Posted 4/14/03 9:57 am ET

Belushi helps reopen bar

What do you do if you're a bluesman in a strange town looking for a place to hang?

On the town The Augusta Chronicle brings you the best of what's happening on the party scene.  Masters revelers take a 51-week break   La Maison is target of British invasion   Sun, stars come out   Bash becomes birthday party   Celebrity watchers get their fill at gala   Belushi helps reopen bar   Wednesday's festivities are anticipated Masters tradition   Golfers take swing through Augusta eateries   Galas are as big as the golf   Greens fans see red   Even nonfans enjoy reception   The party's just starting

If you're Jim Belushi, you end up at the Soul Bar and jam with the band.

Coco Rubio reopened the Broad Street bar Wednesday night after five weeks of frantic work to repair fire damage. Mr. Belushi strolled in about midnight and ended up closing the place down.

"He was having dinner at Le Cafe du Teau and asked the hostess where to go," Mr. Rubio said.

Mr. Belushi arrived by limo, went into the bar and performed several blues standards.

"It was great. Everybody had a blast," Mr. Rubio said. "What a great way to reopen."

The Soul Bar is back in business, and Mr. Rubio has a big weekend planned with '80s Night tonight and a performance by Roots-A-Fire Reggae Band on Saturday.

ALSO: James Brown's sax player, Jeff Watkins, plans to sit in with Joe Patchen and The Blue Diamond Express at D. Timm's Jazz Cafe tonight and Saturday, and he says he probably will bring in some other musicians to jam with, said the manager, Brett Wahl.

Another treat at the Sixth Street spot will be vocalist Pamela Bowman, who recently returned from a tour of Japan. Ms. Bowman is known for her soulful, powerful style and can wail on some Aretha Franklin numbers.

SIGHTING: Janine Zido's sister nearly slipped off her treadmill at a local gym Thursday. Working out on the treadmill right in front of her was Tiger Woods.

"She was so excited," Ms. Zido said.

Mr. Woods wasn't the only golfer hitting the gym. Jimmy Taylor said he was at Powerhouse Gym on Bobby Jones and spotted Phil Mickelson working out in the aerobics room.

MERCHANDISING MARTHA: Steve Leone and pals were discussing the silliness that has rained down on the city and Augusta National Golf Club with all the protesters, counterprotesters and those folks who have decided to come protest all the protests.

"All this stuff, it's just so stupid," said Mr. Leone, the owner of Augusta Custom Golf on Central Avenue.

A friend chimed in, "She's nuts," referring to Martha Burk, the genesis of the madness, who is protesting National's all-male membership.

Thus was created Martha's Nuts - a white bag of roasted peanuts with "Martha's Nuts" stamped in green.

Mr. Leone is selling the perishable souvenir at his shop and across the street at the Hill pub Squeaky's Tip Top.

"This is actually just a joke because everything has been blown out of proportion," Mr. Leone said, "but at least you can eat this souvenir."

DO YOU HAVE NEWS? Have a tip on a hot party or a celebrity sighting to share? Give us a call at (706) 823-3338.

COMING UP:

MASTERS BALLPARK BASH: 6:30 tonight, Lake Olmstead Stadium; with Bennie Anderson and the Drifters, The O'Kaysions, and Charles Pope and the Tams; $15, $150 for VIP tables for six. (803) 278-4849.

AUGUSTA AUCTION AND EXPO: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday; auction 7 p.m. today and Saturday; National Hills shopping center, Washington Road; sponsored by Mecum Collector Car Auctioneers; 364-0757.

MASTERS BASH: 6 p.m. Saturday, Last Call, National Hills shopping center, Washington Road; with The Swingin' Medallions and Kinchafoonee; $7 advance, $12 at door, $135 VIP tables of six; 738-8730.

CELEBRITY GALA AND AUCTION: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Marion Hatcher Center, 501 Greene St.; evening with golfers, celebrities, models, food, Virtual Golf Theater and chance to win tickets to 2004 Masters Tournament; bid on Tiger Woods collectibles, Masters memorabilia and Playboy golf merchandise; benefits Athletes Helping Kids; get tickets online at www.AugustaParty.com or call (888) 363-6267.

JUST FOR LAUGHS: Comical Strokes: A Golf Cartoon Sampler, featuring 33 golf-theme drawings from the United States Golf Association collection, in the special exhibition gallery at the Augusta Museum of History, 560 Reynolds St. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission Sundays; $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $2 for children, and free for age 5 and younger on other days. For more information, visit www.augustamuseum.org or call 722-8454.