Davy Jones, Ginger Kyles, Emcee Quartermaster Griff,
CTXPHC President Tony Kyles and Julie Jones party at Pirates Ball!
Ahoy mateys!
Pirates, Wenches and even a giant parrot invaded Austin, Texas for the Central Texas Parrot Head Club’s 11th Annual Pirates Ball weekend. Buccaneers from all over Texas joined the local Parrot Heads in all the fun with both the San Antonio and Port Aransas Parrot Head Clubs bringing the largest out-of-town groups of scallywags to the party!
We love a big parrot just as much as all the pirates!
Friday evening kicked off with a party by the pool and music from our local Margaritaville Radio superstars, Country/Folk/Trop Rock duo, The Detentions. Dan Sullivan and Chris Hillier joined forces over 10 years ago developing their own unique mix of genres. Last year two of their songs were picked up by Jimmy Buffett’s internet radio station (How The Detentions Got Their Song on Radio Margaritaville) and they continue to add new songs to their Trop Rock repertoire.
Taking to the pool stage as the crowd thickened, The Detentions got this party rolling with original songs, a few covers every Parrot Head loves along with their funny wit to keep everyone in a jolly (roger) mood.
Photo © Bernadette Veneski. The Detentions entertain by the pool for the Friday night party.
Saturday started off with the “Walk the Plank” pool party with live music by Don Burke, another Texas favorite who mixes the Country/Americana/Trop Rock sounds. Don kept the momentum going with a good mix of Buffett tunes while we cooled off in the pool and tried to pace ourselves. I’m talking about pacing the alcohol consumption (just in case you thought we were swimming laps).
Every year the jello shots and the rum soaked fruits seem to multiply and there’s no lack of new concoctions to try. Parrot Heads are such sharing folks! Thankfully, a full BBQ lunch expertly cooked by local phriends was provided to help us soak up the rum.
Late afternoon, the pool chairs began to clear and everyone headed to their rooms for their pirate transformation.
By 6:30 the ballroom was filling up with a sea of parrot heads disguised as pirates. Even the headliners, Donny Brewer and the Dock Rockers, sported their swashbuckling style. Donny is fairly new on the Trop Rock music scene, but he’s hit it with full speed and just released his second CD of all original Trop Rock songs! The bands performance was fantastic and lively, keeping us completely entertained.
As appetizers rolled out, we snacked and strolled down the auction tables looking at the amazing collection of goody baskets, art work, event tickets and services donated to raise money for the local battered woman’s shelter, Hope Alliance.
After placing our bids and mingling about, it was time for the costume contest! With so many amazing costumes, I didn’t envy the 3 judges trying to pick winners as contestants showed off their creativity. By the look on their faces, it wasn’t an easy decision.
Judges Bobby Zuhn, Dave Spenny & Quartermaster Griff trying to pick the costume contest winners.
Piratical Costume Contest Participants
Piratical Costume Contest Participants
Piratical Costume Contest Participants
Dim the lights and amp up the party! Once the costume contest, silent auction and raffles were over the dancing hit high gear.
Donny Brewer and the Dock Rockers’ last set was all about participation. Songs such as “Lime in the Coconut” brought out the musically inclined Parrot Heads playing their shakers and make shift instruments with the band. Saxy Fred (Fred Gurrero from the San Antonio Parrot Head Club) joined the band on stage, the “3 Don’s” hired for Pirates Ball joined forces for a few songs together (Donny Brewer, Don Burke & Donald James) and several conga lines broke out during the party — my favorite was the “high five conga line.”
The Central Texas Parrot Head Club throws one heck of a Pirates Ball and if for some blimey reason you haven’t attended, you should mark your calendar now for August 2016. Pirating for the weekend with a 150 good friends while raising money for charity is a win-win and CTXPHC knocks it out of the park with this amazing event.
One weekend to remember – and thanks for helping me TO remember it. :-) Life is all about great memories, whether living them or re-living them.