44th annual W.C. Handy Music Festival kicks off this weekend

FLORENCE – Each July, the Shoals area cranks up the tunes in honor of the “Father of the Blues,” Florence native W.C. Handy. 

This year marks the 44th annual W.C. Handy Music Festival with live music and entertainment at venues across the Shoals through July 27.

The Handy Fest, as it is known locally, was first held in 1982 and has been recognized on  several tourism lists:

• Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Events for July, August, September since 1986
• Three-time Cultural Olympiad Regional Designee
• Southeast Tourism Top 21 Event for July
• Top 100 Event in North America

The festival is presented each year by the Music Preservation Society, whose purpose is to preserve, promote, and present the musical heritage of the Shoals. 

Across the Shoals

Musical performers from all genres all across Northwest Alabama share their talents, and this year includes everything from line dancing classes to Matilda the Musical at the Shoals Theatre, from a create-your-own-instrument class for kids to the Shoals Mom Prom, from a 5K to the annual Street Strut parade – something for every kind of music lover. 

Here’s a sample of shows set for tonight:

• The Friday Night Downtown Florence Celebration on Mobile Plaza starts at 5:30 p.m. and features Dr. Warren Ertle and the Corpse Revivers followed by Billy Allen and The Pollies.
• If jazz is more your style, head to the Sheffield Public Library at 6 pm. for a celebration in memory of Dr. Willie Ruff, co-founder of the W.C. Handy Music Festival, with the Tennessee Valley Masters of Jazz. 
• The Safer Birth In Bama Block Party kicks off at 6 p.m. at Singing River Brewery in Florence, featuring live music from Mama’Nim. Vendors, food trucks, and an open tap room will also be available.

Other events

Additionally, the DaDooRunRun is back. The 5K and 1-Mile For Fun Run start at 7 a.m. at Harvest Mitchell Gym at Burrell Slater School on College Street in Florence. There will be awards, door prizes, and special Handy shirts for participants. Sign up at dadoorunrun.itsyourrace.com.

On July 23, Handy’s church, Greater St. Paul AME Church on Cherokee Street in Florence, will host visitors for a night of musical praise.

The Street Strut and Parade kicks off the July 26 events at 10 a.m. at Wilson Park in Florence. Local bands and a DJ will be along the parade 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. If you need more information, call Grant Gunn at 256-483-9417. Food vendors will also be set up in the park.

Handy headliners

This year’s Handy Fest headliners, Melvin “Melly” Baldwin and Earl “Guitar” Williams, will play July 26 at 7 p.m. at Norton Auditorium on the campus of the University of North Alabama. Tickets will be available at Handy Headquarters, Counts Brothers Music, and WZZA Radio.

Baldwin, a UNA alumnus, is a drummer who has performed with Bell Biv Devoe, Carly Rae Jepsen, Chaka Khan, The Indigo Girls, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cyrus, and Stevie Wonder.

Williams is a blues, soul, and R&B artist known for his electric guitar, cigar box guitar, and harmonica playing.

The Shoals Community Concert Band closes out Handy Fest on July 29 with a show at Magnolia Church of Christ in Florence. 

For more information about the festival, call the Music Preservation Society at 256-766-7642.