Monday, February 23, 2009

The Movie Bug

After last night's wonderful Oscar ceremony, I find myself wanting to skip out on this "work thing" and spend all day seeing movies.  Ah, a girl can dream!

This year's ceremony focused less on trying to be funny (when was the last time it succeeded at that?) and more on the movie-making process and the many elements that have to come together to get a story off the ground, into production, and then into a theatre.  When you think about it, giving all the hurdles in place, it's a miracle that a movie even gets made.  And, when it's finished it does become a work of art - as much as a canvas or a recording. 

That's why I'm happy the ASC is presenting the Short Circuit Traveling Film Festival on Saturday, March 7.  This gives us all a chance to celebrate the art of filmmaking and in this particular case, salute our fellow Southerners and their talents.

Whether you're a film maker, film buff, or just someone who enjoys being a witness to creativity, we hope you will join us for one or both of the short films sections.  

Here's what's in store:

Alys Stephens Center presents a SOUTHERN SAMPLER



This exciting new film festival spotlights recently produced short films by filmmakers from the Southeast. Screening One and Two feature a completely different film lineup. Come to one event or all three!

Tickets are $10 each per event, or you can reserve the full experience for only $25!

Shorts Screening 1 ($10): 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

Session 1 Films include:
Crossin' All the Boundaries
Undocumented
Our World
Going to the Beach
Torn Asunder
99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me
Swimming to the Moon

Chat ‘n Chew Dinner Break ($10): Box dinners will be available featuring Southern favorites like black eye pea salad, pecan chicken salad sandwich, fruit, dessert, and iced tea. Cash Bar also available. Plus, check out Southern crafts and artwork. Please reserve your box dinner in advance.

Shorts Screening 2 ($10): 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Session 2 Films include:
The Mess
Carnival Picaresque
Category 4
February Stars
I Always Do My Collars First

Click here to read the full film descriptions:  http://www.uab.edu/images/asc/2008/pdf/ShortCircuit_Poster.pdf

Here's just a taste:

99 to 1: Ovarian Cancer and Me
Documentary Short
Directed by Phoebe Brown
Atlanta, Georgia

In the summer of 2005, doctors said they were 99% sure that filmmaker Phoebe Brown did not have ovarian cancer. She turned out to be part of the 1%. "99 to 1" is a quirky, funny self-portrait of a cancer survivor.

I Always Do My Collars First: A Film About Ironing
Documentary Short
Directed by Conni Castille and Allison Bohl
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

This short documentary follows four dynamic Cajun women in Southwestern Louisiana as they go about their daily lives and their ironing routine. An emotional and cultural process, ironing is performed with an aesthetic sensibility that helps define these women and their families.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Images from "On Stage w/ the Band" to Enjoy

Granted we're a pretty enthusiastic bunch, but that's probably why we work in the arts.  But the level of excitement surrounding the ASC's first "On Stage w/the Band" event has been off the charts.  We developed this concept to meet our pressing desire to present artists in a smaller setting.  And there could have been no better band to join us in this experiement than Cowboy Junkies. 

Check out these cool images!

[caption id="attachment_209" align="alignnone" width="200" caption="The audience up close & personal with cowboy junkies"]The audience up close & personal with cowboy junkies[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="like seeing a show in a really large living room"]like seeing a show in a really large living room[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_216" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="our lighting guy rocks"]our lighting guy rocks[/caption]

 
Mary Colurso gave the show 4 out of 5 stars
Hurt’s so Good: Cowboy Junkies Go Over to the Dark Side at Alys Stephens Center (Birmingham News)


Have suggestions for other artists you think would make a good fit for the "On Stage" series?  Email jesssimpson@uab.edu.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Did we just see a genius at work?




All the coffee room chatter at the ASC this morning is about Saturday night's performance of the Punch Brothers.  The expectations for Chris Thile were high coming in...but he just blew everyone away.  Is it possible that his playing has gotten even better from two years ago when he performed here with Nickel Creek? 

And, big props go to Jason Bailey and his band who performed for the after party!  It can't be easy to follow up an act like the Punch Bros, but Jason & Co. put on a fantastic show, even getting praise from the Punch Bros themselves who were in the lobby signing CDs. 

Here are a few photos from the night:

Don't you wish you had this cool tshirt?
Don't you wish you had a tshirt?


[caption id="attachment_204" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="The ASC staff with the Punch Brothers"]The ASC staff with the Punch Brothers[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_205" align="alignnone" width="288" caption="Just the guys"]Just the guys[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_206" align="alignnone" width="288" caption="Punch Bros with the Jason Bailey Band"]Punch Bros with the Jason Bailey Band[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_201" align="alignnone" width="288" caption="Punch Bros take the stage"]Punch Bros take the stage[/caption]

 



[caption id="attachment_202" align="alignnone" width="288" caption="After Party featuring the Jason Bailey Band "]The Jason Bailey Band performing at the after party[/caption]