Entertainment

Experience Downtown Wilmington: Take a Closer Look with this Video!

Are you considering moving to Wilmington, DE or perhaps taking a vacation here? Experience the best the area has to offer and watch this stunning video put together by our friends at the Greater Wilmington and Brandywine Valley Visitors Bureau. Even if you have been in the area for ages, you are sure to discover a new place to visit!

Below are some of the definite stops you will want to make during your travels that are in the Downtown Wilmington area and featured above.

Looking for some more incredible downtown businesses and attractions? Check out our full directory here. 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

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

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

Your City, Your Park, Help it Come to Life!

Photo Courtesy of Spaceboy Clothing

Photo Courtesy of Spaceboy Clothing

Humble Park at the corner of 4th & Shipley is about to not be so "humble" anymore! Thanks to a collaboration between The City of Wilmington, Downtown Visions and Sanchez of Spaceboy Clothing, the park will soon be filled with vendors, art and entertainment! 

The press is excited for what is to come, and the park is already receiving attention from Technical. ly Delaware and The News Journal! The very first event is a comedy show, scheduled for August 25th at 7 PM and we need YOUR help to prepare! Join your fellow neighbors and business owners in cleaning up the space for everyone to enjoy! We will be meeting on Saturday, August 12th from 9 AM- 1 PM. Feel free to let us know you are coming through our Facebook Event and be sure to spread the word by inviting your friends. This is your chance to be a part of the renaissance happening in your city!

Wilmington DE Community

Each future event at the park will not only provide incredible entertainment, it will be giving back to those who need it most. A hot dog stand ran by the Wilmington-based Rick VanStory Resource Center, a recovery-oriented peer center for people with psychiatric disabilities will provide food for sale for each of the shows. Additionally, each of the shows will be free to the public, and have a fundraising effort on-site for a special cause. The show on the 25th will raise funds for Ramona Robinson of Wilmington, who is battling breast cancer and is a family member of Sanchez of Spaceboy.

Have an idea for the park, or want to help contribute to its positive future that is going to affect hundreds of Wilmingtonians? Let us know!

Click the image above to watch a short video provide by Delaware Online on all of the progress made by the generous volunteers!

Click the image above to watch a short video provide by Delaware Online on all of the progress made by the generous volunteers!

Follow Spaceboy on Facebook and Instagram

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

The Ladies Took on the Heat and Made the 2017 Ladybug Festival a Smashing Success!

Ladybug music festival 2017 Wilmington DE

Photography Credit: Moonloop Photography

The Ladybug Music Festival, an annual celebration of women and music kicked off on July 20th and with 5,000 attendees on the first night alone, was a resounding success. Downtown Visions is proud to sponsor this free music festival annually since their very beginning 6 years ago!

The performers this year took girl power to a whole new level! Catriona Sturton drove down from Canada to perform, and even came in a day early to do three promotional performances. This picture is of Catriona singing her soul out, in 92 degree weather (with 70% humidity!)

Ladybug Festival 2017 downtown wilmington de

With 75 acts and 15 venues and 300 artists submissions to be on stage, the best of the best were selected by Gable Music Ventures. From well-known headliners such as Larkin Poe and  Nadjah Nicole Pennington from The Voice; to Vocal Clave de Sol  from Havana, Cuba who performed inside the Baby Grand, there was a musical performance for everyone! 

This was also the first year the festival spanned over two days, bringing more action and performances than ever before! In addition to 25 acts on Friday, July 21st, there were also dance troupes, art and live on-site painting sessions!

Sarah Lamb, a resident that lives within walking distance of all the activity explained, "The bands were quality, it was great to see women rocking out, the crowd and performers were from all over the world and everyone was having a great time!  It was awesome seeing Market Street so alive!"

To stay on top of the action for next year's event, be sure to follow the Ladybug Concert Facebook Page!

ladybug festival 2017 wilmington de
ladybug music festival 2017

Wilmo Wednesday's new home!

Every Wednesday night Gable Music Ventures gathers an incredible group of talented people together to create an evening of entertainment like no other. From spoken word to jazz to pop music to rock to hip hop to comedy to magicians to jugglers - and everything in between - Wilmo Wednesday offers a rich variety of entertainment for everyone.

This week, Wilmo Wednesday has a new home - come out to Ernest & Scott Taproom at 902 N. Market Street at 7:00 Wednesday to experience great entertainment. There's no cover charge, and our friends at Ernest & Scott have a wonderful food and drink selection.

There's wonderful things happening in Downtown Wilmington!

Marty