Is Eternal Jackpot some broken-down slot machine at the Isle Casino that pays out all the time? Close, but not quite. Discerning literati will remember the line from Ernest Hemingway's 1937 Depression-era novel To Have and Have Not. Local music devotes will take interest in knowing that it's also the title of a yet-unreleased song from Lake Worth emotive rocker John Ralston.
In actuality, this Eternal Jackpot refers to the name of the new night of local music at Delray Beach party cottage Dada that keeps on giving. Brought to you by the woodsy, working-class, indie folk man Ralston in cahoots with incomparable local booking source Steve Rullman, the evening features Ralston as the generous host for the night as he empties out his treasure-trove of tunes. Ralston will be performing ditties spanning his entire career -- yes, that means he will be dusting off old Legends of Rodeo hits too.
Odds are good that some of Ralston's former bandmates from the aforementioned late '90s rootsy rock group will join him onstage. The extraordinary Chris Horgan and the gifted Evan Mui will be Ralston's guests for the evening, bestowing their glistening folk rock upon everyone.
As an added bonus, Ralston and Rullman are putting together a swap meet of sorts. They invite everyone to bring leftover or unused CDs, tapes, vinyl, trinkets, clothing, or whatever and plop it on a table and pick up something of interest from someone else.
The bandy, banter, and brouhaha gets under way at 10 p.m. Saturday. In keeping with the spirit of rewarding bonanza, this event is totally free.
John Ralston. With Chris Horgan and Evan Mui. 10 p.m. Saturday, October 8, at Dada, 52 Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. No cover. Click here.
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