Inaugural Oasis Fest Oct. 1 at Wharf

Inaugural Oasis Fest Oct. 1 at Wharf
Lazy river, trop rockers, Caribbean food & drinks on tap

Although this year’s musical acts definitely lean towards Trop Rock and, in keeping with that theme, the food and drinks will be decidedly Caribbean, the inaugural Oasis Fest, set for Saturday, Oct. 1 from 2-10 p.m. at the Oasis Resort (pictured) at The Wharf in Orange Beach, is not just another parrothead reunion.
“We’ll have a free photo booth and a dunk tank, Caribbean food like conch fritters and plantains and drinks like Pain Killers and Rum Runners, but the bands will also play straight rock ‘n roll,’’ said Mark Frolich, who operates the concession at the Oasis.
“We’ve been talking about doing something like this for the past two years and we decided this would be the best time of the year,’’ Frolich added. “Next year we may book country bands.’’
Frolich also owns Sassy Bass Restaurants in Gulf Shores and Ft. Morgan and Calypso Joe’s Caribbean Grill on Marina Rd. in Orange Beach, said although the capacity at The Oasis is much higher, he expects to sell around 200 tickets for the fest. Cost is $30 per person and tickets are available at sassybassmarketplace.com.
The Oasis is a private resort, but during the fest patrons will have full access to the all its amenities, including the lazy river, wave pool, hot tub, volleyball courts and sandy beaches. Full bar service will also be available. Bring beach chairs and towels and kick back to some world class trop rock music in Pleasure Island’s most tropical setting.
Headlining Oasis Fest is the The Southern Drawl Band, two time Trop Rock Award winners for Band of the year. Trop Rock Entertainer of the Year Jimmy Maraventano and Austin’s Donny Brewer will entertain.
Although he leads one of the top Parrothead tribute bands in the country, Jimmy Maraventano will be playing solo at The Oasis. He’ll play all the great Buffett songs as well as his own original songs and favorites by the Beach Boys, Zac Brown, Jerry Jeff Walker, Harry Belafonte, and Bob Marley.
Sweating out their own brand of rockin’ country music distilled in the backwoods of Tennessee, the Southern Drawl Band has been relentlessly touring the U.S. from coast to coast since it’s beginnings in 2012, playing over 200 shows a year. “Building our grass roots fan base from the ground up is the key to our success,” said Mike Nash, frontman and guitarist for the band. “Fans will regularly drive hundreds of miles for our shows.’’ The band has shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett and their music has been used in television programs on GAC and CMT.
Donny Brewer is a multi-instrumentalist who plays everything from roadhouse blues to dance-hall country and modern rock.