Ocean City's Springfest, Freeman Arts Pavilion make big concert announcements
While summer is still months away, beach entertainment venues are heating up public interest in which music acts will perform in concert.
In Selbyville, the Freeman Arts Pavilion just announced a large chunk of its schedule, with tickets for 19 shows scheduled to go on sale this Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23-24, with prices to be announced. As was the case last year, there will be more concerts added in the months ahead.
Classic-rock stalwart Styx will sail into Selbyville on Saturday, June 2; country mega-act Lady A will perform Friday, Aug. 25. Other heavy hitters set to perform in June, July and August include Darius Rucker, Diana Krall, Jason Mraz and many others.
Freeman has already placed tickets on sale for its fundraiser that will take place off the premises this spring. It is dubbed the Backstage Pass Party, and will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at The Hyatt in Dewey Beach (inside its Lighthouse Cove Event Center). General admission tickets are $99, with music provided by hometown favorite Love Seed Mama Jump.
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Love Seed Mama Jump will have already played across the street from the Hyatt a month prior to that at the season opening of the Rusty Rudder on Friday, March 17 — which also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day. The Rudder will open at 5 p.m. with a clear tent encasing its outdoor deck on the bay. The free evening will also include music from both Chasing Straights and the Gab Cinque Band.
The Rudder’s sister location a few blocks to the north in Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork nightclub, will place tickets on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, Feb. 24, for a spring appearance by a recent Grammy winner. Country star Ashley McBryde will perform Sunday, May 21, following an 8 p.m. opening set by Harper O’Neill. Ticket prices are TBA.
In Ocean City, the music headliners for the 2023 edition of Springfest have been announced. Shadows of the 60’s: A Tribute to Motown’s Super Groups will kick things off Thursday May 4 ($20, $25). Alternative-rock act Collective Soul will bring its radio hits to the stage Friday, May 5 ($35 to $45). Country icon Marty Stuart will display his guitar chops Saturday, May 6 ($25 to $45). All three concerts begin at 7 p.m.
In the more immediate future in OC, Seacrets will host the annual Finnegan’s Wake event from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. The Celtic-themed shindig will include music from both the Ocean City Pipes & Drums and The Folk Heroes. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Worcester County Developmental Center, which provides opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities.
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In downtown Rehoboth Beach, the Dogfish Head brewpub has a free Grateful Dead tribute by the Lovelight Band on tap for 9 to 11 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24. The six-piece group led by Mark Diomede features alumni of jam bands such as Solar Circus, Brown Eyed Women and Juggling Suns.
E-mail Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Big concert news for Ocean City's Springfest, Freeman Arts Pavilion
