Category Archives: alabama

Got plans this weekend? 11.16 – 11.18

Posted on November 16, 2007 by | 1 comment

I suggest you start the weekend off at The Nick (Rocks). Should be a good show tonight. I caught Dead Confederate at last year’s City Stages and though I hadn’t heard of them before, I liked what a heard. Reg of Reg’s Coffeehouse likes them so much, he stepped out of the booth to support the guys. Show is on paper to start at 10 p.m. but we know how that goes. Just plan on staying up really, really late. The Nick didn’t share a cost on their Web site so I can’t tell you either.

If you read this every Friday, you’re the best. Besides that, you’re starting to figure out that I really like telling you about The Bottletree. Them nice folks have been in business a year and have a great party planned Saturday to celebrate. The best part for me and the folks at my house, is that the first half of the party is a kid-friendly fall carnival with games. Second half will have some great music by The Hold Steady and Art Brut starting around 8.

Just like in years past here in the South, it has just now gotten cold. Right when I suggest you spend all night outdoors staring at the sky. Not because I’ve lost my mind, but because now is the best time to catch the Leonid meteor shower. So before you head home from your Saturday night activities, I suggest you head to Krispy Kreme, pick up some nice hot donuts and coffee, and find a nice SAFE dark spot to watch this free entertainment from the heavens.

P.S. Makes a great date, trust me. Here’s more info from the folks at Earth & Sky.

The Magic City is a big place so there’s lots happening around here. What are your plans? Tell us.

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Posted in alabama, birmingham, events, music

BCRI earns national award for community service

Posted on November 15, 2007 by | 1 comment

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).

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Posted in 35203, alabama, birmingham, culture, museums

Blue’s Reviews: Megan Kimber/Dia de los Muertos

Posted on November 13, 2007 by | Leave a comment

In one night earlier this month, art reviewer M. Blue Horn visited two very different art exhibits. Listen as she introduces you to the work of Megan Kimber, a new-to-Birmingham painter of fantastical images, at Nordys Gallery, then journeys a few blocks over to explore the Mexican fantasyland of Dia de los Muertos at Bare Hands Gallery.

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Posted in alabama, art, birmingham, reviews

Got plans this weekend? 11.09 – 11.12

Posted on November 9, 2007 by | 1 comment

If you haven’t been to Bottletree yet, what are you waiting for?! While I loved Moonlight Music Cafe and I think The Nick does indeed rock, this is my new favorite place to hang out and hear music. Because it’s providing a venue for acts that aren’t on the radio. And if you do happen to hear them on the radio, you only heard it because you’re listening to Reg on Sunday (Thanks Reg!).

This Saturday the main act is Rogue Wave. This band happens to be building some great momentum right now – Starbucks free song of the day, late night TV appearance, TV drama soundtracks. Catch them now and in a few years you could be saying, “… I remember those guys. I saw them play at this great venue in Birmingham and I only paid $10. Geez, their tickets now are outrageous.”

FYI, waiting to buy tickets is going to cost you 2 more bucks at the door.

The bar, cafe and venue is located at 3719 Third Ave. South.

Veterans Day is Sunday but there’s no mail or money on Monday. I’m of the opinion that regardless how I feel about the current situation in Iraq, anyone that was and is willing to take a bullet for me deserves my respect and thanks. World War II may not have been the same war as Vietnam, and Vietnam may not have been the same war as Iraq, but war is war. I’m not saying you need to change how you vote or give up all of your day off, but one way to show your support for the troops old and new is to cheer from the sidelines of the annual Veterans Day parade downtown Monday. It just happens to be the nation’s oldest and largest.

The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Here’s the route. And I was surprised to learn that this is not the only event organized by the non-profit National Veterans Day organization. They have a whole bunch of events planned for Sunday and Monday.

So what are you doing this weekend? Please share. I may want to join you.

P.S. Ha Ha. I was just looking around on the Bottletree Web site and I see that Reg’s Coffeehouse is actually presenting the Rogue Wave show. Keep up the good work Reg!

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Posted in alabama, birmingham, entertainment, events, music

Got plans this weekend? 11.2 – 11.4

Posted on November 2, 2007 by | Leave a comment

If you’re like me, you’re ready to get on with the weekend. So this will be short and brief with lots of links.

Tonight, it’s all about the art, or at least art galleries. Bare Hands Gallery is celebrating its 5th Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival tonight. On their website, scroll down to see the festival lineup that includes children’s craft time and live music. The event is free but they’d like to see a donation of $10. You can find the gallery at 109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South.

And we’ve heard from very reliable sources that there’s some impressive art hanging at Nordys Gallery. The opening reception for SCAD alum Megan Kimber is tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. Great thing about art is – if you’re just looking – it doesn’t cost anything to expand your mind. You can also learn some more about the plans that the gallery has in M. Blue Horn’s most recent review.

“Celebrating nature, open spaces and eco-ideas through art and design” is the theme of the Moss Rock Festival. It’s two days of food, music, art and kid’s activities at that groovy new Hoover subdivision you’ve been curious about. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event at The Preserve in Hoover is free and even has a free shuttle from Regions Park (formerly the Hoover Met).

I know I don’t have everything listed, so if there’s something else, comment down below.

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Posted in 35205, 35233, alabama, art, birmingham, hoover, reviews

Blue’s Reviews: Bruce Holwerda

Posted on November 2, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Ten shows spotlighting nine artists in ten weeks?

Nordys Gallery is taking up that challenge this fall, and art reviewer M. Blue Horn stopped by to check out the creations of one of the featured artists, painter Bruce Holwerda. What did she think of his work and the gallery? Find out in her latest podcast.

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Posted in 35233, alabama, art, birmingham, reviews

Got plans this weekend? 10.26-10.28

Posted on October 26, 2007 by | Leave a comment

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.

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Posted in 35203, 35222, alabama, birmingham, dance/theater, events, movies

A creative day in Avondale on Saturday

Posted on October 25, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Kids don’t need much but there are a few must-haves besides food, shelter and clothes. Fresh air is an example. Kids need to get outside to explore the world around them. It helps them grow and gives them exercise. Another example is a creative outlet. Kids, especially little ones, need a way to express themselves and sometimes they just don’t know the right words. Art expands their minds and fuels the imagination.

Art in Avondale Park poster

Lucky for kids of all ages, there is an event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that combines fresh air with creativity. The mission of Art in Avondale Park is “to inspire children to discover their talents.” They’ll be able to do just that through lots of hands-on activities placed around the park, located at the corner of 41st Street South and 5th Avenue South. There will also be music and dance, booths manned by well-known and emerging artists, a silent auction and more.

Details of the day’s activities after the jump. You can also click on the image to view the poster in PDF format.

Continue reading →

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Posted in 35222, alabama, art, birmingham, entertainment, festivals

Blue’s Reviews: Wendy Lovoy & Beth Maynor Young

Posted on October 22, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Art reviewer M. Blue Horn has posted two new podcasts, which survey the work – and entrepreneurial ideas – of local artist Wendy Lovoy and explore a show of “conservation photographs” by Beth Maynor Young at Maralyn Wilson Gallery. Hear what Blue has to say on her site.

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Posted in alabama, art, birmingham, reviews

Got plans this weekend? 10.19-10.21

Posted on October 19, 2007 by | Leave a comment

It’s Friday. That usually means it’s time to finalize weekend plans. And we say, it’s time for a Fiesta … Fiesta 2007 that is. October is Hispanic Heritage Month. Head downtown to Linn Park Saturday to celebrate all things Latino from noon to 8 p.m. Take the kiddies — through music, art, food and cultural activities, they’ll have fun learning about Latin American countries and won’t even realize it’s educational. Cost: Free.

Not all the traffic heading to Tuscaloosa Saturday will be for the early football game. At least a few of those cars will be navigating to the Kentuck Festival of the Arts. Putting the highlight on folk and traditional crafts for 36 years, this art show has gained high status in the art community. Besides stuff to look at, there will be food, music and activities for the kids. Considering who Alabama is playing Saturday, we suggest you don’t wear orange.

Cost: $10 daily, children under 12 free. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

It’s not too late to get tickets for the Original Blue Brothers Band appearing at the Alys Stephens Center tonight. But if it is too late for you, one of the guys is hanging around town all weekend. Saxophone guru “Blue Lou” Marini will give a free jazz workshop at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame 10 a.m. Saturday. First come, first serve so don’t be late. Then Sunday, he’ll appear with members of the Magic City Jazz Orchestra and Night Fight Big Band to bring big-band sound to the Hall at 4 p.m. Cost: $10.

So what’s the local connection you ask? While “Blue Lou” has played with tons of stars over the years, it wasn’t until 2003 that he recorded his own work with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra backing him.

Just a quick mention. If you like … no, love motorcycles, Barber Motorsports Park is the place to be this weekend for the 3rd annual Vintage Festival. Get all the details here.

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Posted in alabama, art, birmingham, entertainment, events, festivals, food, music