NXT Best: The Little Mermaid, tips for your tomatoes and mountain music with a buffalo

Whether your idea of fun involves theater, music, festivals, outdoor activities or learning something new, we've got your spring entertainment guide right here in NXT Best!                  

Terrific Tomato Tips

Tuesday, May 7 - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Monterey Pass Civil War Garden

Buttonwood Nature Center (home of The Institute)

10356 Amsterdam Road

Waynesboro, Pa.

Second of a series of small-group garden talks. Presented by Melissa Irwin and Pam Hind Rowland. Wear shoes appropriate for being in a garden. Bring a chair if desired. Free. Advanced registration required. Go to www.buttonwoodnaturecenter.org or call 717-762-0373.

Bird Walk

Wednesday, May 8 - 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Cool Spring Preserve (meet in parking lot)

1469 Lloyd Road

Charles Town, W.Va.

Led by Potomac Valley Audubon Society volunteer Beth Poole. For adults. No birding skills necessary. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Binoculars available. Free. Registration required. Go to www.potomacaudubon.org/event/spring-third-wednesday-bird-walk-6/, email info@potomacaudubon.org or call 681-252-1387.

Monarch Butterfly Migration

Wednesday, May 8 - 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Hospice of the Panhandle Education Center (and via Zoom)

330 Hospice Lane

Kearneysville, W.Va.

Presented by Valerie Chaney, park naturalist/park activities coordinator at Cacapon Resort State Park. Hosted by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Social time and light refreshments (bring a mug). Free. No registration required. Go to www.potomacaudubon.org/event/pvas-monthly-program-monarch-butterly-migration-visiting-the-overwintering-sites-in-central-mexico/, email Sonja@potomacaudubon.org or call 681-252-1387.

The Battle of Romney, October 1861

Wednesday, May 8 - 7:15 p.m.

Camp Hill United Methodist Church

601 Washington St.

Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

Lecture by author-historian Richard A. Wolfe. Presented by Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table. Program is free. Email ccraig@laurellodge.com.

Della Mae

Wednesday, May 8 - 7:30 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Grammy-nominated all-woman bluegrass/Americana string band. $25. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

Little Learners

Thursday, May 9 - 10:30 a.m.

Welsh Barrens Visitor Center

The Conococheague Institute

12995 Bain Road

Mercersburg, Pa.

Rain or shine. For ages 2 to 4. Children explore nature concepts through story time, movement activities and crafts. $5 (free for institute members). Registration not required. Go to www.cimlg.org, email visit@cimlg.org or call 717-328-2800.

St. Maria Goretti Student, Parent, Faculty and Alumni Art Show

Thursday, May 9 - opening reception 5 to 7 p.m., exhibit continues through Tuesday, June 4 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, virtual exhibit available Saturday, May 11.

Washington County Arts Council Inc. (use A&E Parking Deck, 25 Renaissance Way, Hagerstown)

34 S. Potomac St., Suite 100

Hagerstown

Drawings and paintings. Free. Go to https://www.washingtoncountyarts.com/may-2024, email gallerymanager@washingtoncountyarts.com or call 301-791-3132.

A Cappella & Unplugged Open Mic

Thursday, May 9 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (performers should arrive at 6 p.m.)

Trigger's Table & Tap Room

118 Walnut St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

For all audiences. Two-song limit or 10 minutes per act. Free. Call 717-552-2977 ext. 104, email ecrider@explorefranklincountypa.com or go to www.explorefranklincountypa.com/a-cappella-unplugged/.

Be More Chill

Thursday, May 9 - 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11 - 8 p.m.

The Historic Apollo Civic Theatre

128 E. Martin St.

Martinsburg, W.Va.

Musical about a teenage boy who finds out about a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most. Based on novel by Ned Vizzini. $22 adults, $19 military, seniors and students (younger than 25), $17 children ages 18 and younger. Go to https://apollocivictheatre.org/be-more-chill/, email act@apollocivictheatre.org or call 304-263-6766.

Shale Pile

Friday, May 10- 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Music Makers

46 W. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Classic country, bluegrass, folk and blues music. Admission is free. Donations appreciated. For more information, email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.

Donna The Buffalo

Friday, May 10 - 8 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Traditional mountain music, with elements of Cajun/zydeco, rock, folk, reggae and country. $30. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

Spring Nature Journaling

Saturday, May 11 - 9 a.m. to noon

Yankauer Nature Preserve

438 Whitings Neck Road

Martinsburg, W.Va.

Bring pencil and paper, a chair, bug repellant and water. For all skill levels. Free. Registration required. Go to www.potomacaudubon.org/event/spring-nature-journaling-at-yankauer-nature-preserve/, email Sonja@potomacaudubon.org or call 681-252-1387.

Carl Disque

Saturday, May 11 - 10 a.m. to noon

Brooke's House Coffee & Chocolate Shop

1083 Maryland Ave.

Hagerstown

Jazz, blues and folk music. Call 240-203-8183. Go to brookeshousecoffeeandchocolate.com/.

Touch A Truck & Train

Saturday, May 11 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

City Park Train Hub

770 City Park Drive

Hagerstown

For all ages. Dump truck, fire engine, backhoe, train and more. Gift shop. Admission is free. Go to www.hagerstownmd.org/touchatruckandtrain.

National Conservation Training Center Open House

Saturday, May 11 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center

698 Conservation Way

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Rain or shine. For all ages. Learn more about conservation. Interactive activities, tours, presentations, exhibits, demonstrations, bird walks, children's activities and more. See hawks and owls up close. Lunch available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shuttles provided. Go to https://www.fws.gov/ or call 304-876-7276.

Rudy & the Bluefish

Saturday, May 11 - noon to 1:40 p.m.

Hagerstown Raceway

15112 National Pike

Hagerstown

Rock, blues and folk. Performing at the Bonanza Extravaganza. For a full schedule of the event, go to https://bonanzaextravaganza.com/event-info/entertainment/.

Byrd and the B's

Saturday, May 11 - 3 p.m.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (parking available in the back of the church)

141 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown

Recorder music covering several centuries from composer William Byrd (1540-1623) to 20th century Bill Bailey. Presented by the Washington County Consort. Free. Go to https://www.facebook.com/washingtoncountyconsort.

Mercersburg Academy Spring Dance Concert

Saturday, May 11 - 7:30 p.m.

Burgin Center for the Arts' Simon Theatre

Mercersburg Academy

100 Academy Drive

Mercersburg, Pa.

A performance by Mercersburg Academy students. Free. Call 717-328-6349.

The Little Mermaid the Ballet

Sunday, May 12 - 3 p.m.

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown

Performed by dancers from The Western Maryland City Ballet Company and The City Ballet School. Horochowski’s retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale. For all ages. $20 to $75. Go to https://www.mdtheatre.org/city-ballet or call 301-790-2000.

Suitcase Junket

Sunday, May 12 - 7:30 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Matt Lorenz performs folk and blues music. $20. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.