HATS OFF to the Organizers and Sponsors of BayFest 2011

BayFest will celebrate its 17th anniversary on October 7-9, 2011.  Having grown from a 

crowd of 50,000 in 1995, BayFest has become known for its vast array of renowned musical talent that appeals to a wide variety of audiences and is suitable for the entire family.  BayFest offers continuous music on 9 stages with 125 acts appealing to every taste including country, classic rock, alternative, pop, jazz R&B, rap, gospel, modern rock and more.  One of the festival's stages, the Launching Pad, is designed to spotlight local talent and showcase acts who aspire for musical greatness.  The event also includes a family activity area that has garnered rave reviews. In 2009, BayFest was honored by the Alabama Tourism Department as the Alabama Event of the Year and has been a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event for a number of years.  The festival has also been named event of the year by the Mobile Press Register, Mobile Bay Monthly, and Lagniappe.

It's time to SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT on the team that brings it all together.  One of the most interesting facts about BayFest is that it is run by a non-profit corporation with a very dedicated volunteer board of directors.  The leaders of the pack are Bobby Bostwick, President and Founder of BayFest along with Shana Jordan, Executive Director.  The two work untiringly hand-in-glove year  round to create the BayFest sensation.  Community leaders give up their free time and add their expertise to guide the festival to success each year as well as the band of volunteers who set-up and man the different areas of the festival.  The volunteer staff are the ones to make it HAPPEN!! 

The event would not be what it is today without the continued support of the sponsors.  Their partnership enables BayFest to provide so much for so little.  Please show your appreciation and support through your patronage of their business and use of their products and services.

KUDOS to the sponsors and all who make BayFest possible!!

 

STARRS to Shine on Mobile

This year, BayFest will transform Downtown Mobile October 7, 8 and 9. Downtown is abuzz with activity as preparations are finalized in anticipation of the start of the 2011 Bay Fest music festival. BayFest, Alabama's largest music festival, brings family-friendly entertainment at an affordable price to Downtown Mobile. 9 stages are being set-up with more than 125 acts at an incredible value of just $45 for a weekend pass...it's going to be the biggest celebration Mobile has ever seen.

BayFest has a reputation for booking chart topping artists of all music genres and those that are considered "up-and-coming" and this year is no exception. This year's BayFest cast of performers will once again captivate and enthrall us right up to the moment that the last note is played and the final lyric is sung. BayFest begins on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. while events begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Taking to the stage this year will be: CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton; R&B and Soul Singer Anthony Hamilton who will be joined on stage by the three-time Grammy winner, Jill Scott as they perform their latest duo, "I'm So In Love With You."

Other confirmed acts include: one of country music favorites, Toby Keith with Eric Church; CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Blake Shelton; Metal sensation, Korn; Alabama's own native son, Clarence Carter performing his greatest hits, "Slip Away" and "Strokin'; Sir Charles Jones-The Best New Artist of the Year; and American funk and R&B band, The Ohio Players will rock the stage performing all their #1 hits. Also performing is Duran Duran, Three Doors Down, B.O.B., Mint Condition, All 4 One, Drowning Pool, and the list goes on and on. To check out the complete list of entertainers click here: Line-Up of the Stars.

Too many acts to follow? Need help knowing who is performing where? BayFest make is easy to keep up!! Click here to Create your own Schedule and coordinate the performers you don't want to miss with the time of the performance and the stage the artists will perform.

So set your sights on Mobile, AL for the first weekend in October to enjoy music, food, and fun at BayFest and have the time of your life.

Starrs To Shine On Mobile....Preview of what's to come!!!

                                 Korn

                       CLICK to view:              
                       Coming Undone



Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton

CLICK HERE to view:So in Love

 

CLICK HERE to view video: Made in America




Tickets, Tickets, Tickets...Get Them While They Last

Mobile BayFest 2011 policy:  Cap at 50,000 weekend passes

NO SINGLE-DAY Tickets



For the first time ever BayFest organizers announced their plans to put a cap on ticket sales and to end the  sale of a single-day pass.  Festival leaders says that the cap of 50,000 weekend passes will help prevent crowd congestion in main-stage viewing areas and along major pedestrian thoroughfares during peak times and for the very first time ever, patrons may be turned away by hearing the dreaded, "Sorry, we're sold out," at the BayFest gates.  Bay Fest organizers say that once the 50,000 passes sell out-that's it.  If by chance that the 50,000 are not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available at the gate for the same $45 price even if it's the last day of the three-day event. 

So for those of you who are planning to attend my advice would be to get your tickets for the 2011 Bay Fest Music Festival today while they are available!!!! Don't miss out!!  Soon, the gates will swing open wide, the crowds will rush in, and the fun will begin.....and you don't want to miss out on the biggest street party of the year. Keep in mind, ticket sales will be limited to 50,000 weekend passes only. Ticket prices remain at $45 for adults and children under 12 when accompanied by a ticket holding adult gets in free. There are lots of activities designed for the entire family to enjoy like Karoke singing-one of the all-time favorites-a real crowd pleaser. There will be plenty of good food all around town for you to purchase and enjoy. Who can resist the tantalizing smells of hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on the grill and the enticing aroma of barbeque, and the delectable tastes of seafood.

Bay Fest organizers has opened online ticket sales for those who do not wish to wait in those long lines to join in the festivities. You can reserve your tickets online and use the "will call"for pick-up. For a small additional fee you can print your own tickets. Just remember that in order for the tickets to be honored, they must not be torn apart. For those who do not trust the authencity of online purchases, tickets can be purchased at the usual retail outlets: Regions Bank and Circle K.

Get your tickets while they last.  Put on your "glad rags and your dancing shoes" and let the partying begin....

Will the cap on tickets provide the crowd control wanted/needed/expected?   Will the 2011 headliner acts entice enough festival goers to attend for the entire weekend? Will weekend passes only increase or reduce ticket sales?  Will this year's cap on tickets generate the same $$$ as in past years?  Let us know what you think.  Post your comments.

Bay Fest Supports Music Education

 BAYFEST WILL AWARD $10,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS THIS YEAR!

High school students from Mobile County and Baldwin County can apply.  Learn more at http://www.bayfest.com/

The deadline is looming near for applications to BayFest's Music Scholarship Program, which will award $10,000 in scholarships this year.  The scholarship program is open to all high school students attending schools in Mobile and Baldwin counties.  It is designed to help students pay for lessons, materials and other costs of music education.  The deadline for entry is September 9th.  Full information and applications can be downloaded from the official BayFest website.  There is no application fee, the program is completely free.  Application packages must include a short (2-3 minute) audition video.  Scholarship winners will be announced during the festival, which takes place October 7-9.



Dennis "Finger Roll"  Nelson, a Native Mobilian, works with students
from Davidson High School



All applicants to the scholarship program will be invited to attend the Music Industry Education one-day seminar on September 24th.  Participants will work with executives and musicians including



Matt Roberts, Guitarist/Vocalists
Three Doors Down

Matt Roberts of Three Doors Down .  Featured presentations will cover a variety of topics such as copyright law, contract negotiations, stage management and college scholarship opportunities and it is ALL FREE.  All you have to do is register.  Click on the link below to download a scholarship application:   BayFest Scholoarship Application.

An additional bonus to the Music Education Program is that participants get a chance to take the stage and play with national recording artists in a jam session.  As a participant, students will hear other students perform, receive invaluable tips and guidance, learn the ins and outs of the industry.  Each student who participates will be eligible to win an autographed guitar and other other door prizes presented by the festival sponsors.  Bottom line, it is a great learning experience and it is FUN!!!.  

Applications are available at http://www.bayfest.com/ and at local area high schools.  For more information on the BayFest Music Industry Education Program and BayFest scholarships, email Shana Jordan at sjordan@bayfest.com.

Bay Fest Supports Music Education

There'll Be Dancing In The Streets



Mark your calendars for
October 7-9, 2011
Get Ready It's Going to be a BLAST!!


Excitement is in the air and it is expected to build to a fever pitch in anticipation of BayFest, Alabama's largest music festival. In keeping with the tradition of years gone by, organizers have worked untiringly to bring to BayFest 2011 a line-up of musical talents sure to be crowd pleasers. Thousands of music fans are expected to converge from near and far to pack the streets of Downtown Mobile to dance to the tune of their favorite artists. Even though this year daily passes to the festivities have become a thing of the past, BayFest organizers believe that the sale of weekend only passes will not deter families and friends from getting together to enjoy an affordable weekend of good, wholesome fun and entertainment.

What are your thoughts about weekend-only passes? Will it hurt or encourage attendance? Post your comments.