The return of the Brewhaha
Now that the weather’s starting to feel more like fall (at least in the morning), it may encourage more people to come out and explore the city, especially those that are newcomers, whether for college or for career. It also gets back to the idea of taking that extra breath and slowing down to enjoy what’s going on around here. There are definitely some interesting opportunities going on this weekend, starting with the first Artwalk Brewhaha after this year’s successful festival earlier in the month. This month’s artist is Tia-Simone Gardner from right next door in Fairfield, AL. To get an example of her perspective on her work, click here; it will also provide additional information about the event. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks in Five Points South. The continued support of our local art scene can only improve the offerings long term.
What can we actually do?
This builds (in albeit a round about way) on comments made at yesterday morning’s ONB Monthly Breakfast Briefing. The briefing focused on the emergence (or re-emergence as far as I’m concerned) of our local music scene and of talk about what could be done to expand and build off of it. Birmingham City Council President Smitherman said that she would take the conversation back to the City Council and see what could be done to create an entertainment district in the city. I would suggest that there not be just one district. Even in the examples cited during the breakfast, there are several pockets of artistic and cultural activity existing or developing in our nation’s cities. What is art to one person is not to another, so developing several areas at one time may just be what’s needed. Some of them are already starting to develop, including Avondale, Lakeview and the City Center. Programs such as the one I work for (Main Street Birmingham), Urban Impact, Operation New Birmingham and others like them must be able to provide the services and support necessary to achieve these goals. This philosophy must also spread outside of the heart of our region and into our other municipalities. Those that are able to provide this level of creativity and hope must be given the tools to foster it. There are many hidden gems throughout the city and the region; shining a light on them and allowing them to show the region and anyone else that will listen the fact that we already have a great deal of what we seek will go a long way towards all of us seeing our dreams come true in the Magic City. Going out and supporting them, in any fashion and anywhere is still the best way at the end of the day to ensure the future of some of these things.
Some thoughts on yesterday’s City Stages announcement
Yesterday’s announcement about City Stages and Catalyst also provide another avenue for our city to shine. Click here to look at yesterday’s post with links to several articles/releases. The benefit of this partnership and the resulting situation that it provides can only benefit the other festivals that take place throughout the city. It also provides an opportunity for those that are really interested in seeing the festival survive and continue to voice their opinions about how they think it could be improved and better serve their needs. It is a festival that was organized to bring energy and vitality to downtown (though others may point to other reasons for its existence). The changes that have occurred since its inception years ago point to success in that regard. It can now serve as a signature event for the region, providing people with a taste of what makes Birmingham unique, maybe even expanding the amount of local talent that is exposed. The American Idol effect will be felt in the region for a long time to come. The exposure of our local acts has encouraged more national acts to visit the friendly confines of venues like The Nick, The Bottletree and WorkPlay. You never know, with all of the stuff going on this weekend, it would be nice to see Randy, Paula and Simon out seeing just what makes us unique here in Birmingham. And why they’ll be coming back for more for some time to come.
Help clean up and come on out!
Let’s not forget about the development of future greenways and how you can do your part to help it come closer to reality by volunteering tomorrow out at Village Creek. Click here to view yesterday’s post containing information about the event. There’s also PAWS on the Parkway taking place this weekend in the Parkway East commercial district. It’s a great opportunity to check out what’s going on over there and enjoy what should be a beautiful day out.
Finally, new additions to the MCM!
You may also want to check out some of the newest additions to the Magic City MySpace Page, including:
The Barking Kudu
Red Mountain Park
I know there are a lot more out there. If you have any, drop us a line. Don’t forget to visit the Vulcan After Tunes and Birmingham Kickball pages for updates about this weekend.
Enjoy the day and the weekend.
Cheers.
The Ramble: Supporting the future of arts and culture in Birmingham, this week and onward
Published by Andre on September 29, 2006The return of the Brewhaha
Now that the weather’s starting to feel more like fall (at least in the morning), it may encourage more people to come out and explore the city, especially those that are newcomers, whether for college or for career. It also gets back to the idea of taking that extra breath and slowing down to enjoy what’s going on around here. There are definitely some interesting opportunities going on this weekend, starting with the first Artwalk Brewhaha after this year’s successful festival earlier in the month. This month’s artist is Tia-Simone Gardner from right next door in Fairfield, AL. To get an example of her perspective on her work, click here; it will also provide additional information about the event. It starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks in Five Points South. The continued support of our local art scene can only improve the offerings long term.
What can we actually do?
This builds (in albeit a round about way) on comments made at yesterday morning’s ONB Monthly Breakfast Briefing. The briefing focused on the emergence (or re-emergence as far as I’m concerned) of our local music scene and of talk about what could be done to expand and build off of it. Birmingham City Council President Smitherman said that she would take the conversation back to the City Council and see what could be done to create an entertainment district in the city. I would suggest that there not be just one district. Even in the examples cited during the breakfast, there are several pockets of artistic and cultural activity existing or developing in our nation’s cities. What is art to one person is not to another, so developing several areas at one time may just be what’s needed. Some of them are already starting to develop, including Avondale, Lakeview and the City Center. Programs such as the one I work for (Main Street Birmingham), Urban Impact, Operation New Birmingham and others like them must be able to provide the services and support necessary to achieve these goals. This philosophy must also spread outside of the heart of our region and into our other municipalities. Those that are able to provide this level of creativity and hope must be given the tools to foster it. There are many hidden gems throughout the city and the region; shining a light on them and allowing them to show the region and anyone else that will listen the fact that we already have a great deal of what we seek will go a long way towards all of us seeing our dreams come true in the Magic City. Going out and supporting them, in any fashion and anywhere is still the best way at the end of the day to ensure the future of some of these things.
Some thoughts on yesterday’s City Stages announcement
Yesterday’s announcement about City Stages and Catalyst also provide another avenue for our city to shine. Click here to look at yesterday’s post with links to several articles/releases. The benefit of this partnership and the resulting situation that it provides can only benefit the other festivals that take place throughout the city. It also provides an opportunity for those that are really interested in seeing the festival survive and continue to voice their opinions about how they think it could be improved and better serve their needs. It is a festival that was organized to bring energy and vitality to downtown (though others may point to other reasons for its existence). The changes that have occurred since its inception years ago point to success in that regard. It can now serve as a signature event for the region, providing people with a taste of what makes Birmingham unique, maybe even expanding the amount of local talent that is exposed. The American Idol effect will be felt in the region for a long time to come. The exposure of our local acts has encouraged more national acts to visit the friendly confines of venues like The Nick, The Bottletree and WorkPlay. You never know, with all of the stuff going on this weekend, it would be nice to see Randy, Paula and Simon out seeing just what makes us unique here in Birmingham. And why they’ll be coming back for more for some time to come.
Help clean up and come on out!
Let’s not forget about the development of future greenways and how you can do your part to help it come closer to reality by volunteering tomorrow out at Village Creek. Click here to view yesterday’s post containing information about the event. There’s also PAWS on the Parkway taking place this weekend in the Parkway East commercial district. It’s a great opportunity to check out what’s going on over there and enjoy what should be a beautiful day out.
Finally, new additions to the MCM!
You may also want to check out some of the newest additions to the Magic City MySpace Page, including:
The Barking Kudu
Red Mountain Park
I know there are a lot more out there. If you have any, drop us a line. Don’t forget to visit the Vulcan After Tunes and Birmingham Kickball pages for updates about this weekend.
Enjoy the day and the weekend.
Cheers.
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