🍦The Blue Angels are here!

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. For those of you trying to get any work done between 2 and 4 PM today, god bless you.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Q&A with Annapolis Blues coach Ashly

• Annapolis to Newport Race

• What happens when midshipmen graduate

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

84 Lumber is a proud supporter of our nation’s military and veterans.

This year, the company is celebrating 10 years of Operation Appreciation, an initiative honoring Military Appreciation Month by partnering with various military and veteran organizations.

In addition to the month-long promotions and partnerships, 84 Lumber honors veterans year-round through a 10% discount for all military personnel and first responders at all locations nationwide. Throughout the month of May, 84 Lumber is increasing the military discount to 20%. For more information, visit our website or follow along on social media for all the details of Operation Appreciation 2025!

THE DIGEST

What happens when Midshipmen graduate? 🎓

Most college grads hope to land a job after graduation. But Naval Academy midshipmen? They’ve got a guaranteed gig. During junior year, they sign “2 for 7 papers” — agreeing to two more years at the Academy and at least five years of service in the Navy or Marine Corps. This is a major moment for both Mids and the Navy, which is investing heavily in their development as future officers. Leaving after signing isn’t easy; in some cases, Mids may have to repay education costs.

USNA grads jump into high-responsibility roles right away — on ships, subs, aircraft, or leading Marine units around the world. They also start at the O-1 paygrade, which is about 80% higher than starting pay for enlisted servicemembers. The Class of 2025 already knows where they’re headed as they received service assignments last fall.

👉 See more about jobs, assignments, and salaries.

Save the date: BloomHaven Live on the Lawn 🗓️

The outdoor concert series at Maryland Hall is getting an upgrade. If you started attending these outdoor concerts during the pandemic, when they were spaced out on the front steps . . . well, be prepared for something a little bigger and better. The live-on-the-lawn concerts are now dubbed BloomHaven, and they promise fresh, genre-bending performances on weekend evenings throughout the summer:

🎶 July 13: Dominique Bianco featuring Tommy Holladay
🎶 July 19: Dirty Grass Players
🎶 August 9: Black-Eyed Suzies with support from Gage Rhodes
🎶 August 17: Stephen Arnold & Sea Change

So, bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs (plus some dough for the cash bar) and enjoy live music under the open summer sky! Get tickets.

A2N preps for 40th running ⛵️

This June, the Annapolis Yacht Club will make waves hosting the 40th Annapolis to Newport Race (A2N), one of America's most storied blue water adventures. Since 1947, this iconic offshore sailboat competition has charted a legendary course from the sailing capital of America to the sailing capital of the world.

So far, 70+ boats are entered, ranging from 32–69 feet, with nearly a third helmed by first-time skippers. The race kicks off in early June with a 120-mile Bay leg, followed by an offshore stretch to Block Island and a coastal sprint to the finish off Castle Hill Lighthouse.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

SPONSORED BY WARRIOR MEDICAL GROUP

Reclaim Vitality and Confidence at Warrior Medical

Warrior Medical is more than a doctor’s office. Yes, they offer game-changing Direct Primary Care. But they offer so much more. Their Hormone/Testosterone Replacement Therapy programs address fatigue, low libido, and mood swings to help you regain energy and well-being.

To complement this, Warrior Medical offers advanced skin rejuvenation treatments, including Opus Plasma and Alma Harmony, to boost your confidence with minimal downtime. At the end of the day, Warrior Medical is all about personalized healthcare that prioritizes your needs and confidence.

Take the first step towards a revitalized you – schedule a consultation today!

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

What You Need to Know About the Blue Angels Today/Tomorrow

“Don’t tell them not to fly, they’ve simply got to. Don’t bring around a cloud to rain on our . . . Blue Angels air show?” Okay, maybe those lyrics aren’t quite right. Our apologies to Barbara Streisand. But the point stands. The weather isn’t looking good for Wednesday’s Blue Angels air show. So, we’re encouraging everyone to make plans to watch the rehearsal today (don’t worry, it’s just as good).

For the unfamiliar, this is the undisputable best day of the year in Annapolis. There is nothing like the Blue Angels in Annapolis. Of the 60+ shows they fly every year, I’d bet on Annapolis over every single other one.

Remember, the Blue Angels rehearse Today (5/20) from 2–4 PM and perform (weather permitting) Wednesday from 2–4 PM. The Naval Academy Bridge closes Tuesday at 10:45 AM – 1 PM and 1:45–4 PM. On Wednesday, it’ll close from 1:45–4 PM.

Out on the water, the Severn River restricted zone closes on Tuesday at 10:30 AM and opens at 4 PM. On Wednesday, it will be closed 1:30–4 PM. Please also be aware of the temporary channel leading into Annapolis Harbor. Stay out of this unless your vessel is underway.

As for great places to watch:

⛵️ On a boat — the best option if you have one (or a friend with one). Just be sure to stay out of the restricted areas we mentioned.

🛳️ Watermark — as of press time, there’s still room on today’s cruise.

🏘️ Celebration Villa of Manresa — this assisted living community with a commanding view of the Severn River holds a public viewing party. Call ahead to RSVP.

🧺 SAYC’s Park & Pack a Picnic — South Annapolis Yacht Centre moved its viewing party to practice day due to weather.

🚣 Capital SUP — you can still book space in the flotilla and watch from a kayak or paddleboard

🍹 City Dock — downtown’s City Dock is a great place to watch (especially if you can get a reservation at a restaurant with a clear sky view)

📚 Discoveries: the Library at the Mall — the library holds a rooftop viewing party atop the mall with plenty of family-friendly activities

Whatever you do: Plan ahead. There will definitely be traffic, there will definitely be crowds, and it might be worse than other years if there’s rain on Wednesday. Reserve your parking space at a downtown garage. And let’s all have a moment of silence for the students who will mysteriously have 2 PM doctor’s appointments they have to leave school for this week.

🙋 No dumb questions: Where do the Blue Angels actually fly? They’ll be all over the place, visible from Arnold to Kent Island, but the main action happens right over the Annapolis Harbor.

Theater Talk Tuesday 🎭

🐠 CTA presents Finding Nemo Jr. Through June 1. This musical adaptation of the beloved Pixar film features performers ages 8–14.

🤪 Compass Rose presents Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Through May 25. Student actors take on all 37 plays and 154 sonnets in a madcap 95-minute production.

🌊 ASGT presents Disaster! May 22 – June 14. 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.

CIVIL NEWS

Board of Education Meeting 🏫

The Board of Education holds its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 PM at the Parham Building (2644 Riva Road, Annapolis 21401). This month’s agenda will include an update on summer meal options for students and a vote to establish meal prices for 2025–26. The board is also set to recognize the winners of the Military Service Award in honor of Candace C.W. Antwine. Access the full agenda and register to testify on any action item up for a vote. The meeting is open to the public and will be available for streaming.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

WEATHER

Tuesday

70 🌡️ 57 | ⛅ | 1% | 💨 NNE 9 mph (8 knots)

Wednesday

58 🌡️ 56 | 🌧️ | 89% | E 15 mph (13 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 68ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Tuesday

49 West | Leslie Webber | 4–6 PM
49 West | Unified Jazz Ensemble | 7–9:30 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Weaverl | 6–9 PM
The Point | Kavoossi | 5–8 PM
Tunesday Floating Concert Series | See Lineup | 6–8:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | GRUNGE: The Sounds of Seattle | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Kieran Lally | 7 PM

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | Jennifer Schimpf, Danah Denice & Madisun Bailey | 8 PM
Brian Boru | Mixed Business | 6–9 PM
Dinner Under The Stars | D'Vibe and Conga | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Waskey | 6-9 PM
Pirates Cove | Ray Weaver | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Smile Empty Soul & Tantric | 8 PM | Tickets
Severna Park Taphouse | Open Mic | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Chris Dean | 9 PM

SPORTS

What’s the Annapolis Blues new women’s coach like?

Good question — one we had too. So, we fired our best shots (aka questions) at Ashly Kennedy, the first-ever head coach of the Annapolis Blues women’s team. She fielded them like a pro, sharing her goals for this soccer season, what it’s like to coach her hometown team, and even her thoughts on Ted Lasso! Go behind the whistle. Read our Q&A with Coach Ashly. ⚽️💙

P.S. The lady Blues logged a 3–2 win in their inaugural match against Virginia Beach United FC on Saturday. They have one more away match against the Charlottesville Blues (confusing, I know) on 5/24 before the doubleheader home opener at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on 5/31.

P.P.S. Season seats are the best way to catch all Blues matches this season but single-game seats are available, too.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who is in town for Commissioning Week.