Due to an early sellout of The Drifters Star Spectacular Show in St. Marys, a second performance has been added. Tickets are now available for a 6:00 pm performance on February 4 and can be purchased at the St. Marys Welcome Center, 111 Osborne Street in St. Marys.

The legendary music that inspired Rolling Stone Magazine to name The Drifters #81 on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Times” is coming to St. Marys February 4, 2012.

Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters will be bringing back some of baby boomers’ greatest memories with hits like “Under the Boardwalk”, “This Magic Moment”, “Up on the Roof”, “On Broadway”, and “Save the Last Dance for Me” at the Theatre by the Trax.

The Drifters originally formed in 1953 and achieved 13 chart hits during their career, writing and performing doo-wop and blues all over the world.

Star Spectaculars

Doug and Jeanne Vaught, proprietors of Theatre by the Trax, are planning a series of “Star Spectaculars” that will feature some of the music industry’s most beloved performers. They felt that launching the series with The Drifters would set the perfect tone for future concerts.

“The Drifters are legendary,” said Doug Vaught. “Their music is a blend of nostalgic magic and on-stage excitement that few new artists can lay claim to.”
Vaught was referring to the showmanship for which groups like The Drifters are famous.

Dr. Roy’z Magical Musical Time Machine is the opening act for the February 4th concert, a great choice to get the audience thinking “oldies but goodies,” Vaught said.

200 Tickets

Only 200 tickets will be sold for The Drifters concert and Vaught said that tickets were going fast. Tickets can be purchased in Kingsland at Kingsland City Hall, and in St. Marys at On the Green Salon and Day Spa, Once Upon a Bookseller, Cedar Oak Café, and St. Marys Seafood & More. Vaught said if people outside the area could not get into town
to purchase the tickets, they can call 912-552-5559 and arrange to have them mailed.

For more information, about the Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters concert or Theatre by the Trax, call 912-552-5559.

The Drifters 1955

Kids are back in school and fall season is just about to start. The weather is still hot and humid, so in many way in Camden County it feels as if fall is still far away.

We hope you too had a long and relaxing Labor Day weekend and that you had an opportunity to visit the Kingsland Catfish festival. But now, it’s time to look ahead.

Here is what’s happening in our area for the remaining part of September.

Starry Nights with Michael Hulett

Howard Gilman Waterfront Park
Saturday, September 10, 2011
7:00 pm-9:00 pm

This is the final performance of the 2011 Starry Nights free concert series for the year. Enjoy the heartfelt soulful vocals and sax tunes of musician Michael Hulett who will be performing on stage. Michael Hulett offers a mix of classic and modern jazz, R&B, soul and rock/pop tunes. Bring a chair or a blanket, some snacks, and your friends to enjoy a relaxing evening on the river.

Don Quixote, played by Bill Raser, takes to his bed after a showdown with the Great Enchanter.

Man of La Mancha at the Theatre by the Trax

The Man of La Mancha is performed by St. Marys Little Theatre at the Theatre by the Trax (the old railroad building).

Friday, September 9 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 10 at 7 pm
Friday, September 16 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 17 at 7 pm – SOLD OUT
Sunday, September 18 at 2 pm – just a few tickets left
Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne Road, St. Marys

Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at St. Marys Welcome Center, 111 Osborne Street.

Read our previous post about the performance here.

Annual Ralph J. Bunche Classic

Edward Waters College vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg. Benefits firefighting organizations and the USO.
Read more about this football game here.

Pooch Plunge

Give your dog a special treat and a way to escape the heat and cool off. Come to St. Marys Aquatic Center for the Pooch Plunge — a day of fun for both dogs and owners. On Sunday, September 11 from 3:00-5:30 PM your dogs can come and play at the St. Marys Aquatic Center. Dogs who want to participate and play can’t be aggressive — we are sure the rule applies to owners as well. They also need to be kept on a leash, the dogs that is. Dogs are free – but owners pay $3.20, or vice versa. Why the odd admission fee? That mystery remains. Call 912-673-8118 for more information.

Wildcat Football – September 16

Wildcat Football vs. Windsor Forest at Chris Gilman Stadium, 7:30pm (Recreation Night)

St Marys Community Market

Sept 11, 18, 25

This market takes place at the waterfront in downtown St Marys on Saturdays from 9 am – 1 pm.  Find local produce, home made bread, arts and crafts items, flowers and much more.

St. Marys Little Theatre is getting ready for the premier of its first production – the musical Man of La Mancha.

Tickets for St. Marys Little Theatre’s premiere production, Man of La Mancha, are going fast as area residents get into the spirit of one of the nation’s most endearing musicals. According to Barbara Ryan, St. Marys Little Theatre chair and producer/director of the play, two of the showings are already sold out.

“We offered Fernandina residents a special ferry and dinner package that has proven to be very popular,” said Ryan. “Eighty Floridians will be coming over to St. Marys to dine and shop before the September 17th performance, and the remaining 40 seats for that evening were snapped up the first day of ticket sales.”

Ryan said that the Sunday (September 18) afternoon matinee has also proven popular and was virtually sold out at press time.

Man of La Mancha will be performed at the Theatre by the Trax which is the old St. Marys railroad building that (saved from demolition) has been transformed into a community theater.

Don Quixote, played by Bill Raser, takes to his bed after a showdown with the Great Enchanter.

Diana Ewen, Stage Manager for the production, said that the play is an ambitious undertaking but one that is sure to resonate with people of all ages.

“Man of La Mancha is inspiring. It’s funny. And the music is spectacular,” Ewen said, “which is one of the reasons that the show earned the coveted ‘Best Musical’ Tony award on Broadway.

“I believe people will be stunned by the amazing voices that comprise the cast of La Mancha,” Ewen continued. “The show is an extraordinary combination of drama, fantasy, romance, and fun.”

Special dinners created in tribute to Man of La Mancha and its setting in Spain are being offered by local restaurants during the two weeks of the show. In keeping with the spirit of the show, citizens are asked to report incidences of kindness, valor, or nobility to the local press .

Man of La Mancha Performances are:

Friday, September 9 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 10 at 7 pm
Friday, September 16 at 7 pm
Saturday, September 17 at 7 pm
Sunday, September 18 at 2 pm
Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne Road, St. Marys

Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at St. Marys Welcome Center, 111 Osborne Street in St. Marys or at Books Plus in Fernandina Beach.

Take a trip down to Howard Gilman Waterfront park in downtown St. Marys and listen to local artists on stage during the Summer concert  series named Starry Nights.

It is a great excuse to pack your whole gang in the car,  pack beach chairs, blankets, and a delicious picnic dinner and enjoy a family night out on the town “under the stars”.  This is a free event, so it is perfect for the budget conscious family. There’s even a playground for the little ones if they get bored!

The next Starry Nights takes place on August 13, 2011 from 7 pm – 9 pm.  This time the band with the catchy name the “Dee Bee’s” is performing.  The information we have received says that Dee Bee’s offers catchy tunes in a variety of styles ranging from  Santana to Sinatra, the Beatles with a little bit of  Jimmy Buffet thrown in. Sounds like a good mix for the whole family.

For more information, contact the St Marys Welcome Center at 912-882-4000 or info@StMarysWelcome.com.

During the shoot of Mr Bags – the TV pilot there was also a music video filmed in downtown St. Marys by our friend Lisa Huguley. This video includes cast from the TV pilot, actually a few of them are Camden County residents.

Take a look below.

If you’ve ever dreamed of following in the footsteps of great songwriters like Carole King, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, and John Lennon, come August 21, you just may get your first break in St. Marys.

Jamaster Productions is hosting a Songwriters Showcase and is inviting talent from around the region to compete for prizes that include 12 hours of recording studio time, a trip to Nashville, a $1500 press photo session, media coverage, and cash.  The Songwriters Showcase will be held at the Howard Gilman Memorial Waterfront Park in St. Marys.

The brainchild of local musicians Dave Duggan and Arlie McLendon, the Songwriters Showcase presents area talent with the opportunity to get their original music heard by several recording representatives as well as talent scouts from Florida to Nashville.  The event is designed for songwriters of all genres.  According to Duggan, many artists have gotten their start by participating in regional competitions such as this one.

“All it takes is for one person with connections to be impressed by a song,” said Duggan. “If you have the talent, you can make an impression, and who knows…end up in Nashville.”

McLendon, who has been writing songs and playing locally for more than 20 years agreed.
“You never know where these types of competitions can lead you,” he said. “You just have to pick your best material and sparkle on the stage to get the talent scouts’ attention.  And with the new roof over our waterfront amphitheatre, we have the perfect venue for showcasing the talent.”

Judging will be based on originality, authenticity, and difficulty; overall lyrics, melody, and performance, and stage presence as in the performer’s ability to capture the audience.

There will be a first, second, and third place winner plus a People’s Choice Award that will go to the songwriter voted on by attendees at the event

For more information, call 904-535-3955 or visit www.jamasterproductions.com.

Last year, we filmed at the Songwriters Contest at Treehill Nature Center in Jacksonville, Fl. Here is that video.

Now you can spend Sunday afternoons in Howard Gilman Waterfront Park enjoying the nice weather while listening to live country music on stage.
The even kicks off on Sunday May 2nd, when Marshall Rowland in co-operation with St. Marys Downtown Development Authority will host “Country Sunday in the Park”. This event features the best of South East Georgia’s country music musicians and singers as well as several members of the Woodbine Opry.

Bring your whole gang, lawn chairs or a blanket and plan to spend time in the park. Country in the Park starts at 3 PM in the afternoon and the musicians will keep performing until the crowd is ready to go home, at least that’s what our information says.

And the best thing is – it’s a free concert!

Rowland, who occasionally sits in with the Woodbine Opry on Saturday nights, will take the mike as emcee. He’s a Country Music pioneer in North Florida having been associated with WQIK in Jacksonville and WBGA in Brunswick, both country music stations. Rowland started his country music career by playing for dances and shows throughout the area, and now he’s bringing country music to downtown St. Marys.

Country in the Park takes place on the first Sunday of the month during the summer. For more information call 912-882-8111.

St. Marys’ residents and visitors will now have seven more memorable experiences to add to their 2010 memoirs.

Beginning April 17, and extending beyond Labor Day, the City of St. Marys will be serving up monthly outdoor concerts and performances at the Howard Gilman Memorial Waterfront Park. Shows begin at 7 pm, and guests are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and lawn chairs.

“Whether you’re seeking a relaxing evening with your sweetheart or an event that your entire family can enjoy, the Starry Nights line-up has something for everyone,” said Janet Brinko, Director of St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The 2010 Starry Nights schedule is:

April 17, 2010 – Southeast Community Church Worship Band

Enjoy a contemporary praise band under the stars

May 15, 2010 – No Known Cure Band

A variety of popular music – Director of Camden’s Joint Development Authority, David Keating will be entertaining as a member of the band.

June 12, 2010 – Camden Cabaret

Enjoy the young singing talents of Camden County as they perform “A Taste of Hollywood”

June 19, 2010 – Reminisce to the Oldies

Enjoy the music under the stars

July 10, 2010 – Lisa Allen’s Dance Works

A fun filled evening of dance and a “Back to School Fashion Show”

August 14, 2010 – Big V. and the Screaming Deacons

A mixture of oldie’s music to popular music of today

September 18, 2010 – River Jam

Enjoy the battle of several youth bands

All Performances will begin at 7P.M. and end around 9P.M.

For more information Please contact St. Marys Convention and Visitors Bureau 912-882-4000 or info@stmaryswelcome.com

Join St Marys residents at the Gilman Waterfront Park from 7P.M.-9P.M. for Starry Nights. Bring a picnic basket and lawn chairs. Enjoy a Saturday Night outing with family, Friends and pets with delightful entertainment under the stars.

Beginning April 17, and extending beyond Labor Day, the City of St. Marys will be serving up monthly outdoor concerts and performances at the Howard Gilman Memorial Waterfront Park. Shows begin at 7 pm, and guests are encouraged to bring picnic baskets and lawn chairs.

“Whether you’re seeking a relaxing evening with your sweetheart or an event that your entire family can enjoy, the Starry Nights line-up has something for everyone,” said Janet Brinko, Director of St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The 2010 Starry Nights schedule is:

April 17 Southeast Community Church Worship Band (contemporary praise)
Mary 15 No Known Cure (pop music)
June 12 Camden Cabaret “A Taste of Hollywood”
August 14 Big V. and the Screaming Deacons (oldies to contemporary)
September 18 River Jam (battle of the youth bands)

The Spring Festival at the St. Marys Howard Gilman Waterfront Park on April 3, 2010 from 12:00 til 6p.m. The event will have a free concert “Praise In The Park” featuring recording artist AC Cordell and the Revive Worship Band, Lorenzo Taylor, Dana Mackley, Troy Sneed and many others.