Converted oil change spot KG's Graffiti Garage a fun burger & burrito joint

BY CHRIS MOWDER • CHRIS@LISTENUPMB.COM

The outdoor patio at KG's features a fire pit and picnic tables and will play host to live music and other events throughout the spring. (staff photos)Admiring the plain gray sheet metal and large white garage doors of KG’s Graffiti Garage there’s not much about this former quick lube shop that screams “fun burger joint.”

But take a step inside and you’ll likely start to see the “cool, different vibe” owner Gary Goss envisioned when he decided to open this brand-new restaurant.

“People hear that it’s an oil change place and they ask why I would want to turn it into a restaurant, but when they actually come in here it’s like ‘Okay, now I get it...’,” said Goss. “The best compliment I get is people coming in, looking around and saying ‘This really isn’t what I expected.’”

With its brightly-painted walls and customer-drawn graffiti — patrons are encouraged to add their own drawings with marker — the atmosphere at KG’s lives up to its unique name and adds another option to the expanding slate of eateries near Coastal Carolina University.

The combination restaurant and bar specializes in thick burgers, big burritos and fresh-cut fries, while offering its patrons cheap drinks and daily happy hour specials. 

“I wanted to have a burger joint with a bar, throw in some live music, some TVs and make it a cool hangout,” said Goss.

Goss, an Ohio native who moved to the beach to work for Hard Rock Cafe in 1997, is a veteran of the local restaurant scene. He owned chain restaurant Beef O’Bradys in Carolina Forest for seven years before opening KG’s around the first of March.

“I didn’t want it to be like the chains. What’s becoming popular is all these diners and dives and I thought ‘I want a burger dive’,” he said. “I’d had this concept with the garage doors and when we found this place, it was just perfect.”

While Goss and crew are still working to figure out what will work best for the new spot, he believes there’s plenty of potential for entertainment and events. 

He hopes to utilize the restaurant’s outdoor patio — complete with picnic-style tables and a large fire pit — for things such as live music, pig roasts and tailgating for the CCU football games come fall.

“We’ll do some crazy stuff out there when the weather gets nice. We can even lift up these [garage] doors and just let the air come in. It gives this place a really cool vibe,” he said. “We just want to work with the community to do some fun things.”

One thing that’s already helping to draw in patrons is the restaurant’s proximity to campus and the fact that it’s within walking distance to student housing complexes. 

“The college is only going to keep growing, so that’s a great thing. I figure for them if you can walk to a place and you don’t have to worry about getting in your car, that’s perfect,” said Goss. 

Though being a hangout and catering to the college crowd is an important part of making KG’s a success, Goss says his focus remains on serving up good food and fun atmosphere rather than becoming a full-on night spot.

“I don’t want to be that late night bar,” he says. “We’re hoping to pack folks in come happy hour, let them eat and hang out and then let people get out and go home or move on to the next place.”

Much like the restaurant itself, the menu at KG’s is simple, yet intriguing. 

At first glance it doesn’t look like much: A half dozen appetizers, some burgers, a few salads and desserts and a burrito. 

But take another look and you’ll find some interesting options ranging from hamburgers topped with eggs and hash browns to dessert nachos and “gourmet” mac & cheese. 

“Everyone says they have the best burger in town … but I’ll just say our burgers are great,” said Goss. “We’re doing everything fresh.”

KG’s signature item is the Stuffed Cheeseburger, a unique creation featuring an Angus Beef patty stuffed with cheese and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, mayo and pickle for $8.95.

“Careful not to burn your mouth on the first bite as cheese oozes out,” the menu reads. 

Other top sellers include the Hot Mess Burger with plenty of Chili, Monterrey Jack Cheese, Hot Sauce, Jalapenos, Lettuce, Tomato and Onion, and the Breakfast Burger which is topped with a Fried Egg, thick cherry-smoked bacon, American Cheese and Hash brows, lettuce and tomato. Both burgers are $7.95 each.

Choices like the Western Burger, Chili Mac Burger, Pizza Burger and Portobello Stuffed Mushroom Burger round out the best bets for beef-lovers. 

Then there are the burritos, which Goss says are probably large enough to feed two people. 

Similar in style to what’s served at restaurants like Moe’s or Chipotle, the burritos are filled to the brim with black beans, cilantro rice, monterey jack cheese, fresh onion and corn salsa, lettuce, sour cream and your choice of ground beef or chicken for $7.25. They’re served with chips and salsa and there’s also a veggie option for $4.95.

One item not on the regular menu that Goss hopes will become a success are the chicken wings. Offered during happy hour KG’s offers its hot wings for 25 cents apiece each “Wing Wednesday.” 

“They’re great wings. But you better get here early, because even our first few weeks it’s been packed,” said Goss. 

The bar will host happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. seven days a week. and will offer a rotating slate of deals including $3 well drinks and discounts on sliders and other food items. One standing deal is the $1.75 Natural Light drafts offered all day, every day.

KG’s Graffiti Garage is located at 676 S.C. 544, Conway. It is open at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday. Happy Hour 4 to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more details on live entertainment or daily deals follow KG’s on Twitter (@kgsgarage544) or call 347-997. 

Jersey Nights full of classic, high-energy hits

By Tom O'Dare • tom.odare@myhorrynews.com

The room is small but the energy of the show could fill an arena.

In the intimate setting of the King’s Room at the Palace Theatre at Broadway at the Beach, the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons comes to life in Jersey Nights.

And if you’re a Four Seasons fan, you won’t be disappointed.

Since its opening a few weeks ago, every show has been jam packed with music lovers who long for the harmony of the group that had a string of top hits, most hitting the airwaves in the early 60s.

The first segment of the show features most of the hits the group’s fans have loved for over five decades. Such hits as "Dawn," "Rag Doll" and "Sherry" had the audience singing along with every word.

The four-member cast does an excellent job in capturing the sound of the group, especially the signature falsetto voice of Valli.

Along the way, each member offers a narrative of the evolution of the group including the sudden halt to its success when the British invasion hit America.

The second half of the almost two hour show includes some lesser known recordings of the group as well as some of Valli’s solo hits.

Jersey Nights has had previous successful runs in Reno, Branson and Niagara Falls.  Three members of the Myrtle Beach edition have performed in one or more of the earlier shows. 

The cast of “Jersey Nights” poses for photos with fans in the lobby of The Palace Theatre after a recent show. (staff photo)Chris Chatman, who handles a majority of the Valli leads, is the only member of the Myrtle Beach group without prior show experience.

The California native was living in New York when he got word of the upcoming Myrtle Beach production.
Like the rest of the cast, Chatman is too young to remember the heyday of the Four Seasons.

“I watched a lot of video of them and really came to like their music and their tremendous talent,” he said.

Joe Donohoe of Colorado performed in the same show in Reno and Niagara Falls, N.Y.

“I knew some of their hits but had no idea they had so many top songs,” he said.

As to the current production and site, Donohoe said he really loves the Myrtle Beach area and is glad to be part of this version of the show.

Part of the original cast in Reno, Nevada, and Branson, Mo., Jamie Sampson got his start acting and singing in the West End theaters of London.

Like many singers from his country, he has a British accent when speaking off-stage but no sign of it when he takes the stage and becomes one of the Four Seasons from New Jersey.

Sampson said he likes the intimate setting of the smaller theater but it has meant more work for the group.

“In the larger shows, we had dancers performing with us,” he said.  “Now, we have to do the choreography ourselves.  It’s actually a lot more fun this way.”

The fourth member of show, A.J. Mendoza of California met Donohoe and Sampson performing in the Reno production.

Like the others, Mendoza said he knew some of the bigger hits of the Four Seasons but had to do a lot of research for many of the numbers.  He, too, is very happy to be in Myrtle Beach for this version of the show.

The Palace Theatre is located at 1420 Celebrity Circle, Broadway at the Beach. Jersey Nights runs Tuesday through Saturday at 5:30 p.m. each night.  There are also matinees at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and 2 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Tickets are $29.95 each and can be purchased at 1-888-841-2787 or palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com

Fuego Mexican Grill & Cantina not exactly 'on fire'

Atmosphere a bright spot, but food not great

By Heather Gale • heather.gale@myhorrynews.com

Fuego Mexican Cantina & Grill is located in the former Capt. Poo's location in Murrells Inlet. (staff photos)

It’s known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, but there’s more than just top-notch seafood spots to try in Murrells Inlet.

Just down the way from the Marshwalk, located between Nance’s and Hot Fish Club, is one of the newest options, Fuego Mexican Grill and Cantina. 

Opened in October, Fuego is full of flare for those who’ve had their fill of shrimp and grits and fresh fish and are looking to try something different.

On a recent Sunday night, my husband and I traveled south to give this Mexican place a try.

We had heard good things about the food and atmosphere and had high hopes.

The Southerner Taco and El Gringo taco with beans and rice at Fuego. (staff photos)Upon entering the restaurant, it took a minute for our eyes to adjust to the contrast of dim lighting and brightly colored decor inside.

Even on a Sunday night, there were quite a few other tables occupied, which was a bit of a surprise. 

Our server said business has been  slow throughout the offseason, but that they are ready for the tourist season. 

The bar also had a good number of people enjoying some drinks and flat screen TVs.

We were seated at a booth near the bar and were greeted almost immediately by our server.

She told us of the few drink specials they had for the evening and said some chips and salsa would be on the way to our table.

We decided to start with the South West Spring Rolls ($8) that come filled with chicken, black beans, cilantro, corn, tomato served with an avocado ranch.

The menu described the spring rolls as hand rolled, which implies at least to me that they are freshly made, but these were clearly something that came frozen and then deep-fried.

The portion was small for the price, but they were still tasty.

My husband decided on tacos for dinner and got The Southerner Taco ($3.79), with pulled pork, Mexican slaw, cheese and a chipotle BBQ sauce, and El Gringo ($3.59), with beef, lettuce, cheese, peppers, onions, salsa and sour cream. To make it a meal, you can spend an extra $3 for rice and beans.

Other than the BBQ sauce being a bit too sweet and the beef a little dry, my husband thought the tacos were decent for the price.

The chicken fajitas at Fuego Mexican Grill & Cantina in Murrells Inlet.I decided on the chicken fajitas ($14) that came with rice, beans and flour tortillas.

The fajitas came sizzling to our table and had plenty of onions and green peppers to go with them.
The portion size was not large, considering the price, but the dinner filled me up nonetheless.

Some of Fuego’s other signature dishes include the Salmon Santa Cruz topped with a Cajun cream sauce, the South West Tequila Pasta with grilled chicken, peppers, onions, in a zesty tequila cream sauce and the Enchiladas de Grande. 

The enchiladas include one chicken, one beef and one cheese enchilada topped with red chili ancho, green chili verde sauce and melted cheese. They also have burritos and quesadillas.

For those with a family member who just didn’t get on the Mexican food train, Fuego also offers “Not-So-Mexican or Mexican’t” dinners including chicken fried steak and a hamburger.

Overall, the food was not quite the sizzling success some may expect, but the atmosphere was nice and if you are looking for something other than seafood while down in Murrells Inlet, Fuego could be the place for you.

Fuego Mexican Grill & Cantina is located at 4891 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information or a full menu call 651-1009 or visit fuegocantina.net

'August: Osage County' filled with witty, dysfunctional family drama

Pulitzer-winning play shines at Theatre of the Repulic

By Chris Mowder • Listenupmb@gmail.com

"'Life is very long.'… T.S. Elliot."

This simple line drawled out by drunken poet Beverly Weston (Al Nicholas), began Saturday’s performance of “August: Osage County” by Conway’s Theatre of the Republic.

What followed over the next three and a half hours was a pitch perfect portrayal of modern day familial dysfunction that showed just how long life can seem when it’s lived as part of the Weston clan.

The play, a 2008 pulitzer-prize winning work by playwright Tracy Letts, centers on a family that despite years of denial and deference is forced together when Beverly suddenly vanishes.

It doesn’t take long before this pressure cooker of deep-seeded resentment and strained relationships boils over, unveiling the sadness, rage and guilt underneath.

As these emotions explode on stage, each character is forced to face harsh truths about everything from addiction to infidelity to long-buried secrets about paternity.

With director Tim McGhee following Letts’ work to the letter — a task which required pulling off an impressive array of vulgarities — the heart wrenching emotion of this script showed through from the get go.

Both deeply disturbing and raucously funny, the edgy drama of “August” served as a great compliment to the more well-known favorites and musicals the troupe’s known for.

“This is theatre in its rawest form,” reads McGhee’s note in the playbill. “The language is rough, but real. The characters are tragic, but real. The conflicts are disturbing, but real. The family relationships are destructive, but real.”

Judging by chatter overheard at intermission, this head-on approach to the “R”-rated subject matter was a bit jarring to some of the theater’s more conservative regular visitors. However, as a first-time visitor to the Main Street Theatre, I was both enamored with the unapologetic source material and impressed by the quality of the production as a whole.

Though the play didn’t call for much in the way of lighting effects or set changes, the quaint Oklahoman homestead constructed on stage felt homey and its deep, multi-tiered design gave the actors half a dozen different “rooms” in which to carry on the action of the play.

From left, Holly Fowler (Mattie Faye), Bill Howard (Charlie), Alissa Watts (Ivy) and Lunda Cornelius (Violet) rehearse a scene from "August: Osage County" at the Main Street Theatre (photos courtesy of Theatre of the Republic)

As far as the acting goes, the Theater of the Republic’s ensemble cast did well to bring each member of this plains-dwelling extended family to life.

While the rapid-fire nature of the dialogue caused a couple slip-ups along the way, the few flubs mostly just added to the authenticity of the emotionally-driven and/or drug-impaired nature of the characters in the scene.

But it was the comedic timing and delivery of these lines which served as highlights, making sure the audience never got too dragged down in the sadness of the plot without some hilarious quip or biting sarcasm to bring them back to center.

Though he exited the stage for good shortly after his opening monologue, Nicholas’ performance as the emotionally-scarred patriarch whose disappearance drives the play’s drama was memorable and set the tone for a night full of flawed folks. 

As Weston’s pill-popping, cancer-ridden wife, Violet, Lunda Cornelius was eloquently loopy and surprisingly sharp as the antagonist who coped with her husband’s death by taking her anger out on others and breaking open years of repressed emotions for each of her three daughters. 

Alissa Watts (Ivy) and Lunda Cornelius (Violet) rehearse a scene from "August: Osage County"The Weston sisters, matronly eldest daughter Barbara (Donna Catton-Johnson), homebody librarian Ivy (Alissa Watts) and the detached and self-centered Karen (Tishala Martinal) each balanced their own insecurities and secrets while struggling to cope with the guilt that they could have done more to help their dad.

As Barbara, Catton-Johnson delivered one of the night’s most dynamic performances running a gamut of emotions from tortured and broken to headstrong and commanding before eventually finding some peace and coming to grips with knowledge that she was more like her mother than she ever imagined. 

The colorful supporting cast included Barbara’s narcissistic husband, Bill (Sam Jones), their damaged pot-smoking daughter Jean (Elisha Harman), the stoic Native American housekeeper, Johnna (Whitney Alexander) and Karen’s lecherous fiance Steve (Jody Watts). 

And don’t forget Violet’s sister Mattie Fae (Holly Fowler) whose vile, overbearing attitudes toward her son Little Charles (Michael Weaver) and frequent fights with husband Charlie (Bill Howard) served as a sideshow all their own. 

In fact, some of the best exchanges of the night came between Fowler and Howard as their verbal sparring sessions were both funny and fraught with inherent resentment that made you feel the weight of the couple’s 38 years of marriage.

It was this sort of emotional subtlety contrasted with the stark realizations of the plot which made “August” such an interesting ride. 

Perhaps one of the most poignant insights of the play was delivered by Karen in the third act,  who says this in trying to defend her fiance’s supposed sexual advances toward Barbara’s 14-year-old daughter: 

“It's not cut and dried, black and white, good and bad. It lives where everything lives,  somewhere in the middle. Where everything lives, where all the rest of us live, everyone but you.”

Though the problems of the people portrayed seemed very clear as they’re introduced, with each subsequent truth revealed the characters peeled away layers of themselves to find shades of gray that so beautifully illustrated the realities of family life.

While not everyone comes out ahead in the end and nearly every relationship shown is pushed to its breaking point or beyond, for better or worse nearly every character in “August” comes out with a better understanding of their loved ones — and themselves — in the end. 

It’s a journey that, while not always pretty, is ultimately a rewarding one for both the characters and the audience. 

"August: Osage County" runs through Feb. 24 with shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $18 per person and can be purchased at the Main Street Theatre Box Office, 337 Main St., Conway, by calling  488-0821 or online at theatreoftherepublic.com

Hurricane Maggie's makes landfall in Myrtle Beach

Former For What Its Worth bar ready for grand re-opening

By Matt Parris • For ListenUp

Hurricane Maggie's Bar & Grill, at 7710 N. Kings Hwy., Myrte Beach (courtesy photos)Myrtle Beach is a place flush with of beach bars, is a place with no shortage of sports bars and a place with plenty of dive bars, but if you’re in the market for a new hangout with a relaxed and unique atmosphere, Hurricane Maggie’s might just be the place. 

Nestled into a plaza off of 77th Avenue North, Hurricane Maggie’s occupies a spot formerly known as For What It’s Worth. 

Though the bar began under new ownership this fall, up until recently the sign for the former gastropub-style bar still hung over the entrance, a clear mark of a spot in transition. 

However, according to owners Rick Brown and Sheila Younger Hurricane Maggie’s has now officially found a new sign, a new vibe and they’re ready for a grand opening. 

“Our first day of business was Nov. 4, and through the offseason we’ve had a great local crowd and have mostly been working off of word-of-mouth ever since,” Brown said.

Whether it’s word of mouth or simply a product of the passion the pair have put into creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, whatever Hurricane Maggie’s is doing is working — it’s quickly become a local favorite. 

Walking in, a large, inviting foyer offers a glimpse upstairs and an instant view of the downstairs bar. 

Those who’ve visited For What It’s Worth in the past will find much of the interior unchanged from its previous state from the dim, warm lighting to the tall wooden tables, booths and paneled ceiling.

The downstairs bar area features an L-shaped bar, dim, warm lighting, tall wooden tables, booths and paneled ceilingEntering the main bar downstairs, customers will undoubtedly be drawn to a large L-shaped bar, with beer offerings ranging from standard fare to a rotating list of craft brews that often includes selections from Bell’s, New Belgium, Goose Island, Dogfish Head and other popular brewers.

“We have a lot of regulars that come in just to see what the new beer is that week,” said Brown, who moved here along with Younger from Virginia after deciding this was where they wanted to open their new business. 
Along with craft beers, Hurricane Maggie’s offers a fantastic selection of cocktails. 

Younger recommends the bar’s namesake, the Hurricane Maggie, which, like the place itself, is named for Younger’s mother, Margaret. 

The cocktail is an interesting mix of Crown Royal, Southern Comfort, sour mix and grenadine, which Younger says is one of the bar’s most popular concoctions. 

Not to be outdone, Brown’s mother, Jean, also has a signature drink called Jean’s Manhattan. 

For those with a sweet tooth, the couple recommends the Bananas Foster-Tini, sure to be the perfect end to a night with friends at Hurricane Maggie’s.

The bar offers a Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. including a $3 “bottled beer of the day,” $4 select martinis and $5 Hurricane Maggies as well as discounts on food.

When it comes to entertainment, the downstairs bar serves as a venue for a steady stream of local musicians — mostly classic rock and acoustic groups — which perform regularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

While the space might be considered on the small side for hosting bands, Brown says Hurricane Maggie’s regularly hosts up to four and five-piece acts with no problems. 

While they make no qualms that the music and drinks are the draw here, the food is also something that the crew at Hurricane Maggie’s is especially proud of.

“We like to call it ‘simple bar food,’ but we have some stuff on the menu that is pretty special and different,” said Brown. 

Hurricane Maggie's chicken wings are grilled, not fried.One of the more unique options I found on the menu are the grilled — not fried — chicken wings. 

They come in eight basic flavors, ranging up the heat scale to the aptly-named Category 5, the hottest available. I was also told that most any flavor can be achieved by the kitchen staff, who apparently isn’t afraid to experiment.

Ranging from the basic burger variety to Philly cheesesteak, chicken and other meats, miniature sandwich sliders are another big draw on the menu. These appetizers range in price from $3.95 to $9.95. 

Though the bar’s first story was enough to sell me on this place’s potential as a weeknight watering hole or spot to bring friends on the weekend, Hurricane Maggie’s upstairs serves up a second wind for its customers. 
This area offers additional seating with a couch and big screen television.

The lighting provides a loungy atmosphere and a laid-back vibe that made me want to sit and stay a few. 

Just beyond, there’s an outside patio bar that seats another 35 or so customers and is perfect for warm summer nights with friends. 

After spending the past few months getting the place in order and working out the kinks of running a new bar, Hurricane Maggie’s is set to host its grand opening party on Feb. 22.

The event will feature a 50-50 raffle, an auction, an artist drawing caricatures, food and drink specials and live music by local group 10 Miles High beginning at 7:30 p.m.

In addition to celebrating the bar’s opening and introducing the public to its improvements inside, the owners will also take this opportunity to give back to a cause that means a lot to them personally. 

“We’re excited to join with the Look Good Feel Better foundation, associated with the American Cancer Society for our Grand Opening celebration,” said Younger. 

The foundation offers wigs to cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy treatments. 
Both Brown and Younger have been affected by cancer in recent years, and feel that this is the perfect way to do something about it. 

“I just wish cancer would go away, so we thought this was the perfect way to do something that would mean something to both of us,” said Younger. “Everything is toward this charity, even our opening ribbon will be pink.” 

Matt Parris is a local radio personality and freelance writer who graduated from Coastal Carolina University’s School or Communication and Journalism. He can be reached at mgparis@g.coastal.edu.

Hurricane Maggie's is located at 7710 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach. It is open seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. each night. For more information call 497-5000 or visit facebook.com/HurricaneMaggies.

Drama draws theater fans down the 'Rabbit Hole'

Atlantic Stage cast puts on emotional, engaging performance

By Ettie Newlands • ettie321@sccoast.net

The Atlantic Stage cast of David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Rabbit Hole” includes, from left, Janine Cunningham, Mindi Penn, Sandi Shackelford, and Thom Penn. (photos by Photos by Louis Keiner and Lesley Etherson, courtesy Atlantic Stage)

If you have plans that would keep you from seeing one of the final performances of “Rabbit Hole” this weekend, you might want to consider cancelling them.

Seeing Atlantic Stage’s presentation of this award-winning play could be one of the most rewarding — albeit heartwrenching — two hours you’ve ever spent with your clothes on. 

First off, a warning: If adult language offends you, it’s probably best to avoid this show. 

However, if professional-quality acting, a killer script filled with truisms and great set design are the sorts of things that draw you in then this is definitely the place to be.

From top to bottom the attention to detail Atlantic Stage put forth was evident from the nuanced, emotional performances to the flawless sound and lighting at the cozy 79th Avenue Theater.

From left, Cunningham (Izzy) and Mindi Penn (Becca) argue during a scene from “Rabbit Hole.” For those not familiar with the play, written by David Lindsay-Abaire,  it won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Cynthia Nixon filling the lead role of grieving mother Becca. It also later became a film starring Nicole Kidman, who garnered Golden Globe and Oscar nominations in the role.

On its surface, “Rabbit Hole” is about how various members of a grieving family deal with profound tragedy.

As the Corbett family works through the loss of a young son, Danny, the play also becomes about blame, guilt, forgiveness, intimacy and ultimately, healing.

From the onset of the performance the five-member cast ran the gamut of emotions, with each doing a superb job with their character.

As Howie, the grieving father, artistic director Thom Penn made me cry. I’m talking a full-on, “Does anyone have a tissue?” kind of cry.

Following in the footsteps of the others who’ve filled this powerful role, Mindi Blackburn Penn made me angry as she handled the devastated, yet irritated and confused feelings of Becca.

Watching Janine Cunningham portray Izzy, the grieving aunt, made me grateful that my kids are grown and gone.

Holding down the spot of Nat, the family’s grandmother who also lost her own child, was Sandi Shackelford. This performance was one that made me think about stuff I don’t often think about.

Mindi Penn looks on as Stephen Craig, front, performs as Jason, a teenager whose actions with his car set in motion the grieving drama of “Rabbit Hole.”And last, but not least, Stephen Craig was superbly awkward — in a good way — as Jason, the teenager whose actions set the play’s drama in motion. 

As the convenient person to blame in this tragic situation, his performance often made me clench my teeth, afraid he’d offend the grieving parents.

So why pay good money to see a play about so much sadness?

Because its not just grieving, “Rabbit Hole” is also laugh-so-hard-you-snort funny in some places. Listen hard or you’ll miss lines because you’re guffawing.

Because it’s so profound that anyone who’s ever lost a child — or lost anyone, actually — will feel validated and connected.

Because even the people at the reception desk who helped us decide where to sit seemed like they really cared about our comfort. But, the theatre is so well-done, there’s no bad seat.

Because chances are you were going to spend that much money this weekend on something else that won’t be nearly as worthwhile. 

Because you deserve it.

Atlantic Stage is at the 79th Street Theatre, 900 79th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, in the Coastal Carolina University Myrtle Beach Educational Center on the corner of 79th Avenue N. and US 17 Bypass. Shows run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday.Tickets cost $17.50-27.50 (discounts for groups, seniors and military)and can be purchased at the door, by calling 1-877-287-8587 or at atlanticstage.com.

Soho 544 making moves to lose 'college bar' label

By Chris Mowder • ListenUpMB@gmail.com

Don’t let its location fool you, Soho544 is not a college bar. 

Though it’s just a stone’s throw from Coastal Carolina University, the Conway location of this popular Myrtle Beach spot is in the midst of making moves to broaden its audience beyond the college crowd. 

“We’re starting to do bands and UFC fights and more things like that,” said general manager Zack Michalek. “When we opened we got a huge following from the college, but there’s really only so much you can get out of that, so we’re trying to do more things for locals as well.”

Adding to a lineup that features a thriving college night on Thursday and DJs on the weekends, Soho hopes periodic Pay-Per-View events, live music during the week and locals’ specials on sushi and drinks will help give non-students a reason to come out.

“We have some really good bands in here,” said Michalek, mentioning local group Sushi For Breakfast among his favorites.

In addition to a maturing slate of entertainment offerings, perhaps the biggest change to this combination sports bar, sushi spot and nightclub is the name. 

When it opened in August it was initially branded as Soho University, however it recently began going by Soho 544 — a reference to its location on S.C. 544. Though some of the interior decor still reflects the original name, the restaurant’s sign, menus and website now sport the non-collegiate moniker.

“Our numbers jumped when we [changed the name],” said Michalek. “Plus, once you get here you realize it’s not really a college bar at all. It’s really nice inside.”

The Austin Mowery band plays in the club area while patrons watch TV at the bar inside Soho 544. (STAFF PHOTOS)

Save for the student-heavy staff — and really what restaurant isn’t full of college-aged servers? — there’s little in the interior to remind of patrons of their proximity to campus.

A large marble bar with ample seating greets you, flanked by a large slate dancefloor and high ceilings to your left, and a laid-back area of half-table, half-booth seating on your right with a pair of dining rooms beyond that.

Following a slim walkway of a dining area to the back of the restaurant, you’ll find a sushi bar area with a half dozen seats or so and a sushi chef ready to make whatever your heart desires. 

Swing a quick right from there to find a roped-off dining room used for special events, private parties and overflow dining. This area also doubles as a lounge during Pay-Per-Views and other special events, when the tables are replaced with couches, and a buffet is set up for a set charge of $10-20. 

Wrapping back through the club area, you’ll find a center island for setting your drink while you chat, ample room to dance the night away and one of Soho’s standout features, an enormous array of multi-colored lights mounted into the far wall.

Not only do the ever-changing hues help set a certain mood within the club, but they also provide an interesting backdrop that adds a little excitement to any live band’s set.

The Austin Mowery Band performs in the background while a wall of multicolored LEDs lights the dancefloor and bar area at Soho 544. (STAFF PHOTOS)

“It’s got a little of that Vegas vibe, with the lights on the wall and everything. We’ve been mesmerized while we’re playing up there,” said Alex Austin of local country group the Austin Mowery Band. 

The band, which we caught at Soho on a recent Wednesday, performed a variety of hits from Garth Brooks and Randy Travis to modern selections by Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.

Though its twangy sounds seemed a little out of place considering the vibe Soho is aiming for, there was no denying the group’s talent or penchant for performing regardless of the crowd’s level of engagement.

With longtime local Alex Austin (Backfire, Gogglez Pizano) sharing vocal duties with frontman Jimmy Mowery the band brought a good mix styles to the table, coming together on vocal harmonies from time to time and meshing acoustic and electric guitars while Rusty Hewitt and Jason Kaufman held down the rhythm on drums and bass respectively. 

“I love the atmosphere. It’s huge and there’s plenty of place to set up and play. It almost reminds of something in New York City or someplace,” said Mowery, a Pennsylvania native who’s been playing on the beach for more than a year.

While it may be what Michalek describes as an “Atlantic City-like” interior that sets the tone for a night a Soho, it’s the food the really sets this place apart. 

“Conway isn’t exactly known for its fine dining, but if you come in here, you’re going to get a good experience as far as the food and the drinks go,” he said. “What I’m noticing is now that we’ve gotten away from that stereotype of being the college bar, more people are realizing that we have an awesome dinner.”

Though mildly overwhelmed by the selection of entrees, on our visit we opted for a pair of specialty rolls, choosing from the more than 130 choices available on the sushi menu. 

The Soho Roll and Soho Crunch Roll are two of more than 130 sushi rolls offered. (STAFF PHOTOS)

We tried an eponymous duo of the Soho Roll with salmon, spicy tuna, jalapeno and masago scallions topped with Soho spicy sweet sauce and the Soho crunchy roll with spicy salmon, avocado, tempura flakes and spicy tuna with sugami spicy sauce. 

Both were solid choices that mixed a variety of sweet, spicy and savory tastes and were washed down well with a Goose Island brew. 

Another great option is the shrimp tempura, crab and cucumber-filled Tiger Roll, which Michalek lists as Soho’s most popular item. 

“It’s the one thing that sticks out on the menu that absolutely everyone has to try. When it’s on the half-price menu it seems like everyone that comes in gets at least one order,” he said.

The sushi options begin at $2-3 for sushi/sashimi, move up to $4-8 for vegetarian and five-piece rolls and stay in the $9-15 for the eight-piece specialty rolls.

In addition to Asian Fusion options like sushi and hibachi, a quick glance down Soho’s menu shows a variety of entrees ranging from steak and ribs to chicken, seafood, pasta and more. 

Though Michalek says the menu is similar to the original Soho’s menu, this location adds a variety of options not offered at the restaurant on 21st Avenue North. 

“They don’t do some of the pasta dishes we do and much of the non-Asian stuff,” he said. “Plus we do a full bar menu with nachos, potato skins and all your favorite appetizers.”

While you can easily spend $20-30 per person between entrees and drinks, SoHo also offers options for those on a budget. 

There’s Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. throughout the week featuring discounted drinks and half-priced sushi as well as a “Two for 25” special on Tuesdays and Wednesday that features two entrees, a round of drinks, an appetizer and a dessert for $25.

“You can’t beat that,” said Michalek. 

There’s also plenty of items to cater to the bar’s growing lunch crowd, and for late night eaters, Soho’s kitchen stays open until at least midnight every night. 

“We try and bring the best of both worlds here. It’s been great for us to be able to build that crowd of regulars and folks who want something a little different from your average dive bar atmosphere,” said Michalek. “Here, you can enjoy your meal, enjoy a conversation and get your beer or your drink at a great price while sitting in an atmosphere where you wouldn’t normally pay that little.”

SoHo 544 is located at 1300 S.C. 544, Conway. The bar is open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. For more information, visit soho544.com, call 347-7600 or check it out on Facebook.

Long Bay Symphony presents 'Masterpieces'

By William Hamilton • For The Myrtle Beach Herald

For the third concert of the 2012-13 season on Jan. 20, conductor Charles Evans and the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra  presented  four “Masterpieces of the Modern Era,” featuring two works by American composers and one each by a German and French composer

The afternoon began with Aaron Copland’ s El Salon Mexico, which received its premier in 1937.  Copland, well known for creating an “American” sound, responded to a trip to Mexico with this evocative, lively piece.

It’s much like a home slide show, except that the “slides” are a series of musical snapshots.

Program annotator Richard Rodda supplies a quote from Copland, who said, “It wasn’t the music that I heard there, or the dances that attracted me, so much as the spirit of the place…”

After a slight bit of uncertainty at the very beginning, the LBS settled into the groove of the piece, which is no easy task, with its changes of time and loudness.

Evocative solos or small groups of instruments are often featured in this work, and the fine players of the orchestra brought these to life with ease.

There are hints of mariachi music, bar room flirting, and jaunty dancing in this music, perfectly illustrating the rowdy night club atmosphere of the Salon, and Evans led the LBS in a performance filled with verve and swagger.

Jessica Lee (courtesy photo)The first half of the program featured the splendid Jessica Lee as the soloist in Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto.

This region has been graced with her playing Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto in November ’09, Korngold’s Violin Concerto in October ’10 and this day listeners were treated to the Barber Concerto, composed in 1939. This work gives no hint of the world conflict that had started in Europe in 1939, and it’s fascinating to realize its premier in 1941 was just 10 months before the attack of Pearl Harbor.

The concerto is in the traditional three movements, but the first two are slow in tempo. 

In contrast to Copland’s “Salon,” which is assembled from various musical snapshots presented quickly, Barber’s first two movements draw the listener in, with Lee spinning out the solo part’s narrative.

Her playing was mesmerizing, with gorgeous tone, flawless intonation and beautifully shaped phrases. It is as if she is not just a person playing music, but rather is the music, releasing it, allowing it to come out.

The balance between the LBS and her soloing was utterly compelling, with Evans shaping the orchestral lines as if he were playing a giant solo instrument. 

The third and final movement is, as Richard Rodda pointed out, a “Moto perpetuo …”

Gone are the long flowing lines of the first two movements and instead there’s a continuous stream of short, very fast musical ideas.

Lee’s dazzling technique made the solo part sound absolutely effortless as solo and orchestra shared material. 

Evans and the LBS were astounding as they kept up the ferocious pace, not missing a note. The final rush to the end has the solo playing individual notes as fast as an open roll on a snare drum, and the conclusion has both solo and orchestra finishing together with a rousing flourish that brought the audience to its feet with roof shattering applause.

The second half of the program focused on the orchestra  playing demanding works by the two European composers, Germany’s Richard Strauss and France’s Maurice Ravel.

It’s interesting to note that three of the four composers were in their 20s or 30s when their works were composed, with Strauss being the youngest at about 25, Barber next at about 29, and Copland in his mid-30s. Ravel was this group’s “old man” at about 45 when he completed his work.

Strauss’s “Death and Transfiguration” is truly remarkable, as he created not only the literary idea behind the piece, but the music as well — quite an achievement for a 25-year-old.

This is an example of a “tone poem” — the musical illustration of an idea. It requires orchestral musicians who can project and illustrate shifting moods and emotional states — sometimes quite rapidly.

The LBS was superb, with Evans drawing precise ensemble playing, well shaped phrases, and beautiful tone colors from the orchestra.

The final work — Ravel’s La Valse — is also a tone poem,  in this case not about a specific story, but rather  about the idea of the waltz, the social milieu associated with it, and how this was changed by the physical and psychological destruction of World War I.

Ravel is one of the true masters of orchestration, and only a truly professional orchestra can handle the shifts in color, mood, dynamics and rhythm demanded by this composition.

Evans and the Long Bay showed there is simply nothing quite like hearing a riveting, virtuoso performance of music which requires everything an orchestra can give, and the audience responded with powerful approval.   

Get your tickets now for “Romantic Blockbusters” coming in March by visiting longbaysymphony.com.

William Hamilton taught music for 28 years in the Music Department of Coastal Carolina University.  He composed the music for CCU’s Alma Mater, wrote incidental music for several plays, and still actively plays jazz with the group U ‘N I.

Rockin' Hard Saloon aims to carve out niche in Inlet

Rockin Hard Saloon, 3556 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet (Staff photos)

Located on a well-tread stretch of Murrells Inlet road known more for its biker bars than anything else, Rockin’ Hard Saloon is working hard to set itself apart from the crowded landscape of Marshwalk-area entertainment options.

The bar, which replaced the former Krazy Parrot and Anvil Tavern,  has steadily experimented with its lineup of music, karaoke and other entertainment since opening last spring. 

In the process Rockin’ Hard has gained a reputation as an live music venue with wide appeal, hosting everything from Classic rock, Blues and cover bands to Indie buzz bands, punk and heavy metal.

It is owned by Kathy O’Hara, who also runs The Tavrne in downtown Myrtle Beach and formerly owned Remedies Bar & Grill near the back gate. 

Though O’Hara has brought in an experienced bar staff to run Rockin’ Hard, taking responsibility for entertainment side of things has been first-time booker, Brandon Collins.

Though Collins has slowly eased his way into the role of booking shows, he brings more than a decade of experience on the local music scene, having played as part of The Classic Struggle since 2002. 

“I started working here cooking and they were looking to do some live music and having had that experience of being in a band for so long, I just started helping book and bringing in music.”

One of the first events Collins booked was Sean Lane’s Testicle Festival, an all-day concert and fundraiser for a local man who needed surgery on his — you guessed it — testicle, last June.

Collins, far left, tals with friends while a group of patrons sits at the bar at Rockin' Hard Saloon.“We brought in a lot of bands and a lot of people that day and it was such a success, I’ve just been keeping it rolling since then,” said Collins. 

Though he admits its tough for any freshman business to survive to area’s grueling offseason, Collins says he’s confident Rockin’ Hard will make it to March.

“It’s just kept on growing and growing with putting heads in the bar and now people are really starting to gravitate down this way,” he said. “It seems like every day I run into someone new that said they came down from Myrtle Beach or the north end and they love it.”

Though the schedule has been a bit different through these off months, the entertainment this spring and summer will likely include karaoke on Mondays, open mic on Wednesday, Reggae Night on Thursday and live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

“As far as the music, I try to keep it really broad in here, with everything from Papa Duke and Sista Otis to Power Born Rebellion and Colossal to Josh Haskins and Drew Jacobs & The Sauce,” said Collins. “And recently we started doing more out of town acts and touring bands.”

He hopes that by expanding the offerings musically and keeping things fresh with a variety of off-night events it will help bolster the efforts O’Hara and crew have made to support local music. 

“They’re all about helping the music scene out and really trying to build something that’s different from the Beaver Bar or the other places around here,” he said. 

As far as the atmosphere goes, Rockin’ Hard’s wooden interior is cozy and familiar — as any good dive bar should be — with a long L-shaped bar. 

There’s plenty of amenities to keep patrons busy between bands including TVs, a pool table, foosball table, a few bar games and touchscreens at the bar. 

A young couple plays pool at Rockin' Hard Saloon. There's also a foosball table, bar games, darts and touchscreens at the bar.There isn’t a stage so much as a large open area at one end of the narrow bar, but it’s plenty wide enough to accommodate a large band setup and still leaves space to dance.

Though Collins didn’t say the exact capacity, he did note that it is well over 100 people. However, a quick assesment with the naked eye it appears Rockin’ Hard could easily hold 200-300 if fully packed.

There’s no beer on tap, but the bottle prices were reasonable and the cooler offered up a pretty good selection of craft brews, some Jell-O Shots and what appeared to be the beer of choice, PBR. 

Food options include a variety of sandwiches, subs, burgers and appetizers and it should also be noted that the kitchen was still open well past midnight. 

In addition to mentioning the all-you-can eat pasta, fish fry and meatloaf nights offered at the bar, Bartender Jesse James also suggested any of the huge, grilled burgers, the specially seasoned philly steaks or the Sausage Turds, an appetizer featuring bacon-wrapped jalapeno-stuffed sausage.

According to her there’s also a Happy Hour which includes $3 well liquors, $2 domestics and $2.50 vodkas all day, every day.

“We’ve got a lot of good things going on here. We’re building our niche and we’re super stoked to see all these different bands coming in from around town and out of state,” she said.

Collins also points to the bar’s atmosphere and the crowd as key components of what Rockin’ Hard is trying to build. 

“It’s probably one of the most diverse crowds you’ll find on the Inlet. A lot of places down here have the same sort of mentality and we’ve got our own identity as kind of the ‘black sheep’ of the Inlet, which we think is a good thing,” said Collins. “It’s just a good vibe.  We’re just a bunch of tree-huggin’,  Whiskey drinkin’ fools.”

Rockin' Hard Saloon is located at 3552 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. The bar is open Mon.-Sat, 11a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sun., noon to 2 a.m. For more information call (843) 651-9940 or visit facebook.com/RockinHardSaloon

The crowd dances at Rockin' Hard Saloon during a performance by Paperwork.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

• Jan. 11: Gravy Crockett, The Slobz and Gray Click, 9 p.m.

• Jan. 12: Colossal, 9 p.m.

• Jan. 15-16: K.C. Creek, 9 p.m.

• Feb. 15: Dormitory Effect (acoustic show), 9 p.m.

• Feb. 22: Colossal, 9 p.m.

DP Wine & Tapas Bar brings unique flavors in small bites

New tapas spot inside Divine Prime at The Market Common

By Heather Gale • Heather.gale@myhorrynews.com

The Interior of the new DP Wine & Tapas bar is decorated in blacks, greys and hot pink with wine bottles displayed around the restaurant like artwork. (photos courtesy of Divine Dining Group)

The newest craze in American dining where small plates of delectable dishes are shared with friends, has been popping up around Myrtle Beach restaurant scene recently, and now it's become the latest offering among the dining options at The Market Common.

DP Wine and Tapas Bar, located inside Divine Prime at 1160 Farrow Parkway, launched in November with a brand-new menu touting tapas as it's main attraction. 

Tapas, a popular style of Spanish dining, are often just a bar full of small bites that people enjoy at their leisure. Each small bite has a toothpick and at the end of the meal, the barkeep tallies the toothpicks and the guest pays accordingly.

In most American restaurants, tapas are small dishes ordered one or two at a time for a set price and are shared with fellow diners at the table.

On a recent Saturday night, a friend and I decided to give the new tapas bar a try. 

Having never dined at Divine Prime as it existed before the addition, we were quite interested to see what was located behind the large steel door that marks the entrance to the restaurant.

Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by jovial sounds of laughter from the bar and a decor which featured blacks, grays and hot pinks with wine bottles displayed like art on the walls.

Our server took us to our booth in the back corner and as we looked around, we noticed there were only two other tables full, which on a Saturday night, was quite shocking.

She said the new tapas menu had been in place for about three weeks and that traffic since the change has been slow going thus far.

If the quality of the cuisine is any indication DP Wine & Tapas Bar won't stay slow for long, because the food was great.

To start off the evening, we perused the wine-by-the-glass menu, which, we soon found out is not that extensive and some of the wines offered, frankly, were overpriced. 

We decided instead on two cocktails, one a Dark and Stormy made with whiskey and ginger beer, and the other a Whiskey Sour.

The drinks were moderately priced and a better value than the wines. Martinis and beers were also available.

On the menu, there are a good variety of tapas to try ranging from $5 to $15 per dish. Options included items such as Shrimp Salad Deviled Eggs for $5, Truffle Popcorn for $5, Calamari for $8 and a Crab and Lobster Cake for $15. 

There is also a Salumeria menu that features sheep’s milk cheeses, goat cheeses and cow’s milk cheese, meats like smoked duck breast and Serrano ham and fruits. Prices for the meats and cheeses range from $3 to $6.

Fresh salads such as the DP Caesar for $8 or the Citrus Spinach Salad for $9 are also available.

Calamari at DP Wine & Tapas Bar (staff photo)For our first tapas, we ordered a few items off the Salumeria menu.

We decided on a sheep’s milk cheese called Friesago that had a mellow, nutty taste, the smoked duck breast that tasted a lot like pastrami and the Caw Caw Creek Serrano Ham, which came from a local ham distributor out of Columbia.

The cheese was very delicious as was the duck breast and ham and the plate came with water crackers and an apple butter with a hint of cinnamon and spice.

After enjoying the meats and cheese, we decided to try the Calamari.

My dining partner is a huge fan of Calamari and said this was some of the best he had tried.

The breading covered the Calamari just enough without taking away from the tender pieces. The dish came with a marinara sauce that was a nice compliment to the Calamari.

Beef Tataki at DP Wine & Tapas Bar (staff photo)We decided on another dish and this time picked the Korean Beef Tataki served with Kim Chi for $10. Kim Chi is a fermented Napa cabbage dish served a lot in Asian cuisine.

The seared beef had a teriyaki glaze and the Kim Chi was just spicy enough to play off the sweetness of the beef.

At this point in our meal, we had planned to order at least one more small dish to share, but it was surprising how easily you can get your fill from the delectable little dishes, and thus we ended there.

Our server said, on average, a table of two orders between four and six tapas plates to share.

Overall, tapas is a great way to try a new dish without having to order a huge plate of food and I would highly recommend anyone trying this style of dining in general and DP Wine & Tapas bar as a great spot to get started if you're a tapas rookie.

And if small plates aren’t your thing, the restaurant still offers plenty of delicious full entrees to choose including a large variety of steaks, pork chops, chicken and an excellent seafood pasta dish called Shrimp Fra Diavlo. 

DP Wine and Tapas Bar is located at 1160 Farrow Parkway at the Market Common. They are open from 4 p.m. to midnight daily with happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Happy Hour includes half price tapas from our new menu, half off wines by the glass and half off martini drinks. Visit divineprime.com, call 839-9790 or check out DP Wine & Tapas Bar on Facebook.