About this time of year normal, hardworking people unexpectedly find themselves daydreaming about sunshine, warmth, and tropical blue water. Minds wander from computer screens or the tools in hand to those famous words of Jimmy Buffet’s, “I Gotta Go Where It’s Warm!” For those of us who are committed to being on the mountain, or for those of us who are counting the weeks until we can dig our toes into warm sand, there is a glimmer of hope…a warm ray of sunshine…on Friday night.
Meadowbrook's Islands Beach Party opens with DJ Larry “Bigfish” Calhoun. Bigfish will spin shag and beach music 7pm-10pm, with a $10 cover for the whole evening, including light snacks 7:30pm-9pm. Larry is one of the best-loved shag DJ’s in the Carolinas and Tennessee. He puts on a great show and keeps everybody dancing.
Asheville’s Caribbean Cowboys Band (MySpace.com – The Caribbean Cowboys) headlines the show. They’ll play Jimmy Buffet’s music, tropical music and Southern rock 10pm-1am, with a $5 cover after 10pm. The Caribbean Cowboys are well-known in western North and South Carolina for putting on a show that’s pure fun! You never know what will transpire with this band; one minute you’ll be dancing with a partner, the next minute you’ll be swept up in a conga line or singing “Hot, Hot, Hot” with everyone in the room. In addition to songs that everybody knows, they’ll spice it up with original tunes that lean toward a taste of reggae and calypso.
They are the official band of the Western North Carolina Parrot Head Club. Jimmy Buffet, Peter Mayer, and Mac McAnally show up on their website “friends” list.
If you’ve ever been to a Buffet concert, you know what to wear. Otherwise, suffice it to say that tropical shirts, leis, sarongs, flips flops, crazy hats and beachwear are in order. You might want to bring a camera.
Compete in two contests for Best Costume, limber up (or down?) for a Limbo Contest, or just “hang around” and win door prizes from United Beverage Service.
You can start the evening at the Meadowbrook with dinner or with Caribbean appetizers until 9pm.