The Beach is Calling

May is the Month for Music on the Gulf Coast

No matter what month you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Ala., there’s no shortage of live music. From mellow beach tunes to classic country and smooth rock n roll, the Gulf Coast has more than its share of great bands and musicians ready to rock out on any day or night of the week. But, if your trip to the coast happens to be in May, there are two annual events you may want to put on your itinerary.

The annual Hangout Music Fest is slated May 18 to 20 and will boast three days of music right on the sugar-white sand beaches of Gulf Shores. More than 60 bands are set to hit multiple stages with headliners like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band and Jack White. While general admission tickets are sold out, a few VIP and Super VIP festival passes remain. Festival lodging partners are also offering tickets with accommodations while supplies last. The festival opens at 11 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m., nightly.

If you’re in Gulf Shores Memorial Day weekend (May 26 and 27), don’t miss the annual LuluPalooza Weekend Music Fest. In its eighth year, the family-friendly, two-day event features free concerts by Eric Lindell, Honey Island Swamp Band, Dread Clampitt, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars and more. Held at Lulu’s at Homeport Marina, there will be plenty of music, activities and great food for the young and young at heart. Music starts at 4 p.m., but you’ll want to arrive early and treat yourself to some of Lulu’s famous LA Caviar or a Cheeseburger in Paradise.

Not in the area on these dates? Don’t fret. If there’s one thing you can count on during your vacation to the Gulf Coast, it’s a steady lineup of live music. Take a peek at the Calendar of Events to get plan your itinerary.

Eat Your Way Across the Coast

As we get close to Spring, festivals crop up all over the place offering samples of our amazing Southern coastal cuisine. If you are visiting at the right time, be sure to indulge in one of these local favorites.

March 16 – 18      60th Annual Arts & Crafts Festival of Fairhope

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Over 230 fine arts & crafts exhibitors.  Live local entertainment.  Unique festival food.  BRATS shuttle service from shopping centers at Greeno Rd. & Fairhope Ave. for $2 each way (3 minute ride).  This an Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce event.

March 17      4th Annual BBQ & Blues Cook Off, Foley

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Located in Heritage Park in downtown Foley from 10am - 6pm. Live music and BBQ tastings! This is a ticketed event. For more information please call 251-943-3291 or visit www.sbchamberfoundation.com.

March 31        The Original German Sausage Festival – Elberta, Georgia

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The best German Sausage you have ever tasted! Made from a secret recipe developed by the founding fathers of Elberta, AL. This is the only place you can get the real thing! Arts & crafts, live music, carnival rides, baked goods & more. Don't forget to visit the Bier Garten for a large selection of imported beers. Phone: 251-986-5805, Website: http://sausagefest.elbertafire.com

March 31      American Red Cross Gumbo Cook-Off in Bienville Square, Mobile, AL

11:00 am - 2:00pm

$10.00 each in advance, $12.00 at the gate, Kids 10 and under get in free. The competition includes seafood and chicken/sausage categories with amateur and professional divisions.  Call  251.544.6140 or visit facebook.com/redcrossalcoast. Proceeds benefit the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross.

 

The Hangout Music Festival 2012

Tickets went on sale Friday for this year’s event of the season, The Hangout Music Festival. Now in its third year, this massive three-day festival offers a beachside opportunity to hear some of the hottest musicians around. This year is no exception. The line-up, announced last week includes Dave Matthews Band and Jack White in the headliners tent along with, along with dance tent headliner Skrillex and the following:

More artists will be added – check here for updates. .

The 2012 Hangout Fest will offer even more room for amenities and the comfort of fans, with capacity capped at last year’s limit of 35,000 attendees per day, but with a considerable amount of new space added to the festival grounds. Hangout takes great effort in making sure that every concertgoer receives star treatment, and that VIPs are treated like royalty. All fans will enjoy a plethora of amenities including: Hammock Beach, a shaded area with art installations; the Sky-bar tower, offering 360-degree views of the festival; amusement rides; water stations with free refills for all guests; plus live comedy performances and a family-friendly kids’ stage at The Hangout club.

Gulf Shores offers a wide range of lodging options, from luxury to budget to family-friendly, many within walking or biking distance of the site – packages are available at www.hangoutmusicfest.com/info/lodging/. Travel package information is available at www.hangoutmusicfest.com/tickets/travel-packages/.

 

More Treasures at the Orange Beach Festival of Art, March 10 – 11

With hundreds of artists representing visual, literary, performance and culinary arts, visitors are sure to find more great treasures than they can carry. The real treasures, though, are the artists themselves. This festival is a great opportunity to find something unique that speaks to you and to be able to discuss it with the artist directly. Having that connection to a piece, makes it that much more special when you display it in your home.

Last week we addressed some of the remarkable artists visiting the area to share their craft. This week we want to highlight just a few more so you can see just how diverse and intriguing the roster of artists truly is.

Pottery - Larry Allen

Mr. Allen comes to the festival from Kentucky where he has been making magic with pottery since the 70s. His style brings together modern architectural symmetry with bold color and classic lines.  He says he has been inspired by a variety of events and cultures in his time. Mr. Allen’s specialty is a technique called Sgraffito. In Sgraffito (or sometimes spelled Scraffito) the Pottery Artist applies two layers of a contrasting colored slip (clay in a liquid form) to an unfired ceramic form. The artist then scratches or incises his design on the slip, which in turn exposes the lower layer slip color.

See his works on his Orange Beach Festival of Art Facebook page.

 

Music – Lisa Zanghi

Ms. Zanghi, a talented singer-songwriter, left this area in the early 90s to pursue a career in Nashville. Her influences include Bonnie Raitt, Carole King and Joni Mitchell. After honing her songwriting craft, she returned to the Gulf Coast area in 2005. Her performance at the festival promises to be emotionally powerful and a toe-tapping good time.

Learn more about her on her Orange Beach Festival of Art Facebook page.

Interactive Art – The Tannehill Forge School of Blacksmithing

The Tannehill Forge School of Blacksmithing will share its artisanship with festival-goers by allowing them to participate in creating rustic beauty during the festival. Children and adults get to join in the fun as molten metal is turned into sculptural design. This is a great opportunity for children especially to connect to the kinds of skills so essential to our forefathers.

Find out more about it on the Orange Beach Festival of Art Facebook page.

 

Orange Beach Festival of Art Comes to Town March 10 and 11

In colder climates Spring announces itself when the first delicate purple crocuses poke through the snow. In the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area we like to welcome Spring with an amazing display of visual, culinary, literary,  and performance art. The Orange Beach Festival of Art grows in popularity each year with more than 25,000 guests expected to attend in 2012.

The festival takes place at The Orange Beach Art Center’s campus and the adjoining Waterfront Park. Festival admission is only $1 for ages 12 and up. The Visual Arts includes 90 Artists from across the nation with live demonstrations of glass blowing, molten iron casting and raku pottery firing. The Culinary Arts brings the unique flavors of the Gulf Coast as local restaurateurs prepare specialties for festival guest. The Performing Arts includes two stages of non-stop music and entertainment with individual performers scattered about the Festival site. Even kids enjoy the festival with the wonderful Kids’ Art Alley offering amazing children’s art activities.

Rick Bragg

Native Alabaman Rick Bragg leads the slate of authors scheduled to speak during the festival. The Pulitzer-prize winning journalist is best known for his works of non-fiction that chronicle his life in Alabama. Mr. Bragg is the domestic correspondent to the New York Times Atlanta office and provides a monthly column for Southern Living Magazine.

Anansema Cultural Group – Ghana

We are particularly pleased this year to welcome the Anansema Cultural Group from Accra, Ghana who is visiting as part of a cultural grant provided by their country. They will perform original tribal dance as well as teach drum making and carving. They will remain here for a week to provide cultural exchange to groups and students in the area. We are fortunate to have them visit from such a great distance and are honored to be included in their tour which includes London and Adelaide, Australia.

Carlyn Ray

Another must-see at this year’s festival is our guest glass artist, Carlyn Ray. She and resident glass artist, Sam Cornman will be continuously creating glass art at The Hot Shop throughout the festival. If you are visiting and would like to leave with a unique souvenir or gift for a friend, the glass-making facility at the Orange Beach Art Center is sure to please.

Parking

The festival is located at 26389 Canal Road in Orange Beach, but shuttles are available for $1 at the Orange Beach Publix, Orange Beach City Hall, The Wharf and the State Park Pavilion.

For more information about the festival and for a complete list of artists, visit the Orange Beach Festival of Art website or call (251) 981-2787.

 

Christmas Parades

Get the holiday season off to a joyous start with a visit from Santa, loads of garland and plenty of twinkling lights. Over the next couple of weekends, visitors have several opportunities to enjoy the cool weather and cheer on a Christmas parade. Be sure to take time out of your busy holiday schedule to catch a parade that will captivate little ones and bring a smile to those young at heart.

Saturday, December 3

10:00 AM   Foley Christmas Parade – winds through the streets of downtown Foley. For more information contact Richard Peterson, 251-943-5001.

4:00 PM   Gulf Shores 2^nd Annual Parade and Beach Celebration – features festive floats from around the region, as well as a stunning lighting ceremony and celebration at Gulf Shores Public Beach. Bring the whole family and enjoy crafts, games and lots of fun.

Saturday, December 10

5:30 PM  26^th Annual Nautical Night of Lights Lighted Boat Parade – travels east down the Intracoastal Water Canal, starting at LuLu’s Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, moving past The Wharf in Orange Beach on its way to Perdido Pass. Onlookers may view the parade from any public area along Canal Road.

 

Venues for the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

This week the much anticipated Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival comes to the Alabama and Florida shores. For your convenience, we have the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area venues listed below geographically. With so many venues participating, you should be able to find a place nearby where you can hear great music and storytelling through song. For a full schedule of events, click here.

 Gulf Shores

Happy Harbor Oyster Bay
4159 County Rd 6
Gulf Shores, AL
251-968-2778

 

LuLu’s At Home Port Marina
200 E. 25 Ave.
Gulf Shores, Al  36542
251-967-5858

 

 

 

Nolan’s Restaurant
1140 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, AL  36542
251-943-2111

 

 

Sunset Cork Room

225 E. 16^th Avenue

Gulf Shores, AL 36542

251-967-4772

 

Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores
240 E 24th Ave
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-948-8881

 

 The Hangout

101 W Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-948-3030

 

Orange Beach

Flippers Sports Bar
5749 Bay La Launch Ave
Orange Beach, AL
251-981-3547

 

Ginny Lane’s
4780 Wharf Pkwy, Suite F101
Orange Beach, Al 36561
251-224-6500

 

Rafters Restaurant @ the Wharf
4725 Main Street, Suite 228
Orange  Beach, AL  36561
251-224-6900

 

Shipp's Harbour Grill
27842 Canal Rd
Orange Beach, AL
251-981-9891

 

Shuckers at the Wharf
4673 Wharf Parkway
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251-224-1007

 

Tacky Jacks Orange Beach
27206 Safe Harbor Drive
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251-981-4144

 

Tipseas Steam Shack
23479 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL 36561
251-981-8477

 

Surrounding Area

Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar
17240 Bon Secour Hwy
Bon Secour, Al  36511
251-949-5086

 

Pirate's Cove

6664 County Road 95
Elberta, AL  36530
251-987-1224

The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm
19375 Rada Rd
Silverhill, AL

251-232-3072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find What You’re Looking for at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

Hundreds of singer/songwriters will soon head down to the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area to showcase their talent around town at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The festival runs November 10 – November 20 with most local venues participating. America has a rich history of storytelling through song and this festival presents an opportunity to appreciate it all.

Humor

If you are looking for an evening to tickle your funny bone, be sure to check out the musical stylings of Bill Whyte  who has performed with Jeff Dunham and Larry the Cable Guy among others. Representing funny ladies we have Kacey Jones of Ethel and the Shameless Hussies. Jones has been a guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion and is a bright star on the comic songwriting horizon.

Kicking It Old School

If you are a fan of classic country music, you will find plenty to keep your toes tapping. Check the website for complete listings of artists who will perform, because we can only highlight a few of the many talented and experienced songwriters here. Bobby Keel has received 14 gold and 12 platinum albums for songs recorded by such artists as Hank Williams Jr. , Travis Trill, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynett and Tom Jones. C.W. Colt started playing guitar when Chet Atkins taught him his first chord. He’s worked with Jimmy Buffett, Bo Diddley and Rita Coolidge.  Rick Carnes wrote songs for 40 platinum albums for such artists as Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Alabama and even Dean Martin.

Long Distance

While the majority of artists participating make their home in Nashville for practical reasons, some writers travel great distances to be in the company of others like themselves. For a twist on traditional country music, be sure to check out Ottar “Big Hand” Johanson who records country music in his native Norway.  You might also enjoyKamuela Kahoano a fresh voice from Hawaii, who has already recorded over 200 songs at the age of 29.

Ladies

If you want to see what the girls bring to the party, take a look at the roster for a complete list, but here are a few who have no trouble keeping up with the boys. Shawna Pierce, Alabama native, has shared the stage with Kid Rock, Charlie Daniels and Donnie Van Zant. She was awarded “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the Muscle Shoals Music Awards in 2008. Suzi Ragsdale started her career singing in the chorus of her father Ray Steven’s hit “Everything is Beautiful.” Since then her songs have been recorded by Anne Murray, Pam Tillis and Nelson. Janis Carnes wrote her first top ten hit in 1978. Since then she’s been writing songs with her husband Rick for Reba MacEntire, Eddy Raven, Lacy J. Dalton and others.

This is just a small sample of the entertainment that will be on hand, so don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate our rich American songwriting heritage.

 

Local Artists at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival

When the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival comes to town in November, songwriters from around the world will converge on the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area. Before that happens we want to salute the stable of excellent local songwriters and musicians who will be participating in the festival. To find out when these folks will stop by, visit our Music/Nightlife schedule.

Brent Burns

Local legend Brent Burns has made a career teaching us all how to enjoy the simple beauty of seaside life. Named 2010 Trop Rock Songwriter of the Year, his music sways in the wind like palm fronds and his lyrics evoke equal measures of humor and beauty.

Sugarcane Jane

Alabama’s own Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee Crawford come together as Sugarcane Jane, a foot-tapping fixture in the Gulf region. Whether singing original works (like Louisiana, Butterfly, and Sugar) or putting their down home sound on familiar classics (ranging from an incredibly playful and fun Hot Rod Lincoln to a spontaneous rendition of Roger Miller’s Dang Me or a dreamily mellow and psychedelic Midnight Rider), Sugarcane Jane’s appeal cuts across generations and appeals to a wide audience.

Johnny Barbato

Raised in Louisiana, he was weaned on Cajun Boogie and those roots still run deep in his vocal style and songwriting.  Johnny moved to Alabama in the mid-70's and today is a successful regional favorite with his band, "Lucky Doggs".

Webb Dalton

Webb Dalton’s music is steeped in his Alabama roots with influences such as Lynryd Skynrd, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. He blends those influences with the rockabilly style of Memphis – Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King and comes up with a rousing style that celebrates kicking back and enjoying life.

 

Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival To Return in November

The Gulf Shores & Orange Beach area hosts great live music all the time at local restaurants and venues, but if you happen to be visiting in November, check out the 27^thAnnual Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, November 10-20, 2011.

Many well-established local musicians as well as hundreds of visiting songwriters will be on hand to celebrate their craft. It is an amazing opportunity to take in live music and almost every venue in the area participates.

During this 11 day festival, concerts featuring Grammy Award winning songwriters and the up and coming stars of tomorrow will be held where the Heart of The South meets the white sands and green waters of the Gulf of Mexico in beautiful Pensacola and Perdido Key, Florida and Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The Southeast Tourism Society has named Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival one of the top 20 events in the Southeast.  Check back here soon for more information about venues and artists!