The Heart & Soul of Aiken
- Moose Nicholson
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
The Locals Flooded The Alley
Admittedly the Masters Week blitz had a bit of mixed results. Interestingly enough, the Thursday of Masters was the biggest of the week; some combination of out-of-town guests combined with the pavlovian attraction to The Alley on Thursdays. We've worked hard to make The Alley THE PLACE TO BE on Thursdays. In a couple of years, maybe we will be able to get all of Masters Week built on the same momentum and fever pitch.
All of that is completely reliant upon the serendipitous metaphor created last Thursday. The Alley was shown to be the Heart and Soul of Aiken, when the community showed up in a great wave to see the group of insanely talented artists who go by the same name - Heart and Soul. The first bag chairs showed up at 4:30 as Kenny and I were setting up for the evening - a whole 2 hours before the show began. They picked their spot with prejudice, unencumbered by a rising tide of music lovers encroaching on the shores of the Bud Light Stage and Local Eateries. Then they made their way down to Whiskey Alley for a scratch-made dinner to ensure that once they returned to their predetermined seats, they would not vacate them again until the show's end, save for maybe a refill on a cold Bud Light or Michelob Ultra.
And it was definitely a high tide.
Thursday night lit up with three full sets of soul, rock, R&B, and timeless classics as Heart & Soul brought the groove to Downtown Aiken.
From the first brass burst of "Soul Man" to the final guitar licks of "Johnny B. Goode", the crowd was treated to a musical journey packed with hits from Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Santana, Adele, Van Morrison, and more. The band's local roots and heartfelt harmonies hit home, with crowd favorites like “My Girl,” “Superstition,” “Smooth,” “Brown Eyed Girl,” and “Mustang Sally” turning The Alley into an open-air dance floor.
Heart & Soul didn’t just play music — they delivered a soulful celebration of community and sound, powered by pure passion and a whole lot of talent.
"A rising tide lifts all boats"
That's the spirit of Amp the Alley. Bands, Brands, and Fans making Downtown Aiken the best palce to be.
Heart & Soul bringing it to The Alley!
The Lounge @ Electric Eats
There’s a new reason to head back to The Alley this weekend — Electric Eats has just unveiled their brand-new upstairs concept: The Lounge.
Open Fridays and Saturdays from 4 PM until late, The Lounge at Electric Eats offers a curated menu of small plates and sharables, a full bar, rotating specials, wine flights, and craft cocktails that are anything but ordinary. Whether you're looking to make a night of it or wind down after the week, this cozy new space adds a fresh layer to Aiken’s weekend scene.
📲 Follow them on social for weekly menus and upcoming events.
📍 Located upstairs at Electric Eats
Fur Babies!
Rhumba Brings the Heat (and the Cool)
At Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge, the rhythm never rests — whether it’s a smoky Sinatra serenade or the pulse of salsa steps echoing across the dance floor.
Tucked just off The Alley at 321 Richland Ave W, Rhumba has quickly become a cultural heartbeat for Downtown Aiken. One night might find you swaying to the timeless charm of Frank Sinatra, led by the smooth melodies of the Iliana Rose Band, and the next, you’re spinning across the floor in a live salsa class, learning moves you’ll definitely want to show off come the weekend.
From old-school elegance to red-hot Latin soul, Rhumba is more than a bar — it’s an experience. Grab a hand-rolled cigar, sip something shaken (not stirred), and let the night move you.
📞 Book your salsa class now: 803-226-0014
🎶 Follow #ReadyToRhumba for the latest
Wellness Wednesday!
Feeling drained from the week? Downtown Hydration wants to change that — and not just with electrolytes.
This #WellnessWednesday, we’re highlighting the comprehensive and focused Wellness Consultations offered by Downtown Hydration & Wellness, right here in Aiken. Led by board-certified Nurse Practitioner Natasha Davis, these consults are designed to dig deeper than "everything looks normal" and help you feel your absolute best.
If you’ve been running on fumes lately, it might be time to say no to normal — and yes to OPTIMAL. Schedule your personalized wellness consultation today and start feeling like the best version of you.
👉 Learn more at downtownhydration.com
This Week at Amp the Alley - George Comma Jones
Our incredible Sound Engineer and good buddy Kenny George partners up with his long time friend Andrew Jones to bring some sweet Americana / Singer Songwriter Harmonies to The Bud Light Stage. We are eyeballing the weather, and so far... it looks like we are gonna get by and the show will go on. We will keep you posted as the day goes on.
Next Week at Amp the Alley - Lost Dog
Lost Dog has been tearing up the scene over the past couple of years, tapping into the biggest sing-alongs of the past couple of decades. It's like a college party that got so big you can't believe it hasn't gotten busted yet.
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