chuckography

Tin Roof musical treats..

An unplanned evening often is the best kind.

My buddy came by and we decided to go eat at Yo Bo Cantina in Park Circle.

It is well known for its big, fat, and tasty burritos and its large Mason jars of MargaRitas. During happy hour, they are extra reasonable and not too bad the rest of the night.

I sipped an IPA beer and noshed on the chips and guacamole platter as my buddy worked his way through a veggie Burrito-in-a-bowl.

Burp.

Then he remembered there was a 2-act show at the Tin Roof, so we headed there, arriving just as the first act -local Lily Slay - finished her sound check.

Naturally, I snapped a few photos with my cell phone.
As stated, this was not a planned event so my camera had stayed at home.

I have enjoyed comic and singer Lily Slay several times before when she teamed up with Mackie Boles and they perform as the Royal Tinfoil.

Tonight Lily was solo and opening for her friend Lara Hope, down from New York and ending a grueling regional tour with 3 weeks to go.

By herself - well, with a drummer backing her - I was thinking back to when I had met Mama Cass Elliott on a set at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

Miss Elliott was starring in a film on the lot and I was a publicist at the time.

Tonight was a mix of comedy and song and I laughed while sipping a beer when she sang an original love song about a wish to make love with a friend's father. A strange May/December relationship if there ever was one

Lara Hope, the headliner, and her 3-piece band took the stage.

She was a whirling figure, in her black cowboy hat, her dress and even her boots were fringed.

Yes, the boots were black and fringed. A cowgirl from the Bronx!

Both ladies had fans who showed their support, loudly singing along, dancing and clapping.

I had worn a t-shirt that said MARINES and a fellow seated next to me at the bar, asked if I were a Marine? He had been one too and offered to buy me and my buddy a beer.

I accepted and added that I was probably more "Old Corps" than he.

We swapped dates we had served and I had him beat by at least 20 years. Both of us had served only a four-year hitch.

As we drank our beers, I noted he was sipping a $2 PBR while we were enjoying a $7 IPA.

I quietly asked Johnny the bartender to not only let me pay for the next Pabst Blue Ribbon for my new former Marine friend but also a meal if he happened to order food.

I wanted to close that gap between what he paid and my effort in returning the favor.

Glancing at the "merch table" for Lara Hope, I saw a posted lyric that I found amusing.

Wouldn't you know it, that was part of the song she sang at the close of her performance.

I hope she and her group safely finished their long, extended tour on the road.

It reminded me that they were "down South" while her hometown suffered through a third Nor'Easter in less than 10 days of blizzard conditions and flooding.

Kind of a good time to "be on the road again."

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

Thanks for hanging out with me for some cold suds and music.

Labels: $7 IPAs., Bartender Johnny Puke, Former Marine Travis Schultz for Custom Stonework, Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones, Lily Slay, PBR, Tin Roof

posted by chuckography @ 9:36 AM 0 Comments

"You may feel a little pressure..."

I invited a friend, a fellow member of my  photography group, to join me for a beer last night.

Knowing he liked offbeat and dive-y bars, I suggested The Sparrow in Park Circle.

My last few visits there were later in the evening with only a couple of regulars hanging out.

I like the murals that were painted on the walls and especially Gandhi and Bill Murray, almost side-by-side.

Marty asked if his son could join us and I asked if he liked beer? "Do we like cameras?" he responded.

The place was trying out a new approach to Happy Hour and was staging Carnivalesque. The bar was packed and it was still light outside. Yikes.

J. Honea, the MC and Ringmaster was also known as the "pain proof man."

Earlier he had walked - and jumped up and down - on a large area of broken glass shards placed on the stage.

This, however, was the highlight. The final part of his performance.

It involved an industrial strength staple gun and the invitation to the audience to "attach" dollar bills to various parts of his body.

$1 goes here, a $5 goes there and $10 gives you even more interesting choices. Apparently nobody had a  $50. Whew.

Marty lamented "Of course, THIS is the night my camera is at home."


The Carnival / Burlesque combo evening  started with a pretty lady spinning hula hoops around her scantily-clad body.

She was followed by an energetic Fan Dancer swirling around the stage as the rapt audience kept looking for an opening.

Feathers flew!

The bartender was working hard pouring craft beers - and opening PBRs - and management must have been pleased with their show biz decision.

The founder of this admittedly seedy performance troupe is Evelyn DeVere.

She introduced this in 2011 as a definite counterpoint to the popular Spoleto Festival of the Arts.

Because I happen to like a lowbrow dive-bar atmosphere, I found it a great concept.

What would Happy Hour be without some crowd participation?

As Marty, his son and I sort of stepped further back, three volunteers agreed to perform in a tassel-twirl contest.

The winner would get some bar prizes and probably make some new friends in the place.

The winner - and top bra gyrator - had gone the extra audience-pleasing step of removing his shirt.

The Fan Dancer gave technical pointers and enthusiastic support.

Things got a little edgy as the "Clown" took the stage and asked for ideas on what Balloon Animals to make.

Several patrons later were wearing oddly-formed balloon hats.

There was a definite theme and prominent shape to all of his critters.

We relaxed a bit as a "traditional" stripper came onto the stage, looking rather over-dressed.

She began to remedy that quickly in time to lively "bump & grind" music.

Her garments were shed and tossed around like confetti.

This Hour was indeed a happy one. Or two.

(Click on the photos for more details.)

Marty said he enjoyed the bar outing with me.

Interesting entertainment.

I said I could send some pictures for him to show to his wife.

He decided I did not have to go to all that trouble.

As the Fan Dancer could have said...

That's THE END.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope we will do this again.

Labels: $1, $10, $5, $50, balloon animals, Carnivalesque Show, dollar bills, Evelyn DeVere, Fan Dancer, J. Honea, MC and Ringmaster, Pain-proof man, PBR, staple gun, The Sparrow, titty-tassel-twirler, Zahrah the Belly Dancer

posted by chuckography @ 4:27 PM 0 Comments

Just Rolling Along....

My first ever Roller Derby game, er, I mean, Bout.

I was surprised to see it's on a flat surface and that short oval must seem much longer when you're actually skating on it.

For all the first-timers, they do a Slo-Mo run through that explains who the players are and what they're trying to do to score points.

And I thought it was just a fist fight on wheels!

Actually, it's pointed out, you're not allowed to use your elbows, your hands or do any head butting.

Hmmm. What's left?

Many referees are skating around the track calling fouls and sending people to the penalty box.

Another ref points out the "Jammer" (star on her helmet) and that's the one trying to go through the defensive pack.

One point for each person she passes after the first go around.
It's definitely a contact sport and it was exciting to watch.

These ladies are in good shape and very dedicated to the sport.

The theme was "Malice In Wonderland" so the mayhem matched the madness.

Many costumes - Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and Malice, I mean, Alice, of course.

I had not been to the Field house at the Citadel before and my camera is good - but not the best for fast action sports.

However, I found there was ample beer on hand.


(Click - twice - on the photos for more detail.)

A large SLR with zoom lenses would be much better but at least I came away with some memories.

I saw the visiting team colors were black and blue. How appropriate for this sport!

Stop by again and go watch a bout. Sip a PBR.

Labels: bouts and jams., Jammer, Lowcountry High Rollers, Malice In Wonderland, PBR, The Citadel McAlister Fieldhouse

posted by chuckography @ 11:38 AM 0 Comments

New In Town....Welcome!

Blues star Shemekia Copeland enjoyed her first visit to Charleston.

"I didn't get to tour around but I'll be back. You're a great audience in a great city."

She belted out the Blues - including her hits "Never Going Back To Memphis" and "Who Stole My Radio?" - Saturday during the 1st annual Blues Festival onstage at the Charleston Music Hall.

Miss Copeland headlined a show of headliners including guitarist/singer Zac Harmon, Billy Gibson, harmonicia extraordinaire and Dan Wright & The New Beat.

The evening was presented by newcomer resident/concert promoter/Blues lover Steve Simon.

Steve gave a special salute to veteran local Bluesman Shrimp City Slim (aka Gary Erwin) who is in the midst of his successful 20th annual February Blues Bash.

Nice moment new guy.

Steve also announced his plan is to create a 2-day outdoor event later this year "when it's warmer."




The snowy night before, Jimbo Mathus came to town with his 4-piece backing band for a rollicking night at the Pour House.

That would be one PBR for the leader and 5 shots worth of great music and dancing.

Well, a PBR and a shot for the leader of the band.

(You know the drill..click on the photo for details. Thanks for visiting.)

Labels: Billy Gibson, Dan Wright and The New Beat, Jimbo Mathus, PBR, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Simon, Zac Harmon

posted by chucker @ 3:57 PM 0 Comments