ENTERTAINMENT

VIDEO: Our podcast team chats with Dogfish's Calagione

Ryan Cormier, and Sarika Jagtiani
The News Journal


If you're on mobile and can't see the video, please view it on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Delawareonline.
Our "Hi, I'm in Delaware" team spoke with Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen in Newark.

Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen in Newark will host The News Journal's "Hi, I'm in Delaware" podcast with guest Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione Wednesday at 5 p.m. It will be followed by a bring-your-own-vinyl party at 7 p.m. hosted by Calagione. Both are free and open to the public.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is the story about the event originally posted on April 14, 2016.

After 50 episodes, we're hitting the road for the first time and doing a live podcast taping in front of an audience.

And, of course, it'll take place during happy hour at a bar in front of a beer-drinking audience on April 20. (Wait, we might want to reconsider this, heh heh!)

First, an introduction. We (News Journal entertainment writer Ryan Cormier and entertainment editor Sarika Jagtiani) host The News Journal's pop culture podcast "Hi, I'm in Delaware."

Podcast: HBO's 'Confirmation,' Wilm.'s Kewlfest & more

We've been chatting about it all -- music, movies, festivals, beer, TV, food -- since February 2015. You know, the fun stuff.

Over the past year or so, we've had everyone from Gov. Jack Markell to Delaware's own "The Voice" contestant Nadjah Nicole in our newsroom studio to jibber-jabber/goof off with us. (The podcast is available for free by subscribing on iTunes or at soundcloud.com/hiimindelaware.)

"Hi, I'm in Delaware" podcast hosts Sarika Jagtiani and Ryan Cormier will hit the road to celebrate their 50th episode. The duo will host for their first live podcast taping in Newark Wednesday.

Last year, we were grabbing a drink at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen in Newark – the old East End Cafe and Mojo Main –  when co-owner Lee Mikles asked if we've ever done the podcast in front of an audience, offering his stage, which happens to be sponsored by Dogfish Head.

It took a while to find the right occasion and then Grain (270 E. Main St., Newark) booked Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione for a bring-your-own-vinyl party to help celebrate Record Store Day. And that's when we decided to piggyback.

Binge on '16 political pop culture

So on Wednesday there will be two events in one – both free and open to all.

It starts at 5 p.m. with Lewes' Calagione as our guest for a live podcast taping. We'll talk pop culture and beer with Calagione, who happens to be a big music fan. (He'll be bringing a bunch of Dogfish Head beers with him. At least six varieties will be on site.)

Since it's an election year, let's put it this way: It'll be like attending a debate with plenty of beer and laughs, and minus the politics.

Following Wednesday's "Hi, I'm in Delaware!" podcast taping at 5 p.m., Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen in Newark will host a bring-your-own-vinyl party at 7 p.m. with Dogfish Head's Sam Calagione.

At 7 p.m., Calagione will step up to the microphone again to kick off the vinyl party, for which fans are encouraged to bring a favorite record to play. Annapolis-based Skribe will act as the DJ for the night, first playing an album of Calagiones before playing records from the audience.

Everyone who brings vinyl to play will be entered in a drawing to win a $120 custom-designed, special-edition Dogfish-themed Crosley turntable. Others from Dogfish will also be on hand giving out brewery swag.

So if you're able to escape work a little early for the podcast or show up later for the vinyl party, try not to have too much fun. And be sure to say "Hi" to "Hi, I'm in Delaware!"

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

IF YOU GO

What: Live taping of "Hi, I'm in Delaware" pop culture podcast with guest Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione

When: Wednesday, 5 p.m.

Where: Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen, 270 E. Main St., Newark

Cost: Free

Information: facebook.com/grainonmain

RYAN'S FIVE FAVORITE DELAWARE ROCK SHOWS

1. The White Stripes at The Grand in Wilmington (2007) – I knew there would be no sitting with Jack White on stage. As soon as the band began, I walked up to the front of the stage with everyone else, knowing that The Grand's volunteer ushers wouldn't even try to stop the inevitable. Simply put, Jack and Meg delivered a 24-song powerhouse performance without working off a setlist. At the time, The Grand had stood for 136 years and if that building has ever shook, it was that night during "Seven Nation Army." No one knew the band had only four shows left before breaking up a week later.     

2. Bob Dylan at Kahunaville in Wilmington (2004) – One of my favorite concert memories happened out on the Kahuna Summerstage deck this night. As Dylan was singing the haunting "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" -- "My eyes collide head-on with stuffed/Graveyards, false gods, I scuff" -- a bikini-topped Kahunaville waitresses passes by, joyfully peddling shots of alcohol. On this night, Dylan and his band were in really good form, delivering a chill-worthy "Cold Irons Bound" along with classics like "Highway 61 Revisited," "Masters of War" and  "It Ain't Me Babe."

3. Wilco at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington (2009) – Under the stars on the Riverfront, Wilco not only put on a two-encore show that left fans downright delirious, but frontman Jeff Tweedy invited Mr. Celery on stage during the encore for some fun. Soon, real celery stalks began flying through the air and onto the stage thanks to some well-prepared Wilco fans. Both Tweedy and guitarist Nels Cline picked pieces off the stage floor at one point and took bites before asking for some dental floss. "Is the name of the team The Celeries?" Tweedy joked. "Is it the Wilmington Celeries?" It was a magical night and I sure wish more concerts were held there. 

4. The Hold Steady at Mojo 13 in Holly Oak (2010) – The Brooklyn-based rockers were close to having played shows in every state, so they decided to go small in The Small Wonder. The 200-person Mojo 13 (now Bar XIII under different owners) was sweaty, packed and downright raucous for Craig Finn & Co. With fans so close they could touch the band, The hold Steady produced an appropriately fiery set that will never be forgotten by those who were there.

5. Built to Spill at Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats in Rehoboth Beach (2015) – Another show in the big-band-plays-small-room category. Dogfish booked Idaho indie rock masters Built to Spill to play the brewpub for its annual Analog-A-Go-Go weekend. With a line out the door and faces of those who didn't get in pressed against the front window, Doug Martsch's distinctive voice soared as the band blessed indie rock fans with a set peppered with hits like "Carry the Zero," "You Were Right" and "Big Dipper." A happy Calagione was in the middle of it all, taking it all in surrounded by fellow fans.

FIVE OF SARIKA'S FAVORITE PLACES TO DRINK CRAFT BEER

1. Movie theaters. For movie freaks who also happen to love craft beer, this fairly new development was a real coup. Plus, beer and popcorn is a winning combo. Middletown's Westown Movies and multiple theaters in Wilmington, including Penn Cinema and Regal Brandywine Town Center 16, have adopted the trend.

2. Beer gardens. They're thriving in other cities, from Philadelphia to San Francisco, where I first fell in love them them. So if we could get some pop-up, outdoor watering holes with quality brews in Wilmington (or really anywhere in the state), they'd be ideal spots for warm-weather happy hours. Longwood Gardens will re-open its beer garden on June 9, but Winterthur, which offered one last year, won't resurrect it this summer. Legislators introduced a bill last month that would create a new type of liquor license for beer gardens, so Delaware could see some outdoor pubs in the near future.  

3. Festivals. Some of my favorite Delaware events are those dedicated to beer and everything from grilled cheese sandwiches (Cheesetoberfest at Fordham & Dominion) to records (Analog-A-Go-Go at Dogfish Head). With summer coming, there will be plenty of beer-friendly festivals. Stay tuned.  

4. A brewery. Duh. Just go to where the beer is made. That's where you'll find beer that's literally not found anywhere else, including cask-conditioned beers and one-off brews that won't be made again. Many breweries, including Mispillion River in Milford, also invite food trucks (or have their own) and host local music during happy hour and weekends.  

5. At home. Hey homebodies, don't deny yourselves good beer just because you're not in the mood to belly up to a bar. Just tote a growler -- a to-go jug of beer for the uninitiated – of craft brew to take home. Hit your closest brewery, brewpub or growler-friendly liquor store (or grocery stores like Whole Foods and Acme if you're in Pennsylvania) and take it to go. Just wait until you get home to open it. Of course.