The popular musical showcase Acoustic Blends finally returns to a live setting this month after being absent from local stages for more than a year.
Usually held monthly at the George Link Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse, Acoustic Blends will be presented on an outdoor stage at Harrison Park Friday, May 21. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and music starts at 5:30 p.m. This will be the only time the open mic style event has been held at the downtown Ellijay park since its first outing there in 2019.
“It’s more of a one-time thing on an annual basis (at Harrison Park). After this event, we will move back to our normal venue, the Gilmer Arts Playhouse, where we will resume our third Friday of the month event,” said singer/songwriter Mike Bellotti, a frequent Acoustic Blends participant and an organizer of the program.
With the COVID-19 pandemic putting Acoustic Blends’ live music component on the back burner, its regulars are eager to get back to performing alongside one another onstage, Bellotti noted. There haven’t been any live sessions at the playhouse since the pandemic first began, he added.
A virtual version of the program that featured video packages of musicians performing at home took the place of the live events for several months, but those YouTube-posted segments ended last fall.
“It really didn’t have the same feel and camaraderie among musicians as we have when we’re all there in person. We realized that it wasn’t as intimate as what we were used to,” Bellotti said.
Bellotti said he’s had quite a few requests from local musicians wanting to perform at the upcoming park event and, so far, 17 acts have been scheduled including such Acoustic Blends mainstays as Downtown Roy and Jack Bellinato.
“Another one of note is Brooksie Wells. She hasn’t played with us before, but she’s a published Nashville songwriter and a part-time Ellijay resident. Our list of musicians (ranges from) accomplished professionals to amateurs, but everybody’s pretty good,” Bellotti said.
“We’ve had a lot of requests and, fortunately, we were able to accommodate everybody, but there won’t be room for any additional (acts). Because there’s been such a demand, everybody will get 10 minutes which is probably enough for about two songs each,” he added.
Refreshments, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase at the event, noted Chris Cleberg, of Friends of Harrison Park. At its April meeting, the Ellijay City Council approved a special event permit for alcohol sales at this installment of Acoustic Blends.
Admission to the event is free, but donations will be accepted. Donations will go to support both Harrison Park and Gilmer Arts. Seating will not be provided, but attendees can bring along lawn chairs or blankets. Harrison Park is located just past Clear Creek Elementary School at 75 McCutchen Street.