, Thurmont
$5/person (cash only)
Kids 7 and older are invited to visit the Manor Area of Cunningham Falls State Park for Beginner Archery! This event is weather-dependent and will be canceled if it rains. To register, call 301-514-5866. Registration closes at 1:00 p.m. on the day of the program. Time slots are every half hour from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Additional workshops are offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on June 6 and 27.
Books in the Barn is opening this Sunday! Grape Creek Farm welcomes all ages to browse the many shelves of books lining the inside of their barn, each one free to read and take home if they’d like. They set out hundreds of books for all ages in hopes to bring joy to kids and some relief to the parents. The books range from toddler to teens to chapter and adult books, too. There is also place to donate your own gently-used books. Kona Ice will be on-site with cold treats! Visit the farm’s many animals and enjoy an afternoon with new reads. The next Books in the Barn event is June 28 and July 26.
Sunday Funday: Let’s Go to the Movies
2 to 4 p.m. May 31
Thurmont Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont Free
Let’s celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a Movie Night! Join FCPL for a magical film following Raya and the Last Dragon (rated PG). Then families can create their very own dragon craft to take home! Bring a blanket and settle in for a family-friendly favorite on the big screen. Popcorn provided while supplies last, courtesy of the Friends of the Thurmont Regional Library. Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifthgeneration native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. She is the owner of The Frederick Mom. To see more local family-friendly things to do, follow her at @thefrederickmom.
TIFFANY MAHANEY
Tiffany Mahaney
Grape Creek Farm in Walkersville will host its annual Books in the Barn on May 31.
Author and historian Carol Anderson to speak on voting rights in Frederick
BY KARI A. MARTINDALE
Special to The News-Post
“You’re going to make a great secretary.”
That’s what Dr. Carol Anderson’s guidance counselor told her when Anderson expressed interest in taking college prep classes.
When Anderson identified Miami University of Ohio as the college she wished to attend, her guidance counselor advised, “You need to go somewhere more in line with your abilities. We have some really good community colleges.”
And when Anderson asked about the PSAT, they discouraged her from taking it. When she later learned that the PSAT determined who the merit scholars were, Anderson thought, “Noted: I’ve got to figure this stuff out on my own.”
Anderson’s imagination for her future was unlimited, as is her imagination for the future of America. The final chapter of her book “White Rage” is titled “After the election: Imagining.” In it, she described the immediate backlash to the 2016 election of President Trump, such as the Women’s March and protests, and concluded, “This is how we begin to defuse the white rage.”
IF YOU GO
Carol Anderson will speak at 7:30 p.m. June 4 at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets start at $35. weinbergcenter.org
When asked what she thought happened between then and now, with Trump back in office, Anderson harkened back to an article she wrote in 2017 for The Guardian, titled “America is hooked on the drug of white supremacy. We’re paying for that today.”
“White supremacy is the most dangerous drug in American society, lethal to American democracy,” said Anderson. “[Trump] throws a kilo of white supremacy on the table and tells his followers to snort.”
The 2024 election, she said, was not about the price of eggs. “Kamala [Harris] ran for President, and that’s another kilo. You’re debilitating yourself, God, and your family, all to get another hit.”
Anderson noted that “We often think of the Voting Rights Act as being just for Black folk, [but] when the massive disfranchisement happened, it so affected the South.”
As she wrote in “White Rage,” “[Imagine] if, instead of continually refighting the Civil War, we had actually moved on to rebuilding a strong, viable South [where] poor whites, too — for they had been left out as well — could gain access to proper education.”
The quality of life for poor white Southerners suffered alongside that of Black Southerners with respect to healthcare, education, and income. “All of those things that would have been advocated for,” explained Anderson, if the base were broader and representatives had to pay attention to more than the demands of a few. “When we disfranchise, it echoes out much more broadly.”
Carol Anderson
Anderson shared what functional government looks like: how Connecticut snow plows respond to blizzards, how Governor Wes Moore responded to the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. “When you believe it can’t work, the government bends down to those expectations,” she said, “[but] when you have the perspective that the government can work — Wow!”
“We shouldn’t have to imagine,” Anderson wrote in “White Rage,” where she urges “all of us — black, white, Latino, Native American, Asian American — [to] step out of the shadow of white rage, deny its power, understand its unseemly goals, and refuse to be seduced by its buzzwords, dog whistles, and sophistry.”
Anderson’s research often requires poring over documents that dehumanize her own skin color. “It’s fuel for my fire,” Anderson said. “I think about how this is the mess that my grandparents [and parents] had to go through.”
She described returning from her father’s overseas military assignment. “My mother found a house she wanted, but the realtor told her, ‘Oh, that’s not where you people live.’”
“’You people,’ who?” Anderson now scoffs. “People who fought for the United States of America? People who fought for democracy? Are those the ‘people’ [who don’t live here]?”
The neighborhood they moved into, said Anderson, eventually “devolved into the ‘hood,’” leading Anderson to wonder, “How can this neighborhood of hard-working, godfearing, honest people turn into the ‘hood? How does that happen?”
This inspired Anderson to research public policy and massive disinvestment. “It made sense,” she said, “when [you realize] the government looked at the people in that neighborhood as not people.”
The solution to racism, however, is not colorblindness. When people say they don’t see color, Anderson said, “What they’re saying is that they don’t see the history of slavery [or] Jim Crow, and so they don’t see the realities of what hundreds of years of massive disfranchisement has done.”
When Black soldiers returned from WWII and were denied homes they wished to purchase using the GI Bill, the wealth gap grew as white soldiers were able to build equity, get a college education, and create generational wealth. Ignoring a person’s race, said Anderson, “means you ignore that kind of policy and the implications. It alters the trajectory of a family’s future.”
Anderson delves into the perception of African Americans as “not people” in her book “One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying our Democracy.”
“When votes are suppressed,” said Anderson, “It’s a theft of our rights. [Those rights] are already ours.”
That’s why Anderson suggests that American citizens should reframe their language — not expressing that the government “gave” or “granted” rights, but rather that the government recognized our rights. She also hopes people will stop confusing the terms “voter fraud” and “election fraud.”
“Voter fraud is when an individual tries to vote when they’re not supposed to, [such as] voting for themselves and their dead mother,” she explained, while “election fraud is when you have an organization figuring out how to steal an election.”
When asked how Americans can respond to Louisiana v. Callais, the recent Supreme Court decision gutting key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, Anderson said, “Vote!”
“When they’re redrawing these districts because they think you’re in their pockets, vote for the other pocket,” Anderson added. “That will freak them out.”
“Don’t believe that this is all settled,” she continued. “No. We have the power to have the government that we deserve, the democracy that we deserve. It requires that we engage … It is our engagement that moves the needle. What voter suppression is designed to do is to keep people away from the polls. Vote, vote, vote.”
And imagine.
Kari Martindale is a poet, spoken word artist and teaching artist who has performed at the White House. She has a MA in linguistics. Martindale recently moved to Alaska but remains on the board of the Maryland Writers’ Association and continues to write features for 72 Hours.
Courtesy photo
”Inspired by Claire” — through May 29, City Hall, 101 N. Court St., Frederick. Honoring the legendary fashion designer and Frederick native Claire McCardell (1905-1958). The artists are Colleen Clapp, Marion Griffin, Jane Dunsmore, Linda Moran, Karen Peacock, Mary Ryan Reeves, Cristy Stup and Sarah Hempl Irani. All art on display is for sale. Exhibit hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. frederickartclub.com. ”Portals & Sanctuaries” — through May 31, The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St., Frederick. Suzanne Lago Arthur’s solo exhibition is inspired primarily by her travels to Spain and Japan (defined as “Portals”) and the domestic interiors of her life (“Sanctuaries”), the latter painted mostly from direct observation which she considers a meditative practice. Many of the oil paintings have been painted in a limited palette which adds to the atmosphere of her work. Artists reception 3-4 p.m. May 28. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 301-228-9860 or theartistsgalleryfrederick.com.
”Water & Vessels” — through May 31, NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. Water paintings by Caroline Mayer and ceramic vessels by Jennifer Bernhard. Hours are noon-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
”Rain & Shine” — through May 31, GALLERY 322, 322 N. Market St., Frederick. Exhibit features works that explore nature’s duality through artistic interpretations of shadow, reflection and renewal, celebrating the rhythm of the elements from quiet downpours to sun-drenched landscapes. Features regional artists Lissa Abrams, Michael Douglas Jones, Jan Kaufman, Linda Kirvan, Ann Schaefer, Anne Gibson Snyder, Russ Schofield, Tom Ritchie, and Homer Yost, along with associate artists Carol Cowie, Deborah Lovelace Richardson, Jane Knighton, and Karen Winston-Levin. Hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. gallery322@gmail.com, gallery322.com.
”Diffused & Defined: Landscapes in Contrast” — through May 31, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Sonja Mishalanie and Kathryn Phebus pair their artwork this month. This exhibition pairs two approaches to landscape: one atmospheric and softened, the other bold and vividly simplified. Together, the works explore how the terrain can be both felt and defined, inviting viewers to see land-
annual juried show features works by artists from around the region and the nation. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Light & Shadows Provide Inspiration” — through July 28, Washington County Arts Council, 34 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. An exhibit by the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association. Opening reception 4-6 p.m. May 30. Parking at the A&E parking deck, 25 Renaissance Way, Hagerstown. 11 a.m.7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Tuesday by appointment only. 301791-3132, washingtoncountyarts.com.
scape through shifting light, color, and perception. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsideartistsgallery.com.
”INSPIRED!” Art Show & Sale — through May 31, BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Award-winning painters, photographers, mixed media artists, ceramicists, fiber artists, and more! Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 301-528-2260 or alog.org.
”Different Drummer” — through June 28, Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Art exhibit by Ted Luck. Call 301-473-7680 or email gallery@frederickuu.org for gallery hours or to request and appointment to view the show.
”2 by 2” — through June 28, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. This watercolor series, by Scott Ponemone, of couples’ portraits began in 2017, continued through the COVID pandemic, and concluded in 2025 after 86 paintings were completed. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-6980656, delaplaine.org.
”The Language of Flowers” — through June 28, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Acrylic and mixed media with enbroidery by Ali Wunder. Drawing from her collection of vintage and heirloom textiles, Wunder’s paintings include embroidery, fabric and pattern tissue, which
she says are more than embellishment, they are a means of preserving not just beauty but belonging. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Invitation” — through June 28, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Paintings by Lorena Long, inspired by the poem by Mary Oliver, echoing its gentle call to pay attention. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Beyond the Blue Horizon” — weekends through June 28, EastSide Artists Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Distinct yet complementary styles of mother and daughter exploring light, atmosphere and the shifting edges of the horizon. Featuring Arden McElroy and Jill Hossler. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsideartistsgallery.com.
”The Gift of Love” — through June 29, Sandbox Brewhouse, 880 N. East St., Frederick. Art show by Phylinda Moore. 50 percent of profits will be donated to The Judy Center and Moon Valley Farm’s Food for Health program. Hours are 4-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 3-10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. phylindamoore.com.
2026 National Juried Exhibition — through July 12, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Works in a variety of media. The Delaplaine’s
”Brush Stories” — June 6-28, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Some of the latest paintings by The Tuesday Painters, a group of 10 local artists who have met on Tuesdays, some for as long as 30 years, to paint together and inspire each other. Artists: Emily Sloviko, Sandra Cook, Linda Goddard, Sabora Haider, Pam Kaelber, Noralie Katsu, Don Ouellette, Mary Pfister, Kristin Simanek and Jodi O’Connell. Opening reception 1-4 p.m. June 7. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment. 301466-2413, linksbridgevineyards.com.
”America Punctuated: Contemporary Responses to 250 Years of America” — June 6-Aug. 3, Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Frederick. There’s a big difference between “America!” and “America?” In 1962, Martin Speckter, an advertising executive and hobbyist letterpress printer in New York, invented the interrobang, a mark of punctuation that combines the question mark and the exclamation point. Open house printing demonstrations and activities noon to 6 p.m. June 6. FBAC hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. frederickbookarts.org.
”Impressions of Maryland” — July 4-26, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Part of the Wine and Art Series, features recent paintings by Tom Richie and Lissa Abrams and their ongoing impressions of Maryland farmland, landscapes, still-life and people engaged in daily activities. Opening reception 1-4 p.m. July 11 with demonstration of their plein air technique 1-3 p.m. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment. 301-466-2413, linksbridge vineyards.com.
Courtesy photo
The 2026 National Juried Exhibition runs through June 12 at the Delaplaine Arts Center featuring works in a variety of media by artists from around the region and the nation.
STRINGTET
(Continued from 7)
We had such a good time playing, we wanted to continue. We thought this was just a one-off. We kept playing, did the Berlin Jazz Festival later that year, and made this record that came out in April of 2025. It was very well received! It’s a bit tricky, because everybody’s busy. We don’t play as much as we’d like to, but it’s been very gratifying. It was voted the 25th jazz album last year, out of 600, in the Francis Davis Poll. [Francis Davis was a prominent U.S. jazz critic who launched the Jazz Critics Poll, now considered the most comprehensive annual ranking of jazz recordings.]
It might not seem earth-shattering, but for a string quartet, it’s pretty unusual. We played the Winter Jazz Festival last year, and we have some good things coming up. But … it’s really the perfect combination of people. Curtis Stewart has been nominated for six or seven Grammys and has his own string quartet, the PUBLIQuartet. He’s a bit of a star in the classical music world and a great improviser. His father is a well-known jazz musician, Bob Stewart, a tuba player. Tomeka Reid won a MacArthur Genius Grant a few years ago. Tomeka and I are kind of the “jazz people.” Curtis and Stephanie are more from the classical world. Everybody has a different skill set. We’re learning from each other. Curtis and Stephanie are also great improvisers. Tomeka and I are raising our string quartet game. Stephanie has a quartet called the Momenta Quartet, focused on contemporary classical music. I’m a jazz violinist. I’ve made several records with Bruce Springsteen and played in a group called the Jazz Passengers. I also make my own music.
What is Hemphill’s place in the musical landscape? How has he affected things going into the 21st century?
Wynton Marsalis and Stanley Crouch, back in the “Jazz Wars” of the ‘90s, propagated this idea that the 1970s were a “lost decade” in jazz — which I think was simplistic and untrue. Wynton made a statement about this in the Ken Burns documentary. But there were people like Hemphill who came of age during that time who are crucial to the history of jazz. “Dogon A.D.” is a wonderful record, and extremely influential in terms of what musicians call “inside-outside.”
”Inside-outside” in jazz refers to a specific improvisational approach where a musician alternates between playing “inside” the harmony — notes that fit the chord and scale — and playing “outside” the harmony, notes that deliberately clash, create tension or imply a different key, before resolving back inside.
Not like Albert Ayler or Cecil Taylor. There are odd time changes … the composition is fairly sophisticated, with a strong connection to the blues. He has this dense, modernist harmony. The World Saxophone Quartet also occupied a sort of unique space in that they came out of this loft scene — a group that was accessible, commercially successful, but also at times what you might call avant-garde music. The narrative though was that, between “free jazz” and fusion, it was a lost decade, and that Wynton and his fellow “young lions” rescued jazz. Wynton softened his stance later on — I don’t know that he’s still espousing this idea. But that statement doesn’t take into account the importance of people like Julius.
This reminds me — you said “inside-outside,” but I was thinking you meant an artist who was known and influential to popular artists themselves, not necessarily to the larger public. A term I use to describe this is “underground famous.”
That’s also true. Tim Berne and Marty Ehrlich were both acolytes of Julius and also both alto sax players. They studied with people who studied with him — very influential. But Julius was the main composer of the World Saxophone Quartet. He worked with choreographers, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, who were one of the most important post-modern dance companies … and he was also just a great player.
Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
There are a lot more jazz string players than there used to be, but I think people still aren’t as attuned as they could be to what’s going on. There’s a lot of wonderful jazz string playing — it’s a great sound. To be playing this music with these people, getting a chance to interact and improvise with them? It’s a treat! Everybody is a great improviser, and it’s a great string quartet. We’re playing wonderfully composed music, and we do a lot of stuff that’s spur of the moment. That was an important part of the World Saxophone Quartet. Also, there are a lot of string quartets right now that improvise in some way, but there aren’t any that really do what we do. In some ways, we take a page from the World Saxophone Quartet and don’t just do “solo, solo, solo.” They did a lot of collective improvisation — duets, trios, things where two or three people are improvising together. A kind of polyphony. I feel like a lot of the string quartets out there now are either straight-ahead or free … but like Julius, our group straddles the boundary.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Daryl Campbell, who performs as Daryltron, is based in Frederick.
AIR SUPPLY
(Continued from 9)
seem to stick with us for years and years. There are millions and millions around the world. It’s become this kind of enterprise of romantic music. It’s quite amazing.”
Graham Russell is the songwriter and guitarist of the two. He is widely respected in songwriting circles for his heartfelt lyrics and tender music. Russell Hitchcock is the lead singer, known for his crisp, soaring and emotional vocals. His sweet and sentimental tenor makes Air Supply instantaneously recognizable and a staple of adult contemporary radio.
FAST FRIENDS
Graham insists he and Russell get along famously, having never argued in their 50-plus-year friendship and partnership. “No, we have never had words. People don’t believe it, but if you think about it, Russell just wants to sing, and I just want to write the songs. I have no desire to be a lead singer. I sing on a lot of things but I’m not the lead singer. So, there’s no competition with us.”
“When we’re ready to make an album, I come along with about 30 songs and we go through them all and we record what we think is right for the moment. Russell always has first go at every song but quite often he’ll say ‘no, you should sing this.’ That was the case with ‘All Out of Love.’ It was supposed to be him singing all of it, but he said, ‘no, you should sing the verse’ and I did and the rest became history.”
Graham has a hard time understanding why some groups don’t get along.
“It’s weird because there were so many artists from our time — Hall and Oates included — that just don’t like each other. Simon and Garfunkel and the Eagles — they can’t stand each other. To us, that’s kind of weird because with our kind of music, which is professing staying together, love and romance, it would be too weird if we were at each other’s throats all the time. We have great respect for each other. I’ve known him for so long. We know each other backwards and forward. So, why argue?”
HIT MAKERS
Air Supply’s discography is beyond impressive.
Their string of consecutive top hits reads like a who’s who of romantic music. First came “Lost in Love” in 1980. The associated album, also called “Lost in Love,” was released in March and contained two other topfive U.S. singles: “Every Woman in the World” and “All Out of Love.”
In July 1981 Air Supply released the album “The One That You Love,” with the title track reaching number one soon after — the group’s only number-one song. The album produced two more U.S. top-five hits: “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)” and “Sweet Dreams.”
The album “Now and Forever” was released in June 1982 and continued the group’s dominance of the U.S. charts with the top-five hit “Even the Nights Are Better” and two top40 singles, “Young Love” and “Two Less Lonely People in the World.”
In 1983 they released their first compilation album, “Air Supply’s Greatest Hits,” which included a new smash hit single, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All,” that reached number two on the charts. Fans unfamiliar with Air Supply but wishing to sample their one-of-a-kind musical prowess should start there.
In 1985 the band released a self-titled album that included their last top-20 U.S. hit, “Just as I Am.” In 1986 they had their final charting hit, “Lonely Is the Night,” from the album “Hearts in Motion.”
All told, Air Supply racked up total record sales of over 100 million worldwide, including an astounding eight top-five hits in just six years and 11 total top-40 hits during that span.
Among their top honors are the 1982 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Duo or Group and induction into the Australian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2026 they are due to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a biopic and Broadway musical about their career are in the works.
When asked why their songs are so enduring, Graham Russell paused, searching for an answer, before thoughtfully responding. “I think because they have an emotional element in them that people recognize. The songs are so simple. ‘Lost in Love,’ for instance, has four chords. There’s something in the songs that pulls at the heartstrings. I know what it is but I don’t know how it comes. I just write them that way. I had a very emotional childhood growing up and I think that really washed over me. I love poetry and reading so those elements come into the songs. The very romantic descriptions of things are always there.”
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.
BY TIFFANY MAHANEY
Special to The News-Post
f you love funnel cakes, Ferris wheels and fireworks, it’s time to mark your calendars — the 2026 carnival lineup is here. Not that you need convincing (the funnel cakes already did that), but your summer bucket list just isn’t complete without visiting a carnival. Whether you like to ride the Tilt-O-Whirl, play ring toss in hopes of winning an oversized stuffy, or just attend to bump into old friends, this is the perfect summertime activity.
Here in Frederick County, residents take pride in local Ruritan clubs and volunteer fire companies hosting carnivals as their annual fundraisers. Admission is free, but the cost of rides, food and games supports the organizers — so don’t be shy spending that funnel cake money.
Each carnival does a great job offering entertainment for the whole family, from oldest to youngest. Some go for bingo and live bands, some for the all-you-can-ride wristband, and almost everyone goes for the food.
Carnivals can even gain a reputation for their menu. If you’re a seasoned carnival-goer, you start taking notes on which ones serve famous pit beef sandwiches and boardwalk-style fries with the unpeeled potato skins rubbed in salt. After dinner, you can pick up a caramel-dipped apple, soft serve or cotton candy.
Some carnivals also host special nights dedicated to parades and fireworks.
The season continues through September with the grandest of all, the Great Frederick Fair.
2026 CARNIVALS
Mother Seton School Carnival — through May 30. 100 Creamery Road, Emmitsburg. mothersetonschool.org
4 County Lions Club Community Carnival — June 1-6. 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. 4countylions.org
Walkersville Vol. Fire Co. Carnival — June 29-July 4, fireworks June 30 and July 2. 79 W. Frederick St., Walkersville. walkersvillefire.com Thurmont Firemen’s Carnival — July 6-11, Guardian Hose Company Parade July 9. 123 E. Main St., Thurmont. guardianhose.org
Urbana Volunteer Fire Dept. Carnival — July 13-18. 3602 Urbana Pike, Frederick. urbanavfd.com
Jefferson Ruritan Carnival — July 20-25. 4603 Lander Road, Jefferson. jeffersonruritan.org
Mount Airy Fire Co. Carnival — July 20-25. 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. mavfc.org
Rocky Ridge Fire Co. Carnival — Aug. 10-15, parade Aug. 12. 13616 Motters Station Road, Rocky Ridge. rockyridgevfc.com
The Great Frederick Fair — Sept. 18-26. Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Frederick. thegreatfrederickfair.com
For each carnival’s hours, nightly entertainment, tickets and other details, visit the sponsoring organization’s website or Facebook page.
ALSO IN THE
REGION
The Great Boonsboro Carnival — through May 30 at Shafer Park, 37 Park Drive, Boonsboro. Kitchen and rides open nightly at 5 p.m. Shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.: Staff Infection on May 28; Cruisers (and fireworks) on May 29; Dean Crawford & the Dunns River Band on May 30. Benefits the Boonsboro Rescue Company. 301-432-6979. town. boonsboro.md.us
Gamber Carnival — through May 30 (closed May 27) at Gamber Carnival Grounds, 3838 Niner Road, Finksburg. Rides, raffles, food. Nightly music 7 to 10 p.m.: The Salem Bottom Boys on May 29; Midnite Run on May 30.
Staff file photo by Ric Dugan
Emma Holbrook, left, takes a carnival ride with her grandfather John Holbrook at The Great Frederick Fair in 2025. Fairgoers enjoy a ride at The Great
Joanna Bankert, 5, of Urbana and Lane Mahaney, 5, of Ijamsville enjoy a kiddie ride at the annual Urbana Volunteer Fire
Courtesy photo
A family admires the view of the fairgrounds, from one of the carnival rides at the 2025 Berkeley County Youth Fair in Martinsburg, W.Va.
File photo by Tiffany Mahaney The Urbana Carnival will be held July 13 to 18.
Staff file photo by Ric Dugan
The midway at The Great Frederick Fair is lit up with color as shown from the Ferris wheel high above the Frederick Fairgrounds in 2025.
Staff file photo by Katina Zentz
Great Frederick Fair in 2025.
Tiffany Mahaney Department Carnival.
MET closes season with ‘Every Brilliant Thing’
Maryland Ensemble Theatre concludes its 2025-2026 MainStage season with “Every Brilliant Thing,” a moving and unexpectedly joyful play by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe, directed by Tad Janes. The production runs through June 14.
At once a transcendent comingof-age story and a call to connection, “Every Brilliant Thing” is a warm, funny and heart-wrenching exploration of how depression shapes a family — and the small, beautiful moments that make life worth living. Told through a uniquely intimate and interactive style, the play invites audiences to become part of the storytelling, making each performance a one-of-a-kind experience.
MET’s production features a rotating cast of three performers, each bringing their own voice and perspective to the role. Jeremy Myers performs May 30, June 4, 5 and 14; Shea-Mikal Green performs May 29, June 6, 11 and 12; and Nadia Palacios performs May 31, June 7 and 13.
The creative team includes stage
IF YOU GO
Shows are at 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. through June 14 at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets are $7 to $36. See marylandensemble.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
manager Shayden Jamison, assistant stage manager Hellen Gutierrez, set designer Cody James, lighting designer Shayden Jamison, sound designer Kevin Lloyd and properties designer Lori Boyd.
The production runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
Content advisory: “Every Brilliant Thing” explores themes of mental health and grief, including depictions of depression, self-harm and suicide.
As the final MainStage production of MET’s season, “Every Brilliant Thing” offers a poignant and uplifting conclusion — reminding audiences of the power of community, connection and the simple joys that carry us through even the darkest times.
A t once a transcendent coming-of-age story and a call to connection, “Every Brilliant Thing” is a warm, funny and heart-wrenching exploration of how depression shapes a family.
David S. Spence spencephoto.com
Maryland Ensemble Theatre concludes its MainStage season with “Every Brilliant Thing.”
Ten years later, the cult of ‘The Nice Guys’ keeps growing
BY JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer
NEW YORK — When “The Nice Guys” debuted 10 years ago, the writing was on the wall for the big-screen comedy. It came out sandwiched between “Captain America: Civil War” and “X-Men: Apocalypse.” It opened against “Angry Birds.” The cartoon birds, Ryan Gosling has lamented, “just destroyed us.”
“They’re just so angry,” Gosling once sighed.
And yet, marking its upcoming 10th anniversary this month, “The Nice Guys” has established itself as one of the most beloved comedies of the last decade — a decade in which Hollywood studios largely left the genre for dead. A 1970s-set comic noir directed and co-written by Shane Black, “The Nice Guys” paired Gosling and Russell Crowe as private eyes in a Los Angeles crime caper that, a decade later, keeps getting better.
“There’s a lot of interest in ‘The Nice Guys’ today that wasn’t there when it opened. And the box office will attest to that,” Black deadpanned in a recent interview. “But people find these things. I think there’s kind of a joy of finding a movie on streaming or rental and then suddenly kind of realizing: How did I miss this? And ‘The Nice Guys’ was easy to miss.”
Now, “The Nice Guys” is almost always on, in reruns on cable or streaming services. Whenever it’s on Netflix, it ranks among the most viewed on the platform. As more have become familiar with the comic talents of Gosling, in “Barbie” or “Project Hail Mary,” fans inevitably ask: “But have you seen ‘The Nice Guys?’”
Black has known box-office smashes; he originated the “Lethal Weapon” movies. But he’s come to view films of his that didn’t make money as his favorites. In 2005, he made another cult favorite in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” which helped revive Robert Downey Jr.’s career. (Downey makes a cameo as a corpse in “The Nice Guys.”)
“There’s something to being the king of the midnight movie,” says Black. “It’s not the most lucrative thing in the world.”
COMEDIES GO DARK
Earlier in the 2000s, comedy was a moviegoing staple. The films of Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow and Melissa McCarthy
were some of Hollywood’s most lucrative. Movies like “The Hangover,” “The 40-YearOld Virgin” and “Bridesmaids” helped define the era.
But as the franchise film grew, and international ticket sales took on greater importance, the big-screen comedy began falling out of favor right around the time Warner Bros.’ “The Nice Guys” (with a $50 million budget) reached theaters, earning about $71 million worldwide at the time. Tastes were also changing. Horror took comedy’s place as the genre of the day.
There are signs that trends may be shifting. This year, “Project Hail Mary” and the just-launched “The Devil Wears Prada 2” have put comedies in front at the multiplex. But over the last decade, funny movies have largely migrated to streaming (Netflix’s pact with Adam Sandler was an early coup) or turned into the stuff of easy-to-miss cult.
Black’s initial germ for the film, writing with Anthony Bagarozzi, was inspired by detective stories like those of William Campbell Gault and Brett Halliday. He’s read so many of them, he says, that “it’s almost a superpower.”
“I thought: There’s so much joy here,” Black says. “There’s so much fun in plot and twists and capers. You light a fuse and these guys go on this wild caper, and in the end, it’s just these two guys that are important. You can’t really remember the caper but it was there to service the idea, the shape of: These guys are at it again.”
If “Chinatown” is a detective tale about a Los Angeles private eye without a car, “The Nice Guys” is about a gumshoe who can’t smell. Gosling’s Holland March reluctantly joins with Crowe’s Jackson Healy, an enforcer, on a missing girl case. The movie is bright and colorful but set against a seedy LA and the adult film industry. With Holland also is his young but wise daughter, Holly (a preternaturally good Angourie Rice).
AN HEIR TO ‘MIDNIGHT RUN’
“The Nice Guys” had an expansive cast, including Kim Basinger, Keith David and, in one of her first big roles, Margaret Qualley. But the heart of the movie is Gosling and Crowe. Neither was especially known for their comic skills at that point. Crowe was coming off the not-exactly-hysterical biblical epic “Noah.” But Black, a believer in the Lowell Ganz-Babaloo Mandel school of
Russell Crowe, left, and Ryan Gosling in a scene from “The Nice Guys.”
comedy (“Splash,” “Parenthood”), had an instinct they’d work well together.
“The thing is, Ryan is just a good actor,” says Black. “He’s funny in everything he does. But he didn’t do a lot of outright comedies. For this, the character was not like a ‘Talladega Nights’ or ‘Step Brothers.’ It’s not that kind of comedy where everything is pushed. It was a story that an actor could do and basically play a real character.”
They key for Black is centering the comedy on grounded characters, like the classic buddy movie “Midnight Run,” which paired Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. That approach may have gone missing in a decade where most of the few studio comedies that got made went for high-concept laughs. (See “Tag,” a 2018 comedy about adult friends playing tag.)
But “The Nice Guys,” sleazy and silly, gave Gosling a jumping-off point for some of the most sublime pratfalls in recent memory. Gosling had shown a knack for comedy before, but “The Nice Guys” is his coming-out party. No one has ever had his arm broken, or reached the same high-pitched squeal of pain, like Gosling does in the film. In another scene, on a toilet, he tries to balance a pointed gun and a lit cigarette while lifting his pants and repeatedly kicking the stall door open. It’s a ballet worthy of Buster Keaton.
“My favorite that he walked in with one day was where he said, ‘I saw this movie last night with Abbott and Costello where they meet Frankenstein,’” Black recalls. “He said, ‘I’d like to maybe give that type of energy a try.’ When he said that, what he really meant was: I’m going to do a pitch-perfect Lou Costello impression sitting next to a tree for 60 seconds.”
WHAT ABOUT A SEQUEL?
Black is most proud of how much Gosling and Crowe were anxious to do anything that made them look cowardly or stupid or inept. “They wanted to be antiheroes,” says Black. Crowe has spoken fondly of his experience on the film, crediting Gosling as his only co-star to ever regularly get him to break character.
Thus the inevitable question: So why not a sequel?
“It’s one of the most common questions I get,” says Black. “The answer, unfortunately, is nebulous.”
“You’re saying to a studio: Hey, we want to get these two big stars. It’s going to cost even more this time. You’re going to spend maybe twice the money on a sequel to a movie that didn’t get you what you wanted back,” says Black. “It’s a tough sell to take a movie that bombed and make a sequel.”
But would he do it, if he could?
“Of course,” replies Black. “This was designed for that. Like I said, it’s a caper. There’s these two and they get in a bunch of trouble and here they go again. You want to see them do it again. There’s a whole bunch of mystery capers you could throw at these guys. You could make a grounded, potentially very interesting, touching movie set not in the ‘70s but perhaps in the ‘80s.”
In 2016, Gosling called the London premiere of “The Nice Guys” a momentous occasion.
“I wasn’t at the premiere of ‘The Godfather’ or ‘Apocalypse Now,’ but I got a feeling it felt pretty much the same as it does today,” Gosling said. “You’re looking down the barrel of cinematic history.”
Gosling, of course, was kidding. But cinematic history? Maybe.
Daniel McFadden/Warner Bros. via AP
Local Mentions Local Mentions Business Opportunity Services
SUNDAY MAY 31 - CASH BINGOFREDERICK ELKS LODGE
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289 Willowdale Dr
$25 in advance - email or call 301-662-3301
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June 22 - 26, 2026
9 a.m. to Noon
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May 29, 2026
New Midway Vol Fire Co
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Games Start: 7:00 Admission: $25 00 includes 20 Reg Games 3 Specials and $500 Minimum Jackpot Extra Cards Available Food and ATM Available For Info Call 301-898-7985
SECOND SATURDAY MAKERS MARKET
June 13th - 10am - 2pm
Handmade Local Art, Fresh Produce & Honey Artisan Crafts, Baked Goods Will be held Second Saturday each month
Jefferson Ruritan Club 4603B Lander Road, Jefferson, MD 21755
• Antiques • Tools Collectibles • Plants • Baked Goods • Jewelry and more! --Refreshments available-Calvary UM Church 2nd and Bentz Streets Frederick, MD PROCEEDS BENEFIT FREDERICK CHARITIES
STRAWBERRY FEST
Sat , June 6, 2026
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Buckeystown United Methodist Church 3440 Buckeystown Pike Buckeystown, MD Free event Strawberry creations, craft sales, games and live music https://buckeystownumc org
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Thursday May 28 CLASSES
Military/First Responder Resume 101 Class — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Geared towards the military, veteran and first responder communities, and will augment what is taught in Military Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Classes facilitated by Strategic Resume Writers and former TAP counselors. Pre-registration required. 18 and older.
Military/First Responder Interviewing 101 Class — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Learn to translate the skills you learned in the military or as a first responder into civilian terms to win your next interview. 18 and older, pre-registration required. 240-651-8899. info@veteranservicescenter. org. veteranservicescenter.org/events/.
Parsons Newman Lecture: Presidential Sites Within Two Hours of Frederick That You Have Probably Never Heard Of — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. This program will discuss sites related to our Presidents’ lives, from birthplaces to burial sites. Tom Slater, a retired attorney and educator in Frederick County, will share his best itineraries for your own travels. A part of our 250th Anniversary celebration, what a great time to connect to US history in and near our own home of Frederick County! Free, but reservations recommended. outreach@frederickhistory.org. www.cognitoforms.com/HeritageFred-
erick1/ParsonsNewmanLectureSeries2026May.
Mary Pickers-who?: Baltimore’s Flag Maker and Early American Women’s Labor — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Join Christopher J. Sniezek for a presentation on the life and legacy of Mary Young Pickersgill, seamstress who created the flag which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. The world knows of Betsy Ross, but Mary’s work both as a seamstress and social philanthropist in Baltimore has a longstanding, under-known legacy on our national story. A young widow in the city, Mary bucked the traditions of her times and foraged her own path creating a better life not only for herself, but for those in her care. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ thurmont-historical-society-speaker-series-205156.
ESL High Beginner’s/Low Intermediate Conversation Classes — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. We welcome adults who want to practice their English to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Students will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the LCFC. 18 and older. Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/42wsztha. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
ETCETERA
2026 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. Take a deep dive into various topics that have defined Frederick’s history, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and our County’s role in the Revolution. Featuring brand new exhibits: “Cultivating Independence: Frederick in the Revolution,” “Witnessing Revolution,” “All Saints Street: Avenue to the History of Frederick and Its African American Community,” “Growing Gold: A History of Frederick’s Goldfish Industry,” and returning favorites: “Etchison Connections,” “Timeless Toys,” “24 E. Church Street,” “Decorative Arts. See our all new and renovated exhibits, March 7 through Dec. 12!
$10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Duplicate Bridge Pairs Games — noon to 4 p.m. at Church of the Transfiguration Memorial Hall, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Looking for a competitive mind sport? Frederick Bridge Club’s ACBL sanctioned duplicate games allow you to hone your skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts. All are welcome. We host Pairs Games ($8) weekly on Monday (299 Limit and Open) and Thursday (Open). If you need a partner or want to brush up your skills, contact Membership Chair, Maria, at frederick@bridgewebsemail.com or check out our website.
Curious Iguana Presents: Author Laura Zigman — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Author Laura Zigman will celebrate her latest release, “The Author Weekend.” This fresh murder mystery focuses on Faye Wader, an author hosting a weekend retreat on a secluded island for her most loyal fans; what could go wrong? Laura will discuss
her novel, then answer questions and sign books. Copies of “The Author Weekend” will be available for purchase at the event. This event is free and open to the public. 18 and older.
New Anthony Wayne Historic Marker Dedication at Noland’s Ferry — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Nolands Ferry C&O Canal, New Design Road, Tuscarora. Rain location: Emmanuel Trinity Lutheran Church, 4004 Ballenger Creek Pike, Adamstown. 301-473-8976. mmoore46@verizon.net. mdssar.org/calendar.
2nd Annual Veteran Services Center Open House — 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. An informative and welcoming event to learn more about the services at the VSC and in the community for Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans, Military Retirees, First Responders, and their families. Over 25+ partners will be represented with lots of information! 240-651-8899. info@veteranservicescenter. org.
veteranservicescenter.org/events/.
FAMILY
Family Fun: 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. www.fcpl.org/.
FESTIVALS
Union Bridge Fire Co. Carnival — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Fire Company Carnival Grounds,
Union Bridge. Daily through May 30. ubfc8.org.
MUSIC
Alive @ Five: The Learned Doctors — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphiteatre, between Market and Carroll streets, Frederick. ‘90s jam. Food, beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails. 21+ only, valid ID required. Drink tokens $7 each. $5 cash or credit. downtownfrederick.org.
THEATER
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzer-prize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no one unscathed. Admission is pay-what-youwill.
A Virtual Walking Tour of Wolfsville — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fire Hall Banquet Room behind the Myersville Municipal Center, 301 Main St., Myersville. Have you had the pleasure of visiting Wolfsville, a historic small town NW of Frederick? Hmm-mm, that’s what I guessed. Well, now you can “tour” this interesting town without spending any money on gas AND be comfortably seated while enjoying free refreshments! Includes a history of the founding of Wolfsville, how it got its name, a look at the historic buildings in the blocks surrounding the “square” and a bit of information about the people who lived in them. Fonda Gormer, lifelong resident and local historian, will be the presenter. 301-910-3921. babssavitt@aol.com. www.mwahistory.com.
ETCETERA
Fellowship Fridays — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Fridays through Dec. 25. A free hot breakfast each Friday which includes eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, breads, muffins, fruit, juices, and Black Rifle Coffee Company coffee. Breakfast is open to all Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans, Military Retirees, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and their families. Breakfast is followed by a non-denominational Bible study at 10:30 a.m. Attendance is not required to enjoy a warm breakfast with others who have served. info@veteranservicescenter.org.
Indie-pop favorites Cults will headline Saturday night slot at SilverVox Film & Music Festival
The inaugural SilverVox Film & Music Festival today announced that Cults, the New York indie-pop duo of Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion, will headline the festival’s Saturday night music programming on June 20 at the Weinberg Center.
The band’s set caps a music slate built around acts whose songs you likely already know, even if you haven’t placed the name yet.
The festival runs June 18 to 21 across multiple venues in downtown Frederick.
New York’s Cults have spent 15 years perfecting the bittersweet anthem – songs that sound euphoric on the surface but cut you open underneath. Formed in 2010 by Madeline Follin and Brian Oblivion while both were students in New York City, the duo broke through almost immediately with their viral debut “Go Outside,” earning both Best New Music honors from Pitchfork and a deal with Columbia Records. Their self-titled debut landed in the top 50 albums of 2011 and launched them onto stages alongside Pixies and Vampire Weekend.
What followed was a decade of fearless evolution, resulting in five studio albums that never sounded like the same band twice. Their 2022 TikTok breakout “Gilded Lily” introduced them to an entirely new generation, while their 2024 album “To the Ghosts” is among the most emotionally precise records of their career.
Live, Cults bring a full band and a sound that is bigger, louder and more alive than anything their recordings suggest, while Follin commands the stage with a presence that stops rooms cold.
Cults’ Saturday night headlining slot sits within a music lineup with additional acts to be announced in the coming weeks, alongside 125 film
veteranservicescenter.org/events/.
Trip: Washing Co. Museum of Fine Arts — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 121 N Bentz St, Frederick. Join an exclusive guided tour of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, where a friendly docent will lead us through the galleries to speak on
Courtesy photo
Cults will perform in Frederick on June 20 as part of the SilverVox Film & Music Festival.
premieres and screenings, in-person filmmaker Q&As, and the festival’s entertainment industry talks and panels programming.
Previously announced marquee programming includes “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror,” with director Linus O’Brien, son of Rocky Horror Show creator Richard O’Brien, attending for a live Q&A, followed by a presentation of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”; Sundance 2026 and SXSW 2026 official selection “Joybubbles”; and SXSW 2026 premiere “Their Town,” directed by Katie Aselton and written by Mark Duplass; alongside a hometown homecoming concert from American Idol breakout star Rae Boyd.
“Cults are the kind of band that defines what we want this festival to feel like,” said Dan Silver, head of music for SilverVox. “Songs that hit on the surface and cut deeper underneath, a 15year catalog they keep rewriting, and a live show that doesn’t coast.”
Tickets and full programming information are available at silvervoxfest.com.
the stories behind the art. But the beauty doesn’t stop at the frame — we’re taking the fun outdoors, too! Ages 18 and older. Pre-registration required. $20 city resident / $30 non-city resident. 2403448760. hboswell@cityoffrederickmd. gov. tinyurl.com/4xx5z9eu.
2026 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. Take a deep dive into various topics that have defined Frederick’s history, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and our County’s role in the Revolution. Featuring brand new exhibits: “Cultivating Independence: Frederick in the Revolution,” “Witnessing Revolution,” “All Saints Street: Avenue to the History of Frederick and Its African American Community,” “Growing Gold: A History of Frederick’s Goldfish Industry,” and returning favorites: “Etchison Connections,” “Timeless Toys,” “24 E. Church Street,” “Decorative Arts. See our all new and renovated exhibits, March 7 through Dec. 12!
$10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market — 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Square Corner Park, Potomac Street and Maple Avenue, Brunswick. Visitors can expect a wide variety of offerings throughout the Spring, including fresh produce, baked goods, eggs, prepared foods, and handcrafted items from local farmers and artisans. Each market will also feature a different food truck, and live musician. sfarmersmarket.com.
The YAAC Show — 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Y Ausherman Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. The YAAC Show is a bi-monthly, LIVE talk show produced by the creative team at the Y Arts Center. An evening of inspiration, entertainment, and community connection — powered by the YMCA’s Arts and Humanities initiatives. Every other Friday at 5:30 p.m. This week’s guests: Silvervox- Film & Performing Arts Company. Musical guests B4WE8. $10 at the door, free fro YMCA members. 301-663-5131. jslaughter@frederickymca. org.
www.frederickymca.org.
Hard Swimmin’ Fish Reunion Show — 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. You can’t keep a good band away! Demian is back in town for the holiday’s for a quick stop and he’s got the itch to get back on stage! Don’t miss the Hard Swimmin’ Fish as they rock the stage. Get ready to dance, sing along, and create lasting memories with friends. All ages. $5 advance. 240-575-9755. info@ rockwellbrewery.com. tinyurl.com/27vmk7a8.
Bad Influence Live in Concert — 9 p.m. to at Jojo’s Restaurant And Tap House, 16-18 E. Patrick St., Frederick. The blues are coming to East Patrick Street. This award-winning band brings a night of high-octane, soul-stirring music. 21 and older. 301-910-8551. jr@badinfluenceband.com. www.badinfluenceband.com.
MUSIC
Brunswick Live! — 4 p.m. to at Downtown Brunswick , Brunswick . Happening on the last Friday of every month through August, Brunswick Live! brings downtown to life with extended shop hours, live music, and special events.
Bethesda’s Summer Concert Series — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodmont Triangle, 7900 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda. Every Friday, free outdoor concerts by some of the best bands in the DMV! Tables and chairs can fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive early to grab your seat. For the full summer lineup, please visit Bethesda.org. 301-215-6660. sparker@bethesda.org. www.bethesda.org/summer-concert-series/.
Jamie Turner & Those Revelators - Folk, Americana, and Blues LIVE MUSIC — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Jamie Alan Turner is a seasoned musician whose music traverses the rich tapestry of folk, Americana and blues music. With over two decades of musical experience, Jamie’s compositions and evocative performances transport audiences on a journey through the heartland of American roots music. His skillful guitar work harkens back to the greats of these genres while carving a unique path of his own.
The Hemphill Stringtet Plays the Music of Julius Hemphill — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Hodson Auditorium/Rosenstock Hall @ Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick . This is the second of Frederick Experimental Music Association’s twoconcert series, “Steppin’: The Music of Julius Hemphill,” the first major retrospective of the groundbreaking composer’s music in the more than 30 years since his death.
MET’s Vareity Show — 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Join us for a night of music, laughter, magic and fun. See performers of all ages showcase their talents on MET’s Key Stage! $17. 301-694-4744. contact@ marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/varietyshow-2026/.
THEATER
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzerprize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no one unscathed. Admission is pay-what-you-will. 771-212-9234. info@ardeotheatre.org. www.ardeotheatre.org/events/ardeo-theatre-presents-edward-albees-whos-afraidof-virginia-woolf-2026-05-15-19-00.
“Every Brilliant Thing” — 7:30 p.m. to 9
p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. At once a transcendent coming-of-age 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. ASL interpreted performance May 22. $15-$36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/every-brilliant-thing/.
Saturday May 30 CLASSES
“Namaste for Dance” Yoga + Dance Fitness at Sky Stage — 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. It’s a “Namaste for Dance” partnership! Come for all-levels flow yoga with Fawn from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., stay if you wish for Reb3l Groove dance fitness with Susan at 10 -11 a.m. Take either class, or both! $12 per class or $20 for both. 3016624196. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/programs/skystage/.
Petals and Pastries — 10 a.m. to noon at Dahlia Den and Gardens, 5318 Stone Road, Frederick. In this hands-on floral workshop, you’ll be guided through how to select and cut seasonal blooms, create a balanced arrangement, and care for your flowers at home, all while learning simple, approachable design principles. No prior experience is needed — this workshop is perfect for beginners and flower lovers alike. Attendees will also get to enjoy a delightful spread of house-made pastries and refreshing beverages provided by the Co-op, giving you time to relax, connect, and soak in the beauty of the gardens.
Saturday Goat Yoga at the Farm — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Goat for the Soul, 10209 Fountain School Road, Union Bridge. Join us at the Farm for goats, yoga, and fun! All ages welcome! $27. 240-405-2208. christy@gvalleye.com. goatforthesoul.com/.
ETCETERA
Myersville Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to noon at Municipal Parking Lot, 301 Main St., Myersville. This market shares in the celebration of local products, fresh foods, and community. Saturdays through Oct. 31. myersvillefarmersmarket.com.
Visit the National Road Museum and Trolley Station Museum — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National Road Museum, 214 N. Main St., Boonsboro. Explore the history both the Historic National Road and the trolleys of central Maryland through this two-museum experience in Boonsboro! Donations appreciated. 240-769-0898. Director@NationalRdFoundation.org. nationalrdfoundation.org.
2026 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. Take a deep dive into various topics that have defined Frederick’s history, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and our County’s role in the Revolution. Featuring brand new exhibits: “Cultivating Independence: Frederick in the Revolution,” “Witnessing Revolution,” “All Saints Street: Avenue to the History of Frederick and Its African American Community,” “Growing Gold: A History of Frederick’s Goldfish Industry,” and returning favorites: “Etchison Connections,” “Timeless Toys,” “24 E. Church Street,” “Decorative Arts. See our all new and renovated exhibits, March 7 through Dec. 12!
$10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Frederick Farmers Market (new location!) — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westside Regional Park, 632 Contender Way, Frederick. frederickfarmersmarket.com.
Foundations of Frederick Walking Tour — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Experience the history and beauty of downtown as knowledgeable guides share the fascinating stories that make up historic Frederick. 90-minute tours, reservations required. $5 to $12. 410-707-1105. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. www.cognitoforms.com/HeritageFrederick1/WalkingTourTicketReservation.
Discovery Days: History at Home — 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Gaithersburg Community Museum, 9 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg. Explore how history shapes our everyday lives. Displays and presentations will cover genealogy, research, documenting family stories, and more. 301-258-6160. karen.lottes@gaithersburgmd.gov. www.gaithersburgmd.gov/about-us/city-facilities/gaithersburg-community-museum/ gaithersburg-community-museum-calendar/discovery-days.
Cameron Molloy and the Drivin Wheel — 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Americana music. 21 and older.
Salsa Night Dance Party — 8 p.m. to 11:55 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. Are you ready to dance? FSNS celebrates 17 incredible years of music, dance, friendship and culture. Let’s kick-off the Summer Season in style! Cash cover at the door. Rockwell now serves liquor and wine. 21 and older. $15. 240-575-9755. info@rockwellbrewery. com. www.facebook.com/ events/3275951609253806.
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 adult. 301-668-8922. info@maryland-
ghosttours.com. www.MarylandGhostTours.com.
FAMILY
Run Like a Warrior – Frederick — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hood College Coblentz Hall, 413 Burck St., Frederick. Family-friendly fun run raising awareness for tick-bite prevention and Lyme disease education. Join us for a morning of community, movement, and simple steps to keep families healthy, happy, and safe. Youngest warriors run free! Register online. $24. 240-446-2883. leafoffrederick@gmail. com.
runsignup.com/Race/MD/Frederick/LymeWarriorSRunLikeAWarrior5ksFrederickMD. Explore Frederick’s Oldest House — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. Travel back to colonial Frederick. Built in 1758 by German settlers, this sturdy stone farmhouse offers a glimpse of early American life before the American Revolution. Walk through thick-walled but spacious rooms, hear stories of early immigrants, and see how a Frederick County farm family lived more than two and a half centuries ago.
$8 over age 15. 301-456-4912. boycerensberger@gmail.com. fredericklandmarks.org.
FESTIVALS
Earthfest 2026 — 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Frederick County Master Gardeners, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick. A celebration of our relationship with the natural world, an opportunity for you to learn about the Master Gardener and 4-H programs, other local nonprofits, and relevant Frederick County government agencies. Find out about good environmental practices you can implement in your own backyard. This family-friendly event includes many activities geared towards children, such as flower crafts, Buzzin’ Through the Garden, and Storytime in the Garden. There will be displays inside and outside the UME Building and tours of the Demonstration Gardens. 301-600-1596. arembold@umd.edu. www.FCMG-Home-Gardening.
Carroll Creek Live w/ Stitch Early & The Populatn, Asa Weeks & Friends, Dewayo, and Bikes — 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Carroll Creek Linear Park, Frederick. Presented by Downtown Frederick Partnership, Benefactor Events, and Brain Dead Live! This is the first event of a summer-long concert series that will explore the revolutionary sounds of R&B with performances by FOUR live bands plus live DJ sets by Baspy, Sounds by Fred, and Zzingg! Vendors, food and drink vendors, and official afterparty at Brewers Alley (10 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Rain or shine! $10 online, $15 at the door.
www.facebook.com/share/1CinQdK5Pb/.
Cruise-In — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Thurmont Carnival Grounds, 123 E. Main St., Thurmont. Food, music, family-friendly, 50/50, event shirts available. Benefits the Guardian Hose Co. Rain cancels. guardianhose.org.
FILM
“Milk” (2008, R) — 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at
Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. In advance of Shepherdstown’s 2nd Annual Gay Pride Parade celebration on June 1, join us for a special screening of “Milk,” the Academy Award-winning film that tells the powerful true story of Harvey Milk — one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. Set in 1970s San Francisco. $13 std/$11 seniors & students. 304-8763704. Contact@OperaHouseLive.com. OperaHouseLive.com.
MUSIC
Spires Brass Band presents “Happy 250th Birthday America!” — 7:25 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Kussmaul (JBK) Theater at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Get ready to celebrate the red, white and blue with good vibes and great company! Spires brings a concert in honor of America’s 250th. Enjoy great American music and celebrate the USA’s milestone birthday! $25 adult, $5 student. Info@SpiresBrassBand.org. www.spiresbrassband.org.
The Garage Presents at Sky Stage: Shame Shame, Sunniva, Stainless Steve — 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage , 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick . Our friends at The Garage are bringing one of their dynamic shows to Sky Stage, three bands with original music, live under the stars! Shame Shame delivers groovy grunge, Sunniva brings genreless groovy vibes, and Stainless Steve kicks things off with some psych rock. All-ages, beer/wine for 21+ with ID. $10 online at Eventbrite or at door, under age 12 free. Doors 7pm. $10. 301-662-4190. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/programs/skystage/.
PERFORMER
MET’s Vareity Show — 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Join us for a night of music, laughter, magic and fun. See performers of all ages showcase their talents on MET’s Key Stage! $17. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/variety-show-2026/.
THEATER
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzer-prize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no one unscathed. Admission is pay-what-youwill. 771-212-9234. info@ardeotheatre.org. www.ardeotheatre.org/events/ardeo-theatre-presents-edward-albees-whos-afraid-
LINER NOTES
(Continued from 5)
an all-day, all-night Brain Dead EDM collaboration with Portal 6, with Shreztah headlining (an impressive producer/DJ from D.C.) and local favorites Owlfeather, Dan Gellerman, Jjaro and Kokop3lli. Rockville-based Bandeanie, whose set got cut short at Sky Stage last fall when a homeless fellow collapsed after dancing too hard (he survived, thankfully), will get a fuller set on his return to Frederick.
June 19 — It’s a takeover at Sky Stage as One City One Sound puts on a grand Juneteenth celebration that tips its hat in tribute to blues, jazz, soul, rock, hip-hop and gospel music. It’s already sold out, but if you can get in, the show starts at 5:30 p.m.
June 20 — I still can’t get over it: Cults at the Weinberg. The organizers for SilverVox Film & Music Festival are promising more bands to be announced, though we already know hometown hero Rae Boyd — fresh from “American Idol” — will be part of the music festival celebration. Rumor has it Cafe Nola will host some of the SilverVox festival music as well; stay tuned, more details to be revealed soon.
June 21 — Not confirmed at press time, but sources say this Solstice Party at Sandbox Brewhouse might be absorbed into the SilverVox festival menu. It’ll feature several DJs and experimental artists worth getting excited about. Without going into details, a couple of names to ponder and look up: Noah Chiles, CLRBRS, FFiiZZyy and Chris Lock, who made a LOT Radio appearance in 2023.
ONE TO WATCH
Quick note on an up-and-coming band that played Frederick and is now blowing up: NYC’s SKORTS played Frederick at one of BrainDead Live’s earlier shows in 2024 (Olde Mother hosted after a rain-out at Baker Park). SKORTS is now set to play the Iron Blossom Festival in Richmond this September alongside LCD Soundsystem, Jack White, Geese and Angine de Poitrine, among other jaw-dropping acts.
Contacted on Instagram, the band replied, “We definitely remember that stop! It was one of the first outof-town shows we ever played.”
Tony Gianni of Brain Dead Live said, “Seeing them now share a lineup with LCD Soundsystem and Jack White feels well-deserved and is a reminder that amazing artists are already playing smaller local scenes.”
Roy Ghim is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The News-Post, The New York Times and Soccer Journal magazine.
Albaugh & Sons LLC
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS GOING INTO BUSINESS?
Don’t underestimate how much of running a business is about people. The work itself, you can learn. But building a team you trust, earning the loyalty of your customers, and knowing when to ask for help, that’s the harder part. My dad started this company in 2003 and what he built wasn’t just a service business, it was a reputation. That took years of showing up, doing what you said you’d do, and treating every job like it mattered. My advice is to lead with integrity and be patient with the growth.
WHAT MAKES FREDERICK COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS?
The community here is genuinely supportive of local businesses. People want to work with their neighbors, and when you deliver for them, they tell their friends. Frederick County has grown a lot
over the years but it still has that smalltown feel where your reputation travels. For a company like ours that runs almost entirely on word of mouth and repeat customers, that matters a lot. We’re proud to serve this area and to be part of the growth happening here.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN FIVE YEARS?
We want to keep growing in a way that doesn’t sacrifice quality. That means investing in our team, refining our processes, and expanding our service area without losing the personal touch that sets us apart. We’ve built a strong foundation across Frederick, Carroll, and Washington Counties, and there’s still a lot of opportunity here. In five years, I’d like to be known as the go-to home improvement company in this region, not just for fences and decks, but as a trusted partner for whatever a homeowner needs.
of-virginia-woolf-2026-05-15-19-00.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzer-prize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no one unscathed. Admission is pay-what-youwill. 771-212-9234. info@ardeotheatre.org. www.ardeotheatre.org/events/ardeo-theatre-presents-edward-albees-whos-afraidof-virginia-woolf-2026-05-15-19-00.
“Every Brilliant Thing” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. At once a transcendent coming-of-age 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. ASL interpreted performance May 22. $15-$36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/every-brilliant-thing/.
Sunday May 31 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 yoga classes in the open air venue at Sky Stage located at 59 Carroll Street in the heart of Downtown Frederick, most* Sunday mornings May 10-Sept 27. Please bring a yoga mat and water with you. Free parking at street meters on Sundays. $20 or $15 each with 10-class package. 301-662-4196. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. yogamour.org.
Goat Yoga at Springfield Manor Winery Distillery Brewery — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Springfield Manor, 11836 Auburn Road, Thurmont. Enjoy Goat Yoga with a cocktail included! (cocktail for guests 21 years and older). All ages welcome! Prices includes Goat Yoga and a cocktail. Purchase tickets online. $42. 240-405-2208. christy@gvalleye.com. goatforthesoul.com/.
ETCETERA
The Frederick City Market — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Parking lot , 622 N. Market St., Frederick. Farmers and Artisans market. Real Food, Real Farmers and Local Artisans. A Frederick favorite since 2011! 240-291-8254. Info@frederickcitymarket. com.
www.frederickcitymarket.com.
Water to Shine: Pathfinder Farm Distillery — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brunswick Family
| Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
Campground , 40 Canal Road , Brunswick. Enjoy a 5.5-mile broad and scenic section of the Potomac River. This mellow section of the river allows for relaxation, sunbathing and wildlife viewing. Great blue herons, egrets, and the return of the bald eagle make this a kayak or canoe trip to remember! Finish the afternoon at Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, where you’ll relax in this friendly haven, savoring your choice of six of their current crafted spirits, while tasting from a charcuterie platter. 18 and older, must be 21 or older for wine tasting. Reservations required.
One Vast Hospital: Downtown Frederick Walking Tour — noon to 1 p.m. at National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Downtown Frederick history is hidden around every corner. Explore downtown Frederick’s storied past with signature walking tours from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Every Saturday and Sunday from April through September, walking tours of Frederick’s hospital sites will be available at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and noon on Sundays. Walking tours last for an hour to an hour and a half.
Setting the Table: Getting Started with Tabletop Role-Playing Games — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Lifelong roleplaying game enthusiast Daniel Ferguson will introduce you to a passion for tabletop games, explore the social and personal pathways they unlock, and guide you to making your first (or next!) character. 301-600-7000.
Goat Cuddles at the Farm — 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Goat for the Soul, 10209 Fountain School Road, Union Bridge. Laugh, relax, de-stress while cuddling and interacting with the goats. Bring a towel or blanket and sit with the goats ... cuddle, pet, watch them play. $15 for a 30-minute session. Purchase tickets at www.goatforthesoul.com. All ages. $15. 240-405-2208. christy@gvalleye.com. goatforthesoul.com/.
Queer Naturalist Club for the LGBTQIA+ Community — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Learning Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. A community nature walk through the serene landscapes of the farm. This event is designed to provide a safe and inclusive space for queer individuals to gather, celebrate their identities, and immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world among a supportive, newfound friends. Folks who join will get to help shape what this initiative becomes. There is no cost to join, but donations are always welcome!
240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org.
George Garris and his Bluegrass Friends — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Bluegrass music.
FAMILY
Friends — noon to 5 p.m. at Friends of the Middletown Library, 3223 Old National Pike, Middletown. Thousands of books sorted by category, most prices 25 cents to $1. This sale features a special section on military history. Payment by cash, credit or Venmo. Sale barn is located at rear of property. Parking will not open till 11:55 a.m. In case of excessive rain, sale will be postponed with a new date TBD. Visit our FaceBook page for more information about FOML and it’s events. friendsofmiddletownlibrary@gmail.com. Explore Frederick’s Oldest House — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. Travel back to colonial Frederick. Built in 1758 by German settlers, this sturdy stone farmhouse offers a glimpse of early American life before the American Revolution. Walk through thick-walled but spacious rooms, hear stories of early immigrants, and see how a Frederick County farm family lived more than two and a half centuries ago.
$8 over age 15. 301-456-4912. boycerensberger@gmail.com. fredericklandmarks.org.
FILM
“Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps” - Film + Discussion — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Part comedy special, part oral history, and part love letter to becoming your true self, this film chronicles two decades of Emmy-nominated creator/performer Scott Turner Schofield’s life as an out transgender man. With a knowing nod to the often-overlooked comedy of transitioning, the film reflects on the many layers of becoming oneself, exploring nuanced truths and breaking important new ground in trans representation. Followed by a special discussion led in person by the film’s star Scotty Schofield. Popcorn, candy, soft drinks available for purchase. Pay-whatyou-can, suggested $10. 304-876-3704. Contact@OperaHouseLive. com.
OperaHouseLive.com.
MUSIC & ARTS
Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Chapel at United Lutheran Seminary , 147 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, Pa. The Orchestra rounds out the Music, Gettysburg! season in magnificent style!
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzer-prize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no
“Every Brilliant Thing” — 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. At once a transcendent coming-of-age 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. ASL interpreted performance May 22.
Rise N’ Rally — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Start Mondays off strong with coffee and breakfast; sponsored by Black Rifle Coffee Co. — Fueling Active Duty, Veterans, LEOs, & First Responders. “Grab & Go” or stay and hang out with other Military, LEOs, & First Responders. katie@reforgeunited.org. www.reforgeunited.org/vsc.
Duplicate Bridge Pairs Games — noon to 4 p.m. at Church of the Transfiguration Memorial Hall, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Looking for a competitive mind sport? Frederick Bridge Club’s ACBL sanctioned duplicate games allow you to hone your skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts. All are welcome. We host Pairs Games ($8) weekly on Monday (299 Limit and Open) and Thursday (Open). If you need a partner or want to brush up your skills, contact Membership Chair, Maria, at frederick@bridgewebsemail.com or check out our website. $8. frederick@bridgewebsemail.com. www.bridgewebs.com/frederick/home. html.
Mondays in Mount Airy — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Railyard, 3 N. Main St. , Mount Airy. A weekly food truck event designed to support locally owned and operated food trucks as well as the businesses along Downtown Main Street. Continues Mondays through Sept. 28. Variety of food trucks participating. 301-807-4446.
www.mountairymd.gov.
Free Open House Event! — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at YMCA Westside Program Center, 1306 W. Patrick St., Ste 5C, Frederick. Join Transit Services of Frederick County, the Golden Mile Alliance, and other community organizations for this event. Learn more about Transit’s services, including free, accessible public transportation, countywide paratransit, and commuter benefits. This is a casual, community-centered open house and there will be no formal presentations. Information is available on existing routes and services, and staff will be present to answer questions. Light refreshments will be served.
301-600-2065. JMcKay@frederickcountymd.gov.
Game Night at the Museum — 6 p.m. to at National Road Museum, 214 N. Main St., Boonsboro. Bring your friends and your favorite games for an evening of fun while surrounded by local history! The National Road Museum will provide the venue, the snacks, and the cleanup. Table reservations are available for anyone looking to ensure their game is played. $8 advanced, $10 at the door. 240-7690898. Info@NationalRdFoundation.org. nationalrdfoundation.org/event/gamenight-at-the-museum/.
Press Paws! Therapy Dogs For Teens (ages 11-18) — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Teens, relax and relieve stress by spending time petting an adorable dog friend! Therapy dogs are provided by the Wags for Hope volunteers, whose pets bring comfort and joy to the lives of others. For grades 6-12.
301-600-7000.
FESTIVALS
4 County Lions Community Carnival — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Mount Airy Carnival Grounds, 1008 Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. Daily through June 6. Music at 7 p.m.: Jay Henley and Stone Broke on June 1; Streamline on June 2; Alex Myers on June 3; Crackinbush on June 4; Bobby D & The Truckstop Burritos on June 5; Brickyard Road on June 6. 4countylions.org.
THEATER
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Avalon Theater within Hood College’s Tatem Arts Center, 410 Hood College Drive, Frederick. Considered one of the greatest works of 20th-century American theater, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is a 1962, Pulitzer-prize winning play depicting two couples gathering for drinks. What begins as polite conversation quickly spirals into something darker. Secrets, illusions and emotional warfare collide with razor-sharp wit. As the games intensify, the line between truth and fiction blurs, leaving no one unscathed. Admission is pay-what-youwill.
— 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Calling all Frederick County Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans, Military Retirees, and Family Members. The first Tuesday of every month the Frederick County Community Veterans Engagement Board holds it’s monthly hybrid meeting at the Veterans Services Center. Zoom Meeting ID: 856 4441 6235. Passcode:
CONCERTS ON PROMENADE
6141950419. Learn what is happening in the Veteran-Sphere in Frederick County! 240-651-8889. chris.alley@gimv.org. www.facebook.com/people/Frederick-County-Community-Veteran-Engagement-Board/61584306376354/#.
FAMILY
Manga and Anime Club (ages 11-18) — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. New to Anime and Manga? Longtime fan? Either way join us to celebrate it while talking all things art, story, cosplay and culture! All materials provided, while supplies last. For grades 6-12. 301-600-7000.
RECREATION
Frederick Keys vs. Hudson Valley Renegades — 7 p.m. to at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Frederick. General admission, reserved seating and field seating tickets. See website for ticket prices.
mlb.com/frederick/schedule/2026.
Wednesday June 3
CLASSES
Free Gentle Yoga at the Co-op — 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. This class is the perfect intro for a new student or an experienced yogi that is wanting to fill their cup with an accessible and supportive yoga
practice. There will be plenty of modifications offered to meet various levels so that ALL can enjoy the benefits of yoga. The practice will include low impact movement, seated postures and plenty of stretching. Students will become comfortable using props like blocks, straps and even the occasional chair. These classes allow the student to leave with lots of tools to support a yoga practice in any class setting as well as a home practice. Classes are donation based. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket. coop.
ETCETERA
Master Class with Sass: Advocacy as Leadership in Business — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Virtual, via Zoom, Frederick. A virtual learning series featuring powerhouse leaders who share practical insights to help you grow your work, your confidence and your impact. This session features Dr. Nikki Lanier, founder and CEO of Harper Slade, presenting Leading to 2045: Women Advocates as Architects of the Future. Post-workshop discussion. Pre-registration required. $25. 301-992-1594. shaylynn@sassmagazine.com. sassmagazine.com/event/master-class-with-sass-advocacy-as-leadershipin-business/.
FAMILY
Mount Airy Car Seat Check Event — 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Mount Airy Daycare and Learning Center, 605 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. Sponsored by State Farm.Appointments are recommended by calling Safe
Kids Carroll County at 410-876-4448. Please call the same number if you have questions regarding the event.
FILM
Summer Classics Movie Series: “Samson and Delilah” (1949) — 7:30 p.m. to at Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, Pa. An American epic romantic drama that became one of the highest-grossing films ever at the time of its release. $10. 717-337-8200. gettysburgmajestic.org.
RECREATION
Frederick Keys vs. Hudson Valley Renegades — 7 p.m. to at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Frederick. General admission, reserved seating and field seating tickets. See website for ticket prices. mlb.com/frederick/schedule/2026.
Thursday June 4
CLASSES
ESL High Beginner’s/Low Intermediate Conversation Classes — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. We welcome adults who want to practice their English to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Students will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the LCFC. 18 and older. Registration is
2026 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. Take a deep dive into various topics that have defined Frederick’s history, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and our County’s role in the Revolution. Featuring brand new exhibits: “Cultivating Independence: Frederick in the Revolution,” “Witnessing Revolution,” “All Saints Street: Avenue to the History of Frederick and Its African American Community,” “Growing Gold: A History of Frederick’s Goldfish Industry,” and returning favorites: “Etchison Connections,” “Timeless Toys,” “24 E. Church Street,” “Decorative Arts. See our all new and renovated exhibits, March 7 through Dec. 12!
$10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
Duplicate Bridge Pairs Games — noon to 4 p.m. at Church of the Transfiguration Memorial Hall, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Looking for a competitive mind sport? Frederick Bridge Club’s ACBL sanctioned duplicate games allow you to hone your skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts. All are welcome. We host Pairs Games ($8) weekly on Monday (299 Limit and Open) and Thursday (Open). If you need a partner or want to brush up your skills, contact Membership Chair, Maria, at
June 7, 2026 | 4 PM
Frederick Presbyterian Church 115 W 2nd Street | Frederick, MD 21701
frederick@bridgewebsemail.com or check out our website. $8. frederick@bridgewebsemail.com. www.bridgewebs.com/frederick/home. html.
Farmer’s Choice: Fruits + Flights — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sandbox Brewhouse, 880 N. East St., Frederick. Join us for an evening of local art, food, beer and community — all supporting a great cause! Enjoy local beer from Sandbox Brewhouse paired with fresh fruit from Moon Valley Farm! $25. 267-207-4115. phylindamoore@gmail. com. tinyurl.com/4xnfyttd.
FILM
Of Microbes & Migrants 1957: The Asian Flu Menace — 6 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. at Hodson Auditorium, Rosenstock Hall, 400 Ferndale Ave., Frederick. The Microbiology, Public Health & History film festival at Hood College follows up on last summer’s screening of “Plague at the Golden Gate” and closely on the heels of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with this event. Refreshments will be provided. Attendance is free and open to all. RSVP to chee@hood.edu. Also be on Zoom. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/mph-film-fest if you cannot join in person. 18 and older. 301-696-3663. chee@hood.edu. tinyurl.com/mph-film-fest.
MUSIC & ARTS
Alive @ Five: Marshal Fuzz — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carroll Creek Outdoor Amphiteatre, between Market and Carroll streets, Frederick. Melodic grunge. Food, beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails. 21+ only, valid ID required. Drink tokens $7 each. $5 cash or credit. downtownfrederick.org.
Discovery Series: Jackie Venson — 7:30 p.m. to at New Spire Art Stages, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Blazing the future of blues, rock & funk. A rising force in the modern blues and rock world, Venson brings soul, skill and electrifying energy to every performance. Named by Rolling Stone and Forbes as one of Austin, Texas’s, standout talents, Venson blends searing guitar solos, raw vocals, and genre-defying grooves that span blues, funk, rock and soul. RSVP required. $10. 301-600-2868. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/jackie-venson/.
POLITICS
Candidate forum - Candidates for Sheriff — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ (ERUCC), 15 W. Church St., Frederick. The League of Women Voters of Frederick County is hosting in-person and virtual candidate forums for many of the 23 races on the 2026 primary ballot. On June 4, the Republican candidates for sheriff (Chuck Jenkins, Gary Morton) will participate in an in-person forum. 18 and older. All League forums will be posted on the League’s You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@frederickcountylwv313/streams. LWVofFC@gmail.com. www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-frederick-county.
Frederick Speaker Series: Carol Anderson — 7:30 p.m. to at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Anderson is a professor of African American Studies at Emory University and the bestselling author of “White Rage, One Person, No Vote, and The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America.” Her work explores the intersection of race, policy and history in the U.S., earning widespread acclaim for its clarity and urgency.
Frederick Keys vs. Hudson Valley Renegades — 7 p.m. to at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Frederick. General admission, reserved seating and field seating tickets. See website for ticket prices. mlb.com/frederick/schedule/2026.
THEATER
“Every Brilliant Thing” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. At once a transcendent coming-of-age tale and a call to reach out to each other, “Every Brilliant Thing” is a warm-hearted, hilarious, heartwrenching play about how depression can affect a family, and the lengths we will go for those we love. ASL interpreted performance May 22. $15-$36. 301-6944744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/every-brilliantthing/.
Friday June 5 CLASSES
Frederick Community College Information Session — 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Curious about FCC? Join one of FCC’s Admissions Counselors and learn about all the opportunities available! Topics include enrollment steps, dual enrollment/early college programs, financial aid/scholarships, credit transfer options. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
ETCETERA
Open Coworking Day — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cowork Frederick, 120 E. Patrick St., Frederick. It’s hard to explain the feeling of a community. You have to experience it. Come see if we’re the right coworking community for you. The first Friday of every month we stock the break room with breakfast fare, open our doors at 8 a.m., and welcome people like you to give us a try.
Fellowship Fridays — 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Service Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A, Frederick. Fridays
through Dec. 25. A free hot breakfast each Friday which includes eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, breads, muffins, fruit, juices, and Black Rifle Coffee Company coffee. Breakfast is open to all Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans, Military Retirees, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and their families. Breakfast is followed by a non-denominational Bible study at 10:30 a.m. Attendance is not required to enjoy a warm breakfast with others who have served. info@veteranservicescenter.org. veteranservicescenter.org/events/. 2026 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. Take a deep dive into various topics that have defined Frederick’s history, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and our County’s role in the Revolution. Featuring brand new exhibits: “Cultivating Independence: Frederick in the Revolution,” “Witnessing Revolution,” “All Saints Street: Avenue to the History of Frederick and Its African American Community,” “Growing Gold: A History of Frederick’s Goldfish Industry,” and returning favorites: “Etchison Connections,” “Timeless Toys,” “24 E. Church Street,” “Decorative Arts. See our all new and renovated exhibits, March 7 through Dec. 12! $10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.
FILM
Movie Knight — 7 p.m. to at Vox House at 7th Sister, 228 N. Market St., Frederick. Falling Squares presents Movie Knight, a local filmmaker showcase featuring short films from around the DMV area and beyond every first Friday of the month. Enjoy food and beverages available for purchase and brought to your seat. Take part in discussions with our Q&A segments after each short film and join the growing community of creatives. Limited seating, RSVP required. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts around 7:30 p.m. fallingsquares@gmail.com. linktr.ee/movieknight.
MUSIC
Bethesda’s Summer Concert Series — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Woodmont Triangle, 7900 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda. Every Friday, free outdoor concerts by some of the best bands in the DMV! Tables and chairs can fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive early to grab your seat. For the full summer lineup, please visit Bethesda.org. 301-215-6660. sparker@bethesda.org. www.bethesda.org/summer-concert-series/.
Sky Stage Swing Dance — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC’s Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Swing dance nights hosted by Revolution Modern Dance’s Amanda Comi and colleagues will start with a brief lesson for beginners at 7pm followed by social dancing until 10pm to jazz, blues, and soul music. Occurs every first Friday May through October. $5-10 suggested donation. 301-662-4196. skystage@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/programs/skystage/.
RECREATION
Frederick Keys vs. Hudson Valley Renegades — 7 p.m. to at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive, Frederick. General admission, reserved seating and field seating tickets. See website for ticket prices. mlb.com/frederick/schedule/2026.
THEATER
“Every Brilliant Thing” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. At once a transcendent coming-of-age 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. ASL interpreted performance May 22. $15-$36. 301-694-4744. contact@ marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/every-brilliantthing/.
The Comedy Pigs at MET Comedy Night — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Key Stage, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Join MET’s longest running improv team, The Comedy Pigs, for a night full of laughs! The Comedy Pigs perform on the first Friday and Saturday of each month. The Comedy Pigs specialize in short-form improv, similar to what you’d see on the TV Show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” $15. 301-694-4744. contact@ marylandensemble.org. ci.ovationtix.com/35900/ production/1250427.
Saturday June 6
ETCETERA
Calvary United Methodist Church
Annual Yard Sale — 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Calvary United MethodistChurch, Second and Bentz streets, Frederick. All indoors and handicap-accessible. Located right across the street from Memorial Park, it’s been called one of the largest yard sales in Frederick County. Hunt for treasures in aisle after aisle, the White Elephant Room, and the long hallway filled with imagination as well as a selection of plants. 301662-1464. office@calvaryumc.org. calvaryumc.org.
Myersville Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to noon at Municipal Parking Lot, 301 Main St., Myersville. This market shares in the celebration of local products, fresh foods, and community. Saturdays through Oct. 31. myersvillefarmersmarket.com.
Visit the National Road Museum and Trolley Station Museum — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National Road Museum, 214 N. Main St., Boonsboro. Explore the history both the Historic National Road and the trolleys of central Maryland through this two-museum experience in Boonsboro! Donations appreciated. 240-769-0898. Director@ NationalRdFoundation.org. nationalrdfoundation.org.
What is a cull animal?
You may think an animal is culled only when it has a disease that threatens the entire herd. However, the truth is that some cull animals can be removed from the herd and used for other purposes.
Cull animals may be too old for breeding or, in the case of racehorses for example, for competition. Once the animal reaches a certain age, it’s susceptible to various health problems, such as lameness, infertility, mastitis or arthritis, and is more prone to injury in general. In the case of poultry or dairy breeds, the animal may no longer be able to produce eggs or milk. Dairy cows or breeding sows, for example, are generally sold at auction and then taken to a slaughterhouse to be processed into ground meat, sausages, bacon and other meat products. These carcasses are also valued for their hides. Even their bones may be processed into meal to be used in animal feed.
Laying hens may also be sold for their meat. Sometimes, however, they may be adopted by families, as their lower egg production is sufficient to meet the needs of a single household.
It’s helpful to understand these practices to better appreciate the many roles animals play throughout their lives.
