Hi, everyone! Hope you’re all enjoying this gorgeous Fall weather. People are starting to talk about what their costumes will be for Halloween. How ‘bout you? Getting started a week early, there will be a parade on the Boardwalk Saturday featuring vintage cars and, new this year, bicycles as well. Drivers will be in costume and cars & bicycles will be decorated as well. Registration is required (410-289-1413 or downtownassociation.net). What’s a parade without a marching band? The Stephen Decatur Marching Seahawks will provide the music for the parade which begins at 3 pm at 27th Street and continues south to the Inlet parking lot. Sounds like a fun afternoon and a great prelude to the big Halloween weekend coming the 30th and 31st. Get your costumes ready!
    Last weekend was bittersweet as Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill staged its last shows of the season. I certainly made the most of it seeing Kevin Poole & Joe Mama (what a treat!) on Thursday, Monkee Paw (awesome w/ Joe Mama on drums) on Friday and Old School on Sunday for the final closing party. What a blast! It was also Ravens Weekend at the hotel (Castle in the Sand) so many people were arrayed in their purple finery adding to the festive mood. Old School was terrific as usual playing lots of favorite tunes and keeping people dancing all afternoon. We were treated to some guest performances as well from Lauren Glick, Ray Perrone, Walt Farozic and yours truly. Thanks to Jeff Hicks for giving us a summer of incredible music - two acts a day! I’m already looking forward to next season to see what surprises he may have in store for us. Thanks to Patricia Smith and the friendly staff at Coconuts and Castle in the Sand, too. Your many courtesies were most appreciated.
    If you weren’t at BJ’s last Friday you were among the few - the place was jammed and jammin’ with Tranzfusion onstage. They were, as always, phenomenal. I arrived early (and stayed ‘til the very end) and I can tell you even their sound check is entertaining - melodic even. It turned out to be a Tranzfusion weekend as they played again on the M.R. Ducks stage on Saturday and then for a private party. Just an example of how incredible these four musicians are: they played four straight hours at M.R. Ducks, then continued to play ‘til midnight at the party. Aubrey Bradley, of Push & Going Coastal,  provided acoustic and vocals while Tranzfusion’s players Bob on piano, Hank & Tom on guitar and Bobby on drums with Jeff Davis (Full Circle & Chest Pains) playing bass. Also on bass was Walt from the band Eclipse. My apologies to the others who joined in - I don’t have their names. It was the best sing-a-long ever. Thanks to Mark & Kelly for hosting the best party of the year. Check out a few pictures in Fun Fotos.
    I stopped in the Purple Moose last Saturday, too, to hear Til September. These guys were rockin’ it out and people were having a good time dancing as usual. This Saturday will see the return of Bad W/ Names, also a very good band. The Purple Moose will have their Halloween party on Saturday, October 31, with costumes, gift cards and other prizes and music by Fuzzbox Piranha. Click on the coconuttimes.com home page to view their ad. And remember, VJ/DJ Jammin Jeff is on hand on Saturday afternoons to play all your favorite songs while you enjoy your favorite beverage and sports event with the Atlantic Ocean and the Boardwalk as a backdrop for all your fun.
    This weekend at BJ’s come on Friday to dance to the music of Thin Ice. This group of experienced musicians will knock your socks off with the wide variety of music from so many decades that they will play for you. I love them even more with the addition of Dave on horns & percussion. Four of the six players sing so harmonies are cool and it also adds to the variety - it’s the ‘spice of life’ as the saying goes. Say hi to Jay (guitar), Kelly (drums), Crystel (guitar), Paul (bass) & Jim (keyboard) and have fun.
    Saturday night get ready for great ‘80s alternative rock with four of the best musicians around, the Chest Pains. Jeff (bass), Byron (guitar), Joe Mama (drums) & Chris (guitar) take you back to the ‘glory days’ with some more recent material added in to equal a great night of music. Joe Mama & Chris return on Wednesday night with Dave Sherman (the ‘Shermanator’) to play as 2 Guyz & a Mama. I love this trio. We hear such a different selection of music and it’s always entertaining to see/hear one of our best guitarists, Chris, playing bass and keyboards, often at the same time! Dave has a wonderful voice and has become quite the proficient guitar playeras well. It’s a guaranteed good time. So don’t miss next Wednesday’s Deckless Deck party beginning at 5 pm.
    BJ’s Halloween party is set for Friday, October 30, with their annual Happy Hour Halloween Party with music by Teenage Rust & the Fabulous Rustettes, 5 pm. Costumes are not required but are fun, of course. Stick around for more music from Over Time, another area rock band that will keep you dancing all night long. More next week and you can view their ad for this information as well.
    Time to check out. Hope to see you all this weekend out having fun somewhere. Remember to always party safe!