Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Free Summer Concerts in Savannah, Georgia

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The City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs announced that it will be presenting a series of free live concerts in Johnson Square throughout the summer. Sixteen concerts are planned from June 2 through July 23. Concerts will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The concert series is being managed by New Arts Ensembles (NAE), a Savannah-based group that showcases some of the region’s finest musicians. “Musicians from different styles of American traditions will be performing music loved by young and old,” said NAE founder and co-owner Ricardo Ochoa. “Whether you are visiting Savannah or taking a break from the office, it’s the perfect opportunity to grab lunch from one of our many outstanding local restaurants and enjoy your meal with great music.”

The concert series will kick-off on June 2 with Roger Moss & Eric Jones in Johnson Square. The concert line up also includes: Silver Lining (Modern Jazz); Jan Spillane (Folk/Blues); vocalist Claire Frazier & Frank Bright(Jazz); and Bottles ‘n Cans (Blues).

Concerts are free and open to the public. For information and a complete concert schedule, call 912-651-6417 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts . For information on NAE, call 912-596-1360 or visit Www.newartsensembles.com.

2010 Summer Concerts in the Squares Schedule
June 2 Roger Moss/Eric Jones
June 4 Regina Rene Quartet
June 09 Jan Spillane
June 11 Jimmy Wallin Band
June 16 Trae Gurley
June 18 Claire Frazier & Frank Bright
June 23 Eddie Wilson
June 25 Bottles ‘n Cans
June 30 Silver Lining
July 2 Roger Moss & Eric Jones
July 7 Trae Gurley
July 9 Annie Allman Trio
July 14 Clair Frazier & Frank Bright
July 16 Silver Lining
July 21 Eddie Wilson
July 23 Bottles ‘n Cans

Jacksonville Jazz Festival 2010

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The 2010 Jacksonville Jazz Festival features renowned performances throughout the weekend on Main Street, Hemming Plaza, Snyder Memorial Church, The Jacksonville Landing (Friday and Saturday only), Riverside Arts Market (Saturday only), Laura St. and various downtown businesses and buildings.

This FREE festival transforms into a vibrant setting with multiple entertainment stages and other components including the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition (ticketed); Art in the Heart Downtown Art Show & Sale; the Wine Down Tasting Experience (ticketed); Generation Next Youth Talent Competition; Jazz ABZ exhibit at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens; Jazz Juniors educational activities at the Main Library; Jazz Talks and displays at MOCA Jacksonville and much more.

The ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam, Sunday Jazz Brunches and a parade in the streets are also included as highlights of the festival.

Click here for the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Map

Art in the Heart of Downtown Jacksonville

THE ART IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN ART SHOW & SALE
210 Art in the Heart of Downtown art show and sale will feature the work of talented artists and master craftspeople from around the country. Festival patrons will enjoy both the sounds of first-rate jazz performers and browse through the work of talented artists from around the nation- all in a vibrant street festival setting.

Friday, May 28: 5-10 p.m./ Judging 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 29: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 30: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

wine down tasting experience at jacksonville jazz festivalWine Down Tasting Experience

The Wine Down Tasting Experience is a complement to the displays of fine art and the sounds of jazz during the festival. Tasting Tickets are $20. Participants can purchase a Tasting Ticket for at the point of entry to this special region to receive a souvenir wine glass and 6 samplings of featured wines. An additional 5 tastes can also be purchased for $15.


FRIDAY MAY 28
Festival hours 5-10 p.m.

Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)
Sonny Fortune Quartet – 5 p.m.
Basia – 7 p.m.
Tito Puente Jr. & his Orchestra – 9 p.m.

Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble 1 and Faculty featuring legendary saxophonist Bunky Green - 5 p.m.
The Jazz Divas featuring Brenda Kelly, Peggie Black & Pat Blaylock - 6:30 p.m.
Buckwheat Zydeco - 8:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)
Navy Band Southeast VIP Combo - 5 p.m.
C1 Jazz Band - 6:30 p.m.
Mpact - 8:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Von Barlow’s Jazz Journey - 6 p.m.
A musical tribute to late Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Famer Teddy Washington - 8 p.m.

SATURDAY MAY 29
Festival hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)
 Snitzer, Maysa, Gerald Veasley, Buddy Williams and Jason Miles, musical director - 3:30 p.m.
Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra – 5:30 p.m.
Ledisi – 7:30 p.m.
Chris Botti with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra – 9:30 p.m.

Breezin’ Stage (The Jacksonville Landing)
Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble 1 – 11 a.m.
Traci Wynn – 12:30 p.m.
Noel Freidline Quintet – 4 p.m.
Tim Bowman with special guest Darren Rahn - 5:30 p.m.
Bernie Williams – 7:30 p.m
Spanish Harlem Orchestra – 9:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)
BK Jackson – Noon
Isaac Byrd, Jr. and Tribe Judah – 1:30 p.m.
Jordyn Jackson – 3:30 p.m.
Terry “Doc” Handy featuring John “Lil John” Lumpkin, Alfred Waters, Jarvis Brown, Marco Panascia, Dave Champagne, Michael Emmert and Chris Creswell – 5:30 p.m.
JB Scott’s Swingin’ Allstars – 7:30 p.m.
The Joe Baione Trio – 9:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Generation Next Youth Talent Competition
First Round, 11:30 a.m.
Finals, 2:30 p.m.
Paul Rucker’s Clay Pieces - 5 p.m.
Improvised cello performance inspired by original clay sculptures created by the audience. Clay will be provided for this special interactive performance
First Coast Brass (formerly Maisontet Brass) - 6:30 p.m.

Riverside Arts Market
WestJax Jazz Ensemble – 10:30 a.m.
ot Wilder and Barry Greene, 12:30 p.m
Round Midnight Jazz Jam (Omni Jacksonville Hotel-Offical Host Hotel) Hosted by The Kelly/Scott Quintet featuring Lisa Kelly, JB Scott, Jeff Phillips, Dennis Marks & Danny Gottlieb - 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

SUNDAY MAY 30
Festival Hours 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Swingin’ Stage (Corner of Main and Adams Streets)

The Superstars of Jazz Fusion featuring Roy Ayers, Tom Browne, Wayne Henderson, Ronnie Laws and Lonnie Liston Smith – Noon
Preservation Hall Jazz Band – 2:30 p.m.
St. Johns River City Band with special guest Maceo Parker – 4:30 p.m
Patti LaBelle – 6:30 p.m.

Groovin’ Stage (Hemming Plaza)

John Ricci Quartet – 2:30 p.m.
Joe Watts – 4:30 p.m.
BayStreet – 6:30 p.m.

Old Church (Snyder Memorial Church)
Space is limited in this venue.

Sacred Jazz featuring the Noel Freidline Quintet and the Jacksonville Mass Choir Noon & 2:30 p.m. (two shows)

Paul Rucker’s Clay Pieces, 5 p.m. Improvised cello performance inspired by original clay sculptures created by the audience. Clay will be provided for this special interactive performance.

Contemporary Charleston 2010 at City Gallery – Charleston, Sc

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The City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs presents Contemporary Charleston 2010, a Piccolo Spoleto Festival Exhibition at the City Gallery at Waterfront Park. The public is invited to the opening reception in honor of the artists, on May 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Contemporary Charleston 2010 was curated by Erin Glaze, gallery coordinator and artist Max Miller. Contemporary Charleston 2010 will be on display through July 3, 2010.

Contemporary Charleston 2010 features 10 local visual artists who are creating works specifically for the exhibit that have been inspired by the work of 10 local poets. The exhibit will also feature a documentary on the exhibit, from the meeting of the artists to the creation of the work, by the local filmmaker from Contemporary Charleston 2009, Austin Nelson. The visual artists and poet match-ups are as follows:

Artist, Timmy Pakron and Carol Anne Davis, poet
Artist, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Paul Allen, poet
Artist, Scott Debus and Brian Penberthy, poet
Artist, Kat Hastie and Katherine Williams, poet
Artist, Sarah Haynes and Dennis Ward Stiles, poet
Artist, Jocelyn Chateauvert and Carol Peters, poet
Artist, Max Miller and Morrow Dowdle, poet
Artist, Julio Cotto and Jonathan Sanchez, poet
Artist, Hirona Matsuda and Marcus Amaker, poet
Artist, Lynne Riding and Ellie Davis, poet
All the visual artists will hold lectures and demonstrations regarding their contribution to the exhibit on the following dates:
June 5: Scott Debus and Jocelyn Chateauvert
June 12: Kat Hastie and Lynne Riding
June 19: Hirona Matsuda and Julio Cotto
June 26: Timmy Pakron and Sarah Haynes
July 3: Max Miller and Ben Hollingsworth

The exhibit is open May 20 to July 3, 2010. Regular gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. During The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the City Gallery at Waterfront Park is open special hours, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The City Gallery at Waterfront Park, owned by the City of Charleston and operated by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, is a venue for contemporary artwork that is new, vital and innovative, with a focus on broadening Charleston’s arts outlook. The City Gallery provides access to the visual arts for everyone in Charleston, S.C., visitors and residents alike, by offering exhibits that are all admission-free. The City Gallery is located at 34 Prioleau St. in downtown Charleston, S.C., and gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, please call or e-mail the City Gallery at (843) 958-6484 or CityGallery@ci.charleston.sc.us and visit www.charlestonarts.sc.

Shaggin’ on the Cooper – Mount Pleasant Pier

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The new Mount Pleasant Pier in is open and Shaggin’ on the Cooper is back. Take your sweetheart by the arm and head to the pier for a romantic evening under the stars, where you can dance the night away on Saturday, May 22, 7 – 11:00 p.m.
Dance the night away under the stars at the new Mount Pleasant Pier while enjoying live classic oldies and beach music performed by Palmetto Soul.
Beverages will be available for purchase on-site.  Gates open at 7pm. Live music begins at 8pm.

Only 800 tickets will be sold, no advance purchase. But tickets ($10 per person) will be available for purchase at the Pier shop beginning at 4pm on the day of each event.

For more information, visit www.ccprc.com


Shaggin' on the cooper

Beach Music Festival – Myrtle Beach Mayfest

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It’s finally time for the grand opening of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 12 p.m. in conjunction with the Beach Music Festival in Myrtle Beach.

Beach Music Festival
Come out and meet the star from TLC “The Cake Boss” himself, Buddy Valestro, as he creates a giant flip flop cake. The Beach Music Festival is part of the month-long Mayfest celebration in Myrtle Beach, SC. The event features free concerts with Ben E. King, the Coasters, the Embers and other bands. The Beach Music Festival in Myrtle Beach ends with fireworks.

Schedule of Events:
Saturday, May 15, 2010 in Downtown Myrtle Beach
Ocean Blvd. between 8th Ave. N. and 9th Ave. N.
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ~ FREE

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina10 a.m. Official Kick Off to the Beach Music Festival
Food Vendors Open – Arts/Crafts Vendors Open

10 a.m.- 11:15 a.m. Live Entertainment by The Embers
from Raleigh, NC. The Embers have been playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul for decades.

11: 30 a.m.-12: 45 p.m. Live Entertainment by Jim Quick & Coastline from Wilmington, NC. Coastline performs an eclectic blend of soul, blues, and rock.

12 Noon – 12:30 p.m. Boardwalk and Promenade Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on the boardwalk between 8th & 9th Ave. N.

12:30 p.m.- 1 p.m. Gigantic Flip-Flop Cake Reveal with Buddy “The Cake Boss” Valastro sponsored by Vineyard Vines

1 p.m.- 4 p.m. Character Meet & Greet with Buddy “The Cake Boss” Valastro

1 p.m.- 2:15 p.m. Live Entertainment by Billy Scott & The Party Prophets from NC. The Prophets have performed classic beach music across the southeast.

2:30 p.m.- 3:45 p.m. Live Entertainment by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs from Charlotte, NC. Maurice Williams is one of the most extraordinarily durable figures in the history of classic rhythm-and-blues and rock ‘n roll.

4 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. Live Entertainment by Mark Roberts & The Breeze from Georgetown, SC featuring the best in Dance, Funk, Rock n Roll, Motown, Beach Music, and some Country.

5:30 p.m.- 6:45 p.m. Live Entertainment by The Coasters
performing classic doo-wop and R&B.

7 p.m.- 8:15 p.m. Live Entertainment by The Catalinas from Charlotte, NC performing classic and original beach music.

8:45 p.m.- 9:45 p.m. Live Entertainment by Ben E. King
Possessing one of the most elegant baritone voices ever, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alumnus Ben E. King’s imprint on the musical landscape is so indelible that an optimum barometer has been set for countless aspiring performers.

FIREWORKS TO FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY AFTER LAST PERFORMANCE!

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
Approximately 1 mile of the 1.2 mile boardwalk is complete and open to the public. The boardwalk is currently open from just north of the 14th Avenue Pier to Fourth Avenue North.
The remaining section of the new boardwalk project, from Fourth Avenue North to just south of the Second Avenue Pier, will take a little longer to be completed.

The mile-long Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade traverses from the 14th Avenue to 2nd Avenue Piers in Myrtle Beach. The boardwalk will provide oceanfront views of the pristine beachline and is divided into three different sections.

The northernmost portion will wind down from the 14th Avenue North Pier to Plyler Park.
The mid-section will be located from Plyler Park to the former Pavilion Amusement Park site at 8th Avenue North and will encompass more of a carnival-like atmosphere with oceanfront dining and businesses. The southernmost end of the boardwalk leading up to the 2nd Avenue pier will have a meandering oceanfront park.