Dewey Beach, Ocean City nightspots host season-closing parties
All good things must come to an end — and that means a successful 2017 season will soon be in the rearview mirror for many beach nightclubs. A lot of bars traditionally close the weekend after Halloween, and this year is no exception.
In Dewey Beach, the Rusty Rudder will go out with a bang Saturday, Nov. 4. Owner Alex Pires told me that the music will kick off with party group Flowers for Taco at 5 p.m. The band will alternate sets with the '80s-themed group M80s until 1 a.m., and there will also be intermittent spots with DJ Hugh spinning music.
The Nashville-based booking agency that supplies the Rudder with touring country acts has enticed Pires and crew to reopen for a special event next month, however. Singer-songwriter Ryan Kinder will play a free concert at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
Also in Dewey, The Starboard nightclub will be open Friday through Sunday to usher out another season. Rockers Laura Lea and Tripp Fabulous will perform at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, followed by disc jockeys throughout the rest of the weekend.
In Ocean City, M.R. Ducks is saying sayonara until 2018 (following an unseasonably warm fall season for the outdoor bar.) DJ Batman will provide the tunes at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, followed by rock quartet Johnny Bling at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.
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Elsewhere in OC, Seacrets isn't ready to call it a day yet and has plenty of goodies on tap in upcoming weeks. A special event is set for 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. "An Evening at the Cotton Club" will feature live jazz from Allyson Briggs and Fleur Seule from New York City's Tavern on the Green ($35). The group will play songs made famous by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louie Armstrong and more. Proceeds will benefit the Worcester County Education Foundation.
In Sussex County, Dogfish Head will host its annual Analog-A-Go-Go festival all weekend at both its Milton brewery and also the downtown Rehoboth Beach brewpub. DJs will spin tunes outside during the day Friday through Sunday in Milton as vendors display arts and crafts (with lots of vinyl records for sale).
Two free concerts by national touring groups are set for Rehoboth. Rockabilly quartet the Legendary Shack Shakers, which has toured internationally as Robert Plant's opening act, will return at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.
Indie-rock group Waxahatchee, a personal favorite of Dogfish owner Sam Calagione, will appear for the first time at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.
In West Ocean City, Trader Lee's has a pair of free concerts on the radar. Hard-rocking combo Push will return Saturday, Nov. 4, following a pair of too-be-announced opening acts; the music will begin at 6 p.m. Looking ahead to next weekend, Led Zeppelin tribute band Ramble On will appear Saturday, Nov. 11. We'll have more on that show in next week's Frequency column in the Beachcomber. Cheers!
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
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This week's must-see list
Rusty Rudder closing party in Dewey Beach from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free.
M.R. Ducks closing party in Ocean City from 5 p.m. to close, Saturday, Nov. 4. Free.
An Evening at the Cotton Club jazz benefit at Seacrets in Ocean City from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. $35.
Legendary Shack Shakers at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3. Free.
Trader Lee's in West Ocean City presents Push and friends at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. Free.