Design Review Committee disapproves replacement "Sign"
The Terminal: Ten Years Later
It’s a spooky, spooky place out at Sloss. Apparently, the supernatural activity is known to heat up in September and October. Special to The Terminal
Monthly Archives: August 2007
Travel options:Red Dot gallery opening tonight
Gallery owners Dori Decamillis and Scott Bennett in their Homewood Studio. Bob Farley/f8photo
A grand re-opening celebration lost in the shuffle of all of the larger events taking place this evening is the one for Red Dot Gallery. The gallery and teaching space was located near Pepper Place and is now settling in to its new home in Homewood. Check out their site for more information about the facility and head on over and talk to Dori and Scott.
The fun starts at 6 p.m. for those looking for a slightly more relaxed way to spend your Friday evening.
There’s always time to vote for your favorite bar!
It’s been years since The Garage made it onto GQ’s list of “The World’s Best Places To Fly To”. Now, they and three other local bars are preparing for a similar fate at the hands of Esquire magazine as they vie to be voted one of the Best Bars in America for 2007:
Click on any of the links above, slide the rating meter to 100% and make your voice heard! Visit the complete list to view the current rankings.
Editor’s note: modified from original post on Musings on Birmingham, 8.2.2007
Posted in 35205, 35222, alabama, birmingham
A Helping Hand In Paw
Hand In Paw’s (HIP) seventh annual “Picasso Pets” is not your average art show. This year, 18 local dogs and 2 cats have taken time out of their busy romping and napping schedules to become collaborative artists with some of the finest painters in Birmingham. Using their paws, tails, and-in the case of one very mellow longhaired dachshund-their whole bodies, these treasured pets are doing their best to help raise money for the therapy programs HIP has pioneered in Birmingham. The roster of human artists (which reads like a “Who’s who” in Alabama art) work with the marks made by the pets to develop surprisingly sophisticated landscapes, Warhol-esque portraits, and not-so traditional folk art paintings.
Since 1996, the Birmingham-based group HIP has made sure that people in need will always have a furry friend nearby. HIP has spent the last decade pairing “Pet Partner” teams of human volunteers and their beloved pets with various social services, hospitals and shelters. When you think about how much unconditional love the average family dog radiates, it becomes easy to imagine how much solace a troubled child or lonely senior might find in an interaction with a friendly pet.
But like all good things, Hand-In-Paw needs lots of resources to do their work. A recent trip to HIP’s offices on 7th Avenue South revealed an office in full charity-gala preparation mode.
Posted in alabama, birmingham, events
By the Sea, by the Beautiful Sea
Wouldn’t a nice evening by the sea feel nice in these 100+ temperatures? While we can’t bring the Gulf any closer, we can enjoy Sea Shanties for the American South, an evening of readings and musical performances at Rojo tonight, August 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event features Chicago musical duo Cup ‘n String, Chicago writer C.T. Ballentine, Birmingham author (and Lemon Puppy editor) Michael Tesney, Birmingham-based novelist and THE2NDHAND co-editor Todd Dills, and Susannah Felts, another local writer whose first novel debuts in May 2008. For details visit THE2NDHAND events page.
Posted in 35205, alabama, birmingham, literary
An “unseen” side of Spider Martin’s work
Spider Martin’s Unseen Sixties reveals a side of the nationally known photographer that many didn’t know existed. Best known for his Civil Rights era photographs, Martin was a prolific photographer with an extensive and varied portfolio. In addition to his freelance work with McCall’s and other national magazines (some of which is featured in the current show), Martin also spent time working at both The Birmingham News and Birmingham Magazine as a contributing photographer.
It was during Martin’s time as a photojournalist for The Birmingham News that he took his now famous photographs of events taking place during the civil rights movement. Weaving in and out of the crowd, Martin captured the faces and events of that turbulent period with skill and artistry. Many of the images were sent out on the wire, better received in other states than they were in his home city. Martin later became a freelancer, doing commercial photography for McCall’s, Women’s Wear Daily and even Playboy.
Posted in 35205, alabama, art, birmingham
Big Julie’s Boom Boom Cocktail Room and Debate Club: A look inside
Editor’s note: This story was submitted by Mark Kelly.
It started as an occasional after-work gathering, two or three guys bringing guitars to strum between swigs of beer and the resolution-or at least diagnosis-of the world’s problems. Then this person would invite that person, who might bring another person, who might be a singer or a flautist or just a damn good spectator. By the time the third harmonica player started showing up, it was a full-fledged happening, a semi-regular Monday evening hootenanny in the heart of the heathen wilds of Forest Park.
Having allowed things to progress to such a state, the proprietor decided a name was in order, and since this particular proprietor is in no way reticent, no one was surprised when he decided there was no more fitting namesake than his own self. Thus was christened Big Julie’s Boom Boom Cocktail Room and Debate Club.
[mygal=boom-boom]
Posted in 35222, alabama, birmingham, music
Winner of 2ndHand/Artwalk short story competition announced
The 2NDHAND/ArtWalk short story competition winner has been announced. Nadria Tucker, a creative writing masters degree candidate at UAB, will have her winning piece, “318,” published in a special edition of the Chicago/Birmingham based literary broadsheet in August and have the opportunity to read the piece at an as of yet unnamed location during ArtWalk’s annual downtown festival on September 7.
“318,” a blend of southern Gothic and coming-of-age narrative, tells the tory of 16-year-old Ebony’s preparations for a beauty pageant she is sure to lose. Lessons learned, or lack thereof, along the way fill the ride with moments of beauty and sorrow.
Other people reading that evening include Chicago-based novelist and books editor at Time Out Chicago Jonathan Messinger, contest runner-up and Alabama School of Fine Arts instructor T.J. Beitelman, and THE2NDHAND editor Todd Dills.
Day of the Dead T-shirt Designs sought
Bare Hands Gallery sent out a notice earlier today via their MySpace profile letting folks know that they’re looking for potential designs for t-shirts to sell at their annual El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival in November. After the jump readers will find some of the guidelines for the submissions.
They have asked that designs be dropped off at the gallery, submit it via e-mail on MySpace or to wjarvis@barehandsgallery.org or sent in by regular mail. The designs are due Monday, August 20.
It will be the 5th annual festival, held this year on November 1 & 2.
Posted in 35233, alabama, art, birmingham, events
Artwalk’s seeking volunteers
The folks at Artwalk are putting out a call for volunteers. Check it out and don’t forget about their Preamble event later on this week:
Attention Birmingham Art Lovers,
We are seeking volunteers to help stage one of the most exciting events downtown every year… Artwalk 2007. Volunteers always have a good time at Artwalk and you know you are doing something worthwhile when you see young artists (80% of which are from Birmingham) selling their work. Plus, the event shows off downtown and all the work that goes on year-round to revitalize this area.
There are many ways to help and you can read about them at www.birminghamartwalk.org. Shifts are approximately 4-5 hours on Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8. Everyone receives training prior to the event (August 14 or August 21), a free t-shirt, and a pass to the After Party at Sloss on Sat. night.
If you are interested, fill out the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=q8tpSR0arlRkjTJdolr_2fUg_3d_3d
Thank you for your commitment to Birmingham and the arts!
