Catch a Concert

Because an experience cannot be downloaded

STORY BY BETSY ILER & PHOTO BY JAKE ARTHUR

On any given summer weekend, residents and visitors to Lake Martin could choose from more than a dozen live entertainment options, from concerts to arts festivals, live theater, storytelling and more. These events – often supported through the sponsorship of local businesses – improve the quality of life in the Alexander City area in a variety of venues all around the lake.

The Lake Martin Amphitheater on the lake’s western shoreline invites patrons to exclusive performances by nationally known performers with its summer concert series that opens on Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day weekend. The AMP’s fireworks production on July 4th is hailed as one of the best across the Southeast. In addition, the AMP has hosted other activities, including an annual Wild Game Cook-off series’ event with the Alabama Wildlife Federation, which is headquartered nearby in Millbrook.

The June concert at the AMP is the second in the annual Alex City Jazz Fest series. The first concert in this free twonight series is held at Strand Park in downtown Alexander City. This free series presents six bands over two nights and is hosted by the Alexander City Chamber of Commerce. The Jazz Fest series began more than 30 years ago when a local clothing store in Alexander City hosted a concert on its 100th anniversary in business.

The Town Green at Russell Crossroads features a free weekly music series every Friday night from mid-May through September. Friday on the Green invites lake comers to bring a picnic and a bottle of wine and meet their friends on the grassy lawn to start the lake weekend with a little good music, laughter and lawn games.

Nonprofit arts and culture organizations like Alex City Arts bring touring live performances to the lake area four to five times a year. Recent productions have included 7 Bridges Band, the Vienna Boys Choir and storyteller Delores Hydock. Alexander City Theatre II showcases local talent in seasonal community theater productions.

Alexander City’s Strand Park also features the Strand

Sessions series, a free concert in the park on the first Thursday of each month, sponsored by the Lake Martin Young Professionals.

Additional music events and other activities in Alexander City and around the lake are held throughout the week of Sun Festival. This celebration of summer provides entertainment for all ages through more than 25 individual events, including a communitywide scavenger hunt, arts, exercises, sundae making, a baking contest and more.

At the Stillwaters Golf clubhouse on the eastern shore of Lake Martin, Copper’s Grill also offers weekly concerts on its picturesque lawn overlooking the beautiful golf course.

Diners at any number of lake area restaurants will find live musical entertainment on weekends, and some offer other activities as well. Niffers at the Lake hosts trivia contest and bingo with proceeds benefitting local charities. Cornhole tournaments that are open to all take place at The Landing at Parker Creek, where the fun matches the intensity of the competition.

Chuckwalla’s Pizza at Chuck’s Marina hosts music, a wine club, art shows, fishing tournaments and a charity duck derby to benefit a local charity.

And there’s more. The lake area abounds with music, arts and other entertainment all summer long and throughout the year.