Stephenie Walker /Attractions, Reviews

Huntsville’s a great place for live music, and there’s no shortage of free, family-friendly concerts this summer – just take a look at the “Summer Concerts” tab on our Summer Activities Guide.

But I’ll let you in on a little secret… there’s a concert series in town that’s not too crowded, has plenty of shade, and has a great lineup this year. Just don’t go telling too many people.

The Madison Arts Council is hosting their annual Gazebo Concerts series, and I have to say it’s one of my favorites. The shows are well-attended, but not so crowded that you’re shoulder-to-shoulder with the person sitting next to you. Gorgeous shade trees line the roadside, making it a more pleasant concert-going experience.

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The Madison Gazebo Concerts are a Thursday night tradition in the summer that I go to each week. It’s actually one of the reasons I moved to Madison four years ago. I loved the Americana/down home feel of people gathering downtown to celebrate music and the community.

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I have a passion to find beauty in every person and I strive to capture my subjects as they are and bring to life the things that make them beautiful. I love to capture and tell stories with my camera, stories of the people I photograph. My goal for every session, is to create images that will pull at your Heartstrings, and that you will want to hang on your walls, to share, to keep close and cherish for years to come.

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Published 12:05pm Saturday, March 16, 2013

MADISON – The second annual Art 4 Paws festival will use artwork as the backdrop for helping homeless animals.

Sponsored by Madison Arts Council, Art 4 Paws will be held on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Village Green along Front Street in downtown Madison.

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After many well received live engagements and promising recording sessions, my disillusionment with the commercial music scene began to grow.This eventually led to my putting aside my beloved instrument, a hiatus lasting some nine years.

During that time,I grew personally,explored other methods of artistic expression, and put my music career in perspective. I began to realize just how important music was to me. It was becoming more apparent each passing year that the genuine expression of my musical soul might best be articulated in acoustic styles rather than the more provocative and energetic electric ,medium I had confined myself to in earlier years.Fingerstyle composers such as Alex Degrassi,Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Ed Gerhard, Eric Tingstad,Billy Mclaughlin, Will Ackerman,Chet Atkins,Daniel Hecht,spoke to me in ways that other guitar virtuosos had not. It was their commanding influence that brought me back to music, this time focusing on the acoustic medium exclusively.

“Art 4 Paws” mixes art and arfs on the Village Green in Historic Downtown Madison.  Animal shelters and rescue groups from the surrounding areas are able to promote their organizations and animals in need of ‘furever’ homes.

Professional photographers and painters will be on hand to capture your pet’s personality in their unique way.  Vendors will have booths with art and pet-related items for sale.  Donations and profits from booth rentals will be divided among the participating shelters and rescue groups (after event costs).

This family- and four-legged-friendly festival begins at 9:00 a.m. and will last until 4:00 p.m.

• WHAT:     Madison Arts Council’s “Art 4 Paws” Festival
• WHEN:     April 6^th   9am – 4pm
• WHERE:   Historic Downtown Madison,  AL

The Madison Arts Council is a not-for-profit 501 (c)3 organization that was founded in 2001. The purpose and vision of the Madison Arts Council is to develop a culture and enrich the quality of life for Madison city through various forms of dance, music, theatre, and visual art.  Through programs, advocacy and partnership with our community, we have one mission:  to tap into the senses.

I use various mediums, but my favorite medium at the moment is color pencil. I draw anything that inspires me. Although, I specialize in custom portraits (pets and people).