March 2025 - The Queen at 15

Wilmington entertainment mecca strengthens its local connection

Some Things Never Get Old

So, here we are. The beginning of Out & About’s 39th year of publishing.

Never missed a month. Never missed a deadline (yes, I’m tapping on my wooden desktop as I type this sentence one-handed).

When we began this adventure, people were using landlines and the World Wide Web was in development.

I’m no state archivist, but this milestone might make us the state’s oldest continuously operating complimentary variety magazine. Great, that and $3.50 will get me a coffee, you say. Yes, but we could be a Delaware trivia question some day.

Local stories respectfully told by talented local storytellers — it’s a formula that has served us well.

Breakout bands we profiled now have sons or daughters contributing to the soundtrack of our state. Several star athletes we featured now have a kid playing in the pros. Budding entrepreneurs whose debut we spotlighted now have multiple locations — and their entire family is helping manage the enterprise.

Time flies, whether you’re having fun or not.

And while I wouldn’t define the current niche publishing environment as fun — AI, digital publishing and social media advertising have certainly produced challenging headwinds — we continue to produce a print edition. And let me tell you why.

Like most media entities, our content can be easily accessed online, via social media, our website, or with a digital subscription. In fact, more than 20,000 currently

receive our complimentary digital subscription — and we thank you for that.

But when we recently asked our readers which format they prefer reading Out & About, 70% responded that they prefer to read us in print. And this was an online survey!

That’s right, more than two-thirds of our audience prefers to grab the print edition despite it being easier to access online. In other words, they would rather get out and about to get Out & About Hey, we can all use the exercise.

Yes, old school can be cool. Like vinyl records, handwritten notes and tipping with cash, flipping through a glossy print magazine remains a satisfying endeavor. From the time you make that voluntary decision to pick up Out & About, you’re in control. No pop-up ads, no paywalls, no blue light. And no batteries required.

When you’re finished, just toss it in the recycling bin and we’ll produce another. Every issue is printed on recycled paper.

Don’t take my word for it. Let’s let AI weigh in. “Reading something in print feels like a treat, not mere content consumption,” says Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude, while going on to list a host of other benefits.

Local stories respectfully told by talented local storytellers. It’s an approach that is simple and authentic. Out & About offers the freedom to read those stories online or in print. But as we close in on four decades, we’re one of the few publications in the state still providing that choice.

It’s the golden rule of publishing: Listen to your readers.

— Jerry duPhily

Celebrating One Year of the Out & About Crossword

“___ but a scratch” (Monty Python quote) 7 Ice pellets 8 Baldwin of 30 Rock

Ursuline alumna and “Most Famous Delawarean” per many polls... beating out Joe Biden, George Thorogood, Elena Delle Donne, and Henry Heimlich 13 Layer, as of toilet paper

Sales ___ (something not paid in Delaware)

Shoves

Entice 19 McKellen who played Gandalf

20 “Soda ___” (“KPop Demon Hunters” song)

Marching out?

Created

Prefix for “tag” on smartphones

Orangutan, e.g.

Number

The Matterhorn, for one

By Joe O’Brien

THE WAR On Words

A monthly column in which we attempt, however futilely, to defend the English language

JOCKS . . . YA GOTTA LOVE ‘EM

Ex-athletes who pursue careers in the media often reveal a kind of love-hate relationship with language. They love the occasional “big” word, but sometimes they misuse it, as was the case recently with former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason:

• On his TV show, Game Time with Boomer Esiason, the host interviewed Jim Murphy, author of Inner Excellence, the book that TV cameras discovered Eagles receiver A.J. Brown reading on the bench during the Birds’ January playoff win over Green Bay. Boomer asked Murphy how he managed the sudden fame created by that implicit endorsement, commenting that Murphy had previously been “an innocuous person.” I’m pretty sure Boomer meant “an anonymous person.”

And sometimes retired jocks are easily impressed by someone who shows just a slight facility with words.

• That was the case, according to reader Ben Yagoda, the author and former UD professor whose most recent book is Alias O. Henry, when Tom Brady called his booth partner, Kevin Burkhardt, a “Renaissance man” for using “fortuitous” (happening by a lucky chance). Burkhardt responded with a comment to the effect that he had studied his “vocabulary drills.”

Says Yagoda: “I mean, it’s okay, it’s out there, but hold the encomium.”

OVER-CORRECTING?

On a recent episode of All Creatures Great and Small, veterinarian James Herriot is about to treat an injured dog when he tells the owner, “Lie her on the table.” Ninety-nine percent of the time, lay is used where lie should be, but this is that rare instance where lay (to place) was called for.

DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCIES DEPT.

• According to reader Dale Pippert, the almost nightly opening line from CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil is, “Here is the breaking news right now.” Breaking would indicate that it’s occurring right now.

• Over on NBC10 Philadelphia, reporter Neil Fischer, in a piece on how to melt the accumulated ice of mid-February, advised us that “you have several alternative options.”

MEDIA WATCH

Let’s start with a couple of danglers:

By Bob Yearick

• Sunday Today’s Willie Geist, reporting on Fiona the hippo, born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo: “Too small to stand or eat by herself, zookeepers documented her journey.” It’s Fiona who couldn’t stand, not her keepers.

• Stephanie Farr, a gifted feature writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, also misplaced her modifier when she wrote this about a Delaware County strip club: “I’m not sure when I became aware of Lou Turk’s. As a nearly two-decade transplant, it’s the stuff of legends that’s always been here and I’ve always heard talked about, like Wawa or the Lower Swedish Cabin.” You’re the transplant, Steph, not Lou Turk’s. (Also, the usual term is the singular “stuff of legend.”)

In other media matters:

• WDEL reported on crews repairing water main breaks thusly: “They are nearly done the job.” The omission of “with” in such constructions may be okay for middleschool students (“I’m done my homework, mom”), but not for professional media.

• Per reader Neil Kaye, WDEL also gave us this: “Wilmington police report 21 percent less shootings in 2025.” As “War on Words” readers know, plurals (shootings) require fewer.

• The New Yorker, quoting a post on X by former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “No I’m not towing the party line on this (subsidies to the Affordable Care Act).” The expression is “toeing the line,” and – not to get too deep into the journalism weeds here – but normally a publication would insert “[sic]” after towing to indicate that the word is being reproduced as it originally appeared and the publication is aware that it’s incorrect. That the staid and impeccable New Yorker chose not to do so apparently means either a) proofreaders and editors missed the error, or b) they chose not to correct it because they assumed their learned audience would notice it, and they didn’t want to insult that audience’s intelligence. Given the number of pre-publication eyes on every piece in The New Yorker, my money’s on b.

NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR GROUP?

Spring into Pet Wellness

SBy Brianna Hansen

pring arrives with a sense of rejuvenation. The air smells brighter, the days stretch a little longer, and suddenly everyone is outside again. Sidewalks fill up, patios reopen, and your dog is vibrating at the door. After months of winter hibernation, muddy paws, and cozy couch marathons, this is the season when routines shift. And that shift is the perfect excuse to give your pet’s wellness a little tune up!

Start with grooming. Spring shedding is not subtle, and regular brushing helps remove that undercoat before it decorates your couch (and carpet, clothes, car). It also helps keep skin healthy and gives you a chance to check for anything unusual. But if your dog has been rocking the “cozy yet chaotic” winter look, a professional groomer might be the answer.

Flea & tick prevention also becomes paramount in spring. Warmer weather means more time outside and more tiny bugs waiting in trails and tall grass. And parasites are not just itchy, they often carry diseases that put your pet at risk. If you paused prevention during colder months, now’s the time to restart and make sure your pet is protected before peak pest season.

Spring’s also a great time to check in on vaccines. As pets socialize more at parks, patios, and neighborhood strolls, exposure risks increase. Staying current on core vaccines helps protect not just your pet, but the wider pet community.

Next up, the stunning seasonal hazards. Spring blooms may be beautiful, but sadly, not all plants are petfriendly. Tulips, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, hydrangeas, crocus, azaleas, peonies, and many others can cause serious health issues for pets if ingested. Fresh mulch, lawn treatments, fertilizers, and even puddles with runoff can harbor toxins, too. Keep an eye on what your pet is sniffing or sampling, especially if they consider themselves a culinary adventurer!

Finally, just like their human friends, allergies tend to flare this time of year for pets. If you notice excessive scratching, licking, ear infections, or watery eyes, a quick veterinary check can help identify seasonal allergies and keep your pet comfortable.

Worried about the cost? Local shelters like Humane Animal Partners and Faithful Friends offer low-cost wellness and vaccine clinics to keep your pets healthy on a budget.

Spring is about renewal, and while you’re swapping sweaters for sunshine, your pet is ready for their own seasonal reset, too. A little brushing, a little prevention, and a watchful eye on blooming backyards go a long way toward keeping tails wagging and whiskers twitching. Because nothing pairs better with longer days than a healthy, four-legged friend by your side.

OK,

FYI Things Worth Knowing

DELAWARE TOURISM OFFICE BRINGS WORLD CUP EXCITEMENT HOME

The Delaware Tourism Office, an official promotional partner of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, will host a series of statewide watch parties for select FIFA World Cup™ 2026 matches this June, bringing large-screen match viewing and pre-match entertainment to communities across all three counties. Scheduled watch parties include USA vs. Paraguay at the Bob Carpenter Center, Newark (June 12); Germany vs. Ivory Coast at Hudson Fields, Milton (June 20); Uruguay vs. Spain at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington (June 26); and the World Cup™ Final at the University of Delaware Stadium (July 19). Tickets go on sale March 5 at VisitDelaware.com/worldcup.

Out & About for the beginning of our 39th year. The questions will be based on two articles in this month’s issue. Answer correctly and you could win a cool prize. Email your answers by March 17 to Contact@TSNPub.com with the subject line: I READ IT! We will choose three winners from correct submissions

1. Ireland replaced what country as the primary source of workers for the DuPont Company in the early 1800s?

2. What is the name of the hotel that once occupied the building that is currently operating as The Queen?

DO MORE 24

nyone who donates to their favorite nonprofit during Do More 24 Delaware will make a bigger impact than on any other day of the year. This year’s campaign, which has participation from more than 500 Delaware nonprofits, starts March 5 at 6pm and concludes March 6 at 6pm. More than 25 sponsors have joined forces to provide matching gifts, incentives and rewards to make every donation count for more. Visit DoMore24Delaware.org.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: NEW CASTLE COUNTY ART CONTEST

Entries are now open for “Rooted in Nature,” the 8th Annual NCC heARTed Art Contest, inviting artists of all ages to create work inspired by the natural world. Presented in partnership with New Castle County Libraries, this year’s theme draws inspiration from the NEA Big Read selection The Seed Keeper. All entries must be submitted by May 4. Learn more at NewCastleDE.gov/1822/NCC-HeARTed-Art-Contest.

INDOOR GOLF VENUE COMING TO WILMINGTON RIVERFRONT

Buccini Pollin Group and Byler Holdings have announced The Clubhouse of Delaware, a new 8,000-square-foot indoor golf and social venue opening in spring 2026 on Wilmington’s Riverfront beside Penn Cinema’s IMAX theater. The facility will feature nine state-of-the-art golf simulators and a full-service restaurant designed to bring year-round entertainment to the bustling Wilmington Riverfront. The venue also plans to offer golf lessons, instruction, and youth programming to ensure that local schools and young golfers can take advantage of the space. Follow The Clubhouse on Facebook at @Clubhouse-of-Delaware for updates.

The Story of Delaware in 100 Landmarks, part of the 250History Semiquincentennial Series, highlights 100 sites across the state, from colonial buildings and cultural institutions to lesser-known local treasures. The illustrated volume by Doug Gelbert offers readers an accessible overview of Delaware’s history, traditions, and unique stories. The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com.

The inaugural Fork Cancer Delaware, hosted by the American Cancer Society, will take place April 30 at Old Town Hall in Downtown Wilmington. The event will showcase top local chefs, cocktails, and entertainment while raising funds to support cancer research, advocacy, and patient services. Proceeds benefit the organization’s mission to improve outcomes for people with cancer and their families. More at ForkCancerDe.org.

SUMMER BALLET PROGRAMS AT WHITEHALL

First State Ballet Theater invites dancers of all ages to experience summer ballet at Whitehall, with ongoing enrollment available. Children ages 4-8 can join the Children’s Workshop July 6–10, while older students, ages 8–18, can attend the Whitehall Summer Intensive August 3–14. Additional 8-week summer sessions run June 22–August 13, offering daily classes in Ballet, Pointe, Creative Movement, and adult programs. For more classes and registration visit FirstStateBallet.org.

FRIENDS OF HOCKESSIN LIBRARY CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

The Friends of the Hockessin Library is celebrating 50 years of supporting the Library with new investments in community access and programming. Funding initiatives include expanding the Delaware Libraries’ Museum Pass Program — which allows library card holders to check out free passes to participating museums — to include six additional regional institutions, as well as sponsoring adult art workshops facilitated by the Center for Creative Arts. More at FriendsOfTheHockessinLibrary.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 5pm Start Next

DOWNTOWN

The Art-O-Mat

501 W. 7th Street

Exhibition: Fractured

Foundations: The Art of Resilience and Restoration

Bridge Art Gallery

419 N. Market Street

439-0805 • BridgeArtGallery.net

Exhibition: Expressive Creative Soul Group Show

Chris White Gallery 701 N. Shipley Street 475-0998 • ChrisWhiteGallery.com

Exhibition: Meet Me at The Altar

Christina Cultural Arts Center

Edward Loper, Sr. Gallery

705 N. Market Street

652-0101 • CCACDe.org

Exhibition: Eye Shadow – a Bebe Ross Coker Brain Child

City of Wilmington’s Redding Gallery

800 N. French Street

576-2100

CityfestWilm.com/Redding-gallery

Exhibition: Her Story is Art Group Show

Create Magic Studio

419 N. Market Street

439-0805

Artist: These Are Things I Draw by Todd Purse

The Grand Opera House 818 N. Market Street

658-7897 • TheGrandWilmington.org

Grand Gallery: The Photography of Ray Firmani

baby grand Gallery: Lorraine Hudson

Huxley & Hiro Booksellers 419 N. Market Street

439-0805• HuxleyAndHiro.com

Artist: Meg Clouser aka Lemon in the Limelight

LaFate Gallery

227 N. Market Street

753-5789 • LaFateGallery.com

Exhibition: Fab Four Group Show

MANE Gallery at the Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange

1509 Clifford Brown Walk, Studio #1 576-2100

CityfestWilm.com/uae-amphitheater

Exhibition: Jabaar Brown

Closing Reception

Mezzanine Gallery

820 N. French Street 577-8278 • Arts.Delaware.gov

Exhibition: Community by Tanya Bracey

Wilma’s 900 N. Market Street

761-0564 • GoodTimeWilmas.com Exhibition: Humanity Group Show

RIVERFRONT

The Delaware Contemporary 200 S. Madison Street

656-6466 • DeContemporary.org

Exhibitions: Depth; Black Collage: Aesthetic Legacies; This Place Meant

WEST SIDE

Blue Streak Gallery 1721 Delaware Avenue

429-0506

Exhibition: Flowers Reimagined by Doris Peltzman

The Glad Suite 1339 Linden Street 410-458-1119

Exhibition: Poetic Justice: History, Heroism, and the Reemergence of Hope

Howard Pyle Studio 1305 N. Franklin Street

656-7304

Artist: Howard Pyle Studio Artists feat. Bonnie White

BEYOND THE CITY

Arden Buzz-Ware Gallery 2119 The Highway, Arden 981-4811

Exhibit: Taking Stock by Emma Reilly

Arsht Hall 2700 Pennsylvania Avenue 573-4417

Artist: Gabrielle Bradley

Bellefonte Arts

803-C Brandywine Blvd 547-2573

Artist: Lowell Sommer, Recent Works

Finist & The Owl 811 Brandywine Blvd, Bellefonte 786-228-6638

FinistAndTheOwl.com

Exhibition: The Wingbeats, Whispers and the Silence!

Jester Art Space 2818 Grubb Road

484-947-8191 • JesterArtSpace.org

Exhibit: It’s a Spring Thing! Group Show

Oldhead Tattoo & Gallery 109 N. Maryland Avenue 482-8819

Exhibition: Eire by Bruce Gulick

The Station Gallery 3922 Kennett Pike

654-8638 • StationGallery.net

Exhibit: 2026 Wilmington Flower

Market Art Unveiling & Group Show

The Irish Connection

In celebration of Delaware 250, this monthly series will spotlight historic sites unique to our state.

By Chuck Durante

Irish immigrants were an invaluable resource for the DuPont Company, a story well documented at Hagley Museum

By Kevin Noonan

It was a unique relationship between a company and a country, and it eventually transformed a city. In the 19th Century, the DuPont Company was booming, sometimes literally. It was the leading manufacturer of gunpower in America from its mills along the Brandywine River in Wilmington, and that meant occasional explosions and loss of life.

Despite that danger, one group of people became an integral part of those mills — the Irish. DuPont valued their labor so much that it even arranged and paid for passage for many Irishmen to immigrate to America to work for them, and the company didn’t do that with any other country. DuPont also gave many of them free or low-cost housing and other perks such interestbearing savings accounts and pensions for widows, a necessity in an industry where explosions were an everyday threat.

“Irishmen would come to Northern Delaware to work, and then the company would even pay for their wives and children and in-laws to come here and join them,” says Dr. Margaret M. Mulrooney, who wrote Black Powder, White Lace , a comprehensive history of the Irish and the DuPont mills, which are now part of the Hagley Museum complex.

“DuPont understood that married men would be more stable, which is why they brought their families over, as well,” Mulrooney says. “It was dangerous

work and they had to be able to make jobs attractive, even if they were dangerous. And the Irish proved to be excellent workers.”

Mulrooney said DuPont initially hired Frenchmen — the du Ponts immigrated to America from France, so that made sense — but that didn’t work out as planned, and eventually the company discovered the Irish and started to woo them to the New World with competitive salaries and benefits they could have only dreamed about in the old country. Between 1810-1850, more than 1,200 Irish came to Wilmington to work on the banks of the Brandywine, many of them on pre-paid passages arranged by agents hired by DuPont, which became known as “chain migration.”

There was a difference between the DuPont Irish and other Irish who came to America to escape famine and persecution by the British. Most of the Irish who came to DuPont were from the western and northern parts of the country and they weren’t driven to the New World by poverty, but by greater opportunity.

At first, the Irish were hired for mostly unskilled labor. But when DuPont realized that the French weren’t that interested in the highly-paid, but highly-dangerous work in the gunpowder mills, the company decided, as an experiment, to train the Irish for that work and

discovered they did well at it. So, DuPont switched gears and started to hire only Irish.

In turn, the Irish were incredibly loyal to the DuPont brand, even though many of them were killed in the line of duty. Research done by Mulrooney — now a professor of History at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. — discovered several horrific explosions. From 1802 until the mills closed in 1921, 228 people were killed. However, the Irish dealt with that in a matter-of-fact manner — if somebody was killed in an explosion, they would simply say that he was “going across the creek.’’

The Irish eventually moved on from the mills and became small business owners and went into other occupations as they moved up the socio-economic ladder. But the mark they left at DuPont and Wilmington is still there today.

“Delaware has a really proud history with their connection to the Irish,” Mulrooney says. “They came here to live and work and their descendants owe them a great debt, because their sacrifices paved the way for future generations to prosper in our state.”

— For more information on the Irish and the DuPont Company, visit Hagley.org.

Featured Artists:

Dr. Traci Currie

Dr. Yalonda JD Green

Crystal Baynard Norman

Rebecca “Little Turtle Who Sees” Lamar

Chet’la Sebree

Ebony Wilmore

Spring It On!

Shake off the winter chill at one of these area events

ABy Amy Watson Bish

fter a cold winter, spring is finally beginning to bloom. From outdoor festivals and family-friendly fun to arts, music, and community events, this guide highlights the season’s best ways to get out, explore, and enjoy warmer days ahead.

MARCH

62nd Annual Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

March 7 & 8, 10am-6pm (Sat.), 11am-5pm (Sun.)

DoubleTree Hotel, North Wilmington

This family-friendly show features educational mineral, fossil, and lapidary exhibits, dealers offering gems, jewelry, and supplies, plus a children’s area where kids can purchase affordable mineral and fossil specimens.

—Visit DMSrocks.org

11th Annual LEGO Brick™ Shipbuilding Day Saturday, March 7, 10am-3pm | Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Wilmington

Enjoy a free, all-ages event centered on creativity and building. Design your own ship at home or onsite to enter prize drawings, and learn to create STEM-based LEGO models of historic and naval vessels, including the Tall Ship of Delaware.

—Visit KalmarNyckel.org/LegoDay

Shine A Light: 1986

Saturday, March 7, 6pm | The Queen, Wilmington

One of Delaware’s most anticipated nights is back featuring more than 60 of the tri-state area’s best musicians performing a setlist of the biggest chart-toppers of ‘86. Proceeds from the annual benefit concert support music education programs for the state’s underserved youth.

—Visit LightUpTheQueen.org

Maple Sugar Festival

Saturday, March 14, 9am & 11am | Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin

Savor a pancake breakfast with toe-tapping live music from The Sugar Maples, explore maple themed vendors and crafts, and head outdoors to learn the age-old tradition of turning sap into syrup.

—Visit DelawareNatureSociety.org >

Bank to the Bend

Saturday, March 14, 10am-3pm Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Greenville

Celebrate early spring on Winterthur’s March Bank with a day of garden-inspired activities. This seasonal tradition honors the du Pont family’s flower-spotting walks and includes access to a plant sale, guided Director’s Garden Walk, and guided and self-guided tours showcasing the season’s first blooms throughout the garden.

—Visit Winterthur.org

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Loop

Saturday, March 14 | King Street, Downtown Wilmington & City Nightspots

Get your green on and celebrate all things Irish. The 48th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at noon and is followed by the Hooley hosted by the Irish Culture Club of Delaware. The party continues with a pub crawl around Wilmington for the 35th Annual St. Paddy’s Loop, presented by Out & About. Sláinte!

—Visit IrishCultureClubDe.com and OutAndAboutNow.com

CHILD, Inc. Rocks The Queen

Friday, March 27 | The Queen, Wilmington

This high-energy night out for a meaningful cause is headlined by the ’90s alt-rock band Spin Doctor, known for their hits "Two Princes" and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong." Paul Cullen, former Bad Company bassist, will perform an acoustic set during the VIP Reception. Proceeds support CHILD, Inc.’s vital work providing crisis response, shelter, counseling, and family support services for Delaware’s children and families.

—Visit ChildIncRocksQueen.cbo.io

Wilmington Blue Rocks Season Opener

Friday, April 3 | Frawley Stadium, Wilmington Riverfront

Cheer on the Wilmington Blue Rocks as they take on the Jersey Shore Blue Claws in an action-packed season opener. Join fan-favorites Rocky Bluewinkle and Mr. Celery for a night of family-friendly fun as the first pitch is thrown at Frawley Stadium.

—Visit Milb.com/Wilmington

RenaisSCIENCE Fair

Saturday, April 11, 9:30am-4pm Delaware Museum of Nature & Science, Greenville

Hear ye, hear ye, all are welcome to the museum for a day of adventure, fun, and science! Try hands-on experiments, craft like a Renaissance artist, and uncover the curious science that sparked a new age of discovery. Dress in your best festival attire for this magical and enlightening event. Food truck fare available for purchase.

—Visit DelMNS.org

Red, White and Brew

Saturday, April 11 | Nightspots throughout Wilmington

Wear your red, white, and blue and hit the town as Wilmington nightspots come together to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. From patriotic shirts to creative flair, show your spirit while enjoying music, drinks, and bar-hopping fun. One $5 cover grants access to all participating clubs.

—Visit OutAndAboutNow.com

21st Annual City Restaurant Week

April 13 – April 19 | Restaurants throughout Wilmington

For one delicious week, enjoy exclusive two-course lunch specials for $20, or three-course dinners for $35 or $55 (plus gratuity). Don’t miss this opportunity to indulge in creative cuisine and unforgettable dining experiences.

—Visit CityRestaurantWeek.com

The Art of the Cocktail: High Stakes

Saturday, April 17, 7pm

Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington

Derby-day elegance meets casino-night excitement at this spring soirée. Dress in florals, seersucker, bow ties, and bold hats while enjoying cocktails and appetizers, dancing to the DJ, trying your luck at casino tables, and bidding in the silent auction for a chance at high-stakes winnings.

—Visit DelArt.org

The Delaware Marathon Running Festival

Sunday, April 19 | Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington

The First State’s largest running festival offers races for every age and skill, including the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The course winds along the riverfront and through downtown, featuring the scenic Jack Markell Trail. Visit Celebration Village at Tubman-Garrett Park for music, games, food, drinks, and prime finish-line for cheering on family, friends, neighbors.

—Visit DelawareMarathon.org

Wildflower Weekend

April 24 – 26, 10am-6pm | Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin

Experience displays of native blooms at their peak, live music, gardening activities, family-friendly outdoor programs, and more. Browse native plants to add to your garden, and embrace the season with nature-filled fun.

—Visit MtCubaCenter.org/Wildflower-Weekend

8th Annual Hagley 5K Along the Brandywine

Saturday, April 25 | Hagley Museum, Wilmington

Lace up for a scenic run (or walk) through history. Runners and walkers of all levels will enjoy a unique course that winds through the du Pont grounds and along the Brandywine River.

—Visit Hagley.org

University of Delaware's Ag Day

Saturday, April 25, 10am-3pm | College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Newark

A longtime UD tradition, Ag Day showcases the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources through more than 90 demonstrations, exhibits, and hands-on activities. Enjoy live performances, plant sales, and a diverse food court, and engaging experiences designed for all ages.

—Visit UDel.edu/canr/about/agday

Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch

Sunday, April 26, 11:30am | Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington Riverfront

Meals on Wheels Delaware’s annual fundraiser, now in its 29th year, features delicious bites prepared by top chefs from across the country, brunch cocktails and fine wine, live entertainment and more. Proceeds support the nonprofit’s mission to ensure no homebound senior goes hungry.

—Visit MealsOnWheelsDe.org

Train Day at Auburn Heights

Sunday, May 3, 12:30-4:30pm

Marshall Steam Museum, Yorklyn

All aboard! Whether you’re a lifelong railfan or just looking for a family-friendly day out, Train Day has something for everyone, from rides on the Auburn Valley Railroad and museum tours to model train displays and hands-on activities.

—Visit AuburnHeights.org/Train-Day

5th Annual Brandywine River ShadFest

Sunday, May 3, 11am-4pm | Brandywine Park, Wilmington

Celebrate the Brandywine River and the return of the American Shad. This free, family-friendly event raises awareness of environmental issues, live music, food vendors, all-ages activities including fishing lessons, face painting and more.

—Visit BRRT.org/Shadfest

Wilmington Flower Market

May 7 – May 9 | Rockford Park, Wilmington

This time-honored, three-day event has been a rite of spring for more than 100 years. Explore a wide selection of plants and flowers for your garden, shop for gifts from craft vendors, and delight in carnival rides, games, and live entertainment.

—Visit WilmingtonFlowerMarket.org

18th Annual Wilmington Grand Prix

May 15 – May 17 | Downtown Wilmington

The Grand Prix is an early stop on the USA Cycling’s National Racing Calendar. The weekend kicks off Friday with the Monkey Hill Time Trial through Brandywine Park. On Saturday, the Major Taylor Community Ride is followed by pro-am races through the streets of Downtown Wilmington. On Sunday, the Governor’s Ride and Delaware Gran Fondo offers cyclists from near and far a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most prized cultural attractions.

—Visit WilmGrandPrix.com

Bellefonte Arts Festival

Saturday, May 16, 10am-5pm

Brandywine Blvd, Wilmington

Discover the tiny, bohemian town of Bellefonte, just off Philadelphia Pike, at this fun-filled annual outdoor festival highlighting more than 50 local artisans, live music, food trucks, kid activities and more. Rain date Sunday.

Brandywine Spring Festival of the Arts

May 16 & 17, 10am-6pm (Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun)

Siegel JCC Outdoor Campus, Wilmington

Celebrate spring with a weekend of art, food, and community at this family- and pet-friendly outdoor festival. Produced by the team behind the Brandywine Festival of the Arts each fall, the spring event will feature art vendors, food, entertainment, and activities for all ages.

—Visit BrandywineSpring.com

A Day in Old New Castle

Saturday, May 16, 10am-4pm | Historic New Castle

Celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary at the oldest open house and garden tour event in America. This festive day includes tours of museums and historic homes, family-friendly activities, demonstrations, Revolutionary War reenactors, and more.

—Visit HistoricNewCastle.com

The Ladybug Music Festival

Saturday, May 30 | Market Street, Downtown Wilmington

Wilmington’s 100% female-fronted, multi-genre music festival returns to Market Street for its 16th year. The country’s largest celebration of women in music is open to all ages and is free to attend. Stay tuned for a lineup of artists.

— Visit TheLadybugFestival.com

Delaware Author Fair

Sunday, May 31 | Rockwood Park & Museum, Wilmington

Presented by Huxley & Hiro Booksellers in partnership with Rockwood Museum, the Delaware Author Fair returns this spring for a celebration of books and authors! Enjoy an outdoor marketplace with multiple vendors and food options, meet local authors, and catch author talks inside the museum. Free admission includes entry to Rockwood Museum during the event.

—Visit HuxleyAndHiro.com

Our attention to detail is evident in everything we do – from local produce, premium hand-cut steaks and a larger selection of bison dishes than any other restaurant. We pride ourselves on delivering American dining the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Join us for Happy Hour, Monday-Friday 4:00-6:00pm

Love it Now, Sell it Later

These home improvement projects offer a bang for the buck — and a big boost of everyday happiness

ABy Pam George

n uptick in mortgage interest rates — and the sticker shock of higher home prices — has prompted many homeowners to stay put rather than trade up. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.1% as of Feb. 22, 2026, according to Freddie Mac, down from 6.93% a year earlier, but still far higher than the rates many owners locked in years ago.

> That "lock-in" effect has reshaped the resale market. There are fewer listings, more competition for move-inready homes, and heightened scrutiny from buyers who don't want to inherit major repair bills immediately after closing.

Staying put doesn't mean homeowners are content with the status quo. Many are investing in renovations, additions, and strategic makeovers to make their homes more appealing now — and more competitive later. The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies expects

homeowner improvement and repair spending to reach $524 billion in early 2026, a record high.

Granted, not everyone has the luxury of waiting for interest rates to fall. Job changes, family needs, downsizing, and other life circumstances can force a move. For homeowners weighing whether to renovate or sell, the question is the same: Which interior projects deliver the best return on investment — both in day-to-day payoff and at resale?

Assess the Situation

Sellers who want to unload an outdated home should consider pricing it to sell instead of investing in an expensive bathroom or kitchen renovation, says Joseph Nestor, a real estate agent with Patterson Schwartz in Greenville.

"If you have a 1950s home, the whole house might be dated," he notes. A new bathroom won't matter if the heater is 40 years old and your roof needs repairs, he explains.

Nevertheless, when housing is in short supply, buyers are often willing to overlook an old roof or heater in desirable communities, says Stephen Mottola, a real estate agent with Compass. When an established neighborhood is appealing — think Sharpley, for instance — an updated kitchen can land more prospective buyers than a new roof.

Presentation also matters more than many sellers realize. A stager can make even an older home look "charming, cozy, and functional," says Tara Wheeler of

Saturday, March 21 | 11AM to 2PM

Discover what life could look like in Delaware’s premier 55+ active adult community. Join us for this one-day event to explore the homes, meet future neighbors, and experience the lifestyle for yourself.

Here’s what’s in store:

✓ Tour model and quick move-in homes and available homesites

✓ Explore top-tier amenities—from the Sugar Beet Market to the clubhouse and fitness center

✓ Socialize with future neighbors over refreshments

Wheeler Home Concepts, a home staging and design company that also offers real estate marketing services. "Don't have time to remove that wallpaper from the 1980s? Let a home stager help you turn it from old into 'thoughtfully vintage chic,'" she says.

For homeowners who don't plan to sell soon, Wheeler recommends enhancements that enhance resale value in the future. Chief among them: new flooring, fresh paint, additional lighting, and kitchen or bath refreshes.

"Keep it as classic as possible,” she says. “If you add personalized touches, try to do things that can easily be changed before resale, such as paint or removable wallpaper."

If you plan to leave the home feet first, do what you wish. "Make unique choices and changes that you love — your home should support how you live," Wheeler says.

Choose Projects with a Payoff

In its 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, the National Association of Realtors, working with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, calculated a "Joy Score" for various projects based on homeowner satisfaction. The report found the typical Joy Score was 8.2, and three projects received a perfect 10: a kitchen upgrade, new roofing, and an added primary bedroom suite.

Locally, a kitchen still provides the most significant return on investment, says Allison Stine, a real estate agent with Northrop Realty. However, if you put a $100,000

New 55+ Active Adult Homes for Sale in Bridgeville, DE

• 18-Hole Arthur Hills Championship Golf Course and Pro Shop

• 28,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, State-of-the-Art Fitness Center & Health & Wellness Center

• Indoor & Outdoor Pools with Whirlpool, Tennis, Bocce & Pickleball Courts, and Fresh Air Fitness Circuit

• Sugar Beet Market with Outdoor Dining, Entertainment, and Additional On-Site Dining Options

• Just 30 Miles from Delaware and Maryland Beaches

kitchen into a moderately priced home, you can't charge $100,000 more, she warns.

National ROI data supports her caution. Think in tiers. In the 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, a minor kitchen remodel returned about 96% of its cost at resale nationally, while a midrange bathroom remodel returned about 74%. In short, kitchen and bath updates tend to hold value, but the best returns often come from modest improvements rather than full-scale luxury renovations.

Wheeler often sees sellers over-invest in very personalized or high-end upgrades that don't always translate into resale value. Consider luxury appliances or spa-style bathrooms with heated floors.

Adding extra square footage also tends to widen buyer interest. For instance, a finished basement will ultimately attract more prospective buyers, Stine says. Use it for a home office, gym, media room, or a guestroom, if it meets municipal codes.

Consider a Refresh Instead of a Redo

Many home improvements won't break the bank but will add to your home's appeal. For instance, a refresh in a kitchen and bath can make an impact. "Anything you do to a

kitchen is a true enhancement, whether it's just changing out countertops or painting cabinets," Mottola agrees.

One client with a home in a desirable area took his recommendations for a light redo. After painting the old cherry cabinets and replacing the Corian countertops with quartz, Mottola increased the home's value. "It cost them about $9,000 to do, and we raised the price of the house by $30,000," he says.

Painting cabinets can be challenging, Nestor warns. "It's all in the prep work. If you slap a coat of paint on cabinets, it will peel off three months later because you didn't sand it down or lacquer off the cabinets."

Consequently, hire a pro and don't rely on YouTube. Trending cabinet hues include warm green, smoky blue, white oak, and even black. Make sure you hire a professional to paint the cabinets, Wheeler says.

Meanwhile, quartz — the designer's darling — is now available in multiple colors and patterns, Wheeler points out. Stainless-steel appliances come in affordable packages that still appeal to many buyers, Mottola says. Think GE Profile versus Sub-Zero.

Lorena Testardi with Tesla Realty Group recommends buying appliances that are one or two steps above what a builder might include in a basic package. (Speaking of appliances, leave modern washers and dryers for the buyers, she adds.)

In both the kitchen and the bathroom, replace the hardware and clean the grout. Tip: Gold or black hardware is popular, Wheeler says. Install a new bathroom mirror or vanity.

Any type of refresh can substantially save money, says Chris DiSabatino of DiSabatino Build Design. For one client, the team painted the cabinets in a light, neutral color, installed quartz countertops and a new backsplash, installed new stainless steel appliances, and added luxury vinyl plank flooring. "She's probably spending half of what she would on a complete gut," he says. There are other advantages. It takes a contractor less time to do a makeover than it does to undergo major surgery.

Be Consistent

When it comes to flooring, create continuity by using one material throughout the home, Wheeler says. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and hardwood are currently stylish. If

you're putting down new carpet, choose a quality product in a neutral color and a good carpet pad, Testardi adds.

Light it Up

Lighting is a "gamechanger," Wheeler maintains. Add recessed lighting, dimmers, and accent lighting, such as under-the-cabinet fixtures and backlit mirrors. "It instantly improves how the home shows," she says." Buyers notice when a home feels bright, functional, and easy to live in."

Keep it Simple

Decluttering goes a long way to improving the look — and therefore the value — of your home, as does a fresh coat of paint, Nestor says. Keep the color neutral if you're planning to sell.

Put Your Best Face Forward

Don't discount the exterior. Stine has witnessed an uptick in sophisticated garage doors, especially on homes with garages that front the street.

Mottola recommends a neutral outdoor appearance. For example, shutters in an unconventional color can keep prospective buyers from touring a home, Mottola says. He remembers the listing with bright yellow shutters. Agents asked, "Can you please make the people change it?" The sellers obliged, and the house sold within a day.

In the end, your decision on what to change, keep, and add will come down to what's best for you and your family.

"I say this to everybody, 'It's for you," DiSabatino says. "You're doing this for you and your family so that you can enjoy your home. Make incredible memories here and enjoy the space."

Below: A look at The Queen before the massive renovation project began.. Out & About file

The Queen at 15

Wilmington entertainment mecca strengthens its local connection

By Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald

For most Wilmingtonians, The Queen has been more than just a venue. It’s a place where the music is live and loud, memories are made onstage and off, and residents from every neighborhood gather in celebrations of artistic bliss. As she prepares to mark her 15th year, we caught up with the behind-the-scenes team of “royal loyals” whose work makes her stages shine.

Three rather familiar faces — General Manager Brian McGlinchey, Operations Manager Bill Dougherty, and Production Manager Joe Trainor — have recently taken the reins, creating a management core more directly connected to the community. The trio is dedicated to leading The Queen into the next chapter: one centered on reimagining programming, strengthening artistic and community partnerships, and deepening the venue’s role as a vibrant cornerstone in the heart of our city.

“Local leadership means the venue can reflect Wilmington more authentically through the artists, the audiences, the neighborhoods, and the broader creative community,” says Chris Buccini, a founder of Wilmington real estate developer Buccini Pollin Group (BPG), which oversees operation of the venue.

“Having someone like Brian McGlinchey as general manager — someone who combines a genuine passion for music with strong strategy and planning expertise — allows us to program in a way that feels both aspirational and deeply local, which is exactly what a venue like this should be,” Buccini says.

>

Buccini notes that many of The Queen’s staff are musicians themselves, reinforcing the idea that the space is truly a cultural clubhouse for Wilmington’s creatives and their fans. One example of that is Trainor, who has performed at the venue in a multitude of bands and projects since it opened in 2011.

“The Queen's an all-important hub in the Wilmington arts machinery,” says Trainor. “I think it's important for there to be opportunities and venues for local artists to be seen and heard,” says Trainor. “With this team, that vision can be put into sharper focus.”

A Storied History for this Community “Clubhouse”

From origins as the Indian Queen Tavern in 1789 to banking headquarters, to the Clayton House Hotel, to a movie theater in 1916, the building had seen more than a century of transformations before its doors were shuttered in 1959.

Following the closure, the building slowly decayed over 50 years — water pouring through the ceilings, walls caving in, façade crumbling. However, beginning in 2008 with help from city and state leaders and BPG, The Queen found her way back to the throne and reopened on April 1, 2011, after a $25 million restoration project.

That began World Cafe Live at The Queen’s residency, transforming the 45,000 square foot space into a combined live music hotspot, restaurant, event space, and broadcast studio, partnering with Philadelphia-based WXPN. During its tenure, World Cafe Live at The Queen became a centerpiece for national tours, local artists, and community gatherings, and was hailed as a “game changer” in Wilmington's downtown revitalization.

“When we first reopened The Queen, our partnership with World Cafe Live helped establish professional operations, attract national touring talent, and build credibility with artists and audiences,” says Buccini.

“Over time, the evolution has been about something bigger than a concert venue. Today, we think of The Queen as a creative clubhouse, but it was also a catalyst for Market Street’s revitalization and is now part of the

cultural fabric of the city,” he adds.

Since opening, The Queen has seen roughly more than 3,000 concerts grace its stages and has welcomed a range of renowned artists over the years including St. Vincent, Leon Russell, Lukas Nelson, Aimee Mann, Ben Harper, Chris Stapleton, Brian McKnight, Courtney Barnett, Dead Milkmen, Cheap Trick, Fitz and the Tantrums, Kurt Vile, Biz Markie, and Mammoth.

She’s also played hostess to a variety of events in recent years: the annual Shine A Light mega-concerts and the Homey Awards (produced by Delaware Public Media and host Mark Rogers to celebrate local music); the Delaware Grilled Cheese Battle; the Millennial Summit; numerous weddings, birthdays, and corporate events. The venue has even played host to former U.S. Senator Tom Carper’s 65th birthday, Governor Matt Meyer’s inaugural celebration, and served as campaign headquarters for President Biden during the 2020 election.

Plans From The Queen’s New Guard

The current team believes it has lived up to the mission of “community clubhouse” over the past 15 years but also feels more can be done as they move forward.

“As part of our 15th Anniversary, we have committed ourselves to increasing content, especially local content,” says Dougherty.

And, Dougherty notes, that means more activities in both the Crown Room and the Knight’s Bar. Every Thursday, The Queen offers a Live & Local series in the Knight’s Bar — showcasing singer/songwriters and cover artists — and that space will continue to serve as the hub of their Door Jams series that will stage a set up underneath the outdoor marquee and Market Street shut down for the public to enjoy a free concert.

Buccini adds that in the near term, the focus is also on ensuring the venue is built for the next decade. That means upgrading to more modern sound and lighting equipment and enhancing guest experiences, along with a booking strategy that balances national touring acts with local and regional artists, comedy, and more.

“We’re focused on increasing our presence outside of the building as well by ‘powering’ other musical events throughout the state,” Dougherty adds. “We’ve amplified our resources, and this team is locked in on boosting our show count in the Crown Room. As we move into the spring, you’ll see both areas much more active.”

Dougherty also shares that they’re expanding food offerings, playing with what works and what doesn’t. "We have some ideas up our sleeves for exciting food-forward events in the coming months,” he says. “Some will be internally generated, and for others we’ll be working with local chefs and kitchens.”

“It starts with doing the little things well,” he adds. “Every show of ours is a different experience, in terms of its composition and what we can offer. But we can be consistent, engaging, and focused on executing our vision.” >

“We want the calendar to be more reflective of Wilmington itself. It should be diverse, creative, and accessible,” says Buccini. “That includes more weekday programming, more local partnerships, and events that bring people downtown even if they aren’t traditional concertgoers.”

A Welcoming Stage for All

Both Dougherty and Trainor are well-known musicians in the Delaware scene (The Headies and The Rock Orchestra, respectively). For them, coming to their jobs with that experience makes them even more invested in the success of the venue.

“From [Wilmington's earlier live music] days of The Barn Door and Wild Child Cafe, we’ve come a long way,” Dougherty says. “The Queen is a true regional jewel; keeping it vibrant is a total community commitment.”

Locally, Dougherty notes, pretty much everyone has played The Queen at some point. And he never tires of seeing his friends on these stages.

“Every year for 15 years, the Shine A Light concert blows the lid off this place,” he says. “And those musicians all come back, in different iterations, and play with their bands and their friends. Whether opening for a big headliner or a local event in the Crown, multiple times a month I get to see them doing their thing, and it’s fantastic.”

Local Artists Appreciate the Access They’re Given.

“I’ve had many chances to play The Queen, and I hold a lot of fond memories — but none more special than playing The Caulfields’ farewell show in the Crown last November,” says area musician John Faye. “It was the best kind of intimate connection with an audience who has supported us for three decades. I wouldn’t have wanted to do that show anywhere else.”

Ben LeRoy, who has performed at the venue with his band THE SNAP and in Shine A Light concerts, commented in a previous interview

that he’s honored every time he gets to step on that stage. “The fact that we have a world-class venue in our own backyard is not only a win for music fans, but also for working musicians who may not otherwise have the opportunity to perform in that type of environment,” he said.

Trainor recently tallied up his own appearances on The Queen stage — 42 in total, between performances with The Joe Trainor Trio, In The Light, City Theater Company, The Rock Orchestra, and Shine A Light.

“Nothing would make me happier than seeing The Queen become a homebase for local and regional musicians to share their visions,” Trainor says.

“Another nice thing [about these efforts] is growing these networks organically,” says Dougherty. “Whether we’re talking about a band that has been around for 40+ years, or a brand-new group of high school kids, most everyone is excited and appreciative of the opportunity to play at The Queen.”

Community Endorsement for Her Majesty

So, what does The Queen team need from the community as they approach the 15th celebration?

“Show up,” Dougherty says. “Keep us in mind. Check out our schedule every month or so. Every time you come out to a show at The Queen — or any other venue in the city — you’re making an investment in the artists, the venues, and the city itself.” “Support the artists that play here so we can continue to give them a voice,” Trainor adds.

“As long as there is a full house of people, vibing collectively to something with a groove, I’m happy,” Dougherty says. “But when the room feels a little bit empty, it’s because we’re missing YOU.”

“Live, shared experiences matter more than ever,” adds Buccini. “People want authentic places. They want venues that feel rooted in the community, which is exactly what The Queen offers.”

Shine A Light on 1986 Will Rock Wilmington

Annual concert fundraiser raises money for area youth music programs

The 14th annual Shine A Light concert returns to The Queen on Saturday, March 7, and for the past several weeks, a team more than 100 musicians and volunteers have been preparing for this year’s big show — a tribute to the year 1986.

At an undisclosed location along the Delaware River in a rustic warehouse-turned-rehearsal-space, the mood has been upbeat during the long but lively practice sessions. Musicians are prepping to deliver for what is typically a sold-out show.

“Rehearsals for Shine A Light have been nothing short of inspiring,” says area bass player Tony Cappella, who has been the concert’s showrunner as the Musicians Committee chair since 2019.

“What moves me most isn’t just the talent in the room, it’s the genuine respect, encouragement, and professionalism each musician brings to every rehearsal,” he adds. “You can feel the love they have for one another in every note we play.”

There is more than one reason for the good vibes. The concert is the flagship fundraiser for the Light Up The Queen Foundation, which last granted $75,000 in funds — proceeds primarily from last year’s show — to seven area organizations that support youth music programming, predominantly for children living in underserved communities.

The grant-earning organizations were Kingswood Community Center, Reed’s Refuge Center, Christina Cultural Arts Center, The Choir School of Delaware, The Grand Opera House, Cityfest, Inc., and the Culture Restoration Project at Kuumba Academy.

“Knowing I’ve been part of something this important from the start still amazes me,” says Shine A Light veteran and vocalist Nancy Curry, who sings regularly with The Funsters [see full story on page 45].

“I’m honored to use my voice in a way that truly makes a difference,” she adds.

That sentiment is shared by Cappella, who hopes this year's show will raise even more money for programs that give the gift of music to our area’s next generations.

“For the kids living in neighborhoods throughout Wilmington, there’s a song waiting to be played,” he says. “Our mission is to help put the instruments in their hands.”

— Shine A Light on 1986 rocks The Queen on Saturday, March 7. For tickets and more info, visit LightUpTheQueen.org.

Newark Restaurant Week is a celebration of the city’s vibrant dining scene, inviting food lovers to experience a week of chef-inspired creativity and exceptional value. For a limited time, participating restaurants unveil special two-course lunches for $20 and 3-course dinners for $40 that showcase fresh ideas, seasonal ingredients, and signature flavors.

Whether you’re rediscovering a local favorite or trying something new, Newark Restaurant Week offers the perfect opportunity to explore Newark’s culinary talent.

March 19-25 BLUE CRAB GRILL

ALI BABA’S 175 E Main St (302) 738-1111

Enjoy the feel and wonderful spirit of Northern African and Middle Eastern cuisine. Savor the taste and sounds. All natural ingredients prepared fresh daily for your enjoyment. Family operated since 2001.

Blue Crab Grill has been serving fresh seafood, creative cocktails, and coastalinspired favorites for over 25 years in a warm, welcoming setting. Known for signature crab cakes, seasonal specials and weekend brunch, it’s a go-to spot for casual dinners and celebrations. Event space for up to 90 guests.

CAFFÉ GELATO

90 E Main St (302) 738-5811

Caffé Gelato combines upscale dining with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, offering fresh, Italian-inspired cuisine, a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine cellar, and house-made gelato. Since opening in 2000, we’ve become a destination for both memorable meals and special events.

DEER PARK TAVERN

108 W Main St (302) 369-9414

The Deer Park Tavern has been a Newark landmark since 1851, originally home to St. Patrick’s Inn dating to 1747. Linked to the Mason-Dixon Line, Revolutionary War history, and Edgar Allan Poe lore, the tavern has long welcomed travelers. Today, Ashby Hospitality Group continues its tradition of food, drinks, and warm hospitality.

DEL PEZ MEXICAN GASTROPUB

501 Grove Ln (302) 273-3788

Del Pez immerses you in an artistic, innovative bar experience and an exciting, creative food menu. With every drink, dish, and moment, we celebrate the power of food to feed friendship. By fusing the lightheartedness of a vibrant bar with the heartiness of a robust food menu, we serve enticing Mexican flavors while fanning the flames of old and new connections.

SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILLE

190 E Main St Suite A (302) 369-2500

Santa Fe delivers award-winning Mexican cuisine in a vibrant yet comfortable setting, blending traditional flavors with modern creativity. Inspired by regions like Oaxaca, Mexico City, Puebla, and Jalisco, the menu highlights moles, tacos al pastor, tlayudas, and fresh guacamole, alongside a standout tequila and mezcal cocktail list—perfect for unwinding or celebrating.

SKIPJACK DINING

401 Louviers Dr (302) 456-1800

Skipjack Dining is an upscale casual restaurant specializing in seasonal, locally sourced food. Chef and owner Donny Merrill brings years of experience to the kitchen, creating a menu that combines classics with new American fare, as well as delicious daily and nightly specials.

TAVERNA RUSTIC ITALIAN

121 E Main St (302) 444-4334

Taverna offers a rustic yet refined take on Italian cooking, inspired by cozy kitchens and casual gathering spots across Italy. With housemade pastas, coal-fired pizzas, and daily features, the thoughtfully crafted menu pairs with a stylish space of reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and an expansive bar featuring draft beers and tapped wine.

HOME GROWN CAFÉ

126 E Main St (302) 266-6993

Home Grown Café is an award-winning, independently owned, Newark staple serving made-from-scratch food for all diets, including carnivorous, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-sensitive options. With vibrant locat art, a welcoming atmosphere, and a bar featuring housecrafted cocktails and mocktails, more than 65 beers, and quality wines, it’s a lively spot for all.

KLONDIKE KATE’S

158 E Main St (302) 737-6100

Since 1979, Klondike Kate’s Restaurant & Saloon has been the heart of Main Street in Newark, Delaware. This family-owned American restaurant in Newark, DE near the University of Delaware is a local favorite for guests. Open until 1 am with happy hour, live entertainment, and private rooms for groups.

THE GREENHOUSE GASTROPUB

102 E Main St Unit 100 (302) 338-0081

The Greenhouse Gastropub offers a creative take on classic pub fare in a cozy, stylish setting on Main Street. The menu blends elevated comfort food with inventive dishes, alongside craft cocktails, beer, and brunch favorites. With lush greenery, exposed brick, and a welcoming vibe, it’s a go-to spot for casual meals, drinks, and gatherings.

FREE PARKING!

During Restaurant Week, the City of Newark offers free parking after 5pm, making it easy to dine out and explore. Complimentary parking is available in municipal lots and at on-street meters. Please note: University of Delaware and privately owned lots are excluded from this promotion.

Bites

NEW OWNERSHIP BRINGS EXPANDED OFFERINGS TO LOCAL BAKERY

TBDOWNTOWN FOOD HALL EXPANDS OFFERINGS, CATERING UNDER LOCAL LEADERSHIP FEAST FOR THE FUTURE FUNDRAISER

he Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar in downtown Wilmington has entered a new chapter under Johnson Commercial Real Estate (JCRE), which has assumed full management, succeeding Hospitality HQ. The 12,000-squarefoot destination is expanding catering and private event offerings, growing evening and weekend programming, and continues to feature a diverse lineup of stalls, including Pizza Al Taglio, which joined in January. On-site leadership remains in place as The Chancery maintains its role as a cornerstone for dining, entertainment, and community connection.

—Visit TheChanceryMarket.com

randywine Bakery, formerly Sweet Somethings (1006 N Union St, Wilmington), recently opened under new ownership, preserving favorite recipes and staff while expanding offerings. The bakery serves breakfast pastries, bread, and now fresh, housemade donuts daily. Owner and head baker Richard Carter, who hails from a family of bakers, said, “I believe baking should feel like a hug you can taste — simple, honest ingredients, careful technique, and a commitment to quality that shines in every bite.” Brandywine Bakery continues its mission of sharing warm, homemade goodness with the Wilmington community.

—Visit BrandywineBakery.net

A SWEETER SWEET LUCY’S REOPENS

After a short winter refresh, Sweet Lucy’s Ice Cream on Concord Pike is ready to welcome guests back with a sweeter, expanded experience. Owner Meg Hurst — who purchased the shop just three weeks before the pandemic — temporarily closed in January to reimagine the space. The grand reopening is set for Friday, February 27, just ahead of the shop’s sixth anniversary.

The Wilmington Kitchen Collective (WKC) will celebrate its fourth anniversary with its Feast for the Future fundraiser on April 25, from 5–8pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1502 W. 13th St., Wilmington). The evening will feature food, drinks, and live entertainment while supporting local culinary entrepreneurs. WKC provides shared kitchen facilities, business development resources, and financial support to help small food businesses launch and grow. —Visit WilmingtonKitchenCollective.org

Sweet Lucy’s will still serve customer favorites from Woodside Creamery, Hershey’s, and Hy-Point Dairy, along with additional flavors and vegan options from new partners Hangry Bear Creamery (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Peewee’s Ice Cream (Medford, New Jersey). New flavor creations include Unicorn Toots, Wookie Cookie, and Banana Pudding, plus a signature flavor called Pink Party (light pink cake batter ice cream with marshmallow swirl and rainbow sprinkles). A new in-house bakery adds cupcakes, cookies, elevated desserts, and custom cakes, along with grab-and-go cases stocked with ice cream treats. A vibrant mural by Wilmington artist Francesco Iacono brightens the cheerful, welcoming space Hurst envisioned.

“We can’t wait to fill it back up with ice cream and people,” she says.

— Visit YourNextSugarRush.com

NEW SPEAKEASY EXPERIENCE AT CHADDSFORD WINERY

Chaddsford Winery has launched Noir Noir, a weekly Friday-night speakeasy experience from 6–9pm in its historic wine cellar. Inspired by 1920s–‘30s glamour, the pop-up lounge features art deco décor, themed music, specialty cocktails made with local spirits and Chaddsford wines, and light bites. Guests can enjoy an intimate, low-lit setting and are encouraged — but not required — to dress in era-inspired attire for a unique start to the weekend.

— Visit Chaddsford.com

The Pride of Sussex County

The Funsters have been playing music together for so long they forget how it all started

IBy Roger Hillis

f there has ever been a Delaware cover band with an appropriate name, it’s The Funsters. The self-proclaimed “rock ’n’ soul” band from coastal Sussex County has been tearing up stages for decades, but has never taken itself particularly seriously. Even the roots of its formation are a little cloudy.

The 10-piece group played its yearly anniversary party at Irish Eye at Anglers in Lewes last month, but the question is, which anniversary is it? The band’s website advertised the event as a “celebration of over 35 years of providing fabulous music and fun to the Delmarva peninsula.”

>

“It’s a made-up date; I always say it’s our 500th anniversary,” the group’s high-octane frontman Sherman Ward says. “I’m not sure how long we’ve actually been together, but it’s got to be 40 years and change. What’s that old saying? ‘If you remember, you weren’t there.’”

The roots of the band go way back to the mid-1970s, when most of the members (who hail from areas including Lewes, Seaford and Rehoboth Beach) played the same circuit of beach bars in the summer and attended the University of Delaware in Newark during the winter.

Ward and lead guitarist Keith Mack were bandmates in a party-rock band called Eighth Day. Drummer-vocalist Ed Shockley concentrated more on original material in his quartet Jack of Diamonds, which gained regional radio play with his cowbell-driven single “Dodge City” (which was about his hometown of Lewes).

One after the other, Mack, Shockley and Ward all moved to New York City after college to try life in the Big Apple in the ‘80s. It was an experience that was especially lifechanging for Mack, as he quickly landed the guitar spot in vocalist Patty Smyth’s fledgling pop-rock act Scandal and scored Billboard hit singles including “The Warrior” and “Goodbye to You.” Mack has also toured the world with Cyndi Lauper, Paul Young and the late Joe Cocker.

According to Shockley, in the late 1980s and '90s, he and Mack would bring down a couple of friends from New York City to play dates at the Rose & Crown and The Front Page. The band was billed The Funsters, which was the name of Pat Crowden's band that they played with in NYC.

At the same time, Sherman (now living in Philly), would book gigs for the band and many of the horn players who had played with the band in NYC would drop in. In fact, Sherman got a gig for a big Christimas part at One Liberty Plaza in Philly. He called all of his own band mates going back to college days to join him for the performance — 16 of them showed up, including a full horn section.

"That was so much fun that I started to book a job every couple of months at The Rose & Crown," says Shockley. "This is the same lineup we've had for 20 years.

" We didn’t have a name and relied on word of mouth to promote those gigs," he continued. "Later I realized that the club had used the name The Funsters in their print ads for us. By that time it was too late to make a name change, even though we were using one of my closest friends band’s name.

"He is just now getting over it," kids Shockley.

There have been multiple lineup changes through the years, as well as substitute players on standby due to busy non-Funster schedules among the musicians. Ward said he thought he might have to pack it in himself a few years ago after emergency heart surgery.

“I had a double-bypass in 2019, and at first I thought I’d bought a one-way ticket to Palookaville; I wasn’t sure if I’d ever come back from that,” he says.

The 2020 COVID pandemic also put the brakes on things for a while, and though the band eventually returned to the stage, it found itself in a bit of a rut.

decide on a new song to try without 50 emails going back and forth.”

For the past 13 years, The Funsters have played the Harry K Foundation’s Christmas Gala to fight childhood hunger in Rehoboth. Local singer-songwriter Nancy Curry has also been a fixture on the bill, singing the National Anthem, show tunes and more. Her occasional jam sessions with The Funsters became more magical each time, Ward says.

“I called Ed and said, we’ve got to get her in the band,” Ward says. “She joined in 2024.”

While some members wondered about making such a drastic change after so many years, it was apparent that a new voice would enable them to bring new material to the mix. Curry takes center stage for songs including “Son of a Preacher Man” and “Brass in Pocket.”

“In February of 2024, we played five gigs in one month, which is a lot for us,” Ward says. “Any doubts or misgivings about things working out musically went away. Nancy has such an amazing voice and also a great stage presence. People love her. She’s a pro on every level."

The Funsters will celebrate yet another anniversary this summer, when they take their 21st annual turn providing the live soundtrack to Rehoboth’s annual Independence Day fireworks display at the city’s bandstand by the boardwalk. This year’s edition will take place Saturday, July 5.

Ward says that before The Funsters, he and his musician friends would joke about making “hundreds of dollars per year.” “Once we were in The Funsters, that was reduced to ‘tens of dollars per year,’” Ward says with a laugh.

Fast forward to 2025, where the group is in high demand on the lucrative wedding circuit. But fun is still a major part of the equation for these lifers.

“The band has always rolled along, or stumbled along, in spite of itself,” Ward says.

— The Funsters will perform at Elkton Music Hall in Elkton, Md. on March 27. Visit TheFunsters.com.

Galway

John

Seven Rings Band • Stall the Digger • Dylan McGuire Band Crisis at the Ceili • Gerry Timlin • Benny & Bill

with

5 Questions Gary Numan

Celebrated musicians have cited him as an influence. He brings his unique sound to The Queen March 15.

IBy Mike Pollock

f you want to see what true happiness looks like, go to YouTube and pull up the clip of Gary Numan performing his hit “Cars” with Nine Inch Nails in Numan’s native London, from 2009. There you’ll find the electronic-music legend, 51 years old at the time, grinning ear-to-ear as the audience roars approval for one of the catchiest songs ever.

“Cars” was just one of Numan’s many great synthpop songs about the relationship between people and machines that propelled his career in the late 1970s and early ’80s. The ensuing decades saw Numan struggle commercially and creatively, but his catalog has had amazing staying power and finds its way into some unlikely places. Prince, Kurt Cobain, and Lady Gaga

have cited Numan as an influence; his songs have been covered or sampled by Foo Fighters, dance act Basement Jaxx, Jack White-led supergroup The Dead Weather, and hip-hop figures like J Dilla, Wu-Tang’s RZA, and Q-Tip. (If you’ve never heard it, stop what you’re doing and give Nine Inch Nails’ cover of Numan’s “Metal” a listen.)

Numan found his footing again starting in the

early 2010s, and the four albums he’s released since embrace electronic music’s darker, heavier shades. Recent shows have incorporated newer tunes while leaning into the past, a perfect blend for an artist who refuses to follow the rules. See for yourself when Numan plays The Queen on March 15.

O&A: In your autobiography, (R)evolution, you write about the very careful planning that went into your Touring Principle and Teletour shows, as well as getting over some of your stage fright. How do you approach performing live now?

Gary Numan: Well, stage fright faded away decades ago, I’m pleased to say. I’ve been doing this for so long now [that] being on stage is as natural as driving my car. I used to rehearse for weeks at a time because I was so worried about any of us in the band making even the smallest of mistakes, me especially. I came to realize that with a truly professional band you don’t need to worry, or to rehearse for long periods, and that little mistakes will happen regardless of how thoroughly rehearsed you are. It’s how you handle them that matters. In many ways, touring became far more fun, far less stressful, and we are far better at what we do.

O&A: In that same autobiography, you write extensively about your love of flying. I was especially struck by the part where you say your success as a pilot helped balance out your struggling music career in the mid-1980s. Do you have plans to fly again?

GN: I spent most of my years flying as an aerobatic air-display pilot, flying World War II airplanes upside down at various airshows around the UK and Europe. I loved it, and spent almost every spare minute away from music either flying in airshows or practicing for them. But then I got married, and [my wife] Gemma didn’t share my enthusiasm. Then we had children and being a display pilot began to feel like a reckless and dangerous pastime for a man with young children to take care of.

Display flying is certainly dangerous. Of the six people that were in the team I joined, four died in accidents over the next few years. I haven’t flown airplanes for many years now and I do miss it very much. I would love to fly again, perhaps not as an air display pilot, but [doing] something. I don’t know if it will happen, though. My hearing is so bad these days I doubt I would know what air traffic was telling me to do. It’s good enough to sing my own songs but not to follow precise instructions.

O&A: You’ve been releasing remastered versions of your older albums over the last year. (Ed. Note: The great Telekon was reissued digitally this past December for its 45th anniversary and re-released earlier this year on vinyl and CD.) What stands out to you most when you revisit those albums? >

Presents A PREVIEW CONCERT BY ACCLAIMED DELAWARE COMPOSER WILSON GAULT

SOMERS

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Maestro Somers’ interpretation of Mr. Lincoln’s enduring call for peace, unity, and freedom resonates with renewed urgency and meaning. Written for a chamber orchestra with featured solo cello, choir and narration, Lincoln Legacy brings the words of our greatest president into sharp focus. The appeal delivered in the words music have never been more important.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026 4:00 PM

St. Helena’s Catholic Church 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE Tickets $30 General Admission $10 Students Visit thelincolnlegacy.com (also available at the door)

A portion of the proceeds benefits Nativity Preparatory School and Serviam Girls Academy

GN: It depends on the album. With some of them, when I listen to them again all I can hear is the things I could have done better. The flaws leap out at me. On others, Telekon being a prime example, I’m aware of how risky they were at the time. Telekon was a bold, experimental album to make back then, especially on the back of two UK No. 1 albums. I had a lot to lose by making an album that strange. It actually made me feel proud of the choices I made 45 years ago. I was clearly moving forward in an exploration direction, as opposed to following a safer, more commercial path.

O&A: What about new music? Can we expect another record after 2021’s Intruder?

GN: I did start the new one at the end of 2024. Unfortunately, Gemma began to suffer from a series of health problems, [which] led to other problems, and we are still looking for answers for some of those. I found the worry of that, and the time it takes to spend half your life traveling to and from hospitals, so distracting [that] I gave up on new music temporarily. I just couldn’t think about arty things and melodies when Gemma was in such trouble. Hopefully we are near the end of that journey now, just one more big problem to fix. With luck we’ll be back home in April, Gemma will be good, and I can let my mind drift off into that dark little corner where all the ideas seem to come from. If things go well and the ideas

flow easily, I hope to have the next album out in the first half of next year.

O&A: Speaking of new music, what is Gary Numan listening to these days?

GN: I don’t listen to music, not for pleasure, anyway. I can’t remember the last time I sat down to listen to an album for the simple enjoyment of immersing myself in music. It’s certainly decades ago. I don’t find it relaxing at all. I don’t listen to the radio, not at home or when I’m driving. On tour, when the band and crew stay up all night in the bus lounge listening to everybody’s favorites, I disappear to my room. I do get to hear lots of music, though, because my entire family are playing things 24 hours a day.

When I was younger, listening to music was everything. I came home from school, went up to my room, played music, hardly spoke to anyone…That all changed when music became my way of life. I don’t really know why, but I suspect it’s because I find it impossible to listen to it without analyzing how it was done. How did they get that snare sound, where is that growl coming from, what effect is that on the voice, and so on. Listening becomes more like a research study than a pleasure. I still love making music, though, and that’s the most important thing for me.

— WXPN welcomes Gary Numan to The Queen on Sunday, March 15. More at TheQueenWilmington.com.

MAYA BELARDO AND WALTER BEASLEY TEAM UP FOR DELAWARE LOVES JAZZ

Local favorite Maya Belardo, known as “The Princess of Jazz,” will share the stage with smooth-jazz legend Walter Beasley for the spring edition of Delaware Loves Jazz on Saturday, March 7.

A saxophonist-composer with more than 25 album releases to his credit, Walter Beasley has also been a Berklee College of Music professor for the past 35 years. He’s considered one of the most successful professor-musicians in the U.S. In fact, Beasley remains one of the top 10 best-selling African American saxophonists worldwide for the past 25 years.

Belardo was only 17 years old when she first performed at The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. This year, at age 24, she made her return appearances to the festival this summer before becoming a member of the 2025 Recording Academy. Her career and music have been inspired by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nancy Wilson.

— Delaware Love Jazz is on Saturday, March 7, at P.S. DuPont High School. Tickets at Eventbrite.com

THE QUEEN SHOWCASES MULTIPLE LOCAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS

In addition to hosting the annual Shine A Light concert on Saturday, March 7 (see story on page 30), The Queen will play host to three other local collaborative efforts, including a celebration of the music of Bob Marley.

On Thursday, March 12, the upstairs stage in The Crown will feature the debut Jenni Schick & the Gourds, who will perform with two Philadelphia acts: Kat Rivers & the Second Sight as well as blues and R&B artist Abby Lee.

“This show is a huge leap,” Schick says. “Debuting my original music at The Queen feels like a fever dream. . . With three female-fronted bands, it will be one unforgettable night.”

Saturday, March 14, sees another three-band bill with local groove-friendly rocker Ty Mathis sharing the mainstage downstairs with The Last Word and Community Chapstick.

Also in the big room on Saturday, March 21, Kenny Vanella and Friends will celebrate 50 years of the classic Rastaman Vibration by Bob Marley & the Wailers, performing all songs on the album. Reggae legend Marley lived off and on in Wilmington between 1965 and 1977. In fact, Rastaman was last album Marley recorded while still a Delaware resident.

“We want to make everyone aware how significant and connected this album, Rastaman Vibration, is our area,” Vanella says. “On the album is the song ‘Night Shift,’ which Bob Marley wrote about his time operating a forklift while working the night shift at the Chrysler plant in Newark.”

Lower Case Blues will open the show along with Cecelia Grace.

— More at TheQueenWilmington.com

GILROD SPRINGFEST SET FOR MAY 16 WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN

ACTS

The Wilmington block party known as GILROD will return Saturday, May 16, with more than a dozen bands performing on four stages.

GILROD Springfest will start at noon at the intersection of Gilpin Avenue and Rodney Street (hence the event’s name). Expect food trucks and vendors.

— For more information follow GILROD Productions on Facebook.

TONY TRISCHKA BRINGS A NIGHT OF BLUEGRASS MAGIC TO THE GRAND

With his band EarlJam, criticallyacclaimed bluegrass sensation and banjo player Tony Trischka will resurrect the spirit of Earl Scruggs at The Grand on Friday, March 13.

With the help of his fellow musicians onstage, Trischka traces Scruggs’ musical legacy, from his childhood to his final years.

“Tony Trischka has embarked on a musical journey through time, unearthing a treasure trove of rare recordings featuring the legendary Earl Scruggs,” wrote Alex H. Krinsky in Relix back in 2024, when Trischka released the album Earl Jam, the basis of his new band.

“Earl Jam promises a crossgenerational celebration of best pickers alive today, paying homage to the everlasting influence off Scruggs,” Krinsky added.

— More at TheGrandWilmington.org.

by

Out & About Best Picture

Oscar Prediction: One Battle After Another or Sinners

Other Must-Sees: Frankenstein, Hamnet, Train Dreams

Oscar Watch

Recapping the 2026 Best Picture nominees

SBy Mark Fields

ince 2009, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expanded the Best Picture category to include up to 10 films in any award season. This move was undertaken to allow more commercially successful movies into the category, which is normally filled with lessattended prestige films.

The 98th annual Academy Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 15. Here are my thoughts on the 10 diverse films nominated for the current year along with a prediction for Best Picture.

Bugonia

This intense drama directed by Yorgos Lanthimos stars Jesse Plemons as a financially-struggling industrial worker, who, convinced that this company’s CEO (played by Emma Stone) is an alien sent to take over Earth, decides to kidnap her. Though timely and well-acted, Bugonia fails to match the bold vision and execution of previous Lanthimos films, such as Poor Things and The Favourite. >

F1

A has-been, maybe never-been Formula 1 driver returns to the racing circuit and schools a cocky newcomer. Though fun and fizzy, F1 is a rather predictable sports film, elevated only by the high-octane race sequences and the charisma of its star, Brad Pitt.

Frankenstein

Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro has created a thrilling, humane version of the classic Mary Shelley monster story, featuring starkly beautiful cinematography and exquisite production design. The film was released directly to Netflix, which hampers its prospects for award season.

Hamnet

In another year (and perhaps another era), this literary film would be a solid Oscar contender, but likely not this season. Based on the acclaimed novel by Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet is the fictionalized account of how, in very different ways, playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes cope with the unexpected death of their young son. Jessie Buckley is revelatory as Agnes, and the entire period film is sumptuous.

Marty Supreme

Timothée Chalamet gives a feverish performance in the title role of Bennie Safdie’s 1950s drama about an aspiring professional table tennis player. Tautly directed, the movie is nevertheless difficult to enjoy given the grasping personality of the main character.

One Battle After Another

A group of ex-revolutionaries in hiding panic when their old nemesis re-emerges after years, seeking retribution. One of two stand-out films this year, One Battle After Another is buoyed by solid performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana

Taylor, and Chase Infiniti, and also Paul Thomas Anderson’s resonant yet humorous screenplay and propulsive direction.

The Secret Agent

This gripping thriller from Brazil captures the tumultuous political environment of the 1970s and how those struggles persist through time. With many compelling characters and a complex narrative, the film can be challenging to follow, but still contains great power in its story of oppressive government and personal courage. In Portuguese with subtitles.

Sentimental Value

Joachim Trier’s emotionally authentic film tells the story of two artistic daughters and their distant filmmaker father as he attempts to revive his career with a personal family story. Renata Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, and Inga Ibsdottir Lilleaas were all nominated for their subtle performances in this quiet yet impactful meditation on creativity, family, and tradition. In Norwegian, Swedish, and English with subtitles.

Sinners

Michael B. Jordan plays twin gangster brothers in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta in Ryan Coogler’s intense Southern drama. Like many of his past films, Coogler takes a genre film and infuses it with deeper themes, in this case racism, oppression, and the powerful effect of music. The movie is a provocative combination of thriller and social commentary.

Train Dreams

A quiet, contemplative film, Train Dreams tells the personal saga of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker in the early twentieth century. Joel Edgerton captures the essence of this uncomplicated man as he faces a series of personal challenges and tragedies with grace and acceptance. Perhaps the most beautiful and touching film of the year.

The City

MAYOR CARNEY, WILMINGTON 250 COMMITTEE OUTLINE

CITY’S PLANS FOR AMERICA’S SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

Mayor Carney and members of the Wilmington 250 committee announced the City’s plans for celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

E vents will includes dining events in partnership with Restaurant Week, public art activities, a Rumble in Rodney boxing match, and more. The City will also reimagine annual traditions like the July 4th Riverfront celebration and the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival to incorporate recognition of the semiquincentennial anniversary.

“We’re honoring our history by celebrating everything that makes Wilmington strong — our arts and culture sector, our business community, the beauty of our neighborhoods, and the people who live here,” said Mayor John Carney . “These events are designed to be inclusive, and we encourage all residents and visitors to join us as we mark this major milestone for our city, state, and nation.”

In addition to community events, the City will sponsor visual arts contests including an America250 poster contest and a Clifford Brown Jazz Festival logo design contest.

Th e Wilmington250 Committee was convened in July 2025 by Mayor Carney. Committee members consist of City officials, local historians and educators, representatives from civic and cultural organizations, youth and community leaders, and representatives from Wilmington’s business and faith communities. The committee is chaired by Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Tina Betz.

M ore events can be found in Out & About and online at InWilmDE.com.

RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN AMERICA 250 CITY ART POSTER PROJECT

Mayor John Carney and the City of Wilmington’s Office of Cultural Affairs invite residents to submit designs for the America 250 City Art Poster Project , part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. Open to amateur and professional artists of all ages, the contest welcomes submissions from individuals, schools, and community arts programs. Participants may submit up to two original, non-AI-generated designs that reflect local history, showcase civic and national pride, and express community identity. Entries are due March 25, 2026 and must follow official design specifications. Three finalists will be selected for a public vote, with the winning poster displayed at the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s 94th Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California and published in print and digitally. Runner-up designs will be exhibited locally at the Louis L. Redding Gallery from June 5 through July 31, 2026. For details, visit Surveymonkey.com/r/J3S7KZN.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAYS

The City of Wilmington Department of Constituent Services partners with residents, neighborhood groups, businesses, schools, and faith-based organizations to organize community clean-up days across the city. Whether revitalizing a block, beautifying a park, or bringing neighbors together, the team helps plan impactful, successful events that strengthen neighborhood pride and connection.

These clean-ups create safer, cleaner, and more welcoming public spaces while encouraging residents to take an active role in their community. They also serve as meaningful service projects for schools, churches, scout troops, civic associations, and youth groups, offering hands-on opportunities to learn teamwork, responsibility, and environmental stewardship. Ready to get involved? Call Wilmington 31 1 or email communitycleanupday@wilmingtonde.gov to register and take the first step toward helping your neighborhood shine.

Community clean-ups help create more welcoming spaces for everyone.

Explore the Riverfront

Restaurants & More riverfront market open

mon-fri: 9AM-6PM

sat: 9AM-4PM

Stop in and enjoy fresh produce, made-to-order salads and sandwiches, Mexican and Thai favorites, Indian, Peruvian rotisserie, pizza, coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and so much more—all under one roof!

Bernie’s Espresso OPEN EARLY!

MON-FRI: 7AM-5:00PM Sat: 8AM-4PM

Banks’ Seafood Kitchen & Raw Bar

Big Fish Grill

Ciro Food & Drink

Delaware Duck Café & Catering

Del Pez

Docklands

Riverfront Bakery

River Rock Kitchen

Starbucks

Taco Grande

The Riverfront Asian Cuisine & Bar

Timothy’s on the Riverfront

outdoor adventures in every season