The performances will take place on a smaller stage, he said, with about 100 audience members seated in a semicircle facing the performers.

"They'll get a chance to be closer than usual to the artists," he said. "It gives the whole show a much more intimate feel."

The first of the new shows will take place 8 p.m. Friday when pianist Jason Brown and vocalist Ruth Hulett will present "A Song for the Ages."

Ms. Hulett, who grew up in Brooklyn Park and lives in Baltimore, said the performance will take audience members through the stages of life from infancy to old age and will include music from genres such as folk, opera and jazz.

Ms. Hulett and Mr. Brown have performed at the center before, but never on the small stage, she said.

Singer and songwriter Angela Taylor will perform April 24.

Ms. Taylor said her style is a mix of rock and pop that is also influenced by classical music. She will perform original works inspired by artists such as Michelle Branch, John Mayer and Sheryl Crow.

Ms. Taylor taught voice lessons at Chesapeake Arts Center until last year, and she also has performed there.

'"Each show is different," she said, "but it's nice to perform with an intimate audience."

Acoustic guitar players Tim King and Tempee Warmack, known as Tim and Tempee, will open the show. Their performance will feature songs by a variety of artists and original songs.

"We play a lot of shows in bars," Mr. Warmack said, "so it's great to play for an actual audience every now and then."

The performers have played at the center in the past, and Mr. King used to teach guitar there.

"I hope Chesapeake Arts Center does more of these kinds of musical shows because most of the shows there are theatre," Mr. Warmack said. "These local music venues with the focus on performing music and not music in the background are becoming rare."

Mr. Warmack has experience playing rock, country and R&B, and Mr. King has a background in folk, jazz and musical theatre, so when the two combine, their performance is unique, Mr. Warmack said.

"We like to play a lot of different kinds of styles back to back," he said. "We might play Johnny Cash, Spinal Tap, Django Reinhardt, Tom Waits or Dave Matthews."

The last show in the series June 9 will serve as a benefit to the Anne Arundel County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Classical singer Carmen Mason, who has been a voice teacher at the center for the past year, will be joined by Ole IIas, Ingrid Cowan and John Rogel in the performance of works by Rossini, Bernstein, and Copland. Pianist Susan Ricci will company the performance.

"I wanted to find music that would be fun to listen to, and I wanted to do something for a good cause," Ms. Mason said. "I love animals, and I started thinking about all the animals affected by Hurricaine Katrina."

That is why she said she chose to have proceeds from the show go to benefit the local SPCA.

WHAT: Spring Concert Series
WHERE: Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park  www.chesapeakearts.org
TICKETS: $12 for each concert for nonmembers and $10 for members; call 410-636-6597 or visit www.ticketleap.com.
SHOWS:
"Songs for the Ages" featuring pianist Jason Brown and vocalist Ruth Hulett, 8 p.m. March 24;
Guitar players Tim and Tempee and singer/songwriter Angela Taylor 8 p.m. April 21
Carmen Mason along with vocalists Ole IIass, Ingrid Cowan and John Rogel 8 p.m. June 9.