Arts Council Corner: Sounds of Summer

SOUNDS OF SUMMER

The nights are warming up in Shelby County, but the summer fun is just getting started at the Shelby County Arts Council.

BY LINDSAY DYESS PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE RED CLAY STRAYS

Celebrate the school year ending by checking out a show in the Song Theater! Joining us on Friday, May 13, for the first time in the Song Theater are South Alabama musicians, The Red Clay Strays. Fresh from the release of their debut album, Moment of Truth, The Red Clay Strays share their passion for country and southern rock in their songs that reflect elements of good women, hard times, forgiveness, heartache and about their own moment of truth. Their rock and roll style is influenced by bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and even southern gospel. Check out these up-and-coming musicians at the Song Theater on Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 p.m.

If you’re looking for something for the kids, check out our children’s musical theater class spring performance, A Kids Journey Through Broadway. Musical theater teacher Leslie Belk has been hard at work with these young performers since January to prepare them for their big show. If your child has had an interest in musical theater, check out this free performance on Friday, May 20 at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. In June Leslie returns with a weeklong children’s theater summer camp. In just one week the campers will learn lines, songs, and end the week with a performance. It’s a fun week that campers always look forward to. This year’s camp will take place June 13-18 and will cost $150 per child. Space will go fast, so don’t wait. Sign your rising star up today. Visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

Coming to the Shelby County Arts Council’s EBSCO Fine Art Gallery in May is America’s Favorite Pastime – The Art of Ron Adair. Adair has had a prolific freelance art career ranging from commissions for five U.S. postage stamps, the official oil portrait of Jack Nicklaus for the United States Golf Association, sports posters for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers, oil portraits of NFL and Major League athletes for Donruss Baseball Cards and much more! America’s Favorite Pastime gallery exhibit will feature a collection of museum reproduction prints of Adair’s baseball portraits along with the baseball cards they appeared on, several original paintings and MLB memorabilia. Also featured will be a portrait of Hank Aaron that Adair has painted specifically for this exhibit. The portrait will be auctioned off while the show is on display and proceeds from this auction will be donated to Shelby County Youth Baseball to support the next generation of baseball players. Work will be on display, from May 16-June 30. Join us on Thursday, June 2 for the gallery reception to celebrate this show. This reception is free and open to the public. This exhibit is made possible by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Caring Foundation.

There’s always something fun happening at the Shelby County Arts Council. Visit our website at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com to see upcoming events, classes and purchase tickets. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@shelby_ county_arts).