Andre Natta/bhamterminal.com

Here’s the view from our spot at Do Dah Day in Caldwell Park. If you haven’t left the house just yet, you still have time to find us today sharing some tent space with Black & White and ArtWalk. We’re next to those guys from Fox 6 next to the stage. Stop on by and say hi…

Bob Farley/f8photo

Those that visit Five Points South may notice a new occupant in the space that formerly housed a Gap and Seaside, FL based-Quincy Art Shop.

Fire + Ice Improvisational Grill officially opened yesterday afternoon after inviting some folks to try out their newest location (and first in the Southeastern U.S.) on Saturday evening. Additional locations are planned for Dubai and Panama later this year.

Guests were treated to a sneak peek event of what the restaurant has to offer. We could write about the place, the lively atmosphere and the food, but we figured why not just share some images taken by Bob Farley at the event.

We also wouldn’t mind a comment or two from folks that have already tried it out to let us know what you think…

Do Dah Day celebrates 29 years of fun and good causes on May 17. The annual festival, which has raised more than $500,000 since 1992 for Jefferson County animal shelters is one of the city’s most cherished springtime events. Festivities include the annual parade (it starts at 11:01 a.m.) as well as music and fun in Caldwell & Rhodes Parks in Birmingham’s Highland Park neighborhood. They can always use more volunteers for the event as well. Don’t forget about the crowning of the Do Dah Day king and queen on the 16th at Do Dah Eve!

Cost: $0

Location:
Caldwell & Rhodes Park
Map showing location of parks in relation to start of parade - Google Maps

This performance by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is part of their Red Diamond Family Concert series, part of their 10^th anniversary celebration.

Christopher Confessore will lead the symphony in a celebration of the music of American composer Leroy Anderson. The performance will include some of his most popular pieces - The Syncopated Clock, The Typewriter and Classical Juke Box.

Pre-concert festivities will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $14/adults; $7/children - purchase tickets here

Location:
Alys Stephens Center - Jemison Hall
1200 10^th Avenue South (directions)

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 Alys Stephens Center will be filled with “the rapturous sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus” as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Concert Chorale perform Handel’s Messiah.

Cost: $15 - $65; purchase tickets online or by calling 205.251.7727.

Location:
Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Hall
1200 20th Avenue, South (directions)