Around Town

"Bang, Bang, You’re Dead" at CSM

“Bang, Bang You’re Dead,” presents the issue of school violence. Performances are Feb. 2-4 at the Leonardtown Campus of the College of Southern Maryland, Building A, Auditorium; and Feb. 9-11 on the La Plata Campus, Black Box Theatre, Room FA-143, all showings at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5. For information contact bxoffccsmd.edu, 301-934-7828, 240-725-5499, 443-550-6199, 301-870-2309, Ext. 7828 or www.csmd.edu/Arts.

Living Gallery

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center’s Main Gallery hosts artist studio space through Feb. 25, during The Living Gallery. Eighteen painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and others will set up their studios and work in the gallery. Guests are invited to observe and talk with the artists about their work. Questions about techniques, tools, materials, subject, and inspiration are highly encouraged.

First FREE Friday at CMM

On Feb. 3 Calvert Marine Museum is open free to the public 5 p.m. 8 p.m. with trained docents in each gallery. Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition will perform in the auditorium at 6 p.m. For information visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

Chopin Preview

Pianist Brian Ganz will play an all-Chopin program at 8 p.m. Feb. 4, at Auerbach Auditorium at St. Mary’s Hall of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a run-through of the program he will play at the Music Center at Strathmore Feb. 11, as he continues his quest to play every piece Frédéric Chopin composed.

Annmarie's Maker's Market

Annmarie’s February Maker’s Market goes indoors with extended hours for a special Valentine Maker’s Market on Feb. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Arts Building at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center. Finding a thoughtful, handmade gift for your Valentine will be easy with thirty vendors to browse and explore.

Science and Engineering Fair Judges Needed

Judges are needed to evaluate exhibits in the St. Mary’s County Science and Engineering Fair Feb. 4 at Great Mills High School. The fair is the culminating event for area middle and high school students competing for prizes and advancement to the regional science fair competitions. To register, go on-line to the event website at http://www.sm-sef.org/. Open the judges’ link for registration information.

Scotterley Garden Guild

The Sotterley Garden Guild needs volunteers! Attend the 2012 kick-off meeting on Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in Sotterley’s Warehouse. Many types of volunteers are needed. Visit www.sotterley.org.

Calvert County History

Interested in Calvert County history? Join Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch for Calvert Conversations on Feb. 9, March 8, Apr. 12, and May 10, at 10 a.m. For information, call 410-257-2411.

Calvert Library Tuesday Tunes

Accomplished local artist Courtlyn Carr and Baltimore-based, Emmy-nominated Ellen Cherry are the singer/songwriters headlining on Feb. 29. The two ensemble acts included in the winter concert series are local dance band favorite “2-4-U Band” and the United States Naval Academy’s “Electric Brigade” on Feb. 16 and March 29. All the concerts will take place at Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 7 p.m. For information, call 410-535-0291.

Artistic Solutions to Environmental Problems

Whether it is a floating island in a water treatment plant’s lagoon or a walking trail that absorbs stormwater runoff, a new exhibition coming to Boyden Galley at St. Mary’s College of Maryland through March 2 showcases artists’ plans to tackle environmental problems in public spaces. The show, “Remediate/Re-vision: Public Artists Engaging the Environment,” reflects settings as diverse as parks, waterfronts, water treatment facilities, and city roofs. The public is invited to a reception and presentation at 4:45 p.m. Jan. 30, at the gallery in the college’s Montgomery Hall. The Boyden Gallery is free and open to the public 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For information, see http://www.smcm.edu/boydengallery or call 240-895-4246.

Benjamin Henry Latrobe

The Maryland Historical Society will explore the work of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, his relationship with the James Madison family and his involvement in the furnishing of the Madison White House as well as its restoration after its burning during the War of 1812. Leslie Jones, White House Historical Association Collections Manager, will speak on the topic on Feb. 2, 6 p.m. at the Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore. Tickets are $40 with a reception following the talk. For more information, contact (410)-685-3750 or mdhs.org.

Kids' Karaoke Fun

Feb. 2, 2 p.m., Lexington Park Library, 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park. Karaoke fun for children ages 8-14. Free. No registration required. 301-863-8188

Bridges Grief Support Group

Calvert Hospice is offering Bridges, a grief support program for children and teens ages 3 to 18 grieving the death of someone close, Thursdays, Jan. 19 through March 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Prince Frederick. Call 410-535-0892 to register. All bereavement programs are available to Calvert County residents at no charge. Visit www.calverthospice.org for information.

Book Discussion

Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Charlotte Hall Library, 37600 New Market Road. Discuss Jennifer Egan's book, "A Visit from the Goon Squad," 301-884-2211.

Denis Kitchen Lecture

Denis Kitchen, pioneer of underground comics and pop culture and founder of the Kitchen Sink Press, publisher of innovative comics for 30 years, shares his stories in a public lecture at 8 p.m., Feb. 6, in Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He will describe a period when comics became a vital part of the American counterculture and tested the limits of freedom of expression.

Feminist Films

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s fifth annual film series, Out of Bounds: Feminist Films and Filmmakers, will focus on the work of women filmmakers and women's filmmaking collectives. It kicks off with Yun Suh, who will screen her film "City of Borders" at 8:15 p.m., Feb. 6, in Cole Cinema in the college’s Campus Center, and answer questions afterwards.

Valentine Craft Night

Feb. 7: 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tween Craft Night. Come make gifts for your BFF or family. Attendees must be in 5th grade through 7th grade. Please register. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, 850 Costley Way, 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Writers by the Bay

Feb. 7: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. All writers and would-be writers are welcome to come for critique and camaraderie. Led by Peter Abresch. Several well-published authors participate in this group. Calvert Library Prince Frederick, 850 Costley Way, 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.

Commissioners to Host Public Forum

The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County will host a Public Forum on Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m., in the Commissioners meeting room of the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown. Citizens are invited to attend the forum and address the members of the Board of County Commissioners.

Poetry Open Mic

Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m., Leonardtown Library, 23250 Hollywood Road. Poets of all ages can share a poem they have written or a favorite or just listen. Free. 301-475-2846.

Artist Reception

Feb. 9, 5 - 8 p.m., Lexington Park Library Art Gallery, 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park. Meet artist Willy Wowaiski and view his work, including acrylic on canvas, collage, and spray paint on glass and canvas. Call for information 301-863-8188.

Sea Squirts at CMM

Feb. 9 and 16 Feathers, Shells, and Claws, Oh My. Try a FREE, drop-in program for toddlers 18 months to 3 years old, 10:30 a.m. 11 a.m. For information visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

Grantseeking and Finding Funders for Non-Profits

The Calvert Library will present a two-hour workshop to provide an overview of the grantseeking process and to teach participants how to find funders on Feb. 10, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. Registration required-- contact Cathey Moffatt-Bush or Robbie McGaughran at 410-535-0291.

Black History Month lecture

On Feb. 11, Dr. Sheila Moore will speak at 10 a.m. in the Calvert Marine Museum lounge. Dr. Moore taught for 25 years in the Calvert County Public School System. FREE. For information visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

Civil War Lecture Series

The National Museum of Civil War Medicine opens this year’s Civil War Lecture series at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11, with Professor James F. Tent’s lecture on the Dawn of Microbiology. Each 60-minute lecture includes a Q&A session. $7.50 for adults, $7 for seniors and military and $6.00 for students 10-16 years old. For information, visit www.CivilWarMedicine.org or call 301-695-1864.

Contra Dance

The Southern MD Traditional Music and Dance Association will sponsor a Contra Dance featuring caller Greg Frock, on Feb. 11, at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church Hall, 44078 St. Andrews Church Road, California (this is not our normal location). Beginners are encouraged to arrive at 7 p.m. for instruction. The dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for non-SMTMD members, $6 for members (band members are free). There will be an ice cream social following the dance. For information visit www.smtmd.org

Poetry Out Loud Competition

First-place winners from eight counties will compete in the Poetry Out Loud Competition at the Calvert Marine Museum on Feb. 11 at noon. Contestants will recite works they selected from an anthology of more than 680 classic and contemporary poems. FREE to the public. For information visit www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042.

Art Auction to Benefit Local Charities

A silent auction of Pat Woodside’s original art will take place on Feb. 12, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Great Hall at Middleham & St. Peters Parish, 10210 H.G. Truman Road, Lusby. The sale is open to the public and all proceeds will be given to Calvert County Hospice, Haiti School Nurse Project, Patuxent Habitat for Humanity and SMILE Ecumenical Ministries. Buyers may designate which charity their purchase will benefit.