Beach music acts bring the party to Boone Hall Plantation

The best beach party this weekend won't be near the sand. It will be under the oaks at Boone Hall Plantation.

The inaugural Beach Blast 2009 3:30-10:45 p.m. Saturday is kicking off Boone Hall's Summer Concert Series. The bands performing - legends in the history of beach and shag music - are already creating a buzz far past Charleston itself.

The SugarBees, Billy Scott & The Party Prophets, The Legends of Beach and The Tams will perform throughout the night and keep the 1,600-square-foot dance floor busy. Jeff Hall & Nature Blu, DJ host Jim Bowers as well as shag demonstrations by national shag dance champions Sam and Lisa West are also highly anticipated.

"(It's for) anyone who loves beach music and anyone who loves having a good time. It's going to be a party!" said Rick Benthall, director of marketing and public relations for Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens. "We have a beautiful atmosphere and lots of space for people to spread out and enjoy themselves and not feel crowded or cramped."

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and beach blankets to spread out on Boone Hall's back lawn. Beer, wine, soft drinks and bottled water will be on hand and 82 Queen will handle the picnic-style food of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, French fries, barbecue and more. Ice cream and watermelon will also be a hit.

It's the dance floor and the music that are making this beach blast a party.

"To coin an old phrase, The Tams 'are one' with beach music. No discussion about beach music can be had without recognizing them. Their grand finale at their shows is legendary. The Legends of Beach bring together some of the best of the past together today to entertain and bring back great memories. Billy Scott is a music hall of famer in every way - enough said there. The SugarBees are one of today's up and coming beach music acts," said Benthall.

"There is a bond between these bands and the beach music generation that is unlike any other because of the romanticism of it all," he said.

The romanticism of shag and beach music isn't just a nostalgic feeling. It was born in South Carolina and shag is our state dance.

"Beach music lovers will love the event because of who is performing," Benthall said. "But the opportunity is there for other generations to appreciate what beach music has and still means to the state of South Carolina as it relates to its history, color, and style."

"No other dance in the world is like The Shag," he said. "In a time where dancing most of the time is an expression of two different people doing their own thing, shaggin' keeps two people connected in beautiful bee-bop shuffle steps synchronized in time and rhythm. It is dance poetry in motion, but a unique dance poetry unlike any you will see anywhere else. It is enjoyable to do and watch. It really is two hearts acting as one."