Free Concerts In Newark Every Thursday

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Mother's Day is Sunday. File that under "not a problem yet, but soon."

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Above the Canal started as a way to keep you in the loop on what’s happening around Northern Delaware. Then we tried something new: getting people off the email list and into the same room. The Dinner Club proved there’s real demand for that kind of connection, small groups, thoughtful matching, and nights that feel easy instead of forced.

Now it’s evolving into something bigger.

Above the Canal Experiences is about curated, real-world events that make it easier to meet people naturally. Some will look like dinner. Others won’t. The goal stays the same: good conversations, new connections, and a reason to actually go do something.

This Sunday is a perfect example. It’s a small-group meetup paired with a live opera performance. If you’ve been curious, this is a great one to try.

Some people choose based on food, others based on habit, and a few just follow the closest sign off the highway. But deep down, most of us have a clear favorite. Time to make it official.

Source: Newark Post

The Newark Parks and Recreation Department is bringing back its annual spring concert series for another season. Live music will run every Thursday evening from May 7 through June 11 on the Academy Lawn, located at the corner of Main Street and Academy Street.

The free outdoor shows will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. each week. The city is encouraging attendees to grab takeout from downtown restaurants to eat during the performances. This year's musical lineup features local acts like Frogs in Milk, Kozaks, and Mini Mojo.

A special Salute to Service Night is scheduled for May 21 with the Newark Community Band Polka Group. Standard downtown parking rates will remain in effect during all of the evening concerts.

Source: Delaware Business Now

Drivers across Delaware are seeing a sudden spike at the pump this week. The cost of a gallon of regular gas has jumped by more than $0.30 over the past seven days.

This sharp increase follows recent shifts in the global energy market. The price of crude oil recently climbed back to over one hundred dollars a barrel, settling at $102.50 over the weekend.

Crude oil had previously dipped into the $90s before this latest upward swing. Local stations have already adjusted their display boards to reflect the higher costs for drivers filling up their tanks.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Federal and state regulators are on the case after a leak of ethylene oxide at Croda Inc.'s Atlas Point site near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. This cancer-causing chemical leak, which happened on April 14, came from a faulty valve gasket. Croda estimates the emissions were less than 10 pounds, and no injuries were reported.

The incident has stirred memories of past leaks, including a major 2018 event that led to the temporary closure of the bridge. Despite assurances from Croda that air quality outside the facility remained safe, local residents continue to voice concerns about their safety and the company’s communication efforts. Investigations by DNREC and OSHA are currently underway.

Source: Delaware Public Media

Delaware has officially started its annual open burn ban, which runs from May 1 through the end of September. State environmental officials enforce the restriction every summer to help manage air quality during the warmer ozone season.

While most outdoor burning is off limits and can result in fines, residents can still have recreational, ceremonial, and cooking fires. Those fires must stay under 27 cubic feet and use only firewood, charcoal, propane, or natural gas. Burning leaves, trash, and construction materials remains strictly prohibited year-round.

Instead of burning yard waste, the state recommends using curbside pickup, drop-off sites, or composting. Regular residential burning of fallen limbs and branches will be allowed again starting October 1.

Source: Delaware Business Now

Bloom Energy, which operates a production facility at the STAR Campus in Newark, posted a sharp increase in profits for the first quarter of 2026. The California-based company saw its revenue more than double compared to the same period last year, reaching over $750 million.

The financial boost is largely driven by data center operators turning to the company for backup power solutions. Tech companies are increasingly using the natural gas-powered fuel cell servers to maintain operations and supply power back to the grid during off-peak hours.

Following the strong start to the year, the company raised its financial guidance. Executives now project total revenue between $3.4 billion and $3.8 billion for the full year.

Source: Delaware Public Media

Delaware patients face some of the longest emergency room wait times in the country, averaging over three hours per visit. U.S. Senator Chris Coons recently met with local healthcare leaders to discuss federal strategies for speeding up care.

The delays stem largely from staffing shortages and an aging population. Coons aims to secure federal funding to expand emergency departments and train more medical professionals. He also wants to replicate New Castle County's Hope Center model on a national scale to provide preventive care for unhoused individuals outside of traditional emergency rooms.

While recent federal budget cuts reduced state healthcare funding, local officials are still moving forward with future projects, including plans to open the first medical school in Delaware.

Source: Delaware Public Media

Delaware's largest universities are asking state lawmakers for additional funding to support campus projects. Leaders from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University presented their capital budget requests to the Joint Committee on Capital Improvement.

University of Delaware President Laura Carlson requested millions beyond Governor Matt Meyer's recommended budget. She is seeking funds to upgrade the Lewes campus and expand a residential complex for students and the workforce. Meanwhile, Delaware State University President Tony Allen asked for an extra $18 million to build a new athletic complex and training center.

DSU aims to finish the initial phase of its athletic facility development by 2028. The committee will review both requests before finalizing the state bond bill.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

The Wilmington Land Bank is moving ahead with plans to build 30 affordable townhomes on the site of the former Elbert-Palmer elementary school in Southbridge. Spotlight Delaware notes that the city is currently looking for a contractor to handle the construction.

While the development cost for each unit is estimated at more than $300,000, the final listing prices remain undetermined. Officials plan to use government subsidies to lower the sale prices, but the exact numbers will depend on construction contracts and individual buyer incomes.

The project design was recently updated from 20 to 30 units after community members requested more housing instead of a new park. A local nonprofit is now offering counseling to prepare potential buyers.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

Arsenic and Old Lace at The Candlelight Theatre. Joseph Kesselring's wildly popular comedic farce follows two elderly sisters who mix their famous neighborhood charity work with a lethal cocktail of murder and mayhem. This well-known production features a hilarious assortment of quirky characters that will keep everyone laughing. Opens May 9, runs through June 20.

Kinky Boots at The Playhouse. A struggling shoe factory owner and a fabulous entertainer team up to save a family business by creating sturdy stilettos in this Tony Award-winning musical, which features an uplifting pop score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein. On stage Friday through Sunday.

The Forgetful Squirrels Present: Mother May We at Chapel Street Players. Families looking to skip the crowded brunch can enjoy an evening of high-energy laughs and family-friendly fun at this special improv comedy show featuring scenes inspired entirely by audience suggestions, with general tickets for $15 and a discounted $7.50 rate for mothers. Saturday at 7:30 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

This brindle beauty is two years old and still figuring out that the world is actually a pretty great place. Mel is a medium mixed breed with a gentle, timid personality and a whole lot of heart waiting to come out. She walks well on a leash, responds best to soft voices, and will lean into pets and attention once she feels safe. She's also good with other dogs, which is a nice bonus.

Mel isn't looking for a loud, chaotic household. She needs patient people who understand that some dogs just need a little more time to trust. The payoff, though? A loyal, loving companion who will choose you right back.

Head to Brandywine Valley SPCA at 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle to meet Mel and see that sweet face for yourself. (Veterans, take note: Mel qualifies for the Sponsored by Simba program, meaning zero adoption fee for military veterans adopting a dog age one and up.)

Monday

74 🌡️ 58 | ☀️ Sunny | 1% | 💨 SW 5 to 15 mph

Tuesday

83 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ Sunny | 3% | 💨 SW 10 to 15 mph

Wednesday

72 🌡️ 51 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 86% | 💨 SW 10 to 15 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 55ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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Thanks for reading. Pass this along to the friend who insists on grilling in any weather, even when it's clearly a bad idea.

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