Eastern Shore Highlights
Wine, Cheese, & Historical Banter
Enjoy an evening of wine, cheese, and historical discussion with Dr. Alexa Cawley in the circa 1784 Geddes-Piper House on Friday, March 7 from 4-6 p.m., before setting out for Chestertown’s monthly First Friday activities which include art exhibits throughout town and extended hours at specialty boutiques and antique shops. Cawley will discuss the skirmish between Kent Island settler William Claiborne and Lord Baltimore. Free. 101 Church Alley, Chestertown. (410) 778-3499.
Arts of the Chesapeake
Enjoy an evening of lively auctioneering, silent auctions, and delicious hors d’oeuvres prepared by regional restaurants during the 15th Annual Queen Anne’s County Arts Auction on Saturday, March 8 at 7 p.m. The juried show features a selection of original works from bay-area artists and artisans. Preview at 6 p.m. Hunters Oak Golf Club in Queenstown. $50 in advance; $55 at the door. (410) 758-2520.
www.arts4u.info.
Wine Pairing Extravaganza
Discover how the art of pairing food with wine enhances the flavors of both during the 3rd Annual Wine Pairing Extravaganza on Friday, March 28 from 7-10 p.m., when knowledgeable wine stewards match exquisite vintages to the masterful cuisine samplings of prominent regional chefs. At the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department in Stevensville. $75. (410) 643-6288.
www.kivfd.org.
Celebrate with the Gusto of an Irishman!
Wear your green and come be Irish for the evening during the Caroline County Historical Society’s Irish Party on Saturday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy joke-telling, bag-piping, live Irish-American folk music by Gypsy Wind, and tasty Irish food with an open bar. There will be a special call for 'party pieces' in the great Irish tradition of allowing local talent to perform songs or jigs! At the Museum of Rural Life in Denton. $25. (410) 479-2730.
kmackel@tourcaroline.com
Prowling for Owls
Explore the spectacular grounds of the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge after hours on Saturday, March 29 from 7-10 p.m., and you might just catch site of an elusive owl! Expert guides from the Kent County Bird Club lead guests in a nighttime owl prowl. Owls are called in with electronic and human calls. Rock Hall. Free. (410) 639-7056.
www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck
International Music Competition
Enjoy a spectacular day of chamber music concerts during the Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition on Saturday, March 29 from 1-9:30 p.m. Five young ensembles including the Attacca Quartet of New York, the Credo Quartet of Russia, the Gracieux Trio of New York, the N-E-W Trio of New York, and the ViM Saxophone Quartet of Washington, D.C. will compete for a top prize of $10,000 and second place prize of $5,000. At the Avalon Theatre in Easton. $5. Free to students. (410) 819-0380.
www.chambermusiccompetition.org