Chesapeake Beach, MD – Murphy Smilardo, the business-savvy entertainment director for Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa admits the 2018 edition of Rock the Dock at the bayside venue will pose challenges. Expansion of the food, hospitality and entertainment complex—initially announced in 2016—is due to get underway soon. The completion of a new bridge on Route 261 is expected to get the plan moving. Components of the project include expanding the motel, tearing down old segments of the Rod ‘N’ Reel in order to become compliant with new federal floodplain regulations and building a parking structure.
Smilardo told TheBayNet.com that due to the construction plans, the booking of nationally known, top-dollar acts was not an option in 2018. Still—from late May to Labor Day, the dock will indeed rock. An array of tribute bands and regional favorites are on the marquee this year.
The fun gets underway Sunday, May 27 with the classic rock band Split 2nd performing from 4 to 8 p.m. The group has won several “Reader’s Choice” awards from an Annapolis-based newspaper chain. Split 2nd will return to the dock Sunday, July 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. Another area group, Honky Tonk Casanova, is booked for Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 from 3 to 7 p.m. The quartet’s repertoire not only includes honky tonk dance tunes but Memphis soul and New Orleans rhythm and blues as well. The well-traveled rhythm and blues/funk ensemble Groove Spot Band and Show are on the bill for Sunday, June 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. Eclipse: The Ultimate Journey Tribute will be on stage Thursday, June 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. “They are super good,” said Smilardo.
On Sunday, June 10, The NoWhere Men make the first of three Rock the Dock 2018 appearances, July 22 and Aug. 26 being the other two. Those shows are from 4 to 8 p.m.
Besides Eclipse, other tribute bands booked for 2018 include High Voltage (AC/DC), Thursday, June 14, 7 to 10 p.m.; Bruce and the USA (Bruce Springsteen), Thursday, June 21, 7 to 10 p.m.; The English Channel (Beatles), Thursday, June 28, 7 to 10 p.m.; Completely Unchained (Van Halen), Thursday, July 12, 7 to 10 p.m.; The Prince Experience (Prince), Thursday, July 19, 7 to 10 p.m.; Sixx Seconds to Mars (Motley Crue), Thursday, Aug. 2, 7 to 10 p.m.; You’ve Got a Friend (James Taylor), Thursday Aug. 9, 7 to 10 p.m.; and Secondhand News (Fleetwood Mac), Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3, 3 to 7 p.m. Additionally, the popular Eagles tribute band, The Long Run, will be at the dock for back-to-back shows—Wednesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 26, 7 to 10 p.m. both nights. Also, on Wednesday, July 4, Independence Day, on stage will be Johnny Seaton and Bad Behavior, A Tribute to Elvis and More from 3 to 7 p.m. The following night, Lights Out, A Jersey Boys Tribute will perform from 7 to 10 p.m.
Lovers of the Motown sound have two dates to circle on their summertime calendar—The Winstons Sunday, June 17 from 4 to 8 p.m.; and the Time for a Change Motown Review, Thursday, Aug. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m.
For a complete schedule and to order tickets in advance, log onto the Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa’s web site.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
