Lakeshore

Inaugural Bluegrass Festival at Looney’s this Saturday


Shown at the Dual Destiny replica at the Looney's Amphitheater Complex, the site of the upcoming bluegrass festival, from left, organizers J.D. Snoddy, Theresa Snoddy, Nicholas Bailes, Brittany Bailes, Jerry Mobley and Ronnie Mobley.
DOUBLE SPRINGS - There will be pickers and grinners coming from across the southeast to attend Winston County’s first Bluegrass Festival at Looney’s Amphitheater Complex this Saturday, Nov. 2, benefiting the Winston County Arts Council.

Putt-putt course at Looney’s to open this year


Pictured with the new Dual Destiny replica for one of the holes on the putt-putt golf course at Looney’s Tavern are seated, from left, Melanie Howell Hayes and Kim Howell Blankenship. Standing, from left, Debbie Hughes Henderson, Diane Hughes Watson, Angela Curtis Tidwell and Andrea Curtis. (Courtesy photo)
LAKESHORE - An interesting project, called the “Twins” Project, is developing right now at Looney’s Amphitheater Complex and Cultural Center as part of Winston County Arts Council’s renovation of the 13-acre property.

Looney’s receives $850,000 grant


State Senator Arthur Orr, center, who along with State Senator Garlan Gudger and State Representative Tim Wadsworth helped to secure $850,000 for Looney’s Amphitheater and Cultural Center, visited recently to tour the complex. Pictured above with Orr are Looney’s Project Manager David Jacobs, left, and J.D. Snoddy, president of the Winston County Arts Council.
LAKESHORE - The mission of getting state funds into rural Alabama is literally paying off a big way, with state legislators going to bat for Winston County, securing nearly $2 million from the Education Trust Fund for two major projects related to education and tourism.

Progress at Looney’s continues with additional grants


At the presentation of a $25,000 Alabama Power Foundation grant to the Winston County Arts Council, from left, Arts Council President J.D. Snoddy; AP Community Relations Manager Melinda Weaver; Arts Council Vice President Theresa Snoddy; Board member Patricia Taylor and Looney’s Project Manager David Jacobs.
LAKESHORE - The goal of funding announcements - both recently and forthcoming - for the Looney’s Amphitheater and Culture Center, is to focus on relieving debt incurred from renovations, so the focus can be on art-related programs and services for the county and area.

Looney’s complex not closing


Winston County Arts Council President J.D. Snoddy shows the newly renovated Dual Destiny Theater at the Looney's Amphitheater and Culture Center.

LAKESHORE     -   Although the remaining shows in the summer concert series at the Looney’s Amphitheater and Culture Center, have been cancelled after this weekend, events, plans and renovations at the complex continue to thrive, assure members of the Winston County Arts Council.
“The main thing behind the decision is economics,” pointed out Bart Crabtree, owner  of Sipsey Entertainment, a company he created to provide a series of concerts featuring tribute artists for a wide range of hitmakers, including Pat Benatar, Heart, Journey and Rascal Flatts.

Dual Destiny renovations near completion


Members of the Winston County Arts Council show the freshly painted inside of the Dual Destiny Theater. Pictured, back row, from left, Bart Crabtree, Beth Gilbreath, Joe Towey, Susan Ripp, Patricia Taylor and Arts Council President J.D. Snoddy. Front row, from left, David Jacobs, Cindy Bryant, Brittany Bailes, Shirley Sudduth, Coy Sudduth, Sandra Heaven and Arts Council Vice President Theresa Snoddy.
LAKESHORE - Major renovations and cosmetic changes at the Dual Destiny Theater, located at the Looney’s Tavern Entertainment and Cultural Center, are nearing completion, just in time for the grand-opening weekend of live entertainment May 5-6.