Monthly Archives: October 2007

Got plans this weekend? 10.26-10.28

While Halloween isn’t until Wednesday, you can take your costume on a test-run at the Alabama Theatre tonight. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the Rocky Horror Masquerade Ball. You have until 8:15 p.m. to register for the costume contest. And while it would be more fun to dress as Brad or Janet, there is also a general category. After the judging, it’s time to sit back and watch the movie. Actually, you don’t just sit — there is a lot of audience participation. I suggest you read up on the do’s and don’ts. Tickets are $17 at the door.

Definitely if you have children, I think you should check out Art in Avondale Park Saturday. I’ve already written a bunch about it here. In case of rain, the festivities will be on Sunday. The event is free.

This is the last weekend to experience “The Phantom of the Opera” at the BJCC. The show’s run here ends Sunday. I’ve seen several touring products of Phantom and haven’t been disappointed yet. If you at all like musical theater, witness for yourself the power of the music of the night. Tickets run from $25-65.

For something to talk to fellow theatergoers about before the curtain rises, check out this Birmingham News article about Helena native Rebecca Luker’s turn as Christine.

If you can’t get enough Phantom, The Alabama is showing the original 1925 silent film at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for 12 and under. But I think you’ll have more fun if you leave the kids at home.

A creative day in Avondale on Saturday

Kids don’t need much but there are a few must-haves besides food, shelter and clothes. Fresh air is an example. Kids need to get outside to explore the world around them. It helps them grow and gives them exercise. Another example is a creative outlet. Kids, especially little ones, need a way to express themselves and sometimes they just don’t know the right words. Art expands their minds and fuels the imagination.

Art in Avondale Park poster

Lucky for kids of all ages, there is an event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that combines fresh air with creativity. The mission of Art in Avondale Park is “to inspire children to discover their talents.” They’ll be able to do just that through lots of hands-on activities placed around the park, located at the corner of 41st Street South and 5th Avenue South. There will also be music and dance, booths manned by well-known and emerging artists, a silent auction and more.

Details of the day’s activities after the jump. You can also click on the image to view the poster in PDF format.

Continue reading

Blue’s Reviews: Wendy Lovoy & Beth Maynor Young

Art reviewer M. Blue Horn has posted two new podcasts, which survey the work – and entrepreneurial ideas – of local artist Wendy Lovoy and explore a show of “conservation photographs” by Beth Maynor Young at Maralyn Wilson Gallery. Hear what Blue has to say on her site.

Got plans this weekend? 10.19-10.21

It’s Friday. That usually means it’s time to finalize weekend plans. And we say, it’s time for a Fiesta … Fiesta 2007 that is. October is Hispanic Heritage Month. Head downtown to Linn Park Saturday to celebrate all things Latino from noon to 8 p.m. Take the kiddies — through music, art, food and cultural activities, they’ll have fun learning about Latin American countries and won’t even realize it’s educational. Cost: Free.

Not all the traffic heading to Tuscaloosa Saturday will be for the early football game. At least a few of those cars will be navigating to the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Putting the highlight on folk and traditional crafts for 36 years, this art show has gained high status in the art community. Besides stuff to look at, there will be food, music and activities for the kids. Considering who Alabama is playing Saturday, we suggest you don’t wear orange.

Cost: $10 daily, children under 12 free. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

It’s not too late to get tickets for the Original Blue Brothers Band appearing at the Alys Stephens Center tonight. But if it is too late for you, one of the guys is hanging around town all weekend. Saxophone guru “Blue Lou” Marini will give a free jazz workshop at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame 10 a.m. Saturday. First come, first serve so don’t be late. Then Sunday, he’ll appear with members of the Magic City Jazz Orchestra and Night Fight Big Band to bring big-band sound to the Hall at 4 p.m. Cost: $10.

So what’s the local connection you ask? While “Blue Lou” has played with tons of stars over the years, it wasn’t until 2003 that he recorded his own work with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra backing him.

Just a quick mention. If you like … no, love motorcycles, Barber Motorsports Park is the place to be this weekend for the 3rd annual Vintage Festival. Get all the details here.

Don’t forget about Chip…

As we mentioned yesterday, Chip Simpson is already competing in the World Hamburger Eating Contest next weekend representing the Magic City. Joey Chestnut, considered the best eater in the world, is preparing to qualify this weekend in Tuscaloosa, so he was the one interviewed by The Birmingham News for today’s issue.

Check out this video to see the both of them in action. Chestnut and Simpson are both wearing gray shirts, with both of them standing near Eater X (the guy in the bra). Enjoy.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/uSISJHl-oco" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

WorkPlay hosts College Football Saturdays in the theater

WorkPlay College Saturdays

Photo credit: André Natta

SEC fans now have one more option to consider when figuring out where they’re going to watch a game as WorkPlay now hosts College Football Saturdays in the theater. The image above is from last week’s event as Alabama fans enjoy the view from the venue’s 25′ screen with HD projector and digital sound.

The seats in WorkPlay Stadium even include an Astroturf playing field and goalposts. Food will be on sale from OT’s Sports Grill. Doors open at 1 p.m., with the game beginning at 2 p.m. as #1 LSU plays at #17 Kentucky.

Cowboy Mouth will perform later tomorrow evening. Next week promises to be fun as well, with Alabama vs. Tennessee or Florida vs. Kentucky.

Got plans this weekend? 10.12 – 10.14

By Christina Tutor, assistant editor

There are tons of events this weekend to keep you busy. As brought to you every Friday, here are my top picks:

While the arrival for fall means football for most, to me it signals arts and crafts time. And while I hated to miss last weekend’s Bluff Park Art Show, there’s another one this weekend at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, 1973 Merryvale Road (but it faces Highway 31). The Vestavia Hills Art Association is putting on its 36th Annual Arts and Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It’s free to look but you’ll have to pony up to take anything home. And don’t worry — If you want to know the score, it will be easy to find.

There are two options for the crowd with kids to hear music in kid-friendly settings. Friday night catch The Newgrass Troubadours at Aldridge Botanical Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Cost is $10 nonmembers/$8 members. Kids under 12 free. Then Sunday afternoon head to Vulcan Park for the second installment in the Vulcan AfterTunes Concert series. Gates open at 1 p.m. with Anders Osborne taking the stage at 3.

Additional parking is available across Valley Avenue at Jefferson County Board of Education — shuttle provided. Cost: $8, children 4 and under and Vulcan Park Foundation members free. Both events encourage lawn chairs and blankets.

Sure it’s very similar to the Greek Fest held at the end of September, but can you really have too much baklava? The Middle Eastern Food Festival at Saint George Melkite Catholic Church, 425 16th Ave. South, runs through Saturday. The weather should be nice today so consider eating lunch away from your desk. Click on the link for menu.

So what did I miss? Put it in the comments and let other Terminal readers know.

A taste of Wild Sweet Orange

Well, for those of you that just read about Wild Sweet Orange on our front page (and even for those of you that didn’t) here’s a video of the band playing at the former Moonlight Music Cafe in Vestavia Hills.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/as_SmcOy1pg" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Blue’s Reviews: Lessel & Corbitt at Bare Hands

Local artist (and art critic) M. Blue Horn has posted a new podcast, reviewing Robin Lessel’s oil paintings of our fine feathered friends and Beverly Corbitt’s colorful glass works recently shown at Bare Hands Gallery on Birmingham’s Southside.

Take a listen, post a comment, and be sure to let Blue know if you hear of an art opening or exhibit she shouldn’t miss.

Taylor Hicks is making appearances

One is where you’d expect him, the other not so much.

Taylor Hicks - 2006

Photo credit: André  Natta

Apparently Mr. Hicks is currently being featured on TMZ (link to post via AOL, thanks to the reader submission) for his upcoming appearance at The Oaks housing development at Lake Guntersville. He’s scheduled to be there with several other celebrities on October 26 for a private dinner with people who have already purchased property in the development.

While the guys over there may be thinking that he’s hit rock bottom, the folks over at HDNet are assuming that his upcoming performance on the cable station this Sunday, October 7, at The Warfield in San Francisco will satisfy those that are looking forward to actually seeing him perform, though this review of the performance by Jim Harrington was not encouraging. But not as interesting as the comments made on that post.