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If you are looking for a good time in Baton Rouge with Louisiana heritage, Tabby's Blues Box and Heritage Hall is the place to go.
This Louisiana legend is located in the old business district off of North Blvd., just before downtown.
The setting is full of character and charm. The walls are covered with nicotine stained autographed posters of old and present blues musicians from around the world who have played there. There is a poster of Tabby when he was younger and one of him taken recently with his shades on, looking suave. One poster is of B.B. King posing proudly with his famous beloved guitar, Lucille. Another poster, an enormous poster, is of Tabby's son, Chris. He is standing with his arms crossed, with a serious look on his face as his long braided hair hangs down. There is a huge mural on one wall of this colored musician playing his guitar with musical notes painted all around him and the name of the nightclub painted above the musician.
The importance is on the music, rather than
the condition of the building. An example of the imperfections is
the tin ceiling, there are panels missing from two places. The bathrooms
are falling apart. Some of the barstools that were once chairs are
now just stools because of the broken backs on them. Sheet rock is
missing in some places, which posters now cover like a Band-Aid.
Tabby's Blues Box has an open, comfortable feeling unlike other
bars that feel stuffy as soon as you enter them. This feeling is
what makes Tabby's a truly unique place. It has a community setting.
The tables are set up as one long table, which makes two rows. This
way you can mingle with the crowd. All along the bar, there are stools
and small tables along one wall. There is a balcony area over the
bar. It offers you to be secluded from the rest of the bar without
hindering your view of the stage.
Tabby's has an exhilarating yet careless environment. Everyone is carrying on conversations and joking with each other. Dancing with whomever you want and however you want is the way that things happen at Tabby's Blues Box. The lightheartedness of the nightclub allows you to feel free to do whatever you want. Tabby's is a place where you leave your troubles at the door and prepare yourself for a memorable and an exiting evening.
The customers at Tabby's are people from all walks of life. There are people from all different races and ethnic backgrounds. The poor, wealthy, young and old all come to Tabby's Blues Box. The crowd treats each other like family. There is nothing but laughter in the air and smiles on the faces of the customers. Don't think you can go there and just be a loner. If someone sees you sitting by yourself, a complete stranger will drag you out on the dance floor to make sure that you have a great time just like everyone else in the bar.
The purpose is to include you in the music.
The audience and the band become one. The homemade stage is set up
close to the audience to provide a pleasurable, comfortable setting.
The band wants the audience to participate in the music by dancing, clapping,
and sometimes even singing along. Let the music engulf you and have
a fantastic time. As one band member said, "We're here for your enjoyment.
If no one is dancing, then it seems as though they're not enjoying the
music, so why go on?"
The music is not only fun to listen to it is also easy to sing along to. Some of the lyrics make you want to laugh, "My dad told me to get a big ole' woman, not one that is skin and bones." Other lyrics you can relate to, "I loved that woman, but she took all my money, and left me for another man. She left me hurtin' and so broke. She said, "She found her another man who could love her better than me."
The owner, Rockin' Tabby Thomas, King of the Swamp Blues, is a real down-to-earth guy who takes time out for people. Tabby walks around and mingles with the crowd. Usually, he plays with the house band. On some nights, the band may include his sons and special guests. Tabby Thomas also has his own radio show that comes on every Saturday and Sunday on 90.3 WBRH, a local radio station.
When I leave Tabby's Blues Box, I have blisters on my feet and passion in my soul. All the troubles of the world have escaped my being for just a little while.
Some people may think that singing the blues is all about being sad, but what I really think is that people singing the blues are only singing about the sad side of life. It's interesting, because in all actuality they still find so much joy in life.
It's an unexplainable release from tension
and stress but then again everybody singing the blues still looks happy
to me. So, I guess I should just go with the flow.
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