Michael Koh: ‘Koh Show’ producer, musician

Wilmington-area musician Michael Koh has performed in the area for more than 20 years in various bands, owns a guitar repair shop Koh Guitars and has booked live, local original concerts at Delaware venues, most recently at The Jackson Inn. But the guitarist who plays in acts MEGA, Mothman Properties and STRVWMVN has been making is mark in the music scene from his basement over the past year. His “Koh Show Live” internet live music show recently wrapped up its first season recently with 40 episodes featuring 79 performances from original Delaware acts, aided by a team of volunteers, all of whom are local musicians themselves. It’s a one-stop shop to check out local bands with a second season already in full swing at kohshow.live.

Devin Ball: The Queen, general manager

Devin Ball began his new job as general manager of The Queen in Wilmington over the summer. And while you can spot him at Market Street venue’s shows as he attempts to reenergize the music hall post-pandemic, you also can see him catching shows everywhere from Nomad Bar and Gallucio’s to Rainbow Records and Spaceboy Clothing. The very visible steward of the historical venue is new to Delaware (via New Orleans) and has dedicated himself not only to keeping national acts coming, but to get back to the glory days of The Queen when it was also a hub for the local music scene. He’s beefing up the number of local acts performing on both the upstairs stage and in the venue’s corner Knight’s Bar, even hosting a local music series at Wilmington Brew Works as part of his outreach.

Linda and David Vandever: Nomad Bar, owners

It’s been 13 years since Nomad Bar quietly opened its doors for the first time in Wilmington with little fanfare and only a neon sign out front that read “Open.” Owned and operated by Linda and Dave Vandever, Nomad (905 Orange St., Wilmington) quickly grew into not only one of the city’s premier barrooms, but also music venue with live jazz, reggae, rock and more every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The music offerings sometimes come from local Delaware acts, but Nomad also imports quality bands from Philadelphia and the surrounding region. While there is never a cover, Nomad’s superpower is derived from the bar’s lovable owners. Dave runs things more behind the scenes these days and Linda roaming the room almost every night, making everyone feel like they are welcomed guests in her home. Throw in beloved bartender William “Billy” Cerasari and you have one of the state’s best if-you-know-you-know hidden gems.

Alyssa Titus: Schell Brothers, marketing director

It started as a few tiny houses called Schellville Christmas Lane near the Cape May – Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes, serving up Christmas fun from Rehoboth Beach home builders Schell Brothers. Over the years, it jumped to different locations before landing a permanent 5.5-acre home (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, near Rehoboth Beach) behind the Tanger Outlets off Coastal Highway. It was the brainchild of then-new Schell Brothers director of marketing Alyssa Titus.

Christmas is still the biggest draw for its Enchanted Winter Celebration: a “Christmas playground with a skating rink, faux snow, “sledding” slide, ride-on miniature train, fire pits, 1,000 Christmas trees, live music, bars and more than 30 vendors and food trucks. This year drew 167,000 visitors. But the site, which doubles as a novel marketing campaign for Schell and a nom-profit fundraiser, is also busy other times of the year, hosting everything from an Easter Eggstravaganza, Fall Harvest Fest and Lookout Music Festival to Wicked Brew Bash Halloween festival, Earth Day festival and Hopped Up beer festival.

Donald Bischoff: Crimson Moon Tavern, owner

As the only LGBTQ+ bar in Delaware not at the beach, a 2021 fire at Wilmington’s Crimson Moon Tavern didn’t just take out a hub for nightlife, but also a popular safe haven for the community. First opened in 2005 by original owners in Wilmington’s Little Italy (1909 W. Sixth St.) as a restaurant, it was transformed into a LGBTQ+ bar 15 years ago. Owner Donald Bischoff stuck with Crimson Moon though the pandemic only to have his newly renovated bar taken down by a winter fire. A fundraising campaign soon sprouted with Bischoff determined to rebuild the bar, which regularly hosts drag shows and other live events. A little less than a year later, Crimson Moon reopened in November 2022, complete with a new second-floor stage.

Jamar Rahming: Wilmington Library, executive director

Wilmington Library Executive Director Jamar Rahming has brought a number of influential people to the library over his five year tenure, including celebrities Dennis Rodman, Herschel Walker, Master P, Ben Crump amongst others. Rahming said that he has hosted events have brought individuals from all over the country, giving the library, along with Wilmington, nationwide attention. In an interview with his alma mater, University of Northern Colorado, he said: “We have citizens here where Wilmington had been their only world, and so I decided that I needed to start transforming this urban library to the recreational, social, and intellectual hub of the community.”

AEG Presents: Entertainment company

AEG Presents, a live entertainment company, has brought some of the biggest musical festivals to the first state, including the most famous, Firefly, which was hosted in Dover and fate is undetermined after its announced break in 2023. Although the festival said it would come back in 2024, a setlist or announcement has yet to be made. Firefly has brought plenty of famous acts to the state, from Billie Eilish to Post Malone and Travis Scott.

The company’s not done with Delaware, however, this year. The 2024 Phish’s Mondegreen festival, which is going to be held from Aug. 15 to 18, is coming to Dover, in the Woodlands where Firefly once was.

Brittany ”Starrah” Hazzard: Songwriter, producer

Brittany “Starrah” Hazzard, a songwriter and producer from Rehoboth Beach, has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Hazzard, who keeps a low-profile by covering her face in public, has worked with Rihanna, Drake, Halsey, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé and more. She also sings and raps herself, collaborating on a song with Shrillex last year entitled “Good Space.”

Donny Legans: Rail Haus, co-owner

Donny Legans, co-owner of Dover’s new beer garden, Rail Haus, had one mission — to create community and gathering within downtown Dover. The beer garden, which is located at 92 N. West St., is ran by Legans and his wife. At Rail Haus, Craft beers are offered from Delaware and surrounding states, with a goal to create a diverse space for everyone to gather.

Molly Giordano: Delaware Art Museum, executive director

Molly Giordano, executive director of the Delaware Art Museum, took over the museum in the midst of the pandemic in 2021; however, that’s not stopped her from making an effort to turn the museum around both financially and by reputation. Late last year, the art museum landed “The Rossettis,” the only major pre-Raphaelite exhibition location in the U.S.