To-do list: This weekend – “Blues Jam Fest 2010,” The Sand Bar, 1512 Butler Ave., Tybee Island. The featured group is Alien Blue and there will be many more local artists performing. Free, fun!

Visit: the sand bar

ESPY Awards9/8c ESPN The 18th annual mingling of athletes and celebrities in L.A. adds a fresh coat of cynicism and sarcasm with Saturday Night Live head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor Seth Meyers running the show. With some 38 fan-voted awards on …

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Tonight’s TV Hot List: Wednesday, July 14, 2010

“Breakfast Special” 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. (Ch. 2): If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then this special hosted by Rick Sebak is the most important of the … Well, maybe not, but it is fun. Eateries that specialize in morning meals are visited, including a rural New York spot called Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn that’s open two months a year and serves only buckwheat pancakes. Other …

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Life Imitates Art for Miley Cyrus and her Last Song costar Liam Hemsworth ScreenStar.com Movie News While on set in Tybee Island , Georgia and nearby Savannah, the couple bonded. While filming in the small tow away from the glitz and hidden from paparazzi, … and more

Random bites: Topsail, Sugar Daddy’s Connect Savannah.com I rarely ramp up expectations when heading to a new waterside eatery on Tybee Island – there are winners, and there are losers. …

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Random bites: Topsail, Sugar Daddy’s – Connect Savannah.com

HEAPS-UP, LOCAL FILM FANS!!!

What: Psychotronic Film Society of Savannah Shows Benefit Nashville Flood Victims

Where: THE LUCAS THEATER, SAVANNAH, GA

WHEN: Saturday, July 10th, 2PM & 7PM

THERE will be a Classic Comedy “Double-Feature” of both AIRPLANE! and SMOKEY & THE BANDIT tomorrow at the Lucas Theater in Savannah. Both are the “uncut, original versions” which most people have never seen on the big screen before. Double-Feature will be shown twice, at 2pm and again at 7pm to make it easier for folks to fit into their schedules.The FULL 100% of ticket proceeds are being donated directly to “Nashville Flood Relief,” to help the thousands of folks whose lives were ruined by that tragic natural disaster a few months back that the media paid very little attention to (focused almost solely on the oil spill in the Gulf).

There will be popcorn, candy, soft drinks, beer and wine available and it’s open to anyone 13 and up.

Tickets for either showing of both movies are only $10 and are available now by phone at 912-525-5050 or online (Please, note there IS an extra charge for charging them online, but not if ordered over the phone and held for pickup at the door). Tickets will also be sold at the door of the Lucas Theatre starting one hour before each screening. Movies were chosen to appeal to a broad rangeof folks and which were suitable for families to see together.

There’s also plenty of powerful A/C in the Lucas, which is a big plus these days!

TO ORDER TICKETS, PLEASE CALL: 912-525-5050

Or Visit: www.lucastheatre.com

FOREVER FOLK

“Summer Entertainment on a Roll”

by Hank Weisman

The Savannah Folk Music Society kicked of its 15th year of First Friday for Folk Music on Friday, July 2nd with a show that really sizzled. This monthly showcase of local and touring folk music talent draws 200 folk enthusiasts to First Presbyterian Church at 520 Washington Avenue in Savannah every month. It is wholesome, family entertainment starting at 7:30 PM and for the bargain of a $2 per person recommended donation.

July’s First Friday for Folk Music opened with Roll on Rodney, an eclectic quartet in terms of members and music. The group includes veteran Savannah musician John Powers with his son, Zach, Rob Robertson and Mary Joe Adams. John arranges the group’s unique approach to songs old and new, provides most of the humor and plays a myriad of instruments; Zach plays keyboard and saxophone (yes, a sax in a folk show!); Rob lays down some great guitar riffs and vocals; and Mary Joe does many of the lead vocals and gives the group some much-needed good looks! You can always expect the unexpected when Roll on Rodney rolls onto the stage.

Bill and Eli Perras also made their second visit to First Friday. The many inspired lyrics given to and interpreted by Eli Perras, combined with Bill Perras’s bluesy finger-style guitar playing create a uniquely modern take on true Americana music in its purest form. Receiving recognition for their tightly woven musical creativity, they humbly remain true to their personal values. They speak out with strong heartfelt lyrics accompanied by soulful genuine pentatonic rhythms against social injustices, corporate greed, and daily follies in everyday life. They can grip your heart, search your soul, change a mindset, or softly strike a funny bone, all the while leaving the audience with a sentiment for the common good desired in all mankind.  They have opened for Bill Staines, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, Michael Smith, John Gorka, Jack Williams, Anne Feeney, Scott Ainslie, Small Potatoes, Emma’s Revolution, Paul Geremia, Panama Red and many more nationally recognized entertainers. They are regulars at the many Florida folk music venues and festivals and frequently travel the country sharing their music beyond the Sunshine State.

Besides the 14th anniversary edition of First Friday for Folk Music which occurred before this issue of Tybee Times hit the stands, there were two other June events sponsored by the Society. On June 12th at the Frank Murray Community Center on Whitemarsh Island, the last Old Time Country Dance of the season took place at 8 PM. Dances will resume in September when its not as brutally hot as it is in July and August. Playing the dance was the Glow in the Dark Stringband and the steps were called by Bob Beatiie and Joyce Murlless.

A Pot Luck Pickin’ Jam was held at 2 PM on June 13th at the home of Bill Morris on Wilmington Island. Bill’s waterfront home has plenty roomy for lots of folks to bring instruments, voices, enthusiasm and of course, their favorite dish to share.

Looking ahead, the Fall will bring more great music. Concerts have already been planned featuring Mark Erelli & Meg Hutchinson, David Jacob-Strain and Phil Minissale. First Fridays will include such notable performers as Dana Cooper and Buddy Mondlock. And the Oct. 8-10 Savannah Folk Music Festival includes Karla Bonoff, Otis Taylor, Sam Pacetti and Carl Jones & Beverly Smith. And one more thing….is your teenager working on an original song to submit by September 1st for the Youth Songwriting Competition??? Keep folkin’ !

For information about SFMS, call Hank Weisman at 912-786-6953. Visit: http://www.savannahfolk.org.

Who wants to kill a Millionaire Ends Three Year Run
By Renee DeRossett

Tom Coleman, the Director of the Savannah Community Theatre held auditions for the Who Wants to Kill A Millionaire show three years ago this past April.

I got the role of Lily Laplighter, and another Tybeeite Jeff Hall was the Detective Chase Taylor..  We have been performing the show every weekend at the world famous Pirates House for the past three years. We also do special corporate parties.

As you can imagine, With so many performances, there were double casts. Many local actors have played the various roles through the years. The success of the show is due to not only the witty writing and the hilarious characters, but there is a twist at the end of this show that has helped to make the show such an audience pleaser… not to mention the fabulous acting talents of so many…… I am proud to have played the part of the Millionaire Hostess Lily Laplighter since the very first show. It has been a wonderful run.

Audiences are thrown into the show by actually being a part of the action. It is written so as to include several audience members in the show, as well as the murderer. There are two murders during the show, and the audience has to deduce who the killer is. In the end, (unbeknownst to the rest of the audience, and in most cases the people at their own table) the killer  turns out that an audience member (who is given the script prior to the show). There have been riotous endings, where spouses are blown away that their own spouse stands up at the end as the murderer. Many a huge laugh and great time for all.

Last year the Travel Channel saw our ad on The SCT website and chose us as one of the stops on their show about Savannah. Samantha Brown even joined in and was the murderer at the end. It was a huge success and it has aired on the travel channel since January. I have it on tape. We are ending the run only because the writer of the play (Lee Adams from Minnesota?) has decided to take it on a national tour and is therefore not allowing other performances at the same time.

Therefore, we say goodbye to Lily Laplighter, Chase Taylor, Pooh and Nicky Whitney (played by Kim Trammell), Chu-Chu, Suki, and Kilo who would
all like to bid a final adieu and say a huge “thank you” to our many Savannah, Tybee, Bluffton and Hilton Head audiences through the years.

Goodbye to a wonderful run!

Visit: http://www.savannahcommunitytheatre.com

Our Mission:To promote the preservation, enjoyment and continuation of the living art of folk music...

Back by popular demand, “Montana Skies” will be in Concert on May 14th. A must see and hear experience, this is a duo with the full spectrum of an orchestra crossed with the energy of a rock band. Jennifer and Jonathan Adams create a “new acoustic” sound with their pairing of cello, six-string electric cello, Spanish/classical guitar, and steel string guitar. Award winning musicians, they delve into music from Pink Floyd and Rush to Vivaldi, House of the Rising Sun, and Bach, as well as their own originals that have been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel. Using a wide range of effects, Jennifer Adams’ blazing electric cello and Jonathan Adams’ guitar wizardry combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable. Montana Skies has an extensive tour schedule which has taken them all across the US, Canada and to Asia.

Jonathan and Jennifer met while studying music at the University of Georgia. Recognizing a kindred spirit in each other’s devotion to their music, the desire to share music together was ignited immediately. The two assumed they would be performing classical recitals and great works for the cello and guitar; then, in one trip to the library to select music, their whole world of classical intentions came crashing down. The discovery: music written for cello and guitar was as rare as the combination itself — no great classical works existed. What resulted from this new musical freedom of expression between the two was the formation of Montana Skies, and a unique style of music that would garner instant recognition and praise. Jonathan explains, “The fact that ‘ready made’ repertoire is not available for our combination of instruments is really what pushes us to be more creative with our music. We love composing and arranging, and appreciate the opportunity to present old favorites, along with newer music, to our audiences.”

The Montana Skies concert will be in the gardens (under a tent) at the Ships of the Sea Museum, 41 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., on Friday, May 14th at 7:30 PM. Tickets, available at the door, are only $8 for adults and $5 for children and students, thanks to the support of a Grassroots Art Program grant from the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs. These funds are from the National Endowment for the Arts through the Georgia Council for the Arts and an appropriation of the Georgia General Assembly.

On Friday, June 4th, the Savannah Folk Music Society marks the 14th anniversary of its monthly coffeehouse-style series, “First Friday for Folk Music.” As has become tradition, the evening will feature surprises and giveaways as well as the best in folk music. Appearing will be Nashville’s Joni Bishop and Canadian Tia McGraff, also an anniversary tradition.

Joni Bishop’s introduction to the world of music began when she got her first guitar at age 9 and discovered the folk/ roots music of singers like Mississippi John Hurt and Elizabeth Cotton. Not only did the music captivate her, but the faces on the LP jackets as well. It was then that she began to develop a love for both music and art and to discover her own gifts for writing songs, singing, playing finger-style guitar, and for sketching pencil portraits of the musicians she loved to hear. Since those early days, Joni’s career as a singer-songwriter has become well established on the American folk music scene. She has toured extensively throughout the US and in Europe. Her distinctive songwriting-vocal-guitar style won her recognition in many noted song festivals here and abroad and landed her a staff-writing deal with Galleon Music Publishing Co. in Los Angeles before arriving in Nashville in 1989. She was 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 and her music continues to receive airplay around the country on Americana, college and public radio.

According to Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive and the Guess Who),“Tia McGraff is a fantastic singer with her own vocal personality which reminds me of an early Linda Ronstadt. She is a very intuitive songwriter who knows what a song needs to make it tick. A joy to work with, it’s just a matter of time till that magic moment when everyone agrees it’s Tia’s time.” Port Dover, Ontario songstress Tia McGraff, is an international artist who is reaching beyond all boundaries and into the hearts of music lovers from Australia to West Yorkshire. After receiving critical acclaim and top reviews, Tia’s latest album release, “Day in My Shoes” has been nominated for “Alt Country album of the Year”, at the 2008 Hamilton Music Awards. In April of this year, Tia received word from Australia that her song, “All of Us” (Tia McGraff/Tommy Parham/Henry Priestman), was selected for use in a TV commercial campaign promoting multi-culturalism. Then to add to the honor, Tia’s version of the same song, was aired in a video presentation during the Pope’s visit to Sydney on World Youth Day and viewed by over 500,000 in attendance.

In the fall of 2008, Tia and her partner Tommy Parham, toured the UK for 3 weeks and proved once again to their live audiences why they are on their way to becoming household names. An ambitious tour that included 18 performances, 3 sold out shows, and a number of appearances with the talented UK band, The Storys. On one of the rare days off during the tour, Tia and Tommy were visiting their friend, Charlie McKenna, and it was here (at his stone farmhouse) in Hebden Bridge, that the three were inspired to write, “Christmas in Hebden Bridge.” Produced by Tommy Parham, arranged and co-produced by Nashville’s Scott Brasher (Billy the Early Years), Tia McGraff gives a stunning performance of this “soon to be holiday classic,” and proves that she is a world class singer/songwriter who can deliver a song from the heart for the heart.

The 14th Anniversary edition of First Friday for Folk Music is Friday, June 4th at First Presbyterian Church, 520 Washington Avenue in Savannah. He program starts at 7:30 PM and a variety of beverages and fresh baked cookies are available for purchase. A $2 donation per person is recommended.

For information about SFMS, call Hank Weisman at 912-786-6953, or visit the Savannah Folk Music Society online at savannahfolk.org.

by Sports Writer, Adam J. Pestka

“Play By Play”

Week 4 April 12th
Game 1: Titanics versus Ocean Rescue
Pitting two of the ocean’s most formidable rescue squads against each other, week four promised to be an exciting week.  The Titanics coming off their most recent loss to Sting Ray’s last week were looking to rebound with a win.  After opening up the first inning with hit, runs, and a positive attitude the Titanics took the field against the battered Ocean Rescue Team.  However, just because you have been beaten, doesn’t mean that you are an easy opponent.  Ocean Rescue managed to keep the score close through the first three innings, where the game was prime for a comeback.  After grounding out to make the first out of the fourth inning, Ocean Rescue’s bats came alive scoring five runs to take the lead in the fourth.  A blow that the Titanic’s would not come back from as they were dealt another loss by Ocean Rescue in five innings.

Game 2: Cafe Loco versus Huc-A-Poos
Another nail biting contest took place at the 7:45 game where two powerhouses collided in what would later be described as “awesome.”  Both teams, looking to add another notch in their win column, came out with an intensity rivaled only by the sun.  With big innings in both the first third Cafe Loco took a small 2 run lead over the reigning champs and with some crafty pitching and defense Cafe Loco’s was able to hold off the hitting power of Huc-A-Poo’s serving them their first loss of the season.

Game 3: Sting Ray’s versus Breakfast Club
Coming off their previous week bye, Breakfast Club was primed for an offensive battle.  Sting Rays, a hitting powerhouse, came out swinging and tallied seven runs in the first inning.  Breakfast club managed to score two by the end of the first inning but the hitting ability of Sting Rays team was too precise for the Breakfast Club Defense and Sting Ray’s downed the Breakfast Club.

Week 5 April 19th
Game 1: Breakfast Club versus Cafe Loco
An even match was in store for these two teams, with the Breakfast Club coming off of last weeks heartbreaking loss and Cafe Loco downing Huc-A-Poos in a climatic and exciting seven inning match.  The game began with both teams swinging for the fences, but it wasn’t until the third inning that Cafe Loco began running away with the lead.  While defense was prominent on both sides, that hitting power of Cafe Loco was too much for The Breakfast club to manage, and the Breakfast Club takes a loss to Cafe Loco.

Game 2: Sting Rays versus Titanics
What can be said about Sting Rays that hasn’t been said about Major League Baseball in the mid 90′s steroid years…offense, offense, offense.  This team doesn’t really need to use their fairly stacked defense since they have so much raw hitting power.  Even when the Titanics were in the correct positions, Sting Rays would find an opening and exploit it.  However, this week the Titanics hit back, keeping the score within five runs through the entire game.  They just weren’t able to get that one inning to overtake Sting Rays, and the Titanics fell short of a win again.

Game 3: Jail Birds versus Ocean Rescue
Ocean Rescue coming off their recent victory were adamant in their pursuit of another victory, with only the impressive fielding of the Jail Birds standing in their way.  With the lead within arms reach of Ocean Rescue the entire game it wasn’t until the Jailbirds managed a three-and-out in the fourth inning that they began to run away with the game.  The Jailbirds managed to eek out another victory against Ocean Rescue.

Week 6 April 26th
Game 1: Jailbirds versus Titanics
Well, with another week underway on beautiful Tybee Island, the softball season is starting to heat up.  With first place still up for grabs, the race for the “pennant” is too close for comfort.  The Jailbirds coming off their victory over Ocean Rescue last week gave them a competitive edge over the batter and bruised Titanics.  With outstanding defense the Jailbirds managed to hold the Titanics to one run.  I said it…one whole run.  Needless to say the game was a one sided scoring festival and the Jailbirds rubbed off the Titanics in an ol’ fashioned whoopin’.

Game 2: Breakfast Club versus Ocean Rescue
This game was EVEN matched.  While both teams were looking for wins only one team would come out the victor.  The game had pretty even hitting and some great plays out in the field but once the third inning came rolling in and Ocean Rescues bats came alive and managed to create a deficit too great for the Breakfast Club to overcome.  Ocean Rescue shut down the Breakfast Club in a very exciting, well played match.

Game 3: Sting Rays versus Huc-A-Poo’s
Pitting two of the leagues biggest hitting teams against each other, the final game of this week was one for the record books…or so you would think.  While the game was well played with plenty of offense and defense the game began to slide in the favor of Huc-A-Poos in the second, and the slide wouldn’t stop.  With a final score of 9 – 16, Huc-A-Poo’s made a point to show that their only loss of the season would be just that, their only loss. Sting Rays came up a little short against Huc-A-Poos, but this will not be the last time we see these two titans face off.

Mid-Season Overview:

We’ve hit the midway point in the season and it is time for a recap, and a brief overview of the teams.  So far there have only been a few games that I would put in the “good game” column.  The majority of the games are won by slaughter, or at least a large margin.  This is actually expected in “beer league” softball.  On the plus side, everyone who comes out has a great time.  Even if you they are on the losing team that all seem to get along and have fun together.  Plus worse -comes-to-worse, there is a beer waiting for them in the dug-out.  Softball seems like the perfect way to start the work week, Mondays are statistically pretty horrible, so putting a fun event at the end of the day makes everything that went on earlier in the day worth it.

Team Overview:

Huc-A-Poos – An obvious powerhouse, they can hit, they can field, and they have some REALLY devoted fans.  Last seasons reigning champions have only lost one game this season and are another contender for the pennant this year.

Sting Rays – Another formidable opponent.  Everyone on this team can bomb!  And by bomb I mean hit the long ball.  There isn’t a single person on this team who is not capable of delivering a home run ball in any situation.  They seem to be one of the most cohesive teams in the league this year as well, they get along with each other and it shows in the way they play.  Probably one of the most fun teams to watch.

Cafe Loco – Another team that is a lot of fun to watch.  While they may not all be golden glove winners in their past lives, they can hit.  Most of their games are slaughter’s because they can hit the ball where the defense is not, a skill that hard to master.  They seem to have it down to a “T” and regularly show it off.  While I don’t think they are in contention for the pennant this year, it wouldn’t surprise me to seem them up in the rankings next season.

Jailbirds – Amazing pitching.  The only team that has consistent pitching every game.  Their defense behind the mound is also top in the league, everyone on this team can catch…a skill learned early in childhood for most but something that can’t be overlooked when talking about slow-pitch softball.  Again, not in contention this season unless they have a big turn around after the midway point, but a consistently good team.

Breakfast Club – New to the league and making a name for themselves already.  Breakfast Club has talent they just need something to draw it out of them.  While their spirit is always high in the dug-out there is something missing from their team dynamic, maybe they are lacking a leader on the team.  Someone everybody can rally around, high on base percentage and someone who never misses a fielding opportunity.  If someone steps up into this leadership position, I think we see more tallies in the win column after the break.

Ocean Rescue – Another team that has talent and could be a good team, but something is missing from their dynamic.  They can hit at times and their fielding is alright, but they aren’t pulling it together at the same time.  Switch things up in the field a bit to see what will work better after the break.  Tighten up the screws and this team will have more wins.

Titanics - Another team that needs to have their fielding and hitting come together at the same time.  They have a lot of talent on the team, but simple mistakes on defense are costing them runs and wins.  While they may not be able to hit the long bombs that other teams can, they have the ability to nickle-and-dime the other teams by placement hitting.  When you don’t have the long ball ability, your defense has to be a wall, and so far this season the Titanics wall looks more like a pasta strainer.  Fill in the gaps and this team will turn it around.

Come on out and support Tybee Softball at Jaycee Field! Weekly games are on Monday – 1st match starts at 6:30pm – 2nd match starts at 7:45pm.