Photos courtesy of The Foundry.
Hot Strings is bringing its family-friendly music and artsfestival to Colonial Brookwood Village this year.
When the Hot Strings festival began four years ago, organizers hoped to have 1,000 people show up. Around 2,500 people ended up maxing out Sloss Furnaces’ capacity, and about 6,000 came to The Preserve in Hoover for the 2012 event.
This year, Hot Strings is moving to the more centrally located Colonial Brookwood Village and hopes to have 7,000 to 8,000 attendees.
Organizers suggest buying tickets online as their number is limited.
The family event is all about staying local. It benefits local rescue mission and recovery center The Foundry, and three out of four bands are Birmingham-based.
“There is a tremendous following between Matthew Mayfield, Act of Congress and Three on a String,” said Lesley Searcy, director of stewardship at The Foundry. “All of them have a lot of local support. We are excited they want to get behind the event, and we hope the community will get out and see them.”
Searcy is quick to emphasize that that the family-friendly, alcohol-free atmosphere of the concert attracts all demographics.
“There is plenty to do for families with children or for people who just want to bring a lawn chair, get barbecue and listen to music,” she said. “People love it because it’s a safe, clean, very positive environment for people to enjoy an afternoon of great music and great food.”
Searcy, a Homewood resident herself, said organizers are looking forward to being in Homewood. They see Brookwood as a true new home for the event.
A music stage, space for concertgoers to set up lawn chairs, an area with sponsor tents and more will be set up in the parking lot between Belk and Applebee’s at Brookwood.
Artists will be selling a variety of goods from pottery to homemade salsa. Golden Rule Bar-B-Q and Ezell’s Catfish Cabin will have a selection of food, and kids (who get in free if they are age 10 or under) can play on inflatables and other activities.
Three on a String — a string instrument-playing trio Searcy calls “a perennial hit all over Birmingham” — is returning to the event and will kick off the festivities at 1 p.m.
North Carolina folk duo Mandolin Orange hits the stage at 2 p.m. Birmingham’s Act of Congress, with its blend of pop, bluegrass, country, rock and classical sounds will follow, at 3 p.m.
Local rock musician Matthew Mayfield headlines the event at 4:30 p.m.
Many of The Foundry’s clients will be on site working in different capacities. About 320 people live onsite for its yearlong recovery program and re-entry program, and 2,500 men, women and children participate in its programs each year.
Canned goods will also be collected at the event. The Foundry’s kitchen uses about 5,000 cans of fruit and vegetables a month.
“We want people to embrace the event and embrace The Foundry,” Searcy said. “You look at almost any family and there is someone touched by addiction, and all the proceeds go to help.”
Opportunities for sponsors, artists and vendors at Hot Strings are still available. Contact Doug White at dwhite@thefoundryonline.org or 256-390-2200 for more.
Hot Strings Music & Arts Festival
Sunday, Oct. 6
Colonial Brookwood Village
Benefiting The Foundry
Noon- Festivities begin
1 p.m.- Three on a String
2 p.m.- Mandolin Orange
3 p.m.- Act of Congress
4:30 p.m.- Matthew Mayfield
Tickets: $15
Visit HotStrings.org for tickets and more
