Design Review Committee disapproves replacement "Sign"
The Terminal: Ten Years Later
The Alys Stephens Center’s Starlight Gala is this weekend, but who can afford to go to that. I know I can’t and if I were to venture a guess I’d say that you couldn’t either. So what are the recently economically disillusioned masses to do while the urban haute bourgeoisie of Birmingham sip cocktails on the campus of UAB. It’s simple really, just read the rest of this post and realize that you aren’t living in a one-show town.
Tag Archives: alabama
got plans 2.0 | 4.3 – 4.5
Posted in weekend plans
Tagged alabama, Asian Cultures and Food Festival, bham.fm, birmingham, Copeland, Jason Donaldson, music, Paper Route, party, The Garage, This Providence, weekend plans, Wicked
got plans 2.0 – 3/27-3/29
You can look at this edition of got plans two ways. It’s short because I had way too much fun at last night’s Terminally anniversary party at Bottletree (BTW, it was a great turnout and it’s too bad that you missed it) and because the single event suggestion that follows is an important one and I’d really like you to go to it…
There is going to be a benefit concert for local jazz musician Cleveland Eaton at the Open Door Cafe tomorrow starting at 2 p.m. A $20 donation goes to a fund to help Cleve with medical expenses related to oral cancer therapy. This is a small price to pay to help a local legend. You’ll be compensated for your donation with a barbeque chicken dinner and performances by a host of musicians including Cleve later that evening.
If you’ve never been to the Open Door and heard Cleve, Tommy, and John play for Jazzta night, this will be a perfect introduction to the cafe and Birmingham jazz.
Leave a comment letting me know if you decide to go, and as always if you’ve got other plans let the rest of us know what your doing this weekend.
Posted in weekend plans
Tagged AL, alabama, benefit, birmingham, cleve eaton, Cleveland Eaton, jazz, Open Door Cafe, weekend plans
Riley signs film incentives into law
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Governor Riley had finally signed HB69 into law, creating tax incentives for the entertainment industry in Alabama. It was drafted and introduced to the Legislature by Rep. Richard Lindsey back in February, going through several revisions.
The bill was pushed along with the help of local supporters like Lindley Praytor, a local makeup artist and actress who prompted supporters into action and updated them via Facebook, and Alabama State Representative for District 60, Earl Hilliard. Hilliard serves on the Birmingham/Jefferson County Film Advisory Board and is a local film maker.
The law gives discounts on sales, income and lodging taxes to production companies spending at least $500,000 to film any type of commercial film or commercial in the state or spending at least $50,000 to make soundtracks. This will give Alabama the same chance as other states like Georgia and North Carolina to attract movie and TV production projects. Prior to this bill, film projects like Sweet Home Alabama (a movie with Alabama in its name!) were shot in neighboring Georgia because of the poor to non-existent tax incentives in the state.
Some recent film projects in Alabama include Honeydripper (directed by John Sayles) and Sony Pictures’ Talledega Nights.
Read HB69 here.
Photo: The Alabama. joshself/Flickr.
got plans 2.0 | 3.20-3.22
If you hadn’t noticed, we’re riding high here at The Terminal about our future workspace. I’d like to hear you guys mirror that excitement by getting pumped about what’s going on in town this weekend. Check out these noteworthy events and don’t be shy about letting the rest of us know what you plan on doing.
If you haven’t heard about Opera Birmingham’s presentation of Verdi’s La Traviata you’ve officially been living in a hole. This highly publicized performance, “starring Alabama native Susanna Phillips, in her very first Violetta, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra” happens tonight and Sunday. This evening the performance begins at 7:30 and Sunday’s matinee begins at 2:30. The tickets range from $15-78 depending on your preference, but I’m sure it will sound beautiful from any seat in the Alabama Theater.
Saturday evening the Alys Stephens Center will be presenting the amazing Spanish Harlem Orchestra. This show starts at 8 but if you’re up for some salsa dancing you can enjoy a free lesson before the show. Students shouldn’t miss this one, because it’s definitely a deal at $20, as for the rest of you don’t let the sorry economy keep you from enjoying an awesome show. Non-student prices range from $25-45.
Posted in weekend plans
Tagged AL, alabama, birmingham, Black Buffalo, information, music, opera, Opera Birmingham, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, weekend plans
Sidewalk Scramble Screening this week
A grungy plumber dressed in a jumpsuit casually walks into the Upside-down Plaza bar in 5 Points South, downtown Birmingham. He gives a nod to a customer sitting at the bar as he passes by. A few minutes later the customer follows the plumber into the back bathroom. A tool box opens and guns are distributed. They both know what to do. An epic orchestral soundtrack starts. (Think “Batman: The Dark Knight”). Every aspect of the plan has been thought out as they bust open the office door where the winnings of the illegal gambling front are kept…
The director yells “CUT!” as the camera dollies out on the homemade track system made of PVC pipe and plywood. Actors double as grips, lighting techs and cinematographers. Grip trucks consist of a fleet of old Honda Civics and Ford Rangers that also double as fast moving dollies and get road shots. Props and wardrobe are found by digging through the bins at the local thrift stores. Catering and craft services are provided by dollar stores and Big Lots usually consisting of a 5-pound bag of almost expired pretzels and Werther’s candy in some very bendy paper bowls and questionable Mexican fruit drinks.
This is short film in Birmingham.
got plans 2.0 (3/13-3/15)
As the writer of the new got plans 2.0 column I’ve graciously been given the liberty to write what I wish when it comes to the awesome events happening each weekend here in Birmingham. I’m a good man for the job because I’m no freshman to what the city has to offer, but in this third week I’m finding it hard to pick and choose the Terminal-worthy events that you readers may be looking for.
So I’ve been thinking and have decided that I’m going to put got plans in your hands this weekend. Got plans 2.0 is three weeks old today; way too young to be setting a standard and definitely not to old to keep it from becoming what you want it to be. Our philosophy at The Terminal is to maintain a conversation between the contributors and our community. I want that with got plans; that’s why I ask you to comment if you know of something else going on or if I totally missed the mark in terms of my picks. Ultimately, my plans are your plans and they should be good plans ’cause you guys deserve them.
Crawfish Boil uses Facebook for t-shirt contest
The Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil is turning to the power of Facebook to help them select their t-shirt design for this year’s event. For those of you not on Facebook yet, or not following the event’s page on the social networking site, here’s the 411:
Beginning today (and through April 10), people are encouraged to submit one submission (not already submitted to another contest) with the words “2009 Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfish Boil” somewhere in the design, to the event’s page on Facebook using its “add photos” function. the design must be in a vector format, meaning you’ll want to download this software. Apparently all of the designs will be eligible to be printed as “regular” t-shirts, but the winning design will be the one that receives the most **VOTE** comments.
The winning designer will receive a pair of VIP passes ($300 value); a gift certificate to the Merrell Store at The Summit & 6-month supply of vitaminwater sync.
If you’re interested, and on Facebook, head on over!
Posted in contests
Tagged AL, alabama, birmingham, contest, Facebook, information, links, rules, Schaeffer Eye Center Crawfirsh Boil, social networking, t-shirt design
Coldplay tickets go on sale March 16
Every once in a while I become so excited about using Twitter to share news that I’ve learned about that I forget that there are many of our readers who still don’t use the service. So here’s the 411: The Birmingham News is reporting that Coldplay has announced a May 18 concert atthe state’s largest outdoor music venue, the Verizon Wireless Music Center at Oak Mountain. Tickets will go on sale next Monday morning at 10 a.m. via this link and LiveNation’s toll-free number. According to their website, it will be the band’s first show in The Magic City since January 2003.
Posted in music
Tagged AL, alabama, birmingham, Coldplay, concert, information, link, music, pelham, ticket sales, verizon wireless music center, website
Muse of Fire previews new show at Library
The Birmingham Public Library recently announced that they would be welcoming back local “deconstructed Shakespeare” troupe Muse of Fire for this month’s BPL@Night performance (They announced it via their blog as well). They’ll be previewing their latest effort, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which they are currently scheduled to take to “the stage” of Sloss Furnaces in May. The free performance will take place in the atrium of the downtown branch on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. next week Thursday, March 19, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Their MySpace page has some new photos taken during rehearsals – check ’em out!
Posted in theatre
Tagged A Midsummer Night's Dream, AL, alabama, birmingham, Birmingham Public Library, Muse of Fire, performance, Shakespeare, theater, theatre
got plans 2.0 – 3.6-3.8
Without a doubt spring has blown in with the breeze and I recommend you head over to Rojo for Happy Hour after work today to kick it off El Mariachi style with $2.25 domestics, $3.00 imports, and $7.25 PBR pitchers. Once you find yourself slightly inebriated and filled to the max with your choice of Latin or American cuisine, I know the comic nerd in you is going to guide you to the nearest theatre to see Watchmen, but I wouldn’t miss the Ben Kweller show at Workplay. Tonight is the night for this sort of revelry because tomorrow and Sunday are to be spent outdoors, per my orders (I was pre-med, so I know what’s best for your health).
Posted in weekend plans
Tagged AL, alabama, ballet, Ben Kweller, birmingham, Chili Cook off, Got plans?, happy hour, weekend plans
