Category Archives: citywide

Whitney Duncan shoots video at Sloss

Posted on May 8, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Whitney Duncan at Sloss - Bob Farley/f8Photo

Bob Farley/f8photo

Whitney Duncan, a country singer and former contestant on television show Nashville Star produced music videos for three songs – “Right Road Now,” “Open Road” and “When I Said I Would” – in Birmingham this past week. Wednesday night the Bessemer-based production company Erwin Brothers, shot scenes at Sloss Furnaces. About 200 extras were on hand to play adoring fans and concert goers for the video accompanying her song “When I Said I Would.”

Click on the image above to view images from the video shoot last night. In one scene Duncan signs autographs for a crush of her fans. In the other she and her band perform on the Sloss stage. The single and video for “When I Said I Would” is due out this summer. Duncan records on the Warner Bros. label.

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Posted in 35222, citywide, music

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The Big Read’s Big Kick-Off

Posted on January 14, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Today, the balloons were bought and the were cakes cut in honor of this year’s Big Read. Libraries across Birmingham have activities planned all day to help build awareness and participation in Project Mockingbird, which is the library systems push to get all of Jefferson County reading Harper Lee’s classic To Kill A Mockingbird. Think of it as “one county, one book” kind of a reading plan.

Events and features are planned all the way through this summer. Including a “Read it Forward” program where 1,500 copies of To Kill A Mockingbird will randomly be placed around the county, for people to stumble upon read and pass on.

You can keep up with the project here, and download free gfx, wallpaper and podcasts here. If you are wondering where the nearest launch party is today, check out the JCLC’s calendar page.

{trav blogs regularly at {head}:sub/head, about reading, publishing, books and Birmingham.}

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Posted in birmingham, books, citywide, literary

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Got plans this weekend? 12.21 – 12.23

Posted on December 21, 2007 by | Leave a comment

This edition of Got plans really should have a subtitle – what to do with all that family coming in town. With Christmas on a Tuesday this year, many people are starting their celebrations as soon as they get off work tonight. If it’s your turn to host the out-of-towners, don’t fear. There is more to do than look at the naked guy on the mountain.

Idea One: Holiday movies at the Alabama Theatre, located at 1811 Third Ave. North in downtown Birmingham. Friday night (7 p.m.) watch the cat fry in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) see three holiday cartoon favorites — “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town.” Saturday night (7 p.m.) dream of “snow, snow, snow” with Bing and Rosemary in “White Christmas.” Tickets are $7 for adults/$6 for senior citizens and children under 12. Available at the box office one hour before showtime.

Continue reading →

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Posted in birmingham, citywide, events, weekend plans

What to do when you’re in town waiting for a bowl game

Posted on November 29, 2007 by | 4 comments

As promised, we’ve started a list of things for folks visiting during this year’s PapaJohns.com Bowl to do when they’re not out tailgating and cheering on their respective teams.

Feel free to add on (we’re hoping that you do):

There’s also some great food options too (especially since you love barbecue) – Full Moon, Dreamland, Golden Rule and Jim n Nick’s are the “big names” but there are others. You can head on over to Bhamdining.com to get some more information about what options exist.

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Posted in alabama, birmingham, citywide, events, sports

Local artist takes art reviews into her own hands

Posted on September 24, 2007 by | Leave a comment

One thing that many would say is missing from our local art scene is a more divers offering of reviews.

Local artist M. Blue Horn decided that she’d do something about it. She’s started recording podcasts on her personal site reviewing various art shows. The first one that we’ve stumbled across is one about the recent East Atlanta Village Strut two weekends ago. The show was part of a larger running event for the community, entering its 10th year.

Take a listen (it’s the one on top) and let us, and M. Blue, know what you think…

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Posted in alabama, art, birmingham, citywide, reviews

New Adventures After Hours

Posted on September 19, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Art on the Rocks was apparently just the beginning. Have you noticed the current flood of after-hours adults-oriented events at the city’s cultural institutions? It’s a great way to introduce people to some of Birmingham’s gems–and each other.

Science UncorkedThis Thursday, McWane Science Center unveils Science Uncorked, featuring organic beer, food, music, and the film An Inconvenient Truth.

Next Thursday, the Birmingham Zoo gets in on the act with Wine Down at the Zoo, which also features drinks, food, and music – and the added attractions of twilight zoo tours and animal walkabouts.

ASC Social ClubUAB’s Alys Stephens Center has the ASC Social Club, which is throwing a pre-party before the Cuban band Tiempo Libre kicks off the new season of performances this Friday.

On Sunday, September 30, Vulcan Park launches its second season of Vulcan AfterTunes fall concerts.

Cocktails logoAnd don’t forget about Sixteenth and Sixth at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Cocktails in the Gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Check out all the links for details for each event, including hours, costs, and how to buy tickets (or just keep track of what’s coming up next on the calendar on our front page).

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Posted in alabama, birmingham, citywide, culture, events

It’s Member Day across The Magic City

Posted on July 14, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Member Day logoToday several of our cultural institutions are taking part in the Member Day event here in Birmingham. Members of 14 arts & cultural groups around the metropolitan area recently received tickets via U.S. Mail.

With that ticket or a valid membership card, members have free entry all day long to any participating location, including McWane Science Center, Birmingham Zoo, Vulcan Park & Museum and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

If you’re not a member, you can still join at any of the participating sites during the day to gain access. This schedule gives you an overview of all of the day’s activities. The event, formerly called A Day for Discovery, is a great way to become familiar with the region’s offerings.

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Posted in alabama, birmingham, citywide, events

Some ideas for July 4th

Posted on July 2, 2007 by | Leave a comment

So what is there to do on July 4th this year?

Here are just some of the things that we know are available to do in the metro area on July 4th:

Thunder on the Mountain

If you want to watch the fireworks originating from Red Mountain, just plop yourself down somewhere that you have a view of Vulcan. Getting up to Vulcan will mean heading out early. Otherwise, just be sure you’re not blocking traffic and you should be good to go.

The only way to watch Thunder on the Mountain if you’re easily able to view him will be via Fox 6 beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday evening.

UAB Summer Band performance, Bartow Arena

You could also take in a performance by the UAB Summer Band and perhaps buy a chance to conduct the band during their July 4th concert the lawn adjacent to Bartow Arena. Cost: Free.

American Village Laser Light Show

For a simpler, less explosive thing to do this year, you could drive down to Montevallo and take in the laser light show at American Village (after enjoying a fun-filled day of activities). Cost: $5, veterans and active military personnel admitted free.

Barons vs. Jacksonville Suns, Regions Park

If you’re not going to the Kid Rock concert yet still want to be around a lot of people watching an event, you can always go cheer on our Birmingham Barons as they play the Jacksonville Suns at the Reg. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. And they’re fireworks scheduled for afterwards. So there’s an outside chance that if the game’s played fast enough, you could see two different fireworks displays in one night!

Plus, kids will get a chance to see Bob the Builder courtesy of McWane Science Center.

There’s bound to be more, but we just wanted to give you an idea of what’s available.

Enjoy.

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Posted in birmingham, citywide, events

And the winning haiku is…

Posted on June 24, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Here’s the winning entry from the haiku contest held during the event. The winning entry was submitted by Becky Williams.

The entry was based on Lane Finch’s photograph Pastel Rose:

A pastel rose wilts
In the heat of summer
The photo lives on

Williams won $25 in Artwalk Donor Dollars to be used on art purchases at this year’s festival, to be held Sept. 7 & 8. Continue reading →

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Posted in artwalk, birmingham, citywide, contests