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| Vol. 17, No. 34 | June 11, 1998 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 34 | June 11, 1998 |
The Shangri-Las will help kick off the Summer Arts Festival in Lewes.
The celebration, scheduled from July 8-11, will take place on the UD's Hugh R. Sharp campus in Lewes.
Headlining the four-day event will be rock 'n' roll legends Bobby Rydell, Leslie Gore and the Shangri-Las; country music stars Richochet, The Lynns, the Thompson Brothers and Matt King. The Missoula Children's Theatre production of The Tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the Delaware Symphony's annual Cape Concert, which will round out the event.
Rydell last played to a capacity Summer Arts Festival crowd in 1994.
"We has such a positive response to Bobby's show back then, that we thought it time to bring him back," Gary Simpson, assistant director of the Office of Alumni and University Relations, and organizer of the festival, said.
"This time we added Leslie Gore and The Shangri-Las, and we think people are really going to like this dynamic package."
Rydell's hits, like "Wild One," "Volare" and "We Got Love." coupled with Gore's "You Don't Own Me," "Judy's Turn to Cry" and "It's My Party," and The Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack" and "Remember" ("Walking in the Sand") will bring back fond memories for anyone who grew up in the '50s and '60s.
"But, it's also surprising how may kids come out and support a show like this," Simpson said. "I'm constantly amazed at how many teens show up at our 'oldies' concerts. Not only are they up and dancing, but they are actually mouthing the words to the songs."
The Rock 'n' Roll concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 8. Advance tickets range from $6 to $10. Tickets purchased on the day of the show range from $8 to $12.
The following night, Thursday, July 9, beginning at 6 p.m., the University joins forces with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware to produce the first-ever Country Music Fest held during the Lewes event.
The six-member group Richochet headlines the show with their high-energy performance.
Named Top New Vocal Group by the Academy of County Music in 1996 and the number-one-selling group in country music for 19 weeks, after the release of their second album, In The Blink of An Eye, Richochet is a sure crowd pleaser.
The Lynns are also making a big name for themselves, apart from their legendary mother, Loretta Lynn. The twin daughters were recently nominated for "Best New Vocal Group or Duo" and within the past six weeks, have been featured in PEOPLE magazine and on David Letterman. The two will tour across the country this summer.
Also appearing on July 9 are the Thompson Brothers and Matt King. Both are relative newcomers to Nashville, but both have landed record deals with big labels and appear destined for success.
Advance tickets for the Country Music Fest range from $10 to $15. If purchased on the day of the show, tickets range from $15 to $17.50.
For children this year, the Summer Arts Festival will offer a production by the Missoula Children's Theatre from Missoula, Mont.
The group will arrive on Monday, July 6, and hold auditions to include 50-60 local children in the cast. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to audition for the show at Delaware Technical and Community College.
The Sussex County Arts Council is coordinating the event, sponsored by Nicola Pizza. Children will be admitted free to the Friday night performance and tickets for adults are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
The Summer Arts Festival concludes on Saturday, July 11, with the annual Cape Concert, presented by the Delaware Symphony. Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser will conduct the state's premier orchestra through an eclectic mix of pop music as well traditional marches and standards.
Always a crowd favorite, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture will be a part of this year's concert, accentuated by a 16-gun salute by the Lancaster Cannon Company.
Fireworks will conclude the performance overhead as the Symphony plays the "Stars and Stripes Forever."
The Sin City Band will precede the orchestra on stage for two hours of picnic time entertainment beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The symphony will play at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $6 to $12 in advance or $8 to $14 on the day of the show.
The Summer Arts Festival began at its present location in 1987, although the symphony had played a few years prior to that in Cape Henlopen State Park. The festival is held under the stars and on the grass where patrons are asked to bring beach chairs or blankets. A diversity of food items will be available for purchase and picnic baskets are welcomed.
"The event is almost like a fall tailgate party-with great entertainment in place of football," Simpson said.
Advance tickets are available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Office, 120 Kings Highway, at all UD box offices in Newark and at the University's southern Delaware offices at 69 Transportation Circle in Dover and Route 18 at the Carter Partnership Center in Georgetown. Tickets may be charged with MasterCard or Visa by calling (302) 855-1620.
-Beth Thomas
