Nightlife venues have music to cure for the wintertime beach blues

Last weekend’s record-breaking low temperatures and bomb cyclone bomb of a snow storm caused many nightclubs to shutter their doors — and scuttle music events. Those with cabin fever will no doubt make up for lost time in the days ahead.

In downtown Ocean City, Pickles Pub is continuing its year-round focus on live music, much of it by regional touring artists who write and record their own tunes.

This will be the case at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, when Pickles will present a free show by reggae-rock act Higher Education. This Baltimore-area band — led by brothers Petey and Danny Devaney — is promoting its third independent studio, “The Ballad of Alexander Henry.”

Sublime fans may want to check out this group of like-minded souls.

Looking ahead a week, another downtown OC nightspot also likes to stay loud and proud throughout the winter.

Shannon Tippett, owner of the Alibi Room, told me will plenty of free events are on the horizon — the first of which will take place at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. Punk-rock act The Huntingtons will return to headline the three-band bill, which is rounded out by Standard Bearer and Red Bullett. We’ll have more information about this concert next week.

Downtown Rehoboth Beach was clobbered particularly hard by last week’s snow, but things are heating up again at the Dogfish Head brewpub.

At 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, Dogfish will present a free show by Virginia-based quartet Melodime. The group mixes pop and rock with a slight country feel, and is slightly reminiscent of '90s favorites like Sister Hazel and Hootie & the Blowfish. In fact, Melodime will head out to sea Jan. 30 as part of Sister Hazel’s annual Rock Boat cruise of the Carribean.

Melodime is spending most of January on tour, including a string of upcoming dates in Texas and Louisiana. The group has a loyal Delmarva thanks to its various appearances at Seacrets in OC.

The Mexican-themed Matteos Salsa Loco, located on Route 1 in Fenwick Island, will raise money for a good cause at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. The Party Benefit for Kevin Dunworth will feature music by both Muskrat Lightning and Bryan Russo & the Tragic Figures.

Donations and portions of the food and drink sales will go toward medical expenses for Dunworth, who was involved in a traffic crash last year. He is the well-liked owner of the Loaded Gun Customs motorcycle company and has shared his expertise on various national television shows.

E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week’s Must-See List

Higher Education at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Free

Melodime at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Free

Jumper at Fager’s Island in Ocean City at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Free

Human Connection at The Pond in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. Free

Party Benefit for Kevin Dunworth at Matteos Salsa Loco in Fenwick Island at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13. Donations accepted