Soul Revival, the Edgewood Band, RetroVertigo and Swingin’ Medallions are all returning favorites and we also have three new South Carolina bands joining the scene. These bands are the Poizn’ Whiskey Band, the Trey Ward Band, and Eric Weiler.

Thursday starts off the festivities with Soul Revival and the Poizn’ Whiskey Band.

Soul Revival is a gospel band that takes music from the 50s, 60s and 70s and revises the lyrics to contain a positive Christian message. They were a crowd pleaser last year and are bringing back even more excitement and fun in 2012.

The Poizn’ Whiskey Band, in its first introduction to Abbeville, plans to reach out and deliver some hard-hittin’ Southern and classic rock.

On Friday, the Edgewood Band will return with some more Southern and classic rock, this time adding new and old country to the mix.

RetroVertigo also brings their energy back to the stage on Friday. They will be covering hits from the 1980s as well as their bassist’s skill of professional break dancing! This show is self-described as “totally tubular”!

Saturday holds even more planned musical excitement, starting off with the Trey Ward Band. This is a new bluegrass band to Abbeville with close origins in Greenwood, SC. We are excited to hear the voice and original lyrics of Trey Ward, who has worked with Grammy winner Randy Kohrs and bluegrass powerhouse Audie Blaylock and Red Line.

Eric Weiler, another first timer to the festival, is a rock and blues influenced musician who is known for his talent with the guitar. His repertoire includes unforgettable originals as well as some old numbers infused with his own style.

Last of all, the Swingin’ Medallions, otherwise known as “The Party Band of the South,” will be returning to rock Abbeville with their energized beach and shag music. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes to this one!

For more information about these bands and other planned events for the Spring Festival, check out the Spring Festival’s website. Times will be posted closer to the event.

The old website was “owned” by the .gov and was very basic, ugly to the eyes, and not user-friendly. Two City employees interviewed and collected five different quotes from various website designers. They decided on a group out of Greenville, SC – Lightning Hammer. They were impressed with the capabilities and the expertise the guys brought to the table. They designed the websites for City of Fountain Inn, Freedom Weekend Aloft, Laura Ashley USA, and many more. Not only do they design websites, but they also design apps for Smartphones…Spring Festival might have an app in 2012!

Once we decided on a template, gathered all the text that would need to go on the site, we sat back and realized we needed updated pictures of our newly renovated Square for our fresh website! We called around and then decided on Shawn Knox to capture the beautiful Square, Trinity street, and even a couple of aerial shots. We are extremely happy and impressed with both Lightning Hammer and Shawn Knox…extremely professional with new ideas!

The new fresh website the City has now is super user-friendly, beautiful easy-buttons, access to permits, an event calendar and so much more. Check it out and tell your friends! Check it out at: www.abbevillecitysc.com

*image by Shawn M Knox Images

Next Saturday, August 27th, they will host a Homemade Genius Benefit Concert at the Opera House featuring five bands from South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. The featured bands are: Bob & Tim Kilgore, Molly Parden, Besides Daniel, Ashby Stokes, and Arthur Alligood. Tickets are on sale now at the Welcome Center at 107 Court Square for $10. You can buy your ticket now or at the door. Any questions, please call 864-366-9673. Swing by the Opera House before for the Silent Auction featuring paintings, wood-turning items, Opera House packages and much more!

Homemade Genius is non-profit arts organization founded in 2006 and will be located at 111 Court Square beginning in August, 2011. They offer art exhibits, music and poetry events, private music lessons, art lessons and workshops, and other creative programming. From the beginning, they have a provided drug and alcohol free programming for youth since 2006, and has also founded an after school music program in conjunction with Community Initiatives in Greenwood. The students involved in the after school music program experienced a new-found sense of self-esteem and accomplishment, positive reinforcement, gained musical skill, and an increase of at least one letter grade higher on their report cards. With help from the Abbeville County School District, the Abbeville community, and local businesses, Homemade Genius proposes to start a similar program at their new location in Abbeville. Read below about their music & art lessons, and their after school programs.

What they need assistance with:

            – Help identifying prospective students for the scholarship program in the elementary and middle schools

            – Help acquiring parental consent and communication about the program

            – Transportation or busing to the Homemade Genius building directly from the schools

What Homemade Genius will provide:

-       Instruction on piano, violin, and guitar for a maximum of 15 paying students and 5 scholarship students for the school year.

-       Lessons will be two times a week for 90 minutes each session

-       Lessons will be open to students ages 8-13

-       Performance opportunities for students

-       An opportunity for character building and involvement of students in a positive community environment

Group guitar class:

 Instructor Ian Morris of Homemade Genius will teach the group guitar class. Students will learn chords, tab, popular music, and strumming styles. A special emphasis will be placed on creative songwriting in this class, giving students the opportunity to create and record their own songs.

Group violin class:

Instructor Sarah Morris of Homemade Genius will teach the group violin class. Students will learn how to read music, music theory, and pieces from a variety of backgrounds. In addition to learning classical pieces, students will also learn music history, American and Celtic fiddling, how to play by ear, and how to improvise in a group setting.

Piano class:

Instructor Tim Kilgore will teach the piano class. Students will learn music theory, scales, note reading, and how to play both classical and modern pieces on the piano.

 Group Lesson Fees:

-       $90 per month, includes snack and eight 90 minute sessions

-       Total cost for one semester of lessons:

• $360 for paying students (student provides instrument)
• $300 for scholarship students (we provide the instrument)

Donations

-        Guitars and violins have been donated to Homemade Genius for students who cannot afford to participate in the after school program. Piano students can use the piano at the facility.

-       Scholarship students will be selected with the help of principles and teachers of local schools. Scholarship students will receive lessons and an instrument to use free of charge.

-       Any donations made toward the after school program would be used to pay the instructors for their time and to provide snacks for the students.

-       Sponsor a child to take lessons and have an instrument for a semester for $300. 

Abbeville Football 2011 Schedule

August 12–Abbeville Jamboree

August 13–Region Jamboree

August 19–Chester (at Newberry College)

August 26–Lincoln County

September 2–Crescent

September 9–Emerald

September 16–at Pendleton

September 23–Open Date

September 30–Ware Shoals

October 7–at McCormick

October 14–at Calhoun Falls

October 21–Ninety Six

October 28–Dixie

November 4–Playoffs

November 11–Playoffs

November 18–Playoffs

Wow…that is the first word that comes to our mind as we sit back and reflect on the Abbeville Spring Festival that we just put on. Everything was PERFECT!…the weather, bands, food, atmosphere, car show…EVERYTHING!

Fox Carolina took over the Square, along with the local band, Poiz’n Whiskey Band, Thursday morning bright and early to open up and have a little preview of the Festival. Once the rides turned on,everyone started showing up with their wristbands for unlimited rides. The Square literally came alive with music from Gus Wilson’s group: Community Outreach Choir and the popular Soul Revival.

Friday was a busy day as the crafters and vendors showed up early morning to start setting up their tents ready for a big money-making weekend. They lined Trinity Street and around the Square with jewelry, stained glass, bags, and so much more! That evening, RetroVertigo took the Spring Festival stage for the first time. The band was extraordinary and powerful as they rocked the bricks covering all the best songs from the 80′s! After RetroVertigo closed their show with “Blister in the Sun” by the Violent Femmes, the local good ol boys, Edgewood Band, took the stage. This band covers old/new Country, Southern Rock, Classic Rock…there is no limit! Edgewood plays at the Chamber’s Oyster Roast every year and ALWAYS brings in a huge crowd…there is so much to love when this band takes the stage!

The gorgeous Saturday morning started off with a 5k-Run for the Children. For a first 5k held at the Spring Festival, there were a couple of hiccups, but overall was an outstanding event! We had 123 registrants, and 102 runners…Tim Simpson, from Abbeville, was the overall winner. The 5k raised $3300 and went to the Hanna family to raise money for their adoption of a little girl from Russia. There will never be enough ‘thank yous’ to all the sponsors, volunteers, and runners to help this family! During the 5k, the Wheels of Time Car Show was setting up on North Main Street. Pictures surely do not do these cars any justice! If  you did not get a chance to head down N Main St, then be sure to check out the “Cruise to the Square” on September 3rd! The cars will be showcased around the Square and up N Main Street. In front of the stage, Wendy’s Dance Academy clogged and danced their way in the hearts of mamas, daddys, and all the family members that showed up to see the different groups perform. WDA sure can bring in a HUGE crowd!

The music opened up with Lockaby Hall & Mojo, a local band from Greenwood. They performed at the Piedmont Blues & Hash Bash. They play anything from Clapton to Cash and Haggard to Stevie Ray Vaughan and they do it extremely well! Becky Greene and Ashby Stokes took the stage with her powerful voice and his exceptional guitar talent…Green River and Gold Dust Woman are just a couple of the songs that had the crowd bobbing their heads. They stuck around to do a few songs with the Swingin’ Medallions…not only did Becky and Ashby take the stage with the Medallions, but also an ORIGINAL Swingin Medallion, Jimmy Perkins, showed up to do Double Shot of my Baby’s Love and a few more. This was one performance by the Medallions no one should have missed! The crowd of 8,000+ went as far back as Windows On Main…that has never happened before! The Festival was one of the best and was extra special because it was the first one on the newly renovated Square. A lot of background help from employees, departments, volunteers, sponsors and the committee made sure this would be a Festival no one would ever forget. Abbeville was a rock star over the weekend!

The winter weather is behind us (finally!) and it is time to dust off those flip flops, shorts and cheap sunglasses and enjoy the weather! City of Abbeville is going to help you out with some new events that are springing up in April to prepare everyone for the Spring Festival in May…you can probably call it the appetizer before the big meal.

The City is bringing back Flicks on the Bricks after a successful last season! We will kick the event up with Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl on Friday, April 15th, starting at 8:30 on Trinity Street (weather permitting). But the best thing about this night will be dressing up in your BEST pirate costume! Find your skull ring, eye patch, pirate hat and head on down to Trinity Street! This is a free event…all you need is a blanket, chair, food, and all your friends!

After you put away your pirate outfit, dig around for your Easter basket and join us on April 16th, 10:00am, at the Pete Smith Complex for an Eggciting Easter Egg Hunt! It is just for ages up to 10 years of age. There will be prizes and fun to be had as the kids hunt for the eggs hidden around the Complex. And you never know who might be hiding the eggs!

If movies or egg hunting is not your thing, but LIVE FREE MUSIC is…then the Livery Stable on Trinity Street is where you needbe on April 21st! We are happy to announce another season of “Live at the Livery”! The season will get kicked off with Poiz’n Whiskey Band at 7:00pm. Bring your chair, blanket, food (adult beverages allowed!), and all your friends to listen to the family oriented band blare out some Southern Rock, Country or Blues! This is a band that you DO NOT want to miss!

These are JUST the events in April…you wont believe what Abbeville has in store for May! (www.abbevillespringfestival.com)  Make sure you find “City of Abbeville” and “Abbeville Spring Festival” on Facebook…remember to “Like” the page to keep up to date what is going on. Also, follow us on Twitter! (www.twitter.com/abbevillesc)

Abbeville’s Spring Festival will kick off Thursday afternoon with “Church & Family Night”! Bring all your friends and family down to the Square on Thursday for Ride With Wristbands (6:00pm-10:00pm) while listening to live music by Abbeville Community Outreach Choir and the very popular Soul Revival!

Friday events will feature RetroVertigo-all 80′s band-starting at 5:30. After you take a step back and relive all of your favorite 80′s music, stick around because everyone’s local favorite, Edgewood Band will take the stage about 8:00pm!

Saturday will host fun events all day long! Ride with a Wristband 9:00am-12:00pm! Then we will start with a 5k Run-Run for the Children at 8:30am. Start/Finish line is at Harris Funeral Home Map of Route>. Then join us over at Jefferson Davis Park for the Jaycee’s Golf Ball Drop at 10:30am. Golf balls are $5 each, numbered 1-500, dropped from a bucket truck…the ball that gets closest to the target wins $500! What an easy way to make $500!! Wheels of Time Car Show will showcase the earliest, latest and greatest from 12:00-6:00 down North Main St.

Then Wendy’s Dance Academy will kick off the live entertainment on the Square at 11:00 in front of the main stage! Be sure

to bring your aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends to see all the cloggers and dancers! Meet Miss Spring Festival and hear announcements at 12:00 from the main stage. We will tell you about the day’s events, how much money was raised for the 5k, and who won the Golf Ball Drop! After the announcements, stick around and watch the Wing Eating Contest sponsored by the Pizza House at 12:30! That will surely be a sight to see! Next from 1:00-2:00 we will have the Abbeville Cloggers and Raks Zumurrud Belly Dancing Group.

FINALLY the live music will kick up at 2:00 with Lockaby Hall and Mojo, 5:00 with Becky Greene/Ashby Stokes and then the popular Swingin’ Medallions will shut the Square down at 8:00-11:00.

*this blog is not intended to promote any certain merchant. it is simply for entertainment, reading material and introducing you to the new/old*

On 103 Court Square in downtown Abbeville, you will find a most interesting store. Most locals are very familiar with Uptown Girls and Carolina Guys, but if you are from out-of-town or havent heard of them, then you are missing out!

The Uptown Girls side of the store has a very friendly layout. When you walk in, you willnotice on the front left are the present holidayitems. Over to your right is every woman’s dream…jewelry, pocketbooks, andsunglasses. It really doesn’t matter about the event you need to attend, because you are certain to find somethingto wear…casual bracelets, formal necklaces, and earrings to jingle-jangle all day. If the weather is a little brisk for you, then you should definitely check out their variety of scarves that you can have monogrammed.As you make your way to the back of the store, you notice on your right there is an

array of baby and children gifts.  Uptown Girls has many baby lovey’s to choose from, different baby/children books, frilly girl socks and so much more for baby’s first gift or something extra special for the bundle of joy! Across from the children’s section you will find painted wine glasses, an exhibition of tervis tumblers (that you can have personalized!), and several WoodWick candles to chose from. There is nothing this cute store does not have. Not only can you find the perfect gift here, you can also get it monogrammed. Do you need to show off your new monogram after your wedding? Drop your items off and they will be ready with your new initials pronto!

But there is so much more than just cute feminine and children items…on the other side of the store is Carolina Guys. This is every collegiate fan’s dream. Whether you are a USC or Clemson enthusiast, an Abbeville High or Dixie High fan, this is a must visit store! Tailgating will never look as good, as it will after you purchase all of the essentials and then more!

Make sure you visit Uptown Girls and Carolina Guys in downtown Abbeville, hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:30am-5:30pm…and they are open later on Opera House play nights, and during holidays!