Hillis: Final live shows of 2016 won't disappoint
With New Year's Eve falling on a Saturday this year, some local entertainment venues are taking advantage of the weekend angle by featuring music on Friday and Sunday.
It's only fair, considering the fact that last weekend found many nightspots shutting their doors Saturday and Sunday in honor of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and his city council members have found a unique way to say "thank you" to locals this Sunday afternoon. The simply-named Mayor's New Year's Day Concert will take place at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center (at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center complex) at 1:45 p.m. Jan. 1. The doors will open at 1:30 p.m. for this free event, which will feature the Delmarva Big Band as well as local pop-rock performer Bryan Russo.
The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach also has a free show set for Sunday afternoon. Party-rock cover band The Loop will perform several sets of music beginning at 1 p.m. The Loop is one of several acts playing the Rudder the previous evening.
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Back in Ocean City, Seacrets will host its annual Last Call Closing Party at 4 p.m., Sunday. (The venerable hot spot will take a month off before re-opening Feb. 9.) Admission is free, and there will be half-price entrees and discounted drinks. The Whiskeyhickon Boys will perform at 5 p.m.
The Milton Theatre has been treating southern Delawareans to a growing number of rock concerts in addition to its usual comedy and family fare. At 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, local-gone-national jam band Tweed will take the stage to play for all ages ($5, $10). I finally got the chance to see this quartet recently, and I was blown away by the level of musicianship. It's no surprise that the Philly-area band — which formed when the members were University of Delaware students — is spending most of its time recording and touring. Bassist Danny McDonald of Rehoboth Beach is known as much for his penchant for winning skimboarding competitions as he is for the mastery of his instrument.
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week's Must-See List
New Year's Eve celebrations throughout Delmarva on Saturday, Dec. 31. Various prices
Tweed at the Milton Theatre at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30. $5, $10
Mayor's New Year's Day Concert at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Free
The Loop at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Free
Seacrets' Last Call Closing Party with the Whiskeyhickon Boys at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1. Free