Author Archives: André Natta

Got plans this weekend? 9.5 – 9.7

Posted on September 5, 2008 | 1 comment

Yep, I’m out of sports cliches. So without any further witty banter, I’m just going to get on with it …

Friday, if you work downtown, stay downtown. If you don’t work downtown, forget the commute home and point your car downtown. It’s time for Artwalk, probably the third biggest event for downtown following Sidewalk and Magic City Art Connection. I used to live downtown so I really enjoyed seeing all the art in the lofts and office spaces right outside my door. They kind of design Friday night for the hip crowd with lots of music and folks looking cool. THE2NDHAND people take the stage at 7:30 p.m. with some strong readings. Saturday is the day to bring the kids as there is a special area just for them behind Space One Eleven. I like people watching on Saturdays because you can easily spot the folks that hardly ever come downtown. So the hours are Friday 5-10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 6 p.m. I would like to point out that our very own Terminal contributor Charles Buchanan will be somewhere on 1st Avenue North. Be sure to say hi. And wear your Terminal Tee if you have one. Don’t have one? We can fix that. Continue reading →

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Tonight, we have signal!

Posted on September 3, 2008 | Leave a comment

We Have Signal image - APTV

I will be at Bottletree tonight for the We Have Signal preview.

We’d never miss out on the opportunity to watch a rare union in Birmingham take place: good music and local TV.

There’s a reception — yay for popcorn and drinks — and the screening of the original series begins at 9 p.m. Afterwards, there will be a chance to ask the producers (J. and Matt Whitson) a few questions.

There’s going to be limited seating according to what APTV’s been saying, so get there early if you can. If you can’t make it, don’t worry; the series starts on TV in October.

Image: Alabama Public Television.

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In Love with: School Days and Dog Days

Posted on September 2, 2008 | Leave a comment

Growing up in Virginia, we had a law that school couldn’t start until the week after Labor Day. Apparently, the thinking went that high schoolers were a vital source of labor for the end-of-summer tourist boom at our historic sites and amusement parks, and thus should not be herded into school any earlier than need be. Why that applied to grade schoolers, I don’t know, but I blissfully reaped the benefits all 12 years that I could. So it’s mystifying to me that students here are already in their fourth week of school, and my teacher husband is gearing up to give his first test. What kind of topsy-turvy world are we living in where “Winter Hours” at the library start on August 17?

Because my internal schedule is so mixed up, I’ve had two warring desires in my brain. The first is to hurry and do all the summer stuff I missed out on this year. (Lounge at the pool! Drink mojitos on the patio! Visit friends at the lake!) The other is to buckle down and do something good for my brain, dammit, because it’s time to start thinking seriously again.

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Got plans this weekend? 8.29 – 8.31

Posted on August 29, 2008 | Leave a comment

Photo: IM000149. djxspike/Flickr.

The theme for this weekend is to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. That’s after we spent last weekend with Fay and before Gustav brings us more rain. And it’s Labor Day weekend, the last party of summer before we put away the white shoes and get out the sweaters. So grab your sunglasses, slather on the sunscreen and keep reading.

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Bottletree scores Oxford Collapse

Posted on August 25, 2008 | Leave a comment
Tonight, Brooklyn-based Oxford Collapse is playing Bottletree! These guys have toured with one of my Top 5 favorite bands, We Are Scientists, so that’s good enough for me. If you — like most intelligent people — aren’t an easily convinced fangirl, then you should listen to a few of their tracks and decide for yourself if you want to join in and show some Birmingham love to these guys.

They are here with Love is Laughter. For those of you that caught the Modest Mouse show in the Ham, you’ll remember these guys as the opening band. Described as “almost funk” and “very psychedelic”, I think I wanna give these guys a chance. Any band prefaced with that should be on my radar.

Details: Doors open at 8 tonight, but if you buy advance tickets before 6 p.m. today, you can save yourself 2 bucks. [$8 adv, $10 at the door] 18+

It’ll be rainy all week, so enjoy everything that this indoor show has to offer. I’ll be making an appearance, so see you guys there!

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Meet the Art Before ArtWalk

Posted on August 25, 2008 | Leave a comment

Photo: Checking out the art at last week’s Artwalk Preamble held at Rojo. Andrea Walker

For seven years, Birmingham has hosted ArtWalk, a juried art show that features all types of artwork on display for the public to enjoy and purchase. Each year, Artwalk organizers have held a Artwalk preamble fundraiser, to raise money for the event. However, this year organizers tried something different. Instead of just one night where donated art is showcased, it’s been broken down into four separate nights during the month of August. On each night, a different type of medium is on display. For instance, on this Thursday night at Rojo, participating artists contributed their photography.

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Who’s playing Stokin’ today?

Posted on August 23, 2008 | Leave a comment

Bob Farley photo of Stokin the Fire

Bob Farley/f8Photo

The Dexateens and Manchester Orchestra (click here to see their performance at Coachella) are both playing the Hog Wild Stage at Stokin’ the Fire tonight. So, go to Sloss Furnaces (now), stuff yourself something ridiculous full of BBQ and find a good seat to take in some of my favorite bands. Bob’s already staked it out and has the pics to prove it. We’ve even got one here from last night.

Ticket prices are like $15 for a day pass for adults and $5/child if your kids are into really good music and ribs. Man, that’s making me hungry!

Let’s hope the rain gets lost on the way into downtown today.

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Got plans this weekend? 8.22 – 8.24

Posted on August 22, 2008 | 2 comments

New for this week. In the comments, please tell me A. what you doing this weekend and B. what you already have on your calendar for September. Just curious … now on with the dispensing of free weekend advice.

The big deal this weekend is going to be out at Sloss Furances. It’s the fourth annual Strokin’ the Fire BBQ
and (newly named) Music Festival. If you like BBQ, you’ve already got your tickets. This is not your average backyard grilling (though there is an amateur competition); This is professionals who take their pork very, very seriously. And yes, there will be BBQ to eat and fun stuff for the kiddos. And while there has been music in the past, apparently the music is taking more of a center stage this year, hence the new “Music Festival” name. Headliners are Todd Snider and The Whigs. Day passes are $15 so you might as well pony up another $10 and get the weekend pass. Children (5-12) are $5 a day or $8 for the weekend. Under 5, free. Don’t forget parking, that’s another $3. Competition kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. with the entertainment beginning at 5. Saturday gates open at 11 a.m. Both nights, festival over at 11. I think that’s all the details I can possible give you for this event except to mention that Sloss can be located at 20 32nd St. North. But really, didn’t you already know that?

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Take a detour onto Arkadelphia

Posted on August 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

Arkadelphia - Photo by Jolyn Picard If you’re looking to chill out and enjoy some good old fashion rock and roll in the process, check out Speakeasy tonight. Here’s what happened with Whitney got together with the members of the headlining band for tonight’s show, Arkadelphia:

Growing up on the outskirts of the Western metro, I am very very familiar with Arkadelphia Road. For most folks, it means Birmingham Southern College, a corridor to Memphis and miles and miles of the country scenery Alabama is known for, but for me it’s home.

Same goes for the newest bassist for local band Arkadelphia, Justin. He’s a native of Curry (My kid sis is #31 for the Lady Jackets basketball team!) and was an excellent translator of my thick accent when I met up with him and the two founding members of Arkadelphia Wednesday night. Lead singer and guitarist Lee Baines III grew on Birmingham’s Southside and knows a thing or two about classic soul, country and rock & roll.  I don’t just say that, it’s in his voice. The southern hospitality, the white tee and cowboy boots and the Jerry Lee Lewis-esque swagger that he emits during performance is all very Alabama, in the best way possible. Drummer Ra-Jaan Parmely has been calling Birmingham home since his transplant from Sacramento, California eleven years ago. All of these guys are legendary in town for being vital players for bands like Duquette Johnston‘s Rebel Kings, Model Citizen, Dan Sartain‘s band and the Grenadines.

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a (mandatory) dance party

Posted on August 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

Let’s all be serious here. We love to dance, just not out on the street or, for that matter, anywhere in the general public. Maybe it’s just my gangly white femaleness, but still. ALAS! I think I met someone this week that will change my, err your, mind concerning all things “cuttin’ a rug” related.

Rebecca Davis started ROCK PAPER ROCK, a local booking agency that is responsible for a healthy percentage of Birmingham’s recent lucky streak when it comes to getting good bands (i.e. nationally known) to play our great city. She’s also a local girl who moved away, only to return with more love and affection for our great city. So, who better an ambassador to the indie music scene than her to introduce one of the best ideas I’ve heard about it a while?

KIDS GOT THE DISCO!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/A09PbCXYQsc" width="400" height="329" wmode="transparent" /]

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