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Theater Talk Tuesday, Anne Arundel's farmers markets, Commissioning Week survival guide...
Naptown Scoop
May 13, 2025
TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Annapolis. Stocks everywhere are feeling the sweet relief of a temporary trade deal. Apple’s up 6%, Teslas’s up almost 7%, and Stanley Black & Decker jumped almost 16%.
In today’s Naptown Scoop:
Theater Talk Tuesday
Anne Arundel's farmers markets
Commissioning Week survival guide
Let’s get to it.
— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon
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Take a virtual tour of the showroom before you stop by!
THE DIGEST
Commissioning Week — it’s not as crazy as you think ⚓️
You might hear Commissioning Week and think, “Woe is me — traffic and crowds and tourists!” But Commissioning Week is actually heaps of fun if you plan ahead and even participate in a few of the traditions yourself.
🚙 Traffic. Traffic in and out of Annapolis will be heavy, especially on Blue Angel days (see below) and around Navy Stadium on graduation day. Avoid driving near the stadium at all costs the morning of 5/23.
Check out Annapolis Parking for a guide to downtown parking garages and to make parking reservations. Check bus schedules if you’d rather take public transportation.
🍝 Restaurants. Planning to dine out? Make a reservation. Also, this might not be the week to expect a quiet atmosphere or speedy service. Remember to be patient with waitstaff and gracious to out-of-towners. This week is a special time for these families to celebrate their graduates — and besides, it’s great for our economy.
🧈 Herndon Climb. Although the Herndon Climb isn’t technically Commissioning Week, it’s still an end-of-year tradition that’s a big deal for the freshman class (aka plebes). They undertake the challenge of climbing up the greased 21-foot Herndon Monument to retrieve a plebe hat (aka dixie cup) and replace it with an upperclassman cover. This marks the end of their first year at the academy.
This year’s Herndon Climb is May 14 at 8 AM in front of the Naval Academy Chapel. The climb is an all-weather event that sometimes takes a few hours, so wear comfy shoes and bring an umbrella if necessary.
✈️ Blue Angels. Okay, we know this is what you really want to know, right? When are the Blue Angels flying and where can I watch? The Blue Angels rehearsal is Tuesday, May 20, from 2–4 PM. The official air show is Wednesday, May 21 from 2–4 PM. Both days are great for viewing. Some people swear practice day’s even better. We say pick the day with the best weather.
The Blue Angels perform over the Severn River close to the academy campus, so great places to watch include the foot of the Naval Academy Bridge, the Yard at Hospital Point, any downtown restaurants with rooftop dining, or — if you have access to a boat — out on the water. Expect the Severn River Bridge to close about 15 minutes prior to rehearsal/showtime, and expect the Severn River itself to be closed to all watercraft from Wardour Bluffs to Annapolis Harbor starting at 10 AM both days.
🏟️ Graduation. Even though graduation is open only to invited guests, it’s still worth noting this is your last chance to see the Blue Angels in 2025. They’ll fly over the stadium at 10:04 AM on May 23 (it’ll be short and quick).
Want more advice? The City of Annapolis put out a survival guide of sorts, and you can always consult USNA’s official schedule of events.
A memo about Memorial Day 🇺🇸
May is flying by and it’s going to be the last Monday of the month before we know it. That means Memorial Day. Ahead of this holiday honoring our fallen service members, here’s what you should keep in mind in and around Annapolis:
🫡 The Annapolis Memorial Day Parade is Monday, May 26, at 10 AM. It starts at Amos Garrett Boulevard and goes down West Street, around Church Circle, down Main Street, concluding on Randall Street. The deadline to participate is next Monday, May 19. Email [email protected] to apply.
🫡 City offices, the Stanton Center, and the Pip Moyer Center are closed on Memorial Day.
🫡 Monday trash pickup moves to Tuesday. Tuesday pickup moves to Wednesday.
🫡 Annapolis Transit will operate Go Time on demand and ADA Paratransit services will be available.
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LOCAL BUSINESS
Severn Grove Hospitality Group opens fourth hotel in Annapolis
The proprietors of 134 Prince, 1313 West, and the Flag House Inn have done it again. 86 State Circle’s building was originally constructed as a duplex-style mansion for famed Annapolitan Alexander Randall. Now after a multi-year and multi-million-dollar reimagining, nine of Annapolis’ finest hotel rooms are ready for guests from all over the world.
Those guests will enjoy richly appointed accomodations, five-star service, and even an exclusive parlour lounge (hotel guests only) with a private wine room. So how much to experience this luxury? Rooms range from $600 for a weeknight as soon as this week to nearly $1,000 for a peak summer weekend. Want to peek inside? Click here to check out the website.
🔍 Who is Severn Grove Hospitality Group? It’s comprised of Naval Academy grads Clinton Ramsden and Cody Monroe. The pair started their real estate careers while serving as Navy helicopter pilots in Florida. After fulling their commitment, they returned to Annapolis – which they both now call home – to create world-class hospitality experiences on par with Charleston, London, and the world’s most sought-after destinations.
Nothing Bundt Cakes Opens in Severna Park 🧁
The Scoop team has a sweet tooth, and we’re ready to rise to the occasion. Nothing Bundt Cakes’ grand opening/ribbon cutting is Thursday (5/15)! 🎀✂️ Celebrate from 11—11:30 AM at the new Severna Park location: 580 Governor Ritchie Hwy, Suite 1. If you’ve never tasted the cakes that take the bundt . . . trust us. There’s a reason they’re the #1 specialty cake company in the US, serving up millions of joyful bites every year. The icing on the cake? It’s community honoree day with discounts for teachers, responders, doctors, and nurses. RSVP to the free event.
2025 Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets Guide
We have a riddle for you. What’s good for you, the environment, and the local economy? Farmers Markets! Lucky for us, we have lots to choose from in Anne Arundel County. All of our markets are “producer only,” meaning each vendor has produced, grown, or harvested their goods like seasonal produce, milk, cheese, beef, chicken, eggs, baked goods, jams, candies, and soaps.
A few of our favs worth a visit:
🌽 Anne Arundel County Farmers Market
🍳 Wildberry Farm + Market
🍓 Severna Park Farmers Market
Flip through the 2025 Anne Arundel County Farmers Markets Guide to discover more, plus hours/dates!
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
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WHAT’S HAPPENIN’
Theater Talk Tuesday 🎭
🐠 CTA presents Finding Nemo Jr. May 16–June 1. This musical adaptation of the beloved Pixar film features performers ages 8–14. Parents can take advantage of Kids Night Out and drop their kids off to see the show with lots of added perks this Saturday 3:30–7:30 PM.
🌤️ Compass Rose Theatre holds auditions for Annie. Submit a video monologue and song to [email protected] ahead of in-person auditions May 24–29.
🕯️ Candlelight Tribute to Queen and The Beatles. May 16, 6:30 PM. Hear the Listeso String Quartet perform the hits of these classic rock groups at Maryland Hall.
🤰 Colonial Players present Bump. May 15–17. This heartfelt comedy about motherhood closes this weekend at Colonial Players.
🤪 Compass Rose presents Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). May 16–25. Student actors take on all 37 plays and 154 sonnets in a madcap 95-minute production.
🚢 Classic Theatre of Maryland presents Anything Goes. May 14–18. Set sail with a zany assortment of passengers in this nautical comedy featuring the music of Cole Porter.
🌊 ASGT presents Disaster! Opening May 22. Tickets are going quickly for Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre’s opening show of the season.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.
EXTRA SPRINKLES
Rock the Dock: Annapolis’ Summer Party!
Kick off summer at the Annapolis Rotaract Foundation's Rock the Dock 2025 on June 5th from 6–10 PM at the Annapolis Maritime Museum in benefit of the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council! Enjoy an evening of live music by Loose Ties, great food by Smokehouse, an unlimited crush bar, and stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the ultimate way to welcome the season while supporting a great cause. Don’t miss out! Get tickets now!*
*indicates sponsored advertising content.
WEATHER
Tuesday
68 🌡️ 63 | 🌧️ | 94% | 💨 ESE 15 mph (13 knots)
Wednesday
72 🌡️ 64 | 🌦️ | 60% | E 10 mph (9 knots)
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 68ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication
LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
Tuesday
49 West | Seth Mitchell & Friends | 7:30–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Nate Finn | 7 PM
Wednesday
49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Nate Finn | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael K | 6-9 PM
Pirates Cove | Chris Diller | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan/Pressing Strings | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Ally Venable | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Kristi Allen | 4:30 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Aaron Hawkins | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Devanney Brothers | 9 PM
THANKS!
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