MAY 7

First Thursdays, kick-off celebration at the Maryland Historical Society, free outdoor concert at Louie's bookstore cafe, free admission to participating Mt Vernon attractions, 5pm, 300-1200 blocks of Charles Street.

Freestyle, "Come What May," a festive, free-for-all evening, family oriented evening with workshops, films, maypole dancing, 5-9pm, Baltimore Museum of Art, 410-396-7100.

MAY 8-9

Gershwin, By George!, Broadway singers join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a 100th birthday tribute to one of America's greatest songwriters, 8pm, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 410-783-8000. $

MAY 8-10

Spring Fever Dance Performance, featuring choreographed dances by Hinton Battle and John Clifford, as well as a modern dance piece, 7pm, 2 and 7pm May 10, Schaefer Ballroom, Baltimore School for the Arts, 410-396-1185. $

MAY 9

Sounds All Around, fun for the whole family as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra thrills audiences with simulated sounds of rainstorms and more, 10am & 11:30am, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 410-783-8000. $

Preakness Celebration Parade, read more.

"Treasures in the Attic II", professional sports appraisers will value fans' sports memorabilia, noon, Babe Ruth Museum, 410-727-1539. $

Walking Tour of Federal Hill, sponsored by the Baltimore Architectural Foundation, the tour begins at the top of Federal Hill and highlights the historic neighborhood as well as the Inner Harbor, 10am, 410-625-2585. $

Cylburn Market Day, plants of all kinds will be on sale, 8am to 2pm, Cylburn Arboretum, 410-367-2217. $

Annual HARBEL Spring Flea Market, fleas, food, flowers, 9am-2pm, 5807 Harford Road, 410-444-2100. $

MAY 10

Second Sunday Antique Market, 50 vendors from several states selling antiques and collectibles, 8am-6pm, Broadway Market Square in Historic Fell's Point, 410-276-7660.

MAY 11

Annual Phillips Preakness Trayfecta, read more.

WWF "Raw is War", 7:45pm, Baltimore Arena, 410-347-2020. $

MAY 12

Pee Wee Preakness, read more.

MAY 13

Lee's Ice Cream Banana Split Stakes, get the scoop on the chilliest (as well as messiest!) eating contest in Baltimore at this annual event, noon, Harborplace Amphitheatre, 1-800-HARBOR-1.

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Indians, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

Peter Lowe's Success 1998, dynamic, inspiring speakers including Brian Tracy, Colin Powell, Eric Davis and Tom Brokaw, 8am-5:30pm, Baltimore Arena, 800-436-5580. $

MAY 14

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Indians, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

MAY 15

Phillips Preakness Celebrity Crab Picking Contest, see Preakness box.

Choral Concert, vocal majors of The Baltimore School for the Arts welcome spring with performances by the Baltimore School for the Arts Chorus and Chamber Chorus, 7pm, Schaefer Ballroom, Baltimore School for the Arts, 410-396-1185. $

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Devil Rays, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

Alan Jackson, country music sensation Alan Jackson in concert with special guest, Deana Carter, 8pm, Baltimore Arena, 410-347-2010. $

MAY 15-16

Great American Beer Festival on the Road, GABF comes to Baltimore for the first time featuring the finest beers being brewed in the US, Baltimore Convention Center Hall A, 1-888-U-CAN-BREW, $.

MAY 15-17

Favorites Series, conductor Daniel Hege and pianist Marcus Roberts perform with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 410-783-8000. $

MAY 16

The 123nd Running of the Preakness Stakes, read more.

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Devil Rays, 1:35pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $
Tulip Dig, a chance to dig tulip bulbs, first come, first serve, Clyburn Arboretum, 410-367-2217. $

MAY 17

Music For A Great Space, the Gilman School Chorus and the Handel Choir of Baltimore team with large sections of brass to surround the audience with four sides of extravagant music, 1:30pm, Basilica of the Assumption, 410-366-6544. $

The Sirota Family in Concert, a performance by Dr. Robert Sirota (Director, Peabody Institute), Dr. Victoria Sirota (Vicar, Church of the Holy Nativity), and their children, 3:30pm, Second Presbyterian Concert Series, 410-889-6819.

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Devil Rays, 1:35pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

Carmina for Kids, Tom Hall and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society present a light-hearted look into Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, 3 pm, Gordon Center for the Performing Arts, 410-523-7070. $

Tooth Fairy Tales, uncover the mysteries of the Tooth Fairy in this storytelling event, 1 pm, National Museum of Dentistry, 410-706-0052.

Family and Children's Services Walk-a-thon, annual walk-a-thon through the Zoo ending with a lunch and entertainment at the Waterfowl Lake Pavilion, 9 am - pm, The Baltimore Zoo, 410-366-1980. $

Music for a Great Space, the celebrated concert by The Handel Choir of Baltimore, under the direction of Maestro T. Herbert Dimmock, features the music of 16th century Venice and 20th century composer Aaron Copland, Basilica of the Assumption, 410-366-6544. $

Spring Safari, family fun walk through the Baltimore Zoo followed by a "Party at the Pavilion," with live musical entertainment, food, games, children's activities and prizes, 9am-2pm, The Baltimore Zoo, 410-366-1980. $

Second Annual Educational Expo, features a showcase of educational products and workshops, services and resources for educators, administrators, and parents, 11am-5pm, Pikesville Armory, 410-358-6846. $

MAY 18

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Devil Rays, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

MAY 20-21

Virginia Slims Legends Tennis, 7pm, Baltimore Arena, 410-347-2020. $

MAY 23

"Busytown" Breakfast and Story Time, Busytime's smallest fan are invited to join some of their favorite characters for breakfast, a special show, and playtime in the Science Center's Busytown exhibit, call for times and reservations, 410-685-2370. $

MAY 24

"Requiem", a delightful piece in the classic tradition of Mozart with charming choruses and transcendently beautiful orchestration showcases our annual concert to benefit the homeless in Baltimore, 3pm, First English Lutheran Church, 410-235-2356.

Poetry Reading, 2pm, The Brokerage, 34 Market Place, 1st Fl., 410-625-3113.

Art Festival, exhibition of artworl from children grades kindergarden through twelth from Baltimore City and County schools, 3pm, The Brokerage, 34 Market Pl., 410-625-3113.

MAY 26-31

Unforgettable: The Music of Nat King Cole, May 26-31, Lyric Opera House, 410-481-SEAT. $

MAY 28

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Rangers, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

MAY 28-31

Marvin Hamlisch's Prom Night, all-time favorite prom night hits by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, with a guest appearance by The Platters, Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 410-783-8000. $

MAY 29

The Armstrong Honors Recital, selected students will perform solo for their final time as students of the Baltimore School for the Arts, 8pm, Recital Hall, Baltimore School for the Arts, 410-396-1185.

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Rangers, 7:05pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

Empty Bowls ë98, Spend the evening as children in a "playground" at the 6th annual benefit for the Maryland Food Committee with games, activities and performers, Boumi Temple, 410-366-0600. $

MAY 30
Baltimore Chamber Music Awards Competition Finals, Maryland's most talented emerging chamber music ensembles compete for the opportunity to perform at the ARTSCAPE ë98 "Classics in the Cool" Concert Series, 9am-3pm, Peabody Conservatory, 410-396-4575.

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Rangers, 1:15pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

"School House Rock Live," a ninety-minute performance about a teacher trying to find ways to interest his students in reading and writing, includes classic songs such as "Conjunction, junction, what's your function," 11am, 3pm, Morris Mechanic Theater, 410-435-3300. $

MAY 31

The Great Baltimore Bike Tour, family oriented event where riders can explore the museums, neighborhoods and attractions that make Baltimore unique, courses for every fitness level, post-ride festivities, 7am-12noon, start/finish Carroll Park, 410-502-8733. $

Baltimore Orioles, vs. Rangers, 1:35pm, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-685-9800. $

6th Annual Brew Review, sample unlimited supplies of over 40 craft beers and support the Maryland Lupus Foundation, 1-5 pm, Parrott Island, 410-337-9000. $