The Weekend Buzz for Feb. 27-March 1, 2015

Old habits are hard to break...

So, people often ask me, "what's going on this weekend along the Grand Strand?"

Lucky for you, your personal entertainment concierge (that's me) is here to oblige with my new best bets feature, highlighting some cool and hot things to do in and around our li'l sunny (most of the time) seaside hamlet this weekend (Feb. 27-March 1).

Hopefully this will help you plan your Weekend Buzz as we might be heading out of the recent deep freeze and surely you have cabin fever by now.

FRIDAY

When she's not stirring up shit on various reality shows such as "Love and Hip-Hop," R&B singer-songwriter K. Michelle is pumping out some critically-acclaimed girl-power soul - “Rebellious Soul” (2013) and “Anybody Want to Buy a Heart?” (2014) both debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard's album charts - and she returns to the House of Blues for sold-out show tonight. According to the HOB Web site, "this concert is 'An Evening with K. Michelle'" which translates as "no opening act." Doors open at 7:30 tonight. Show time is 8:30 p.m. Tickets - as the venue advises, may become available as show time approaches - and are $34-$86.50. House of Blues is at 4640 U.S. 17 S., Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach. Call 272-3000 or visit www.houseofblues.com/myrtlebeach.

SATURDAY

Shuck yeah! Another weekend, another oyster roast. This time Quigley's Pint and Plate in the Litchfield/Pawleys Island area is getting in on the celebration of those mouthwatering mollusks. Set for Saturday, Quigley's Oyster Roast will be held outside the brewpub with piles of steamed oysters, brewskis, kids activities, and live music lineup featuring local acts Randy McQuay, The Austin Mowery Band and Bullfrog. The event is from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission charge, but you have to purchase tickets to jam as many oysters down your gullet that you can handle. Bring your own oyster knife and gloves if you want to save a few bucks, otherwise you'll need to purchase 'em on site. Blankets and lawn chairs are a good idea, too. I'm not going to tell you if other types of food will be available, because this is an oyster roast, mothershucker! Quigley's Pint & Plate is at 257 Willbrook Blvd. in the Mingo development, Litchfield/Pawleys Island. Call 237-7010.

SATURDAY

Showcasing their brand spanking new disc, "9 Lions," local funk-rock-soul act Matt Parker & The Deacons  - you may remember 'em as Psychward - take to the stage at Hot Fish Club on Saturday for a mix of originals (my favorite is still "Drama Queen") and eclectic and crowd-pleasing covers. Show time is 9 p.m. Saturday and the band is expected to play until 1 a.m. There is no cover charge. You can sample some of the new (and old) tracks at the band's Reverb Nation page: 

www.reverbnation.com/mattparkerandthedeacons. 

While writing this report, a copy of "9 Lions" arrived in my mail box, so check back on this blog for a review in the coming days. Hot Fish Club is at 4911 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Call 357-9175 or visit www.hotfishclub.com. 

SUNDAY

What to do with those stinky, hole-y socks that even Goodwill won't take? Well, you can put them to good use in the name of the Vernal Equinox as the South Carolina Maritime Museum hosts the 4th annual Burning of the Socks on Sunday. Yeah, I know, some of mine could spontaneously combust. But anyhow, bring your rancorous stockings and pitch them in the blaze in support of the S.C. Maritime Museum which is honoring this sea-faring rite of spring meant to signify the coming of the Vernal Equinox (which isn't quite here, by the way), and the occasion will also commemorate the 150th anniversary of the sinking of the Harvest Moon, a Civil War gunboat, whose smokestack you can see still sticking out of the waters of Winyah Bay, if you know where to look.  As with any event worth its salt around here, the Burning of the Socks shindig also features an oyster roast, pilau (aka bog) and a performance by local progressive bluegrass outfit Sawgrass. 

Tickets are $20 for museum members, $25 for non-members, available online at http://scmaritimemuseum.org/march-event-tickets.

The event is from 2-6 p.m. Sunday.

The S.C. Maritime Museum is at 729 Front Street, Georgetown. Call 520-0111.

FEEDBACK

Let me know how you like (or dislike) this report so I can improve it. Also, if you have upcoming events you'd like featured, send me an e-mail to: kentavo1970@gmail.com.

So, my former personal blog page isn't active anymore, so here's to a relaunch - just testing the waters right now, more to come later...