A Milestone Celebrated By Singer/ Songwriter Chelsea Summers And The Next Addition Of Third Thursday

Friends and fans of Chelsea Summers gathered at the Montreux Bar and Grill, a Summerville hot spot, on Saturday, September 15 to celebrate a milestone. The milestone was the release of Chelsea's first CD, "Unspoken". It contains 5 songs, all original works by Chelsea. The CD was produced by The Sound Factory in Charleston. She is accompanied by Jeff Peeks, producer and engineer, and Adam Gochnauer. Photography for the cover and inset was beautifully done by Robyn Leigh Photography.

Chelsea, age 16 and a student of Ashley Ridge High School, is a dedicated singer/songwriter with a driving passion for her chosen craft. She plays regularly at various locations throughout the Summerville/Charleston area. A Charleston radio station, 105.5 The Bridge, played one of her songs back in August. She is presently working on songs for CD number two. Several articles featuring Chelsea have been written by the Summerville Journal Scene and yours truly; enthusiastic, committed follower and proud owner of an original Chelsea Summers t-shirt.

Chelsea was kept busy through the evening posing for pictures with fans and signing CD's. She also performed some of her songs. One of the highlights for Chelsea was being presented with a framed picture arrangement containing a copy of the CD and photos from the sleeve created by Donovan's Custom Framing of Summerville. It was great rubbing shoulders with the good people of Summerville, literally speaking because maneuvering through the large crowd of Chelsea lovers was tricky. Also, snuck a quick game of ping-pong in while I was there. The party was a winner. Congratulations to Chelsea on her success and to her supporting, proud parents, Bill and Aura Lee. The breaded mushrooms were fantastic.

 

The Montreux Bar and Grill was voted the best bar, best hangout, and best happy hour in 2010. There is something going on every day of the week including a Tuesday Cornhole Tournament and a Thursday Game Night. Eddie Bush has made appearances here. Chelsea is scheduled to return Friday, October 5th at 6pm. For the complete line of eats, drinks, and live music go to Montreux Bar and Grill. It is located at 127 West Richardson Ave in Summerville.

Don't forget Thursday, September 20th is the next edition of Third Thursday. This is a Summerville tradition hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Live music and entertainment will be at various locations, such as Hutchinson Square and Short Central. Chelsea can usually be seen playing for the crowds at her mother's store on West Richardson, Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags & Accessories. The main event of this Third Thursday will be the new Sweet Tea Festival put on by the Summerville Restaurant Association. Sweet tea is the table wine of the South and you will have a chance to vote for your favorite. Eleven restaurants will be highlighting their menu favorites. It all starts at 5pm.

So, mark your calendars and come out for some good old Southern hospitality and fun. Where else can you get free wine and cheese at every turn of the corner, courtesy of Summerville's business establishments. I'll be there. When you see me, if we haven't as of yet met, be sure to introduce yourself. We'll shake hands and crack a cold one. Remember, it's a vacation everyday in the Lowcountry and it's summer in Summerville all year round.

The Flowertown Festival 2012 In Summerville Is Underway-Eddie Bush And Lots Of Fun

I stepped out onto the hot pavement of S. Main. The unusually hot, spring sun was performing its magic. I looked ahead down the main strip of the festival and as far as I could see was a mass of fellow festival goers. The smell of carnival food carried on the warm breeze curled around me. In close proximity to my position was a vendor cooking up an assortment of french fries, which included butterfly fries. Although I am not a fan of carnival food, I do like fries and the temptation was strong. I resisted, for the moment, and pressed forward.

Immediately, I was confronted by a gantlet of vendors attempting to hand me their cards, one on the right, next the left. In my mind I had a flash-back of a scene from a Dirty Harry movie called coincidentally "The Gauntlet", but spelled differently, and began to sympathize with how he must have felt as he was confronted with the hail of bullets showering down on his bus. I survived the onslaught, but one vendor did manage to get his card into my pocket.

spin-the-wheel

Next, a young man called out to me and tried to persuade me to putt a ball into a hole for a chance to win a Kindle Fire. The catch was you had to do it blindfold, and then if you were successful, your name would be put into a drawing. I politely gave the excuse, "Not at the moment. Maybe when I come back around." And so, this is the way it was on down the line. Win a dream vacation, win a gift card, spin-the-wheel, more food, more vendors. Yep, it's the Flowertown Festival in Summerville and if you were expecting something different, you're in the wrong place because that is what it is all about. People showcasing their businesses, their arts and crafts, food, live entertainment, and all in the name of fun.

joggling boards

take a seat.

live entertainment

My main objective today was to locate the Flowertown Players booth managed by Christine Eliason. Christine was the director of the Players most recent play "Wait Until Dark". The play was both entertaining and engaging, and a success. The Flowertown Players have a small stage set up next to their tables where brief scenes from popular plays will be acted out. Today, I was present to view a scene of a women's version of "The Odd Couple" acted out by Stephanie Crowley and Leslie Vicary. Stephanie was all fired up for the skit. Be sure to stop by for a look-see and pick up one of the brochures highlighting their season ahead and the plays they will be performing.

Stephanie Crowley and Leslie Vicary

One of the highlights in the way of live entertainment Saturday will be Summerville's own Chelsea Summers. She will take the stage at 11:00am in Azalea Park near the Cuthbert Center. Chelsea is generally seen around Summerville performing at local venues including the Icehouse Restaurant, Single Smile Café, Firewater Grille and Madra Rua Irish Pub. She recently won a contest for a gig in Winston-Salem, N.C at Ziggy's where she opened for Parachute.

Chelsea at Ziggy's

Sunday's highlight needs no introductions. He is well known around Summerville and just about everywhere else. He once played the guitar with his teeth. He performs, writes, and teaches. He formed a trio with Chris Roberts and Royal Reed called One Flew South. He plays with a group called the Mayhem. Eddie Bush is his name and he will perform 1:30-2:30pm. Don't miss it.