Ryan Kinder country concert in Dewey Beach among weekend highlights
Update: The Rusty Rudder posted the following on its Facebook page on Saturday: "Due to weather, tonight’s concert at the Rusty Rudder with Ryan Kinder and Sara Ann Garrison has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for a make up date soon."
Things are usually a little slim on the local concert scene this time of year, but the proprietors of one Dewey Beach establishment have a few surprises up their sleeves.
The Rusty Rudder restaurant and nightclub is technically closed for the season. However, it is opening sporadically for a series of one-night-only country events — the first of which will take place this weekend.
Warner Bros. recording artist Ryan Kinder will plays songs such as his "Still Believe in Crazy Love" single Saturday, Dec. 9. Admission is free to see the Nashville-based vocalist (who is a native of Alabama.) The evening will kick off with a 9 p.m. opening set by local favorite Sara Ann Garrison.
Jimmie Allen of Milton, who resides in Nashville these days, will play a free show at the Rudder while he is home for the holiday season Friday, Dec. 22. Allen's eponymous EP has received national distribution, and he got a publicity boost after appearing in Taylor Swift's Diet Coke commercial.
With 2018 right around the corner, tickets are on sale for a Saturday, Jan. 27, Rudder appearance by country guitarist and vocalist Sundance Head, who is known as a finalist on NBC's "The Voice" ($15).
In Ocean City, Pickles Pub will host its annual Customer Appreciation Party at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. There will be a food buffet (and happy hour drink prices will be in effect all day and night.)
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Admission is free, but patrons are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for the Toys for Tots charity. DJ Adam Dutch will spin tunes beginning at 7 p.m.
Looking ahead to the end of the month, Pickles will present the return of the Joey Harkum Band on Saturday, Dec. 30, followed by a New Year's Eve celebration with Bond and Bentley on Sunday, Dec. 31.
Another upcoming Ocean City event has also been announced, with this one to take place at the Alibi Room. The downtown bar and music venue has a four-band showcase of indie-rock bands playing original music set for Saturday, Dec. 16.
The free show will feature sets by the Phantom Limbs, the Hooplas, Third Grade Friends and Honeyshine. We'll have more information in next week's Frequency column in The Beachcomber.
In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the visits by regional and national touring acts at Dogfish Head continue unabated.
On Friday, Dec. 8, Dogfish will present instrumental jam band Starbird (formerly Lithium Angels.) This Vermont-based trio features members of Cabinet and American Babies. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the brewpub will present the return of psychedelic Philly act Flux Capacitor. Both shows begin at 10 p.m., and both are free.
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com.
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This Week's Must-See List
Ryan Kinder at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Free
Customer Appreciation Party at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Free
The Larks at High Stakes Bar and Grill in Fenwick Island at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Free
Starbird at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Free
The Stone Shakers at Irish Eyes at Anglers in Lewes at 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. Free