Want to do something different with your mom on Mother’s Day?
Try the Mother's Day Concert in Mobile’s Washington Square. It's free and open to family and friends.
No surprise, it’s on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Washington Square is in the historic Oakleigh District in almost downtown.
It’s outside among oak trees and the park’s wrought iron, fountains and bushes.
The music is by the Mobile Big Band Society. They will play songs your mom will remember.
Bring your own folding chairs or blankets to sit on. If you did not eat Mother’s Day dinner before coming, you may bring a picnic. Also, bring drinks.
No RSVPs or tickets are required, and there is no admission charge. The concert is all outdoors, but gorgeous spring weather is expected.
The Mobile Big Band is Alabama's version of New Orleans' Preservation Hall Band, but the music genres differ slightly. In New Orleans, you hear Bourbon Street's Dixieland jazz. In Mobile, you hear swing, big bands, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and romantic songs your mom will love.
The big band musicians are all local and regional volunteers. They mostly have day jobs. Mobile attorney Chip Herrington conducts and trumpets. One saxophone player is U.S. District Judge William Steele.
One of the Mobile Big Band's purposes is to share the big band music of the past with new generations—Alabama's "yutes" hearing a sound and beat they don't hear on the radio. The preservation of the 20th-century big band music is an ongoing mission.
Your mom may request a classic covered by several star entertainers, including Mobile's Jimmy Buffett – "Stars Fell on Alabama."
The Mobile Big Band is often featured at events in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. For details, including an events calendar of Mobile Big Band appearances, go online to Gulf Coast's Most Loved Big Band.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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