The Stanton Moore Trio with The CodeTalkers ***
Here’s yet another high-profile booking at this upstart River Street venue that should have jam-band and N’awlins-style funk fans literally giddy with anticipation. Drummer extraordinaire Moore is a phenom who’s toured and recorded with an eclectic crew including Galactic, Corrosion of Conformity, Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine) and Garage A Trois.
Hypnotist Gabriel Holmes ***
The debut of a new series called "Late Night at George's", this two-night stand pairs a touring stage hypnotist and some high-energy (and assumably ribald) audience participation with fine dining. Trance-bound crowd members performing unwitting shenanigans is a time-honored shtick that's earned this professionally-trained performer nightclub, college and corporate gigs "from the Bahamas to Las Vegas". As someone who's been an onstage participant with The Amazing Kreskin (I know, I know, he's a "mentalist"), I can vouch for the silly, yet somehow infectious nature of such acts.
--------------------------- Here's a short clip of the Holmes performing his feats of good-natured comedic hypnotism at a high school event: --------------------------- Watch & Learn: hypnotistgabriel.com. $10 adv. / $15 at door (18+ only). Fri. - Sat., 11:30 pm, George's (1105 E. Hwy 80, Tybee).Indigo Girls ***
One of the most popular acoustic acts of the past two decades, the openly gay Atlanta duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers virtually redefined the commercial boundaries of contemporary folk-rock starting with their watershed 1989 major-label debut. Though their chart success has waned in recent years, their deep back catalog of well-constructed, inspiring songs, rep for hiring only the best musicians and putting their all into live performance allows them to pack venues to this day. Known worldwide as champions of not only LGBT causes, but human rights in general, they are visible and vocal icons of modern protest music, but temper that serious side with a rebellious streak and happy-go-lucky stage presence.
--------------------------- Here's a fan-shot clip from a recent Indigo Girls show where Brandi Carlisle joins them for a rousing version of Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright": --------------------------- They're touring behind Despite Our Differences, their first completely independent album since '87, and the night after playing this 1,500-capacity club, they headline Atlanta's 6,900-capacity Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Missy Higgins opens. $26 adv. / $32 day of show at shorelineballroom.com. Listen & Learn: indigogirls.com. Fri., 9:15 pm, Shoreline Ballroom (Hilton Head).Kim Polote & David Duckworth
This duo of a celebrated, locally born vocalist (who’s won the coveted American Traditions Competition Gold Medal, sung with Harry Connick, Jr. and his orchestra and opened for the Rev. Al Green) and a locally based jazz pianist (who’s produced ten CDs of his own arrangements and released a well-received tribute album to the late Johnny Mercer) have performed together on Emmy Award-winning TV programs such as Great Hotels on the Travel Channel and Paula Deen’s Cooking on the Food Network. For this one-time-only gig, they’ll be joined by veteran saxophonist Jody Espina for “an evening of smooth jazz” at this historic restaurant and bar that is celebrating it’s 75th anniversary and has recently expanded its menu. Free admission, but dinner reservations are suggested (call 443-9200). Listen & Learn: davidduckworth.com. Sat., 7:30 pm, Crystal Beer Parlor.
