Bethany Beach announces 2019 concert lineup; shows begin June 7
Bethany Beach’s annual Summer Concert Series on the Bandstand will officially launch Friday, June 7, and continue through Sunday, Sept. 1.
The lineup will introduce 15 acts completely new to the Bethany stage. The series gives a nod to feedback received from the annual audience participation survey. All concerts are at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted on the schedule online.
“Our audiences really appreciate a variety of music,” said Julie Malewski, events director. “Even though they have their favorite genres, most are willing to try something new.”
This August marks the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, the historic music event that touched the world and the lives of its future generations. The Janglebachs will make their bandstand debut Friday, Aug. 9, performing the music of the Woodstock Generation and melding the music and fashion that shaped the ‘60s.
In August 2018, the world lost Aretha Franklin. The Uptown Band will include a mini tribute to the Queen of Soul in its show Sunday, Aug. 11. The band has a varied set list and mix of lead vocalists that reaches a younger audience.
Leroy Hawkes and the Hipnotics will perform soul and R&B Saturday, June 15. The group has been around since 1990 appearing with greats like the Temptations and the O’Jays, but 2019 will be their debut in Bethany Beach.
Two heavyweights in the music business have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, limiting their ability to tour: Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt. Both singers will be honored in professional tributes. Real Diamond will perform Sunday, June 9. Newcomer Ronstadt Revue, with the backing of former Ronstadt bandmates, will perform Saturday, July 12.
Lights Out will debut America’s No.1 tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16. The award-winning ’90s group As If will revisit favorite songs that shaped the millennial generation from boy bands and girl bands to pop, punk and hip hop Saturday, Aug. 10.
The town’s celebration of Périers Day, which marks the twinning of the towns of Bethany Beach and Périers, France, will feature USO Tribute act Delmarvalous Dolls Saturday, July 27, and French Quarter-inspired Creole dance band Zydeco-A-Go-Go Sunday, July 28.
Every weekend will feature an eclectic mix of rock to country to jazz and anything in between, sometimes even on the same night. Two good examples: The 19th Street Band fuses Americana, country, and rock into a fun-to-watch show that has shared the stage with stars including Rodney Atkins and Craig Morgan. Cello Fury offers a mix of classic symphonic sounds and driving rock beats that delivers a progressive indie sound like no other.
Five elite military bands will represent the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Army National Guard to play the best of country, pop, rock, jazz and standards.
The child-friendly Kids Club will return in July. Along with Carnival Night and Children’s Theater, Kidsinger Jim and the Big Barn Puppets is scheduled to bring the puppet musical back, this time with an anti-bullying show, “Kindness Rocks!” which will get an early start at 6 p.m. to accommodate younger viewers. Twice Removed is a new addition to the lineup. This teen rock band is made up of former students from the Southern Delaware School of the Arts and is geared toward tweens and teens.
All shows are free and sponsored by the Town of Bethany Beach. For more information and a complete schedule, go to www.townofbethanybeach.com under Activities.
