This week's must-see list at beach bars

When the tourist season is in full swing, danceable Top-40 music tends to rule the roost at area nightclubs. In the offseason, however, venue owners give homegrown musicians a lot more leeway to focus on other styles.

Such is the case this weekend.

In West Ocean City, Trader Lee's has scheduled a performance by local tribute band Ramble On, which focuses on the music of (you guessed it) the mighty Led Zeppelin.

The free event will take place at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.

Looking ahead a month in Ocean City, the music lineup has been announced for the annual Ocean 98 Listener & Seacrets Customer Appreciation Christmas Party. It will take place from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, with musicians playing on multiple stages in the Seacrets complex.

The roster of performers include Stone Senate, Joey Harkum (formerly of Pasadena), Jocelyn & Chris Arndt, Nelly's Echo, The Swell Fellas and The Rogue Citizens. Admission is free, but attendees will be encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for the Toys For Tots charity.

B.J.'s On the Water in Ocean City is one of the area's most consistent spots for year-round live music, which takes place each Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

The place is sure to be packed Friday, Nov. 11, for regional favorite Bird Dog & the Road Kings. The group mixes country, rockabilly, Southern rock and other styles, and pleased many a party patron this past summer during afternoon deck parties at OC's M.R. Ducks (which closed for the season last weekend).

Another business which closed with a massive blowout last weekend was the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach.

However, the Rudder will be opening sporadically for a series of one-night-only country concerts this winter. Warner Bros. recording artist Ryan Kinder will play a free concert on Saturday, Dec. 9.

Local-boy-done-good Jimmie Allen of Milton, who currently resides in Nashville, will play a free show while he is home for the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 22. Tickets went on sale this past week for a Saturday, Jan. 27, appearance by national country crooner Sundance Head ($15). He is known for winning season 11 of NBC's "The Voice" in 2016, including a memorable duet with the hard-rocking KISS during the finals.

Another venue with a steady stream of concerts is the Milton Theatre. Recently-formed Sussex County jazz group Fifth Avenue will appear at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 ($15, $20). Stayed tuned to The Frequency for news on upcoming holiday-themed events at the theatre.

In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the original location of the Dogfish Head brewpub was felled by the wrecking ball Monday. (Dogfish will replace it with an outdoor beer garden and patio.) The new, much-larger brewpub right next to it is open for business now and will feature Philadelphia singer-songwriter Ben Arnold on Friday, Nov. 10.

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week's Must-See List

Bird Dog & the Road Kings at B.J.'s On the Water in Ocean City at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Free

Ramble On: Tribute to Led Zeppelin at Trader Lee's in West Ocean City at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Free

Fifth Avenue at the Milton Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. $15, $20

Stick Time at Bethany Blues Lewes on Route 1 at Midway at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Free

Ben Arnold at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Free