Spring kickoff includes Brewgrass event at Fager's
Spring has finally arrived, and area nightspots are ready, willing and able to entertain the masses.
In Ocean City, Fager's Island will host its seventh annual Brewgrass event on the afternoon of Saturday, March 25 — tickets have sold out in advance as per usual. Fager's has upped the entertainment ante this year by booking a trio of bluegrass bands to play from 1-5 p.m. — The Jakob's Ferry Stragglers, Drymill Road and The Brackish Brothers. Those lucky enough to attend will enjoy craft beers from seven regional breweries and munch on ribs, barbecued chicken and more.
In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the Dogfish Head brewpub has an out-of-the-ordinary music group set to play a free show at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Ton-Taun, which hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a theatrical indie rock act which favors large doses of humor in its stage productions. Expect original songs such as "The Sun Doesn't Care About You," "Power Ballads" and "I Don't Love the Taste of Blood."
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Looking ahead to next weekend, Dogfish has announced that Chicago-area touring group Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts will play a free concert at 10 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Singer-guitarist Nielsen and his band combine power pop and soulful rock. It has been more than a decade since he played a two-nighter at Dogfish accompanied by his brother Daxx Nielsen — who currently keeps the beat for classic rockers Cheap Trick — on drums . Their father, Rick Nielsen, is the co-founder, guitarist and primary songwriter of that band, which was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame last year.
Also next weekend, M.R. Ducks in Ocean City is gearing up for its season opening on Friday, March 31, with music by DJ Batman at 5 p.m. Dr. Harmonica & Rockett 88 will entertain at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 31.
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A new open-mic night is being held at 8 p.m. each Tuesday at Bethany Blues Lewes, located on Route 1 at Midway. The evening has been dubbed the Tuesday Open Local Musicians Showcase, and is hosted by Ken Thompson and his group Beach Trip (featuring former members of The Gone Boys). Jam on, fellas!
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week's Must-See List
— Seventh annual Brewgrass event at Fager's Island in Ocean City from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Sold out
— Kicking Sunrise at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, March 24. Free
— West King String Band at the Burley Oak Brewery in Berlin at 9 p.m. Friday, March 24. Free
— Ton-Taun at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Free
— Tuesday Open Local Musicians Showcase at Bethany Blues Lewes on Route 1 at Midway each Tuesday from 8 to 11 p.m. Free