Jimmy Buffett Sings in Indianapolis While Lulu Buffett Serves Up Fun and Food in Gulf Shores, Alabama

JIMMY BUFFETT AND THE CORAL REEFER BAND

"Songs from St. Somewhere" Tour 2013

Thursday - June 27 - 8 pm

In a 2013 summer concert lineup heavy in country artists, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band is one of few standing out at Klipsch Music Center for alternate options. For one performance, Buffett will take the stage, Thursday, June 27, as part of his “Songs From St. Somewhere” Tour 2013.

The artist will be back in the studio to record a new album, tentatively titled "Songs from St. Somewhere," to be released on Mailboat Records. Last summer the Margaritaville singer-songwriter released a new CD/DVD on Mailboat Records called "Welcome To Fin City," which was recorded during two Las Vegas concerts.
Having not been to a Buffett concert as of this date, my curiosity is piqued. Perhaps mostly because others crow about the fun and I dined at his sister's restaurant recently in Gulf Shores, AL. Fans may have known the touring party guy has a sister, but it was news to me.

The happening spot, called Lulu's, (www.LuluBuffett.com) is a restaurant, live music venue, gift shop and bar all rolled into one, giant party-atmosphere adult and child play land of sorts. Although I attempt to keep an open mind when reviewing all the various restaurants I review, patterns do form and generally tourist town food offerings are not the strongest point at "fun palaces." However...Lulu's is one of the exceptions. In fact, the food was outright phenomenal rising high above expectations.

What's the best food to order from the menu?

Easy ~ seafood. You are in a Gulf Shores beach town after all.

First off, a must-try are crab claws. They are fresh, blue claws and you will want them fried.

Yes, fried ~ you're on vacation and calories don't count, right? Besides, and you can trust me on this one, you will be in the Gulf's water swimming, kayaking and playing so much you will absolutely burn off any calories you might accidentally pick up. This is the first travel-writing trip ever where I arrived home weighing less than before I went ~ by four pounds, to be exact. Also get the oysters (fried) and the fried green tomatoes.

One other must-get... smoked tuna dip served with various dippers. Once you try smoked tuna dip, you will look for it on menus all over town.

Lulu's exemplifies the very essence of Gulf Shores attitude, which is: Have fun! Whether playing sand volleyball, hollering at friends sitting nearby or dancing the night away to the live music entertainment, it is difficult to not let the waves of happiness and relaxation wash right over you, sweeping your troubles right on out with the tide.

Having visited his sister's jumping joint, it is only fitting to now visit the one who started the whole idea that hanging out and having fun past the age of 30 is perfectly okay. If I make Jimmy Buffett's concert, you will be able to catch the review right back here.

Tickets: Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, (800) 745-3000.
Buffett images: Provided by Klipsch
Lulu's images: Izzy Evans & Elizabeth J. Musgrave
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Twilight Tours at West Baden Springs Hotel

West Baden Springs Hotel, located in the gently rolling hills of southern Indiana welcomes guests to mingle with ghosts during its Twilight Tours throughout the summer and fall. Costumed characters bring history to life with this year’s cast featuring two new figures.

The 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking is represented by passenger Margaret (The Unsinkable Molly) Brown, and Caroline Astor. The socialite hid at West Baden’s luxury hotel during the scandal of her divorce from John Jacob Astor, who perished during the ship’s sinking.

Through October, Indiana Landmarks brings the period back to life on guided trips through the hotel where visitors meet costumed characters representing guests and famous people of the time.

Characters from the 1920s include: Col. Bliss, commander of US Army Hospital No. 35 (the Army leased the hotel as a hospital from September 1918 through April 1919); Walter Hagen, PGA winner at French Lick in 1924; Helen Keller, who attended the hotel’s grand opening; author Edna Ferber and Chicago mob boss Big Jim Colosimo.

Visitors also will meet hotel employees and entertainers, such as Mademoiselle Louise, the hotel’s resident palmist/mentalist in the early 20th century.

Tours last 75 minutes and ends before 10 p.m., leaving time for enjoying the moonlit gardens or one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Dates include, May 25, June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 13.

To make required reservations and for more information, call 812-936-4034, 866-571-8687.

Photos provided by: Indiana Landmarks

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her new column, Infused, at FoodandDrinkDigital.com, as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on BroadwayWorld.com, in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Indiana's Covered Bridge Loop

Experience Indiana’s Covered Bridge Loop in Southern Indiana

Six Counties. Nine Bridges. One Great Trail.

The Indiana Covered Bridge Loop is an approximately 216 mile route featuring nine historic covered bridges scattered over waterways in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings and Lawrence counties.

Click here for downloadable map and directions.

The Loop features single, double and triple span bridges, and the only remaining double tunnel bridge in Indiana all built by well-known master craftsmen. Four of the bridges are featured on the National Register of Historic Places. See the oldest covered bridge in Indiana built in 1838, now residing at the Brown County State Park, and the longest three span covered bridge in the United States just outside of Medora, Indiana. Visitors can experience driving through six of the covered bridges.

Visitors tour two significant covered bridges on the Loop through Jackson County both built by master builder Joseph J. Daniels.  The restored triple-span Medora Covered Bridge, built in 1875, is an example of Daniels’ use of Multiple King Post Truss construction with Double Burr Arch design.


The Shieldstown Covered Bridge, built one year later, was the last covered bridge constructed in Jackson County. Built at a cost of $13,600, the two-span bridge is 355 feet long and spans the East Fork of the White River.

The Indiana Covered Bridge Loop brochure serves as an information guide and is complete with a map, GPS coordinates and a brief description accompanied by bridge photos. Loop brochures are available at the Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings, and Lawrence County Visitors Centers and online.

For information call the Jackson County Visitor Center at 888-524-1914 or visit jacksoncountyin.com

Photos submitted by Jackson County Visitor Center.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.