By Kaitlin Candelaria Matt Condra lost his mother 20 years ago in November to breast cancer. He was a senior in high school at the time and had to move in with a friend while his mother traveled between New York and Texas to receive treatment before she passed away. “I thought this would be a good opportunity to honor my mother and all the other women who have fought breast … [Read more...]
Family Ties: Chef’s Bond with His Mom Makes Him Think Pink
By Donna Cornelius When Chris Hastings says he was tied to his mother’s apron strings, he means that in the most positive way. “My mom and I were very close,” said Hastings, the chef and owner of Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club. “We were always hanging out in the kitchen and at dinnertime.” Food always played a big part in the relationship he and his mother, Angelica … [Read more...]
Every Mile Counts: Camp SAM Goes to NYC Marathon
By Kaitlin Candelaria Five Birmingham runners are taking Camp Smile-a-Mile’s mission to New York City. Savannah Lanier, development director for Camp SAM, said this won’t be the first time the organization has been represented in the TCS New York City Marathon, but this year’s team is different. “We’ve had a marathon team in the past, but it wasn’t really a group that was … [Read more...]
Conducting with Culture: Izcaray Begins His First Season as ASO Music Director
By Emily Williams Carlos Izcaray didn’t set out to become a conductor. When he was 16 or so, he dreamed of being a hotelier in the Caribbean. Then he heard a recording of Yo-Yo Ma performing the “Elgar Concerto.” “There was something there that clicked,” he said. That’s when he knew he wanted not just to play music, but to create musical experiences by conducting full … [Read more...]
Making it in the Magic City: Hudson is Named Artistic Director of the Birmingham Children’s Theatre
By Kaitlin Candelaria Roy Hudson is no stranger to the theater scene in Alabama. He was named teacher of the year in Alabama in 2008 – the first time a fine arts teacher had ever claimed the title. He founded the now well-known Shades Valley Theatre Academy at Shades Valley High School, where he taught for more than 15 years. And now he’s added a new entry to his resume; in … [Read more...]