Monthly Archives: May 2009

got plans 2.0 | 5.29 – 5.31

Posted on May 29, 2009 by André Natta | 3 comments

Of course you know that tonight’s the night with the first Art on the Rocks of the season and the second Sound of Summer evening with the Symphony in Caldwell Park, but I’m thinking that most of you haven’t figured out that it’s just the first night of an awesome Birmingham weekend.

Birmingham’s (and Alabama’s) only gay and lesbian film festival, Birmingham SHOUT, runs it’s opening film Sissyboy tonight at 8 p.m., but be sure to get there early for the filmmaker reception at 6:30. WorkPlay is host to the two day festival that showcases “…features, documentaries and short films by new and established artists” while giving “attendees the opportunity to view topics of interest to the LGBT communities.” Be sure to check this event out and show some support for Birmingham’s gay and lesbian community.

…to give a quick run down of what else is happening this weekend: The Birmingham Urban League is having the Young Professional’s Throw Back Prom tonight at 8 p.m., tickets are $25 at the door.

Saturday stop by the Open Door Cafe for the 5^th Annual Mudbugs & Music Crawfish Boil benefiting Juvenile arthritis, checkout the details highlighted by NBC 13.

If you haven’t heard Manchester Orchestra, you need to, and to further emphasis that you need to go see them at Bottletree Sunday night. Speaking of Sunday, it doesn’t look like rain so that means kickball, check it out @gokickball.

I’ll be out of town overnight Saturday, but keep an eye on @J_Don, to find out about anything that I might have left out.

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Tagged Add new tag, AL, alabama, Art on the Rocks, birmingham, Birmingham Shout, Birmingham Urban League, film, kickball, Manchester Orchestra, Mudbugs and Music Crawfish Boil, Open Door Cafe, Throw back prom, weekend plans

got plans 2.0 | 5.22 – 5.24

Posted on May 22, 2009 by André Natta | Leave a comment

I was somewhat hard pressed to find events for this weekend. Luckily, it looks like I won’t go wrong with tonight’s Alabama Symphony Orchestra performance in Caldwell Park as the headliner for the weekend. As the opening night of the ASO’s Sounds of Summer event series, they’re mixing it up with Charlie Daniels Band. That’s going to be quite the show, can you imagine “Devil Went Down to Georgia” backed up by an orchestra. Maybe it’ll be kinda like this… just maybe, but probably not.

I digress… That’s not the only show tonight; if you hurry you may still be able to get one of the extra tickets to the sold out Brandi Carlile show at WorkPlay, which starts at 9, but if not head over to Speakeasy and stay up late for the American Aquarium show.

Find your way to Bottletree tomorrow to see ISIS and Pelican, and support local jazz legend Cleve Eaton at his Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame benefit on Sunday.

What else are you doing this holiday weekend?

Take a moment next week to support Cleve Eaton

Posted on May 19, 2009 by André Natta | 1 comment

Back in March I highlighted a benefit concert for local Jazz legend Cleve Eaton in a got plans post, and I’m about to do it again…

Later this month there’s going to be another round of shows to raise money to help with Cleve’s medical expenses related to his oral cancer therapy.

First up, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is hosting a benefit at the Carver Theatre on May 24. This evening of extraordinary jazz is headlined by the 18 piece Tommy Stewart Orchestra. Cleve is scheduled to perform, and there’s going to be a jam session open to all musicians. Interestingly enough, this is the first time that the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame has had the opportunity, or cause, to do this type of benefit for a living member. You will not be disappointed by this caliber of performance.

On May 28 head over to Ona’s Music Room for another performance benefiting Cleve with drink specials and appearances by Eric Essix as well as other local jazz talents.

Photo: Jazz Bassist Cleve Eaton (center) and the Alabama All-Stars. bpl/Flickr.

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Tagged AL, alabama, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, benefit, birmingham, cleve eaton, Eric Essix, fundraiser, information, jazz, medical, music, Ona's

got plans 2.0 | 5.15 – 5.17

Posted on May 15, 2009 by André Natta | 1 comment

It’s Do Dah Day weekend! If your reading this your essentially obligating yourself to take part in the festivities which begin tonight with a Do Dah Eve party at Nana Funks in Lakeview. Don’t enjoy yourself too much though because tomorrow’s festivities kick off with the pet parade at 11ish. From there the music will be going strong throughout the weekend. Check out the schedule here.

If I’m counting right Birmingham has offered up three consecutive weekends of art events. Sunday’s Arty Party (the BAO’s annual fundraiser) at the B&A Warehouse looks to be an excellent event for local connoisseurs, with over 200 pieces being auctioned throughout the evening. Tickets are $50.

Be sure to head over to Pepper Place tomorrow morning between 7 a.m. and noon for the first day of the farmer’s market. Don’t fret too much if you miss it though, it’ll be going strong every Saturday through October. André’s got some additional information about it on the Newsstand.

As for the rest of what’s going on (Where are the Shows!!!) I’m going to try something different this weekend. Be sure to keep an eye on my twitter profile, @J_Don, and the comments to this post as I’m going to suggest things to do throughout the weekend. Whether it’s what bar to check out Saturday night, which restaurant you should consider for Sunday brunch, a show or two, or even a friendly kickball game, I’ll be filling in the details.

Remember if you’ve read this your obligated to go to Do Dah Day!

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Tagged @J_Don, AL, alabama, bao, birmingham, Do Dah Day, farmers market, Got plans?, information, twitter, weekend plans

An evening of fun at the Alys Stephens Center

Posted on May 14, 2009 by André Natta | Leave a comment

Let’s say you’re not quite sure of what you want to do this evening. One suggestion may be to head over to the Alys Stephens Center this evening and making a night of it.

First, at 5:30 p.m., you can enjoy a free performance by The Martini Shakers as part of their After Work and Outdoors series. While you’re their mingling, you may want to run in and purchase a ticket or two for tonight’s dress rehearsal of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra‘s Masterworks season finale, a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, beginning at 7 p.m. Those tickets are only $10/person ($7 for students). Of course tickets are still available for Sunday’s performance as well.

Not too bad for an evening of fun on the fly…

City Stages unveils online schedule, new acts

Posted on May 12, 2009 by André Natta | 5 comments

We haven’t done much digging through City Stages‘ new online calendar – yet – but considering that they’re using sched.org to maintain it, it is bound to be a useful tool for folks planning to attend this year’s edition of the music festival held in Birmingham’s city center. You’ll be able to send the schedule to your phone, subscribe to a calendar ICS feed and even merge schedules so you know where your friends are headed.

They’ve also added a new act to the lineup – local favorite Wild Sweet Orange will now be gracing The Discovery Stage on Friday evening, June 19 starting at 9 p.m., serving at the opening act for Plain White T’s. There’s no mention of the headliner’s appearance on their site, but it wouldn’t be a surprise either…

Jane’s Addiction is not included in the listings, nor is their performance listed on their upcoming tour dates. There is word though that Perry Farrell injured (actually tore) his calf muscle Sunday while performing in Atlanta’s Lakewood Amphitheatre. He’s still planning on performing tonight in Austin, TX.

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Tagged calendar, city stages, Jane's Addiciton, launch, music, online, Plain White T's, sched.org, schedule, Wild Sweet Orange