chuckography

Music from Asheville....and beer from here.

One of my favorite breweries - Palmetto Brewing Company downtown on Huger Street - has created a very nice music venue in addition to making great beers.

The former loading dock has been remodeled to accommodate a large covered stage and provides an exceptional performance space for local and regional bands.

Yesterday, about 4 in the afternoon when I stopped by, the outdoor area had cooling shadows, along with a canopy to shade the music lovers.

Also picnic tables, benches and chairs and a very good sound system.

Oh, yeah, did I mention the multiple taps just inside the glass doors that feature their well-made, tasty brews?

Go to the link and check out the history and pride the company has in making "South Carolina Beer for South Carolina."

Sirius. B  was setting up and I noticed 4-year old  Henry Bond, with his bright yellow drum, standing next to his daddy Pancho Romero Bond, Co-Founder of the band.

His ear protectors were checked by his dad before the music started. Behind Pancho, on upright bass, was Ryan Kijenka. The 7-piece band thrilled the crowd with its Absurdist Gypsy Folk Funk Punk sounds.

This afternoon performance was a preview of their Sunday appearance at Awendaw Green.

Eddie White is the man behind the outdoor, family-friendly and laidback music setting, up Highway 17 North at Sewee Outpost.

Eddie is calling the Sunday show Asheville on the Green, featuring three bands from that North Carolina city.

If they are anywhere as good as this group, it should be a great day!

I was already committed to a show at the Pour House tonight or I would have gone up there to hear this band again.

Turned out to be my Saturday for breweries.

I used to work at the paper downtown and it was an easy trip over to Palmetto to check out new products they created.

Sharing a building with a coffee roaster company and some mutual cooperation made it easier for them to come up with their famed Espresso Porter.

Actual coffee added to the mix was simple and a very natural thing to do. And, very tasty.

So, I listened to the Asheville guys - and lady - and, when they finished, I headed to Revelry Brewing Company, at 10 Conroy Street, not far away, off North Morrison Drive.

Looked like several birthday parties were being celebrated around the picnic tables & benches set outside.

Cakes were cut, glasses were raised and all of us joined in singing Happy Birthday. Did we know them? No, but beer is a friendly froth.

I had a 4-glass sampler flight and lifted one in the salute.

Beer lovers seated at the cozy bar just inside the door, were being entertained by Ryan Becknell of King Sing Music.

The young man and his acoustic guitar seemed dwarfed by the massive vats of beer all around him.

Still, it was an interesting mixture so I gave him my card during a break and snapped a few pictures.

I hope my efforts to help promote him and his music affiliation brings him more bookings.

Ryan finished his set and began taking down his two speakers and packing up to head to his next gig.

"I'm driving to Folly Beach to play acoustic at Blu," he said, referring to the fine oceanfront dining spot in the Tides Hotel at the foot of Center Street.

Saturday traffic to the beach on a beautiful afternoon could be a challenge.

Meanwhile a large limo pulled up and participants for another birthday party spilled out carrying presents and more cakes.

Again, did not know these people but had a strong clue as to who might be the honoree today.

The birthday song was sung by all the nearby beer drinkers and smiles all around.

I was finishing the last of my four beer samples and pleased with what the Revelry crew had created.

Asheville still leads us in its number of breweries but we are growing and have momentum as we open new ones.

On my list I have only one left to visit - Tradesman Brewing Company - on James Island and understand it is small family-run brewpub with limited space and seating. A dining area is being built upstairs.

One person said it's like walking into a friend's living room that just happens to have a bar.

Pictures on the site show that all the beer pulls are tools, like a hammer, wrenches, and a piece of shiny galvanized pipe.

Hence the curious names for the beers: Bricklayer Ale, Welder's Agave Wheat, etc.

When you ask for a beer, they can answer they're working on it.

(Click on the photos and the links for more details.)

Be prudent in your moderation.

And support live music.

Labels: #Awendaw Green, #Eddie White, #King Sing Music, #Palmetto Dock music venue, #Pancho Romero Bond and #Li'l Henry, #Revelry Brewing, #Ryan Becknell, #Ryan Kijenka, #Sirius. B, #Tradesman Brewing, beer is food

posted by chuckography @ 5:38 PM 0 Comments

Making some Spoleto moves.....

This was only my second time at the Woolfe Street Playhouse.

This venue brings just the right touch as Upper King Street continues to expand, surprise and please.

Walking toward the front door beneath the marquee, I saw on my left a HUGE 6-story parking garage under construction.

I assume it is for the twin Hyatts shaping up in the burgeoning neighborhood.

An enterprising food truck was parked across from the theater, and complimentary valet parking was doing an active job on this balmy evening.

I saw that a balcony (28 seats) had been built since my first visit to the venue.

This particular show benefitted from having a seat looking down at the dancer's feet on the small stage in the far corner.

The room was set up cabaret style with 4 seats around tables, a (fake but effective) candle flickering in the numbered lamp shades.

Words I didn't ever expect to hear came from Nigel Redding, Spoleto Director, when he welcomed the packed house.

"Please feel free to take all the photos you want, " Nigel said. Yikes!

Man,  I have longed to hear that sentiment, especially at a Spoleto event.

He went to to add "Share your photos with your friends on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

"Help spread the word. There are four more performances of this delightful blend of music and movement."

The 1,700 sq ft room is just the right size. I was seated in Row Z, along the back wall, but there was an elevated ledge, so the sightlines were terrific. 

I did wander upstairs to check that angle. Excellent.

In chit-chat, the two artists expressed their delight in working onstage with another person.

Both drawing from each other's energy and interpretation of the music.

Later, Miss Bathgate demonstrated the advances that technology now can provide. 

She was able to mix her playing with recorded sounds by others - even with a full orchestra - with dramatic passages.

Indeed an evening of moving with the music.

From there, I headed back to North Charleston for music of a different sort in the smoke-filled The Mill venue  near Park Circle. 

My lungs caught a break from the usual thick cloud of cigarette smoke when I found the performer had cancelled at the last minute. 

Whew, close one. Cough. Cough.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

Labels: #Ashley Bathgate on cello, #Nigel Redden, #Ron "Prime Tyme" Myles interpretive dance, #Woolfe Street Playhouse., The smoke-filled music venue @ #The Mill, What Moves You

posted by chuckography @ 1:49 PM 0 Comments

Music Nights...back-to-back.

Had not been to the Windjammer on Isle of Palms in a few years.

In fact, the last time might have been for a Cracker show.

Room looked the same but the lighting had REALLY been improved.

If blinking lights and flashing, dashing lasers make you dizzy, try to find a seat because otherwise, you'll fall down.
In fact, I saw at least two people slam to the floor. But I think it was a beer fall.

I was standing, leaning back on one of the two pillars so I had some space - and support - in the packed room.

Oh yeah, that's NOT Bono up on the stage in the shades.  A very U2 look.

It's Singer/songwriter David Lowery in the crusty straw hat and lead guitar Johnny Hickman behind him.

The flashing lights are great for the audience and showmanship.

But, I had to pick my moments to have light that was camera-friendly on the band member I was tracking.

I got lucky a few times.

If you have never been to the 'Jammer, it's up a flight of stairs and has a deck out back.

Step outside and you're overlooking the beach and a steady cooling breeze comes wafting off the Atlantic.

On a hot summer night, you really appreciate taking a break out back.

The music was loud, had a nice beat and you could dance to it.

People sang along and heads were bobbing to the steady bass line and drums.

It was a nice Saturday night at the beach.

The next night I was in a very delightful haunt that I visit often - The Pour House - for a rocking night with the Lee Boys.

I have seen them here several times before and really appreciate the excellent sound engineering.

It's immediately apparent this sacred steel music is NOT sittin' and listenin' sounds.

The band is family - three brothers and three nephews .

They present a joyous mix that started out as inspired, unique Gospel music with a hard-driving,Blues-based beat.

The crowd grew and people were dancing, hopping up and down and shouting, laughing, singing and clapping.

Obviously this band likes to make people feel good!

Doing research on the Lee Boys, I read - and really believe - it's Gospel music infused with rhythm & Blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and even influences from other nations.

It's possible there were other cameras there but it looked like everybody was holding up a phone cam for either stills or shaky video.

Hint: don't rock your camera along with the music. Makes for some awful playback. Keep it steady.

Changes made in the PoHo surroundings has opened up about 25% more floor space.

Bands playing music like this encourage people to break loose and dance around a lot.

The two nephews doing the singing and rhythm hand-clapping kept the activity level very, very high.

Obviously the Lee Boys have a Charleston following and the crowd showed its appreciation for the full 2-hour set.


I also have seen fantastic  prowess on the pedal steel guitar by  Robert Randolph and the Family Band.

And some great timing here, RR and the Family Band are scheduled for the Windjammer on Monday, June 8.

I have seen and enjoyed his music many, many times in Charleston as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

Get yourself a second helping of pedal steel sounds just two weeks from now.

(Click on the photos for more details)

I try to add links to expand coverage of bands appearing here. I enjoy - and support - live music.

Even Opera last week. Yikes.

Labels: 1993 Euro-Trash Girl, Bono-look, Cracker, David Lowery, Johnny Hickman, Lee Boys Sacred Steel, pedal steel guitar, sacred steel music, Windjammer music venue at Isle of Palm

posted by chuckography @ 10:54 PM 0 Comments

A very full birthDAY celebration.

You start a full day of birthday celebration with a hearty meal.

Hyman's was an easy choice because they are wise enough to send a birthday greeting - along with a free meal coupon.

Owner Eli Hyman told me years ago that he targets locals.

Oh, the tourists have found the place, hence the crowds out front, but residents go there as well and take their visiting friends.

Many places sell crabcakes but those at Hyman's draw me back, again and again. And the shrimp and grits is done perfectly.

Coffee, boiled peanuts and hush puppies make a fine Southern appetizer.

Denny's also offers a free birthday meal but a Grand Slam would have meant an earlier start of the day.

So after a fine meal, and a little walkabout, we went to the Dock Street Theatre to watch the final dress rehearsal of a "new" opera that Spoleto unveils tonight.

New because although it was written 350 years ago, it was performed only twice. Yikes.

This is the third time for the 1652 opera and before a highly different audience than the first time.

One thing was the same - you had to understand Italian.

There was no English translation so we had to guess what was going on.

This scene featured one of the comical characters who was showing his appreciation of the Amazonian soldiers.

Or, it could have been something entirely different.

Oh, the birthday boy had obtained free tickets for the preview show. I have no idea where??

Seated in a balcony box, we could hear thunder booming that grew louder and louder.

Hmm, it didn't match the action on the stage so we realized there was quite a rain happening outside.

We stayed dry getting back to the car but soon pulled into the MUSC parkade for shelter.

My phone had buzzed an alert that heavy hail and 60 mph winds were about to hit.

I watched people with umbrellas - and many without - as they scampered through streets starting to flood.

If puddle-jumping ever becomes an Olympic event, Charleston would win medals.

We have lots of practice, especially on particular streets around the market and the Crosstown.

The hail did not appear so we eased out and slowly wound our way to Highway 17 South.

Ruby Tuesday has an offer of a free hamburger and piles of fries on your birthday.

We have gone there on birthdays before.

It was Happy Hour so the giant beer on tap was our choice.

This is one of the few places that still has an elaborate salad bar. Buy just the salad or - for a much lower price - add it to you entree.

While we were eating the  freebie, I looked over the bar and saw a family seated by the window.

But this was the only one with the man hoisting his baby up in the air. Several times. The baby loved it.

So we finished eating and there was a free movie we wanted to see at the IMAX.

We had about an hour to kill so we stopped at Craft Conundrum, a neat beer place next to Bi-Lo that used to be a Piggly-Wiggly in West Ashley.

I decided to suggest to the bartender that they start a tradition of giving a free beer to someone celebrating a birthday.

They agreed!

Said they already had such a free beer deal.

Wear the Viking helmet while drinking the beer and there is no charge.

I felt very Opera-like with the horned helmet on my head.

The blonde pigtails came with the hat.

Others in the room had seen all this before but I felt it was worth a picture.

From there, it was only a short drive to the IMAX for a 3-D showing of The Avengers.

Oh no, I forgot my ear plugs!

The good news is the 3-D glasses work much better now that cataract surgery eliminated my need to wearing regular glasses.

And, of course, my buddy had earned a free admission.

I pay the Senior rate but for 3-D, there's an additional $2 fee added on. His free admission saved him about $15.

The day was carefully planned to make sure we were back at my house in time to watch the final David Letterman Late Show.

In 2013, we were in New York and secured two tickets so I can proudly say "Been there, done that and have the T-shirt."

And, of course, those two tickets were free.

You had to apply months in advance and didn't really know if you were going to get them until the day before you flew up to NYC.

A bonus that day in 2013, we stopped in the Hello Deli and got a picture of Rupert Jee. And bought my dark blue t-shirt with yellow lettering.

I wore it while we watched Dave say goodbye.

Labels: Amazonian soldiers, boiled peanuts, Craft Conundrum, Eli Hyman, Hello Deli, Ruby Tuesday, Rupert Jee, The Avengers in 3-D IMAX, The Late Show with David Letterman, Viking helmet

posted by chuckography @ 11:10 AM 1 Comments

Spoleto: a "new" opera to premiere......

Labels: 17th century Baroque work, collard greens, Grenada and Gibraltar, Hyman's Seafood, Nigel Redden, opera libretto, Stefano Vizioli, Veremonda L'Amazzone di Aregona

posted by chuckography @ 6:52 PM 0 Comments

B-O-S-T-O-N like the city....

Only the drummer Curly Smith stayed in one place .

Everyone else darted around the brightly-lighted stage, did solos and duos, and then quickly ran back to their assigned starting point.

Showmanship and an avalanche of tunes that everyone seemed to know and sing along with.

Standing for almost the entire show, I watched people squeeze through the non-existing space between rows. And climb over pairs of chairs.

Past laughing and singing fans to leave and weave away for another beer or to work their way up the stairs to the bathrooms.

At one point Tom Scholz attacked the keyboard so hard and furious that it started smoking!

Well, theatrical vapor, not really on fire.

But his playing sure was burning the place down!

Everyone on stage was moving at a marching band pace - 120 beats to the minute instead of 60.

The excitement was contagious and we all caught it.
Different members of the band would "team up" for portions of a song.

The constant changing back and forth added its own element of fast paced activity.

Needless to say, all the band members are good at what they do.

The advantage of sitting, er, standing,  in the 3rd row cannot be over-emphasized.

You almost feel you are part of the show.

Looking around me in close quarters, it was easy to see long-time fans who knew - and sang along  -all of the songs.

Another pairings brought Gary Pihl, the lead guitar and the agile bassist Tracy Ferrie, together as a light-flared duo at the front of the stage.

Beth Cohen, the lone lady, would leave her keyboard at stage right, bound to the front and either solo or buddy up for a brief part of a song with Tommy DeCarlo, the lead vocalist..

She was just as light on her feet as her bandmates.

There was a lot of high-fives (low-fives?) between band members and the standing audience.  Guitar picks were thrown to the crowd at the end  - and again after the encore - but none sailed all the way to the 3rd row.

Saw a happy fan on the way out holding up her pick with the band's name emblazoned in color.

I have several treasured picks at home - especially one handed to me at House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, by the late, great B. B. King.

No souvenirs tonight as I walked back to my car.

(Click on the photos for some amazing details.)

I did not see any NY Yankee caps tonight.

Labels: B.B. King guitar pick, Beth Cohen, drummer Curly Smith, Gary Pihl, NY Yankees caps, Planet Nebula, the band Boston, Tom Scholz, Tommy DeCarlo, Tracy Ferrie

posted by chuckography @ 1:23 PM 0 Comments

AfroPop at the PoHo...

African traditional music, blended with
jazz, calypso, hip-hop, took over the stage last night at the Pour House.

The Nigerian band LAGBAJA, meaning "the mask" in Yoruba, features the leader on sax wearing a mask.

He is accompanied by percussion, core drums, chants and Western instruments, and, obviously, the saxophone.

The 8-person band is on its first U.S. tour in 9 years.

The night before they performed in Atlanta at the Variety Playhouse.

The mask symbolizes somebody, nobody, anybody or everybody. His emphasis is on social issues and pure entertainment.

As he said, the lyrics often get them in trouble. Then he showed an example, going after equivocating politicians with the musical title "Just answer with a Yes or with a No."



Lively doesn't come even close to describing the pulsing music and the evening of gyrating adventure for the diverse crowd.

Dancers swayed to the beat and my feet shuffled a little too.

Well, I never have been a dancer but it was impossible to not be swept up with the rhythm and motion.

Described as "my little sister," the lone female contributed greatly to the sound and the fury.

Colorful outfits contrasted with the stark traditional white "baggy" pants of the leader.

The core drums varied from the upright conga-type carved wooden ones to small, hand-held drums, pounded by hand and with a curiously curved stick.

Everyone had a solo or two and the music jumped from frantic pace, back to slow and melodic then pounding again.

In the background there was an accomplished keyboard player and a solid bassist who had the easiest job in the world.

A conventional drum kit added its effort to the musical melange.

It has been an interesting several weeks of music for me. First the Doobies, followed by the Two Man Gentleman Band, the spirited March Fourth, Shrimp City Slim, John Fogerty doing his CCR hits and Francine Reed belting the Blues.

Last night the "opener" was Lee Barbour and his Cubano surf rock band, Post-Cobra.

(Click on the photos for more detail.)

Use the link to hear sounds of Lagbaja.

Did I mention I love and support Live Music?

Well, I do.

And I have pictures - and memories - to prove it.

Labels: Cubano surf rock band Post-Cobra, equivocating politicians, Lagbaja, Lee Barbour, Nigerian touring band, Yoruba word for mask

posted by chuckography @ 1:12 PM 0 Comments

Open Containers in Savannah...

It's been a while since I've been in Savannah which is silly.

Hey, it's an easy drive. The Lowcountry scenic marshes of the ACE Basin are delightful and apparently there are very few police cars on the highways.

The two we did see ticketing someone were driving unmarked cars.

One was a bright red Mustang, festooned with discreetly-placed flashing blue lights.

Not behind me fortunately.

I had forgotten that - just like in  New Orleans - you can walk around with a plastic cup filled with adult beverages.

I recall carrying around wine during the art walks in the (other) French Quarter in Charleston a few years ago.

It was soon banned outdoors but you could still have wine inside a gallery.

Last week I did a Brewery Crawl up in Charlotte and have had a lot of craft beer experiences so, this time I stopped for a cold "normal" one in World Of Beer.

Literally saw bottles from Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Czech Republic.

The large bottle of Chimay Ale towered over the others and poked its neck up through the next level.

 As soon as we got to the room on the 6th floor of the Hyatt, we looked out and saw a very large container ship, cruising past the River walk, headed for the port.

As they passed, crew members were waving, laughing and anticipating shore leave after crossing the Atlantic.

A ship from Shanghai takes only about 13 - 15 days to reach a West Coast port.

Checking this out, I found that arriving at an East Coast port, like Charleston and Savannah, goes on and on for 30 to 40 days, depending on where it leaves from, what's being shipped, the type of vessel and, of course, the weather.

The large ships average  about 480 miles a day when at sea.

So these crewmen were ready for some dry land and wet beverages.

The Market Square area - and all of the Historic District -  was packed. The streets were filled with crowds milling around and moving in clusters. Sidewalks were filled. I almost spilled some of my beer.

Proud parents with their new graduates sons and daughters.
A few young men were sporting black, square, tasseled mortar boards, while relaxing in t-shirts and shorts.

Bachelorette parties, people pedaling hard on a movable bicycle-powered bar, singing as loud as they could.

Speaking of singing, that was what drew me to Savannah this Saturday before Mother's Day.

Years ago, back around 2002, I went to a Lyle Lovett concert and he brought out a Blues singer named Francine Reed.

He later appeared on one of her records as did Delbert McClinton.

She has a voice, born to sing the Blues.

Ms Reed plays close to Atlanta and seldom tours outside the state, so I was hungry to hear her again.

That night I would sit in the audience and enjoy her songs in Springfield, Georgia, at the totally restored Mars Theatre.

It was about a 25 mile drive there, and the sunset looked promising, but the sun would dip after her show started.

We were about 45 minutes early so we cruised along the Main Street, looking for a place to get a quick sandwich.

Got a beer and fries at a crowded, popular sports bar/diner called Gaffney's Cheap Seats and hurried back to the theatre.

As we parked, I was pretty sure I saw her and some band members standing off to the side, not quite ready to head in.

Obviously I am a shy person but we introduced ourselves as big fans and said we had driven down from Charleston to see her show.

She wanted to know how long it took us and I said about 2 1/2 hours. Ms. Reed smiled and said she would sing real nice for us.

Then she posed with us for a few pictures.

Inside we got popcorn and a beer (it was a theatre so naturally there was popcorn) and took our seats down front.

She was welcomed and introduced by Tommy Deadwyler, Director of Cultural Affairs for Springfield.

He referred to the restored Mars Theatre as "a big gem in a small town."
Opened in 1945, it flourished until 1957 when television diminished the audience.

It sat vacant until the City of Springfield, with a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute, spent 7 years restoring it and it opened again last year in April.

That added to my appreciation of the setting and the Trio opened with a few songs before Francine Reed took the stage.

It is so nice to hear talented people play and sing. The room was good and the sound was excellent.

Each of the band had their solo and was richly applauded.

She was in fine voice - a bit gravelly in just the right places -  as she sang stories of love and adapting to what life throws at you.

"One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" was a favorite I had liked from before. It was written by Bette Midler and Ms. Reed owns it.

"My baby jumped up this morning,
sat on the side of the bed.
He said, "I'm leaving you, baby."
And this is just what I said.
I said, "I can't make you stay if you want to go,
but it's high time , baby, that you should know,
One monkey don't stop no show,
One monkey don't stop no show.
So, if you still wanna go, go ahead, 
and I mean every word I said."
My baby thought I was jivin'
and he went right out the door.
He left me about three in the morning,
I got me a man at four."

She pleased us again with "Wild Women Don't Get The Blues, "Been There, Done That" and many others and the 2-hour show flew by.

At one point she said "I just love the smell of popcorn. Could I have some...and a beer?"

The next morning was Mother's Day and many ladies were treated to a lavish buffet in the atrium lobby of the Hyatt.

There were two carving stations and piles and piles of oysters and shrimp.

The streets were quiet and the parking garage that was packed to the gills the night before was now almost totally deserted.
As we were leaving. so was another container ship.

One had arrived when we did so another was heading out, down the channel toward the  broad Atlantic.

Hope the offshore tropical storm Ana did not cause them any grief.

We had sunshine and clouds but no rain.

Leaving Savannah on US 17 North, we quickly were back in South Carolina.

The first ubiquitous fireworks stand had a compelling reason to pull over to take a picture.

Actually two reasons. Shouldn't there be a donkey to have equal time?

But this trip was more about music than alcohol so I didn't worry seeing a pink elephant the morning after.

Enjoy in moderation.

And, do catch a show by Francine Reed. Most likely at Blind Willies in Atlanta.

Unless the Charleston Music Hall can get her to drop in.

I'd go again.

Labels: ACE Basin, Bette Midler, Charleston Music Hall, CMH, Delbert McClinton, Francine Reed, Hyatt Regency, Lyle Lovett, Mars Theatre in Springfield Georgia, open containers, pink elephant, World of Beer

posted by chuckography @ 1:20 AM 0 Comments