Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Savannah Music Festival Adds Acts to 2011 Schedule

by

SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL ADDS ADDITIONAL ACTS TO 2011 SCHEDULE
More than 100 varied performances now make up Georgia’s largest musical arts event

The 2011 Savannah Music Festival (SMF) has added four more acts to its 2011 festival, which begins March 24th and runs through April 9th.
(Remember to take a look at Coastal Companion’s special page for the Savannah Music Festival for more info about the festival.)

Celebrated North Carolina folk-rockers The Avett Brothers, sacred steel virtuoso Robert Randolph and his Family Band, a rare one-man show with Citizen Cope, and the acclaimed Low Country rock ensemble Band of Horses will each play one SMF concert. Tickets for these four performances go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 28, at 216 E. Broughton Street, 912-525-5050 and online at www.savannahmusicfestival.org.

The Avett Brothers is a folk rock band from Concord, North Carolina. The band is made up of brothers Scott and Seth, who play the banjo and guitar respectively, and Bob Crawford on the stand-up bass. The Avett Brothers combine bluegrass, country, punk, pop melodies, folk, rock and roll, honky-tonk, and ragtime to produce a sound described by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the “heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop precision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, the raw energy of the Ramones.” March 30th at 9 p.m. at Johnny Mercer Theatre ($30, 38, 46, 75 gold)

Robert Randolph & the Family Band: Pedal steel player Robert Randolph is largely responsible for bringing the utterly unique sacred steel gospel tradition to a secular audience. Emerging as a prodigious instrumentalist from the House of God church, Randolph’s powerful performance style has since earned him countless appearances around the world such as the Grammy awards ceremony, a recording project with John Medeski and the Dickinson Brothers (from the North Mississippi All-Stars), and regular touring spots with Eric Clapton. April 1st at 9 p.m. at Trustees Theater ($18, 25, 32, 40)

Band of Horses is heralded for producing a sound that skillfully combines southern gothic with northwest indie rock. Theirs is a spacious, reverb-laden style of melodic pop that ducks the classification of psychedelic, providing accessible hooks and unique but straightforward rock and roll orchestration. The most recent release by Band of Horses, Intimate Arms, was their first collective songwriting effort. With the release of this new album they’ve graduated to regular tours overseas and a recent run as an opener for Seattle’s Pearl Jam. April 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Johnny Mercer Theatre ($25, 30, 35, 40 gold)

Citizen Cope is the pseudonym of Clarence Greenwood, keyboardist, guitarist, singer, DJ, and record producer. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Greenwood started his musical career as a DJ for the hip-hop act Basehead, a group that would have a significant impact on his style as a solo-musician. Citizen Cope blends many genres of music, such as folk, blues, hip-hop, rock, and R & B. This intimate SMF performance features Citizen Cope as a multi-instrumental one-man show. April 5th at 8 p.m. at Trustees Theater ($18, 22, 28)

Click here to read more about the upcoming Savannah Music Festival

Other interesting upcoming events in Savannah:

Savannah Irish Festival

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, GA

Interactive Musical Robot Featured at 2011 Pulse Art + Technology Festival

by

GEORGIA TECH INTERACTIVE MUSICAL ROBOT WILL BE FEATURED AT 2011 PULSE ART & TECHNOLOGY FESTIVAL

SAVANNAH, GA. (January 20, 2011) – Georgia Tech Savannah is proud to be a sponsor of the 2011 PULSE: Art & Technology Festival created by the Telfair Museums and will host a series of lectures, performances and workshops during the nine-day event that starts today. Dr. Gil Weinberg, founder and director of the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology, will conduct a lecture and performance at the Jepson Center on Friday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The performance will feature an interactive marimba playing robot named Shimon that was recently featured in the nationally televised 2010 Georgia Tech PSA (see link below). Attendees will have the opportunity to interact and make music with Shimon after the performance.

Shimon is not an ordinary marimba-playing robot because it improvises and interacts with human musicians. Using melodic and harmonic perception and improvisation modules, Shimon creates musical responses in conjunction with social cues from its human counterparts. The result is not only novel and expressive human-robotic interaction, but also great new music.

Visualize a pianist playing a musical phrase followed by Shimon, who builds on this input with a new improvised sequence. A fellow guitar player can then enhance Shimon’s ideas, leading to new responses that could inspire humans to play in ways they have never played before. The robot’s head provides visual cues that represent social-musical elements, from beat detection through tonality, to attention and spatial interaction. Just imagine the head bob of a jazz drummer or a DJ spinning a hip hop record and you have a picture of Shimon’s personality.

Weinberg conceived the concept of robotic musicianship in 2006 with the development of Haile—the world’s first robotic musician capable of improvisation with human musicians. His research focuses on expanding musical expression, creativity and learning through innovative new technology including cell phones, toys and aquariums. Weinberg’s interactive systems have been presented in museums such as the Smithsonian Museum, Cooper-Hewitt Museum and Boston Children’s Museum. Weinberg received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT and is currently an associate professor of Music and adjunct professor of Computer Science at Georgia Tech.

“The goal of the project was to create real-time musical collaborations between human and robotic musicians that would capitalize on the combination of their unique strengths,” said Weinberg.
To learn more about Shimon visit: www.gatech.edu/music/shimon.html
The Public Service Announcement can be viewed at: www.gatech.edu/music/psa.html.
Georgia Tech Savannah will be hosting a number of additional workshops as part of PULSE taking place Jan. 20 – 29. These include:

Introduction to openFrameworks by Zachary Lieberman, Friday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Georgia Tech Savannah. Lieberman will provide a short introduction to openFrameworks a c++ library designed to assist the creative process by providing a simple and intuitive framework for experimentation. Participants must be 16 year old or older. Previous coding experience is helpful.

Youth Workshop: Introduction to Scratch on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Georgia Tech Savannah. Developed at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create individual interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art and share creations on the web. As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically and work collaboratively. Students between the ages of 9-18 are encouraged to attend.

Read more about 2011 Pulse Art + Technology Festival in Savannah, GA, on our special events page.

La Boh̬me at the Historic Ritz Theatre РBrunswick, GA

by

It is one of the most romantic stories of all time, a beautiful work of art that has captivated audiences and influenced literature, film, and the Broadway theater for more than 100 years, and now the Golden Isles community will be able to experience the immortal music of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème on the stage of the Historic Ritz Theatre in Downtown Brunswick – a fitting program for the newly refurbished building that was built as the Grand Opera House in 1899.

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association (GIAHA) presents the Atlanta Opera production in a special matinee on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. The company has created an 80-minute English-language version for this performance that condenses the many-layered story without sacrificing any of the romantic main plot or the beloved arias so familiar to opera lovers and general audiences alike. The plot of La Bohème follows the love story between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo, two young people struggling to survive in the bohemian world of the Paris art scene in the late 19th century.

La Bohème is the second most frequently produced opera in the U.S., right behind another Puccini work, Madama Butterfly. The story has been adapted into novels and films, and the music was featured prominently in the Academy Award-winning 1987 movie Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. Composer Jonathan Larsen modernized the story, setting it in the lower Manhattan music and art milieu of the late 20th century in the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Rent.

“This is a rare opportunity for local audiences to experience one of the great works of the world operatic stage right here at home,” notes GIAHA Executive Director Heather Heath. “Opera buffs, of course, have always delighted in this romantic tale, but those who are less familiar with opera also love this piece and instantly recognize many of its great arias. And people, particularly younger audiences, who know the musical Rent will want to see where that hit production found its timeless themes and characters.”

Because his type of opera (known as verismo) focused on everyday characters in familiar settings, Puccini has long been a favorite of general audiences and acknowledged as one of the main catalysts of American musical theater. Puccini meant for his operas to relate to the common people, and future musical theater writers took this idea a step further by inserting dialogue into their works.

The Atlanta Opera’s production, directed by Tamara Watson Harper, features four outstanding soloists from the company in the roles of Rodolfo, Mimi, Musetta, and Marcello, with a fifth performer serving as narrator of the story. There will be a free post-show meet-and-greet reception with the cast.

Founded in 1979, The Atlanta Opera is one of the finest regional companies in the nation, drawing audiences from the entire metropolitan Atlanta area as well as from throughout the Southeast. The company strives to expand the experience of its patrons with memorable and exciting performances reflecting the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting community and educational programs. The company also attracts the finest international, national, and regional singers, conductors, stage directors and designers.

Advance tickets to La Bohème for general audiences are $20 for adults and $15 seniors 65+. GIAHA members are offered additional discounts: $15 adults and $10 seniors in advance, with reserved seating privileges. On the day of the show, ticket prices are $25 for non-member adults, $20 for non-member seniors, $20 adult members and $15 senior members. In keeping with GIAHA’s policy of making the arts more accessible to the youth of our area, ticket prices for ages 18 and under are always $5, regardless of member status or time of purchase. Tickets may be purchased by phone with credit card or in person at the Ritz Theatre on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or www.goldenislesarts.org. For more information, please call 912-262-6934

Charleston, SC – January 2011 Events

by

Need new ideas for the new year? The holidays are finally over, and it’s time to make plans for what to do for the month of January with your family and friends. As usual, there is always a lot going on in South Carolina, especially when it comes to food events and festivals.

First Friday on Broad – Jan 7, 2011
Participating galleries on gallery row will offer a featured wine to accompany their fine art on a relaxing stroll down The Row, on Friday January 7th from 5-8 PM. Many galleries will offer demos, music and refreshments.
http://coastalcompanion.com/south-carolina/charleston/first-fridays-on-broad/

Charleston Restaurant Week – Jan 14-22, 2011
There is no lack of good food in the city of Charleston, and every year there seems to be more restaurants and food festivals.
During this event you’ll get an opportunity to try out new restaurants and new menus and explore the culinary arts scene in Charleston. Participating restaurant serve food according to a fixed price menu. Some restaurants participate with three courses for $20, others with three courses for $30.
More details on our Charleston Restaurant Week page.

Charleston Marathon – Jan 15, 2011
The First Annual Charleston Marathon presented by the Riverfront Race Festival will take place on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The start of the 26.2 full marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon course beginning near the South Carolina Aquarium, downtown Charleston. The course will run South on East Bay St., passing Rainbow Row, and White Point Gardens, then follow King Street North where the half marathon will end at the Navy Yard at Noisette and the full marathon race will continue. The 10K and 5K road races will also begin at this start/finish line on the old navy base.

In true Low Country tradition, shrimp and grits will be at the finish line, along with music on the course from the Charleston County School District groups and adult beverages. For more information, go www.charlestonmarathon.com or www.riverfrontfestival.com.

[picappgallerysingle id=”5111893″]

Charleston Comedy Festival – Jan 19 – 22, 2011
The annual festival brings in some of the hottest improv, sketch, and stand-up artists from Chicago, New York, Canada, Atlanta, and LA to the city of Charleston for a weekend of comedy.
The Charleston Stand-Up Competition finals will kick off early with a Tuesday night show at Theatre 99. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, there will be shows by local troupes Cats Hugging Cats, Full Love Throttle, Neckprov, Hot Pants, Moral Fixation, and Human Fireworks. Out-of-town performers Nate Baratze, The Shock T’s, and the Village Theatre will take over the Charleston Ballet Theatre on Thursday for a night of stand up, sketch, and improv. Read more on our special page about Charleston Comedy Festival.

[picappgallerysingle id=”5064053″]

On Friday night, choose from 15 shows at various venues across town, including a show by Robot Johnson, Introducing Fish Taco, and This is Chucktown at South of Broadway Theatre in North Charleston and a stand up show featuring Nate Baratze, Dave and Ethan, and Tom Keller at the Pour House on James Island. More information at www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com

Charleston Boat Show – Jan 21 – 23, 2011
This is the biggest boat show in the Low Country with lots of things to see and do. The show takes place at North Charleston Convention Center and during the three day event you can look of course look at boats, get fishing tips, there’s even lots of fun activities for the kids.

Low Country Oyster Festival – Jan 30, 2011
One of the most popular food festivals in Charleston is the Oyster festival at beautiful Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC. This is an annual festival for oyster lovers from all over the region, and now wonder, after all this is the world’s largest oyster festival.

It is said that about 65,000 pounds of oyster are delivered to the famous Charleston oyster roast for the big day, can you believe it? Don’t miss the well-known “Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster Eating” Contests. There is also live music on stage, a Kids Corner, a “Food Court” showcasing a variety of local restaurants and much more.

The Oyster Festival takes place January 30, 2011 from 10:30 am – 5 pm.
More details can be found on our special Low Country Oyster Festival page.

[picappgallerysingle id=”5179918″]

A Christmas Carol – Brunswick, GA

by

The story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens was first published back in December 1843. This is the story about Ebenezer Scrooge who finds out the true meaning of Christmas. Dickens’ novella met with instant success and critical acclaim back in the day, and the story is still as popular.

A Christmas Carol is an all-new production, featuring some of the Golden Isles’ most talented performers of all ages. And once again, Brunswick Mayor Bryan Thompson will be recreating his unforgettable performance as the miserly old Scrooge himself.

Beside adding the saying “Bah! Humbug!” to the English language, Dickens also influenced many aspects of Christmas and who we are celebrating it today. According to Wikipedia, Mr. Fairbanks attended a reading of the story on Christmas Eve in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, and was so moved he closed his factory on Christmas Day and sent every employee a turkey.

And it really doesn’t matter if you’ve heard the story a hundred times before, this is a funny, spooky and always pertinent holiday show you want to share with family and friends.

Click here to buy tickets now!

A Christmas Carol
Friday-Saturday, December 10-11 and 17-18, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 19. 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
Advance: GIAHA Members – $15 adults, $10 seniors (65+), $5 ages 18 and under
Non-Members – $20/$15/$5
Day of show: Members – $20 adults, $15 seniors (65+), $5 ages 18 and under
Non-Members – $25/$20/$5