Community Corner
Transitions: Stand By (Me), Surf Club
The Surf Club, located five minutes away in Edmonston, is facing liquor license challenges at a time when owners want to continue to offer live local bands on weekends.
My husband and I are serious music fans. Regular readers will recall that and dancing opportunities is at the top of our empty-nester list of things to do.
About 10 years ago we discovered a local club, which opened in 1955. Then called Chick Hall’s Surf Club, it was built and designed as a “roadhouse” to showcase local music. It has an elevated stage and good sound system, an enormous wooden dance floor, a U-shaped bar, pool tables and ample tables for music patrons to sit and enjoy the bands.
About three years ago, the club’s ownership changed hands. The new father/son owners James F. and James D. Byrum maintained the live music format, much to the delight of local music and dance aficionados. The DC Blues Society has regularly held many of its events there, attracting folks from all over the region.
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About a year ago, the new owners implemented some new formats featuring DJs on weekend nights. Unfortunately there were some issues this year, most tragically
As a result of the friction caused in the neighborhood, earlier this summer, Surf Club Live returned to its live music programming on weekends, with a schedule stretching into the fall featuring rock, blues, rockabilly, country and zydeco bands.
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Suddenly in early August, the club’s ability to feature live entertainment was disallowed by the , apparently due to an oversight on the liquor license renewal paperwork.
The Surf Club Live has been granted a temporary permit to host three events next week, but after that is unknown. I spoke with a Liquor Control Board staffer who said the case is pending review at this point in time.
While the LCB has official authority, you can be sure that the Town of Edmonston’s opinion will be considered critically. Your humble correspondent and three other music fans took the opportunity to speak to the town council at their Aug. 9 meeting.
For those who would like to follow-up, letters can be sent to the chairman of the Liquor Control Board and to the Town of Edmonston.
I also highly recommend showing up at the Surf Club Live next week to catch one or more of the three shows. One blues, one country and one rock – there is something for everyone! Help keep local live music and keep those entertainment dollars flowing into Prince Georges’ County!