You’re not tripping if it feels like summer is already slipping away — because it is. But knowing is half the battle.
The other half is coming up with a plan to squeeze as much fun out of this season as possible.
That’s why we created a diverse list of can’t-miss events before Labor Day that you won’t want to sleep on this summer — from big concerts to a new film festival, and a beloved burger fest, plus more.
Country star Chris Young, Selbyville, July 14
Multiplatinum-selling hitmaker Chris Young will bring his deep-fried country songs to SoDel, where he’ll undoubtedly receive southern comfort. Opening for Young is Tyler Braden.
Young has nearly 5 billion on-demand streams, 13 million singles sold, 12 career No. 1-singles, 22 R.I.A.A. gold/platinum or multi-platinum certified projects, according to the Freeman Arts Pavilion website.
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He and country star Kane Brown won the CMT Music Award for Collaboration of the Year for their single “Famous Friends.
As a heads up, tickets for general admission will be standing-room only, so you’ll have to bring your own chairs if you’d like to have a seat.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14. Tickets are $69-$99. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
‘Evil Dead, The Musical,’ Wilmington, July 15-23
There’s fake blood squirting onto the audience, a dude with a chainsaw for an arm who loves to kill zombies, and it’s all topped off with singing.
This is none other than “Evil Dead, The Musical,” presented by the Wilmington theater company Bootless Stageworks. The “Evil Dead” franchise starring Ash has turned into a songful production with a Splatter Zone, an area where guests pay extra to sit closer to the stage for the reward of getting covered in fake blood.
Whether or not you plan to sit in the Splatter Zone, make sure to wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind getting damaged.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (1301 N. Broom St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Friday, July 15; 8 p.m. Saturday, July 16; 8 p.m. Friday, July 22; 8 p.m. Saturday, July 23. Tickets for general seating: $25 online/ $28 door; Splatter Zone: $30 online / $35 at door. Visit bootless.org or (302) 887-9300
Cracking up with Nephew Tommy, Wilmington, July 16
He’s a grown man who still does prank calls and his 1 million-plus fans on Facebook can’t get enough of Thomas Miles, better known as “Nephew Tommy.”
The actor and comedian is a nephew to his famous uncle Steve Harvey. Nephew Tommy is a master of vocal disguise who has flexed his comedic muscles numerous times on the “Steve Harvey Morning Radio Show.”
He will go for laughs at The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Admission is $58-$158. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.
Firefly alum X Ambassadors, Dewey Beach, July 22
The Bottle & Cork has a good habit of booking former Firefly acts. Next is on deck is X Ambassadors.
The pop-rock band from upstate New York is responsible for a bunch of big tunes including “Renegades,” “Unsteady” and “Boom.” They’re also contributors to the monster tune “Home,” alongside Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha.
Opening for X Ambassadors is fellow New York band Hoko.
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Bottle & Cork (1807 Highway One, Dewey Beach) at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 22. Tickets are $30. For more info, visit bottleandcork.com or (302) 227-7272.
Laughs with Jon Lovitz, Wilmington, Aug. 14
With credits in “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld” and much more in between, comedian and actor Jon Lovitz’s resume is as thick as a phone book if you’re looking at it on IMDB.
The star of the early ‘90s cartoon “The Critic” soon will attack audiences with his arsenal of ticklish humor.
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. Tickets are $52-$77.50. Visit thequeenwilmington or (302) 400-7020.
Another Firefly alum: Michael Franti, Selbyville, Aug. 23
Soulrockers Michael Franti & Spearhead are anticipated to deliver another spiritual experience for fans.
Franti is all about sending positive vibes and he’s grooved Delaware on multiple occasions, including the inaugural Firefly in 2012. The singer-songwriter and rapper has dropped a number of favorites like “Hey Hey Hey” and “I Got You.” He’s also the host of the podcast “Stay Human.”
Tickets for general admission will be standing-room only, so you’ll have to bring your own chairs if you’d like to have a seat.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug., 23. Tickets are $45-$59. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival, Wilmington, Aug. 13
One big reason folks enjoy indie films is because they have a reputation for being more raw and experimental than blockbuster projects.
With that in mind, you might discover the next big film from the inaugural Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival, presented by Delaware videographer/photographer Jet Phynx. This new festival is an opportunity for Black filmmakers to share their creativity.
Registration is required.
The festival will be held at Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Admission is free. Visit delart.org or (302) 571-9590.
Prince tribute, Milton, Aug. 14
It’s no secret that tribute bands are in great demand these days. It’s extra special when the artist being celebrate is someone who’s no longer with us such as the R&B legend Prince.
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Dean Ford & the Beautiful Ones will shower the audience with “Purple Rain” and Prince’s greatest hits. In fact, the gang has been known to play the “Purple Rain” album in its entirety, according to the band’s website.
Feel the love at Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14. Tickets are $34. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.
Reggae Roots Music Festival 2022, Middletown, Aug. 19
The first Reggae Roots Music Festival last year was so lit it had to have an encore this summer. The lineup for the festival hasn’t been announced on the website yet, but that should change soon.
Last year’s festival hosted a number of musical acts/DJs including Jah People, DJ Amaze, Mzs Quanny, Unity Vibration, AG Dancehall, Kenny Vanella & Higher Fire and Xande Cruz.
Thousand Acre Farms (260 Reedy Point Road, Middletown) at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19; music begins at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 20. Visit reggaerootsfest.com
Delaware Burger Battle 2022, Wilmington, Aug. 27
The First State’s epic food fight is back for its ninth go round.
The Delaware Burger Battle, founded by JulieAnne Cross, welcomes guests to go from booth to booth sampling burgers. Word on the street is most people can’t complete the circuit (not that you have to).
Each restaurant will dish up its best burger and your votes will determine the People’s Choice Winner.
More than 23,000 burgers have been served since the event’s inception, and more than $83,000 has been raised from this charitable event. Beneficiaries for this year are the Food Bank of Delaware and Delaware ProStart, per the event’s website.
To get in line, head to Rockford Tower (2000 Lookout Drive, Wilmington) from noon to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 27. Tickets are $13-$54. Visit deburgerbattle.com or (302) 533-8336.
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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