HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — COVID-19 can't keep local artists and musicians down, and they'll be part of a special virtual Panoply Arts Festival.
North Alabama’s largest annual celebration of art, music and more – returns as a virtual celebration on April 24 and 25, 2020. The original event was cancelled in March due tio concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, but highlights from this year’s planned programming will be featured via livestream.
Arts Huntsville’s virtual Panoply Arts Festival experience will be available through its social media channels on April 24th and 25th. “While the three-day 2020 Panoply Arts Festival was cancelled last month, our local musicians, artists and arts organizations have continued to work each day to uplift North Alabama residents with virtual arts and entertainment experiences,” said Allison Dillon-Jauken, Arts Huntsville Executive Director. “We created #iPanoply to celebrate our local arts community and share a snapshot of the great entertainment they had planned for Panoply weekend.”
#iPanoply2020 live broadcast kicks off at 6:00 pm on Friday, April 24th. The two-day virtual event will feature 15 local musical acts from Panoply 2020 and previous festivals. Hosts Judy Allison of Purple 19 and Patrice Johnson of Arts Huntsville will highlight the juried artists, musicians, local food experiences, arts organizations, community groups, sponsors and volunteers that have made Panoply a signature arts festival for 38 years.
April 24th line-up includes: Ben Luthy, Lana White, Tyler AK, Victoria Jones, Jalen Kelly, The Beasley Brothers, Remy Neal and Josh Allison.
April 25th line-up includes: Alex D. Banks, WANDA, Winslow Davis, Luke and Jay, Alan Little, Cheryl Llewellyn, and Jordan “Chill City” Moore.
Visit Arts Huntsville’s Facebook page on April 24 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and April 25th from 12:00 P.M. 2:00 P.M. to view the #iPanoply 2020 live performances.
Each year, Arts Huntsville also commissions a local artist to create a piece of art that captures the spirit of the Panoply Arts Festival and the community. Local artist, muralist and art educator John “Jahni” Moore was selected as the 2020 festival artist, and Arts Huntsville will showcase his Panoply artwork throughout #iPanoply. Moore’s dynamic, street-art inspired festival artwork titled “Reconstruction” will be available for purchase as a t-shirt and poster through May 11, 2020 at www.artshuntsville.org.
Proceeds from all t-shirt and poster sales will support Arts Huntsville’s Individual Artist Emergency Relief Grant Fund. Arts Huntsville’s Board of Directors launched the Grant Fund in March 2020 with $25,000 from the organization’s reserve funds. Sales of Panoply 2020 t-shirts and posters will provide critical funds to continue Individual Artist Emergency Relief grants to provide professional visual and performing artists in Madison County with $250 to $500 to cover immediate expenses.
For more information visit artshuntsville.org and follow Arts Huntsville on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest updates on #iPanoply2020.
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