Savannah Vacation News

Tribute to Old Black Magic Savannah’s Favorite Musical Son

Multi-talented Savannah psychologist, educator, writer, composer, and a social critic Dr. Ja A. Johannes has written a marvelous musical tribute to Savannah’s legendary First Son, Lyricist Johnny Mercer. Mercer who traced his own Savannah Low Country roots to Mercer Williams House builder Civil War era General Johnny Mercer is being honored this year with a 100 year centennial commerating his birth in 1909. 

The Lucas Theatre will host Johannes’ musical premiere, Mister Mercer, on his birth month November 13th. Information found on the Lucas Theatre Website would indicate a wonderful cross section of Mercer’s melodies are in store for those in attendance either as fans or those new fans to be from a new generation unfamiliar with Mr. Mercer's body of work.

Mister Mercer is a lighthearted musical play about the late Johnny Mercer, America's most gifted popular songwriter. Johnny, and his wife Ginger, stuck this side of Heaven in the apartment of Darlene, a zany well-known local singer and ardent Mercer fan, review their lives and prepare to meet with God. The music in the play from Mercer includes "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Days of Wine And Roses," "And the Angels Sing," "Skylark," "Blues in the Night," "Moon River," "Strip Polka," "Charade," "Satin Doll," "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Accentuate The Positive," "That Old Black Magic," "Tangerine," "I Remember You," "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing," and "Too Marvelous For Words." 

Click here to purchase tickets online. 

Savannah Theatre News – All the Musical News that’s Fit to Print

Savannah’s Lowcountry Historic District Little Sister, Beautiful Beaufort

The beauty of Lowcountry Living in Savannah is the multitude of day trip opportunities less than an hour away. Driving northeast through Savannah’s closet South Carolina neighbor, Bluffton, eventually brings you to Port Royal and Beaufort. These two early Colonial Townships are often overlooked history filled harbor towns in coastal South Carolina. Easily accessible by car via highway 170 or by boat up the Broad River, Beaufort provides easy access to a marvelously abbreviated Historic District looking across a picturesque expanse of water. The charm of blended antebellum architecture dotting the myriad waterways and life sustaining wetlands guarantees a worthwhile day of sightseeing. 

Browse the Tony Boutique Stores and Art Galleries along Bay Street. Tour the John Mark Verdier House. Better yet show up next weekend and take in 22 different historic homes during the Historic Beaufort Foundation’s Fall Festival of Homes and Gardens. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to snag a glimpse of some very historic churches, gardens, and antebellum era private homes. 

Take in the entire tapestry of Southern history woven into the historic fabric of Beaufort's unforgettable Landmark District. With eight Low Country Forts scattered in close proximity to the Parris Island War Museum, historic churches, tabby ruins, elegant homes and majestic plantations, there is much to take in for the history lover. Let horse-drawn carriages carry you through the streets of yet another historic district that is as memorable as Georgia’s First City, Savannah is in her own right. Take in one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in South Carolina for a snapshot of this picturesque waterfront community of the antebellum coastal Southland. 

Savannah Vacation News – All the Day Trip News that’s fit to Print

Fall Into some Historic District Architecture next Weekend

Savannah’s annual Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens is upon us this coming weekend. Lovers of Savannah’s architectural delights get the opportunity to tour private homes and gardens in the landmark historic district. Each day of the tour a new neighborhood is featured for three hours, during which visitors enjoy self-guided tours in any order of their choosing at a comfortable individual pace. For 70+ years, this tradition is one of Savannah's most popular annual architectural events. The Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens is a partnership of the Women of Christ Church and the Historic Savannah Foundation. 

Both Concerns have an excellent reputation as well as an impressive history that belie the good Savannah hosts they have become. Christ Church was founded in 1733 by Savannah’s founder, General James Oglethorpe. For more than 275 years, Christ Church has conducted worship services at its historic site on Johnson Square. The first Church sponsored Tour of Homes and Gardens was held in 1935. During the bicentennial, The Historic Savannah Foundation joined Christ Church as an equal partner in presenting these popular tours. 

Since its founding, The Historic Savannah Foundation formed in 1950’s has proven itself to be an organization has overseen the restoration of more than 1,200 buildings. There is a reason their efforts are recognized internationally. There are still available tickets for the 2009 October Tour of Homes. Book your last minute reservation today!

Savannah Vacation News – All the Savannah Tour of Homes News that is fit to print!

There is No City as Pretty as Savannah

Savannah Getaways is pleased to showcase a “Producer’s Cut” excerpt of this instant classic tune freshly posted on You Tube earlier today courtesy of a talented former Savannah resident, Jayne Olderman. This 90 second “mini musical travelogue collaboration” sponsored by Savannah Getaways and the songwriter/producer has been posted for Visitors to the Hostess City to enjoy on our main page website. Jayne has provided a press release for The Savannah Vacation News blog about the inspiration behind her Billboard debut top 19 single release a few years ago. Read the story behind the song, enjoy the imagery of Coastal Savannah on the excerpt below!

Former Savannah resident and Grammy nominated songwriter/producer Jayne Olderman has created a musical tribute to the great city of Savannah entitled: “There is No City as Pretty as Savannah".

“There is No City as Pretty as Savannah" produced by Jayne and sung by Tiffany Milagro debuted at #19 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart November 2007 and remained on that chart into 2008. Jayne recalls; “the song poured out of me the day I moved from Savannah. My heart was so heavy to be leaving. Tiffany heard me sing the song so many times that, she too, fell in love with Savannah hearing the lyrics about River Street, Tybee Island, the proud oak trees, Spanish moss, the ships on the river, the Squares and the people. I hope this song becomes an anthem for all the people of this great city and ignites a deep sense of pride! And I hope that when anyone anywhere in the world hears this song; they’ll want to visit. Then, they will see for themselves: “There IS No City as Pretty as Savannah.” You can purchase downloads of "There is No City as Pretty as Savannah" from itunes and many other servers on either Jayne Olderman’s itunes location or Tiffany Milagro’s itunes location.

Savannah Vacation News – All the Musical News That’s Fit to Sing About

Falling For Charleston - October High Season Day Tripping

If you are going to be in Coastal Georgia Savannah for a few days, you might consider a day trip to Charleston to take in a candle light tour of historic homes and some chamber music. If you have taken the children along there is plenty of fun to be had for the children and adults alike for fright night all October long at Cypress Gardens.

Now is the time to get out and enjoy Fall and its cooler temperatures and a variety events throughout the Charleston area. The tremendously popular Fall Tour of Homes and Gardens is now in full swing. The Preservation Society of Charleston is in its 33rd year of featuring some of Charleston's most notable homes and gardens. The tours are a wonderful way to discover Charleston at your own pace and enjoy interiors and exteriors of homes that are not often viewed by the public. For ticket information, call 843-722-4630.

The Holy City Concert Series is back for all to experience with a performance of Beethoven’s monumental Septet for Winds and Strings on Sunday, October 18 at 5pm at the Circular Congregational Church. An amazing prix fix dinner prepared by Executive Chef Anthony Gray at High Cotton Maverick Bar & Grill will follow this event. For more information please call (843)763-4941.

A great event for the children is Halloween in the Swamp at Cypress Gardens. Friday, October 23 & Saturday, October 24, 2009 is the eagerly anticipated, Haunted Swamp Experience which includes a combo boat ride & haunted walking trail. For more information please call 843/553-0515.

This Charleston story is courtesy of a collaborative effort between our Low Country Partner, Ariel Trouche and Savannah Getaways. She resides in the Holy City where she administers her Low Country  website.