Wednesday, September 24, 2003
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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 |
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Offshoot unites coffee house scene with bluegrass music By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Offshoot Productions' Stars on the Southern Crescent coffee houses have always been one of the best bargains in the area. The audience gets top-notch local and regional entertainment at a nearby venue with the promise of delicious desserts and beverages. Though the site of the coffee house has moved several times, it appears the have a solid venue at the Fayette Family YMCA on Huiet Road. This weekend's coffee houses will bring some of the best area bluegrass bands to the stage, while people snack on some tasty treats. Friday's show will feature Justus and Stranger 2, while Saturday's show will feature Red Line Express and Counterpoint. Justus has performed in clubs and at corporate events all over Georgia and has been the opening act for notables as The Doobie Brothers, Air Supply, REO Speedwagon, Chuck Berry, .38 Special, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Lee Greenwood. They are well known in the area and will also perform at the American cancer Society's Cattle Baron Ball in October. Red Line Express, based in Gray, Ga., is known for its members' two- and three-part harmony. They perform standard bluegrass tunes and mountain music, in addition to a number of originals. Counterpoint, formed in 1998, plays a variety of music including hard-core bluegrass and old-time country. Counterpoint vocalist Joy Smith was a recent inductee into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame and has appeared at the Grand Ole Opry. The Bluegrass Festival is supported by a grant from the Endowment Committee for the Cultural Arts of Fayette County. The ECCA has promoted a wide variety of creative endeavors in its 20-year history. They also award scholarships to Fayette County students pursuing a career in the arts each year. "It is encouraging that an established and respected organization such as the ECCA is behind us in our ambitious undertaking this fall," said Offshoot artistic director Susan Steadman."We are enormously grateful for this support." The show begins at 8:15 each evening.Patrons who bring their own mugs from home may take advantage of a discount on hot drinks and are eligible for the "Most Unusual Mug" award.In addition to gourmet coffee, cold beverages and hot apple cider, Stars offers home-made desserts from EJ's Sweets and Gift Shop in Fayetteville and tea from Teavana in Peachtree City. Tickets, sold at the door only, are $8 ($6 for senior citizens and children 12 and younger).Series passes, which cost only $16 for all three fall coffee house events (including the Jazz and Blues Weekend, Oct. 24-25, and the second annual Celtic Christmas Coffee House, Nov. 21-22), are available at the Peachtree City Library, 770- 631-2520, the Fayette County Library, 770-461-8841, and at the door. |
