The fifth annual Birmingham Arts and Music Festival (BAAMfest!) kicks off in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood on Aug. 15-17 with the Avondale Music + Arts Festival.
This year’s events features: the World’s Longest Soul Train Line at Avondale Park on Friday night; a TEDxBirmingham Salon at Bottletree Cafe on Saturday evening; and Birmingham Celebrity Jeopardy – featuring Heather Holmes of MAKEbhm, Graham Corray Boettcher of the Birmingham Museum of Art and BAAM! founder Sharrif Simmons – at Avondale Brewery on Sunday night.
This year’s BAAMfest!, Avondale Music & Art Festival will feature more than 25 live performances, short films, artistic work created by area youth, and a tribute to the Legends of Muscle Shoals, featuring Bad Brad & the Sipsey Sims with special guests David Hood, Kelvin Holley and Will McFarland.
“I’m very excited about our event this year,” said BAAMfest! creator Sharrif Simmons. “Avondale Park and Business district is the perfect location to showcase Birmingham’s cultural arts scene. People can look forward to a great time for the entire family.”
[ See our videos from the first BAAM!Fest on Birmingham View’s YouTube Channel. ]
Now in its 5th anniversary, this weekend-long Birmingham original showcases the best of the Magic City’s music scene, ultimately elevating the public’s awareness of Birmingham’s burgeoning cultural and arts community. Launched in 2010 and modeled in part after the highly successful South by Southwest festival in Austin Texas, BAAMfest!, Avondale Music & Art Festival takes place in a number of venues throughout Avondale and showcases local bands, artists, alongside well known national acts.
Special 5th Annual BAAMfest! highlights will include:
World’s Longest Soul Train Line | August 15, 5PM-8PM | Avondale Park
Festival attendees are invited to join a (Guiness Book of World Records) attempt at the world’s longest Soul Train line. The current world record is held by the City of Philadelphia. Birmingham, learn more about getting in the Soul Train line and getting down HERE.
TEDxBirmingham Salon | August 16, 4PM-5:30PM | Bottletree Café
TEDxBirmingham will host an official TEDx video salon & community discussion regarding music, art and Birmingham-centric topics.
Birmingham Celebrity Jeopardy | August 17, 6PM-7PM | Avondale Brewery
A celebrity panel of Birmingham heroes will answer Jeopardy-themed questions about the history of art and music in the Magic City.
Early bird VIP ticket prices are $30, and $40 the week of the event. Programs are scheduled to include live music from all genres, including jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, reggae, neo-soul, classic soul, electronica and Latin merengue.
Interested in volunteering? Sign up at volunteers@baamfest.com.
Find more details on the 2014 Avondale Music & Art Festival on Facebook: BAAMfest! . Band lineup, event schedule and VIP pass/ticket information will be available at www.baamfest.com.
BAAM! (Birmingham Arts and Music Festival) in Avondale
Birmingham Arts and Music Festival (BAAMFEST!) is a weekend-long festival celebrating Birmingham’s rich music and cultural arts scene. BAAMFEST! will take place in AVONDALE PARK and Avondale Business District including Avondale Brewery, Bottletree, Parkside and the Firehouse. An emphasis will be made on showcasing local bands and artists. An expressed goal of the event is to attract broader national and international music industry interests in Birmingham based musicians, artist and poets. This festival will elevate the public’s awareness of Birmingham’s burgeoning cultural arts community, all the while generating revenue for existing , hotels, restaurants and museums. BAAMFEST! offers an opportunity to celebrate Birmingham’s rich history and cultural diversity.
BAAMFEST! will offer patrons of all ages an unforgettable experience! BAAMFEST! hopes to make the city of Birmingham a new destination for musicians throughout the United States who wish to showcase their talent for new audiences. Programs will include live music from all genres, including Jazz, Blues, Rock, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Neo-Soul, Classic Soul, Gospel and R&B. There will also be work created by area artists and a number of surprises for the whole family to enjoy.
