Go-Go the Analog Way with Dogfish Head this Fall!

Details in this post taken from Dogfish Head Brewery press release...

A celebration of all-things indie craft and now in its sixth year, Analog-A-Go-Go will be moving to Bellevue State Park near Wilmington to accommodate a lineup that’s bigger and better than ever before! The 2016 event will feature six live bands, a cask beer festival and distillery garden, an artisan marketplace, and tons of great local and food trucks from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. It’s going down September 17 from 1:00-10:00pm.

Just what can you expect?

MUSIC
An off-centered lineup that will entertain music fans from all genres:

• Built To Spill: Indie rock powerhouse Built To Spill is known for heavy, catchy guitar hooks and epic live performances. 
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band: Originally formed in the early 60s, this traditional New Orleans-style jazz band features a rotating cast of amazing musicians who are anything but traditional. 
• Talib Kweli: Brooklyn native, activist, and hip hop great will Talib Kewli will take the stage accompanied by a live band. 
• Ra Ra Riot: With a new album out earlier the year, indie rock darlings Ra Ra Riot will have fans dancing with uplifting synths and catchy lyrics. 
• Beach Slang: Philly punk mainstay Beach Slang. 
• Fiance: These Newark, DE natives will kick off the day with their glossy, experimental pop sound. 

BEST FIRKIN FRIENDS BEER FESTIVAL Hosted by Bellevue State Park

Happening in the Craft Beer Barn, guests will indulge in 10 cask samplings from some of our best friends in the business.

Limited edition beers will be pouring from:

• Dogfish Head 
• Funky Buddha 
• Beavertown Brewing 
• Sierra Nevada 
• Allagash 
• Stoudts 
• Samuel Adams 
• Iron Hill 
• Burley Oak 
• Shorts 

DISTILLERY GARDEN Hosted by Bellevue State Park 

Hosted on the Bellevue Mansion Lawn, guests will be treated to six scratch-made cocktails from Dogfish Distilling Co. Dogfish’s spirits employ a grain-to-glass production method, meaning each batch it crafted from scratch to deliver incredible flavor.

RECORD & ARTISAN MARKET
The Artisan and Record Market will feature over 25 artists and vendors from more than 10 states. Vinyl vendors will offer crates upon crates of new and rare LPs, while an off-centered bazaar will showcase art, crafts, apparel, jewelry, vintage goods, barware, music accessories, and more!

CULINARY TRAILER PARK
10+ food trucks creating a unique Culinary Trailer Park, featuring a potpourri of delicious options for hungry festival-goers. Including…

So…are you ready to go-go?
Tickets are on sale now!

Music & Visual Arts Combine in an Evening of Jazz Vespers

By Guest Blogger Sharon Bryant 

Jonathan Whitney's ensemble performs at SsAM Jazz Vespers.

Sharon has lived and worked in Wilmington all her life. She is a member of The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew and currently the Chairperson of their Downtown Arts Ministry. She enjoys being a part of the City of Wilmington and although she loves the arts, she truly loves the musical side of it all.

The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (better known as SsAM) – which has long been known for a variety of fabulous musical programs – held a Jazz Vespers on Sunday, April 17. Named in memory of the late Rev. Rod Welles (former associate minister at SsAM and a major jazz lover), the evening had the traditional Vespers elements wrapped around wonderful music and interactive art.  Musician Jonathan Whitney, percussionist and Artist-in-Residence at SsAM, used folk artist Eunice LaFate's paintings to inspire his music. A number of youth artists – both from SsAM's congregation and from the larger community – in turn used his music to inspire their live painting.

I truly enjoyed the Jazz Vespers. It was such a soothing type of evening but at the same time very energizing. We listened intently to the music and then watched those blank canvases come to life through the artistry of the children under the direction of Eunice LaFate.

Even the audience got involved, as we were encouraged by Jonathan Whitney to walk around and watch the children at work while enjoying the music in the background. No real talking going on with us – just moving around, taking photos, quietly smiling, as we were simply in awe of it all.

Eunice LaFate poses with the young artists of Jazz Vespers. 

Amazing that Rev. Welles spirit was in the room as he would have just loved it! Oh yes, he was truly there – his God-loving spirit was in the room for real, and that was especially meaningful when we learned that the day was also his birthday!

It was an evening of truly amazing music and the first time something so interactive has happened at the Jazz Vespers! But, hey, we know SsAM is known for being first at so many great things in this community. I suspect this will not be the last time that something like this happens.

See www.ssam.org. 

Head to 42nd Street – And Dance, Dance, Dance!

Photo courtesy of The Playhouse on Rodney Square.

Mary Ellen Hassett has lived and worked in Delaware since 1996 as a paralegal and attorney. She and her husband Keith enjoy Wilmington arts and culture and devote a lot of volunteer time to Delaware Humane Association.

The musical 42nd Street – The Song and Dance Fable of Broadway – opened with the full cast tap dancing to Audition. This high-intensity performance engaged the audience from the beginning and lasted the entire show.

Director and co-author Mark Bramble with choreographer Randy Skinner did a magnificent job in casting, directing and bringing to life the story of Peggy Sawyer (Caitlin Ehlinger), a young dancer from Allentown, PA who came to New York to audition for her first show, Pretty Lady. Peggy gets her chance to shine when the lead in Pretty Lady breaks her ankle and Peggy is asked to step in by the director Julian Marsh (Matthew J. Taylor). You'll definitely recognize several of the hit songs from this performance like We’re in the Money, I Only Have Eyes for You and 42nd Street.

All of the dancers were phenomenal, but you definitely do not want to miss the lead male dancer who plays Billy Lawlor – Blake Stadnik. Although blind since age seven, Blake led the dance routines flawlessly and captured the audience with his smooth style, charisma and charm.

Enough cannot be said about the great choreography and costuming for this performance. The full cast is used in most scenes, and it was amazing to see how they were able to fit this large group onto the small stage and execute the dance sequences with such grace and excitement. The costumes were colorful and unique and added a lot to the overall presentation.

The staging for this show is rather simple, but with all of the great choreography, costuming and dance, there is no need for anything more!

Although a musical, this performance has many comical highlights that the audience fully enjoyed. If you want to see one of the best musicals that has come to Delaware this year, come and see 42nd Street!

The show runs at The Playhouse thru April 24 during the following times: Wednesday and Thursday evening performances at 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8:00pm; Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Ticket prices range from $40-$90, and discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

See www.ThePlayhouseDE.org.