After working all week, you owe it to yourself to kick back and relax Labor Day weekend.
Then again, if you have to work that weekend, we feel you. And hopefully you can treat yourself to a pizza or something delicious when you’re not on the clock.
But for the rest of you who can cut loose a little, here are some fun local events you might want to consider checking out on your extended weekend.
Longwood Gardens jazz concert
Of course, Longwood Gardens isn’t technically in Delaware, but it’s close enough.
The night sky will become your roof as you sip cold drinks and listen to live jams during a concert in the Beer Garden. The world-famous botanical garden has much more to offer than just lush flowers, although that’s a star attraction there. Concerts are also on tap at Longwood.
Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society is a Philadelphia outfit that hangs their fedora hat on performing jazz, blues and pop from 1900-1934, with their main focus on jazzy tunes from the 1920s, according to the band’s Facebook page.
In order to see this show, guests are required to purchase a timed admission ticket.
Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania) from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Tickets for adults $35; seniors (62+) $32; college students (ID required) $32; active military & veterans (ID) $27; youth (ages 5-18) $19; SNAP/EBT/PA Access (ID) $8; Free for children ages 4 or younger. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org or call (610) 388-1000.
114th Arden Fair
You know an event is up there in age when it requires a cake the size of a football field to fit all of its birthday candles on.
That’s how it is for the 114th Arden Fair. This event is rain or shine and will feature everything from handmade crafts by over 100 vendors (most of whom are local) to children’s games and rides, used book sales, live music, an art exhibit and more.
According to the website’s music lineup, the Shady Grove area will feature live soundtrack from Diamond State Concert Band, Howl Train, Stevie and the Bluescasters, Lost Northern Tribe, Nicely, Hawkins, etc… , Cure for Pain, PJ and Spokey Speaky.
Arden Fair near the Arden Gild Hall (2126 The Highway, Arden), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. For more info, visit ardenclub.org or call (302) 475-3126.
Winterthur’s Curiosity Carnival
Ever wondered how Winterthur maintains such a beautiful garden at its estate, or what the staff is working on next?
Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to ask those burning questions during Winterthur’s Curiosity Carnival.
During the event, guests will meet with Winterthur staff, students in the graduate programs and researchers to explore the work they’re doing as they offer hands-on activities, informal chats, mini-tours and demonstrations, according to Winterthur’s website.
Winterthur (5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur) from 10 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Admission is $22 adults; $20 seniors (62+) and students (12 or older with valid ID for college students); $8 children (2-11); free for infants (under age 2). For more info, visit winterthur.org or call (302) 888-4600.
Soaring with Eagles tribute
Times flies, but so do the Eagles. And the Eagles tribute band 7 Bridges also know how to soar.
Their tribute show in southern Delaware has a low-ticket warning for its two shows on Saturday. But the band is also playing two more on Sunday. Then again, if you sleep on those Sunday shows, you might lose out.
Branded as the ultimate Eagles tribute, 7 Bridges will soon swoop into the First State to deliver lots of high-flying tunes from the Grammy Award-winning rock band’s extensive catalog. This includes hits like “Hotel California,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “New Kid in Town.”
The tribute band 7 Bridges is based in Nashville and has been touring for nearly 20 years, according to the group’s website. You and your fellow Eagles friends will have to flock downstate for this wild show.
Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. Tickets are $40. For more information, visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038.
Crowded House party at Freeman Arts
Australian rockers the Crowded House want to live up to their name and fill up this venue in Selbvyille.
Formed in the 1980s, the band has dropped popular tunes like “Better Be Home Soon,” “Weather With You,” “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong.” The band’s music is a magnet for covers, especially the last tune, which is one of the most covered songs in the last 20 years, according to the Freeman Arts Pavilion’s website.
Crowded House released their latest album in 2021, “Dreamers Are Waiting.”
In order to attend the band’s concert, patrons might be required to show a COVID-19 vaccination card or negative test based on the artist or public health requirements. Ticket buyers will be notified of these requirements via email.
Opening for Crowded House’s concert is New Zealand singer Liam Finn.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. Tickets are $45-$59. For more information, visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Woke playwright exposed
Clear Space Theatre is shining a light on Shaleeha G’ntamobi’s new play about a Black mom battling alcoholism and her son who is trying to make it out of the ghetto in “The Submission.”
Shaleeha G’ntamobi’s play has been accepted into the country’s top theater festival. But the problem is, Shaleeha isn’t a real person. The character was dreamed up by wannabe-playwright Danny Larsen, a white guy who is lying for clout.
But as the lies begin to stack up, the people close to Danny must decide whether or not to abandon him as his plot to gain recognition threatens to backfire, according to Clear Space’s website.
“The Submission” is directed by and stars Karen Richards, alongside with Christopher Decker and Paul Schack.
Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach) from 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, and Saturday, Sept. 3; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. Tickets are $20-$32. For more info, visit clearspacetheatre.org or call (302) 227-2270.
Love Seed Mama Jump + more bands
If there were a competition for most bizarre band name in Delaware, Love Seed Mama Jump might take the gold.
The longtime and beloved band celebrated their 30th anniversary with a hometown concert at the Rusty Rudder last year, a venue they’ve gigged at since July 1991.
The pop-rock band will be next door this time, sharing the stage and good times with LauraLea & Tripp Fabulous, The Loop, Shake the Room and DJ Knappy.
Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. For more info, visit bottleandcork.com or call (302) 227-7272.
Elvis impersonator at Paradise Grill
Bob Lougheed recalled singing Elvis for the first time when was just a kid. But it wasn’t until around 2010 that he began his career as a professional Elvis tribute artist.
The Millsboro man had a two-year run performing a weekly Elvis tribute show at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino (now known as Bally’s Dover Casino Resort), which ended in 2014.
That same year, he performed more than 200 shows around the country, many of which were in hospitals and assisted living centers.
Bob Lougheed & The Memphis Mafia will be around his neck of the woods for a hip-shaking evening of Elvis tunes on the Beach Stage.
Paradise Grill (27344 Bay Road Long Neck) from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 5. For more information, visit paradisegrillde.com or call (302) 945-4500.
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
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