September’s gorgeous weather reminded me just why I always say this is my favorite time of the year, and so far it seems to be continuing into October. Fine by me! I love these beautiful fall days, and we’ve got some great festivals to look forward to in the coming weeks—beginning with the 24th Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, October 17-20. Featuring artists like Sheila E, Pete Escovedo, Najee, and Alex Bugnan, to name just a few, Jazz Fest will be held on five area stages: The Performing Arts Theater at Cape Henlopen High School, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Epworth United Methodist Church, and the Delaware Distilling Company. Plus many of the local area restaurants and bars will be featuring great entertainment. For information, go to rehobothjazz.com, and to see what’s happening at your favorite RB/Lewes hangouts check out our special Jazz Fest CAMPdates.
Following Jazz Fest, the Sea Witch Festival is Halloween Weekend in Rehoboth Beach, and then, of course, is the amazing Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, November 6-10. CAMP Rehoboth is once again a proud sponsor of the Film Festival, and we celebrate the fact that it has become one of the best events in Delaware —and the Mid-Atlantic region. Part of the fun is having the whole Festival all in one place, and the “big tent” behind the Movies at Midway is always a great place to take a break, meet friends, and talk about movies. As is our custom, the Gay Guide to the Film Festival on page 16 highlights films of special interest to the LGBT community. With over 100 documentaries, shorts, and feature films, the RB Independent Film Fest is a not-to-be-missed highlight of the fall season in Delaware.
Though Washington seems determined to keep us all in a state of high anxiety, here in Delaware we are still celebrating our new found ability to marry. Delaware welcomes out-of-state couples, and Clerk of the Peace John Brady stays busy marrying residents and non-residents alike. A couple of weeks ago he called Murray and me and asked if we could be willing to serve as witnesses for a North Carolina couple he wanted to marry on Poodle Beach. We agreed, and in the process made some new friends—and actually made it to the beach before the summer ended! That scenario seems to be playing out on a regular basis, so CAMP Rehoboth staff member Barb Ralph is putting together a list of folks interested in being witnesses for out-of-state couples who want to get married in Rehoboth Beach. To volunteer, contact Barb or Mickie at CAMP Rehoboth.
The recent Well-Strung performances at CAMP Rehoboth were amazing! Chris, Daniel, Edmund, and Trevor are handsome to be sure, but their talent is astounding. All three performances were sold-out, and the crowds loved every minute, and left wanting more. The talented quartet is already talking to us about returning next year. The event wouldn’t have happened without our presenting sponsor Stephen Manos and our business sponsors Dos Locos and Canalside Inn, and the dedicated team of volunteers (see page 93) who made it all possible—especially the chair of the event, CAMP Rehoboth Board Member Steve Hoult.
Congratulations to the Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth (MCCR) on the dedication of their new building on Plantation Road. I remember back in the very early ‘90s when David Patterson and Mike Shilling began to organize the church. During part of that time, MCCR met in the Strand nightclub on Rehoboth Avenue. In those days, the Strand was open all night long, and on many occasions, as the last dancers left the club on Sunday morning, David and Michael and members of their small congregation would begin to arrive to set-up for the day’s services. Like CAMP Rehoboth, MCCR has worked hard to build a home in Rehoboth Beach that welcomes all. For information visit the MCCR website.