A Fine & Dandy Affair™

A Montgomery Cultural Impact Experience

You're invited to experience A Fine & Dandy Affair™, where Southern elegance meets modern influence, and creativity, community, and culture take center stage. Designed to be inclusive and inspiring, the event blends fashion, music, art, and local entrepreneurship into one dynamic, day-to-night experience. Rooted in Southern elegance and powered by creative expression, this signature event is designed for everybody, where style is a statement, culture is celebrated, and connection takes center stage.

As an official Road to ESSENCE Festival activation in partnership with ESSENCE Communications, Inc., A Fine & Dandy Affair™ firmly places Montgomery on a national stage, aligning with cultural tastemakers and defining what's next. From dynamic daytime experiences that will inform, empower, and energize to an unforgettable evening gala that defines elegance, influence, and cultural presence, this event is not just a gathering. This is a defining moment in Montgomery's future as we celebrate the past and position ourselves for the future as a destination in the South for tourism, culture, and economic growth.

A DAY OF STYLE, CULTURE, AND CONNECTION CULMINATING IN AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING GALA.

YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED TO

A FINE & DANDY AFFAIR™

What Is A Fine & Dandy Affair™?

A Day of Culture, Creativity, Empowerment, and Community

Spend the day at the Community Affair exploring immersive experiences designed to inspire and connect. This 7 am - 1 pm daytime experience invites guests of all ages to engage with Montgomery’s creative energy in a vibrant, welcoming setting - and even better, it's free! The evening will culminate in the main ticketed event, a 7 pm –11 pm signature gala where guests should arrive in their finest green-colored dandy attire.

Community Affair | Saturday, May 16

FREE to the public

Fine & Dandy Wellness Walk/Run | 6:30 AM - 8:30 AM - Alabama State University

Join First Lady Tamika Reed and celebrity entrepreneur, author, and TV personality Toya Johnson for a 30-minute warm-up before an invigorating Walk/Run on the historic HBCU campus.

Health + Wellness | 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Workshop #1 Minds Matter: Mental Health & Wellness in Our Community, Breaking Stigma & Building Access

Workshop #2 Health Equity in the Deep South: Maternal Health, Access & The Fight for Wellness in Our Community

Visit with vendors, feast on delicious food, listen to great music, engage children in activities, and hear advice on how you and your loved ones can live healthy, happy lives. Workshops feature multi-hyphenate experts such as Brandy Taylor of the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Dr. LaToya Clark of The Jackson Clinic Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dr. Mirica "Mimi" Sanders of Married to Medicine, Monica Simpson of SisterSong, with moderators Jazzy McBee of The Big Tigger Morning Show on V-103 (WVEE), Dr. Joyce Loyd-Davis of ASU Health Services, and Walter and Tasha Carter of Maximized GrowthLLC.

From 10 AM – 12 PM, enjoy a 97.9 JAMZ live broadcast from the location—amplifying the vibe and turning the whole experience into a citywide celebration of art, music, culture, and civic pride.

Wealth, Entrepreneurship + Tech | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Workshop #1 Building the Beauty Business: From First Step to Scale

Workshop #2 Building Wealth That Lasts

Attend workshops and interact with vendors to learn how to maximize your wealth, sustain and grow your business, market your brand, utilize new technology, and more before garnering inspiration from experts such as Cynthia Bailey of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Ella Howard of EyePop, Taliah Waajid of Taliah Waajid Brand, and Dr. Jatali Bellanton of Brilliant Minds Unite. For those in need of an update or without one – FREE head shots will be taken! Afterward, enjoy a mouthwatering lunch from one of Montgomery's homegrown vendors.

Youth Entrepreneurship Roundtable | 12:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Workshop Starting a Business Young

Learn from youth entrepreneur Railyn Holt of A Rai of Sunshine about her journey to becoming her own boss. From building her brand to creating and executing a business plan to gaining confidence and leadership, this dynamic 14-year-old, featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show, will educate and enthrall other hopeful young entrepreneurs with her experience.

The Main Event: The Gala - A Fine & Dandy Affair™

From 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, the celebration transforms into an elevated evening experience. Guests are encouraged to arrive in their finest green-colored dandy attire, embracing bold fashion, individuality, and timeless style. Hosted by actress, model, and TV personality Eva Marcille, the evening will feature gourmet food experiences, live music from the Souled Out band, live performances from singers, songwriters, and actors Lloyd and Tamar Braxton, live art demonstrations from Montgomery creatives, and hand-crafted awards for local community members who have made a tremendous cultural impact. There may be surprises – you won’t want to miss this cultural moment!

Part of the Road to ESSENCE Festival of Culture

As an official stop on the Road to ESSENCE Festival, Montgomery joins a national movement celebrating culture, creativity, and community.

This partnership with ESSENCE Communications, Inc. connects A Fine & Dandy Affair™ to one of the most influential cultural platforms in the world, amplifying local voices while welcoming visitors to experience Montgomery in a new way. Read more about the partnership here.