Playwrights' Festival to present 'Outside the Norm' at 0...

Playwrights' Festival to present 'Outside the Norm' at 0) Spotlighters

The latest installment in the 10th annual Baltimore Playwright Festival, Gregory Jenkins' "Outside the Norm," begins a four-weekend run Friday at the Spotlighters, 817 St. Paul St. Curtain times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., with matinees at 2:30 p.m., through Aug. 26. Tickets are $7.

A comedy about an advertising copywriter who loses his job, "Outside the Norm" will be directed by Patsy Black and feature a cast including Barry Price, Maria Diaz, Nick Psaltos and Marilyn Kemper. For more information, call 752-1225.

With a program devoted almost exclusively to water music the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will help the National Aquarium celebrate its 10th anniversary Wednesday at 8 p.m. On the grounds in front of the Aquarium, BSO associate conductor Chosei Komatusu will conduct Handel's "Water Music," Strauss' "Beautiful Blue Danube," Alan Hovhaness' "And God Created Great Whales" as well as works by Mendelssohn and Falla. The program is free and you don't have to get wet to enjoy the music -- in case of rain, the concert will be performed on Thursday. For more information, call 576-3810.

--Stephen Wigler James Cotton, a master of the blues harp, returns to 8x1 Wednesday as part of the Blue Bayou Nights series. There will be two shows -- 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. -- at the Federal Hill club at 8-10 Cross St. Tickets are $12. For information, call 625-2001.