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British invade Lewes, but just for a night

Beatles music is backdrop for fab fundraiser at Historic Lewes
Tony Sciuto, left, and Robbie LaBlanc perform Beatles music at the second annual British Invasion: From Blockade to the Beatles. The Aug. 20 event was a fundraiser for Historic Lewes, held at the main campus on Shipcarpenter Street. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
August 25, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, the Beatles! Almost.

Tony Sciuto, formerly of Little River Band, and Robbie LaBlanc provided fabulous Fab Four music for the second annual British Invasion: From Blockade to the Beatles.

The fundraiser was held Aug. 20 at the Historic Lewes Town Campus.

The idea was to commemorate the British invasions that impacted Lewes: The blockade during the War of 1812, which left the Cannonball House as its legacy, and the British music invasion in the 1960s.

“We thought we would have some fun with the idea of the British invasion and the other British invasion beyond 1812, when they came back as friendly fire with the music of the Beatles, Stones, et al.,” said Michael Whitehouse, event chair.

Mike and Eileena Miley of Lewes were there to enjoy the music.

“I’ve been a Beatles fan ever since I was a kid,” Mike said. He was sporting a Yellow Submarine shirt, while his wife wore a Paul McCartney shirt.

Whitehouse pointed out that there are several Lewes businesses run by Brits, including Rose & Crown, Puzzles and Go Brit.

Some of those businesses donated Beatles memorabilia and other British-themed fare for a basket that was raffled off.

The money raised at the British Invasion night will go to support the Historic Lewes main campus and provide funding for future events.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a beautiful evening at the British Invasion event are (l-r) Mary LeTellier, Pam Brown and Dawnel White.
A large crowd fills the lawn at the Historic Lewes Town Campus to listen to Beatles tunes.
Sharon Baker, left, and Deb Hansen support the British vibe.
Mike and Eileena Miley of Lewes are Beatles fans and wore shirts to prove it.
British Invasion Night is the brainchild of Michael Whitehouse, shown holding a Yellow Submarine bag that was among the raffle items at the fundraiser.
Andrew Lyter, Historic Lewes executive director, right, opens the show on British Invasion night. Shown are (l-r) Tony Sciuto, Michael Whitehouse, Robert LaBlanc (in doorway) and Lyter.
A Beatles-themed raffle basket full of Fab Four items and general British fare was donated by local businesses, some run by Brits.
Beach towels commemorating the event were a big hit.
The Union Jack flies for British Invasion night.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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