Women's FEST 2023 Performers
Actor/comedian Jen Kober, vocal duo Mouths of Babes, singer/songwriters Regina Sayles and Christine Havrilla, all-female band GirlsRoom, local favorite Fay Jacobs, and popular band Mama's Black Sheep will be among the entertainers at this year’s Women’s FEST. The event, hosted by CAMP Rehoboth, brings thousands of women to Rehoboth Beach for the best in national and regional entertainment and special events from April 27th through April 30th. Many events are included in the FEST pass, but some require separate tickets.
On Friday, April 28, funny lady Jen Kober will take the stage at the Rehoboth Convention Center at 8:30 p.m. Kober won NPR's Snap Judgement Comedic Performance of the Year, appeared on Netflix, HBO, USA Network, and Disney+, and has been tapped for a future Marvel series. Of her Women’s FEST show, Kober says, “You should expect to laugh so hard your face hurts.” She has a brand-new power hour of hilarious stories. “It is something I’ve been honing for about three months now,” she says. “It’s really strong, I’m super excited.” Opening for Kober will be Mouths of Babes, starting at 7 p.m. With more than a dozen albums and over a thousand shows between them, Ty Greenstein and Ingrid Elizabeth of Mouths of Babes are no strangers to the contemporary folk music scene. For years, their respective bands Girlyman and Coyote Grace captivated thousands of loyal fans as they crisscrossed the country, rocked festival main stages, and toured with the likes of the Indigo Girls and Dar Williams. This show is included in the FEST Pass; individual tickets are also available.
Crowd pleaser Regina Sayles will perform twice, at 4 p.m. on Friday at Top of the Pines and again at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at CAMP Rehoboth Elkins-Archibald Atrium. Sayles’ acoustic-driven, singer/songwriter melodies are said to connect you to the everyday human condition. Called a vocal chameleon, Sayles belts and croons to the center of life’s heartstrings. In addition to performing more than 100 shows a year, Sayles has had the opportunity to open for Tret Fure and Ani DiFranco and played as a featured artist on the 2019 Melissa Etheridge Cruise. Neither event is included in the FEST pass, but individual tickets are available.
Christine Havrilla will bring her unique style to the CAMP Rehoboth Elkins-Archibald Atrium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Havrilla uses the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty listeners quickly embrace, backed by aggressive, raw, trash-style guitar playing and looping. She is known for her spontaneous energy, soul-felt vibes, and the musical adventures she brings to the stage. This show is not included in the FEST pass, but individual tickets are available.
Saturday night’s premier dance will be to the beat of GirlsRoom, a local all-female rock-and-roll band and DJ Peggy Castle. GirlsRoom consists of drummer Jill Brady, formerly of The Girlfriends, vocalist Barbara Phillips, bassist Terri Brady, guitarists Lois McDuffee, Glenda Diem, and Kathy Nace-Jones, who is returning just for this event. Between the band’s rocking sounds and DJ Peggy Castle’s brilliant song picks, everyone will be up and out on the floor. This event, which will be held at the convention center, is included in the FEST Pass; individual tickets are also available.
Local author and humorist Fay Jacobs is returning to tell more stories as she continues to “age gracelessly.” Jacobs taps into universal themes with observational humor surrounding her attempts to navigate the seemingly never-ending challenges of modern life. Jacobs will perform on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Top of the Pines and again on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the CAMP Rehoboth Elkins-Archibald Atrium. These performances are not included in the FEST pass, but tickets are available.
The closing party on Sunday, April 30th, from 12 to 3 p.m., at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, will feature Mama’s Black Sheep, the hugely popular local band that covers all the bases, from country to soul and from pop to blues. A collaboration of singer-songwriters Ashland Miller (guitar/vocals) and Laura Cerulli (drums/vocals), this duo creates a blend of hit-worthy originals and covers with a unique spin. This event will be open to all.
Women’s FEST is a spring tradition that offers music, speakers, sports, dancing, and fun, held in a variety of venues in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It has become the largest event specifically for women in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Sponsorship options are still available and provide an ideal way for companies, organizations, and individuals to show their support for women and inclusivity. There are six Women’s FEST sponsorship levels, ranging from $300 to $10,000, and each level offers donors visibility, tickets, T-shirts, and other benefits. To get complete details and learn more about sponsorship options, click on the "Sponsorships" tab or contact Laurie Thompson at laurie@camprehoboth.com or 302-227-5620.
Proceeds from Women’s FEST benefit CAMP Rehoboth (a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation) and support the activities and programs it provides to the Rehoboth community. The organization operates a full-service community center; offers a variety of activities, cultural events, service projects, and educational programs; and advocates for a community of inclusion in Rehoboth Beach.
Tix available under the "FEST Passes & Event Tickets" tab.
JEN KOBER
MOUTH OF BABES
