Hurricane Irene certainly threw a wrench into our plans last weekend in Ocean City. Forced to evacuate, I spent time social networking to stay updated on my hometown. Many of my friends posted songs related to Irene on Facebook, which kept me quite amused. Of course, the 80s hit, “Come On Irene” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners was playing over and over. Another song that I saw repeatedly posted online is “Goodnight Irene,” a folksong written by Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter and later covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, and Tom Waits (just to name a few). What is your favorite song from your Hurricane Irene experience? E-mail me at jennysamuels@coconuttimes.com and tell me what you listened to during the evacuation.
    Enough about that pesky storm! Fortunately, our beautiful beach town survived and we’re ready to celebrate Labor Day Weekend. On Friday, September 2, Seacrets kicks off the holiday weekend with party band Kristen & the Noise. Boasting an infectious energy that keeps the crowd jumping all night long, this band is legendary for its stage presence. The Jim Long Band is still going strong this summer. Catch their crazy antics at Seacrets on Friday and Saturday. Then, on Tuesday, September 6, and Wednesday, September 7, reggae rockers The Movement return to Seacrets.
    Tribute bands are a pretty big deal in Ocean City. This week, mark your calendar for a U2 tribute band called 2U on Monday, September 5, at Fager’s Island. Then, on Thursday, September 8, go to The Purple Moose Saloon for The Rising—a tribute to Bruce Springsteen. Also, mark your calendar for Sunday, September 18, when tribute band Kashmir pays homage to Led Zeppelin.
    Looking for a family friendly musical event? Bring the kids to the beach on North Division Street on Saturday, September 3, for Radio Disney’s Sizzlin Summer of Stars with Adam Hicks. Adam stars as keyboard player Wen Gifford in the Disney Channel original movie, “Lemonade Mouth.” He also plays the role of Luther Waffles in Disney’s comedy series “Zeke and Luther.” Hicks will perform and meet and greet the crowd from 5:30 until 8:00 on Saturday.
    Have you been to the Pour House on Wicomico Street? Hurry in before the place goes bananas for bike week. My friends, surf rockers The Phantom Limbs, booked a show at The Pour House on Saturday night. DJ Skip Dixon is there every Wednesday night too, along with a plethora of live music throughout the week.
    As I’ve said before, the Steer Inn Tavern is always a guaranteed good time, bringing regional talent to our area that is hard to find anywhere else. This weekend, Gary Brown “The Bushmaster” brings the spirit of Jimi Hendrix to the Steer Inn.
    Just around the corner is arguably the best weekend in Ocean City—BikeFest! This year, BikeFest takes place September 15-18. Downtown Ocean City turns into a huge concert venue, with performances by Rare Earth, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult, and more. On Thursday, September 15, kick off BikeFest at Oasis Bar & Grill in Whaleyville, where Deep Sea Research, Semiblind, Vivid Season, Fuzzbox Piranha, and Witches Brew will rock bikers and raise funds for BreastFest to benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
    Also coming soon to our region is the town of Berlin’s 19th annual Fiddlers Convention, September 23-25. I love this event, which brings bluegrass and fingerpickin’ good music to our area. The headliner this year is Lonesome Highway, playing Friday night, September 23, at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 24, at 11 a.m.
    Welcome to Ocean City’s second season. Have a happy Labor Day Weekend, everyone.