Hi there. I’m back! Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful time of year - although it’s been sticky hot the last few days, huh? I guess this is our Indian Summer. I don’t mind; still in shorts and flip-flops. Yey! Let’s hope the weather is nice this weekend for those beautiful, shiny Cruisers who are in town.
    I want to tell you about an event that will be taking place at the 45th St. Taphouse on Sat. Now, I know the parking lot is gonna be crazy with Cruisers checkin’ out each others cars, so even if you have to park at the Convention Center (it’s only four blocks) you must get to the 1st Annual OC Beerfest. That’s right - Beerfest. The Taphouse is already well known for having more than 30 micro and craft beers on tap. For the Beerfest they are featuring 50 different brews, plus cask conditioned brew made exclusively for Beerfest. Check out the ad - that’s what it says, along with an invitation to attend a Meet the Brewers Social on Fri. night, 7-9 pm, at which you can meet the brewmasters and owners from Dogfish Head, EVO, Burley Oak, Fordham Old Dominion, Eastern Shore Brewing and Harpoon. If you’re into beer, this is the place for you.
    If you’re into music, as am I, it’s also definitely the place for you on Sat. afternoon beginning at 1 pm with Willowbrook setting the mood and DJ Wood emceeing the proceedings. Around 3 pm our newly ‘crowned’ Entertainers of the Year 2012, The Mood Swingers, will take the stage to rock your world, followed by the always entertaining Pompous Pie. Oh, and I didn’t mention that 2 Guys and a Mama will be playing Fri. night at 8 pm. Enjoy these beautiful nights on the bay at the Taphouse while you have the chance.
    Sun. Seacrets is paying tribute to a dearly departed member of the Seacrets family, Patrick “Scunny” McCusker. They’re calling it “Scunnypalooza” and it should be a great celebration of this wonderful guy’s life who, as Emcee Batman says, would want us to have a huge party. So that’s just what they’re doing with Scunny’s favorite band, Dr. Harmonica & Rocket 88 and others, providing the music. Wow! It begins at 3:30 pm and Batman promises to have stories to tell that “couldn’t be told in the cathedral.” It should be a great day of remembrance for everybody’s friend, Scunny.
    Last Sat. was a blast at the end-of-season beach party with the Jim Long Band and all those crazy, beautiful Party Bar people who were simply ‘disgraceful’ in their party theme duds this year. Check out the pictures. Too funny. Beach parties may be over but the good news is that the party has moved indoors to the Tiki Bar stage. Fri. is John McNutt followed by Second Majesty and Sat. is Full Circle followed by the Jon Maurer Band. Awesome! I could stay at Seacrets all night on Sat. ‘cause I love both these groups and then later Big Bang Baby is in the Morley Hall - a stupendous night of entertainment.
    Another of my favorite groups will be playing Sun. at M.R. Ducks - that’s Poole & The Gang. Normally a solo performer (every Fri. on the deck at Fager’s Island), I think Kevin Poole has just as much fun playing with the group as we have listening to them. Last outing here was a hoot and this should be as well. With John Remy on lead guitar, Joe Mama on drums, Joe Smooth on sax and  Ryan Mete on bass, in addition to Kevin and his various guests (including cutie son Devin on harmonica), this date is definitely a winner.
    Tranzfusion was awesome as always last week at M.R. Ducks and we have the opportunity to hear them again Fri. & Sat. at Coins Pub & Restaurant, one of our favorite venues to enjoy this group - big bar, lots of tables and a nice dance floor. Join in with the Cruiser crowd and show ‘em how Ocean City parties.
    If you love Joe Smooth on the sax as much as I do, let me tell you where else you can hear him - with his incredible bandmates of No Byscuyts at BJ’s on Sat. Along with Howard, Elwood & Keith, No Byscuyts is probably the tightest band on the shore. I was most impressed with the show last time out - lots of new material that had everyone dancing til the end of the show. Join the fun at BJ’s.
    I can’t believe our time together is over so quickly. Be sure to check the listing to plan your weekend and always party safe!