The Songwriter’s Circle” featuring Joni Bishop, Darryl Wise and “Jimmy Maddox!”

The Tybee Post Theater’s 80th Birthday Celebration, and First ‘Live’ Performance in Over 40 Years!

ONLY 100 tickets will be sold for this event!!!

On Saturday, June 5th, 2010, the Tybee Post Theater will open its doors and raise the curtain (so to speak) for the very first time in over 40 years!  This year, 2010 also marks the theater’s 80th birthday, and the evening’s “live” performance in the building will feature four extraordinary musicians – two singer/songwriter soloists – Joni Bishop, and Darryl Wise, and duo, Jimmy Maddox and Bobby Hanson.  (Due to a medical emergency, Michael Amburgey will not be performing.)

Joni Bishop, from Nashville, got her first guitar at age 9, and her career as a singer-songwriter is well established on the American folk music scene. She’s toured extensively throughout the US and Europe, and her distinctive songwriting, vocals, and finger-style guitar has not only won her recognition in many noted song festivals here and abroad, she also landed a staff-writing deal with Galleon Music Publishing Co. in Los Angeles before arriving in Nashville in 1989. She’s a “New Folk” winner in the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, has recorded for CBS Records, BWE Records and released 5 CDs on her own independent label, Polestar Records. Joni’s songs have been recorded by other artists as well, among them country singer Crystal Gayle, pop group 3T, Australian country artist Shanly Dell and numerous folk artists and bluegrass groups. Her music continues to receive airplay around the country on Americana, college and public radio.

Darryl Wise is no stranger to Tybee audiences. Now based in Saint Augustine, Florida, the Savannah native lived on Tybee for many years, and played music more recently with locals like Georgia Kyle Shiver and the Back River Ramblers. But Darryl has been playing since the mid 1970′s, and has opened shows and performed with artists ranging from Los Lobos, Tears for Fears, Steve Riley and Mamou Playboys to folk legend Tom Paxton. In 2004, he performed in Nashville at a Bluebird Cafe “Songwriters in the Round” showcase, along with other Georgia artists Tony Arata, Pat Algers and Tom Douglas. His first, and long awaited CD, “Many Miles” was released in 2008 – a compilation of originals he’d written and performed through out the years. A second CD, “Reflections” followed soon after in 2009. Darryl is passionate about his songwriting, and his ability to move an audience is well-known. According to Hank Weisman, of the Savannah Folk Music Society, Darryl is “the finest folk singer/songwriter, and most accomplished guitar player to ever emerge from the Savannah area.”

Bobby Hanson and Jimmy Maddox have been musical colleagues for over forty years. Both being native to the Savannah area, they have been mainstays of Savannah’s musical history. Bobby is known for his prowess on the harmonica and his powerful, plaintiff vocals. Jimmy is a fabulous keyboard player and a talented singer as well. Together, they fronted the legendary Joja Band as it made its mark on local pop culture. The band featured many songs penned by Hanson and Maddox. In recent years, Bobby appears with his other lifelong friend and songwriting partner, Michael Amburgey and his “Cockroach Blues” anchored an advertising campaign by Yates-Astro exterminators. Jimmy is working clubs, doing concerts and playing on cruise ships as his musical career flourishes.

The theater is still undergoing renovations, but restroom facilities, and concessions will be available – all proceeds to the theater. Remember to bring your lawn chair – or better yet, a blanket or seat cushion to sit on the slanted floor.  Indeed, you’ll be “roughing it” for this concert, but it’s sure to be an evening of quality entertainment – and a memorable birthday celebration that marks the beginning of a wonderful new era of performances in Tybee’s vintage theater.

REMEMBER to bring your lawn chairs and cushions – there are no seats in the building!

SPACE IS LIMITED to the first 100 tickets under the theater’s temporary certificate of occupancy.  Tickets may be purchased online, and also at the door, but it will be a sell-out, so don’t wait.

Doors open at 6:30pm – Concert runs from 7:00pm until 9:30pm.

ADMISSION: $15.00
Tickets are on sale NOW at the Tybee Post Theater website, and will be available at the door, but space is limited so you better hurry!

The Tybee Post Theater is located at #10 Van Horn, Tybee Island, GA. Limited parking is available nearby, and also at Jaycee Park. There will also be a bicycle rack at the theater for those who want to cycle over to the concert.

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit: http://www.tybeeposttheater.org, or call 912-323-7727.

The Friends of the Tybee Theater held its 2nd annual “Membership Meeting” at the American Legion Hall Post 156 on Tybee Island, Tuesday evening, March 2nd. Retiring Past President, Pamela Lappin acknowledged 2009 board accomplishments, and thanked outgoing board treasurer Bill Blakey for his service, then turned the meeting over to incoming President, Gordon Mathews who introduced new and returning board members. Mathews also discussed the plan of action for 2010 and beyond, and stressed a renewed sense of vision which began earlier this year with the installation of the building facade’s new windows and doors.

(2010 Slate of Officers and Directors of the Board of the Friends of the Tybee Theater. Left to right bottom row: New board member/V.P Sarah Jones; new board member, Camille Searcy; returning board member, Kenneth Carter; returning board member/Secretary, Jane Bridges; returning board member/ Bricks & Stars, Terry Spatz; new board member, Carrie Efird; returning board member/PR Chair, Cynthia Kinkel; retiring board member/Past President, Pamela Lappin – Left to right, top row: returning board member/President, Gordon Mathews; new board member, Keith Gay; new board member, Michael Hosti; new board member/Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Jim Kluttz. Photo by Nancy Heffernan – copyright 2010, The Tybee Times)

1st Dinner for the Theater Event!

The ‘Friends’ were just awarded a certificate of occupancy on February 26th that will allow them to actually host limited functions inside the building. A small fundraiser was held the following evening on Sat., Feb. 27th to commemorate the occasion. “Dinner for the Theater” parties were hosted by Bonnie Gaster, Janet Rutledge, Cindy Meyer, and Pamela Lappin, and after dinner the guests enjoyed deserts, and coffees compliments of All Point Cafe on site at the theater.  Next fundraising event for the Tybee Post Theater is the Tybee Wine Festival, Apr. 17th at the Tybee Light House.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

by Pamela Lappin

2009 was an amazing year for the Tybee Post Theater, and thanks to a grant from the State of Georgia and the generosity of the Tybee community, once again we have a beautiful building facade. The board also wishes to thank Cullen Chambers, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society and John Herdina, FOTT board member, who supervised this important project and to everyone on the Friends of the Tybee Theater Board who worked hard this year to make us so
successful.

In addition to the facade, we are currently working inside the building to bring it up to code so that we can start having a limited number of events on-site and really appreciate the city working with us on this project. What’s in store for 2010? That’s up to all of us. We’re currently raising money to begin Phase Two of the renovation that will include the following:

When Phase Two is completed, we will have a code compliant building. After Phase Three the building will be usable for the community. After decades of disuse and then years of planning, first by the Tybee Historical Society and then by the Friends of the Tybee Theater, we are now on the threshold of a new era for Tybee Island. A performing arts center, attracting locals and tourists, helping to fill seats in restaurants and beds in lodging establishments is within our reach.

Please, join us Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 pm at the American Legion for our annual public meeting to find out how you can help “Raise the Curtain.” And don’t forget our 2nd annual Tybee Wine Festival on the grounds of the Tybee Island Lighthouse on April 17th. For information visit: http://www.tybeeposttheater.org.

The Editor

(left) Mayor Jason Buelterman & (right) David Crass do the honors

“Getting the doors of this theater open is the one thing that most Tybee folks can almost agree on!” These words of Mayor Jason Buelterman rang true as he addressed the crowd gathered for an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the theater’s newly installed facade windows and doors on Dec. 17th, 2009. “Back in 2000 when the Tybee Island Historical Society purchased this building, it was one week away from the wrecking ball, and here is stands today a testimate to the dedication of those whose vision will surely prevail!”

In early December the Friends of the Tybee Theater received a letter from W. Ray Luce, Director of the State of Georgia’s Historic Preservation Division stating that the Tybee Post Theater had been awarded a Georgia Heritage Grant for $20,000 funded with proceeds from the sale of the historic preservation license plate.

The Friends of the Tybee Theater grant application was one of 37 received this past summer as part of the SFY

Inside the theater (left to right) Jason Buelterman, Kenneth Carter, David Crass, Pamela Lappin, Jane Bridges, Cullen Chambers (kneeling), Terry Spazts, Cyndi Kinkel and Gordon Matthews - Photos by Nancy Heffernan, copyright 2010, The Tybee Times.

2009 cycle totaling almost $800,000.00 in grant requests, but due to state budget constraints the only license plate money to be available at this time was awarded to the top-scoring Tybee Theater project. Competition for the Georgia Heritage Grant Program is strong, and the group is very proud of this accomplishment. The $20,000 grant award for further rehabilitation was used to complete the purchase and installation of new facade windows and doors for the building. The license plate can be purchased at county tag offices for a $25 specialty tag fee.

The group announced several months ago that grant monies had been requested for this purpose. The grant was facilitated by Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, Cullen Chambers, and the work was completed by J. T. Turner Construction Company. Chambers, Mayor Buelterman, David Crass, Director of the Historic Preservation Division from the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, and FOTT President Pam Lappin were on hand to address the gathering.  Several board members were also present along with Jim Kluttz President of Tybee Island Historical Society and Sarah Jones, Assistant Tybee Light Station Director. City officials and members of the council also attended.  The public enjoyed refreshments and tours of the site, and the very first live performance of music to take place in the building since rehabilitation began.

Musician Michael LaBombard plays his saxaphone following the ceremony - the first live performance in the theater in many years

The theater has been in the news several times this fall including an interview by WSAV-TV reporter Randi Hempel about the grant award.  In October the Tybee Arts Association raised funds for the project by producing an original community musical, “The Treasure of Lefty the Pirate.” building was also recently toured by art patrons from The Landings, and featured during “Tybee for the Holidays” 1st Annual Realtor’s Tour of Homes. Plans for more events at the theater site are now in the works, and excitement is building community-wide. If you haven’t seen the new windows and doors, drive by and take a look.  The old theater, once so much a part of Tybee’s past is beginning to come alive again.  2010 may well be the year!  Next month the Friends of the Tybee will announce a new Board of Directors, so stay tuned…