The Wilmington Riverfront Blues Festival is here, featuring 20 performers from around the country.
“Wilmington has a deep appreciation for music and entertainment, and we are again pleased to stage a blues festival that will be enjoyable for our own citizens and to the thousands of visitors who are becoming regular guests,” said Wilmington Mayor James Baker.
The festival, which runs August 8 - 10 at the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, has expanded this year to include Friday evening performances with the help of its new sponsor, Delaware State Lottery.
"The Riverfront Blues Fest has become one of Delaware's premier music events and we are excited to be affiliated with another in-State entertainment activity with such broad community appeal." said Wayne Lemons, director of the Delaware State Lottery.
Tickets are available at www.riverfrontbluesfest.com or the Cityfest events hotline, 571-4699.Friday passes are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate; Saturday or Sunday passes are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. A 3-day pass is $50 through advance sale only. Details about free parking are available on the festival website.
| August 8 | |||||
| Main Stage | |||||
| 5 – 6 | Homemade Jamz featuring Ryan, Kyle and Taya Perry | ||||
| 6:30 – 8 | Gary Allegretto | ||||
| 8:30 – 10 | The Mannish Boys | ||||
| Bandwagon Stage | |||||
| 6 – 6:30 | Nothin’ But Trouble | ||||
| 8 – 8:30 | Garry Cogdell Trio | ||||
| August 9 | |||||
| Main Stage | |||||
| 12 – 1:15 | Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets with James Harman | ||||
| 1:30 – 2:45 | Michael Burks | ||||
| 3:15–4:30 |
Sharrie Williams & the Wise Guys |
||||
| 5 – 6:15 | Larry McCray | ||||
| 6:45 – 8 | L’il Ed & the Blue Imperials | ||||
| 8:30 – 10 | Koko Taylor & her Blues Machine | ||||
| Bandwagon Stage | |||||
| 2:45 – 3:15 | David Coppa & Scrapple | ||||
| 4:30 – 5 | lower case blues | ||||
| 6:15 – 6:45 | Johnny De Franccesco | ||||
| 8 – 8:30 | Jill West & the Blues Attack | ||||
| August 10 | |||||
| Main Stage | |||||
| 12:30 – 2 | Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers | ||||
| 2:30 – 4 | Sugar Blue | ||||
| 4:30 – 6 | Elvin Bishop | ||||
| Bandwagon Stage | |||||
| 2 – 2:30 | Kenny Jones & The Jaded Angels | ||||
| 4 – 4:30 | Steve Guyger & Richard Ray Farrell | ||||
Phantom, by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit, premieres August 8 at The New Candlelight Theatre in Ardentown.
Phantom is based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux., It tells the popular story of a mysterious masked man living beneath the catacombs of the Paris Opera House who, after hearing the astonishing voice of Christine Daae, falls madly in love with her and vows to help her become an opera star.
The 16-member cast is lead by award-winning actor John D. Smitherman as the Phantom. No stranger to the role, Smitherman has played the Phantom in three other renditions. Other credits include over 100 productions on both the professional opera and musical theatre stages including Oklahoma, Out of Order, and The Secret Garden.
Rebecca Schall plays Christine Daae. Schall was recently in the theatre’s production of Gypsy and received critical acclaim for her performance as Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee.
Tickets are available by calling the box office, 475-2313. For information on the theatre visit newcandlelighttheatre.com.
Live Strong
The “Tour de Lance,” a 5 kilometer run/walk, is set to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation for the fourth time, on August 13.
Tour de Lance received the distinction of top recommended races to run in the August, 2008 issue of Runner’s World magazine.
“The event has been a very successful and popular event,” said Bradford Glazier, the race's director. “With the tremendous support from our sponsors, volunteers and the area running community, we are confident that this year’s event will be successful and fun.”
Taking place on the Riverfront, home of the Wilminton Blue Rocks minor league baseball team, the Tour includes a special memorial award to the late Matt Minker, who owned the Blue Rocks.
The run begins at 6:30 p.m. with registration opening at 5 p.m. at Dravo Plaza in the Shipyard Shops area along the Wilmington Riverfront. The first 500 registered participants will receive a free tee shirt, backpack, LiveStrong wristband and ticket to a Blue Rocks baseball game.
The race will be preceded by a free kid’s fun run for children 13 and under, followed by special prizes awarded to the first place male and female cancer survivors, as well as prize baskets to the first 50 finishers age 50 years old or older, compliments of race sponsor AARP.
Following the event, all registered participants can enjoy free Shiner beer, food, snacks and a massage at the post-race party and awards ceremony, with live music by “Code Blue,” a band made up of area emergency room physicians.
Overall first-place male and female winners will each receive a Bulova watch, courtesy of Whitten’s Fine Jewelry. Assorted random prizes and gift certificates from area merchants and restaurants will also be awarded.
Race registration is available online at www.races2run.com or www.active.com. More information available at 477-1118.
