The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Money

April 2, 2009

Lost Parrot, bands to aid United Way

Fred Pace

Having survived its first six months in business, Lost Parrot Bar & Grill has teamed with local bands to create the Parrot Palooza 2009.

The event is a festival unlike any past ones in Beckley, according to Dr. Julian Chipley, founder and managing partner of The Lost Parrot on Neville Street in Beckley, along with his wife, Diana.

At least 10 bands will perform over Memorial Day weekend with the kickoff of the “Parrot Palooza” at 9 p.m. May 21.

“The event will run through the holiday weekend with one band on Thursday, two bands on Friday, three bands on Saturday, three on Sunday and two on Monday,” Chipley said.

Chipley says Budweiser distributor Mountain Eagle Inc. has agreed to sponsor the event and assist in music-related expenses.

“For this historic event, daily ticket charges will be required to help raise money for the United Way of Southern West Virginia and offset band expenses,” Chipley explained.

Two headlining bands have signed on to the Parrot Palooza so far, according to Chipley.

“Old School Abbey will be playing at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 22,” he said. “Taylor Made will be playing at 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. Jim Snyder, West Virginia’s ‘King of the Parrot Heads,’ plans to bring a buffet-like outdoor parrot head party starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.”

Others expected to be participating in the Parrot Palooza lineup include Eric Boggs, J.V. Flanagan, The Mike and Rob Experience, Shayar, Anne Cline and many more, Chipley added.

“All of the bands have agreed to help support the United Way by taking reduced fees and pledging cover charges back to the United Way of Southern West Virginia,” he said. “So many people have been working hard to make this event happen.”

Lost Parrot general manager Amanda Trump said she believes this could be the beginning of a huge annual uptown festival in Beckley.

“Local support of this event is needed to help the Lost Parrot and the bands as they work to bring life back to the uptown Beckley historical district and raise money for the 26 local agencies supported by the United Way of Southern West Virginia,” Trump said.

For more information about the “Parrot Palooza,” including band dates and times and daily ticket charges, visit the Web site at www. TheLostParrot.com, Chipley said.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com

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