Musical tributes, kids activities and more films than the Oscars — it's NXT Best!

The Maryland International Film Festival opens this week, and John McEuen comes to town — plus theater and more in this week's NXT Best!

Family Appalachian Trail hike

Sunday, March 17 - 1 to 3 p.m.

The meeting place for the hike will be sent after registration.

For families with children ages 7 and older. Part of The Institute's Naturalist Discovery Series of programs. Led by Mary Claire King, Institute naturalist. Free. Advance registration required. Go to www.natureandcultureinstitute.org, email info@natureandcultureinstitute.org or call 717-762-0373.

Miss Isabella Rainsong and Her Traveling Companion

Sunday, March 17 - 2 p.m.

Ice House

138 Independence St.

Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

Stories and songs. A disheveled traveler shares the story of his journey alongside Miss Isabella Rainsong — a black guitar. $15 adults, $12 MAC members, $8 students. Tickets available at the door, or go to www.macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300.

The Wayne Band

Sunday, March 17 - 3 p.m.

Christ United Methodist Church

100 S. Church St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

The community band of Waynesboro. Free. Go to https://www.facebook.com/TheWayneBand/.

Rend Collective Campfire Tour

Sunday, March 17 - 7 p.m.

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown

Christian, folk, rock, worship band. $28, $38 or $65. Go to https://www.mdtheatre.org/rend-collective or call 301-790-2000.

Songwriters & Poets Open Mic

Monday, March 18 - 7 to 9 p.m.

Music Makers

46 W. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Led by longtime Waynesboro Songwriters Workshop member Dave Dishneau and Hagerstown-based poet Ann Culey. Free, donations appreciated. Email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.

Navigating MyHeritage DNA

Tuesday, March 19 - 6 p.m.

Smithsburg Library Community Room

66 W. Water St.

Smithsburg

Learn how to view matches, discover ethnicity and more. Free. Space is limited. To register, call 301-824-7722.

Community Alternatives to Violence

Tuesday, March 19 - 6 p.m.

Robert C. Byrd Center Auditorium

213 N. King St.

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

ICommunity Alternatives to Violence Executive Director Jo Elliott will discuss how programs teach responsibility, accountability, respect, compassion and empathy. Hosted by the Shepherd University Common Reading program. Sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation. Free. Go to https://www.shepherd.edu/news/violence-prevention-event-planned-for-march-19/.

Community String Orchestra

Tuesday, March 19 - 7 p.m.

Wilson College's Thomson Alumnae Chapel

918 Blaze Ave.

Chambersburg, Pa.

Presented by Cumberland Valley School of Music. Free. Call 717-261-1220.

Destined Existence: The Unique Campaign

Wednesday, March 20 - 4 p.m.

Scarborough Library's Main Reading Room

209 N. King St.

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

For all ages. Shepherd University alum Kristina M. Hoffman will speak about her first illustrated sci-fi/fantasy series. Hoffman is an author/illustrator, who blends sci-fi/fantasy with adventure and comedy. Free. Call 304-876-5421.

Hummingbirds in My Yard

Wednesday, March 20 - 4 to 5 p.m.

Ag Heritage Building next to Franklin County Extension Office

185 Franklin Farm Lane

Chambersburg, Pa.

For ages 6 to 8, accompanied by an adult. Children will learn the habits and characteristics of the Ruby-throated hummingbird. Hands-on activities include planting seeds and making hummingbird food. $5. To register, go to https://extension.psu.edu/hummingbirds-in-my-yard-for-youth or call 877-345-0691.

Moderation of Online Hate Speech

Wednesday, March 20 - 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.

Shepherd University's Storer Ballroom

210 N. King St.

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Panelists include Stephen Balkam, founder, Family Online Safety Institute; Rita Caufield, legal redress chairperson, Berkeley County NAACP; and W. James Denvil, partner, Privacy & Security, Hogan Lovells; with moderator Marsha “Kavalek” Chwalik, news director, The Panhandle News Network. Free. Seating is limited. Go to https://stubblefieldinstitute.org/event/moderation-of-online-hate-speech/

Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown

Thursday, March 21, through Sunday, March 24 - for event schedule, go to www.marylandiff.org

Downtown Hagerstown

More than 100 films. Short, documentary, animated, feature length, local (26 Maryland projects), foreign and student films. Five venues: The Maryland Theatre, Washington County Free Library (all films free at library), The Grand Piano Ballroom, the ACT Black Box Theatre and the University System of Maryland Hagerstown Event Facility. Opening night VIP party at 5:30 p.m. at the University System of Maryland-Hagerstown, with presentations of the Fidelity Award, Mendez Award and the Nora Roberts Foundation Award, and introduction of opening night short films. Filmmaker awards presented Saturday night. $25 to $80. For tickets, go to www.marylandiff.org or email Info@MarylandIFF.org.

Play Days in the Parks — Not Just for Kids

Thursday, March 21 - 7 p.m.

Church of the Apostles' Social Room

336 Barnett Ave.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Illustrated talk exploring parks in Franklin County, Pa., and the activities available. Presented by Janet Pollard, executive director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. Free. Go to natureandcultureinstitute.org, email info@NatureAndCultureInstitute.org or call 717-762-0373.

Alice-In-Sane: A Tribute to Alice In Chains

Thursday, March 21 - 7:30 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Band from south-central Pennsylvania. $12. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

Wayne Driscoll

Friday, March 22 - 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Music Makers

46 W. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Free, donations appreciated. Email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500

Shirley Temple Black: From Child Star to Diplomat

Friday, March 22 - 6 to 8 p.m.

Miller House Museum

135 W. Washington St.

Hagerstown

JoAnn Peterson of Frostburg, Md., will portray Shirley Temple Black. Light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar, featuring the classic Shirley Temple (alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions available). $30. To reserve a ticket, call 301-797-8782 or email info@washcohistory.org.

Dinner & Games

Friday, March 22, - 6 p.m.

Unity of Hagerstown

18313 Lappans Road

Boonsboro

Vegetarian dinner followed by games. Bring a favorite to play. Join others in board and/or card games. $20. Go to www.unityhagestown.org or call 240-409-5940.

Youth Art Exhibit and Performance Reception

Friday, March 22 - 6 p.m.; youth art exhibit continues through Sunday, March 31 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

The Ice House

138 Independence St.

Berkeley Springs, W.Va.

Annual exhibit of artwork and performances by local youth in Morgan County. PhotoVoice gallery by the Berkeley Springs High School Research Club; silent auction hosted by the Berkeley Springs High School National Art Honors Society (proceeds go to a visual arts scholarship fund). Instrumental music, vocal arts, comedy, drama and dance. Refreshments. Free. Call 304-258-2300 or go to www.macicehouse.org.

Folk Songs and Fairy Tales

Friday, March 22 - pre-concert lecture 7 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m.

Frank Arts Center Theater

260 University Drive

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Shepherd University Symphonic Band concert. $15 general; $10 ages 65 and older, and ages 18 and younger. Go to www.shepherd.edu/music/event-ticket-and-registrations/, email astoika@shepherd.edu or call 304-876-5555.

Bye Bye Birdie

Friday, March 22 - 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 - 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Greencastle High School's Shockey Family Center for Performing Arts

300 S. Ridge Ave.

Greencastle, Pa.

Musical comedy. Presented by the Greencastle-Antrim High School Drama Club. $10. Tickets sold at the door (cash or check only).

Green Day's American Idiot

Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23 - 7:30 p.m.

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac St.

Hagerstown

Rock musical. Lyrics from Green Day's album. Stars Tony Award winner Wilson J. Heredia. For ages 18 and older: adult content, sexual themes, strong language and simulated use of drugs. $25 to $32. Go to https://www.mdtheatre.org/act#gdai or call 301-790-2000.

The Hustle Souls & The Kind Thieves

Friday, March 22 - 8 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Soul, New Orleans brass and Americana. $15. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

The Tans

Saturday, March 23 - 10 a.m. to noon

Brooke's House Coffee & Chocolate Shop

1083 Maryland Ave.

Hagerstown

Smooth jazz. Call 240-203-8183. Go to https://brookeshousecoffeeandchocolate.com/.

The Brandenburgs are Coming Over

Saturday, March 23 - music director speaks from 6:30 to 7 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 - 3 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church

208 W. German St.

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra will perform Bach's 3rd, 4th and 5th Brandenburg concertos. Soloists include Heather Austin-Stone, violin; Andrea Diggs, flute; Camilo Pérez-Mejía, cello; and Barbara Spicher, flute. Guest artist Mark Janello will perform on the harpsicord. $40. Go to www.friendswv.org, email info@friendswv.org or call 304-876-5765. If space is available, tickets available at the door.

Shepherd University Chamber Singers and Camerata

Saturday, March 23 - 7:30 p.m.

Frank Arts Center Theater

260 University Drive

Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Spring choral concert. $15 general; $10 ages 65 and older, and ages 18 and younger. Go to www.shepherd.edu/music/event-ticket-and-registrations/, email astoika@shepherd.edu or call 304-876-5555.

The Nighthawks

Saturday, March 23 - 8 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Blues, R&B, honky-tonk country, doo-wop, gospel and rockabilly. $25. Go to https://liveathubcityvinyl.com/all-events/ or call 301-800-9390.

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour

Sunday, March 24 - 2 p.m.

Luhrs Center

475 Lancaster Drive

Shippensburg, Pa.

For families with children 2 and older. Dance, sing and learn with Blippi and special guest Meekah as they discover what makes different cities unique and special. Monster trucks, excavators and garbage trucks. $35 to $65; photo experience $50 (additional ticket required). Go to https://luhrscenter.com or call 717-477-7469.

Bluegrass Hootenanny

Sunday, March 24 - 2 to 4 p.m.

Music Makers

46 W. Main St.

Waynesboro, Pa.

Bring bluegrass instruments and play. Admission is free. Donations appreciated. For more information, email music@artsalliancegw.org or call 717-655-2500.

John McEuen & The Circle Band

Sunday, March 24 - 6:30 p.m.

Hub City Vinyl

28 E. Baltimore St.

Hagerstown

Country/bluegrass. Founding member of the The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with fellow founder Les Thompson and other talented players. $30. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-mceuen-the-circle-band-tickets-779740022397 or call 301-800-9390.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: The film festival is coming to town — check out this week's NXT Best!