Tour

THE ROLAND PARK Second Presbyterian Church looked absolutely stunning last Saturday for the wedding of Natalia Pia Melanie Sommer and Richard Matthew Dohler. Thousands of wildflowers, miles of lace ribbons and tulle, and window sills decorated with Singapore orchids set the stage for the nuptials of the daughter of pop music star Donna Summer and her first husband, Helmut Sommer,and the son of Dick and Bonna Dohler, he's an Ellicott City builder.The church was filled with the music of German trumpeteer Langston Fitzgerald and selections of Bach, Beethoven and Vivaldi, played by the church's music director Margaret Budd on the organ.

Speaking to hundreds of Baltimore's business leaders in Harbor East on Thursday morning, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner praised President Barack Obama's handling of the recession and outlined his boss' financial reform wish list, which includes cutting small business taxes and maintaining the federal student loan interest rate. The quickly organized event, suggested last week to the Greater Baltimore Committee, served as a platform for Geithner to attack presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's economic policies.

All along, they had been so relaxed. So when it came time for Team O'Neill's horse to make his charge -- a historic one -- the colt moved forward almost nonchalantly. I'll Have Another glided past Bodemeister to win the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, setting up a chance at the first Triple Crown since 1978. The California-based horse is the 12th to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown since Affirmed edged Alydar in all three races.

They departed the northwest coast of France two months ago — 26 crew members each aboard two historic French Navy schooners headed to North America. With relatively calm seas, a chef well-versed in French cuisine and plenty of technological updates to the World War II-era ships, the boats made an easy voyage to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. On Sunday, the public got the chance to tour them. The schooners made the journey as part of the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Rap radio's reigning king Drake will bring his "Club Paradise" tour to Verizon Center on May 25, it was announced today. J. Cole, Waka Flocka Flame, Meek Mill, French Montana and 2 Chainz will join the Young Money rapper. For many fans, a headlining Drake show is enough incentive to grab a ticket, especially coming off the critical and commercial success of his last album, "Take Care. " But this line-up includes some of hip-hop's most promising rappers, giving this edition of "Club Paradise" the potential to be one of the best concerts of the year.

Federal grand jurors in Los Angeles resumed their weekly meeting Wednesday, hearing testimony about drug use in cycling, when reports emerged that Tour de France champion Alberto Contador had scheduled a news conference Thursday to address a positive test he submitted for the banned stimulant clenbuterol during this year's Tour. The International Cycling Union later said that while only a "very small concentration" of clenbuteral was found in Contador's urine, he still had been suspended.

Sad news to report: Leslie Carter, the sister of Nick Carter (whom I interviewed for this week's Live!), passed away Tuesday in New York. Leslie, an aspiring singer and mother, was 25. No cause of death was given. Despite Leslie's death, Nick's tour will go on as planned, including his show at Rams Head Live on Friday . Here's the official statement from Nick's publicist: Nick Carter is thankful to the many people and the fans who have shared their wishes and prayers during this tragic time.

Take a haunted tour guided by 'Norman Bates' at Hitchcock after Dark , Saturday, Oct. 22, 8-10 p.m., Riverfront Park at end of Avondale Street. This fundraiser is presented by Venus Theatre, 21 C St. Tours also available Saturday, Oct. 29. Two nights only with four tours, half mile each, one starting at 8 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. each of the Saturdays. Enjoy s'mores, fall beverages, Hitchy costume contest and outdoor move, "The Birds!" Best Hitchcock costume wins door prize. Wear comfortable shoes and bring flashlight and movie watching blanket.

'Spirits of Point Lookout' in St. Mary's County What: Take a ghost tour of Point Lookout State Park, site of many legendary tragedies and hauntings, as you experience a historic and interactive presentation. Spirits of Point Lookout is not a "haunted house"-style event. Presentations are suitable for children, but the event does require a 50-minute, half-mile walk. The evening also includes music, food, games and more. Where: Point Lookout State Park, 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland 20687 When: Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tour groups of 30 leave every 12 minutes.

The 13-site Linthicum Historic House Tour runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $15 and include a map. Vehicles should be parked at St. John Lutheran Church on West Maple Road. Tour participants can walk from there or use the shuttle bus and can take the tour in any order. All guests are invited to end the tour at the GFWC of Linthicum Heights' clubhouse at 110 N. Hammonds Ferry Road to enjoy a display of local art and free refreshments. For information about the tour sites, call 410-859-0606 or visit www.linthicum100.

He pioneered one the most influential, far-reaching musical genres of the past 50 years. He became a galvanizing force, too, in the cause of human rights. When he died, more than a million people turned out to witness his funeral cortege. Among those mourning his loss were the 27 women who had once been his wives. The extraordinary story of Nigerian musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti inspired the 2009 musical "Fela!" which garnered three Tony Awards. Judging by the ecstatic reviews, the international touring production that comes to Baltimore this week has only increased the show's reputation.

This coming week offers a chance to visit two worthy Maryland landmarks. The normally off-limits Gibson Island Club will be open, and you can enjoy a lunch overlooking the Magothy. And I paid an advance visit to the Shrine of St. Anthony at Folly Quarter, a remarkable Roman Catholic monastery complex in western Howard County. Being a fan of pre-World War II buildings and architecture, I opted for a preview of the 1931 monastery, which is open daily for Masses, confessions and other functions.

When Yo Gotti comes to Baltimore, he feels at home. The 30-year-old rapper from Memphis, Tenn., says Charm City reminds him of his gritty hometown. "I like what the city stands for," said Gotti, who performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Sunday. "It's real people doing real [things]. It's no Hollywood" stuff. For any rap fan that has followed Yo Gotti's career - which began in 2000 with the independent rap album "From Da Dope Game 2 Da Rap Game" - his blue collar attitude should come as no surprise.

A multicolored grouping of four clapboard rowhouses in Fells Point stands out like Gerbera daisies against the Formstone and brick fronts of its neighbors on either side. Architect Myrna Poirier calls one of these gems home and will soon invite visitors beyond her threshold as part of the Historic Harbor House Tour of Fells Point on Mother's Day. In keeping with the facade of her home, the interior is a color-infused, uplifting space. "Color is so important," she said. "A lot of people don't realize what color does for your spirits," pointing to an open interior 50 feet deep, with soft pastel paint on the walls in each room, richly embellished textiles from all over the world hanging on them and the morning sun bursting through ceiling skylights.

When Beach House, the Baltimore dream-pop duo of Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, released 2010's "Teen Dream," the band was immediately thrust into the forefront of the indie-music world. Pitchfork named it the fifth best album of the year; Rolling Stone placed it at No. 17 . Indie-rock chart-toppers Vampire Weekend invited the band on an impressive North American tour that included stops at New York City's Radio City Music Hall and Merriweather Post Pavilion . Following the steps of Animal Collective, the duo seemed positioned to become the new "it" band in taste-making circles.

Bill O'Brien looks right out of Football Coach Central Casting: thick neck, hulking shoulders, receding hairline and a mug that looks like it caught a few forearms back when he played linebacker and defensive end at Brown. The new face of Penn State's storied football program was in town Tuesday, on the second leg of a nine-day, 18-stop bus tour to glad-hand alumni and assure everyone that autumn Saturdays in Happy Valley will still be special, despite the tragic events of last fall.

Get a taste of action, drama and history in Washington on Saturday as you learn about one of the most infamous acts in U.S. history: the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Assassination Tour walks you through streets and buildings, including the theater where the assassination took place, and dives into the intriguing conspiracy behind the fatal and consequential events of that night. The tour starts at 7 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 27 at the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square Park, Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington.

The Union Square Christmas cookie tour, now in its fifth year provides an insider's look at one of Baltimore's most architecturally distinguished and historically significant communities.Residents of the Victorian neighborhood that H. L. Mencken called home will not only open their houses to visitors, but will serve holiday cookies made from their own recipes. This year's tour will be held next Sunday (Dec. 9) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Included will be 27 houses, many of them restored by their owners to their original 19th century appearance.

Jonathan Phillip "Sugarfoot" Moffett can practically hear the King of Pop's voice in his head as he practices his drum licks for the Cirque du Soleil show based on the music of Michael Jackson. "Make it bigger than life," Moffett hears the Gloved One telling him, as he bears down on the beat in "Billie Jean" or "Heartbreak Hotel. " "My fans know my music. That's what they want to hear. Add some color, but don't stray too far. " In putting together "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," the creative team behind Cirque du Soleil drew upon the expertise of several musicians and dancers who worked closely with Jackson, including Moffett, Jackson's longtime drummer, and choreographer Travis Payne.