'The Voice' contestant highlights one of many nightclub holiday parties

The holiday-themed events at local nightclubs just keep coming, with this weekend being no exception. One of the highlights is the annual mega-bash at Seacrets in Ocean City.

Kicking off at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, the five-hour shindig has a long-yet-accurate title that says it all — the Ocean 98 Listener & Seacrets Customer Appreciation Christmas Party.

Admission is free, but patrons are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated to Toys For Tots. There will also be a raffle and auction that will aim to raise $1,000 for the Ocean 98 Cash for College Fund. The money will be split between three high school seniors in Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex counties for use purchasing books or paying for tuition.

Three separate stages throughout the Seacrets complex will will feature live music. Melissa Alesi will kick things off solo acoustic at 5 p.m. on the tiki stage. She will be followed at 6 p.m. by Nelson “Nelly” Emokpae, the lead singer of Nelly’s Echo and also a former contestant on NBC’s The Voice.

The New Old Main Bar Stage (there’s another descriptive Seacrets title for you) will feature two sets by Ballyhoo frontman Howi Spangler from 7 to 9 p.m. The Morley Hall Stage will feature The Rogue Citizens at 6 p.m., The Swell Fellas at 7:30 p.m. and Sweet Leda at 9 p.m.

Further south in West Ocean City, Trader Lee’s will host its 10th annual toy drive at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Afternoon delight of the musical variety will be provided by heavy metal group Loud Love and Southern-rock band Both Barrels. Admission is $10 or an unwrapped toy.

In Lewes, the Big Oyster Brewery’s inaugural Big Oyster Ball will take place from 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15 ($30). The event is billed as a “classy cocktail party celebrating beer and holiday cheer.” Local reggae-rock act Freshly Squeezed will perform (full disclosure: your humble columnist has been the group’s bassist for the past decade). The brewpub/brewery shares ownership with the local Fins seafood restaurant chain.

While summer may seem like it’s a long way off, the proprietors of the Bottle & Cork nightclub in Dewey Beach are already getting down to business. Tickets were set to go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, for a Memorial Day rock concert. Canadian fivesome Walk Off The Earth will perform at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 27 ($38). In addition to its albums of original music, the band is also known for its YouTube videos in which it re-arranges popular songs by other musicians.

Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

This Week’s Must-See List

— Ocean 98 Listener & Seacrets Customer Appreciation Christmas Party in Ocean City at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14. Free (unwrapped toys suggested) 

— Tenth Annual Toy Drive with Loud Love and Both Barrels at Trader Lee’s in West Ocean City at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16. $10 or an unwrapped toy

— Big Oyster Ball at the Big Oyster Brewery in Lewes from 8 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15. $30

— Eastern Electric at Pickles Pub in Ocean City at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15. Free

— Keri Anthony (5 p.m.) and Glass Onion (8:30 p.m.) at the Gray Hare Tavern in Rehoboth Beach on Friday, Dec. 14. Free