BayFest 2013 is less than a month away, and excitement is building for “Alabama’s Largest Music Festival.” BayFest is not only known for bringing a seemingly endless line-up of quality musical entertainment from across the country, but they are also known for lending a hand to young musicians. The BayFest Scholarship program allows high school age musicians of all walks of life to further their career through education and financial support.
Each year, young musicians gather at the Mobile Civic Center for a day of insight into the music industry as well as a chance to showcase their talents for professional musicians. While all who attend benefit from informative seminars, a lucky few will be selected to share in $20,000 in scholarship money meant to assist them in their musical endeavors. This year’s program will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. All high school students with a musical flair should visit the BayFest website and retrieve an application and create an audition video. All applications are due by Sat, Sept. 21.
Even though the future of the Saenger Theatre is still unknown, this venue is far from stagnant. On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Red Mountain Entertainment announced Alabama Shakes will be coming to the Saenger stage Dec. 8. This band from Northern Alabama has exploded out of the Southeast with an infectious modern soul sound that has brought them popularity worldwide. SouthSounds Music Fest veterans Clear Plastic Masks will be joining Alabama Shakes as the show’s opening act. Tickets are on sale now at the Saenger Theatre Box Office and through Ticketmaster, and they are guaranteed to go quick.
The future of LoDa’s premiere underground venue has been on many minds. Recently, Alabama Music Box owner David Mathews was served with an eviction notice. The eviction comes in the midst of a lengthy legal battle that stems from noise complaints from Alabama Music Box’s neighbors.
One media report has AMB leaving by Sept. 30 or while another quotes Mathews as saying the venue would remain at 455 Dauphin St. “through Mardi Gras at least.” Lagniappe contacted building owner Brad Young (also the owner of Soul Kitchen) for more information on the eviction and the future of 455 Dauphin St. At press time, Young stated “the 455 building is still for sale with no current accepted offer as of today (Sept. 12).”
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