'America's Got Talent' champ, hot shows all around keep beach stages sizzling hot

Area beaches are in the throes of peak season — and area concert venues are offering entertainment options galore.

In Ocean City, the OC Performing Arts Center has a family-friendly entertainer set to headline this weekend. Ventriloquist Terry Fator, who took the top prize in the season finale of NBC’s "America’s Got Talent" in 2007, will appear at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 23 ($35, $40). He will be joined by his cast of puppets, with sizable helpings of music and mirth.

The center also has tickets on sale for shoulder season appearances by Lee Greenwood on Friday, Sept. 22 ($39 to $125) and Don McLean the following evening on Saturday, Sept. 23 (also $39 to $125).

Elsewhere in Ocean City, the summer concert series at Seacrets continues with a performance by indie-rock act Little Stranger out on the beach stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 ($10, free with local ID). The touring duo which hails from South Carolina by way of Philadelphia has drawn comparisons to Beck with its mix of hip-hop and alternative music.

In Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork has another batch of summer concerts on tap that will draw crowds galore. Owner Alex Pires dropped me a line to inform me that the famed nightclub currently has a capacity of 1,200 and is having a great summer. It has already hosted a half-dozen sellouts — with at least that many more expected, he said.

One of these sold-out Cork shows features country star Dylan Scott on Thursday, July 20. The Warped Tour Band: A Tribute to Emo/Pop-Punk is set for Friday, July 21 ($20). Philly favorite Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers will play a reunion show with special guest Tisra Til on Sunday, July 23, and more than 600 advance tickets have already been sold ($30).

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, July 21 for the Friday, Sept. 29, return of Jimmie Allen ($40). The Cork will open at 8 p.m. for all of these concerts, with music commencing at 8:30 p.m.

In Selbyville, the outdoor Freeman Arts Pavilion also has a busy schedule with something for everyone. Classic-rock stalwart Three Dog Night will play at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 20; a mere 57 tickets remained at last count and are sure to sell out by showtime ($39).

The Beat Goes On, which has vocalist Lisa McClowry paying tribute to Cher, is set for 7 p.m. Friday, July 21 ($29). At 7 p.m. Saturday, July 22, Freeman will present the Pop 2000 Tour, featuring Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, BBMak and Ryan Cabrera ($29, $59). Big Bad Voodoo Daddy returns at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 23 ($29).

A sold-out modern rock double bill with Counting Crows and Dashboard Confessional rolls in at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Weather scuttled a Sunday, July 16, appearance by comedian Tom Papa, and that date has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 ($49, $54).

In Lewes, the Rocking the Docks concert series continues each Wednesday through Aug. 23. The shows are held outside at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. George Porter Jr. of funk legend The Meters will play with his current band The Runnin’ Pardners on July 26 after a 6 p.m. opening set by Melody Trucks and the Fitzkee Brothers ($26).

Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: 'America's Got Talent' champ leads red-hot beaches entertainment slate