Tag Archives: North Carolina

Beach Music Book Author to Speak in Calabash, NC

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Author Howie Thompson will discuss his new book, And the Bands Played On at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash, N.C.  The presentation is part of the gallery’s ongoing Coffee With the Authors series. According to Thompson the book, which features some 60-plus bands, deejays and industry notables, tells the story of beach music from many different points of view.

Carolina beach music developed from various musical styles of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. It includes a wide variety of musical genres and influences, ranging from big-band swing instrumentals to the more raucous sounds of blues/jump blues, jazz, doo-wop, boogie, rhythm and blues, reggae, rockabilly, and old-time rock and roll.

Beach music is closely associated with the style of the swing dance known as the shag or the Carolina shag, which is the official state dance of both North Carolina and South Carolina.

Thompson begins his project by taking the advice of local club owner H. Lee Brown: to talk to legendary Charlotte, N.C. vocalist Billy Scott, who passed away in November 2012. Conversations with Scott provided ideas, experiences and invaluable insights, which served as a perfect springboard for Thompson’s book.

From there, he goes on to share stories of legends, friends, the many men and women, and the bands behind the music.  And The Bands Played On is a treasure trove of historical facts, musical culture and information.

Howie Thompson is also the author of Fat Harold: Legendary King of Shag and several sports books. He was an award-winning coach, earning three consecutive Adidas/NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year awards, two high school and youth state sportsmanship awards.

The Coffee With the Authors event at Sunset River Marketplace will be Thursday, May 2 from 10 to 11 a.m. Coffee, tea and breakfast treats will be served. The presentation is free, but seating is limited so reservations are required. Call the gallery at 910.575.5999 or send an email to lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com. 

Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 200 North and South Carolina artists, and houses some 10,000 square feet of art work in virtually every genre. Custom framing, painting and pottery classes and art workshops are also offered through the gallery. Since opening its doors in 2002, Sunset River Marketplace has supported not only the visual arts, but literary and performing arts, as well. It has become a popular community center and art hub for both N.C.’s Brunswick County and nearby Horry County, S.C.

Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, N.C. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 910-575-5999or visit the website: http://www. sunsetrivermarketplace.com.

Iconic Historian Jack Thompson Speaks in Calabash

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Jack_Photo Myrtle Beach, S.C. historian, photographer and beloved local icon Jack Thompson, will make a presentation at Sunset River Marketplace  April 11 at 10 a.m., as part of the Calabash, N.C. art gallery’s Coffee With the Author series. His book, which is titled Memories of Myrtle Beach: a Pictorial History of the Grand Strand Through the Eyes of Jack Thompson, features over 175 Grand Strand images that take the viewer on a journey through the author’s life at the beach.JackT_wall

Originally from Greenville, S.C., Jack Thompson has been photographing Myrtle Beach happenings since he stepped off a bus and accepted a job at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion back in 1951. That was Jack behind the camera snapping “mug shots” at the Myrtle Beach Jail. He was there during the heyday of the Ocean Forest Hotel and he was there to witness its implosion. Last year the state of South Carolina recognized Jack as the Official Chronicler of South Carolina’s Grand Strand and celebrated his birthday, Sept. 21, 2012 as Jack Thompson Remembering Myrtle Beach Day in Myrtle Beach.

Jack admits to his love at first sight with Myrtle Beach. “ …She has an alluring charm about her … If you give in to her promise … she will cast a spell over you and fill your shoes with sand that will sweep into your blood and melt your heart. That’s Myrtle, she’s a lady and she has my number … and continues to call!”

During the Coffee With the Authors event, Jack will discuss some of his famous images including the now defunct local Ocean Drive dance joint, The Pad; the implosion series of the Ocean Forest; and chronicling the city’s Sun Fun Festival through its 60-year run.

The event at Sunset River Marketplace is free, but space is limited so reservations are required. Call 910-575-5999 or send an email to lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com.

Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 200 North and South Carolina artists, and houses some 10,000 square feet of artwork in virtually every genre. Custom framing, painting and pottery classes and art workshops are also offered through the gallery. Since opening its doors in 2002, Sunset River Marketplace has supported not only the visual arts, but literary and performing arts, as well. It has become a popular community center and art hub for both N.C.’s Brunswick County and nearby Horry County, S.C.

Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW, Calabash, N.C. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 910-575-5999 or visit the website: http://www. sunsetrivermarketplace.com.

Travel Writers to Speak at Sunset River Marketplace

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Sunset River Marketplace art gallery in Calabash, NC continues its Fall schedule of Coffee With the Authors events on Oct. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m.  with travel writers Charlie and Liz Mitchell. The husband and wife team, who have lived in Myrtle Beach since 1992, will speak about the art of travel writing. They will sign books and discuss secrets they learned during research for their two recent books: Myrtle Beach: A Guide to South Carolina’s Grand Strand and Hilton Head: A Guide to the South Carolina Lowcountry, both of which are part of the Tourist Town guidebook series.

The couple will also discuss writing for an online media outlet.  They publish tales of travel adventures and recommendations on their own blog, International Show and Tell which includes Humanity, Community, Marvels and Milestones of special interest to them.

Liz writes the Brunswick Vacation Planning blog and several others that  highlight coastal happenings enticing visitors to the magical beauty of small towns and friendly people. Charlie co-authored three editions of Insiders Guide to Golf in the Carolinas reviewing all major golf courses and related destinations along the coastal area of North and South Carolina.

The Mitchells also will also be showcasing their new mobile travel apps for iPhone,  iPad and iPod touch (and coming soon to new platforms). The apps,  Myrtle Beach’s Best and Hilton Head Essentials, include hundreds of reviews and original photographs of area attractions, golf, restaurants, shopping, hotels and more.

Their real business, when they are not writing and photographing for their personal fun projects, is marketing and booking professional speakers and entertainers including training and coaching programs anywhere in the world, plus event planning and management.

The coffee/book signing at Sunset River Marketplace is free, but space is limited so reservations are required. Call 910-575-5999 or email  lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com.

Sunset River Marketplace showcases work by approximately 200 North and South Carolina artists and houses some 10,000 square feet of oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, art glass, pottery, sculpture, turned and carved wood and artisan-created jewelry. There are two onsite kilns used by students in the ongoing pottery classes offered by the gallery. A custom framing department is available. There are also classes in oil painting, watercolor, pastel and figure drawing.

For more information, call or visit www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com. Sunset River Marketplace is located at 10283 Beach Drive SW (Hwy. 179), Calabash, NC. Regular hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.