🍦Premier League is coming to Annapolis

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. It’s a great day to have a day. Now get out there and make it yours.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Commissioning Week survival guide

• Zoning changes

• African Diaspora Festival

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Ryan Sneddon

SPONSORED BY THE ANNAPOLIS BLUES

I was there for the Annapolis Blues' first goal. I was there when Jacob Murrell's penalty kick won us the conference championship. I was there for every Blues moment last season. Because I'm a proud season seat holder. For the money, there’s no better entertainment in town.

Season ticket holders get tickets to 6 semi-professional soccer matches and all home playoff games. They also get a custom scarf, merch discounts, and buddy tickets. Speaking from experience, it’s a fantastic deal. And it’s an amazing community of fans.

We believe in the Blues so much we’ve teamed up to help them reach 5,000 season seat holders this year. Last year there were about 3,500. And we’re oh-so-close. Just about 50 to go.

So if you believe in the Blues, join us and become a season seat holder. The home opener is June 1 and the pre-season Community Shield is May 15!

THE DIGEST

2024 Commissioning Week guide 🎓 ⚓️

It’s almost hats-off time for the USNA Class of 2024. Commissioning Week begins Saturday, May 18, and concludes with graduation on Friday, May 24, when thousands are expected to arrive in Annapolis. Many fun events await everyone, such as the highly-anticipated Blue Angels and Herndon Climb (although that’s technically just before Commissioning Week). Whether you plan to attend all activities or just want to escape the traffic and road closures, our Commissioning Week 2024 Guide has everything you need to know.

Annapolis to host a Premier League match ⚽️

Premier League soccer is coming across the pond! Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers (aka the Wolves) will play at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on July 31 at 8 PM. Tickets will be available to the general public on Monday (5/13) at 10 AM at StatesideCup.com and start at $35.

The game is part of The Stateside Cup, a three-game showcase of English teams in the US. Soccer fanatics can also catch the US Men’s National Team vs. Colombia at Fedex Field on June 8. M&T Bank Stadium will host A.C. Milan and FC Barcelona on August 6.

Between this and the Annapolis Blues, we’re in for some great soccer this summer!

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @maryland.aerials | 📍Sandy Point State Park

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LOCAL BUSINESS

County Council makes zoning changes

ICYMI, the county council unanimously voted yes to comprehensive zoning changes on Monday night. One of the significant changes affects Region 7 close to Annapolis. Specifically, the change clears a major roadblock for local businessman Harvey Blonder’s proposed hotel at Liberty Marina in Edgewater. This doesn’t necessarily mean the hotel is a go just yet — Blonder still has to submit an application showing the hotel would fit the new zoning and meet the code. Not until that application gets approval will hotel plans go any further. ($)

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.

SPONSORED BY THE ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Expect the unexpected 🎼

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is about to complete their 62nd year of bringing incredible music to the county. Did you know that they are a nationally ranked professional orchestra with 70+ contracted musicians? This season of performances has been unforgettable. Don’t miss out on the last performance of the season: Masterworks VI “This Midnight Hour”. 

It features Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony N. 104, Jean Sibelius with Symphony N. 02, and Anna Clyne, who brings forth the terroir of a moment and place in her This Midnight Hour. And check this out—Scoop readers get 30% off up to 4 tickets! Just enter the code MIDNIGHT at checkout. Performances are at 7:30 PM on May 10 and 11 at Maryland Hall.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview

Right now, it looks like there may be a few rain showers this weekend — but it could end up just being cloudy. So why let the forecast stop you from making fun plans? There’s heaps happening to keep you busy. Like. . . .

• William Paca Garden Plant Sale on Saturday & Sunday. Take home one of the 7,000 plants raised by Historic Annapolis volunteers within the gardens of the William Paca House. This is also a great time to become a Historic Annapolis member because members get a discount and early access!

• ASO presents Masterworks VI on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM. Catch the conclusion to Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks program with selections from Haydn, Anna Clyne, and Sibelius.

• Naptown Music Fest on Saturday from noon to 10 PM. Enjoy a long afternoon of family fun at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds with performances by six local bands and over 20 food trucks.

• 0.05K Bridge Run on Saturday at noon. No need to be a serious runner (like ultramarathon finishing Scoop writer Dylan) to run this race. It starts at the north side of the Spa Creek Bridge and ends at the south side. Estimated time of completion: 2 minutes. Online registration closes Friday night but you can register day of.

• Annual Rummage Sale on Saturday 8 AM–noon. One person’s junk is another person’s treasure, right? Stop by the Pip Moyer Center to either sell or buy at this annual sale organized by Rec & Parks.

Hospice of the Chesapeake’s 45th anniversary

There are a few new aspects to Hospice of the Chesapeake’s annual fundraiser this year. For starters, it’s a cocktail party this year instead of a gala (so no need for black tie attire). Second, it’s got a new venue: the brand new Fluegel Event Center. And finally, it’s a celebration of Hospice’s 45th anniversary! The big night is this Saturday and there are still tickets available. Get yours here to support an awesome local organization.

African Diaspora Festival 🌍

After last year’s event was rained out, this year marks a special return for the African Diaspora Festival. It’s set for Saturday 11 AM–8 PM and will feature art, culture, entertainment, food, music, and vendors representing African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino, and African ethnic groups. It’s also a special year because the festival has a new home: People’s Park on Calvert Street in the Annapolis Arts District. Stop by this family-friendly, multigenerational event to celebrate people of African descent and their contributions to the world, especially in Maryland.

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.

WEATHER

Thursday

70 🌡️ 57 | ⛈️ | 60% | 💨 ENE 10 mph (9 knots)

Friday

60 🌡️ 51 | 🌧️ | 62% | 💨 ENE 12 mph (10 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 67ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

Thursday

Brian Boru | Ciaran Quinn | 6:30–9:30 PM
Killarney House | Jennifer Schimpf | 6–9 PM
Market House | Micheal Miller | 6–8 PM
Metropolitan Rooftop | Troll Tribe | 8–11 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | Scotty Pip & Devin B | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
The Point | Dan Haas | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Vienna Teng | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Mike Heuer | 4:30 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Federico | 5 PM

Friday

49 West | Diving Horses | 7:30–10 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Rick & the Revolving Doors | 8:30–11:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Honey Sol | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Meg & Bryan | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Kieran Lally | 8 PM
Coconut Joe's | Mook Jones | 5–8 PM
Coconut Joe's | The Music Room | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Jennifer Schimpf | 6–9 PM
Killarney House | Pete Best | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Kristi Allen | 6–9 PM
Metropolitan Rooftop | Blackish Swell | 8–11 PM
Middleton Tavern | Lower Case Blues | 10 PM
Mother's Peninsula Grille | The Shatners | 8–11 PM
Old Stein Inn | Chris Button | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Gordon Lightfoot | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | BoRoy | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | The Freebyrds | 5 PM
Rams Head Tavern | George Evans | 10 PM
Renditions Golf Course | Josette and Bill | 4–8 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Tiger Fish Band | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Kristi Allen | 6 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Rich Walton | 4-8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Nate & Jim | 9:45 PM

SPORTS

SP baseball wins county champs

Big congrats to Severna Park baseball’s impressive win at county championships. The team beat Arundel High 9-0. But before the dust settles, both teams are headed to state playoffs, which start today. That means the Falcons and Wildcats could end up playing against each other again very soon. Severna Park needs to win their next five games to win it all. ($)

Past Navy results

Women's Golf (1-0)
5/6–8 @ NCAA Bermuda Run Regional | 10th out of 12 teams

Upcoming Navy games & matches

Men's Track & Field
5/10 @ IC4A/ECAC Outdoor Championship

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THANKS!

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