The Tighten Ups
If you are a music lover in San Diego, then you have probably heard of The Six String Society. This broad-ranging music theater production company is making waves all over the greater San Diego County area. Production creator, Kenneth Rexrode, goes beyond the norm when it comes to showcasing our local talent and entertaining their guests. Choosing various small premier venues throughout the county, The Six String Society’s productions, sell out again and again
Ken Rexrode and The Six String Society continued to prove that prediction as the SS Six String Society set sail, at full capacity to celebrate Mardi Gras, southern California style.
The rain had finally subsided, and the skies parted to make way for another gorgeous Mission Bay sunset, for the third annual, Six String Society’s, Mardi Gras Cruise. The picturesque scene could be viewed from the top deck of the elegant, Steer wheeler, William D. Evans, also known as the SS Six String Society, two days a year (Halloween and Mardi Gras) and maybe if we are the lucky ones, the Six String Society will find even more reasons to celebrate aboard the gorgeous historic vessel. The William D. Evans belongs to the beautiful Bahia Hotel, situated on San Diego’s Mission Bay. This amazing, 600-person, vessel offers seasonal day and evening cruises to the public and can be rented for private events and weddings. Designed to emulate the 1860s era Mississippi riverboats, the William D. Evans succeeds. From its clean white lines and black smoke stacks to its warm wood historic interiors and full length stunning stained-glass ceiling on the second floor, the moment you board, you feel like you have stepped from a time machine and landed on the Mississippi Delta.
Whitney Shay
In typical style, this 6-hour event allowed for VIP’s to board at 5 pm and be treated a three-course buffet and dessert bar and live music situated directly beneath to gorgeous stained-glass ceiling of the vessel’s second-floor salon. During the 90 minutes that VIP guests were able to enjoy the venue to themselves, before general boarding at 6:30 pm, they would find local musicians, such as Gregory Page, Andy Lewis and the Euphoria Brass Band entertaining them throughout the interior salons and exterior decks. By 7:00 pm, a very full bellied SS Six String Society wandered away from its dock to spend the next 5 hours cruising peaceful Mission Bay. The bay was the only thing that was peaceful because the boat was a-rockin’ and rollin’!
Partygoers waited in a quick line to have their face painted by a fantastic artist, bellied up to one of the two bars for cocktails, and then made their way from one deck to another dancing and celebrating to some of San Diego’s award-winning musical talent. Two large stages and two large, very crowded dance floors, made for pleased musicians and very happy dancers! Guests and entertainment all dressed in Mardi Gras finery created a festive and colorful sea of celebration and comradery. Once underway, the energy level kicked into high gear. San Diego’s local entertainers kept the party going from launch to return. For us to enjoy every artist, we bounced from one floor to the other and waded through the crowded dance floors, with a delicate (and sometimes not so delicately) dance to the front of the stage. Once front and center, we had an unobstructed view of some of San Diego’s best of best in entertainment. During our sail around the harbor, the two stages traded talent and diversity with the blues, zydeco, roots rock, Americana, American rock, soul, cumbia, rockabilly, bluegrass, country, and good ole American dance music!
To learn more about The William D. Evans and The Bahia Hotel, Kenneth Rexrode and the Six String Society, and the entertainers, find their tour and performance schedules or follow them on social media. You can also visit the BackStage360 archives by entering a word search at the bottom of our home screen. Within our archives, you will find several articles featuring all of these amazing artists and productions.
Ken Rexrode/Rexrode Productions
Social Media
The Six String Society
William D. Evans and the Bahia Hotel
Gregory Page – Americana
Social media and reputable music service sites
Andy Lewis -Country
Lowdown Andy Lewis
Social media and reputable music service sites
Euphoria Brass Band – Delta blues and jazz
Social media and reputable music sites
The Sleepwalkers -Americana rock, cumbia, rockabilly
Social media and reputable music service sites
Shay and the Hustle/Whitney Shay – Blues, rock, funk, soul
Social media and reputable music service sites
Bayou Brothers
The Tighten Ups – Rock and soul
Social media and reputable music service sites
Bayou Brothers – Cajun / Zydeco
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheBayouBrothers
Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas – Cajun and zydeco
www.asspocketwhiskeyfellas.com
Social media and reputable music service sites
There is no doubt that The Six String Society will continue to grow and prosper. It has already spread its roots into the Laughlin, Nevada area and into some of the regions of Northern California. The A-list cast of characters, artists and performers are taking music theater to a whole new level of excitement.
MORE IMAGES FROM THE MARDI GRAS CRUISE CAN BE FOUND HERE. (https://www.backstage360.com/2019-mardi-gras-cruise-images)
One Response to "Mardi Gras Cruise – Six String Style"