Music and Dance on Delmarva

EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA

Palace Theater, Cape Charles
A schedule of two or three classical concerts in spring and fall. Look for special musical events – tribute shows, one-night performances in the autumn. There is usually a package which includes dinner, the show, backstage tour, and overnight accommodations in Cape Charles. The dance school associated with the theatre presents one or two performances annually. www.artsentercapecharles.org

Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Chincoteague
The group sponsors three acoustic music concerts in the spring and fall. The genres cover Blues, Folk, Celtic, Bluegrass, and Old Time. In the summer, there’s a series of free concerts at the waterside park on selected Saturday evenings. Bring a lawn chair (and bug spray). www.chincoteagueculturalalliance.org

ESO Arts Center, Belle Haven
A grass-roots arts center with classes for adults and children. Their ballet school presents performances every May and the traditional Nutcracker in December, www.esoartscenter.org

MARYLAND

Mid-Atlantic Symphony
A 70-piece symphony orchestra comprised on professional musicians. They perform in Easton, Ocean Pines (MD), and Ocean View (DE) in a season that runs from October-April. The schedule has 7-8 symphony and 2 pop concerts. www.midatlanticsymphony.org

Salisbury Community Band, Salisbury
The band performs at the bandstand in the Salisbury City Park on Sunday evenings in the summer. Usually from the end of June to the beginning of August. Concerts are free. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy. www.salisburyband.com

Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Salisbury
A collaboration between music students at the University and experienced community members, the Symphony performs quarterly concerts at Holloway Hall on the University campus. They also perform one or two children-oriented concerts during the year that are free for children. www.salisbury.edu/sso

The Mainstay, Rock Hall
Tom McHugh will have a box seat in Heaven for creating The Mainstay in Rock Hall. He brings some of the best talent in jazz, blues, world, classical, Brazilian, folk, and most every other genre to the tiny 120-theater in a century-old building on Main Street. His Charlie Byrd ‘festival’ welcomes artists who played with or were mentored by Byrd. That’s typical of the sort of program and quality of artist he attracts. And tickets average around $15. Rock Hall’s definitely off the beaten track, so plan to stay at one of the town’s B&Bs after the show. www.Mainstayrockhall.org

Chester River Chorale, Chestertown
Since its founding in 1999, this 71-voice chorus has gained a reputation for showing how an all-volunteer, community based group can perform at a high level. Their repertoire includes classical Masterworks, sacred and contemporary music, Broadway, spirituals, and pop. They perform a Christmas concert in December and a spring concert every May, as well as the Messiah sing-a-long at The Prince Theater and the summer “Music in the Park” series. www.chesterriverchorale.org

The Prince Theatre, Chestertown
A full schedule of musical acts throughout the year. The first Friday of every month is “Andy’s Picks,” featuring artists who deserve more exposure. The Soulful Sunday series has both gospel and blues – it all depends on your definition of ‘soul.’ Always worth checking out. www.princetheatre.org

Music in Fountain Park, Chestertown
Every other Saturday, starting July 3, from 7-8:30 p.m. Bring a blanket to Fountain Park in the heart of Chestertown for the free concert. www.chestertown.com/artscalendar1.php

Caroline County Library, Denton
The free Friday night concerts at the main library in Denton invite excellent regional and occasionally nationally recognized performers. The genres cover brass, Celtic, and jazz music as well as dance and other performing arts. www.carolib.org

Outdoor Concert Series, Easton
Sponsored by The Avalon Foundation, this series of concerts on most Saturdays from June-August covers has perhaps the widest variety of performers – military bands, Cajun/Zydeco, Afro Funk Big Band. All concerts are free and held in various locations in the downtown. www.theavalonfoundation.com/outdoorconcerts.html

The Avalon Theater, Easton
You name it, you’ll hear it here. An extensive calendar of performances. Many nationally acclaimed artists. www.avalontheater.com

DELAWARE

The Rehoboth Theatre of the Arts, Rehoboth Beach
A great renovation of a former church complex into a first-class arts and entertainment venue. They bring in a lot of ‘tribute’ shows – Buddy Holly, Sinatra, and the like. The calendar includes a good mix of well-known artists and regional favorites, plus up-and-coming performers you can brag about hearing before they were hot. www.rehoboththeatreofthearts.com

Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, Rehoboth Beach
Free concerts every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at the bandstand by the beach. An amazing variety of performers: rock, Buffett, military bands, guitar-driven rock, classical/rock fusion, 80’s retro, Flamenco, brass bands. www.rehobothbandstand.com/schedule

Coastal Concerts, Lewes
This organization presents an annual five concert subscription series in a season running from October through March. These concerts feature "world-class" professional classical musicians that concert goers would typically have to travel to large, culturally rich metropolitan areas to hear. All concerts are at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, which has wonderful acoustics. Tickets for single performances are $25. www.coastalconcerts.org