With summer officially kicking off June 21, coastal concert venues are bringing out the big names. Events in the coming days will include titans specializing in reggae, classic rock and more.
In Selbyville, the outdoor Freeman Arts Pavilion has one of its biggest stretches of shows of the season on the horizon. Things will get off to an earlier than usual start Friday, June 23, with a 5 p.m. kickoff for a reggae mini-festival full of national talent.
The group Rebelution is calling its road outing the Good Vibes Summer Tour 2023, and it is joined by guests Iration, The Expendables, Passafire and DJ Mackle. This a general admission, bring-your-own chair event — although much of the audience in front of the stage is sure to be dancing ($59).
At 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24, Freeman will present a sold-out appearance by classic-rock favorite Grand Funk Railroad. The present-day lineup finds drummer Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher joined by former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
On Sunday, June 25, the pavilion will present Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame act Cheap Trick. The group will perform after a 7 p.m. opening set by up-and-coming Delmarva quartet Black Dog Alley. Ticket prices range from $39 to $69.
Cheap Trick is anchored by original members Robin Zander on vocals, Tom Petersson on bass and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen; they are joined by two of the members’ offspring — Daxx Nielsen on drums and Robin Taylor Zander on auxiliary guitar.
In Dewey Beach, national funk act Lettuce will perform at the Bottle & Cork nightclub at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 22 ($35). The group’s new “Unity” album includes the single “Keep That Funk Alive” — a collaboration with legendary bassist Bootsy Collins. The Dewey show falls on a night off from Lettuce’s current tour opening for Steel Pulse.
The Cork will present Los Angeles-based Andy Frasco & the U.N. on Wednesday, June 28, following an 8 p.m. opener by the Chris Diller Band ($25). Frasco and his Los Angeles-based group have amassed a large Dewey following over the years with their mix of rock, blues and other styles.
In Ocean City, reggae singer-guitarist Joe Samba is set to play a free concert at Seacrets. He will perform inside the Morley Hall on Monday, June 26, following a 9 p.m. opening set by Crooked Coast. The South Carolina-based Samba is touring in support of his “Far From Forever” album, and the OC appearance is one of two shows he will play on Delmarva next week.
Samba will also play the second edition of the weekly Rocking the Docks concert series outside at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal Wednesday, June 28, following a 6 p.m. set by Dry Reef ($25). Those shows will continue to take place on Wednesdays through Aug. 23, and other headliners will include Dumpstaphunk, the Amish Outlaws and Danielle Porter.
In Berlin, the Burley Oak Brewing Company will present the return of Better Off Dead at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24 ($20). Last year’s appearance by the Washington, D.C.-area Grateful Dead tribute was sold out by show time. Looking ahead this summer, tickets are on sale for the Burley Oak debut of Connecticut jam band Eggy, which will play out in the beer garden at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 ($20).
Deadheads will also gather this week at area movie theaters for the nationwide Grateful Dead Meetup 2023. These include showings of the iconic band’s three-hour Soldier Field concert from 1991.
The Movies at Midway on Route One near Lewes will host the events inside The Cube room at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22 and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24. Fox Gold Coast in Ocean City will do the same at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, and 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 24.
The Lewes-area Room at Cedar Grove is continuing its busy schedule of dinner concerts. At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, North Carolina jam band Of Good Nature will mix soul, pop and reggae as patrons dine on a four-course meal with a wine pairing ($85).
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
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