Events

Join us on Mobile Plaza for local bands, wiener dog races, a hot dog eating contest, a dunking booth, prize raffles, and so much more!  Don’t miss the fun!  Contact Downtown Florence Alliance for more info!

Come and hang out in downtown Florence!  Free!

Rain or Shine

Contact Downtown Florence Alliance for more info!

Festuring 35 of the best Shoals Area singers!  Plus dance offs!  Plus a silent auction!

Sign up begins at 5pm.  Singing begins at 6pm.

No charge to attend.  Only $25 to enter the contest.  (And the money goes to a very good cause!)

Doors and box office open at 6pm.  Tix available at the door – $10 Adults, $5 ages 6 to 12, Free kids under 6.  Available at the Roxy Box Office on day of show.  Support the Historic Roxy Theatre!

Bring the kids of all ages and join the Microwave Dave Band!

Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s improptu band!

For ages 3 and older.

Put YOUR boots on the ground!  Two days of fun at the Michael Community Center with Luther Jarmon, Jr., choreographer and instructor from Birmingham, Alabama.  Bring the family for fun exercise, with healthy snacks and water provided by Joyous Line Dancers.  And kids who have swimwear and towels can play on the slip and slide in the playground area provided by Double D Entertainment!

5:30-7:00 pm – Dr. Warren Ertle and the Corpse Revivers (Music so good it can revive the deadest!)

9:00 pm-11:00 pm – Billy Allen & The Pollies (You won’t want to miss these guys!)

Rain or Shine.  For more info, contact Downtown Florence Alliance

you won’t want to miss this night of celebration at the Sheffield Public Library as the Tennessee Valley Masters of Jazz celebrate the memory of Dr. Willie Ruff, co-founder of the W.C. Handy Music Festival.

It’s the first annual Town of Leighton Kickback with food and fun probably some fans!

That’s right, bring your fan and be boots on the ground line dancing in L.A. – that’s Leighton, Alabama!

It’s taking place in front of the Eleven03 Event Center so bring your tents and chairs to set up starting at 6pm, with food and activities from 7pm til 11pm.  They’ll have a live dj bringing the best in blues and southern soul music and dance instructors teaching all the latest line dances.

6–10 PM Outside on the Patio (Open to the Public): Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music from Mama’Nim at the Safer Birth in Bama Block Party—free and open to all!

Vendors, food trucks, and open tap room!

It’s a tribute to the Decoys!  Come and hang out with the Beehive Queen Christine Ohlman and have some Champy’s Chicken!

Don’t miss one of the Handy Festival’s most popular and well attended events!  Delicious food from vendors on site!  In case of rain, event moved to Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum.

SHOALS MOM PROM / SAFER BIRTH IN BAMA BLOCK PARTY

It’s Prom Night for grownups!

7–11 PM at Singing River Live (Tickets Only): A fun, ladies-only night of dancing and celebration at Shoals Mom Prom!

Vendors, food trucks, and open tap room also!

This event benefits Safer Birth in Bama so please get your tickets now at ShoalsMomProm.com!

The DaDooRunRun is back!!!

5K and 1 mile Fun Run with awards, door prizes, and special Handy shirts for participants.  Race Day Registration begins at 6:00 a.m.   5K Run is at 7:00 am, and 1 Mile Fun Run (or Walk!) is at 8:00 a.m.  Advance Registration for the 5K Run is $20, and for the Walk is $15.  Or sign up for both Run and Walk for only $25.  (Add $5 to each category on Race Day.)

NOTICE:  This event will again be in McFarland Park!!!

8am-12n Registration (Fee $20)

8am-2pm Show Time!

Pre-registration $18 by July 9th.  Mail to Post Office Box 3672, Muscle Shoals, AL  35662

Awards include $2000 in cash plus prizes!  Dash plaques givin to the first 200 cars registered!

For more info, call Ronnie James at 256-366-0564 or Terry Mashvurn at 256-366-0564 or visit www.ShoalsCarandTruckClub.com

If you missed the chance to do it Friday, or even if you did let’s do it again, let’s put YOUR boots on the ground! Two days of fun at the Michael Community Center with Luther Jarmon, Jr., choreographer and instructor from Birmingham, Alabama.  Bring the family for fun exercise, with healthy snacks and water provided by Joyous Line Dancers.  And kids who have swimwear and towels can play on the slip and slide in the playground area provided by Double D Entertainment!

Enjoy brunch and celebrate the Legacy of the co-Founder of the W.C. Handy Music Festival!

Songwriter Caleb Elliott with guitaist Austin Motlow * James LeBlank * The Burney Sisters * Steve Conn with Will McFarlane * Pat Huggins with Jimmy Nutt & Will McFarlane!!!

Handy on the Plaza is finally back on Mobile Plaza between Court and Seminary Streets.  Enjoy music performed by Drew Dixon and the Real Thing performing from 5-7 pm, then The Funk Brotherhood from 9-11 pm.

Meet up with your friends and neighbors on Atlanta Avenue in Sheffield and enjoy the Sax Legend! * DJ Dez! * and Line Dancing!  This event is free for performances, with food available for purchase.  Rain or Shine!

Doors open at 6:30pm. Dinner and entertainment featuring the Jazz Allstrs begins at 7pm. Tickets are $40 each and include a buffet meal with your choice of meats.  Bring your own wine, $5.00 corking fee.  For more info or to purchase tickets in advance, call 256-740-1383.

This is one terrific band you won’t want to miss!

Bryan Joyce (a/k/a King Leg with Will McFarlane * The Dirty Rain Revelers * Kara Hesse * Rob Aldridge with Clint Bailey * Russell Mefford & Mitch Mann

Handy Praise at Handy Gym!  The official W.C. Handy Sunday Ceremony will be held in the W.C. Handy School Gymnasium!  There will be plenty of chairs already set up, or you can bring your own if you want.  Handy Fest food trucks will be on site in the parking lot.

Come and get your praise on with music by Trumpeteer Shelly Williams, the Quad Cities Mass Choir directed by Aaron Freeman, and two of WZZA Radio’s favorite air personalities:  the Reverend Shane Rainer and Fresh Wind AND the one and only Reverend Jerry Reeves and Friends!  This was one of the very best performances last year, so please tell all of your friends and loved ones that we’ll be in the air conditioning and we won’t have to worry about rain!

Featuring Gary Baker, Becky Hobbs, Jerry Salley, Bobby Tomberlin.  This event is free and everyone is welcome!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band!

For ages 3 and over, but everyone will enjoy this!

Rain or Shine, come and enjoy the Midnighters for free!

Join us in the cool indoors for cool jazz!  Free music for all ages!  Want lunch?  Reserve a boxed meal for $10 by calling 256-383-7065.

Florence-Lauderdale Tourism is offering an opportunity to hear how your favorite songs came to be!

A screening of the film St. Louis Blues, starring Nat “King” Cole at WC Handy.  While you’re there, tour the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and visit the gift shop!

Free to enjoy the music.  Fun games for small kids!  Come early to find books by your favorite authors.

Free to enjoy the music

Music is free to enjoy but satisfy your taste buds with a delicious pizza pie!

It’s a bourbon sipping, cigar smoking, sampler plate tasting classy event just for the grownups.  Pay only $60 and you’ll receive three each of cigar and bourbon samples, plus a small plate of three appetizer samples!

This event WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE!!!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

In case of rain, event will be moved to Gattman Park, Muscle Shoals.

We’ve got a brand new pub in Sheffield with delicious food and tasty drinks!  Check them out.

Featuring Shoals Area piano students with bassist Terry Richardson and drummer Quinn Stanphill.

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can and make musical instruments to play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band!

For ages 3 and older.

Join the legends as they share their stories!

For children of all ages – the young, and the young at heart!  Come and learn how instruments work together to make beautiful music with the one and only Handy Jazz Allstars!  You’ll see and hear the trumpet, the vibes, the guitar, the bass and more!

A screening of the film St. Louis Blues, starring Nat “King” Cole as W.C .Handy.  While you’re there, tour the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and visit the gift shop!

Who says you have to be quiet in the library?  Rock out with Russell, Mitch, and Scott!

(IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT). Live entertainment with a wide variety food and dessert vendors with delicious choices!

DETERMINED:  Celebrating The Life of W.C. Handy (a stage play written by Dolores Swoopes Nash)

Join us on Tuesday, July 22nd at 7:00 PM for Determined, the acclaimed play by the late Deloris Nash that chronicles the life of the legendary WC Handy with music-filled dramatization. There’s only one show, so don’t miss out!  Get your tickets at Handy Headquarters or the Shoals Theatre Box Office for an unforgettable evening of history, music, and drama!  (The W.C. Handy Music Festival honors the memory of Mrs. Deloris Swoopes Nash, a local educator and original author of Determined, who eloquently told the story of Florence native William  Christopher Handy.)

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Check out the new Pub in downtown Sheffield.  You won’t be disappointed!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band.  For ages 3 to 103 and older, but everyone will enjoy this free event!

The legends continue to tell their stories at Counts Brothers!herr

Our very own American Idol!

The Redd Brothers Ride Again!  If you love jazz, you will not want to miss the Jazz Allstars featuring Chuck Redd, Robert Redd, Mel Deal, Gary Lamb, Jim Ferguson, and West Coast vocalist Sue Matthews!

Songwriter stories you won’t want to miss!

Escape the heat while you enjoy the film St. Louis Blues, starring Nat “King” Cole as WC Handy.  While you’re there, take a tour of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame!

Come to Greater St. Paul African Missionary Episcopal Church, where the father and grandfather of William Christopher preached the word.  Come and enjoy musical praise at “Handy’s Church” and see where he received inspiration!

We’re so happy to have music at Rosie’s Cantina during the Handy Festival.  Good music, good food!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Bring your worship outside in Wilson Park where everyone is welcome to come together in harmony.

It’s Bingo at OTR starting at 9pm!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Bring your own recyclable plastic bottle or can, shoebox, or coffee can to make musical instruments and play with Microwave Dave’s impromptu band!  Designed for ages 3 and up.

Come hear the lady songwriters show you how it’s really done!

No charge for the music and the snacks are free too!

A screening of the film St. Louis Blues, starring Nat “King” Cole as WC Handy. While you’re there, tour the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and visit the gift shop!

Music and Pizza Pie.  What more could you want?

You won’t want to miss this good gospel music.

Come jam out with Bama Border – That’s Kelvin Holly, Wendell Dean, Kendell Dean, and Wayne Chaney!

Order lunch or dinner (and the cheese dip) from Rosie’s delicious Mexican foods menu!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

6:00-8:00pm:  Come count the beats with The Midnighters!

Bring your lawn chairs!  Everyone is welcome!

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Come at 6:30 to say hello to your friends and set up your chairs or blankets in the air conditioned gym.  The music starts at 6:30 with new artists Pimpin and Char-Latte toopen the show, then, back by demand, it’s the talented Studio Code 502 Production Band!

Come ‘Give It Up For Your Love’ and experience some nostalgia with the Beehive Queen, Christine Ohlman, along with 10 Gallon Hat at Shoals Theatre.  Get your tickets at Counts Brothers and Shoals Theatre!

Russell Mefford, Scott Campbell, Mitch Mann, Jimmy Nutt sharing their musical skills.  All tips will go toward the building of a special needs playground.   Good people making good music for a good cause!

Featuring the Official Clutch Band of Birmingham and Lorenda “Pinkie” Warren, come and have fish lunch, or dinner or in-between starting at 11am and lasting until 6pm.

Microwave Dave has spent the week at local libraries teaching kids of all ages how to make musical instruments out of previously used materials during “Jazz It Up With Trash”, then forming bands to play the music…

NOW THE GROWN UPS CAN COME OUT AND ENJOY MICROWAVIE DAVE FOR LUNCH AT FLOBAMA!

These are the untold stories of song crafting!

A screening of the film St. Louis Blues, starring Nat “King” Cole as WC Handy. While you’re there, tour the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and visit the gift shop!

Fun for the entire family * Bring your lawn chairs * Food trucks on site!

Alabama Outdoors invite you all to be “in tune with the outdoors” along with Hope Stamps and Dylan Stamps.  There is no charge so bring your family and friends!

Go on over to the Renaissance Shoals Conference Center in Florence to hear the The Kerry Gilbert Band and Rewind!  Doors open at 5:30 pm.  Music starts at 6pm.  Free to enjoy the music with cash bars all evening and concessions available for purchase. (No reserved tables.)

$10 per person (Free for ages 12 and under)

Hamburgurs, hot dogs, snacks, and drinks.  Eat in or To-Go.  Plenty of food, fun, entertainment, and fellowship.

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Riverside Jamz is the one Handy event offering the widest variety of musicians performing on one stage including:  Cadence Baker, Shelly Williams Band, Deja Vu, the Jazz Allstars, and The Shoal Nuff Band!  And, thanks to R&B Services, there will again be free hot air balloon rides starting at 7pm until they run out of fuel!  Float along with Mike Hanson, commercial balloon pilot with 35 years of experience with his balloon and basket.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets.  Delicious food from vendors on site!

It’s a “Grown Folks Party”!  Must be at least 25 years old to hang out here with the grownups.  For tickets call: 256-412-0316, 256-648-6412, or 256-412-6961

Bring your lawn chairs. Food Trucks on site

*IN HARMONY WITH NATURE LITTER-FREE EVENT*

Live Musical performances followed by the movie screening

There are so many talented emerging and established songwriters in the Shoals and this Top Songwriter Showcase features some of the best! The lineup includes songwriters who’ve recently had multiple consecutive singles on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart, won Country Blues Song of the Year and more!  8pm, Friday July 25 at the Lava Room, Florence, presented by 2120 Music and Muscle Shoals Music Now.

Food vendors set up at Wilson Park.

Join local bands and a local dj for the parade along the usual route:  Corner of Tuscaloosa and Seminary Streets, left onto Court Street, left onto Tennessee Street, left onto  Seminary Street, ending at Wilson Park for music, prizes, and more!  Call Grant Gunn at 256-483-9417 for more information about participation and rain plans.

You’ve heard their songs on the radio.  Come and hear how they came to be!

Boat Access Only Event, Shoal Creek east bank, approximately one mile south of Happy Hollow Bridge.

Anchor your boat and enjoy talented musicisns playing blues, jazz, and more!

For more information, call Fred Cabler at 256-710-9880.

THE W.C. HANDY HEADLINER!

Featuring: EARL “GUITAR” WILLIAMS

Earl “Guitar” Williams is a blues, soul, and R&B artist known for the electrifying sounds of his electric guitar, cigar box guitar, and harmonica. He enjoys performing with what he calls his “one man band”, playing the cigar box and drums with a cajon. Earl shares a story similar to that of W.C. Handy. As a child, Handy saved his money and bought his first instrument, a guitar.  Earl was one of nine children, but didn’t understand when his parents were not able to purchase him the guitar that he so eagerly wanted.  But, like Handy, he was determined.  He learned that Bo Diddley had made a guitar out of a cigar box, and because he was so determined to own a guitar himself, Earl focused on making his own.  He succeeded in crafting his own guitar by using a cigar box, broomstick, and fishing cord. This marked the beginning of his musical career.  When performing, Earl’s infectious smile shows how much he enjoys his music and the great vibes he receives from his audience. He absolutely loves playing and singing. Don’t miss Earl “Guitar” Williams as he and his band open the Headline Show at the W.C. Handy Music Festival!

Starring:  THE ONE AND ONLY DRUMMER MELVIN “MELLY” BALDWIN!

Let’s just start with his professional experience.  He’s toured around the world, performed live, recorded, or even been in movies with:

112 • After 7 • Alex Bugnon • Alexander O’Neal • Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD) • Big Sean • Bobby Brown • Boys II Men • Brian McKnight • Carly Rae Jepsen • Chaka Khan • Charlie Wilson • Cherrelle • Dionne Farris • Drake • Edwin Hawkins • Eric Benet • Eric Essix • EnVogue • Fantasia • Fred Hammond • Gerald Albright • Heads Of State • Ike Stubblefield • The Indigo Girls • Jaden Smith • Jeff Kashiwa • Jennifer Holliday • Joey Sommerville • Johnny Gill • Justin Bieber • Keith Sweat • Kirk Whalum • Lalah Hathaway • Lil’G • Ludacris • Mary J. Blige • Maysa Leak • Melanie Fiona • Melba Moore • Meli’sa Morgan • Michael Lington • Mylie Cyrus • New Edition • Peabo Bryson • Ralph Tresvant • Ronnie Laws • Roy Ayers • S.O.S. Band • Tamia • Three5Human • Tinie Tempah • Toni Braxton • Van Hunt • Stevie Wonder • Tom Browne • Usher • Will Downing

Tickets will be available at Handy Headquarters, Counts Brothers Music, WZZA Radio, and at www.WCHandyMusicFestival.com, and online at EventBrite.

Doors open at 7 pm.  VIP $75 and General seating $40.  (Handicapped seating available)

Enjoy the Blue Navigators in the cool!

Everyone is welcome to attend!

Featuring choirs from the Shoals area churches. Choirs will share their favorite anthems in an evening of Unending Praise.