We Are Huntsville

Helping you discover Huntsville, AL by sharing the best events, eats, and experiences.

Guest Blogger

Giant Rabbits INTRUDE Upon Downtown Huntsville (& You'll Want To See Them)

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Giant Rabbits INTRUDE Upon Downtown HuntsvilleA guest post by Arts Huntsville. 
 
Did you hare the news?
 

 
A towering, whimsical public art installation is hopping into town this month and you can be sure Huntsville has never seen anything quite like this before!

INTRUDEIntrude

From October 19 – 28, rabbits – yes, rabbits – are taking over Big Spring Park.
Ranging anywhere from 10-23 feet tall, these inflatable, illuminated bunnies by Australian artist Amanda Parer will bring a touch of whimsy to downtown – as well as a series of special events.
Here are five ways you can experience INTRUDE this month.

  • Celebrate Light+Innovation+Technology at LIT Festival

Arts Huntsville and Downtown Huntsville, Inc. have partnered once again to bring the biggest light and digital art bash to downtown Huntsville. This year the festival spans two nights – October 19-20– and sprawls from Big Spring Park West to the downtown Square.
With DJs, digital light displays, 3D mapped projections, roving light performers, the INTRUDE exhibit, the final Battle of the Food Truck All Stars and MORE….

  • Mellow out with Yoga then get hype with Hip-Hop

On Saturday October 20 and Friday October 26, Light-On Yoga Fitness will be offering free yoga classes in Big Spring Park East. Bring your own mat, towel and water and prepare to get zen with the bunnies.
After that, experience Huntsville’s bourgeoning hip-hop talent at the Bridge Meets Downtown Hip-Hop Showcase, hosted by The Bridge Cyphers on Friday, October 26. This group of talented rappers, writers, and poets come together to share original verses in Big Spring Park.

  • Paint a not-so-spooky Sugar Skull Bunny in the Park

Spirited Art is hosting kids and family Sugar skull Bunny Painting class on Sunday, October 28! Bring a blanket to sit on, and Spirited Art will provide the rest. The class is $25 and you can pre-register here.

  • Bring the Kids for Storytime in the Park

Arts Huntsville is partnering with the United Way of Madison County to Read for the Record! Bring the kids to Big Spring Park East for a public reading of “Maybe Something Beautiful.” Readers will be artists Jahni Moore and Dustin Timbrook, as well as WHNT News 19 Anchor Greg Screws.

  • Dine Downtown with these “Hoppy Hour” Specials

5 downtown restaurants and bars are getting in on the fun by offering special menu items and Hoppy Hour deals (see what we did there? We can’t stop). You can also head on this “Hopping halloween” bar crawl to experience more than one!
Honest Coffee Roasters: The Cinnabunny Latte
Offered: All Day
Pints & Pixels: The Fluffy Brown Bunny
Godiva dark chocolate liquor, pinnacle cherry vodka, chocolate syrup, topped with a whipped cream bunny tail.
Offered: All Day
Green Bus Brewing: $5 Hoppy Pints
Hop Bus IPA and Big Spring IPA
Offered: All Day
Keegan’s Public House: Brunch Bellini and Honey Bunny Biscuit
Offered: Saturday and Sunday, 11am -3pm
Hoppy Hour Hooch and Bugs Bomber shots
Offered: 4-7pm
The Cozy Cow: Hoppy Hour Milkshake
Vanilla and cotton candy ice cream milkshake served with whipped cream
Offered: Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm and Friday 9am-8pm

Artist Amanda Parer
Artist Amanda Parer

3 Ways to Fall for the Arts this October

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3 Ways to Fall for the Arts this Month3 Ways to Fall for the Arts this October

A guest post by Arts Huntsville. 

 

Each year Arts Huntsville celebrates National Arts and Humanities Month by showcasing all of the unique arts, entertainment, and cultural events and classes through our Fall for the Arts initiative.

We don’t want you to let another month go by without getting out and exploring our community’s creativity and expressing your own.

So here are 3 ways you can Fall for the Arts this month.

1. Find a New Creative Outlet

Taking up a new hobby shouldn’t be relegated to New Year’s Resolutions.

Take a moment as a new season begins to embark on a new creative journey.

Chef Will Cooking Class_Denise Onwere Studio

2. Catch a Show

Almost every weekend the curtain rises on a theatre production or show.

  • Huntsville Chamber Music Guild opens its 2018-19 concert series with Robert McDuffie & the Center for Strings Orchestra on Saturday, October 6 (psst…head over to the Arts Huntsville Facebook Page on Tuesday, Oct 2 for a chance to win a pair of tickets!).
  • Fantasy Playhouse Theatre’s Lyle the Crocodile brings magic and comedy to the stage for families October 12 – 21.
  • Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-19 season kicks off on October 19 with Tchaikovsky Five.
  • Broadway Theatre League’s official season kicks off in November with Something Rotten!, but on October 26 they will present the FREE family show A Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly. You’ll need to reserve your spot ahead of time.
  • The Villains of Broadway take over the Straight to Ale Speakeasy with the first Independent Musical Productions Cabaret of the season.

Huntsville Chamber Music Guild_McDuffieLaborDayConcert

3. Support an Artist

An integral part of our creative community are the visual artists who sell and exhibit their work in the community.

When you purchase a piece of pottery, a painting, or a sculpture, you’re directly supporting that artist’s livelihood and growing our creative culture!

  • Head on up to The Little Green Store & Gallery on Thursday, October 4 to experience the works of Helen Vaughn at this gallery opening celebration. While you’re there take a look at the hand-selected and curated artworks by a variety of regional and national artists (and maybe snag a Christmas gift!).
  • Visit Denise Onwere’s Lowe Mill ARTS Studio to purchase a vibrant piece of artwork for your home – or create one of your own! While you’re there, check out the more than 150 artist studios at the largest privately owned arts facility in the nation.
  • Show off your regional pride by purchasing one of Artlady Sonya Clemon’s southern-themed magnets, paintings, and prints at the Huntsville-Madison County Visitor’s Center.

ArtLady Sonya Clemons

So…that was clearly more than just three ways to celebrate creativity this month, but would you believe us if we said there are even MORE?

Follow @ArtsHuntsville on Facebook and Instagram this month to get connected with these arts, entertainment, and cultural offerings.

You could also awin awesome prizes – including original artworks and tickets to these events and more!

5 Ways to Celebrate Creativity at Panoply Arts Festival

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5 Ways to Celebrate Creativity at Panoply Arts FestivalPanoply Arts Festival has been a staple event in Huntsville for 36 years.

After all this time, you might think you’ve seen it all.

But that’s where you’d be wrong.

 

Each year there are new ways to celebrate not only the creativity and talent of the performing musicians, dancers, and exhibiting artists, but your own as well.

Here are 5 ways you can experience creativity at #Panoply2018 (which is the hashtag you should DEFINITELY use on Instagram! Photos using the hashtag will be featured on artshuntsville.org’s Panoply page and shared by festival organizers throughout the weekend):

1. ART MARKETPLACE

Let’s start with the obvious. Where better to find inspiration than in the Panoply Art Marketplace, featuring 110 professional artists from 16 states.

Don’t fancy yourself an “art” person? Just take a turn through the marketplace and talk to us then 😉.

The art ranges from the aesthetic (sculptures, paintings, photography) to the functional (jewelry, fiber arts, woodwork, pottery) and everything in-between. Here is where you can not only find a piece of art that will inspire you every time you look at, wear, or use it…but it’s where you can meet the artists, learn their story and maybe even find a piece of art that resonates with your own. Explore this year’s artists here.

Panoply artists

2. LIVE MUSIC

Panoply has three main performances stages, featuring more than 50 music and dance performances all weekend long. The music starts as soon as festival gates open, so bring your festival chairs or a blanket, and relax to enjoy live music from local and regional bands in a variety of genres.

Featured performances that are new to the festival this year include: Striking Matches, The New Respects, and Saturday night headliner Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies. (P.S. You can get a pre-show meet & greet with Steven or exclusive indoor concert, in the case of rain, by purchasing a Rain or Shine VIP pass for his show!

Get yours here. There are only a limited amount!)

See the full lineup here.

The Rose Theatre Brampton Ontario Canada

3. COMMUNITY MOSAIC

You can help create a piece of art that will live long after the festival weekend is over. This year First Baptist Church of Huntsville is bringing pieces of original tile from its iconic Cosmic Christ mural (you might know it as “Eggbeater Jesus”) for the community to create a large-scale mosaic image celebrating the heart of Huntsville.

4. ARTS ALIVE!

The Arts Alive tent is where Arts Huntsville’s member artists showcase their talent up-close-and-personal. Here is where you can discover a band that isn’t on the main stage, relax for a book reading, catch a magic show, or meet a character from your favorite local theatre production (like Raggedy Ann & Andy, Snow White, and more). You can also snag a sweet screen-printed bag to carry around all your Panoply goodies.

5. STEAM STREET

Panoply has long focused on the intersection of arts and sciences through its STEAM Interactive Activities. This year they come together on STEAM Street. New to the festival this year, you can make a thaumatrope with Huntsville STEAMworks, learn about the Golden Ratio with Defense Acquisition University, and create large-scale geometric designs on the green with Urban Engine.

See a full list of interactive activities.

Panoply fireworks

Tickets:

There is so much to explore at Panoply Arts Festival you may not be able to do it all in one day. This is where the Weekend Pass comes in at only $18.

Know you can only make it one day? Single Day passes are $10, and Kids 12 and under get in FREE.

All activities inside the festival are also free of charge.

Panoply Hours:

Friday: April 27: 5 pm – 9 pm
Saturday: April 28: 10 am – 9 pm (Art Marketplace will close at 7:30 pm)
Sunday, April 29: 12 pm – 6 pm

 

Guest Blogger:

Daniela Perallon, Marketing & PR Manager for Arts Huntsville

Guide to Spring Formals – Dining, Dresses and Photo Destinations

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Guide to Spring Formals - Dining, Dresses and Photo DestinationsSpring Formal season is here! Keep reading for the best –

  • Photo Shoot Hot Spots
  • Dining Suggestions
  • Where to Find THE Dress

Guide to Spring Formals – Dining, Dresses and Photo Destinations

 

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Popular Photo Hot Spots

prom pics

Photography lets us document our lives. This is a chance for the hallways to turn into a ballroom and music to bring everyone together so that the stress of school fades into the background.

As students prepare for their big nights, parents and friends prepare their cameras so it can be remembered forever.

I have constructed a list of the most popular as well as the hidden gems, for the best photo. The most common time to take pictures is during the sunset glow, around 5 and 6 pm!

  • Big Spring Park – very popular
  • Edgewater – very popular
  • BridgeStreet – very popular
  • Providence – very popular
  • A.M. Booth’s Lumberyard
  • Green Mountain
  • Indian Creek Greenway
  • Bicentennial Park – 315 Fountain, behind EarlyWorks Childen’s Museum

Pasta and PARTY!

dining out

A lot of formals don’t provide food, but they do provide an energetic atmosphere for hours of dancing. In order for students to keep up through the entire night, dinner has to occur at some point.

I’ve built a list of restaurants with moderate pricing (~$12 and below with the exception of couple dinner deals) and that have either reservations or online/call-ahead waitlisting.

A few also have two locations (Huntsville and Madison) and all have a history with large formal crowds.

  • Olive Garden  – you might just get a free dessert, online wait list
  • Rosie’s – inexpensive (most things $12 or less) and they accept reservations, 2 Huntsville locations
  • Outback – reservations, and call in waitlist, locations in Madison and Huntsville
  • I Love Sushi– Two dinner deal for under $20, locations in Madison and Huntsville
  • Cheddar’s– majority of the menu is under $10, they accept reservations

Dress the Best for Formal Success

dress shopping

We girls are the ones who buy and commit to a dress! The color and style matter and dresses can be expensive. Whether price or quality is your priority, this list ranges from dirt cheap to a whole lot of cash. Depending on the person, you’ll want to either personalize the dress or buy it ready to wear. Be sure you give yourself plenty of time for alterations too!

  • Thrift Stores
  • Dillard’s – Parkway Place
  • Asbury Thrift Store – 295 Portal Ln, Madison, AL 35758
  • David’s Bridal

 

prom pictures

Guest Blogger: Alexandra Wiegand

Alexandra WiegandAlexandra Wiegand is a senior in Communication Arts at UAH graduating this May. She has been doing photography and videography for three years now and has brought her skills as our intern for this semester.

Alexandra hopes to take her experience in visual and writing media to go into graduate school for a masters in Advertising and PR so that she can work professionally with an advertising agency.

5 Ways to Fall for the Arts this Month

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5 Ways to Fall for the Arts this Month5 Ways to Fall for the Arts this Month

A guest post by Arts Huntsville. 

 

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1. Get a Tune Stuck in Your Head

Arts Huntsville believes in 5 seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall – and Theatre.

With the change of seasons comes the opening curtain on our lively, talented theatre community.

This month catch a performance like: Independent Musical Productions’ Young Frankenstein the Musical, Grissom High School Theatre’s The Phantom Tollbooth, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre’s School House Rock, or Ars Nova’s Hansel & Gretel.

2. Create Your Own Masterpiece

“I can’t even draw a stick figure” is a lament we often hear (even among our own staff).

But, you’ll be surprised by what you can create under the patient instruction of our talented local artists. This month try your hand at jewelry making at Lightning and Lace, painting at Spirited Art or MoSoul Creations, pottery at DesignbyHart Pottery Studio, sewing at Rocket City Sewcial, Ice Skating at the Huntsville Iceplex, or music lessons at Valley Conservatory.

3. Grow (or start!) Your Art Collection

With such an active, growing community of working artists in and around Huntsville, we can hardly justify purchasing a mass-produced print from a big box store.

Find something uniquely you and uniquely Huntsville by shopping for local art – be it jewelry, pottery, sculpture, painting, photography, woodwork, glasswork and more – at the following studios and galleries, just to name a few: The Little Green Store & Gallery, Heather Baumbach Art, Zara Edwards Lowry, Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, Fred Sayers Art, and Julie M. Studios.

4. Go on an Art Tour

You don’t have to spend money to engage with the arts this month. Instead, grab the family, head out the door and embark on an art tour!

Head downtown to vote on your favorite decorated pumpkin the Arts Huntsville Pumpkin Patch, presented by Lyon Family Farms. Or explore the SPACES Sculpture Trail featuring 39 sculptures across Huntsville-Madison County. Finally, pick up a Huntsville Mural Map from the Arts Huntsville office or Convention & Visitors Burea.

No matter what you choose, don’t forget to tag @artshuntsville in your photos when you do!

5. Discover Your New Favorite Local Band/Musician

You know that feeling when you discover a new band you absolutely love?

You can’t wait to tell your friends about them, follow them on social media, and catch their next show? Fortunately, we have so much musical talent in Huntsville we can barely keep up.

Here are a few local musicians and bands we’re following this month: Seeds?, Listen Local Huntsville, Lloyd Holloway, and Foot Pound Force.

BONUS: Catch a Light Show

Arts Huntsville and Downtown Huntsville, Inc. are partnering on two events this month. First, our annual L.I.T.: Light+Innovation+Technology event on the Downtown Square on October 21. LIT will feature large-scale light projection shows from UAH and LED Orange.

On October 28, we’re partnering up for a block party on Jefferson and Holmes to celebrate the season (come in your best costume!) and the inaugural lighting and dedication of the Light Tree Sculpture at The Avenue.

Of course, these are just a sampling of the ways you can experience the arts this month.

For events, every day of the month, visit Arts Huntsville’s arts calendar, powered by Our Valley Events and follow Arts Huntsville on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @artshuntsville.

8 Things to do With Your Fur Baby in Huntsville

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8 Things to do With Your Fur Baby in HuntsvilleWe all know your dog is your real best friend.

Lucky for you, the Huntsville area is an incredible place to share fun experiences with your furry family members.

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My dog’s name is Brodie (aka Bro), and having lived in Huntsville just under three years, we have found some pretty fun ways to spend more time together around town.

8 Things to do With Your Dog in Huntsville

Here is a list of 8 things I like to do with Brodie:

  1. Pawppy Sno Cones8 Things to do With Your Fur Baby in Huntsville
    One of Brodie’s favorite things is to get a puppy sno cone from Southerland Sno Depot. Their human sno cones are delicious, and judging from Brodie’s reaction, the dog version is too! It’s chicken broth, topped off with a milk bone, and your fur baby will love it too.

  2. Hanging Out With Your Paws Out
    There are numerous dog-friendly events in Huntsville. Concerts in the Park, Food Truck Rallies, Art Walks, Greene Street Market, Sounds of Summer at Campus 805….. just to name a few.

  3. Sneaking Pepperonis
    We love to go to Sam & Greg’s for their amazing pizza, gelato, and dog-friendly patio area. Brodie loves to try to sneak a pepperoni and the staff is always great about making sure he has a fresh bowl of water and plenty of attention.

  4. Shopping ‘Til Your Fur Baby Drops
    One of our favorite Huntsville places to shop is Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainement. Luckily, they allow dogs to come along too! Bro likes to sniff everything!

    You can also find a list of furry loving shops at Bridgestreet here.

  5. Broin’ and Barkin’ Out at the Bars and Breweries
    Lone Goose Saloon has a dog-friendly patio that we regularly visit. But almost all of the breweries in Madison County have dog-friendly patios, so you can drink some suds while hanging out with your best bud!

  6. Parks on Parks on Parks
    We love to visit the dog park behind AM Booths Lumberyard. We also regularly visit Jones Farm Park, Big Spring Park, and of course the Monte Sano State Park trails.

  7. Mayfair Park
    My favorite thing to do with Brodie is walk from our house (in the medical district) to Mayfair Park. We love to watch baseball games. Bro barks every time the crowd cheers, so he cheers along too.

  8. Dog Night at Galaxy of Lights
    My all time favorite adventure with Brodie is going to the dog walking night at the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Galaxy of Lights. Having a super festive outing to take your fur baby to makes it that much more special!

This wraps up some of my favorite things to do with my dog in Huntsville. I hope I gave you some new things to try with your pup!

Guest Blogger: Katelyn Sides

Katelyn SidesHi, my name is Katelyn Sides! I graduated Auburn University in 2014 (War Eagle!) and moved to Huntsville shortly after. I have been in this great city for just under three years, and I am never leaving this amazing place! I am currently the Events Lead for Google Fiber, having previously worked at Radiance Technologies and Downtown Huntsville, Inc. In my free time, I like to go jogging around Huntsville, play with my dog Brodie, spend some time downtown at local restaurants and shops, or see a Broadway Theatre League show.

Things to do in Huntsville

Launching Local: U.S. Space & Rocket Center…

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