Pictures: Top Baltimore-area spring 2012 events

Jeremy Daniel, Baltimore Sun

The popular musical comedy created by "Jersey Boys" authors Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice is inspired more by the work of New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams than the TV show of the same name. This critic-proof Broadway musical finds Gomez and Morticia trying to deal with a "normal" boyfriend for their daughter Wednesday. March 6 through March 18 at Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore. $24.60-$91.20. Call 410-547-7328 or go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Event info: The Addams Family

Kim Hairston, Baltimore Sun

It wouldn't be spring in Baltimore without the annual Flowermart, a tradition that brings "civility, gentility and fragrant floral aromas" to Mount Vernon Square -- all that, and lemon peppermint sticks, too. What more need we say? Just this: the mart takes place around the intersection of Monument and N. Charles streets. Free. Information: flowermart.org. Event info: Flowermart in Mount Vernon

Elizabeth Malby, The Baltimore Sun

Hey all you brides out there, ever thought of going to the American Visionary Art Museum for some wedding ideas? Maybe you should. The 11th annual AVAM Bridal Happy Hour offers time with many of the area's best wedding vendors. Best of all: it all takes place inside AVAM's Rouse Visionary Center, under the watchful gaze of Andrew Logan's 10-foot-high statue of Divine. Now if that doesn't provide inspiration... The show runs 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; March 29. Free for brides and guests. AVAM is located at 800 Key Hwy. Information: 410-244-1900 or avam.org. Event info: AVAM Bridal Happy Hour

Greg Fiume, Getty Images

In the surest sign of spring short of the first robin, the Orioles open their 2012 home season April 6 at 3:05 p.m. against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 333 W. Camden St. And like they say, hope springs eternal! Tickets are available through orioles.com. Event info: Orioles Opening Day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Theo Wargo, Getty Images

The iconic rockers are touring for the first time in four years to promote their new album "A Different Kind of Truth." It's also the first time the band is touring with David Lee Roth since "1984"? Kool and the Gang will open. 7:30 p.m. March 28 at Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W., Washington, DC. $29.50-$149.50. Call 202-628-3200. Event info: Van Halen at Verizon Center

Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun

Baltimore's quirkiest spring tradition, the annual Kinetic Sculpture Race sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum features a bunch of mobile vehicles, made out of just about anything you can imagine. The effect is about as delightfully weird as anything you'll ever see. This year's race is set for May 5, starting at AVAM, 800 Key Hwy., and winding its way through the city. Information: 410-244-1900 or avam.org. Event info: Kinetic Sculpture Race, starting at AVAM

Jed Kirschbaum, Baltimore Sun

Baltimore City's Sherwood Gardens is a great place for a spring stroll. You'll find daffodils and tulips in various stages of bloom throughout the season. Venue info: Sherwood Gardens

Amy Davis, Baltimore Sun

Perhaps no one in Baltimore knows how to welcome spring better than those brainy kids at Johns Hopkins University, whose annual Spring Fair features a lot of everything: performers, food vendors and arts and crafts vendors are all expected. There'll be rides, too, plus activities just for kids. You may not be able to earn a degree while you're there, but you can do just about everything else. Dates are April 20-22 on JHU's Homewood campus, 3400 N. Charles St. Information: jhuspringfair.com Event info: JHU Spring Fair

Paul Hawthorne, Getty Images for TFF

Actor Kevin Bacon joins his brother, Michael, to showcase their modern folk rock talents. 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on April 19 and April 20 at Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis. $49.50. Call 410-268-4545. Event info: Bacon Brothers in concert

Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

The New Kids On The Block singer will showcase some of his solo work, including material from his recently released album "Unfinished." 8 p.m. on March 25 at The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $35. Call 301-960-9999. Event info: Jordan Knight at The Fillmore

Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun

Marin Alsop (pictured) leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in an action-packed program featuring Tchaikovsky's heroic Symphony No. 5 and Jennifer Higdon's brilliant Percussion Concerto will be performed, along with a gender-inclusive pair of fanfares: Aaron Copland's "For the Common Man" and Joan Tower's "For the Uncommon Woman." 8 p.m. March 22 at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 301-581-5200; 8 p.m. March 23-24 at Meyerhoff, 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore. $39-$79. Call 410-783-8000.

Reuters

The cinematic feast that is the annual Maryland Film Festival returns to the Charles Theatre and environs May 3-6, offering scores of feature-length movies and shorts, all introduced by the filmmakers or others associated with them. Watch for schedule and ticket information to be posted on the festival's website, md-filmfest.com. Event info: Maryland Film Festival 2012 Venue info: Charles Theatre

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz F

The sharp-tongued fashionista/comedienne brings her stand-up act to the Hippodrome Theatre. Chances are anything is fair game. Be afraid. Be very afraid. 8 p.m. on March 23 at the Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore. $97-$147. Call 410-547-SEAT or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Event info: Joan Rivers at the Hippodrome

Jim Dyson, Getty Images

Neil Diamond croons such all-time hits as "Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rose," "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "America" at Verizon Center at 8 p.m. June 14. $55-$120. Info: ticketmaster.com Event info: Neil Diamond at Verizon Center

Rick Diamond, Getty Images for Maxwell House

The multi Grammy Award-winning country act will be joined by opening acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square for the Over the Night World Tour. 7 p.m. May 20 at Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. $40-$70. Call 410-715-5550. Event info: Lady Antebellum at Merriweather

Baltimore Sun

The Grammy-winning country and bluegrass singer of such classics as "18 Wheels and A Dozen Roses," and "Where've You Been" comes to Rams Head On Stage for two performances. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 29 at Rams Head On Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis, Md. $39.50. Call 410-268-4545. Event info: Kathy Mattea

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Maroon 5 (pictured) and Wiz Khalifa headline this year's Preakness festivities. Baltimore's own Mr. Greengenes and The Darkness also perform at Pimlico. Event info: Preakness InFieldFest

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Frontman Anthony Kiedis, and the band, which were uber popular in the '90s, comes to the Verizon Center for their "I'm With You" tour. They'll be joined by Sleigh Bells. 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W. , Washington , DC. $42.50-$62.50. Call 202-628-3200. Event info: Red Hot Chili Peppers at Verizon Center

Steve Ruark, special to the Baltimore Sun

For a look at some Maryland horse racing that isn't looking to add slots or pull up stakes and move elsewhere, check out the My Lady's Manor Steeplechase Race & Champagne Reception, set for April 16 at Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike in Monkton. Gates open at 10 a.m., with post time set for 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $50, $70 for a family pass; premium packages are available for $150-$400. Information: 410-557-9570 or marylandsteeplechasing.com. Event info: Steeplechase

Jed Kirschbaum, The Baltimore Sun

The annual Smith College Book Sale, a friend to cost-conscious literati for more than half a century, returns to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium March 23-25. Free. Event info: Smith College Book Sale

Chiaki Kawajiri, The Baltimore Sun

What started as a celebration of Towson's bicentennial back in 1968 is now into its fifth decade of welcoming spring to these parts. The 45th annual festival is set for May 5-6 at Towson's Courthouse Square (Baltimore and W. Pennsylvania avenues). Expect plenty of music and other performances, vendors offering all sorts of food and goods and a rare chance to stroll through central Towson without having to dodge traffic. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Free. Information: 410-825-1150 or towsontownspringfestival.com. Event information: Towsontown Spring Festival

Lloyd Fox, Baltimore Sun

Pirates and pirate wannabes of any age should make their may to Fells Point April 21 for the community's annual remembrance of its days as a haven for rogues and scoundrels. Organizers promise music, food, a grog garden, living history, pirates and more. Free. Information: fellspointmainstreet.org. Event info: Privateer Day and Pyrate Invasion

Robert Gauthier, MCT

The Boss is coming to Washington, D.C. for one of the most anticipated concerts of the year with his "Wrecking Ball" tour. April 1 at Verizon Center, 601 F St. N.W., Washington, D.C. $71-$101. Call 202-628-3200. Event info: Bruce Springsteen at Verizon Center

Algerina Perna, Baltimore Sun

As the weather gets nice, people are once again returning to their front stoops to regale their neighbors with stories that reflect the rich tapestry of our city. Which means, of course, that it's time for the return of "Stoop Storytelling." At each show, seven storytellers get seven minutes to tell stories related to a pre-chosen topic. This season's shows include March 26's "My Big Idea: Stories about ambitious missions, life-altering crusades, and things that don't go quite according to plan." Future shows are set for May 23 and June 8-9. Showtime each night is 7 p.m.; tickets are $20. Information: stoopstorytelling.com. Event information: Stoop Storytelling

AFP/Getty Images

Michael Jackson's music comes to life in this Cirque du Soleil show that combines the late artist's music and lyrics with breath-taking visuals and dance. The show is written and directed by Jamie King. 8 p.m. on May 5 and 4 p.m. on May 6 at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. $50-$250. Call 410-347-2020. Event info: Cirque du Soleil Immortal World Tour

Marc Andrew Deley, Getty Images

Alert, '80s babies! The boys from Boston -- with Bobby Brown -- have adult fans from across the country reverting to their former teeny bopper ways. Screaming and dancing will follow. 7 p.m. May 20 at 1st Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. $49.50-$77. Call 410-347-2020. Event info: New Edition at 1st Mariner Arena

AFP/Getty Images

The industrial rocker known for his controversial antics as much as his hit songs "The Beautiful People" and "Antichrist Superstar," tours in support of his latest release, "Born Villain." The Pretty Reckless also performs. 8 p.m. May 1 at The Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring. $49.50. Call 301-960-9999. Event info: Marilyn Manson at The Fillmore