'The Legends Valentine Reunion'
Join the Temptations, Chi-Lites, Delfonics and Intruders for an evening of Motown and R&B at 7:30 today at the Baltimore Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. At "The Legends Valentine Reunion," expect to hear a variety of great golden oldies and new hits, including "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Have You Seen Her," "La-La Means I Love You," "I'll Always Love My Mama," "This Is My Promise" and "Stay." Tickets are $27.50 to $50. Call 410-481-SEAT.
'Only a Rose'
Relive the golden age of Hollywood operetta at a musical revue presented by the Baltimore Opera Company in two performances Saturday at the Belvedere Hotel, 1 E. Chase St. Opera star Patrice Munsel and BOC general director Michael Harrison will narrate the romantic and lighthearted program of songs by such composers as Sigmund Romberg, Victor Herbert, Noel Coward and Oscar Hammerstein. A matinee performance starts at 2 and includes light food and drinks. Tickets are $35. An evening show starts at 7 and features wine, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dessert and a cash bar. Tickets are $85. Call 410-625-1600, Ext. 315.
Mardi Gras in Annapolis
Your search for good gumbo will be richly rewarded at the "Chesapeake Chefs Signature Gumbo Cook-off" Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West St. For a tasting fee of $5, you can sample gumbo created by more than 30 chefs and also pick your favorite for the "People's Choice Best Gumbo" award. The cook-off is part of the second annual Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Mardi Gras, a celebration of food, music and special events that starts tomorrow and ends Feb. 27. Other highlights of the 12-day festival are a "Best Mask Contest" at the Chart House restaurant Tuesday, a Mardi Gras Parade and Party on Clay Street Feb. 24, a Championship Oyster Shucking Contest Feb. 25 at Phillips Annapolis Harbor and a variety of "Fat Tuesday" activities Feb. 27. Most events are free; tickets are needed for others. For a list of events, call 410-280-0445.
'The Investigation'
Peter Weiss' gripping account of the Frankfurt trials of Auschwitz officers unfolds tomorrow through March 18 in the Pearlstone Theater at Center Stage, 700 N. Calvert St. The Holocaust-themed play in free-verse form is a dramatic compilation of testimony from the landmark trial of 1963-65. The production is directed by Irene Lewis. Most performances are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. There's no matinee this Sunday. Tickets are $10-$45. Call 410-332-0033.
WEEKEND AT THE MEYERHOFF
Conductor Erich Kunzel, pianist Michael Chertock and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra take the audience to the movies today through Sunday at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral St. The program of silver-screen melodies features the themes from "Dr. Zhivago," "Gone With the Wind," "Out of Africa" and "Titanic," along with a Charlie Chaplin musical medley and more. Concerts start at 2 p.m. today, 8 p.m. tomorrow-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $23-$64. And Saturday afternoon, follow the Riders in the Sky as they round 'em up at the Meyerhoff beginning at 2 p.m. Made famous by their Grammy-nominated hit "Woody's Roundup" from "Toy Story 2," the cowboys perform classic western songs mixed with yodeling, smooth harmony and slapstick comedy. Tickets are $9-$40. Call 481-783-8000.
'Saturday Stories at the Top'
Immerse yourself in West African culture when Anansegromma presents a program of music, dance, stories and games at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Top of the World Observation Level of the World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt St. The storytelling duo is made up of Roger Dennis (Kofi) and Eric Ansah Brew (Kwame). Admission is $3-$5. Call 410-837-VIEW.
'BodySpace' at the BMA
Touch and smell the diaphanous clove-scented nylon forms of "Sister Naves," explore the full-scale silk replica of an 18th-century Korean home or walk through a 24-foot blue beaded curtain that evokes shimmering water. "BodySpace," a contemporary art exhibition that opens Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, explores the use of the body as a way to understand the world around us and prompts visitors to use their senses to perceive their surroundings and to acquire knowledge. The large-scale, three-dimensional works, such as David Schafer's "Stepped Density 1" (pictured), and room-sized installations are on view through May 27. Hours vary. Admission is $6, $4 seniors, free ages 18 and under. Call 410-396-7100.
'Rent' returns
The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning rock opera "Rent" returns to Baltimore for an eight-performance run Tuesday through Feb. 25 at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Loosely based on Puccini's "La Boheme," the joyous and often bittersweet musical set in New York's East Village celebrates a community of artists as they struggle with the soaring hopes and tough realities of today's world. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $31-$66. Call 410-481-SEAT.
