It’s the grand finale of the Alive @ Five season, and we’re going out with a bang! 🎶 In this episode of Backstage Pass to Alive at Five, Jade sits down with Sticktime & The Who’s Your Daddy Horns, a powerhouse ensemble that’s been rocking stages for over two decades with an irresistible mix of rock, funk, Motown, and soul. From Chicago to Stevie Wonder to Steely Dan, their high-energy sound and unstoppable horn section guarantee a night of legendary classics and dance-floor favorites.

We’ll dive into their journey from barn rehearsals in Libertytown to becoming one of Frederick’s most requested Alive @ Five bands, hear how the Who’s Your Daddy Horns reshaped their sound, and get a taste of the signature covers (and surprises!) they’ll bring to Carroll Creek. Plus, find out what makes playing Frederick’s favorite happy hour extra special for the band.

Alive @ Five Details:
🎤 Music: Sticktime & The Who’s Your Daddy Horns
🍴 Food: Sabor De Cuba, IN10SE BBQ
🍺 Beer: Brewers Alley
🍷 Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine
🍹 Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

📅 Thursday, September 25 | 5–8 PM
📍 Carroll Creek Amphitheater

Don’t miss your last chance to dance on the creek this season! Learn more at downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive and catch all episodes at listenfrederick.com.

Backstage Pass to Alive at Five welcomes a true salsa powerhouse: Edwin Ortiz y La Mafia del Guaguanco. Host Jade digs into the band’s 40-year journey from the early D.C. salsa scene to their newest recordings crafted in Puerto Rico with legendary producer Isidro Infante. Hear the stories behind crowd-favorites like “La Salsa Dura,” the fan-loved singles “Diferente a las demás” and “Pal Bailador,” and the on-stage chemistry led by vocalist Vivian Mojica. We also celebrate Frederick’s vibrant salsa community, past and present, and preview what to expect when the orchestra lights up the creek this Thursday, September 18.

Info of the Week

• Music: Edwin Ortiz y La Mafia del Guaguanco

• Food: Cookin’ With Greece & La Parada

• Beer: Brewers Alley

• Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

Presented by: ACNB Bank
Event details: downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive
Frederick Podcast Network: listenfrederick.com

See you on the creek!

Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five welcomes guest host Ashley Marie and crowd-favorite Crash the Limo, a high-energy cover band known for turning up the party with hits from the ’90s to today. Join guitar-vocalist Kevin Holmes and drummer-vocalist Sean Sandy as they unpack how the band crafts a set list that gets the dance floor, and your heart, going. From crowd requests and surprise song choices to that viral-hits energy that makes you sing along, these guys leave no notes unheard.

Hear the story behind their iconic nostalgia-stirring rendition of “Drops of Jupiter”… and learn why Sean's wedding on the Alive @ Five stage is still one of Frederick’s sweetest moments. Bonus: a local guest vocalist may just add a new layer you didn’t see coming.

Resources & More:
• Learn more about Alive @ Five and support Downtown Frederick at downtownfrederick.org (Downtown Frederick Partnership)
• Tune in via the Frederick Podcast Network at listenfrederick.com

On the Creek This Week:

• Music: Crash the Limo

• Food: Sabor de Cuba & Dōp Pizza

• Beer: Brewer’s Alley (Tap Takeover: Sandbox)

• Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

Event Info: Alive @ Five is Frederick’s ultimate Thursday summer happy hour, located at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, 5–8 PM every Thursday. Admission is $6 (cash or credit at the gate), 21+ only with valid ID. Drink tokens are also $6 each—beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails—and food is available on site. No outside beverages or coolers. Free water is available inside.

See you on the creek!

This week, host Jade Dunhour sits down with Wild Planes, the high-energy American rock trio out of New York that’s been electrifying stages across the country. Known for their genre-blending sound that fuses funk, pop, and classic rock, Wild Planes has shared stages with acts like CeeLo Green and Kix and even earned the title “the Duran Duran of our time” for their passion, showmanship, and infectious positivity.

In this episode, the band shares stories from the road, their creative process, and the journey that brought them from acting class to playing some of the country’s biggest festivals. From motorcycle rallies in Sturgis to their upcoming Alive @ Five debut in Frederick, Wild Planes bring big energy, laughs, and a love for connecting with fans wherever they go.

Catch them live on Carroll Creek this Thursday, August 28th, and hear why their “sexy rock” vibe is one you won’t want to miss.

This week on Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, guest host Mark Blacksten sits down with Tom Starr of the Tom Starr Band, a group that has quickly risen to become one of the DMV’s most exciting live acts. From their early days as a small trio to now commanding stages with a full horn section and powerhouse vocalists, the band has built a reputation for high-energy performances that blend rock, soul, funk, Motown, jazz, reggae, folk, and pop into an unforgettable experience.

In this episode, Tom shares the band’s journey from dive bars to major events, how they keep their performances fresh, and what fans can expect when they take over the Alive @ Five stage for the very first time. Spoiler alert: get ready for dance-floor-filling medleys, big grooves, and a whole lot of soul.

🎶 This Thursday’s Alive @ Five Lineup

• Music: Tom Starr Band

• Food: Sabor De Cuba & Cookin’ With Greece

• Beer: Brewer’s Alley

• Tap Takeover: Idiom Brewing Co.

• Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock Distilling Co., Tenth Ward Distilling Co. & True Standard Distillery

Alive @ Five runs every Thursday from 5–8 PM at Carroll Creek Amphitheater. Admission is $6 (21+ only, ID required), with proceeds supporting the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

For full season details, visit downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive.

This week on Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, we welcome back Baltimore’s rising pop sensation, Enslow. Known for her lush blend of electronic pop, 70s-inspired melodies, and indie charm, Enslow has quickly become a fan favorite at Alive @ Five. Joined by bandmate Josh, she shares stories of her whirlwind journey since first playing Frederick in 2023, from releasing her debut album Hello, to being named Best Band in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine, to gearing up for her highly anticipated sophomore album Crush.

We talk about her favorite Frederick hangouts, the magic of playing outdoors along Carroll Creek, and get a sneak peek at her infectious new single “Dizzy.” Plus, hear the unexpected way her latest track was born from a Fleetwood Mac cover gone off-script.

Get ready for an inside look at the artistry, community, and energy that make Enslow’s Alive @ Five return on Thursday, August 14th one you won’t want to miss.

🎶 Alive @ Five happens every Thursday, 5–8PM at Carroll Creek Amphitheater in Downtown Frederick. Presented by ACNB Bank. 21+ only. Learn more at downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive.

• Their long-awaited debut at Alive @ Five, and what it means to the band
• How classical violinist Elle reshaped their signature sound
• Why their genre-bending covers win over even the most unsuspecting crowds
• The magic of DIY performance spaces and building creative community in Frederick
• Sulaiman’s dual life as a musician and owner of Reps & Sweat, a local martial arts and fitness studio 🥋

In this high-energy episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five, guest host Dylan Zang of Brain Dead Live sits down with Kevin Basiliko of The 8 Ohms Band ahead of their upcoming Alive @ Five performance on Thursday, July 24 at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater.

Kevin dives deep into the band’s horn-heavy sound and ever-evolving lineup of powerhouse musicians from across the DMV. Since forming in 2007, The 8 Ohms have blurred genre lines, fusing hard groove, funk, soul, reggae, rock, and a little DC go-go. In this episode, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process, on-stage improvisation, and the tight-knit family dynamic that fuels their electrifying performances.

You’ll also hear about their most memorable gigs—like sharing the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Artemis Pyle—and what’s next for the band. Whether they’re covering Beyoncé, Bob Marley, or throwing down original tracks, The 8 Ohms promise a show that keeps the dance floor moving.

🎶 Don’t miss The 8 Ohms Band live at Alive @ Five:

• 📅 Thursday, July 24 | 5–8PM

• 📍 Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick, MD

• 🍕 Food: Dōp Pizza & Belles’

• 🍺 Beer: Brewer’s Alley

• 🍷 Wine: Atomic 97 Beer & Wine

• 🍹 Cocktails + Mocktails: McClintock, Tenth Ward & True Standard Distillery

💵 $6 admission | 21+ only
🎧 Learn more & view the full lineup: downtownfrederick.org/aliveatfive

🎧 Tune in every Monday for a new episode of Backstage Pass to Alive @ Five! See you on the Creek.