Out & About Magazine September 2017 by Out & About Magazine

New Kids On the Block

Serving Up Sustainability

of Generosity

Swimming With the Big Fish

Wilmington Music is Ever Evolving

G R E AT E R W I L M I N G T O N

ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

Why we love the area's creative scene

SEPTEMBER 2017 COMPLIMENTARY

9_Cover.indd 1

8/24/17 2:25 PM

â&#x2014;&#x201E; Meyer hopes to raise ethical standards and take a more holistic approach to fighting crime. Photo Joe del Tufo MARCH 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 17

8/24/17 1:27 PM

Spin & Discover Savings at Delaware's Top Local Restaurants

www.spotluck.com 9_Start.indd 29

8/24/17 12:03 PM

YOU MAY PUT ON A POUND OR TWO,

BUT HERE’S WHO REALLY GAINS.

For the past 10 years, farmers and chefs have been teaming up together to create delicious locally sourced dishes for our annual food competition. And the winner is always the same — the babies helped by the March of Dimes. Join us for this year’s 10th anniversary benefit and vote for your favorite culinary creations on September 14 from 5:45 – 8:30 p.m. at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Or if you just can’t wait, be first to the food with The Chef’s Pass, starting at 5:00 p.m.! For tickets & more info visit TheFarmerAndTheChef.com

Presenting Sponsor

DuPont

Platinum Sponsors The Archer Group Caspari McCormick Fox Sports 1290 Out & About 92.9 TOM-FM 94.7 WDSD 1450 WILM

#farmerandchef

Gold Sponsors Chase Center on the Riverfront Clear Channel Outdoor Delaware City Refining Company Growmark FS Produce Marketing Association Sodexo

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 24

8/24/17 12:05 PM

a z z i P

Same People, Same Food...Different Name The Esposito family has proudly served our customers for the past 15 years as “Ciao Pizza,” at the corner of Delaware Ave.v and Clayton St. Due to trademark reasons, on August 15th, we we changed our business name from Ciao Pizza to Gianni’s Pizza. Over the years, we have changed our business with new features and services to benefit our customers such as delivery service, improvements to our outdoor patio, and changing menu items including the addition of beer. As always, we will continue to serve you with the same devotion and quality which you have come to expect from us. It will be a pleasure to do business with you in the future under our new name. Sincerely,

The Esposito Family

Gianni’s Pizza & Grill

(Formerly Ciao Pizza of Trolley Square) 1600 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806 302-654-5331 Giannis_Sept2017_Full.indd 1

8/24/17 1:31 PM

Brandywine Valley RESTAURANT WEEK

Experience the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier dining destinations and enjoy special prix-fixe menus

3-course dinner:

Sept

11-16

35 2-course lunch: $ 15

BrandywineTaste.com 9_Listen.indd 12

8/24/17 12:44 PM

Featuring:

Presented by:

9_Listen.indd 13

8/24/17 12:45 PM

TAVERN

eclipse bistro

m a i n st r e et

n e wa r

k , de





RED GRILL

STEAKHOUSE

PlatinumDiningGroup.com 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 28

8/24/17 12:02 PM

2 INSIDE 2

Out & About Magazine Vol. 30 | No. 7

39 43

Publisher Gerald duPhily • jduphily@tsnpub.com Director of Publications Jim Hunter Miller • jmiller@tsnpub.com Contributing Editor Bob Yearick • ryearick@comcast.net Senior Editor & Media Manager Krista Connor • kconnor@tsnpub.com Creative Director & Production Manager Matthew Loeb, Catalyst Visuals, LLC. matt@catvis.biz Graphic Designer Tyler Mitchell, Catalyst Visuals, LLC. tyler@catvis.biz Contributing Designer Ryan Alexander, Catalyst Visuals, LLC Contributing Writers Adriana Church, Mark Fields, Paul Ford Jr., Pam George, Rob Kalesse, Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, Mike Little, Dillon McLaughlin, Larry Nagengast, Kevin Noonan, Scott Pruden, Matt Sullivan, Leeann Wallett

Contributing Photographers Jim Coarse and Joe del Tufo/Moonloop Photography, Tim Hawk, Anthony Santoro, Matt Urban Special Projects Sarah Green, David Hallberg, John Holton Intern Olivia Ingman

63 START

WILMINGTON

9 The War On Words 11 F.Y.I. 12 By the Numbers 13 What Readers Are Saying 14 Worth Recognizing 17 Worth Trying 19 New Kids On the Block

53 Art on the Town 58 On the Riverfront

LEARN 10 Delaware “Sole” Sisters

FOCUS 24 Hungry for the Arts?

EAT 37 Spotluck Comes to Town 39 Swimming With Big Fish 43 Labor of Love 47 The Farmer & The Chef 48 Bites

DRINK 61 Sips

LISTEN 63 Why Wilmington Music Is Ever Evolving 67 For the Record 70 Tuned In

WATCH 73 Reviews

PLAY 77 Fun at the Loops 79 Where to Watch the Game

FEATURES 19 New Kids On the Block Opened in 2014, First State Montessori Academy is growing its enrollment, adding two grades, and finding its downtown location an advantage. By Larry Nagengast

24 Hungry for the Arts? Satisfy your palate with this delectable menu of Wilmington-area arts. By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

39 Swimming With the Big Fish Restaurateur Eric Sugrue builds on Darius Mansoory’s legacy. By Pam George

63 Wilmington Music: Ever Evolving On the cover: University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players gear up for a new season. Photo by Paul Cerro

Cover bands, small groups and small venues prevail, but change is in the wind. By Dillon McLaughlin

Editorial & advertising info: 302.655.6483 • Fax 302.654.0569 outandaboutnow.com • contact@tsnpub.com SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Inside.indd 5

8/24/17 1:48 PM

7827_TMG_OutAndAboutMag_Ad_HiRes.pdf

8/25/17

11:23 AM

The inspiration for our menu is derived from uniquely American favorites that have stood the test of time. Proudly serving dishes made the way they should be. HOURS SUN - THURS: 11AM - 10PM FRI - SAT: 11AM - 11PM HAPPY HOUR (BAR & PATIO ONLY) MON - FRI: 4 - 6:30PM

ACROSS FROM CHRISTIANA MALL - CHRISTIANA FASHION CENTER | 3194 FASHION CENTER BOULEVARD â&#x20AC;¢ NEWARK, DE 19702 | 302.366.1601

9_Start.indd 1

8/25/17 12:59 PM

START

A writer/editor’s slightly snarky and relentless crusade to eliminate grammatical gaffes from our everyday communications

Compiled from the popular column in Out & About Magazine

THE WAR ON WORDS A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language against misuse and abuse

Media Watch • George Schroeder in USA Today: “Gundy insists the rattlesnake thing was not preplanned.” Not strictly wrong, just a meaningless word (does it mean planning to plan?). What’s wrong with planned? • Philadelphia Inquirer, under “This Date in Sports: 1993— Jack Nicklaus sunk a birdie putt on the 16th hole . . .” A day after the Inky error, 97.5 The Fan talker Harry Mayes said his heart sunk when he heard 76ers rookie Markelle Fultz had injured his ankle. Philadelphia media, please note: the past tense of sink is sank. • From David Brooks' opinion piece in The New York Times online, courtesy of reader Jane Buck: “For the Greeks, that was just avariciousness, an activity that shrunk you down into a people-pleasing marketer . . ." Although avariciousness is indeed a word, Jane points out that avarice is much preferred. And shrunk is similar to sunk, in that the past tense of shrink is shrank, not shrunk. • Correspondent Anthony Mason on CBS Sunday Morning: “At age 16, the song ‘Royals’ made Lourde an international pop star.” The dreaded dangler. The song wasn’t 16, Tony, the singer was. • Matthew Albright, engagement editor at the Wilmington News Journal, recently had a two-fer in a very incisive Sunday column: 1) They don't appear to have surreptitiously squashed meetings . . .” One quashes (suppresses) meetings, movements, etc. Squash is a little too literal. 2) “Delaware politicians, usually loathe to criticize in public . . .” That’s loath. Loathe is the verb meaning “to abhor, detest.” Loath is an adjective meaning “reluctant.” • WDEL’s Don Voltz, on Robinson Cano hitting a home run in extra innings of this year’s All-Star game – the first such home run since 1967 (50 years ago), when Tony Perez hit one: “Ironically,” said Big Don, “Perez was there at the game.” Not ironic. Coincidental. Ironic does not mean any kind of amusing coincidence. It means the opposite (outcome) of what was expected; contrary to expectation. • Laken Litman in USA Today: “Organized spaces and a clean carpet don’t necessarily equate a successful turnaround.” “Last year he— and extension the team—was too focused on production . . .” “the season spiraled from there.” Litman is afflicted with the current trend of dropping prepositions—as in graduated (from) college. “Equate” needs to after it; by should be in front of “extension,” and “spiraled” needs a direction after it; in this case, down.

Word of the Month

By Bob Yearick

Confusers As we have pointed out several times, English is full of confusing words. Here are some of the more troublesome: gambit – Often confused with gamut, it means a ploy or strategy, as in a card game. Gamut, on the other hand, means range or scope, as in, “she exhibited a gamut of emotions.” load – Sometimes mistakenly used in place of lode, which means a deposit of ore, and, in a figurative sense, a rich source. Load, of course, refers to a quantity to be carried. bring – Speaking of carrying, we come to the age-old bring/ take question. The problem here is that many people never use take. Think of the sports term “home and away.” To bring something is to have it carried to your location—your home, say. That’s why you tell your dog, “bring me the paper.” To take refers to something moving away from you—to another location/ destination. Reader Dick Bugbee points out this problem in a recent News Journal editorial: "For that reason, we hope Delaware officials follow through on a plan to bring their case to federal court." Neither Delaware officials nor the TNJ are located in federal court, so they would take their case to federal court. Literally of the Month Courtesy of reader Maria Hess, who notes the Xfinity commercial with this tagline: “Wi-Fi: we literally could not live without it.”

Follow me on Twitter: @thewaronwords

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION? Contact me for a fun PowerPoint presentation on grammar: ryearick@comcast.net.

Seen a good (bad) one lately? Send your candidates to ryearick@comcast.net

Quotation of the Month

out-Herod Pronounced out-HER-uhd, it’s a verb meaning to surpass in cruelty, evil, extravagance, etc. Derived from the biblical King Herod, the villain in the Christmas story.

The teacher and the printing press are the great supporters of linguistic tradition. — Henry Alexander, Painter, 1860-1894

Buy The War on Words paperback at Ninth Street Books in Wilmington, the Hockessin Book Shelf, on Amazon, or by calling Out & About at 302-655-6483.

9_Start.indd 3

8/24/17 8:11 AM

LEARN

Gloria Johnson of Wilmington University leads the way as the Delaware Sole Sisters walk their way to health. Photo Ron Dubick

MEET THE DELAWARE ‘SOLE’ SISTERS Improving their health and lives step-by-step, side-by-side

very day, Gloria Johnson laces up her sneakers, grabs her water and hits the pavement. She’s part of the growing movement called GirlTrek. With close to 100,000 neighborhood walkers, GirlTrek encourages African-American women to use walking as a first step to inspire healthy living and positive change in their communities. With icons like former First Lady Michelle Obama supporting the revolution, GirlTrek has become the largest health-related nonprofit of its kind. In March of 2014, Johnson searched for a local walking group to jumpstart her fitness journey. “Dealing with weight gain,” she says, “I wanted to be able to walk around without losing my breath and feeling exhausted.” Johnson, a Senior Director at Wilmington University, found GirlTrek online and created a local team named Delaware Sole Sisters, which is comprised of sisters, mothers, daughters—and many WilmU alumnae. The group inspires Johnson because they’re taking control of their lives, which is important for African-Americans who face dangerous health statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates nearly 48 percent of African- American women have some form of

cardiovascular disease that includes heart disease and stroke. The group also has the highest rate of obesity of any group in America. “We don't just rattle off daunting statics: we are the statistics,” says GirlTrek Co-Founder Vanessa Garrison. “We stay awake at night, have endless brainstorms, and are compelled to act every day. I calculated the average life expectancy of the women in my immediate family. It was 66.” The national branch of GirlTrek has formed a content partnership with BlackDoctor.org to document the narratives, struggles and successes of African-American women on their journeys to living healthy, fulfilled lives through daily walking. Johnson’s Sole Sisters team has been garnering awards and gaining followers while logging their miles. In 2016, the Sole Sisters were named the Trek Team of the Year by the national branch. To date, the GirlTrek: Delaware Facebook group has 246 members. Johnson says her group has morphed her “fitness journey into her health journey.” It performs community service and hosts monthly social events to promote various forms of self-care and focus on the mental effects of changing one’s life. Wilmington University applauds the proactive positivity of Gloria Johnson, the Delaware Sole Sisters, and GirlTrek.

HOMECOMING 2017 October 2–7 • wilmu.edu/Homecoming 10 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 30

8/24/17 8:12 AM

START

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PRESIDENT RETIRES

F.Y.I. Things worth knowing Compiled by Olivia Ingman

RISING STARS SCHOLARS

ising Stars, an event presented by the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, will take place at The Delaware Contemporary on the Wilmington Riverfront on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 5:307:30 p.m. This past year, FSSF awarded scholarships to 39 Delaware women—14 returning and 25 new scholars—totaling more than $89,500. Since its establishment in 1996, FSSF has awarded more than $925,000 in scholarships to 210 women to assist them in achieving their educational and career goals. To register for this event, visit freshstartscholarship.org. All proceeds benefit the scholarship fund.

LESSONS FROM A SMALL TOWN

ilmington is featured in the third chapter of a new book about the appeal of small towns. What I Found in a Thousand Towns: A Travelling Musician’s Guide to Rebuilding America’s Communities – One Coffee Shop, Dog Run, & Open-Mike Night at a Time, by Dar Williams, goes on sale beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5. In the book, Williams discusses what other towns and cities can learn from Wilmington as well as what role local businesses can play in developing an attractive downtown area. To learn more about the book, contact Angela Baggetta at 212-705-4221.

BLACK ART AT DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY

ell-known for her curatorial work in the Washington, D.C. area, Kayleigh BryantGreenwell brings her expertise as a social justice specialist at the National Museum of African-American History and Culture to The Delaware Contemporary with Spiral, Recoil. The exhibition, from now through Sunday, Oct. 29, engages with a legacy of black art spanning more than 50 years through nine contemporary artists: Holly Bass, Allana Clarke, Wesley Clark, Billy Colbert, Larry Cook, Jamea Richmond Edwards, Amber Robles-Gordon, Stanley Squirewell and Stephanie Williams. These artists create their work using a variety of media, style and technique. Admission is free. For more information, go to decontemporary.org.

HUMBLE PARK'S HUGE IMPACT

n Friday, Sept. 1, from 6-10 p.m., Spaceboy Clothing, along with the City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation Dept., will present a night of comedy and a mini arts and music festival at the park at Fourth and Shipley Streets. Proceeds from the events will be donated to local artist Ramona Robinson for her fight against breast cancer. "Our Goal is to raise money for Ramona's medical bills and to bring more attention and entertainment to the downtown area while at the same time giving a lost park a new name, a new vibe and the community a brighter future,” says David Sanchez of Spaceboy Clothing. To be renamed Humble Park, the area will be cleaned and re-designed to host future arts and entertainment events. The Sept. 1 events are free to the public. To find out more about the park, go to spaceboyclothing.com, downtownvisions.com, or gofundme.com/ramonasfight.

n July 26, the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware announced the retirement of President/CEO George Krupanski and the appointment of John S. Wellons to take his position. Krupanski began his tenure with the club in 1990 and has grown the organization’s statewide presence from five clubs to 43, extended the reach of programs and services from 5,000 to 35,000 kids served annually, and has seen the operational budget expand from $5 million to $18 million. Krupanski will continue for the following year as advisor to the organization, aiding with government relations and special gifts. “I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve as the head of the Boys & Girls Club for the last 27-plus years,” Krupanski said. “It has put me in touch with so many wonderful people throughout our state who are equally committed to helping young people, particularly those in need. Together, we have made a huge difference for so many kids. I am equally excited with the new leadership that John will bring to our organization.” Krupanski will be honored on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Hotel du Pont.

MOLLY MURRAY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

olly Murray, a respected Delaware journalist, passed away on July 17 after working for nearly 40 years as a reporter at The Wilmington News Journal. Former and current Delaware journalists have come together with The Greater Lewes Foundation to initiate the Molly Murray Scholarship Fund in memory of her work as a journalist in the area. Murray was known for her passion, storytelling, and ability to make deep connections with all kinds of individuals. Said News Journal Executive Editor David Ledford: “Her greatness far exceeded her reporting prowess, her deep understanding of environmental issues and her ability to tell a story. Molly was a great human being. She also was a passionate citizen who cared about her state and her country.” Murray, from Dover, lived most of her life in Lewes. The Molly Murray Scholarship Fund will support students in Kent and Sussex counties wishing to pursue careers in journalism or environmental studies. To donate to the fund, visit greaterlewesfoundation.org/murray. SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 5

8/24/17 4:29 PM

START

by the numbers A few facts about September worth knowing

Spend your weekend like this...

NOT like this

9/2 Date of the Arden Fair. Enjoy food, beer, wine, live music, exhibits, arts and crafts, and more.

30 $

189 Gutter Clean Special Clean those clogged gutters BEFORE they cause damage to your home.

Maximum of 100 Linear feet. Gutter guards or gutters above 2 stories could require additional charges. Expires 09/30/17. Not valid on previously contracted work.

WINDOWS • SIDING • ROOFING • DOORS • BATHS

302-482-4055 www.trustpj.com NJ Lic. #13VH01142000 DE Lic. #2009603070 PA Lic. #PA011323 MD Lic. #130457 Bath: PA# 107078 DE# 2013601085 NJ# 13VH08201500 *For complete details see www.trustpj.com/specials

The number of concerts in Delaware during September —located in Wilmington, Arden, Newark, Milton, Dover, Elkton, Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches.

The cost, in dollars, for a hayride at Bellevue State Park in September on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.noon and 5-8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

77 The average high temperature in Wilmington during September.

4 The number of Blue Rocks home games in September, from Friday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 4—the final regular season games.

9/8 Date of “Bruce in the USA” —a re-creation of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band show, at the Freeman Stage at Bayside, Selbyville, Md.

12 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 4

8/24/17 8:22 AM

START

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

Not the D.I.Y. Type?

About A Baseball Life A tale of the storied life of former Major Leaguer Jack Crimian (By Bob Yearick, August) Great article on Jack Crimian. Enjoyed reading. I worked at B-Rock Stadium in early ‘40s selling peanuts. I saw Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons pitch first game. — Al Bernard Enjoyed your piece on Jack Crimian in the August issue. A dozen years ago I had the pleasure of working on the polls with Mary and Jack at Maple Lane School. When I asked what gave him the most satisfaction about pitching in the majors, he answered quickly: “Beating Bob Feller in Cleveland.” — Dan Hamilton About Fueling the Engine What are the best energy foods and drinks? (By Leeann Wallett, August) Fantastic, compact list! Thanks!!!!!! About The New Faces of Blue Hen Football The newcomers are bringing their A game (By Paul Ford Jr., August) Let's go Hens!

Kevin Dave

— Nadyne Elegant

Joe Jeremy

Frank

— Rich Fagan

About Honoring Musical Legends Wilmington’s Rock Orchestra is helmed by local music influencers (By Matt Moore, August) “LEADING” local musicians? Oh boy, I'm going to write that one down! RAWK on boys! — Rob Grant Very excited for this next adventure. I have been a fan of Joe and In The Light since I was at that first show of Physical Graffiti at Arden. Already have my tickets for September. — Karen Singley About Burgers Worth Trying Some of our local favorites. What are yours? (By O&A Staff & Contributors, August) I've had the burger at the Goat Kitchen—yum—like everything I've had there! — Judith Harvey Mongelluzzo Kahuna burger from Nalu.

The Repair Experts at PJ Fitzpatrick have the Tools, Muscle and Know How to handle the repairs you can’t.

— Steve Kramarck

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? SEND US A MESSAGE!

Relax and leave the repairs to us with our

”Take Your Weekend Back !” 249 Repair Special

Any Minor Roofing, Siding or Gutter Repair. Some restrictions apply. Must be mentioned at time of scheduling so we can assign one of the service techs knowledgeable in insulation. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid on previously contracted work. Expires 09/30/17.

WINDOWS • SIDING • ROOFING • DOORS • BATHS

contact@tsnpub.com • OutAndAboutNow.com

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 10

8/24/17 8:24 AM

START

COLUMBUS COLUMBUS INN INN 302-571-1492 302-571-1492

Community Members Who Go Above & Beyond

2216 2216Pennsylvania PennsylvaniaAve Ave Wilmington, Wilmington,DE DE19806 19806 www.ColumbusInn.net

MARGARET RIVERA:

CI’s Sunday

brunch buffet

IS BACK inn!

September 10th 10am-2pm New Seasonal Food & Drinks $28 per Adult ~ $13 children 4-10 rsvp 302.571.1492

FALL HappenINN’s Themed Monthly Wine Tasting with Franks Wine ~ Sept. 20th ~ $30 per person

Last Crab & BBQ Feast Thursday, September 28th $44 per person

Check out our new website & Facebook for more upcoming events!

Need great food on the GO? Tailgating or Sporting Event? Try TASTE Catering: We are here for all your catering needs!

WORTH RECOGNIZING

Helping Latino youths to aspire

hen she was 17, Margaret Rivera volunteered to help a homebound child who was paralyzed from the neck down. Rivera massaged her hands, her feet, told her about school and read to her. More than five decades later, Rivera is still volunteering. “It’s in my DNA,” says the Wilmington resident. “When growing up, I saw the challenges people have and I thought about how I can turn it around to help them solve it.” Rivera, who retired last year from AstraZeneca as manager of Affirmative Action and EEO Compliance, received the 2013 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for Education, the 2010 AstraZeneca Jefferson Award for Public Services and the 2007 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for social/justice/advocacy. The native of New Jersey is a founding member of ASPIRA of Delaware, a non-profit organization that helps Latino students move beyond a high school education to college. She also helped start Las Americas ASPIRA Academy Charter School, the first dual language school in Delaware. The K-8 school in Newark opened in 2011 with more than 300 students. (In Spanish, aspira means to aspire.) The national organization originated in New York in 1961. Without ASPIRA, many students would not know what educational and financial options are available to them, Rivera says. She joined ASPIRA in 2003 when the Delaware organization was known as Friends of ASPIRA. Many Latino youths in the state were not pursuing college at all at that time, she says. Due in part to ASPIRA, the dropout rate of Latino students is declining. According to the Delaware Department of Education, it went from 3.2 percent in the 2014-2015 school year to 2.2 percent in 2015-2016. “I would not be where I am if it were not for Margaret Rivera,” says Maria Velasquez. Before meeting Rivera, the 27-year-old, who now lives in Philadelphia, never imagined attending an Ivy League university. Today she is a first-year MBA student at the University of Pennsylvania. “Margie encouraged me to apply,” she says. To maximize its efforts, ASPIRA’s collaborators include community volunteers and institutions such as the Latin American Community Center, Girls Inc., Del Tech Community College and United Way. Rivera remains on the ASPIRA board and volunteers as chair of the Development and Communications Committee. And she is still an advisor to students in the Saturday Academy program. — Adriana Church

14 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 18

8/24/17 8:25 AM

TWO BIRDS WITH

TWO STONES?

Come have a beer and see who gets hit

9_Start.indd 25

8/24/17 8:26 AM

7th Annual Help Our Kids Radiothon September 6 & 7 Tune In. Listen. Give. Nemours.org/Radiothon

PMS 2735 (Blue) PMS 1235 (Yellow) C100 M95 Y0 K3 (Blue) C0 M29 Y91 K0 (Yellow)

Join us at Sanford School on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from 8 am - noon. Enjoy All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes for just $10 per person. Proceeds benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Pancakes for Parkinson’s is a Team Fox event, organized by several Delaware families whose lives have been affected by Parkinson’s Disease. facebook.com/teamfoxdelaware or https://fundraise.michaeljfox.org/delawarepancakes 16 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 16

8/24/17 8:29 AM

Worth Trying Suggestions from our staff, contributors and readers

The Wilmington Riverfront

Tri-Valley Trail

It’s easy to forget how much the Wilmington Riverfront has improved over the last two decades. It’s gone from looking like a set piece from an Irwin Allen disaster movie to an attractive place where people want to live, work and play. A reminder of this transformation came with the recent visit of friends of the family from overseas. During their time here, we found ourselves going back again and again to the Riverfront: for lunch; for dinner; for ice cream; for the trampoline park, the wildlife refuge and Penn Cinema. Our guests simply loved it. There was a look of amazement in their kids’ faces when they first saw the Kalmar Nyckel cruise past us on the river. As locals, we are all so close to the Riverfront—in more ways than one—that it’s easy to see past that sense of amazement. The Riverfront is a place in which we all can take pride. And it gives us a sense of what we can accomplish as a city in a short time.

The much-anticipated Tri-Valley Trail, located in White Clay Creek State Park north of Newark and accessible from the Paper Mill Road entrance, opened this summer and does not disappoint. Whether you're bicycling or walking, the experience is a pleasant one, allowing you to drift through diverse terrain—meadows, forests, valleys, past historical stone buildings and fields of wildflowers. The trail structure varies, too, from paved to stone surfaces, narrow to wide. You don't need a mountain bike to ride the trail, though it would probably be a little smoother. Recommendation: go for a sunset walk or ride, or pack a picnic for an early fall snack beside the trail.

— Jim Miller, Director of Publications

— Krista Connor, Senior Editor & Media Manager

Produce Express A new and much-welcomed option for downtown fruit and veggie enthusiasts is The Produce Express at 340 S. Market St. It sells fresh produce at competitive prices, and much of it is both organic and local. The owner/operators are friendly and accommodating. Since becoming a weekly regular, I have suggested several additions to the inventory that are magically available on my next visit. Besides the excellent produce, the store offers a variety of Greek grocery items, including some home-baked specialties. The Produce Express is nestled next to the Celebration catering business, owned by the same family, an easy walk or drive from all of downtown, especially the Riverfront. The Produce Express, 340 S. Market St., open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 482-1876. — Mark Fields, Contributing Writer

Marley Salad from Drop Squad Kitchen This small kitchen on the Riverfront kicks out some seriously great vegan food. Located inside Molly's Ice Cream Shop, DSK offers a bunch of fantastic, soulinspired food—so good that you might be shocked to find out it was made without any animal products. I love the Caribbean-style kale salad with grilled ChickUn (their signature meatless chicken) with avocado, mango, tomato, onion and red peppers. Their signature dressing brings all those ingredients together for one tasty, flavorful salad. I also recommend the V-Steak, their meatless cheesesteak sub. — Tyler Mitchell, Designer

Have something you think is worth trying? Send your suggestion to Jim at jmiller@tsnpub.com.

9_Start.indd 7

8/24/17 3:32 PM

HAPPY HOURS Thursdays | 5 PM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 PM Extended through October 26 Mingle with friends outside on the terrace or tour the galleries on Thursday nights this fall. Drinks and dinner by Toscana available for purchase. **Happy Hours will take place in the Thronson CafĂŠ during inclement weather. Museum galleries are open with free admission every Thursday from 4-8pm. Dogs are welcome outside in the Garden and must be kept on a leash.**

2301 Kentmere Parkway | Wilmington, Delaware 19806 | 302.571.9590 | delart.org

18 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 16

8/24/17 8:36 AM

START

Says one parent: "Every student seems engaged."

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK Opened in 2014, First State Montessori Academy is growing its enrollment, adding two grades, and finding its downtown location an advantage By Larry Nagengast Photos by Joe del Tufo

reating a new school can be a bit like completing a jigsaw puzzle. It requires vision to put the pieces together properly. As it prepares to start its fourth year of operation in downtown Wilmington, the First State Montessori Academy is seeing all its pieces fit nicely. Enrollment should top 500 students this year as the school adds a seventh-grade class, and could grow to 660 in the fall of 2018 when an eighth grade is added. The school received more than 600 applications for 91 open seats this year, so its waiting list has more than 500 names. They must be doing something right. “Every time I go into the school, I’m in awe,” says Meredith Rosenthal, whose son and daughter attend the school. “Every student seems engaged. You can see them engrossed in their learning, working together.”

As Rosenthal sees it, the school’s board of directors and staff adhere to a very basic principle: “They only do things if they know they’re going to do it well.” That started in 2009, when the leaders of several private Montessori schools in New Castle County began meeting to develop a plan to bring Montessori education into a public school setting. An application filed that year with the state Department of Education’s Charter School Office did not win approval, but the group expanded its membership, refined its proposal and submitted a successful application in 2012 to open a new charter school. (A charter school is a public school, funded primarily by state and local tax dollars, but it is operated by a board of directors, not a local board of education, and is not subject to all the same rules and regulations as traditional public schools.) As originally planned, the school would open in the fall of 2013 with 241 students in kindergarten through sixth grade and grow to 325 students in its fourth year. ► SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 19

8/24/17 8:37 AM

START NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK continued from previous page

beefriend THE

bees

WITH

plants

bee-eautiful

Gateway Garden Center (302) 239-2727 • gatewaygardens.com

PRESENTED BY:

Halloween Blue Jean Ball Saturday, October 21 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Information & tickets: www.fbdbluejeanball.org NEIL

Silver: Chesapeake Utilities; First State Orthopaedics; Giant Food; Porter Auto; ShopRite Bronze: Associates International; Morris James; RKD Alpha Dog

“We just did it one step at a time,” says Yvonne Nass, president of the school’s board of directors. Preparing a charter school application is no mean achievement. The completed document totaled 635 pages, with details about curriculum, finances, discipline policies, health and safety, and the qualifications of the board members and staff. But that was just the beginning. As has been the case with many new charters in Delaware, it took First State an extra year to open, partly because of difficulty finding a suitable building. “We looked all over New Castle County,” says Courtney Fox, the head of school, a first-grade teacher for 15 years in the Brandywine School District and Delaware’s Teacher of the Year in 2008. “Old school buildings were not available. We looked at a lot of empty office space.” They applied for space in the Community Education Building, the former MBNA/Bank of America office building acquired through the Longwood Foundation and retrofitted with the goal of housing up to four charter schools dedicated to meeting the educational needs of Wilmington’s lowincome students. The application wasn’t approved. “The schools that were accepted had in their mission statement that they would serve certain communities,” Fox explains. “Our mission was to serve a variety of communities.”

THE RIGHT PLACE AND SPACE

As it turned out, First State would settle in another surplus MBNA/Bank of America structure, a former corporate childcare center at 920 French St., just two blocks south of the Community Education Building. “It was the right size, the right space, with the right amenities,” Fox says. “The kids could move about, there were large hallways, the rooms had observation windows,” Nass adds. “We decided that it was our spot.” And, since it was built as a daycare center, it didn’t require much retrofitting. But there was one hitch. First State made an offer to buy the building, but the Buccini/Pollin group put in a higher bid. So First State wound up as BPG’s tenant.

20 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 20

8/24/17 8:38 AM

ST. MICHAEL’S TABLE

Head of School Courtney Fox is a former first-grade teacher in the Brandywine School District and Delaware’s Teacher of the Year in 2008.

First State faced two other significant start-up hurdles: ensuring that the Montessori curriculum would cover all the items in the Common Core standards recently adopted by Delaware (and many other states) and recruiting teachers trained in Montessori methods. “Common Core tells us what to cover. We modify our content to fit lesson planning and methods,” Fox says. “It wasn’t that hard,” says Liz Madden, a 17-year Montessori veteran and the school’s director of education. “The Common Core standards are more challenging, more rigorous, but Common Core doesn’t dictate how you teach something.” Montessori educators require special certification beyond meeting the standards for a state teaching license. The certification involves taking a seven-week summer course and a series of projects that are completed while working in a Montessori classroom. “A couple of our teachers live downtown, and a couple live an hour away,” Fox says. “Because there are fewer certified Montessori teachers, we have to cast our net wider.” Hiring hasn’t been a big problem, Fox says, partly because teacher salaries at First State, while slightly below the range for teachers with comparable experience in traditional public schools, are higher than those offered at most private Montessori schools in the region. Mary Falkenberg, who had spent 12 years teaching third grade in the Colonial School District, joined the First State staff last year after spending the summer taking her Montessori training. This summer, she says, she has to turn in the papers she completed during the school year and take a final exam for certification. As with private Montessori schools, First State uses multi-age grouping, with kindergarten and first-grade students together, then second and third grade, then fourth through sixth.

TWO TEACHERS PER CLASSROOM

Each classroom has two teachers and there’s a Montessoricertified teacher in each one, Fox says. Having two teachers working together makes a huge difference, Falkenberg says. “If I give a lesson and a student is struggling with it, he or she can go to the other teacher for additional support.” The arrangement also allows teachers to play off each other’s strengths, she says. “I was more science, my co-teacher was more artistic. I love teaching third grade writing with essays, and she likes phonics and decoding.” ►

al fresco lobster + steak bake SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD | 7 PM CHADDS FORD HILLTOP

live auctions featuring la segreta villa the secret heart of italy benefits the St. Michael’s School Scholarship Fund $135 p/person

www.stmichaelsde.org

(302) 656-3389

SEPTEMBER 23

One Day, Two Walks!

@ AIDSWalkDelaware.com Pets are welcome!

SEPTEMBER MAY 2017 2015 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 21

21 15

8/24/17 8:40 AM

START NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK continued from previous page

Students follow weekly “work plans” designed by their teachers and based on their individual needs.

JOIN TODAY AND PAY NO JOINER FEE!* Plus, SAVE UP TO 20% off your monthly membership fee with our Y CONNECT REFERRAL PROGRAM.

JOIN TODAY!

www.ymcade.org

While Montessori teachers spend plenty of time instructing, students do a lot on their own, following weekly “work plans” designed by their teachers and based on their needs. A morning meeting starts the day, which includes some group instruction and special classes like art and music. But the biggest chunks are a pair of two-hour blocks during which students work on their own without interruption. Look around a classroom and you’ll see some students reading quietly, others collaborating on a group project, and some using blocks or other materials as they work out their math lesson. “If a couple of kids want to do something at the same time, they have to learn to share, or to wait and check in later. They have to figure out a plan for how to get it done,” Fox says. The biggest difference between a traditional school and Montessori is how students build their sense of independence, Falkenberg says. “They have their own work places. Kids have more freedom in choosing their own work. Some will pick their favorite subject and work on it first. Others will save the best for last,” she says. No matter how they set up their agenda, “they get so excited at the end of them, saying, ‘I completed my work plan. I got all my work done.’” Staying with the same teacher and classmates for two or more years benefits young students, Rosenthal says, because “unbelievable relationships are developed, both studentto-student and student-to-teacher.” Rosenthal relates another positive she has noticed with her son Max, who just completed sixth grade. “Watching him in grades four through six, he really matured,” she says. “He felt responsible for the younger kids in the classroom. He became a mentor and a role model.” Max’s maturation in the Montessori environment is one reason he is staying at First State, rather than transferring into a middle school in the Brandywine district, as the school adds seventh and eighth grades, his mother says. Adding the two grades was an instance of a problem becoming an opportunity. In the school’s first two years, Fox explains, it was losing students who would have entered sixth grade, largely because parents felt their children would be more comfortable moving into a middle school, which typically serves grades 6-8, for sixth grade rather than for seventh grade. First State contemplated dropping back to a K-5 structure, but a survey of parents indicated that most would keep their children at First State if grades seven and eight were added. In the fall of 2015, the school forged ahead with that plan, but had to find a second building to house the additional students. At about the same time, the Delaware MET, a charter high school that had just opened across the street from First State, failed. Due to a series of management, curriculum and discipline issues, the state ordered Delaware MET to close at the end of its first semester. The Charter Schools Development Corporation, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that had purchased another former MBNA/Bank of America building at 1000 French St. and leased it to Delaware MET, now had an empty building on its hands. Just as 920 French proved to be an ideal initial location, the building across the street was just right for First State’s expansion.

22 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 22

8/24/17 8:41 AM

DOWNTOWN ADVANTAGES

A large part of First State’s appeal to students and their parents is the array of downtown amenities available through the school. “Putting suburban kids in a city environment—new sounds, new sights, new experiences. It opens up a whole new world,” Rosenthal says. While students at suburban schools might take a field trip to a play or a concert, First State students regularly walk to musical and theatrical performances at The Grand, the Playhouse on Rodney Square or First & Central Presbyterian Church. Kindergarten students take dance lessons at The Grand, and grades four through six visit the Wilmington Institute Free Library once a week. “Their artwork gets displayed in the library. That’s a big deal for them,” Rosenthal says. First State parents provide strong support for the school, Fox says. Some help with landscaping around the building, others staff the teachers’ workroom. Another group takes regular assignments handling the lunch program. First State contracts with the Community Education Building to prepare and deliver student meals. Parents sort the lunches by class and take them to each classroom and, when they’re done, they assemble breakfasts for the next school day in the same fashion. “We’ve got a core group of 10 to 15 parents, and others fill in. They try to take the same day each week. With seventh and eighth grade, we’ll probably need more,” says parent Corey Lamborn, who will be coordinating the assignments this year. “It’s really fun to be there, to see your own kid at lunch time,” she says. In addition to contracting with the Community Education Building for its lunches, First State uses the back office services of Innovative Schools, a charter school support organization, for its bookkeeping needs, and collaborates with other downtown charter schools on professional development for staff members. First State’s enrollment is roughly two-thirds white and 25 percent African-American, Latino or multiracial. About 12 percent are considered low-income, and 8 percent have special education needs, according to the latest school profile report filed with the state Department of Education. About a quarter of the students live in city ZIP codes; the rest come from all over New Castle County, Fox says. There’s more than a little irony in those enrollment figures. A generation ago, when court-ordered desegregation began in northern New Castle County, student assignments were made with an eye toward setting school enrollments at about two-thirds to three-quarters white. Most white suburban parents were unhappy with their children having to attend city schools for up to three years; many black parents from Wilmington complained that their children endured long bus rides to the suburbs for up to nine years. With the lifting of the desegregation order more than 20 years ago, and the subsequent development of charter schools and choice programs, few white children from the suburbs are now attending traditional public schools in Wilmington. But the enrollment numbers for First State Montessori demonstrate that there are suburban families who will choose to send their children to a public school in the city. The Montessori curriculum is certainly a factor in the school’s popularity, board president Nass says. And it’s a plus that leaders like Fox and Madden were well known in the public school and Montessori communities, she adds. “Parents are looking for choice. They’re shopping,” Nass says. “And we are very clear about our mission.”

We may not be nationally recognized in the delivery of hugs, but Mary thinks we are. When coping with a serious illness we can help alleviate symptoms and reduce stress with care delivered right to your home. We partner directly with your physician, adding an extra layer of support to the curative care you are already receiving. Care that helps people like Mary feel good enough to capture every hug. Call us to see how palliative care can improve your quality of life at 800-838-9800. www.delawarepalliative.org

Come out for a fun day of golf to support us! Deerfield Golf Club, Sept. 28th Shotgun start at 12:30pm and awards dinner at 5:30pm. For more information, please contact Janet Luke at 302-743-4535.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Start.indd 23

8/24/17 8:42 AM

FOCUS

HUNGRY FOR THE ARTS? Satisfy your palate with this delectable menu of Wilmington-area arts By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald 8TH AVENUE ARTS COLLECTIVE Jasmine Brown leads this creative agency that helps artists, makers and doers to create and share in their own communities. 8th Avenue supports artists across the city through visual art exhibitions, open mic night performances and more. For September’s Art on the Town (Friday, Sept. 8), the organization features artist Erin Courtney’s acrylic resin work in an exhibit at Artist Ave Station. On Sunday, Sept. 3 and 17, 8th Avenue will host Art in the Park, an open-air, all-ages gathering. Bring your own supplies, sit together and create at the Wilmington Green Box location at 420 N. Market St. The Flavour, 8th Avenue’s regular open mic event, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, also at Wilmington Green Box, weather permitting. (If inclement weather, the location will be Wilmington Jaycees Clubhouse.) All events are free to attend. 800 N. Tatnall St., Wilmington • 723.9197 • 8thavenuecollective.com Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @8thAveCG

CHRISTINA CULTURAL ARTS CENTER A new Literary Café program leads off Christina’s 71st year, featuring author and Delaware native Jeff Hobbs on Saturday, Oct. 21, discussing his New York Times best-selling work, The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Pearce. CCAC’s focus on intimate live performances returns on Saturday, Nov. 18, with a concert by SPANK, featuring gospel/soul/hip hop drummer George “Spanky” McCurdy. Finally, CCAC embraces the majesty of the holidays on Sunday, Dec. 10, with the stunning contemporary dance/music/narration production of “Carols in Color,” performed by Philly-based Eleone Dance Theatre. December wraps up with CCAC’s own Holiday Festival of the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 16. 705 N. Market St., Wilmington • 652.0101 • ccacde.org Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @CCACDE

Photo courtesy of Eleone Dance Theatre

ARTZSCAPE Based in Wilmington’s bustling LoMa neighborhood, ArtzScape has created an equally bustling scene for local and regional artists, poets and musicians, providing a rental space for private and public events and encouraging active networking at events. On Sunday, Sept. 17, ArtzScape presents the third installment of its MUSIC.POETRY.ART series, featuring Christian poet Charles Robinson-Snead. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com. 205 N. Market St., Wilmington • 267.679.2711 • artzscape.com Facebook: @ArtzScape

Photo Joe del Tufo

ARDEN CONCERT GILD Arden has an outstanding season ahead with new shows continually added. The kick-off is the annual end-of-summer jubilee, Arden Fair, on Saturday, Sept. 2, with rides, games, food, art and the free Shady Grove stage featuring music by Garry Cogdell, Steal Your Peach and Jr. Wolf. Thursday, Sept. 21, heralds the first-ever David Bromberg Quintet performance at Gild Hall. Friday, Oct. 6, brings Rhett Miller’s (of the Old 97’s) solo show and Thursday, Oct. 12, Dar Williams concert and book reading (What I Found in a Thousand Towns includes an extended section on Wilmington). Hot young Brooklyn duo—the Indie-folkwith-electronic-undercurrent Overcoats—hits the stage Friday, Oct. 20. Jazz perfection is celebrated on Friday, Oct. 27, with Etienne Charles on trumpet and percussion with his Creole Soul Sextet. Finally, on Saturday, Nov. 4, the vibrant voice of Mary Fahl (formerly of October Project) fills Gild Hall for a debut performance. 2126 The Highway, Arden • 898.9308 • ardenconcerts.com Facebook: @ArdenConcertGild • Twitter: @ArdenConcerts

THE ARTS AT TRINITY This free series in the heart of Wilmington, hosted by Trinity Episcopal Church, is in its seventh season of "pop-up" events in literature, drama, poetry and visual arts. This year opens on Saturday, Oct. 7, with the Serafin String Quartet performing works by Haydn, Mendelssohn and American composer William Grant Still. On Sunday, Nov. 5, Trinity Church Choir and orchestra, conducted by Terrence Gaus-Wollen, performs sacred music by Bach as part of its regular Sunday service. On Saturday, Dec. 2, rising jazz pianist Gil Scott Chapman performs, including classical and jazz works and his own compositions. 1108 N. Adams St., Wilmington • 652.8605 • theartsattrinity.org Facebook: @TheArtsatTrinity

24 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 2

8/24/17 8:44 AM

Photo Alessandra Nicole

DELAWARE SHAKESPEARE Once more upon a midnight dreary, Delaware Shakespeare opens many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore during its autumnal celebration of the macabre with Shakespeare, Poe and Fiends. New selections, new authors, new venues— including the courthouse in Historic New Castle and Old Town Hall in Wilmington—will usher guests into a world of literary spirits and specters for a night of readings from plays, prose and poetry. This year’s event runs one weekend only, Oct. 12-15. The fall Community Tour production of As You Like It stars DelShakes alum Danielle Leneé as Rosalind, directed by Madeline Sayet, with original music composed and performed by Joe Trainor. The tour will present 13 free performances over three weeks (Oct. 25-Nov. 9), for audiences that traditionally have limited access to the arts, in the Rick Van Story Resource Center, Greenwood Public Library, Delaware Psychiatric Center, Howard R. Young Correctional Institution and Broad Street Ministry in Philadelphia. Where possible, productions are open to the public. The tour concludes with three ticketed performances at OperaDelaware Studios (Nov. 10-12). Performance venues: Varying in Delaware • 415.3373 • delshakes.org Facebook & Instagram: @DelShakes DELAWARE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Orchestra’s season begins Friday, Sept. 15, at The Grand Opera House with a concert featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5; Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony No. 1; and Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp, with soloists Kim Reighley, flute, and Sarah Fuller, harp. Music Director David Amado will conduct and give a pre-concert talk one hour before each concert. The second classics concert is Thursday, Nov. 16, featuring Pictures from the Floating World by David Ludwig with guest bassoon soloist William Short; Debussy’s La Mer; and Ferde Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite. The first concerts in DSO’s Chamber Series are Tuesdays, Oct. 17 and Dec. 12, in the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel du Pont. 100 W. 10th St., Suite 1003, Wilmington • 656.7442 delawaresymphony.org • Facebook: @DelawareSymphony Twitter: @DelawareSymph

Photo Joe del Tufo

THE DELAWARE CONTEMPORARY The Contemporary keeps our eyes, hearts and minds busy with its group exhibition that began last month and runs through Oct. 25—Spiral, Recoil: Honoring a legacy of Black Art —which asks the imperative question: In 50 years of “progress,” how far have we really come? Additional exhibits now through the fall: Artist Monique Rollins’ Eastern Poesia: A cultural exchange expressed through emotional abstraction through Nov. 19 in the Carole Bieber and Marc Hamm Gallery, and Ola Rondiak’s Behind the Lines: An Iconographic Journey of a Ukrainian Family’s Experience through Historical events, through Oct. 15 in the Beckler Family Members' Gallery. Running Sept. 5-Dec. 3 in the Avery E. Draper Gallery is Adam Ledford’s Don’t Worry About the Government: Investigating the ideologies of mid-century modernism by leading the viewer through three-dimensional space. Be sure to stop by “the place to be” on Art Loop Fridays for exhibitions openings, open artist studios, food trucks and more. The music ensemble Mélomanie also launches its Wilmington Concert Series at the Contemporary on Saturday, Oct. 29. 200 S. Madison St., Wilmington • 656.6466 • decontemporary.org Facebook & Instagram: @DEContemporary

Photo Dan Meyers

THE DELAWARE ART MUSEUM The museum welcomes two major exhibitions this fall. The first, Tableau: The Art of Richard Cleaver (Sept. 16-Jan. 7, 2018), features elaborate sculptures full of hidden compartments to capture the lives and secrets of historical figures and personal acquaintances of the artist. The next, An American Journey: The Art of John Sloan (Oct. 21Jan. 28, 2018), is the first major retrospective of Sloan’s work since 1988. It covers his work as an illustrator in Philadelphia, his depictions of New York City, his views of Gloucester, Mass., and his studies of Santa Fe, N.M. Throughout the fall, the museum also offers many engaging, informal programs for all ages: enjoy Art is Tasty (Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3), a monthly series pairing 30-minute art discussions with a delicious lunch in the Thronson Café; take part in Peace Week Delaware or Día de los Muertos with the Labyrinth Walks on Friday, Sept. 22, or Thursday, Nov. 2; listen to Concerts on Kentmere on Thursday, Sept. 28, with “ensemble in residence,” Pyxis Piano Quartet; or talk with New York Times best-selling author Robert Wittman at his lecture and book signing on Thursday, Sept. 7, for The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich. 2301 Kentmere Pkwy., Wilmington • 571.9590 • delart.org Facebook: @DelawareArtMuseum Twitter/Instagram: @DelArtMuseum

SEPTEMBER MAY 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 3

25 35

8/24/17 8:45 AM

DELAWARE THEATRE COMPANY This fall, DTC continues its vision as the only theater in the state developing new shows for Broadway with the World Premiere musical adaptation of Something Wicked This Way Comes, based on the Ray Bradbury novel, with book by Brian Hill and music & lyrics by Neil Bartram (Sept. 13-Oct. 8). Picture 1938, a small town, a mysterious carnival and two young boys bent on escaping to find adventure and themselves. Dare to Be Black follows (Oct. 25-Nov. 12), written by Tommie J. Moore. Before Muhammad Ali, there was champion boxer Jack Johnson, whose quest for equality has never seemed more timely. Finally, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised] reinvigorates the Bard’s works in a madcap romp (Nov. 29-Dec. 23). These men in tights weave their way through all Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one wild ride, leaving you breathless with laughter. 200 Water St., Wilmington • 594.1100 • DelawareTheatre.org Facebook/Instagram: @DelawareTheatreCompany • Twitter/ Snapchat: @DelawareTheatre

Christo & Jeanne-Claude The Tom Golden Collection

From wrapping the bridge in Italy to The Gates in Central Park. Amazing public art. Amazing duo. Amazing planning.

Art

Biggs Museum of American www.BiggsMuseum.org

Dover, DE

August 4th October 22nd

Pictured: CHRISTO, THE GATES (PROJECT FOR CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY), Drawing 2001 in two parts: (65 x 15” and 65 x 42”) DETAIL, Photo: André Grossmann. COPYRIGHT CHRISTO 2001.

The exhibition was organized by the Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa, CA. Exhibition Tour Management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.

FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE Delaware’s premiere professional ballet company first sweeps you away with Giselle—a transcendent story of a village girl transformed into a tender spirit after dying of a broken heart. The performances, at The Grand Opera House, are Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22. Next, the company’s hallmark Up Front series opens Friday, Nov. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 18, in Studio 1 of the Grand, giving audiences an intimate look at the company’s classical and contemporary work. Then, ring in the holidays with Wilmington’s favorite tradition, the magical Nutcracker, for two dates at The Grand on Friday, Dec. 22, and Saturday, Dec. 23. 818 N. Market St., Wilmington • 658.7897 x3851 • firststateballet.com Facebook/Instagram: @FirstStateBallet • Twitter: @FSBTheatre

Photo courtesy of First State Ballet

HUNGRY FOR THE ARTS? continued from previous page

Photo Mobius New Media

FOCUS

GABLE MUSIC VENTURES After the smashing success of this summer’s expanded two-day Ladybug Festival, Gable continues to be the conduit for live music in and around Wilmington. Gable is booking regular performances in a variety of genres at places like 40 Acres’ Halligan Bar, Concord Pike’s Stoney’s British Pub and, of course, the highly anticipated weekly curated open mic showcase, Wilmo Wednesdays, at Ernest & Scott Taproom on Market Street in downtown Wilmington. Check the website for complete, up-to-the-minute details. Performance venues: Varying in Wilmington gablemusicventures.com Facebook & Instagram: @GableMusicVentures Twitter: @GableMusic

26 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 4

8/24/17 8:46 AM

56 SHOWS ANNOUNCED: BUY 3 AND SAVE!

Ron White / Buddy Guy / Tape Face / Pink Martini / Hannibal Buress / and more! TheGrandWilmington.org | 302.652.5577 | 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

THEGRAND

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

All tickets subject to box office service charges. Artists, dates, times and programs are subject to change.

Arden Concert Gild, The Green Willow, Brandywine Friends of Oldtime Music, and the Latino Community Advisory Council are valued partners for many performances in the 2017-18 season.

Presented by

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

TICKETS AS LOW AS $40*! PICK 3 AND SAVE! BROADWAY’S DEFINITIVE TONY -WINNING MASTERPIECE ®

“DIVINELY, DANGEROUSLY

NOVEMBER 14-19

NOVEMBER 26

DECEMBER 21-23

DECADENT.” MARCH 13-18 BEN BRANTLEY

APRIL 3-8

MAY 1-6

MAY 18-20

* Tickets starting at $33 for Rudolph

Call: 302.888.0200 Online: ThePlayhouseDE.org Visit: 1007 North Market St., Wilmington Season Co-Producers

Additional Support

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 5

8/24/17 2:08 PM

FOCUS HUNGRY FOR THE ARTS? continued from page 26

THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE & THE PLAYHOUSE ON RODNEY SQUARE The Grand’s newest season is sure to impress entertainment lovers of all kinds. America’s Got Talent’s Tape Face brings unconventional silent comedy on Saturday, Oct. 14, and a Capella showmen and Grand favorite Straight No Chaser will perform two shows Sunday, Oct. 29, in what will be a certain sellout. Broadway star Ana Gasteyer fills The Playhouse with saucy songs and comedy Thursday, Dec. 7 and comedian Sinbad returns with his sharp topical humor Friday, Dec. 15. The Playhouse on Rodney Square kicks off its Broadway in Wilmington season with The Wizard of Oz (Nov. 14-19), captivating the entire family with a trip down the Yellow Brick Road and beyond. All your favorite characters from the beloved TV classic come to life in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical in a limited engagement to kick off the holidays with two shows on Sunday, Nov. 26. The Grand: 818 N. Market St., Wilmington • 652.5577 TheGrandWilmington.org • Facebook: @TheGrandWilmington Twitter/Instagram: @TheGrandWilm The Playhouse: 1007 N. Market St., Wilmington • 888.0200 ThePlayhouseDE.org • Facebook: @ThePlayhouseDE

Great Weekly Specials Everyday! Mon-1/2 Price Burgers All Day Tues- Oyster Day All Day

Special Oyster Menu $1.25 Raw Oysters, Brick Oven Baked Oysters , $5.00 Oyster Shooters

Wed.-$6 Chefs Tapas Menu Starts at 4pm $1 Off All Craft Drafts 4pm-Close $16 Pitcher of House Sangria Thurs- Flat Bread Day All Day All Gourmet Flat Breads $5.00

Fri.-$1.25 Raw Oysters All Day Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm

$4 Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar

302.376.0600 109 Main Street, Odessa, DE 19730 Mon: 11:30am-9pm • Tues - Thurs: 11:30am-10pm Fri-Sat:11:30am-11pm • Sun: 10am-9pm

www.cantwells-tavern.com

MARKET STREET MUSIC Wilmington’s most affordable and diverse music series presents full-length Festival Concerts featuring organist David Schelat on Saturday, Oct. 14; Pyxis Piano Quartet on Saturday, Oct. 28; and Mastersingers of Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 4. Its muchbeloved mid-day music fest, Thursday Noontime Concerts, begin Thursday, Oct. 5, with a varied roster that includes the Copeland String Quartet; regional favorite artists like pianist Daniel Carunchio and countertenor Gus Mercante; and a return appearance by the Lyra Russian Choir—the vocal ensemble of St. Petersburg. The noontime series culminates in the holiday tradition of the Cartoon Christmas Trio on Thursday, Dec. 7, and a holiday choral concert by Center City Chorale on Thursday, Dec. 14. Performance venue: First & Central Presbyterian Church, 1101 N. Market St., Wilmington • 654.5371 • marketstreetmusicde.org Facebook: @MarketStreetMusicDE MÉLOMANIE Wilmington’s “provocative pairings” music ensemble celebrates its 25th anniversary season. A new partnership with the Delaware Historical Society presents two performances: the first on Saturday, Sept. 30, Up Close and Personal, features violinist Christof Richter, and the second on Sunday, Dec. 3, which includes holiday music. A post-concert partnership with La Fia Bistro also follows each of those performances. The ensemble’s Wilmington Concert Series at The Delaware Contemporary begins on Sunday, Oct. 29, with a premiere by composer Mark Hagerty and guest percussionist Chris Hanning. The remaining series dates— Sundays, Jan. 14, March 11 and April 8—see three additional premieres written for the ensemble as well as a collaboration with Delaware’s Poets Laureate, The Twin Poets. Performance venues: The Delaware Historical Society, 505 N. Market St., Wilmington & The Delaware Contemporary, 200 S. Madison St., Wilmington • 764.6338 • melomanie.org Facebook: @MelomanieDE

28 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 6

8/24/17 8:56 AM

based on the novel by

RAY BRADBURY music & lyrics by

NEIL BARTRAM

TO DAY !

book by

BRIAN HILL

SEE ALL 5 S HOW 2017/18 SE S OF OUR AS O AS LO W AS N FO R $160

directed & choreographed by

RACHEL ROCKWELL

Before there was Stranger Things, there was Something Wicked This Way Comes!

SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 8, 2017 GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Group (10+) & student discounts available Title Sponsor:

Halloween 1938. A small town. A mysterious carnival. And two boys bent on escaping the midway of life to find adventure, and themselves. The hypnotic power and dark poetry of Ray Bradburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic novel Something Wicked This Way Comes sings and seduces in this bold new musical. Join young heroes Will and Jim as they race against time to fight the supernatural and save their town. Packed with endless thrills and astonishing sights, this traveling carnival is not one to miss. Tickets as low as $25!

200 WATER STREET / WILMINGTON, DE 19801 / 302.594.1100 / DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG Season Sponsors:

17 OA - SWTWC full page ad.indd 1

8/18/17 3:05 PM

9_Focus.indd 7

8/24/17 8:57 AM

THE MUSIC SCHOOL OF DELAWARE The Music School boasts a busy fall of performances, HUNGRY FOR THE ARTS? both student and professional. Its Wilmington Branch continued from page 28 professional concerts will feature the music of the Revolutionary War; the 10th anniversary of its “Music of Many Lands” program; and an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration. Additionally, faculty recitals at both Wilmington and Milford Branches will be presented throughout the season. The Wilmington Community Orchestra, under the baton of Tiffany Lu, will perform works from Barber to Beethoven. Alumni return to share their musical stories in concert. And, the school continues to host its Classical Cafe sessions (complimentary coffee and donuts included), where attendees engage in lively discussion with select faculty on a variety of musicrelated topics. The Music School also hosts and presents events in genres from classical to rock, including quarterly Open Mic Nights, a monthly Bluegrass Jam, jazz and rock performances. 4101 Washington St., Wilmington • 762.1132 • musicschoolofdelaware.org Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @MusicSchoolofDE

Photo courtesy of The Music School of Delaware

FOCUS

LET US CATER TO YOU. From dinner parties to office get-togethers to weddings, let Janssen’s make your event

THE QUEEN WILMINGTON The Queen is bringing national touring acts to Wilmington that have never performed in the area—Third Eye Blind, Regina Spektor, Cheap Trick, Andrew Dice Clay, Kevin Smith, Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and more. With genres ranging from reggae to rock and roll to hip hop, there’s something for every kind of music lover here. 500 N. Market St., Wilmington • 215.309.0150 thequeenwilmington.com Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @QueenWilmington

Photo Shervin Lainez

OPERADELAWARE OperaDelaware continues to tweak our perceptions of what opera is and what it can be in its distinctive programming and collaborations. The fall begins with Opera Uncorked! on Friday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 22. Arias, Ambers and IPAs will flow at the group’s Riverfront Studio as operatic highlights are paired with your favorite beers provided by Swigg. Saturday, Nov 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, features Werther—Jules Massenet's opera based on Goethe's novel The Sorrows of Young Werther—in concert with piano, again at the Riverfront Studio. 4 S. Poplar St., Wilmington • 442.7807 • operade.org Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @OperaDelaware

Regina Spektor

special. We offer full-service catering, event planning, party rentals, floral arrangements, and more. Contact our catering director today at (302) 654-9941 x3.

WWW.JANSSENSMARKET.COM 3801 KENNETT PIKE, GREENVILLE, DE 302.654.9941

SUMMER IN THE PARKS This annual city-wide program completed its final week of free arts activities, and by all accounts, it was another wonderful collaborative effort by the City of Wilmington, the Grand Opera House and the 176 individuals (including 50 students), representing 31 artists/organizations who participated. This year’s Summer in the Parks has served 2,700 participants. Approximately 80 percent of those participating were children. Nearly 1,000 observers enjoyed the arts throughout almost every neighborhood, providing a total arts reach of 3,667 people. In all, Summer in the Parks presented 52 daytime events and eight evening concerts, showcasing all types of music, dance and movement, arts and crafts, live theater and fun workshops. At the end of August, the Grand Opera House and the City of Wilmington Department of Parks & Recreation held an end-of-summer BIG BASH, featuring a performance with Illstyle & Peace on the mobile stage, to celebrate the program’s success. Performance Venues: Varying Parks in Wilmington • 658.7897 thegrandwilmington.org/parks • Facebook: @SummerinParks

30 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 8

8/24/17 9:11 AM

WE TELL THE WORLD’S GREAT STORIES.

We are the REP.

2017 / 18 SEASON

THE MOUNTAINTOP

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

ALL TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Subscribe and see all SIX shows for AS LITTLE AS $138 – it’s like getting one show FREE!

SEPT. 14 - OCT. 8

THE MOUNTAINTOP

by Katori Hall A moving fictionalized look at the events on the night before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination that both humanizes the great man and shines a sharp, modern light on his message.

SEPT. 21 - OCT. 8

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

FROM THE AUTHOR OF...

DIAL “M” FOR MURDER

Hilarious mayhem and madness abound in this life-affirming classic romp that is widely regarded as “America’s greatest stage comedy.”

NOV. 9 - DEC. 3

FROM THE AUTHOR OF...

by Chisa Hutchinson A famous NYC author tries to salvage her career by attempting to rehabilitate an irascible homeless woman. A blunt, insightful, and amusing play with plenty of strong language and stronger opinions.

JAN. 18 - FEB. 4

DIAL “M” FOR MURDER

A FLEA IN HER EAR

TWELFTH NIGHT

by Frederick Knott The basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, this stylish “holiday for whodunit fans” will have you on the edge of your seat until the curtain falls.

MARCH 1 - MARCH 18

A FLEA IN HER EAR

by Georges Feydeau Widely regarded as one of the funniest farces ever written, this bawdy bedroom comedy swirls with eccentric personalities, revolving beds, a great many doors, and non-stop hilarity!

APRIL 19 - MAY 6

TWELFTH NIGHT

ROSELLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS | NEWARK, DE (302) 831-2204 | WWW.DELAWAREREP.COM Sponsored in part by:

out and about full color no bleed 8.35 x 10 inches

9_Focus.indd 9

by William Shakespeare Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece of mistaken identities, tangled letters of love, and genderbending hijinks that reminds us that love can make fools of us all.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

8/24/17 9:03 AM

32 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 10

8/24/17 9:14 AM

FOCUS

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC HUNGRY FOR THE ARTS? The Concert Season begins Friday, continued from page 30 Sept. 15, with a return performance by the Calidore String Quartet. Additional season highlights include Sublime Strings, a group of five performances anchored by Quartet-in-Residence Serafin String Quartet, Blair String Quartet and Calidore String Quartet. UD Faculty perform at the Faculty Gala on Saturday, Sept. 23; in Faculty Jazz on Monday, Oct. 16, and in acclaimed Resident Ensembles and Faculty Artist Recitals throughout the semester. Students also perform throughout the semester in the award-winning UD Chorale, UD Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and UD Opera Theatre. The popular Chamber Orchestra Cinema Series opens with Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger (1927), a silent movie with live orchestral accompaniment on Friday, Oct. 20. Gore Recital Hall, Roselle Center for the Performing Arts, Newark • 831.2578 • music.udel.edu UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE MASTER PLAYERS CONCERT SERIES Producing Artistic Director Xiang Gao invites you to experience “Unity in Variety,” celebrating music as our diverse planet’s universal language. Now in its 14th year, Master Players Concert Series brings the world’s top musicians and ensembles to Delaware in its role as UD’s cultural ambassador. The three concerts on campus begin with musicians of the Baltimore classical music scene performing solo and chamber works in The Stars of Baltimore: Season Opening Gala on Sunday, Oct. 1; The Shanghai String Quartet: 35 Years of Our American Experience on Saturday, Nov. 4; and Holiday Pops: Frank Sinatra’s Coming to Town on Saturday, Dec. 9. Mitchell Hall, Roselle Center for the Performing Arts, Newark • 831.2905 • masterplayers.udel.edu Facebook & Twitter: @UDMPCS WILMINGTON DRAMA LEAGUE For its 85th season launch, the Drama League presents Godspell (Sept. 15-24), directed by Chris Turner with music directed by Caty Butler. Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, the show features a troupe of eccentric players who team up with Jesus to teach His lessons in a new age through parables, games and tomfoolery. More madcap comedy follows with the farce Moon Over Buffalo (Oct. 20-29), centering on two stage actors with one last shot at stardom—if they can keep their act and relationship together. The Tony Award-winning Peter and the Starcatcher arrives Nov. 10-19, telling the story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (AKA Peter Pan). The fall season closes with the classic tale A Christmas Carol (Dec.15-27), reimagined by Broadway heavy hitters Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. 10 W. Lea Blvd., Wilmington • 764.1172 • wilmingtondramaleague.org Facebook: @WilmingtonDramaLeague Instagram: @WilmingtonDramaLeague

The Playhouse

PRIX FIXE 35 3 Course Dinner Menu During Playhouse Theater Shows. Reservations Recommended.

GAMEDAY funday Watch Every Game In Our Spacious Bar And Lounge!

Happy Hour Specials All Day $

6 City Wide Special: Pint Of Yuengling Or Miller Lite And Shot Of Fireball Or Jim Beam

5 Select Glasses Of Wine

2 Off Craft Drafts

$ $

1 Off Domestic/ Import Drafts

5/$6/$7 Food Menu

302.777.2040 | TonicBarGrille.com 111 WesT 11Th sTreeT | DoWnToWn WilminGTon SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 11

8/24/17 12:28 PM

WINE

SPIRITS

Celebrating 84 Years

TErRAPIn 10 BARREL

OSKAR D o m i n i o n

Sweet Water

neshaminy creek

LAGUNITAS

BLUES dogfish head

FOUNDERS

GOOSE ISLAND

New Belgium

otter creek

TROEgS

Two Roads RAR ITHACA Coming soon:

Left Hand Brewing

GET CRAFTY! A Delaware Tradition Since 1933 MIDDLETOWN 448 E. Main Street Middletown, DE 19709 Tel: (302) 376-6123 Proud Sponsor of the

WILMINGTON 904 Concord Avenue Wilmington, DE 19802 Tel: (302) 652-3792

ROCK OPERA KICKS OFF CTC'S 24TH SEASON City Theater Company, Delaware's off-Broadway experience, drops the axe on its 24th season with Lizzie, a blistering rock opera based on the 19th century legend of Lizzie Borden (Sept. 8-16). Four women front a six-piece rock band to tell a tale of murder and mayhem, with music by Steven CheslikDeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt; lyrics by CheslikDeMeyer and Tim Maner; book and additional music by Maner, and additional lyrics by Hewitt. The musical is based on an original concept by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Maner. Michael Gray, CTC's producing artistic director, helms the piece, which he's been looking forward to producing for some time. “I was intrigued by the story told by four women (though 'men’ were always present) and how the music (rock, thrash, punk) was used to capture their rage—the years of abuse and neglect, and the loneliness and betrayal that led to the horrific murders. It’s compelling to see one woman, in a time when single women had little status, take control of her narrative. That’s the story we are excited to portray.” Lizzie marks the CTC debut of Darby Elizabeth McLaughlin in the title role, alongside Jill Knapp of popular band Hot Breakfast!, Kyleen Shaw and Grace Tarves. The band features Caty Butler, Meghan Doyle, Jon Luther, Noelle Picara, Joey Lopes and Sheila Hershey. CTC‘s Fearless Improv—the only comedy improv team in Wilmington—returned to Wilmington this summer with Third Thursday shows at Chelsea Tavern and continue through the year’s end with performances on Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec 21. Additional shows are scheduled at Penn’s Place in Old New Castle on two Saturdays, Sept. 9 and Nov. 11. Fearless also offers Improv 101 and Improv 301—eight-week, two-hour workshops open to the public that teach basic scene work and advanced performance techniques. Both classes begin Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Delaware Historical Society in downtown Wilmington. In December, CTC returns to The Black Box to present a stripped-down version of the Sondheim classic Sunday in the Park with George (Dec 1-16). Gray has plans to collaborate with local visual artists to produce a “live” piece of art during each production—in essence, delivering a new and exciting multigenre experience every night. Class Venue: Delaware Historical Society, 505 N. Market St., Wilmington; Performance Venue: Chelsea Tavern, 821 N. Market Street, Wilmington • 220.8285 • city-theater.org Facebook: @CTCImprov • Twitter/Instagram: @CityTheaterCo

Photo Joe del Tufo

KRESTON &

FOCUS

—Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald 34 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 12

8/24/17 3:16 PM

FOCUS

Photo Joe del Tufo

UD REP TACKLES DIVERSE STORIES THIS SEASON The University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players (REP) is the only full-time, resident professional acting ensemble in Delaware and the tristate region, and one of a few in the United States. Their fall season includes a diverse mix of powerful stories and raucous entertainment. “The REP’s 20172018 season includes something for everyone,” says Sanford Robbins, producing artistic director. “From madcap comedies to suspenseful dramas…to the world premiere of a new play written for the REP by one of America's most gifted young playwrights, this is going to be a dynamite season.” It opens with a powerful, intimate look at Martin Luther King, Jr. in The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (Sept. 14-Oct. 8), directed by Walter Dallas. The story finds Dr. King retiring to his quiet room in the Lorraine Motel, exhausted after delivering his famous “Mountaintop” speech. But a chance meeting with an enthusiastic maid leads him to reflect on his achievements and all the work he has left to do. Next is the comedy You Can’t Take It with You by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart (Sept. 21-Oct. 8). When the eccentric, ruledefying Sycamore family is introduced to high-society parents of their daughter’s fiancé, it is anything but a quiet evening. November brings the World Premiere of From the Author of… (Nov. 9-Dec. 3) written especially for the REP by emerging playwright Chisa Hutchinson. The story follows a famous New York author who, reeling from disastrous reviews of her new book on homelessness, tries to save face by taking in a street person to rehabilitate. It’s a wickedly blunt, funny and insightful look at loyalty, responsibility and “who owns whose story.” Directed by Jade King Carroll, this play contains adult themes and strong language. Roselle Center for the Arts, Newark • 831.2204 • rep.udel.edu Facebook: @rep.udel.edu Twitter: @Delaware_REP

BEST OF DELAWARE 2017 & READERS’ CHOICE 2016

JOIN US ON THE RIVERFRONT BEFORE OR AFTER THE SHOW!

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULE

—Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Focus.indd 13

8/25/17 8:34 AM

MARTUSCELLI R E S TAU R A N T G R O U P

SERVING IN THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS FOR OVER 100 YEARS COMBINED

WWW.MARTUSCELLIANDSONS.COM

9_Focus.indd 20

8/24/17 9:26 AM

EAT

DINING AT A DISCOUNT Discount mobile app Spotluck is bringing savings to diners in Wilmington and now Newark—and it’s generating major business for local restaurants

otel and airline prices vary from day to day, so why shouldn’t the same be said for restaurant meals during off-peak times? That’s the thinking behind discount mobile app Spotluck, helmed by Bethesda, Md.-based entrepreneurs Cherian Thomas and Bradford Sayler. The app launched in 15 Wilmington restaurants like Ernest & Scott, Del Pez and FireStone in July and since late August is now available at a handful of Newark locations, including Home Grown Café, Caffè Gelato, Klondike Kate's, La Casa Pasta, Margherita’s Pizza, Catherine Rooney’s, Arena's Deli & Bar and more. Spotluck is a free app available for iPhone and Android users that solves the perpetual “where should we eat” dilemma in a fun way, with algorithms that fluctuate depending on the day, weather and time. For example, the founders don’t believe it makes sense to pay as much at a restaurant on a rainy Tuesday as on a pleasant Friday night, so the former would have a bigger discount. In the app, users can spin a wheel once per day to receive 15-35 percent off to dine at one restaurant randomly chosen by the software—and a 10 percent loyalty discount to all of the app’s other local restaurants. “It’s a dining adventure, a dining experience—and encourages you to live a little,” says Thomas. “Wilmington is destroying it. It’s doing incredible.” Between mid-July and mid-August, 5,000 new users signed up in the Wilmington area, and so far, this growth has been mostly through word-of-mouth. Thomas expects that number to double and triple soon, especially when Newark stats start coming in. The app launched on the East Coast in 2014 and now services neighborhoods in Philadelphia, Maryland, D.C., New York and more. “We created this two-sided market place that’s a win-win,” says Thomas. “A lot of times the business wins or the customer wins. But with Spotluck, the restaurants win, incentive is smart,

and it reaches the masses facing the dining dilemma—whether it’s a husband and wife, coworker, or roommate, everybody argues about where to eat.” Spotluck solves that recurring problem by picking a place at random, he says. No restaurant chains can participate in the app, and Thomas celebrates the individuality of each participating restaurant. He says the app is very neighborhood-centric, and he wants to highlight the uniqueness of each establishment and its individual story and atmosphere. David Dietz, owner of BBC Tavern and Grill, is all in. "Spotluck is different from most platforms. To me it's built with the restaurant in mind,” Dietz says. “Obviously, business is slower on Monday than on Friday. With Spotluck the discounts change based on the day of the week and even the weather. The customer is going to get a bigger discount on a rainy Monday when people are more inclined to stay in than on a sunny Friday when people go out with friends.” Dietz says the Spotluck owner dashboard also provides insights into guests’ demographics. It shows him how many people have used their Spotluck discount at BBC—250 from July to August—the average age of these guests (42), and what Zip codes they're coming from. “Diners have come from 32 different Zip codes already," Dietz says. Joe Van Horn, proprietor of Chelsea Tavern and Ernest & Scott Taproom, has seen similar results, with 220 Spotluck diners between July 14 and mid-August. “It's free for the consumer and they don't pay anything out of pocket, like with Groupon, so for some reason, review-wise people aren't as vicious,” says Van Horn. “And it’s fun.” For more, visit spotluck.com. —O&A SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 13

8/24/17 12:25 PM

38 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 2

8/24/17 9:33 AM

EAT

Mikimotos and Washington Street Ale House are now owned by Big Fish Restaurant Group. Photos Krista Connor

SWIMMING WITH THE BIG FISH Restaurateur Eric Sugrue builds on Darius Mansoory’s legacy By Pam George

ric Sugrue met Darius Mansoory only once. They were both guests at an Eagles/Redskins tailgate. But Sugrue, the managing partner of Big Fish Restaurant Group, had visited Mansoory’s restaurants many times, particularly Stingray Sushi Bar & Latino Grill, in Rehoboth Beach, Sugrue’s home town. After Mansoory’s sudden death in January, many wondered what would happen to his company, Cherry Tree Hospitality Group. Of particular interest were Mansoory’s Washington Street Ale House and Mikimotos Asian Grill & Sushi Bar, sideby-side restaurants that anchor Washington Street in downtown Wilmington. The answer came in June when Sugrue announced the purchase of Mansoory’s businesses, which are now under the Big Fish Restaurant Group umbrella. Those with an interest in downtown Wilmington's vitality were pleased by the news. “I am so excited that Big Fish, a company that enjoys a statewide reputation for excellence, has purchased the properties of the Cherry Tree Hospitality Group,” says Martin Hageman, executive director of Downtown Visions.

Dr. Carrie Gray, managing director of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, agreed. “We’re thrilled to hear that Big Fish has purchased Darius Mansoory’s restaurant group,” she says. “Darius was a long-committed restaurateur in Wilmington who believed in downtown before many others did. To know now that the vision he had for his restaurants will not only be continued but expanded upon is very exciting news for Wilmington.” In many respects, it’s fitting that Big Fish Restaurant Group should have ownership of Mansoory’s culinary legacy. Mansoory and Sugrue shared a path to success that is laced with certain professional similarities, most importantly the ability to spot an opportunity and an untapped niche. ► Darius Mansoory died suddenly in January.

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 3

8/24/17 9:37 AM

EAT

Photo Krista Connor

SWIMMING WITH THE BIG FISH continued from previous page

The bar at Washington Street Ale House, which has undergone some cosmetic makeover.

TAKING CHANCES

Improving Wilmington’s restaurant scene was one of Mansoory’s goals in 1997 when he opened the Washington Street Ale House, which is located in two circa-1920s buildings that he’d purchased and merged. Mansoory was no stranger to that section of town near Wilmington Hospital. He’d owned a tavern, Knuckleheads, and a pizza restaurant there from 1991 to 1993. (Between 1993 and 1996, he worked in restaurants in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.) His idea for a beer-centric restaurant came just as brewpubs were bubbling up around the country. Dogfish Head, for instance, debuted in 1995 and Iron Hill in 1996. Mansoory, who borrowed money from friends on a handshake, was banking on people’s burgeoning interest in microbrews. He once vowed to put “chili and cheese on every chip.” Nachos, burgers, and sandwiches made up the bulk of the menu, which evolved with changing tastes. But in the 1990s, restaurant patrons weren’t flocking to downtown Wilmington in the late evening. There were more than a few nights when the ale house’s restaurant was empty by 8 o’clock. Mansoory, however, refused to close until 1 a.m. By 2000, he was confident enough in the growing scene that he opened Mikimotos. The sleek, contemporary restaurant was a departure from the more common mom-and-pop sushi restaurant with bamboo and pagodas. Renovations that enlarged the ale house’s kitchen led to the creation of Presto!, a coffee house and—hopefully—an aftertheater hangout, as well as Maraschino, a second-floor event space. Unfortunately, Presto! had trouble finding its footing and closed.

BIG FISH IN THE SMALL WONDER

Like Mansoory, Sugrue entered the entrepreneurial waters in 1997 when he and brother Norman opened the first Big Fish Grill on Route 1. At that time, most independent restaurants were in downtown Rehoboth Beach. (The restaurant 1776 was an exception.) Opening on the highway was a risk. Sugrue already had a wealth of experience. He started working in the industry at age 13 as a busboy in Rehoboth Beach. After earning a degree in business from the University of Delaware, he joined Knoxville, Tenn.-based Cooper Cellar Restaurant Corp. Back in Delaware, Sugrue and his brother pooled their money, borrowed from friends and family, and took out a bank loan to open Big Fish. The restaurant was a hit with families looking for affordable but good food at the beach.

40 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 4

8/24/17 9:38 AM

Photo Krista Connor

NOURISHING AND NURTURING

The sushi bar at Mikimotos Asian Grill & Sushi Bar.

Big Fish on the Wilmington Riverfront opened in 2009, and a location in Glen Mills followed the next year. Recently, a Big Fish debuted in Ocean View. The company also has other concepts, including Bella Coast on Route 202 and The Crab House on Route 1 in Rehoboth. Sugrue also has a knack for finding established restaurants that go up for sale. Consider Summer House and Salt Air in Rehoboth Beach; he has kept those two concepts, which had name recognition. That was not the case with Satsuma in Trolley Square, which he turned into the successful Trolley Square Oyster House. Big Fish Restaurant Group now has 10 restaurants in its stable, as well as a bakery, market, and wholesale division. The coffee shop space is expected to reopen, albeit to a tenant, and the banquet facility is functioning.

By the time Big Fish took control, Cherry Tree Hospitality Group’s restaurants needed “a little love,” says Holly Monaco, vice president of operations for Big Fish Restaurant Group. Fresh paint and artwork and new booths and tables are part of the makeover. Improvements are also underway on the HVAC, lighting, computer systems, audio and TV systems, and flooring. Updates on the banquet facility should be done by mid-September. “We’re putting a great plan together to revive the on- and offpremise catering,” Sugrue says. The company hired Paul DeBrigida to help ease the Wilmington restaurants’ transition into the Big Fish fold. “He has done a super job thus far of observing, assessing, and evaluating the current operations and implementing some new systems and processes that we feel make for a better experience for all of our guests and team members,” Sugrue says. The service is being brought up to Big Fish’s standards. One has only to dine in the flagship Rehoboth Big Fish to spot the efficiencies that keep guests moving through the crowded waiting area to the tables. Big Fish’s restaurants embrace a team approach. One server might take your order, but a number of servers may refill your water glass, deliver your meal, or whisk away dirty dishes. “They do it for each other,” says Monaco, who’s been with the company since 1999. “It’s one big team effort.” How to motivate this team to pitch in? “We find that a little structure and constant gentle pressure is key for us.” ►

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 5

8/24/17 9:43 AM

EAT SWIMMING WITH THE BIG FISH continued from previous page

Photo courtesy of the Big Fish Restaurant Group

Dining Excellence

Eric Sugrue

Thursday night is Date Night! Special menu! 3-course dinner for 2, plus a bottle of wine, just $95. 1314 Washington St., Wilmington (302) 655-9463 domainehudson.com

Open for Lunch: 11am Tuesday-Saturday Open for Brunch: 10:30am on Sundays Designed Around Fresh, Local and Seasonal Ingredients.

Available for Meetings & Corporate Events!

Including Produce from Our Own Rooftop Garden!

423 Baltimore Pike | Chadds Ford, PA 19317 | 610.388.7700 | thegablesatchaddsford.com

The kitchens are creating dishes for possible menu additions, some of which are now on the ale house menu. But the Big Fish crew is still “getting our feet wet” with Mikimotos, Monaco says. Sugrue acknowledged that running a sushi and Asian restaurant—the group’s first—has caused some trepidation. Hageman says the markedly different concepts, combined with Domaine Hudson, make the stretch of Washington Street a dining destination. “I believe Big Fish will not only continue this idea but will also grow the area’s desirability,” he says. Will Minster, director of development for Downtown Visions, concurs. He says the nonprofit organization wants to focus on new growth in this section of downtown. Sugrue’s vision includes enhancements to Torbert Street, which runs between Mikimotos and the ale house. The street until now has offered limited parking for the restaurants, and it’s often a game of musical cars to find a space. “We hope to share our plan with the city as soon as possible,” Sugrue says. “Our goal is to bring the area a bit back to life, as no improvements have been made in many years.” Meanwhile, he’s also juggling plans for a seven-story, 122-room hotel and banquet venue on the Riverfront. And he’s a partner with other restaurateurs in Baltimore restaurants. But he seems to be up to the tasks, and judging by Trolley Square Oyster House's busy dining room, he’s got a good track record in the city. Says Hageman of the Big Fish team: “They are a very welcome addition to downtown Wilmington’s restaurant scene.”

42 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 6

8/24/17 9:46 AM

EAT

Maria Perdikis and her daughter, Petula, worked long shifts to keep the diner afloat.

LABOR OF LOVE She no longer puts in 18-hour shifts, but Maria Perdikis still works the grill at her restaurant, a Newport landmark for 35 years By Olivia Ingman Photos by Anthony Santoro

he Original Newport Restaurant is celebrating 35 years in Delaware, but it can trace it origins to 1963 and Toronto, Canada. That’s when and where 17-year-old Maria Ricci, her mother and brother immigrated from Pisterzo, Italy. Her father had passed away 10 years prior, and Maria became the family breadwinner. She began working two jobs, as a dishwasher and a factory worker making lingerie, for a total of $7 a day. Two years later, she married Sam Perdikis, a Greek immigrant. They soon had a daughter, Petula, and moved to the United States. Packing everything they had into their car, they moved in with Sam’s sister in Wilmington for two months. Sam eventually found work at the Hotel du Pont, while Maria stayed home to raise Petula. After a few years, she went to work at Strawbridge & Clothier, located on Augustine Cutoff in Wilmington, and they bought a home in Edgemoor Terrace. After 15 years in the U.S., they decided to sell the house and move back to Toronto to be with their families. But Sam struggled to find a job, they had to live in a small apartment, and within a year they moved back to the Newport area. That’s when a friend informed them about a little diner down the street from them that was for sale.

The couple sold their house and put their life savings into the restaurant, naming it The Newport Plaza. Tragically, Sam passed away from a heart attack soon after, leaving Maria and her daughter, who was now in college, to run the restaurant by themselves. This meant that whenever employees backed out of working their shifts, Maria had to cover for them. She worked the grill, waited tables, and cleaned up after closing time. “Sometimes,” Perdikis says, “Petula and I would be crying together, because we had to make it. I didn’t want to close.” Some days they both worked 16-18-hour shifts, even while Petula was taking a full course load at West Chester University. (She went on Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., for her masters in music performance.) In 1994, when the lease came up for the diner, Perdikis decided she wanted to move down the street a quarter of a mile to 601 W. Newport Pike, where The Original Newport Restaurant stands today. The larger location enabled her to expand the restaurant and accommodate more customers, many of whom followed her from the old location. Among her customers are former Vice President Joe Biden, along with governors and other public officials. Singer Johnny Mathis has even stopped at the diner. ► SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 15

8/24/17 10:01 AM

EAT NEW STORE HOURS:

Quality Price Service

Mon – Fri: 9am – 7pm

LABOR OF LOVE continued from previous page

Saturday: 9am – 6pm

Since 1934

Sunday: 9am – 4:30pm

CATERING FROM FULL-SERVICE CORPORATE EVENTS, TO BUFFET SETUPS FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS Homemade Specialties, Dinners for 2, Made-to-Order Sandwiches, Daily Soups and Deli Salads

Ready To-Go Meals

Just in Time for Back to School Save time and energy...Let us do the cooking. 302.994.4467 | 4723 Kirkwood Hwy. Midway Plaza

www.Bachettis.com

Big Fish Restaurant Group

Maria Perdikis says she is "blessed" to be where she is today.

And no wonder. The restaurant has a solid reputation for tasty, ample and affordable (cash only, no credit cards) food. Breakfast is served all day, and includes the usual bacon and eggs and pancakes as well as a western omelet with salsa on the side. Chicken and dumplings is the diner’s most famous dish. Perdikis makes her own crab cakes with lump meat, chicken croquettes, rice pudding, and bread pudding. Cole slaw, potato salad and chili are other popular choices. There is a family atmosphere at the restaurant, and that applies to the staff as well as the customers. Perdikis, a petite, shy woman with an Italian accent, prefers to be behind the grill, but she also loves to interact with her customers and be certain they are satisfied with the food and the service. She still has goals, including being named in the breakfast category on The Best of Delaware list, the annual awards bestowed by Delaware Today and its readers. Reflecting on more than three decades in business and the life she has forged for herself, Maria Perdikis is grateful. She remains close to her daughter and her granddaughter, Lucinda, 14, and her restaurant is thriving. “I appreciate everything that my people did for me, my customers and my employees,” she says. “I appreciate America and what it did for me. I worked really, really hard to be where I stand, and I appreciate everything, because I didn’t have anything. I’m so blessed to be here today.”

44 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 16

8/24/17 12:23 PM

PIKE CRE EK

NOW OPEN SHOPS AT LIMESTONE HILLS â&#x20AC;¢ PIKE CREEK

9_Start.indd 27

8/24/17 12:15 PM

HARRYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SAVOY BALLROOM

fall wedding expo

46 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 18

8/24/17 9:51 AM

Photo courtesy of The Farmer & The Chef

EAT

Farmers provide locally-grown ingredients to the chefs, who then prepare tasting samples for event attendees.

A Decade of Making a Difference The Farmer & The Chef marks 10 years of raising funds for perinatal nonprofit March of Dimes ocal farmers and chefs are pairing up once again to prepare something delicious for a good cause. Thursday, Sept. 14, will be a milestone for March of Dimes’ annual fundraiser The Farmer & The Chef, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Ticket proceeds go directly to the mission of the March of Dimes— improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality through advanced studies and research. At the fundraiser, which begins at 5:45 p.m., farmers will provide locally-grown ingredients to the chefs, who then prepare tasting samples for event attendees. Ingredients are sourced from Against The Grain Farm, Bright Spot Farms, Fair Weather Farm at Fair Hill and Fifer’s, among others. The farms will team up with area favorites like Greg Vogeley of Drip Café, Robbie Jester of Stone Balloon Ale House, Jim Mitchell of Woodside Creamery and more. Last year’s winners include chefs Kip Poole, Matthew Vaugh, Ian Baker, and students from William Penn High School with Penn Farm/Against the Grain Farm. The event raised $82,000. The goal of this year is $85,000. Overall, in the past 10 years The Farmer & The Chef has raised more than $700,000 for the nonprofit. And though fundraising is the most important component of the event, the communal

aspect also helps foster sustainable relationships between local farmers and chefs while reinforcing the movement of eating healthy—a cause that March of Dimes promotes especially to women who are considering pregnancy. Since agriculture is such an important industry in Delaware, event founders also believe it’s vital to support area farmers and remind the public that fresh, local produce is available. Says Laura Klatzkin, senior development manager at March of Dimes Delaware Market: “For 10 years we have had the opportunity to provide a great event by partnering with local farmers, chefs and sponsoring companies helping us to further our mission of giving every baby a healthy start.” To mark the occasion, Klatzkin says, a diamond necklace from Del Haven of Wilmington will be raffled off. Raffle tickets will be available during the event. General admission tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. To beat the crowds, get a Chef’s Pass ticket (limited availability) for $75; it allows early entry at 5 p.m. and includes one complimentary drink ticket and an exclusive gift. For more, visit thefarmerandthechef.com. —O&A SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 9

8/24/17 3:38 PM

EAT DELAWARE WINE AND BEER FESTIVAL

BITES Tasty things worth knowing Compiled by Olivia Ingman

A TASTE OF THE BRANDYWINE VALLEY

n Monday through Saturday, Sept. 11-16, 13 premier restaurants in Northern Delaware and Southern Chester County, Pa., will team up to present the fourth annual Brandywine Valley Restaurant Week. These owner-operated venues will serve prix-fixe menus all week, $15 for a two-course lunch and $35 for a three-course dinner. For the full list of restaurants, menus and more information, visit brandywinetaste.com.

n Saturday, Oct. 14, from 12-5 p.m., the eighth annual Delaware Wine and Beer Festival will take place at the State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The event will feature Kent County’s finest wineries, breweries, and distilleries, presented by the Kent County Tourism Corp. Tickets are $40 at the door or $35 if you purchase from DelawareWineandBeerFestival.com.

CULINARY SCHOOL

he Food Bank of Delaware is offering culinary classes beginning Monday, Sept. 25, in Newark and Milford. Students will undergo a two-week paid internship, receive job placement assistance, have the opportunity to become ServSafe certified, receive a uniform, knife set, textbooks and transportation stipend. They will learn basic and high-end kitchen skills. For more information, contact Ruthann Messick at 424-3301, ext. 107 (Milford) or Jessica Neal at 292-1305 ext. 265 (Newark).

CELEBRATING TROLLEY SQUARE

or the third straight year, the Trolley Square business community will join forces to present Taste of Trolley Square on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 1 to 5 p.m. Billed as a celebration of “All Things Trolley,” the event will feature small-plate food samplings at more than a dozen participating restaurants, craft beer, wine and spirits tastings, a sidewalk sale, street performers, kids’ games and a scavenger hunt. There is no admission fee but a photo ID will be required for the craft beer, wine and spirit tastings. Visit tasteoftrolley.com for more information.

DINNER IN THE ORCHARD

n Thursday, Sept. 7, from 5:307:30 p.m., join the Food Bank of Delaware and T.S. Smith & Sons in celebrating the beginning of the autumn harvest in Bridgeville with food provided by students from The Culinary School at the Food Bank of Delaware. Tickets are $30 per person, covering dinner, wine and beer, and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit The Culinary School at the Milford Branch. For more information, go to fbd.org.

48 AUGUST 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 8

8/25/17 8:50 AM

14TH ANNUAL

ORDER TICKETS NOW!

Taste of Newark Old College Lawn, University of Delaware

September 24, 2017 Tickets: udel.edu/taste

$50/$60 at the door. For more information call 302-831-6077 EVENT SPONSORS

6 DAYS OF CRAF presents

T BEER MAGIC!

7th Annual

WILMINGTON

BEER WEEK NOVEMBER 6-11

WilmingtonBeerWeek.com SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Eat.indd 17

8/25/17 9:47 AM

presen

SIP. SAMPLE. SH 3rd Annual Celebration of

Saturday, Sept. 30 * 1-5pm Craft Beer, Wine & Spirit Tasting At venues throughout Trolley. Tasting cups at Info Tent in Acme lot.

Small Plate Food Sampling Enjoy a wide range of Trolley cuisine. From Italian to Asian to American...

9_Inside.indd 18

Free Entertainme

Corner musicians, street ent kids games, rides and att

Retail Scavenger H

Follow the clues and win from Trolley Square merc

8/24/17 1:20 PM

. SHOP. STROLL.

RAIN OR S HINE

tion of All Things Trolley

1-5pm * Free Admission

Entertainment

cians, street entertainers, es, rides and attractions.

Exhibitions & Demonstrations Community Paint Project, Horticulture, Yoga, Cooking, Nutrition, Fine Art & more.

Scavenger Hunt

Sidewalk Sale

e clues and win prizes ey Square merchants.

Special Taste of Trolley pricing at participating boutiques and retailers.

Harrison Properties Ltd.

Your Trolley Square Real Estate Specialist | 1311 N. Rodney Street, Wilmington DE 19806

9_Inside.indd 19

8/24/17 1:21 PM

i g yo

Unleash

the

within

September 2017 • #inWilm

Keep It Cool Fest

Arden Fair

Jason Aviles Flyogi

September 1

September 2

September 1 - September 10

The Trip to Spain

#UnleashWithin Exhibit

City Theater Company: Lizzie

Brandywine Festival of the Arts September 9 & September 10

Farmer & The Chef

DSO: Protest & Rebellion

Hannibal Buress

Rewind on the River

Tick, Tick… Boom!

Taste of Trolley

Discover TheDCH

September 14

Basil Restaurant

20th Anniversary Champagne Sail PECO’s Great Pumpkin Debate

2September for specials 17

September 23

September 15

September 29 - October 14

September 8

September 16

September 30

September 8 - September 16

September 16

September 30

inWilmDE.com 9_Eat.indd 20

8/24/17 10:07 AM

CITY OF WILMINGTON

Jaxy Ohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fashion for Rock Stars, Jacquee Lukowski at Bellefonte Arts.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE REFRESHMENTS

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

DOWNTOWN LOOP

WEST END LOOP

NORTH WILMINGTON LOOP

WEST SIDE GROWS LOOP

ART LOOP WILMINGTON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 5 - 9 p.m. artloopwilm.org

cityfest

9_Wilmington_ArtLoop.indd 1

8/24/17 3:04 PM

Downtown Loop

artloopwilm.org LaFate Gallery 227 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.lafategallery.com

ART LOOP WILMINGTON

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 5 - 9 p.m. cityfestwilm.com/artloopwilmington cityfest

The Delaware Contemporary 200 S. Madison Street Wilmington, DE www.decontemporary.org

OPENING RECEPTION: Don’t Worry About the Government by Adam Ledford. ALSO FEATURING: Opening receptions for studio artists Ruth Ansel and Graham Dougherty, Rolling Revolution Night Market, INWilmington Photo Contest Finalists and The 302, Pop-up exhibition of Delaware artists. Art loop reception 5 – 9 PM. On view Sun, Tue 12 – 5 PM; Wed 12 -7 PM; Thu, Fri, Sat 10 Am – 5 PM through September.

LOMA Coffee 239 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.lomacoffee.com Life’s Stages: Eunice LaFate A 25-year retrospective of Eunice LaFate’s folk art, these vibrant acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings communicate messages about the brightness of life and the challenges encountered in the peaks, valleys, and darker side of existence. Art loop reception 5:30 – 8:30 PM. On view Mon – Fri 6 Am – 5 PM, Saturday 7 AM – 2 PM through September 29th.

Toni & Stuart B. Young Gallery at the Delaware College of Art and Design 600 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.dcad.edu DCAD@20” DCAD Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff and Board Members In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Delaware College of Art and Design is presenting a show of donated works that will be auctioned to benefit DCAD’s scholarship fund. Art loop reception 5 to 8 PM. On view 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through October 15th.

2nd & LOMA 211 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.2ndandloma.com

Creative Vision Factory 617 North Shipley Street Wilmington, DE thecreativevisionfactory.org

2017 The Ladybug Festival presents the Art of Ladybug. Featuring: Liz and Iris, Terence Vann and Noelle Picara’s exhibit of “Why are the Arts important in Delaware.” Art loop reception 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. On view Mon – Fri 9:00 – 5:00 PM through September 20th.

Fantastic Artist of The Year depicts the work of Barbara Sanders in this collection of unique and lively character drawings. Art loop reception 5 – 8 PM, On view Mon – Fri 10 AM – 5 PM through September.

Studio on Market 219 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.studioonmarket.com

Jerry’s Artarama 706 N Market Street Wilmington, DE www.wilmingtonde-jerrys.com

Landscapes & Motion by Jeff Herbert Fine Art Photography - Motion of Bicycle & Horse Racing and the Beauty of Landscapes. Art Loop reception 5 – 9 PM. On view by appointment only through September.

54 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Wilmington_ArtLoop.indd 2

People To People International Global Youth Murals will feature young Artists & the second series of Murals created by youth in our area and will be sent around the world, through PTPI. Event also celebrates the 15th Year of Global Youth Mural. Youth Artists will share their mural creation story at 6:30 pm. Art loop reception 5 – 8 PM. Tuesday – Saturday 11 AM - 4 PM through September 22nd.

Matt & Jen Glick are showcasing their love for felines with a mix of bold line work and organically blended backgrounds. Proceeds will will benefit local animal rescue groups. Swing by Jerry’s Artarama Art Loop reception for a glimpse and the opportunity to speak with the artists. Their complete collections can be viewed at www.the5050company.com.Art Loop reception 5 – 8 PM. On view through September. A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE

8/24/17 3:05 PM

Downtown Loop Artist Ave Station/8th Avenue Collective Group 800 N. Tatnall Street Wilmington, DE 8thavenuecollective.com

Erin Courtney will have on display & for sale various epoxy resin pieces. Art loop reception 5 – 8 PM. On view through September 30th.

Espresso! Coffee Bar 1201 North Market Street Wilmington, DE www.espresowithus.com Candy Art prints of John Trusk’s art work. Art loop reception 4:30 – 7:30 PM. On view 6:30 – 5 PM through September.

Mezzanine Gallery 820 N. French Street Wilmington, DE www.artsdel.org Family Story of Migration, Yolanda Chetwynd, 2017 Masters Fellow in Painting. The Delaware Division of the Arts is displaying a series of 10 paintings that tell the story of her husband’s family saga of migration from Pakistan to India after the Partition of India in 1947. Art Loop reception 5-7 pm. On view through September 29. Art loop reception 5 – 7 PM. On view 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM through September 29th.

St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church 1301 N. Broom Street Wilmington, DE www.ststeph.org

Grand Opera House – Mainstage Gallery 818 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.thegrandwilmington.org/grand-galleries Goddesses for Our Times, Helena Domenic. She is currently an Associate Professor of Fine Art at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, where she has taught since 2003. Helena’s work focuses on mythology, symbolism, dreams, transformation, and the world of archetypes. Art loop reception 5 PM – 8 PM. On view Mon – Fri 10 AM to 5 PM through October 3rd.

Howard Pyle Studio 1305 N. Franklin Street Wilmington, DE www.howardpylestudio.org

Grand Opera House – Baby Grand Gallery 818 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE www.thegrandwilmington.org/grand-galleries

The 3rd Place Gallery 1139 W 7th St Wilmington, DE www.3rdplacewilm.org

ARTADDICTION is a grassroots art competition that seeks to explore the person behind addiction and recovery through artistic expression. Art loop reception 5 PM – 8 PM. On view Mon – Fri 10 AM to 5 PM through October 3rd. . Nights and weekends subject to staff availability. Poppycock Tattoo 115 W. 8th Street Wilmington, DE www.poppycocktattoo.com Not the Girl Next Door Alternative Pin-ups by Ric Frane. Dark photography featuring nontraditional pin-ups. Art loop reception 5 – 9 PM. On view Mon – Sat 12 PM – 7 PM through September 30th.

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE

9_Wilmington_ArtLoop.indd 3

West End Loop

artloopwilm.org

Dolores Bartholomew, an intersecting experimentalist, whimsical watercolorist, and illustrator presents Meanings of the Heart: Making Connections. In this series, she shares seasonal heart-bonding activities of Summer and Fall that she observes deepen our love with family and friends. Art Loop reception 5:30-8 pm. On view 9 am - 12 pm Monday to Friday through September 29.

SUMMERTIME – a multi media show featuring paintings by studio members, and an artist’s live demonstration! Art loop reception 5:30 – 8:00 PM. On view by appointment through the summer. To schedule a private tour of the Studios, where Howard Pyle painted, wrote, and taught from 1883-1911, call 302.656.7304.

Typorama 7.0 is an exhibit of second year graphic design students from York College of PA, creating objects and images inspired by type. Artists: Kerrie DeFelice, Kathryn Mays, Jessica Yardley, Doug Shunk, Stacy Pineda. Art loop reception 6 – 8:30 PM. On view Wed 2 – 6 PM, Thurs/Fri 9 AM – 1 PM, Sat 10 AM – 2 PM through September 22nd.

Oldbanks Café Bistro 1711 Delaware Avenue Wilmington, DE www.oldbankscraftbistro.com JaQuanne LeRoy is a creative based out of Wilmington, DE. A graduate of A.I. duPont High School, where he studied Clothing & Textiles and Computer Information Systems. My art is an expression of emotion. Artist and collection inspired by Jean Michel Basquiat, Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Keith Haring. Art loop reception 5:00 – 8:00 PM. On view 11:00 – 1:00 AM through September 30th. SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

8/24/17 3:06 PM

West End & North Wilmington Loop

artloopwilm.org

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Ave Wilmington, DE 302.429.0506 On The Road Again, Yolanda Chetwynd, watercolor, Max Mason, oil, and John McGiff, oil Three artists share their travel experiences by drawing and painting the landscapes they see on their travels: the excitement of discovery inspires and brings new awareness to all we have know before. Art loop reception 5 – 8 PM. On view Tues – Fri 10:00 – 5:00 PM; Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM through October 3rd. Fit Fitness Curated by Blue Streak Gallery 62 Rockford Road Wilmington, DE Hanalei Dream, Carson Zullinger, photographer This Show and Book Signing represents a body of work that celebrates a story of place, people, light, energy and ohana. Artist will sign books. Art loop reception 5 – 7 PM. On view Mon – Fri 6 AM – 9 PM, Sat 7:30 – 5 PM, Sun 9:30 AM – 5 PM. The Station Gallery 3922 Kennett Pike Greenville, DE www.stationgallery.net New Paintings, George Martz & Peter Willard. Landscapes in oil by George Martz are based on real places and transformed by his imagination. Influenced by the Brandywine tradition, Peter Willard’s watercolor/mixed media paintings portray regional landscapes with an abstract quality. Art loop reception 5 PM – 8 PM. On view Mon – Fri 9 A – 5P; Sat 10 AM – 3 PM through September 30th. Somerville Manning Gallery Breck’s Mill, 2nd Floor 101 Stone Block Row Greenville, DE www.somervillemanning.com Andrew Wyeth, A Survey Extended by popular demand, Somerville Manning Gallery joins in celebration of the 100th birthday of Andrew Wyeth with an exhibition of original paintings. Art loop reception 5 – 7 PM. On view Tues – Sat 10 AM – 5 PM through September 9th. Bellefonte Arts 803 C Brandywine Blvd Bellefonte, DE www.bellefontearts.com Jaxy Oh’s Fashion for Rock Stars. Jacquee Lukowski. Handmade garments utilizing knit fabrics, including a black tee shirt converted into a halter top with silver vinyl handwritten design. The Fashion for Rock Stars exhibit will feature live models and unique clothing and accessories! Art loop reception 5 – 8 PM. On view Tues – Fri 11 – 5 PM, Sat 10 Am – 4 PM, Sun 12 – 4 PM through September 30th. 56 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Wilmington_ArtLoop.indd 4

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO OUT & ABOUT MAGAZINE

8/24/17 3:06 PM

noW booKinG

R C U I L S L ES A F

THURSDAY SUNSET & SUNDAY SUPPER CRUISES

PRIVATE CHARTER CRUISES

RiveRboatQueenWilm.com

R7008_riverboatqueen_O&A_2017_ver2.indd 1 9_Wilm_Riverfront.indd 4

8/10/17 9:45 AM 8/24/17 10:10 AM

25 3

1 4 6 7

10 14

11 13 9

1. Amtrak Station 2. Opera Delaware Studios/City Theater Co. 3. Wilmington Youth Rowing Assn., WYRA.ORG 4. Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park 5. Residences at Christina Landing 6. Harry’s Seafood Grill / Riverfront Market, HARRYS-SAVOY.COM 7. Delaware Theatre Co., DELAWARETHEATRE.ORG 8. FireStone Roasting House, FIRESTONERIVERFRONT.COM 9. Cosi at the Barclays Crescent Building, GETCOSI.COM 10. Hare Pavilion/Riverwalk 11. AAA Mid-Atlantic Travel Center, AAAMIDATLANTIC.COM 12. The Delaware Contemporary, DECONTEMPORARY.ORG

9_Wilm_Riverfront.indd 2

13. Justison Landing, Currie Hair, Skin & Nails, CURRIEDAYSPA.COM Veritas Wine & Spirits, VERITASWINESHOP.COM Starbucks on the Riverfront 14. Del Pez Mexican Gastropub, DELPEZMEXICANPUB.COM Goju Training Center, GOJUROBICS.COM 15. Delaware Children’s Museum, DELAWARECHILDRENSMUSEUM.ORG Riverwalk Mini Golf, RIVERWALKMINIGOLF.COM 16. Joe’s Crab Shack, JOESCRABSHACK.COM 17. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, IRONHILLBREWERY.COM 18. Public Docks 19. Big Fish Grill, BIGFISHRIVERFRONT.COM

8/24/17 10:11 AM

22 17

23 21

31 29

Visit RiverfrontWilm.com for info on events happening at the Riverfront! 20. Frawley Stadium, BLUEROCKS.COM Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame 21. Chase Center on the Riverfront, CENTERONTHERIVERFRONT.COM 22. Dravo Plaza & Dock 23. Shipyard Center Planet Fitness, PLANETFITNESS.COM 24. Timothy’s Restaurant, TIMOTHYSONTHERIVERFRONT.COM Molly’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, MOLLYSICECREAM.COM Ubon Thai Restaurant 25. Wilmington Rowing Center, WILMINGTONROWING.ORG 26. Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge/ DuPont Environmental Education Center, DUPONTEEC.ORG

9_Wilm_Riverfront.indd 3

27 Riverfront Commuter Lot, RIVERFRONTWILM.COM/PARKING 28. Penn Cinema Riverfront IMAX, PENNCINEMARIVERFRONT.COM 29. CrossFit Riverfront, CFRIVERFRONT.COM 30. The Residences at Harlan Flats, HARLANFLATS.THERESIDENCES.NET 31. Altitude Trampoline Park, ALTITUDEWILMINGTON.COM 32. The Westin Wilmington, WESTINWILMINGTON.COM River Rock Kitchen, RIVERROCKKITCHEN.COM 33. Delaware Humane Association, DEHUMANE.ORG 34. Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard/Fort Christina Park, KALMARNYCKEL.ORG Photo by Joe del Tufo

8/24/17 10:12 AM

O&A Ad 17.qxp_FullPageBleed 8/23/17 4:28 PM Page 1

Friday, September 22: 5:30 PM –9 PM

With great food and more! Enjoy cold craft beer & wine, delicious tastings from area restaurants, a silent auction, and an evening with the animals! Ticket prices below. Rain or Shine. Special thanks to DuPont.

Our Sponsors:

Tickets: $50/person; $40/person Zoo members; $60/person at the door. ($25/designated driver)

p Sign Uow! N

brandywinezoo.org • 302.571.7747 Ext. 228 Brandywine Park, Wilmington, DE • FREE PARKING

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society JANUARY JULY 2016 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Drink.indd 7

8/24/17 10:15 AM

DRINK

SIPS

Here's what's pouring Compiled by Olivia Ingman

RETRO HAPPY HOURS

n consecutive Thursdays, Sept. 7 and 14, at 3 p.m., the Delaware Art Museum will host a retro-inspired happy hour by Toscana. Mad Men-era illustrations will be in the exhibit The Original Mad Man, as well as illustrations by Mac Conner. Guests may spend their time in the exhibits or outside on the terrace. Admission after 4 p.m. is free. For more information, visit inwilmingtonde.com.

BBC

TAVERN & GRILL Watch the Eagles and other NFL games

On Our 8 Large-screen HD TV’s on Sunday & Monday Night Football!

AUTISM DELAWARE’S BLUE JEAN BALL

n Friday, Sept. 22, from 7-11 p.m., Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes will host Autism Delaware’s 2017 Blue Jean Ball, funding Autism Delaware programs and services statewide. Tickets are $85 per person, which covers the Vineyards’ award-winning wines and beer, hors d’oeuvers from local restaurants, as well as a live performance by Love Seed Mama Jump. Purchase tickets at AutismDelaware.org or contact Deanna Principe at 224-6020, ext. 213.

KENNETT BREWFEST

n Saturday, Sept. 30, the 2017 Kennett Brewfest celebrates its 20th anniversary from 12-5:30 p.m. The Connoisseur Tasting begins at noon, while the rest of the fest starts at 1:30 p.m. There will be food and merchandise vendors, live music, and sponsor tables at the event. You must be 21 or older to attend and all taps will be closed at 5:30 p.m. Visit kennettbrewfest.com to purchase tickets and learn more about the event.

NEW TO DELAWARE:

$4.25 DURING ALL NFL GAMES!

BRANDYWINE ZOO WINE & BREWFEST

ANALOG-A-GO-GO

he Brandywine Zoo will host Brew at the Zoo and Wine Too! on Friday, Sept. 22, from 5:30-9 p.m. This annual fundraiser for those 21 years old and older supports the Delaware Zoological Society/Brandywine Zoo. Various Delaware eateries and brew pubs will satisfy your taste buds as you explore the zoo and visit the animals. Tickets are $40 for zoo members, $50 for non-members and $25 for designated drivers. To purchase tickets, visit brandywinezoo.org.

DURING THE GAMES, ENJOY: $1 Off Craft Beer Drafts $3 Miller Lite Drafts $3 PBR Pounders $12 Buckets (5) of Miller Lite, Coors Light & Domestic Bottles

ogfish Head’s seventh annual Analog-A-Go-Go celebrates an all-craft weekend beginning on Friday, Nov. 3, at Dogfish Head Craft Brewings & Eats. The event continues at both the brewpub and the Milton Brewery on Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 5. Guests will enjoy special cask beers, craft cocktails, numerous vinyl vendors, food trucks, the fan favorite artisanal marketplace, and live music on the new pub stage at Brewings & Eats. To learn more about this event, go to dogfish.com.

Half-Price Nachos Are Back During All NFL Games! PLUS 8 Wings for $10! 4019 KENNETT PIKE • GREENVILLE, DE 19807

302.655.3785 Gluten-free, Vegetarian & Vegan Menu Half-price Wines Every Wed. & Sat. Night

BBCTAVERNANDGRILL.COM

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Drink.indd 9

8/24/17 12:35 PM

Coming Saturday, Oct. 14th, live @ the baby grand… MUSIKARMAGGEDON

11 THE FINALS

The Area’s Best Original Bands Performed… Now Four Will Advance to THE FINALS! Carrier

Cologne

TreeWalker

TBA

Additional Partnerships with: Gable Music Ventures, Moonloop Photography, Rainbow Records, Spaceboy Clothing, TribeSound Studios, and WSTW’s Hometown Heroes

FOR TICKETS & MORE DETAILS GO TO www.MUSIKARMAGEDDON.band

62 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 14

8/24/17 3:12 PM

Photo courtesy of Kelly’s Logan House

LISTEN

Susquehanna Floods cookin’ at Kelly’s Logan House.

WILMINGTON mUSIC: EVER EVOLVING Cover bands, small groups and small venues prevail, but change is in the wind By Dillon McLaughlin

usic-loving Delawareans old enough to remember can gleefully recount stories of the times Springsteen played Newark’s Stone Balloon back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when national acts were common sights there and at the Talley Ho on Concord Pike. Tony Cappella, a local bassist who plays with several local acts, most notably Montana Wildaxe, remembers the era fondly as a time when packed houses were the rule, not the exception. “When we played those venues, you typically played Tuesday through Saturday,” says Cappella. “Same went for rooms like Prime Times, Reflections and so many others. Montana Wildaxe used to play at the Logan House the last weekend of every month and pack the place.” Rob Zinn, a local jazz musician who’s been performing since the early ‘80s, confirms Cappella’s memories of the large venues. “Stone Balloon, 4&1 Club, Prime Times, Tally Ho, Big Kahuna and Garfields all come to mind,” says Zinn. “It was common to be booked at some of these rooms for four or five days in a row, with big bands every night of the week.”

But those times didn’t last. It wasn’t long before that era’s temples of great rock ‘n’ roll started to shut their doors. Joe Trainor, another major name in the Wilmington music scene, remembers the early ‘90s into the early 2000s, when things started to shift. “In Wilmington alone, we watched bar after bar close due to the waning interest in live music,” he says. “You knew things were concerning when places like The Stone Balloon, The Buggy Tavern and The Barn Door closed.” That’s one of the big differences between today’s music scene and the period when Cappella, Zinn and Trainor first emerged: large groups used to have plenty of places to showcase their talents. But when venues began to struggle financially, they ditched the traditional cover charge (the thing that made those large acts possible) in an attempt to entice the more casual, curious fan who might stick around for a few drinks. It worked, in a way. Venues now book at least in part based on bar activity during the act. “I think the hardest thing is finding bands that are not only good, but also good at keeping the crowd at the bar,” says Joe Mujica, who’s been helping to book acts at Logan House since December. ► SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 15

8/24/17 10:25 AM

WILMINGTON MUSIC: EVER EVOLVING continued from previous page

Photo Joe del Tufo

Your dog’s life just got better!

LISTEN

Rob Zinn performing at Shine A Light 2016.

Cover Bands Prevail daycare • boarding • spa

dogtopia.com

On paper and in practice, it makes sense. A restaurant or bar can’t get away with selling tickets. Their product is the food and drink, and a live band is a draw they use to sell more of both. They can’t afford to be overly experimental and must provide entertainment that won’t alienate anyone. That means time-tested, crowd-pleasing cover songs. Acts aren’t discouraged from playing their own material, but if a band wants to play, say, the Logan House, they’d be well advised to build a solid base of songs the audience already knows. “The covers usually keep the people interested,” says Mujica. “Then you throw a few originals in there and the crowd seems to really like it.” Lee Mikles, owner of Grain, follows much the same formula at his locations (Newark, Summit North Marina and Kennett Square). “We are looking for acts that can bring a mix of originals and covers in the artist’s unique style,” he says. That’s typically the blend that can keep an audience interested enough that they’ll drive the sales Grain needs to keep booking live music. But, as venues and musicians alike soon found out, getting crowds to stay in one place and buy more drinks didn’t do enough to replace the economic assurance of the cover charge. Talking about the loss of the cover, Zinn says, “I believe that has impacted the ability to bring in bigger and more expensive bands.” So, even if today’s musicians are playing well-worn songs from popular bands, they’re doing so in significantly smaller groups. “Gigs nowadays are more trio and duo acts,” says Cappella. Typical of smaller venues is Oddity Bar, on Greenhill Avenue in Wilmington. “We book keeping the space in mind,” says Andrea McCauley, who owns the bar along with Pat McCutcheon. “So it’s all about what’s comfortable for our customers.” She cites the genre that’s most popular at the bar, an alt rock-leaning style, versus her own musical roots, a heavier punk type. She’d like to book more punk shows, but those are better suited to bars where crowds have room to spread out and dance, as opposed to the more intimate setting of Oddity Bar. Cappella and Trainor adapted well to the new prevalence of smaller places and smaller groups. “I play several styles of music, so some bands I play with can play large electric type venues like the Queen,” Cappella says. “Other acts are trios and duos that work smaller rooms like the Bellefonte Cafe, Kid Shelleen’s and Tonic.” Trainor created his own solution by founding The Joe Trainor Trio and streamlining the group’s songwriting style, eventually building a larger audience than what his earlier, more experimental groups played to. Zinn, on the other hand, is a musician who is at a bit of a disadvantage in a scene that favors smaller groups. Certain instruments, like, say, Zinn’s trumpet, don’t adapt well to duos and trios. “Being a trumpet player, I’m shut out from any of these types of [smaller] venues, unless I want to play along with tracks,” he says. “As for the new Queen, I’d love to be a part of any show with [the Rob Zinn Group], but I’m not sure if they are interested in original jazz/funk type bands.”

64 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 16

8/25/17 10:15 AM

Despite this, Zinn hasn’t lacked for success—which he finds a little surprising. Plenty of the local spots support his preferred style of music. Says Zinn, “The Nomad, Ubon Thai Cuisine, World Cafe Live [now The Queen] and Tonic bring me in regularly; more recently, Kennett Brewing Co.” So it seems that, even if there is a preference for cover songs, Wilmington isn’t devoid of emerging styles and opportunities to play original work. The fact that Zinn is getting consistent gigs hints that the city is ready for new music. He also is getting support from other musicians. “I happen to love jazz,” says Cappella. “Thanks to people like Rob Zinn, Tony Cimorrossi and the Nomad bar, because they are putting it back in Delaware again.” One group that has successfully transitioned is The Susquehanna Floods. It started as a cover band, but the group didn’t find widespread success until they switched to original music. “After almost five years of being in a cover band, I think we’d all gotten a bit burnt out,” says Zachary Crouch, Floods lead guitarist. “We all showed up to rehearse and agreed the only way we’d want to continue making music is if we focused on writing our own.” Since their switch, the band’s amount of Facebook exposure has doubled, it won the 10th Musikarmageddon, got better treatment in venues, and attracted crowds that were much more receptive to and supportive of their original creations. “The crowds at these venues are super responsive and it’s clear that they bring out fans that are active in the original music scene,” says Crouch. Cover bands may have ruled the scene in the early 2000s, but the Floods are proof that the city is ready for more original tunes.

Photo Joe del Tufo

Emerging Styles?

Scantron plays at Arden’s Shady Grove concert in 2014.

Some musicians and venue bookers even see opportunities that aren’t being fully developed. “I think there’s a market out there for good hip-hop, especially in Wilmington,” says Trainor. “Richard Raw seems to be the only artist making a real name for himself, and you’d think hip-hop would have a stronger voice in the city than it does.” Rob Matera, who’s been booking in Arden since 2011, says it’s time to expand a different genre. “In North Wilmington, there’s a strong roots and Americana fan base that not many local original bands have exploited,” he says.

New Acts at Shady Grove

Matera makes sure his bookings at Shady Grove reflect his desire for more original music. “I personally like bringing new acts to our audience,” he says. “I think it has become something of an expectation that when you come to Shady Grove, you’re going to see new bands.” This year, of the nine shows planned for Shady Grove, eight are acts appearing there for the first time. ►

SEPTEMBER

Entertainment Schedule EVERY MONDAY: Showtime Trivia EVERY TUESDAY: Jefe & DJ Andrew Hugh EVERY THURSDAY: DJ Willoughby

Welcome Back Students! We Brought Football Back!!!

During Every Pro Football Game Come Get Our Great Specials!

EVERY FRIDAY: DJ Giz

SATURDAYS: LIVE BANDS 9/2- Radio Neon 9/9-Red Hots 9/16-Back to Blonde

9/23-Doc Marten & The Flannels 9/30-Hot Bed

SUNDAY NIGHT: Chorduroy

$5.99 Tater Tots • $7.99 Wings • $7.99 Nachos $8.99 Pitchers of Bud & Bud Light • $10.99 Pitchers of Goose IPA & Shock Top MONDAYS ½ Price Appetizers ALL DAY!

TUESDAYS ½ Price Burgers ALL DAY! $4 Double LIT’s

WEDNESDAYS - MEXICAN NIGHT! ½ Price Nachos & Quesadillas ALL DAY! $3 Coronas & Margaritas • $2 Tacos $15.99 9oz NY Strip Steak All Day

302.369.9414 | 108 West Main Street, Newark | www.deerparktavern.com

THURSDAYS ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT Wings (5pm-Close) ½ Price Burgers (11:30am-3pm) • $3 Rail Drinks Be our friend on Facebook!

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 17

8/24/17 10:25 AM

LISTEN

Photo Joe del Tufo

WILMINGTON MUSIC: EVER EVOLVING continued from previous page

Angela Sheik performs at The Ladybug Festival.

Come visit us at our

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, Sept. 16th • 9am - 3pm — FREE CLASSES —

(Limit 10 participants per class - don’t miss your spot)

— MEMBERSHIP SPECIALS —

(At the Open House only for New Members)

— FOOD & DRINKS — — RAFFLES/GIVEAWAYS —

For FREE Memberships and Local Area Businesses Memberships as low as $25/mo Personal Training | Group Fitness Classes

CONVENIENT LOCATION! (NEXT TO GREENHILL CAR WASH)

2518 West 4th St. | Wilmington, DE

(302) 658-5077

BalanceFitnessTraining.com

Another place original music comes first is, not surprisingly, also in Arden—Gild Hall. “We actually prefer not to repeat acts very often,” says Ron Ozer, the man in charge of bookings. There are some crowd- and venue-favorite musicians who return every so often, but for the most part, Gild Hall acts are fresh, original bands. Both Arden venues provide plenty of bookings, with Gild Hall hosting close to 20 shows a year, along with Shady Grove’s nine. For volunteer-run venues, 30 shows represent an admirable offering. If any organization is plugged into the opportunities for every genre, it’s Gable Music Ventures. To Gable, that soft reliance on cover songs is finally starting to give way, allowing local, original acts, like those from the ‘70s and ‘80s, to retake the scene. Says Gayle Dillman, who, along with Jeremy Hebbel, owns Gable: “We are thankfully seeing more of a trend towards original music, something we’ve been encouraging since we started.” Through Gable’s efforts, original music is reclaiming large venues. Attendance for The Ladybug Festival, the all-female-led music event in Wilmington, has skyrocketed, allowing Gable to experiment with lineups. “We are able to focus less on how many people an artist can bring to the event,” says Dillman. “[Instead, we] can focus more on achieving our goal of having a diverse lineup of tremendous artists covering as many genres as we can.” Besides Ladybug, Gable is bringing diversification to Smyrna at Night, events for the City of Newark, Wilmington University, The Sugar Bowl Series, Grainfest and the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival. That’s in addition to the daily gigs the company plans. Similarly, McCauley and McCutcheon are using the popularity of Oddity Bar and its regular acts to introduce new groups to the scene. McCauley says they like to use a few slots in their Friday and Saturday night lineups to mix in new bands with the more consistently popular acts. Says McCauley, “Some bands we know well will get the [other] bands who play the whole night.” In other words, McCauley and McCutcheon will occasionally trust Oddity’s regular bands to fill Friday and Saturday nights with unknown acts that the regulars think will fit in well. It’s rare that it happens, but when it does, it’s a great opportunity for the older players to pull acts they enjoy out of obscurity. Ultimately, the Wilmington music scene is one in recovery, but it’s recovering well. Coming off the glut of cover bands, venues are slowly beginning to experiment with original acts again, and they’re finding crowds that are receptive. There are still hurdles, but there is an ever-increasing number of capable people and companies to overcome them.

66 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 18

8/24/17 12:40 PM

LISTEN

FOR THE RECORD WITH

In this year’s Performing Arts edition, we are launching a new feature, “For the Record,” in which local musicians discuss what they’ve been listening to lately.

Darnell Miller

Photo Jim Coarse

By Jim Miller

ur first entry in this series focuses on Darnell Miller, who, by day, teaches music at Kuumba Academy Charter School in Wilmington. By night, Miller leads his soul and funk band, The Souldaires, at venues like The Nomad Bar, where they play the first Wednesday of every month. This month, Miller will also release his solo five-track EP, Jesus & Jameson, which features the already released single “Bastard.” “I wanted to make it separate [from The Souldaires],” says Miller. “Sound-wise, it’s two different things: The Souldaires is one thing, and the Darnell Miller thing is a whole other thing.” In other words, local fans should prepare for the unexpected. “If I said what it is by genre, I would say funk, rock, soul, gospel,” Miller says. “But that’s too generic. I don’t know how to explain it, so I just call it Jesus & Jameson: a little bit of Heaven and a little bit of Earth. A self-proclaimed music nerd with a love of liner notes, Miller has an encyclopedic knowledge of the back-stories of the music he likes. Keep reading and you’ll get an idea of what we mean.

Mavis Staples – Your Good Fortune EP

The sound of everything on that album—the song-writing— it’s really one of the most overlooked albums in the last couple of years. It’s a really great album. It was co-produced by Son Little, who is an up-and-coming, amazing guy. I didn’t discover him until later. But he [made his mark] on this Mavis Staples album, totally. Perfect combination.

Gary Clark, Jr. – Live North America, 2016

Oh, my goodness, I love that he can play his ass off! Lately, I’ve been really listening to songs, really listening to what that person is saying, and [paying attention to] black artists moving outside the lines. And he is one of those guys. To me, he’s more than just a blues artist: He’s a little bit of everything. The album, sonically, sounds great. The guitars are nice and dirty. The vibe. Everything sounds great. ►

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 7

8/24/17 10:27 AM

LISTEN

State Line Liquors

FOR THE RECORD WITH DARNELL MILLER continued from previous page

CeCe Winans – Let Them Fall in Love

Family owned & operated Since 1933 — 4 Generations!

www.statelineliquors.com

Stocking over 3000 different beers • Singles, packs & cases Special Events and Tastings Visit us on the web for details

Gourmet Food & Cheeses

RANKED #2 Best Beer Retailer in the USA ratebeer.com

Offering the areas largest variety of seasonal beers.

GROWLER BAR 35 TAPS! 1610 ELKTON RD, Route 279 . ELKTON, MD OUTSIDE MD. (800) 446-WINE, IN MARYLAND (410) 398-3838

Open 7 days a week

I think of albums that I play over and over again, and this is one of them. I don’t know if you know, but my background as a touring musician and as a professional musician was the gospel world. [Ed Note: Miller’s career as a gospel vocalist spanned more than seven years and took him on tour across the U.S. and abroad, including England, Spain and Africa.] When I decided to step back from gospel and transitioned, I stopped listening to anything gospel. I maintained relationships, but I just stopped listening. But then I just happened to see a picture of this album cover. And the picture told me what the album might sound like. So I was like, ‘I should check this out,’ and I was glad I did. For gospel, this album is a game changer. It’s retro. So she’s doing ‘70s country; she’s doing Ray Charlestype stuff; she’s doing Phil Spector-type stuff. It’s really good production-wise. Tommy Sims, who is one of my favorite producers, produced this with CeCe Winans’ son, who I didn’t know had it in him.

Chris Stapleton – From A Room: Volume 1

This dude can sing. Some of these songs made me revamp lyrics for Jesus & Jameson because I felt he was saying some of the same things that I wanted to say. So I just kept listening and listening. I love the drums on this album. I listen to mixes and how stuff sounds sonically and the different sounds that people use. The drums on this album really pop.

Solange – A Seat at the Table

This album will probably be on everyone’s list, but for my last pick I’m going to have to go with this one. By the way, I’ve been a Solange fan for years. I’ve been always hoping that she would get her break. Everything about her is artistic. With Solange, either you love it or you hate it. Her last album was very ‘80s-sounding. This one is stuff I’ve never heard before. And it features production by two of my most favorite people in the world: Raphael Saadiq and Questlove. Everybody knows I love Questlove. So, when he’s involved, it just has to be good. But for people to like this album was a complete surprise to me, because it’s so different. It’s not mainstream. She decided to tell a different story.

68 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 8

8/24/17 10:29 AM

Presented by

Historic Odessa Brewfest All Proceeds Benefit Historic Odessa

Saturday, September 9, 2017 202 Main Street I Odessa, DE On the grounds surrounding the Historic Houses of Odessa across the street from Cantwell’s Tavern

Beer from over 40 Breweries • Live music by Spokey Speaky, Bruce Anthony, Tony Mowen and more! Locally Sourced Food • Selections and Themed Stations • Boutique Wines • Cigar Rollers • And more...!

Tickets available online: www.odessabrewfest.com VIP Tickets: $70 l General Admission: $50 l Designated Driver Tickets Available at Gate: $15

Participating Breweries* 3rd Wave

Cisco

Flying Dog

Long Trail

Rogue

Sly Fox

Troegs

16 Mile

Dogfish Head

Flying Fish

Mispillion River New Belgium

Starr Hill

Twin Lakes

21st Amendment

Fordham & Dominion Heavy Seas

Sea Dog

DuClaw Elysian

Shiner

Stewarts

Uinta

Shipyard

Stone

Victory

Oskar Blues

Sierra Nevada

Stoudts

Weyerbacher

Otter Creek

Sixpoint

Tall Tales

Yards

Allagash

Eurobrew Imports

Belukus Imports

Evil Genius

Brooklyn

Evolution

Lagunitas Lancaster Brewing

No Li NorthCoast

*Subject to change

For more information: 302-378-4119 www.odessabrewfest.com www.historicodessa.org

9_Listen.indd 13

www.cantwells-tavern.com

8/24/17 10:32 AM

SEPTEMBER MUSIC at Kelly’s Logan House Look for these great bands upstairs!

LISTEN

TUNED IN

DJ Gifted Hands - 10 p.m.

Not-to-be-missed music news

SATURDAY, 9/02

THE COMPETITION HEATS UP

FRIDAY, 9/01 DJ - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, 9/08

John Fazio - 6-9 p.m. (Tiki Bar) Gable Music Presents - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, 9/09

Sidepiece - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, 9/15

Jared Lashbrook - 6-9 p.m. (Tiki Bar) Poor Yorick - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, 9/16

Chorduroy - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, 9/22

Anthony Sophy - 6-9 p.m. (Tiki Bar) Groove Brothers - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, 9/23

Barely Rarely - 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, 9/29

Steve Lennon - 6-9 p.m. (Tiki Bar) Brixton Saint - 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, 9/30

Velvet Tones featuring Carrie B - 10 p.m. 1701 Delaware Ave. Wilmington, DE 19806 (302) 652-9493

LOGANHOUSE.COM Bands and times subject to change.

Local acts Carrier, Cologne and TreeWalker are the survivors of Musikarmageddon’s first three rounds, bringing diversity to the field. Lead singer/guitarist of Carrier, Jordan Maguire, actually competed in one of the first Musikarmageddon competitions almost a decade ago. Made up of Maguire, bassist Chris Heider and drummer Tim Heider, the Newark band is post-rock/post-hardcore. Cologne—comprising vocalist/guitarist Staph Noumbissi, lead guitarist Sean Jones, bassist Brian Wyatt, keyboard/synth player Jonathan Lee, and drummer Jon Crist—is dedicated to the do-ityourself approach. They’re currently self-recording and producing their debut EP due for release this year. Their first released track, “One Last Time,” debuted on 93.7 WSTW and garnered positive responses among social media in the Delaware Valley. Last but not least, TreeWalker is a rock band hailing from Newark whose sound is a blend of aggressive grooves, seasoned songwriting and soulful vocals that pair catchy hooks with imaginative storytelling. This year has featured four preliminary competitions of 12 bands total, each round pitting three bands against each other. One winner per night will move on to the epic championship. The final competition was held at Ernest & Scott Taproom on Aug. 25 (after O&A deadline) with Rusty Blue, Fall in August and Kevin McCove Band competing. The finale is Saturday, Oct. 14, live at the baby grand at 8 p.m.

WJBR TURNS 60

Celebrate 60 years of broadcasting on 99.5 WJBR with Rewind On The River starring Eddie Money and Taylor Dayne on Saturday, Sept. 16. The event will be held at Tubman-Garrett Park in Wilmington from 5-10 p.m. WJBR-FM 99.5 was founded in 1956 by father-son team John B. Reynolds, Sr. and John B. Reynolds, Jr. – hence the call letters JBR. The station began broadcasting as a classical and light music go-to, though over the years WJBR has adapted formats to match audience demands. The anniversary party is open to all ages, and parking options include downtown lots and at Frawley Stadium. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and dancing shoes for fun entertainment by the two performers. Edward Joseph Mahoney —known as Eddie Money—is a singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist who had success in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of Top 40 hits and platinum albums, while Leslie Wunderman, better known by her recording and stage names Les Lee and Taylor Dayne, is a pop and freestyle music singer-songwriter and actress. General admission tickets are $19.95, which provides access to the concert and food and drink venues. VIP tickets, at $145, include access to VIP tent, parking, seating, and restrooms, along with Piccolina Toscana hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. For more, visit wjbr.com.

70 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 4

8/24/17 10:33 AM

HAPPENINGS AT ARDEN CONCERT GILD

Rhett Miller, lead singer of The Old 97’s, is playing a solo 88.5 WXPN Welcomes show at Arden Gild Hall on Friday, Oct. 6. He released his newest solo album, The Traveler, in 2015. The album features the instrumentation of Black Prairie (members of The Decemberists), Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey (members of REM) and is Miller’s seventh solo effort. The Old 97’s’ most recent album, Graveyard Whistling, was released in February. The alternative country band, recognized as pioneers of the altcountry movement alongside bands like Whiskeytown, hails from Dallas and was formed in 1993. Miller will perform in Arden with Kalai King. The show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $20-$25 for members and general admission. Meanwhile, Friday, Oct. 20, brings Overcoats, an artistic duo that thinks outside the box. To compose the percussion for their tracks, Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell of Overcoats hit buckets, glass jars, bottles, and whatever else they find in the alleyway outside their studio. They approach music-making with both freedom and focus, but the strength of their connection, in both voice and as artists, is what makes Overcoats so distinct. Their debut album, YOUNG, was released in April through Arts & Crafts Productions. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets range from $12-$14. Finally, trumpeter, bandleader and songwriter Etienne Charles celebrates Trinidadian traditions and sounds of Carnival—from singing minstrels to the clash of stick fights, and lively calypso music with its hallmark steel pan cadences. He’ll bring his sound to Arden on Friday, Oct. 27, for this WVUD 91.3 Presents show. Tickets are $23-$28. SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Listen.indd 5

HAVE YOU HEARD OF SOMETHING?

8/24/17 1:55 PM

WIN $500!

PIGSKIN PICKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;EM

Pick the winners for the first 17 weeks of the regular NFL season and you could WIN a $500 AMEX Gift Card! See store for details.

Home of the

BIG BEER

22oz Drafts

All Day, Every Day

EAGLES

AWAY GAME PARTY

Concord Pike 12 PM | Sept. 10

> Eagles Alumni > Cheerleaders > Raffles Prizes > Swoop!

Thurs $3 Leinenkugel Pints Sat & $4 Miller Lite Sun 22oz Big Beers Mon $3 Blue Moon Pints Bar area only. Certain restrictions may apply.

For a full location listing visit

GrottoPizza.com

72 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Watch.indd 2

8/25/17 11:41 AM

WATCH

Logan Lucky

STARS µµµµµ Seth MacFarlane (left) is Max Chilblain and Adam Driver is Army veteran Clyde Logan in Logan Lucky. Photo Claudette Barius / Fingerprint Releasing | Bleecker Street

LAUGH AT LOGAN LUCKY, JUST DON’T THINK TOO LONG Ocean’s 7-11? Soderbergh shifts gears to NASCAR heist film. By Mark Fields

irector Steven Soderbergh knows his way around a good caper movie, having created the very successful rebooted Ocean’s series that has starred George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and a cast of popular actors. With his latest film, Logan Lucky, Soderbergh transfers the criminal hijinks from the glitzy, ersatz-sophisticated environs of Las Vegas to the hard-scrabble, redneck epicenter of NASCAR: the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Although the laughs and thrills are maintained (thanks in no small part to Soderbergh’s winning cast), the translation is not entirely successful. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver play the chronically unlucky Logan brothers, Jimmy and Clyde. Jimmy was a star athlete in his youth, but an injury ended his promising career. His marriage to Bobbie Jo (Katie Holmes) also ended in disappointment. After being laid off his construction job at the Charlotte race track, he decides to pursue a reversal of his fortunes by planning a heist of the speedway’s daily receipts. Jimmy and Clyde assemble a ragtag team of accomplices (including Riley Keogh and an atypically cast Daniel Craig) whose skill sets are questionable at best. After this set-up, the rest of the film, as expected, is the playing out of the heist and its aftermath. Neither the director nor screenwriter Rebecca Blunt (rumored to be a pseudonym for an as-yet unknown writer) seem able to decide whether they want to love their characters or condescend to them. At times, the brothers and their gang are portrayed as

complete doofuses, yet we viewers are supposed to believe they are capable of this convoluted scheme. Another disconcerting element is that all these Southern-fried characters are played by non-Southern actors, including Craig, a Brit. Are they all having a lark or mocking the accents and attitudes of the American South? It’s unclear. Finally, the plotting is neither completely coherent nor convincing. The success of the caper is way too dependent on unlikely circumstances that nearly always work out for these laid-back thieves. I’m also troubled by the seeming lack of justification for the crime. For heist movies to work, we the audience have to believe that the targets of the crime somehow deserve their fate. We can set aside our consciences and cheer for the breaking of the law only if the perpetrators are karmically justified. I didn’t fully buy into their motivation. Nevertheless, Logan Lucky is a lot of fun. The humor is loopy and offbeat, which can be pleasantly disarming. Setting aside the cornpone accents, the actors are all likable and easy to root for. Tatum draws on his substantial charisma to win our sympathy for Jimmy. While Driver seems to be channeling Tim Blake Nelson in his performance, the character’s quirks are still entertaining. Craig especially is delightful as explosives expert Joe Bang. His portrayal of Bond has become increasingly sullen and opaque of late, so it’s refreshing to see the actor having fun in a role. ► SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Watch.indd 3

8/24/17 1:13 PM

WATCH

The direction and scripting are also mockingly self-aware. LAUGH AT LOGAN LUCKY, At one point, the hillbilly thieves JUST DON’T THINK TOO LONG are referred to in a media story continued from previous page as Ocean’s 7-11, a sly reference to Soderbergh’s other caper films. The credits also announce the debut of a new cinematic talent: “and Introducing Daniel Craig!” In the end, the machinations of the crime and the self-referential humor carry the day if you let the film wash over you as mindless entertainment. Just avoid the temptation to give it deeper thought. Also appearing at your nearby Cineplex in September: Unlocked, a spy thriller starring Noomi Rapace and Toni Collette, directed by Michael Apted (9/1); It, featuring Bill Skarsgard as Stephen King’s killer clown (9/8); and Home Again, a rom-com showcasing Reese Witherspoon (9/8).

P L AYI N G THIS MONTH Nemours Building 1007 N. Orange Street

September 1 - 4

Land of Mine

Fri 2 & 8:30 Sat 4 | Sun 12, 6

Fri 5:30 | Sat 1, 7:30 Sun 3 | Mon 7

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

The Trip To Spain

Sat 11 pm

September 8 - 10

From the Land of The Moon

STARS µµµµµ

Oscar winner Marion Cotillard plays a passionate, unstable woman.

AT THEATRE N Marie Curie

The Trip To Spain

Fri 2, 8:30 | Sat 4 | Sun 12, 6

Fri 5:30 | Sat 1, 7:30 | Sun 3

September 15 - 17

From The Land Of The Moon Fri 2 & 8:30 Sat 4 | Sun 12

The Women’s Balcony Fri 5:30 Sat 1, 7:30 | Sun 3, 6

Rocky Horror Picture Show Sat 11 pm

September 22 - 24

The Journey

The Last Dalai Lama

Fri 2, 8:30 | Sat 4 | Sun 12, 6

Fri 5:30 | Sat 1, 7:30 | Sun 3

September 29 - October 1

Santoalla

Marjorie Prime

Fri 2, 8:30 | Sat 4 | Sun 6

Fri 5:30 | Sat 1, 7:30 | Sun 12, 3

For more information and tickets, visit

TheatreN.com

From the Land of the Moon (Mal de Pierres) French actress Marion Cotillard has been a fascinating cinematic presence since she first captured the attention of American filmgoers with her Oscar-winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose in 2007. Since then, she has played a variety of emotionally resonant (and often slightly disturbed) roles in Inception, Midnight in Paris, Rust and Bone, Two Days, One Night, and even The Dark Knight Rises. Her greatest acting gift is her amazingly expressive face, which can be simultaneous deeply brooding yet luminous. Director Nicole Garcia understands how to use Cotillard to her advantage in From the Land of the Moon (Mal de Pierres), and does so with a vengeance. Much of the footage in this melancholic film focuses on Cotillard: her face, her profile, even her back walking away from the camera. And we watch, fully absorbed. Unfortunately, there is not much more to this film than the 42-year-old actress. Set in rural France in the 1950s, From the Land of the Moon tells the story of Gabrielle, a passionate, unstable woman struggling against the expectations of her family and of society. Forced into a marriage of convenience, she suffers both emotionally and physically until she is sent to a medical spa to be treated for kidney stones. There she meets a convalescing military officer, and a new world of love and desire open up for her. Of course, this being a film, that doesn’t mean life will become easier. Overall, From the Land of the Moon feels drawn-out, even ponderous. And I couldn’t stop thinking that I had seen it before. That said, there are certainly worse ways to spend two hours than watching Marion Cotillard’s lovely, anguished face. Also at Theatre N in September: The Trip to Spain, the latest culinary travelogue with British comics Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon (9/1, 9/8 weekends); The Journey, a fictional account of the Irish conflict focusing on leaders from either side, featuring Timothy Spall and Colm Meaney (9/22 weekend).

74 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Watch.indd 4

8/24/17 1:14 PM

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Watch.indd 5

8/24/17 10:43 AM

Unleashthe

r o t c u d n o c within inWilmDE.com David Amado

Delaware Symphony Orchestra

9_Watch.indd 6

8/24/17 10:45 AM

PLAY

loop Wilmington’s City Loop Series kicks off with the Octoberfest Loop on Sept. 22 and continues with the 37th Annual Halloween Loop on Oct. 28.

IT’S LOOP

TIME! City’s costumed pub crawl back for its 37th year

ightspots come and go, but some nightlife traditions never die. Such is the case with Wilmington’s City Loop Series, arguably the most popular pub crawl in the state. The 2017-18 series begins on Friday, Sept. 22, with the Octoberfest Loop presented by Samuel Adams. The participating nightspots are donating the cover proceeds to the Urban Bike Project, a city-based non-profit that supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable and practical means of transportation and recreation. This year’s Loop lineup includes: Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Club Lavish, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott Taproom, Firestone, Gallucio’s Café, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Timothy’s on the Riverfront, Trolley Tap House and Trolley Oyster House. The Loop Series continues on Saturday, Oct. 28 with the 37th Halloween Loop, a costumed extravaganza that regularly brings more than 12,000 people to Wilmington. The remaining events on the series: Santa Crawl (Fri., Dec.8), St. Paddy’s Loop (Sat., March 10) and the Cinco de Mayo Loop (Sat., May 5). The Nemours Fund for Delaware’s Children will be the beneficiary of the Santa Crawl. New this year is a partnership with Lyft, in which patrons will be able to use a special code printed on their wristband entitling them to a dollar-amount credit for Lyft service on that night only. For tips on doing the Loop and event updates visit outandaboutnow.com. — O&A

SAVE THE DATE 7th Annual

WILMINGTON

BEER WEEK NOVEMBER 6-11, 2017 WilmingtonBeerWeek.com

61st Annual St. Hedwig’s

POLISH FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 18-23 THE WILMINGTON RIVERFRONT FREE Admission & Parking | Lunch Available Thu. & Fri.

POLISHFESTIVAL.NET SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Play.indd 11

8/25/17 10:42 AM

SaengerbundOkt_2017.pdf 1 8/23/2017 1:45:09 PM

The Delaware Saengerbund 2017 Presents The Original. . . Largest in Delaware

Oktoberfest

Just like Munich ~ Under the Big Tent Bavarian Bands & Folkdancing German Food & Beverages Amusement Rides & Games

September 15 16 17

5-11 p.m.

12-11 p.m.

12-6 p.m.

CMY

Tickets:

$8 per person

(Includes Unlimited Amusement Rides)

Rain o r Shine !

Visit Delaware Beer Guy on

OFF-SITE PARKING

AT CHRISTIANA HIGH SCHOOL. $5 Fri. & Sat. - FREE SUNDAY Delaware Saengerbund - 49 Salem Church Rd. Newark, DE Near Intersection of Routes 4 & 273

(302) 366-9454 | www.delawaresaengerbund.org 78 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_Play.indd 6

8/24/17 11:03 AM

PLAY

WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME September brings college football and intriguing NFL action back to a bar near you. Because of the multitude of options—number of TVs, choice of beers on tap, best food—we’ve come up with this directory to guide you through the selection process. Compiled by Olivia Ingman

8TH & UNION KITCHEN 801 N. Union St., Wilmington; 654-9780 8thandunion.com Number of TVs: 5 Beers on Tap: 16, Bottled Beers: 38 Crowd Favorites: half-price burgers, tacos, appetizers, and $1.25 oysters.

CHELSEA TAVERN 821 N. Market St., Wilmington; 482-3333 chelseatavern.com Number of TVs: 4 Beers on Tap: 31, Bottled Beers: 214 Crowd Favorites: Wood burning oven pizza, Chelsea cheeseburger, and BBQ pork nachos.

COLUMBUS INN 2216 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington; 571-1492 www.columbusinn.net Number of TVs: 5 (and a projector screen) Beers on Tap: 8, Bottled Beers: 28 Crowd Favorites: Lobster fried rice, filet sandwich, and CI signature crab cakes.

DEER PARK TAVERN 108 W. Main St., Newark; 369-9414 deerparktavern.com Number of TVs: 21 Beers on Tap: 24, Bottled Beers: 31 Crowd Favorites: Wings, mix combo, and nachos.

BBC TAVERN & GRILL 4019 Kennett Pike, Greenville; 655-3785 bbctavernandgrill.com Number of TVs: 7 Beers on Tap: 15, Bottled Beers: 60-75 Crowd Favorites: Nachos, caprese salad, house-made meatloaf, and BBC Burger.

BIG FISH GRILL 720 Justison St., Wilmington; 652-3474 bigfishriverfront.com Number of TVs: 9 Beers on Tap: 7, Bottled Beers: 26 Crowd Favorites: Fresh, chef-inspired seafood dishes, large outdoor patio and lounge on the Riverfront.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS Multiple locations: Bear, Dover, Limestone Rd., Middletown, Newark, Rehoboth buffalowildwings.com Number of TVs: 42 Beers on Tap: 24, Bottled Beers: 18 (Features sports lottery at Bear, Dover, Limestone Road and Middletown locations) Crowd Favorites: Boneless or traditional wings in any of 16 signature seasonings or sauces.

DELAWARE PARK 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington; 994-6700 delawarepark.com Number of TVs: at least 37 at each location, including many 100-inch screens and one 150-incher Beers on Tap: 5-6, Bottled Beers: 15 Three bars – Club 3, The Cove, and the Sports Bar – all featuring plenty of pro football action plus the sports lottery Crowd Favorites: Flame-broiled cheeseburgers, dollar hot dogs, cheese pizzas from Picciottis, wing zings, jalapeno crab fritters, crab fries, crab cakes, and lobster.

ERNEST & SCOTT TAPROOM 902 N. Market St., Wilmington; 384-8113 ernestandscott.com Number of TVs: 11 Beers on Tap: 29, Bottled Beers: 30 Crowd Favorites: Blackened mahi tacos, loaded fries, and burgers.

FAMOUS TAVERNS 8 locations in Delaware famoustaverns.com Number of TVs: At least 12 TVs, all 46” or larger, at each location Beers on Tap: 8, Bottled Beers: 9 Crowd Favorites: $3 beer prices, all day; BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) or order from anyone who delivers. SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_WhereToWatchTheGame.indd 3

8/25/17 10:44 AM

821 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801 302.482.3333 • ChelseaTavern.com

BRUNCH every SATURDAY & SUNDAY! 10am – 2pm

NO RENTAL FEE if you book your Holiday Party before October 31st!!!

NFL FOOTBALL

GAMEDAYS!

32oz PITCHERS

yards Philly pale Ale $7 DFH 60 min $7 Blue Moon $7 60oz PITCHERS yards Philly pale Ale $13 DFH 60 min $13 blue moon $13 15 Build-UR-Own Bucket

any 4 12oz bottles

302.384.8113 • ErnestAndScott.com 902 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801

80 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_WhereToWatchTheGame.indd 4

8/24/17 11:18 AM

next to anthony’s pizza formerly famous mike’s

FIRESTONE ROASTING HOUSE 110 W. St., Wilmington; 658-6626 firestoneriverfront.com

HOME OF THE

Number of TVs: 24 Beers on Tap: 8+, Bottled Beers: 30 Crowd Favorites: Firestone original pizza, spinach tomato ricotta pizza, and Firestone burger.

“EVERY DAY” $

3 DRINKS!

RU READY FOR SOME

GALLUCIO’S 1709 Lovering Ave., Wilmington; 655-3689 gallucios-de.com

FOOTBALL?!

Number of TVs: 8 Beers on Tap: 16, Bottled Beers: 15 Crowd Favorites: Pomodoro pizza, California turkey Ruben, sautéed seafood medley, stromboli, and homemade lasagna.

SUNDAY TICKET & MNF

EVERY GAME ON 13 HDTVs (Sun. & Mon.)

SPECIALS

10 BUD LIGHT BUCKETS (FOUR 16OZ) $ 2 GREEN MONSTER SHOOTERS (DURING $

GRAIN CRAFT BAR + KITCHEN Newark and Kennett Square, Pa. meetatgrain.com

ALL EAGLES GAMES)

FREE

Number of TVs: 12 Beers on Tap: 24, Bottled Beers: 60 Crowd Favorites: Fried pickles, street tacos, and Cubano.

T-SHIRT TO THE FIRST 10 CUSTOMERS SUNDAYS SEPTEMBER! DOORS OPEN NOON!

4809 Limestone Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808 (next to Anthony’s Pizza)

THE GREENE TURTLE

facebook.com/PikeCreekPub

250 S. Main Street, Suite 101, Newark; 454-1592, thegreeneturtle.com Number of TVs: 48 Beers on Tap: 24, Bottled Beers: 30+ Crowd Favorites: Crab dip, Chesapeake burger, and hog hammers.

POOCHES ON THE PATIO wednesdays 5pm – 11pm bring your dog to route 2 tavern!

GROTTO PIZZA 16 locations in Delaware grottopizza.com Number of TVs: 15-25 Beers on Tap: 6-14, Bottled Beers: 16-22 Crowd Favorites: Boneless wings, appetizer combo, and broccoli bites.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL w/ the route 2 girls plus drink specials and giveaways. doors open at 4pm

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL $

2 bud lights & green monster shooters $

SEPT 7TH latin night w/ dj frank

ALL DAY EVERY DAY

SEPT 9TH

IRON HILL BREWERY & RESTAURANT WILMINGTON AND NEWARK ironhillbrewery.com Number of TVs: 4 Beers on Tap: 12-20, Bottled Beers: 7-9 Crowd Favorites: Cheesesteak eggrolls, voodoo chicken pizza, crab cake sandwich, petite filet mignon, scallops, and house nachos.

local artist night featuring genetix & dj ion the astronaut

Drinks!!!

SEPT 16TH WisdomCourtEnt’s “5658” Promo tour (The Delaware stop)

SEPT 21ST latin night w/ dj cris 4305 Kirkwood Hwy Wilmington, DE (Behind The Applebee's)

9_WhereToWatchTheGame.indd 5

3 & $4

FREE POOL! MONDAYS FRIDAYS 4PM – 7PM

SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

8/24/17 11:21 AM

NFL LOYALTY CLub

LOYALTY HAS ITS REWARDS | $10 membership | More games attended, bigger rewards

Draft Specials

Half-Priced Wings* During evening regular NFL Games

During all regular NFL Games

www.kid shellee ns.com | #HHGROUPIE

FOOTBALL SPECIALS ARE BACK FOR ALL PRO GAMES! $7.99 Buffalo Wings • $7.99 Nachos • $5.99 Tater Tots $10.99 Pitchers of Goose Island IPA & ShockTop • $8.99 Pitchers of Bud & Bud Light Come Try Our Seasonal Craft Beers Over 22 Beers on Tap at the Polly Drummond and Peoples Plaza Locations!

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME: PIGSKIN PIG ROAST!

FREE BBQ PULLED PORK SANDWICHES DURING THE GAME! PRIME RIB SPECIAL - Every Thursday through Saturday after 5pm Be our friend on Facebook!

www.mcglynnspub.com

82 SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_WhereToWatchTheGame.indd 6

8/24/17 11:23 AM

KELLY’S LOGAN HOUSE 1701 Delaware Ave., Wilmington; 652-9493 loganhouse.com Number of TVs: 18 TVs including a big screen Beers on Tap: 22, Bottled Beers: 18 Crowd Favorites: Buffalo wings, chili nachos, and dirty bird grilled cheese.

KID SHELLEEN’S 14th & Scott, Wilmington; 658-4600 kidshelleens.com Number of TVs: 6 Beers on Tap: 13, Bottled Beers: 55-60 Crowd Favorites: Shelleen’s nachos, buffalo wings, and chicken quesadilla.

MCGLYNN’S PUB Three locations: Polly Drummond, People’s Plaza, Dover mcglynnspub.com

The NFL Season IS FINALLY HERE!

AND STANLEY’S IS STILL THE PLACE TO WATCH! Win a 2 year lease on a NEW Ford Fusion or Nissan Altima

Courtesy of the

Sheridan Auto Group

Number of TVs: 22 with NFL Package, all games all week Beers on Tap: 32, Bottled Beers: 40+ Crowd Favorites: Wings, nachos, burgers, and prime rib.

MEXICAN POST 3100 Naaman’s Rd., Wilmington; 478-3939 mexicanpost.com Number of TVs: 5 Beers on Tap: 5, Bottled Beers: 24 Crowd Favorites: Fajitas, chimichangas, and nachos.

PIKE CREEK PUB 4809 Limestone Rd., Wilmington; 235-8368 facebook.com/PikeCreekPub Number of TVs: 12 Beers on Tap: 8, Bottled Beers: 18 Crowd Favorites: All draft beers $3, Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coronas are $3.

ROUTE 2 TAVERN 4305 Kirkwood Hwy, Wilmington; 256-0803, facebook.com/route2tavern Number of TVs: 15 Beers on Tap: 12, Bottled Beers: 15 Crowd Favorites: All draft beers are $3, Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coronas are $3.

Join our Frequent Fan Club (it’s free to join). Every visit you make to Stanley’s from Sept. 1, 2017 until Jan 1, 2018 gives you a chance to be one of the four weekly finalists! Drawing will be during half-time of the Pro-Football Championship Game! You must be present to win. Must be at least 21 years of age. Must qualify for lease & supply your own insurance for the car lease.

SPECIALS

- During All NFL Games

20 Wings for the Price of 10! Bud Light Budweiser Shock Top Goose IPA

$2.50 $2.50 $3.50 $4.00

Pints Pints Pints Pints

2038 Foulk Road | Wilmington, DE 19810

302.475.1887 | Stanleys-Tavern.com SEPTEMBER 2017 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM

9_WhereToWatchTheGame.indd 7

8/24/17 12:53 PM

Come enjoy Back-to-School Casa Noble Margaritas!!! Certified Organic Blue Agave Tequila by Carlos Santana

Come Visit Our Friendly Staff & See What Everyone’s Talking About! Come see Adrienne, Tara, Tony, Barby, Neal, Julie, David, Tino, Sharon, Zarine, Maranda & Madeline!

Serving the BEST Margaritas & the Largest Selection of Tequila in the Tri-State Area! 4 Mexican Draft Beers and 10 Mexican Bottled Beers Available!

Make Mexican Post Your Football Headquarters! Enjoy These Specials During The Games on Sundays & Mondays (bar area only):

$3 PINTS OF CORONA LIGHT & MODELA ESPECIAL $9.95 Lunch Specials! LATE NIGHT MENU 7 DAYS A WEEK TIL 1AM

Mon-fri 11am-3pm

Wat Eagl ch the es h ere!

STOP IN FOR OUR DAILY MARGARITA SPECIALS!

Featuring 70 types of tequila! • AWARD WINNING MARGARITAS! 302.478.3939 | 3100 Naaman’s Road | Wilmington, DE | MexicanPost.com | facebook.com/Mex.Post

Catch all of the NFL Games Here!

Oh boy! st t ju n e v e n A for me