Author Archives: LIZ

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About LIZ

Liz manages and markets professional speakers, entertainers, artists, authors and events anywhere in the world. She also writes. edits, ghostwrites and photographs for nonfiction or travel books, mobile apps and websites and blogs on many popular sites about favorite destinations, events, people, food and wine. Send your ideas, and she'll write about them too! Follow her blogs or connect via social media.

Earl Willliams

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Earl Williams plays tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, harmonica, banjo, and vocals.

Composer, arranger, and master showman, when Earl performs he sings and tells jokes. He readily admits he survived the music business all these years because of his decision to become an entertainer, not just a musician. “Entertainment is the way to make good business out of music.”

Williams makes it his business to surround himself with musicians who can “do it all”: jazz, rhythm & blues, dance tunes – whatever it takes to captivate a crowd. His four piece band consists of keyboard & vocals, bass, and drums – featuring Earl on saxophone.

Earl has played with many internationally famous people including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, and Chubby Checker. He was band leader for Jerry Farber, a great comedian from Atlanta. Earl toured with The Commodores from 1976 – 1980. He started playing at the Crow’s Nest at the old Hilton Head Inn in 1987. He also played at the Mockingbird Lounge, at the Marriott, and the Blue Nite Café. In the early 90’s Earl spent most of the time out to sea performing three shows a week aboard a luxury cruise ship as a featured entertainment. Today Earl performs regularly in Hilton Head, South Carolina, at Ruby Lees, The Jazz Corner, and at festivals, private events, and weddings.

Let us know when you would like to schedule Earl for your event. Complete the form below, and we will contact you to discuss details.

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Jason Michaels

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THE CARDSHARK AWAITS…     

Smile and Fan                    

 

“A great evening of entertainment, education, and mystification.”

-Robert Stone, Audience Member

WHAT IS THE CARDSHARK?

The CardShark is a live, interactive, sleight-of-hand show. Venture into the world of The CardShark and you will dive deeply into the arts of deception.  You won’t believe your eyes as The CardShark…

  • Demonstrates how sleight of hand amazes and deceives
  • Exposes how con artists fleece unsuspecting victims
  • Pulls the curtain back on the ways fortune tellers weave their hypnotic spell
  • And teaches a lesson on why you shouldn’t play cards with strangers

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to partner with an expert card cheat, to peer into the future, or to control the outcome of your own destiny, you’ll never forget the experiences you have with The CardShark.

“FANTASTIC show with something for everyone.”

-Nelson Griswold, Bottom Line Solutions – Client

WHO IS THE CARDSHARK?

The CardShark is a charismatic, mysterious, and debonair figure who is a master of sleight of hand.  He uses his two hands, ten fingers, cleverness, and a deck of playing cards to entertain and educate his audiences about the devious practices of the con man, the charlatan, and the cheat.

When you spend time with The CardShark you’ll experience the seedy underbelly of a sometimes dangerous world in a safe and wickedly funny way.

Sophisticated.  Fascinating.  Disarming.  Intense.  Sexy.

How will you describe your time spent with The CardShark?

 

“MUST. SEE. SHOW.”

-John Pyka, Producer

WHEN THE CARDSHARK?

Are You Ready to Experience The CardShark?

The CardShark Show is best experienced in a formal setting with guest’s full attention.

For groups holding an event in an informal setting where guests will be mingling, The CardShark Atmospheric Entertainment is the best way to enjoy The CardShark.

For audiences who crave a completely unique experience, The CardShark delivers in spades.

“I highly recommend this show to anyone!”

-Jacob Lindsey, Audience Member

 

 

Which CardShark Service Best Fits Your Group?

CardShark, The Show – A one-of-a-kind, interactive performance that dives deep into the arts of amazement and deception. Perfect for intimate groups that want to experience the shadowy world of scammers, gangsters, and card cheats in a safe and wickedly funny way.

Recommended For: Groups up to 52 people, parlour/reception room setting, up to 60 minutes, interactive.
Private VIP Appearances – When Jason Michaels makes an appearance at your event, expect the room to be filled with amazement, laughter, and awe. A master at weaving stories with expert at sleight of hand, The CardShark will give your guests stories to tell for the rest of their lives!

Recommended For: Unconventional Groups, receptions/hospitality settings/trade shows, private poker room, or other intimate setting based on your needs.
An Evening with The CardShark – Designed for large groups. Experience a unique evening of interactive mysteries and hilarious, true stories of con artists, fortune tellers, and underhanded magicians.
Recommended For: Large groups up to 500 people and more, ballroom/mainstage setting, 30-45 minutes, interactive, story based humor, Q&A.

Corporate Casino Night – Special Attraction – While Blackjack and Poker tables are commonplace at such events, this night has a reserved corner that no has ever seen before. The CardShark holds court – giving guests the opportunity to be swindled, conned, and flat out lied to – all in the spirit of grabbing a glimpse into a part of history that is unsavory, tempting, and seductively attractive.
Recommended For: Fundraisers, corporate and association events, and other gatherings that feature a casino night. Standing room for up to 30 guests at a time with a rotation cycle of about 7-10 minutes.

Cigars, Cognac, and Cons – An Evening of Deception – Premium cigars, V.S.O.P, and a cast of con artists await your group in this fully themed event. Your guests will meet and interact with an expert of the 3-Card Monte, a gypsy fortune teller, and other professional deceivers. The night will be topped off with a stage performance by The CardShark that promises to impress and intrigue even the most discriminating guest.

Recommended For: Private affairs for guests who have seen it all and are secretly waiting for something that will truly surprise and inspire. Group size between 10 and 100 will all be engaged at the highest level.

Jason customizes his skills for every appearance, which includes VIP groups, main stage entertainment, keynote presentations, meet-and-greets, and atmospheric entertainment.

Rickey Godfrey

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Godfrey, who has been blind since birth, began studying classical piano and voice at an early age. He had his first guitar by the time he was 13. Performing throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, he has worked with artists such as Rufus Thomas, Sam Moore, Billy Preston and Junior Walker. He has been nominated by the Music City Blues Society for both Guitarist and Keyboard Player of the Year.  Rickey played the Montreal Jazz Festival with the Chocolate Thunder band. The versatile vocalist and musician is well known throughout the Nashville clubs as well as in the Carolinas.

Get You Some Nasty!

The blues recording from Nashville artist Rickey Godfrey is nasty, so get down with it and have some fun! Nasty Man (Oct. 9, 2010/Serenity Hill) is a powerhouse of a record – solidly blues-driven with jazz and funk influences that give it an edge and a sound unique to the uber-talented musician.

The 12-track recording showcases Godfrey’s skills on both Telecaster and keys. According to Godfrey, who also produced the album, he intentionally kept the instrumentation sparse.

“I didn’t want an over-produced, over-polished result,” he said. “This is a blues album, and I wanted a raw sound. I love the spontaneous stuff that happened in the studio, like Don Wise’s sax riff on “Let’s Get Busy.”

It’s obvious that the lyrics were just as important to this singer/songwriter. Godfrey wrote or co-wrote ten of the album tracks. “I Want Me a Nasty Woman,” the opening tune, is an unabashed appeal to women everywhere to embrace their inner nasty selves. With its cleverly written lyrics, guitar work and vocals that come from the gut, “Nasty Woman” sets the tone for Nasty Man. Co-written with Richard Fleming, it’s already proving to be one of the album’s most popular during live performances.

Other notable tunes include “Don’t Argue In the Kitchen,” a humorous tale that proves jealousy and kitchen utensils are a recipe for disaster and “Don’t Get Your Money Where You Get Your Honey,” sharply crafted advice sure to be ignored, despite the drone keyboard warning us to beware – and behave. Slowing down the pace and the mood is “Johnny Jones,” Godfrey’s tribute to his friend and Jimi Hendrix’ mentor who died in 2009.

The only songs not written or co-written by Godfrey are “Allergic To Mink” by Gary Erwin, aka Shrimp City Slim, and “When You’re Cool (the Sun Shines All the Time),” penned by Gary Nicholson, Hank DeVito and Kevin Welch.

 

Veronica Gerald

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Veronica Davis Gerald is a professor of English at Coastal Carolina University, a Gullah Geechee Heritage Commissioner and author of The Ultimate Gullah Cookbook.

Lectures, performances and work shops are designed to educate along with entertaining storytelling.  They can be used in church programs and celebrations, class rooms, community programs, workshops, conferences, festivals, family reuinions, meetings,  or any event in need of  an education component. Presentations can be adapted  for age groups from elementary to graduate and beyond. 

Popular selected topics:

  • “Miss Addie Mae Goback.”  Fictional, one-woman performance with 80-year old woman telling stories from the lives of Gullah slaves and their children
  • “Hants, Hags and Plat-Eyes.” A haunting blend of stories, supernatural lore and facts from the South Carolina Lowcountry
  • “When Rice was King.” Traces the origins and history of rice cultivation in America and its impact on the Gullah people
  • “Still Tongue Mek ah Wise Head.”  Discusses Gullah women as history/culture bearers and story tellers
  • “All Shut-eye ain’ Sleep.”  Burial customs and homegoing practices in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
  • “All Other Ground is Sinking Sand.”  The role of religion and spirituality in African American Culture
  • “Gullah een da White House?”  Michele Obama and her roots in Gullah culture

 

Veronica was born in Mullins, South Carolina, a descendant of African slaves brought to the Brookgreen and Longwood Rice Plantations in Georgetown County from the grain coast of West Africa in the 17th century.  She was educated in the Horry County School system, at the University of Maryland, Atlanta and Emory Universities.  She has received numerous awards including the SC Governors Award in Humanities, the Distinguished Teaching Award at Coastal Carolina University and The Jean Laney Folk Heritage Award.  She is considered a foremost scholar  on Gullah history, culture and the SC Lowcountry.  She is a much sought after lecturer and scholar appearing on C-Span, CNN and National Geographic.  

Wilson Casey

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The Trivia Guy holds two Guinness World Records for the longest running (30 hours) radio trivia broadcast in which he asked and identified the correct answers to 3333 questions.

He is a 22-year radio personality, a popular emcee or entertainer to host or roast at any type of event for any size audience.  It’s family fun, upbeat action and light comedy suitable for a pub or a church.

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From Bible to golf to garlic, the Trivia Guy’s fresh original content is delivered to more than 500 newspapers and available to daily subscribers.

More than a dozen publications include books, ebooks and boxed daily calendar products in a wide range of trivia topics. The newest is “Golf Trivia” in a page-a-day boxed calendar.

Watch for him frequently on “Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly” on WSPA-TV 7 in Spartanburg, SC.

Hear his interview with Dr. LaSharnda in her “Living Happy Every Day” radio show  on LA Talk Radio.

Like him on Facebook and watch for event news.

Cool John Ferguson

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Taj Majal stated that “Cool John Ferguson is among the five greatest guitarists in the world and is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.  Cool John is among the ranks of Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhart.”

Cool John’s fans will tell you emphatically that he is one of the best of the best guitarists in the world. Cool John is a recording artist and  released a CD entitled:  “With These Hands.”

Cool John was born in Beaufort, SC in 1953.  He learned to play the guitar by the age of 3.  By age 5, Cool John played gospel music professionally and astounded musicians 10 times his age.  At that time his family realized that the world had been gifted with a musical genius.  Cool John was the featured entertainer for Lowcountry Sing on Channel 5, Charleston SC, for three (3) years, appearing with three of his sisters, the Ferguson Sisters, an outstanding gospel trio. Over the years, he has formed bands playing psychedelic music, rhythm and blues, pop and jazz.

Early in life Cool John made a decision to follow his dream of becoming a renowned guitarist, pianist organist, drummer and singer.  Accomplished musicians, music industry leaders and his fans all agree that Cool John’s dream is now reality. Cool John’s fingers just seem to glide effortlessly across the guitar strings as his audience watch in amazement.

Cool John spends his life conveying messages through his music and traveling wherever he is led by the music.  He has performed at numerous concerts and major blues festivals throughout the world to include: The Savannah Blues Festival, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, the Lucerne Blues Festival and the Blues-To-Bop Festival in Switzerland, the Byron Bay Blues Festival in Australia and Wasago Beach Festival, Toronto, Canada. Cool John is so versatile.

You never know what he’s going to play next. He seamlessly combines styles of gospel, funk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues to name a few.  He has been active on tent revival circuits, played with LaFace Records of Atlanta, GA, and collaborated with several well known artists throughout the world including: Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, BB King, Beverly Guitar Watkins, Barbara Carr, Al Green and the Stylistics.  He has provided sound tracks and scores for countless events and movies.

Elliott Smith

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See the magic and have some laughs with Elliott Smith!

Elliott Smith has entertained corporations, television audiences and travelers across Canada, the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico for over 42 years. A member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the distinguished Order of Merlin Shield, Elliott has performed his special brand of magic and comedy for past Prime Ministers of Canada, International Ambassadors, the late Liberace as well as Jay Leno. Recently, he was the headline act at the prestigious Friars Club in New York – the first Canadian Magician to do so in the club’s 111-year history.
His interactive magic brings fun and excitement to any event large or small. He is a master of stage and close-up magic, escapes and mind reading. He performs his own brand of trickery to wider audiences on a whole new level – using his magic as a medium to conduct team-building, motivational and sales training to companies and organizations of all sizes.
 
Shows:
CLOSE-UP MAGIC:  Elliott performs close-up minor miracles of magic throughout the room interacting with your guests during a reception. The magic happens mere inches before their eyes and sometimes right in their hands … they won’t believe their eyes! This works great as an ice-breaker and adds a personal touch that raises the level of energy in the room. It stirs up lots of laughs and creates a pleasant atmosphere for everyone!
COMEDY STAGE MAGIC: Wow the guests at your next event no matter what size of audience you have. Elliott’s interactive show will captivate your audience and is packed with humor and surprises they will not soon forget. This show is comprised of illusion and mentalism maximizing the use of comedy, wit, lots of audience participation and fun with many hilarious moments your guests are sure to remember. The audience will not only see the magic but they will live it! If you’re looking to laugh and have a great time, this is the show.
EMCEE: Same old, same old? Spice up the evening with a magical emcee adding his unique style, comedy and flair. A great way to introduce speakers, announce award winners or just add some fun and flavor to the evening.
opening for two legendary Rock & Roll groups – The 4 Aces and Bill Hayley’s Comets.
A few Testimonials:
“Elliott, I want to thank you for bringing your magic to the Friars Club in New York. Our members had a wonderful time enjoying not just your magic but also the comedy aspect that you brought with it. As you can imagine, the Friars love a good laugh and you gave them many. Your engaging style and wonderful wit won them over and trust me, they are a very tough crowd to win over!” M. Caputo, General Manager, Friars Club New York
“I never saw a crowd as totally tuned in to a show as they were with Elliott’s performance. Not only is he an amazing Magician but one of the funniest comedians I have ever booked at Coconuts Comedy Club. Elliott kept the show light and fun with no shortage of thrills and laughs, he left everyone speechless with his slick magic. I recommend Elliott to anyone looking for a great night of entertainment, he has been one of our most popular shows ever.”  L. Greenbaum, Owner, Coconut’s Comedy Club
“This was Elliott’s first time at our club and he was phenomenal. This was a sold out show of 200 members at a  55+ country club. Elliott kept everyone laughing the entire show and his interaction with the members was great to see – they loved it. My assistant and I were in the back of the room laughing the entire time, everyone was very impressed with his performance.  I had members asked how I found him and to please bring him back. A great time was had by all.” M. Jarrell, F&B Manager, Heritage Springs Country Club

Anita Singleton-Prather

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Anita Singleton-Prather created the character Aunt Pearlie Sue and leads the Gullah Traveling Theater in presenting the Gullah story through educational storytelling and musical performances worldwide.

She is a native of the Sea Islands in Beaufort County, South Carolina.

In addition to being a storyteller, Prather is an educator, singer, actress and historian. She is the founder of the musical performance group the Gullah Kinfolk. As a storyteller and singer, Prather has performed at many festivals, including the Spoleto USA international arts festival in Charleston. She has appeared in the Hollywood film Forrest Gump and on “Christmas Across America” on the Food Network Channel.

She participates in educational documentaries, and Prather’s one-woman show, “Tales from the Land of Gullah,” has been broadcast on PBS nationwide, Canada and the Virgin Islands.

Her voice can be heard across the nation by radio broadcast as she spins her Gospel Top 10 tale, “Chicken Dinner Money.”

Prather is also the curriculum coordinator for the Education of Gullah Culture Through the Arts in the Beaufort County School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Howard University and a master’s degree in education from the University of South Carolina.

Lowcountry Jazz Band presents wide variety of pop pieces at spring concert

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The Lowcountry Jazz Band, conducted by Director David Hershey, and sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), hosts its spring concert Sunday, June 5 at 3 pm at the USCB Center for the Arts in downtown Beaufort. The band is a sub-group of OLLI’s Lowcountry Community Concert Band.
The program’s theme – cross currents – pays tribute to pop tunes adapted for the big band setting and genre. Selections span more than 70 years, from 1938 (A Tisket A Tasket- Ella Fitzgerald/ Chick Webb) to 2012 (Skyfall- Adele) illustrating the range of styles a big band performs.
            Additional offerings include pieces as diverse as Get Happy, Walk Don’t Run, Don’t Know Why and Here Comes the Sun.
            The Lowcountry Jazz Band is primarily an academic group that promotes and curates jazz in the context of a large ensemble dynamic or big band. The Jazz Band’s members recreate the sounds and styles of the many famous bands of the Big Band era.
            For more information, see the band’s website: www.ollilccb.com.

McDaniels to Play Free Concert in Spartanburg, SC, May 15

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Spartanburg singer/songwriter Corey McDaniels will play a free concert at Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, SC, Sunday, May 15, 2016,  2-4 p.m. as part of the venue’s Sundays Unplugged program.

McDaniels has played in several regional bands, such as Asheville’s Young American Landscape. In addition, he has several musical projects in the works. He utilizes ambient textures, groove, and loops to create music that is equally influenced by progressive rock groups like Pink Floyd as it is by minimalist composers such as Steve Reich. McDaniels self-released the first Wounded Hollow EP in 2014 titled Seed, and he currently performs new material from an upcoming release on electric bass and guitar. Previews of his work can be found at WoundedHollow.Bandcamp.com.

Sundays Unplugged, 1-5 p.m., is a longstanding outreach program by Chapman Cultural Center that encourages patrons to enjoy local arts and culture in a no-stress no-cost environment. In addition to the weekly free concert by a local musician, Spartanburg Art Museum, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg Gallery, Spartanburg Regional History Museum, and the Students Galleries are open and free. Also, local artists sometimes set up booths in the plaza and sell their work directly to the public.

For more information, please visit online ChapmanCulturalCenter.org. or call 864.542.ARTS.