Things to do this week
Here's the latest short list of things to do this week. Remember to check the Activities calendar on the right rail for more. If you have something to add, please post it below; if it's for next week and beyond, please send it to Jennifer Choi, who compiles the list.
Thursday (April 24):
“Towson Gardens Day”: Flower mart, plants, crafts, exhibits, garden tours, entertainment, food. Event takes place at the Courthouse Fountain Plaza, at Pennsylvania and Baltimore Avenues. Free admission. Entrance to “The Secret Garden” is $1. 10am-3pm. The rain date is Friday. 410-823-6383.
Friday (April 25):
“Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour”: Thomas the Tank Engine chugs his way into the B&O Railroad Museum through Sunday. Families can enjoy activities such as a ride with Thomas, arts, crafts and live music. Visitors can also meet Sir Topham Hatt and Sprout TV’s Fifi from Fifi and the Flowertots. The event runs 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day. The museum is at 901 W. Pratt St. $18 for ages 2 and older. Call 866-468-7630 or go to borail.org.
“Bad Hair Day”: Storytelling, song-singing and craftmaking at the Elkridge branch of the Howard County Library, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. 2 p.m. Ages 3-5. Free. Reservations required. Call 410-313-5085 or visit hclibrary.org.
(2000 Sun photo of Thomas the Tank Engine by Steve Ruark)
Saturday (April 26):
“Backyardigans”: In their touring show “The Tale of the Mighty Knights!” the five friends from the television show tell the story of a quest that involves dragons, fairies and kings. Performances are 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hippodrome, 12 N. Eutaw St. Tickets $15-$38. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.
Earth Day Celebration: Goucher College aims to raise awareness of environmental issues while celebrating Earth with live music, food, activities and games. The festival begins 11:30 a.m. on the residential quad of Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road. Free. Call 410-337-6000 or visit goucher.edu.
“Maryland Day”: The 10th annual Maryland Day at the University of Maryland, College Park includes more than 400 activities, and the first 50,000 attendees receive a cupcake. Events across campus include dancing, live music, workshops and lectures. The events are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the University of Maryland, 7600 Baltimore Ave., College Park. Free. Call 301-405-1000 or go to marylandday.umd.edu.
“RobotFest”: From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Historical Electronics Museum, 1745 W. Nursery Road, Linthicum, hosts an exhibition of a variety of technological devices created by primary school, secondary school and college students. Free admission. Call 410-765-0230 or go to robotfest.com.
Zoo Celebration: The Cross Keys Village Square, 5100 Falls Road, welcomes animals and their keepers to educate and offer a chance to meet the zoo’s residents up close. Games, prizes, crafts and other entertainment. The celebration is noon-2 p.m. Free, but donations encouraged. Call 410-323-1000 or go to villageofcrosskeys.com.
Sunday (April 27):
“El Gran Dia de Leer”: A program devoted to promoting public libraries’ use of Spanish books. Crafts, games and refreshments 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Children’s Museum, 25 Silopanna Road, Annapolis. Free. 410-990-1993 or theccm.org.
“Free Family Sundays: Family Sketching: Pattern”: Interactive art workshops, tours, and more. The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. 2 p.m. Free. 443-573-1700 or artbma.org.
“Fairy Tale Festival Extravaganza”: The event includes crafts, music, and activities. There will be a Fairy Tale Ball for preschoolers, with live music and special events. Activities run 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Central branch, 400 Cathedral St. 410-396-5402 or go to prattlibrary.org.
“Navigate this Place: Family Scavenger Hunt”: Families can use maps from the Walters’ special exhibition and the outdoor works of MICA’s exhibition Beyond the Compass, Beyond the Square in a scavenger hunt directed by artists involved with the outdoor exhibit. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Free. The event takes place at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. and in the parks of Mount Vernon. Call 410-225-2300 or go to mica.edu/beyond.
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