4th Annual Dia de los Muertos with Captain Midnight Band
10.07.2023 - There’s one thing for certain, Bert Driver’s Burlap Room has started a tradition, as more costumed folks than ever were “in the spirit” at the 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration on Saturday, October 7th.
The ‘Pet Costume’ contest grand prize, winning a special gift certificate from Molly’s Pampered Paws Lakeside, was a Buffalo Valley Mountain Cur named Bo Jangles, and the ‘People Costume’ grand prize went to a “delightful young lady”, Aria Fontanetta, from Milton, TN. Aira was disguised as “The Grim Reaper”, complete with Sythe, and proceeded to present several stop-action poses to enhance her outfit. Because Aria is under the age of 18, the grand prize of tickets to The Harvester was substituted for a beautiful Pear Tree from Bert Driver Nursery. Congrats, Aria - great costume!
There was a variety of costumes, with several ladies who were decked out in the traditional ‘Dia de los Muertos’ costumes and face-art makeup– beautiful…and mystical. On hand were a shy Tiger King, with an authentic-looking metallic shirt and hair, an astronaut, a cowboy, several traditional Day of the Dead outfits, and even “Alf” from the old TV series. It was certainly big fun – here’s a big Burlap Room ‘thank you’ to all who participated.
DJ Rob brought his usual tasty playlists that kept the ambiance cooking until TomFoolery and his associates cranked up their carney art live performance inside the Solstice Stage, which combined complex juggling everything from fire batons to the top hat TomF. was wearing…also, juggling including folding chairs–a spectacle like no other, indeed. The kids loved this portion of the evening – looking around the room, their smiles matched the ones on the old-timers’ faces- Thanks to TomFoolery & Co. for yet another unique moment at the Burlap Room.
Multiple fire pits decorated the landscape in the middle of a seven acre nursery as the sunset approached the wafting smoke filled the air giving a spooky feel to this the most auspicious of events to take place on the grounds of Bert Driver Nursery. Thanks to Izzie from our series sponsor SnapDragon Hemp from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and to the extra fine crew from Center Hill Realty, also a series sponsor of events at the Burlap Room.
The headliner for this year’s DotD celebration was the returning Captain Midnight Band, a very interesting group of musically and theatrically talented performers. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the leader of the group, Josh, and it took us about 30 nano-seconds to get totally involved in a deep conversation about the diversity of music and people’s personal preferences, etc.
It’s always refreshing to me when I meet good musicians who give thought to what their music is based on, and what they’re trying to convey to their audiences. In my experience, THOSE are the truly great players, who actually touch our souls with their performances.
Captain Midnight Band has a direction, and it’s to create the best music possible and entertain their audiences. The best part is that their musical talent is not diminished by the “color not found in nature” wigs, or those creepy, light-up sunglasses Josh wears, or the zany clothes…or the cape. Captain Midnight a “FUN” Band… built on a “REAL” base of mindfulness. Check out their website and if Captain Midnight is playing live, GO SEE ‘EM! You can thank me later.
Thank yous to Hardwoods Smokehouse and Tio’s Taco Truck for feeding the folks, and as always, to the dedicated Security & Service Staff of Bert Driver’s Burlap Room. See y’all soon!
Up next is Comedy Night with Monty Mitchell and Joe Kelley on Thursday, 10/12, Lady Lady (just announced!) on Thursday, 10/26, and the next round of Finally Fridays with Steady Rotation on Friday, 11/3, JL Fulks on Friday, 11/10, and Kaleah Wooten on Friday, 11/17 at the Harvester. Stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘Local Vibe’ Newsletter - released every other Tuesday morning straight to your inbox!
And remember that you too can rent The Harvester year round…weddings, retirement parties, corporate retreats, quinceanera, company Christmas parties, most anything you can dream up: contact us for more information.
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