The Bikinis-Laugh, Cry or Limbo!

~Doc Lawrence

Meet The Bikinis

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA-It’s the new millennium and after 20 years, The Bikinis are getting back together. That girl group born in the sixties that everyone loves is bringing back the sun, fun and all the great songs they sang down on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore… all to raise money for the good folks at Sandy Shores RV Resort.

In front of a live audience, The Bikinis, who could be called Jersey Girls, relive their heyday and beyond, with everything beginning the summer of 1964, the night they got their name, winning the Belmar Beach Talent Contest wearing their bikinis. The four members of The Bikinis are Jodi and Annie, two sisters from Passaic, New Jersey; Karla, their first cousin from Philly and best friend Barbara, from Staten Island.

For two hours, the intimate confines of Art Station Theatre rocks and rolls through 38 songs covering  hits from Under the Boardwalk, Heat Wave and Hank Ballard’s timeless, The Twist, on through  classics by Elvis, the Everly Brothers to Donna Summer and more. 

Way above as quality entertainment compared to the tiring summer fare of the countless “Della’s,” this is a challenging musical where only top voices can work because the audience has warm memories of the songs. Every red-blooded American surely has the wisdom of  Mama Said, by the Shrieles branded somewhere in their mind. 

Opening Night Partiers

A salute to the cast: Aretta Baumgartner (Annie), Wendy Bennet (Karla), Adena Brumer and Janelle Lannen (Barbara) have almost perfect voices and deliver sweet harmonies and powerful solos flawlessly. It’s a long journey covering everything from The Drifter’s to the Mama’s and the Papa’s, Bobby Darin, Connie Francis and the King.

Karen Beyer’s tight, skillful directing keeps everything flowing.

Take someone with you to see this. It’s timeless and pure Americana. Have a margarita before and one after the show. Some will want to attempt the Limbo or The Twist. Or, sing out loud, "When will I be Loved?"

Free & ample parking. 

Tickets: (770) 469.1105; www.artststion.org

The July 4 Feast-Southern Style

South Georgia has a distinctive culinary heritge. The top authority on what’s cooking there for the Fourth of July feast is the Emmy Award winning chef from Albany, Lara Lyn Carter. No matter how busy her schedule, Lara Lyn always has a special recipe or two for our great celebrations. 

To go along with Jim Sanders Georgia Brunswick Stew and the slabs of baby back ribs I’m serving around 3 p.m. on Independence Day, here are two of Lara Lyn’s creations that I know you’ll enjoy.

Cajun Potato Salad

2 lbs. sweet potatoes cut to 1-inch cubes

3/4 lb. Cajun turkey sausage sliced

1/2 cup Vidalia or sweet onion chopped

6 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

4 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. creole mustard

2 cloves garlic minced

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 cup chopped scallions

1/4 cup chopped parsley

Roast the potatoes for 35 minutes or until tender on a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper together and set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and onion together until the sausage is done and the onions are tender. Add the potatoes to the sausage mixture. Pour the liquid mixture into the skillet and stir into the potatoes and sausage. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the parsley and scallions and toss well. 

Sweet Southern Barbecue Sauce

12 oz. tomato paste

1 ¾ cups water

¼ cup molasses

½ cup honey

1 ½ garlic powder

1 ½ tsp. onion powder

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. dry mustard

¼ cup coconut sugar

Combine the tomato paste and water into a large sauce pot over low heat. Stir frequently until the tomato paste and water are well combined. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well until all ingredients are blended. Simmer over low heat for five minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

BEAVERAGES: For wines, try a Cru Beaujolais like Morgon, served slightly chilled. A white wine (chilled), pour a dry Riesling or RagApple Lassie (North Carolina) Viognier.