May Second Saturday Heralds Summer Season in the Bay!
Celebrate the arrival of summer with Hot Spots Bay Books (131 Main Street) and Something Special (207 Main Street)!
Bay Books
131 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, 228.463.2688
During Second Saturday, from .5 to 7 p.m. Randy Pierce will read and sign from his newest murder mystery book “The Peter Bay,” which brings back a cast of Leaksville, Mississippi characters from his first work “Pain Unforgiven.”
Jeremy Burke, owner and operator of Bay St. Louis' local, independent bookstore Bay Books, always saw himself being a teacher, but now has an educational outlet of a different kind. “My family and I believe in the educational value of books,” Burke said.
In 2011 he bought the bookstore on Main Street from the former owners, who were moving to Italy. Bay Books features a large selection of new and used books. If there's something a customer doesn't see on the shelves, Burke is always happy to order it. Bay Books sees travelers from around the world coming through the doors. Lots of tourists are looking for local books and wanting to know about the area, but Burke also sees plenty of locals, too. “The majority of our customers are kids or people wanting to buy stuff for children,” Burke said. “As long as people of all ages want to continue to think and get lost in their imagination, there will always be a place for books.” Saturday is the busiest day of the week for Bay Books. “Everyone loves to shop on a beautiful Saturday afternoon,” said Burke. Second Saturdays are especially popular as Burke often hosts book signings during the busy season. Bay Books is open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Second Saturday, of course, when Main Street shops are open well into the evening. On Saturday, May 14, at 5 to 7 p.m. Randy Pierce will read and sign from his newest murder mystery book “The Peter Bay,” which brings back a cast of Leaksville, Mississippi characters from his first work “Pain Unforgiven” that critics say will keep readers in suspense until the end. In a recent interview with the Clarion Ledger, Pierce said. “I had originally planned to write ‘The Peter Bay’ first, but when I started, the characters took me in a different direction and I wrote ‘Pain Unforgiven.’ My new book, ‘The Peter Bay,’ is written in a way that the reader doesn't have to read ‘Pain Unforgiven.’ ‘The Peter Bay’ is a sequel. However, I believe when readers meet Grant and Jade Hicks, they'll want to read ‘Pain Unforgiven’ to see how they met and fell in love.” What has been Bay Books’ most memorable book signing? “James Meredith, a Civil Rights Movement figure, who was the first African American student at Old Miss in 1962, came in to sign his latest book in 2012 right after Barack Obama got re-elected,” Burke said. “He had such an interesting insight to this time and place in our history. He’s lived through the Civil Rights Movement and was able to put things today in perspective.” And Burke's favorite author? “It’s still Dr. Seuss,” Burke said. “Reading his books, hearing them out loud — that’s some of my most fond memories.” One of his favorite books he reads to his children is “Good Night Moon” — “a classic,” he said. Burke's personal all-time favorite book? “Confederacy of Dunces.” “I never re-read books, but that’s one I go back to time and time again. Actually, seriously, Toole may be my favorite author.” If Burke could have any author come to Bay Books for a signing it would be John Grisham. “He’s a famous Mississippian who obviously knows how to write.” Immediately Burke's imagination ran wild as he thought about past authors he'd invite to Bay Books. “If we could resurrect Hemingway I would love to host him, but I don’t know if we have enough rum in Bay St. Louis to attract him here,” Burke laughed. “I think he would really love Bay St. Louis. The only reason he moved to Key West is because he didn’t know about us.”
Something Special
207 Main Street, Bay St. Louis, 228.216.3739
For Second Saturday, May 14, The DMB Band featuring David Mayley will play from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and several artists from Boudreaux's shop will be set up on the lawn selling, displaying, and demonstrating their artworks.
Althea D. Boudreaux, owner of Something Special on 207 Main Street, is a collector of special things.
"I've been collecting since I was in my twenties. I was born in 1954 and we were pretty poor,” Boudreaux said. “Both my parents worked hard in the '50s, which was rare back then for mothers to work and when my grandparents died we got one chair — there were no antiques passed down.” With four kids running around, there wasn’t a lot of room, or money, for new things. “If something happened to something we fixed it instead of buying something new,” Boudreaux remembered. Those childhood memories grew into a love of old things, refurbished things, special things. “I used to be a professional recruiter and I put antiques in my office,” Boudreaux said. “People thought I was crazy, but I wanted to surround myself with special things that make me feel good.” Boudreaux wanted to share these special collections with the public. “I got my start in the back of Century Hall (now Bay emporium) then across from Starfish Cafe on Main Street,” said Boudreaux. Now her collection of art and antiques resides at Something Special in a space on 207 Main Street, which allows her continue to bestow some of her favorite handpicked things on the public. It’s her own shop, but she shares it with some special local talents. “We feature 22 artists in two rooms and additionally there are four merchants in the building,” said Boudreaux. The youngest featured artist is 18 and the oldest is 75 years old. There are lots of familiar names like Linda Walden, Chuck Tippitt and Al Hooks (of Hooks Gallery), and lots of up-and-coming artists, too. Boudreaux even features her own two daughters — Melinda and Sarah — who started creating and selling artworks at a very young age. One is a photographer and the other is a multi-media graphic artist. Aside from paintings and antiques, there are plenty of other treasures in Something Special. Pottery, jewelry, wood carvings, hand-painted purses and clothing, glass art and a candy station all make Boudreaux’s shop… special. "The reason why I did the antiques and the art together because I felt like people who can appreciate the fine craftsmanship of antiques can appreciate art, and vice versa,” Boudreaux said. "People can come in looking for something different,” she said. "I want people to feel the way I do when I was collecting treasures and the way I feel when I find… something special." More Special Second Saturday Happenings!
Tap Dance Flash Mob Challenge
Smith & Lens Gallery 106 S. Second Street 6pm Pearl Peterman’s Theatre On Tap and Ballet is hosting the 1st Annual Tap Dance Flash Mob Challenge to the tune of Bob Seager's "Hollywood Nights." Participating dancers can wear tap or regular shoes. A video has been created that teaches tap and non-tap versions. Email pearlbsl@yahoo.com for the link to the choreographed video.
This Is Our Mississippi Photo Shoot
Lulu's On Main 126 Main Street 4pm - 8pm Photos of LGBTQ families, allies, etc.for the to be published book "This Is Our Mississippi." The first photo session will be on May 14 in Bay St. Louis in conjunction with monthly Second Saturday. Photographs will be taken on the lovely screen porch of Lulu's Restaurant from 4:00 - 8:00. Arthur R Severio, photographer extraordinaire from New Orleans will be taking the photos. Cindy Eldridge will be talking to the families to gather information for a short blurb for each photo. The proceeds of this little venture will go to Rise Above for Youth, a non-profit organization created by Shelley Johnson, which is raising money to open the first shelter for homeless LGBT youth. It will be called Mike's House in honor of Mike Camardelle, a former board member of Rise Above for Youth, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2013.
Celebrating the Life and Art of Keith Karlson
Mockingbird Café 110 South Second Street 4pm - 5:30pm Keith Karlson was a Bay St. Louis artist and resident and one of the founders of the original Second Saturday Artwalk. He was part of The Main Street Beautification Project and founded the Mississippi Gallery with his partner Tony Eccles. It was located in the Masonic Temple Building on Main Street. Keith renovated many historic homes in downtown Bay St. Louis, helping to preserve the beauty of Bay St. Louis for generations to come. All this was accomplished on the side, while his main work was as a social worker specializing in hospice care. The Mockingbird was chosen as the venue for event as Keith was also an artist whose work was shown in galleries in Mississippi, Massachusetts and Maine.A collection of his photographs and his traveling altars will hang and be for sale. The proceeds will be shared by The Arts Hancock County and Arts Natchez. Everyone is welcome. Comments are closed.
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