Got me some Alabama Shakes
Earlier, I mentioned a 3-in-one night of music.
A Trifecta, featuring
Brittany Howard's raging vocals.
I had seen her band
Alabama Shakes several times before but this was at the newly-named Volvo Car Center, outdoors, under the stars on a balmy Spring night.
The band played well and Brittany's vocals were full-throttle as she played her green guitar.
And, there has to be high praise for the lighting.
Dramatic, flashy, riveting and perfect for each song.
Moods were established and it was magical.
I had the luxury of being comfortably seated on the side, several rows above the heads of those standing on the clay tennis court.
Great sight lines as my camera captured the terrific light changes.
I was a bit surprised to see so many people were standing at their seats? Huh?
They blocked the view of others while they stood, many texting on their phones, the whole time.
Perhaps they should have opted to be with the other fans standing down on the court.
I remained seated, relaxing and enjoying this musical special evening, sipping a beer.
This was the same setting where I saw Bob Dylan perform and his stage was mainly back-lighted.
It was difficult to see his face, in shadow, under his trademark wide-brim hat.
Oops. My bad.
I did not jot down the name of the band that opened.
Dylan LeBlanc was scheduled but this was a different band.
They started playing as the sun was going down so I decided to try shooting some black & white images.
(Click on the photos and links for more details and info.)
Stay alert for the "Shakes" and make sure you catch them the next time they are in town.
Thanks. Support live music!
Labels: Alabama Shakes, Bob Dylan., Brittany Howard, Dylan LeBlanc, Volvo Car Center nee Family Circle
Janis - Queen of Rock 'n' Roll!
Sunday at the Gaillard was
"A Night With Janis Joplin,"
I had missed seeing her perform when she exploded on the music scene in the sixties.
I was aware of "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Piece of My Heart" certainly but did not see her before she died Oct 4, 1970. Janis was 27.
2014 Tony Award nominee
Mary Bridget Davies, captured the voice, the emotion, and the energy last night.
And this Broadway hit wrapped up its 32-city tour appropriately here in Charleston.
The opening number was a lilting classic "Summertime," followed by the rugged version as belted out by
Ms. Joplin. (The link takes you to that true rendition by the real Janis Joplin in 1969).
This was not just an impersonator doing songs made famous by somebody else.
I've seen a few "do" Elvis and even the Beatles and Elton John.
The audience bought into this and the experience was electric.
The four talented ladies in the "chorus" brought to life many of the musical influences in Joplin's short life.
They gave us faithful moments of Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone, Bessie Smith and a standing ovation by Aretha Franklin, all shimmery and shiny in silver.
A magical evening with the performances at the extremely-talented
Broadway level and delightfully tricky staging and lighting.
This was my fourth evening of performances at our newly-reopened Gaillard Center and I am proud to say all have been exceptional.
At the last minute I had to skip the David Sedaris evening but I hear it too was splendid.
Two single spots on him, standing at the lectern stage center as he read - and tested - his written material for an avid audience.
Thank you, Gaillard, for choice entertainment.
And we haven't even seen yet what it will do with Spoleto!
Click on the photos and the links for more details and information.
Thanks for stopping by to share my take on Charleston entertainment.
Yes, I remember bell-bottoms but, these were pretty fancy.
Labels: An Evening with Janis Joplin, Aretha, bell-bottoms, Bessie Smith, David Sedaris, Etta James, Mary Bridget Davies, Nina Simone, Odetta, Spoleto Festival USA 2016, Summertime
The halls are alive with music....
Well, sure, actually the
Music Farm does not have "hall" in its name.
One street over, though, is the
Charleston Music Hall, one of the three venues I went to on Friday evening.
This shot at the Farm is one of the encore numbers by
Cracker.
Got there kind of late as I stayed at the Music Hall to the very end of the
North Mississippi Allstars show.
This dynamic duo did the work of a band with half a dozen members!
Luther Dickinson (on the left) played guitar, vocals, and even an oil can lowebow.
His brother, Cody, did a great job on the drums.
And, Cody ALSO played the bass guitar (while seated), keyboard, and the electric washboard.
Yikes. I looked it up and it appears their regular bass player couldn't make it, so the brothers improvised!
Their opener,
Eric McFadden, sang a series of really "sad" songs. Grim even.
The first was about digging two graves for the two people he was going to murder.
One deep grave would have been easier.
Things cheered up a bit but death, pain, and mayhem recurred in several more songs.
Completed the third show of the night (well, early Saturday) at the new downtown
Home Team BBQ.
Brandon Santini, a favorite Blues harmonica artist from Memphis, was back in town.
It was on my way home, so I had to stop in. It was his next to last set.
Had to laugh the night before at the Music Hall, when
Greg Allman played.
One of his very happy big fans was up and down during the entire show
Waving his arms and showing his enthusiastic joy.
I had noticed before that these active music lovers usually were in the front row.
Of course, I would not be aware of these antics going on behind me!
Allman was pretty much hidden by his signature organ but stood and played guitar on a few songs.
I wandered up to the balcony for an unobstructed view of Greg at the keyboard.
(Click on the photos and links for more detail and information.)
Three-in-one-night was a challenge but I always have my professional ear plugs.
The pace will grow as we enter Spoleto time!
Here's a
surprise link to a "thank you" for stopping by.
Labels: a surprise link, Brandon Santini, Cracker, Downtown Home Team, Greg Allman, Luther & Cody Dickinson, Memphis Blues harmonica, North Mississippi Allstars, The hass are alive with music...
TWO April birthdays for me this month...
I've been celebrating my birthday the end of April for as long as I can remember.
Well, I don't recall
"the early years" very clearly, but I'm sure my parents observed the day....eventually with a cake and ice cream.
And, for at least the last 5 years, I have been aware that certain restaurants will provide an annual complimentary birthday meal.
But, today, I had an April discount on a meal not due to it being MY birthday.
The occasion instead, was because it was
Ruby Tuesday's 44th birthday.
It wasn't a free meal but they did offer a 44% discount on my total tab.
[Some restrictions apply. Like it was only available today. Sorry.]
That's almost the same as a 50% BOGO (Buy One Get One free) they used to offer.
I chose to have garlic mash taters for one side dish and then I was able to add RubyTuesday's great full salad bar as my second side.
I have not wandered down a salad line in a long time but recall I used to see how high I could pile it.
Ahem, now that I am older (and wiser), I made a sensible size salad,
But I had forgotten the small, tasty biscuits that come with the meal, so it became a nice balanced and filling repast at almost half price.
Had been a while since I had had lobster so I ordered the "Coastal Trio" that had a lobster tail, tilapia and a skewer of spicy shrimp.
I chatted with Eric, the Manager, who took over about a year ago at the Savannah Highway location.
He said the lunch crowd was quite large, and they were braced for a busy evening dinner crowd.
I took a long look at the upside down pineapple cake shown on the menu but waddled, uh, er, walked out without the sweet-tooth finishing touch.
Wisely, I drove there and was seated about 2:15. so I missed both crowds.
My server Bri, wished me an early Happy Birthday.
Labels: 44% discount versus BOGO 50%, 44th birthday, Coastal Trio meal, my end of April birthday, Ruby Tuesday, upside down pineapple cake
YES. I would be ready for a DO OVER...
Last October, I was picked out of a crowd of Extras to be in a short movie scene.
It was being shot in Savannah and titled
The Do Over. I was to be "a hospital visitor."
Just me and my "wife"
Sheila Cochran, a fellow extra, who has had success as an actress.
She emailed me to say our scene is in the movie!
Hey, not only did we not get cut out during the edit, the scene is also part of the national trailer just released for the second of four films being made for Netflix.
Sheila was known to be a good on-cue "screamer" and I was told to be startled and comfort her as we hurry off screen.
I have been an extra in several tv shows filming here in Charleston (and IDENTITY, a CBS pilot that was not picked up.) This time, instead of being in a crowd as part of onscreen atmosphere, it was just the two of us, walking directly toward the camera. Wow!
I'm a bit old to be "an overnight success" but I'm taking a look at what pictures I should submit for future castings.
Here I am dressed as
Lord Ashley Cooper to help the Post and Courier celebrate its 200th anniversary.
(Could be part of a portfolio, though.)
Well, it would have to be a rather limited period piece, ideally in the 1600 0r 1700s.
I had borrowed the outfit from a local theater group but the paper paid for the wig.
If I wanted to be considered for a scene in an "adult film," this picture would show that I am versitile.
The Extra Casting Director could immediately see which role I was better suited for and select accordingly.
The right collection of images would give me an advantage over others who were not as diverse.
Of course, I have a few that present me in a more unusual way.
This one gets a little tricky but it possibly could portray me as a two-faced character.
Uh oh, it also would be misleading because I no longer wear glasses.
Or, in this image, only one glass.
And it's not even a monocle.
The moody head shot, with strong contrast side-lighting, also would not work.
Since I had the successful cataract surgery on both eyes, if glasses were called for, I suppose I could slip on a pair of inexpensive, pensive Costco reading glasses.
So, there are a few choices. I'm ready for my close-up.
Please take a moment to mark your calendar for May 27 and use Netflix to stream
"my" movie THE DO OVER. Adam Sandler is in it too. And David Spade. And Paula Patton.
(Click on the images and links for more details.)
Labels: #Adam Sandler, #The Do Over movie, 1776-The Play, cataract surgery, Costco, David Spade, Identity pilot, monocle, Netflix (my new favorite), overnight success, Paula Patton, Sheila Cochran
