The Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville has received a lot of attention recently after placing tickets on sale for its annual summer concert series. However, the nonprofit business will actually get the party started early with a fundraiser that will take place off the premises this weekend.
The charity event dubbed the Backstage Pass Party will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at The Hyatt in Dewey Beach (inside its Lighthouse Cove Event Center). General admission tickets are $99, with music provided by local favorite Love Seed Mama Jump.
Freeman’s 2023 schedule is off to a rocking good start. Concerts that have already sold out months in advance include the Steve Miller Band, Train, Lady A, Styx and Darius Rucker.
The outdoor concert venue has yet to announce an on-sale date for one of its most anticipated headliners. Grammy winner Brandi Carlile’s solo acoustic concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, and tickets will reportedly be priced from $79 to $159.
Another beach hot spot that is gearing up for summer is the Bottle & Cork nightclub in Dewey Beach. I received a heads-up earlier this week about a nationwide tour with an interesting angle that was scheduled to be announced at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April. 11.
Donavon Frankenreiter, who is known for his mellow surf-rock sound, will be teaming up with fellow singer-songwriter Devon Allman (son of rock legend Gregg Allman).
The duo will attempt to set a world record by playing 50 shows in all 50 states in less than 50 days. This includes an appearance at the Cork on Monday, Aug. 15, that kicks off with an 8 p.m. opening set by Matt Anderson. Pre-sale and regular tickets for the tour were to be rolled out Wednesday through Friday, April 12-14.
In the more immediate future, the Room at Cedar Grove near Lewes is continuing its successful dinner-concert series. Philadelphia singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines returns to play another sold-out show Thursday, April 13. Gaines is known for his thoughtful folk-rock originals as well as his hit acoustic cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.”
Room at Cedar Grove owner Paul Cullen himself will be the featured musician when his set opens the outdoor patio for the season at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15 ($95). The Dirty Grass Players will perform at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 ($85). Tickets have sold out for a Sunday, May 21, appearance by Grammy winner John Ford Coley (“Love Is The Answer,” “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.”)
Elsewhere in coastal Sussex County, the Milton Theatre was scheduled to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, April, 11 to unveil its new upstairs balcony. The two-dozen additional seats will be welcome additions, considering how many events have sold out there recently. This includes psychic medium Deanna Fitzpatrick’s appearance which is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13.
The Milton Theatre will present Magnolia Applebottom’s Broadway Babes Drag Show at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 14 ($20). Simon & Garfunkel tribute act Swearingen & Kelli will harmonize at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15 ($29.70, $33). The McCartney Experience (starring Jed Duvall as Sir Paul) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 16 ($29.70, $33).
In downtown Lewes, the annual Cape Community Fund Spring Bash will again take place at Irish Eyes at Anglers. This year’s edition, which will be held upstairs in The Lewes Room, will take place from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, April 16 ($25). Music will be provided by The Funsters, Michael Daisey & Earth Jam, 33 & 1/3 and Electric Smoke.
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
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