Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Charleston Oktoberfest

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When fall rolls around, it’s hight time for Oktoberfest on the coast and Charleston Oktoberfest is next in line. This event returns to Blackbaud Stadium on Sunday, October 25 from Noon- 5 PM with Oompah bands, sauerkraut, bratwurst and of course German beer.

Charleston Oktoberfest also has authentic German dancers performing, a big selection of German beers and a wide variety of delicious food. Come early, because the first 1000 festival attendees will receive a free commemorative beer stein.

Blackbaud Stadium will be transformed into an authentic Bavarian-style beer hall for the festival with big tents and beer trestle-tables. The main beer vendors will be placed on the concourse. Oktoberfesters are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn-chairs.
This Oktoberfest is organized by Charleston Battery, and they have remembered the children as well. Kid’s activities include mini-soccer games on the stadium field, a Mountain Slide, an inflatable combination game, a Hot-Shot Power-Kick game and a jump castle. Charleston Oktoberfest will benefit a local charity with a portion of the proceeds going to Live 5 News’ Debi’s Kids and The Salvation Army Angel Tree.

The 2009 Oktoberfest Corporate Challenge, the German Cup, will take place with local teams competing in tug-o-war, barrel races, three-legged races and bratwurst eating competitions. This sounds like great entertainment!

Tickets to Charleston Oktoberfest 2009 are only $5 in advance ($7 day of event) and can be purchased at the Blackbaud Stadium box office or by calling (843) 971-4625 (843) 971-4625, tickets are also available online at www.charlestonbattery.com. There is no charge for parking; for more information or for directions to Blackbaud Stadium call 971-4625 or visit www.charlestonbattery.com.

Charleston Oktoberfest is presented by The Charleston Battery with additional support from 95 SX, The Wolf 96.9 and WTMA 1250.
beer

Reggae Nights – Charleston, SC

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Even though summer is over, the Reggae Nights summer concert series is coming up on the last and final concert for the summer on Saturday October 17, 2009, at Wannamaker County Park. This time Reggae Infinity is performing. This is the last chance to attend Reggae Nights, the Summer Concert Series of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission, for this season, so don’t miss out.

Reggae Infinity was formed in 1996 in Columbia, SC and consists of four members who hail from all around the Caribbean islands. They have four upcoming events in October alone including their stop in North Charleston for Reggae Nights. They have recorded a number of original songs with a strong spiritual foundation and are appropriate for all age groups.

The gates open at 7:30 pm and music starts at 8:30 pm. Admission is $8.00 or 5 books of Greenbax. Children 12 and under enjoy free admission. Annual Gold Passes will be honored.

For more information and detailed schedules and locations visit www.ccprc.com or call 843-795-4Fun.

South Carolina

“Art of Cuisine” Iron Chef Challenge – Bluffton, SC

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Local Chefs Compete for Top Spot at Historic Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival On Saturday, October 24th area chefs will create mouth watering seafood dishes as part of the Iron Chef Challenge during the fifth annual Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival. (click here to read more about  Bluffton Arts and Seafood Festival 2009)

Each chef will be challenged to prepare two dishes in one hour using two unknown seafood and two non-seafood ingredients provided by the festival committee.

“It’s pretty amazing to see what these chefs can prepare in such a short amount of time, outdoors, underneath a tent, says Mary Connor, Chairman of this year’s Iron Chef Challenge. “We should really appreciate the tremendous talent we have right here in the Low Country.”

The competition will be held in downtown Bluffton in “Neptune’s Galley” tent located at the Carson Cottages on Calhoun Street beginning at 11:00am. At 12:00 noon the dishes will be sampled by the judging panel and the winning dishes will be determined on the basis of taste and presentation.
In 2008 the top prize, a Traeger Pellet Grill valued at $699 from O’Neill’s Outdoor Power Equipment, was awarded to Kevin Cavanaugh then of Buffalo’s at Palmetto Bluff. 2007’s Top Chef was George Davis of Hilton Head Island’s Ocean Grille. Kevin, now of Plantation Station Catering Division, is again up for the Challenge. How about you, George?

The “Art of Cuisine” Iron Chef Challenge is part of a week long celebration of Bluffton’s unique history, cuisine, art and culture taking place October 18-25. Events showcase locally harvested seafood, Lowcountry cuisine, and area and regional artists. Also included is live music, a fishing tournament, boat tours, children’s activities, fireworks and more. Festival organizers invite both locals and tourists to discover “Where Fine Art & the Bounty of the Sea Come Together.”

Read more about Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival 2009

restaurant

Trick or Treat with Halloween Cocktails

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These tasty, yet awesome looking drinks have been made especially for all witches, goblins and ghosts to create a frightening party atmosphere.

Award-winning mixologist Victoria D’Amato-Moran has created three specialty recipes to toast Halloween. Inspired by Midori’s ghoulishly green coloring, these haunting treats are as festive as they are delicious.

Serve up a harvest themed punch by mixing the seasonal flavors of cranberry and apple juice with Midori and rum. Or opt for sophisticated cocktail recipes like the Midori Green Ghoul and Midori Spider’s Kiss – a festive, vibrant addition to any bar or Halloween table setting.

Trick or treat – let the party begin!

Midori Green Ghoul

Midori-Green-Ghoul1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

½ part Strega Liqueur or Yellow Chartreuss

½ part Canton Ginger liqueur

Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale

Add first 3 ingredients into a shaker glass, add ice, shake, strain over ice in a

collins glass.  Line the inside of the glass with strands of black licorice.  Pour in contents of shaker and fill with ginger beer or ginger ale.

Or serve up a tasty web chocolate, grenadine, vodka and Midori with the Midori Spider’s Kiss cocktail.

Midori Spider’s Kiss

Midori-Spider-Kiss--Black1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

1 part SKYY Vodka

Juice from ½ Lemon

Chocolate syrup

Grenadine

With chocolate syrup, draw a web on the inside of the martini glass.  Chill glass.  Shake Midori, SKYY and lemon juice with ice and strain into martini glass. Drizzle grenadine down the side for a blood effect.

Midori Halloween Harvest

1 part Midori Melon Liqueur

1 part Dark Rum

1 part Light Rum

2 part White Cranberry Juice

1 part Unfiltered Apple Juice

1 part Simple Syrup

Juice of one lemon

*For a Punch Bowl (32 ounces) use this recipe X’s 8.  Add the liquid ingredients and mix well.  Top with apple slices, blueberries, and melon balls.

Or mix Midori mixed with ginger liqueur in a glass decorated with black licorice for a touch of style and sophistication.

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The Beauty of Nature at Goodyear Cottage, Jekyll Island

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Painter, Jo Elliott and bird sculptor Chuck Robertson are inspired by nature and devoted to capture its beauty. These talented artists will be showcasing their inspired works in an upcoming exhibit sponsored by the Jekyll Island Arts Association in the Gallery of Goodyear Cottage in Jekyll Island’s Historic District.

Coastal Georgia Is Inspiration
Painter, Jo Elliott has been interested in art as long as she can remember. At an early age, she accompanied her father as he conducted drawing and painting classes at the local art guild in Greenville, Ohio. She admits, “I am fortunate to have this very talented artist and teacher in my family.” Jo’s Dad continues to encourage her to ‘paint rich’ and to tell a story with each paintings. With her children grown and having retired from the insurance industry a few years ago, Jo feels fortunate to be able to devote more time to her love of art. Living on the Georgia coast provides an endless source of creative material for her watercolor and acrylic landscapes. Around every corner Jo feels is an interesting scene to capture, whether it is a shrimp boat heading out, an egret keeping watch over a tidal creek, or the way light and shadows define a sand dune.

Chuck Robertson
Art by Chuck Robertson

It’s All About Birds
A large part of bird sculptor, Chuck Robertson’s life has been about birds since 1981. It was at this time that he decided to find something more personally satisfying in his life. Stumbling into an art show Chuck was captivated by sculptures of birds. He had spent much of his life outdoors as a kid and had always enjoyed creating things with his hands. Chuck was mesmerized by the idea of bird sculpture and has made this his profession and life’s work since carving his very first bird. Chuck’s work consists of very realistic and detailed sculptures of birds. His goal is to capture a moment in nature and to bring that excitement into his sculpture and ultimately to the viewer.

Opening day of the Elliott-Robertson Exhibit will be October 1st and it will continue thru November 1st. The artists’ reception will be held on Sunday, October 4th from 1 – 3 PM. Admission is always free at Goodyear’s Gallery and shop where regular hours are Monday – Friday, Noon until 4 PM and weekends 10 AM until 4 PM. For more information please call 635-3092.

Jo Elliot painting