Rudder anniversary, jazz fests keep party going
The shoulder season is continuing unabated at area beach towns, and the music styles at festivals and concerts run the gamut.
Country star Jana Kramer has a mere five dates left on her 2016 tour — the first of which was supposed to take place here on Delmarva at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center. But the “Dancing With the Stars” contestant’ show was canceled during the first week of October.
In Dewey Beach, the Rusty Rudder will celebrate its 37th anniversary with non-stop live music from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. If the weather cooperates, the bands will perform on the tented deck. If rain and wind from Hurricane Matthew is a factor, the show will move inside. Performers include The Hubcaps (1 p.m.), The Funsters (4:30 p.m.), Green Means Go (8 p.m.) and Love Seed Mama Jump (9:30 p.m.) Admission is free; for details, check out www.deweybeachlife.com.
The 27th annual Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival also beckons. While the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center will not be the star attraction this year (as it is under construction), the shows will go on at various other venues. The Thursday, Oct. 13 opening night with R&B diva Patti Austin at the theater of Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes is sold out. The festival will continue Oct. 14-16 at venues including the Rusty Rudder and The Baycenter in Dewey, the theater at Rehoboth Elementary School and the Epworth United Methodist Church north of Rehoboth. Headliners include Jeffrey Osborne, John Pizzarelli, Ramsey Lewis and many others. For the full schedule, visit www.rehobothjazz.com.
The fourth annual True Blue Jazz series, which is not affiliated with the Rehoboth festival, will kick off a day earlier. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, organizers Peggy Raley and Eddie Sherman will perform with a host of up-and-coming musicians during their free Young Jazz Appreciation Night at Bethany Blues Lewes on Route 1 at Midway. On Thursday, Oct. 13, the action will move to the Clear Space Theatre in downtown Rehoboth for 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. concerts by jazz quartet Chavis, Knoettner, Swanson and Thomas ($22.50). Events will continue through Sunday, Oct. 16; see the lineup at www.truebluejazz.org.
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week’s Must-See List
•Rusty Rudder’s 37th anniversary bash in Dewey Beach with The Funsters, Love Seed Mama Jump, Green Means Go and The Hubcaps from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Free
•True Blue Jazz events from Wednesday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 16 in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Various prices
•Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival from Thursday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 16. Various prices