Join the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Labor Day weekend as they celebrate 51 years of music and bring you the Lexus Summer Concert Series – Pops in the Park. This free concert is one of the most popular of the year and will feature pop favorites and light classics directed by featured music director and conductor José-Luis Novo. Enjoy a day of music, family and fun at this exciting Labor Day event for all ages. The concert is scheduled for September 2 at 5:30 p.m. with the same time on September 3 as a rain date. Food and concessions will be available minus alcoholic beverages. Feel free to bring some snacks or a picnic but don’t forget your blankets or lawn chairs and get to the park early for prime seating.

The 36^th annual Maryland Renaissance Festival begins August 26 and promises to return stronger and more boisterous than ever. Escape to Revel Grove in Crownsville, Maryland for medieval-style food, crafts, entertainment and more.

The entertainment line-up for this year has not been fully announced but, if you visit the website, is already quite extensive. From aerial artists to hypnotism, jousting to classical ballet, performers are as varied as they are captivating. Entertainers include:

• Barely Balanced
• The Cheeky Monkey Sideshow
• The Danger Committee
• Dinty, the Moor
• The Dueling Fools
• The Enchanted Wagon

….and many, many, many more.

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is also ideal for a truly one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Local Artisans converge upon Revel Grove, bartering their finest wares. Craftspeople, artisans and merchants in attendance:

• Dancing Pig Pottery
• Gypsy Silks
• Leather Rose
• The Taro Guild
• The Purple Unicorn

…and many, many, many others.

Lastly, no Renaissance Festival is complete without the aromatics of the food-vendors dishing out giant turkey legs, beer steins the size of small dogs, and deep-fried delicacies galore. Food and drink will be at the ready. For more information on the 36^th annual Maryland Renaissance Festival please check out the official website. “Let Merriment Abound!”

Summer ‘tis the season of the music festival and I have yet another rockin’ outdoor music event to fill you in on. The Silopanna Music Festival at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds is very likely Annapolis’ largest festival of the summer and this year boasts a world- class line-up including CAKE, Citizen Cope and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, just to name a few. For food, music and fun, look no further. August 11, 2012 means rock has arrived in Annapolis.

Line Up

From alternative darlings to indie favorites, this year’s Silopanna line-up spans the rock genre:

Food and Beverages

Food truck madness has reached Annapolis and the area’s best food trucks will converge on Silopanna offering the best in street food. Trucks include:

• Cajunators
• DC Empanadas
• DC Slices
• Feelin’ Crabby
• Simplicity Ice Cream

Concert goers can also enjoy tasty beverages via Budweiser, Fordham Brewing Company and Finlandia Vodka.

Visit the website for more information regarding tickets, vendors, rules and regulations, directions and, well, whatever else really. Have fun for me!

Insider Tip: Stay for CAKE. I know you’re going to want to leave early and beat the post-concert crush but don’t do it. They put on a phenomenal show.