Meet Delaware's Most Influential People in Arts and Entertainment in 2025

The Griffin Brothers, celebrity skating duo

Delaware's Marcus and Michael Griffin are in their 30s, have jobs in carpet restoration and truck driving – and also happen to be social media stars.

The Newark duo posts synchronized roller skating videos online set to throwback hits by everyone from Debbie Deb and Freestyle, to Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.

How big are they? The sensational roller skating siblings have have nearly 1 million followers each on TikTok and Instagram, after going viral in 2021 on TikTok. They've been featured on ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today" over the years. And if you were watching CNN's "New Year's Eve Live" with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen this year, you saw them help the nation roll into the new year with several segments showing off their skills.

The country has been in a roller skating renaissance of sorts in recent years and the First State's Griffin Brothers have certainly helped fuel it.

Ti West, Hollywood movie director  

Last year saw a star-studded cast appear in director Ti West's horror film "MaXXXine," which included Giancarlo Esposito, Halsey, Kevin Bacon and Mia Goth.

The Wilmington director's flick was the third in the horror franchise, which also features the movies "Pearl" and "X."

In December, Variety revealed the platinum-selling singer Halsey is developing a dark comedy TV series at Amazon Prime Video titled "Bloodlust" that West is set to direct and executive produce. The plot of the TV series and its release date remain a mystery. But the title alone sounds like something from West's spooky little wheelhouse. 

Beverly Zimmermann, co-owner of The Screening Room at 1313

If you've been to an art event in Wilmington in the past 25 years or so, there's a good chance that Beverly Zimmermann had a hand in it. She probably helped coordinate or promote it, maybe even poured your drink or served you a snack as a volunteer.

These days, the beloved figure is the co-owner of the city independent movie theater The Screening Room at 1313, helps coordinate the city's Art Loop and volunteers as a bartender at The Grand, The Playhouse and Old Brandywine Village events. She also volunteers as a planning committee member for the annual Shine A Light fundraiser concerts at The Queen and is on the boards of the Delaware Center for Horticulture and Delaware Division of the Arts.

A former program manager for the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, she previously managed Theatre N and has volunteered for the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival, National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Thanksgiving Day Run, the Tour DuPont bike race and the Wilmington Flower Market in the past.

Elisabeth Shue, Hollywood actor  

From starring in "Karate Kid" to "The Boys," Elisabeth Shue has represented the First State for decades in Hollywood.

Shue's responsible for her iconic role as Daniel LaRusso’s girlfriend in "The Karate Kid" (1984) to reprising it in "Cobra Kai."

Her performance in "Leaving Las Vegas" with Nicolas Cage earned her nominations for an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award. Shue also starred in "Back to the Future II" and "III," "Hollow Man" with Kevin Bacon and "Greyhound" alongside Tom Hanks.

Although IMDB doesn’t list her in "Karate Kid: Legends," set for theaters May 30, maybe a surprise cameo isn’t out of the question.

Dan Dougherty, general manager of Kelly's Logan House

As part of a top-down refurbishing of Kelly's Logan House in Wilmington, Dan Dougherty took over as general manager in August. He was hired by new owners Pat and Joanna Kelly, who inherited the bar after their father Michael P. "Mike" Kelly Sr. passed away in 2022.

Dougherty has leaned into adding more original music to the schedule, ranging from local and national acts upstairs to more acoustic happy hour shows downstairs – all with the help of local live-music bookers. At a time when there are fewer rooms for original bands in the area, music fans have been showing up.

When the weather warms, patrons will find a new and slightly expanded deck at the historic joint's rear Tiki bar for both DJ and live-music sets under the sun (and stars). And if you're there to grab some grub, you'll find an updated menu thanks to their collaboration with Highwater Management – the Rehoboth Beach-based food service management company, of the Scott Kammerer-led SoDel Concepts empire – who were brought in to consult.

Barry Schlecker, owner of Barry's Events

Who doesn't love the Brandywine Festival of the Arts? The nationally recognized event, featuring over 200 artists and 15,000 visitors, is operated by Barry’s Events, owned by respected arts figure Barry Schlecker of Wilmington.

While Schlecker didn’t start the festival – that dates back to 1961 – he’s been running it since 2010, preserving its original spirit while adding live music, local food vendors and activities for kids.

In addition to the Brandywine Festival of the Arts, the Wilmington event producer has organized other popular events like the WilmFilm Festival, the Hockessin Fourth of July celebration and the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival.

Schlecker's leadership and vision have made him a major part of the arts scene of northern Delaware, enriching the community with vibrant cultural experiences. 

Ric Cunningham & Katie Salsbury: Entrepreneurs

At a time when it's harder to find stages for original music in Delaware, married couple Ric Cunningham and Katie Salsbury have created a musical oasis just over the state line in Elkton, Maryland.

The parents of three have teamed up with Arden-based music booker Ron Ozer to bring both national, regional and local acts to Elkton Music Hall right in downtown Elkton. First opened in 2023, the 300-person venue has found its stride, booking everyone from Richard Thompson, Leo Kottke and Chris Smither, to Bob Mould, Rhett Miller and Loudon Wainwright III since its doors first swung open.

The mom-and-pop (literally) music hall is not run by a faceless corporate music goliath, and the homespun touch can be felt at nearly every turn, whether it's more reasonable ticket and drink prices or a local staff that feels like a family – all of whom have been there since day one.

Ian Fidance, comedian and podcaster

When it comes to comedy, Ian Fidance is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about stars from the First State. The 2003 Archmere graduate, now living in New York, joined stand-up comic Dave Attell as a guest on “The Joe Rogan Experience” last year.

Fidance is a touring comic, writer and actor, who also has appeared on popular podcasts like "Kill Tony" and "Your Mom's House" hosted by comedians Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky.

The offbeat Wilmington native co-hosts “Bein' Ian with Jordan Podcast” with fellow comic Jordan Jensen. The pod boasts over 80,000 subscribers, while Fidance's Instagram page has over 200,000 followers.

The comedian is set to perform at Punch Line Philly on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. Don't be shocked if he wears his Wilmington Blue Rocks hat. 

(This story has been updated to include new information. Ian Fidance will perform in Philadephia in May.)