What you need to know about Microwave Dave Day 2023

“Microwave Dave” Gallaher is a true Huntsville music legend, and for nearly a decade, Microwave Dave Day has been a spectacular event for the Rocket City.

The 9th annual Microwave Day Day takes place Oct. 22 at Stovehouse, and looks to be a fantastic event, as always. Here’s what to know:

Microwave Dave Day 2023

Mayor Tommy Battle officially proclaimed “Microwave Dave Day” a city-wide celebration in 2015. A concert was held to honor Dave for his ongoing social, educational, and musical contributions to the community, and to announce the formation of a music education project: The Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation.

Since then, the event has grown and become a staple in the Huntsville event calendar, although for the last few years the event has taken place in October rather than June.

Microwave Dave Day is a family friendly event and continues to feature performances from the areas finest local musicians, including Microwave Dave and The Nukes. A major highlight of the event is the selection and recognition of a local musician and a music educator for their contributions to music education in North Alabama. 

Here are some details on this year’s festival:

• The festival takes place Oct. 22 at Stovehouse from 3PM to 10PM.
• The event is free to attend, but donations to the foundation are appreciated.
• More than 50 local artists will be on hand.
• The Microwave Dave coffee table book, I’m A Road Runner, will be on sale for purchase.
• The Huntsville Community Drumline will kick the day off at 2:45PM with a “Festival Parade” throughout the venue.

Check out the festival lineup

The music schedule is as follows:

Main Stage

• 4PM-4:45PM – Walker Street Opry
• 5PM-5:45PM – The Neighbors
• 6PM-7PM – Microwave Dave, Clay Swafford and Darrell Tibbs
• 7:15PM – Awards Ceremony
• 8PM-8:45PM – 5ive O’clock Charlie
• 9PM-10PM – All Star Jam

Electric Belle Stage

• 3PM-4:45PM – Amber Cavanaugh and friends
• 5PM-5:45PM –  The Band Silhouette
• 6PM-7PM –  Seminole Strut

Who is Microwave Dave?

For more than 30 years, Microwave Dave Gallaher has dazzled music fans with his blues music and energetic live performances. Dave formed his band, Microwave Dave & the Nukes in 1989 and over the years amassed an international following.

Microwave Dave and the Nukes continue to educate the youth of America about the history of the blues through their love and passion for the genre.

The Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation’s goal is to expand the work that Dave began so long ago. In the early 2000s, schools nationwide cut music programs, leaving school-aged kids without a foundation in music history and knowledge.

The Foundation works with local musicians, educators and music teachers to support and promote music education in North Alabama.

Learn more about the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation here. Visit the event website if you would like to volunteer for Microwave Day Day 2023.

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