The Lawrence Journal-World loves us. I think The Sandbar is the darling of the local bar scene for the LJW. Every New Year’s Eve they send a photographer in, and this was the first year in several that we didn’t have a Sandbar picture on the front page. They did still quote some of our customers, however.
Every year, also, when St. Patrick’s Day approaches they come around again. They know where we live and where we build the float. A couple days before the parade, a picture of Dave working on it appears in the paper, sometimes with a short story. The day after the parade, a picture of The Sandbar float usually accompanies the article about the holiday.
Awhile back we had a question over to the right asking which Sandbar float was the best one ever. There were six choices:
2001’s Egyptian Pyramids
2002’s Pirate Ship
2003’s Love Shack
2004’s Love Boat
2005’s Grease Car
2006’s Wedding Cake
I was sure that either the Love Boat or the Grease car would win this one. After all, they’re my two favorites. But whoever reads this blog apparently disagrees. The Love Shack float got the most votes, by far.
The Love Shack was a fun float. The actual float didn’t have a lot to it- we built a wooden "shack" at the back of the trailer and painted it bright colors with some graffiti on it. Dave put a metal bar down the middle of the trailer for the float riders to hold onto, and we had a couple of giant palm trees on the corners of the trailer. Other than that, there wasn’t a lot of structure to the float.
But, oh…the costumes. Everyone was dressed in their 60’s best. The girls all wore white go-go boots and short dresses, some even with sequins! We had dresses from vintage stores and some that were handmade especially for the float. Lots of bright colors and bouffant hair. Even the guys got into the theme with leisure suits.
And of course the music- we had a great dance to "Love Shack" that Peach choreographed. Who wouldn’t be happy listening to that? We bought a B-52’s music video to try to match our moves to the original song.
This was the first year that we didn’t win the Grand Prize Traveling Trophy from the parade judges. We thought it might have something to do with the fact that one of our giant palm trees decided to fall off the float and take out the crowd, right as we passed the judge’s table. The Sandbar had won the trophy for several years in a row, and finally other groups were starting to step up and put together really great floats. We’re glad for that, because it just makes the parade better all the way around. And we don’t do it for the trophy anyway- we have so much fun building a float, getting dressed up, and dancing our way down Mass Street that we’d make our own parade if we had to.
So, there you have it- the float that you, whoever you are, chose as the best.
The Sandbar was hopping on the early Monday shift last night. I think there was one actual customer in the bar, trying to enjoy a cold beer after work when the float participants invaded his peaceful evening.
We had float practice at 5 last night. The purpose of float practice is for everyone to learn the dances we do on the float. We also just like to have an excuse to get together and drink, dance, and eat.
This year we have two new songs. Usually we only have one "new" dance that people have to learn, and the other one is something like Car Wash or the Chicken Dance that everybody already knows.
Our first new song is Proud Mary– but Tina Turner’s glitzy version instead of the more down-home original. Coleen, Michelle, and I put together some fun (and easy) dance moves last Monday. We try to keep the dance very repetitive so it’s easy to remember. Here’s a video clip of our first new dance (and you can hear Morgan laughing in the background):
Our other new dance is Bandstand Boogie by Barry Manilow. Peach choreographed this one and taught it to everyone last night. I’m having some trouble with YouTube right now, so I don’t have the link ready for that one yet. I might have to re-upload the video. Maybe tomorrow.
Dave and Blair were invited to be the Masters of Ceremony at Sunday night’s Battle of the Cover Bands, an event that our friend Josh put together.
The show didn’t draw a huge crowd, but it was a fun group. And of course, in addition to the already scheduled entertainment, Dave and Blair performed for their fans. And they didn’t disappoint anyone.
When I got home from visiting my family on Sunday afternoon, around 6 p.m., these two guys had all three of our Halloween costume tubs out of the basement and the contents were all over the house. And we have a lot of costume parts like shoes, clothes, and giant afro wigs. I wasn’t quite sure what was going on- they had talked about doing some type of costume but didn’t seem to have any actual plans.
Dave was running late and took off for Abe and Jake’s without telling me what they decided to do. I was quite surprised to get there and see their performance. Dave and Blair went on after each band’s sound check, supposedly to introduce the band, but really it seemed to be more to just clown around on stage. And it got progressively… let’s just say worse…as the night wore on. I’m sure the alcohol consumption didn’t have anything to do with that.
They started out dressed as the Blues Brothers, read the rules and introduced the judges, and then did a little bit of Shake Your Tailfeather. Matching Devo costumes- these are getting used pretty heavily it seems- were next, combined with a little robotic dancing on the stage. And then came the sombreros. And ponchos. And they even conned some tequila bottles- full ones- out of the bartenders to use for props. Of course the giant afro wigs always have to make an appearance. The last costume change was into 70’s funk/disco attire.
If you didn’t know this already, the Sandbar crew loves to dress up in costume. For any reason at all. It really should be a prerequisite for employment, along with dancing on the bar. Things just seem to be more fun when we can dress up and be silly.
Remember Leeann? If you’re new to The Sandbar, you may not know her. But if you were a regular several years ago, there’s no way that you don’t know.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? I really don’t recall…that’s when we were able to drink while bartending! {actually, you still can, as long as it’s within reason}
How did you get the job? Mike Berman made me do an upside down margarita… he liked my performance and got Peach to hire me that night.
When’s the last time you were at the bar? Sunday night, ouch!
Favorite job besides the Sandbar? Coco-Loco, bartending and waitressing.
Favorite drink to drink? Captain.
Favorite drink to make? Any that’s for myself…
Any specialty drinks you call your own? The Dirty Bosco…only the Coco-Loco people know that one.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? That may have been this past Sunday night.
Favorite memory at the bar? The slumber party night! {hmmm….that may be a good story for another post….}
Favorite song on the jukebox? Last Mango in Paris
Song you never want to hear again? I can only pick one? I’ll think on that one.
Favorite bar dancing song? Hooked on a Feelin’
How many dollars do you have on the wall? Well, I had about 50 at one point…some are gone…mostly the "dicks" above the women’s bathroom seem to be missing.
Longest you’ve waited in line? 17 minutes.
I asked Leeann for five random facts about herself that we would be surprised to know….and this was her response: "I can’t even admit some of this stuff to myself…not going to tell ya here!"
So there you have it. That’s the latest with Leeann.
For those of you who don’t know the true Legend of the Hurricane at The Sandbar, here’s the story.
Once upon a time, there lived a strong and mighty fisherman named James Arthur Tuttle. Known to his friends as Jimmy, he sailed the seas of the Atlantic ocean, enjoying the fishing and the beauty of the islands.
During a week out on the seas, near Bimini, Jimmy and the crew of the Bahama Mama were caught in a terrible, disastrous storm. This storm was unpredictable and horrendous in strenth. The crew did their best to keep hold of the ship, but to their demise, the ship went into a spin. No one knows how it happened, but the Bahama Mama and her crew ran up on a Sandbar off the coast of Key Largo.
The next morning, Jimmy woke to a vision of beauty staring down at him. Her ame was Kayla, and she was a mermaid. She had pulled Jimmy out of the soon-to-be-collapsing ship and brought him to safety on the shore of Key Largo. Something about the mermaid stirred Jimmy as he was never before, immense and deep love that he felt for Kayla the first time he cast his eyes on her.
As the other members of the crew were beginning to wake up, Kayla told Jimmy that she must go. Jimmy said, "No, I must see you again!" Kayla, feeling equally as captivated as Jimmy, said she would meet him at the Sandbar the next evening at dusk.
Now, Kayla was not just any old mermaid, she was the daughter of the king of the sea, Neptune. Her father watched his daughter return from the rescue and knew she was in love. He just couldn’t let this happen! His daughter would not last out of the water, and he knew that Jimmy couldn’t join them in the sea. Knowing that any parental interference would only make this worse, the King waited and watched as Kayla left the next evening, longing to see her love.
King Neptune waved his mighty scepter and caused great currents. Around and around he waved, causing great winds and a hurricane so strong that there was no way for the lovers to meet. The legend goes that you can still hear the cries of Kayla for her lover shortly before all hurricanes at The Sandbar.
The End
The story of our hurricane was written by Peach Madl, pictured in her mermaid glory above.
Come see two of your favorite bartenders, Dave and Blair, serve as the Masters of Ceremony for the Battle of the Cover Bands event!
When: Sunday, March 11
Time: Doors open 6 p.m., music begins 6:45 p.m.
Where: Abe and Jake’s
This fun event is a Battle of the Cover Bands- meaning if they play individual tunes, they are disqualified. Their sets will be coordinated so that you don’t hear the same songs over and over. All proceeds from the event are benefitting Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
The event is sponsored by New Belgium Brewing, Jagermeister, Maker’s Mark, Polar Ice Vodka, and Margaritaville Tequila.
The bands who have committed are Meat Magic, Imminent Domain, Vanilla Funk, Meridian, and Hella Ivory (a dueling piano act).
And of course there are drink specials: $3 Fat Tire pints; $2 Jager shots; $2 Margaritaville shots; $2.50 Polar Ice cocktails; and $2.50 Maker’s Marks.
There is a $5 cover charge at the door, and the event is limited those who are 21 or older.
Promo girls will be there promoting all of the sponsor’s brands and of course giving out the normal promotional goodies.
Come check out the great music, fun times, and all the goofy things that Dave and Blair might do!
Morgan is our favorite doorgirl. She’s mostly behind the bar now, and a super bartender too, but she is a rock star at the door. The night of the Get Downtown! rally, she singlehandedly held back the crowds trying to get inside and into the beer garden. This girl needs no help at the door.
Here are some fun facts about Morgan for you.
How long have you worked at The Sandbar? Since August 2006.
How did you get the job? I was a regular, and I was sitting at the bar one night (a little drunk, after closing time), and I asked Dave "how does one get a job here." He said "they need to ask," so then I said "hey Dave can I have a job here." I started a few weeks later.
What other jobs do you have? I work at the Kansas Union.
Where are you from? How did you end up in Lawrence? From Dallas, I’ve been here for four years, for good ol’ K.U.!
Favorite job besides the bar? Teaching swim lessons, I get paid to get a tan for the most part.
Favorite drink to drink? Crown and sprite!
Favorite drink to make? Colorado Bulldog, I don’t know why, it’s just something different I guess.
Any specialty drinks? None yet…those big Monday night drinkers stick to beer most of the time.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Hitting on Dave Ernst, now that we are friends we just laugh about it.
Favorite memory at the bar? There are way too many to pick from…
Favorite song on the jukebox? Wow, that’s tough. I love so many- but if I had to pick one, it would be Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!, it was my first love on the jukebox.
Song you never want to hear again? Anything Disney. I didn’t sign up to be on a Disney cruise, nor do I want to be on one.
Favorite bar dancing song? Car Wash for sure!
How many dollars do you have on the wall? 1.5. I have one with just my name and I share another one with a friend.
Favorite Sandbar float? This year’s for sure, it will be my first Sandbar float!
Longest you’ve waited in line? 45 minutes!
5 Random Facts About Morgan:
1. never been the mermaid for the hurricane. {what??!!?? how can that be??!!??}
2. hates cooking, but loves to bake.
3. addicted to chapstick and sunglasses.
4. hates wearing the color red.
5. is super quiet when she is nervous. {she knows this is surprising, because she’s been told once or twice that she’s loud. only once or twice?}
I’m pretty sure that Morgan can whip those NBA crybabies into shape in no time.
Back in 2001, Peach decided that The Sandbar needed some kind of an "attraction." She thought that Disneyworld would be the perfect inspiration, so Dave and I, along with Peach and her son Andrew, flew to Orlando to experience all things Disney.
Since The Sandbar is a beach bar, a hurricane attraction seemed natural. And it would be the perfect foil to the typical Kansas storm- tornadoes. Dave got busy figuring out how to put together an indoor storm and voila! The Sandbar Hurricane was born.
It premiered in February of 2002 to a crowded bar. We went all out for the premiere- a limo took the "stars" of the show for a drive around town and to The Wheel for cocktails before dropping everyone off at The Sandbar. The red carpet was rolled out and the stars were announced to the waiting crowd.
The hurricane proved to be a success, and we’ve now had three or four different newscasts. We’ve also recorded our very own Sandbar song that is now used as the hurricane dance. Each time we have a new video, another world premiere takes place. We’re working on some ideas for a new video- it’s about that time.
