50 Must-See Music Festivals in Alabama
Music as varied as the blues at the Johnny Shines Festival, Boogie Woogie on 280 and country music on Lake Martin make the list of 50 "must attend" events scheduled during the Year of Alabama Music. More than 200 festivals offer live music during the Year of Alabama Music including 50 that attract visitors from around the world. From live concerts on Alabama's beaches and music festivals like Jubilee Cityfest in Montgomery and Bayfest in Mobile to the Old Time Fiddlers Convention in Athens and "Abalabip" in Birmingham, visitors can explore every genre of music in Alabama.
More than ten events honor Alabama's music legends, such as the Hank Williams Festival in his hometown of Georgiana; the Hank Williams Birthday Celebration in Montgomery; and the 30th annual W.C. Handy Music Festival in Florence to name a few. The late Frank Brown, a watchman at the roadhouse beach bar Flora-Bama for 27 years, has an 11-day music festival that bears his name and features more than 200 legendary and upcoming songwriters in Orange Beach. Newer festivals honor artists that include the Delmore Brothers, bluesmen Willie King and Johnny Shines.
The Alabama Tourism Department suggests the following list of 50 festivals dedicated to live music as must-attend music events for 2011.
ABALABIP, Birmingham, Feb. 5, 501-320-5730
In the Pines Music Festival, Chatom, Apr. 2, 251-847-2214
Alabama Chicken & Egg Festival, Moulton, Apr. 9-11, 256-905-0700
Old 280 Boogie, Waverly, Apr. 16, 334-826-6423
Sucarnochee Folklife Festival, Livingston, Apr. 16, 205-652-5405
Belk Bluegrass Festival, Belk, Apr. 22-23, 205-932-8252
Mullet Toss & Beach Party, Orange Beach, Apr. 29-May 1, 251-980-5118
TroyFest 2011, Troy, Apr. 30 - May 1, 334-566-2294
Auburn CityFest, Auburn, Apr. 30, 334-501-2930
Hank Williams Festival, Georgiana, May 20-21, 334-382-3251
Hangout Music Festival, Gulf Shores, May 20-22, 251-948-3030
Southern Appalachian Dulcimer Festival, McCalla, May 6-7, 205-477-5711
Gulf Coast Zydeco Festival, Daphne, May 13-14, 251-626-5300
Horse Pens 40 Bluegrass Festival, Steele, May 20-21, 256-538-7439
Acoustic Cafe Amphitheater, Haleyville, May 27-28, 205-647-3237
Jubilee Cityfest, Montgomery, May 27-28, 334-834-7220
Lexington Bluegrass Festival, Lexington, May 27-28, 256-229-5221
Willie King Freedom Creek Festival, Aliceville, May 27-28, 205-752-6263
North Alabama Blues Festival, Huntsville, May 28, 256-430-4072
BamaJam, Enterprise, Jun. 2-4, 877-422-6252
The Preserve Jazz Festival, Hoover, Jun. 5, 205-706-2701
Alex City Jazz Fest, Alexander City, Jun. 10-11, 256-234-3461
White's Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Springville, Jun. 10-11, 205-467-6927
Gadsden Riverfest, Gadsden, Jun. 10-11, 256-543-3472
Music at McClellan, Anniston, Jun. 17-18, 256-782-5697
Delmore Days Music Festival, Athens, Jun. 25, 256-232-5411
Rogersville Bluegrass Festival, Rogersville, Jul. 15-16, 256-247-9788
Old Time Fiddler's Convention, Atmore, Jul. 16, 251-368-2106
W.C. Handy Music Festival, Florence, Jul. 22-30, 256-766-7642
Aquapalooza, Alexander City, Jul. 23, 256-212-1479
Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival, Mobile, Aug. 4-7, 251-473-5020
DeKalb County Fiddlers Convention, Fort Payne, Aug. 6, 256-845-2224
BAAM!-Birmingham Music Festival, Birmingham, Aug. 12-14, 205-540-7385
Stokin' the Fire Music Festival, Birmingham, Aug. 20, 205-324-1911
Johnny Shines Blues Festival, Tuscaloosa, Aug. 27, 205-887-6859
Black Belt Folk Roots Festival, Eutaw, Aug. 27-28, 205-372-0525
Pap Baxter Heritage Gospel Singing, Fort Payne, Sep. 12-17, 256-845-2224
Ole Timey Craft & Bluegrass Festival, Estillfork, Sep. 16-17, 256-776-9411
Hank Williams 88th Birthday Celebration, Montgomery, Sep. 17, 334-262-3600
Foggy Hollow Bluegrass Gatherin', Webster's Chapel, Sep. 23-24, 256-492-3700
Titus Bluegrass Festival, Titus, Sep. 24, 334-567-9059
Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Athens, Oct. 7-8, 256-233-8215
BayFest Music Festival, Mobile, Oct. 7-9, 251-478-5679
Sullivan Family Homecoming, St. Stephens, Oct. 13-15, 251-246-4553
National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores, Oct. 13-16, 251-968-4237
Horse Pens 40 Fall Bluegrass Festival, Steele, Oct. 14-15, 256-538-7439
White's Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Springville, Oct. 14-15, 205-467-6927
Kenan's Mill Bluegrass Festival, Selma, Oct. 29, 334-875-7241
Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, Orange Beach, Nov. 10-20, 850-492-7664
W.C. Handy Birthday Celebration, Florence, Nov. 16, 256-760-6434
For more information on music events and The Year of Alabama Music please see www.yearofalabamamusic.com.
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