powerboat races this weekend

May 16, 2023

Final preparations are underway for Powerboat P1’s season-opener this weekend (May 18-21) at Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Space Coast, with a total of more than 60 boats expected to compete in the 16 race classes. It will be the second event of the five-venue 2023 APBA Offshore National Championship and the opening round of the UIM Class 1 World Championship.

It will be the 1ear of the four-day Thunder On Cocoa Beach event and the message from its Race Director, Kerry Bartlett , is clear and simple: “We’re ready! The team here is extremely excited to welcome race teams and fans from all over the world, and the shorter course with Saturday and Sunday racing will increase the excitement and entertainment for spectators.” Action on Saturday will feature Class 1 and Super Cat qualifying, to establish lane orders for the race start, together with Super Stock racing and several Bracket classes. Combine all that with testing and practice sessions, and what has traditionally been a quieter day during a race weekend becomes action-packed. Regarded as the pinnacle of offshore racing, Class 1 will be the highlight of Sunday afternoon as boats from three continents battle for the world title.

Celebrating its 2nniversary, Powerboat P1 will be handling the on-water operations and racing at Cocoa Beach for the fifth year and its Global Operations Director, Martin Raby explains: “With the dry pits, cranes and boat ramps more than five miles away at Port Canaveral, we need to ensure that all the boats are launched exactly on time. The full length of the offshore race course is 6.9 miles and, with their twin inboard 1100hp engines, the Class 1 boats will average 144 mph to complete a lap every 2.8 minutes. On the west side of the course, it runs parallel to the beach for 2.5 miles to give spectators a great view of the action.”

P1 USA Championship Manager Michelle Petro works closely with the United States Coast Guard months prior to the race weekend to obtain approval on the proposed race course and to laying a myriad of racing and exclusion zone buoys using a GPS system to ensure that any excluded areas on the sea bed due to flora and fauna or underground pipes and communication cables are avoided. Cocoa Beach and the entire Space Coast has been described as an eco-tourist’s dream come true, featuring sandy turtle nesting beaches, rich lagoon waters, dolphins, manatees, cranes, wading birds and alligators. “Within motorsport there is increasing sensitivity to the environment and Powerboat P1 has been committed to developing a corporate environmental policy and implementing effective programs as an integral part of its business strategy,” Petro said. “We will have a dedicated team of marine wildlife observers in place on the shore, on the water and in the air to spot and track wildlife in the extended race course area.”

The Florida holiday brochures point out that only on the Space Coast will you be able to experience a rocket launch up close, enjoy outstanding surfing in the Atlantic waves, embark on a cruise from bustling Port Canaveral and relax on uncrowded beaches. Cocoa Beach welcomes around 2.5 million visitors each year and this weekend there will be the added attraction of world class powerboat racing. Marine motorsport fans around the world will be able to watch all the action live streamed on the P1 Offshore YouTube page, and highlights will be broadcast nationally next month on the Bally Sports regional sports networks and CBS Sports Network. The potential reach of Powerboat P1’s worldwide television deals is more than 230 million homes in over 100 counties.

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P1 Offshore Grand Prix returns to St. Pete this weekend

• August 30, 2023
• • By Andrew Harlan

Racing around the Pier at the Offshore Grand Prix

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Formula 1 Powerboat Championship Racing Lands in Alton

Full weekend of racing scheduled for June 21-23 on Mississippi River 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Alton, IL – Jan. 25, 2024) Ever dreamed of watching boats flying across the waters of the Mississippi River at speeds in excess of 120 mile per hour? That dream has just become reality with the news that Formula 1 Powerboat racing is coming to the Mississippi River in Alton June 21-23 with a multi-day event featuring Formula 1 Powerboats, Tunnel Boats and Tri-Hulls.

The Formula 1 Powerboat Championship will tentatively take place on the Mississippi River at the Alton riverfront with a series of six to eight races. The races will include the sleek and glamorous F1 Powerboats, 12-foot Tunnel boats, Tri-Hulls based on a pleasure boat design and J-Hydro, 12-foot Knee Rider Boats for racers ages 9 to 16 years.

“This is a terrific addition to the sporting events the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has been able to attract over the last three years,” Cory Jobe, President and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said. “We want to thank the City of Alton for approving this event and we are looking forward to enjoying a weekend of powerboat racing and community fun along the city’s riverfront.”

The event is expected to draw 20,000-plus spectators and bring in an economic impact to the region of over $2.5 million. The Tourism Bureau is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard for approval and assistance with water safety.

“On behalf of the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship, we are very excited to bring Formula 1 powerboat racing back to Alton,” said Tim Seebold, Managing Director of Formula 1 Powerboat Championship. “It will be fantastic returning to the Mississippi River in downtown Alton Illinois showcasing our world class Formula 1 drivers and their technologically advanced powerboats in conjunction with the Midwest Nationals.”

F1 Powerboat competition begins with a 20-plus boat field lined on the start pontoon with their engines silent. At the drop of the green flag, the drivers ignite their engines, shooting thousands of gallons of rooster tailed water over 150-feet high as they accelerate to the first turn.

The spectator friendly racing on a tight course is made up of a combination of right and left hand hairpin turns with various straightaways providing deck to deck action in front of fans. No two laps are the same due to the ever-changing wind and water conditions.

“Our family friendly events have an open pit area for the fans to meet the drivers and marvel at the machines they drive,” Seebold noted. “Alton holds a special place in my heart with its rich powerboat racing history. Our family began racing on the Mississippi River starting with my grandfather back in 1939 and has continued with my father, older brother, and myself. Growing up in the greater metropolitan St. Louis area strengthened mine, like many St. Louis area fans F1 Powerboat racing enthusiasm as we all attended the St. Louis Grand Prix races for over 38 years. It has been fantastic to bring powerboat racing back to the area with all of the local support. I know this will be a monumental event for everyone involved.”

More details on the races and additional riverfront activities will be announced closer to the event.

(The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is a certified Destination Marketing Organization serving Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery and Greene counties and East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The bureau is dedicated to educating visitors about the region by providing information regarding the area’s history, unique landmarks, recreational opportunities, leisure attractions, special events and scenic marvels.)

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Inaugural P1 powerboat Grand Prix set for this weekend at the Pier

Part of the eight-venue American Power Boat Association (APBA) national championship, the two-day event features both professional and amateur P1 AquaX powerboat and jet-ski racing.

It’s free to spectators. The event schedule is here .

The pits for the race boats will be at Vinoy Park, with the AquaX jet-ski pits at Spa Beach, and will be open to the public from 5-10 p.m. Friday and between 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Vendors and live music will be set up at Vinoy Park starting at 5 p.m. Friday.

Powerboat P1 has held races offshore at Sarasota, Fort Myers, St. Pete Beach and other coastal cities, but this is the first time the promoter has brought a racing event into Tampa Bay.

“It’s going to be approximately a six-mile course for the powerboats,” said Tim Ramsberger, CFO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “And of course the jet-skis, those things are 350 horsepower – they’ll go 75 miles an hour. They’re wicked cool. And they race on about a 1.6 mile course.”

Although motorized boat racing by the pier goes back to the 1930s, there haven’t been any contemporary powerboat events at the site for around 20 years. According to Ramsberger, “P1 were interested in talking about racing years ago, but with the pier going under renovations, and then the pandemic, it just wasn’t possible.”

This weekend’s races will be broadcast by CBS Sports and by Bally Sports Regional Networks, and will be seen in more than 100 countries.

Although he declined to predict how many visitors the races will bring to St. Petersburg, Ramsberger believes the event will be “iconic,” and its effect on the local economy something o a no-brainer.

“It’s going to bring a lot of economic impact to the pier vendors, which is important, and to make sure all the restaurants and bars are filled up,” he said. “It’s an excuse to come out and watch something pretty cool and unique.”

Marian Schultz

September 5, 2021at8:23 am

I have been coming to offshore powerboat races since the early 1990s This is the WORST spectators event ever. No Access except for VIPS. Wow! Shame on you, and the city off St. Pete for blocking access to the park the beaches and any good viewing on the Pier. We won’t be back!!!

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What you need to know about Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix and July 4th fireworks

Sarasota police department outlines dos and donts for the boat races on sarasota bay.

The 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is Saturday and Sunday at Lido Beach in Sarasota.

Here is a guide to the weekend provided by the Sarasota Police Department. 

Road closures and parking

• Closed from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 29, until 10 p.m. Sunday, July 2.
• P-1 Racing Pit Party 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 30 
• The Pit Party will take place in the dry pit area in the Van Wezel parking lot.

NOTE: Due to limited parking spaces, carpooling is highly encouraged. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to ticketing. Vehicles blocking private driveways are subject to towing. Anticipate long delays from the beach area after the races. When leaving the beach viewing area, expect an exit time of more than one hour.

Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense. For information on towed vehicles, please call Upman’s Towing at (941) 365-7084. 

Centennial Park / Boat Ramp Closures 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 29 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

This area will be the staging area for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. There will be no boat ramp access during this time. A suggested alternative boat ramp includes Ken Thompson Park on City Island and various boat ramps in Manatee County and southern Sarasota County.

New Pass Closure

On the water, New Pass will be closed Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The pass will be closed west of the New Pass bridge. Boaters will still be able to access the cove. 

Plan ahead when travelling 

AAA Tow To Go: AAA Tow to Go Program will be available to ensure those celebrating the holiday get home safely. The free, confidential, local ride is within a 10-mile radius of a safe location. This is offered beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5. Call 1-855-TOW-2-GO (1-855-286-9246) or visit https://member.acg.aaa.com/fl/driving-safety/tow-to-go.html It is never OK to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.

Lido Beach holiday hours

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires that all beach furniture and equipment be removed from the beach nightly, until sunrise the following morning. According to amended Sarasota City Code Sec. 22-4, Lido Key public beaches will be closed to beachgoers from 11 p.m. until sunrise. This means Lido Key beach will be closed to all beachgoers, race spectators, and beach equipment until sunrise, which is approximately 6:30 a.m., during events. The Sarasota Police Department will enforce closure times to protect the safety of all beachgoers, including the marine turtle kind. To protect the environment, spectators are asked to stay off dunes along Lido Beach. 

Dogs are not allowed on Lido Beach.

Beach Equipment & Marine Turtle Protection In addition to expanded marine, foot and vehicle patrols, the Sarasota Police Department will be protecting public safety during events by posting signs prohibiting beachgoers from storing and leaving unattended personal property on Lido Beach, according to Sarasota City Code Sec. 21-44 . This is for protecting all beachgoers and their belongings to help ensure a safe and orderly race and beach-going experience. Beach furniture and other beach equipment, toys, or trash, left on the beach overnight during marine turtle nesting season can pose a serious entanglement hazard and obstacle for marine turtles and their hatchlings. 

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires any “temporary structures, including but not limited to beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas, which have the potential for entrapment of marine turtles and which may interfere with the use of the natural beach environment for nesting habitat, be removed from the beach nightly, from sunset to sunrise.” Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Parks Department, and P1 Offshore organizers are partnering to protect endangered marine turtles and ask for the public’s help in making this a safe event for all.

Wildlife Protection The Sarasota Police Department is conducting enhanced enforcement measures to ensure the conservation and protection of several threatened species of native wildlife of Lido Key, efforts complemented by the work of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Marine Turtles, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Snowy Plovers all share Lido Beach and are protected under state and federal law. Beachgoers should be aware of posted signage and fencing and stay away from marine turtle nests and seabird nesting zones. It is important not to enter any posted areas and to avoid any behaviors that may disturb the wildlife. 

Disturbances can cause birds to leave their eggs and chicks unattended, making them vulnerable to predators and overheating. Sarasota Police officers will collaborate with Audubon and Mote Marine volunteers to patrol nesting locations to protect the beautiful Florida wildlife on Lido Key. Anyone who observes any stranded, sick, or injured marine turtles or mammals can contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response program in Sarasota and Manatee counties, at (888) 345-2335.

Fireworks on Tuesday

Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular will be 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Sarasota Bayfront Park, 1 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.

Tuesday, July 4 – Road Closures/Limited Parking for Fireworks at Bayfront

• 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.: Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) will be closed from Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue for fireworks.
• Parking Lot at Bayfront Park/ Island Park will be closed when the parking lot has reached maximum capacity. No parking is permitted on the grassy area on the south end of Bayfront Park.
• Parking will not be allowed in the median on John Ringling Boulevard. Vehicles will not be allowed to park there. Drivers should observe “No Parking” signs.

NOTE: Vehicle traffic leaving the Bayfront/Downtown area following the fireworks Tuesday, July 4 will be subject to specific restricted traffic control measures as part of a comprehensive exit plan. Expect long traffic delays of up to one hour when exiting the event.

Note from the Sarasota Police Department

If you SEE something, SAY something. Report any suspicious activity or behavior to law enforcement immediately.

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NHRA stars sound off on the chance to win multiple times this weekend

Virginia NHRA Nationals to feature three qualifying sessions on Saturday in shift to two-day event

Jim Dunn Racing and Buddy Hull to rep USD at Arizona Nationals

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Catch encores of Shirley Muldowney documentary on FS2

Tony Stewart will fly Mobil 1 50th anniversary colors at Winternationals

Mark Christopher Chevrolet to sponsor Brittany Force Top Fueler in Pomona

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Krista Baldwin acquires Pat Dakin’s Top Fuel team; heads to Pomona with new look

Modern Warriors named presenting sponsor for Pomona Legends Nitro Series

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Fry's Food Stores, Arizona Lottery will sponsor Shumake in Phoenix debut

Totten adds Alff Construction for 2024 NHRA Top Fuel campaign

Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, Austin Coil honored by Motorsports Hall of Fame

Matchups set for first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge of 2024

NHRA stars return to Southern California for Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals

Five things we learned in Gainesville

Unofficial Mission Foods points standings

 In short, six NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series drivers have a chance for an epic weekend at Firebird Motorsports Park. Along with the 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals, the final round of the postponed Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals happens during final qualifying on Saturday, while the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge takes place on Friday and Saturday. 

Top Fuel’s Tony Schumacher and Justin Ashley, Funny Car’s Matt Hagan and John Force, and Pro Stock’s Erica Enders and Dallas Glenn all have a chance for something special this weekend in Phoenix. The six Winternationals finalists spoke about the chance for a spectacular, “triple-up” weekend.

TOP FUEL: TONY SCHUMACHER VS. JUSTIN ASHLEY

• This is a rematch of a final round last year in Bristol, where Ashley swept the weekend, winning the NHRA New England Nationals against Schumacher, the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, and then the Thunder Valley Nationals the next day.
• Schumacher is currently 5-3 against Ashley in eliminations.
• Schumacher, an eight-time world champ, is after his first win since 2022. Ashley will attempt to win the Winternationals for the third straight year.

Schumacher: “I’m the most jacked I’ve been in a long, long time. The car is running right, the team is in a great mood. We earned our way into the finals. I’ve done this before, finishing a race during a race weekend. I’ve finished the Charlotte race in Dallas, and last year, I raced the Epping finals in Bristol. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s so exciting when it does. Phoenix is a track that has been good to me in the past, so hopefully, we’ll have some more of that Firebird success this weekend. There is so much potential at this race, and we’re pumped up and ready to go.” 

Ashley: “It really is a great opportunity, a unique opportunity, and we’ve got a lot on the line. I don’t know that we’ve ever gone into a national event and had every run, starting with Q1, be so meaningful. It’s exciting, and all we have to do is turn on seven win lights this weekend. It’s such a difficult thing to do with the depth of this class, and you’ve already seen that this year. It’s going to take a lot of toughness from this team to capitalize on this, and we’re really looking forward to it, and we’re grateful for it.”

Schumacher joined WFO Radio for a preview of his Winternationals final-round matchup against Ashley. 

FUNNY CAR: JOHN FORCE VS. MATT HAGAN

• This is a titanic matchup between two of the greats in the class. Force is the most successful driver in NHRA history with 155 wins and 16 championships, while Hagan is a four-time and reigning world champ.
• If Hagan wins on Saturday, he will pick up his 50th career win.
• Force is 28-22 in 50 prior meetings, though Hagan holds a 6-3 advantage over Force in final rounds, including most recently in Dallas last year.

Force: “Like anybody, I want to win it all. So, I'm going after it with everything I've got. We're excited to race Hagan. He's a great champion, and he wants to win, just like I do. There's basically three races to be won, and I'm ready for it. We're just going to do the best we can. I'm fired up.”

Hagan: “The Phoenix weekend is going to be very busy during qualifying. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. At the end of the day, we really just want to put on a good show for the fans. You couldn’t ask for more than to have the opportunity to win two Wallys in one weekend. I think it’ll be a challenging weekend for crew chiefs and drivers, but we’re ready for the challenge. If anyone can do it, TSR can. We’ll have to have the mentality that when you show up for each run, it’s game time.”

PRO STOCK: ERICA ENDERS VS. DALLAS GLENN

• Enders is the defending and six-time champion in the category and is seeking her 50th career national event win. 
• Glenn was the No. 1 qualifier in Pomona and the defending winner at the Winternationals. He also won four races a year ago and advanced to nine finals.
• Enders holds the lead in prior matchups, posting an 11-4 overall record against Glenn and 3-1 in the finals, winning against him lasty year in the Dallas finals.

Glenn: “There’s a lot of opportunities to win this weekend in Phoenix between the Mission [Challenge], running the finals of Pomona, and the actual Phoenix race, and we’re participating in all three of them! We were ready for that Pomona final a few weeks ago, but it will be something new to run it on Saturday in Phoenix. I don’t care what day or what track we run it at – I just want that win.”

Enders: "I'm really looking forward to this weekend in Phoenix. When we roll off the trailer, every pass is an elimination round! I'm really excited about having an opportunity to win two Wallys in one weekend. To have a chance to score our 50th and 51st win, in the same weekend, is pretty substantial! 

"We have a really fast racecar right now, and I have the best guys in the business. I'm the final piece to that trifecta, and I love what we are able to do together."  

Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge Matchups

Top Fuel Justin Ashley vs. Brittany Force Tony Schumacher vs. Billy Torrence

Funny Car John Force vs. Ron Capps Matt Hagan vs. J.R. Todd

Pro Stock Erica Enders vs. Greg Anderson Dallas Glenn vs. Mason McGaha

Weekend Schedule

Friday 4 p.m.: First round of qualifying  The first round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge takes place during this round.

Saturday 11:30 a.m.: Second round of qualifying in all pro categories The finals of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge take place during this round 2 p.m.: Final round of qualifying in all pro categories The finals of the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals take place during this round

Sunday 11 a.m.: Eliminations for the NHRA Arizona Nationals

Television coverage includes action on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET. on Friday and then a special NHRA in 30: Pomona Finals show at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday. Sunday coverage includes qualifying at 10:30 a.m. and eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET.

To purchase tickets to the final NHRA Arizona Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets . Children 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket. 

San Jose Spartan Trifecta Weekend

Sprint 5K 20 OBSTACLES

Super 10K 25 obstacles

Beast 21K 30 OBSTACLES

KIDS RACE 1-3K +OBSTACLES

HURRICANE HEAT 12 Hr

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE TRACKING

About the venue.

Under the warm glow of the California sun, Spartans will come together to brave heat and hills on this course's expansive range of wooded trails and wide-open spaces. Take a complete escape from the madness of modern life and challenge yourself in this Bay Area obstacle course race retreat.

This event is a Trifecta Weekend , giving racers the ability to complete a Trifecta (Sprint 5K, Super 10K & Beast 21K) in just one weekend and qualify for the 2022 Trifecta World Championship in Sparta, Greece. Buy the Trifecta Pass to save on entry into all 3 races and also receive Spartan+ membership for one year ($85 value), exclusive gear & more. Get the Pass for $289.

All finishers receive a T-shirt, medal and professional photos, and every registration comes with access to the Spartan Account to track your tickets, race results, photos, teams, and challenges.

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Is there a NASCAR race today? A NASCAR TV schedule this week for Richmond Raceway

NASCAR's one-race foray into road racing will end, for now, with a return to ovals.

And now, the ¾-mile D-shaped oval at Richmond awaits for an Easter Sunday night short-track sprint.

An Xfinity Series/Cup Series doubleheader looms this weekend with the Toyota Owners 400 set to start at 7 p.m. on Sunday night. The Xfinity race, the ToyotaCare 250, is scheduled for a 1 p.m. green flag on Saturday.

The title sponsor seems fitting considering Toyota's performance at the track in recent years. Among drivers to have started in each of the last six Richmond races, Denny Hamlin (5.2), Martin Truex Jr. (5.8) and Christopher Bell (6.5) are 1-2-3 in average finish. Both Hamlin and Truex Jr. have a win in that stretch as do Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman and Chris Buescher.

Here's how to watch this weekend's events at Richmond:

NASCAR QNA: Kyle Busch is still Kyle Busch; and yes, Martin Truex is pointing the way

NASCAR TV schedule this weekend

Saturday, March 30

8:35 a.m.: Xfinity Series practice, FS1

9:05: Xfinity Series qualifying, FS1

10:30: Cup Series practice, FS1

11:15: Cup Series qualifying, FS1

1:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series, ToyotaCare 250, FS1

Sunday, March 31

7 p.m.: Cup Series, Toyota Owners 400, Fox

Best Weekend Getaways in the Heart of the Chesapeake

Published April 1, 2024

An overnight or two-night getaway with a change of scene, beautiful scenery, and friendly folks can make all the difference when it comes to relaxing and recharging. Dorchester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore offers plenty of all that. Here are a few ideas to make it easy to get away from it all for a weekend (or weekday) trip!

Head to the Islands   |    House & Garden Weekend   |  The Farm Experience   |  Eat Local Tour   |  Weekend on the Water   |  Go Wild for the Weekend

Head to the Islands

Head to the islands without breaking the bank – or even getting on a plane! Dorchester County is home to Taylors Island and Hoopers Island on the west side. These oases of quiet and charm offer an escape from the hurried day to day. Warning: There are no gas stations or charging stations, so be sure to fuel up/charge up before you make the drive! (Without any stops, it’s about 50 minutes from the Dorchester County Visitor Center near Route 50 in Cambridge to the southern end of Hoopers Island.) The drive there is half the fun. As people around here say, “It’s not the end of the world, but you can see it from here!” One of the highlights is the causeway between Upper and Middle Hoopers Island. This narrow spit of land is not much wider than the road itself, which winds for nearly two miles with the Chesapeake Bay on your right and the Honga River on your left. You might even be lucky enough to see brown pelicans hanging out in droves.

There’s also a lot of history to explore. Right over the Slaughter Creek Bridge, make a quick stop at the Becky Phipps Cannon and learn about the 1812 Battle of the Ice Mound. Further along, stop by the collection of historic buildings maintained by the Grace Foundation, including a schoolhouse from 1785, a 1700s chapel, and a 1873 church.

Home to watermen’s villages, this area’s handful of restaurants boast local seafood – and water views. Try Boats & Hose or Old Salty’s Restaurant all year round for crab cakes and more. Palm Beach Willie’s is open seasonally on the water.

For overnight accommodations, consider Riverside Lodge for a down-home, all-inclusive experience, or an airbnb or VRBO based in Taylors Island, Fishing Creek, or Hoopersville.

House & Garden Weekend

Make plans for the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage, which comes to Dorchester County on June 1 from 10am to 5pm. Stops on the tour include six historic homes and sites and three new homes, all waterfront and all located in the “Neck” district in western Dorchester County. (A 22-square mile area, “the Neck” has 125 miles of shoreline with one road leading into it, and every divergent road ending at the water.) Properties include a 1750 Georgian farmhouse, an 1863 family farmhouse, an 1850s chapel, a historic windmill and re-created 1800s village, a modern waterfront retreat, and more. Enjoy a homemade Eastern Shore lunch at the Neck District Volunteer Fire Company (purchase separately). Buy tickets .

Look for a vacation rental in the Neck District on airbnb or VRBO, or stay at a hotel in Cambridge, a 20-minute drive from the fire hall. If you’d like to remain in the area for dinner after the tour, head to the Neck District Grill, located in a historic former general store (the Lewis Country Store). The limited menu dinner is available only on Friday and Saturday evenings.

While you’re here, explore home and garden decor and art for your home at some of Cambridge’s local indie (independently owned) shops including AT Home, Bay Country Shop, Shorelife Home & Gifts, Butterfly Boutique, Main Street Gallery, 3ten Creative Design & Gift Gallery, Dorchester Center for the Arts, Mowbray’s Garden Center, and Vintage Venue. Or go antiquing at Antique Alley, Bay Country Antiques, Dark Horse Antiques, Heart of Dorchester Antiques.

The Farm Experience

Agriculture has been a mainstay in Dorchester County for many generations – back to the days when Native Americans were the earliest farmers and watermen. For some background, head to the Dorchester County Historical Society, Check out the 18th century strong house, beaten biscuit machines, an early McCormick reaper, and other artifacts about farming and canning. Then head out to see how farming has evolved today.

Vintage Family Farms in Hurlock is the place to go in April during their U-Pick tulip season – the only place for U-Pick tulips on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Visitors can explore the field, pick or dig tulips, snuggle bunnies and play vintage games. Check on weather conditions on Facebook or Instagram and reserve here . Later in the season, they’ll have other kinds of flower to pick.

Emily’s Produce is owned by a local family that’s been farming here for seven generations. It re-opens for the season on April 11 with much more than local produce. There are also prepared foods and baked goods; goats, bunnies and chickens; and a play area for the kids. As the season continues, look for U-Pick strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cut flowers, and in the fall, pumpkins and a corn maze.

Pop’s Old Place, https://popsoldplace.com/ a small century farm that raises grass-fed and finished beef, lamb, woodland pork, and free-range laying hens. The husband-and-wife owners focus on soil health, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship. They  sell their grass-fed beef, lamb, pork, honey, and eggs to the public from our On Farm Market. On the first Sunday of the month, join their 9am Farm Tour to learn more about their farming practices while following along on their morning chores. (Register at PopsOldPlace@gmail.com )

Weekend on the Water

Dorchester County’s more than 1,700 miles of shoreline, flat waters, and countless creeks and coves make for great exploring by water – whether or not you have your own vessel. For overnight stays, consider the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, with 342 acres right on the Choptank River. They also have a marina and offer water sports after Memorial Day.

For kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, there are more than 30 miles of established, charted water trails. You can put in at many spots around the county at one of more than a dozen designated soft launches . We have put together some suggested paddling routes, from 10 to 55 miles, throughout the county in our Dorchester Paddling Guide . It also includes info on kayak/SUP rental.

For boaters, there are more than two dozen free boat ramps around the county. Check out the local marinas, from the Municipal Yacht Basin – within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of Downtown Cambridge – to River Marsh Marina, which includes access to the amenities of the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay. Next to the Municipal Yacht Basin is the Cambridge Yacht Club. And of course, there are plenty of waterways for exploring. Learn more .

If you don’t have your own boat, no worries!

• Join a cruise (June through October) on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester , an authentic wooden sailboat called a skipjack, designed for oyster harvesting.
• Hop aboard a riverboat for a crab feast cruise, lunch, dinner, or sightseeing cruise with Choptank Riverboats . (May through October)
• Join an on-the-water cruise to see some of the Chesapeake Bay’s lighthouses with Captain Phil Gootee.
• Charter the historic 1938 Chesapeake buyboat Dudley .
• Charter a fishing boat with an experienced, knowledgeable captain. See the options .
• Gather your friends and check out the offerings from Over Board Paddle & Fitness with SUP sessions and floating yoga.
• Rent kayaks and SUPs through Blackwater Adventures , either at their Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge location or at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, where they also offer rentals of other watercraft, from pedal boats to powerboats.

Plan your trip around a boating event, such as the Cambridge Classic Powerboat Regatta – the nation’s oldest continuously powerboat race – May 18-19, 2024 or Thunder on the Choptank July 20-21, 2024. Another local favorite are boat docking contests, including the Taylors Island Boat Docking Challengel on Aug, 25, the Waterman’s Rodeo on Hoopers Island in early September, and the Extreme Boat Docking Contest  late September.

Eat Local Tour

Eat your way around Dorchester County! With our many waterways and a long history with the seafood history, Dorchester is known for its fresh blue crab, oysters, and fish from local waters. Not to mention local produce such as sweet corn and tomatoes.

Stay overnight at Cambridge House Bed and Breakfast , an 1847 sea captain’s manor located a stone’s throw from the Choptank River where you can watch watermen bring in their harvest. The bed and breakfast is an easy and scenic stroll down historic High Street to Downtown Cambridge’s restaurants.

Start with breakfast at charming Black Water Bakery , which features a full breakfast menu (locally sourced) – from a crab omelet to a breakfast quinoa bowl to made-in-house pastries. Then there’s a host of eye-opening coffee drinks, and morning-friendly adult beverages such as a build-your-own mimosa or Bloody Mary. On your way out, cross the street and head down the brick alleyway to see the mesmerizing “Take My Hand” Harriet Tubman Mural, which has drawn visitors from around the country.

For lunch or dinner, local, delectable crabmeat is hard to beat. You’ll find crab cakes (pictured above, the crab cake at Old Salty’s), crab balls, crab dip, and crab everything on many Dorchester County restaurant menus. Or go for the authentic Maryland experience of tearing into hardshell crabs. It takes longer, but it’s worth it! For hard-shell crabs, drive to Suicide Bridge Restaurant, Ocean Odyssey Crab House & Seafood Restaurant, or join a Choptank Riverboats crab feast cruise (advance reservations required). Oysters are also on the menu in many restaurants – our locally farmed oysters means they’re available all year long.

And yes, we’ve got locally crafted beverages, too. Spend the afternoon at Layton’s Chance Vineyard & Winery – the Mid-Atlantic’s first craft winery – located on a farm that’s been in the Layton family since 1948. Stroll through the vineyard and farmland, relax on a rocker with one of their 20 wines while the kids let loose in their outdoor play area. Founded by Cambridge locals, RAR Brewing creates beers that have become nationwide. Stop by their taproom in Downtown Cambridge, where they’ve expanded to also offer an eatery (Chessie Burger) with food truck-driven fast food; LabRaRtory, with specialty cocktails in a lounge-like atmosphere; and the Dive Club, a delight for the senses that makes you feel you’ve just stepped aboard Captain Bernard’s old ship.

Go Wild for the Weekend

Dorchester County is known for its great birdwatching, and spring is a prime time for it. Join in a Guided Birding Tour   April 7, April 28, or May 5 at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (home to one of the highest populations of eagles on the East Coast). The refuge contains one-third of Maryland’s tidal wetlands and has been called one of the “Last Great Places” by the Nature Conservancy.

Or go birding on your own with our Dorchester Birding Guide . You can even combine birding with history during a Birding the Harriet Tubman Byway tour, hosted by Delmarva Birding Weekends and Harriet Tubman Tours (Harriet Tubman was born in Dorchester County).

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The 31 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

The penultimate week of the National Cherry Blossom Festival is filled with activities for all ages and interests, from the live music, hands-on activities and fireworks at Petalpalooza at the Capitol Riverfront to the art-centric First Saturday at the National Gallery of Art to the pop-up market at National Landing’s Pink in the Park festival. Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday is celebrated with concerts at the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. The Words Beats and Life Festival focuses on poetry and hip-hop at events around the city. March Madness viewing parties get more intense now that the tournament is down to the Final Four. Oh, and did you know there’s a solar eclipse on Monday, with viewing parties across the D.C. region?

Thursday, April 4

Words Beats and Life Festival

The Words Beats and Life Festival officially began Monday, but the annual mix of poetry, hip-hop and activism picks up steam as the weekend approaches. On Thursday night, choices include dance-forward “electronic folk music” from the trio of Sunken Cages, Dragonchild and Faraway Ghost on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage ( free, 6 p.m. ); Word Power: Dynamic Duos , an event mixing DJs, poets and lyricists at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, followed by an open mic ( 8 p.m., $5 ); and a free rooftop party at the Eaton hotel with DJs Miss H.E.R., Farrah Flosscett and Coco Spinelle dropping hip-hop, Afrobeats and beyond ( 8 p.m., free with RSVP ). As the week goes on, look for a talk with poet, actor and songwriter Saul Williams at Woolly Mammoth ( Friday ); youth poetry slams and a “ Literary Decathlon ” that involves writing haikus and love poems and a “compliment battle” ( Saturday ); and the Jazz and Blossoms party in Franklin Park ( Sunday ). Through Sunday; event prices vary .

Cherry Fund: Rewind

Since 1996, the Cherry Fund has raised more than $1.3 million for nonprofits helping D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community, bringing DJs and participants from around the world for parties. This year’s party, which benefits the DC Center for the LGBT Community , has a theme of “Rewind,” so consider it a teaser for June’s “Totally Radical” Pride festivities. The celebrations start Thursday with a free party at Kiki on U Street, featuring DJ Tezrah. The parties keep coming: Friday at Ultrabar with Brazilian DJ Paulo Pacheco and Mohammed from Atlanta, inspired by “legendary dance floors of days gone by”; Saturday at the Mayflower with DJs Orel Sabag (Israel) and Tom Stephan (London) until 3 a.m., followed by the “after-hours” party at Flash that kicks off at 4 a.m. and runs until 9, including a daylight party on the roof; and Sunday night’s finale, at Zebbie’s Garden, with Cherry regular Nina Flowers. Through Sunday. General admission $45-$70; VIP pass for all events $220 .

Eclipse Cocktails at Red Derby

On Monday, the D.C. Public Library began handing out free solar glasses that will protect your eyes during the upcoming eclipse. Neighborhood online groups were soon full of reports that all the glasses were gone, and at least one reporter struck out when they went to their neighborhood branch around lunchtime. The Smithsonian is handing out tens of thousands of free glasses before the main event, but if you want to have some fun with it, the Red Derby’s serving up a free pair of glasses alongside its new raspberry rum swizzle, dubbed the Eclipse Cocktail . Get one before they’re gone. Though Saturday. $10 .

Friday, April 5

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: ‘Aspects of Ellington’ at the National Museum of Natural History

April is Jazz Appreciation Month, but the celebrations are especially sweet in D.C. this year, with concerts and events honoring the 125th birthday of native son Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington. This weekend kicks off with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra’s “Aspects of Ellington” at the National Museum of Natural History, which will draw on diverse works from across Ellington’s songbook: The Smithsonian says selections might include the 1927 shuffle of “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo” and the “Degas Suite,” a 1960s film soundtrack unreleased in Ellington’s lifetime. ( 7 p.m. $30. )

March Madness: Women’s Final Four viewing parties

Only six schools are still playing in March Madness , and there are viewing parties for all the survivors this weekend — a guarantee that the bar will have full sound and plenty of screens. The Women’s Final Four takes place on Friday night, with North Carolina State facing South Carolina at 7 p.m. N.C. State alumni will be fixtures at Lou’s City Bar this weekend, with both the men and women still involved. (On Sunday, red-and-black pompoms were scattered around the screen-filled bar hours before tip-off.) The Gamecocks, meanwhile, watch their games at Atlas Brew Works on Half Street near Nationals Park. The second game, which begins at 9:30 p.m., features Connecticut and Iowa . U-Conn fans pack into Clarendon’s Colony Grill, while you’ll see Caitlin Clark jerseys at Mission Navy Yard, D.C.’s official Iowa alumni bar.

Cherry blossom performances at the Tidal Basin

The National Cherry Blossom Festival officially runs through April 14, but the free daily musical performances at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area are wrapping up this weekend. Take in a cross-cultural tradition while listening to local acts including R&B singers Natalie Redd and PatriceLive, Andean folk group Raymi, and brotherly prog-rock duo deTournai. Through Sunday. Free .

Tosser at Rhizome

On its debut album, D.C. band Tosser scrubbed off some of the “ polish ” of earlier releases for a noisy, guitar-powered album that accidentally predicted the malaise of a pandemic period that it predated. The group’s just-released album “Sheer Humanity” is not as much polished as sharpened, its grungy riff rock even heavier and edgier than before. 7 p.m. $15 .

‘Exsanguinated’ at Red Bear Brewing

The NoMa brewery follows its weekly “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing party with a specific live drag challenge of its own: a “vampire ball.” Named for the medical term for draining blood, this event is hosted by local performer (and winner of a “spookiest ghoul” competition last year) Johnny Alucard . 9 to 11 p.m. Free.

Saturday, April 6

Petalpalooza

Multiple stages of live music, art installations, hands-on family activities, a market, food trucks and a beer garden are highlights of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s annual Petalpalooza along the Capitol Riverfront near the Navy Yard. Five zones of entertainment are featured throughout the neighborhood, and the event is capped with a fireworks display set to music, which begins at 8:30 p.m. 1 to 9 p.m. Free .

Pink in the Pool and Pink in the Park at National Landing

National Landing hosts a pair of free Saturday events for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. First up is Pink in the Pool , a kid-centric event at the Long Bridge Aquatics Center with story time, snacks and an origami class ( 9 a.m. to noon ). Pink in the Park , originally scheduled for March 23, features a pop-up market with more than two dozen vendors, curated by AAPI art and culture organization Samasama. The day also includes live mural painting, art from the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington, and a pop-up food and beverage area. DJ Em-Pulse and Les the DJ provide the tunes ( 1 to 5 p.m. ). Both events are free.

First Saturday at the National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art’s monthly First Saturday series has a flower theme (surprise!) during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, so visitors can create floral art from paper or practice sketching a floral arrangement, explore paintings of flowers in the galleries, watch Japanese movies, and listen to traditional Japanese music. Little ones can have their faces painted or listen to story time. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free .

Kimonos and Cocktails on 17th Street NW

Bars and restaurants along 17th Street near Dupont Circle team up for the new Kimonos and Cocktails, a bar crawl featuring cherry blossom-themed cocktails and mocktails. Arrive early for a kimono demonstration, beginning in Stead Park at 2 p.m., then taste your way down the street before voting for a favorite concoction. 5 to 8 p.m. Free .

Art Blooms at the Mosaic District

The two-day Art Blooms in Fairfax’s Mosaic District brings a marketplace of 90 makers and vintage vendors, music on multiple stages, and a farmers market with food and drinks. Families can bring the kids to meet singing princesses, and everyone should take advantage of the free shuttle from the Dunn Loring Metro station. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free .

Dupont Circle Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market

There’s a lot happening in Dupont Circle this weekend, including Saturday’s Kimonos and Cocktails bar crawl and Sunday’s tea party in the circle. But don’t overlook the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market, where you’ll find more than 75 makers and vendors set up across the neighborhood: along Connecticut Avenue NW between Q and S streets; on P Street between 20th and 22nd streets; and 17th Street between P and R streets. Meanwhile, on Saturday, there’s also a mural installation in Dupont Circle Park and craft activities, such as origami and bookmark making, in the garden behind the historic Heurich House . Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets has more information about neighborhood events on its website. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Unique Markets at Dock 5 at Union Market

Find a new favorite D.C.-based small business at the Washington edition of Unique Markets, a roving pop-up shop that travels the country showing off emerging brands. More than 70 sellers are setting up shop above Union Market, with offerings including jewelry, clothing (vintage and new), bath products, candles, ceramics and packaged food. Admission includes perks like free drinks, including nonalcoholic beers from Best Day Brewing; DIY craft projects to try; stations with photo ops; and a tote bag to carry all your purchases home. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $12 for one-day admission; $16 for a weekend pass; free admission for ages 14 and under .

March Madness: Men’s Final Four

Saturday brings the men’s side of the NCAA Tournament. The first game, at 6:09 p.m., features North Carolina State and Purdue . As mentioned above, N.C. State alumni head to Lou’s City Bar in Columbia Heights, and Boilermakers watch their games at the Bottom Line on K Street. Alabama and Connecticut follow at 8:49 p.m. U-Conn alumni are heading back to Colony Grill in Clarendon, where they will have watched their women’s team play on Friday, while Alabama fans have been going to Salazar on 14th Street for their March Madness game watches. The winners, of course, play for the national championship on Monday.

‘Back 2 the Circle’ Cypher Jam and Fresh Fit Clothing Swap at the Kennedy Center

Indigenous hip-hop is front and center at the Kennedy Center’s Reach on Saturday evening, with performances by rapper Supaman, DJ Element, and B-girl and curator Miss Chief Rocka. Groove to tunes by DJs Diyanna Monet and 4REAL. Bring gently used clothing and accessories to swap, and bring your best moves for a dance contest with celebrity judges. 5 to 9 p.m. Free .

Mumbo vs. Gumbo at Sycamore and Oak

Five years ago, a complaint about go-go music playing from speakers at a phone store at the corner of Seventh Street and Florida Avenue NW launched the Don’t Mute D.C. movement, and helped go-go become the official sound of D.C. Mark the anniversary with a party at Sycamore and Oak in Congress Heights, where Mumbo vs. Gumbo features live go-go from Backyard Band and District Kings and the horn-driven sound of the Crush Funk Brass Band. Meanwhile, there’s New Orleans-style cuisine from Triceys D.C., Dionne’s and the vegan Glizzys. 3 to 7 p.m. Free .

Capital Art Book Fair at Eastern Market

More than 30 exhibitors from around the world — as close as Silver Spring and as far as Seoul — convene at Eastern Market’s North Hall to celebrate art books. Participants include artists, established publishers and indie bookmakers selling zines, photography books, graphic novels and more. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

NSO Music for Young Audiences at the Kennedy Center

This family-focused concert returns to introduce youngins to, as the Kennedy Center bills it, “some of the greatest music ever written.” The program is led by two National Symphony Orchestra musicians (bassist Paul DeNola and violinist Heather LeDoux Green) and features a “trunk full of gags” used throughout the show, though besides their instruments, the performers are silent. Come early for Musical PLAYspace, where kids are invited to try out the instruments they’ll see onstage, and stay after the Saturday afternoon performance for a Q&A with the artists and creative team. Saturday, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. $20.

Sunday, April 7

Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony at the Tidal Basin

The Cherry Blossom Princesses take center stage at the Tidal Basin during the Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony, the annual lighting of the 17th-century lantern that is located near the site where the first cherry blossom trees were planted in 1912. 2:30 p.m. Free .

Jazz and Blossoms at Franklin Park

The music-focused Jazz and Blossoms festival returns downtown with performances by Digable Planets, the Sun Ra Arkestra, the JoGo Project, Madison McFerrin and the Daylight DJs. The day in Franklin Park — part of the Words Beats and Life Festival — also includes art installations, graffiti walls, lawn games, haiku-writing stations and nonalcoholic beverages. Noon to 7:30 p.m. Free .

Dupont Circle Tea Party

Take a break from shopping at the Dupont Circle Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Market (see the listing under Saturday) for a warm beverage on Sunday afternoon. Visit the festively decorated Dupont Circle Tea Party for free beverages from Teaism, Tea Mansion and Valley Brook Tea. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Blossom Block Fest: Flea D.C. at Sycamore and Oak

Congress Heights’ Sycamore and Oak is the home of the Blossom Block Festival, where a flea market highlights Black creatives alongside family activities and live music. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Tulip Ride and Tulip Walk on the Mount Vernon Trail

The cherry blossoms aren’t the only flowers worth fawning over during springtime in Washington, and the nonprofit Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail proves it on a morning dedicated to exploring the area’s prettiest tulip patches. There are two options happening simultaneously: a bike ride to three tulip-covered sites located on and near the Mount Vernon Trail as part of an eight-mile loop, or a five-mile stroll to two sites. The Tulip Ride/Walk is organized in partnership with WalkArlington and the Rosslyn BID, and free online registration is required. Both the ride and the walk begin and end at Compass Coffee in Rosslyn. 9 a.m. to noon. Free; advance registration required .

Bottomless Drag Brunch at El Techo

Drag stars Tara Hoot, Evry Pleasure and TrevHER join DJ Lemz on El Techo’s verdant tropical rooftop for two bottomless brunches raising money for the Cherry Fund. Tickets include a choice of entree with unlimited bloody marys, mimosas or margaritas, plus all the entertainment you can handle while helping the nonprofit Cherry Fund support D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. $45 .

G.A.S. (Grown and Sexy) at Metrobar

One Sunday a month from April through the end of summer, DJs Alizay, B-Sharp and Farrah Flosscett are trying to make the end of your weekend a little more sophisticated and fresh. Expect the vibe at this “Grown and Sexy” party to be set by hip-hop and soulful R&B, without getting as crazy as you might on a Friday night. 6 to 11 p.m. Free with RSVP .

Monday, April 8

Solar eclipse viewing parties

Did you know there’s a solar eclipse on Monday? And there won’t be another total eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2045? Even though D.C. will experience only a partial eclipse, there are viewing parties across the region . The biggest celebration takes place on the National Mall , where the National Air and Space Museum is joined by scientific organizations including NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for a free, family-friendly afternoon festival. View the eclipse safely through solar telescopes and sun spotters, watch live NASA video from the path of totality, or see the sun through a satellite’s ultraviolet cameras. Hands-on activities take place between Fourth and 12th streets, and safe eclipse viewing glasses will be free while supplies last. Other options include the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center , George Mason University’s observatory and Sky Meadows State Park . Adults playing hooky to see the eclipse can watch from the rooftop Deck 11 bar at Yotel D.C., or the Starr Hill rooftop beer garden at the Perch in Tysons, which is handing out glasses with every food or drink purchase, beginning at 2 p.m. Times vary; the peak of the eclipse in D.C. will be at 3:20 p.m .

Tuesday, April 9

Mariah the Scientist at Echostage

Let’s take her stage name literally. There’s something almost clinical about the singing of this Atlanta-raised R&B star as she continues to steer the sang-froid she shares with SZA, Frank Ocean and Jhene Aiko toward the absolute zero of American soul music. She can reach for a high note when she needs to, but how low can she go? 8 p.m. Only verified resale tickets available .

Bad Bunny at Capital One Arena

It’s hard to say whether we’ve reached peak Bad Bunny — or we ever will. The 30-year-old’s renown only seems to grow bigger and brighter as his albums continue to expand into new zones of rhythm and rhyme. Onstage, he makes that expansiveness feel not only coherent, but riveting. In other words, checking out one of the planet’s most electrifying pop performers while he’s still on top of the world sounds like a good idea. 8 p.m. $202-$675 .

Wednesday, April 10

Jason Moran: Solo Ellington at the Kennedy Center

Tributes to Duke Ellington continue as the great pianist Jason Moran — the Kennedy Center’s artistic director for jazz — explores the breadth of Ellington’s music during a solo piano concert in the Eisenhower Theater, accompanied by a selection of Gordon Parks’s photos of Ellington. ( 8 p.m. $35-$80. )

Get ready for the Springtime Tallahassee 10K race this weekend

It's not too late to register for one of Tallahassee's oldest foot races.

Gulf Winds Track Club's Springtime 5K and 10K race s are set to start along with Springtime Tallahassee and Tallahassee's bicentennial celebrations this weekend.

All three races start and finish on Suwannee Street next to Cascades Park in Florida’s Capital City. The 10K and 5K race courses run through the beautiful Myers Park neighborhood and the 1 mile race is an out and back on Franklin Blvd. The 1 mile race starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 10K and 5K races start at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Considered Tallahassee's hometown race, the Springtime race has been held continuously since 1976, with the exception of 2020 and 2021, when it was canceled due to COVID. This race has always been held the same day as  Springtime Tallahassee events.

After participating in the races, many people walk up the hill toward the Capitol to enjoy the parade and events in the Chain of Parks, including arts and crafts and music. The hills and the onlookers' cheers along the race course in Myers Park are sure to make for memories about the race.

Finishers of all three races receive a finisher’s medal. Awards will go to the overall male and female winners in the 1 mile race. Shirts will be technical material and will be available in crew, v-neck and kids sizes. Registration is $35; $18 for the $1 mile. Visit springtime10k.com . Packet pickup will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at REI at Market Square.

Food, drink and the awards ceremony will follow the races in the staging area.

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Moms Weekend to feature concerts, crafts, special events

Ohio University will host a wide range of Moms Weekend events on April 5-7.

Large numbers of family members and friends are expected to visit Ohio University over the weekend, enjoying time with their Bobcat students and taking part in special events.

This year’s events will include concerts, crafts, campfires, ziplining, dancing, “Dance Moms,” the International Street Fair and tea with Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez.

This Moms Weekend events will include.

• Dairy Barn Fest! – April 5 and 6 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center
• Commuter Mom's Weekend Craft-tacular Afternoon! – April 5 at Jefferson Hall
• Moms Weekend Zipline – April 5, 6 and 7 at the Challenge Course on The Ridges
• Spring Bash – This April 5 event will feature music, games, prizes and much more on the East Green
• Paint and Sip – April 5 at the Living Learning Center
• World Music and Dance Concert – April 5 at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
• Moms Weekend Campfire - April 5 and 6 at The Ridges
• Moms Weekend: UniversiTea with President Gonzalez – April 6 at the Academic Engagement Center at 29 Park Place
• International Street Fair – April 6 at the corner for College and Union Streets
• Moms Weekend Expo hosted by Black Student Cultural Programming Board – This April 6 event will include food, dancing, massages, mocktails, painting and a photo booth in the Baker University Center
• Moms Weekend StartUp Market – April 6 in Alden Library
• UPC Hosts: Dance Moms Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland – April 6 in the Baker University Center Ballroom, featuring the starts of the hit television program, “Dance Moms”
• Comedian Hannah Berner – April 6 in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
• Moms Weekend Bouquet Making – April 7 in the Baker University Center

For a full schedule of events, please see this events listing website.

For information on parking for Moms Weekend, please see this Transportation and Parking Services website.

Got weekend plans? Here are 10 things happening in Columbus

Theater is in the spotlight this weekend, with three plays taking the stage. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” and "9 to 5: The Musical" are sure to evoke laughter, while "The Diary of Anne Frank" will move you to tears.

Also on stage are Deeply Rooted Dance Theater combining storytelling, ballet, modern and African dance, and comedians Bert Kreischer and Brian Regan, both of whom you can sneak preview by watching their Netflix specials.

There's also art, poetry, jazz and a book signing by comedian and "Daily Show" correspondent Dulce Sloan, so you have your pick of great events to choose from. Read more about them below. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the  Life in the 614 newsletter .

OSU Theatre to stage 'Putnam County Spelling Bee'

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk awards for Best Book, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” takes a humorous, touching look at six awkward adolescents as they vie to become the spelling champ. Complete with audience participation, the charming musical will be presented by the Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and April 9-12 in OSU's Proscenium Theatre in the Theatre, Film, and Media Arts building, 1932 College Road. Ticket prices are $25, or $23 for senior citizens and Ohio State faculty, staff and Alumni Association members; $15 for OSU students and children in grades K-12. Tickets can be purchased at the OSU Theatre ticket office, by phone at 614-292-2295 or online via Ticketmaster . ( theatreandfilm.osu.edu )

Beeler Gallery art exhibit to examine realism

"What is Real?," the inaugural exhibition of work by 12 members of the Ohio Representational Art Collective, will open with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Beeler Gallery at Columbus College of Art & Design, 60 Cleveland Ave. (The entrance is on Gay Street.) The free exhibition, which runs through April 27, focuses on human figures and portraits, showcasing a variety of mediums and approaches and was co-curated by artists Hiroshi Hayakawa, a CCAD photography professor, and Miriam Baranov. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. ( beelergallery.org )

Women to plot revenge in Otterbein's '9 to 5: The Musical'

Set in the late '70s to the music and lyrics of Dolly Parton, "9 to 5: The Musical" follows the hilarious happenings when three female co-workers scheme to get even with their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigoted boss. Performed by the Otterbein University departments of Theatre & Dance and Music, the play based on the 1980 hit movie will come to the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; and 8 p.m. April 11-13 in the Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. Tickets cost $30. The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and one hour before performances. (614-823-1109, otterbein.edu/drama )

Deeply Rooted to dance into Lincoln Theatre

As their name suggests, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater is deeply rooted in traditions of American and African American dance and storytelling, uniting ballet, modern and African dance. The Lincoln Theatre Association will host the Chicago-based company at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Ticket prices start at $67, available in person at the CBUSArts Ticket Center, 39 E. State St., by phone at 614-469-0939 or online at lincolntheatrecolumbus.com . The association also is holding its annual Lights of the Lincoln Celebration, which will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday and includes an hors d’oeuvres buffet, wine, beer, cocktails and seating in the Lincoln Loge for Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Ticket prices start at $175, available by contacting Emily Kilroy at [email protected] or 614-719-6610. ( lincolntheatrecolumbus.com )

Comic Bert Kreischer to give fans the old ‘razzle dazzle’

Dubbed “Number One Partier in the Nation” by Rolling Stone in 1997, Bert Kreischer has evolved into one of the top-grossing stand-up comics in the business, as well as a podcast host, actor and author. The 51-year-old funnyman will bring his “Tops Off World Tour” to Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., at 7 p.m. Friday. Kreischer has several specials currently on Netflix, including his most recent — “Razzle Dazzle” — and is a renowned podcaster who has hosted 500-plus episodes of “Bertcast” as well as “2 Bears 1 Cave” with fellow comic Tom Segura. He also created, hosts and produces the YouTube cooking show, “Something’s Burning,” which has amassed more than 18.2 million views. Ticket prices start at $34.25 plus fees. ( ticketmaster.com )

Renowned British poet to headline poetry night

Portable Paradise: An International/Intercultural/Intergenerational Poetry Celebration, taking place from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., will feature readings by high school and college students from Bexley High School, Columbus Academy, Otterbein University, Denison University and the Ohio State University. All are participants in writing workshops with Columbus poet-educator Peter Kahn and British poet Roger Robinson, winner of the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize in 2019. Select students will share the stage with local poets Cynthia Amoah and Ajanae Dawkins, with Robinson as the headliner. If time permits, a Q&A will follow. This event is free but with limited seating, so RSVP at the link. ( bit.ly/4aQGbTR )

Gramercy Books to host Dulce Sloan book signing

Considered one of the sharpest voices in comedy, Dulce Sloan will be at Gramercy Books of Bexley, 2424 E. Main St. from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday for a signing of her first memoir, “Hello Friends!: Stories of Dating, Destiny, and Day Jobs,” a hilarious roller coaster ride through Sloan’s journey from a childhood moving between cities, being a Black kid in a predominately white school, starting her own business selling toys at a Miami flea market to finding her purpose while navigating comedy clubs, and the set of “The Daily Show” as a senior correspondent. This is a first-come, first-served free event with capacity limited to 70 people in the store at a time. ( gramercybooksbexley.com )

Saxophonist Jon Irbagon to kick off jazz series

Columbus nonprofit A Tribe for Jazz is celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month by launching its 2024 International Jazz Series on Saturday with saxophonist Jon Irabagon performing with the Zakk Jones Trio at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Ginger Rabbit Jazz, 17 Buttles Ave. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Tickets cost $25. Other performers in the series are being featured for free this month including Spanish pianist-composer Marta Sanchez, April 13; George DeLancey’s sextet, April 18; Israeli harmonica virtuoso Roni Eytan, April 27; and International Jazz Day with British trumpeter Alexandra Ridout, April 30. See website for locations. The International Jazz Series runs through Sept. 14. ( gingerrabbitjazz.com )

Gallery Players to present 'The Diary of Anne Frank'

"The Diary of Anne Frank," Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's passionate stage adaption of the posthumously published 1947 "The Diary of a Young Girl," will open at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus' Roth/Resler Theater, 1125 College Ave. Presented by the Gallery Players, the stirring drama captures the fear, hope, laughter and grief of eight people hiding under Nazi persecution during the German occupation of the Netherlands. More performances will be at 7 p.m. April 11 and April 18; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 14; and 2 p.m. April 21. Tickets cost $25. ( columbusjcc.org/annefrank )

Comedian Brian Regan to humor audience at McCoy Center

Brian Regan, who can be seen in the Netflix specials "On The Rocks" and "Nunchucks and Flamethrowers" as well as his own Netflix series "Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan," will bring his observational brand of humor at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany. Regan also has earned praise for his portrayal of Mugsy, a recovering addict, on the TV series "Loudermilk," now streaming on Amazon Prime. Ticket prices start at $57, available at the CBUSArts Ticket Center, 39 E. State St., by phone at 614-469-0939 and online. ( capa.com , cbusarts.com )

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