Area Musicians Prepare For ‘Party Beyond Description’
The setlist is a secret, but one mystery has been solved . . .
In a word, the annual Shine A Light concerts always guarantee variety. But in terms of showcasing songs from multiple eras, this year’s show promises more variety than any of the previous concerts, all of which typically have focused on songs from one specific year or band.
On Saturday, March 1 at The Queen, guests at Shine A Light: A to Z will get the chance to dance and party to hits from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s — with the setlist presented in alphabetic order (hence the “A to Z”).
“Shine A Light has been a highlight event, now going on its 13th year,” says musician Tony Cappella, who has directed the past five shows as the Musicians Committee Chair. “It’s a party beyond description featuring some of the best musicians in the area.
“This year will be no different with lots of surprises and great music — all supporting underserved children in our community.”
For the past 12 years, the Shine A Light concerts have raised money for youth music programs. In 2024, the event helped provide grants totaling more than $65,000 to seven area organizations that focus largely on Delaware’s underserved youth.
As the organizers write: “When we improve the outcomes for our young people, we uplift entire communities, creating a ripple effect of positive change.”
If you haven’t seen it for yourself, the annual Shine A Light concert is unlike most music fundraisers. Each song features an entirely new line-up of singers and backing musicians. In fact, with its wide variety of performances and wild reshuffling of players between songs, the show often feels like a live jukebox operating in Rubik’s Cube mode.
In 2019, Delaware Today honored Shine A Light with a “Best of Delaware” award in the annual fundraiser category. The concert has sold out every year.
— More at LightUpTheQueen.org
Di Russo Conducts DSO In Brahms Show
Argentinian conductor Michelle Di Russo reprises a spot centerstage at The Grand when she leads Delaware Symphony Orchestra (DSO) in a performance of Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor on Friday, March 28.
Di Russo served as a guest conductor for DSO during its ¡Música Bravo! show in November 2023. The stint may have helped her get chosen as a finalist in DSO’s search for a new musical director — a process in which involved narrowing down 147 applicants from around the world to four finalists.
Di Russo and the orchestra will be joined by pianist Janice Carissa. A repeat performance will be held at Cape Henlopen High School on Sunday, March 30.
— More at DelawareSymphony.org
MEGA Returns To Headline Spring Jam
Rainbow Records brings back Spring Jam on Saturday, March 8, an event that heralds the long-awaited return of MEGA.
Starting at 1 p.m., the all-ages show will feature eight bands and six acoustic acts including Castle Atom, Flatwaves, Syd Lynrowe, Monopod, Lampstand, Disko, Donovan Burt and Francis Bleu.
Spring Jam is presented by Rainbow Records, Gingerfox Productions, and the Original Music Association of Delaware. Cover is $10. Rainbow Records is located at 218 E. Main Street, Suite 114 in Newark.
— Updates at @RainbowReccordsDE on Facebook and Instagram
Disco Biscuits Return To The Queen
Purveyors in the art of jamtronica, Disco Biscuits head towards the end of an 18-date tour across the U.S. with a March 13 performance at The Queen.
The tour comes following the band’s 2024 release of Revolution in Motion, which also involves a 23-minute short film by the same name.
Following their performance at The Queen, the Biscuits wrap up their tour with two consecutive nights at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey.
— More at TheQueenWilmington.com
