By Greg Ellison

(July 16, 2020) Open-air concert with covid-19 health restrictions in place have begun at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club from Thursdays through Sundays until Labor Day Weekend.

Lewis Sherman, yacht club director of operations, said the events cost nothing to attend, with food and drink menu items served during the performances.

“Right now, music is from Thursday-Sunday from 6-10 p.m.,” he said. “We’re doing a variety of acts [with] some local and some are coming from the surrounding states.”

Sherman said in addition to a live set from cover band 8 Balls this Thursday, local group Full Circle is scheduled on Friday to be followed by a costume-clad Fab Four tribute this Saturday from 8-10 p.m.

“Saturday night we have Beatlegacy,” he said. “It’s the third year they played.”

Despite the spate of familiar acts, such as an eclectic set of Elvis covers from Bob Lougheed and the Memphis Mafia last weekend, there are some new sounds on tap this year.

“We try to maintain new stuff,” he said. “I always bring in at least 4-5 new acts a couple times throughout the summer to try and mix it up.”

Other past performers on tap for live sets this summer at the club include the Lauren Glick Band, Tranzfusion and Great Train Robbery.

“We have 4-5 similar acts that play at Sundaes in the Park at North Side Park,” he said.

Sherman said although the yacht club’s summer concert series, which traditionally kicks off two weeks before Memorial Day Weekend, was launched later than usual this summer, the turnout has been solid.

“It’s been pretty successful for us,” he said. “Our schedule after Labor Day goes down to weekends, but we do it all the way through the end of September.”

Sherman said all concerts are open to the public with appropriate safety measures in place.

“We’re open to the public,” he said. “The way we’re handling the seating is we have all the tables at least six feet apart from each other, in accordance with the health regulations that were put out.”

Sherman said regardless of booking numerous performers who appear regularly in Ocean City the concert series tends to attract a hyper- local pines turnout.

“Ninety percent of our crowd is usually from the Ocean Pines area,” he said. “They’re looking for a reason not to have to go to Ocean City during all the craziness.”

For more information visit online at https://www.opyachtclub.com/live-music