Now in its 14th year, The Frederick Speaker Series brings sensational speakers Mia Hamm, Adam Richman, Virginia Evans, and Sean Astin to the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, beginning February 2027 through May 2027.
Mia Hamm – World Cup & Olympic Champion
After 17 years, two World Championships, two Olympic Gold Medals, and near unparalleled success as a marketing icon, Mia Hamm retired from professional soccer in 2004. Not only as the best women’s soccer player in history, but also as one of the most important and recognizable female figures in the history of sport. Hailed by ESPN as the greatest female athlete of the past 40 years, Hamm was the youngest woman to ever appear in a match for the US Senior Squad at just 15 years old in 1987. Her illustrious career that followed playing for the national women’s soccer team shattered a litany of American records, most notably those for international goals (158) and assists (144). In the years since her dominant run on the global stage as a player, Hamm has continued to serve as an inspiration to young girls looking to rise to the pinnacle of the sporting world.
This event is on Thursday, February 4, 2027, at 7:30 pm and tickets start at $50.
For your convenience, here are links to photos of the speaker and her website.
This event is sponsored by PNC Bank.
Adam Richman – Food Enthusiast & TV Personality
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Adam Richman’s passion for diverse culinary specialties and all things edible was ignited by his early experiences in the food mecca of New York City. Widely known as the host of one of the Travel Channel’s highest rated shows, Man v. Food, Richman also hosted Secret Eats with Adam Richman, as well as hosted and co-executive produced Man v. Food Nation, Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America, Fandemonium, and hosted NBC’s food competition show Food Fighters. Richman’s first book, America the Edible, offers a behind-the-scenes look at his adventures traveling across the U.S. In 2015, inspired by the many great cuisines sampled during his travels, Adam penned his first cookbook, Straight Up Tasty, featuring his signature take on globally inspired comfort foods.
This event is on Thursday, March 4, 2027, at 7:30 pm and tickets start at $35.
For your convenience, here is a link to a photo of the speaker.
Virginia Evans – New York Times Bestselling Author
Virginia Evans is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling novel The Correspondent, which constructs a narrative through letters and emails—some sent, others unsent—to and from Sybil Van Antwerp as she ages and loses her sight, creating a shifting view of her past and future. The Correspondent won the 2026 PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, inaugural James Patterson & Bookshop.org Prize (celebrating debut authors), and the Indies Choice Book Award for Adult Fiction. An undergraduate of James Madison University, Evans later earned a Master of Philosophy in creative writing from Trinity College Dublin, where she studied under Carlo Gébler, Eoin McNamee, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton, and Kevin Power.
This event is on Wednesday, April 14, 2027, at 7:30 pm and tickets start at $35.
For your convenience, here are links to photos of the speaker and her website.
Sean Astin – Actor & Mental Health Advocate
The son of luminary performers Patty Duke and John Astin, Sean Astin is an acclaimed American film and TV star best known for his classic characters in renowned franchises like The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies, Stranger Things, and more. In September of 2025, Astin was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA) and has served on the National and Los Angeles Local Boards, as well as on many committees (Executive, Strike Preparedness, Government Affairs & Public Policy, and the Government Rules Committee). Recently, he delivered keynote speeches at the California Federation of Labor Convention in San Diego, CA, and in front of legislature in Sacramento, CA, in support of AI protections legislation.
This event is on Thursday, May 6, 2027, at 7:30 pm and tickets start at $50.
For your convenience, here are links to a photo of the speaker and his website.
This event is sponsored by Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Tickets for all speakers will be available to purchase by Weinberg Center members on August 13, 2026, and by the public on August 20, 2026. Tickets may be purchased by visiting WeinbergCenter.org, calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at 20 W. Patrick St. Frederick, MD.
A complete listing of artists and performers scheduled for the Weinberg Center and New Spire Arts’ 2026-27 season can be found at WeinbergCenter.org starting August 6, 2026.
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