Explorer Lounge to become BB King Memphis Club

[hotzej]

Has anyone else seen this? Is this effective immediately. Only asking as we are booked on Eurodam 3/30/13.

 

 

 

Holland America Line Brings The Legendary Sounds Of B.B. King's Blues Club Aboard ms Eurodam

 

Companies announce strategic alliance; lounge transformed into a Blues club

 

By Holland America Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published: Monday, Mar. 4, 2013 - 2:12 pm

 

 

 

 

SEATTLE, March 4, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- All the way from the world-famous Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., Holland America Line has launched the B.B. King's Blues Club aboard ms Eurodam, with the ship's Queen's Lounge transformed into a vibrant blues musical experience. Five nights each week on cruises through June 20, 2013, world-class musicians from the B.B. King Blues Club Band create a dynamic energy to move the crowd to sing and dance along. The eight-piece band features two vocalists backed by a drummer, bassist, guitarist, sax player, trumpet player and Hammond B-3 organ player.

 

To create its own B.B. King's Blues Club at sea, Eurodam trimmed its Queen's Lounge with portraits of the Memphis Blues legend, illuminating the prominence of Memphis Blues and its influence on everyone from B.B. King, Sam & Dave and Otis Redding to The Rolling Stones and Neil Diamond. A special stage was crafted to resemble a Memphis club with guitars hanging in the backdrop. Exclusive specialty cocktails from the land-based clubs also will be served, featuring the tasty, rum-based Lucille and Rock Me Baby concoctions mixed with different fruit liqueurs and juices.

 

In addition, "Memphis Sounds," a live stage show directed by Marion Caffey (producer of Amateur Night at the Apollo) and produced by B.B. King's Blues Club's CEO Tommy Peters, will headline one night on the ship's Mainstage. "Memphis Sounds" showcases the true sounds of the American music genre of Memphis Blues performed by the B.B. King Blues Club Band. The 45-minute performance incorporates video projection to tell the story of the blues.

 

"We are excited for this new venture," said B.B. King's Blues Club's CEO Tommy Peters. "B.B. King's Blues Club has always been committed to providing the best live entertainment and Holland America Line is a leader in their industry. It's a great fit and we look forward to a successful long-term partnership."

 

"This collaborative effort is a perfect partnership," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Bringing the vibe of Memphis aboard Eurodam will create a new atmosphere on the ship that is going to be exciting for our guests. We also look forward to taking this show to other Holland America Line ships throughout 2013 and beyond through this new venture."

 

About B.B. King's Blues Club Created and named after the reigning king of the blues and recording artist for more than four decades, B.B. King's Blues Club is a supper-club style restaurant. B.B. King's offers a perfect blend of some of the finest live music and a variety of the South's most delicious comfort foods influenced by flavors from New Orleans all the way to the Mississippi Delta. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit http://www.bbkingclubs.com.

 

For more information about the B.B. King's Blues Club at Sea, Holland America Line's cruises and CruiseTours, consult a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/04/5235552/holland-america-line-brings-the.html#storylink=cpy

[sail7seas]

Interesting....

 

If there is still time, you may wish to edit the thread title.

 

They will be using Queen's Lounge........ NOt Explorers Lounge.

May not seem an important difference but they are very different venues.

 

[djhsolara]

Yes, I was also wondering...is this happening now? We board on Saturday. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 2

[PathfinderEss]

Please come back and tell us all about it. Would love to know what you think of it.

[Himself]

Will they be using the Queens lounge for the daily Mass or will it be held elsewhere?

[elycelynne]

I'm also wondering what they'll do about the other activities that usually take place in the Queen's Lounge at night -- Karaoke, game shows, HAL Cats, etc.? Sounds like an awful lot of disruption to me! I also wonder if all this blues music, along with the new Mainstage show, is going to appeal to a wide enough HAL audience?

[TiogaCruiser]

Glad you pointed out its the queens lounge and not Explorers Lounge. I had visions of no more Adagio strings. And for me, that would be BAD.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the information.

Not sure how this is going to work out in the evenings.

Notice that it mentions how they have transformed the stage -- will there still be the cooking demonstrations? Other activities like movies?

Will be curious to see what others think of this.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Sounds great ...

[sail7seas]

Glad you pointed out its the queens lounge and not Explorers Lounge. I had visions of no more Adagio strings. And for me, that would be BAD.

 

 

That is why I read it more carefully when I saw Queen's Lounge. :)

It would not be good IMO to have it in Explorer's Lounge.

I'm happy they are trying various other entertainments. We had the noisy Westerdam show.... I can't remember the group's name(Percussion ?) now. While it wasn't to our liking, I was happy HAL is working on the entertainment. Maybe it hasn't been rated very good recently?

 

[DFD1]

IMO, this shows HAL's awareness and concern about improving the entertainment on board. Sounds like this is a pilot project to gage passenger reaction.

 

Personally, I like what they've done so far....shorter shows, smaller more professional acts, more variety in the acts.

 

All positive IMO

[sun~]

On the chartered Blues cruise the Queen's lounge is mainly used for music, only one cooking demonstration. The countertop and area is just moved to the back, behind a curtain. It was used for bingo as well (hosted by Tab Benoit for the blues cruise) so it is easy to still use this as a multi purpose space.

 

Just in case anyone is mistaken to think BB King will be personally associated with this will be mistaken. It will be a house band only. At BB Kings clubs, he rarely (if ever) plays at them.

 

Even though it will be a house band, I would guess that being under the BB King blues club umbrella there should be some talented musicians.

[hotzej]

check this out: BBKBC 1st Set on the Eurodam 2/23/13, on youtube. Type in Eurodam Queens Lounge.

[yenta]

Just got off the ship Saturday, the group was fantastic. We went every night, standing room only. Daytime activities go on as usual. We will be on the Niew Amsterdam the end of April and are hoping for something as good.

[hotzej]

Yenta,

 

That's great to hear. Was already looking forward to our cruise 3/30/13, and now am really excited. Thanks for the info and let us know if the Niew Amsterdam has adopted anything like it.

[sail7seas]

Thanks for sharing that with us.

Sounds excellent. :)

[michmike]

Sounds great to me. HAL definitely needs to do something to kick it up a notch a nite and blues can be a fairly cross generational thing. Will be interested to hear the feedback as others get to experience it.

[Mard940]

what are the show times and when do the shows end ( i an hoping after midnight)

[Sea42]

This would be fantastic. The only shortcoming of our cruises on HAL (and Princess for that matter) were the entertainment options. This is something my husband and I would enjoy.

[djg541]

Great idea!

Say Hi to "Lucille"

 

Nice to know "The Thrill ISN'T Gone!"

[maxie99]

I'm also wondering what they'll do about the other activities that usually take place in the Queen's Lounge at night -- Karaoke, game shows, HAL Cats, etc.? Sounds like an awful lot of disruption to me! I also wonder if all this blues music, along with the new Mainstage show, is going to appeal to a wide enough HAL audience?

OHH i hope so,, im a big fan of this type of music,, i saw BB in niagara falls a couple of years ago,, and i was hooked:cool:--and im closing in to my 60.s:eek:

[sevenseasnomad]

Wow! Can't wait. There's a longer youtube video which starts with a picture of Eurodam. It features the theater with everyone on their feet and dancing. Of all the shows we've seen on Holland America's main stage, I can't remember one where everyone was out of their seats and dancing. We hope to be dancing in the aisle too on the 3/30 cruise.

[hotzej]

We'll be there with you....Save us a seat (or two).....

[Typhoon1]

A good idea, but I am not sure about the venue they will be using.

[tangerinebunny]

What a great idea....here's hoping it goes fleetwide.