Theater

British actress Dame Maggie Smith won new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey" and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

The setting for Classic Theatre of Maryland's production of "Macbeth" is Revolutionary War America. iAlong with a Hispanic heritage festival, a doggy dive-in and a Taylor Swift tribute show, the play is one of seven great things to do in Annapolis this weekend.

No one may be more excited about the Annapolis Songwriters Festival than Daphne Eckman, a young performer who will share the stage set up at Red, Red Wine with eight other singers over three hours Friday night.

Food historian Joyce White marks her first book, “Cooking Maryland’s Way: Voices of a Diverse Cuisine,” with a lecture and book signing Sunday. It’s one of seven great things to do in the coming week in the Annapolis area.

The king and queen of the Maryland Renaissance Festival are ready for you. Fred Nelson and Laurie Simonds return Saturday for opening day at the long-running, singular Maryland event. It’s one of seven things to do around Annapolis during the week ending Aug. 29.

The next few weeks may be the best time to visit Great Frogs Winery in Annapolis, just as the harvest begins. You could also catch the Annapolis Chamber Music Festival or check out the Halal Food Fest.

Art abounds in Annapolis: paintings on the walls of a restaurant, one-act plays in a record store and now — finally — standup comedy in a board shop.

There's still a chance to catch “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at The Classic Theatre of Maryland in the coming week. You could also see two of England's top soccer teams play at Navy stadium, listen to innovative chamber music or try karaoke at the new Tiki bar in Annapolis.

You hear Jimmy Buffett’s tropical-rock sound around the city, in marinas or wherever boaters raft up for a summer afternoon. Maybe it’s the laidback vibe Annapolis wears so casually. No socks, no ties but plenty of boat shoes. Maybe too many margaritas. Whatever it is, there’s a relationship. Understanding it is a chance to know Annapolis through song.

I don’t get the appeal of tribute bands. But plenty of people do. There are eight through Labor Day at Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis’ most popular performance venue. Up first are two with similar but unrelated names: The Allman Others on Sunday and The Doobie Others on Tuesday.

A busy summer season at Maryland Hall could be a glimpse of the future once the performing arts center completes a $5.6 million campaign for renovations in 2025, allowing it to put on two shows at once.

CJay Philip’s journey from Broadway performer to Tony Award recipient for her work in theater education took a life-changing turn in Baltimore.

Summer is a state of mind. Nothing sums that up better than a trip to the beach. But where can you go if you can’t make the six-hour round-trip drive to the Atlantic Ocean?

Matthew August Jeffers has a rare form of dwarfism. It has not stopped him from opening big on Broadway in one of the hottest shows of the season, Enemy of the People.

You could catch the music of George and Ira Gershwin at the Classic Theatre of Maryland in Annapolis, listen to the great John Hiatt or try a new run and paddle club. Those are just some of the great things to do over the next seven months.

Though the Parkway Theatre will still do quite a bit with film, several arts and cultural partnerships and events are planned.

Everyman Theatre’s production of one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” puts a new spin on the classic play.

Stevie Wonder and Misty Copeland will deliver addresses as part of the Peabody Conservatory’s graduation ceremonies May 22.

You could catch a new production of “Gypsy” at Classic Theatre of Maryland, new music at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra or some very, very old-style singing from a German choir. There’s lots more to do during the week through April 17.

April will kick off a three-year effort during which 10 pieces of the late playwright August Wilson's work will be presented in chronological order at 10 Baltimore theaters.