W.C. Handy Music Festival Schedule of Events

The Best Bets in entertainment this week in the Shoals is the W.C. Handy Music Festival. The following schedule was supplied by the Music Preservation Society Inc. In case of rain, alternative locations for outdoor events have been scheduled. For details, call the Handy festival office at 766-7642 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For daily updates to the schedule, visit wchandymusicfestival.org.

Today

-- Music on Court – 10 a.m., Salvation Army store, Florence. Music by Michael and Stephen Cook.

-- Master Class – 10:30 a.m.-noon, Counts Brothers Music, Muscle Shoals. Music by The Gamble Brothers.

-- Handy’s On the Plaza – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mobile Plaza, Florence. Cost: $7 or $6.50 in advance. Music by Emil Orth and the Beale Street Jazz Band and Neal Starkey and Friends.

-- Handy Lunch

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Ricatoni’s Italian Grill, Florence, Pine Hill Haints.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. -- Rosie’s, Florence, NELO.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Scottie’s at Cypress Lakes, Muscle Shoals, Karen Gruber and Friends.

-- Books and Blues – Noon-2 p.m., ColdWater Books, Tuscumbia, Laszlo Gardony.

-- Popcorn and a Movie – Noon, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia. Showing: “200 Cadillacs and Other Gifts From Elvis Presley.”

-- Senior Fun – Noon-2 p.m., Lincoln Street Senior Center, Florence. Music by John

McAndrew.

-- Burrell-Slater Museum Tours – 1-5 p.m., Burrell-Slater Museum, Florence.

-- Laughter in Literature – 2 p.m., Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence, featuring David Hope.

-- Songfest Panel: Integrated Studios in a Segregated South – 2 p.m., Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence. Moderator: Brian Mansfield, of USA Today. Panelists: Rick Hall, Jimmy Hughes, Roger Hawkins and David Hood.

-- Blues-n-Bread Pudding – 3-4 p.m., Sheffield Public Library, Sheffield. Music by the Gary Lamb Combo.

-- At Sundown – 5-6 p.m., Wilson Park, Florence. Music by Iguana Party.

-- Time Out – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church Atrium, Florence. Music by Timmy Ray and the 737 Praise Band.

-- Beale Street Blues – 6-8 p.m., Lewis Field, Florence. Music by Off the Chain.

-- An Evening of Hymns and Spirituals – 6 p.m., Magnolia Church of Christ, 2560 Vulcan Drive, Florence. Music by the Magnolia Singers, under the direction of Glenn Rikard.

-- Picnic on the Lawn – 6-9 p.m., Larimore Home, Mars Hill Bible School campus, Florence. Cost: $10, advance ticket required, available at the festival office. Music by Emil Orth and The Beale Street Jazz Band.

-- Listening Room -- 6:15-7:30 p.m., Zodiac Theater, Florence. Music by the Tom Wolfe Combo.

-- Music and Art – 7-9 p.m., Lori Davis Gallery, Florence. Featuring Festival Design Winners Exhibit. Music by The Ascension Brothers.

-- After Sundown – 7-9 p.m., Wilson Park, Florence. Music by Kent DuChaine.

-- St. James Sings – 7 p.m., St. James United Methodist Church, Florence. Music by the St. James Missionary Baptist Special Chorus and the Orr Sisters.

-- Evening at the Roxy – 3-6 p.m., Roxy Theater, Russellvile. Swamp John’s dinner, 3-6:30 p.m.; concert, 7 p.m., by Deacons of Dixieland and John McAndrew. Cost: $5, concert; $8, dinner, eat in or take out.

-- Shoals Praise and Worship Choir’s Eighth Annual W.C. Handy Concert – 7:30 p.m., Woodward Avenue Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals. Music by the Shoals Praise and Worship Choir, under the direction of Fred Hendon.

-- Evening at the Ritz with Edsel Holden – 7:30 p.m., Ritz Theater, Sheffield. Cost: $10. Featuring The Legends of Jazz -- Mundell Lowe, Betty Bennett, Holly Hofmann, Mike Woffard, Tim Goodwin, Mike Shepherd and Laszlo Gardony

-- Listening Room -- 7:45-9:15 p.m., Zodiac Theater, Florence. Music by Ken Watters and Friends.

-- Handy on the Hill – 8 p.m., West College Street, Florence. Music by Expressions, Donna Wills and Friends, Lorinda ”Pinky” Warren and the Shirley Rowell Band.

-- Songfest: Country Soul and Rock ’n’ Roll – 8 p.m.-midnight, The BLVD., Sheffield. Featuring Travis Wammack Band, 8 p.m., and Gary Nichols and Band, 10 p.m.

-- Handy Nights

5-7 p.m. – Ragazza, Tuscumbia, Laszlo Gardony.

6-9 p.m. – Rosie’s, Florence, Rick Bell Combo.

6-9 p.m. – Red Lobster, Florence, Eric Essix.

6-9 p.m. – Pilot House, Tuscumbia, Happytymes Jazz Band.

7-9 p.m. – Take a Break Tan, Muscle Shoals, NELO.

7-10:30 p.m. – O’Charley’s, Florence, Topper Price.

7-11 p.m. – Logan’s Roadhouse, Florence, Kozmic Mama.

8-11 p.m. – Rivertown, Florence, Pine Hill Haints.

8 p.m.-midnight – Outback Steakhouse, Sheffield,Velcro Pygmies, proceeds to benefit Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia.

8 p.m.-midnight – Ricatoni’s, Florence, Crossroads Blues Band.

8 p.m.-midnight – Something Fishy, Muscle Shoals, The Decoys.

8 p.m.-midnight – LaFonda, Florence, Replay.

8 pm.- midnight – The BLVD, Sheffield, 19 and older, cover charge.

9 p.m. – Big Ed’s, Florence, The Ugli Stick.

9 p.m. – Side Pockets, Florence, $5 cover, Permagrin.

9 p.m. – Louie Louie’s, Sheffield, no cover before 9 p.m., Bishop Black.

9 p.m. – Bayou Blue, Florence, CMB.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. – Holiday Inn, Sheffield, cover, The Midnighters.

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – PJ’s, Muscle Shoals, The Drifters.

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – Scores at Webster, Sheffield, Stacey Mitchheart and Blues You Can Use.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. – Hog Heaven, Tuscumbia, Russell, Rob, Clint and Tom of The Fiddleworms. Cover: $10 single, $20 couple; $20 younger than 21.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. – Nolen Cole Gallery, Florence, Boombox.

10 p.m.–1:30 a.m. – The BLVD, Sheffield, Gary Nichols, 19 and older, cover charge.

Friday

-- Handy’s on the Plaza – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mobile Plaza, Florence. Cost: $7, $6.50 in advance. Music by Emil Orth and the Beale Street Jazz Band and Rick Bell and Friends.

-- Lunch Break -- 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Rosie’s, Florence , John McAndrew.

-- Popcorn and a Movie – Noon, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Tuscumbia. Showing: “St. Louis Blues” (1958).

-- River Rollers – Noon, TVA Environmental Research Center auditorium, Muscle Shoals. Music by DeBorah Nehemiah, Dorothy Cole as “Tina Turner” and Hugh Smith and the G Men.

-- Burrell-Slater Museum Tours – 1-5 p.m., Burrell-Slater Museum, Florence.

-- Film and TV Music: The Latest Trends – 2 p.m., Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence. Featuring Randy Wachtler, of 615 Music; Frank Redice, NBC vice president; Lonnie Sills, a film music supervisor; and Craig Sharmat, film and television composer.

-- The Business of Music – 3:30 p.m., Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, Florence. Featuring Lynn Gann, of Full Circle Music; Kirk Boyer, of Disney; Rodney Hall, FAME Publishing; and Jeff Tweel, of Rick Hall Music.

-- First Friday Preview – 5-8 p.m., Court Street, downtown Florence. Galleries and artists display works available for purchase and pleasure along Court Street from Tennessee to Irvine.

-- Music and Art – 5-7 p.m., Lori Davis Gallery, Florence. Music by Karen Gruber and Friends.

-- Listening Room -- 5:15-6:15 p.m., Zodiac Theater, Florence. Music by Holly Hofmann and Friends.

-- Riverside Jazz – 5-10 p.m., McFarland Park, Florence (rain location: Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum). Music by Navy Band Memphis, Howard Lamb and Friends, Expressions, James Ed Combo, Off the Chain, NELO and Homemade Jamz . Free shuttle every 15 minutes from Florence Parking Deck to McFarland Park provided by NACOLG.

-- Waterloo Jazz Soaree – 6-8 p.m., Edith Culver Memorial Museum, Waterloo. Music by Shoals Dixieland Band.

-- Mall Music: Regency Junior Idol Finals – 6-8 p.m., Regency Square Mall, Florence. Benefit for Boys & Girls Club.

-- Rolling on the Tennessee – Joe Wheeler State Park, Rogersville. Jeff Whitlow and Chelsea Hale, 7 p.m.; Dorothy Cole as Tina Turner, 7:30 p.m.

-- Shoals Praise and Worship Choir Eighth Annual W.C. Handy Concert -- 7:30 p.m., Woodmont Baptist Church, Florence. Music by Shoals Praise and Worship Choir, under the direction of Fred Hendon.

-- Johnny Wayne Sanctified Blues – 7 p.m., Christ Chapel, Florence.

-- W.C. Handy School Reunion and Blues Ball – 7 p.m., W.C. Handy School, Florence. Cost: $25, a benefit for W.C. Handy School Gym and Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Alabama. Music by Emme Kemp and Homemade Jamz.

-- Fun at the Florence Elks Lodge – 8 p.m.-midnight, Florence Elks Lodge, Florence. Music by 10-O-C Band. Cost: $20 per couple, includes breakfast buffet at midnight.

-- Cabaret – 8 p.m., Montgomery Place, Sheffield. Cost $10, BYOB. Music by Off the Chain.

-- Handy Nights

6 p.m. – Jonathan’s, Russellville, Kerry Gilbert Band.

6-9 p.m. – Rosie’s, Florence, Pine Hill Haints.

7-10 p.m. – Frank’s Italian Restaurant, Muscle Shoals, Byron Green

7-10:30 p.m. – O’Charley’s, Florence, Eric Essix Duo.

7-11 p.m. – Logan’s Roadhouse, Florence, Members Only.

8 p.m. – Big Ed’s, Florence, Sons of Roswell and Nathan Gaston.

8-11 p.m. – Florence Harbor, Florence, Max Russell.

9 p.m. – Louie Louie’s, Sheffield, no cover before 9 p.m., Lyman.

9 p.m. – The BLVD, Sheffield, 19 and older, cover charge, The Fiddleworms.

9 p.m.-midnight – Ricatoni’s Grill, Florence, Kent DuChaine.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. – Holiday Inn, Sheffield, The Decoys.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. – LaFonda, Florence, CMB.

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – PJ’s, The Midnighters.

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – Scores at Webster, Sheffield, Kozmic Mama.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. – Hog Heaven, Tuscumbia, Johnny Collier. Cover: $10, single; $15, couple; and $20, 21 and younger.

9 p.m. -2 a.m. – Nolen Cole Gallery, Florence, Boombox.

10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – Side Pockets, Florence, Sleepy Jackson Band, $5 cover.

Saturday

-- Three-State Bike Ride – McFarland Park, Florence. Mile options: 24, 36, 66, 74 and 103. Helmets required. Route maps online at Handy100.com. Registration, 6-8 a.m.; mass start, 7:15 a.m.; aid stations close, 3 p.m.; route closes, 4 p.m. Cost: $25 per rider, includes T-shirt, aid stations, map, refreshments after the ride.

-- Car and Truck Show – 9 a.m.-noon, Wilson Park, Florence. To register, call Bobby Bates, 383-9478, or Polly O’Connor, 757-9992, or visit shoalscarandtruckclub.com. Judging, noon-2 p.m.; awards, 3:30-4 p..m. Cost: $20 each, 37 classes.

-- Gettin’ Reading to Strut – 9 a.m., offices of Gonce Young, Collum-Butler Attorneys, Florence. Music by NELO.

-- Stamp Out the Blues – 9 a.m., Florence Post Office, Seminary Street, Florence. Music by the Navy Band Memphis.

-- Street Strut and Parade – 10 a.m., Wilson Park, Florence. Music by Emil Orth and the Beale Street Jazz Band, Homemade Jamz and Bay City Brass Band

-- Mimosas and Music – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Café Le Crumbs, Florence. Music by John

McAndrews.

-- Handy Lunch

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Rosie’s, Florence, Ken Watters and Friends.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Ricatoni’s, Florence, Tim Goodwin and Friends.

n Mall Jazz -- 2 p.m. Regency Square Mall, Florence. Music by the Music Camp All-Stars.

-- Listening Room -- 2-3:30 p.m., Zodiac Theater, Florence. Music by the Navy Band Memphis; and 4-5 p.m., with music by Chuck Redd and Friends.

-- Hip-Hop Concert, Step Show and Games – 5:30 p.m., Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, Florence. Call call 760-8640 or visit newbirthm.org. Featuring Mr. Del and Holy South, formerly of Three 6 Mafia.

-- Headliner Concerts – 5 p.m., and 8 p.m., Norton Auditorium on the University of North Alabama campus, Florence. Cost for each concert: $15 in advance, $20 at the door. A special ticket price for the two-headliner concert package is $25. Featuring Henry Butler at the 5 p.m. concert and Bonnie Bramlett and the Capricorn Rhythm Section at the 8 p.m. concert.

-- Frolic – 6:30-7:30 p.m., Courtyard of Norton Auditorium, Florence. Featuring NELO.

-- Good Food and Good Health – 7-10 p.m., Frank’s Italian Restaurant, Muscle Shoals. Entertainment by Max Russell and Blue Highway.

-- Handy Nights

6-8:30 p.m. – Bayou Blue, Florence, Rob and Russell.

6-9 p.m. – Ragazza, Tuscumbia, Jeff Henson Band, featuring Jason “Harp” Fowler.

7-10 p.m. – Frank’s Italian, Muscle Shoals, Max Russell.

7-10:30 p.m. – O’Charley’s, Florence, Crossroads Blues Band.

7:30-10:30 p.m. – Elks Club, Florence, Kent DuChaine.

8-11 p.m. – Florence Harbor, Florence, Russell, Rob, Clint and Tom, of The Fiddleworms.

9 p.m. – Louie Louie’s, Sheffield, Fly By Radio. No cover before 9 p.m.

9 p.m. – Big Ed’s, Florence, Blackland.

9 p.m. – Bayou Blue, Florence, CMB.

9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. – LaFonda, Florence, Iguana Party.

9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – The BLVD, Sheffield, Alabama Blues Brothers; for ages 19 and older, cover.

9 p.m.-2 a.m. – Hog Heaven, Tuscumbia, Frankie Velvet and the Veltones. Cover: $10 single, $15 couple and $20 younger than 21.

9 p.m. -2 a.m. -- Nolen Cole Gallery, Florence, Boombox

10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. – Side Pockets, Florence, Kozmic Mama. $5 cover.

-- Handy Jam – 9 p.m.-until, Ricatoni’s Italian Grill, Florence, All Star Revue

Sunday

-- Handy Night – 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Side Pockets, Florence, Essential Blend. $5 cover.

Handy merchandise

Merchandise for the W.C. Handy Music Festival will include new items featuring this year’s design by Muscle Shoals artist Carl Brackin Jr., as well as old favorites from past festivals.

New T-shirts are $15. Shirts from past festivals are $5 each, or three for $10.

Posters by Brackin are $10 for unsigned and $15 for signed.

Posters from previous festivals will also be available for $10.

Other Handy items available include: buttons, $1; mugs, $5; tote coolers, $10; coolers, $15; blankets, $20; chairs, $25; festival CD, $15; and CD openers, $2.

The Handy festival office is in the annex of the Kennedy-Douglass Center of the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence. For details, call 766-9719, or visit wchandymusicfestival.org.