Bikinis, bands and beer — what more could you ask for? Add in a family-friendly atmosphere and the fact that it’s all to benefit a great cause in the Grand Strand Humane Society and you’ve got a great idea of what Bikini Fantasy Rockin' The Park for Abandoned Animals is all about.
This first-ever celebration will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Independence Day at Valor Park in the Market Common, with not only music and fashion, but also dance — new studio Let’s Dance will perform — a number of vendors, games and inflatables for kids.
“I’ve tried to keep this event as a family-friendly event, keeping in mind that it’s the Fourth and we wanted to book in bands and make the fashion show something that everyone could enjoy,” said Joe Anderson, the event’s organizer. “This time of year we always remember the patriots and veterans that have made this place what it is and I want them to feel like they can come out, bring the family and just relax.”
In addition to some of the area’s best musicians, the event will also showcase the latest bikini fashions with show from KGB Swimwear — a line headed up by 20-year-old Kirsti Grinna, daughter of noted local swimsuit designer Tara Grinna.
Anderson, a local musician and first-time event planner, says the event was designed as a way to give back to the community.
“Everybody in Myrtle Beach as far as music goes seems to always be looking for ‘What can you do for me?’ and I’m more the type to think ‘What can I do for the city?’” says Anderson, whose band Stealing Anger will headline the event.
In addition to Anderson, the versatile rock trio also includes seasoned touring musicians Don Bletz Jr. and Ron Santello and performs everything from Alternative Rock and Metal to Blues and even covers. In just over a year together, they have racked up more than 30 original songs, had their music featured in commercials and are even entertaining some offers from S.C.-based record labels.
Myrtle Beach Music: Joe Anderson (center) will lead Stealing Anger in a choreographed performance to close out the event.But despite accomplishing a lot over a short period of time, Anderson still felt like he needed to do something different in order to get noticed locally.“As a band I felt like the only way to get noticed was just think outside the box and so we just want to help the community and show them ‘Hey, there’s a band here and there’s others like us who actually want to make a difference’,” he said.
So with nothing more than an idea and “an obsession” to get something accomplished, Anderson organized the Bikini Fantasy Rockin’ The Park event. Enlisting the help of friend and photographer Gary Ferguson of TK Productions, he has been aggressive in bringing in participants such as KGB swimwear, Robin Lee Modeling Agency, the Grand Strand Humane Society to be involved.
“Getting the Humane Society on board was a little tricky, because I had to explain to them this wasn’t a bikini contest, like Hawiian Tropics or some MTV thing with models running around taking their clothes off. This a fashion show and something that you can bring the whole family to.”
The event will kick off at 4 p.m. on July 4 with music from well- known songwriter Chris King, followed by dance rock band One Dragon at 5 p.m. Beginning at 6 p.m., the evening will close out with an hour-long bikini fashion show choreographed to original music by Stealing Anger.
“There’s not going to be anything like this around here this fourth, and if there is it won’t be as big as this,” said Anderson. “I wanted to create that allure of ‘Wow! This is something I’ve never seen here...’ and I think we’ve really done that.”
Check out Bikini Rockin' on Facebook or find Stealing Anger on Reverbnation.