ALMetro360 July 2019

The Alabama Folk Heritage Awardee – Sudha Raghuram of Montgomery is a committed Bharatanatyam instructor, dancer and choreographer. She is known for her command of the tradi- tional technique of Bharatanatyam, while at the same time effort- lessly embracing Kathak, contemporary dance and folk dances of India. Several of her dance students have completed their dance debuts and she has directed and choreographed a Bharatanatyam dance drama, Cinderella, which was well received by audiences. Since 2000, she has been awarded the Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant eight times by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. In 2013, she was awarded a Dance Fellowship by the Council and was selected in the Alabama Touring Artist Program to perform Indian classical dance in schools across Alabama. The Council Legacy Award was re- named the Albert B. Head Council Legacy Award in honor of Al Head’s 33 years of service as the executive di- rector of the Council. Head retired in December 2018. Mayor Tommy Bat- tle of Huntsville is the first to receive the Albert B. Head Council Legacy Award . Mayor Battle is now in his third term as mayor and is dedicated to cre- ating jobs and diversifying Huntsville’s economic base. Through his leadership, the Mayor has assembled a coalition of regional leaders committed to recruiting industry, workforce development and high quality education. As a result, Huntsville leads the state in new jobs and economic investment. This envi- ronment enables the community to present robust performing arts pro- gramming and offer an assortment of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Mayor Battle directed the City’s plan- ning department to enjoin the commu- nity in a comprehensive master plan shaping the city’s future for decades to come. This progressive vision has ad- dressed planning and quality of life de- cisions regarding neighborhood revital- ization, urban redevelopment, recreation, transportation, design stan- dards, and code and zoning changes. A recent study conducted by Ameri- cans for the Arts documented that the arts mean big business in Huntsville/Madison County. The study found the nonprofit arts and cultural industry generated $89.9 million in an- nual economic activity, expanding its employment base and providing quality of life for all its citizens. Prior to the awards program, a special reception was held in the Patron’s Lobby at ASF for the award re- cipients, their families, and guests. Several Alabama legislators and dignitaries were on hand and offered their personal congratulations to the recipients. Jennie Weller Catering created a buffet of pork tenderloin sliders, shrimp with cocktail sauce, curried chicken on skewers, artisan cheeses and fruit, hot spinach dip, and bacon- wrapped sweet potatoes. At the close of the evening a dessert reception was held in the lobby of the theatre for the 600 statewide audience members fol- lowing the ceremony and included lemon blueberry and French silk trifles, chocolate dipped strawberries, toffee cannolis, assorted cookies and coffee. n Dr. Elliot Knight, Meredith Knight, Judy Head and Al Head. Mayor Tommy Battle (Huntsville), Mayor Todd Strange (Montgomery) and Mayor Jack Tibbs (Eufaula). 74 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com