This weekend is the calm before the storm. Enjoy a quiet weekend in Ocean City before BikeFest arrives next week. Talented reggae and hip-hop artist Kaleb Brown performs at Waterman’s Seafood Restaurant in West Ocean City from 6 to 10 pm on Friday, September 9. Saturday, September 10, is looking like a perfect day to hang out at Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill at the Castle in the Sand Hotel. Local musicians Kevin Poole & Joe Mama perform at 2 pm, and they always keep the crowd dancing and singing along.
    Micky Fins has a generous helping of talent on its plate this weekend. Acoustic rocker Blake Haley sings his heart out at 3 pm on Saturday, September 10, and Tim Cyphers & Danimal bring their wacky antics to Micky Fins on Sunday, September 11.
    Seacrets has jumped on the tribute band trend, booking Tuesday’s Gone, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band on Wednesday, September 14. The following day, Zoso—a Led Zeppelin tribute band will rock Seacrets. More tribute bands are on tap for the following weekend, in honor of BikeFest. Check the next issue of Coconut Times for all the juicy details.
    Are you a dead head? On Thursday, September 15, Fager’s Island presents “Jerry Garcia—A Visual Journey.” This touring exhibition features artwork by Jerry Garcia, as well as Bob Dylan and John Lennon. The art show will remain on display through September 17. A Grateful Dead tribute band called Steal Your Face takes the stage at Fager’s Island at 10 pm on Thursday, September 15.
    Bike Week is coming up! I can’t wait to ride around Ocean City and check out all the live music setting the soundtrack for BikeFest 2011. The event is slated to come to Ocean City September 15-18.
    Start your next weekend at 4 pm on Thursday, September 15, at Breastfest at the Oasis in Whaleyville, Maryland. What is Breastfest? It’s a benefit for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, featuring performances by Semiblind, Fast Nixon, Deep Sea Research, Witches Brew, Fuzzbox Piranha, Vivid Season, Dust n Bones, and The Electric Company. Visit www.facebook.com/savethebreastfest  for more details.
    After the fundraiser, rev up your bike and cruise over to the Steer Inn Tavern on Racetrack Road near the Casino, where Sean K Preston & the Loaded Pistols will sing about “hard luck, lost love, long journeys, dark secrets, and damnation and redemption.” He’s booked to perform at the Steer Inn on Thursday, September 15, at 9 pm Check out www.facebook.com/seankpreston  for more information.
    During BikeFest, Ocean City’s inlet will be transformed into a huge concert venue. Three tribute bands are on the books for BikeFest. Red, White, and Crue—a Motley Crue tribute band—takes the stage at the inlet at noon on Thursday, September 15, followed by Poison’d at 2 pm. One of my top favorite bands, The Cheaters, performs at 3 pm. The headliner event for Thursday’s concert is Rare Earth at 4:30, featuring Gil Bridges on sax, flute, and lead vocals; Randy Burghdoff on bass guitar and vocals; Ray Monette on lead guitar and vocals; Mike Bruner on keyboard; and Floyd Stokes on drums and lead vocals. Some of the band’s classic hits include “Get Ready,” “Losing You,” and “I Just Want to Celebrate.” Check out www.rareearth.com  for more information. The Cherry People will provide the last performance of the day at 5:30.
    Second Helping—a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band—is on the calendar too. Also scheduled to perform are headliners Blue Oyster Cult, along with The Guess Who, and Big Mike “100% Biker Blues” Griffin. Check out http://www.ocbikefest.com/p_schedule.php for a complete schedule of concerts and events.