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2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam Announced

July 7, 2021 | Leave a Comment

Presented by Drifter Merch and Ear for Music, 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam will be on Saturday, September 11th from 7-11pm. The first event to be held at the new Refinery Amphitheater in Downtown Charleston, Drifter Fest will feature live music from jam band Indecision with local favorite Junco Partner opening. A free pre-jam to kick off the weekend festivities will be on Friday, September 10th from 8-11pm at Home Team BBQ downtown with entertainment provided by Atlanta’s Last Waltz Ensemble.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Carolina Studios, which is Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish’s non-profit that fosters creative, educational, and career-focused initiatives for students through music, technology and media arts. In partnership with local businesses, sponsors include Slane Irish Whiskey, Truly Hard Seltzer, Southern Flavor Magazine, MassMutual South Carolina, Rodgers Wranglers, Eskimo Advertising, and Carolina Audio Video. Providing a true festival experience, the event will have craft vendors such as Drifter Merch, Zinnialou Jewelry, Cotton Patch Hemp, SunHeist Eyewear GrillKilt and ICEMULE Coolers. Additionally, local favorites Callie’s Biscuits and The Immortal Lobster food trucks will be on site.

While Friday night’s music is free, Saturday’s event will be ticketed with general admission available for $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. A limited number of $50 VIP tickets will include GA access plus a second level viewing area above the event, two drink tickets, private bar, seating, bathrooms & premium parking as well as a commemorative laminate. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 9th at 10am at City Paper Tickets.

Drifter Fest celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs. A huge fan of live music, Bert also turned his passion into a well received apparel and accessories company, Drifter Merch, that was inspired by his favorite bands. Additionally, Bert was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend. Bert had an innate ability to make everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the room. He never met a stranger. In fact, he was everyone’s best friend. He had the sweetest soul and a tender heart that loved hard and deeply. Bert had a unique sense of humor with an infectious laugh and smile that could light up the darkest room.

For interviews, photos, media passes, sponsorship or additional information, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information about the 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam, visit www.drifterfest.com.

Filed Under: Sales and Events Tagged With: bert griggs jam, Bert Griggs Memorial, bertgriggs, Carolina Studios, Cotton Patch Hemp, Drifter Fest, drifter fest: Bert Griggs Memorial jam, drifter merch, ear for music, home team BBQ, ice mule, indecision charleston, Junco Partner, kris kloer, last waltz atlanta, last waltz ensemble, Mark Bryan, mass mutual south carolina, refinery amphitheater, Rodgers Wranglers, Slane Irish Whiskey, Southern Flavor Magazine, SunHeist Eyewear, Zinnialou Jewelry

Last Waltz Ensemble in Atlanta and Athens

March 31, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Sales and Events Tagged With: Aaron Trubic, Andrew Black, athens music, atlanta bands, atlanta live music, atlanta music, benji shanks, blood on the tracks, bob dylan, Daniel Hutchens, Eric Carter, Georgia Theatre, Greg Hester, Kris Gloer, last waltz ensemble, Last Waltz Ensemble Athens, Last Waltz Ensemble Atlanta, levin helm, Nick Johnson, Randall Bramblett, smith's olde bar, Steve Hunter

Blue Waltz for The Sean Costello Memorial Fund

August 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment

The Last Waltz Ensemble and Smith’s Olde Bar present Blue Waltz: A Benefit for the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Disorder on August 19th & 20th. When Atlanta blues prodigy Sean Costello slipped away from his earthly life April 15, 2008, a day before his 29th birthday, confusion and sadness gripped his fellow musicians. Outwardly, Sean appeared quite normal. Only after his passing did his family reveal Sean’s battle with Bipolar Disorder and his struggle to stay alive.

“Sean acted professionally and was as normal as a musician could be. I think this factor makes people want to look closer at the circumstances,” says Debbie Ann Smith, Sean’s mom and President of The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Disorder. “Although Sean obviously was fighting some serious demons, some of his professional friends didn’t even know that he drank. A person like Sean can maintain a professional exterior while fighting to keep themselves alive, literally. Performers often wear a public face that belies their private angst.”

In the years since Sean’s passing, Atlanta musicians have rallied around his family and dedicated themselves and their music performances to raising funds for continued research into Bipolar Disorder and its impact on artists.

Last Waltz Ensemble

“We were very much waiting on the right time to do something unique in honor of Sean for the Foundation,” remarks Kris Gloer, leader of The Last Waltz Ensemble, a group dedicated to progressively playing the music of Bob Dylan and The Band. “When I mentioned the idea of an event for The Foundation, Dan Nolen, owner of Smith’s Olde Bar was adamant that we do two nights and feature lots of special guests to honor our friend.”

“Sean played the Last Waltz as one of the last gigs he did. He came home so full of joy. I know he would cringe at the use of the corny word, but I can’t describe it any other way.” says Debbie. “He loved Levon Helm like family and was thrilled to honor him with his brother musicians, The Last Waltz Ensemble.”

WHAT: Blue Waltz for The Sean Costello Memorial Fund featuring The Last Waltz Ensemble with special guests

WHEN:
Friday, August 19th: Opening set by Moontower, The Last Waltz Ensemble with special guests including Jon Liebman, Ike Stubblefield, Rev. Jeff Mosier, David Blackmon, Mudcat, Joe McGuinness, Rod Hamdallah, Nelson Nolen, Aaron Trubic (Sean Costello Band), Greg Baba (King Johnson), and Greg Hester

Saturday August 20th: Opening set by: Turtle Folk, The Last Waltz Ensemble with special guests including Jon Liebman, Ike Stubblefield, Richie Jones (Donna Hopkins Band), Preston Holcomb (The Grapes), Daniel Hutchens (Bloodkin), Charlie Wooton (Zydefunk), Will & Lee Haraway (The Sundogs), Lee Schwartz (Outformation), Justin Brogdon, Randy Chapman, Skye Paige, Jessica Sheridan and more….

WHERE:
Smith’s Olde Bar
1578 Piedmont Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30324-5232
(404) 875-1522

TICKETS: $20 in advance at Ticket Alternative or $25 at the door