Support Alabama Black Belt Adventures all summer long.

Alabama Black Belt Adventures 

The 2020 Best Black Belt Fish Photo Contest is underway through Saturday, Aug. 15. The contest is open for photos of any fish taken from any lake in Alabama’s Black Belt. The prize, valued at $550, will be a guided fishing trip for two on Lake Eufaula donated by Tony Adams of “Gone Fishing with Tony” and a collection of lures donated by Tru-Turn and Blakemore. The winner and guest will enjoy a half-day of fishing for crappie or catfish and top-of-the-line lures and hooks, such as Pan Fish Hooks, Marabou Pros, GOGO Runners and Team Catfish Hooks, as well as many lures designed for bass fishing. Black Belt counties include Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox. To enter the contest, follow this link. Visit Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association to learn more.

RELATED: Flavors of Alabama’s Black Belt highlighted with themed trails

Rickie Knight and his grandson, Gauge, hold a bass they caught in Chilatchee Creek to win last year’s Best Black Belt Fish Photo Contest. (contributed)

Florence-Lauderdale Tourism launches backstage pass program 

As a part of the recovery plan for the pandemic, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism has launched a visitor-value program, “Muscle Shoals Backstage Pass.” Patrons will receive discounts to several attractions that have made the Shoals famous, including legendary recording studios. Visitors may tour Muscle Shoals Sound, FAME Studios, Cypress Moon Studios, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, W.C. Handy Home & Museum and Swampers Bar & Grille.The Hall of Fame has a vast collection of memorabilia and recognition of the best Alabama hit-makers. Swampers hosts live music every night with a gallery of Shoals legends on the walls of the restaurant and bar. The W.C. Handy Home is a Florence landmark that celebrates one of the most prolific songwriters and composers in American history. The Muscle Shoals Backstage Pass is available at the Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center, Muscle Shoals Sound and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Patrons will receive a free Backstage Pass T-shirt after visiting any three attractions, with a chance to win the grand prize after visiting all six. Patrons will receive a customized sticker, which will be applied after each attraction they visit. More details about the program can be found at muscleshoalsBSP.com or visitflorenceal.com. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visitors are encouraged to share their journey on social media by using the hashtag #muscleshoalsBSP. For more information on the backstage pass, contact Rob Carnegie or Randa Hovater at 256-740-4141.

Rick Carter Facebook live concert

The pandemic health crisis has not stopped writer, performer, band leader and entrepreneur Rick Carter from performing. Carter has been playing music professionally since age 12 and was a founding member of the nationally recognized band Telluride. Carter has collaborated with the Allman Brothers, John Fogerty, Jason Isbell, Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top and others. He is best known for “Birmingham Tonight,” “Let Me In Tonight,” “Breaking Away” and “Change.” His extensive music career has earned numerous awards, honors and accolades. Follow this link to learn more about Carter’s music career. Carter performs Sundays at 6 p.m. on Facebook Live playing a variety of genres, including folk, soul and Americana. Donations are welcomed. Virtual tip information will be posted throughout the show.[vimeo 408210670 w=640 h=360]

RELATED: COVID-19 not stopping Alabama Music Maker Rick Carter

Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama 

The 2020 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama is open at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. The free exhibit is a traveling juried art show that displays artwork created by students throughout Alabama who have visual impairments, blindness and deaf-blindness. The show will be displayed through Wednesday, Aug. 26 in the Walking Gallery. The exhibit has been hosted by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and UAB Vision Science Research Center and Education Outreach Module for the past 20 years. Children who participate in the show use various media to create one-of-a-kind artworks. This year’s exhibit will feature 40 pieces that can be purchased for donations starting at $100. The funds collected will help with the costs of framing, the opening reception, scholarships and summer workshops. Because of the pandemic, each Alabama Center for the Arts visitor must answer COVID-19 screening questions and have their temperature taken using a no-touch thermometer. Those granted access will be provided a wristband that must be worn at all times while on the center campus. For more information about the gallery exhibit, visit the website.

Birmingham Legion FC 

Enjoy a soccer match at BBVA Field on the campus of UAB. Birmingham Legion FC will face Atlanta United 2 on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The matchup will air live on My68 and ESPN+. Get tickets and check the full schedule at bhmlegion.com. Stadium capacity will be limited and seating will be socially distanced, in accordance with federal, state and local safety guidelines, but all existing season ticket holders, as well as some single-game ticket holders, will be able to enter the stadium while wearing a mask. All single-game ticket-holders will be placed in specific, socially distant seating, as well as sections previously deemed “General Admission.” For questions, contact the ticket office contacts page. The venue is at 800 11th St. South in Birmingham.

St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival

Tempt your palate with Lebanese delicacies Aug. 7-8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Birmingham. Amid the pandemic, the festival will offer drive-thru with takeout services only. The drive-thru option will be in the main church parking lot for those wishing to place and pick up orders without leaving their cars. There will be an option available for walk-up and takeout orders on the south side of the church with COVID-19 safety measures enforced. A limited menu will include three plate options consisting of kibbee, spinach pies, meat pies, beans, rice and pita bread. A dessert sampler will be offered with an assortment of sweets available for purchase. The festival includes an online silent auction. A multitude of other virtual events are available for you and the family to enjoy during the two days of the festival, including virtual tours of the church. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram using @stellasfestival or call 205-251-5057. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted. The food festival is at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church at 836 Eighth St. S. between University Boulevard and 10^th Avenue South. 

Live Nation Virtual Music

Discover the best live streams, artist content and new music from around the globe, all in one place. Fans can stay connected to their favorite artists and search through hundreds of performances and other videos at livenation.com/livefromhome.

This week’s lineup:

• Aug. 6, noon: “Good Company” with Noah Reid, virtual off-the-cuff conversation between artists about their collective history, latest projects and upcoming plans. (Live From Home)
• Aug. 6, noon: Rebelution x Setlist.FM’s Tour Update: WFH – a social-distancing twist on the popular Setlist.fm interview series in which artists talk while they’re working from home. (Live From Home)
• Aug. 6, 7 p.m.: Rick Ross Verzuz 2 Chainz (Instagram)
• Aug. 7, noon: “The Reason I Rhyme” with OMB Bloodbath, interview series that gives Black artists a platform to introduce themselves and tell their stories. (Live From Home)
• Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m.: The Weeknd Experience (Tik Tok)

Live Nation’s Crew Nation, a global relief fund for live music crews, continues to raise funds. The company has committed $10 million for the fund: an initial $5 million, then matching all additional donations dollar for dollar, up to another $5 million.

National Farmers Market Week 

It’s National Farmers Market Week and Prattville will celebrate Saturday, Aug. 8. Find fresh, locally grown produce, homemade baked goods, plants, honey, and bath and body products from a variety of vendors. There will be special giveaways, including recipes, tote bags, T-shirts and prize baskets. Children who color the coloring page on Facebook and bring it to the market will receive prizes. To help stop the spread of COVID-19, wear a mask and practice social distancing. A hand-sanitizing station will be available. For more information, call 334-595-0850 or send a message via Facebook.