If you are a blues fan, you know how great North Mississippi blues is. It catches your ear and then captures your heart with its deep-felt lyrics and haunting melodies.

Let the Cedric Burnside Project shower you with their mixture of blues, funk, R&B and soul for an exhilarating evening of free music Friday, February 3, 2012.

National recording artist Cedric Burnside is one of the modern greats of this genre. And he comes by it naturally, as his grandfather was the legendary blues man R.L. Burnside.

This Friday, February 3, 2012, you will want to be in the audience at The Hangout for a free performance by the Cedric Burnside Project. The main man will be joined by his younger brother, Cody Burnside, on vocals including rap (yes, rap and blues!) and Trenton Ayers on guitar and bass. You’ll discover how amazingly flexible and inventive this trio is as you soak up the sounds of their North Mississippi/Mississippi Hill Country blues, funk, R&B and soul. You might try, but you won’t be able to keep your feet still while they are on stage.

Come early and enjoy your evening meal at The Hangout. Not only will you have a terrific menu to choose from and an energetic atmosphere to enjoy it in, but it will also allow you to claim your favorite spot, as this is a free show with no reserved seating. The music is scheduled for 7–10 p.m. where Highway 59 ends and the fun begins!

Stay informed of local activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Real Estate on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

What’s your favorite color? You likely have one or two favorites that show up often in your wardrobe and your home décor. No matter what those colors may be, Monday, January 9, you’ll be bragging that your favorite colors are either purple and gold or crimson and white.

The more the merrier as you cheer your favorite team in the BCS football championship. Food, prizes and lots of fun at The Hangout.

You may typically cheer for another team throughout the season (gasp!), but you’ll be choosing sides for this epic rematch of Alabama and LSU. The next best thing to being at the stadium in New Orleans is enjoying it with lots of food, plenty of TVs and a large group of fans representing both sides. And The Hangout in Gulf Shores is making that happen, with assistance from BP.

The first 400 people who arrive for the 5:00 watch party will receive free tailgating food, and the regular menu will be available to everyone. The 20+ TV screens will all be tuned to the championship game that begins at 7:30, but in-house games begin much earlier. Wear your best “Fantastic Fanatic” attire to win the costume contest. Try your hand at trivia, corn hole and football toss challenges. Compete in the frozen T-shirt, plasma car and square board games. You might even win a pair of 3-day passes to The Hangout Music Festival (May 18-20). And be sure to register to win one of four vacations along the Gulf Coast, from Florida to Louisiana.

The regular-season match-up between LSU and Alabama was decided by an LSU field goal in overtime. And this is the first BCS championship to feature two teams from the same conference. So this is not just any football game, or even any ol’ championship game. It’s THE game of games, so be sure to make it a full-blown event by partying big at The Hangout.

Make it even more fun by staying at or near the beach for a long weekend. Save money by checking out the great prices you can find with our Hot Deals on Gulf Shores condos or Fort Morgan houses.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The first presentation of the 2012 season at South Baldwin Community Theatre brings back a familiar family of characters.

Start 2012 with laughter! Attend Tornados Touching Down at South Baldwin Community Theatre.

Playwright Laura Sansing Pfizenmayer created the not-quite-perfect Whitfield family for Livin’ & Comin’ Back, which was presented at the theater in October 2010. Tornados Touching Down is the second in a series that follows the family through various trials and tribulations. You will quietly chuckle and heartily laugh as they learn to cope with a wedding, a new baby and, as the title suggests, a tornado.

Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 5–7 and 12–14, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, January 8 and 15, at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $15, student tickets are $12; they can be purchased at the box office (10 a.m.–2 p.m. or just prior to performance) or via the SBCT website. The theater is located at 2022 W. 2^nd St. in Gulf Shores, across from the Bodenhamer Center and the Erie Meyer Civic Center. Need more details? Call 251-968-6721.

Make it a beach getaway that includes the show, great dining, plenty of local music, outlet shopping, top-notch golf and more. We’ll even give you ONE or TWO FREE NIGHTS depending on how long you stay! Consider a 1-bedroom property in Fort Morgan or choose a house in Gulf Shores based on the size of your group of family and friends.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

There is no shortage of opportunities on our island to celebrate the turnover of the calendar year. Some are catering to children and their families, some to the not-so-late-night partiers, some to the energetic adult crowd. But The Wharf in Orange Beach is offering something for all, and admission is free.

Party with the kids all day and your friends all night. Free New Year's Eve celebrations at The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. December 31, families can enjoy discounted Ferris wheel rides, face painting, clowns, kids games and contests, special movie presentations, giant sand piles, a bounce house and more. The active day will ensure the kids an early, solid night’s sleep that your trusted babysitter will appreciate.

But your celebration is far from over. Beginning at 6 p.m., six bands on two stages will be cranking out the tunes and keeping your energy revved. As street dancers and firebreathers stroll the grounds, you will enjoy plenty of food and beverages to keep you active into the night. Count down with Lady Gaga as the New York celebration is shown on the JumboTron, then count down with the local crowd as the 14-foot jeweled marlin drops. Toast the new year as large, colorful fireworks marks the occasion.

The night doesn’t have to end at midnight. Head to the Las Vegas Club at the Orange Beach Event Center next to the Main Street area. Or hop a free shuttle to Flora-Bama or Live Bait to extend your festivities into the wee hours.

It’s not too late to gather your family or a group of friends and head to the beach. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Perhaps a 2-bedroom condo in Orange Beach would be the perfect size, or maybe a 3-bedroom Perdido Key property would be ideal.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

The staff and patrons of the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar know how to party. (If you’ve been there, no doubt you can attest to that fact.) So it’s no surprise that the biggest party night of the year will have the state-line roadhouse jumpin’.

From a dinner buffet to breakfast, with 4 bands on 2 stages, Flora-Bama has it covered for New Year's Eve.

Beginning at 7 p.m., two stages of entertainment will keep things lively—and you’ll enjoy two bands on each stage. The Deck Stage will host Big Muddy and Troy Brannon, while J. Hawkins and Lucky Doggs will appear on the Tent Stage.

A sumptuous dinner buffet will be served throughout the evening, and there will be party favors for everyone. The champagne toast at midnight will kick off 2012, followed by a delicious breakfast.

Get your New Year’s Party tickets in advance to ensure your place at the party. Those 21 and older will pay just $35 for a night of festivities, while the 18–20 set will pay $45. You can also purchase tickets at the T-shirt trailer at Flora-Bama.

Last-minute beach trips are always welcome, so come celebrate the arrival of 2012 in our backyard. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Make it a romantic getaway in a 1-bedroom property in Orange Beach or gather a large group and share a roomy 5-bedroom Perdido Key condo.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.

Let’s face it: Even those who enjoy a good party don’t necessarily want to stay out until midnight or beyond. That can create a bit of a challenge on New Year’s Eve when midnight is the focal point of the celebration.

Enjoy a New Year's Eve party in Gulf Shores, Alabama that won't keep you up past midnight.

But if you are in the Gulf Shores area, consider the issue solved. Come to the Early Bird New Year’s Eve Bash created for people just like you! Listen or dance to top-notch live music, compete in the table decoration contest if you wish, celebrate the close of 2011 and the birth of 2012, and let your presence there be your final good deed of this year.

To get the most out of the evening, plan to be at the Erie Meyer Civic Center when the doors open at 6 p.m. this Saturday, December 31. Bring festive decorations for your table, but please leave the confetti, glitter and open flames at home. The table with the most outrageous decor gets bragging rights and a little something from the musical star of the evening.

Beginning at 7:00, the 2011 Trop Rock Singer/Songwriter of the Year, Brent Burns, will be sharing his popular blend of covers and original music, including a number of humorous musical commentaries for which he is well known.

The food will be perfect, as you will be supplying your own snacks and drinks. (Alcohol is allowed; please drink responsibly.) Bring enough goodies for just you, or plenty to share—whatever makes you happy. After all, it’s your party!

The $15 advance tickets are available at the Christian Service Center, 317 Dolphin Avenue in Gulf Shores, open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon; cash or checks are accepted. You may also purchase admission through the Brent Burns website or by calling 251- 948-8863; or pay $20 at the door (space permitting). Book an entire table of 8 for $120 and you will have reserved seating. All proceeds benefit the Christian Service Center, a 100% volunteer organization that gives a hand up, not a hand out, to those in need.

Come join us at the beach to ring in the new year. We’ll even give you TWO FREE NIGHTS! Grab a buddy or your significant other and relax in a cozy 1-bedroom property in Gulf Shores or bring another couple or a few friends to share a 2-bedroom Fort Morgan condo.

Stay informed of Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area activities, vacation rental specials and more by subscribing to this Discover Alabama Beaches blog and Meyer Muse, and by following Meyer Vacation Rentals on Facebook and Twitter.