Author Archives: André Natta

Take a moment next week to support Cleve Eaton

Posted on May 19, 2009 | 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…

Jazz Bassist Cleve Eaton and the Alabama All-Stars, bplonline/FlickrLater 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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got plans 2.0 | 5.15 – 5.17

Posted on May 15, 2009 | 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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An evening of fun at the Alys Stephens Center

Posted on May 14, 2009 | 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…

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City Stages unveils online schedule, new acts

Posted on May 12, 2009 | 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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got plans 2.0 | 5.8 -5.10

Posted on May 8, 2009 | Leave a comment

I’m just doing a quick list this week, mainly because it’s hard to type with two possibly broken fingers (I crashed my bike).

Nonetheless it’s a good highlight of what the city’s offering this weekend. Add to it if we’ve left anything out…

Enjoy!

Sarah Mac

Friday

@ O’Kafes!

Music of Led Zepplin with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Saturday

@ Sloss Furnaces

8 p.m.

TICKETS:

$28 standing/$40 seated

Art Feast ’09

Saturday

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Avondale Park

Birmingham Art Fair

FREE!!

Saturday & Sunday

@ the Summit

Sweeny Todd

Saturday and Sunday

Special 2nd Saturday and Mother’s Day Performances

Cabaret Theatre

Presented by Red Mountain Theatre Company

Jimmy Herring Band

Sunday

8 p.m.

@ WorkPlay

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ONB Magic City Art Connection this weekend!

Posted on April 22, 2009 | 1 comment

mccThis year the ONB Magic City Art Connection (MCAC) is celebrating 26 years. It will take place April 24 – 26 at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham, going from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day.

For those not familiar with MCAC, it is a free contemporary art festival that will showcase more than 200 exhibiting artists, children’s art activities, music, food and other great events.

If you join their Facebook group you can find out about their Twitter contest, where they are giving away tickets for their prestigious Corks and Chefs food and wine tasting event that will be held during the festival (a $30 value).

Get into downtown and check out lots of great art this weekend!

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This American Life live streams into theaters Thursday

Posted on April 21, 2009 | 1 comment

Last year, Ira Glass took his Chicago Public Radio-produced radio series, This American Life, to the big screen so to speak. He performed a live stage version of the popular public radio show in Chicago and had it beamed digitally to screens across the country. Last year’s edition was so well received, he’s doing it again.

This American Life Live graphic - courtesy of official websiteThis Thursday, more than 400 theaters, including three within driving distance of Birmingham, will invite fans of the show to enjoy it (as it is performed in New York) in high definition with surround sound, complete with a musical performance by Joss Whedon and a story told via Post-It Notes by Starlee Kine.

Glass was recently interviewed by the Chicago Tribune in advance of a live performance at the Chicago Theater – a dry run for Wednesday’s event if you will. If you miss the performance on the 23rd, you may be able to check out an encore presentation on May 7.

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got plans 2.0 | 4.17 – 4.19

Posted on April 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

Palahniuk wrote that, “…the only reason why we ask other people how their weekend was is so we can tell them about our own weekend.” That’s not necessarily true. If you set out on this weekend’s got plans adventure your going to be so giddy come Monday your going to be telling strangers on the street about your weekend because… well, because it’s just going to be that good.

Continue reading →

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More new restaurants open on 280

Posted on April 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

Bogue's RestaurantAs far as we can tell, Birmingham’s restaurant industry has chosen not to participate in the current recession. Two weeks ago we told you about the new Tilted Kilt pub opening in the old Copeland’s building; now I’ve noticed a few more restaurants opening including the opening of a new Bogue’s Restaurant along Hwy 280, joining locations on Clairmont Avenue and Oxmoor Road.

Bogue’s is one of Birmingham’s oldest restaurants and is known for its great meat and veggie-style comfort food. The new location on Hwy. 280 next to Chipotle Grill in Inverness. Continue reading →

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got plans 2.0 | 4.10-4.12

Posted on April 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

Easter Egg. Svadilfari/FlickrI guess you could call this the Easter edition of got plans; that is if the Terminal did holiday editions of weekly posts, which I don’t think it does. To be honest I almost didn’t write one for this weekend with it being Easter and all.

A part of me figured that the most important thing our beleaguered post-modern generation could do this weekend would be finding our way to a church. Realizing that I wasn’t overburdened with guilt from my transgressions (but rather tormented by the hopes and expectations of the future), I came to my senses and felt that those who read my post might be carrying the same cross. Thus, I decided that like me others need the distraction that comes from a pre-packaged Terminal-approved Birmingham weekend.

The fun starts after the jump… Continue reading →

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