ATHENS, ALA. – Athens Arts League is moving this month’s Art After Hours to Saturday, May 11, from 7-9 p.m. on Washington Street and at High Cotton Arts.
The free community event is normally on the second Friday, but the community will be celebrating Relay for Life on Friday, May 10, so organizers opted to reschedule. This month’s theme is “School Spirit” so wear your favorite high school or college colors and show support for your favorite team.
This month’s guest band is The Redeemers, formerly known as Acorn Hill. Band member Jim McDole said it is “hard to categorize us.”
“We play a little bit of everything,” he said.
The Athens-based band describes itself as “a groovy band jammin’ tunes from all generations and genres.”
Band members are:
- Drew Carter – Vocals
- Jim McDole – Guitar
- Jay Sims – Guitar & Vox
- Andy Clem – Bass & Vox
- Dustin White – Keys
- Brian Meeks – Drums
Weather permitting, the band will play outside of High Cotton Arts, and music lovers can bring chairs and sit or dance on Washington Street. Athens Police will close the street between Marion Street and the railroad tracks.
If it rains, the band will perform inside High Cotton Arts.
In addition to live music, the artists at High Cotton will have locally made art for sale such as paintings, photographs, metal pieces and stained glass. The TRAIL Student Studio will be open for children to enjoy art activities, such as decorating their own team pennant. There will also be light refreshments available.
A Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area grant and the City of Athens help sponsor Art After Hours to support local artists and musicians and provide an art experience for the community.
“We appreciate their financial support and all of the volunteers who help make this an entertaining Downtown Athens event that is free for the public,” said Athens Arts League President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri.
The Art After Hours season goes through September. The remaining performance and themes are:
- June 14 with Coffee Black performing. Theme is Red, White and Blue Night in honor of Flag Day.
- July 12 with Good2Go performing. Theme is Summer Days Celebration with kids’ stations for hula-hoops, sidewalk chalk and Athens ROCKS painting.
- Aug. 9 with Justus Storm performing and the Hot Dogs and Cool Cats best dressed pet contest.
- Sept. 13 with John David Crowe performing. Event goers are encouraged to wear their favorite superhero T-shirt or dress as their favorite superhero in honor of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
