Audemus

The Audemus Performance and Arts Festival is expected to bring hundreds of people to St. Clair County in September, and the event’s organizer has asked for the community’s support.

“This is a one-of-a-kind festival, and there is a lot of interest in it,” said Scott Autrey, who has planned the event since earlier this year.  Audemus is scheduled for Sept. 5-7 at Horse Pens 40 near Steele. 

An Argo resident who founded the Birmingham Vaudeville Company, Autrey served as organizer of last summer’s the Summer Solstice show, a successful event that benefited efforts to restore the historic Lyric Theatre, intending to follow it up with another show designed to showcase performers whose talents lie slightly outside of mainstream entertainment.

“As I kept adding acts, it got bigger than one show could last, which was a problem,” he said.  “Then I thought, since we’re building this as a community, why not make it a camping festival?  The performers would be able to entertain and then hang out with our audience.  They’re the reason we’re able to do it and the reason we wanted to do it.”

While searching for a location in the Birmingham area, Autrey had occasion to visit Horse Pens 40.  “I fell in love with the place.  It’s the perfect venue.  It has a gorgeous stage and a gorgeous camping area, and the people really care about the place.  It’s a win-win for all of us.”

Autrey — who holds two degrees in visual design, is the author of three books, and has worked with Cirque du Soleil productions and Las Vegas shows – will perform with the BVC at Audemus, along with such headliners as acrobatic magicians duo Crescent Circus (which has been featured on NBC’s The Tonight Show), three-time International Jugglers Association champion Steve Mills, reality TV celebrity Liza Webber, and Birmingham dancer Janelle Issis (who has been showcased on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance).

Fire eaters, comedians, storytellers, and musicians are also on the bill.  The festival’s name is derived from the Latin phrase “Audemus jura nostra defendere.”

“’We Dare Defend Our Rights’ is the state motto of Alabama,” Autrey said.   “Audemus means ‘we dare.’ As performers in this great state who continue to create art, we embody this word.”

Besides ticket sales, Autrey is seeking sponsors for the festival, and a funding campaign is underway through IndieGoGo.  The campaign address is www.indiegogo.com/projects/audemus-performance-and-arts-festival-building-a-dream, and Autrey may be contacted at Birminghamvaudeville@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/172816902913231/.