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NOTE: Originally posted on Musings on Birmingham, 5.24.2007.

According to the McWane Science Center’s website, it appears that our own domed IMAX theatre will soon get a first-run movie, coinciding with its theatrical release on July 13^th. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, of course, is the movie of which I speak.

I’m not the biggest Pott-head, but I think the movie will be unmatched on the big-bigger-biggest screen in town. Mark your calendars and watch for advance tickets sales.

Fandango can send you a FanAlert™ e-mail as soon as tickets for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are available in metro Birmingham.

Send me a FanAlert™.

Birmingham’s newest online literary magazine, THE2NDHAND, has joined forces with ArtWalk, the longtime fall arts festival and juried show (and recent 501©3 status recipient) to host a reading in downtown Birmingham featuring four showcased authors.

According to the call for submissions on their website, at least one of those authors will be chosen by competition. The broadsheet publication, which originated and is still distributed in Chicago, IL, is encouraging writers currently living in or who are originally from Birmingham to submit works that are 2,500 words or less in length by June 30. They ask that you be comfortable performing your piece for the September 7 reading and that you limit submissions to no more than two (2) per author.

Submission information is available on the magazine’s ArtWalk page.

In addition to participating in the September 7 reading, winners will receive a $100 cash award and be published in a special ArtWalk edition of THE2NDHAND broadsheet.

For more information, contact Todd Dills @ todd[at]the2ndhand.com or 205.323.8037.

Editor’s note – originally published 6.5.2007

We have recently lost the data for our Timetable section. We are in the process of recreating portions of the last five posts that were on the site.

We hope to have the site ready for a relaunch tomorrow afternoon, hopefully with some of the problems resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

The owners of the one-year old spot in Birmingham’s theater district must have been happy with the turnout last night at their first anniversary party. The Spots provided the music for the celebration and a good time was had by all.

Their website has a photo gallery, so it would not surprise us if photos were put up soon. If not, check it out anyway.

The downtown scene has seen several celebrations recently including the 3-year anniversary of Metro Bistro.

Special thanks to Pretty Helmet for the reminder. You’ll have a chance to check out the space yourself if you come out to The Terminal’s next writers meeting Thursday, June 14. We’ll get started sometime around 5:45 p.m.

While the 28th annual GLBT celebration has been going on since June 1, some of the larger events associated with it take place this weekend:

Saturday – Annual Gay Pride Parade

The parade will begin at 8 p.m. with lineup starting at 6 p.m. This year’s grand marshal is Alabama State representative Patricia Todd, the first openly gay person ever elected to public office in Alabama.

Parade route 

The parade will begin at the former Highland Avenue police precinct building (corner of Highland Avenue & 14th Street South). It will continue down Highland until it reaches 20th Street South. It will then go north along 20th Street until it reaches 7th Street South.

According to the official website, all participants must have a completed, signed Parade Registration Form on file with Central Alabama Pride, Inc. before they can participate.

* Equality Alabama will also run a workshop earlier in the day entitled "Language Matters". It will be held at the Avondale Library beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday – PRIDEFest 2007

Sloss Furnaces will serve as the venue for the all day festival. Gates will open at 12 p.m.; they’ll close at 10:00 p.m.) Highlights will include vendors, live music, food, drink, a special children’s area (supported and monitored by the Covenant Community Church and including the McWane Center’s 3-Ring Science Program). In addition to local entertainers (including the winners of this year’s Gay Pride Pageants), CeCe Peniston, Nemesis, Cynthia Manley and nervous but excited will be performing.

For additional information, please visit the official site for the festivities.

The Xterra Southeast Championship is prepared to take over Alabama’s largest state park on Sunday, though the events stretch out over the weekend.

Go Mojo has an excellent write up on the event, including images and quotes from last year’s participants.

Check out the official site, which includes details about a charity bike ride and other features of the weekend out at Oak Mountain State Park.

The 2nd Annual Art for Hope auction will take place at The Parthenon tonight, June 1, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Click on the event poster to enlarge.

According to event organizer Tosha Gaines, the purpose of the fundraiser is to support the creation of a regional office for The Lupus Support Network. It is a non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by Lupus and increasing awareness of the disease among health professionals and the public.

Gaines personally knows the difficulties associated with the disease as her youngest brother was diagnosed in 2005. He had not been diagnosed for 10 years. 

Approximately 30,000 Alabamians have been diagnosed with Lupus, yet there is no supportive network or foundation for individuals with Lupus and their families in Birmingham.

This event has gained support of several local artists and businesses through their donating items and time.

Music will be provided by Peanut.

Tickets are still available for $25 on their web page or at the event.