Design Review Committee disapproves replacement "Sign"
The Terminal: Ten Years Later
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.
Author Archives: André Natta
By the Sea, by the Beautiful Sea
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!
Vulcan After Tunes announces 2007 schedule
From the MySpace bulletin earlier today:
Birmingham’s unique music event returns this fall to Vulcan Park and Museum. This 3 part outdoor concert series features acts heard on Reg’s Coffee House, a weekly radio program heard in Birmingham Y94.5 FM.
Get ready for cool tunes, fresh brews, & sweet views!
No word on the acts (though their site has been updated to reflect the announcement), but based on last year’s shows, they should be incredible as always. Like last year all of the performances are on Sunday afternoons. We’ll update this post as the acts are announced. You could also check out their MySpace profile.
September 30
October 14
October 28
Posted in 35209, alabama, birmingham, music
Getting ready for the Artwalk Preamble
We’re getting closer to the sixth annual Artwalk festival on September 7 & 8 in downtown Birmingham. If you keep your eyes peeled you’ll be able to check out their redesigned website (it launched yesterday).
It also means that it’s almost time for the annual Artwalk Preamble, scheduled for August 9. This year’s fundraising event for the festival will be held at the Fanaei Building (2209 1st Avenue North) a new events facility in the city center. Music will be provided by the jazz group Triad and food will be courtesy of John’s City Diner and Cobb Lane Restaurant.
As always there will be both a live and silent auction held to raise monies for what is now one of the city’s newest non-profits. More than 100 pieces of artwork donated by participating artists will be available for attendees to bid on. The silent auction will remain open until 9 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and are available from the organization’s website.
Posted in 35203, art, birmingham, events
Art on the Rocks = Toga Party this August
That’s the plan for the August edition of the popular social event. Those that attend the August 24th event in a toga will have a chance to win a brand new red Vespa courtesy of Bogart’s Motor Sports.
It’ll be a day late recognition of the ancient Vulcanalia festival in honor of that big guy hanging out atop Red Mountain nowadays – Vulcan.
The folks over at the museum responsible for Art on the Rocks have provided information about how to make your own toga courtesy of their recent MySpace profile blog post:
Vulcan Performers open for Hairspray tonight
One of Birmingham’s newest dance companies, The Vulcan Performance Company will make their first public appearance this evening as the opening act for a movie.
The performance will take place before a screening of the new film Hairspray at the Rave Motion Pictures theater location in Hoover. The troupe will also be giving away tickets to their first show, taking place on August 18 (at the Carver Theatre), Hairspray soundtrack CDs and other prizes.
Seems like it would be a great way to spend the evening for those not wanting to deal with "Potter-mania".
Other links:
Vulcan Performers – Myspace profile
Posted in 35244, alabama, birmingham, dance/theater, hoover
