TODAY
STAR-SPANGLED CONCERT -- The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual Star-Spangled Spectacular Show today and tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville. Gates open at 5 p.m. Activities for children will be offered. A choreographed fireworks show will ends both nights' performances. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $7 for children 12 and younger in advance; and $17 and $8 at the gate. Free parking and shuttle service will be available at the Verizon lot on Shawan Road. 410-783-8000 or www.baltimoresymphony.org.
TOMORROW
BALTIMORE COUNTY PARADES -- Independence Day parades are planned throughout the county. The parade in Dundalk is scheduled to start at 8:15 a.m. at Logan Village Shopping Center on Dundalk Avenue. The Towson parade is set for 10:30 a.m. at Towsontown Boulevard and Bosley Avenue. In Catonsville, the parade will start at 3 p.m. at Frederick Road and Montrose Avenue.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL -- A beach volleyball tournament is set for 2 p.m. at Rash Field at the Inner Harbor. Registration begins at 1 p.m. Cost is $10 per player. www.baltimore beach.com.
INNER HARBOR FIREWORKS -- Baltimore's Independence Day fireworks celebration is scheduled to get under way at 9:30 p.m. The free display can been seen from a variety of points along the waterfront, including Federal Hill, Canton, Fells Point and Rash Field. 877-225-8466.
WEDNESDAY
KINGS CONCERT -- A free concert, "Two Kings: The Music of Nat King Cole and `King George' Gershwin," featuring pianist Gavin Brown and violinist Andrea Snyder, is set for noon at the Enoch Pratt central library, 400 Cathedral St. 410-396-5430 or www.epfl.net.
MONDAWMIN MUSIC -- The Craig Alston Quintet will perform a free concert from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. as part of Mondawmin Mall's "Jazzy July" series in the mall's center court, at Liberty Heights Avenue and Gwynns Falls Parkway.
THURSDAY
FIRST THURSDAY -- Downtown Westminster Promotions Committee is sponsoring a First Thursdays Downtown event from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Women and their friends can enjoy dinner at a downtown restaurant, shop the specialty stores along Main Street, or visit the library, Arts Council or Historical Society. 410-848-7116.
FRIDAY
OUTDOOR MOVIES -- Little Italy kicks off its Open-Air Film Festival 2006 with Return to Me at 9 p.m. at High and Stiles streets. The movies, which are set for Friday nights through Aug. 25, are free and open to the public. Some folding chairs will be available, but people are encouraged to bring their own. www.littleitalymd.com.
