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BLUEGRASS IS OUR APPALACHIAN ANTHEM
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GREAT STRIDES IN JOINT REPLACEMENT. RIGHT HERE IN THE UPSTATE.
If you’ve been considering joint replacement surgery, you should know about the latest surgical breakthrough at Greenville Health System. Here, a GHS orthopaedic team has championed a new technique to greatly reduce post-surgical pain, enabling many patients to get back on their feet, and on their way to a full recovery, the same day. That’s a giant step forward in joint replacement—and it happened here first. Learn more at ghs.org/Forward.
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FIRST
Glance
Table Turner: Gene Berger, owner of Horizon Records, hosts intimate, live performances in his Stone Avenue store. For more, see “Sound Proof,� page 74. (photograph by Paul Mehaffey)
8 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Contents 15 THE LIST
See, hear, read, react. The month’s must-dos.
THE TOWN 21 ON Pics of the litter:
Upcountry fêtes & festivities.
30 WEDDINGS 33 TOWNBUZZ
Greenville’s own Delvin Choice, Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway, assemblages by Dawnyelle Moore, and more.
47 STYLE CENTRAL
Precious metals and colorful sunglasses capture the spirit of summer.
ABOUT TOWN 52 MAN Does whiskey hold the secret
to everlasting youth? The Man investigates.
57 SIDEWAYS
A roster of legendary musicians makes Memphis, TN, worthy of a pilgrimage.
61 PLACE HOLDER
6 6
GRASS ROOTS
Bluegrass binds past, present, and future generations together at Oolenoy Community Center and Breazeale’s Grocery.
// by Steven Tingle // photography by Paul Mehaffey
4 7
SOUND PROOF
Intrepid, independent, and intimate. House shows, pop-up concerts, and arts incubators are the sites of Greenville’s music renaissance.
// by Jonathan Kessler // photography by Paul Mehaffey
A word or two on Bonnaroo from a seasoned professional.
& DRINK 83 EAT Vinegar, sugar, and a whole
lot of pickling, craft cocktails made simple with Bittermilk, and flavorful Bradford watermelons.
92 DINING GUIDE 96 TOWNSCENE Got plans? You do now. 104
THIS PAGE: More than fame, Delvin Choice seeks a lasting legacy. For more, see “Choosing Wisely,” page 35. Photograph by Paul Mehaffey COVER: A mandolin at Breazeale’s Grocery. For more, see “Grass Roots,” page 66. Photograph by Paul Mehaffey
SECOND GLANCE
The T.L. Norris Gallery and Upstate Forever preserve nature through painter Richard Baker’s landscapes.
10 TOWN / towncarolina.com
August
Poised for Performance. Styled for Seduction.
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www.CarltonMotorcars.com | 864-213-8000 | 800-801-3131 | 2446 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607
Letter
Mark B. Johnston PUBLISHER mark@towncarolina.com
Photog r aph by Paul Meha f fey
EDITOR’S
Blair Knobel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF blair@towncarolina.com Paul Mehaffey ART DIRECTOR SENIOR EDITORS M. Linda Lee Steven Tingle Jac Valitchka
Hear Today
T
he pop-up is in. Restaurants, shops, art exhibits, music venues. It’s by virtue of our digital culture that we live in an age of ephemera, of life here and now. But live music has always been an in-the-moment experience, a primordial pop-up. Greek concerts, royal salons, 1960s’ loft parties, garage concerts of the ’80s and ’90s. Spaces transformed for the benefit of song, only to revert to pumpkins after midnight—or, community centers, in the case of Oolenoy’s in Pumpkintown, a spirited community of nearby Pickens County. Every Friday night the Oolenoy Community Center, a former schoolhouse, and Saturday night at Breazeale’s Grocery, outside of Liberty, church pews become musical chairs. Less of concerts, they’re more like age-old parties of gathering around porches to pick and play the songs of yore (vintage popups). It’s a pastime passed from generation to the next, a melodic, twanging celebration of Appalachian stories (“Grass Roots,” page 66). Bluegrass is more than music—it is Southern history alive. In addition, our corner of the Upstate reaps the benefit of several arts collectives, created by 20- and 30-somethings, many musicians themselves (“Sound Proof,” page 74). They seek to foster independent musicians, attracting regional, even national acts, in converted spaces ranging from empty storefronts to warehouse coffee shops to personal living rooms, offering an intimacy missing from traditional bars or concert halls. Accessible, affordable pop-up shows to promote the up-and-comers. Both of these stories celebrate community through music. We are pulled to music-making, as we are drawn to storytelling. There is a connection between artist and audience—each responding to the other. We gather for song like we gather for celebration, for mourning, for life’s passages. When we sing together, we speak together, and there is power in collective energy: we feel more. More than a photo album, music is an anthem of history—a living story, told over and again. And, like generations prior, folks still gather at churches, schoolhouses, shops, and homes to sing their hearts out.
Blair Knobel Editor-in-Chief
ASSISTANT EDITOR Andrew Huang CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Cathryn Armstrong Kathryn Davé Dixie Dulin Jonathan Kessler Laura Linen Liza Twery McAngus CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS & DESIGNERS Chelsey Ashford Jivan Davé TJ Grandy Kate Guptill EDITORIAL INTERN Erin Cullum
Holly Hardin PRODUCTION MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Kristy Adair Michael Allen Whitney Fincannon MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES Kristi Jennings Donna Johnston Annie Langston Lindsay Oehmen Pam Putman Kate Madden DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES kate@towncarolina.com
Emily Price DIGITAL STRATEGIST Lorraine Goldstein Sue Priester Hal Weiss CONSULTING MEMBERS
Check out new music and videos from this issue at towncarolina.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
WE GATHER FOR SONG. WHEN WE SING TOGETHER, WE SPEAK TOGETHER, AND THERE IS POWER IN COLLECTIVE ENERGY: WE FEEL MORE.
12 TOWN / towncarolina.com
TOWN Magazine (Vol. 4, No. 8) is published monthly (12 times per year) by TOWN Greenville, LLC, PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602, (864) 679-1200. If you would like to have TOWN delivered to you each month, you may purchase an annual subscription (12 issues) for $65. For subscription information or where to find, please visit towncarolina. com. Postmaster: Send address changes to TOWN, PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
Arlie Kuntz, Marsden Hartley and American Modernism
Charles Philip Kuntz (1897-1928) French Landscape, 1928 oil on canvas
Opening August 6 Greenville County Museum of Art
420 College Street Greenville, SC 29601 864.271.7570 gcma.org Wed - Sat 10 am - 6 pm Sun 1 pm - 5 pm
TOWN Kuntz French Landscape.indd 1
admission free
6/24/14 4:47 PM
the hollingsworth park community is growing.
Hollingsworth Park’s newest neighborhood, Braydon, will launch custom home construction very soon. Offering a similar architectural style found in Ruskin Square, lot sizes are slightly larger and feature side driveways that lead to privately-positioned garages. Already extremely popular, availability in this prime location will not last long. Other Highlights Include: • Sidewalks, Pocket Parks and Beautiful Street Lighting • Adjacent to Legacy Square and Legacy Park • Neighborhood Amenity Pond and Walking Trail • Maintenance-Free Lawns • Homes Priced from the High $300s
Braydon is an Approved Builder Team Community
Sales Offiice Open Daily • 3 Legacy Park Rd., Greenville, SC (864) 329-8383 • verdae.com
List z
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TOP OF THE
August 2014
List
FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS
Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center
The original Jersey Boy makes a pit stop in the Upstate during the American leg of his international tour. In addition to a dynamically entertaining set that includes the time-honored standards “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” Valli’s set list also features cuts from his new album Romancing the ’60s, a melting pot of the crooner’s favorite tunes revamped with that special Four Seasons spin. The Peace Center 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, Aug 8, 8pm. $65-$95. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org
AUGUST 2014 / 15
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Thanks to these two ’70s rock heavy hitters, we already know that Jeremiah was a bullfrog and that it’s okay to hold on loosely, but don’t let go. With many of the original members still in place, the two bands share the stage for this installment of the Biltmore Estate’s Summer Nights concert series. You’re guaranteed to rock and probably to roll, so what could be the excuse for missing two of the genre’s most classic bands?
It’s been sixteen years since this official Olympic event has touched down on American soil, and now it is making its way to Greenville. Combining road races, relays, and timed trials throughout the Millenium Campus, the rigorous five-day challenge hosts the world’s top paracycling athletes. Participating this year is Formula 1 racer Alex Zanardi, using a specially outfitted BMW to perform in the race.
The Biltmore Estate South Terrace, 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC. Fri, Aug 15, 8pm. $50. (800) 411-3812, biltmore.com
CU-ICAR Millenium Campus, 200 Carolina Point Parkway, Greenville. Aug 27–Sept 1; Wed–Mon, times vary. greenvillesc2014.com
Now into their first decade, the Atlanta-born alternative rockers have made a few changes: a semi-new lineup, label adjustments, and the debut of new material that is both raw and tailored in its power. Bringing their big sound to the intimate Orange Peel setting, Manchester Orchestra is on tour to promote their latest album Cope, released earlier this year and already tucked comfortably in top-chart position. But studio albums do no justice to Manchester live, making this summer act one not to miss. The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. Tues, Aug 5, 8pm. Advance, $18; doors, $21. (828) 225-5851, theorangepeel.net
Photograph courtesy of Notus Sports
2014 UCI PARA-CYCLING ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Photograph courtesy of the Biltmore Estate
THREE DOG NIGHT & 38 SPECIAL AT BILTMORE
zWhat-Not-To-Miss / MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
Photograph courtesy of Favorite Gentlemen Records
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A creative fusion of genres from each corner of the globe, Rusted Root’s 20-year career has trekked the sextet to various stages and alongside acts like Dave Matthews and the Dead. Their 2012 album The Movement, encompasses this entire journey from start to finish, crafted as a tribute to the band’s time together. Their visits to their South Carolina homeland are always denoted by fun, jamtastic concerts that draw fans from all genres.
One of the Upstate’s signature pre–Labor Day events, the Beach Ball is a delightful mélange of live music, signature eats, and unique entertainment. In addition to cocktail and cuisine menus provided by Coffee Underground, Roost, City Scape Winery, and Thomas Creek Brewery, the Ball will also include fine liquor tastings, cigar bars, and a surprise live act. The best part? All proceeds will go toward nonprofit organizations committed to aiding children and families in need.
TD Stage at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, Aug 29, 7:30pm. $25. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org
Photograph by Paul Mehaffey
The Belton Center for the Arts, 306 City Square, Belton. Sat, Aug 23, 8–9:30pm. $25. (864) 338-8556, beltonsc.com/arts.htm
THE BEACH BALL
The Hartness Estate, 200 County Rd 1000, Greenville. Sat, Aug 23, 6–11:30pm. $100. beachballfoundation.org
August 2014 S Photograph courtesy of the Peace Center
As one of the first acts to christen Belton’s new Listening Room on Main, this intimate evening with songstress Loretta Holloway is one that should not be missed. Known as “South Carolina’s First Lady of Song,” Holloway’s effortless jazz stylings and original songwriting have made her the stuff of legend for generations of listeners. Ticket price includes a pre-show reception, dining, and performance, giving you the chance to get personal with one of jazz’s most unique artists.
RUSTED ROOT
Photograph courtesy of Bon Secours Wellness Arena
AN EVENING WITH LORETTA HOLLOWAY
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AUSTIN MAHONE WITH FIFTH HARMONY z Move over Justin Bieber—there’s a new tween sensation climbing the charts, and he’s got a posse of “Mahomies” backing him up. Leaping from YouTube to MTV’s Artists to Watch, the young Mahone has teenage girls (and a few grown women) swooning across the nation to “Say Somethin’” and “What About Love.” Mahone is joined by X Factor girl group Fifth Harmony in promotion of his debut album The Secret. Charter Amphitheatre, 861 SE Main St, Simpsonville. Sun, Aug 31, 7pm. $30-$65. (864) 241-3800, charteramphitheatre.com
ASHEVILLE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Photograph by Kathleen Robbins; courtesy of CVA—Greenville
z Given the immense popularity of homegrown dining and local breweries, it’s no surprise that Asheville is sitting pretty atop America’s culinary landscape. Fortunately for us, the city is a stone’s throw away. Kicking off with the Prohibition-style ELIXIR cocktail event and guided neighborhood tour on Thursday, the event continues with Friday’s dessert-centric SWEET in the historic Grove Arcade and a Grand Tasting for foodies on Saturday. US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC. Aug 21–23; Thurs–Sat, times vary. $45-$70. (828) 777-8916, ashevillewineandfood.com
SIERRA NEVADA BEER CAMP ACROSS AMERICA: SOUTHEAST EDITION z The only thing better than a giant celebration of all things craft beer is one that comes directly to you. The seventh and final stop of the tour lands in North Carolina, where the California-based company’s newest brewery will host more than 12 collaborators from north and south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In addition to neighboring pours by Appalachian Mountain Brewing Co. in Boone and Raleigh’s Big Boss Brewing, the fest will feature guest spots by Michigan-based Bell’s and Allagash from Maine. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC. Sun, Aug 3, 1–6pm. $65. beercamp.sierranevada.com
GLOW LYRIC THEATRE z One of the Upstate’s most popular summer productions, GLOW returns with one of its exciting showcases yet. The 2014 edition juxtaposes separate adaptations—Puccini’s La Boheme and Jonathan Larson’s mid-’90s Rent incarnation— of Henri Murger’s iconic Scenes de la vie de Boheme novel. Though set in different eras, each play explores similar issues of love and tragedy, paralleled by relatable characters, topical themes, and gripping lyricism. Gunter Theatre at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thru Aug 9. Wed–Sun, 8pm; Sat–Sun, 2pm. $45. (864) 467-3000, glowlyric.com 18 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Sense of Place In our day-to-day lives, we sometimes have tunnel vision. An outside perspective can be as informative as insider knowledge. David Bram, editor of fine art photography publication Fraction Magazine, in association with Clemson’s Center for Visual Arts—Greenville, has invited four fine art photographers to visit, observe, and interpret the Village of West Greenville through their lenses. Their images, which accompany audio interviews by the residents of the Village, tell stories of this historic community. Center for Visual Arts—Greenville 1278 Pendleton St, Greenville. Thru Aug 30; Tues–Sat, 10:30am–5:30pm. Free. clemson.edu/cva/cva-greenville
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ON THE Brooke Ferguson, Julien Nicolas & Kacie Jackson
Sue & Mark Trembly
BMW Pro-Am Celebrity Party & Auction May 15, 2014 There was an abundance of star power at the BMW Pro-Am’s Celebrity Party and Auction, presented by SYNNEX Corporation. More than 400 sponsors, contestants, and guests joined celebrities such as Rob Riggle and Win McMurry for an evening of relaxation off of Greenville’s greens. The evening celebrated BMW’s 20 years in the Upstate, as well as more than $10 million in funds donated to local nonprofits since 2001.
Tim & Melody Greenhouse with Merietta & Hank McCullough
Photography by Chelsey Ashford
Amy Grace & Catherine Coughlin Danielle Walter & Jamie Boyd
Jay Lesser & Nancy Shaikun
Kevin & Molly Coughlin
Archie & Rachel Johnson
A ssi st ance by Di x ie Dul i n
Juan Nieto & Rosa Chica
Brad Skelton, Whitney Walters & John Bradley AUGUST 2014 / 21
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Carolina Strong Soiree June 19, 2014 Back to 30 Rejuvenation Centers presented Carolina Strong: a night about giving back to the American Red Cross and showcasing South Carolina fashion, food, and local business. More than 120 guests enjoyed food provided by Travinia Italian Kitchen and beverages from Dark Corner Distillery. Back to 30 employee Wendi Frazier spoke about the Red Cross’s generosity after losing her home to a fire this year, and the event ended with the presentation of a $10,000 check to the organization. Photography by Chelsey Ashford
“Purveyors of Classic American Style” Elizabeth Monts & Rhett Brown
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Susan, Mary Grace, Alex & Jim Nasim AUGUST 2014 / 23
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MAC Reception for Flat Out Under Pressure June 28, 2014 Twenty-four hours to create a work of art that could win $800, recyclebin exposure, and a trip to Italy? With these high stakes, the 68 participating artists were definitely feeling “flat out under pressure.” The Metropolitan Arts Council hosted this annual competition and announced eight lucky winners whose works were selected by an out-of-town juror. The winners’ works are reproduced on recycling bins along Main Street in downtown Greenville. Around 200 guests attended, and Teresa Roche was awarded first place. Photography by TJ Grandy Justin Kingsland & Shay Felknor
CLASSES BEGIN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21. www.uscupstate.edu/admissions (864) 503-5246 or (800) 277-8727
Ryan Calloway, Sally Wise & Michael Watts
Lance & Cece Burnett and Rob & Betsy Powell with Katie Bolt
Fabian Unterzaucher & Lindsie Sink 24 TOWN / towncarolina.com
ON THE
Town
Author Heather Marshall’s launch of The Thorn Tree June 26, 2014 South Carolina–based author Heather Marshall celebrated the launch of her debut novel The Thorn Tree, which intertwines the lives of three generations of women and is set partly in Scotland, where Heather is originally from. More than 100 guests gathered at the Metropolitan Arts Council to hear the author’s thanks and purchase copies from Fiction Addiction, a Greenville independent bookstore located behind Haywood Mall on Woods Crossing Road.
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Mike Cubelo & Don Hudson AUGUST 2014 / 25
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26 TOWN / towncarolina.com
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Hale’s Jewelers’ Presentation of Tacori
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California-based jeweler Tacori partnered with Hale’s Jewelers in Greenville for a two-day event featuring more than 400 Tacori pieces, including nearly 300 engagement and wedding rings. Tacori representative Kelly Dukes worked one-on-one with 60 attendees, and guest Sarah Herring was the lucky winner of a black onyx and silver ring giveaway. Photography by Chelsey Ashford
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Byron Wilson & Terissa Cuffie
A ssist ance by Di x ie Duli n
Joey & Peg Hudson and George & Barbara Corell with David Knoblauch
ON THE
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30th Anniversary Party for the Greenville Commerce Club June 6, 2014
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A group of 225 appreciative guests, including restaurateur Rick Erwin and former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Nick Theodore, gathered to celebrate 30 years of service provided by Greenville’s private Commerce Club. Members were treated to handcrafted cocktails and an upscale, receptionstyle menu. The black-tie evening included live jazz music by the Mike Frost Band. Photography by Chelsey Ashford
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Procedure: MINI-FACELIFT From: Upstate, SC “I wasn’t ready to look old, I didn’t feel old. I felt like my looks dragged me down.” – D.L.
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EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS YOU CAN TRUST Erin & Zach Hines
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Lindsey Rundell, Natalie Packard & Stephanie Batchelor
Emilie Theodore & The Honorable Nick Theodore AUGUST 2014 / 29
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Weddings
/ by Andrew Huang & Erin Cullum
Beryl Walker & Trey Simpson April 26, 2014 Usually, being inseparable from your partner is a good thing, but for Trey, it actually became a hindrance when it came to proposing. After all, he could barely find time alone to go engagement ring shopping! Beryl and Trey, who were high school sweethearts (he carried her books to class and let her borrow his jacket), dated through their college years at Clemson, and it soon became obvious this was a relationship meant to last. Two weeks before they graduated, Trey finally had the opportunity to drop by a jewelry store alone and happened upon the perfect ring. Excited and unwilling to wait, Trey proposed the very next day on a walk through Falls Park. The couple was married at the Warren and Virginia Owen Pavilion at Clemson University, and featured Beryl’s father as officiant—he became a notary public just for the occasion. The couple currently lives in Davis, CA. PHOTOGRAPH BY KEITH & CRYSTAL CARSON // RED APPLE TREE PHOTOGRAPHY
Julia Colangelo & Kenny Healy June 7, 2014 Since Kenny was attending the US Naval Academy and double majoring in economics and history, free time was a rarity. So when he told Julia he would be on duty during the weekend of the 2013 Clemson football game against UGA, she had no reason to suspect otherwise. What she didn’t know was that Kenny would soon show up at Clemson, where Julia was visiting friends for the game, to ask for her hand in marriage. The proposal followed a year and a half of dating and a little help from family and friends on keeping the operation a surprise. The military wedding was held at Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, and Kenny’s grandfather—a retired naval officer—cut the cake with his sword, which he presented to his grandson afterward. Julia, a defense contractor for IPKeys, and Kenny plan to move to Palo Alto, California, for two years so that Kenny can earn his MBA at Stanford University before training to become a naval aviator in Pensacola, Florida. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELA COX // ANGELA COX PHOTOGRAPHY
Kate White & David Little June 14, 2014 Love delights in twists and turns, journeys and coincidences. Though Kate and David both grew up in Greenville, they didn’t meet until they had both moved to New York City after college. David’s sister, who knew Kate from the College of Charleston and was visiting the city, invited Kate to a show at The Bitter End where David was performing with a band. After dating for six-and-a-half years, while on vacation at Litchfield with David’s family, the couple went for a long walk on the beach when David dropped to one knee and proposed. The couple was married at Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville. Kate, vice president at Meg Connolly Communications, and David, an engineer and composer with Tonal, live in Brooklyn, New York. PHOTOGRAPH BY LAUREN MILLER // LAUREN MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY HEARING WEDDING BELLS? TOWN Magazine wants to publish your wedding announcement. If you currently live or grew up in the Upstate and were recently married, please write to us at TOWN Magazine, Attn: Andrew Huang, PO Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602, or e-mail ahuang@towncarolina.com. Due to space constraints, inclusion is not guaranteed. 30 TOWN / towncarolina.com
No home here is the same.
Because no dream is the same.
Perhaps you wish to wake up to 50-mile views in every direction. Or read a book on your back porch, overlooking a quiet lake cove below. Whatever your dream home, whatever joys you want to experience with friends and family, The Cliffs can help bring your ideas to life. L I V E I N O N E C O M M U N I T Y . P L AY I N A L L S E V E N .
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“I sold real estate in Columbia, SC and then in Cheyenne, WY for over 20 years. After retiring, I wanted a professional to handle our properties in SC. Tom is the best!! He is straight forward about property values, he returns calls quickly, he offers suggestions in a tactful manner and is business like in contract negotiations. He markets your property as promised and is innovative when faced with a property that is hard to sell. I trust him and I highly recommend him.” - Penny Kamis
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99 ECHO DRIVE - CAESAR’S HEAD • 3200 ft above sea level • Magnificent long-distance views • 3BR/2.5BA w/sleeping loft • Unique historic community • Walk to pool, tennis, clubhouse • $750,000
9 SUNRISE DRIVE - CAESAR’S HEAD • 3100 ft above sea level • Beautiful view with tons of privacy • 4BR/4BA • Recently updated with new kitchen • Unique historic community • Walk to pool, tennis, clubhouse • $598,500
4 SEVENBARK LANE CLIFF RIDGE AT CAESAR’S HEAD • 2900 ft above sea level • Built 2002 and well-maintained • 3BR/3.5BA with 1000 sf of covered porches • Private, gated • Walk to pool, tennis, clubhouse, trails • $299,000
0 SUNRISE DRIVE - CAESAR’S HEAD • 3100 ft above sea level • To-Be-Built/New Construction • Carson Speer Builders • 3BR/2.5BA with screened porch • Very private • Great quality craftsmanship • Unique historic community • Walk to pool, tennis, clubhouse • $498,000 1
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211 TRAILS END - MOUNTAIN LAKE COLONY • One of the oldest homes in community • Recent total renovation and expansion • 5BR/2.5BA with waterfall and creek views • Protected community property on three sides • Walk to fishing and swimming lakes • Wonderful historic community • $259,000
Call Tom Marchant (864.449.1658) for a private showing or to list your proper ty.
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PROFILE / TOP BUNK / OUTSIDE THE BOX
Photograph by Paul Mehaffey
Sound Check: Greenville resident Delvin Choice considers his options after a solid run on the sixth season of hit singing competition The Voice.
Chasing Dreams Delvin Choice of NBC’s The Voice sets his sights high and sings with soul AUGUST 2014 / 33
1322 e washington st greenville, sc 864.255.5656 www.studio7online.com
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Profile Crowd Pleaser: Delvin Choice, a Greenville native, was one of the final eight contestants on Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice.
Choosing Wisely Delvin Choice reflects on his time on NBC’s The Voice and thinks ahead / by Jac Valitchka
H
e takes a sip of wine, swirling the liquid around in his mouth to determine its worthiness of accompanying his lunch. Delvin Choice decides on the Bordeaux rouge, but that is not all that’s on his menu since returning home to Greenville after competing in the sixth season of NBC’s reality singing competition show The Voice. Today, however, Choice wants to start with French food. He’s never tried it before, and in the spirit of up-for-anything and “I love to try new things,” we find ourselves at Passarelle Bistro on Main Street in Greenville. Before the wine, there is the now-familiar moment to Choice wherein he is quickly noticed—and not just because his ponytailed dreadlocks are crested in a bright shade of crimson. “Is this you?” the bartender says, holding his phone up to show a video clip of Choice singing on the show.
“Yep,” replies Choice. “Good job. I watched every episode. You did awesome.” And he did. He made it to the top eight after not making it on The Voice at all in Season 5. Or, as he puts it, “going from no chairs, to four chairs.” For those who still think of Frank Sinatra when you hear someone talking about “the voice,” the show’s celebrity pop star judges (Usher, Blake Shelton, Shakira, and Adam Levine, in this case) sit in those chairs, backs facing the stage, and whip around to claim for their “team” the performer in a blind audition (so as not to be swayed by the looks of the singer). After this selection process, the singers are coached by famous artists and guest mentors (Miranda Lambert and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, for example), and then perform against each other in battle rounds, either advancing to the next phase of competition or getting voted off by the television audience. Chances are if you are reading this, you may even be one of the 11.6 million people who watched the two-hour season finale in May. So that Choice made it as far as he did is a feat. He was actually invited to come back to audition for Season 6, which was a phone call the former Starbucks barista and music worship leader won’t forget. The bartender returns to the table, announcing, “I’ve been listening to ‘Bright Lights’ all day long,” referring to the Gary Clark, Jr. song that Choice belted out late in the competition. “Man, that’s my favorite song. That’s my fav-orite song,” says Choice, drawing out the syllables for emphasis. “That was one of the pivotal moments for me in the show where [I thought], ‘If I sing this song and go home, I’m proud. I’m fine.’ Because that was the only time I was able to actually do something that was in my genre.” Choice’s genre—besides what might be called his life genre of staying positive and keeping clear of the negative (effortlessly and genuinely exuding the former)—of music is a funk/soul fusion (think John Legend/Donnie Hathaway). “I just love it,” he says. The list of things he loves also includes food (“Seafood is the way to my heart”), cooking, clothes and fashion, fly fishing, night bass fishing, his nephews, kids, and perhaps most of all the chance to perform. “I love being on stage.” Take the night he sang “Bright Lights” and, as they say, killed it. “Singing that was such an empowering moment,” says Choice, who possesses a powerful, soul-stirring, rich baritone. “The energy in that crowd,” he says, pausing and reliving the moment, “you could literally feel it. It AUGUST 2014 / 35
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Profile CHOICE WORDS DELVIN : > Attended the Fine Arts Center. > Gets manicures. > Has two tattoos: one is of a lion in the shape of Africa; the other is of the three wise monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil Speak No Evil.
And since it’s one of the questions he gets the most, we asked it, too. WHAT WER E TH E JU DGES LIKE ? USHER He’s one of the most down-to-earth people. He’s just real chill. He’s one of the coolest people ever.
Musical Acts: Though he loves his hometown of Greenville, Choice plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music.
felt as if Oprah Winfrey had said, ‘Everybody gets a new car!’” He laughs. “It was so heavy.” Choice is all of 25-years-old and knows how fortuitous his appearance on the show was. Now that he has this platform, it is time for him to “do work,” which means writing songs, recording, writing more songs, collaborating with producers and living up to his personal tagline (and hashtag) of #changinglivesbychasingdreams. He is chasing his own dreams with a move to Los Angeles in the fall because, he admits, he basically has to in order to have a career in music. He loves being from Greenville, but recognizes that musical opportunities here are slim to none. “One thing that I want to stress and bring awareness to is that we need to support more of our local businesses and our local talents,” Choice says. “There are so many people here in South Carolina and here in Greenville that easily could be where I was and could have easily won that show. The reason they’re not here is because they don’t feel the support.” His father, Willie, is a reverend and his mother, Hennie, is a minister from St. Helena Island near Beaufort, where he is still known more as “Hennie’s son,” and not so much as “Delvin Choice from The Voice,” which you can tell he likes. He takes immense pride in his Gullah Geechee background and his solid upbringing in the church that formed his voice and his character. Choice (who might be one of two people who can make a fishing vest look fashionable—like the one he is wearing today over a black tank top) is in it to win it. But he’s not seeking fame for fame’s sake. Instead, this family man (he can’t wait to have kids, he says), cares more about what he’s leaving behind. “Here’s the thing,” he begins. “I do what I do 36 TOWN / towncarolina.com
BLAKE SHELTON Blake is like your homebody from Pelzer or Pendleton. Jeans, plaid shirt, and vodka soda. SHAKIRA Shakira is so genuine and beautiful, and family oriented. She always had her baby boy with her. ADAM LEVIN E He’s Adam Levine. He’s very intuitive when it comes to the delivery of a song and making sure you know how to work the crowd and use the crowd.
right now for my nephews. That is what it’s all about. I’m creating a legacy. It’s not a name. The name can only get you so far. It’s your integrity and your legacy that carries you and sustains you.” For now, a month into his re-assimilation to life off-camera doesn’t mean he’s off-stage. His days of playing the local bars are behind him, however, while appearances at charity benefits and private dates take booking precedence, with a few trips to the “islands” to eat a bushel of blue crabs with extended family on St. Helena. “My goal is to die empty,” Choice says as he drains the last of the Bordeaux blend lingering in his glass. “I don’t want to hold in anything that I was birthed with: talents, gifts, inspirations, words of encouragement, songs, melodies . . . a hug. I don’t want to die full. I want to make sure that I used my fullest capability to inspire the world.” Starting with this corner of it, at least, he’s got our vote.
DETAILS ON DELVIN He attended the Fine Arts Center. He gets manicures. He has two tattoos: one is of a lion in the shape of Africa; the other is of the three wise monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil Speak No Evil.
And since it’s one of the questions he gets the most, we asked it too. What were the judges like? Choice on his judges:
Usher
He’s one of the most downto-earth people. He’s just real chill. He’s one of the coolest people ever.
Blake Shelton
Blake is like your homebody from Pelzer or Pendleton. Jeans, plaid shirt, and vodka soda.
Shakira
Shakira is so genuine and beautiful, and family oriented. She always had her baby boy with her. And her boyfriend was there. She’s a very private person, which is very important in this industry.
Adam Levine
He’s Adam Levine. He’s very intuitive when it comes to the delivery of a song and making sure you know how to work the crowd and use the crowd. Captionhead: text here text here text here
DETAILS ON DELVIN
He attended the Fine Arts Center. He gets manicures. He has two tattoos: one is of a lion in the shape of Africa; the other is of the three wise monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil Speak No Evil.
And since it’s one of the questions he gets the most, we asked it too. What were the judges like? Choice on his judges:
USHER He’s one of the most down-to-earth people. He’s just real chill. He’s one of the coolest people ever.
DETAILS ON DELVIN
He attended the Fine Arts Center. He gets manicures. He has two tattoos: one is of a lion in the shape of Africa; the other is of the three wise monkeys: See No Evil, Hear No Evil Speak No Evil. And since it’s one of the questions he gets the most, we asked it too. What were the judges like?
BLAKE SHELTON Blake is like your homebody from Pelzer or Pendleton. Jeans, plaid shirt, and vodka soda.
SHAKIRA Shakira is so genuine and beautiful, and family oriented. She always had her baby boy with her. And her boyfriend was there. She’s a very private person, which is very important in this industry.
ADAM LEVINE He’s Adam Levine. He’s very intuitive when it comes to the delivery of a song and making sure you know how to work the crowd and
CHOIC E ON HI S JU DGES
USHER He’s one of the most down-to-earth people. He’s just real chill. He’s one of the coolest people ever.
BLAKE SHELTON Blake is like your homebody from Pelzer or Pendleton. Jeans, plaid shirt, and vodka soda.
SHAKIRA Shakira is so genuine and beautiful, and family oriented. She always had her baby boy with her. And her boyfriend was there. She’s a very private person, which is very important in this industry.
ADAM LEVINE
Billiam Jeans / Shop-Keep 1288 Pendleton St, Greenville (864) 430-2762, billiamjeans.com Open various days of the week, by chance or by appointment
He’s Adam Levine. He’s very intuitive when it comes to the delivery of a song and making sure you know how to work the crowd and use the crowd.
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Lady of the Lake Greystone Inn charms with luxury, both indoors and out / by M. Linda Lee
N
ever underestimate the power of a woman. George Armstrong did, and it cost him a pretty penny. In 1913, George and his wife Lucy were sitting on the porch of the erstwhile Toxaway Inn in North Carolina gazing out at the sparkling waters of Lake Toxaway and the surrounding mountain peaks, when Lucy announced she’d like to build a house there. Thinking this was just another of his wife’s fleeting whims, George told Lucy to go around the lake and find a spot that suited her. If she could camp there all summer, he would build her a house, he promised—never thinking his Savannah belle wife would last more than a single night camping. Lucy had a different idea of camping. She found her ideal spot, had a hardwood floor built and a 2,000-square-foot tent erected over it. Nearby, another tent was set up to house 11 of her servants. With this ritzy setup, Lucy had no problem enduring what she called her “summer of roughing it,” and George had to hold up his end of the bargain. Their house on Lake Toxaway was completed in 1915. Fast-forward five decades, when developer Reg Heinitsh purchased the house. In the early 1980s, financial planner Tim Lovelace partnered with Heinitsh’s son to transform Miss Lucy’s former homestead into the Greystone Inn. With Reg, Jr. as the silent partner, it fell to Lovelace and his wife, and later to their son Clark, to run the luxurious inn—which they did with gracious hospitality for 28 years.
38 TOWN / towncarolina.com
In 2014, just over 100 years after Miss Lucy camped on the site, the Lovelace family turned over the operation of the inn to Natural Retreats, a company whose portfolio includes 18 coastal, countryside, and wilderness properties around the world. “We are very pleased to have Natural Retreats take over operations of the Greystone Inn,” says Lovelace, whose family still owns the property. “In addition to providing new life to marketing and certain components of operations, they will be putting substantial resources into improving the facilities. We see this as a key step in the long-term success of the inn.” Natural Retreats will overhaul Greystone over the next two years, spiffing up the guestroom décor with new window treatments and bedding to create a crisp, modern look. Despite all the changes, the beloved Greystone tradition of a late-afternoon Champagne cruise on Miss Lucy, the inn’s custom-built mahogany launch, will remain. Guests can choose between 16 individually decorated rooms in the original mansion; 12 spacious lakefront rooms in the twostory Hillmont building, all with gas fireplaces and wet bars with refrigerators; and two lakeside suites with separate bedrooms. Soon the Presidential Suite will welcome honeymooners, following a complete facelift by Southern Living. A full breakfast in the lakefront dining room is included in the rate, and a four-course, prix-fixe ($70) dinner menu is offered each evening. When you’re not exploring the area’s myriad mountain trails and waterfalls, you can book guided rock-climbing and fly-fishing excursions at the new outfitters shop. Steps from the inn, the golf course, pool, tennis courts, and two professional croquet lawns beckon sports enthusiasts, while kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft can be rented at the on-site marina. At day’s end, soothe tired muscles with a massage at the inn’s small spa. Then plop down in an Adirondack chair overlooking the lake, and bask, as Miss Lucy did, in the tranquil scene before you. Greystone Inn 1 Greystone Lane, Lake Toxaway, NC (855) 231-7317, greystoneinn.com In-season weekend rates begin at $356/night for a standard mansion room
Photographs courtesy of the Greystone Inn
Natural Abundance: Greystone Inn offers myriad opportunities to enjoy its Lake Toxaway location, including Champagne cruises, croquet, and golf.
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Leap of Faith After defying death, Nashville-based crooner Mac Leaphart sings a new tune / by Jac Valitchka
ac Leaphart’s very name sounds like he’d be a country singer. If he went by his full name Miller McKeown Leaphart, he’d maybe instead sound like a bagpipe player. But, Leaphart, a singer-songwriter and guitar player, is from Greenville and isn’t from the Highlands. He is country in the way of John Prine (one of his biggest influences), Billie Joe Shaver, and those other outlaws who, thankfully, don’t ride on the mainstream country music highway, which is just like Leaphart likes it. It’s what his songs on his second selfreleased album Low in the Saddle, Long in the Tooth reflect, too, with honky-tonk roof raisers: “Ludowici,” about the “roughneck speed trap town” in southeast Georgia; “The El Paso Kid,” the story of Buddy, born to a mama who “got knocked up and kept on drinking; smoked a half a pack a day…”; and the memory of an ex-girlfriend who ran out on him, but also ran off with a prized possession in “She Took My Best T-Shirt (Then She Broke My Heart).” And while that is a true story, there’s another that Leaphart will likely let live on only in a memory and not in a song: the story of surviving a brain tumor. Leaphart had lived in Charleston for about five years, making the rounds as a musician, building a
fanbase, and even had his captivating murderballad “Confederate Roses” (off his first record Line, Rope, Etc.) playing on the radio. But something wasn’t right. “I’m not the type of person who goes to the doctor a bunch,” says Leaphart, calling in from Nashville, Tennessee, where he’s lived for nearly two years. “I felt strange. I wasn’t feeling right. I went to a GP, and he said I had a sinus infection and gave me antibiotics. They didn’t work. So he put me on some different antibiotics. Finally, I had a car accident.” The accident was a result of the tumor. He was 34-years-old. A new doctor, and a swift decision later, Leaphart had surgery in November 2011 and then began the slow recovery process, which included, quite naturally, getting up on stage with some of his best friends to play music again. That happened after only six months, though it took nearly two years for him to “feel like himself” again. In Nashville, Leaphart hosts a weekly songwriter’s night called the Southpaw Supper Club, co-writing songs, and has been filling in for a friend at the famous Bluebird Café (where the likes of Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were discovered). If his new record and its deftly described tales of rebels, rogues, the road, and romance is any indication of his soaring range, he’s certainly back in the saddle again.
Head & Heart: Mac Leapheart’s new album Low in the Saddle, Long in the Tooth will be released on September 30. He will be performing at Fall for Greenville, Oct 10–12. For more, visit macleaphart.com
40 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Photograph courtesy of Mac Leapheart
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Junk Yard Jewels Dawnyelle Moore’s assemblages are a world of stories
T
here’s a wide range of thoughts that might go through your mind when presented with a piece of Dawnyelle Moore’s art: “Oh, that reminds me of my grandmother; I used to have that toy; are those real bones?” Moore is an assemblage artist living in Belton, South Carolina, who creates pieces with a sense of mystery intertwined with nostalgia. Often incorporating objects such as old blackand-white photographs, weathered wooden furniture, and beyond out-of-tune instruments, her work is like a novel that offers a narrative of a distant relative. Moore’s assemblages—artwork composed of found objects put together into sculptural, three-dimensional collages—are made up of items that she either finds in nature, at garage sales, or in thrift stores, or are given to her by friends and family. While Moore is a self-proclaimed “collector,” she doesn’t hold her treasures so sacred as to prevent her from breaking out the power tools and pulling things apart. In her studio (or “chop-shop”), there are enough broken guitars and dismantled baby dolls to horrify musicians and small children alike. But as she starts putting different components together, she gives new life to those objects, resulting in work that has characteristics of both time capsules and biological studies.
42 TOWN / towncarolina.com
The Florida native was influenced by her mother’s private artistic practice growing up and has followed in her steps, approaching work from a personal level that can sometimes make it difficult to share with the public. Fortunately for those who are interested in seeing her art, Moore started showing in the Upstate a couple of years ago. Currently her art is on display at the Bay3 Artisan Gallery in Anderson. Fully aware her assemblages may not go with typical living room décor, she has found collectors who connect with her pieces too strongly to leave them behind. When describing visitors in the gallery, Moore shares, “I love watching the quiet ones walking around, then stopping and looking, and then smiling. They may never say anything, but there’s a sort of glimmer in their eyes. You know they’re thinking. That’s my goal. Pretty is nice, but it doesn’t always get a reaction. People don’t tend to stop and think for pretty. They stop for creepy.” Dawnyelle Moore’s work is on display at Bay3 Artisan Gallery, 112 Federal St, Anderson. Her works-in-progress and sources of inspiration can also be seen on Instagram at @freckleddaisycreation
Photograph (guitar, top left) courtesy of Dawnyelle Moore; all other photographs by Paul Mehaffey
/ by Liza Twery McAngus
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Musical Thread: Alexa Woodward, Daniel Machado, and Mel Washington will perform original music inspired by the Upstate’s mill history at Potluck, a fourday, Greenvillebased arts event produced by the Front Porch Arts Collective.
Collective Soul
W
hen you think potluck, images of cul-desacs, potato salad, and friendly neighborhood interaction likely come to mind. That communal feeling is the core idea behind the Front Porch Arts Collective’s inaugural Potluck event, but with a creative twist: actors, musicians, visual artists, and more will bring their own “dishes” to the table. Front Porch Arts Collective is the first organization of its kind in Greenville. With a mission “to provide a home for creating and experiencing multi-disciplinary art inspired by voices of the Southeast,” the collective—which launched in December 2013—has a strong focus on arts education and promoting local talent. “We believe that art strengthens communities, and economies, and enriches quality of life,” says Breanna Foister, director of development. Foister and the other founders of Front Porch, Cortney McEniry, Prentiss Standridge, and Tim Giles, wanted to develop a community-based event to gain exposure for both the organization and a wide range of local talent. Their solution is the four-day-long Potluck, which is the collective’s first event of this size and scope. There’s surely something to feed everyone’s artistic palate. Hear original, instrumental electronic songs from Greenville-based artist Rich Engli$h on August 6 at the kick-off party at Due South Coffee. The next day, “Porch Light Playwrights” at Clemson’s Center for Visual Arts in the Village of West Greenville presents Greenville actors offering staged readings penned by Upstate playwrights. Day three of Potluck will pay particular tribute to
44 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Greenville’s mill village history with three South Carolina musicians performing original music and choreography inspired by the city’s rich textile past. “It is clear to all of us how definitive that area was and is in Greenville, so it seemed necessary and relevant to explore its themes, stories, and influences through the arts,” says Cortney McEniry, executive director. South Carolina-based musicians Daniel Machado, Alexa Woodward, and Mel Washington will perform their own music, and each has been paired with a local choreographer—Naina Dewan, Sarah Blake, and Stephanie Cureton, respectively—to incorporate modern dance into their mill-inspired performances. Each pair will draw from different images, information, and sounds to create their work. Machado and Dewan were both inspired by the idea of the sound in the mills—“the loud, whirring monotonous machinery,” says executive director Cortney McEniry. Potluck’s final evening on Saturday, August 9, offers a true hands-on creative experience for all who attend. Guests will join local artists at the Artistry to converse, collaborate, and make art on-site. Potluck is the first of many collaborative events that Front Porch hopes to create. As McEniry says, “We feel that Greenville has stories that need to be told. This isn’t our last exploration into South Carolina history through artistic collaborations.” Front Porch Arts Collective presents Potluck, August 6–9, locations vary. For more information on Front Porch and Potluck, visit frontporchartscollective.com
Photographs courtesy of Alexa Woodward, Daniel Machado, and Mel Washington
Front Porch Arts Collective presents original music at its inaugural Potluck event / by Erin Cullum
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STYLE
ALL THINGS STYLISH / UNIQUE / EXTRAORDINARY
Gold Mine
Photog r aph by Paul Meha f fey
Summer is an endless dream in shimmering metals
Vial Veil: Secret Vial Necklace, $48, by Lily Pottery. From Lily Downtown, 220 E Coffee St, Greenville. lilypottery.com. For more, see page 48.
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WISH
List
Bronze Beauties Summer lives on in gold-hued jewelry / by Laura Linen // photograph by Paul Mehaf fey
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1 STEPPING STONES Square brass bangles, $18-$40, by Lily Pottery. From Lily Downtown, 220 E Coffee St, Greenville. lilypottery.com
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2 GOLDEN TRESS
Italian mesh multi-strand cuff, $66. From Custard Boutique, 718 S Main St, Ste A, Greenville. (864) 271-0927, custardboutique.com
3 CRYSTAL CLEAR Quartz pendant necklace, $48, by Lily Pottery. From Lily Downtown. 220 E Coffee St, Greenville. lilypottery.com
4 BAR NONE Gold bar earrings, $22. From Custard Boutique.
5 CHAIN LINK
Woven bracelet with diamonds, $2,695. From Hale’s Jewelers, 532 Haywood Rd, Greenville. (864) 297-5600, halesjewelers.com
Experience
Perfect Harmony the
of the
Thursday, October 2
15TH ANNUAL
PAWLEYS ISLAND WINE & FOOD GALA Friday, October 3
Hammock Coast September 19th - October 12th
THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER Saturday, October 4
THE RODNEY MACK PHILADELPHIA BIG BRASS “Brothers on the Battlefield” Sunday, October 5
NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH TAP ENSEMBLE Wednesday, October 8
KEN LAVIGNE “The Road to Carnegie Hall” Thursday, October 9
SWINGLE SINGERS Friday, October 10
ANNIE MOSES BAND Saturday, October 11
THE BRONX WANDERERS The Tabled Event
Sunday, October 12
SUNDAY SEASIDE SHOWCASE All events held at The Reserve Golf Club of Pawleys Island
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 843-626-8911
www.pawleysmusic.com PIFMA is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and South Carolina Arts Commission
GARDEN CITY
MURRELLS INLET
LITCHFIELD
PAWLEYS ISLAND
GEORGETOWN
www.hammockcoastsc.com
FOUND
Objects
Sun Block
Shield your peepers in colorful shades
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/ by Laura Linen // photograph by Paul Mehaf fey
1 SHOOTS & LEAVES Floating two-toned bamboo sunglasses, $124, by Hammock & Palms. From Cocobella Boutique, 21C Augusta St, Greenville. (864) 283-0989, shopcocobella.com
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2 BEE BOP Jones, $199, by Kala Eyewear. From Garrison Opticians, 1922 Augusta St, #109, Greenville. (864) 2711812, garrisonopticians.com 3 CHERRY-PICKED SENSO 1, $499, by Face à Face. From Garrison Opticians.
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4 LILAC & LAVENDER Original Wayfarer Cosmo, $175, by Ray-Ban. From Fowler’s Pharmacy, 1908 Laurens Rd, Greenville. (864) 288-5905, fowlerspharmacy.com 5 SUMMER BLUES Erika, $115, by Ray-Ban. From Fowler’s Pharmacy.
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301 Breton Drive in Hammett Creek, a gated community! All brick, custom, one owner home! Three bedrooms on the main level! The second floor has the 4th bedroom, a full bath and a large family room. Bedrooms 5 and 6 on the lower level have full bath, a half bath, and large recreation room. The master with trey ceiling, the coffered ceiling in the great room, the arched doorways, built in book cases, and the Brazilian cherry hardwood floors are just some of the detailing. The kitchen is stunning with granite counters, custom cabinets, and walk in pantry. The breakfast room opens to the deck that overlooks the private backyard with waterfall. Extra parking pads, 3 car garages, and circular driveway. Award winning Riverside School district.
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Signature Agent of the Year 2013 AUGUST 2014 / 51 7/10/14 5:28 PM
MAN
About TOWN
Each month, the Man About TOWN will share his Upstate rendezvous, which may or may not involve cocktails.
Mixing Drinks The Man boldly shakes up his signature pour
“I
should never have switched from Scotch to martinis.” Those are the last words of Humphrey Bogart, who after years of heavy smoking and hard drinking apparently decided it was gin that finally did him in. Unlike Bogie, and despite a noble effort on its part, gin has yet to get the best of me. But Bogart’s lament got me thinking. I’ve been a devout martini drinker for years and have never really acquired a taste for whiskey. Did he know something I don’t? Is it time to change my gin-drinking ways? I’ve always placed whiskey in the same category as sushi and bluegrass music: things I can endure for about fifteen minutes before getting sick. Generally after a night spent drinking gin, I awake feeling a little groggy but more or less human. After a night spent drinking whiskey, I wake up with a head like an aquarium and a mouth like a litter box. Dark liquors have never been kind to me, which could stem from a very traumatic teenage incident where, on a dare, I stole a dusty bottle from the back of my parent’s liquor cabinet and chugged a quarter of its contents. Even now just typing the word Kahlua makes me queasy. We do tend to find a drink we like and stick with it. I have some friends who drink nothing but red wine and others who confine themselves to Scotch, beer, bourbon, or vodka. Some go a step further and drink nothing but Pinot Noir, or singlemalt Scotch or small-batch bourbon. Pretentiousness aside,
52 TOWN / towncarolina.com
obviously one’s palate plays a major role in what we imbibe. Recently at the Trappe Door I overheard an obnoxious young woman, perplexed by the restaurant’s extensive Belgian beer list, ask the bartender where she could find “something that tastes like Bud Light.” I wanted to suggest she try the faucet in the restroom. But who I am to judge? Scientists say our genetic predisposition for certain tastes plays a very small role in our food and drink preferences. I find that hard to believe since I’ve despised salmon, cantaloupe, and turkey since I first shoved them off the tray of my high chair. Then again I was well into my twenties before I learned to enjoy oysters, blue cheese, and anchovies. Do our preferences in alcohol work the same way? If one tries hard enough, can one acquire a taste for Ouzo or Pernod or even Fluffed Marshmallow–flavored vodka? But in truth it’s not just Bogart’s words that are making me consider switching from gin to whiskey. It’s also the words of Richard Overton, the oldest surviving American World War II veteran. In an interview, Overton credited his longevity in part to his habit of mixing a little whiskey in with his morning coffee and sipping a little more at night mixed with soda. Bogart died at 57. Overton just turned 108. I think that’s a story worth its liquor. ))) Catch up on the Man at towncarolina.com/blog
VISIT AIKEN
Beautiful • Affordable • Stylish
ENJOY Featured artwork by Betsy Wilson-Mahoney • www.facebook.com/TheStudioWhereArtHappens
Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum 406 Park Avenue, Aiken www.VisitAikenSC.com 1-888-AikenSC
Just a short trip from Greenville.
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877-618-3872 www.theplantationshutterco.com AUGUST 2014 / 53
IT’S TAILGATE TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY SHOP!
For over 30 years Greenville’s source for collegiate gifts, apparel, and tailgating supplies. NORTH HILLS SHOPPING CENTER • 2435 EAST NORTH STREET • 864.609.9576 University hlfH Town Aug14 BLACK.indd 1
7/15/14 2:41 PM
Sherry, Jason, and Katie in Beijing on buying trip.
WHERE: Trade Route Import Furniture & Accessories (located behind Haywood Mall) 1175 Woods Crossing Road Greenville, SC | 864-234.1514 WHAT: You’ll find a large selection of centuries-old Asian furniture and accessories beautifully mixed with one of a kind contemporary Asian home furnishings, all expertly hand crafted, painted and selected from China, Thailand, Mongolia and Tibet.
ure urnit s F t r Impo cessorie c &A www.TradeRouteImport.com 54 TOWN / towncarolina.com
The University Shop
WHO: Living and traveling in Asia for more than 15 years has instilled in owners Sherry and Fred Smid a true passion for all things Asian. Their greatest enjoyment is being able to share the beauty of Asian style and culture with their customers. LATEST NEWS: Summer is here! That means our newest container is near! Come see all our “Treasures from the East” in just a few weeks!
Private Banking, designed to fit your needs. Everyone’s style is different. Private Banking at The Palmetto Bank is designed to be as unique as each client. Our Private Banking team provides custom lending solutions, tailored investment advice and personalized cash flow management products. As a Private Banking client, you’ll work directly with a Private Banker and have access to exclusive benefits and services made to meet your specific financial needs and objectives.
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Experience Private Banking at The Palmetto Bank. Let’s get started. Sharon Whitney | Private Banking Executive swhitney@palmettobank.com | 864.250.6080 Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC
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SIDE
Ways Set the Stage: Memphis honors its musical pedigree with institutions such as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
Photograph (Stax) courtesy of Stax Museum of American Soul Music; (Elvis Presley) courtesy of Graceland
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Soul City Names like Elvis Presley and Otis Redding put Memphis on the map / by M. Linda Lee
hen it comes to music that was born in America, Memphis, Tennessee, claims bragging rights to not one, but two titles: Home of the Blues and Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set on a bluff above the Mississippi River, Memphis is the city where W.C. Handy, the “Father of the Blues,” jammed on Beale Street; where Stax Records signed soul singers Booker T. and the MGs, Sam and Dave, and Otis Redding; and where a shy teenager named Elvis Presley recorded his first song at Sun Studio. With a population of just over 655,000, Memphis ranks as the largest city in Tennessee. A bustling cotton port in its early days, Memphis is now the headquarters of FedEx and home to an electrifying music scene. It also bears the scars of more turbulent times, like the tragic day of April 4, 1968, when the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot as he was leaving the Lorraine Motel. The motel now forms part of the emotionally riveting National Civil Rights Museum, which completed a $27.5 million renovation in April. Most trips to Memphis start with a visit to Graceland, the white-columned mansion that Elvis Aaron Presley purchased in 1957. As you tour the house and grounds, you have the eerie expectation that Elvis might wander into the kitchen at any minute to fix himself a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich. And, in a way, The King is not dead. His spirit lives on at Graceland, in the soulful songs that animate the recorded tour narrated by his daughter, Lisa Marie; in the gold records, costumes, and guitars that crowd cases in the Trophy Building; and in his signature pink 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood displayed in the Automobile Museum across the street from the mansion. (continued on page 58)
AUGUST 2014 / 57
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Ways STAY Heartbreak Hotel Fans of The King will feel right at home across the street from Graceland in Elvis-themed rooms and suites. 3677 Elvis Presley Blvd. (901) 332-1000, graceland.com/visit/heartbreakhotel.aspx Madison Hotel Sleek lines and city views distinguish the rooms in this luxury boutique hotel in downtown Memphis. 79 Madison Ave. (901) 3331200, madisonhotelmemphis.com The Peabody Grand dame of Memphis hotels, the Peabody wraps guests in elegance in a historic landmark three blocks from the music scene on Beale Street. 149 Union Ave. (901) 529-4000, peabodymemphis.com EAT Central BBQ Nothing goes with the blues like barbecue, and this Memphis joint rubs all of its meats with a proprietary blend of dry spices before smoking them over hickory and pecan wood. 2249 Central Ave, plus locations downtown and in East Memphis. (901) 272-9377, cbqmemphis.com Hog & Hominy Buffalo pork tails with pecorino vinaigrette and pig’s ears illustrate the scintillating Southern-inflected Italian fare that chefs Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman whip up in this updated East Memphis bungalow. 707 W Brookhaven Circle. (901) 207-7396, hogandhominy.com Restaurant Iris Occupying the charming rooms of a restored historic home in Midtown, Iris shines a spotlight on the delectable French-Creole cuisine of chef/owner Kelly English. 2146 Monroe Ave. (901) 5902828, restaurantiris.com LISTEN B.B. King’s Blues Club The original B.B. King’s hosts live entertainment with a side of barbecue every night of the week. 139 Beale St. (901) 524-5464, bbkingclubs.com Hi-Tone This hub of the Memphis music scene recently relocated from Midtown to the up-and-coming Crosstown Arts District. 412-414 N Cleveland St. (901) 278-8663, hitonememphis.com Levitt Shell Built in 1936, the outdoor pavilion stages 50 free concerts each year in Midtown’s Overton Park. 1928 Poplar Ave. (901) 272-2722, levittshell.org
Captionhead: text here text here
PLAY Graceland A tour of Elvis Presley’s estate includes access to the mansion and grounds as well as the all-things-Elvis commercial complex across the street. 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd. (901) 332-3322, graceland.com Civil Rights Museum Exhibits here honor the courageous people who stood up for their rights, from America’s early days of slavery through the racial turmoil of the 1960s. 450 Mulberry St. (901) 521-9699, civilrightsmuseum.org
Walkin’ in Memphis: (top, from left) The historic Peabody Hotel; Beale Street; the Buffalo Pork Tails at Hog & Hominy; (center) Sun Studio, where producer Sam Phillips discovered Elvis Presley; (bottom, from left) trolleys in Memphis and a seasonal cocktail from Restaurant Iris
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Stax Museum of American Soul Music Relive the glory days of Memphis soul through the music of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Ike and Tina Turner, and many more. 926 McLemore Ave. (901) 942-7685, staxmuseum.com Sun Studio The upstairs of this historic recording studio now holds a dinerstyle café, while downstairs, you can visit the original studio where Elvis recorded his first song. 706 Union Ave. (901) 521-0664, sunstudio.com
Photograph (Hog & Hominy) courtesy of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen; (Restaurant Iris) by Justin Fox Burks
“The white guy who sounded black,” as blues great B.B. King once called Elvis, got his big break in the summer of 1954 at age 19 when he walked into Sun Studio in Memphis and caught producer Sam Phillip’s ear with an up-tempo version of a blues tune called “That’s All Right,” written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Some say rock ‘n’ roll was born that day. Marked by a guitar-shaped sign on the corner of Union and Marshall avenues, tiny Sun Studio is still a working recording studio, although it is open for tours. Not only did Sun launch the careers of members of the “Million Dollar Quartet”—Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis—in the 1950s, but in more recent decades, U2, Def Leppard, Bonnie Raitt, and Chris Isaak have also cut records there. Black musicians have long been singing the blues—a rhythmic, guitar-based folk music—on Beale Street, the heart of the AfricanAmerican business community in Memphis since the 1920s. Today, along the several blocks of Beale Street that pulse with music day and night, you can listen to the best riffs on modern blues at B.B. King’s and dance the night away at Rum Boogie, as well as catch alternative and heavy metal bands at the New Daisy Theatre and outdoor concerts at W.C. Handy Park. For a grand place to stay within an easy walk of Beale Street, you can’t beat the Peabody. Opened in 1925, the Peabody is known for its twice-daily March of the Ducks—who swim in the lobby fountain during the day and retire at 5pm to their rooftop penthouse—a tradition that dates back to 1933. Just off from the lobby, Lansky’s has clothed some of the biggest names in music— B.B. King, Duke Ellington, Elvis Presley—for more than 50 years. Be sure to drop in, if only to ogle the autographed guitars that hang on the walls. Next to the FedExForum sports and entertainment complex on the corner of Beale Street, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is the only museum maintained by the Smithsonian Institution outside of Washington, D.C. Exhibits and recordings recount the story of rock and soul music, from their beginnings in the work songs heard in dusty cotton fields to the musical heyday of Memphis in the 1970s. That heyday is likewise celebrated at Stax Museum of American Soul Music, a.k.a. Soulsville, USA. Founded as Satellite Records in 1958, the studio moved the following year to the Capital Theater on McLemore Avenue, where it was rechristened as Stax—an amalgam of letters from the last names of its owners, Jim Stewart and his sister Estelle Axton. The museum, built on the site of the former theater, replicates its façade. Inside, sights and sounds chronicle the evolution of soul music, a jazz style that evolved from blending hard bop with elements of gospel and blues. In modern Memphis, contemporary music adds its own guitar licks to the city’s bluesy chords and throbbing rock beats. Local singer/songwriter Amy LaVere and garage-punk trio The Oblivians play live at the Hi-Tone in the Crosstown Arts District. In spring, a free Friday night concert series kicks off at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park, where Elvis held his first paid concert in July 1954. Whether your tastes run to gospel, blues, rock, folk, or hip hop, you’ll hear the soul of Memphis in its music.
As you tour Graceland, you have the eerie expectation that Elvis might wander into the kitchen at any minute to fix himself a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich.
SHOES HANDBAGS ACCESSORIES
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Opening Doors in Your Neighborhood
Ellis Crigler, Beth Joyner Crigler & Carmen Crigler Feemster Collins Creek • $869,000 MLS#1276510
North Main • $699,000 MLS#1276245
Parkins Mill • $574,900 MLS#1279577
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4BR/4.5BA on .788 acre lot. Exquisite moldings throughout and gorgeous hardwood floors! Living Room, Dining Room and entrance hall have 10’ ceilings. Cozy den with wood burning fireplace, wet bar and beautiful cherry wood finish. Slate, heated floors in lovely, bright sunroom!
2BR/2.5BA, MOTIVATED SELLER! Spacious Georgian style, townhome for Downtown living. 2 car garage, great closets and storage. Beautiful hardwood floors, high ceilings, fireplace with gas logs. Exquisite mouldings, fabulous kitchen, wonderful study with built-ins. Private landscaped courtyard.
Beth Crigler, REALTOR®
4BR/3BA. Beautiful views of downtown. Craftsman style home on 1.2 fenced acre lot. Screened porch, deck and patio. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops. Hardwoods, 2 fireplaces, master bedroom suite with garden tub and separate shower. Walk out basement with large bonus room.
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GRI, CRS, Luxury Home Specialist
Carmen Crigler Feemster, REALTOR®
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864.420.4718 bethcrigler.com
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It’s about family, it’s about home.
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5BR/3BA, city living that feels like country living. Screened porch with wet bar and patio overlooking gorgeous yard! Tranquil court yard! Built-in gas grill. Beautiful hardwood floors and large rooms for entertaining! 2 fireplaces with gas logs. Wonderful renovated kitchen with granite countertops.
PLACE
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This, That, & the Other The Bonnaroo music festival is a reverie of sight and sound / by Mary Cathryn Arm strong
t’s a curious thing. Whenever I tell someone that I am a devoted two-year veteran of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, the response is more often than not, “Oh, you must be some kind of hippie chick, right?” I, of course, provide an obligatory response of laughter before correcting them: “No, I just happen to really love music.” To be fair, the early days of the annual festival hosted lineups that were the stuff of bohemian, bluegrass dreams. Reading more like a tattered collection of vintage vinyl and well-worn Live from the So-and-So CDs, the 2002 menu was laden with jam band delicacies á la Phish, Bob Weir, and Widespread Panic, with a side of Jack Johnson thrown in for good measure. Now at the age of thirteen, Bonnaroo has matured into an attractive smorgasbord of musical tastes, one that encourages fans to load up their plates with helpings from a multitude of genres: a little Chvrches here, some Lionel Richie over there, perhaps the Flaming Lips pairing well with a spoonful of Avett Brothers. No matter the appetite, there is something for it, with some 90,000 fans flying, road-tripping, and hitching from hometowns across the world to feast. In a literal overnight transformation, the 700-acre farm fondly known as Great Stage Park in the small city of Manchester becomes a metropolis within itself, swelling to the sixth largest in the entire state of Tennessee—a fact that becomes most obvious when you’re waiting in line to use the Porta Potty. LAY YOUR CARDS OUT
The first day of Bonnaroo is always an early one. This is for a variety of reasons, the most obvious being that “sleeping in” is not a viable option in an outdoor tent during the Tennessee summer. Secondly, the sooner you can line up outside the trademark arch for the gates to open at noon, the better. Odd as it may seem, the hours before the gates are flooded with thousands are some AUGUST 2014 / 61
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of my favorite moments. This is one of the only points in the festival where all 90,000 Bonnaroovians are all in one place for a singular purpose. There’s a palpable sensation of wonderment that spreads through the burgeoning crowd. We are a single river waiting for the dam to break. There are typically two halves to Thursday. The first is the exploration of Centeroo, the hub of all activity. This encompasses the three music tents: This Tent, That Tent, and the Other Tent, the Comedy Theatre, the Cinema, and several other smaller venues for live performances. The farm is not always (and by that, I mean never) easy to navigate, so picking up on landmarks like Snake and Jake’s Christmas Club Barn or the Silent Disco—a bevy of headphone-clad patrons jamming to tunes that only they can hear—tends to simplify things. And if all else fails, look up to the psychedelic LED-lit Ferris wheel and clock tower that glow high above the rest of ’Roo. Later in the afternoon comes the music, much of which is centered on flavors of the dance/electronic variety. The farm’s wide expanse is broken up by bulging pockets of crowd formation, most notably for bass-thumping sets by Cherub, Pusha T, Polica, and Robert DeLong. Hypnotic rhythms and beats pulsate through the air until the sun rises. G.O.O.D. FRIDAY
Whereas Thursday morning is alive with anticipation, Friday is buzzing with a different type of energy. The day’s schedule is flush with impressive sets by Phoenix, alt-rockers Neutral Milk Hotel, and crooner Sam Smith, but they’re mere distractions from the Question of the Day: What will Kanye do? After his hideous debacle as a Bonnaroo headliner in 2008, the festival faithful shouted cries of treason when Yeezus was announced as the 2014 Comeback Kid. In the days leading up to his performance, thousands denounced the concert, pledging their absence from West’s show. But left with few alternatives during the 10 p.m. slot, many of those same souls could be spotted pooling at the corners of the magnanimous What Stage. Mr. West somehow managed not to disappoint either his fans or his naysayers. Gliding seamlessly between personalities, he alternated between crowd-pumping cuts like “Heartless” and “Blood on the Leaves” and rants so predictably explosive they seemed scripted. Eventually, the crowd began trickling out of the main venue with shaking heads, though the post-Kanye mindset can be best summed up with the following conversation I heard on my trek back to camp: “Dude, did he play ‘Stronger’?” “Yeah, I don’t know what his problem is. He has all this great talent, but he just seems so angry all the time. I think he has some serious issues inside.” “Yeah...but did he play ‘Stronger’?” Bottom line: no one cares how far off the deep end HurriKanye can jump, as long as the hits keep coming. BLUNDERBUSS
Saturday is twilight for Bonnaroo. All the $5 bags of ice have melted in their coolers, and the sunburns have started to set. Centeroo bears the scars of its open-24-hours policy: the grounds are littered not only with glow sticks and biodegradable cups, but also with the tired bodies of those who could not make the journey back to camp. As if to say, “We are tired. We are weary. But we are here,” they nap underneath the sprawling shade trees or in makeshift hammocks. One of the most striking things I have discovered about Bonnaroo is its capacity to attract so many different people. Stand in front of the Technicolor mushroom-shaped fountain for only a few seconds and you are certain to be passed by a mélange of personalities. The elderly couple wearing khakis and Panama hats are followed closely by the raver girl still awash in last night’s body paint, and even she is followed by a roaming pack of fraternity brothers in Hawaiian shirts and calfhigh white athletic socks. This potpurri is one of the things that makes Bonnaroo so sublime. There are few (if any) places in the world where the likes of Cake, Lauryn Hill, and Grouplove are all underneath one roof, with a mere 62 TOWN / towncarolina.com
few hours between show times. Where else is there a Superjam live performance of Skrillex, Janelle Monae, Mystikal, and Damian Marley following a rip-roaring, punk-folk-blues fusion show by rock’s whimsical “Willy Wonka,” Jack White? Nowhere but the farm. GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
Sunday dawns with smug finality. We take stock of our hours at Bonnaroo, consider what we wish we had done, and make peace with the reality that we can never experience everything. A final word of advice? Don’t try and cram in every last-minute activity before sundown. Today is the day to mellow on the farm—to drink in the vibes and check out a band you’ve never heard. The real world is already rife with hustle and bustle. There’s no need to invite that here. After a patchwork quilt of closing acts including Wiz Khalifa, Little Dragon, and Broken Bells, Elton John headlines the final Bonnaroo set. Tucked behind his shiny red piano, John rolls through a songbook of iconic hits, smiling with pleasure as the crowd sings along to “Tiny Dancer,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Rocket Man.” Maybe he’s right, and we should have stayed on the farm. And maybe we’ll never come down from the Bonnaroo cloud. Because the most magnetic element of this festival of wonders is not found on the farm’s ten stages, attained through a spiritual high (natural or otherwise), nor absorbed through a late-night slice of Spicy Pie pizza. It’s the vibrancy of the Bonnaroo community. Even though you’re surrounded by thousands of unfamiliar faces, there is still a sense of intimacy, a rare bond that exists only here. In a way, we’re all living under the same dome for these four days, almost entirely cut off from the social world. And yet, we remain completely at ease with this fact because our shared experiences on the farm more than make up for it. About the Author: Mary Cathryn Armstrong is a contributing writer at TOWN and Tempus Magazine. When she’s not hard at work volunteering on the Bonnaroo farm, Armstrong moonlights in that most character-building of careers: the service industry. She hopes to host her own music festival someday . . . minus HurriKanye.
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AUGUST 2014 / 63
Every “Tuck” has a story
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A European Style Inn In Downtown Greenville’s Historic West End Rent by the Room or Rent the Whole House!
Treat Yourself To An Original.
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or more than a century of summers, guests have returned to this stunning mountain retreat for the cooler temperatures, exceptional service—and the challenge of a Donald Ross original. Our 122nd season is underway, and with it, a new day spa to enjoy. So go ahead. Treat yourself to the Eseeola experience.
64 TOWN / towncarolina.com
The Eseeola Lodge at Linville Golf Club
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119 Cleveland Street | Greenville 864.298.0072 AUGUST 2014 / 65
EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT, OOLENOY COMMUNITY CENTER AND BREAZEALE’S GROCERY TRANSFORM INTO STAGES SET FOR A PICKIN’ SHOWDOWN. BLUEGRASS IS GOSPEL IN OUR NECK OF THE WOODS, WHERE ITS SONG IS OUR STORY. MORE THAN A WEEKEND JAM, IT’S ABOUT COMMUNITY.
BY STEVEN TINGLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL MEHAFFEY
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STRING ALONG: Bluegrass is an approachable genre, open to folks of virtually any age. Oolenoy Community Center and Breazeale’s Grocery offer jams on Friday and Saturday nights, welcoming players and listeners from far and wide.
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n a recent Saturday evening, about 70 people gathered inside Breazeale’s Grocery off of Highway 178 in Pendleton, South Carolina, to listen to bluegrass music. A few dozen chairs and a couple of church pews were organized in several neat rows, but the room is small so even those sitting in the back were just a few steps from the band.The musicians were staged in a back corner next to walls covered with empty burlap coffee sacks and a bulletin board advertising local businesses, such as Jerry’s Bait & Tackle. Groceries haven’t been sold at Breazeale’s in many years, but at a small counter in the opposite corner from the band, sodas and candy could be had for a dollar a piece, and cups of coffee were fifty cents. During the evening, members of the audience flowed in and out through the screen door at the front of the building. Those coming in waved their greetings and quietly took a seat, and those heading out nodded their goodbyes and whispered, “see you next week.” The mood of the performance was casual, and the dress ranged from overalls and t-shirts to Saturday, if not quite Sunday, best. There was no ticket required and no cover charge, but at one point a collection jar was passed around. As Don Acevedo, owner of Breazeale’s, told the crowd, “It helps pay the light bill.” Some audience members clapped along during especially lively numbers but most were satisfied to just tap their feet or silently mouth the lyrics. The crowd was mostly older, sixtyplus, which meant no one was texting or posting updates to their social media feeds. If the audience had smartphones, they were stashed out of sight. The only spectator multitasking was a woman elaborately cutting coupons from a stack of sale papers and even she put down her scissors to applaud the end of each song. The rules are simple at Breazeale’s: no alcohol, no profanity, and smoking outside only. If you’re a musician, you are welcome to join in no matter your level of skill, but please remember: acoustic instruments only and don’t hog the spotlight. Do a song or two, and then pass the mic along. For four hours, musicians played a mixture of bluegrass and country music while rotating players and passing the microphone. At one point, a woman with brown hair played a stand-up bass and sang yearning lyrics in an Appalachian twang (“Put no stone at my head, no flowers on my tomb / No gold-plated sign in a marble-pillared room”). Next to her, an elderly man in a Hawaiian shirt picked out single-note riffs on a mandolin while others with banjos, guitars, and fiddles kept a steady rhythm. When the chorus rolled around, all joined in (“Oh, tear my stillhouse down, let it go to rust / Don’t leave no trace of the hiding place / Where I made that evil stuff”).
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Bluegrass, much like rap, heavy metal, and jazz, is an acquired taste. To some, the twangy vocals and incessant banjo riffs that form the music’s foundation are akin to nails on a chalkboard, while to others, the music’s heritage and poetic storytelling provide the right combination of entertainment and tradition. “It’s real music,” says Acevedo. “You can use all kinds of electronic equipment to make yourself sound like a million bucks. But all bluegrass pickers have is their instrument and their hands.” Acevedo, a licensed pilot and accomplished fiddle and guitar player, opened Breazeale’s as a bluegrass venue seven and half years ago, after his youngest son began showing promise with the banjo. “My son got really good at it, and I wanted a place where he could play,” he says. “The store had been closed for about a year, so I inquired about buying it.” Once Acevedo owned the property, he called a few friends and said, “‘I’ve got a little place—you want to see what we can make out of it?’ The first Saturday there were five or six of us, and the next Saturday ten, and then it just kept growing and growing to what is today.” According to Acevedo, people come from all over to hear the music. “I’ve had people here from Spain, Germany, and France,” he says. “They were in the area and wanted to hear what bluegrass sounded like. And I’ve had people from Charleston come up for a Saturday night, listen for a couple of hours, then drive all the way back the same night.” The musicians are fairly widespread, as well. “You never know who’s coming from week to week,” says Acevedo. “Sometimes we get professional groups and we’ll give them a slot, and they’ll play for about thirty minutes, then we open the floor up to the regular folks. I don’t want to take away from the regular folks who like to come and play.” For the regulars in the audience, most locals, the Breazeale’s jam is good, clean, weekend entertainment. “It’s their Saturday night out,” says Acevedo. “It’s a good bunch of people. I’ve only closed once in seven and a half years and that was on a Christmas eve, and when I considered opening my wife said, ‘Don’t you even think about it.’” As the evening wore on, more musicians pushed through the screen door lugging cases holding banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and guitars. The jam went on until a little before 11 o’clock, when the last few audience members called it a night. But for bluegrass pickers, an audience is nice but not necessary. “Sometimes a few of the guys keep playing after we close up,” says Acevedo. “We’ll sit outside until one in the morning. Now that’s when some real picking begins.”
The rules are simple at Breazeale’s: no alcohol, no profanity, and smoking outside only. If you’re a musician, you are welcome to join in no matter your level of skill, but please remember: acoustic instruments only and don’t hog the spotlight. Do a song or two, and then pass the mic along.
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ROADSIDE SERVICE : Musicians and revelers gather at Breazeale’s Grocery in Pendleton, South Carolina, for impromptu bluegrass jams on Saturday nights.
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A similar scene unfolded the previous evening in Pumpkintown, ten miles north of Pickens at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the weekly bluegrass jam held at the Oolenoy Community Center. This jam has been going on for more than 20 years, and, much like Breazeale’s, provides an outlet for musicians and free entertainment for the community. “You never know who’s going to show up,” says Betty McDaniel, a retired Pickens County teacher and founder of the YAM (Young Appalachian Musician) program. “Sometimes it might be forty or fifty people, and sometimes it might be 200. We have people who come on a regular basis from Georgia and near Asheville and certainly people from Greenville. And we have a good many kids who show up that are in the YAM program, too. All ages and stages, as we like to say.” The player-to-spectator ratio varies each week, but according to McDaniel, “It’s usually 1/3 pickers and 2/3 grinners.” McDaniel, who is originally from Raleigh, admits she did not grow up listening to bluegrass. “I’m a child of the sixties,” she says. “I was all about beach music and folk singing.” When McDaniel moved to Pickens in the late seventies, she signed up for clogging lessons and fell in love with mountain music. “It just caught on with me,” she says. “I ended up teaching clogging for 25 years, then I said, ‘OK, my knees are going, time to move on to something else.’” The something else McDaniel was looking for became an afterschool program that introduces children in Pickens County to the traditional music of their heritage. “We started YAM in 2008 at Holly Springs Elementary with 32 kids learning the four main instruments: banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin,” says McDaniel. “I modeled it after the JAM program, which started in North Carolina. Now we have ten school sites and 300 kids in the program. We do charge, but it’s on a sliding scale depending on the children’s lunch status. All of the kids are taught by ear. Not that we don’t appreciate learning to play with music, but I just personally feel that learning to play by ear first is the way to go.” Some of the young musicians are recommended by their instructors to audition for the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, the YAM performing band made up of the program’s top students. According to McDaniel, the COMMUNITY SERVICE : Norma Henricks and her husband started the weekly Oolenoy Bluegrass Jam at Oolenoy Community Center, and retired teacher Betty McDaniel founded the successful Young Appalachian Musicians (YAM) program for area students interested in learning the music of their heritage. There are now 300 youth involved. Breazeale’s Grocery Bluegrass, music and jam every Saturday, 6:30–11pm. Bring your acoustic instrument or come to listen. All skill levels welcome. 5109 Liberty Highway, Pendleton, SC (864) 376-1482, bgbluegrass.com Oolenoy Bluegrass Jam, live country and bluegrass music and jam session, every Friday, 7–11pm. 5301 Dacusville Highway, Pickens, SC (864) 898-0261
REGIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVALS MOUNTAIN SONG FESTIVAL It’s rain or shine at the 1,800-seat Brevard Music Center that overlooks Pisgah National Forest, and proceeds will help fund the Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. Brevard, NC, Sept 12–13. Fri, $40; Sat, $47.50; 2-day pass, $80; children under 10, free. RUDY’S BLUEGRASS IN THE WOODS AUTUMN FESTIVAL Rudy’s 16th annual festival will feature on-site camping, local food, and 10 bluegrass bands, including the Sweet Potato Pie Kids, a nine-piece band of top students in the Young Appalachian Musicians organization. Anderson, SC, Sept 18–20. Day pass, $20; 2-day pass, $35; 3-day pass, $50. FIDDLE ’N PIG SHINDIG ANNUAL BBQ & BLUEGRASS Music in the air and BBQ on your plate—what could make for a better fall weekend? Fort Mill, SC, Sept 19–20. Fri, $5; Sat, $10; children under 10, $6. BREWGRASS FESTIVAL Hosted by the Great Smokies Craft Brewers Association and benefiting Big Brothers & Sisters of Western North Carolina, the festival showcases more than 40 American breweries and national and regional bluegrass talent. Asheville, NC, Sept 20. $55. ALBINO SKUNK FESTIVAL This family-friendly festival wants you to bring your dogs, coolers, and enthusiasm for plenty of live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and kids’ activities. Greer, SC, Oct 2–4. Day pass, $30-$45; 2-day pass, $80; youth (12–16) day pass, $15-$22. SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL It’s the 45th annual, and they’ve got it down pat. Held indoor at the 8,000-seat Myrtle Beach Convention Center, this festival features bluegrass acts from all over, including the acclaimed Spinney Brothers of Nova Scotia, Canada. Myrtle Beach, SC, Nov 27–29. Day pass, $40; 3-day pass, $90; youth (7–15) day pass, $20; youth 3-day pass, $45; children under 7, free.
Sweet Potato Pie Kids played fifty gigs last year and are a popular attraction in Pickens County. The kids often show up at the Oolenoy Bluegrass Jam on Friday nights, joining in with the more seasoned pickers. “This is so good for our particular neck of the woods because you just wouldn’t believe the people that come out of the woodwork,” says McDaniel. “The bluegrass community is a very strong community. The passion they have—it’s almost like being at church.” Don Acevedo agrees in the importance of keeping bluegrass music alive and credits celebrities such as Steve Martin, an accomplished banjo player in his own right, for bringing new, and younger, attention to this style of music. Acevedo and his son met Martin several years ago when they accompanied Seneca banjo player Charles Wood to New York, where Wood was appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman alongside Martin, Earl Scruggs, Pete Wernick, and Tony Ellis. Acevedo took the opportunity to invite Martin to the weekly bluegrass jam at Breazeale’s, and Martin, who has a home in Brevard, North Carolina, plans to stop by one Saturday night. “He has an open invitation, but when he comes we won’t announce it or tell anyone,” says Acevedo. “He said he doesn’t want any media or attention; he just wants to come and pick with the locals.” The bluegrass community is a tight-knit group, and there is quite a bit of overlap between the Oolenoy Jam and Breazeale’s. Norma Henricks who, along with her husband, started the Oolenoy Jam and is also very involved with the YAM program, often calls Don and asks if some of the YAM kids can come down and play at Breazeale’s. “I say yes, of course,” says Don. “Some of the kids in that YAM program will absolutely blow you away.” Unlike the YAM kids, Acevedo was not exposed to bluegrass until he was an adult. “I grew up in West Palm Beach,” he says, “and as a kid I wanted to play the violin.” Acevedo was grown and married before he finally purchased a violin and began taking lessons, from an Italian concert violist no less, who conducted them while wearing a robe and drinking wine. After about six months of practice, Acevedo was invited by a friend to a bluegrass show at the local speedway. “The band was the Thompson Family,” says Acevedo. “I sat up towards the front and this guy, Grady Thomspon, started breaking down on this fiddle, and it was amazing. I went back and told my violin instructor that I wanted to learn how to play bluegrass. He went ballistic. He told me to get out and not come back. So that was the end of my violin playing and the beginning of my fiddle playing.” While bluegrass may be an acquired taste, it is being acquired by folks of all ages who are being exposed to mountain music through these weekly jams and youth programs. “Here in the Upstate, we have a lot of people who have moved in from South Florida and from the North, and they come to the store and say, ‘We’ve never heard any of this music before; this is fantastic,’” says Acevedo. “Bluegrass seemed to die away for a little bit, but it’s now coming back big time. It’s coming back because it’s good clean fun. And a lot people want that.”
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SOUND S OSOUND UND SOUND GR E E N V I LLE ’ S H OU S E S H OWS , PO P-U P C O N C ERT S, A N D A RTS I N C U BATOR S M A K E C L EA R TH AT M U S I C I S A B O U T M O R E T H A N J U ST L IST EN IN G
BY JONATHAN KESSLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL MEHAFFEY
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P R O O F PROOF
AT FIRST SIGHT, GREENVILLE SEEMS A FAR CRY FROM THE MUSIC SCENES OF ATLANTA, ATHENS, AND ASHEVILLE. BUT ITS VIBRATION IS PALPABLE.
They say what goes around, comes around, and the city’s recent trend of adapting spaces for concerts—homes, coffee shops, record stores, storefronts—recounts nineteenth-century salons, 1960s’ loft parties, and garage bands of the 1980s.
These are communal, grassroots initiatives hosting artists and musicians in unlikely places. Although they vary in ideology and purpose, all are united in making independent music accessible to residents in an intimate setting, each venue small enough that the only thing separating artists from audience is sound.
Sit & Listen: Horizon Records is located at 2-A West Stone Ave, Greenville. (864) 235-7922. Upcoming shows include solo acoustic performer Christian Lee Hutson, Fri, Aug 8, 7 p.m. For more, check Horizon’s Web site blog.horizonrecords.net, or Facebook page. 52.
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eenville itself is not new to the trend of pop-up concerts. Gene Berger, owner of longstanding Horizon Records , is a pioneer of this idea. Horizon is an independent record store, one of four remaining in Greenville (a large number by comparison to other similar cities), that has been promoting live shows for more than twenty years. Berger began his entrepreneurial production legacy before opening Horizon and booked shows for the Handlebar (now in the process of changing locations) and many other local venues. “This began in the ’70s. I can’t remember all the buildings we used. I can drive through town and say, yeah, I did a show in there or there. That’s a landscape company, but there used to be an old pub. We worked with the Peace Center; we worked with the downtown festivals, some of which have come and gone,” says Berger. Horizon Records, now in its third location in Greenville, has found a comfortable and permanent home on the edge of downtown. If you look closely at the North Main and Stone Avenue location, you can see the remnants of the former gas station Horizon Records and the Bohemian Café now occupy. The decay of the retail music industry is a familiar and sad tale throughout the country, yet somehow Horizon, just like the space, adapted. “In our case we’ve been blessed, or it’s an act of denial because we’re too silly to close up. When one is faced with a challenge, you either have to reinvent and evolve or simply go the way of, say, a television store . . . when’s the last time you saw one of them?” says Berger. One thing that will forever remain constant is live performance. Horizon has managed to reinvent itself and begun drawing from the city’s community of music lovers and artists by providing free, in-store shows.
“BRINGING THE SHOWS TO OUR OWN BUILDING SORT OF DEFINES MY INTEREST OR JURISDICTION THESE DAYS. LET’S DO SOMETHING AT THE STORE. WE’VE HAD THE GLORY MOMENTS AND HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL TO HAVE THEM WITH THE SOLD-OUT CONCERTS. I’M MORE INTERESTED IN HAVING SOMETHING DURING MY BUSINESS HOURS HERE AND ENJOYING IT AND SHARING THE MUSIC WITH PEOPLE,” SAYS BERGER. Berger has set aside a small section of the store for live performance, between racks of new vinyl and slightly musty dollar records. It’s a tight nook for bands to unplug and sit down for a moment. Next door to the shop is the Bohemian Café, its stage set in the corner, which can be seen from within the record shop. Artists regularly perform in the Record Setting: Gene Berger has a café or in Horizon, depending on the act and situation. “It’s long career in music, really magical, the whole thing. Sounds drift over from either booking shows for side,” says Berger. more than 40 years. Now, as long-time James Phillips from the North Carolina–based band owner of iconic shop Bombadil, an act that has performed at Horizon on several Horizon Records, occasions, takes great pleasure in the experience. “We really he hosts in-store performances, such enjoy playing intimate shows in unusual settings. There are a as Greg Cartwright variety of reasons for a person to go to a bar and those reasons of Reigning Sound. can often conflict with a musical performance happening there. 52. However, at a house show (or in-store), the audience is there to
listen. It allows for a more intimate connection with the audience, who, in our experience, is much more attentive and interested in the music that’s happening,” Phillips says. Musicians and bands ranging from Del McCoury and Sam Bush to members of the Black Crows and Band of Horses have played in each space. Tower of Song, as Berger likes to call his in-store performance series, allows fans to ask musicians to sign albums while talking about what music they’re listening to, where they ate in Greenville, and the next city they will be driving to. (“Tower of Song” references a Leonard Cohen song. For many years, WNCW of Asheville and Horizon collaborated by recording and broadcasting all in-store performances under the common name, Tower of Song.) It also allows people the chance to watch a show in daylight, away from the raucous night scene. Sitting and watching is practically communion with artists: you can watch and almost touch the threepart harmony of Bombadil, or the acoustic symphony of Belle Addair. The music is but one element of the experience, as the whispers of the band between songs or the diversity of the small audience are special facets, whether it’s children perched on their father’s shoulders, aging hipsters keeping time on their knees, or grandparents turning up or turning down their hearing aids depending on the act. A musician once said that he panicked when he first played Horizon because he could feel everyone’s eyes on him, watching his every move. It’s in this space where the artist remains vulnerable.
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ISN’T ACTUALLY A THEATER . . . YET. IT IS A GRASSROOTS, SELF-DESCRIBED ARTS INCUBATOR BASED ON THE IDEA OF PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENT ARTISTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.
Dark Room Theater
Greenville residents Shea Bahnsen and Daniel McCord created this shared project. Last May, after securing a space on Wilton Street, they ended up closing their doors because of zoning issues. They are currently searching for a permanent home, but in the meantime they offer theater, visual arts, film, dance, and live music in West Greenville at 1288 Pendleton Street. “There’s nothing traditional about music anymore: the recording process, the label process— we’ve got our own music label now, Hospitable Cat. It’s do-it-yourself, reach as many people as you can, and be as inclusive as possible. I think that’s what brought me to Dark Room: show up, pay what you can, help us out, help the bands out,” says McCord. here is a certain art to booking bands. McCord’s ability and desire to book local bands with a fitting touring act is beneficial to the local arts community, and his precision as a curator likely stems from the engineering degree he received from Clemson. After working in the field, he found himself dissatisfied and began a career instead as a freelance videographer
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and filmmaker. McCord doesn’t look like your typical engineer; he is easily recognizable due to his long curly red hair and full beard. This young Gandalf often uses many local acts to help score the soundtrack to the independent films he creates. After the closure of Dark Room’s first space, McCord began hosting bands in his living room, which he had converted into a modified listening room with old church pews, a cat here, a dog there. Friends, neighbors, and fans of the older space gathered many nights this past winter, often bringing dishes of food and beer, transforming his home into a communal event. Bombadil played at his home this past year, and the music, although intimate, was a footnote to the event. “One highlight of playing Daniel’s house was some really amazing smoked turkey and meeting a number of the folks that seem very involved in the Greenville music scene. I think because we were essentially playing a potluck, it allowed us to make friends and get to know the town a little bit better,” says Phillips of Bombadil. Dark Room’s current Pendleton Street location is a collaborative space for local artists that Dark Room rents for specific events. This “eclectic lounge,” is an empty storefront filled with large canvases, thrift-store lamps, and the aforementioned church pews. The proximity to the band, the pews, and the seriousness of musicians and audience alike create a divine tension. “Actively listening, just sitting there in silence, [means] you have a captive audience so you’re not just background noise for people at a bar. I think that’s the bridge that we were trying to cross as a listening room where people can drink and have a good time, but there’s also people just sitting in silence— listening from five feet away,” says McCord.
Floor Show: Dark Room Theater Company, founded by Shea Bahnsen and Daniel McCord (opposide, left) hosts a variety of local bands, such as The Francis Vertigo, at its West Greenville location at 1288 Pendleton St, Greenville. For upcoming shows, check out darkroomtheatre.org or their Facebook page. 52. Hear & Now: Charlie & the Foxtrots (above) and The Hart Strings (right) play an Art Wall Music Hall pop-up at Due South Coffee in June. Founder and chairperson Jennifer Bianchi (above) and AWMH plan to announce a number of upcoming shows for August and September. Check Facebook and Twitter (@ArtWallMusic) for updates. 52.
IS A COLLECTIVE OF LIKE-MINDED YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PRESENTING MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS IN AND AROUND THE CITY AT VARIOUS NON-TRADITIONAL VENUES.
Art Wall Music Hall
Using the pop-up show method, they’ve most recently been showcasing acts at the Artistry in West Greenville and Due South Coffee located at the Taylors Mill in Taylors. The transformed mill adds a unique backdrop for regional and national acts, who unite the community in art and music. Due South offers a space that resembles a city loft, with wide bay windows, industrial, retrofitted tables, plush leather couches, and Oriental rugs. The crowd runs the gamut from yuppie to hipster, primarily young professionals, as well as families and young adults. Because of the nonintimidating nature of the set-up, people gather around the band, sitting on couches just an arm-length away. These aren’t run-of-the-mill acts. No clichéd singer-songwriters but energetic, off-beat groups such as Nashville-based band Charlie and the Foxtrots—seven young musicians fiddling and stomping a mix of folk, pop, and bluegrass. Art Wall formed under the leadership of Jennifer Bianchi, who serves as its founder and chairperson, supported by a large and diverse board of directors. “It all kind of happened organically. My friends and I had been talking for a while about the amazing artists and talent in South Carolina. We love music and art, and many of us are artists ourselves. So, we just decided to curate pop-up art and music shows in Greenville,” says Bianchi.
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n addition to promoting talented, independent musicians and visual artists (at each concert is an impromptu gallery show), Art Wall also offers free assistance with graphic design and other business needs. This atypical relationship between venue, promoters, and artists is essential for the project to succeed. “AWMH and projects like it are extremely important to Greenville in so many ways. Art Wall Music Hall decided very quickly that 100 percent of the money made at the door would go to the musicians, and visual artists would keep 100 percent of the money from the artwork they sold. Since we don’t keep a cut at all, music and art have become more accessible to the general public,“ says Bianchi. With this community-centered approach, their collective is diversifying the culture of this growing region. AWMH is currently exploring the idea of securing a non-profit status and a permanent space. Greenville’s burgeoning music scene wouldn’t be possible without enterprise, imagination, and an adaptive community. These locals have combined ingenuity and imagination to fill a void for intimate listening. With impromptu shows, pop-up concerts, and arts incubators, we are in the midst of our own renaissance. AUGUST 2014 / 79
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SEPT. 18-21 | GREENVILLE, SC
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A type of training that requires determination, endurance, strength and stomach capacity. Join us for euphoria’s Taste of the South, with live music from Sixwire Band and a full array of Southern dishes from a selection of the Upstate’s finest restaurants. Then pair it amazing wines from Château Élan Winery, or an ice cold beer from your favorite local microbrewery, Thomas Creek Brewery.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
TASTE OF THE SOUTH
82 TOWN / towncarolina.com
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Summer Stash
Photograph by Paul Mehaffey
Upstate chefs share their best pickling recipes
Ravishing Radishes: Pickled garden radishes, courtesy of a recipe provided by Chef Michael Kramer of Table 301. For more, see page 84.
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83
KITCHEN
Aid
In a Pickle Add spice and shelf life to your favorite summer veggies / by M. Linda Lee // photog raph by Paul Mehaf fey
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mmersing food in a mixture of vinegar, spices, and salt is a method of preserving that has been practiced for thousands of years. The ancient Mesopotamians made pickles as far back as 2,400 B.C., and pickling jars have been excavated from Pharaoh’s tombs in Egypt. In colonial times, Thomas Jefferson extolled the comforts of a “fine spice pickle, brought up trout-like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar...” In households across the steamy South, pickling provided a way to keep summer vegetables and even some meats from spoiling. As Chef Heidi Trull’s granddaddy, a farmer in Sumter, South Carolina, used to tell her: “Put enough pickles on anything, and you can’t tell if it’s good or bad.” Pickles are enjoying a resurgence today, appearing alongside everything from tomato pie to platters of charcuterie, and in iterations from cucumbers to watermelon rind and figs to pig’s tails. “Pickles make food pop,” says Chef Jason Scholz, of Stella’s Southern Bistro. “The vinegar and sugar add an acidity that balances the richness of a dish.” So, what are you waiting for? Scoop up some fresh vegetables at the farmers’ market and get pickling!
MICHAEL KRAMER Executive Chef, Culinary Operations for Table 301
Growing up in Los Angeles, Chef Michael Kramer never had much exposure to pickles, beyond the requisite bread-and-butter chips that accompany most any hamburger. It wasn’t until he went to work at McCrady’s in Charleston in 1999 that he became familiar with the many iterations of pickles, which are as Southern as sweet tea. “In summer,” he says, “it’s great to just sit on the patio with a glass of Sancerre and snack on pickled cauliflower, radishes, and fennel.” PICKLED GARDEN RADISHES Yields 4 cups ` INGREDIENTS: 1 quart radishes, trimmed and quartered 2 Tbs whole allspice berries 1 Tbs whole coriander 1 Tbs yellow mustard seed 6 bay leaves 6 whole cloves 1 quart rice wine vinegar 1 quart red wine vinegar 3 cups granulated sugar 1 quart water METHOD: Place all ingredients, except radishes, in a large pot, bring to a boil, and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Add radishes to the liquid mixture and let it simmer for 5–7 minutes. Remove pot from the heat and set aside to cool. Once the liquid is cool, place the mixture in a covered container in the refrigerator overnight. The pickles will be best the next day, when they are cold and crisp.
84 TOWN / towncarolina.com
HEIDI TRULL Chef and co-owner, Grits & Groceries, Belton, SC When Heidi Trull was growing up, her grandparents had a closet in the hallway that was always stocked floor to ceiling with pickled products from cucumbers to pig’s tails. “If the world had ended in 1972,” she laughs, “my grandparents would still be eating out of that closet!” Her favorites were the Jerusalem artichoke pickles. “They are crunchy and sour and sweet and mustardy and everything you want in a pickle,” Trull says.
GRANDDADDY’S ARTICHOKE RELISH Yields 10 pints INGREDIENTS:
8 cups washed and sliced Jerusalem artichokes (sunchokes) 4 cups diced onions 4 cups chopped cauliflower 1 cup diced green bell pepper 1 cup diced red bell pepper ¼ cup kosher salt 8 cups apple cider vinegar 3 cups sugar ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup dry mustard 2 ½ tsp turmeric
METHOD: Fill a 6-quart container half full with cold water. Slice the Jerusalem artichokes about ¼-inch thick directly into the water (if the artichokes are not covered with water after slicing they will oxidize and turn black). Add onions, cauliflower, peppers, and salt and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight. In a large, 10-quart stock pot, combine seven cups of the cider vinegar with the sugar and bring to a boil over high heat. In a mediumsized bowl, combine the flour, dry mustard, and turmeric. Whisk in the remaining cup of vinegar until smooth. Slowly whisk in 1/3 of the boiling vinegar a little at a time to make a smooth paste. Whisk this mixture back into the pot of boiling vinegar and reduce heat to medium high. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly.
“In summer, it’s great to sit on the patio with a glass of Sancerre and snack on pickled cauliflower, radishes, and fennel.” —Chef Michael Kramer
))) FOR CHEF JASON SCHOLZ’S RECIPE FOR QUICK REFRIGERATOR PICKLES, GO TO TOWNCAROLINA.COM
Drain water off the artichoke mixture and add it to the pot of vinegar. Cook, stirring, until the mixture reaches 200°F. Remove from heat and ladle into sterilized pint jars and cap with rubber-seal lids. Tighten lids and process the jars in a boiling water bath, with enough water to cover one inch above the lids of the jars, for 10 minutes. Remove from the water bath and cool on towels. Once the jars are cool, retighten the lids.
AUGUST 2014 / 85
OPEN
Bar
Mix & Match Bittermilk takes the guesswork (and hard work) out of bar culture / by M. Linda Lee // styled by Kathryn Davé // photograph by Jivan Davé
LA CABRA 1 serving INGREDIENTS: 1 part Bittermilk No. 3 1 part Anejo Tequila
L
ike a fine wine, great ideas need time to mature. CIA-trained chefs Joe and MariElena Raya worked in several East Coast restaurants before settling in Charleston and opening the Gin Joint on East Bay Street in 2010. It wasn’t long before customers began requesting the recipes for the bar’s preProhibition cocktails. “We were happy to share the recipes,” says MariElena, “but many of our drinks include crazy ingredients that aren’t readily available.” After all, most of us don’t have things like cinchona bark, gentian root, and elderflowers sitting around. And who wants to be bothered burning sugar or smoking honey in a bourbon barrel? Enter the brainstorm for Bittermilk. As the creative mind behind the mixers, Joe experimented for nine months with hundreds of flowers, herbs, and roots to refine the flavors for the first Bittermilk formula, called Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned. The next two followed close behind: No. 2, Tom Collins with Elderflower
& Hops; and No. 3, Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour. The line, which plays off classic cocktails, debuted in August 2013. “What sets our mixers apart [and inspired the name] is that they all contain bittering agents as well as sweet and sour components to produce a well-balanced cocktail,” notes MariElena. To stay ahead of the curve, the couple is constantly concocting new ingredient-driven mixers to add to their product line. This summer, look for No. 4, New Orleans Style Old Fashioned Rouge. This take on a Sazerac cocktail is aged in a rye whiskey barrel and naturally colored with cochineal, a crimson dye made from dried Peruvian beetles. “We want people to be able to enjoy crafted cocktails at home without the work,” MariElena says. “With Bittermilk, the labor is in the bottle—you just add booze.”
METHODOLOGY: Mix and shake with ice
Shaken or Stirred: Each Bittermilk bottle has a basic recipe on the back, but you can find more cocktail concoctions at bittermilk.com. Find Bittermilk mixers in Greenville at Charleston Cooks!, the Community Tap, Total Wines, Bouharoun’s Fine Wines & Spirits, the Beer Exchange, and at the Wall of Beer in Clemson.
86 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Pure Italian. Pure Delicious. Pure Value.
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AUGUST 2014 / 87
IN
Season
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Seeds of Change The Bradford watermelon is an heirloom variety on a mission / by M. Linda Lee / illustration by Alice Rat terree
othing cools you on a hot, humid, summer day like a cold wedge of watermelon. First you feel the satisfying crunch as you bite into the melon’s flesh, then refreshing sweetness as water drips down your chin. Messy, sure, but what a treat. As watermelons go, few, if any, can beat the Bradford. Grown by the Bradford family on their farm in Sumter, South Carolina, for 170 years now, this is the quintessential watermelon. “This succulent melon is sweeter than most,” claims Nat Bradford, a Seneca-based landscape architect and the greatgrandson and namesake of the man who cultivated the melon in the 1830s. The “breed melon” for many of the watermelons we know today, the Bradford fell out of favor for commercial production decades ago, as its soft flesh and tender rind make it too fragile to ship. Unfortunately, in the process of hybridizing modern melons with thick skins that can withstand the abuse of shipping, much of the taste was watered down along the way. Valued for its local heritage and standout flavor, the Bradford is popping up on South Carolina restaurant menus in recipes from pickles to cocktails. Recently, this watermelon was added to the Slow Food Ark of Taste, a catalog of distinctive regional foods that are facing extinction. The family is using its prized melon to raise funds to provide clean drinking water in developing countries through a project called Watermelons for Water. This year, they will grow the Bradford melon in Tanzania to help rehabilitate the land. “We want to make our mark by using our legacy,” Nat says. “Every time I put a Bradford watermelon seed in the ground, I feel a spiritual connection to my ancestors.”
Water Mark: Nat Bradford, namesake and great-grandson of the man who cultivated the succulent Bradford watermelon in the 1830s, has devised a project called Watermelons for Water to help provide potable water in developing countries.
Owing to its limited production, the Bradford watermelon will only be available in a few South Carolina farmers’ markets this summer. Look for it locally at the Slow Food Earth Market at NOMA Square in August, and check out the Watermelons for Water Facebook page for more locations around the state.
88 TOWN / towncarolina.com
NOSH LIKE YOU
MEAN IT.
Mon-Wed 11am-7pm; Thurs-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 12-5pm
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AUGUST 21–31
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BREAKFAST ~ LUNCH ~ BRUNCH Open 6am till 3pm daily Dinner hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 5pm till 9pm Ask about BYOB ~ Bring your own wine, no corkage fees.
906 W Poinsett Street, Greer, SC 864-201-3485 www.marmaladeofgreer.com
2 FOR $20, 3 FOR $30 MENUS Local restaurateurs team up to offer you the chance to experience some of the area’s best cuisine at an appetizing price! Be sure to check the Greenvill efor participating restaurants, menus, and more! AUGUST 2014 / 89
V.I.P. PARTY
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 7–10PM
ABOVE & RIGHT: INITIAL SKETCHES OF PARTY LAYOUT
COUTURE EN PLEIN AIR A NIGHT OF FASHIONABLE INDULGENCE The Garden Terrace | 55 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville Limited tickets available at: FOTTVIP2014.eventbrite.com $100/ticket | $175/pair of tickets #FOTT2014 |
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HIGH FASHION & ELEVATED TASTE The VIP Party Menu by Larkin’ s Catering & Events: sweet pepper soup shooters roast garlic whip ∙ camp fire cheddar biscuits drizzled with raw local honey braised short rib taco sesame bok choy slaw, whiskey chili bbq ∙ chorizo pinwheels whole grain mustard applewood bacon wrapped dates filled with goat cheese, sweet chili lime glaze ∙ shallot sherry duck spring rolls sherry balsamic glaze ∙ pork belly herb frittata crème frâiche chive lace ∙ taleggio flat bread truffle scented ∙ blueberry-lemon trifle shooter ∙ white mousse strawberry shortcake ∙ café mocha crème brule bites ∙ skinny hot rita tanteo jalapeño tequila, fresh lime and lemon, cointreau, agave, orange twist perfect rye manhattan rye whiskey, brandied cherries, sweet vermouth, bitters
DINING
Guide
DUE SOUTH COFFEE A destination worthy of a trek, tucked away in resurgent Taylors Mill, the interior is a tribute to the mill and its artisan inhabitants—from the vintage lighting, polished concrete bar, and repurposed cable-spool tables. A high window behind the bar casts barista and espresso alike in reverent sunshine—a fitting spotlight for immaculate espresso. Return trips are a must, as a rotating showcase of creative mixology and live music means there’s always something new in store. $, B, L, D. 250 Mill St, Taylors. (617) 869-9512, duesouthcoffee.com
CHICORA ALLEY
FOOD & LIVE MUSIC THE BOHEMIAN CAFÉ
Treat your taste buds and ears at the Bohemian Café, side-by-side with the legendary Horizon Records music store, which often hosts instore performances. This eclectic café with an international flair serves up daily specials for curry and pasta. For Sunday brunch, treat yourself to a Bloody Mary bar or a deluxe mimosa with orange, grapefruit, or cranberry juice. $$, L, D, SBR. Closed Monday. 2 W Stone Ave, Greenville. (864) 2330006, thebohemiancafe.com
Chicora Alley’s Caribbean riff on traditional Mexican and Southern fare offers signature crab cakes or mile-high nachos, shrimp and chicken burritos, quesadillas, and more. With a Falls Park view or patio seat, you won’t leave unsatisfied. This eclectic restaurant also serves as a music venue in addition to providing private party and catering options. $-$$$, L, D.
Closed Monday. 608-B S Main St. (864) 232-4100, chicoraalley.com COFFEE UNDERGROUND
Coffee Underground boasts a wide selection of specialty coffees, hot chocolate, and adult libations. If you’re craving more substantial fare, choose from a splendid breakfast-
anytime option, sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and desserts. And don’t miss live music, open mic comedy, improv, and more in the theater room. $-$$, B, L, D, SBR. 1 E Coffee St. (864) 298-0494, coffeeunderground.biz
CRIBBS KITCHEN
Cribbs Kitchen fulfills the dream of chef/owner William Cribbs, who vowed to open his own restaurant before he turned 30. Sandwiches run from deli classics to contemporary iterations like the Buena Vista, a ciabatta roll stuffed with chicken, shaved ham, applewood smoked bacon, sweet pickles, and Swiss cheese. In the evening, the menu goes upscale, with tempting mains—pecan-
smoked pork chops, cashewcrusted Atlantic salmon, and shrimp and spoonbread—taking center stage. On the weekends, pair these mouth-watering creations with auditory bliss, courtesy of live music. $$$, L, D. Closed Monday.
226 B West Main St, Spartanburg. (864) 699-9669 GRILLE 33
Although Grille 33 has moved from Main Street to Haywood Road, the menu remains comfortingly familiar. The Sammy Doughnut burger, which is topped with American cheese and candied pepper bacon before it’s sandwiched between a glazed donut, has been a consistent Fall for Greenville People’s Choice Award winner, while the Haywood
KEY : Average price of a dinner entrée (lunch if dinner isn’t served): Under $10 = $, $10-$15 = $$, $16-$25 = $$$, $25+ = $$$$ Breakfast = B Lunch = L Dinner = D Sunday Brunch = SBR 92 TOWN / towncarolina.com
BARS, CAFÉS, & RESTAURANTS (with hot sauce, blue cheese, and fried jalapeños) commemorates the restaurant’s move. And while The Channel no longer exists in its original form, Grille 33 still offers live music Fridays and Saturdays after 9pm. $-$$, L, D. 535 Haywood Rd.
(864) 552-1970, grille33.com
Tabasco fried pickles, washed down with one of the 50 craft beers on tap. Daily drink specials and live music every Sunday make it a go-to spot for winding down the weekend. $-$$$,
L, D. 930 S Main St, (864) 239-0286, macsspeedshop.com NOSE DIVE
JACK N’ DIANE’S DUELING PIANO BAR
Holyfield vs. Tyson. Ali vs. Frazier. Piano vs. Piano? Taking up residence in the former home of the Brown Street Club, Greenville’s only dueling entertainment bar pits two pianos against each other in a battle of the ivories. Of course, it comes with a lively menu to match, featuring specialty cocktails like the John Cougar Melon and the Fresh Peach of Bel-Air. As for eats, the menu showcases a signature peanut butter burger (it’s exactly what it sounds like), chicken salad wrap, and freshly-fried mozzarella sticks. $$, D (Wed–Sat). 115 N Brown St, Ste 100, Greenville. (864) 509-6414, jackndianes.com MAC’S SPEED SHOP
Across from Liberty Taproom, Mac’s looks to be family-friendly for both the Harley-set as well as the postDrive-baseball crowd with plenty of brisket, ribs, and beer-can chicken. “Start your engine” with a plate of
City bar meets corner bistro at Nose Dive. A wide range of beer (local, domestic, international), wine, and an ambitious menu make it hard not to dive in. Look for an elevated gastropub experience for every meal, from golden tilefish with shrimp bisque to a customized grits bar at brunch. Check the Nose Dive’s site for updates on live music and events. $-$$$, L, D, SBR. 116 S Main St, Greenville. (864) 373-7300, thenosedive.com
NU-WAY LOUNGE & RESTAURANT
The Nu-Way Lounge’s dive bar atmosphere might not give the impression that it has gastropub quality and creativity in the kitchen, but Food Network Magazine named the bar home of South Carolina’s best burger in 2009. Enjoy their signature burger topped with pimiento cheese alongside live music on Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights. $, L, D. Closed Sunday. 373 E Kennedy St, Spartanburg. (864) 582-9685
O-CHA TEA BAR
A trip to O-CHA will have you considering tea in an entirely new light. This sleek space, located right on the river in Falls Park, specializes in bubble tea—flavored teas with chewy tapioca pearls. For a more intense cooling experience in the summer, partake in the mocha ice cream. The dessert combines the chewy Japanese confection (a soft, pounded sticky rice cake) with ice cream fillings in fun flavors: tiramisu, green tea chocolate, mango, and more. Bring your friends on Friday nights to enjoy O-CHA Unplugged, a live music series from 8–9pm. $, B, L,
D. 300 River St, Ste 122. (864) 2836702, ochateabaronline.com THE PURPLE ONION
The Purple Onion in downtown Saluda is a longstanding favorite for many reasons, including variety and quality of ingredients, the majority of which are procured from local farms. Make a dinner trip on a Thursday or Saturday to catch live music while treating yourself to the unbeatable Apple Brandy Farms grilled ribeye with rosemary potatoes. $$, L, D, SBR.
16 Main St, Saluda. (828) 749-1179, purpleonionsaluda.com QUEST BREWING CO.
Committed to producing premium brews while minimizing their environmental impact, Quest uses malt from Asheville and Greenvilleroasted coffee beans to also support local economies. Now you can support your craft beer enthusiasm and the sustainability movement with a single sip. Try one of QBC’s signature brews, like the Kaldi Coffee Stout or the Ellida IPA, on Thursday nights with food trucks and live music to boot. Tues–Fri, 4–9pm; Sat,
12–9pm. Closed Sun & Mon. 55 Airview Dr, Greenville. (864) 2726232, questbrewing.com
Photog r aph (Due Sout h Cof fee) by Paul Meha f fey; (Blues Boulevard Jazz) by Pat r ick Cox
RHYTHM & BREWS
BLUES BOULEVARD JAZZ Replete with all the nostalgia of an old underground jazz parlor, Blues Boulevard sits nestled in downtown Greenville, tantalizing visitors with the promise of a smooth cocktail, and even smoother jazz. Well-known musicians and songstresses from around the country plan visits to Blues Boulevard, lighting up its dusky atmosphere with a variety of easylistening tunes. And if you need something to munch or sip, the menu not only offers signature tapas but homemade cocktails. $$, L, D, SBR. Closed Monday. 300 River St, Ste 203, Greenville. (864) 242-2583, bluesboulevardjazz.com
Food and music lovers waste no time getting down to business at this Greer watering hole. The stage features live acts such as Journey and Bon Jovi tribute bands and the menu pays homage to music legends with items like Mozzarella Styx, Onion Ringos, and Bad to the Bone-less Wings. $, D, SBR. Closed Monday. 213 Trade St, Greer. (864) 877-1990, rhythmbrews.com SMILEY’S ACOUSTIC CAFE
When Mike and Chana Fletcher took over Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe in October 2012, they had only one goal in mind: keep the music on the forefront and the restaurant in the backseat. However, much of the menu is still music to foodies’ ears. Items range from casual
appetizers like panko-battered Folly Beach Shrimp and Hot-yaki chicken wings to more upscale options like bourbon-brined stuffed pork chops. $$, D. Closed Sunday. 111 Augusta St, Greenville. (864) 282-8988, smileysacousticcafe.com SOUTHERN CULTURE KITCHEN & BAR
Industrial meets organic with handcrafted farm tables, rustic, bronze chandeliers, and reclaimed wood beams throughout the dining room. Expect an uptown spin on comfort food classics like tater tots served in a parchment-lined Chinese takeout container with pimiento cheese fondue. For something a little sweeter, don’t miss the weekend brunch. The apple-stuffed French toast (adorned with melted goat cheese, maple syrup, and applewood bacon) will send you into a contented slumber. Frequent performances by singer/songwriters with Americana and blues influences make this spot the ultimate Southern experience. $$,
L (Fri), D, SBR. 2537 N Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville. (864) 552-1998, southernculturekitchenandbar.com STOMPING GROUNDS
Lisa Suber’s café has an intimacy and warmth most coffee shops can only artificially recreate. Sure, the bare brick walls and local artwork help liven up the former furniture consignment shop, and the locallysourced food has its roots in the community, but when the staff greets you by name, it’s clear that this kind of neighborhood vibe can’t be impersonated. Bring your own guitar or banjo for the Old Time Jam with Bob Buckingham the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7–9pm. $, B, L, D. Closed Sunday. 208 Trade St, Greer. (864) 801-1555, stompinggroundsgreer.com
THE VELO FELLOW
Cozy in a funky way, the Velo Fellow is a hip pub under the Mellow Mushroom. Burgers and sandwiches form the core of the menu, which includes fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and—in a twist—tofu Marsala. In addition to the craft brews on tap, the Velo Fellow offers traditional absinthe service, complete with a silverplated brouilleur. It’s a hard-to-resist hangout—especially when there’s weekly music involved, from live bands to Velo regular DJ King Harold. $-$$$, L, D, SBR. 1 Augusta St, Ste 126. (864) 242-9296, thevelofellow.com
TOWN Magazine accepts no compensation for Dining Guide reviews and selects entries by its editorial discretion. Reviews are conducted anonymously.
AUGUST 2014 / 93
How do you make your back yard perfect? Just add water.
Greenville’s Lakefront Address. 22 miles from the Peace Center 16 miles from Death Valley
Best for Boating Community - LINKS Magazine Lake Community of the Year - RealEstateScorecard Best Community of the Year - Greenville News
At The Reserve at Lake Keowee, the greatest moments of your life begin at the end of your dock. Tucked away in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just a short drive from downtown Greenville, on the pristine waters of Lake Keowee you’ll find one of the best-kept secrets in luxury golf communities. This fall, two premium lakefront neighborhoods—both fourteen years in the making—await your family. So go ahead...take the plunge! www.ReserveAtLakeKeowee.com | 877.922.LAKE
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AUGUST
1–3, 6–9 GLOW LYRIC THEATRE One of the Upstate’s most popular summer productions, GLOW returns with one of its most exciting showcases yet. The 2014 edition juxtaposes separate adaptations of Henri Murger’s iconic Scenes de la vie de Boheme novel—Puccini’s La Boheme and Jonathan Larson’s mid-’90s Rent incarnation. Though set in different eras, each play explores similar issues of love and tragedy, paralleled by relatable characters, topical themes, and gripping lyricism. Gunter Theatre at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Wed–Sun, 8pm; Sat– Sun, 2pm. $45. (864) 467-3000, glowlyric.com
ZOO-A-PALOOZA
One of the Greenville Zoo’s most popular events, the annual Zoo-A-Palooza sets the stage for rising musicians to make an impression on the Upstate public. This year’s lineup includes heartthrob singing sensation Jake Miller, along with pop duo Kalin & Myles, and indie pop band AJR. Tickets for previous years have sold fast, so make sure to scoop yours up before it’s too late. Proceeds raised go towards funding future zoo activities and entertainment events. The Greenville Zoo, 150 Cleveland St, Greenville. Sat, 6:00pm. $10-$75. greenvillezoo.com
3
SIERRA NEVADA BEER CAMP ACROSS AMERICA: SOUTHEAST EDITION The only thing better than a giant celebration of all things craft beer is one that comes directly to you. The seventh and final stop of the tour lands in North Carolina, where the California-based company’s newest brewery will host more than 12 collaborators from north and south of the Mason-Dixon Line. In addition to neighboring pours by
Appalachian Mountain Brewing Co. in Boone and Raleigh’s Big Boss Brewing, the fest will feature guest spots by Michigan-based Bell’s and Allagash from Maine. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC. Sun, 1–6pm. $65. beercamp.sierranevada.com
5
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA
Now into their first decade, the Atlanta-born alternative rockers have made a few changes; a seminew lineup, label adjustments, and the debut of new material that is both raw and tailored in its power. Bringing their big sound to the intimate Orange Peel setting, Manchester Orchestra is on tour to promote their latest album Cope, released earlier this year and already tucked comfortably in top-chart position. But studio albums do no justice to Manchester live, making this summer act one not to miss. The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. Tues, 8pm. Advance, $18; doors, $21. (828) 225-5851, theorangepeel.net
6–9
POTLUCK
It’s no secret that the Upstate is bursting with creativity, but you might not always know where to look. The Front Porch Arts Collective has you covered with its inaugural Potluck event: a four-day community arts festival featuring an array of local musicians, including Greenville-based folk singer/songwriter Alexa Woodward, actors, and visual artists. Front Porch provides a home for creating and experiencing multi-disciplinary art, and the instructions for all attendees of Potluck are pretty simple: “bring your art, bring your heart.” Locations vary. WedSat, times vary. $10-$30. frontporchartscollective.com
6, 13, 20, 27 SC BLUE REEDY RIVER CONCERT SERIES Amassing a number of genres over only a few weeks, the annual concert series is an ideal spot for families and music lovers alike. This year’s lineup includes blues stylings by True Blues and the rockabilly sounds of Honey and the Hot Rods, sandwiched by reggae powerhouse
FREE ADMISSION
August 27 — September 1, 2014 Carolina Point Parkway greenvillesc2014.com 96 TOWN / towncarolina.com
CAN’T-MISS CULTURE / EVENTS / ATTRACTIONS
8–30
8
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR BEAUTIFUL MINDS
The only thing that could make an evening filled with hors d’oeuvres from Table 301, beverages, and live music from Nashville’s Neal Carpenter better is if it were for a good cause. You’re in luck because that’s exactly what Gateway, along with more than 30 sponsors, has in mind. It’s the organization’s signature fundraiser, and last year the event raised more than $50,000 for programs and services for the mental health community. Zen, 924 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, 7–11pm. $50. (864) 242-9193, gateway-sc.org
WAITING ON IMAGE
STRANGE SNOW
General Sherman may have been the first to say “war is hell,” but no one knows this better than David, the protagonist in Stephen Metcalfe’s darkly offbeat comedy. A Vietnam veteran struggling to sate his inner demons with alcohol, David’s closeted fears come full circle with the arrival of his former Army pal, Megs. As Megs and David’s sister Martha fight to revive their loved one, emotional bonds begin tying the two together, forcing David to face his past in order to meet the future. The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St, Greenville. Thurs–Sat, 8pm; Fri (Aug 22 & 29), 7:30pm; Sun, 3pm. $30. (864) 235-6948, warehousetheatre.com
10 GREENVILLE TRIATHLON
The Greenville Triathlon’s unique racecourse combines elements for both seasoned participants and beginners. Beginning with the 400-meter swim through the Aquatic Center, the triathlon loops its way through highways and scenic roads via a fifteen-mile
Fine home furnishings. Exceptional prices. 875 NE Main Street, Simpsonville | Mon-Fri 9-5 & Sat 9-3 864.228.1619 | www.CarolinaConsignmentLLC.com
J214
Photograph (Front Porch Arts Collective/Alexa Woodward) courtesy of Alexa Woodward
Mystic Vibrations. The summer set finales in August with a parade of nations performance in celebration of the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships. TD Stage at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Wed, 7–9pm. Free. greenvillesc.gov
AUGUST 2014 / 97
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bike ride before closing out with three
14–Sept 14
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP
llynstrong.com 864.233.5900
119 North Main St. Greenville, SC
Helping you make the right decisions... from
CITYSCAPES
bike ride before closing out with three miles of running. Registration is broken up into novice, masters, Clydesdale, and open divisions, making this a win-win for all who sign up. Westside Aquatic Center, 2700 W Blue Ridge Dr, Greenville. Sun, 7am. Registration, $55-$138. setupevents.com
to
BACKYARDS
W44F
14–17
CINDY BOLT BISHOP 864.270.1332 | Augusta Road Office cbolt@cdanjoyner.com | www.cindybolt.com 98 TOWN / towncarolina.com
SPLISH SPLASH 2
While we can be grateful that house parties replaced the sock hop and poodle skirts have thankfully gone out of style, there’s one piece of 1950s memorabilia we can’t let go of: the music. In celebration of these classic tunes, the Greenville Little Theatre will host a time capsule of sing-along hits from the decade that gave us Elvis, Chubby Checker, and many more. Jam along to songs by Chuck Berry, Bobby Darin, and Eddie Cochran at this blast from the past. Greenville Little Theatre, 444 College St, Greenville. Thurs– Sat, 8pm; Sun, 3pm. Adults, $30; seniors, $28; juniors, $20. (864) 2336238, greenvillelittletheatre.org
No, your mind isn’t playing tricks; there really are only two actors playing eight different roles in this peculiar farce. A ridiculous comedy barely disguised by a blend of Victorian literature, Hitchcock, and “serious” stage drama as a gothic horry story, Lord Edgar and Lady Enid are under constant attack by a slew of penny-dreadful beasts including vampires and werewolves. Will they ever make it out alive? Can a man really pull off a dress in that color? Nothing is ever what it seems on the gloomy moors. Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown, 125 S Main St, Hendersonville, NC. Thurs, Sat–Sun, 2pm; Wed– Sat, 8pm. $40. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org
15–17
JUDITH CHAPMAN IN VIVIEN
Energetic, needy, and frequently difficult to work with. All of the above have been used to describe actress Vivien Leigh, who made her big-time debut playing Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. Soap star Judith Chapman sheds new light on the bygone starlet in Rick Foster’s one-woman production, Vivien, through the exploration of Leigh’s stage career and personal relationships. Centre Stage, 501 River St, Greenville. Fri, 8pm; Sat, 7pm; Sun, 3pm. $30-$45. (864) 2336733, centrestage.org
17–20
SHE GREENVILLE
A celebration of all things fabulous, SHE Greenville invites women of any age to join in the fun at the “ultimate girls’ weekend.” Indulge your inner shopper at the vendor marketplace, get crafty at any one of the Do It Herself workshops, or take in a live musical performance by The Voice participant and local celebrity Delvin Choice. And of course, there are plenty of men’s and women’s fashion shows to shine up your fall wardrobe. TD Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr, Greenville. Fri–Sat, 10am–6pm; Sun, 12–5pm. Adults,$8; juniors, $4. shegville.com
you will love our unique women’s styles & handmade accessories
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Photograph (Judith Chapman in Vivien) courtesy of Centre Stage; (Delvin Choice) courtesy of NBC
BIRD DOG CLINIC & CONSERVATION FUNDRAISER The Southern Mountains Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will host its second annual sportsmen’s bird dog clinic with a cocktail party fundraiser later that evening. Dedicated to preserving sporting traditions by creating healthy habitat for large fowl, the regional chapter of RGS is raising funds to purchase land in a local conservation effort. Maurice Lindley of Lindley Kennels will share his 30 years’ experience in training bird dogs before participants trade the field for a downtown evening of festivities. Clinic: Lindley’s Kennel, 3332 W Georgia Rd, Piedmont. Sat, 9am; party: Larkin’s on the River, 318 S Main St, Greenville. Sat, 5:30pm. $70; couple, $100 (includes RGS membership for a year). (864) 809-7141
20
S LOW FOOD EARTH MARKET
Let’s be honest: one of the best parts of summer is enjoying all the fresh fruits and veggies that the season has to bear. But there’s no need to venture way out for your basketload of produce; local farmers are bringing their gifts here to you. While the slow food movement continues to grow, so does customer demand, and this market provides all the clean, local, chemical-free goods you can think of. Perfect for alfresco recipes or healthy eats any day of the week. NoMa Square, 220 N Main St. Wed, 11am–3pm. Free. slowfoodupstate.com
21
THE SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS
The lineup may have changed over the years, but South Carolina natives The Swingin’ Medallions are still bringing the heat on stage, packing over five decades of music into an energetic live performance. Blending cover tunes with original hits à la “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love” and “She Drives Me Out of My Mind,” the group’s lively showcase is fitting for music fans of every generation, ideal for kicking the end-of-summer blues. TD Stage at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Thurs, 7:30pm. $20. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org
21–23
ASHEVILLE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Given the immense popularity of homegrown dining, local breweries, and earthen atmosphere, it comes as no surprise that Asheville is sitting pretty atop America’s culinary landscape. Fortunately for us, the city is a mere stone’s throw away. Kicking off with the prohibition-style ELIXIR cocktail event and guided neighborhood tour on Thursday, the event carries throughout the weekend with Friday’s dessertcentric SWEET in the historic Grove Arcade and a Grand Tasting for foodies on Saturday. US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC. Thurs–Sat, times vary. $45-$70. (828) 777-8916, ashevillewineandfood.com
AUGUST 2014 / 99
TOWN
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Scene
THE BEACH BALL
One of the Upstate’s signature pre–Labor Day events, the Beach Ball is a delightful melange of live music, signature eats, and unique entertainment. In addition to cocktail and cuisine menus provided by Coffee Underground, Roost, City Scape Winery, and Thomas Creek Brewery, the Ball will also include fine liquor tastings, cigar bars, and a surprise live act. The best part? All proceeds will go to nonprofit organizations committed to aiding children and families in need. The Hartness Estate, 200 County Rd 1000, Greenville. Sat, 6–11:30pm. $100. beachballfoundation.org
23
AN EVENING WITH LORETTA HOLLOWAY
As one of the first acts to christen Belton’s new Listening Room on Main, this intimate evening with songstress Loretta Holloway is one that should not be missed. Known as “South Carolina’s First Lady of Song,” Holloway’s effortless jazz stylings and original songwriting have made her the stuff of legend for generations of listeners. Ticket price includes a pre-show reception, dining, and performance. The Belton Center for the Arts, 306 City Square, Belton. Sat, 7–9:30pm. $25. (864) 338-8556, beltonsc.com/arts.htm
23
MUTT STRUT
Man’s best friend is often the first to cuddle after a long workday or turn a blind eye to our off-key renditions of Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love.” Now, it’s our turn to give back by participating in the 3rd Annual Mutt Strut. Benefiting the Greenville Humane Society, the Mutt Strut invites runners of all ages (and legs) to take on 2 miles of natural scenery along the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Post-race, contestants can visit a vendor village of local goods and a special Canine Corner. Greenville Tech’s Barton Campus, 506 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville. Sat, 9am. Free-$35. (864) 242-3626, ghsmuttstrut.com
Thru Aug 24 MISS SAIGON
When American GI Chris meets Kim in the ravaged city of Saigon during the Vietnam War, the two quickly fall in love and make plans for a lifetime together. However, the city’s fall spurs the soldier’s quick departure home, leaving a pregnant Kim to merely dream of his eventual return. Nominated for eleven Tony awards and ripe with classic songs, Miss Saigon illustrates the transcendence of romance in the harshest of circumstances, as
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well as the power of hope in the eyes of darkness. Flat Rock Playhouse, 2661 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock. Wed–Sat, 8pm; Wed–Thurs, Sat– Sun, 2pm. $40. (828) 693-0731, flatrockplayhouse.org
27–Sept 1
2014 UCI PARACYCLING ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS It’s been sixteen years since this official Olympic event has touched down on American soil, and now it’s making its way to Greenville with a complete roster of the world’s strongest competitors. Combining road races, relays, and timed trials, this marathon celebration of athleticism hosts qualifying athletes on specially designed tandem, handcycle, tricycle, and bicycle for a rigorous five-day challenge throughout the Millenium Campus. Participating this year is Formula 1 racer Alex Zanardi, using a specially outfitted BMW to perform in the race. CU-ICAR Millenium Campus, 200 Carolina Point Parkway, Greenville. Wed–Mon, times vary. greenvillesc2014.com
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RUSTED ROOT
A creative fusion of genres from each corner of the globe, Rusted Root’s 20-year career has trekked the sextet to various stages and alongside acts like Dave Matthews and the Dead. Their 2012 album The Movement encompasses this entire journey from start to finish, crafted as a tribute to the band’s time together. Their visits to their South Carolina homeland are
the nation to “Say Somethin’” and “What About Love.” Mahone is joined by X Factor girl group Fifth Harmony in promotion of his debut album The Secret. Charter Amphitheatre, 861 SE Main St, Simpsonville. Sun, 7pm. $30-$65. (864) 241-3800, charteramphitheatre.com
always denoted by fun, jamtastic concerts that draw fans from all genres. TD Stage at the Peace Center, 300 S Main St, Greenville. Fri, 7:30pm. $25. (864) 467-3000, peacecenter.org
UPROAR FESTIVAL
Get ready to bang your heads in an angry fashion, rock fans. This birthday celebration honoring 93.3 The Planet radio station in the Upstate is sponsored by Rockstar Energy and unites some of the biggest names in hardcore music. Slated to perform are headliners Godsmack, Seether, Buckcherry, and Skillet, along with Escape the Fate, Sons of Revelry, and many more. And as a special treat, the Suicide Girls Burlesque troupe will host a sultry sideshow performance for patrons. Charter Amphitheatre, 861 SE Main St, Simpsonville. Fri, 2pm. $30-$70. (864) 241-3800, charteramphitheatre.com
SEEING TOMORROW: AIDJOY’S FIRST ANNUAL GALA
AidJoy’s semi-formal gala will be a celebration of the nonprofit’s achievements to help world-wide local charities tackle dire problems. Be the first to hear AidJoy’s big announcement as they share plans for their next cause. The evening includes tapas paired with boutique wines; a silent auction with rare experience packages, beautiful products, and items from the Amazon rainforest; a live auction with legendary auctioneer, Bob Howard; autographs from William “The Refrigerator” Perry; and a “Rainforest Room” showcasing AidJoy’s work helping the guardians of the Amazon. Zen, 924 S Main Street, Greenville. Sun, 7–11pm. $75. aidjoy2014.eventbrite.com
AUSTIN MAHONE WITH FIFTH HARMONY
Move over Justin Bieber—there’s a new tween sensation climbing the charts, and he’s got a posse of “Mahomies” backing him up. Leaping from YouTube to MTV’s Artists to Watch, the young Mahone has teenage girls (and a few grown women) swooning across
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Photograph (UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships) courtesy of Notus Sports
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AUGUST 2014 / 101
Estates Homes as distinguished as our readers.
113 Upper Ridge Way
3BR, 6BATH · MLS#1281373 · $1,799,000 Cliffs Realty Sales SC, LLC Vince Roser (864) 660-8422 CliffsLiving.com
3 Joshua’s Place
5BR, 6.5BATH · MLS#1260284 · $1,430,000
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Kathy Cassity (864) 678-5250
Downtown Greeville 54 Ridgeland Drive
4BR, 4.5BATH · MLS#1280835 · $985,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Sims Whitted (864) 380-1632
The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards®
The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards®
5BR, 5Full/3Half Bath · MLS#20147814 · $6,495,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864)481-4444
5BR, 6BATH · MLS#20144657 · $1,950,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864)481-4444
124 Wood Sage Court, Waterfront with Dock
405 Crossbill Court
4BR, 5.5BATH · MLS#20154600 · $1,550,000
108 Elderberry Way, Waterfront with Dock
5 Peters Fork Lane
5BR, 5.5BATH · MLS#1277378 · $1,500,000
Cliffs Realty Sales SC, LLC Ivy Nabors (864) 660-8401 CliffsLiving.com
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Melissa Morrell (864) 918-1734 www.greenvilleagent247.com
460 Whispering Ridge Trail
The Cliffs at Keowee Falls South®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Jennifer Van Gieson (864) 590-4441
4BR, 4.5BATH · MLS#20152362 · $989,000 Justin Winter Sotheby’s International Realty www.JustinWinter.com (864) 481-4444
6BR, 6BATH · MLS#1269055 · $1,195,000
27 Hobcaw Drive
4BR, 3.5BATH · MLS#1277669 · $580,000
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS® Kathy Cassity (864) 678-5250
818 Alder Point Way, Waterfront with Boat Slip
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TOWN Estates is a monthly feature of TOWN Magazine. To advertise your listing in TOWN Estates, contact Annie Langston at 864.679.1224 or alangston@communityjournals.com
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SECOND
Glance
Time After Time
T
he nature of a photograph is brief: light captured in a fraction of a second as the shutter is released. The life and dynamism of a scene are abbreviated into an absurdly short amount of time. Richard Baker takes the opposite approach to his oil paintings. A self-taught artist, Baker’s landscapes are the results of months of meticulous study. He revisits scenes, recording the intricacies of light and detail in sketches, watercolors, photographs, and notes before he begins work. Baker humbly considers himself a counterfeiter: “I didn’t create it; I’m copying from nature.” And yet he doesn’t merely reproduce a moment—Baker’s landscapes convey the passage of time in a singular creation.—Andrew Huang Upstate Forever, in recognition of Richard Baker’s preservation of land through art, is partnering with the T.L. Norris Gallery to present an exhibit of Baker’s work. The exhibit will be on display from August 8–29. The gallery and Upstate Forever will host an official reception and fundraiser on August 22 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Baker has donated his piece Fairview Farms for auction, and the gallery will donate 10 percent of all sales during this show to Upstate Forever. The T.L. Norris Gallery, located at 1 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, is open Tues–Fri, 12–6pm and Sat, 12–5pm. For more information, see tlnorrisgallery.com or upstateforever.org
104 TOWN / towncarolina.com
Richard Baker, Sunrise Hill, 2013. Oil on canvas, 16in x 28in; artwork courtesy of the T.L. Norris Gallery
Painter Richard Baker takes a second look
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