The Leeds Arts Council will honor the Leeds High School Artists with an opening reception on Sunday, February 2, 2020, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Leeds Arts Center. The public is invited to meet these talented artists and enjoy their beautiful and varied works. Admission is free.
These high school artists work in a variety of mediums and styles. Their works reflect their interest in nature, pop culture, music, humor, and everyday life.
Their art will be on display through February 28. For more information regarding the reception, exhibit, and other Leeds Arts Council events, visit https://www.leedsartscouncil.org In case of inclement weather, call the arts center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
Leeds Arts Council is offering an opportunity for
young performers to perform at an open mic in a family friendly setting. We
have spots for 10 performers, for about 10 minutes each.
There will be a microphone and a sound system. Bring your own instrument,
although there is a keyboard available. We are not set up for a band situation,
just solos or small groups with easy set-up and take-down. If using an
accompaniment track, we do have a CD player, or we can hook a phone into the
sound system.
You will need to come at some point prior to Saturday night to rehearse with
the sound system. We will set up that time the week prior to the performance.
The application form follows this information. There is no charge to the
performers; there will be a $5 ticket price for audience members. Light
refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Debbie Landry or the Leeds Arts Council
office.
Taryon Godfrey
is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in January. The
public is invited to the opening reception on Sunday, January 5, 2020, 1:30pm –
3:30pm to view her beautiful
paintings. Admission is free.
Taryon, a Leeds resident, creates
fascinating abstract paintings working in concert with the forces of nature. Her paintings will be on
exhibit at the Leeds Arts Center through January 31, 2020.
The
Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds. The
gallery is open during events. In case of inclement weather, call the
center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.
The Leeds Arts Council is excited to bring tribute artist Jason Petty presenting “Hank Williams – The Lonesome Tour” to the Leeds Theatre & Arts Center on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00.
Jason Petty began his acting and singing odyssey on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee portraying country music legend, Hank Williams, in the musical, “Lost Highway”. After several national tours Petty went to New York for an off Broadway run of the show and won the OBIE Award for Outstanding Performance in 2003.
When Jason first performed the role of Hank Williams at the Ryman in Tennessee in 1996, little did he imagine that some 20 years later he would still be portraying this legendary man in his own highly acclaimed show. Petty met and became friends with Williams friends and family members, musicians, and fellow Grand Ole Opry stars. They shared with him the intimate details of this legend’s life and career. From the good times to the hard times, Jason listened and began to understand this man like no other. Now he brings that intimate story to life in this one-man tribute.
In an interview, Don Helms, Williams’ best friend and steel guitar player, said simply: Petty’s singing of Williams’ classic songs is the best there’s ever been. This feeling combined with his natural ability to tell the stories of Williams’ life and career with Southern charm and down home humor has given this show rave reviews across North America.
Due to the popularity of this show, reservations are recommended! Call 205-699-1892 and leave a message including your name, phone number, and the number of tickets you need. Someone will return your call to confirm your reservation. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card.
From soft fingerpicked ballads to hard-driving jigs and reels, Henri’s Notions creates a musical mix of traditional Celtic and American music as well as their own compositions that have a rhythm and voice reflective of their Southern heritage, which lends a pleasing familiarity to the music. The Notions draw from a broad palette of melodious sounds: the ardent sounds of fiddle, lilting flute, keen tin whistles, all played over the resonant tones and drive of the rhythm section, consisting of acoustic guitars, percussion, and bass.
Lead voices dance through the intricate embellishments that bring to life the old ballads and songs and all members lend voices frequently creating close, rich, well-balanced harmonies. The group makes a point to provide backgrounds on the songs and instruments used during their performance and this has allowed Henri’s Notions to connect with, educate and inspire audiences for over twenty years!
Henri’s Notions has toured extensively in the Southern and Eastern United Stated from West Palm Beach, Florida and Dallas, Texas to New York City. The group has worked countless festivals and concerts and has appeared with such folk icons as Bob Dylan, Richie Havens, The Kingston Trio, David Grisman Quintet and top celtic acts such as The Tannahill Weavers, Patrick Street, Paddy O’Brien, Brian McNeill and others.
Henris Notions performs year-round in concerts, festivals, special events, and school programs. As a touring member of the Alabama State Council on the Arts and Southern Arts Federation, grants are often available to eligible presenters.
As
part of the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, the city of Leeds is
hosting a John Henry festival on Saturday September 21. There will be
two public performances of a one-act play based on the legend of John
Henry, a steel-driving man. No one knows where (or if) this story took
place, but Leeds, Alabama lays claim to the possibility that it could
have happened here.
Marie Cromer wrote the play, and we need YOU
to come audition for this show! Suellen Wilkins is the director; two
free public performances on Saturday September 21, at 11 am and 2 pm, in
the Leeds Theater and Arts Center in downtown Leeds. The cast includes
15 African-Americans and 10 Caucasians, all ages, both male and female.
There is a young John Henry, as well as an adult John Henry.
Auditions are Monday and Tuesday night, July 29 and 30, 7 pm each evening at the Leeds Theater and Arts Center, 8140 Parkway Drive. You only need to come one night, not both. Come prepared to read from the script.
