The 18th annual Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival kicks off in earnest with the event's opening party at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Tickets are $58 and include music by the Miracles featuring Claudette Robinson (Smokey Robinson's ex) and their local opening act, the Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley duo; this year's Mardi Gras-flavored buffet will feature a crab and chicken dish cookoff by chefs from more than a dozen local restaurants. Rehoboth's 5-day festival will continue Thursday, Oct. 11 with a double-bill convention center concert by Candy Dulfer and Brenda Russell (see story, p. A34); about three-quarters of the 1,000-seat venue has been filled.

An Oct. 12 concert by Queen Latifah is sold out, while the Oct. 13 concert by Dionne Warwick is at about 50-percent capacity. Various concerts will also take place at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. For more information, visit www.rehobothjazz.com.