Category Archives: 35203

Malcolm’s Reading Room

Malcolm’s Reading Room books

The newest kid on Birmingham’s book selling block is Malcolm’s Reading Room (404 17th St. North) located in the ground level of the historic Masonic Temple building off of 4th Avenue North. Malcolm’s Reading Room is billed as an African-American bookstore – the banners, t-shirts and colors make obvious after stepping through the door. But after spending a few short minutes with co-owner Simone Snelling, one gets the feeling that the store is about something more… passion.

A passion for all things revolutionary and thought provoking.

“We’re going to focus on books about African-Americans and by African-Americans, ” said Snelling. “But we’re also going to offer books on the women’s rights [movement], the Middle East, Che Guevara, music by independent musicians and art by local independent artists. Really, we’re looking for revolutionary things.”

Snelling says she and her husband, co-owner Courtney Snelling, always had the dream of opening a bookstore when they finally got their big break about a year ago.

“My husband was visiting Chicago, which is where he’s from,” said Snelling. “He ran across a going-out-of-business sale at a bookstore and that’s where our first big section of books came from.” She said that first haul netted the couple nearly 500 books and they haven’t looked back since.

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Got plans this weekend? 12.14 – 12.16

Zoolight Safari signageBaby it’s cold(er) outside. Just in time for the Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo. I like Christmas, I like the holiday season and I really, REALLY like me some lights, which means I’m so going to the zoo like a dozen times starting tonight. And I can because it’s open 15 nights – December 14-23 and 26-30 from 5-9 p.m. Besides the half a million lights, there’s a light show with music, crafts for the kids at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo, Santa and snow. Snow? Yes, the zoo claims to be “the only place in Birmingham where it snows every night.” That I’ve got to see. And since I’m going to want to see it again and again, it’s a good thing I’m a member. Members get in free, so now is a great time to join and support your local zoo. Regular admission is $7 and everyone pays to ride the train.

Here’s some fine print: The zoo will be closing at 4 p.m. on Zoolight Safari days. Animal exhibits will be closed during the event. Continue reading

BCRI earns national award for community service

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was recently recognized as a recipient of the 2007 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for the extraordinary public service among libraries and museums, awarded by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The award, formerly known as the National Award, it includes a $10,000 award and a shiny new medal to recognize “their extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions.”

BCRI was one of ten institutions to receive the 2007 award; nominations for the 2008 are already being accepted (they’re due in February).

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 Taste of 4th Avenue excitement

The 4th Ave Jazz Festival crowd

Photo credit: Chris Denbow/PhotoMojo.info

This is the scene along 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham during the annual Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival on Saturday evening. Terminal contributor/photographer Chris “Mojo” Denbow has more images from the event on his blog.

FYI: If you want to help us cover events and submit photos to us, there are two ways to do so. You can either send your photos to info@bhamterminal.com with photo submission in the subject line. If you’re a member of Flickr, you can tag your images bhamterminal and add them to The Terminal Flickr Group. We’ll also be starting to display the Magic City Flickr Group’s Photo of the Week on our front page in the near future. You may want to submit your photos to them too.

Don’t forget: Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival today

Taste of 4th logo

If you’re still deciding on something to do today and the other options don’t sound very tempting, the annual music festival takes place in the city’s 4th Avenue historic district. Click here to read Mojo’s post from earlier in the month talking about the festival.

Get Downtown returns tomorrow

Get Downtown logoLast month was just too hot to even think about doing anything outdoors, even if it was with promises of great music and good times. Well, tomorrow evening, September 20, Get Downtown will return to Birmingham’s city center. It’s perfect timing with the introduction of McWane Science Center’s Science Uncorked after hours series happening the same evening. Click here to learn more about this and other new adult after-hours events from our previous entry.

This month’s performers:

Peanut
Lost in the Ozone
Glenn Tolbert

This month’s event will also include a car show by the Mid-Alabama Corvette Club.

Check out the event’s website and keep in mind that if you can’t make it tomorrow night that the September event has been rescheduled for November, meaning that you have two more chances to enjoy some cooler weather and good music.

A closer look at Artwalk 2007

We figured we should at least have some photos from last night’s Artwalk festivities in downtown Birmingham.

Enjoy!

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Photo credit: Bob Farley/f8photo

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.

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!