Open Mics, Summer Tracks, Harry Potter, & Silver Travis

They say the best things in life are free, but donations are always appreciated. Still, if you are struggling with a tight budget this weekend there are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the arts without doling out the dough. Tonight is Talent Night at the Historic Melrose Inn. This is a relaxed evening of porch entertainment with a “cheap eats” buffet and drink specials. Everyone is invited to come and bring a talent to share. Past evenings on the porch have included 50’s a cappella tunes, Irish ballads sung with guitar, clarinet and bass funk jams, storytelling, bad jokes, looking beautiful, and drinking beer. It’s an early evening starting at 6:30pm so if you’re tired of reality TV during dinner, stop by on your way home from work for a bit of live fun.

However, if you prefer to wait until Friday night to step out downtown, there is even more fun to be had on a budget with the whole family. Save your gas and park downtown, then walk up the hill to Rogers Park and enjoy the second evening of Summer Tracks with The Jay Lichty Band’s Americana and some rocking rhythm and blues from the Shane Pruitt Trio. This concert is sure to be worth whatever donation you can afford to sit in the cooling evening air dining on hot dogs or a picnic dinner. You may even feel refreshed enough that your feet start dancing as the music carries you away.

After the concert, bring the kids down the hill to the Trade Street Gallery Coffeehouse for a little energy lift after dinner. Poets and musicians of all ages are welcome to come and share at the open mic night Listening to Coffee. This supportive atmosphere welcomes everything from a youngster’s tentative Chopsticks on the piano, to improvisational bluegrass/jazz/classic rock jam sessions. Besides, once you’ve had some coffee you’ll be ready to walk up to the Tryon Fine Arts Center at 10:30pm for the Harry Potter Book Release Party. Adults can enter to watch the fun for free with young muggles and wizards who for only $5 dive into a lively hands-on night of adventure. Experience Rowling inspired crafts and refreshments in Diagon Alley, a Tri-Wizard tournament, and a costume contest. If you buy your copy of the book in advance from The Book Shelf, one of your favorite young fans will get a free ticket. When the evening finally wraps up, even the brightest and liveliest young wizards will be ready for bedtime and let you sleep in peace knowing you didn’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a night on the town.

If you are looking for something different, step into Elmo’s on Saturday night for the Silver Travis Band. Dance the night away with your sweetie to the beautiful sounds of this original Southern Rock band from Spartanburg. While the band formed back in 1981, they waited until 2005 to release their first album. Perhaps these talented musicians were distracted from solidifying their own sound until after having played on stage over the years in or with such notable groups as The Marshall Tucker Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Now they have regrouped and are using one of my favorite words, “eclectic,” to describe their catalog of tunes that mix their original songs with choice cover hits to show off their individual musical strengths. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the quality of music you’ll hear for a small town cover price and the money you’ll save on gas could buy you a tasty dinner as well.