News Flash! Hot Time in Old Town Saturday Night

Newport-News blues artist Tim Morgan performs Saturday night at the Cape Charles Coffee House in an ESO Live! on-the-road production.

Newport News blues artist Tim Morgan performs Saturday night at the Cape Charles Coffee House in an ESO LIVE on-the-road production.

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

February 5, 2013

Another  Saturday night, and Cape Charles will be rolling up the sidewalks at 5 p.m.

NOT!

Amazingly, on Saturday, February 9, there are — not none, not one, but TWO shows on Mason Avenue.

Unfortunately, both events begin at 7 p.m., so night trippers will have to choose one over the other.

At the Palace Theatre, “I Played the Palace” is billed as a lighthearted, non-competitive show of talent as local singers, actors, dancers or poets perform on the stage.

The event is free. Hot paninis, soda, snacks, beer, and wine will be available for sale before, during and after the performances.

All are welcome to perform or watch from the red velvet seats in the auditorium.

There are 10 slots of 15 minutes each available for the performers. The microphone will be provided and performers are responsible for their own props, music and costumes.

Entertainers must register by February 7 at Arts Enter for this first-time “I Played the Palace” night.

Melinda McPeek and Wayne Creed will MC the evening, assisted by sound technician Brent Carpenter.

“We are excited about giving performers the opportunity to showcase their talent on a live stage in the beautiful art deco theatre complete with state of the art light and sound,” said Arts Enter Director Clelia Sheppard.

“Hopefully this will the first night of many more where there is no admission and no competition,” she added. “It will be a fun night for all.”

To register, call 757-331-2787.

Meanwhile, just up the street, ESO LIVE! plans to transform the Cape Charles Coffee House into an intimate Blues Club, with the award-winning Newport News songwriter and performer Tim Morgan.

CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

Normally, Cape Charles residents have to drive to Belle Haven to enjoy performances at the ESO Arts Center. But ESO LIVE! has taken its show on the road.

Morgan will perform a mix of original compositions and his versions of traditional blues and folk standards.

Admission is $10, and doors open at 7 p.m.

A menu of appetizers and full bar will be available through the Cape Charles Coffee House.

An accomplished Blues artist, Morgan is a winner of the James River Blues Society’s talent expo where he represented the organization at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. He is also a seven-time top finalist in the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society’s talent contest.

“My drive comes from my passion to create and share,” Morgan says. “Every time I go out to play, it is going to be different. That’s exciting, because I never know what is going to come out or how it is going to touch the audience.”

“It’s about creating a moment and sharing it with others.”

Morgan has conducted slide guitar and beginning harmonica workshops for the Natchel’s Blues Network, and takes the music into public school systems through his connection to the “Blues in Schools” program.

In 1995 he formed Tim Morgan & The Mojo Brothers. With the band, he favors playing electric “because of the energy and the room to jam.”

But freedom and the freshest edge is what he enjoys about playing solo acoustic.

“I can come out and play something I wrote that day if I want, because no one else has to know the tune,” Morgan explains.

Cape Charles Coffee House is the first place to host ESO LIVE! On the Road.

“We continually strive to live up to our name, Eastern Shore’s Own, and bring our art offerings Shore-wide,” said ESO Executive Director Dawn Simpson. “This is just another fun way to try and achieve that goal.”

In addition to “on the road” shows, ESO LIVE! brings local, regional music & artistic mayhem every month to its Belle Haven arts center in a cozy nightclub-like atmosphere.

For ESO LIVE! Tim Morgan’s Blues Night, contact ESO Arts Center for reservations and information at 757-442-3226, [email protected].

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Comments

3 Responses to “News Flash! Hot Time in Old Town Saturday Night”

  1. Catherine Nottingham on February 5th, 2013 10:18 am

    I applaud the Palace Theater and the Cape Charles Coffee House for sponsoring fabulous events in our sleepy town in February.

    Two events in February at the exact same time?

    What happened to that “Cape Charles Calendar of Events”? This should be another lesson in “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”

    Many count on prime season income to get through the lean months. Maybe this should spark some interest in making a better plan for Cape Charles 2013.

    Giddy Up Cape Charles!…..Spring is just 43 days away.

  2. Gene Kelly on February 5th, 2013 5:56 pm

    …best of luck to both venues! Historically we have had a tough time getting folks out in Jan. and Feb……Cheers!

  3. Scott Wade on February 13th, 2013 8:53 am

    Tim Morgan was fantastic, and the venue was perfect for the intimate style of music. We need more of this type of entertainment, as it gives people choices. There is also some synergy going on, in that lots of people at the two events gravitated toward the pub afterwards. If the powers that be planned this type right, more businesses could benefit as well as the public.