CONCERTS, CRAFTS ON TAP FOR HOLIDAY

Phillip Knight (Sept. 4, 2009) Concerts on the beach and at the convention center, as well as an arts and crafts expo, are planned as part of Ocean City's Labor Day celebration this weekend.

The beach at North Division Street will be transformed into a concert hall Saturday for what will be the last of the resort's free summer concert series. Guests are encouraged to take beach blankets and chairs.

The Groove Train band will take the stage at 8 p.m. The band has performed disco music many times over the years in Ocean City, as members don "groovy" costumes and funky hairstyles. "That's the Way I Like It," "Brickhouse," "Superfreak" and "Shake Your Groove Thing" are just a few of the songs audience members can expect to hear.

The Stacy Mitchhart Band, known for its blues, R&B and soul music, is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at the convention center on 40th Street. The band is likely to perform the Grammy-nominated "Gotta Get the Feeling Back Again," "You Turn Me On" and "It's the Groove in the Blues."

The Stacy Mitchhart Band, above, will perform a free concert Saturday at the convention center. Phillip Knight, above left, will open the show. That same night, The Groove Train, inset, will perform on the beach at North Division Street. Phillip Knight will open for the band and Stillglow will close the show. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at the convention center box office. The event is for all ages. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and fans are invited to meet the bands in the convention center ballroom from 6-7 p.m.

A DVD will be made of the concert that night. Those interested in purchasing DVDs should contact mike@mike mikepromotions.com.

The convention center will also be home of the 16th annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend, Sept. 4-6. There is no cost to enter the expo, which will be open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and traditionally draws between 12,000 and 15,000 visitors.

As many as 100 vendors are scheduled to present handmade or handpainted items such as furniture, clothing, woodwork, glassware, candles, scents, soaps, ceramics, jewelry, wearable art, paintings and photography.

The Groove Train "The show is a nice mix of mediums … The vast majority of items being displayed at the show are handcrafted and/or hand-created by the artist or artisan manning the booth," said event promoter Ami Hastings. "I'd say about 60 percent or more of the vendors come back year after year. I have quite a few that have been with me since the origins of the show, which was 16 years ago."

In addition to the arts and crafts exhibitors, there will also be vendors selling freshly made fudge, German cinnamon roasted nuts and candy as well as cakes, cookies, soups, pasta sauces and dip mixes. Plenty of free samples will be offered, as well.

Joe Delisi of Oneofakind Creations in New Market, Md., adjusts a bracelet clasp last year during the 15th annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival at the convention center.