The Montevallo Arts Fest is a two-event celebration this year.

The Gary Motley Jazz Trio concert will kick off the exciting weekend at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 9, at Parnell Memorial Library Theatre and will be followed on Saturday by the Art Show in Orr Park from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Gary Motley is a very popular and accomplished musician with Montevallo connections.

He graduated from the University of Montevallo with a music degree in 1986.

“Gary Motley showed himself to have enormous potential during his student years at UM,” said Ed Robertson, UM professor of music emeritus. “And in the years since his graduation he has realized that potential in impressive ways. He is an amazing jazz pianist, and those who attend the concert are in for a treat.”

Vocalist Veronica Motley will appear with the Trio.

Motley has been recognized with numerous awards and featured in Downbeat Magazine and on Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland of Public Radio.

Motley has performed in various venues throughout the United States including two recent concerts at Carnegie Hall.

Currently he is the director of jazz studies at Emory University.

Tickets for the Gary Motley concert are $15 for adults and $7 for students. For reservations, call 665-9207, ext. 6.

Admission to the Saturday art show is free and the event promises to be the biggest ever with more than 60 artists exhibiting their work, live music and a great variety of food.

Among the well known artists will be: Don Stewart of Homewood with his drawings, Troy Crisswell of Calera with paintings, Becky Crisswell with clay works, Karen Stephenson of Maylene with glass work, Joseph Frye of Clanton with clay and sculpture, Elda Brown of Brevard, N.C. with glass and jewelry, and Crandell Brock of Mobile with paintings.

The music will be provided by the Montevallo Community Band at 10:30 a.m., the Sol Azteca Mariachi Band at 12:30 p.m. and Sue Scrofa at 2:30 p.m.

The Arts Council, which organized the weekend, is encouraging families to come out for a day in the park viewing the wonderful art creations, listening to good music and enjoying delicious barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, smoothies, cold drinks and sweet desserts.

For more information about the Arts Fest weekend, look at the Arts Councils’ Web site Montevalloartscouncil.org or call 616-4392.

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.