Contact: Lyn Lewis, Director of Communications
Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau
LynLewis@visitwilmingtonde.com, (302) 295-2212
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
June 14-June 20
The 22nd Annual DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival sets the stage for the summer festival season when it returns to Wilmington on June 14th through June 20th. Sponsored by the DuPont Company and the City of Wilmington, the entire festival is FREE, open to the public and held rain or shine. The week-long celebration brings some of the most exciting names in jazz to the stage: Steve Turre, Terell Stafford, John DiGiovanni, Billy Harper, Steve Pratt, The David Sanborn Group, Mingus Big Band, The George Duke Quartet and Maria Schneider Orchestra to name just a few. The festival also showcases some of the state's home-grown talent like Raye Jones-Avery. Most of the open air performances are held in Rodney Square in the heart of Downtown Wilmington. For more information, go to www.CliffordBrownjazzFest.com.
Delaware Shakespeare Festival
July 16-July 31
Enjoy Shakespeare under the stars when the Annual Shakespeare Festival returns to beautiful Rockwood Mansion Park. The open air festival's featured production this year is Macbeth which is scheduled to run from July 16th through July 31st. Performances begin at 7:30 on Wednesday - Saturday. Sunday performances begin at 6:00 and children under 10 are admitted free with a paid adult ticket. Extra craft and special activities for children are offered on Sundays. Visit www.DelShakes.org for more details.
Riverfront Blues Festival
August 6-August 8
According to Mayor Jim Baker, the Riverfront Blues Festival "...is an opportunity to experience the blues like never before." This year's festival, which returns to Tubman-Garrett Park in Wilmington's revitalized Riverfront on August 6th through August 8th, promises to live up to that reputation. The lineup for the three-day blues extravaganza features the Skyla Burrell Blue Band, Delta Harp Blast, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, The Shaun Murphy Band and more. In addition to the live musical entertainment acts, there are musical workshops and off-stage events including an ice skating rink-in August. For more information, visit www.riverfrontbluesfest.com.
August Quarterly
August 23-August 29
Now in its 196th year, the August Quarterly has the distinction of being the oldest celebration of its kind in the country. The festival has evolved from a one-day meeting into a week-long celebration of religious freedom commemorating the founding of the Union Church of African Members by the Reverend Peter Spencer in 1813. It climaxes on August 28th and 29th with a parade, Youth Cultural Day, citywide Sunday Service at Chase Center on the Riverfront and afternoon festivities at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. Visit http://www.augustquarterly.org/ for more details
Brandywine Festival of the Arts
September 11-September 12
The Brandywine Festival of the Arts has been a perennial favorite for 50 years. This year's festival will be held on September 11th and 12th in Josephine Gardens in Wilmington's Brandywine Park. Typically listed among the top 100 national shows, this event attracts hundreds of visiting artists and craftspeople. Although the show is juried for quality, it is not pretentious. Remarkable, one-of-a-kind pieces in a variety of media are available at an equally wide range of price points. In fact, it's considered to be the foremost place in Delaware to purchase original pieces of art that are sure to satisfy both the casual consumer and the avid collector. Live music, a food court and free admission to the Brandywine Zoo are added bonuses. For more information, visit www.brandywinearts.com.