All about oysters

Celebrate the opening of the Chesapeake Bay's fall oyster season this weekend at St. Mary's County Fairgrounds near Leonardtown. Sample oysters prepared in every way possible - including on the half shell, fried, scalded and stewed. Learn how to shuck oysters from the experts, then cheer on participants in the National Oyster Shucking Competition and National Oyster Cook-off. Entertainment is provided by country and western bands, barbershop choruses and swing bands. For children, there are hay rides and carnival games.

The fairgrounds are on Route 5. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5, free for children 12 and under. Food is priced separately. Call 301-863-5015.

Jazz at the Beach

This weekend, celebrate autumn at the beach and "Fall for the Music" at the Rehoboth Beach autumn jazz festival, today through Sunday at the Bay Center in Dewey Beach, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and area restaurants. The festival kicks off with a cabaret-style concert from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, featuring samplings by area chefs and music by the Heads UP Super Band. Festivities continue tomorrow through Sunday with appearances by Dianne Reeves, Jonathan Butler, Charlie Hunter, Kim Waters and a Roomful of Blues. Also in the lineup are Eric Marienthan, Tom Grant and Kurt Ellig.

In addition to main-stage ticketed events, the entire beach area gets involved in the production of more than 50 events, including wine tastings, art displays, films, brunches, lunches and dinners. For a complete list of venues and ticket prices, call 800-29-MUSIC.

Pub Date: 10/15/98