Best of the best for July 4th

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band kick off Baltimore?s holiday weekend with an outdoor concert. The multiple Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, actor, and ex-husband of film actress Julie Roberts has The Belleville Outfit as his opening act. Details: $25 to $60; 7:30 tonight; Pier Six Concert Pavilion, 731 Eastern Ave., Baltimore; 410-547-SEAT

2. Stars & Stripes music

The U.S. Naval Academy Band will fill the air with patriotic music on the holiday. Details: Free; 8 p.m. Fri.; Annapolis City Dock; 410-293-1262

3. Midnight Runner

What a deal. Baltimore rockers Midnight Runner plays with Dreaming of Eden, Goodbye Skyline, and YMI for a bargain price. Details: $9; 7 tonight; Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place; 410-547-SEAT

4. Hello Society

This D.C.-based group is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, but also incorporates an eclectic mix of sounds spanning a wide range of musical genres. Details: $10; 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sat., An Die Musik Live, 409 N. Charles St., Baltimore; 410-385-2638

5. Quiet Fire

Here?s the chance to here some neo-Soul music by U.K. performers Quiet Fire. Details: Free; 8 p.m. Sat.; Harborplace Ampitheatre, Inner Harbor, between Light Street and Pratt Street pavilions; 410-33204191

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Gatherings

1. Evening entertainment and fireworks

Music will fill the Inner Harbor starting from about 3 to 8 p.m. Grab a great location so you don?t miss any of the fireworks that start about 9:30 p.m. Details: Free; Inner Harbor, Baltimore

2. Annapolis Alive! Independence Day Celebration

This all-day July 4th celebration includes a parade, band concert, and fireworks. Details: Free; various locations including William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis (see listing under “Family”)

3. Bel Air Independence Day Celebration

Head to downtown Bel Air for a day-long celebration starting at 6:45 a.m. Friday with a flag-raising ceremony and ending at 9:45 p.m. with fireworks. In between enjoy games, contest, a parade, and more. Details: Downtown Bel Air; 410-879-4245

4. Catonsville?s July 4th Celebration

This 62nd Annual IndependenceDay Celebration is day long and includes kids’ games, race, a parade and fireworks. Details: Various locations; activities start at 9 a.m.; fireworks at Catonsville High School 9 p.m. Fri, 421 Bloomsbury Ave., Baltimore; 410-774-9655

5. Old-Fashioned July 4th Celebration/Fireworks

Enjoy old-fashioned family fun including picnics, games, crafts and farmhouse tours throughout the day. Details: starts at Fireworks, old-fashioned family picnic, games, food, crafts, farmhouse tours. Details: Donations requested; activities start at noon.; fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Fri.; Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 West Center St., Westminster; 410-386-3880

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Family

1. Independence Cluster All Breed Dog Shows

Dog lover alert! This show will feature approximately 140 different breeds of dogs among the 1,400-2,400 dogs exhibited each day. Root on your favorites! Details: Various entry fees; call for hours; today through Sun.; Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship; 410-254-8426

2. Independence Day Celebration

Kick off the holiday by attending a naturalization ceremony welcoming new American citizens. Enjoy Period music and entertainment, Revolutionary War re-enactors, historical figures, children’s activities, and readings of the Declaration of Independence. Details: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fri.; William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George St., Annapolis; 410-990-4539

3. Military Salute to Independence Day

Bring the whole family to Fort Meade where kids can enjoy a play area filled with rides, games, food and novelties. Then watch the fireworks slated to begin at 9:30 p.m. Details: Free; 1 to 10 p.m.; enter at Visitors’ Center, 902 Reece Road, Fort Meade: 301-677-7354

4. 8th Annual Arts & Jazz Festival

Live jazz, art, and plenty of events will entertain the whole family. Details: $5; 6 to 11 p.m. Fri.; Middle Branch Park, Hanover Street and Waterview Avenue; 410-306-7900

5. Pirates of the Chesapeake

Children of all ages will enjoy the pirate?s tales during a cruise the Bay. Details: $16; $13; 10:45 a.m. Fri., Sat. and Sun.; Annapolis City Dock; 410-268-7601 x 104

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Theater

1. Finding Fossils

After his mother?s death, Gus, a successful soap opera director, attempts to reconcile with his father, Vince, a retired security guard. Sparks fly and tempers flare but both learn lessons in acceptance. Details: $17/$15; Fells Point Corner Theatre, Various times, days through July 13; Fells Point Corner Theatre, 251 South Ann St., 410-276-7837

2. The Exonerated

This groundbreaking work looks at the lives ? and cases ? of former Death Row inmates that were scheduled for execution, only to be set free by DNA evidence. Details: $12; Mobtown Players, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 114; 410-467-3057

3. Forever Plaid

In the “pre-rock ?n roll” era of the ?50s, balladeers held center stage, with guy groups. Enter a quartet of high-school chums who met in AV Club ? Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie ? started singing together in the name of family values. Details: $18/$15; Various times/days, Sat. through July 26; Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, 143 Compromise St., Annapolis; 410-268-9212

4. The Odd Couple

The female equivalents of classic Neil Simon duo photographer Felix Unger and sportswriter Oscar Madison are back as Olive and Florence. Enjoy classic Odd Couple antics mixed with tones from the TV show “Friends.” Details: Prices from $52.95; check Web site for coupons & specials; Various times, daily through Aug. 3; Timonium Dinner Theatre, 9603 Deereco Road; 410-560-1113

5. Up with Kids

Uncle Pete performs with kids, for kids and for those who want to be kids. Details: Free; 1:30 p.m. Mon., Crofton Library 1681 Reidel Road, Crofton; 410-222-7915

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Exhibits

1. Sonya Clark: Loose Strands, Tight Knots

Tools used to groom, primp and adorn the body provide a wealth of information about cultural notions of beauty and aesthetics, hygiene and civilized behavior. This exhibition features approximately 20 artworks, including sculpture, beadwork, photography and video art by contemporary artist Sonya Clark along with objects from the Walters Art Museum‘s collection. Details: Free; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed. to Sun; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri.; now through Sept. 21; The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.; 410-547-9000

2. Exhibition of African Art

More than 70 diverse works-many on view for the first time-define the shape and surface of African art through dramatic textiles, fragile adinkra dye stamps, delicately carved ivories, boldly painted shields, and figurative works. Nigerian-born, London-based artist Mary Evans has created several site-specific works for the exhibition. Details: Free; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun.; through Aug. 17; Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive; 410-573-1700

3. All Faiths Beautiful

This exhibit features highly personal works of art from 50 artists on the subject of belief – with a special emphasis on those who honor the beauty in faiths other than their own. Details: $8-$12; Various times/days through Aug.; American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore; 410-244-1900

4. Cottage Industry

This exhibit features six artists and artist collaboratives that have merged art with business by creating small shops, business ventures, and alternative cultural institutions. Details: $5; 12 to 5 p.m. Wed. to Sun until Aug. 24; Contemporary Museum, 100 West Centre St.

5. The Legacy of Cab Calloway

Enjoy this visual celebration that displays 32 photos/digital slide shows, artifacts and an illustrative time line of pioneer vocalist Cab Calloway and the famed Cab Calloway Orchestra. Details: $5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; until 8 p.m. on Saturdays; exhibit Sat. through July 31; Top of the World Observation Level, 27th Floor, 401 E. Pratt St., World Trade Center; 410-837-VIEW