By Emily Williams Though establishing a successful local theater has seemed a slow process to Kyle Bass, the Homewood Theatre is looking forward to its third season with a new strength. “A comment that we get a lot is people saying that they didn’t even know Homewood had a theater,” Bass said. “One of the hardest parts about this process has been getting the word out … [Read more...]
‘Bitten by the Beatles’: How J. Willoughby Became the Rocker Behind Black Jacket Symphony
By Ingrid Schnader It isn’t hard for Black Jacket Symphony founder and guitarist J. Willoughby to remember what motivated him to pick up a guitar when he was 5 years old. “I got bitten by the Beatles,” he said. “Just became a weird freak about the Beatles at age 4. I mean, I was an only child, and I think it’s because I didn’t have video games to play or anything. I just went … [Read more...]
Pas de Deux: How Ballet Brought this Duo to Birmingham
By Ingrid Schnader Although Frederick Rocas and Nadine Barton have been dancing together at Alabama Ballet for the past five years, they come from completely different backgrounds. That’s because when you want to be a professional dancer, you might have to apply to studios across the world before you find a job that fits your needs. “You have to look for the job,” Rocas … [Read more...]
Smart Cookie: Amy Jason’s Bakery Has Been a Sweet Success
By Donna Cornelius Amy Jason still remembers the first thing she ever baked. “I was about 9 or 10,” she said. “It was an apple-cinnamon turnover that I made with Pillsbury crescent rolls. My first attempt was perfect, and I remember the feeling of instant gratification. I had created something warm and delicious and gooey and fantastic, and I could share it with my parents … [Read more...]
Hallie Ringle Named Curator of Contemporary Art at BMA
By Emily Williams On Nov. 1, a new face will grace the Birmingham Museum of Art when Hallie Ringle takes on her new position as Hugh Kaul Curator for Contemporary Art. According to a news release from the museum, Ringle joins the BMA team from the Studio Museum in Harlem, where she has been assistant curator. Current shows that showcase her curatorial work include “Firelei … [Read more...]