BY JULIE WICK

Special to The Pilot

Southern Pines and Pinehurst seem to be on a roll. Housing is turning around, the buzz is flying about the U.S. Opens, and now the 13th Annual Blues Crawl, the area's favorite summer night, has become the area's two favorite summer nights.

On the evenings of July 13 and 14, the Sunrise Theater, in conjunction with The Rooster's Wife Concert Series, brings the area 12 venues where the blues are soulful and the beer is plentiful.

In past years, the Blues Crawl has included a headline event at the Sunrise Theater in the early evening, followed by pubs, restaurants and even art galleries on Broad Street welcoming jovial "crawlers" drawn in by the sounds of the music floating from their doors.

This year, on Saturday night, July 14, the Sunrise Theater will become a "juke joint" itself, bringing former Blues Crawl headliner Seth Walker to play on the Sunrise stage all evening. The driving delivery and infectious down-home style of Walker's playing inspired Taj Mahal to call him "a little, white Ray Charles." Beer will be served in the lobby and as always, crawlers are invited to settle in for the evening or move on to sample some of the offerings of the 10 other participating downtown Southern Pines venues.

But an even bigger change this year is the addition of an additional Blues Crawl night on Friday, July 13. Starting at 8 p.m., The Rooster's Wife, in downtown Aberdeen, hosts Mississippi's celebrated, sultry-voiced Eden Brent.

Called "a force to reckon with" by The Wall Street Journal, Brent has won both Acoustic Album of the Year and Acoustic Artist of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. Opening for Eden are the Harris Brothers, whose diverse and improvisational shows produce an astounding sound for two musicians.

The Saturday Pub Crawl is loaded with talented newcomers and some returning fan favorites.

In the afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m., catch Mudbones Blues at Swank or Tampa Blue at Southern Whey. Bill Sheffield holds court at The Wine Cellar from 7 to 10 p.m. Later in the evening, from 8 to 11 p.m., sample from Seth Walker at the Sunrise, Shelton Pow at Eye Candy Gallery, or Big Ron Hunter at Swordfish.

Finally, for the late-night crowd from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., go to The Bell Tree to hear Donna Hopkins, or The Jefferson Inn for Lizzie Ross. O'Donnell's Pub has Cyril Lance, Rhett's features Girl Trouble, and Cup of Flow hosts 15 Minute Freak Show.

"Save some cash by buying your wristband before July 6, while prices are $18," says a spokesman.

Call the Sunrise Theater office at (910) 692-8501 or stop by the office at 250 NW Broad St. to purchase a wristband. After July 6, the price goes up to $20.

Get tickets to Eden Brent and the Harris Brothers on the night of the concert (Friday, July 13) at The Rooster's Wife or go to theroosterswife.org to buy online.

On Saturday, July 14, wristbands will be sold on the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and Broad Street all day and night.

"Don't miss the nights that the streets of Aberdeen and Southern Pines come to life," says the spokesman. "You'll be supporting the Sunrise Theater, the area's premier performing arts resource, while reminding yourself why its so great to live here."

Julie Wick is a member of the Sunrise Theater SunEvents Committee.