((( ♫ REGGAE NIGHT ♫ ))) @ the Roche Bar

Bass-Healing Dub, Roots-Rockin Reggae, join us for
the next installment of REGGAE NIGHT @ the Roche Bar!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
10pm until 2am

We'll be serving up only the BEST selections of
Reggae to warm your soul and move your feet.

Rocksteady Rhythms all night long provided by:
BHILL (detroit - thedeepdetroit.com )
SHUG ( detroit - thedeepdetroit.com )
FRANCK ( port huron - bluewaterbeat.org )
CHAWK ( port huron )

((( ♫ REGGAE NIGHT ♫ )))
@ the Roche Bar
405 Quay Street
Downtown Port Huron

GAME NIGHT @ the McMorran Theatre - March 11-13

Jack’s Retired … Let the Games Begin!
Article written by Donald Lierman

All you young whippersnappers may think you have all the fun … but let me tell you … when the grave is nearing it’s time to really rock and roll.

Don’t believe me, check out the play, Game Night, at the McMorran Theatre from March 11-13. The play, described as a laugh out loud comedy, was written by local playwright, Jeremy Stemen, and has been sought for production by numerous theater companies since its premiere at Port Sanilac’s The Barn Theatre in the summer of 2009.

“The play was originally titled Start 2 Finish,” said director Stephen Kenny. “Its humor resonates with older audiences as they find it easy to recognize themselves in the situations. Having said that, I know some 19 years olds who really immerse themselves in the show.”

The play is described by its web site, www.gamenighttheplay.com, as a story about the transition of its two lead characters, Jack and Julie, into a new life after retirement. Jack is a newly retired union worker who faces the end of an accustomed, comfortable existence. The wife, Julie, is more than eager to begin new adventures as they move to hopefully, greener pastures.

Jack has his doubts but they make the jump to a new life. The play follows their first few months in a brave new world with its resulting rollicking results.

Like most works, the play is rooted in reality.

“My folks have been retired now for several years,” said Stemen. “They had to get used to the life of living in a new community, not sure of the certainty that surrounds retirement. If the transition is forced, there is a big feeling of ‘now what’. One result was that the folks ended up playing more games now than they did when I was younger; hence Game Night.

“After the treks to my parents, I ‘met’ my lead character, Jack. He immediately became vivid to me. I knew Jack and his life story. I could put him in any situation and knew, intrinsically, how he would react.

“Julie was next, a funny and sweet woman. The rest of the characters all fell into place naturally. The writing just created itself.
Stemen is an accomplished playwright and thespian.

“I have three other works,” said Stemen. “I hope to get them work shopped or produced soon. . I'm absolutely thrilled Port Huron Civic Theatre has chosen to do this play.

“It’s a great honor to be selected the first local playwright to have an original work done by them.”

Although it is a comedy, the play is not for everyone.

The site states, “The play is for MATURE AUDIENCES. So please understand, that the play is not intended for children, but grown ups. What would I consider a grown up? Anyone who watches TV past 9:00.

“The show deals with people who are retiring. And there are quite a few questionable words, and adult situations. But nothing really bad, it’s all in fun.”

Ticket prices are $15.00. Performance times at the McMorran Theatre are March 11th and 12th at 7:00 pm and March 13 at 3:00pm. For further information contact McMorran Place at (810) 985-6166 or visit the play’s web site at www.gamenighttheplay.com.

“Obviously people of retirement age will get the jokes and understand what people are going through,” said Shannon Booze, who plays four different characters. “There is a lot of comedy, a lot of physical comedy, that I think all ages and any audience will enjoy.”

So come and enjoy, Baby Boomers, and come and see what’s in store, young ‘ins.

March 4th-Rock-n-Roll Mardi Gras at the Roche Bar in Port Huron

It's party time with Wheels On Fire (from Athens, Ohio), blues stomper Dale Beavers and local trouble makers the Riverside Shakes.

For all the details check out the link at BlueWaterBeat.org

Girls Going Wild at McMorran

Girls Going Wild at McMorran


Blue Water Derby Girls play first match on Sunday

Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

Let’s have some good old-fashioned girl-on-girl action. Speed, style and sensuality are smashing to Port Huron this weekend.

The Blue Water Derby Girls will skate in their inaugural match on Sunday at the McMorran Pavilion. The doors open at 5:30 p.m.

“Expect controlled anarchy,” said coach Jeff “Darryl B. Payne” Good. “The match will remind you of a Mount St. Helena’s type of chaos. The eruption may be overwhelming but it sure will look pretty as it explodes.”

Unlike its 1970 predecessor, roller derby is governed by stringent rules. The days of a reliance on cheap theatricals with a predetermined outcome are long gone. It now has its own governing body: the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

“Today’s version of roller derby has more rules than hockey,” said referee Scot “Zoso Naughty” Kavanaugh. “The skaters no longer exchange punches, clothesline each other or toss their opponents over the rails. These girls are true athletes.”

The rules remain reminiscent of the days of the “Blonde Bomber” Joanie Weston from the famous ‘70s San Francisco Bay Bombers. Jammers (designated scoring skaters) still must lap the opponents to score points. The strategies remain similar.

“Imagine football, except both teams have the ball at the same time,” Good said. “The goal is to get your jammer through first. Then your team has unlimited time outs which can be used to stop the other team from being able to score.

“Each team must play offense and defense at the same time. Even at an amateur level, you will not be able to believe the skills set of these ladies.”

Roller derby is being called the fastest growing sport in America. The grassroots explosion of do-it-yourself startup franchises is phenomenal, Good added.

“Of the 120 U.S. teams, only 30 are older than three years old,” he said. “Twenty alone have started this year. The sport has evolved from 40 teams nationally in 2007 to nearly 500 worldwide today. Roller derby has exploded in Canada, Australia and Europe.”

The players find an intrinsic worth in the game that lives up to its violent reputation.

“The sisterhood is amazing,” said skater Brenda “Anna Phylaxis” Good. “We’ll knock each other down one minute and hug the next. This game empowers women. We can open up and be ourselves, while playing a hardcore contact sport.

“This is not just for jocks, cheerleaders or princesses. It is also for those of us who once stuck out in ways that we wish we didn’t. Roller derby is for all walks of life.”

Rocket Ray will perform music before the match and at halftime, and a DJ will play background music throughout the bout. A cash bar will also be available.

“If you like to watch well trained girls in cute outfits getting hot and sweaty while knocking each other down to score — you will love this,” Brenda Good said.

Up to two children aged 10 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. Tickets are $10.

“We’re the team the established leagues are worried about,” Jeff Good said. “The overall event will border on spectacle, but I assure you the action on the track will be amazing.”

HUE BLANC'S JOYLESS ONES "LIVE" at the Roche Bar in Port Huron Tuesday Oct 26th

Twisted and gnarled sound blasts of two guitars and two drummers from Algoma, Wisconsin (population 3,357).

Check this interview with them
http://smashintransistors.homestead.com/midwest_gentlemen.html

Read a review of their album from a couple years back on Victim Of Time
http://www.victimoftime.com/articles/breaking-sounds-hue-blancs-joyless-ones-arriere-ga/

Listen to some of their music here
http://www.myspace.com/hueblancsjoylessones