PRELUDE: EVENTS

New York Rochester International Jazz Festival June 10-18

Rochester rocks to the beat of a slightly different drum as 65 international jazz groups descend on the area for the festival. There are 15 venues to choose from over the course of the week, and you’ll get a chance to see the likes of Chaka Kahn, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea and Dave Brubeck. Performances begin nightly at 6pm. Each weekend evening offers free concerts and a full service open-air bistro on “Jazz” Street. For more information visit www.rochesterjazz.com

Las Vegas World Series of Poker Championship June 2-July 15

Tempted by the multi-million dollar prize money, five thousand people are expected to take part in these championships. Fortunes and reputations will be lost and won in the Rio Casino. The event began in 1946 and holds true with the founding rules that anyone can enter if they can afford it; the entry fee is expected to exceed $10,000! www.worldseriesofpoker.com

Atlanta Screen on the Green film festival June 2-30

Piedmont Park hosts the sixth season of this classic, free, film festival. To open the festival this time round, Tony Curtis will introduce a screening of Some Like It Hot. The rest of the schedule includes June 9 To Kill a Mockingbird, June 16 The Birds, June 23 Mommie Dearest and June 30 Grease. www.turner.com/screenonthegreen

Boston Harborfest June 29-July 4

Over 200 events—most of which are free—can be seen during this week-long, family-oriented festival, designed to celebrate Boston’s rich maritime heritage as well as the nation’s independence. The fourth of July is the culmination of the festival celebrations, guaranteeing an awesome day and night of partying. www.bostonharborfest.com

Houston Baseball as America exhibition Until August 14

Over 500 unique baseball artefacts and memorabilia will be on display at the exhibition held in Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Alongside a film series and several book signings, it’s a chance to see all the uniforms, bats, gloves and artworks from the game. There’s Babe Ruth’s 1927 bat, a letter from John F Kennedy to Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra’s catcher’s mitt. And that’s just a taster—this is a fan’s dream and should be in your diary if you’re flying into the city. www.mfah.org

Baltimore Artscape July 22-24

Baltimore’s free Artscape family festival on Mount Royal Avenue features 150 local, regional and national acts. The family-friendly schedule of free dance, theater, opera, literary arts, film, visual arts and crafts is presented continuously on three outdoor stages, rain or shine. Gordon Plaza, for the first time for the festival, will host a fashion show. www.artscape.org