Inspired Southerner

We tell real stories about the South.

Wordless Wednesday: There’s So Much Going On In Birmingham, Alabama!

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Every week or almost every week, I try to attend an event in Birmingham.  I often wonder if people know how many events take place in this area on a weekly basis.

Last week I attended two theatrical performances that were outstanding. One was ‘Rain, a tribute to the Beatles’ it was similar to a performance I saw in London about five years ago. Performers who looked eerily like the Beatles performed a history of the Beatles music. It was a loud rock n’ roll event, but it kept us all entertained for two and half hours.

Friday I went to a performance of ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ which proved to be as entertaining as it was in London.   The actor who played the Phantom was exceptional. There were few changes in the production itself, but overall, it was very well done.

I can truly say if you want something to do in Birmingham, you can find it.

Connections In Life: A trip to New York City

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Inspired Southerner NYC
On the High Line

I love New York City I admit it I do always have. I’ve been there many times for work and vacation. The city has a certain type of energy that I thrive off of, even in the pouring rain. This past week I got to visit New York for a conference for work. I crammed as much time in the city as I could after the sessions. Whenever I go to the city I always seem to find some connection back to my home state, Alabama.

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Northerner’s Perspective: Birmingham’s Theatrical Performances Pleasantly Surprise

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Guest Blog Post By Dorothy Bloom LittleVirginia Samford

I am one of those “damn Yankees.”   You know those Yankees who come here and stay. Being from Chicago I have always enjoyed the theatre and hoped that Birmingham would have some type of theatre district. My first experience with theatre in Birmingham was to see Wicked at the BJCC. It was a great performance, one of the many in the course of the musicals offered by the Birmingham Broadway series. After the performance at the BJCC, I attended performances at other theatres. I was totally hooked by the amazing local venues and the incredible performers. Red Mountain Theatre was a treat. The ambiance of a cabaret was delightful but what totally surprised me was the caliber of the actors. The local talent is terrific and the shows are great. Not only have I seen several performances there but I have also taken my grandchildren to the children’s theatrical productions. My granddaughter was enthralled as we sat front row center for one of the performances. Now she keeps asking, “Nana when are we going to that theatre again”.

Another venue I have gone to is the (TNT) Terrific New Theatre. Seeing a performance there is like seeing it while sitting in your living room. It is a small theatre with a big heart. Once again the local talent just blew me away. Actually as I discovered some other venues I have realized that Birmingham has some excellent actors. Musical, comedy, drama Birmingham folks can do it all and do it well.  A couple of other theaters I have had the opportunity to visit are the beautiful new Jemison Concert Hall, the Virginia Samford Theatre and the Alys Stephens Center. I have yet to see the renovated Lyric Theatre, but I am looking forward to my first performance there.

I just could not finish this article without writing about what I consider to be a real gem, the Alabama Theatre. The charm of a previous era is everywhere. The entrance, the seats, the walls, the boxes, the lighting, even the ladies salon, which has red velvet lounges, all of it exudes elegance. As I walked into the theatre and looked around it reminded of a theatre in my hometown, the Chicago Theatre. Although, I must admit it surpassed the Chicago (dare I say it) because it has that awesome Wurlitzer organ. This Queen is the frosting on the cake of the theatres here. And to me the best is going to any performance and knowing that the actors will never disappoint. Kudos Alabama.

We tell real stories about the south. ~Kara Kennedy, Publisher