concourse/south art & music fest

SECOND ANNUAL CONCOURSE/SOUTH ART & MUSIC FEST AUGUST 20-26

Concourse/south is a weeklong music and arts festival taking place in downtown Opelika on August 20-26, 2017. The extravaganza will benefit local organizations, including O Grows and the BigHouse Foundation, as well as future arts programming in Opelika. Each day will highlight different artists, makers, musicians and more in Historic Downtown Opelika.

Last year was the first year of concourse/south, which focused on musical performances and various artists in the area. This year, the festival aims to have something for everyone. Tickets are available online starting at $25 for general admission, $30 for day-of tickets and $75 for VIP all-access passes. For more information about concourse/south, visit http://concourse.live/.

The festival kicks off on Sunday, August 20, at 6:30 p.m. with “Supper and Songs” at the O Grows community garden located behind the Southside Center for the Arts at 1103 Glenn Street. This food-centric evening will feature Chef Graham Hage from Zazu and musical performances by Martha's Trouble. Proceeds will benefit O Grows and future arts programming in Opelika.

Monday, August 21, will showcase “Live Murals” featuring R.C. Hagans and Paige Dirksen, live music and community fabric dyeing from 6-8 p.m. at 712 North Railroad Avenue. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet local artists and watch as they create live murals in downtown Opelika.

Tuesday, August 22, will be an evening jam-packed with festivities for the whole family. The night will feature workshops, installations and live music, all located along North Railroad Avenue.

Children are invited to attend a workshop with renowned folk artist Charlie Lucas from 6-8 p.m. where they will learn how to make sculptures with found objects and wire. This workshop will take place in the railyard, located at 714 Railroad Avenue, starting at 6 p.m. and is hosted by Perch Jewelry Studio.

Also on Tuesday, Red Clay Brewery will be showcasing local artists’ instillations from 5 p.m. until close. Make a night of it and head next door to John Emerald Distilling Company as they host an Opelika Songwriter’s Night starting at 8 p.m. 

On Wednesday, August 23, concourse/south’s agenda will feature vinyl printing starting at 11 a.m., a coffee art competition starting at 6:30 p.m. and a secret show at 8:30 p.m.

Participants will be able to record a song and receive a 7" vinyl printed on the spot between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Sidetrack Coffee, located at 817 South Railroad Avenue. This activity is sponsored by Tangible Formats and 10,000 Hz Records and will include a 10,000 Hz vinyl Pop-Up store.

The “Barista Throw Down” will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Stop by for an evening of latte art competition followed by a special "secret" show by a guest performer starting at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 24, will showcase art exhibitions featuring Kyes Stevens at the Southside Center for the Arts from 6:30-8:30 p.m., followed by exhibitions by Iain Stewart, Sarah Scott, R.C. Hagans, Hannah Birdsong and Colt Fetters in downtown Opelika from 8-11 p.m at 817 South Railraod Avenue, next door to Sidetrack Coffee.

Friday, August 25, celebrate The Brook & The Bluff’s record release at 9:30 p.m. at 712 North Railroad Avenue. Tickets are $10 if one has not already purchased the general admission ticket for the entire week. Arrive early to see opening performances by Sawyer and the JB Roberts Trio, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 26, support local artists at the “Artist and Maker’s Market” along 712 North Railroad Avenue from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Market is hosted by Perch Jewelry Studio and is free to enter.

From 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., there will be the “Food Hall” hosted by Mama Mocha’s Coffee. Concourse/south wristbands are required to enter this area of the festival.

There will be a “Concert Area” from 11 a.m. Saturday until 2 a.m. Sunday, hosted by Cottonseed Studios. Concourse/south wristbands are required to enter this portion of the festival. The musical lineup for Saturday is as follows:

11:00am-Spicer’s Music band camp winner
11:45am-Adjustable Mustard
12:45pm- Alex Wilkerson
1:45pm-Bobby RocknRoll
2:45pm-Captain Kudzu
3:45pm-Dallas Dorsey
4:45pm-Dogwood Lung
5:45pm-Cherry Motel
6:45pm-B.B. Palmer
7:45pm-The Prescriptions
8:45pm-Devon Gilfillian
10pm-MARC SCIBILIA

There will also be “The After After Party” showcasing indie label Communicating Vessels with WRAY, Dirty Lungs, and Lady Legs starting at 11:15 p.m. inside John Emerald Distillery. This final event is hosted by Communicating Vessels, Cottonseed Studios, and 10,000 Hz records.

Cottonseed would like to extend a special thanks to sponsors: BAMAWISE, BLUE SPRING, Perch Jewelry Studio, Almost Anything, CyberZone, Spicer’s Music, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, Red Clay Brewery, John Emerald Distilling Company, Mama Mocha’s Coffee Emporium, Opelika Main Street, Communicating Vessels, 10,000 Hz Records, East Alabama Arts Association, O Grows, The Sound Wall, Baker Street Digital, and the Ballistic Agency. They are the reason we have been able to bring concourse/south to Opelika.

For more information, contact Richard Patton at richard@cottonseedstudios.com or call 334-787-3288. 

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