by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
“If I hear ‘arg’ one more time I’m going to explode,” Lori Rose, Manager of the Beach’s Cliffs said jokingly. Lori was presiding over the 10th Anniversary Parrot Head Pirate’s Ball that started a 6:00 pm. I got there at 9:30 pm and the Parrot Heads, dressed as pirates, were going strong. It could have been the set of the next Pirates of The Caribbean movie.
Captain Morgan, in full regalia was giving away free samples of Captain Morgan’s Rum, among serious partiers and those not dressed as pirates. I fit right in with my usual signature look–Hawaiian shirt, jeans, and panama hat. Finally, I blended in with this “in-crowd.”
Of course, Jimmy Buffet is the patron saint of the Parrot Head Club, A1A chapter. The club is a non-profit organization whose reason for being is fostering community and environmental awareness, raising funds for charity, and providing social activities for people with similar interests, that is, anything Jimmy Buffet, including Buffet’s Radio Margaritaville.
When Buffet wrote that song, Margaritaville, it conjured up images of living la dolce vita on some Caribbean island in shorts and flip-flops, sipping “that concoction,” leaving the stress of the workaday world behind. Ah yes, the Parrot Heads are living that dream, at least in their minds.
Solo performer, James “Sunny Jim” White, who was hired for the bash, deftly performed his songs and covers of Buffet’s repertoire. Jim plays guitar, keyboards, and steel drums with sampled orchestration. Jim has written and produced mostly original music, telling stories of life in the Caribbean islands. He also covers music by Bob Marley, Paul Simon, and Bonnie Raitt. In 1999, Radio Margaritaville traveled to the Caman Island to broadcast Sunny Jim’s show live to a global internet audience. Jimmy has recorded five CDs--Tropical Trader, Seven Mile Beach, Life in the Laid Back Lane, Sandbar Serenade, and Escape. Sunny Jim regularly performs at the National Parrot head Club Convention in Key West, Florida.
Man, this was one of the hippest parties I’ve ever attended. All the costumes looked really authentic. Lori had her new chef bring out a sample of their food. She is not whistling Dixie when she says she has the best food at the Beaches. The salmon dish and the goat cheese appetizer were delicious.
Delving further into the Parrot Head Club, I found out the group arranged for a lifetime adoption of manatees through the Adopt-A-Manatee Program. Jimmy Buffet funds manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and efforts in the U.S. and the Wider Caribbean to support public awareness of manatee conservation, urging boaters to honor the manatee zones on our waterways.
The Parrot Head A1A Chapter also raises funds for the Alzheimer’s Association holding various activities throughout the year, including the popular Annual Beach Bash which draws Parrot Head Clubs from all over the Southeast. So, the group’s altruistic activities give the group a righteous reason for throwing parties–not just hedonism and Jimmy Buffet worship.
Interestingly, the group works with Bill Wharton–The Sauce Boss–for his Planet Gumbo raising funds for the needy and food banks. And, in 2005 the Parrot Heads started an overnight event to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The Beaches Cliffs is a hip happening on any night, but with this bunch it was a bacchanal with great costumes and friendly people. Lori said they are throwing the mother of all Halloween Parties on Oct. 28. Log onto Cliffs website at www.cliffsbar.com for more information on Cliffs’ upcoming events. The Parrot Head A1A chapter’s website is www.a1aparrotheads.org. It’s a fun group!
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