Nightlife: 2012-02-03T22:51:19Z Copyright (c) 2012, Carla Nelson ExpressionEngine tag:thecornernews.com,2012:02:03 tag:thecornernews.com,2012:index.php/nightlife/4.17402 2012-02-03T21:44:18Z 2012-02-03T22:51:19Z Carla Nelson cmerrill@thecornernews.com
The band categorizes themselves as “college rock.” It performs covers ranging from Earth Wind and Fire to Steve Miller Band. The band attracted a college crowd that loudly sang along to nearly every song on the band’s set list.

The band did a heavy rendition of O.A.R.’s “Crazy Game of Poker,” that was completed with a variety of instrumental solos that kept the audience dancing.

However, the audience seemed to have favorite covers. The dance floor was packed when the band played “Slide” by Sugar Ray and did its own version of a variety of Dave Matthews songs.

“Play That Funky Music White Boy” was also a crowd favorite. The cover was performed with the full band. Spencer Daniel, vocals and guitar; David Chenault, bass; Casey Chilson, keys and vocals; Troy Braswell, lead guitar and John English Babington, drums.

The five piece classic rock and jam band formed in August of 2011, and has been making its way around the Auburn music scene since.

Be sure to check out for Marv and the Stickky Bandits. They’ll be stealing space on marquees everywhere!

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All profits will be donated to charities of the Lee County Kiwanis Club, including DARE, the Child Advocacy Center, Reading is Fundamental, the Literacy Coalition, the East Alabama Foodbank, Mercy Medical, Lee County Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, Robert Ham Christmas, the Partnership for Lee County, and the American Cancer Society.

The casino games will include Vegas favorites such as craps, roulette and blackjack. Live music will be provided by D’SYRE. Participants will “cash in” at the end of the night's festivities to receive prizes.

The event will also have a martini bar and food.

“The Hotel at Auburn University is proud to host ‘Calling All Aces’ as the event provides a night of entertainment that benefits many wonderful local charities and organizations,” said Hans van der Reijden, managing director of the Hotel at Auburn University. “It is such a joy to see the people of Auburn come together to help raise funds for our local programs. In previous years, the event has raised more than $50,000, and we hope to raise even more in 2012.”

Tickets are $100 per person or $900 per table of 10, and they include dinner and gambling. To purchase tickets or for additional information, call Taylor Britton at (334) 444-1225 or Mandy Harrelson at (334) 663-3254) or visit callingallaces.com ]]> tag:thecornernews.com,2012:index.php/nightlife/4.17239 2012-01-23T15:32:24Z 2012-01-23T16:44:25Z Destiny Brown dsb0006@auburn.edu
The patio was packed with a diverse crowd of college students, seasoned music patrons and weekly fans who came to drink a $1 Bud Light and be rocked by the two acoustic guitars taking over the stage.

On the line between country and rock, the duo plays each song with a proficient sound. A keen lead guitar takes a solo while an acoustic guitar strums a chorded rhythm. Southern rock, country and a touch of jam band music are a few genres that describe the musician’s lengthy set list.

Brown and Wall perform covers that range from The Allman Brothers to Zach Brown Band, and take turns singing lead to songs that accommodate their contrasting voices. Each musician has his own vocal style, but the two incorporate smooth harmony into their setlist to original covers like “Sick 'em on a Chicken,” by Zach Brown Band and “Ophelia,” by The Band.

Brown and Wall are former members of the jam bands Chronic Blues and Old Soul. Judging by their comfortable stage presence and audience interaction, it's obvious that these musicians aren't strangers to the music scene.

The Brown and Wall duo are a talented addition to the Auburn music circuit, and are gaining fans whose weekly highlight is going to the Auburn Oyster Bar on Monday night.

Audience Reaction

“Best live acoustic show in Auburn.” - Joey Blanton


“They're awesome. I enjoy their music and their songs.” -Deidre Alfson





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The past two Brewfests have been set for the fall, and have gained excellent feedback from Auburn and Opelika residents.

“There’s not a lot going on in the winter,” said Lisa Beck, owner of the Event Center. “This will be a fun event that I hope people will appreciate and enjoy.”

The Winter Rhythm and Brews Brewfest will be held at the Event Center in downtown Opelika on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Customers must be 21 to attend the event.

Tickets to the event are $25 and include three drink tickets. The event will offer a wide selection of 40+ beers, house wine and well drinks. Beer samples will also be offered.

“In the past we’ve only offered different types of beer,” said Beck. “I think the addition of wine and well drinks will be a popular change.”

For the first time, Brewfest will be centered mostly around the musical acts that are scheduled for the event.

“Nationally acclaimed singer/songwriters from across the country will be performing,” said Beck. “It’ll be a fun evening of live, original music.”

Alabama native, Grayson Capps, is one of the acts scheduled to perform at the Rhythm and Brews event. Capps’ blend of southern soul and rugged country have brought him recognition throughout the south, especially in New Orleans and Mobile for his assortment of Cajun tunes.

Another act at the event will be Brandon Jenkins. As a songwriter out of Austin, Texas, Jenkins has co-written with popular artist such as Stoney LaRue and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Jenkins is noted for his “red dirt” country music. His full band will be performing at the event.

The third act scheduled for the event is Will Kimbrough. Raised in southern Alabama and dedicating his career to the exploration of different types of music, Kimbrough has an impressive array of classic folk rock, incorporating instruments from guitar to saxophone. Kimbrough is a well-known act among the southern states, especially in Alabama.

This year's Brewfest is expected to have the same large crowd as the past two.

“We’ve had 270-450 people at our past two events,” said Beck.

Providing an entertaining atmosphere with live music, Winter Brewfest is an event that music and beer patrons from all over are invited to enjoy.

For more on the event, visit eventcenterdowntown.net.
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However, Wednesday at Skybar marked the band's last show in its hometown before making its way overseas for its first European tour that hits countries such as Spain, Germany and Switzerland.

The band recently released its newest album, “Southern Sons,” and like its first album, it provides the band’s same jam and rock combination that has gained it so many fans.

The mesmerized SkyBar audience swayed and rocked their heads as the band jammed to the set list. The colorful lights illuminating the band made the Skybar dance floor more like a jam band rock concert. The dance floor stayed packed all night with fans enjoying the band's original sound.

Though the band writes and performs its own songs, it performs an impressive spread of covers as well, ranging from Widespread Panic to one of the band’s inspirations, Gov’t Mule.

The band, which formed in 2009, features Daniel Allen, singer; Alex Cannon, guitar/vocals; Bryan Harris, drums; Richard Forehand, guitar/slide/vocals; Jamie Hallen, keys/organs; and Paul Bruens, bass.

The band's first album, “Dear Revolution,” gained outstanding reviews and national recognition in the U.S. The band hopes to gain the same positive feedback from the Europeans they will be performing for beginning Jan. 20.

“Georgia Fire,” one of the singles from “Southern Sons,” is one of the band’s most publicized songs from the new album. Listening to the song, it’s clear that the band hasn’t let go of its funky sound. “Southern Sons,” showcases a more southern and bluesy vibe than “Dear Revolution,” but stays true to the band’s prominent harmony and musical talents. The album is already getting excellent reviews in Spain, Portugal and the UK.

For more on The Vegabonds, visit thevegabonds.com.

Audience Reaction

"The Vegabonds are a funky chill jamtastic band. I'll defintely go to another show." -Avery Gualtney


"I enjoy how much they jam and play off each other's talents." -Kasi Freeman


"I love when The Vegabonds play at Skybar!" -Kayla Vines



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The Atlanta based band was formed in 2006 by the band's leader/drummer, Teddy "BamBam" Jemison. The band also includes two soulful lead female singers, four seasoned musicians and a DJ that guarantees an exciting performance for any occasion.

Since it's beginning in 2006, Groove Factor has gained a well-known reputation in the fraternity circuit as well as becoming a highly demanded band for weddings, nightclubs and any event in need of a Motown groove.

The band covers favorites ranging from the Black Eyes Peas to KC and the Sunshine Band and adds its own hip choreography and original beats to the band's setlist.

Be sure to check out Groove Factor at the War Eagle Supper Club and be ready to get your groove on! For more, visit groovefactorlive.com.

]]> tag:thecornernews.com,2012:index.php/nightlife/4.17061 2012-01-02T20:20:08Z 2012-01-02T21:23:09Z Carla Nelson cmerrill@thecornernews.com thecornernews.com ]]> tag:thecornernews.com,2011:index.php/nightlife/4.17000 2011-12-19T21:17:49Z 2011-12-29T17:54:50Z Carla Nelson cmerrill@thecornernews.com
Arricia
Ariccia will host a new Year's Eve celebration beginning with a five-course dinner in Ariccia. Reservations begin at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is $75 per person and includes a champagne toast at Midnight in Piccolo. After dinner, guests are invited to Piccolo for a party featuring music by a jazz quartet starting at 9 p.m. Before the stroke of midnight, guests will receive hats, noise-makers and complimentary champagne. The event in Piccolo is also open to guests who want to celebrate without dining at Ariccia beforehand.
Once the New Year has been celebrated, guests can ride the elevator home with the hotel’s special $99 room rate including breakfast for two in Ariccia the next morning.
To make reservations for any of the New Year’s Eve events, call Allison Duke at (334) 321-3181.

The Bank Vault
The Bank Vault will have live music with $2 wells and a champagne toast at midnight. No cover.

Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street will host a New Year's Eve TKO Dance Party and will also open early for the Auburn vs. Virginia Bowl Game. Cover is $7.

DJ Holleywood's Chameleon
Chameleon will host DJ Holleywood's New Year's Eve Bash. DJ Holleywood will DJ and there will be a live band, a champagne toast at midnight and more. The party starts at 9 p.m. Cover is $10.

Event Center Downtown
The Event Center Downtown will host a New Year’s Eve Auburn Bowl Watch Party. Watch the Chick-fil-A Bowl featuring Auburn vs. Virginia at 6:30 p.m. on a 14 ft. big screen and several flat screens. Tailgate food and barbeque will be served from 6 to 9 p.m. and a breakfast buffet will be provided from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight.
Halftime music will be provided by David Ellis and Original Cover Band, a seven member band out of Atlanta, will perform dance music after the game.
Tickets are $40. Make reservations by Dec. 30 by calling (334) 705-5466.

Fat Daddy's
New Year's Eve Party feat. Annelise & Homebrew.

Halftime
Watch the Auburn vs. Virginia Bowl game on the big screen and enjoy beer specials.

Irish Bred Pub
The Irish Bred Pub will host After the Crash.

SkyBar
SkyBar will host its 7th annual New Year's Eve Bash featuring live entertainment by Southern rock/blues band The Park Band with dance music by DJ Baker in the back. They will also offer free party favors and complimentary champagne at midnight.
SkyBar will also open early for the Auburn vs. Virginia Bowl Game.

Supper Club
The War Eagle Supper Club will host classic rock band The Zigtones with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Cover is $7. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Zazu
Kevin Flannagan will perform after the Auburn bowl game. Drink specials will be offered all night and feat. $1.50 Yuengling draft and $5 martinis. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight.

If you're headed to Atlanta to watch Auburn take on Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl Game, here are some of the biggest New Year's Eve Party headquarters:

Downtown Countdown
The Hyatt Regency, located at 265 Peachtree Street NE, will host a party that includes performances by Naughty By Nature and Ed Kowalczyk of the band LIVE. Tickets include an open bar, food, five bands, four comedians, three DJs, party favors and a late night breakfast. General admission tickets are $109. VIP tickets are $175. For more, visit clubzone.com.

NYE in the ATL
The Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, located at 2450 Galleria Parkway, will host a party that includes multiple party rooms, open bars, multiple DJS, comedy, breakfast buffett and more. There will also be a celebrity hosted champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Tickets range from $50 to $100. For more, visit clubzone.com.




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Noise for Toys is an annual event at the Supper Club, where instead of paying cover, you bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated.

“Noise for Toys is probably our favorite night of the year,” said owner John Brandt. “Instead of taking up cover charge, we take up new, unwrapped toys and all of them go to the local Toys for Tots.”

Toys for Tots is not the only benefactor of Noise for Toys, though. A donation for partygoers without a toy is required and goes to a cause of the band’s choosing. Rock/soul band Mr. Resistor performs each year at the event.

“It's just a night of goodwill and every year, the band picks a charity for the $7 donation at the door for people who didn't bring toys,” Brandt said.

This year, the donation money is going towards treatment for a local woman who is fighting cancer.

"It's amazing—it seems like the worse the economy gets, the more generous people get,” said Brandt.

The annual event began more than 20 years ago, and along with Mr. Resistor an assortment of other bands will perform that include SquareBone and Billy Earl McClellan

"It's a lot of the locals, a lot of the people that used to come out here 20 years ago come back out,” Brandt said. “It's the one time of year you know you'll see a lot of familiar faces."

Throughout the history of Noise for Toys, the gift-giving has evolved to include the likes of remote controlled cars and brand new bicycles.

“It used to be where people would try to cheap out,” Brandt explained. “You tell them in lieu of cover charge bring a toy, and people might go out to Walmart before they come here and buy some little cheap toy, but now it's like a lot of these people try to outdo each other.”

Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m., but in accordance with Supper Club custom, the party won’t stop till 4 a.m.
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Underwood performed a variety of classic rock covers such as “Ballad of Curtis Lowe,” and “House of the Rising Sun.”

Underwood didn’t hesitate to perform any song the audience requested. He played a variety of covers that kept the audience guessing what was next.

Underwood says his favorite part of playing music is being able to put his own twist on everything. Underwood performed his own version of “Fireflies,” by Owl City, which was a crowd favorite. However, his cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” was the most popular song of the night.

Underwood has been playing music for 14 years. Besides playing guitar, Underwood writes his own songs and performs them every once in awhile when “the crowd is right.”

Underwood enjoys playing music anywhere where he can. Currently, Underwood has nothing musically scheduled in the Auburn area. Recently graduated from Auburn University, Underwood is pursuing a career, but hopes to keep music a big part of his life.
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The Gnu’s Room owner, Tina Tatum, said Auburn University Building Science and Architecture students have volunteered their time to redesign the store.

“They’re looking at doing it in phases with phase one being a renovation of what we currently have to just help us seat more people when we do our performances,” Tatum said. “The next phase will be to renovate the basement and make it a useable space. It will pretty much double our space.”

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and will end at 9 p.m. During that time there will be readings, book signings, musical performances, a silent art auction and more. There will also be an all-day book sale, drink specials, a bake sale, handmade merchandise available for purchase and T-shirt sale.

Tatum said they hope to raise a large chunk of the amount needed for the first renovation and plan to have more fundraisers to raise enough for the rest.

The Gnu’s Room is currently awaiting its official designation letter of tax exempt status from the IRS, however, the Auburn Arts Association has offered to be
its fiscal partner until that time. Any monetary gifts in the form of checks must be made out to the Auburn Arts Association with a designation in the memo line for The Gnu's Room.

“The Auburn Arts Association has been good to us and we try to cooperate with each other,” Tatum said. “We furnish coffee for their Sunday matinees when the community theatre performs. We try to help out however we can with fundraisers they do. They approached us about reciprocating that. Any checks from folks that want tax receipts will need to be made out to the Auburn Arts Association since they are already a tax exempt organization. They’ll get the tax receipt and we’ll get the benefit of the funds.”

Tatum said along with the fundraiser, she sees The Southside Arts Festival as another way to give local artists a platform.

“In addition to this being a fundraiser, we’re just looking at a way to put the spotlight on local musicians and writers and poets and performers of all kinds with this festival,” she said.

The Southside Arts Festival Musical Performance Schedule:
11 a.m. – Noisy Deirdre
4 p.m. – Jazz with Jimmy
7 p.m. – Adventure the Great
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Lucas signed with Riverside Entertainment in 2004 and recorded her first album, “STILL.” She toured throughout Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee promoting the album. After the tour Sabra took some time off to start a family. Five years and five kids later, Sabra is back and ready to perform.

Sabra’s music is written about the things she loves in nature and relationships. Her voice can be compared to a less sweet sounding Jewel, with a distinct guitar style.

Lucas said she doesn’t have specific musical influences.

“My influences really don't come from people,” she said. “I took everything I loved from nature and relationships, pieced those emotions and feelings together as best I could, and wrote them down on paper.”

Sabra has recently finished recording her second album, “No.5,” and is currently touring. She is headed to Opelika for a CD release party at Eighth & Rail on Wednesday, Nov. 30. She will also perform a promo show with part of her band at The Gnu’s Room on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

For more on Sabra Lucas, visit myspace.com/sabralucas.
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With a brand new Taylor guitar, and a written out set list, Lindley performed an impressive variety of covers that ranged from Hank Williams Jr.’s “Country Boy Can Survive,” to a collection of Breaking Benjamin covers, a crowd favorite.

Lindley incorporated a harmonizer during his show that added extra vocals to his songs. Each cover Lindley performed was polished in a way that fit Lindley’s unique style of old country and new rock perfectly.

Lindley says his favorite thing about playing music is being able to take a song and turn it into an acoustic version of his own and seeing the crowd reaction.

Lindley has been playing in the Auburn area for six years. He plays at Fat Daddy’s, Touchdown’s, Supper Club and occasionally with the Findley Brothers at the Auburn Oyster Bar.

Lindley will be performing at Touchdown’s on Saturday.

Audience reaction:

“A musical artist of the modern age.” - Jeff Godwin

“Very versital, he plays anything you want to hear from sad country to hardcore alternative.” -Jason Koen
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Dining

Blind Pig Tavern

485 Baldwin Street
706.548.3442
blindpigtavern.com

2440 West Broad Street
706.208.7979

Since 1998, Blind Pig Tavern has been serving up soups, salads, subs, wings, burgers and hot dogs. Located just off campus and on Atlanta Highway, the restaurant offers specialty burgers like “The American Dream” and “The Spreadhead” alongside sandwiches like “The McDroganator” and “The Goofy Redneck.” Entree prices range from around $5 to $10.

Five and Ten

1653 South Lumpkin Street
706.546.7300
fiveandten.com

Five and Ten serves gourmet entrees with a Georgia twist, including a “redneck risotto,” “low country frogmore stew” and cornmeal dusted flounder. Just a few blocks from campus, Five and Ten was chosen as the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s restaurant of the year in 2007 and has been rated highly by ZAGAT for six consecutive years. Prices for dinner entrees range from $11 to $32.

The National

232 West Hancock Avenue
706.549.3450
thenationalrestaurant.com

Serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes and wines, The National says its driving idea is simple, “To provide a spot reminiscent of the bars and cafes we’ve enjoyed on travels to Europe.” While the menu leans foreign, the restaurant uses a number of locally grown ingredients, giving their menu a local, seasonal appeal. Appetizers like stuffed dates and barbecue lamb ribs with pomegranite sauce range from $4 to $15 and entrees like rabbit pasta and Georgia shrimp range from $11 to $24.

Nightlife

40 Watt Club

285 West Washington Street
706.549.7871
40watt.com

The 40 Watt Club is an Athens staple, and if you like to hear live music, the 40 Watt has got you covered. With live music nearly every night of the week and was named one of America’s 40 Best Music Venues by Paste Magazine.
Friday entertainment: Jessica Lea Mayfield
Saturday entertainment: powerkompany

Trappeze Pub

269 North Hull St. Suite 6
706.543.8997
trappezepub.com

Trappeze has a strong dedication to craft beers, with more than 30 on tap and hundreds by bottle. If you can crave it, they can supply it. Trappeze is committed to providing an environment of conversation and community, and the beer to make it happen.

Boar’s Head Lounge

260 East Washington Street
706.369.3040
Find them on Facebook

One thing you won’t be doing at Boar’s Head Lounge is getting bored. The bar offers indoor and outdoor entertainment, shuffleboard lanes, pool tables, darts and beer pong.
Nightly specials: $1 Miller Light draft from 8-11 p.m., $2 import pints
Friday/Saturday specials: Happy Hour 4-8 p.m. offers $1 off liquor and draft beer and $4 Miller Light pitchers for Beer Pong.


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The tables were scattered with empty beer bottles and the seats were filled with a lively audience that packed out the patio of the Auburn Oyster Bar as the night went on.

Many of the audience members included musician friends of Hall, who took turns playing short sets in between Hall’s set list.

The crowd joined in the chorus to Paul Simon’s “50 Way to Leave Your Lover,” as Hall performed the cover with a well-worn voice and harmonica accompaniment.

Hall continued his show with covers such as Muddy Waters’ “Hootchie Cootchie Man,” belted out with a ‘rough around the edges’ slide guitar.

Hall is also a songwriter and performed a few of his self-pinned songs such as “Jeremiah,” and “Dogfinger,” a soulful blues original written about an old guitar picker.

Hall said he believes that great songs are like a fine cut of beef. “Neither one of them require a lot of seasoning. They will both taste good as long as you don’t mess ‘em up.”

Hall has been playing in the Auburn music scene for almost 10 years and has been a regular Thursday night entertainer at the Auburn Oyster Bar since March of 2009.

Hall has recently recorded a new CD called “Live from the Auburn Oyster Bar.” The CD includes a combination of songs recorded from the Auburn Oyster Bar on Thursday nights.

Go see Hall on any Thursday night and hear for yourself. On Nov. 17 he’ll be debuting his live CD produced by the Grammy nominated songwriting legend Stephen Allen Davis who has 20 billboard #1 hits to his credit and 400 cuts from artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Joe Cocker.

Audience Reaction:

“I drove 300 miles to see Bubba Hall. He loves his music.” -Terry Ingram

“It’s always fun to catch Bubba playing on the patio on Thursday evenings. He has a lot of friends who stop by to play.” -Michael Dickey
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