Behind the Scenes Opening Weekend

As the Artist Coordinator at the Alys Stephens Center I have the distinct pleasure of providing hospitality service for all our visiting artists.  I spend time with them more than any other person in Birmingham so you can imagine how many stories and experiences I have collected.  Here's what happened to me during the opening weekend of our 2008-09 Alys Stephens Center Season with BeauSoleil and Wanda Sykes.

It was a pleasure hanging out with BeauSoleil on Friday night before and after the show.  Their Cajun fraternity had been established by many years of being on the road together.  Inside jokes, casual banter and a love for pecan pie was proof their history together ran deep. So deep, in fact, that they were able to play this joke on me.

Fiddle player, Mitchell Reed made me believe that he was Michael Doucet's son from another marriage and that he and Michael had just reunited 10 years ago after a DNA test had proved he was his son.  He told me music reunited them and all but revealed without a shadow of a doubt they were blood related.  Mitchell's Mother then confessed to the story and the rest is BeauSoleil history.  When I asked about his Mother, he told me he didn't want to get into it, so I kindly backed off.

Now, maybe growing up in a Jerry Springer World it had made me very accepting of this story, maybe I'm just naïve, I really don't know why I believed it.  When I came back in the green room, David, Michael's real and actual blood brother said, "So Michael, Liz got it out of us.  She finally found out the real story behind you and Mitchell."  It was at this time I realized I had been seriously duped.  I blushed and said, "F***.  Maaaan.  I can't believe I fell for it."  The rest of the band was breaking up, collapsing in their chairs with laughter.  Then I said, "I better go find the people I told your story to that you're full of S***."  More laughter.

Even though I told Mitchell I wasn't talking to him for the rest of the night, it wasn't to punish him, but to save whatever dignity I had left.  I didn't really mind so much, I had so much fun, even if it was at my own expense.  I also have a wonderful memory of them singing Steve Martin's "King Tut" and The Rascals "Good Lovin.'"

Right before they left I got a picture with them.  I gave them two thumbs up.

If you saw the Wanda Sykes show you know that the first 15 minutes of her act were spent speaking about the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.  She had flown in that afternoon and frequented The Wynfrey and Galleria Food Court before going on her tour at the Museum.  She visited Birmingham briefly but I had time with her in the elevator for a few seconds.  When I asked her if she enjoyed her stay in Birmingham she was very polite and said "Oh, yeah, I had a lot of fun."

She (and Keith Robinson) even took a picture with the crew after the show.  While waiting for the spot op's to come down from the grid for the picture, we spoke about UAB.  When realizing what the ‘B' stood for she said "Birmingham.   Oh yeah, that makes sense.  I'm a genius."  Then we wished her well and she was gone.

BeauSoleil and Wanda Sykes were a great way to start my weekend and a great start to a  wonderful 2008-2009 Alys Stephens Center Season.  Until next time....

BeauSoleil is Comin' Into Town

Mary Chapin Carpenter wrote about them and the song is quite infectious.  From the first licks of the fiddle, you are automatically tapping your feet and at least for me, I want to get up and do a jig.  It's easier for me when I'm alone, but soon and very soon, I might not be able to control myself from getting on the dance floor.  They are coming to the Stephens Center and I'm sorta pumped.



Perhaps you've heard this song. My first introduction to BeauSoleil was in a song called "Down at the Twist and Shout."  Having been a long time fan of Mary Chapin, she turned me into a long time fan of BeauSoleil.  I can't wait for the Cajun beat, the dance lessons by ACME Dance, and the party atmosphere that only the Stephens Center can provide.  If you've never been to a season opening party, this will be the one to make it an annual tradition for you.



As Carpenter writes:
"And there ain't no cure for my blues today
Except when the paper says: Beausoleil is coming into town
Baby let's go down."

To see video, click here.

Come on down to the ASC and cut a rug with me. Call me (or Mike or Randi or Bryan) at 975-2787.

My name's Heath, I sell tickets and I approve this message.

Chat with Kids' Festival Performer Charles Tortorici

I spoke with singer/songwriter Charles Tortorici yesterday to find out what he has in store for kids at the "Rhythms of the Earth" Festival this Sunday at the ASC.



ASC: What can parents and kids expect from your performance at "Rhythms of the Earth?"

Charles: I will perform a variety of original songs and poems that deal with the environment, creativity, and the arts in general. It will be interactive in that I will get the audience to make various percussive rhythms with their voice, along with echoing various words or phrases from the songs/poems. I will also have an interactive piece that celebrates the many rhythms of voice, through words, syllables, and nonsensical syllables.

ASC: What can kids learn from experiencing live performances?

Charles: Children (and adults too) can learn how a writer (be it poet, songwriter, storyteller) uses the rhythm found in words and phrases to create moving, dynamic works of literary art. They will experience the importance of breath to the feel of rhythm in words, as well as see how a songwriter pulls from a variety of topics for creative expression. Encouragement and empowerment to find their own creative voice run throughout the live performance.

ASC: What project are you working on now?

Charles: I've been working with a 12-year-old ASFA student Walker Yancey on songs, both his and mine, and sharing writing ideas. It is a mutual creative learning experience. I'm also preparing new material (songs and poems) to perform at schools, festivals, and libraries this coming school year.

Come see Charles perform, along with performances from Nathifa Dance Company, John Scalici and the Get Rhythm performing ensemble, and Celtic band Hooley. Children can engage in hands-on projects, play musical instruments, and learn to make yummy culinary dishes using organic foods. Children also can learn about native Alabama wildlife and flora through brief kid-friendly lectures, demonstrations and other fun activities. Festival participants include Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Alabama Wildlife Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Theatre, Vulcan Park and Museum, Stevan Grebel Center for Dance and Jones Valley Urban Farm.

Festival sponsors are the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Jane Stephens Comer, National Endowment for the Arts, Southern Arts Federation, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation, The Birmingham News, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Viva Health.

Nothing Beats a Live Performance

We ran a contest last week for our E-newsletter subscribers encouraging them to submit a story about their “My Most Memorable Live Performance." We were flooded with great entries, but could only choose one. Congratulations to our contest winner Joey T for submitting the winning entry! He won a pair of tickets to see Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt live in concert at the ASC. They will perform together here on October 10 and 11. Here's the winning story...

Flaming Lips
12/31/2007
Oklahoma City, OK

 My brother Matt and his best friend Andy were going to join me in the car ride to OK. There we were to meet my friend Greg, in OKC on business, and Bryce, who had moved to Arkansas. The five of us were going to bring in the New Year with the Flaming Lips.

Our ticket situation was a big problem for us. Well, for one of us. 4 of us had the general admission floor seats. Which were sold out. Bryce did not, he had a nosebleed seat. We were sitting bored in our hotel room Monday morning, so we decided to go be bored in the line at the arena. Not surprisingly at 10 AM, we were first in line. Bryce was in line without a ticket, hoping he could buy one from a scalper. A roadie looking fella walked by and Bryce pounced. He was just going to ask if any more floor tickets would be sold, but came away with one better. He hustled back and said the roadie would take care of us. We didn’t know what that meant, but assumed it would be awesome. (Dude.) I was skeptical, I thought the roadie was just trying to blow off Bryce. But about two hours later, the roadie comes back to our spot in line. (Now about 25 people long) We were being put on balloon duty.

The Flaming Lips, being the showmen they are, wanted to drop 2008 balloons that night. These were not normal balloons, but giant, 3 feet in diameter, rubber ones that were inflated by a bottle top taped to a leaf blower. They probably had 600 already inflated; we were in charge of getting to 2008. Bryce would be rewarded with an all access backstage pass when we were done.

Three of us worked on balloon duty, while two kept our spot in line. Blisters showed up on my fingers after several hundred balloon tying exercises. We were able to witness the entire sound check, previewing the madness that was ahead.

The roadie came up and said we had done enough and sent us back to line. Bryce had his VIP pass that would grant him access to anywhere in the building. Two of us ended up being invited on stage to dance in giant inflatable costumes. I have never been to a concert where the audience felt like such a part of the show. From our balloon inflating to my friends in costume on stage to the hundreds of laser pointers thrown into the crowd for a self made laser light show to the crowd sing along to Auld Lang Syne it was an intense participatory adventure. Bringing in 2008 with the Flaming Lips was my most memorable concert experience. We were roadies for the day and participated in making their show more memorable for the thousands of others in attendance.

Tears for Beers

Ever wonder why there are no microbreweries around here anymore? Most craft beers, micro brewed and otherwise, will carry an ABV rating of over 6%, simply due to the brewing process, and these beers are therefore prohibited in Alabama. When faced with this restriction, and the daunting task of hunting out only those craft beers that have a low-end ABV, and are therefore legal for sale, many potential purveyors figure ‘what’s the point?,’ which is why Alabama’s beer selection is mostly pretty slim.

But thank Dionysus for Free the Hops and Birmingham Budweiser! Since 2006, Free the Hops has been presenting Alabama Legislature with the Gourmet Beer Bill, which proposes to increase the allowable ABV to 13 9/10, which would effectively clear the way for craft beers of all makes and models to be enjoyed (responsibly) here in Alabama. Please visit their site and show your support.

In the meantime, my second beer hero of the day, Birmingham Budweiser, is making a concerted effort to bring as many finely crafted beers to our watering palates as they can. Working within the ABV limits of the law, Birmingham Budweiser is proving that a craft beer does not necessarily have to have a high ABV to be finely crafted and delicious. In fact, they’d like to prove that to you this Thursday at the Alys Stephens Center.  The ASC is joining forces with Free the Hops and Birmingham Budweiser to offer a FREE craft beer tasting at the upcoming Inter-ART-ive event this Thursday, September 11 from 6pm until 8:30pm. Admission to the event is free, and will also include live music featuring The White Oaks, open mic performances featuring a great selection of local talent, great food courtesy of Cosmos and Bottletree, and lots more.    Featured at the craft beer tasting will be Fordham Brewing Company’s Copperhead Ale, Helles Lager, Tavern Ale, and Fordham Light, as well as Dominion Lager, Dominion Ale, Dominion Pale Ale, and Dominion Oak Barrel Stout from Old Dominion Brewing Company. 

Please come out Thursday to inter-ART-ive for a great evening of fun, food and great beer. Note that the beer tasting is limited to guests age 21 and older (duh!) and you will need to present valid ID upon entry. Visit the ASC Social Club table as you arrive to get your “Hey, I’m old enough to drink!” armband. Hope to see you there!