Described as “a rock band in a teacup, or possibly a folk band in a whiskey bottle,” Session Americana are musicians’ musicians: a cast of top-shelf players, singers and writers who take their own songs and hundreds more from the American songbook on the road. This anything-could-happen music collective will bring their singular concert experience to Adkins Arboretum on Sun., Sept. 11 for a performance against a backdrop of goldenrod, asters and swaying meadow grasses.

The group of experienced singers and multi-instrumentalists came together in 2004 for informal shows at Toad, a neighborhood bar in Cambridge, Mass. From those beginnings, Session Americana has built a raucous yet intimate scene that captivates audiences of all sizes, both at home and abroad. Rolling Stone calls their style an expert blending of “vintage American roots music styles—from country to jazz to rock—in a rowdy but deft fashion,” while Music Riot UK described their album Great Shakes as “gorgeous,” with “beautifully crafted and perfectly arranged songs” featuring “highly gifted players and vocal harmonies to die for.” Visitors to sessionamericana.com are treated to an eclectic mix of songs that coalesce with the group’s signature sound and highlight their hallmark of bringing fellow musicians on stage to collaborate.

Session Americana will perform at the Arboretum from 2 to 4 p.m. Local beer and food from Jimmy’s Fat Rolls and Pete’s PeteZa food trucks will be for sale. Admission is $25 for adults, $5 for ages 5–18 and free for ages 2 and under. Advance registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0. Only 400 tickets will be sold, so early registration is recommended. Limited seating is available; bringing chairs and/or blankets is highly advised.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

Considered by many a “problem play” for falling somewhere between comedy and tragedy, Measure for Measure is a tale of morals and humanity, justice and forgiveness—one that could happen in any place and at any time. It is a play deeply rooted in early 17^th-century culture, but at the same time, it retains a powerful hold on the imaginations of modern readers. Join Shore Shakespeare for two performances of this most passionately discussed play Sept. 3 and 4 at Adkins Arboretum.

With the morals of the city of Vienna creeping lower by the year, the benevolent Duke Vincentio suddenly departs, leaving his self-righteous governor, Angelo, in charge. Suddenly, long-standing laws are strictly enforced and young Claudio finds himself sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée. A plea for mercy from Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novitiate on the brink of taking her vows, may be his only hope.

Isabella’s words go unnoticed by the righteous Angelo, but her beauty does not. Torn between his attraction to Isabella and an unwavering loyalty to the letter of the law, Angelo agrees to pardon Claudio—but only if Isabella relinquishes her sacred chastity to him. Isabella faces an impossible choice: saving her honor or her brother’s life.

As it turns out, the Duke has not actually departed but is actually hovering about in disguise to monitor and manipulate the cascading complications that ensue when unforgiving justice is unleashed upon the bawdy, vice-ridden people of Vienna.

Though dark in subject matter, the play is rife with comic characters and outlandish scenarios, a dark comedy that borders on absurdity as each tries in their own way to navigate the space between civic justice and human mercy.

Performances are Sat., Sept. 3 and Sun., Sept. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Arboretum Pavilion. Attendees should bring a blanket or chair and are welcome to bring a picnic. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 3–18 and free for children ages 2 and under and can be purchased in advance at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

Founded in 2013, Shore Shakespeare Company is a pan-community theatre company dedicated to presenting the works of the classical theatre repertoire, with an emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

“En plein air,” a French term that means “in the open air,” refers to the practice of painting entire finished artworks out of doors. On Sat., Nov. 5, Adkins Arboretum will host the inaugural Plein Air Adkins, a plein air paint-out, exhibit and sale, on the Arboretum grounds. The public is invited to explore the Arboretum forest, meadows and wetland and observe as artists paint their original works.

Artists will begin painting the Arboretum’s spectacular autumn landscape at 10 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., they will bring their completed works to the Visitor’s Center for exhibition and sale beginning at 1 p.m. The juror, Bernard J. Dellario, will award first, second and third places and two honorable mentions at 2 p.m. Dellario is a painter and instructor who exhibits widely across the Maryland Eastern Shore and Washington, D.C., regions.

Dellario studied art at the Art League School in Alexandria, Va., and has attended workshops with several nationally known artists. He has been a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, one of the oldest active artist organizations in the Washington area, since 2003 and currently serves as president.

Fine Times will provide live music during the exhibit and sale, and Blue Monkey Tacos will be on site to sell food beginning at 11 a.m.

All works created during Plein Air Adkins will be for sale beginning at 1 p.m. The event is open to any artist who wishes to participate. Artists may register in advance or on the day of the event. The artist registration fee is $10. A registration form and event agenda are available at adkinsarboretum.org. Fee waivers are available upon request. Admission for observers is free for members and $5, which includes Arboretum admission, for non-members.

For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.