By Sarah Kuper As UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center enters its third decade, its leadership’s mission is much the same as it always was: to entertain and educate the community and the UAB campus. But a closer look reveals an arts center that is evolving with the times, physically, technologically and programmatically. In less than a year, the ASC has instituted a … [Read more...]
Smooth Tunes: Hoover’s Burchfield to Showcase New Album at Preserve Jazz Festival
By Emily Williams When professional jazz musician Vann Burchfield was contacted by his hometown of Hoover’s only jazz festival to perform five years ago, he was ready to commit. But mother nature had a different plan. “A tornado hit our home and we lost everything,” Burchfield said. “So, we were busy rebuilding our lives.” Burchfield has attended the Preserve Jazz Festival, … [Read more...]
Honey Bear Madness: Bluff Park Artist Brings Touch of Childhood to Annual Art Show
By Sarah Kuper Growing up, Jayne Morgan was enthusiastic about two things: art and honey bears. “We just always had a honey bear at the table for bread and dessert,” she said. “They remind me of a wonderful childhood.” Now, she is known in the art world for her oil and acrylic paintings of the plastic bears and other similar subject matter. She’s even got collectors. “I … [Read more...]
Looking Back, Moving Forward: Hoover’s Library Theatre Brings Back Fan Favorites for 25th Season
By Emily Williams The Library Theatre in Hoover will be opening its 25th season of performances with a new look, but the faces that flock to the stage will be familiar ones. This year’s lineup will bring back some of the most popular performances from the past 25 years of the theater, giving audiences something akin to a second chance in case they missed out on the artists … [Read more...]
A Decade of Dance: Alabama Ballet Artistic Director Celebrates 10 Years in Birmingham
By Emily WilliamsAs she celebrates her 10th season as artistic director of the Alabama Ballet, Tracey Alvey can safely say the years have flown by. “People always tell you that, as you get older, time goes by much faster and it is completely true,” Alvey said. For Alvey, it seems just yesterday that she was on the stage herself. Born in Kent, England, Alvey began … [Read more...]