So here in Mt. Airy they have a wonderful arts council and are very very "into" their local culture and history ~ as I think I've mentioned in a few previous posts.
The local music was one of the reasons we wanted to come here (well that and of course, Mayberry!). Unfortunately, we had not come across the local traditional music we'd hoped for and I'm not convinced it was for lack of trying, but for some reason the Arts Council seems to mostly book "beach" music for Friday and Saturdays at this marvelous amphitheatre.
The local music was one of the reasons we wanted to come here (well that and of course, Mayberry!). Unfortunately, we had not come across the local traditional music we'd hoped for and I'm not convinced it was for lack of trying, but for some reason the Arts Council seems to mostly book "beach" music for Friday and Saturdays at this marvelous amphitheatre.
We decided the other night that this amphitheatre was just such a terrific venue that we should just go and enjoy whatever the music was. The entertainment this evening was "the Fantastic Shakers". What the heck, at $10. each it seemed like a decent night out (date night, date night).
There is a dance "style" in the Carolinas called "shagging". Since we aren't much for dancing I couldn't begin to describe it because I don't know for sure if I've seen it! We were first aware of it a few years ago in the Myrtle Beach area. Well the Fantastic Shakers schedule indicates they play at shagging events ~ seemed like yet another reason to go see them!
It started out great - what a terrific venue ~ gorgeous green grass, bring your own chairs (or in our case, a sheet to sit on ~ why we don't keep two "bag chairs" in the car is beyond me, but that would be a different blog post for sure). Come to find out you can even bring food - a pic~a~nic (I LOVE pic~a~nics.... I have such fond memories of picnics when the boys were young with my Mother's favorite picnic recipe ~ "gooey buns" ~ another blog post, but trust me, in spite of the name they are oh so yummy).
Once again, I've digressed .... The first song in their set (and I can't remember what that was, after all it was four days ago!) people were up dancing away having a grand ole time. In fact the fourth song they played (yup I can't remember that either, other than it was a Righteous Brothers song) we got up to be dancers.
The Shakers had to cover their equipment, and take cover, as did the audience .... so under the amphitheatre roof we went and stayed and stayed and stayed as the rain came down, the lightning flashed, the thunder rumbled ....
We waited and waited and chatted with the others, made nice with the Shakers and waited and waited and waited, then decided after about 45 minutes of this downpour that we'd just spent money to hear four tunes, got part of one dance and it was just time to "call it a night". We sure did have fun while it lasted!
With all that said, while the weather did not want to "play nice" this is an outstanding venue and the town of Mt. Airy and Surry County should be very very proud of what they've created. Rain, however, is out of our control ....
With all that said, there is the annual Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention this coming weekend, so guess what ~
yup, we've extended our stay again!
1 comment:
Wow! You do like that town.
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