Beam

Jack frost 2004 entertaining u


http://www.rickatnight.com/

BY RICK GRANT

It was the night before Christmas, and Twisted Sisters beckoned. Owners Tracy Arrendale and Sunny Gray invited my wife and me to their hip happening Christmas Eve party, featuring three guys from Beam, calling themselves Jack Frost Trio, playing Christmas music and their regular repertoire of original and cover tunes, unplugged for this bash.

Since most every live venue was closed, and I personally like this fine restaurant and living room styled bar, I blitzed out to the Sisters’ scene to check out the action.

Tracy and Sunny were glad to see us and we chatted about their phenomenal success as a truly different place to party with fine Cajun styled cuisine, and a creative decor, minus the now cliche’ sports bar theme. There are distinctive lava lamps over the bar where the televisions were located and they feature table tennis (ping-pong) instead of pool. This ultracool hangout is a wi-fi hot spot for people with wireless Internet connections.

The Twisted Sisters establishment is located next to Max’s on Beach Blvd., near the now defunct Worth Antiques location at Jax Beach. Tracy and Sunny’s hook is their great food, which keeps people coming back. They serve an eclectic menu with many delicious selections with a Cajun slant.

Most nights, the Twisted Sisters gal pals feature small acoustic trios and quartets performing on stage, and other exciting happenings. They have a full liquor bar and couches for relaxing with coffee table books to thumb through.

The Jack Frost lads from Beam were Adonis Boyd on vocals, Zach Gilbert on acoustic guitar, Vans Battle on trombone. Adonis read the Cajun version of The Night Before Christmas which was like the Beatnik version.

After playing some Christmas tunes, the Jack Frost trio switched to regular music, which was fine with me. Remember, in my last commentary, I quit Christmas. Well, in theory!

Zach played an unusual acoustic version of Jimi Hendrix’s Castles Made of Sand, which was the highlight of their first set. These are experienced, consummate musicians who are the core of Beam, which was recently reorganized from the old Mr. Beam and The Stuff Essentials.

- Entertaing U- Rick Grant