Hi, everyone. Woo, rolling thunder as I’m writing this (Thur.). Let’s hope the rain goes away to make way for our anglers in the annual White Marlin Tournament to have glorious days of fishing. Spunky & Angie over at the Reel Inn Dock Bar, right next to the weigh station, are providing daily entertainment for the crowds who gather to wait and view the ocean’s bounty in this high-dollar competition.  On Sat. Nick Marzock provides the tunes on the lawn while you browse the many vendors and wait for that big marlin to come in; and Sun. Hot Sauce Sandwich might have you more interested in the music than the weigh-ins; maybe. Mon.-Thur. our local reggae kings, Zion Reggae Band, will be on hand to provide the grooves and we can count on DJs Soulfinger and Fast Eddie to keep the music going inside the Reel Inn bar. Congrats to Eddie as he proved he is indeed fast, coming in 2nd place at Seacrets’ Fastest Bartender on the Beach Competition representing BJ’s. So, anyway, you see that it will indeed be quite the dock party all week long at the Reel Inn Dock Bar & Grille. Don’t miss the fun.

Sunday is a special day at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill (behind Castle in the Sand) – it’s the annual Joe Mama Fan Club Day! What’s and who is that new readers want to know? Joe Mama is a very popular drummer on the local scene who plays with many different entertainers, too numerous to mention in my limited space; but suffice it to say, he’s the best and a real sweetheart, too. Joe’s fans got together to organize the event which started out to benefit the Worc. Co. Humane Soc. This year proceeds will go to the Childrens House by the Sea. Joe’s heart is as big as his talent and he is thrilled by the response each year. There will be lots of auction items, prizes and maybe you can dunk Joe in the dunking booth. Then he’ll get together with one of his many collaborations, The Chest Pains, to play through the evening. It’s gonna be a fine time on the beach at Coconuts.

When the sun goes down, you’ll see me heading for Fager’s Island and the return of Beatlemania Again. These guys put on a fantastic show as they follow the lives of this much beloved quartet through the music and times of their lives, from their Teddy Boy days, through the psychedelia of Sgt. Peppers, and on to the songs of the White Album and Lennon’s call for peace during the turbulent days of the Viet Nam conflict. It’s amazing how well they represent that era in our lives through music and costume. Love the Beatles!

I could never get enough so I’m happy to say that Apple Scruffs return to the Purple Moose for next Thur. tribute night - to the Beatles! We’ll probably hear 10 times the songs in this show. The band is dedicated to the music and has a fifth member (as did the Beatles in the person of George Martin) on keyboards that enables them to recreate any and all of the amazing catalog of Beatles music - truly a fabulous show you don’t want to miss.

The Ocean Pines Yacht Club will celebrate its 45th Anniversary Thur., Aug 8, with a luau that includes live music, food and lots of fun. Be sure to join the festivities and over the weekend check out Landers & Heinz on Fri., the Poole Bros. on Sat. and Wes Davis on Sun. 

Big happenin’s at the 45th St. Taphouse this week. Hopefully you are all aware by now that there are two great venues for live entertainment at this location - the original Taphouse and the new Bayside Taphouse (next to the package store). Featured at the 45th St. Taphouse are such artists as Pompous Pie, Lauren Glick & The Mood Swingers, Monkee Paw, Tim Cyphers & The Animal & more. (Check the listing for days & times.) A noteworthy event is taking place on Thurs. when the band Pasadena plays from the stage of the Bayside Taphouse. Founder Joey Harkum and his troupe returned to home ground in the spring after a highly successful west coast tour. Their sound has evolved even further with the addition of vocalist Ms. Sara to the group. As their website says, “Pasadena believes in freedom of and by composing and performing their original music they liberate themselves ... Thanks to the heart and soul poured into each and every song, Pasadena’s music has inspired an ever-growing fan base.” It’s time you became a fan, too.

Outta space, outta here. Party safe!