The Rail Pubs 10th Anniversary Luau w/Dash Rip Rock
Its hard to believe its been an entire decade since this tiny, darkwood boozehall opened its doors. Tucked into a narrow, two-story space on Congress Street a stones throw from Vinnie Van Go-Gos, and within sight of the sorely missed 606 Café (Michael Brown, how could you?), the brainchild of owners Trina Brown and Melissa Swanson has become a favorite watering hole for an unusually wide variety of locals and tourists.
For this public celebration of their ongoing success in a notoriously tough business, Brown and Swanson are throwing a Low Country Luau, complete with complimentary grub while it lasts (Hawaiian Burgers and Teriyaki chicken kabobs), Polynesian libations, free shots to the first hundred folks to buy drinks, free T-shirts, and a midnight raffle for a locally custom-shaped long board.
At 10 pm, theyll somehow shoehorn infamous Louisiana roadhouse semi-stars Dash Rip Rock into their upstairs area, and thats when all hells bound to break loose.
A terrific alt.rockabilly power trio thats been keepin it between the ditches for twenty years (and thats no lie), DRR has toured with everybody from Southern Culture On The Skids to The Reverend Horton Heat and The Supersuckers.
They put on a wild, liquor-fueled live show thats one part Cowboy Mouth (that notorious group features DRRs original drummer), one part Bottle Rockets (they were doing the alt.country thing long before those Midwestern icons), and one part Dead Kennedys (theyve dropped albums on the pioneering Bay Area indie punk label Alternative Tentacles).
The group used to be a regular draw here back in the heyday of the glorious Night Flight Café, but they havent graced our city in years, so theres bound to be plenty of thinning, grey hair in The Rail for this shindig. Anyone whos interested in seeing what a killer, hard-livin, down and dirty, old-school indie band looks like wont want to miss this show. Plus, therell be plenty of leis.
Food is served starting at 5:30 pm. Dig it. Fri., 10 pm (live show), The Rail Pub.
Jake Landers & The Southern Strangers
A repeat engagement by one of the most beloved and respected names in the old-school bluegrass world, this intimate show is led by a former member of both The Dixie Gentlemen and The Blue Ridge Mountain Boys (!) whos been been playing guitar since the early 50s with cats like the late, great Vassar Clements and dobro genius Tut Taylor. Hes written many songs which have become standards, including Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine which was a major crossover country hit for The Kentucky Headhunters.
There arent many artists of this mans caliber left who still hit the road, so if you fancy yourself a bluegrass fan, you wont miss this great opportunity to see a true sensation backed by some of the finest pickers in his home state of Alabama.
Tickets are only $15 at the door, and can be charged in advance by calling 748-1930. This show may sell out, so check first before leaving home. Sat., 8 pm, Randy Woods Concert Hall (Bloomingdale).
Tybee Beach Music Festival
This is the second year in a row that Sounds of The South Productions has put on a massive (by Tybee standards) outdoor music festival on the North Beach in the shadow of the lighthouse. The 2005 incarnation finds plenty of beer, food and (hopefully) beautiful weather, not to mention all the live shag, boogie, pop and country you can shake a glowstick at.
Friday nights lineup starts at 7:30 pm, and includes Jive Train, Heather Lutrell, and Liquid Ginger. Saturday, things get underway at 12 noon, and for one low price you can catch sets by Jive Train, The Drifters, The Tams, The Embers, Heather Lutrell, Mustang Sally, and regional C & W favorites The Kinchafoonee Cowboys.
Lawn chairs are allowed but outside food and drinks are not. There will be shuttle buses running from nearby parking lots. Two-day and one-day passes are on sale now at the Tybee Market IGA, and the Savannah Civic Center Box Office. Charge them at (800) 351-7469 or www.tybeeislandfestival.com. Fri., 7:30 pm - 11 pm & Sat., 12 noon - 11 pm.
"Summer Sweat Tour" w/Keith Sweat, et al
New Jack City was a long time ago, cracked comedian Chris Rock during his latest HBO standup special, and the film that helped launch his career is about as old as the New Jack Swing movement it was named for. In the 80s, Keith Sweat was one of the biggest stars of that R & B sub-genre, with hits like "Don't Stop Your Love," "Make You Sweat," and "Merry Go Round." Yet, hes still on the circuit, and is touring behind a new LP. He headlines this package tour which also features hot Caribbean funk/soca sensations Elvis White, and K-Ci & Jo-Jo. Sat., 8 pm, The Johnny Mercer Theatre.
Blues & BBQ Party w/Bottles & Cans
A few weeks back, this historic American Legion Post inaugurated their new monthly Sunday Night Concert Series, to overwhelming success.
Apparently, its organizers (The Sons of The American Legion) were right: there are plenty of folks eager to find something fun and music-related to do downtown on Sunday nights, which except for a few scattershot restaurant gigs here and there has traditionally been something of a mission impossible.
The first installment of these 21+ events found The Jimmy Wolling Band laying down traditional and progressive bluegrass, while the crowd danced, drank and scarfed down Memphis-style barbecue from Angels (a brand-new take-out joint profiled in last weeks edition of Connect).
However, the turnout was so much greater than expected that all the food was gone within thirty minutes of the dinner bell. This time out, Angels is back to provide a sit-down meal of smoked pork, slaw, beans and Creole gumbo, and one assumes there will be enough to last.
Live music comes courtesy of Bottles & Cans, one of the only local electric blues bands to intentionally avoid the more glitzy and showy trappings of that feel-good genre. Their lineup of guitar, bass, drums and mouth harp is more closely aligned to the gutbucket ethos of such famed juke-joint kings as the late R.L. Burnside and Hound Dog Taylor than the slick, urban approach of Robert Cray or Bobby Bland.
The lounge opens at 5 pm, food is served at 6 pm, and the band plays from 6:30 pm till 9:30 pm. $5 cover, $7.50 dinners, and all proceeds go to benefit local charities. Sun., 6 pm, American Legion Post #135 (1108 Bull St.).
