Lani Schweiger
The Downtown Wilmington App

Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one stop shop for all the happenings in Downtown Wilmington, DE.

The Downtown Wilmington App
Lani Schweiger
Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts ...

In this month’s blog, we are highlighting the Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. Executive Director, James “Ray” Rhodes discusses the history of the Christina Cultural Arts Center and its importance to our community.

Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts Center

jazz wilmington de

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Wilmington’s Pulse: The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival Returns to Downtown!

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Downtown Wilmington Delaware is gearing up for its annual celebration of jazz excellence as Rodney Square transforms into the vibrant stage of the 38th Annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, scheduled June 18–21, 2025. This free, family-friendly event—proudly hosted in the heart of the city—offers an electrifying blend of live performances, community displays, late-night jam sessions, and irresistible food fare.

🔹 Why It Matters:
Named after Wilmington’s legendary son, trumpet virtuoso Clifford Benjamin Brown, the festival pays homage to his soaring artistry and enduring legacy. Over four dynamic days, Rodney Square becomes a crossroads of tradition and innovation, heard in every note—from hard bop to Afro‑Latin fusion.

🎤 Who’s Performing:
Lineup highlights include soulful grooves from Chante Moore and Eric Benét, Lili Añel, Carmen Lundy, Maya Belardo, funk‑jazz fusion with Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers, “Celebration of Black Joy & Friends”, Ingrid Jensen and more — plus lively after‑hours jam sessions nightly in downtown venues including The Queen, the Wilmington Public Library, The Nomad & more!

🍽 Food, Community & Vibes:
Expect a full sensory experience—a variety of food trucks will be on site selling your favorites foods. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and explore nearby restaurants, bars, and the Riverfront.

🔗 Connect & Follow the Fest

Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

City of Wilmington

🎯 Downtown Visions Invites You!
Follow these pages for real-time announcements, performer info, venue maps, weather updates, and community highlights. Whether you're a longtime jazz lover or brand new to the scene, this is Wilmington at its most infectious—and sophisticated. Bring your family, friends, and your dancing shoes. Let’s make some jazz magic!

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Concerts Galore in Wilmington, DE this Summer

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music concerts wilmington de

If you are a big music fan you are in luck, downtown Wilmington, DE is bursting with concerts and music festivals this summer. We have all the details so you can plan your schedule accordingly.

Bromberg's Big Noise Music Festival Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park

Big Noise Festival

Click here for tickets.

2018 DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

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Free and open to the public, more information can be found here.

The People's Festival 4 Peace Tribute to Bob Marley

The People’s STREET Festival will be FREE to the public for the first time in 24 years, thanks to our collaboration with Live Nation!

The People’s STREET Festival will be FREE to the public for the first time in 24 years, thanks to our collaboration with Live Nation!

The People’s STREET Festival will be FREE to the public for the first time in 24 years, thanks to the Delaware Art Museum's collaboration with Live Nation! Complete with a concert within The Queen and a street festival outside, enjoy the works of Jamaica’s Queen of Reggae, ETANA , The Iconic Meditation Band and Ska phenomena; Hip Abduction.

Tickets on sale soon here. 

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Celebrating 30 Years of Unifying Musical Magic... The DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

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Declared the largest free music festival on the East Coast, The DuPont Clifford Brown Festival turns 30 this year and will be taking place in Rodney Square June 17th through 24th. 

Fun for the entire family, grab your favorite lawn chairs and enjoy the sweet tunes from some of the nations greatest jazz performers. This cultural experience was once called Jazzin' on the Square, but was renamed to honor the jazz trumpeter and Wilmingtonian Clifford Brown, who passed away in 1956 at the young age of 25.

The festival is another example of Wilmington's devotion to celebrating the arts and making it accessible to everyone. The concert has always been complimentary to the public. 

For those attending from out of town, a parking map is available here. 

The 2018 line up is extra spectacular in celebration of the event's big birthday with the legendary Brian McKnight performing. The schedule will be as follows below. 

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Laila Biali

Laila Biali

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Excellent Customer Service with a Side of Jazz Music: Meet "Billy" of the Nomad Bar

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William Cerasari Billy Wilmington DE

When customers walk into The Nomad Bar, they usually see William Cerasari, known as “Billy,” behind the polished wooden bar. With a nod and a slight smile, he greets you as he mixes cocktails and pours microbrews.  “I am enlightened every time I come to work,’’ said the Salesianum School graduate. “People seem so much more intelligent after a few alcoholic beverages.”

At age 21 he answered an ad in the News Journal for a bartending position on the Lady Christina cruise ship. That was 32 years ago and although the ship no longer exists, Billy is still pouring.  “It seemed like a good way to make extra cash,” said Billy, 53. Today, he is a familiar face to long-time residents, who have known him from his many years in the Wilmington bar scene.

“Billy came with the bricks,” said Linda Vandever, who co-owns The Nomad Bar along with her husband, Dave Vandever. The couple spent 18 months renovating the space before opening the bar in 2011. When everything was ready, Dave knew he wanted Billy serving the drinks. “A friend said he’s the guy you want,” said Dave.

Billy said he has always enjoyed the live music that came with bartending.  The Nomad Bar, where there is never a cover, features talented jazz musicians, along with performers who play blues, reggae, and funk. The music draws a diverse group of folks of all races and ages. For upcoming events, visit their Facebook page. 

The Nomad Bar

905 N. Orange St. Wilmington, DE 19801

(302) 547-1912

Owners: Dave and Linda Vandever

By Adriana Camacho-Church ACCpen1@gmail.com

Downtown Visions Contributing Writer