Avalon Theatre

EASTON -- When clarinetist Lawrie Bloom's parents bought a house in St. Michaels, he came to visit and said, "We ought to start a little chamber music festival here." And they did.More than a decade later, the Blooms' "little festival" has evolved into a Talbot County tradition. The Eastern Shore Chamber Music Festival has gained a loyal following in its 11 years and grown into a two-week event, but it hasn't outgrown its roots. It's still an opportunity for players and listeners alike to experience chamber music in an intimate setting.

Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in Easton What: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival, a two-week event featuring 13 concerts by top chamber musicians performing works from classical to modern. Where: Easton and other locations on the Eastern Shore When: Performances begin today with a free concert at Goldsborough and North Washington streets in Easton, featuring the Blake Meister Jazz Ensemble. How much: Varies.

SURELY, MANY readers must have wondered what Elvis Presley would have sung if he had been a Maryland crabber, poaching just over the state line: Wella blessa my soul What do I see Virginia police boats comin' after me I pull my crab scrapes Right outa the mud - I'm a wreck - I'm all shook up!"

Comics, alive The lowdown -- Theatre Project veterans Daniel Stein and Touchstone Theatre of Bethlehem, Pa., return to the Preston Street venue beginning tonight with A Comic Strip. Created collaboratively and directed by Stein, this grown-up, dark comedy focuses on a cartoonist whose life is about to crumble when characters from his favorite boyhood comic strip take him on a perilous, eye-opening journey. If you go -- Showtimes at the Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays, through June 17. Tickets are $16. Call 410-752-8558 or go to theatre project.

Aimee Mann Touring to promote her album The Forgotten Arm, Aimee Mann visits Easton's historic Avalon Theatre on Saturday. Rolling Stone has described her music as earthy acoustic, minimalist, quiet, folk tunes, and her current release epitomizes this stripped-to-the-core sound. The Avalon Theatre is at 40 E. Dover St. in Easton. $40. 410-547-SEAT or ticketmaster.com.

If you like your rock and roll like you do your wine, aged to perfection, then pop the cork. It's your season. Aerosmith's train keeps a-rollin' this week at Nissan Pavilion, followed later this month by fairy godmother Stevie Nicks at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Then, October brings Mr. Halloween Makeup himself, Alice Cooper, to Merriweather and raspy Rod Stewart to the Baltimore Arena. Of course, all this is simply building up to a November stop at the MCI Center by the bard, Bob Dylan.

Take little bit of the good old stuff, add a dollop of today's teeny pop, a dash of hip-hop, alt-rock and country and shake it all together. That pretty much describes the musical cocktail that's coming to Baltimore-area arenas fall. This month, artists as disparate as Bow Wow, Indigo Girls and Incubus are coming to Baltimore. Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman, Backstreet brother Aaron Carter and Toby Keith also are on the schedule. October brings golden-oldies Rolling Stones to Landover's FedEx Field, R&B superstar Smokey Robinson to Morgan State University and No Doubt to the Baltimore Arena.

Bela Fleck / Avalon Theatre Over the years, Bela Fleck has shown how versatile the banjo can be as he picks the instrument in musical contexts ranging from bluegrass to post-bop. He plays the Avalon Theatre Tuesday night. Show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $50, available via Ticketmaster by calling 410-481-SEAT or visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Randy Newman / Birchmere He finally earned an Oscar after years of being ignored. But fans have always celebrated Randy Newman's witty, insightful lyrics.

Have a hippy holidayDust off your tie-dye shirts and dowse yourself in Patchouli oil. Woodstock veteran Richie Havens will sing Saturday at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. Havens was recently featured on VH-1 talking about his experience at the original Woodstock. He's performed renditions of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" and the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," and many original songs. Havens' show is titled "A Christmas of Love." His first show at the Avalon earlier this year sold out.Richie Havens' "A Christmas of Love" is 8 p.m. Saturday at the Avalon Theatre, 40 East Dover St. $25. Call 410-822-0345.

Cape May house tours Explore the Victorian architecture of Cape May, N.J., when more than a dozen homes in the historic town are opened to visitors Saturday. The self-guided walking tour offers participants a view of extensive antiques collections and unique decorating styles. Homeowners will be available at the sites to discuss architectural history and restoration processes. Homes are open from noon to 3 p.m. The "Discover Cape May Historic House Tour" begins at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington and Ocean streets.

Raheem Devaughn -- 9:30 Club / Singer-songwriter Devaughn, who graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville and whose most recent album is The Love Experience, performs tomorrow night at 9 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, 815 V St. N.W. Fertile Ground and Anthony David are also billed. Tickets are $22. Call 800-955-5566 or go to tickets.com. The Stylistics -- Lyric Opera House / Head to the Lyric on Saturday for a '70s Soul Jam concert featuring the Stylistics, the Dramatics, the Manhattans and Blue Magic.

CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH The 1971 Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden was put together by George Harrison and featured such music legends as Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Bob Dylan together on one night. This was one of the first fundraising concerts. Maryland Public Television is screening the re-released full film of the concert, with newly taped interviews and highlights, this weekend at the Avalon Theatre in Easton and at the University of Baltimore. ...................

Spin cycle Basement Boy Teddy Douglas - just back from spinning in Barcelona and London - takes over at the Good Love Bar tonight. Expect a blend of '70s disco, house, soul with a pinch of gospel. The music goes from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Good Love Bar is at 2322 Boston St. Call 410-534-4588 or visit www.goodlovebar.com. Live radio This one is for the public radio addicts. Morning Edition producer Van Williamson resurrects Radio From Downtown, an old-timey variety show taped before a live audience at the Avalon Theatre in Easton.

SURELY, MANY readers must have wondered what Elvis Presley would have sung if he had been a Maryland crabber, poaching just over the state line: Wella blessa my soul What do I see Virginia police boats comin' after me I pull my crab scrapes Right outa the mud - I'm a wreck - I'm all shook up!"

Raheem Devaughn -- 9:30 Club / Singer-songwriter Devaughn, who graduated from High Point High School in Beltsville and whose most recent album is The Love Experience, performs tomorrow night at 9 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, 815 V St. N.W. Fertile Ground and Anthony David are also billed. Tickets are $22. Call 800-955-5566 or go to tickets.com. The Stylistics -- Lyric Opera House / Head to the Lyric on Saturday for a '70s Soul Jam concert featuring the Stylistics, the Dramatics, the Manhattans and Blue Magic.

Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival in Easton What: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival, a two-week event featuring 13 concerts by top chamber musicians performing works from classical to modern. Where: Easton and other locations on the Eastern Shore When: Performances begin today with a free concert at Goldsborough and North Washington streets in Easton, featuring the Blake Meister Jazz Ensemble. How much: Varies.