WINNSBORO'S NIGHT LIFE

by

Maryann Miller

Like many other small towns, Winnsboro used to roll up its sidewalks at five o'clock, and folks had to go elsewhere for any kind of evening entertainment.

Not any more.

It started a few years ago when the Trails Country Center for the Arts (TCCA) scheduled concerts, plays, and other entertainment on weekend evenings and people came; but that was only on the occasional weekend. The rest of the time people still had to go out of town if they wanted a little entertainment with their dinner.

Now Winnsboro has three venues for live music every weekend, and by all indications, all are thriving. "We're not really in competition," says Jeff Heath, owner of the Winnsboro Bakery & Cafe. "We compliment each other and support each other."

The Bakery offers fine dining on Friday and Saturday evenings and often will partner with TCCA or the Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Store for a dinner and a concert event. Other evenings the Bakery has live music at the restaurant. A recent guest performer was Jessica Faltot, one of the duet team of 2Accordions. The duo, which includes Rebecca Ratliff, are the National Accordion Classical Duet Champions.

They've only been in business for four months, but already the LouViney Winery has impacted the downtown area in a positive way. People can enjoy a variety of Texas Wines, specialty appetizers, and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Singer/Songwriter, Stan Narramore, was the most recent performer at The Winery, singing a variety of folk and blues songs. He also slipped in one or two original pieces. Here he's getting ready to start another set. As every performer knows, the microphone has to be in just the right place.

That same evening, the Crossroads Coffeehouse & Music Store had a special concert by owners, Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne. Filling out the ensemble group was Kate Hearne on guitar, L. Alan Prazak on drums, and Randy Simmons on bass guitar. They performed for a standing room only crowd that thoroughly enjoyed the mix of folk and Americana music.

What is truly amazing is that all of this is local talent, people who live in or near Winnsboro, and it is only a small representation of the creative talent in this area.

A wealth of actors and artists have sustained the Trails Country Center for the Arts for four years and continue to offer exceptional entertainment and classes. The surrounding area hosts a number of artist's studios, and there are several well-known writers who call the Piney Woods home.

Shannon Monk who helped organize the latest concert at the Crossroads said, "Winnsboro can be a destination city for folks who want to come and have a taste of what is normally only offered in a larger city."