A jazzy place
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By RACHEL PERRY
OOK1NG for an inexpensive alternative to
Chapel Hill's beach rock and disco nightlife?
Search no more. There is a lively, atmospheric
jazz club in far-away Carrboro that fits any
student's bill.
Tallulah's Old Place, a restaurant in Carr Mill
featuring live Dixieland jazz music, offers this
pleasant alternative.
. The candlelight and white tablecloth
atmosphere in Tallulah's lets the students relax
while the Royal. Carolina Dixieland jazz Band belts
out New Orleans jazz classics like "Sweet Georgia
Brown' Bill Bailey" and "Georgia On My Mind,"
for a cover charge of only $1.
The mood at Tallulah's is relaxed and congenial.
The band plays requests and the audience claps
time to the lively music. The spirit of Dixieland
seems contagious even the hostess does the
Charleston over in the corner.
Tallulah's clientel is a mixed breed. Owner
Blackre Sanders said students, professionals and
Chapel Hill natives all frequent the restaurant.
"One of my waitress' professors comes here all the
time. All different kinds of people come here,
they're all sure as hell having a good time," he said.
"I am trying to turn this place into the
entertainment center of Chapel Hill and Carrboro,"
Sanders said. He said the crowd response here has
been very good. "We average 100 people here on
Sunday nights, for example. Tallulah's has a very
relaxed atmosphere, and I hope it stays that way,"
he said. "I try to keep an informal mood, where
people can bring their dates, their families and
their friends," he added.
Indeed, the atmosphere in Tallulah's is relaxed,
yet lively. Customers, employees and band
members alike seem to enjoy themselves. There is
no dance floor, but there is much applause after
renditions of Dixieland tunes such as "The Original
Dixie-Land One-Step."
Tallulah's Old Place named after a legendary
Cajun dancer said to be buried in an unmarked
grave near Chapel Hill, definitely exhibits New
Orleans flavor. The mirrored bar, the ornate
chandeliers and the Gibson Girl posters on the wall
add to the unique atmosphere.
Profile
Sanders said "we serve great steaks, seafood and
chicken dishes," but the prices (ranging from $4.00
to $5.00 for an entree) are a bit steep for the
student budget. Beer and mixed drink prices are
average for Chapel Hill, but are reduced 25 cents
and 50 cents respectively for Happy Hour. Hot hors
d'oeuvres also are served during Happy Hour,
which is 5-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sanders
said.
Although Sanders said Tallulah's does more
restaurant business than bar business, most of the
customers lingered at their tables Saturday night,
obviously relishing the live entertainment. "They
(the Royal Carolina Dixieland Jazz Band) are good,
and they're very enthusiastic. You get more music
for a dollar than anywhere else," said one patron.
Sanders said that the Royal Carolina band, which
has played Tallulah's every Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday night since October, has played together
off and on for 10 years. Tommy Smith, the
trombone player and lead singer, played with Al
Hirt, and also played Bourbon Street in New
Orleans for two years.
Blackie Sanders, a former merchant seaman,
took over Tallulah's Old Place in October 1980, but
is no newcomer to the restaurant business. "I first
vent into the restaurant business in 1947," he said.
"I opened up the Peddler in 1966, and had the very
first salad bar in Chapel Hill," Sanders said proudly.
He also managed the Pine Room for six to eight
months.
"I really like the restaurant business, but my
main regret in life is quitting the seafaring
business," Sanders said. "I was in the Merchant
Marines for 20 years," he said. "I traveled
everywhere in the northern hemisphere. Iran,
Japan, Egypt, France, England you name it and
I've probably been there," Sanders said.
In spite of his travels, Sanders decided to settle
down in Chapel Hill. "I love it here. I probably will
be here for the rest of my life."
Tallulah's Old Place provides a breath of fresh
air from- the packed, smoke-filled, student
hangouts of Chapel Hill. The music is lively, pure
' New Orleans Dixieland. The people are friendly,
and the drinks are strong. If you're ready for a
change of pace, try Tallulah's this weekend.
Rachel Perry is a staff writer for The Daily Tar
Heel.
The Fine Affs F
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By JONATHAN SMYLIE
OR
students their
m 3 n
I iiioii y
commitment to class and
" homework too often leaves little
time for exposure to the arts. Typically,
students may have time for only an
occasional play, a novel or two between
semesters, a free flick or maybe a trip
through Ackland Art Museum. There
never seems to be enough exposure to this
out of class education. But Chapel Hill
does offer a more exciting way to enjoy
the arts.
n late March and early April the Fine
Arts Festival Committee is presenting a
10-day celebration of the arts."We want to
bring in artists that would not otherwise
come to the community." said Margot
Longenecker, the project's publicity
director.
This student-organized festival will
feature artists of both local and
international prominence. It is designed to
give students a better understanding of
what goes into making and performing the
arts, such as plays, motion pictures and
novels.
"We want to present artists up and
coming who cross the borderline of the
arts," Longenecker said. Artists that deal
with more than one art form will be
brought to the festival, tor example, a
dance company coordinator that must
work with the artists and a playwright in
order to create a performance.
The festival is scheduled to show five
art forms; drama, music, art. English, and
motion pictures. The committee hopes the
panel discussions, workshops, readings
and class visits planned with the artist will
give students a broader view of the arts.
"The festival is art, not just from local
artists but from all over, said Diane
Beckman, a committee member. "We
want students to see what people
practicing these arts are doing outside the
university community."
Liz Teviodale, the festival's treasurer
described the scheduled artists as those
dealing with art on the "cutting edge"
where they may not have a large popular
appeal. The idea is that this variety of
artists will get students interested in art
across the board and not just in the areas
they are familiar with, Teviodale said.
"We stress artist involvement," she said.
'They must be interested in the students,
not just performances. This way they (the
artists) can get to know the community
and the community them."
Examples of the variety and talent to
come can be seen by early scheduled
artists. On the opening day, Jon Deak, a
composer and double bass virtuoso for the
New York Philharmonic, will give a
concert. Sam Art Williams' Broadway play
'Home" will be presented. Discussions
with Williams about his play also are
scheduled. Kathleen Dowdey, an
independent filmmaker from Atlanta, will
show her films and conduct workshops.
Also contemporary poet Heather McHugh
will give readings and will visit classes
during the week.
The festival committee said the
performances during this 10-day, $24,000
festival will be held campus-wide.
The Fine Arts Festival is held every
other year and with all the planning and
organization invested in this year' s festival,
Teviodale said she anticipates that the
affair would be very successful with more
than half of the student population
participating.
lorwthan Smylie is a staff writer for The
Daily Tar IfteL
S QXC1Y
ing schodul
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Pat Graf of the William Dunns end Tho Trust denco company
company will be one of many performers at the Fine Arts Festival
Weekender, February 26, 1981 7