A three-day, free produced by impresario and bluesman Bubba Mac will be a new feature of Ocean City's popular Indian Summer Weekend.
The concerts are set for Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday Oct. 9 in the auditorium, an enclosed facility overlooking the ocean. Several outdoor performances are also scheduled on the Boardwalk at Seventh and Ninth streets.
The festival will feature a varied program of performing artists and Bubba Mac’s renowned Blues Band. It will range from rock, reggae and pop to gospel, youth and Christian music. The new event is the idea of Bubba Mac, a.k.a. Herb Birch, a successful business owner whose love for music has resulted in a second career as a band leader and producer. He is being assisted by J.T. Williams of JT Productions.
A resident of this seashore community, Birch suggested that the city enhance its 35-year-old Indian Summer celebration with a free music festival funded by sponsors. He is not a newcomer to this field, having produced huge festivals in Atlantic City’s former baseball stadium. Birch feels this event will be a great addition to his hometown.
“This will be a free showcase of professional talent that will be a highly entertaining addition to the weekend,” Birch said. “And sponsors will benefit from the huge audiences that the festival attracts.”
“This has the potential to transform a great event into a super event and provide additional entertainment that will keep visitors in town,” said City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer. “We appreciate the work and talent of Bubba Mac and his staff. We also would like to thank our sponsors. It will be a win-win situation all around.”
Following is the Music Festival’s schedule:
Friday, Oct. 7: Kickin’ Bear, a contemporary rock group performs 7-9 p.m.; Jah Works, a renowned reggae band from Baltimore, 9-11 p.m. at the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace.
Saturday, Oct. 8: The program at the Ocean City Music Pier auditorium will be hosted by NBC40’s popular meteorologist, Dan Skeldon.
- At 5 p.m., Milo Z, a popular New York City funk band will take the Pier Stage. Mayor Jay Gillian will welcome the audience at 6:30 p.m. followed by introduction of sponsors.
- At 6:45 p.m., Ocean Ryders, a blues band in the Bob Dylan style, will be featured followed by the Bubba Mac Blues Band who will entertain from 8 to 9:15 p.m.
- The program will stop for the fireworks display over the beach at 9:30 p.m. Music will resume at approximately 10 p.m. with a Bubba Mac Reunion Jam playing until 11 p.m.
- Also on Saturday at Ninth Street and the Boardwalk, Who Dat, a classic rock group, will get things started at 5 p.m., followed by The Groove, a young jam band, from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Groups performing at Seventh Street and Boardwalk on Saturday include the Glen Taylor Band (5 p.m.), a Christian Rock group; and the Love and Branca Trio, acoustic rock players, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9: All performances are at the Ocean City Music Pier.
- 2 p.m.: The Praise Nation Gospel singers
- 2:45 p.m.: Michele Acito, a talented acoustic performer
- 3 p.m.: The Coastal Christian Worship Band, a contemporary group
- 4 p.m.: Terri Showers with Chosen, a Gospel ensemble at 4 p.m.
- 5 p.m.: The Coastal Christian Worship contemporary band
- 6 to 7:30 p.m.: SiLOam, a contemporary Christian rock group from Connecticut
For more information, visit bubbamac.com.
-- News release from the City of Ocean City
