The List

201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore

Children of all ages still delight in the big-top entertainment provided by Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus.

“The Greatest Show on Earth” still has all of the elephants, lions, clowns and trapeze artists everyone remembers at the circus. But the show is fresh, with frequent changes of performers, acts and ringmasters.

This year?s highlights include Taba the tiger trainer, high-wire acts and human cannonballs. Also, expect spoofs of the popular television shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” as only Ringling Brothers? clowns can do it.

Venue: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore Times: Through Sunday Tickets: $14 to $65; 410-347-2010; www.baltimorearena.com

2. Nature?s tots

Patuxent Research Refuge

A chance on Sunday for parents to introduce their toddlers, ages 3 and 4, to baby animals.

Venue: Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel

Tickets: Free; Call 301-497-5887

3. Daveed Kroup

World Rhythm Percussion Circus

Children are invited to join a hands-on world percussion exploratorium and play park.

Venue: Port Discovery Children?s Museum in Baltimore

Tickets: $10.75; Call 410-727-8120

4. Saturday Morning Club

Arts, crafts, sports & other activities

A program for children with disabilities and their siblings, ages 5 to 18.

Time: 10 a.m. Saturday

Venue: Call for locations and reservations, 410-396-7900

5. Skate on Green Ice

Family ice-skating

Celebrate St. Patrick?s Day by taking the whole family for a whirl around the ice.

Venue: Dominic ?Mimi? DiPietro Family Skating Center, Baltimore

Tickets: $4; Call 410-396-9392

Best gatherings

1. Poetic sit with JaHipster: Notre Maison; 410-235-4774

2. Woodlawn Book Club: Woodlawn Library; 410-887-1336

3. “The Tempest” release party: Rams Head Live; 410-244-1131

4. Fell?s Point GhostWalk: www.fellspointghost.com

5. Celtic rock concert: Calvert Marine Museum; 410-326-2042

Best outdoors

1. Owl Prowl: Patuxent Research Refuge; 301-497-5887

2. Stargazing: Anne Arundel Community College; 410-777-1820

3. Friendly Bug Club: Carrie Murray Nature Center; 410-396-7900

4. Pro Bull Riding: Carroll County Agriculture Center; 410-848-6704

5. Bird Walk: Patuxent Research Refuge; 301-497- 5887

Best exhibits

1. Fusions: Reception Saturday; $12 to $15;410-276-1651

2. Laddie Waters: Landscape & genre paintings; Free; 410-732-4258

3. The Other Promised Land: The Jewish-American Dream; $3 to $8; 410-732-6400

4. Elite Angels Cheerleaders: Cheer for Good Health; Free; 410-727-8120

5. Making Herstory: A Feminine Perspective in Art and Words; Free; 410-244-8858

Best music

1. Jake Shimabukuro: Jake?s sound is a mix of George Harrison meets Eddie Van Halen meets Slash.

Venue: Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis Time: 2 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $21; 410-268-4545

2. Fools and Horses: The Baltimore band?s new album is impressing some tough-to-please critics. 410-420-1392

3. Peter, Paul and Mary: The popular folk group comes to Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. 410-783-8000

4. Torche: The band?s recently released self-titled metal album is full of energetic guitar riffs. 410-662-0069

5. BSO SuperPops Concert: Jack Everly?s at it again. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. 410-783-8000

Best home & garden

1. Historic Homewood ArtWalk: Homewood House Museum; 410-516-0341

2. Gludelsky Environmental Education Center: Spring family program; 410-465-8877

3. Historic London Town & Gardens: Woody plant workshop; 410-222-1919

4. Home, Condo and Garden show: www.oceanpromotions.com

5. St. Patrick?s Day Tasting: The Wine Source; 410-467-7777

Best theater

1. “Monty Python?s Spamalot”: Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore. Tickets: Call 410-547-SEAT

2. “Assassins”: Audrey Herman Spotlighter Theatre. Tickets: $15; 410-752-1225

3. “Picnic”: Bay Theatre Company, Annapolis. Tickets: $17 to $22; 410-268-1333

4. “The Glass Menagerie”: Chesapeake Arts Center, Brooklyn Park. Tickets: $12 to $15; 410-636-6597

5. “June Bride”: Theatre Project, Baltimore. Tickets: $12 to $20; 410-752-8558

Best brain food

1. ?Road Wars?

From 1965 to 1975, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Canton, Sharp-Leadenhall and Rosemont were threatened with demolition for highways. A handful of citizen activists beat the odds, saving Baltimore from a 16-lane behemoth scalping Federal Hill. A new short tells the story, with Sen. Barbara Mikulski and others discussing how Baltimore became a paradigm for urban revitalization. Afterward, activists Bob Eney and Al Cohen, filmmaker Karen Frances and others discuss the dramatic fight. A Q&A will follow.

Venue: The Creative Alliance

Time: 2 p.m. Sunday Tickets: $6 to $8; Call 410-276-1651

2. 26th Annual Ted Low Lecture: “Of Animals and Men: Barye, Beasts and the Duke of Orleans”; Free; 410-547-9000

3. FortFest: 43rd International Fortean Organization conference; $10 to $75; 410-244-1900

4. Dan Magus Photography Exhibition: Touchet Gallery; Free; 410-522-2280

5. Hidden Secrets of the Ceramic Arts of Byzantium: The Walters Art Museum; Free; 410-547-9000

Best day trips

1. Historic Occoquan: A historic village with a sophisticated flair.

www.occoquan.com

2. Harpers Ferry, W.Va.: For galleries, shops and historic sites. www.harpersferrywva.net

3. James River Plantations: Elegant plantation and garden tours. www.jamesriverplantations.org

4. Assateague State Park: Beachcombing and walking along the shore never are out of season. www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/eastern/assateague.html

5. New Market, Md.: The “Antiques Capital of Maryland” boasts 30 shops, plenty of restaurants and charming lodging.

www.townofnewmarket.com

Best movie

?God Grew Tired of Us?

Director: Christopher Quinn

Touching human documentary drama calls attention to the staggering but lesser-known tragedy of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

Rating: PG; Running time: 90 mins.

Compiled by Nancy Dunham/Examiner Correspondent

E-mail Features Editor Jeni Mann: [email protected]