Do Delaware: Newark food fest, new reggae festival, comedic musical and 'Hansel & Gretel'

Food and Brew Fest

You can eat, drink, shop, and be merry at the 17th annual Newark Food and Brew Festival. The event features tasty food offerings from 11 Newark restaurants (including Deer Park Tavern, Iron Hill Brewery and Klondike Kate’s), paired with 50-plus craft and imported beers (including Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Mispillion River Brewing and Big Oyster Brewery). Food and Brew is held in restaurants so folks can pay as they go at this festival. The icing on the cake is Newark retailers will offer special discounts during the festival as part of the Hops & Shops Sidewalk Sale (including Beans Coffee House and Newark Natural Foods). The Food and Brew Festival, hosted by Out & About Magazine and The Newark Partnership, will invade downtown Newark (at E. Main Street and S. Main Street) from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday. For more info, visit NewarkFoodandBrewFest.com.

Reggae Roots Fest launches 

Looking to do something new this weekend? Then the inaugural Reggae Roots Music Festival might be up your alley. Over a dozen music artists will be performing, including headliners Jah People, a reggae-roots band from Philly. The festival, presented by SuperNova Productions, will offer a zesty lineup that includes dance hall DJs, reggae artists and Jamaican steel-drum bands. In addition to live music, there will be camping, art vendors, food, shuttle boats and workshops. There are also going to be kid-friendly activities and panels by NORML, a nonprofit that promotes marijuana legalization. 

Friday is exclusively for VIP and Super VIP members.

VIP tickets are $250 (only 200 available) and include an exclusive party with DJ Amaze, along with access to a one-hour open bar, a private caterer (food not included in price), a free T-shirt and an all-weekend camping pass, with the option to bring an RV (which there are only 20 openings for).

Super VIP tickets are $1,000 and include everything from the VIP, plus all-day catering (included in the price package), open bar from noon to 5 p.m. in the VIP barn’s private bar, exclusive access to High Vibes Barn “Super VIP” areas with all the amenities and more.

Reggae Roots Music Festival (Thousand Acre Farms, 260 Reedy Point Road, Middletown) launches with a VIP party at 5 p.m., Friday for VIP ($250) and Super VIP members ($1,000). The festival is held for the general public from 10 a.m., Saturday to 8 p.m., Sunday. General tickets are $65 and $80 for camping. For more info, visit reggaerootsfest.com.

‘Sister Act’ musical is second to nun

From the big screen to the Small Wonder, the Choir School of Delaware will take you to church with the musical production “Sister Act.” “Sister Act,” most famous for the film version from 1992 starring actress Whoopi Goldberg, "Sister Act" tells the story of disco lover Deloris Van Cartier, who gets placed in protective custody inside a convent after witnessing a murder. While undercover as a nun, she runs into issues with the strict lifestyle and the no-nonsense Mother Superior. “Sister Act” will hit the stage at Grace United Methodist Church (900 N. Washington St., Wilmington) at 7:30 p.m., Friday. Tickets are $25 for ages 10 or older; $15 for ages 9 or younger. All tickets are available at choirschoolofdelaware.org. No print tickets will be issued; all patron names will be held at will call on performance night.

Delicious little children 

Some witches in fairytale lore can't help themselves and make a Happy Meal out of children. That almost happens in the children’s fairytale “Hansel & Gretel,” presented by Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre. As the story goes, the siblings Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and come across a witch’s house. Long story short, they get pretty close to finding out how it feels to end up on a dinner menu in “Hansel & Gretel.” This adventure takes place at the Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, Selbyville) at 10 a.m., Saturday. Admission is free, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. One reservation is good for your whole party and you can RSVP at freemanarts.org or call (302) 436-3015.

ICYMI 

— Love Seed Mama Jump turns 30, and will have birthday bash at Rusty Rudder on Saturday

— 'God, you are so dope': Wilmington native making moves on reality TV 

— Firefly sells more tickets for general admission, VIP and camping

— Get your popcorn ready: Bear's first drive-in theater to debut in a few weeks

— Are Six Flags rides safe? After malfunctions, we talked to experts and pulled records

— Sky high: Ocean City drone shows are a hit

— Fun things to do in Delaware: An updating guide for summer and beyond