Sunday, July 07, 2013

All The World's A Stage.....

One of my favorite Blues venues here is Home Team BBQ. 

Pretty good 'cue and some really good Blues shows on its small stage.

Arrived a bit early on a Friday night and families still were finishing up their tasty fare - small kids running around - and we noted the Deb Callahan Band - due to start at 9pm - had not set up yet, no sound check, etc. 

BUT, I did find a swell seat at the bar. Then I looked at the stage.

" Wow."  Grabbed my camera for a few fast shots and then, only moments later, guys were hauling away the added dining setups.

I have had lunch there before and the stage was bare but I had not seen the use-all-the-space-efficiently concept before. 

Maybe it's done on weekends when the crowd is larger? 

I'm usually there for a 10:00pm or 11:00pm show and the kitchen is cold.

After the sound check, the band started with two upbeat songs then brought onstage the leader of the band. 

Yes, Miss Debbie Callahan has red hair. And green eyes. She's a lovely lassie.

I talked to her during the break and said I last had seen her at the A Dough Re Mi during a Blues Fest.

"Yes, that was a strange room - but comfortable," Deb said.  "Good sound and good pizza. Sorta like here."

They don't have pies on the menu at Fiery Ron's Home Team but I knew what she meant. 


The Philly band is Tom Walling on drums, bassist Garry Lee and guitar by Allen James.

Deb has been described as "a shouter, a crooner and a soul-belter." 

She showed all of that Friday night.

One of her albums sure to be popular here is "Grace & Grit." Hmm, but we tend to think of grits as plural.

Speaking of former venues, I miss "The Dough" where I saw a ton of performers, along with a slice of pep.

And another old favorite was "The Map Room." And "Mistral" on the Market. Across from the old "Chef & Clef."

And Gary Erwin's annual Blues Bash. C'mon Shrimp City Slim, we need that February musical fix.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

Always strange to see small children wandering through a Blues performance. 

At least they were there with their parents.

A good learning curve.

 Start 'em young.




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posted by chuckography @ 11:04 AM 0 Comments

Friday, July 24, 2009

Loyalty Cards work....

So I wanted some peel & eat shrimp. Local shrimp, of course.

I carry a "loyalty card" in my wallet for a local eatery with "Shack" in its name and the nice lady behind the bar brought me a half pound of steamed shrimp.

I handed over my plastic loyalty card so my presence would be noted in the computer. I was told the computer responded that I had accrued a $10 discount. Hey, the shrimp were free.

Fellow sitting a few stools down the bar watched this and asked about the loyalty card. He was down from New England and, following my lead, was ordering some of the local shrimp too.

The bartender stated the benefits, including a "free dinner on your birthday."

He smiled and said "Then THIS is free. Today's my birthday." She agreed and he and I discussed other spots he should check out on his holiday.
I suggested that he walk across East Bay to a very well done "pirate theme" restaurant called The Buccaneer. The decor features lots of old Charleston brick and pirate artifacts. I told him to look for the Boddingtons ale sign out front.

It used to be a huge dance club called City Bar for many years.

When I first came back 15 years ago it was Acme Bar & Grill. I still have one of its t-shirts that says Think Global/Drink Local.

I am VERY loyal.

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posted by chucker @ 12:45 PM 1 Comments