Tybee Vacation Rentals Concierge and Tybee Information Site

The Department of Cultural Affairs is offering a variety of art classes for children and adults this year. Most camps will be held at the S.P.A.C.E. studio at 9 W. Henry St. in Savannah. These camps provide an opportunity for children to sample a range of artistic mediums, including painting, ceramics, metalwork, mixed media and performing arts in age-appropriate group settings. Campers can develop their creative talents while having a great time.

Fees include instruction, studio use and all materials. Space is limited and advance registration is required. A non-spoiling bag lunch must be brought to camp daily. For more info please contact (912) 651.6783. Registration packets are available online at:  www.savannahga.gov/arts .

Spring Art Camp – Now Registering – March 29 – April Continue Reading »

Come and see the art of one of Tybee’s own – Rachel Flanigan Schroeder, grand daughter of Crab Shack owner Jack Flanigan and a Savannah College of Art & Design graduate.  Friday, March 5th is the grand opening from 5-8 at the Atlantic Beacon Gallery, but the display will be at the Gallery for a few weeks. Come and check it out. The Gallery is located at 1604 Butler Ave.

“Third Thursdays on Tybee” Begins Feb. 18

 The Third Thursdays on Tybee Grassroots Art Program begins this month near the Tybrisa/Strand roundabout next to the Walter J. Parker Pier & Pavilion. A panel of invited professionals selected three out of the eight submissions received for these free family-friendly outdoor music concert series.                                                       

Beginning at 4:30 PM on February 18, the renowned Viguba Trio will perform.  Viguba is a word mix of violin, guitar and bass, and the members of the Trio are former members of the Savannah Symphony.  They will bring to the area an enjoyable mix of jazz, tango, classical and pop music.  The music will serenade shoppers, diners and spectators until 5:30pm near the Tybrisa/Strand Roundabout. 

On March 18 from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, nationally known Contemporary Folk artist Lauren Lapointe will amaze those joining the musical celebration in the lot at Tybee Oaks.  Lauren tours nationally, and her new CD, “Butterfly”, is being played on 80 radio stations in eight different countries.

The final performance for this series will be April 15 from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM back at the Roundabout with a focus on young musicians.  The feature will be Tybee’s very own Lacey Caldwell, an award winning sixteen year old junior at Savannah Arts Academy.  Enjoy Tax Day this year with this free musical performance while strolling around Tybrisa and The Strand.

Residents, merchants and guests are all encouraged to take advantage of these one-set, one hour concerts while enjoying the shops, restaurants and outdoors during the late afternoons. 

These concerts are made possible by funding provided through the City of Tybee Island’s Better Hometown Initiative, the 2009/2010 Grassroots Arts Program grant, area organizations, private donations and many local businesses.   A portion of the Better Hometown Initiative’s mission is to “support and encourage the arts as a cultural endeavor and economic engine on the Island.”  With assistance from a variety of sources, Third Thursdays on Tybee will continue the awareness that Tybee Island is an inviting and thriving arts community.  For more information, visit http://www.cityoftybee.org/BetterHometownProgram.aspx.

The Junkanoos, a colorful music group will be participating in the Tybee Island St. Patty’s Day parade on March 13th, and will appear again at the Crab Shack throughout the weekend.

What is Junkanoo? 

Junkanoo first began as a temporary celebration of freedom for slaves who were given three days off at Christmas time. Donning scary-looking masks, slaves played homemade musical instruments (drums and bells) and cavorted about freely on the island.

The origin of the word “Junkanoo” is unknown. The most popular belief is that it’s derived from “John Canoe,” an African tribal chief who demanded he be allowed the right to celebrate with his people even after he was brought to the West Indies as a slave. Others believe the name is from the French “gens inconnus,” which means “the unknown people” and refers to people wearing disguises and thus being unknown.

Junkanoo’s roots can be traced to West Africa. In fact, other areas in the region that practised slavery — like Bermuda and Jamaica — had their own versions of John Canoe parades.

Junkanoo probably began in the 16th or 17th century. Around Christmas, Bahamian slaves were given a few days off. This allowed them to leave the plantations to be with their families and to celebrate the holiday with music, dance and costumes. In the early years, Junkanoo participants wore grotesque masks Continue Reading »

The Savannah Music Festival will take place March 18th through April 3rd in 2010. It will be a stellar year in that 14 artists who were nominated for grammies this year will appear at the Festival. Those artists are:

Thye Clayton Brothers
Wilco
Ruthie Foster
Susan Tedeschi
The Derek Trucks Band
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano
Yefim Bronfman
Emerson String Quartet
Daniel Hope
The Assad Brothers
John Clayton
Gerald Clayton
Chris Thile

For the list of times and dates for these performers AND others, go to: www.savannahmusicfestival.org.