When Dean and I visited the Holiday Open House at Surrey Center on Dec. 2, our dear friend and local musician Roger Enevoldsen was scheduled to perform by the fountain on the middle level of the complex. We headed over to visit with him and listen to him play and sing. It had been some time since we’d been able to spend time with Roger. Armed with an acoustic guitar, he played a tasty set list covering songs from artists as diverse as Michael Nesmith, Buddy Holly and Roger Miller.
The sun fell below the horizon as cars filled the parking lots. Folks joined us around the fountain to enjoy Roger’s music. In the distance, I could hear the sounds of a brass band running through a medley of Christmas carols. Surrey Center was adorned in holiday decorations as far as the eye could see, and that made sitting by the fountain under the starry sky a magical thing. Shoppers mingled and the Christmas lights twinkled as music filled the air. One could sense the coming holidays riding in on the gentle breezes.
A half hour had passed during Roger’s performance before I felt the pangs of hunger. Neither Dean nor I had eaten anything since lunch, and both of us were ready for dinner.
I got on Facebook to see if any of the restaurants at Surrey Center were offering live music. To my surprise and delight, I found that a band called BrownsTown Gritty was scheduled to perform at SolFood Kitchen, a vegan-focused restaurant that comes highly recommended by many of my friends. It was the perfect opportunity to try a new-to-us establishment and acquaint ourselves with a new-to-us band.
We bid Roger farewell and headed up to get something to eat.
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Once we arrived at SolFood, the atmosphere was alive and hopping. The only seating available was on the patio, and we jumped at it. The band had set up outside, and we were seated at a table for two quite close to the music.
Dean ordered a Red and Black on draft and, in a rare move for me, I ordered the special frozen sangria. For food, we each enjoyed a plate of SolFood Kitchen’s amazing smoked wings.
The BrownsTown Gritty Duo surprised us with their power and punch. The duo, featuring vocalist Ethan Stallings on guitar and Travis Shaw on bass, played a varied set list of beloved songs from yesteryear. Their take on classic hits like Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle” and the songs “Breathe” and “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd were filled with a grooving funk-meets-jazz sound that took the rock songs to a higher dimension.
Sitting on the patio noshing on our wings and sipping our libations, Dean and I couldn’t help but smile at each other as the songs flowed around us. The music was so good that after we ate, we each ordered a bowl of vegan potato soup just so that we could sit a little longer and listen.
Ethan and Travis later moved into classic R&B hits including “Who’s That Lady” by the Isley Brothers and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” A commotion broke out as Santa arrived at SolFood Kitchen. Without missing a beat, the duo launched into “Christmas Time is Here” by Vince Guaraldi. It was a nice touch for an evening celebrating the start of the holiday season.
BrownsTown Gritty’s funk-driven bass lines and strong vocals drive the music deep into the soul. Their musical style reminds me of Passafire, the Dave Matthews Band and the Spin Doctors. BrownsTown Gritty is hot. I highly recommend checking them out next time they’re playing around town.
If you’ve never been to Surrey Center, be sure to stop by for any of your last-minute holiday gift shopping. If you simply enjoy viewing Christmas lights, swing by one evening to see the decorations.
SolFood Kitchen offers live music on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit their website at https://www.thesolfoodkitchen.com.
Follow the BrownsTown Gritty at https://travisashaw.com/the-brownstown-gritty.
Hungry for a good time? On Friday, catch Guns for Hire playing The Stables at Rose Hill in Aiken. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday night, check out the smooth sounds of AE the Cool at Edgar’s Above Broad. Show starts at 7 p.m. Also on Saturday, DJ Paco spins the grooves at Pineapple Ink Tavern at 9 p.m.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
