Category Archives: festivals

A creative day in Avondale on Saturday

Kids don’t need much but there are a few must-haves besides food, shelter and clothes. Fresh air is an example. Kids need to get outside to explore the world around them. It helps them grow and gives them exercise. Another example is a creative outlet. Kids, especially little ones, need a way to express themselves and sometimes they just don’t know the right words. Art expands their minds and fuels the imagination.

Art in Avondale Park poster

Lucky for kids of all ages, there is an event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that combines fresh air with creativity. The mission of Art in Avondale Park is “to inspire children to discover their talents.” They’ll be able to do just that through lots of hands-on activities placed around the park, located at the corner of 41st Street South and 5th Avenue South. There will also be music and dance, booths manned by well-known and emerging artists, a silent auction and more.

Details of the day’s activities after the jump. You can also click on the image to view the poster in PDF format.

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Got plans this weekend? 10.19-10.21

It’s Friday. That usually means it’s time to finalize weekend plans. And we say, it’s time for a Fiesta … Fiesta 2007 that is. October is Hispanic Heritage Month. Head downtown to Linn Park Saturday to celebrate all things Latino from noon to 8 p.m. Take the kiddies — through music, art, food and cultural activities, they’ll have fun learning about Latin American countries and won’t even realize it’s educational. Cost: Free.

Not all the traffic heading to Tuscaloosa Saturday will be for the early football game. At least a few of those cars will be navigating to the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Putting the highlight on folk and traditional crafts for 36 years, this art show has gained high status in the art community. Besides stuff to look at, there will be food, music and activities for the kids. Considering who Alabama is playing Saturday, we suggest you don’t wear orange.

Cost: $10 daily, children under 12 free. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

It’s not too late to get tickets for the Original Blue Brothers Band appearing at the Alys Stephens Center tonight. But if it is too late for you, one of the guys is hanging around town all weekend. Saxophone guru “Blue Lou” Marini will give a free jazz workshop at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame 10 a.m. Saturday. First come, first serve so don’t be late. Then Sunday, he’ll appear with members of the Magic City Jazz Orchestra and Night Fight Big Band to bring big-band sound to the Hall at 4 p.m. Cost: $10.

So what’s the local connection you ask? While “Blue Lou” has played with tons of stars over the years, it wasn’t until 2003 that he recorded his own work with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra backing him.

Just a quick mention. If you like … no, love motorcycles, Barber Motorsports Park is the place to be this weekend for the 3rd annual Vintage Festival. Get all the details here.