Battle of the Bands to return to Cape High

Cape Henlopen High School's theater program hopes to capitalize on the success of last year's Battle of the Bands offering a new round of musical competition.

"Bands are really excited about performing this year," said Jenny West, spokesman for this year's event and last year's Battle of the Bands winner. "We had a lot of positive feedback from it."

Last year, 500 people attended the day-long event, raising about $1,500 for the school's theater program, West said.

West said it works like this: A panel of three judges from local radio stations listens to a variety of bands who perform three songs. The three bands that earn the highest scores compete for the top spot and a chance to win $500 and four hours of recording time at Underground Studios in Lewes.

The Battle of the Bands will be held 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Cape Henlopen High School Theater. It costs $10 to get in and a stamp allows you to come and go.

West said there are about 10 bands signed up so far, offering a variety of musical tastes from metal to classic and acoustic. Bands pay an entry fee of $25 to participate.

Bands and students from Cape Henlopen, Sussex Tech and Sussex Central high schools participated in last year's event and had a great time, West said.

Proceeds from the event will go to help pay for the theater group's spring production of "Cats" and for guest speakers, West said.