Brittany Howard
ATHENS-Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard stood on stage before a hometown audience on October 11 and declared she would not get emotional.
She then admitted it was hard not to get emotional with her family, former classmates and friends making up part of that audience at the Limestone County Event Center. The Grammy-nominated group sang some of their popular numbers and ended the show with, “Boys Are Back in Town.” They also performed a new song called “I’m Yours.”
“It’s good to sing it to you in our hometown of Athens, Alabama,” Howard said.
“I love you!” someone in the crowd yelled.
“Aww, I love you, too,” Howard replied as she started to strum her teal-colored guitar. She then drew cheers and laughter as her raspy voice softened and sang the first words of that new song: “I’m gonna miss you and your Mickey Mouse tattoo.”
Wes and Marlene Isom
Alabama Shakes came home for the performance to support Dinner in the Orchard, a fundraiser hosted and organized by Wes and Marlene Isom and Mary Alice Isom Blizzard of Isom’s Orchard. The Isoms and their friends and family have worked nearly a year on the event to benefit the Athens Arts League. The aim was to provide ticketholders a farm-to-table experience amid the peach trees at Isom’s Orchard and the opportunity to hear Alabama Shakes play by the orchard pond for the group’s first performance back home.
Unfortunately, rainy weather forced the event to move to the Limestone County Event Center, but guests still enjoyed food made from produce provided by Isom’s Orchard and other Alabama farmers, such as vegetable tomato soup with goat cheese served in a winter squash bowl. Organizers brought part of the orchard and farms to the Event Center using decorations comprised of apples, pumpkins, winter squash, cotton and sunflowers.
Proceeds from the event will support Athens Arts League, a committee of Spirit of Athens. The Athens Arts League is creating a downtown facility called High Cotton Arts so artists can rent affordable studio space and offer programs for children. The group currently offers art camps at the Boys and Girls Club in Athens and Tanner, hosts the Summer Art Strolls on The Square and holds Open Mic Night at Picasso’s on U.S. 72.
“We are forever grateful to the Isoms for their vision and their generous giving in this community,” said Athens Arts League Chairwoman Diane Lehr. “The Isoms and Alabama Shakes are giving us the opportunity to provide a renovated downtown space, adding to the revitalization of downtown and elevating art in our community.
“This facility gives artists the chance to perfect their craft by having affordable studio space in the High Cotton Arts Center, which will serve as an artists’ incubator. We will also utilize adjacent property including a green space and a former cotton warehouse to further our endeavors such as fundraising opportunities and providing art for the community’s children.”
Jennifer Janzen of East Limestone High School, who was band director for three members of Alabama Shakes – Brittany Howard, Heath Fogg and Zac Cockrell – said artists need local support to become successful.
Brittany Howard performing with the band Trippin’ Dixie
“Hard work is at the forefront, but local support helps build the confidence artists need to push themselves,” said Janzen.
Former East Limestone band students performed during social hour for Dinner in the Orchard as the jazz ensemble R2R and Friends. Hayden Scott also performed acoustic guitar.
“Those kids look up to Alabama Shakes and use them as an example of what they need to do to be successful,” Janzen said.
Organizers will know in about a month how much money after expenses was raised by the sold-out event. Renovation work is underway on the H.C. Blake and Company building on Washington Street, which will become the High Cotton Arts Center.
For more information about High Cotton Arts, go online at www.athensartsleague.com.
For more information about Isom’s Orchard, go to the Facebook farm page at “Isom’s Orchard.”
For more information about Alabama Shakes, go to www.alabamashakes.com.
