Green Parrot Bar No Snivelling Zone

Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2015-09-19T13:25:00.000-05:00

Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits has that special gift for that special person on your Christmas list:

Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The long awaited followup to Bulleit's regular bourbon and rye whiskies - a 10 year old bourbon. Fantastically balanced, with great controlled sweetness, and a backbone of oak and spice.

Bulleit Distilling Company already has a pair of well-loved whiskeys on the market: their bourbon is a consistent fan favorite, and their rye has the supreme distinction of being declared one of Will Gordon's "very favorite liquors" in a recent whiskey battle. Not content to rest on their laurels, Bulleit recently released an extra-aged version of their flagship bourbon. Select barrels of the spirit were set aside to age for a full 10 years in charred American white oak, and the result is headed to a shelf near youBulleit Bourbon

The original Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey has a high rye content, which reveals itself in the scent: smoky oak blends with vanilla and a spicy rye freshness. The flavor is pretty straightforward, a sweetness from the corn joining with spices and leading to a medium finish. It's uncomplicated and enjoyable but retains a certain ruggedness, a welcome departure from similarly priced entry-level bourbons.

Muddy Waters' Tribute at The Green Parrot

2014-04-03T13:16:00.002-05:00

Larry Baeder and Friends Offer Green Parrot Tribute to Muddy Waters

The Green Parrot will celebrate the would-be 101st birthday of seminal bluesman and "The Father of Electric Blues" Muddy Waters on Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:00 p.m. The Tribute, hosted by Larry Baeder, and accompanied by guitarist Bill Blue, will include a gathering of key west musicians offering renditions of Waters' songs.

Rolling Stone magazine said of him, "Muddy Waters was the man who moved the blues north from the Delta and made it electric. The leading exponent of Chicago blues in the 1950s, Waters came up with guitar licks and a repertoire of classic songs that have fueled innumerable rock acts, from the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton to the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin."

In his induction into the rock and roll hall of Fame in 19..it was said, "Muddy Waters transformed the soul of the rural South into the sound of the city, electrifying the blues at a pivotal point in the early postwar period. His recorded legacy, particularly the wealth of sides he cut in the Fifties, is one of the great musical treasures of this century. Aside from Robert Johnson, no single figure is more important in the history and development of the blues than Waters. The real question as regards his lasting impact on popular music isn’t “Who did he influence?” but - as Goldmine magazine asked in 2001 - “Who didn’t he influence?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_UF9V4lWic#t=12

Smirk's 39th Birthday Blast!

2014-04-02T20:13:00.000-05:00

Smirk's 39th Birthday party at Tuesday's April 1st Soundcheck was a blast!

What's a birthday party without a cake?

The Love Lane Gang got everyone in a party mood!

Here's photographer Tony Gregory getting a birds-eye view for a group photo to memorialize this somewhat surreal gathering of look-alikes.

Tom Robinson, a Hero Then, Our Hero Now!

2014-03-31T10:16:00.002-05:00

Sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of The Green Parrot Liquor store Saturday night University of Dayton Alumni and Green Parrot employee Tom Robinson was pondering The Dayton Flyers bold if ill-fated run in this year's NCAA basketball tournament.

Seeming to be in an expansive mood, Tom pulls out a small velvet pouch from which emerges an oversized and unmistakable championship ring which Tom earned as an offensive guard on the 1980 Division III champion University of Dayton football squad.

An NCAA Championship Ring, I ask you, who's got one of of those?

And Tom would add, "This guy!"

The Flyers went 14-0 that year under Head Coach Rick Carter, outscoring its opposition that year by an incredible 509-70 margin and crushed Ithaca College Bombers in Division III Championship Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl by a score of 63-0, still a record

Here's Tom in his most recent incarnation, Stock Island Boy, looking in fighting-trim and like he could still get down in that three-point stance and move mountains for that Flyers Backfield.

Tom you were a hero then, and you're our hero now!

Ukulele Night at The Green Parrot, March 10, 2014

2014-03-27T22:18:00.000-05:00

Country Blues/Folk Legend, Bob Dylan Mentor Spider John Koerner plays Green Parrot

2014-03-27T01:00:00.000-05:00

Spider John Koerner Returns to Parrot

Bob Dylan Mentor, Country Blues/Folk Legend

Legendary country blues/folk musician "Spider John Koerner" will perform at the Green Parrot Bar on Thursday, March 27th, at 5:30 p.m.

Koerner hit the folk-blues scene in the early '60's playing the Minnesota coffee house circuit with Bob Dylan, and with his band, Koerner, Ray and Glover, and has been credited with shaping the path of American country blues and folk music.

The Boston Globe described him as "defying his years with a ramshackle demeanor (all gangly arms and legs and tucked-in flannel shirt) and the true essence of a hootenanny-spirited, communal, and completely off the cuff."

Telling corny jokes, shouting timeless lyrics, stomping out an infectious beat, Koerner is a juggernaut of joy. Some artists have a built in cool factor that can be seen in their influence on others; Koerner is the man who had a great deal of influence on Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, John Lennon and the Doors.

Bonnie Raitt, speaking on NPR's "Morning Edition" said, " John was the 'Old Venerable One', the guy that influenced a lot of other musicians that would come up. He became the fulcrum of the whole scene. I learned a lot of things from him. It looked like he was having fun and that's just what I wanted to do and that's why I'm doing it still."

As one of folk and blues' greatest innovators, he got the blues revival of the '60's going and has kept it going strong ever since, while retaining the elements that have made him the legend that he is.

The Green Parrot is your Southernmost Center for Culture of every kind, and is located at the corner of Whitehead and Southard streets. For additional information call The Green Parrot at

Koerner, Ray & Glover
This seminal country-folk-blues group from Minneapolis formed in the early Sixties and influenced a musical era with its ardent roots music. In 1963 at one twelve-hour session, the trio recorded Blues, Rags & Hollers and put copies into the hands of a few influential people. On the strength of the album, "Spider" John Koerner, Dave "Snaker" Ray & Tony "Little Sun" Glover signed a recording contract with Elektra records. They cut six albums, showcasing an intriguing mix of string-band, ragtime and down-home blues. In 1996 they recorded a four-concert series and released sessions from that as One Foot In The Groove. Koerner, Glover & Ray (left to right) are pictured here at First Avenue.

305-294-6133.

St. Patrick's Day at Sharkey's Tavern

2014-03-17T09:05:00.000-05:00

Another St. Patrick's Day at The Green Parrot.

With that in mind, here's a shot of a St.Patrick's Day that's long gone. This photo was taken either in 1956 or 1957 at Sharkey's Tavern, my father's bar, outside Philadelphia.

In the foreground, behind the bar, sporting a broad grin, a Hibernian string tie, and some sort of cellophane party hat, is my father, Al.

To his right is long-time bartender Bill Conaboy, and behind Bill, wearing the bow tie, is my father's partner and brother-in-law, Jimmy Ranalli. Jimmy's wife, my dad's sister, my Aunt Emma, is in the foreground, looking very youthful and also with a great smile, hoisting what looks to be a glass of beer.

I don't see my mom in the picture, although all the way in the back on the left, gesticulating wildly, is my uncle Dick, seated next to his wife, my mother's sister, My Aunt Rita. (Aunt Rita,I might add, paid us a visit recently and so was perched on a Green Parrot bar stool, a few years back, a day after celebrating her 88th birthday. Rita in the Parrot.

That could be my mom, obscured, sitting next to Rita, but more likely she was in the kitchen in the back tending to the ham and cabbage, which I seem to recall was the traditional Sharkey's St.Patty's Day fare.

Looking at Dick, I keep thinking that if this were a movie instead of a still shot, the next few frames would show Dick in his excitement doing a backflip off his barstool. I hasten to add that I know for a fact that Uncle Dick's off-balance appearance was generated more by his innocent enthusiasm for a photo-op than any over-indulgence in adult beverages. Sharkey's was, as you can see, a family affair, and despite Emma's beer and Dick's posture, there never was a more temperate extended family. I don't know who the big guy in the middle is, but you gotta love it.

It's funny the things that strike you when looking at old family photos. What jumped out at me in this photo, besides Al's tie of course, and Emma's smile, was the cigarette machine way in the back on the right. I remember, as a small child, on some Sunday mornings, when the bar was closed, my brother and I would go there with my father and one of our jobs was to stock the cigarette machine. And part of that job was to tape two pennies on the side of every pack of cigarettes. Cigarettes cost 28 cents but since the machine did not accept pennies, customers could deposit a quarter and a nickel and get their change back taped to the side of the pack. I remember scotch-taping those pennies on, and I remember sliding each pack down the trough, down the length of the bar to my brother to be loaded in the machine.

On that nostalgic note, Happy St.Patrick's Day from all of us at The Green Parrot Family.

What's New at Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits this week is Clement V.S.O.P Rhum Agricole.

2014-02-23T22:17:00.004-05:00

Clement Rhum is produced in Martinique, in the French West Indies, the only geographic region in the world to have an AOC mark in the rum industry.

Unlike the majority of rums, sometimes called industrial rums, which are produced by distilling fermented molasses, rhum agricloe, or agricultural rum, is a tightly controlled product manufactured from fresh-pressed, free-runningsugar cane juice.

To learn more, here's A recent New York Times article on Rum Agricole from Martinique.

Clément V.S.O.P. begins life as a white rum (rhum) distilled from the pressings of freshly cut sugar cane. This rum is then placed in French oak barrels for over a year before being moved to charred Bourbon casks for another 3 years of aging, during which the spririt develops additional tannins and its characteristic light amber coloring.

Read more about it in an LA Times article here

Banfi Chianti w /Thai Beef Salad

2014-02-22T10:57:00.003-05:00

Sure, everyone loves Chianti, and everyone knows it pairs well with everything italian from pasta marinara to a pepperoni pizza.

I brought home a bottle of Banfi from the our Green Parrot bottle shop last night and matched it with a thai beef salad. It was a great fit, from the char of the grilled flank steak to the chiles, cilantro and mint in the dressing.

What's Coming Up This Week at The Parrot

2014-02-10T20:29:00.001-05:00

Sending the press out this morning I was reminded what a great week of music we had coming up so I thought I'd share it.

From Blue-eyed Soul from NOLA, to up-and-coming blues-rocker Samatha Fish, to our homegrown-anything-goes jug band from the Lane of Love, to reconstructed rhumba from Spam and reconstructed Buena Vista Social Club from Jose Elias and Cortadito and wrapping up with David Grisman's flat picking guitarist on a Wednesday evening, it's gonna be quite a week!

Eric Lindell & The Sunliners Brings Blue-eyed Soul, Dive-Bar Credibility and Romping New Orleans R&B to The Parrot

California-born, New Orleans-schooled R & B singer/songwriter Eric Lindell and The Sunliners bring their blue-eyed soul, blues and boogie back to the Parrot stage for two funky, rootsy nights with shows at 9 p.m. Wednesday, February 12th and 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 13th.

With his cliché-free, hook-filled songs and dive-bar credibility, Lindell has taken the talent-heavy New Orleans club scene by storm and glowing reviews of recent recordreleases seem ready to launch Lindell into the musical mainstream.

Described by Jazz News as an "extraordinary, original artist who is just getting

His combination of sweet, blue-eyed soul, smoldering vocals and foot-stomping R&B have won him critical and popular acclaim across the country via half-dozen independent releases and countless nights in small clubs.

Crossing Musical Borders, Samantha Fish Makes Green Parrot Debut

Genre-Bending Samantha Fish makes her Green Parrot Debut on Friday, February 14th with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM.

Fish is classified as a blues artist, but she crosses many musical borders. Her set list typically may include a cover of “Tennessee Waltz”, a jaunty version of Steve Miller’s “Jet Airliner,” John Hiatt’s “Native Son,” or a lovely, mournful version of the Stones’ “Dead Flowers,” . You could also just as easily hearTom Petty’s “Louisiana Rain” and three Tom Waits covers: “Walking Spanish Down the Hall,” “Heart Attack and Vine” and “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” (hers is more like the Ramones’ version).

Fish plays rhythm and leads on acoustic guitar, but for several songs, including covers of R.L. Burnside’s “Poor Black Mattie” and Junior Kimbrough’s “Nobody But You,” she showed some prowess on Dobro,

Fish, only in her mid-20s, displays an impressive knowledge of and respect for music of yore and the skills and polish that promise her a long, bright musical future.

sLove Lane Gang Brings "Swing, Jug Band, Anything Goes!" to Green Parrot

The Love Lane Gang brings their eclectic mix of Swing, jump swing, jug band - anything goes to The Green Parrot stage on Saturday, February 15th, beginning at 5:30 PMThe Love Lane Gang plays music that spans generations, as well as embodies them. The emphasis is on swing: classics from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, done in a refreshing new style that incorporates the Hot Club approach with island flourishes. Dust Bowl ballads, old school country from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, rockabilly and surf music classics and little-known gems, and tunes from Sixties stars like The Beatles and The Kinks, all fit in alongside original songs that sound like they could have come from any of those eras. Offbeat instrumentation like mandolin, accordion, ukulele, washboard, and a kazoo horn section add to familiar guitar, bass, and harmonica, creating a broad musical palette which they use to color their performances. But you needn't pay too much mind to all that serious musical analysis - it's just plain fun

Spam Allstars Electonic Descarga Returns to The Green Parrot

Blending Latin, funk, hip hop and dub, the Spam Allstars make their highly anticipated return to The Green Parrot with shows beginning at 10 PM on Saturday, February 15th and 9 PM on Sunday, February 16th.
A self-described descarga or Cuban jam session, DJ Le Spam and the Spam Allstars are a unique ensemble that has created their own niche on the national music landscape with a prolific recording routine and over 200 show dates a year.
Deftly combining the live performance of his stage-mates with a cornucopia of electronically-evoked samples, DJ Le Spam (Andrew Yeomanson) projects a distinctly modern voice that resonates of Miami's very Latin and urban soundtrack.

Cortadito Brings Early 20th Century Cuban Son to Green Parrot

The Green Parrot presents Miami's premier Cuban Son group Cortadito on Sunday, February 16th at 5:30 PM
This is the latest project by Spam Allstars guitarists Jose Elias, joined by guitarist Julio Cesar Rodriguez, their music could best be described as sounding like the Buena Vista Social Club but in a smaller more intimate setting.
Cortadito is a traditional Cuban Son Duo which focuses on performing the music of early 20th century Cuban origins. From Son Montuno to Boleros and Bolero Son, this dynamic duo brings you back to a time when Trio Matamoros, or Ignacio Piniero ruled the airwaves. An era when popular music was Cuban Music and Son Montuno was influencing the world over. From time to time Cortadito is backed by a variety of guest musicians which gives the group a sound reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. For their Green Parrot show Cortadito will be backed by Spam Allstars' Mercedes Abel on flute and Tomas Diaz on timbales.

Flatpickers Grant Gordy and Ross Martin Bring Hot Licks to Parrot Stage

Flatpickers Grant Gordy (of The David Grisman Quintet) and Ross Martin promise an evening of Hot Licks at The Green Parrot bar on Wednesday, February 19th, beginning at 9 PM.

Being asked to assume the guitarists’ role in the fabled David Grisman Quintet, a spot previously held by such guitar notables as Tony Rice, Mark O’Connor, Frank Vignola and Mike Marshall, has firmly established

Gordy as one of the preeminent young voices on guitar. Just ask his boss, David Grisman, who says Gordy “belongs to the new elite of American acoustic practitioners who are pushing the ever-expanding envelope

of a musical frontier.”

His work has been widely recognized for its consistent excellence and diversity. He was featured on the covers of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine and Japan’s premier bluegrass magazine, Moonshiner.

He was recently written up in Just Jazz Guitar and in 2010, Acoustic Guitar Magazine celebrated his debut CD in its Top Ten Acoustic Albums of the Year.

Gordy’s music has captured the ears of major broadcasters and he’s been heard on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, All Things Considered and the prestigious Tiny Desk Concerts. Gordy was selected in

2006 to be one of 15 participants in Carnegie Hall’s “Porous Borders of Music” workshop, led by acoustic music legends Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall. He’s played at Bonnaroo Music Festival, the

Montréal Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco and in the UK and Russia.

Guitarist Ross Martin has performed in concert halls, honky-tonks, theaters, rock clubs, living rooms, on festival stages, television programs and everywhere in between.

His musical path has covered as much territory as his physical one. Reflecting his love of diverse genres like

jazz, bluegrass, country, folk, experimental and classical music, He has toured and performed with a wide range of artists including Matt Flinner, Tony Furtado, Ron Miles, Mollie O’Brien, The Motet, Caroline Herring, Dwele, Sonya Kitchell and many others.

Green Parrot Named Zagat's #1 Best Music/Performance Venue in South Florida

2014-01-27T18:23:00.004-05:00

The Green Parrot has been named The Best Music/Performance Venue in South Florida in the 2014 Zagat Survey.

This is a real honor, we are pleased the hard work of everyone here has not gone unnoticed.

As I've said before at times when we've showed up on someone's radar in this way, this kind of recognition would not be possible without our strong partnerships with both local and national talent.

Moreover I give credit to our great Green Parrot staff and our Green Parrot patrons. I'm speaking of loyal, sophisticated patrons and seasoned, skilled staff who continually support our efforts and who join together make the musicians so welcome and appreciated that those musicians strive to deliver their best performances when they step out on our stage. Not only does this audience response make musicians want to return to The Parrot again and again but it spreads the word among their peers that the Parrot customers and employees are the best and most musically sophisticated anywhere.

We would like to thank all our staff here for their professionalism, thank musicians everywhere for enriching our lives, and mostly thanks to our patrons who repay us daily with their loyalty and enthusiasm. We promise to remain your "The Southernmost Center for Culture of All Kinds" and will continually strive to make the entertainment at The Green Parrot the best it can be. We are extremely pleased Zagats has honored us in this way.

Doo Wop Is Forever at The Green Parrot Sunday

2014-01-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

Joey Dale has Parrot patrons in the palm of his hand at a recent show here.

Dress up in your favorite bouffant, duck tail, bowling shirt or leather jacket, poodle skirt or any of your other favorite 50's fashions and head down to The Green Parrot on Sunday, January 26th at 5:30 P.M. because Joey Dale and The Gigolos, South Florida's premier Doo Wop group will be doing the Green Parrot's Sunday "soundcheck" and singing all the hits that people love to hear.
Their repertoire includes hits recorded by the Duprees, The Skyliners, The Coasters and many more popular groups of the fifties. and encompasses not only Doo Wap but Big Band, Motown, Disco, Blues and Rock and Roll, all fun and danceable. Joey Dale and the Gigolos perform like no other and promise to keep the dance floor packed.

Joey with Doo Wap Legend Jimmy Gallagher of The Passions

As a special treat Joey will be joined by Doo Wap legend Jimmy Gallagher, lead singer of The Passions, perhaps the most well known of any white doo wap groups of the 50's and 60's. One of the Passions many hits was "Just to Be with You", released in 1959 and fueled by Gallager's impassioned lead vocal, this now-classic classic chestnut became a top twenty hit on radios a cross Ameica and continues to be an ageless Doo Wap anthem for fans of the genre. As a bit of music trivia, when Gallager's demo of "Just to Be with You" was first delivered to the producers at Audicon Records Gallager was backed by a duo of studio singers called The Cousins. The Cousins were Paul Simon and Carol King.

See Joey and The Gigolos on youtube here

Green Parrot Bar, your Southernmost Center for Culture, at the corner
of Whitehead and Southard Streets.

Speaking of corners, here's picture from:
Another corner (Garrett Road and Avon Road in Upper Darby)
Another time (1962, I was a freshman in High School), and
Another Joey (Little Joey).

Joseph Hall (Lead)
Jeff Leonard (Bass), John Smith (Baritone), James Mehagher (Second Tenor), Fred Gerace (First Tenor)
Hear their 1962 hit Bongo Stomp here

From Upper Darby, formed in 1960, first as The Montels and then The Elads with then Lead singer Jimmy Dilks.

National Popcorn Day, Sunday, January 19th

2014-01-17T12:37:00.004-05:00

In what seems like a day tailor-made for us here at the Green Parrot, Sunday January 19th, although the exact date is actually a matter of debate, (see what I mean by being tailor made for the Green Parrot) is National Popcorn Day.

To celebrate you'd think it would be logical to offer free popcorn to all our customers, but obviously, since we offer free popcorn every day of the year anyway, that wouldn't be very special for us would it?

What we are doing is be firing up a bag of Buco's secret stash of Autumn Blaze popcorn. pictured below.

And since National Popcorn day coincides with the final Day of the Key West Literary Seminar we're asking folks to submit a popcorn haiku.

Originally developed by Japanese poets, Haiku are short poems that use sensory language to capture a feeling or image, often inspired by an element of nature, a moment of beauty or a poignant experience. They consist of 17 syllables, divided into three phrases: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables.

Here's an example of a popcorn Haiku:

Oil, kernels, heat, time

Many loud explosions heard

Pop, crunch, snack time. Yum!

In a separate, but related competition, we are also asking folks to submit a drawing of a single, popped, popcorn kernel, which I recall as an exercise in Drawing On The Right Side of The Brain class I took many years ago.

As a prize we were thinking maybe free popcorn for a year, but then remembered that wouldn't work either. So we decided the wining entry will be framed and hung in a fitting spot next to our popcorn machine.

The prize for the drawing is the same as the prize for the poem and everyone is welcome to submit separate entries for both competitions.
Submissions for Haiku and sketches will be accepted up until February 19th.

"No Room At The Gin": The Hendrick's Gin Nativity Scene

2013-12-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

"I know what we'll be drinking in Hell"-Vicki Roush

I just want to say that whoever came up with this idea (Nick) had a lot more than visions of sugarplums dancing around in their head.

Inspired originally by the very adorable miniatures of Hendrick's Gin, the small-batch, hand crafted Scottish Gin infused with cucumbers...

...John somehow got to this.

It became a family affair when Dan expanded on the Three Kings motif by stepping up the garb...

...throw in The Holy Family...

...and The Shepards watching their sheep by night (also clad and staffed by Dan).

Also a nod to Green Parrot bartender Kate for supplying the creche.

Hendrick's Gin, "It's Sacra-licious"

Embury Cocktails likes it too.

Xperimento, Hendrix Tribute, Love Lane Gang and Biscuit Miller Hit Parrot Stage!

2013-11-19T09:10:00.001-05:00

Cumbia/Funk Fusion Xperimento Returns to The Parrot

Xperimento the 7-piece Columbian-roots/cumbia funk/reggae band returns to The Green Parrot stage on Friday and Saturday, November 22nd and 23rd , with shows at 5:30 and 10 p.m.

Voted Miami's Best Fusion Band 2011 by Miami New Times, Xperimento is something only Miami could cook up. It plays a blend of cumbia, reggae, salsa, funk, timba, rumba, tango and dub, creating a sound that reflects the diverse mixture of cultures and genres that Miami has to offer.

The band has strong ties to two other Miami groups known for mixing new rhythms: Suenalo and the Spam Allstars, both well known to Parrot patrons for their past pelvis-grinding Parrot performances.

Xperimento has released three independent CDs in the last two years and improvises nearly 90 percent of its repertoire, giving the band its name, Xperimento

Pioneers of the fusion music happening now in Miami, Xperimento began as a side project of Locos por Juana (Crazy for Jane), a Latin fusion band that blends cumbia, reggae, funk, rock, R&B, and hip-hop. Since releasing their first two CDs in 2002 and 2005, they have been selected as a Billboard magazine "Hot Pick," a "Best US Band" by BBC News, "Best Latin Rock Band in Miami" by the Miami New Times, and been nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Love Lane Gang Returns to Green Parrot

The Love Lane Gang brings their eclectic mix of Swing, jump swing, jug band - anything goes to The Green Parrot stage on Thursday, November 28th, beginning at 9 PM

The Love Lane Gang plays music that spans generations, as well as embodies them. The emphasis is on swing: classics from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, done in a refreshing new style that incorporates the Hot Club approach with island flourishes. Dust Bowl ballads, old school country from Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, rockabilly and surf music classics and little-known gems, and tunes from Sixties stars like The Beatles and The Kinks, all fit in alongside original songs that sound like they could have come from any of those eras. Offbeat instrumentation like mandolin, accordion, ukulele, washboard, and a kazoo horn section add to familiar guitar, bass, and harmonica, creating a broad musical palette which they use to color their performances. But you needn't pay too much mind to all that serious musical analysis - it's just plain fun

Dave "Biscuit" Miller Funks It Up at The Green Parrot

Midwest Beat Magazine's "Entertainer Of The Year,
Dave "Biscuit" Miller, will appear at Green Parrot Bar on

Sunday, November 24th with shows at 5:30 and 9 PM.

Miller was chosen Midwest Beat Magazine's "Entertainer Of The Yearf
for a combination of reasons ––
his dedication in spreading the love of music to the youth of the
area; his musical work ethic shown in his doubling as bassist with The
Lonnie Brooks Band as well as fronting his own combo, The Mix; for his
always giving 100% when on stage; and for the simple fact that he does
a remarkable job "entertaining" folks.
Inspired to quit college after being drafted as a backing
musician for the legendary Rufus Thomas, Miller has never looked back
in regret on his decision to chase the musical muse that touched his
soul.
Miller is a jigsaw puzzle made up of strangely shaped pieces.
He's a little Rufus Thomas, a little James Brown, a little Bootsy
Collins and when he flashes that broad faced smile, there's even a
little touch of Ben Vereen as "Chicken George" (from "Roots") in there
as well.
Biscuit played with Lonnie Brooks for many years, and is one of the
best blues bassists out there. But he's not "just a blues bassist. He
plays a mixture of blues, soul, r&b and funk. Biscuit's chop bag is
bottomless, and contains everything from mathematically spaced eighth
notes, endless permutations of blues walk-ups and downs, thumps,
plucks, taps -- you name it, it's in there.
. The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center for Culture at
the corner of Whitehead and Southard Streets. For additional
information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133.

Larry Baeder and Friends Offer Green Parrot Tribute to Jimi Hendrix

The Green Parrot will celebrate what would have been the 71th birthday of seminal psychedelic rocker Jimi Hendrx on Wednesday, November 27, a t9 PM
The Tribute, co-hosted by Larry Baeder and Tony Baltimore, will include Francois Gehan, Anthony Picone, Bill Blue, Dora Gholson, Alphonse and more, all offering their renditions of Hendrix songs.
Despite a limited mainstream exposure of four years, Hendrix is widely considered to have been the greatest electric guitarist in the history of popular music, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Influenced musically by American rock and roll and electric blues, following initial success in Europe with his band the Jimi Hendrix Experience, he achieved fame in the US after his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival. Later, he headlined the Woodstock Festival in 1969, and the Isle of Wight Festival in 1970.
Instrumental in developing the previously undesirable technique of guitar amplifier feedback, Hendrix favored overdriven amplifiers with high volume, gain and treble. He helped to popularize use of the wah-wah pedal in mainstream rock, which he often used to deliver tonal exaggerations in his solos. He also pioneered experimentation with stereophonic phasing effects in rock music recordings.

theChive Chooses Parrot and Friends to Launch KCCO Black Lager in Key West

2013-11-16T16:14:00.002-05:00

Resignation Brewery, an extension of theCHIVE.com has partnered with Redhook Brewery to launch KCCO Black Lager and The Green Parrot Bar and Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits, along with the other Pat Croce Properties in Key West have been selected as the exclusive outlets to market their new brew in our area.

Described as "a toast lager with notes of chocolate and coffee and unlike a heavy porter or a stout KCCO Black Lager is amazingly light, crispy and sessionable. KCCO is a delicious misfit."

If your looking to get your KCCO Black Lager for home consumption, the exclusive package store outlet is green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits, located at 609 Whitehead Street, right next door to the world famous Green Parrot Bar. Other Pat Croce Properties in Key West that will offer KCCO Black Lager are Charlie Mac's 404, The Rum Barrel, Island Dogs, The Half Shell Raw Bar, The Half Shell Fish Market and Turtle Kraals.

Pictured above is Richard Levy of Ft. Lauderdale and Summerland Key. Just hours after it went on sale, Richard became the proud owner of the first case of KCCO to march out of our door and he'll be down often for more (his words).

KCCO Black Lager was originally created as a home brew at Resignation Media’s Venice, CA headquarters to be shared with coworkers, friends and fans of theCHIVE.com. As demand for the black lager grew, Resignation Brewery was established and local brew masters, The Beer Chicks, were tapped to refine the recipe. Now, Resignation Brewery has joined forces with Redhook Brewery to brew and distribute the beer.

“We wanted to partner with a quality brewer who shared the same values and mind set as our company,” said Joe Michaels, president of Resignation Brewery. “For over 30 years, Redhook Brewery has established itself as not only one of the nation’s finest breweries, but one that resonates with our fan base. We are extremely proud to share our recipe with them.”

KCCO Black Lager is deep charcoal in color, with mild notes of coffee and dark chocolate, a hint of smoke, and a clean, dry finish. At just 5.2% ABV and 22 IBU, KCCO Black lager features big flavor without the high alcohol punch. Leo Resig, CEO of Resignation Media calls the beer “approachable and sessionable,” noting “you can have more than a few without feeling like you drank your dinner.”

“We are stoked The Chive selected Redhook Brewery to brew KCCO Black Lager,” said Redhook Brand Manager, Karmen Olson. “Several Redhook employees are active members of the Chive community and the partnership is a natural fit. We both like to have a good time, we’re both committed to our community, and we both enjoy drinking a great beer or three.”

“As our company moves forward, one of the driving forces is to bring our online community offline and connect them in a social setting,” said John Resig, President of Resignation Media. “But KCCO Black Lager is not simply a beer for the Chive community. We hope this new lager will help introduce new people to our existing community, its culture, and generous spirit. KCCO Black Lager is a delicious misfit.”

Green Parrot Goombay/Fantasy Fest Entertainment

2013-10-17T17:10:00.000-05:00

You Better Pack A Lunch

When I looked at the late October Entertainment Calendar today, even though I knew for months what was coming, I was blown away by what we had on deck.

It's Eric Lindell and Suenalo

It's Burlesque and The Red Elvises

It's The Wild Magnolias and The New Riders

What I'm getting at is that if you plan on checking out the music at The Parrot this month you'd better pack a lunch.

Here's the lineup that will not quit starting tonight with The Skank, I count 25 days of straight music

Resolvers Launch Goombay Weekend

The Resolvers bring their '"Big Band Reggae.'to the Parrot stage to kick of Goombay at The Parrot with shows at 5:30 and 10 PM on Friday, October 18th. The Resolvers draw influences from classic Jamaican Reggae, Rocksteady, and Ska along with American Rock, Jazz, Funk, and Soul. Their live show has been described as explosive with up to 10 musicians on stage, 5 singers, a full horn section, and include a powerful brother and sister on lead vocal roles.

Eric Lindell & Anson Funderburgh to Perform Special Noon Green Parrot Matinee

Rising star Eric Lindell, a Green Parrot favorite, along with one of American musics' established legends, the renowned Texas blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh brings his Blue-eyed Soul, Dive-Bar Credibility and Romping

New Orleans R & B to The Parrot for a 0ne-of-a-kind noon till 3 PM matinee on Saturday, October 19th.

Lindell has lured the renowned blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh back on the road and the pair is ably backed by Lindell’s band, The Sunliners with Myles Weeks on upright bass, Will McMains on drums, and saxophonists Brad Walker and Chris Fitzgerald.

“A good song and a good vocalist is how good music is made, and Eric Lindell is one of the best at it,” Funderburgh says simply. Lindell adds, “Anson Funderburgh is one of our all-time greatest American guitarists. He plays with such great feel and never over-plays.

Lindell keeps evolving as a songwriter and musician. His recordings feature smart, catchy tunes and his live shows are always a treat. With the addition of Funderburgh, he has added a dynamic guitarist that enhances what is already a great live musical experience.

Classic Rock with Haywire at
Saturday Parrot Soundcheck

Local rock quintet Haywire return to Green Parrot stage on Saturday, October 19th at 5:30 PM

In late 2012 a lightning bolt hit Key West and from the smoke and ash emerged

five musicians, all Key West locals who formed an awesome

cover band playing rock hits from the 70's to today. Screaming guitars, driving rhythms

and great vocals cover alternative, classic rock, new rock, old rock, and even a country song or two will

have you screaming for more. It's really Haywire, yes, I mean it is the name of the

band, Haywire. You'll want to see them.



The Skank Plays Parrot Sunday Soundcheck Dance Party







Jeff Clark and Cayman Smith-Martin's latest incarnation, "The Skank", blends everything from early Beatles to Toots and The Maytals, and fuses funk, rock, ska and reggae, and creates a Green Parrot Dance Party on Sunday,  October 20th beginning at 5:30 PM

Suenalo Brings 8-piece funk/afro-latin/jam band to The Parrot stage for back-to-back Goombay and Zombie Parties

Suenalo, Miami-based 8-piece Afro-Latin-funk-jam band, explodes on to The Green Parrot Stage for two pelvis bringing nights of of funk, mambo, hip-hop, and jam-band-style with shows beginning at 10 PM on Goombay Saturday Night , October 19th and at 8 PM on Sunday, October 20th , when they host a Zombie-Fest Party beginning at 8 PM.

Any Parrot patron present for Suenalo's past Parrot shows will remember a barrage of music that's simultaneously Afro-Cuban, Dominican hip-hop, R&B, Latin-Funk, Cuban Rumba, and Colombian Cumbia. The ensemble employs rhythms from Brazil to Jamaica, including samba, rumba, son, hip-hop, and reggae, mainly focusing on fusing Afro-beat and Latin rhythms with funk and rhythm and blues.

The group's members form a multicultural cocktail, a crashing wave of African beats, reggae, dancehall, and samba that make Suenalo one of the most eclectic bands to emerge from Miami in years. Formed in 2002 in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Havana, Suénalo has won legions of loyal fans and recently garnered Best Local Latin Rock Band honors from the Miami New Times, where they were dubbed as the source of Miami's best new spin on rock, Latin or otherwise.

Trixie Little & The Evil Hate Monkey Deliver Jaw-Dropping Burlesque, Physical Comedy & Cabaret to Parrot Stage

The award-winning acrobatic burlesque super duo TRIXIE LITTLE & THE EVIL HATE MONKEY, joining forces with local empressario Marky P for a Post Apocalyptic Variety and Burlesque show on Monday, October 21st, with shows at 8:30 and 10:30 PM.

Flipping and stripping for audiences since 2002 with highly skilled sexy-smart antics and a charming love-hate dynamic, Trixie and Monkey showcase trapeze, striptease, acrobatics and physical comedy in jaw-dropping burlesque, cabaret, variety and theater shows.

Mixing years of high level circus training, brilliant comedy and electric onstage chemistry their act defies description chemistry, and expectation.

Hailing from the shamelessly eccentric city of Baltimore (aka "Charm City"), Trixie and Monkey have performed with John Waters, The Flaming Lips, four consecutive Virgin Mobile Music Festivals,, the Philly, DC and Brighton, England Fringe Festivals, Tease-o-rama 2/3, all seven New York Burlesque Festivals, have earned a "Best of Baltimore" vote and are the winners of Las Vegas' 2006 Exotic World Best Burlesque Duo trophy. They also performed in the premiere episode of"The Gong Show with Dave Attel" on Comedy Central and on season 4 of"America's Got Talent".

In New York City, the two are regular late-night fixtures everywhere from uber-exclusive nightclubs like The Box to long-running burlesque shows like The Slipper Room, and have been called "the only way to end the party"by the Village Voice.

Trixie and Monkey are simply the most ridiculously entertaining act imagina

Red Elvises Bring "Rokenrol Revolution to Fantasy Week at Green Parrot

Famed Siberian Surf-Rockers igor andThe Red Elvises 2013 World Tour brings the party back to The Green Parrot with shows at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23; and 5:30 and 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, October 24th and 25th

Playing a unique blend of Russian folk music, 50’s rockabilly/surf, reggae, and whatever else makes them happy, Igor & Red Elvises’ perpetual world tour has provided a constant delight to legions of passionate Green Parrot fans year after year.

In 1995, band leader and Russian émigré Igor Yuzov dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock ‘n roll. Not one to say “no” to The King, Igor and other Russian friends started playing music on the streets of Santa Monica, California and The Red Elvises were born.

A visit to The Green Parrot from this indisputably unforgettable band with their special blend of Russian and world ethnic music, reckless surf and rockabilly licks, and good old Rock 'n Roll can only lead to wild nights of high-energy music. See them once, and you’ll be hooked.”

The Green Parrot's Annual Costume Party -- One Night with Elvis

It will be Viva Green Parrot! as The Green Parrot Bar teams up with Siberian Surf Rockers Igor and The Red Elvises to host "One Night with Elvis", their very own own tribute to The King, on Thursday, October 24, at 10 p.m.

Just remember, this is a costume party -- not a contest, but wild, wacky evening is promised for all with lots of sideburns, sunglasses and swiveling hips,

And, thank you very much, I'm sure we will see everyone from King Creole to Kid Galahad, tapping their feet to Jailhouse Rock, GI Blues, and everything in between.

You know live music is a big part of any Green Parrot party and returning this year, as always, to tear it up are the famed Siberian Surf Rockers The Red Elvises. The Red Elvises began in 1995 after band leader Igor Yuzov dreamed that Elvis Presely came to him and told him to start playing rock and roll and since no one says no toThe King Igor and his Russian friends started playing in Venice Beach and touring relentlessly with Oleg Bernov on his big, red, bass balalaika. have not looked back since.

Three actual Russians and a Texan form this indisputably unforgettable band. A special blend of Russian and world ethnic music, reckless surf and rockabilly licks, and good old Rock 'n Roll can only lead to a wild night of high-energy music.

The Red Elvises have been touring the world for more than 18 years, pleasing crowds everywhere they go, but Igor says the Red Elvises have found their ‘musical home’ in Key West, and year-after-year Green Parrot patrons agree. Don't miss this special night of Real Elvis Flicks and Red Elvis Licks. There's was no King but Elvis and there's no party like a Russian Surf Rock party. join Igor and the gang for the wildest night of the season. You'll dance, you'll sing along, you'll laugh, and then you'll dance some more!

Mardi Gras Indians Wild Magnolias Brings NOLA /Funk/World Beat to FantasyWeekend at The Parrot

The NOLA Wild Magnolias brings their mix of NOLAfunk and lbeat onto the Parrot stage with shows beginning at 7 and 10 P.M. on Friday, October 25th, 5:30 and 10 of Saturday, October 26th and a 5:30 PM "Soundcheck" Sunday, October 27th.

The Wild Magnolias continue a rich tradition of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians. “Mardi Gras Indians” is a concept born out of working class groups, secret clubs and spiritual societies. The Mardi Gras Indians were working class African Americans who celebrated life and met challenges head-on with music and dance; while paying homage to their forefathers, many of whom were born into slavery. initially, Mardi Gras Indians paraded (or Second Lined) on Mardi Gras Day as a tribute to Native Americans, who befriended runaway slaves to a haven of safety. Eventually, this tribute became a Gumbo of culture, going back to the Carribean, Trinidad and a combination of African, Creole, Spanish Roots and the Native culture.
Since adding music to their traditional chants (such as Iko Iko and Jack A Mo) in 1969, the Wild Magnolias have presented their own brand of Mardi Gras Indian funk all over the world. They performed for the Queen in 1972, at Canegie Hall in 1974, for President Bill Clinton in 1996 and at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Now, representing the birthplace of Jazz and the world’s most musical metropolis, while celebrating life and keeping the tradition of Jazz, Funk and the Second Line backbeat lived, direct from New Orleans, we give you the Wild Magnolias!Promising elaborate Mardi Gras Indian Costumes and professionally choreographed dance, theNOLA-based, 6-piece band Sol Driven Train promises a Fantasy Weekend at The Green Parrot you don't want to miss.

Entrain, Drum-driven World-Pop sensation Kicks Off Fantasy Week at Green Parrot

Entrain , the drum-driven World-Pop sensation

from Martha's Vineyard making it's long-awaited return to The Green

Parrot Bar kicks off Fantasy Week on Sunday and Monday, October 24th and 25th with shows beginning with shows at 5:30 and 10 P.M.

Merging funk, rock, reggae, swamp, and worldbeat rhythm into a sweaty

good time Entrain has been praised for their ability to shift

effortlessly

between musical styles – from rock, Blues, calypso, zydeco, jazz and

worldbeat – sometimes within the same song. Their concept is all about

the synchronization of rhythms, and anything goes.

An Entrain show is a beautiful, tribal, positive, uplifting experience

that shouldn't be missed, shifting from Funk to Ska to African to

Afro-Cuban to Zydeco to Folk Rock—all with a groove so infectious that

you had no choice but to dance.

The Green Parrot Bar, on the corner of Whitehead & Southard Streets,

is the Southernmost Center for Culture.

Legendary New Riders of The Purple Sage to Play Green Parrot Halloween Party

Rested and Ready, or Ready or Not, on Thursday, October 31st, beginning at 10 P.M., here comes The Green Parrot Bar's 41st Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest. It's been called The Party We All Train For and Locals' Night to Howl. This year there really is something special to howl about, it's The Green Parrot Bar's 41th Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest and to celebrate over 4 decades of debauchery The Green Parrot has booked the legendary Psychedelic Country Rock band The New Riders of The Purple Sage, featuring original members Davis Nelson and Buddy Cage.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is indeed the 41st Annual Halloween party, says, manager John Vagnoni, we're pretty sure of that. What we are very sure of is that it's still "The Locals Night to Howl" and the New Riders are going to blow the roof off this place.

Manager Vagnoni also reminds everyone to dress up since mystery judges will award coveted and valuable prizes to the winner of the Costume Contest sometime around midnight.

The New Riders of The Purple Sage emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in 1969 in San Francisco, the west coast hub of the sixties subculture in the U. S. This original "psychedelic cowboy band' was the Grateful Dead's opening act from 1969 to 1971 and included several members of the Grateful Dead as a way to further indulge their taste for country music.

These self-described "cosmic cowboys" soon became successful touring on their own, going on to become the leading psychedelic country rock band in the country. Named after Zane Grey's 1912 novel "Riders of the Purple Sage" and stimulated by the "acid tests" thrown by Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters, The New Riders released eight albums on Columbia from 971 to 1976, including the gold-certified 1973 release "The Adventures of Panama Red." The title track, written by bluegrass musician Peter Rowan, became a major radio hit.

The New Riders of the Purple Sage currently tour with original members lead guitarist David Nelson and pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage,along with Michael Falzarano of Hot Tuna, to present "a virtual renaissance"of the songs of New Riders founding-member John Dawson, who passed away in 2009. As a songwriter, Mr. Dawson co-wrote the Grateful Dead classic "Friend of the Devil," as well as "Glendale Train," "Garden of Eden" and "Last Lonely Eagle" for the New Riders.

In 2002, the New Riders accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award from High Times magazine. Classic tunes that the band recorded in the seventies are still a major part of their live shows. "Panama Red", "Contract", "Henry", "Louisiana Lady", "Rainbow", "Lonesome L.A. Cowboy", "Whatcha Gonna Do", "I Don't Know You", "Garden of Eden", "Sutter's Mill" and "Last Lonely Eagle" are among the most frequently played songs.

Bacardi Mojito Tasting at Green Parrot Liquors

2013-09-29T12:46:00.002-05:00

Cortadito Brings Early 20th Century Cuban Son to Green Parrot

2013-08-30T08:03:00.002-05:00

The Green Parrot presents Miami's premier Cuban Son group Cortadito on Saturday, August 31st at 5:30 PM

This is the latest project by Spam Allstars guitarists Jose Elias, joined by guitarist Julio Cesar Rodriguez, their music could best be described as sounding like the Buena Vista Social Club but in a smaller more intimate setting.

Cortadito is a traditional Cuban Son Duo which focuses on performing the music of early 20th century Cuban origins. From Son Montuno to Boleros and Bolero Son, this dynamic duo brings you back to a time when Trio Matamoros, or Ignacio Piniero ruled the airwaves. An era when popular music was Cuban Music and Son Montuno was influencing the world over. From time to time Cortadito is backed by a variety of guest musicians which gives the group a sound reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. For their Green Parrot show Cortadito will be backed by Spam Allstars' Mercedes Abel on flute and Tomas Diaz on timbale

Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum Arrives

2013-07-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

Just released Monday, Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum is now available by the bottle at Green Parrot Package Goods and Spirits. Each numbered bottle comes from a

barrel produced exclusively for us, once and only once, so when it's gone, it's gone.

The latest from Mt. Gay Master Blender Allen Smith, Black Barrel Rum is a small-batch, handcrafted blend made of matured double-pot distillates and aged in deeply charred Bourbon oak barrels.

Great for sipping neat, on ice, or in cocktails.

It's available by the bottle in The Green Parrot Liquor Store, right next door to the Parrot and it's available by the glass in The Green Parrot Bar, Charlie Mac's 404, The Rum Barrel, Island Dogs, The Half Shell Raw Bar and The Turtle Kraals.

To learn more about Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum or the history of this storied brand, go here.

Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum Release Party

2013-07-22T23:16:00.004-05:00

Sanchez Family Portrait Gifted to The Green Parrot

2013-07-20T15:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, Debbie DiStefano (Sanchez) a member of the Sanchez family, visiting from Tampa, called on us at the Green Parrot and generously gifted a family photo that includes the patriarch Antonio Sanchez, world-famous folk artist Mario Sanchez as a little boy and a score of other relatives including Debbie's grandfather.

The photo was taken in the late 1890's in what was then the backyard of the grocery store that is now the home of our bar, visible behind the family members.
Antonio is in the back row, third from the left wearing a black bowler.
Deb's grandfather is the little boy front and center with the large bow tie.
We believe Mario is the boy to Deb's grandfather's left, arms crossed with a mischievous look about him.

The Green Parrot building, built in 1890, was in it's earliest years, a grocery, founded and operated by Antonio Sanchez, pictured above.

Antonio was the paternal grandfather of renowned folk artist Mario Sanchez, a self- taught master of the woodcut, pictured above in his"Studio Under The Trees"

The beautifully framed family portrait will soon reside beside the print of Mario's woodcut "Sanchez Corner" that now hangs in the back bar.

In the "Sanchez Corner" print, the grocery of Mario's childhood is easily recognizable as the Parrot of today.
To Debbie, and all members of the Sanchez family we are forever grateful for the rich heritage they have left us, forever woven in the tapestry of Key West history.
For more on the history of Sanchez corner and our continued relationship to our past look here.

Green Parrot Travel Club Revisited

2013-07-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the photo that launched The Green Parrot Travel Club back in 2005.
Good-Time Charlie at The Great Wall in a Green Parrot t-shirt.
Send us your photo in your Green Parrot Gear to green parrot@gmail.com with your name and a brief description of the setting and we'll post it on the Green Parrot web site

With the 4th of July, 2103 now squarely in our rear-view mirror and summer and all that goes with it spread before us we'd like to revist our Travel Club to see again just how far our far-flung family can fling itself..

Many of our Parrot patrons, if they have not done so already, will be striking out, heading for mountains, lakes and shores both here and abroad, visiting cities, small towns and wilderness areas alike.
By air, land or sea, off you go.

Part of your travel routine, and part of your travel fun and entertainment will be, as it always was for me, taking photos.

And whether it's a new DSLR bought just for the trip or the smart phone lying within easy reach in your purse, backpack or center-console, we know you'll be taking pictures of many of the landmarks and places of natural beauty you come across.

We would love for you to share with us some of your photos from all these great places and we'ed especially like you to share photos of you in your Parrot gear.

Deb Fecate shows us how it's done

It can be a Parrot shirt, a parrot hat or even a parrot coozie or key chain.

The context can be thoughtful and meditative (think misty mountaintops), or it can be adventurous and hair-rising (think bungee jumping)

They can be either mundane or exotic (family picnic or African safari)

and they can be tastefully frisky as well, (think "you can leave your hat on")

At any rate, we'd love to hear from you.

Click here to see more "Been There, Done That", Parrot photos posted on a site years ago that showcased folks sporting their Green Parrot Apparel around the globe.

And remember, this was back when sending a photo to the Green Parrot meant taking a photo, getting it developed, getting prints made, then mailing a print to us, in the mail, with a stamp.

Then once we received it, we had to scan it in order to post it on our website where it looked no bigger than the postage stamp it took to get to us in the first place.

Randy and Ellen at the OTHER End of the Road

Jessica Vagnoni with a more recent example of what we're talking about.

In appreciation for her submission in Parrot gear with Mt Rushmore as a backdrop we will be posting it permanently on the Green parrot website.

So just send us a photo of yourself (or anyone for that matter) wearing any Green Parrot attire in a picturesque, historical or otherwise remarkable setting and we'll post it in perpetuity on our website for all you friends, family and Parrot faithful to see.

So with Walt Whitman as our muse we invite you to have safe travels, wherever you are and send us your photos.

Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,

Healthy, free, the world before me,

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,

Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,

Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,

Strong and content I travel the open road.

Walt Whitman, Song of The Open Road

Bong Hits for Geezers, NOLA Legend Alfred "Uganda" Roberts Do Sunday Parrot Soundcheck

2013-07-11T20:08:00.001-05:00

Bong Hits for Geezers will be appearing at the Green Parrot Sunday, July 14th, beginning at 5:30 PM.

Joining Barry Cuda, Kenny Fradley and Richard Crooks performing "Roots Americana and minimalist traditional jazz" will be legendary New Orleans conga player Alfred "Uganda" Roberts.

Born and raised in the historic Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, "Uganda" Roberts was introduced to New Orleans pianist Henry Roland Byrd, better known to the public as Professor Longhair at the 2nd annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1972 and Roberts would go on to tour and record with Professor Longhair for eight years, until Professor Longhair's death in 1980.
Roberts is featured on Professor Longhair's Rock N Roll Gumbo (1977), as well as Fess' last studio album ever recorded, Crawfish Fiesta (1980). The London Concert (recorded 1978, released 1994) is a duo performance by Professor Longhair and Roberts.

After becoming an in-demand conga/percussion player in New Orleans, Roberts established a relationship with fellow Treme resident and neighbor, record producer Allen Toussaint, leading to Roberts becoming a house percussionist in Toussaint's Sea Saint Studios, playing on recordings such as The Meter's Afrika and Hey Pocky Way, as well as Toussaint's classic 1972 recording, Life, Love, and Faith.

Roberts toured with Willie Tee and the Wild Magnolias off and on from 1980 until 1986, when he took a hiatus from the music industry, occasionally coming out of his semi-retirement to tour and record - such as on Dr. John's albums Goin' Back to new Orleans (1992) and Dis, Dat, or D’udda (2004).

Uganda Roberts has recorded commercially with Irma Thomas and John Mooney and has performed as himself on the television series Treme.

The Green Parrot Bar is your Southernmost Center for Culture of all kinds on the corner of Southard and Whitehead Streets.
For additional information call The Green Parrot at 294-6133

What We're Drinking on The Fourth Is Tequila-Watermelon Punch

2013-07-04T16:04:00.001-05:00

When I think of the 4th of July the first thing that comes to mind, besides fireworks, is picnics. And when I think of picnics I think of watermelon.
I think of reaching elbow-deep, arms stinging, into a washtub filled with block-ice, sodas and beer, and wrangling out a ice-cold watermelon, cutting a deep, rosy triangle of it and jamming a bottle of rum or vodka neck-deep into the plug, and after a few hours of horseshoes, softball or just plain hammock-time, removing the bottle and splitting the melon open to see what alchemy had occurred.

If you don't have the time, a watermelon bobbing in a washtub out back, and maybe your picnic is shaping up as a table-for-two right there in your kitchen with what's in the fridge, here's something that might fill the bill with just a handful of diced watermelon from the supermarket, a few limes, some decent silver tequila and either some fresh herbs or chiles for garnish.

It's recipe I've tried, adapted from a NYT article I saw last summer.

Mix three parts watermelon purée with one part silver tequila, I used Patron but Herradura, Sauza Hornitos or any other good silver tequila would do, and ½ part fresh lime juice; serve over ice with a pinch of salt, a couple of slices of jalapeño . You can swap the jalapeño slices for a few mint leaves or a sprig of basil and I added a splash of Fever Tree Club Soda to give it a little fizz and pink it up a bit.

PREPARATION

1.: In a large pitcher or bowl, stir together the watermelon purée, tequila and lime juice.
2.: To sweeten, adjust with agave nectar. You can also swap the jalepena slices for basil or mint leaves.

3.: To serve, pour into glasses over ice, top each glass with club soda, a pinch of sea salt and slices of jalapeño.

INGREDIENTS

3 parts watermelon purée

1 part silver tequila

1/2 part fresh lime juice

Club soda

Sliced jalapeño

Coarse sea salt

Ice

Agave nectar (optional)

To make watermelon purée, put seedless chunks of watermelon in a blender and pulse, then push the purée through a mesh sieve to make it smoother.
Ingredients can be applied in the same proportions to make either a pitcher or a punch bowl, depending on the crowd.