BS: Florida Folk?

Subject: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 07:48 AM

We shall be in Spring Hill, Florida for some time starting tomorrow. We will visit Epcot for a day or so and I have looked up some country music bars. Aside from that, nothing set in stone. Anyone any advice or recommendations for things folk, country or just plain interesting?

Oh, and any burglars reading needn't bother finding out where we live. We have resident house sitters for the whole holiday :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 08:50 AM

Mudcatter Abby Sale was in Florida last I heard. Haven't heard from him in a long time though.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: leeneia
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 12:45 PM

Hi, Dave. You are in the vicinity of Richard Gilewitz, a wonderful guitarist with a quirky sense of humor. You can learn about him at Richard Gilewitz.com

The DH and I have been Gilewitz fans for years, and we have all his recordings.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 03:50 PM

This thread (click) shows events in 2010-11, but many of the events happen annually.
I really enjoy the architecture in St. Augustine and Palm Beach, and the NASA visitor center at Cape Canaveral is a very interesting place to visit. There's a National Wildlife Refuge just north of Cape Canaveral that's good for watching birds and alligators. It isn't quite peak time for birds at Everglades National Park, but the birdwatching will still probably be pretty good. Southwest of Orlando, Cypress Gardens and Bok Tower & gardens are nice places to visit. Oh, and Tampa and St. Pete and DeLand are interesting places to explore for architecture. There's a town built around a lake in Central Florida that I really liked - I'm not sure if it's Lake Wales, but Bok Tower is near Lake Wales and definitely worthwhile.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 05:20 PM

Thanks Joe. All good stuff. I had forgotten St Petersburg was on my 'hit list' just because it is mentioned in Ian Fleming's "Live and let die". It is where Felix is savaged by sharks! I'll look into the others too.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: gillymor
Date: 22 Oct 18 - 06:47 PM

Dave, if you go to St. Pete you might want to check out some of the night life in Jannus Landing. There is a courtyard there called Jannus Live where they have live music and an outdoor bar attached. It's in a nice old part of town by Tampa Bay.

On the way there is the wonderful old Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa which an old cigar making center. I usually try to hit it for lunch and dinner (lunch for me will be their Black Bean Soup and 1905 Salad which is TDF and for supper I start with a Mojito or a Daiquiri, both of which they do quite well, and order the Red Snapper Alicante, so good). I usually top it all off with my "once a year cigar", good ones are easy to find there, not surprisingly. Cigar City Brewery is close by and worth a visit to do some sampling.

I get up that way to Hommasassa Springs about once a year to kayak fish (I'm about 250 miles south of there) which is just a bit north of Spring Hill, you might find the state park there fun, it's on the Hommasassa River which is fed by the springs. You should see lots of manatees and you'll want check out the "Fish Bowl" which is an aquarium built right into the river that you just walk down into it.

If you travel a bit east there's Highland Hammocks State Park where there are trails through hardwood hammocks and a rickety boardwalk through a marsh/swamp which is very cool, it will give you some idea of what Florida was like before all the development. There is also a very informative visitor center which will fill you in on the regional history. It's near Lake Wales, that lovely old town on a lake that Joe spoke of.

Oh, and you're not far from Tarpon Springs where a colony of Greek sponge fishermen settled so consequently there are some great Greek restaurants there. One that springs to mind is Hellas. It's a cool town to kick around.

It's still not what we call "the season" down here, when all the Northerners descend upon us for the winter as well as vacationers, so you'll want to call ahead to find out what's open and what the hours are like when planning an excursion. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Have fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Oct 18 - 05:54 PM

There's music and dance performed nightly at Raglan Road in Disney Springs, part of the Disney World complex, but it may be too touristy for you. If you are curious, check it out online. I've heard it's very popular, so if you want to go, make a reservation immediately.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 Oct 18 - 08:27 PM

Friends of Florida Folk


Look here dave you mght find something that interests you

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Oct 18 - 08:44 PM

I love Spanish Revival architecture, and there's a lot of it in Florida - especially in Tampa & St. Pete, St. Augustine, and Palm Beach. I'm sure some would think it gaudy, but I like it. There are lots of Florida folk musicians and storytellers who sing of the history and nature and lore of Florida, but they're hard to find except during the festivals. My folks moved to Sarasota in 1981, so I visited Florida lots of times over the years. Oh, and the other thing I like about Florida is winter birdwatching. I try to stay out of Florida during "the season" - Jan 1 to Easter. Too damn many tourists.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: pattyClink
Date: 23 Oct 18 - 11:12 PM

You're in Brendan Nolan country. Great Dublin balladeer.

https://www.brendannolan.com/

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: John J
Date: 26 Oct 18 - 06:09 PM

I'm in Clearwater until 20th November...along with my melodeon....

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Oct 18 - 12:46 PM

Visiting Clearwater next week, John. I shall miss you :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Oct 18 - 09:37 AM

Florida folk, please bury the scorched earth race war candidates.
Vote Gillium for Govenor.

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Oct 18 - 11:27 AM

Two bars I would highly recommend so far. Sam's bar in Hudson and the Red Mule in Brooksville. Neither with folk music but both with good music along with good food and beer:-)

No birdwatching so far, Joe, but saw plenty of birds new to me over on the coast.

Great time so far. If it wasn't for the healthcare I'd be over here 6 months of the year :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Florida Folk?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Nov 18 - 04:46 AM

Back now, safe and sound. Fabulous place to visit at this time of year. Not sure about the summer.

Epcot was everything I imagined and more!

Lovely to see John J again. Another friend was there as well at New Smyrna Beach but we couldn't get there.

Last day saw us in Disney Springs. Very nice place but there is something odd about Christmas music in 70-odd degree heat :-)

As Arnie said, I'll be back...