October 12, 2000|By David M. Graves
AROUND THE HARBOR
Shipshape lessons
All hands on deck. It's Restoration Day aboard the USS Constellation in the Inner Harbor. Come learn about ship-preservation efforts Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Events include a tour of the Constellation, the only Civil-War-era ship still afloat, hands-on activities, a slide show and caulking demonstrations. You'll get the scoop on how the vessel was built and how it was preserved through waterproofing, sealing and some innovative techniques. Cost is $6.50 adults, $5 seniors, $3.50 children 6-14, free ages 5 and under. For event times, call 410-539-1797.
Another season of Shriver Hall concerts
The 35th season of the Shriver Hall Concert Series kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Sunday with a performance by Baltimore violinist Hilary Hahn and pianist Natalie Zhu. These acclaimed artists have played around the world, and now they are bringing their musical skills to Shriver Hall, 3400 N. Charles St., on the Johns Hopkins University campus. See why Tim Smith, The Sun's music critic, has called Hahn's playing "a class act, with dead-on pitch, luscious tone and exceptionally precise articulation." Tickets are $28 adults and $14 students. Call 410-516-7164.
Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race
Sail down to the Baltimore harbor for the 11th annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. With the arrival on Monday of more than 40 tall ships in Fells Point, sailing fans can get an up-close look at the vessels before the competition begins next Thursday. Other pre-race activities include the Parade of Sail (around the harbor) Wednesday at 4 p.m. and the Shanty Singalong at 10 p.m. aboard the Norfolk Rebel schooner at the Fells Point dock. The Baltimore-to-Norfolk race kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge off Annapolis. Spectators are invited to watch from land or water (well clear of the fleet). Call 410-675-5955 or visit www.schoonerrace.com.
'Firebird' takes wing
Delve into a colorful world of fun and fantasy as celebrated choreographer Vincente Nebrada presents the ballet "Firebird" at Harford Community College in Bel Air. The National Ballet of Caracas will stage the work by Igor Stravinsky in the William H. Amoss Performing Arts Center Sunday at 3 p.m. The 35-member company will bring a Latin flair to this dramatic fantasy, complete with exotic animals and extravagant costumes. Tickets, which are $22 adults, $17 ages 17 and younger, are available at the HCC cashier's office in the Chesapeake Center. Call 410-836-4211.
Calling all chocoholics
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. That's what you'll find at the 18th annual Chocolate Festival today through Saturday at Baltimore's Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. Each day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy chocolate bliss in all shapes, sizes and tastes. Live music, games, cooking demonstrations and vendors are part of the fun, too. You can even enter to win a trip to the Bahamas. Free admission. Call 410-685-6169 or visit www.lexingtonmarket.com.
Let the (Scottish) games begin
The Summer Olympics may be over, but the ninth annual Anne Arundel Scottish Highland Games are just about to begin. Join the festivities Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Anne Arundel Fairgrounds on Route 178 in Crownsville. The day will be filled with cultural events, such as a parade of clans, a Highland dance competition, pipe competitions, a fiddling contest and sheep-dog demonstrations. There also will be children's games, Scottish food and Scottish goods for sale. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $3 students (12-18), free for ages under 12. Call 410-849-2849 for more information or to sign up for competitions. Or check out the Web site at members.aol.com / aascot.
On the trail of Frederick Douglass
Walk in the footsteps of Frederick Douglass - abolitionist, author, publisher, adviser to President Lincoln and escaped slave. The Maryland-born Douglass was one of the leading African-American voices against slavery in the years before the Civil War, and you can experience life from his perspective during the Frederick Douglass Walking Tour Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Fells Point Visitor Center, 808 S. Ann St. Historian Louis Fields will lead the two-hour tour around the Fells Point area where Douglass lived and worked before escaping from slavery. Cost is $5 per person. Call 410-675-6750 or 410-783-5469.
Triple Crown of Freestyle MOTOCROSS
They flip for this kind of stuff. Literally. At the Vans Triple Crown of Freestyle Motocross at the Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., you can see 15 of the sport's best daredevils -- including Mike Jones, Clifford Adoptante and Kris Rourke -- show off their cycling skills on the ground and in the air. The event revs into town tomorrow for a show at 8 p.m. and another Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $15. Call 410-347-2010 or 410-481-SEAT.
