The 30A Songwriters festival is about to Rock South Walton, with magical performances and talented songwriters taking center stage on January 18-20, 2013, and 30AEATS.com has a pair weekend passes to give away!

The festival will feature more than 125 songwriters and 200 musical performances showcasing artists in the outdoors, or in small venues where they pause to discuss their lyrics and communicate with the audience in these intimate settings.

The venues provide the perfect place for you to sit back and enjoy the show, while grabbing a bite of food and a refreshment at your leisure.

On Friday, January 18 at 4pm the Festival will hold a kickoff party at Pandora’s in Grayton Beach.

Pete Sallis will kick off Friday night at Bud and Alley’s Restaurant, which  offers the freshest in Gulf Coast Seafood like the favorite of the house, smoked tuna dip with lavash crackers. Bud and Alley’s Pizza Bar offers authentic Italian hand-tossed thin crust pizza, and I highly recommend both for on-the-go dining options while at their venues.

While still in Seaside, sit down and enjoy a glass of wine, tapas, and some of the freshest sushi on 30A at CRUSH, also a venue in this years 30A Songwriters Festival.

Other venues in Seaside include the popular Central Square Records and the Seaside Repertory Theatre.
Charlie Mars from Tupelo, Mississippi, home of Woody’s Steakhouse- will be taking the stage this year. If you are in the mood for a perfectly seared piece of beef while listening to great music, then look no further than Bentley’s & Maddog’s in Seacrest Beach or Pandora’s in Grayton Beach, both also serve local seafood and are proud venues of the festival. While still in Grayton, head to Shorty’s for casual fare and a lively crowd, or Grayt Coffee House for a relaxing venue.

Grayson Capps who is from Louisiana shares the same food, music and cajun-creole culture with that of our friends at Restaurant FIRE in Gulf Place, and Stinky’s Fish Camp in Dune Allen. The folks at FIRE came to 30A post Katrina and serve creative New Orleans inspired fare.

Headliner Suzanne Vega who will be center stage at Gulf Place Saturday, hails from New York and sings about “Tom’s Diner.” If looking for a warm and inviting place to view musical talent with the benefit of  a cozy rooftop deck, then head to 723 Whiskey Bravo in Seagrove, as they will be offering a limited menu Friday, Saturday and Sunday as performances are scheduled at 7, 8:30 and 10 PM. Festival-goers can simply check off food items on their diner ticket (shown below) that include delicious, easy-to-eat plates such as fish tacos, ceviche and chips, sausage flatbread, burgers, fries and Whiskey Bravo’s famous fried mac ‘n’ cheese sticks.

The downstairs area will be open exclusively for wrist-banded festival attendees while the Roof will open to everyone at 12 each day with the same limited menu plus a full bar. In addition, a cash-only outdoor pop-up bar will be set up to serve beer and wine. You won’t be able to miss the staff! They’ll be wearing bright shirts branded with Whiskey Bravo’s social handle and preferred hashtag #723wb.

Virginia is for lovers and Mary Chapin Carpenter should know. With her popular song titled Passionate Kisses, written by Lucinda Williams, she’ll heat up the stage at Gulf Place, on Saturday, Jan.19th and Williams on Sunday, January 20th. Get romantic with the succulent award-winning food and beautiful view offered at the Vue on 30A’s West end or get cozy at the rustic Hibiscus-Backyard of Love in Grayton Beach, both 2013 venues.

Georgia’s Peach might be Shawn Mullins hailing form Atlanta, but the Gathering Spot and Sushi Bar a venue at Watercolor Inn will “Light You Up” with good food and a good time. Walk over to the Fish Out Of Water serving Georgia Beef and the freshest Gulf Coast Seafood where Jeffrey Steele will take the stage at 10pm Friday.

Will Kimbrough will play with Tommy Womack at The Boathouse at WaterColor Friday at 9 p.m. He will perform again with Sugarcane Jane and Grayson Capps Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Caliza Restaurant in Alys Beach. The Caliza bar will be serving up hot toddies to keep you toasty and the kitchen will offer Southen Bahn Mi Sandwiches, Andouille Sausage & Shrimp Gumbo, and Popcorn.

Rosemary Beach has beautiful venues for listening to the talent on 30A like the Rosemary Town Hall, Amavida and Summer Kitchen Cafe, known for creative comfort cuisine.