The Big Three

May 15, 2008

Psyched about Sykes

Maryland native Wanda Sykes has won several Emmy Awards, appeared in My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Evan Almighty, and has lent her voice to such animated films as Over the Hedge and Barnyard. The comedian wrote for The Chris Rock Show and The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show and received an Emmy nomination for her HBO comedy special Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired. Sykes, who currently appears on the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, takes her acerbic wit to the Lyric Opera House for a stand-up comedy show tonight.

Showtime is 8 p.m. The Lyric is at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Tickets are $36.50. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.

[Jennifer Choi]

Toast of the town

Wine in the Woods may be best known for, of course, the opportunity to sample hundreds of wines from around the state. But the event also features handmade crafts by more than 75 artisans, including A Bead Apart Jewelry, Blue Mist Pottery, Cookie Dough Creations and PIMTTS Woodturning. Festivalgoers can also enjoy a variety of entertainment, including Latin jazz group Rumba Club, pop rock performer Risa, living statues, a roving magician, balloon sculptures and more.

The festival runs noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Symphony Woods, 5950 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia. Tickets are $20-$25; $5 for ages 4-20. Free for ages 3 and younger. Call 410-313-7275 or go to wineinthewoods.com.

[Jennifer Choi]

Saluting the flag

About 2,500 third-, fourth- and fifth-graders from the Mid-Atlantic region will use colored placards to form an enormous "living" version of the 15-stripe, 15-star version of the American flag Tuesday outside Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

The annual Living American Flag event highlights the Star-Spangled Banner's role as a symbol for national unity. The program includes entertainment by local school and professional groups, actors dressed as historic characters and the traditional passing of the "Baton of Patriotism," during which one student representative receives the symbolic red-, white- and blue-ribboned Baton of Patriotism.

The event runs 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday. Fort McHenry is at 2400 E. Fort Ave. Free. Call 410-563-3524 or go to americanflagfoundation.org.

[Jennifer Choi]