New marching society celebrating with open-door ball

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Jun 17, 2014 | Music Briefs | 0 |

Joe Cain Day 2014 was a parade of controversy. In order to participate in the annual Joe Cain procession (also known as the “People’s Parade”), the traditional footmarching groups (including The Wild Mauvillians and The Mistresses of Joe Cain) were told at the last minute to adhere to new policies and pay new fees. In the eyes of the footmarchers, the new policies and fees clashed with the ideologies fueling the procession, which led to some protesting instead of participating. It also led to the birth of the Joe Cain Marching Society, whose members are celebrating with a grand ball.

This ball will be a “bal masque in the tradition of L’Ancien Regime.” Organizers encourage guests to don a mask (simple black or grand Venetian), but masking is optional and guests with “street clothes” will also be allowed to enter.

Kansas Bible Company will be splitting the bill with Alanna Royale for the evening’s musical entertainment. Kansas Bible Company, fresh of their debut at Bonnaroo 2014, will bring an arsenal of instruments (including a full horn section) to support their versatile rock sound. Alanna Royale is a Nashville-based siren who will add a soulful edge to the soiree. Royale has skillfully captured old school R&B sensibilities to become one of the neo-soul movement’s brightest stars.

Inaugural Joe Cain Footmarchers’ Ball
Date: Thu., Jun. 26 at 7 p.m.
Venue: Moe’s Original BBQ, 701 Spring Hill Ave., www.moesoriginalbbq.com
Tickets: $20 in adv. (avail. through Eventbrite)/$25 at the door

About The Author

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.