Entertainment

2009 ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Author Night at Seven Oaks          EVENT SOLD OUT
Mary Alice Monroe, the New York Times bestselling author of 11 novels, including Time is a River, Sweetgrass, Skyward, The Beach House, The Four Seasons, and The Book Club, will be our featured speaker for Author Night at Seven Oaks on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00 PM. Mary Alice will discuss her newest novel, Last Light Over Carolina, which masterfully takes readers back to the South, to a shrimping community on the coast of South Carolina, and into the lives of a shrimper family.  Also on hand will be Larry & Tina Toomer, owners of the Bluffton Oyster Company, who will share their personal experiences as a local couple involved in the shrimping industry.  Light refreshment, book sale and signing and a sneak preview at Monroe's newest novel...not to be missed! No charge to attend this special event; donations to Friends of the Rivers will be accepted. Reservations only, 843.815.6278.

May River Boat Tours
Enjoy a scenic one hour and fifteen minute tour on the pristine May River. Tours depart from the dock at the end of Calhoun Street at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday, October 24, 2009.  Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at the Palmetto Ferry Company table on Calhoun Street.

Fireworks Spectacular
The 5th annual Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival fireworks spectacular will present the best fireworks show in Bluffton at dusk on Saturday evening, October 24th. Shot from the May River and viewed riverside at the Bluffton Oyster Factory Park on Wharf Street, this will be the grand finale to a day full of festivities, not to be missed!

Mike Gabriel
Since making the happy move to Bluffton in 2006, Mike Gabriel has been playing his brand of music, solo. Mike plays authentic, syncopated, shuffling, stutter stepping, cakewalking, down home blues, and “rootsy” American music. There’s even a taste of some 1940’s style Texas swing, and semi-sleazy, big city, wide lapelled-baggy suit, fat neck-tie, blues, also of the
40’s. Look for Mike on Saturday, October 24!


B-Town Playaz
"Chem-is-try". This is the word Clarence Williams uses to describe his band, the B-Town Playaz. The band got its official start in 2002, as a church band at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton. The first gig they played together as a threesome was at a church member’s birthday party, and they have been together ever since. Composed of singer/guitarist John O’Gorman, bass player, Clarence Williams and drummer Jeff Franklin, the band has become a Bluffton mainstay. B-Town Playaz truly loves what they do, electrifies crowds with their music and have a fun-loving appeal that will help make your Saturday evening at the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival perfect!

The Train Wrecks
The folksy brand of upbeat roots-rock of The Train Wrecks (led by guitarist/songwriter Jason Bible and drummer/songwriter Markus Kuhlmann) is sure to be a hit at this year’s Arts and Seafood Festival.  Along with bassist Eric Dunn and dobroist Stuart Harmening, The Train Wrecks have earned the title “Hardest Gigging Band in Town Award hands down," according to a Songwriter Award Article. Come on down to enjoy a mix of twang, rock, folk, country and blues. See The Train Wrecks on Sunday, October 25th!

Bam-Jazz
Let the Party Begin! Bam-Jazz has some of the finest players in the area and trumpeter/vocalist Bill Averbach brings it home with vintage Swing, Jazz and Jive from the 20’s and beyond. The flavor of New Orleans’ spicy Cajun influenced Blues and Mambo takes center stage surrounded by Brazilian Sambas, and the sounds of Reggae and Caribbean Ska and Calypso. With sizzling horn and vocal selections and a finger-poppin’ rhythm machine driving the band you won’t be able to sit still to their New Orleans and Texas Gulf Coast flavor. Their seething and sophisticated ballads of Strayhorn, Ellington and Gershwin will beckon you to glide across the dance floor on Saturday, October 24!

Jeff Beasley Band
The Jeff Beasley Band is a group of Savannah, Georgia's top veteran players. Rooted in the blues, the band's musical realm spans from 50s rock and swing to R&B and New Orleans style music. After you've seen one of their high energy live performances, you'll understand what The Jeff Beasley Band is all about. The bottom line is they like to have fun. Join us on Saturday, October 24th at 10:00 at the Main Stage on Calhoun Street and you’ll have fun too!

John Emil
John Emil has taken the lost art of slide guitar to a totally new direction. John came into the South Florida music scene and has raised hairs with his Dobro and Acoustic Hawaiian Lap Steel playing. In John’s music you can hear subtle hints of Delta Bluesmen Son House and Blind Willie Johnson but he has created a unique style that’s all on his own. He has integrated rich landscapes of Delta blues, Country blues, Roots, Folk, Bluegrass and lush Hawaiian sounds. John will be playing on Saturday; be sure to catch his act for a unique treat!

Port Royal Sound
The Port Royal Sound plays a variety of high-energy jazz including swing, blues, latin and contemporary compositions. Featuring David Agee on drums, Mike Geib on bass and Duncan Aspinwall-Winter on guitar, the PRS bring their unique interpretations and powerful improvisational skills to the jazz canon. During the last year and a half they have blazed a trail through various venues throughout the Hilton Head/Bluffton/Savannah area,including Acqua, Wine Times 4, Jazzed and elsewhere. Refreshing, modern, "cool"- all describe the eclectic mix of the PRS.

Carolina Clowns of Charlotte NC
Clowns, clowns and more clowns…fun for all, children and adults! See if you can spot each of the four types of clowns on Calhoun Street on Saturday, October 24th. Look for all four clowns…Auguste, White Face, Character, and Hobo. Today Carolina Clowns, a charitable organization that started in 1927 in Charlotte NC, consists of 25 men and women who give their time and talent to bring joy and laughter to community functions, such as our Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival.

Ben Mathews
Ben entertains his audience with juggling balls, clubs, a bowling ball, eggs, machetes, and even flaming juggling torches!  OUCH!!!














Yostie
Yostie is a story-telling puppeteer from Pensacola Florida, serving as Artist-in-Residence with the South Carolina Arts Company. She won’t be hard to miss on Saturday as you wander Calhoun Street. Most likely Yostie will be surrounded by children, as she entertains in her own unique style. Be sure to catch her performance!