One of the best things about the annual Tournament of Roses parade, taking place tomorrow, is the number of volunteers that help create those beautiful floats. What does this have to do with Birmingham, you ask?

A quick drive through the Lakeview district of town had many businesses closed through New Year’s Day. All of them are taking some well-deserved rest, though the folks at Hothouse Design Studio provided one of the more interesting reasons indeed:

Just in case you’re wondering just what that means, check out this image of the Rain Bird Corporation’s float, entitled Preservation Celebration.

So don’t forget to check it out on TV tomorrow!

We here hope that all of you enjoy a Happy New Year!

The folks at Muse of Fire are preparing for their next performance of Shakespeare at Sloss. They are holding auditions for their Spring 2008 production, Macbeth. The full requirements are over on their website, www.shakespeareatsloss.com, (especially important if you plan on auditioning to be either Macbeth or Lady Macbeth) though we can at least tell you to start working on that short Shakespearean monologue that you’re going to perform on January 2.

You can set up another time for an interview by contacting Muse’s Elizabeth Hunter at muse@elizabethofnewyork.com.

Just in case you’re not planning to audition, tickets go on sale in March and the show goes on May 3 &4. Stay tuned.

Location:
WorkPlay
500 23^rd Street South (directions)

More information:
http://web.mac.com/ehunter777/MUSE_OF_FIRE/Auditions.html

The Two Tamales (Jan Hunter & Kristi Tingle Higginbotham) are considered the two ladies of Birmingham stage. The Virginia Samford Theatre’s website listing says that they’ll be performing songs from their classic routine for those in attendance on New Year’s Eve. The night will feature a performance by Euan Morton, currently appearing in Cyrano de Bergerac with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York until January 6^th.  So, it’s sounding like a great show to me.

Cost: $30

Location:
Virginia Samford Theatre
1116 26^th Street South (directions)

The Alabama Symphony is inviting you to ring in the New Year with them at the historic Alabama Theatre. The symphony’s musical director Justin Brown will lead the symphony in performances of the Strauss Family Waltzes. They promise a balloon drop, champagne toast, and masks.

Plus, you get to say you got to hang out in the Alabama on New Year’s Eve…

Cost: $15 - $65

Location:
Alabama Theatre
1817 3^rd Avenue North (directions)

The Birmingham Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance - Footmad - (otherwise known as the group formerly known as Birmingham Country Dance Society) plan to celebrate the arrival of 2008 with the music of Atlanta-based Footcape and the calling of Susan Davis.

They’re encouraging folks to “wear your glittery clothes” and bring your favorite New Year’s Eve treats. They’re starting an hour later than normal for those regulars, with .

Cost: $18 ($15 for Footmad members)

Location:
YWCA
309 23^rd Street North (directions)

You know the routine… celebrate the New Year in four different time zones (represented this year by New York, New Orleans, Jackson Hole and Los Angeles, CA. The folks at WorkPlay are promising full red-carpet treatment, complete with valet service, champagne toasts in each time zone, a smorgasboard of food options and (of course) party favors! Lava Lamp, The Blue Mules and Silk E. Smooth provide the musical entertainment.

Cost: $90

Location:
WorkPlay
500 23rd Street South (directions)

The Hats and Horns Societe will host their 7^th annual event New Years Eve Party at B&A Warehouse. Proceeds will benefit The Bell Center, The Junior League of Birmingham/Dollywood Imagination Library (scroll down) and the Alabama Child Caring Foundation (in keeping with their mission to raise funds for local charities that support women and children). Partygoers will enjoy a dinner buffet, a silent auction, an open bar with midnight champagne toast and music by Mother Mercy and Hashbrown. Cocktail Attire with black tie optional.

Cost: $100 in advance (online only) $150 at the door (if available)
Location:
B&A Warehouse
1531 1^st Avenue South (directions)

http://hatsandhorns.com/newyearseve2007.html