Guide to the weekend
Wen di Winters Memorial Blood Drive, Paint Annapolis, Out of the Darkness walk and more
It is that time of year again for theWendi Winters Memorial Blood Drive’s return, held in honor ofWinters, one of five staffers murdered in a mass shooting in the Capital Gazette newsroom on June 28, 2018.
Other events this weekend include online fundraisers and socially distanced suicide prevention walks. Some annual events, like the Annapolis Out of the Darkness walk, continue but look very different from previous years.
Here are afewoccasions throughSunday.
WendiWinters Memorial Blood Drive
Ablood drive in honor ofWendiWinters, a Capital Gazette journalist who died in the newsroomshooting attack on June 28, 2018, is taking place from8 a.m. to4p.m. Saturday at Crown PlazaHotel on 173 Jennifer Road. Winters regularly organized Red Cross blood drives and informed the public on howvital bloodandplatelet transfusions are for people undergoing cancer care, sickle cell treatment and other illnesses.
The AmericanRedCross needs people of all races and ethnicities to give blood to help ensure a blood supply as diverse as the patients who depend on it, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The Red Cross also encourages donors to donate blood, platelet and plasma for COVID-19 antibodies that boost people’s immune response. Attendees can get tested for antibodies at Red Cross, regardless if you have developed symptoms. Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within 7 to 10 days.
The organization asks people who do not feel or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 to postpone getting an antibody test.
Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Shakespeare Company gala fundraiser
Annapolis ShakespeareCompany is hosting an online gala fundraiser Saturday at 8 p.m. featuring music, interviews and performances by resident singers and actors Christine Asero, Annie Gill, Lalo Medina, Angie Schworer, IanKnauer andRenéRuiz.
The theater company is trying to raise $100,000 by Sept. 30 as part of its COVID Recovery Campaign. Tickets are a suggested donation starting at $10 up to $250 and can be reserved at annapolisshakespeare.org. For more information, call the box office at 410-415-3513.
Paint Annapolis
Paint Annapolis is aweeklong competition whereprofessional artists paintmasterpieces outside all over the city for a chance to win $10,000 worth of prizes. Maryland Federation of Art is hosting the event and the artwork will be for sale at MFA Circle Gallery, 18 State Circle, and at a pop-up shop at 186 Main St. The competition begins Sundayandruns untilThursday, Sept. 24. Art is available atMFA Circle Gallery and online through Oct. 4. To register for the competition, go to mdfedart.com. The deadline to register is Saturday.
Out of theDarkness
The Maryland chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is still holding its annual Annapolis Out of the Darkness walk during the pandemic. Attendees must walk, run or participate in whatever self-care activity they choose at a distance and not in the usual large group.
“Instead of gathering for a big event, we encourage you to walk to fight suicide on Saturday, and Sunday, with friends and family (following CDC guidelines) in your neighborhood, in parks, or on your treadmill. Wear AFSP or Out of the Darkness T-shirts and make signs in honor of a loved one or to spread hope in your community,”
organizers write.
The Out of the Darkness experience will still have a luminary ceremony at NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium but as a drive-thru. Starting from 7:30 to 9 p.m., attendees are invited to decorate their car and attend the ceremony. The area around the stadium will be lit up with hundreds of luminaria to show support for people who have lost loved ones to suicide or struggle personally.
The event is free, but registration is required at afsp.org/annapolis. For more information, contact Kat Olbrich at 202770-8973 or by email at kolbrich@afsp.org.
Cape cleanup
CapeSt. ClaireImprovementAssociation is holding a cleanup event from 8 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday at the corner of Broadview Drive and Cape St. Claire Road. The event is an opportunity to protect the environment and dispose of trash properly with assistance from two Anne Arundel CountyWasteManagement employees. For more information, contact CSCIA at 410757-1223.
ClassicWooden Sailboat Race
Eastport Yacht Club and Chesapeake Traditional Sailing Association are hosting a sailboat race with wooden sailboats designed before 1970. The event showcases wooden sailboats, their history and elegance and is an opportunity for “a low-key race against similar vessels” at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Participating
boats range from seven to 65 feet in length and date back to more than 100 years old. Eligible vessels can enter by contacting Maria Museler at Eastport Yacht Club at 410- 693- 9144 or by email at maria.museler@gmail.com. Registration is $40.
World Artists Experiences lecture
Brazilian musician EsdrasRodrigues will present a free webinar at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, on Brazilian culture. Rodrigues will perform Brazilian traditional and concert music and discuss howmusic helps to unify the community. Rodrigues’ experience includes orchestral, Baroque, contemporary and Brazilian music. He currently focuses on Brazilian music playing both violin and rabeca, a Brazilian fiddle. World Artists Experiences is hosting the online lecture on Zoom. Registration can be made at worldartists.org or by emailing wae@comcast.net. TheZoommeetingIDis 839 31113450, and the pass code is 868659.
Dinner in the garden
Wine and dine in William Paca Garden on Prince George Street from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. Attendees are invited to enjoy the fall weather with a four-course al fresco dinner provided by Ken’s Creative Kitchen on a tented terrace overlooking a picturesque, 2-acre English Garden. Registration is required by Friday, Sept. 18, and costs $150 per person. Parties up to six people are available. Register at annapolis.org.