Join the Society for the Friends of Hospice for the second annual “A Preakness Event” on from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 19 with proceeds benefitting Hospice of Charles County. The event hosted by Ed and Commissioner Candice Kelly at their historic home, Chandler’s Hope in Port Tobacco, will feature live entertainment, food and spirits, a live and silent auction, live coverage of the Preakness Stakes, games, contests and much more.

Dress in your fancy silks and hats to accent the racing fervor.

“The Inaugural Preakness Event held last May was such a huge success not only for Hospice of Charles County but for all that attended,” Diana Rucci, event co-chair said. “I am so excited that we are able to enjoy such a strong part of Maryland’s culture while raising funds for such a worthy cause again in 2012.”

General admission tickets are $80, which includes buffet and wine, beer and spirits for the event and all of the fun festivities of the day. Sponsorship opportunities start at $500 and up. Call Diana Rucci 301-742-8969 or Sarah Swann 301-643-9492.

For more information, go to www.hospiceofcharlescounty.org or email diana.n.rucci@wellsfargo.com or Sarah Swann at swannsm4@gmail.com.

St. Charles Sunset Concert Festival, Farmers’ Market in full swing

The popular Sunset Concert Festival and Farmer’s Market is in full swing every Friday night through Aug. 31 at O’Donnell Lake Restaurant Park next to Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles. The concerts, which kicked off May 11 with salsa band Sin Miedo, will pick up again tonight with the U.S. Navy Bluegrass Band Country Current at 7 p.m.

The farmers’ martket is held from 4-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturday mornings beginning at 8 a.m. The concert features many local acts as well as two U.S. Navy bands (including the Cruisers June 29) and the United States Air Force Rock Band Max Impact June 8.

Local talent will feature B.T. Richardson and the Black Coffee Experience (May 25), Jennifer Cooper and Groovespan (June 1), the Lyn Holyfield Band (June 15), the Steve Cavanaugh Band (June 22), John O’Loughlin and the Blarney Stones Band (July 6), Jennifer Cutting and OCEAN Celtic Band (July 13), Higher Hands (July 20), Kajun Kelley Band (July 27), Singer-songwriter showcase with Matt Silkworth (Aug. 3), Deanna Dove (Aug. 19), Anthony Swampdog Clark (Aug. 17), Karen Collins and the Backroads Band (Aug. 24) and closing out the series is the Eric Scott Band (Aug. 31).

Craig Renner, vice president, public affairs and community relations for The St. Charles Companies, said the concert series was started four years ago.

“We thought it was a good way to help people in our community get their weekend off to a good start,” Renner said.

Renner added that the talent for the concert series features the best local talent as well as excellent bands from Washington, D.C.

“It’s a little bit of both,” he said. “The opening band, Sin Miedo, is a great salsa band from the D.C. region. People get up and dance,” he said.

“Our goal is to provide the best in local bands and we do reach as far as around the beltway,” said co-organizer John O’Loughlin. “Most of our entertainers are based right here in Southern Maryland. And they almost all play original music. I hired Jennifer Cooper who doesn’t do originals, but she’s so much fun, I had to say, ‘girl, I don’t csare if you do originals or not, I want you in the concert series.’”

For more information, go to StCharlesMD.com.

Fairies in the Garden at AMG

Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center will present a very magical Annmarie After Hours 6-9 p.m. May 18 in celebration of 70 fairy and gnome homes, created by members of the community. Annmarie Garden dedicates this year’s Fairies in the Garden exhibit to Pat Carpenter, former executive director of the Arts Council of Calvert County, who passed away in March 2012. Carpenter’s zest and enthusiasm for life and love of the arts will be celebrated on this special night. Annmarie After Hours is a casual evening of art, magic, wine, beer and light hor d'oeurves. Maryland County Caterers will be supplying the food and the Calvert Brass Consortium will provide the musical entertainment. Admission is $4 for members and $5 for adults. This event is open to all ages. The gift shop at Annmarie will be open during the event. Go to www.annmariegarden.org or call 410-326-4640.