Dia de los muertos 2021
Bert Driver’s Burlap Room ended our 2021 Concert Series with a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, 10/23/21. Just like Bert Driver’s Burlap Room, Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead possesses a unique vibe and feeling that all it’s own….it’s “sorta” like Halloween in the fact that costumes are prevalent, but bears a much deeper meaning and tradition that goes back thousands of years in Mexico.
It only takes a couple minutes of “googling” to find out there's a ton more spiritual beliefs and traditions associated with Day of the Dead.
So, this weekend the Burlappers obviously had done their own googling, and showed up in force, with many in full traditional DOTD regalia. As a matter of fact, there were so many “quality” costumes that an impromptu costume contest ensued, with the VERY creative winning couple taking home the grand prize of….what else, “a Georgia Belle” live peach tree!
We had a return visit this year by DJ Resendo (from Guatemala) setting the mood early with music selections from Mexico’s and South America’s Cumbia music genre, which had everybody nodding their heads and bouncing to the infectious rhythms. The laid-back So Cal Reggae music of Sublime, as captured and delivered ever so competently by our headliner 40 Oz. Burrito was the “groovo excellente” for an October evening that had just the right amount of Upper Cumberland chill to lace it all together for a perfect fall memory. Speaking of memories, herds of the Burlappers flocked to the free Photo Booth to get their old-timey photo strips to stick on the fridge.
Our sponsors for this event were Burning Acre (CBD Gear and Products) and Domino’s Pizza (first-timer)- Other exhibitors were Kat’s Creations (Tye-died apparel), Tabitha Theirjung and Lee, artists from Appalachian Center for Craft, and My Thai Kitchen (Fresh Asian Fare) to round out for this very touching and beautiful Celebration of Life. (What!? Thought you said this was a Day of the Dead celebration!!)
Well, my dear friend, all I can say is you got some googlin’ to do.
The staff and management of Bert Driver’s Burlap Room thank all of you who attended, followed, supported, believed in, trusted, counted on, enjoyed, shared, bragged about, understood, assisted and helped us in any way to have a record year in 2021 of doing exactly what we love to do- make people happy.
Peace out (for now) - Don’t forget the final 2021 Burlap Willow Cigar Night Thursday, 10/28/21, and watch for Harvester Center announcements (opening early 2022).
Bert Driver Burlap Room- Onward/Upward in 2022!
Photos by Matthew Antoniak Photography.
BERT’S ON THURSDAY: TACOS WITH TECIA (& SETH WILLOUGHBY)
Per Seth Willoughby, between his sets at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room during a special “Tacos with Tecia” event on Thursday 3/3/22: “Yep, it’s gonna be a great year!”
If the spring preview weather, great live music, and laid-back vibe was any indicator, I’m certainly inclined to believe him.
Seth, who’s a perennial favorite musician/songwriter of the Burlappers, has a lot going on in his life.First off, he’s a full-time high school biology teacher who’s working like crazy on his Master’s degree (that alone would drive me bonkers). He somehow still has time to keep his musical performance material fresh, and current, and can dish up some John Prine that’s as authentic as it comes, please the teeny-bopper that’s in all middle-aged Burlappers with a rendition of The Marvelettes’ “Beechwood 4-5789”, and then even throw a little newer, edgier material in to catch the younguns’ ears.
“Something for everybody” is a good descriptor for Seth’s well-rounded repertoire that fits perfectly on the outdoor Wisteria stage - this young man has always had it going on musically, and it’s always exciting when he comes home to the Burlap Room stage. FYI, the fact that Seth is getting married in July is probably adding to his exuberance about 2022!
The “Tacos with Tecia” event was a resounding success with Tecia Puckett Pryor drawing an enthusiastic crowd of her friends and supporters in anticipation of the primary and general elections coming up soon in Dekalb County. During Bert Driver’s introduction of Tecia to the attendees, he mentioned several of the factors that make TPP the perfect choice for General Sessions Judge, including the fact that she’s a Dekalb County native, and declared Tecia as “One of those folks who did a lot of traveling and saw the world, and decided to come back home to make a difference”.
As I watched Tecia “work the crowd” at the Burlap Room, one factor was intuitively obvious to me. This woman knows just about everyone in attendance, and is an apt student of the history and current status of Dekalb County because this is where her family roots go “way back”. She possesses the real-world experience and knowledge to understand the ever-growing challenges we face as residents, and most importantly of all, she genuinely CARES.
These days you can buy bogus degrees, qualifications, and in some cases, even reputations - finding a candidate who genuinely cares about their constituents is either priceless, or simply, not available. We urge everyone to check out all the candidates and then exercise your God-given right (and responsibility) to vote in the upcoming elections. We have no doubt that Tecia Puckett Pryor deserves to be at the top of your list of preferred candidates!
And, you are absolutely right, Seth Willloughby, this IS going to be a GREAT year!
Check out the 2022 Summer Concert Schedule at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room and news on the Harvester Event Center, downtown Smithville, TN at Bertdriver.com. The next Bert’s on Thursday features Warren County native and super guitar slinger Griffon Winton (Griff’has played on multiple stages at Bert Driver’s Burlap Room throughout the years with multiple bands and always pleases the ever so discerning Burlappers). Bert’s on Thursday, next week: March 10, Griffon Winton!
Photos by Matthew Antoniak.
