Just In Time For Hanukkah, "Major League Dreidel"

With the Holidays fast approaching, this just in from our sports desk:
The first ever "professional" dreidel league will host its debut matches in Williamsburg on Dec. 12 — the second day of Hanukkah. In an article laden with Borscht Belt-style puns, the Brooklyn Paper reports on Major League Dreidel, which is expected to draw 100 participants to the Knitting Factory on Metropolitan Avenue to compete in the classic top-spinning game.
League founder Eric Harris Pavony tells the paper:

“MLD validates the dreidel as a bona-fide sport — and its elite are recognized and respected like professional athletes. However, they are paid in chocolate money.”

Hey, Bingo is a big hit at The Parrot on monday nights, and if the Knitting Factory can pull this off...who knows?

This Weekend

Honey Island Swamp Band  Returns to the Green Parrot

Honey Island Swamp Band from New Orleans will return to the Green Parrot with shows on Friday, December 4^th  at 5:30 and 10:00 PM. and at 10 PM on Saturday, December 5th.

For most of the past decade, Aaron Wilkinson and Chris Mulé established themselves as top-notch musicians and songwriters, most notably as members of the Eric Lindell band.  Collaborations between all three musicians have been favorites of DJs in major US markets, internationally and on both Sirius and XM satellite stations over the past year. 
After years of touring around the country and around the world in support of Lindell’s releases and with various other bands, Wilkinson and Mulé formed the Honey Island Swamp Band as a vehicle for a huge backlog of original songs the two had written but never recorded. The band came together in San Francisco, where both musicians were marooned after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

2009 has already brought big things for the band, as they mark the release of their first full-length album, Wishing Well, with performances at New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival, the 2009 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Federal Hill Street Festival in Baltimore, MD, and the Chenango Blues Festival in Norwich, NY, among many others.

The Green Parrot Bar your Southernmost Center for Culture of All Kinds on the corner of Southard and Whitehead Street. For more information cal 294-6133. 

For Immediate Release

"Queen of Swing" Norma Miller Does Green Parrot Sunday Soundcheck

"Queen of Swing" Norma Miller returns to Key West for her 90^th birthday celebration and  will make The Green Parrot Sunday, December 6th 5:30 P.M.  "soundcheck" a a part of her "Birthday Bash".  The Green Parrot Bar will be swingin' with the sounds of the Mike Emerson Southernmost Rhythm Section when Norma makes a guest appearance along with Lou Ragland from the world-famous Ink Spots.

Known to many as the Queen of Swing, Norma Miller is an author, choreographer, dancer, comedian and actor whose career spans over seven decades. Discovered at the age of twelve by the Savoy Ballroom's legendary dancer Twist Mouth George, Ms. Miller has been in show business ever since.

Honored with a 2003 National Heritage Foundation Fellowship from the National Endowments of the Arts for her role in creating and continuing to preserve "the acrobatic style swing dance, known as the Lindy Hop," Ms. Miller (at a young 90 years of age) continues to be an inspiration to all who know her.

Ms. Miller's energy continues to amaze all who know her. She is currently working on her third and fourth books, Swing Baby Swing and Me & John Biffar; and has written several songs, including "The Big Apple," her valentine to her hometown of New York, which she composed and wrote with Frank Owens.

Ms. Miller is also the subject of author and historian Al Governor's recently released children's book, "Stompin at the Savoy." Illustrated by Martin French, the book tells the story of her childhood in Harlem and takes readers to Paris, Rio, Hollywood as a teenage Norma travels the world dancing with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

In addition, Norma Miller has been featured performing in a string of movies, including some of the most viewed vintage movies by Lindy Hoppers and swing dancers worldwide: the Marx Brothers' A Day at the Races (1937) and Hellzapoppin' (1941); Spike Lee's Malcolm X (1992); Stompin' at the Savoy (1992), John Biffar's Captiva (1995), along with documentaries such as the National Geographic's Jitterbug (1991) and the Smithsonian Jazz series on NPR.

In the 1960s, Norma Miller began working with Redd Foxx at his comedy club and later joined him on his 1970s television series Sanford and Son, serving as a stand up comic, actor and choreographer. In Ken Burns's documentary Jazz (2001), Norma's recollections provide a first-hand account of the Harlem music and dance scene of the 1930s and '40s.

Since her time at the Savoy Ballroom, Norma has also worked on film and TV with the likes of Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few.

Norma continues to travel throughout the year, making appearances at a number of Swing Dance Festivals and Jazz Events around the world. In addition to teaching master classes, Norma also performed her comedy act and screened the recently released "Queen of Swing" documentary.

The KTUU 2008 Sarah Palin turkey interview

I believe watching this video is destined to become a Thanksgving tradition around our house

DR. FEEL GOOD Take this and call me in the morning.

An article in today's Sunday New York Times takes note of how, "bartenders, normally dispensers of pleasure, have lately been playing doctor behind the bar." 

     Serving up drinks like the Flu Shot, a drink on the menu at Drop Off Service, a bar on Avenue A in Manhattan. It’s a mixture of garlic-infused honey, jalapeño-infused tequila, orange-lemon-ginger purée and a few drops of liquid echinacea. 

     The Flu Shot — which is meant to be slugged, not sipped — sounds like a cheeky gimmick. But its creator, Signe Grant, is earnest.“You’ve got your vitamin C in there, and the garlic is an antiviral, and the ginger is also an antiviral and an immunity booster.”
     Ms. Grant is also the creator of another remedy, the Throat Coat, in which honey-and-pepper-infused vodka and B&B, a French liqueur, are combined in a snifter with a spoonful of honey. This one is meant for sipping, and is tasty enough for taking with symptoms or without — which is decidedly more than one can say about Robitussin.
Read the entire NYT article here.

Read more about drinking to your health at Drop Off Service, complete with drink recipes here.

Candye Kane's "soundcheck"

Suenalo's Light Show

Pimps of Joytime at The Green Parrot bar 1

Mini Me

Pimps of Joytime at Rhe Green Parrot Bar

Pimps of Joytime at The Green Parrot

The Pimps of Joytime at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

The Pimps of Joytime

Bill Blue

Bill Blue's slide guitar at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

Suenalo

Bill Blue Plays Fantasy Fest at The Green Parrot Bar

Bill Blue and The Nervous Guys Play Fantasy Fest at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

Suenalo at The green Parrot

Suenalo Onstage at The Green Parrot in Key West

Suenalo Plays Goombay at The Green Parrot Bar in Key West

A Big Week of Music

For Immediate Release
John Vagnoni –305-587-1527
November 9, 2009

Bernard Allison, "Son of The Blues" Plays Green Parrot

Bernard Allison, the guitar-playing, singing and songwriting son of the late, legendary blues guitarist Luther Allison will appear at The Green Parrot with shows at 10 P.M. at 5:30 and 10 P.M on Thursday, November 12th.
Bernard Allison totes the same smokin' six string shooter that his late father Luther Allison assaulted the blues with. And he is blessed with his father's soulful voice, spiritual devotion, and a musical freedom which experiments with the blues.
Bernard made his first appearance on record at age 13, when he played on a live LP his father recorded in Peoria, IL., playing "You Don't Love Me Know More" and "Sweet Home Chicago."
At 18, Bernard joined his father on-stage at the 1983 Chicago Blues Festival. Then, one week after he graduated from high school, Bernard got a call from Koko Taylor asking to be her lead guitar player.
He joined Koko Taylor's Blues Machine for three years.
The 1980's became Bernard's classroom as both learner and teacher. Relationships in the 80's with Johnny Winter and Stevie Ray Vaughan expanded Bernard's guitar foundation. Then, in 1989, Bernard flew to Europe to record with his father, was asked to lead the band, and, like his father, adopted permanent residence in Europe. A recording of the furious collaboration between Luther and Bernard at the 1989 Chicago Blues Festival can be heard on the Luther Allison album Let's Try It Again, on RUF Records.
It's obvious that Bernard has inherited Luther's knack for igniting audiences; but he's no clone of his famous father. He is definitely blazing his own path with a style that reflects a unique mix of traditional and modern influences. The Allison torch has been passed, and it's clear that Bernard takes his role as its bearer very seriously. He's assumed the challenge of keeping the blues alive and growing - a commitment he renews every time he takes the stage.
The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center for Culture of All Kinds at
the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets. For additional
information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133



For Immediate Release
John Vagnoni – 587-1527
Jim Fossum – 294-6133
November 9, 2009

IBC Award Winners J.P. Soars and The Red Hots Play Green Parrot

International Blues Challenge First Place winners J.P. Soars and The Red Hots will appear at The Green Parrot Friday, November 13th with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.
J.P. SOARS & THE RED HOTS took the Blues world by storm by winning the most coveted 2009 International Blues Challenge (IBC).
With the mission to find the best-unsigned blues band, this annual competition is held worldwide on a regional level by The Blues Foundation's 150 Affiliated Organizations around the world. A record number of 164 bands and solo/duo acts from Blues societies around the world took the stages of Memphis’ legendary Beale Street on Thursday and Friday to compete for over $20,000 in cash and prizes, before notable Blues industry judges in hopes of making the finals on Saturday, drawing an audience of many thousands to Beale Street in downtown Memphis.
When the dust cleared J.P. Soars & the Red Hots (CHRIS PEET on drums and GARY RIMMINGTON on bass) sponsored by and representing the South Florida Blues Society took first place and the title BEST UNSIGNED BLUES ACT IN THE WORLD!
J.P. Soars also individually won the Albert King Award, which establishes him as the best guitar player in the competition this year.
Catch this ultra-dynamic group this weekend at The Green Parrot Bar, your Southernmost Center for Culture, at the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets.


For Immediate Release
John Vagnoni –305-587-1527
November 9, 2009

Pimps of Joytime Brings Funk and Soul, Second Line, to Green Parrot

Brooklyn-based multi-ethnic funk and soul afro-beat-latin whatever mash-up band, the The Pimps of Joytime will
will make their Green Parrot debut with shows at 10 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday November 14th and 15th.
The Pimps of Joytime is a multi-ethnic group that hits all the marks and crosses all the barriers, bridging the gap between underground funk, soul, pop, dance, afrobeat and latin, filling every song with soulful harmonies and great vibes.The Pimps of Joytime's members come from New Orleans and Brooklyn. That explains a lot: Big Easy "Second Line" meets the streets of New York City.
Brian J is the band’s ringmaster. He started PJT’s in Brooklyn back in 2005, where they cut their teeth while playing clubs in Williamsburg and the East Village. On stage, he’s the lead singer and guitarist, and in the studio, he’s the funkiest one-man-band this side of Minneapolis.
Mixing samples and dance beats with tasty live musicianship and sweet vocal harmonies, The Pimps of Joytime have evolved into the current five-piece that gets crowds on their feet from London to New York to San Francisco. Somehow, PJT’s found a way to put a modern twist on a retro sound, creating dirty, ass-shakin’ grooves like no one else out there.
2008 was a great year for The Pimps of Joytime—they put out two albums on DJ Nickodemus’ Wonderwheel Recordings, “High Steppin” and “Funk Fixes and Remixes”. 2009 is gonna be even better—with a new record on the way and a team in place to bring this band to the masses across the USA and beyond.
The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center fo Culture of all kinds at
the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets. For additional
information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133.


For Immediate Release
John Vagnoni –305-587-1527
November 9, 2009


Bill Blue Returns To Sunday Parrot "soundcheck"

The Old Man of Blues, our own Bill Blue, will return to the Parrot stage Sunday, Novemberr 15th, beginning at 5:30 pm.
When Bill Blue came to Key West in 1983 with a pretty girl, a Cadillac
and very little money he was coming off 18 years of road dog touring
and recording. In the twenty years he made this island his home he
opened a music store and a recording studio, but most of all he left
his mark as a performer.
And now, at a Sunday afternoon "soundcheck", Bill Blue will be celebrating His thirty-plus years
of writing, recording and performing music and The Green Parrot Sunday "soundcheck"
seems the fitting place.
See what all the excitement's about Sunday afternoon at The Green Parrot
Bar, your Southernmost Center for Culture, is at the corner of
Whitehead and Southard Streets.
For additional information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133.


For Immediate Release
John Vagnoni – 587-1527
Jim Fossum 294-6133
September 28, 2008

Renaissance Woman, Plus-Size Voluptuary Candye Kane Returns to Green Parrot

The island is buzzing with the news of Candye Kane's return to The
Green Parrot for two wild nights, Tuesday and Wednesday, Novemberr 17th and
18th, beginning at 10pm and including a 5:30 PM "soundcheck" on Wednesday.
Continuing nearly two decades of relentless
touring, the seven-time San Diego Best Blues Award winner is on a 26
city tour in support of her tenth CD, "Superhero".

And what a swingin' CD it is. But Candye is at her very best live and
in all her glory. Candye has made her mark here over the years, and
nobody's forgotten. Kanes' live shows are the stuff of legend. She honors the bold blues women of the past with both feet firmly planted in the present. Nominated for a 2008 National Blues Foundation Award for Best Blues Contemporary Female (the highest honor for blues artists) and beating down pancreatic cancer the same year, Kane is one tough cookie.
She belts - growls - shouts - croons and moans from a lifetime of suffering and overcoming obstacles. She uses music as therapy and often writes and chooses material with positive affirmations that leave the audience feeling healed and exhilarated. Candye's shows at the Parrot willbe a NON-SMOKING events due to her recent battle with cancer.
A show that is part humor, revival meeting and sexuality celebration, she'll deliver a barrelhouse-tongue-in-cheek blues tune or a gospel ballad like Jesus and Mohammed, encouraging audiences to leave behind religious intolerance. She'll slay the crowd with her balls out rendition of Whole Lotta Love or glorify the virtues of zaftig women with 200 pounds of fun. She often says she is a "fat black drag queen trapped in a white woman's body" and she dresses the part. Bedecked in bright colored feathers, sequins and rhinestones, Kane's performance is Mississippi by way of Las Vegas with a quick stopover in San Francisco.

Her credits include TV appearances on Roseanne, Penn & Teller's Sin
City, and on HBO, and is featured on the House Of Blues label release,
"30 Essential Women Of The Blues," alongside such luminaries as Bessie
Smith, Alberta Hunter and Etta James.
Candye Kane is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and musician, but
her many facets don't end there; she is a devoted mother, a political
activist, a sexual libertine, student, actress, lecturer....the list
goes on. A true Renaissance woman and a plus-size voluptuary, her
eclectic career has spanned more than a decade, and she has made her
mark in quite a few areas. But her true talent, her undeniable gift,
is her voice.
Candye's voice is awesome; or rather awe-inspiring. Like an amazing
sunset, or a volcanic eruption, The Grand Canyon or the huge primeval
Redwood forests, her voice is a natural wonder, something that cannot
be learned or faked. There are hints of Etta James, Big Mama
Thornton, Wanda Jackson and Patsy Cline, to be sure, both the sheer
power and volume are Candye's alone, and her innate sense of phrasing
and intonation make her voice unique. From raunchy blues to
wrist-slashing country ballads, from slinky be-bop influenced numbers
to western swing, she has a natural command that can transcend any
style.
The Green Parrot is thrilled to welcome Candye back. It's an event
worth planning your week around. For additional information call The
Green Parrot at 294-6133.

Pimps of Joytime Brings Funk and Soul, Second Line, to Green Parrot

Brooklyn-based multi-ethnic funk and soul afro-beat-latin whatever mash-up band, the The Pimps of Joytime will
will make their Green Parrot debut with shows at 10 P.M. on Saturday and Sunday November 14th and 15th.
Hear The Pimps of Joytime NPR interview here

See The Pimps of Joytime live on Youtube here and especially here

The Pimps of Joytime is a multi-ethnic group that hits all the marks and crosses all the barriers, bridging the gap between underground funk, soul, pop, dance, afrobeat and latin, filling every song with soulful harmonies and great vibes.The Pimps of Joytime's members come from New Orleans and Brooklyn. That explains a lot: Big Easy "Second Line" meets the streets of New York City.


Brian J is the band’s ringmaster. He started PJT’s in Brooklyn back in 2005, where they cut their teeth while playing clubs in Williamsburg and the East Village. On stage, he’s the lead singer and guitarist, and in the studio, he’s the funkiest one-man-band this side of Minneapolis.
Mixing samples and dance beats with tasty live musicianship and sweet vocal harmonies, The Pimps of Joytime have evolved into the current five-piece that gets crowds on their feet from London to New York to San Francisco. Somehow, PJT’s found a way to put a modern twist on a retro sound, creating dirty, ass-shakin’ grooves like no one else out there.
2008 was a great year for The Pimps of Joytime—they put out two albums on DJ Nickodemus’ Wonderwheel Recordings, “High Steppin” and “Funk Fixes and Remixes”. 2009 is gonna be even better—with a new record on the way and a team in place to bring this band to the masses across the USA and beyond.
The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center fo Culture of all kinds at
the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets. For additional
information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133.

Candye Kane in The New Yorker

Here's a note we got from Candye Kane this morning: "Its my birthday month and what better birthday gift than to grace the pages of the world famous New Yorker magazine?
Although they still label me “adult entertainer turned blues diva,” it is an amazing accomplishment to be enough of a personality to get a caricature in the New Yorker!! And actually, this isn’t even the first time! They drew me once before, many years ago but this is the first time I actually was able to obtain a copy. I am very proud."

Check out The New Yorker blurb here.

She'll be at the Parrot on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 17th and 18th at 10 P.M. witha a 5:30 "soundcheck" on Wednesday.
We'd like to note that Candye Kane’s upcoming shows at The Parrot will be a NON-SMOKING events due to her recent battle with cancer

Fantasy Fest

What Kinda Pizza Is This?