Celebrate the arts, downtown revitalization at Mural City Art Fest

Downtown Dothan will come alive with music, art, food and fun for the entire family during the fourth annual Mural City Art Fest (formerly known as the Festival of Murals). The event kicks off April 25 and will run through May 2.

The name change is both symbolic and also reflective of the additions that have been made to the festival.

“We changed the name to Mural City Art Fest in honor of the fact Dothan is Alabama’s mural city,” said Cathy Cole, executive director of The Downtown Group.”

The festival is a four-day salute to all artistic disciplines and begins Saturday, April 25, with “An Evening of American Song.” This event, scheduled for the Dothan Opera House, begins at 7 p.m. There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted for the George W. Carver Interpretive Museum, which is presenting the event. Performing during the evening will be members of the faculty and students of the John M. Long School of Music at Troy University. Featured artists include Dr. Catherine Allard, Dr. Michael Hix and Dr. Margaret Jackson.

The very popular Praise Fest at Poplar Head Park will be held Wednesday, April 29, from 6:30-8 p.m. Presented by the First Baptist Church of Dothan, the Praise Fest will feature music and creative drama performed by youth teams from throughout the Wiregrass area. All student ministries are invited to take part in this event.

Friday, May 1, will give way to “A Night of Jazz,” which will be held in the Dothan Civic Center. Admission is $14. All students, however, are admitted free of charge. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the Northview High School Jazz Band will set the tone for the evening with a performance at 6:30.

Bruce Brown and Friends will take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by the Chris Hodges Band. The evening’s featured performer is the Chad Fisher Group, nationally known in progressive and contemporary jazz circles.

There is limited VIP floor seating, and reservations can be made in advance by calling 699-1475.

Jazz patrons will also be able to purchase dinner from the Blue Moon Cafe (Cajun), D’Monico’s Italian Gardens or The Basketcase during the show. The first 2,000 patrons will also receive a free gift card from Bojangles.

Tickets for “A Night of Jazz” can be purchased through the Dothan Civic Center Box Office, 615-3175.

Saturday’s activities begin early with the Endurance 5K Fun Run/Walk sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Dothan. Registration for the event, which will begin and end at the church (300 W. Main St.), is from 7-7:45 a.m. The run is set for 8 a.m. The entry fee is $10 per person or $25 per family if pre-registered. After April 24, the fee is $15 per person and $30 per family. To register or for more information, call 792-3217.

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, downtown Dothan will give way to “Street Fest,” a celebration of the arts and artists. This year’s event will include a juried art show, live music, food, dancing, a multitude of artistic demonstrations and much more. “Street Fest” will continue until 5 p.m., and there is no admission fee.

Three major events are included in “Street Fest.” From 10:30-11:30 a.m., the Wiregrass Museum of Art will host its First Saturday event. Many hands-on events have been planned for all ages. There is no admission fee. For more information, call 794-3871.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the New South Cruisers Car Show will take place on North Foster Street. For more information about the car show, call 701-4338.

The Dothan Opera House will be the site of a special presentation by the Tri-State Community Orchestra. These talented musicians will bring Dothan’s murals to life as they perform Richard Pearson Thomas’ “Wiregrass Symphony.” As the music plays, images of the murals will appear. Three afternoon performances have been scheduled - 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. Admission is $2 person. Children six and under are admitted free of charge.

For a full schedule of events and the entertainment line-up that will appear on two downtown stages, visit http://www.muralcityartfest.com or call The Main Event at 793-9042.