• About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Legal Notices
  • Newsletter Signup
Lagniappe Mobile
  • News
    • Cover Story
    • Latest
    • Bay Briefs
    • Sports
    • Community News
    • Open Documents
    • e-Edition
  • Baldwin Edition
  • Commentary
    • Damn the Torpedoes
    • Hidden Agenda
    • Beltway Beat
    • The Real Deal
    • Sports commentary
    • Weather Things
    • The Gadfly
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Cuisine
    • The Dish
    • Word of Mouth
    • Beer and Loathing
    • Cuisine Directory
  • Arts
    • Artifice
    • Art Gallery
    • The Reel World
    • Calendar
  • Music
    • Music Feature
    • Music Briefs
    • Music Listings
    • Submissions
  • Style
    • Media Frenzy
    • Mobile Magnified
    • Horoscopes
    • Master Gardeners
    • Style Feature
  • Lagniappe HD

Select Page

Flora-Bama’s golden anniversary

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Jul 30, 2014 | The Rundown | 0 |

2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved Flora-Bama. This roadhouse has held and will continue to hold many events to accent the celebration. However, its “Official Anniversary Celebration” will begin on Friday, Aug. 1 and will truly be a nostalgic celebration of the Flora-Bama with the beachside watering hole flashing back to 1964.

The legendary roadhouse celebrates 50 years Aug. 1.

Photo/Florabama/Facebook

The legendary roadhouse celebrates 50 years Aug. 1.

The Flora-Bama will not only feature old school prices on burgers, fries and cold libations, but they will also keep the musical entertainment old school with some memorable performers from across The Flora-Bama’s colorful history.

Original “Flora-Bama Players” such as Jay Hawkins, Ken Lambert, Donna Slater, Cathy Pace, Lee Anne Creswell, Ronda Hart, Larry T. Wilson and Johnny Barbato will performs ‘60s hits from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Supremes, Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison and many others. Elvis impersonator Jack Robertson is also scheduled for this blast to the past. Additionally, Shawna P., Gove Scrivenor, Troy Brannen, Downtown Larry Brown and Wild Bill Emerson will be entertaining the crowd with their music goodness.

At 4 p.m., a historical marker will be unveiled with the present owners and members of the Tampary Family (founders of The Flora-Bama) on hand for the event. The day will end properly with a fireworks display at dusk.

Anyone with a vintage car from 1964 or earlier should make plans to attend. The first 25 vehicles from 1964 or before will receive a brick autographed by the original owners. The Flora-Bama will also be giving the first 100 membership card holders through the door a special Flora-Bama etching.

Annual Songwriters Fest scheduled for November

While on the subject of South Baldwin County and the Flora-Bama, the date has been set for the 30th annual 2014 Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival. The annual conglomeration of musical talent brings more than 200 songwriters to the Gulf Coast each year, a cavalcade of songwriters showcasing their artistic wares at a number of venues from Gulf Shores to Pensacola.

Whether the performer is a Grammy winner or just a dreamer, this is a chance for music enthusiasts to experience the songwriters’ work in a “listening room” environment. The festival does not sell tickets and most shows are free. However, there are some venues that might charge a cover.

The festival, which will be held Nov. 6-16, gets its name from Flora-Bama night watchman Frank Brown. For 28 years, Brown watched over the beachside roadhouse, which has grown to be an epicenter for songwriters from the Gulf Coast and beyond.

This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.

It looks like you are opening this page from the Facebook App. This article needs to be opened in the browser.

iOS: Tap the three dots in the top right, then tap on "Open in Safari".

Android: Tap the Settings icon (it looks like three horizontal lines), then tap App Settings, then toggle the "Open links externally" setting to On (it should turn from gray to blue).

Share:

Rate:

PreviousDiverse lineup at Mobile’s annual Jazz Festival
NextNew Sirten show to be ‘Austin City Limits’ for Mobile

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

Stephen Centanni

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.

    Related Posts

    Callaghan’s keeps it all in the family

    Callaghan’s keeps it all in the family

    July 1, 2015

    Funky mummies coming to Soul Kitchen

    Funky mummies coming to Soul Kitchen

    February 18, 2015

    No need to beware the Ides of March at The Wharf

    No need to beware the Ides of March at The Wharf

    November 27, 2013

    Brewton’s Wash Hole Jam worth a road trip

    Brewton’s Wash Hole Jam worth a road trip

    September 17, 2014

    Recommended Stories

    Hello … hello? Is this election on?

    By Rob Holbert

    Honoring the good, the bad and the ugly

    By Ashley Trice

    Let the holiday madness begin

    By Rob Holbert

    Something in the turkey

    By Ashley Trice

    This Thanksgiving, arm yourself with knowledge

    By Ashley Trice

    • Advertising
    • Newsletter Signup
    • About Us
    • Jobs
    • Contact Us

    Search This Site

    Browse the Archives

    © Lagniappe Mobile 2019 | Designed by Optera Creative