Like Dogfish Head, DuPont and screen door factories, the World Championship Punkin Chunkin is Delaware through and through, and the event that is gaining in popularity the world over with each passing year.
Another year passes this coming weekend, when all the catapults and centrifugals convene east of Bridgeville for a weekend of gourds, food, drink, music and fun. And we're here to provide the details on what to expect.
What's going down? If you've been hiding under a rock the last quarter of a century, Punkin Chunkin is where garage engineers bring their homemade contraptions to fling pumpkins as far as they can through the Sussex County sky.
When does it get started? Gates open to the public at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, with competition in different categories beginning at 9:30 a.m.
What else will be going on? There will be an all-machines free-for-all and live music on Friday, the Miss Punkin Chunkin Pageant, Cooking Contest (with pumpkin related fare), live music and a grand fireworks display on Saturday, and a Chili Cookoff, live music and awards ceremony on Sunday.
How much is it to get in? It's $9 per day, $2 per vehicle and kids 10 and under are free.
What bands are playing? The Country Grass Band and The Funsters play Friday, Cathy Gorman Motown & Big Band Show, Anything Goes, 501 The Band, Cherry Bud Band, Mari Hill Band and Barron Creek Band all play Saturday, and Rampage, Mari Hill Band, Cherry Bud Band, 501 The Band and Barren Creek Band all play Sunday.
If I'm in for the long weekend, where can I stay? All the hotels near Seaford are booked, so try Dover, Rehoboth or stay and camp on the fairgrounds for between $125 and $215, depending on how many are in your party and how many nights you stay. Get all the info at www.punkinchunkin.com.
NEW YORK CITY
PHOTOG ROCK: Some of us around here have never gotten over the fact that the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame made its home in Cleveland rather than Philadelphia. But if you've been to the HOF and miss its images as much as we do (those of us that have been there, anyway), take a trip to the Apple this weekend and hit the borough of Brooklyn for "Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present," a six-part exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. The series of photos covers random and rare images of rock musicians over the past six decades, including behind the scenes stuff, live performances, conceptual images and album covers. The exhibit is free with your admission ($10) and runs through January 31. Call 718-638-5000 or check www.brooklynmuseum.com for all the info.
GORGEOUS GEORGIA: If you like suggestive paintings of flowers, then you're obviously familiar with Georgia O'Keefe, whose "Abstraction" is now on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art now through January 17. General admission is $18. Call 1-800-WHITNEY for tickets and more information.
BALTIMORE
FUNNY TUNES: With influences like Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Mr. Show and Bill Hicks, we feel as though Stephen Lynch, the Pennsylvania native who mixes comedy with music, raided our iTunes to create an act all his own. And, well, we approve, especially when you consider his comedically based music with titles like, "Little Gay Robot," "Medieval Bush," and "Dirty Sanchez." The funnyman musician is playing the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore this Friday night and tickets are still available, ranging in price from $24.50 to $35.50. To get yours, visit Ticketmaster online or call 410-685-5086.
POE: Just because the Halloween holiday weekend has come and gone doesn't mean you can't still scare up a good frightening this fall. For a creepy look at some 19th and 20th century prints, drawings and illustrations of one of America's great ghost tale tellers, head to the Baltimore Museum of Arts (until January 17) for their exhibit, "Art of Darkness: Inspired by Poe." The collection features Edouard Manet's illustrations for "The Raven," as well as a portrait of Poe by Henri Matisse. Call 443-573-1700 for tickets.
PHILADELPHIA
HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF: Gotta admit, one of our favorite bands to break out over the last decade (in this reporter's opinion) is Wolfmother. The foursome from down under blends a wonderful tapestry hard rock and metal that harkens back to the classic rock of the '70s. Led by Andrew Stockdale, a frizzy-froed guitarist and singer, the band is featuring a bit of a lineup change, with two new members, while touring in support of their latest, "Cosmic Egg," which hit the racks just two weeks ago. They'll be hitting the stage with Heartless Bastards, at the Electric Factory on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $28 day-of, or $25 in advance at www.electricfactory.info.
RAY OF LIGHT: The story of folk rocker Ray LaMontagne is an interesting one. While working at a shoe factory in Maine, one morning he is woken by the sound of Stephen Stills's "Treetop Flyer" and decides right then and there to quit his day job and pursue a career as a singer-songwriter. Fifteen years later, he's playing the Tower Theatre in Philly, this Friday at 8 p.m., with opening act Lissie. Tickets are available ($31-$51) at www.livenation.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
I'M FROM JERSEY, YOU FROM JERSEY? For anyone who likes an underdog story, here's your chance to check out the original Broadway musical that won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, called "Jersey Boys." If you're not familiar, this is the story set to music about the rise of The Four Seasons, who set the 1960s pop/rock/doo-wop scene on fire with No. 1 hit after hit. You'll hear their classics like "Sherry," and "Oh What A Night," all performed live, but way off Broadway, so the tickets won't have that New York feel. You can get yours for $51.50 at www.telecharge.com or by calling 800-447-7400. The show runs until December 12.
BE JEWELED: Ladies looking to update their accessories (and men looking for holiday gift ideas for said ladies) will want to head on down to D.C. for the International Gem & Jewelry Show, being held Friday from noon-6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Maryland Soccerplex. You'll be able to try on and shop for everything from wedding bands to watches. Check www.intergem.com for more info. Tickets are $8.
