Block Parties, Jazz Nights and More at the Rock Lot this Summer

Thanks to the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation's Creative District initiative the revitalization is moving westward of Market Street and the LOMA district. Neighborhoods are truly blossoming.

The Creative District encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Market and Washington Streets. Within this district, at 305 W. 8th Street there is a gem of a place called the Rock Lot. This beautiful artistic cove is designed to bring the local community together. Join us for a variety of complimentary events at the Rock Lot this summer:

• Wednesday  5/30, 6/6, and 6/13- Jazz Nights, 6-7 pm. Artists are Alfie Moss & The Dexter Koonce Project, Sharon Sable Quartet, and Terra Soul.

Leading up to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Creative District Wilmington is teaming up with Market Street Music to bring well-known jazz musicians to the green space in the heart of the district.

• Saturday 6/9- Lending Library Kick-Off, 1-3 pm. 

A community lending library is coming to The Rock Lot and in order to celebrate its opening, we’ve invited Bryce Bullock, nine-year-old comic book creator and author, to read his latest work!

• Saturdays 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, and 7/14- Reading Series, 1-2 pm

While kids are home on summer break, Creative District Wilmington partners up with the Wilmington Public Library and members of the community to host a series of reading events at the Rock Lot.

• Wednesday, June 27th Spoken word night  “Outspoken” 6-7 pm 

Host Christian Wills, the creative mind behind Sweet Jams!, the spoken word nights at UDairy Creamery’s Market Street location, is bringing OutSpoken! to the Rock Lot! The spoken word nights are open-mic events and the public is invited to participate!

• Wednesday, July 11, 18, 25 Capoiera

Join Chris Devany of ASCAB Capoeira Delaware at the Rock Lot to experience an interactive session of this creative 16th-century art form.

• Saturday, July 28th – Community Dinner

Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship. All are welcome. (Grown and prepared by William Penn High School culinary students.)

Follow the Creative District:

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The Downtown Wilmington Farmer's Market is Back with Several New Vendors

The Farmer's Market opens tomorrow, May 2nd.  The official Grand Opening Celebration is on May 30th with the Mayor speaking at 11:45 am

Join Mayor Mike Purzycki, Downtown Visions Executive Director Martin Hageman and local officials as we kick off the 2018 season of the Farmer's Market.

On Wednesday, May 30th at 11:45 AM, the City of Wilmington and Downtown Visions will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Downtown Farmer's Market in Rodney Square.  The Market, in its 16th year, is operated by Downtown Visions, the non-profit management company for Wilmington's Business Improvement District.  The Downtown Farmer's Market is sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and Colonial Parking.

The Downtown Farmers Market starts May 2nd, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, every Wednesday through October 31st.  The Downtown Farmers Market offers an array of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers, a large assortment of beautiful handmade items, including arts and crafts, unique jewelry and delicious home-baked goods.  Sorbello Girls Farm Market and Bright Spot Farms will be back at the Market.  There is prepared food as well, with returning favorites like Outlandish, Mama Mia and I Don't Give a Fork.  We are also looking forward to our new vendors including Rocker Soaps and Riverfront Pets. 

The Downtown Farmers Market is another example of Downtown Visions and the City's commitment to assisting small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups as well as community organizations toward the goal of a more vital, vibrant downtown for all.  The Market has grown each year to become the go-to place for thousands of people each Wednesday.  Much of the produce that is sold at the Downtown Farmers Market is grown by small, family-owned farms in the Tri-State area.

Stay up to date on the Farmer's Market by following their Facebook Page.

Join Us at Rock the Block! Celebrating Sam and Mariah Calagione of Dogfish Brewery and DCAD's 20th Anniversary

Image Credits: DCAD & Cape Gazette

When two outstanding events are happening in the same block, they team up for one mega celebration! Join us for Rock the Block on April 19th!

The DCAD@20 ArtParty will take place in DCAD’s Market Street galleries and on Sixth Street between those two indoor spaces. The event raises funds to support general operations and scholarships at the College, which was founded in 1997 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary through the graduation of its 20th class this May. The celebratory event includes adult beverages and catering by restaurants coming to the eagerly awaited DE.CO Food Hall coming to the DuPont Building. Music and art will be abundant the presenting sponsor of the event is M&T Bank. 

Individual tickets cost $50 each. Rock the Block combination tickets (which also provides admission to the Delaware Historical Society's Delaware History Maker Awards celebration just down Market Street) are available for $100 each, and a special Patron Package may be purchased for $500 includes two admissions. A number of sponsorship options are available as well.

The Maker Awards celebration will honor Sam and Mariah Calagione of Dogfish Brewery and feature food and beer pairings as well as live music to end the night at The Queen.

Tickets can be purchased here. 

For additional information, contact DCAD development director Renée T. Garnick at rgarnick@dcad.edu or (302) 622-8000, ext. 107.

Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation Presents the Annual Dickinson Memorial

Join historian Dick Carter on February 17th to learn more about our local Founding Father on this 250th Anniversary of his writings "Letters from a Farmer." Dickinson descendant Evelyn Swenssen will be performing his Liberty Song, Mayor Purzycki is slated to read the eulogy and a beautiful wreath by Quaker Hill florist Flowers by Tino will laid at Dickinson's grave in the Wilmington Friends cemetery.  All are welcome to attend this event presented by the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation. 

The Facebook event can be found here.

The Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation is Historic Preservation & Education non-profit dedicated to sharing and preserving the vital history of the Quaker Hill Historic District in the heart of downtown Wilmington. Free Underground Railroad Workshops, field trips, tours, publications and more are part of their efforts. 

The team of individuals are devoted to ensuring the neighborhood still retains a diverse architectural character, inherited from the 1978 designation of Quaker Hill as a National Register Historic District. Recent renovation and restoration of remaining structures, coupled with the construction of new housing, give definite signs of a revitalization of Quaker Hill.

Interested in joining the preservation efforts of this neighborhood? Contact them at the Quaker Hill Historic Preservation Foundation (www.quakerhillhistoric.org) 

Love is in the Air in Wilmington, DE! Here is Where to Celebrate Valentines Day!

Love is in the air and there is just two weeks left to make your Valentine's Day plans. Whether you are single or madly in love, there are plenty of activities in Wilmington, DE to celebrate! 

HOTEL DU PONT

Choose from several events at the recently renovated Green Room within the legendary Hotel Du Pont including a Valentine's Day 5 Course Dinner, Rose Petal Brunch, Lovebirds Two-Course Lunch and Chocolate Tea! More information can be found at http://www.hoteldupont.com/events-en.html

Chelsea Tavern & Ernest and Scott Taproom

Pick the perfect Valentine's Day dinner option from two excellent Downtown restaurants for only $75 per couple! More information and reservations can be made on http://www.ernestandscott.com/

Big Fish Grill

If your Valentine is a big fan of seafood this is the place for them and they will be providing special dinner entrees just for the occasion! Make your reservations quickly! https://www.facebook.com/events/1538772966232074/

Merchant Bar

Single and mingling? Join Merchant Bar for their first annual Valentine’s Day Cocktail Party. Enjoy a flight of four Champagne cocktails plus passed & stationed hors d’oeuvres. The cost is only $45pp plus gratuity. The cocktail party begins at 6:30pm.  Only 30 spaces available, book online by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2nvw6FM

The Delaware Contemporary

No Valentine? No problem! Get your hands messy and be creative at The Delaware Contemporary! Join Teaching Artist Tia Santana for a laid back, down and dirty Date Night with friends, someone special, or your inner artist. Create an object, glaze it, then come back to pick it up ready to use or give as a gift! A cash bar will be available and the cost is only $30 per person and $25 for museum friends. To register click here. 

Riverfront Pets

Sometimes the best companions in life are the furry friends of ours! Treat your pet or find a new furry family member at Riverfront Pets! Who knows, even if you are single, you may meet your soul mate who is also an animal adorer! More information can be found here.

Tonic Bar & Grille

If you haven't been to Tonic Bar & Grille in awhile you are in for a real treat! Their delectable dishes are always a hit and will absolutely impress your loved one this Valentine's Day! More details can be found on https://www.tonicbargrille.com/events/month/