Dewey Beach favorite opens for season Friday

Dewey Beach's venerable restaurant and nightspot on the bay, the Rusty Rudder, will open for its 38th season on Friday — which also happens to be St. Patrick's Day.

It is safe to say that this weekend will also mark the first time many nightlife fans have ventured into Dewey this year.

The Rudder's house band, Love Seed Mama Jump (which celebrated its 25th anniversary last summer), will perform at 5 p.m. Friday. The group will alternate hour-long sets with The Rockets, who will hit the same stage for the first time at 6 p.m.

On Saturday afternoon, Love Seed frontman Rick Arzt will play a solo acoustic show at 4 p.m., followed by the JJ Rupp Band at 8 p.m.

As it did last year, the Rudder will present free country music concerts by up-and-coming touring acts on a regular basis. The first of these will spotlight Nashville-based vocalist Kalie Shorr on Saturday, April 8. She has received SiriusXM airplay for her debut single, "Fight Like A Girl." The Rudder was able to book Shorr in between her concert appearances in New Jersey and Connecticut.

On Friday and Saturday, April 14-15, the Rudder will present its 17th annual Delaware Music Festival. Twenty bands from throughout the first state will play various genres of music on a pair of alternating, indoor stages.

Other upcoming country performers set to appear include Julia Cole on Friday, April 28; Dorado on Friday, May 5; and Levi Hummon on Saturday, May 6. A new website has been launched which highlights the music schedule at www.rudderlive.com. Menu information for the restaurant can be viewed at www.rustyrudderdewey.com.

IF YOU GO

Season opening of the Rusty Rudder

5 p.m., Friday, March 17

113 Dickinson St., Dewey Beach

302-227-3888

www.rustyrudderdewey.com, www.rudderlive.com