ASC is packed out for After Work & Outdoors

Last night's event was the best one yet! Over 200 people came out to hear the Martini Shakers and participate in the festivities and dozens joined the ASC's JP organization.

Did you try the mac and cheese from Little Savannah? I've never been to the restaurant, but that's about to change.

Here are some pics:

Alys Stephens Center's Caron Thornton to retire in June

It is with mixed feelings of sadiness (for us) and joy (for her) that we annnounce the retirement of long-time ASC Executive Director Caron Thornton.

The article is in today's Birmingham News...

Caron Thornton, who oversaw the rise of UAB's Alys Stephens Center from a fledgling series of nine acts in 1996 to a powerful force in Birmingham arts and entertainment, will retire as executive director on June 1. She plans to remain in Birmingham, as well as realize one of her passions -- travel.

"It's about opening another phase of my life and exploring the world," Thornton said Tuesday.  (Read more)

http://blog.al.com/mhuebner/2009/05/alys_stephens_centers_caron_th.html

Come Dancing This Thursday

I love this time of year!  Warm, sunny days. Tons of outdoor music.  Lots of reasons to have drinks with friends.  If this sounds good to you too, the new After Work & Outdoor Series at the ASC brings all these yummy late Spring elements together.

Come out this Thursday afternoon beginning at 5:30 for salsa dance lessons and music from DJ Carlos & Latinsoul Productions.  There'll be margarita specials, eco-friendly visitors, and more. 

Here are some pics from last Thursday's event:

The New Season is Announced!

So, how savvy were you?  Here are the answers to our season announcement quizz.

1. Loretta Lynn (Coal Miner's Daughter)

2. Bela Fleck (it's a holiday show!)

3. Bruce Hornsby

4. Los Lobos

5. Shawn Colvin

6. David Sedaris

7. Buddy Guy

8. Three Dog Night

9. The Wailers

How many did you answer correctly?

To see the rest of the super hot ASC roster, visit www.AlysStephens.org. Season packages are on sale now!

How Savvy R U? Take this New Season Line Up Quizz.

So we're officially announcing our exciting new season lineup this Sunday in The Birmingham News, but we thought we'd give you a little tease to see if you can guess who's on the roster.

Name the correct artist for each hint below and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a pair of tickets to the performance of your choice!

1. 3 words are title to a hit single, famous album, best-selling autobiography, Oscar-winning film, and the artist herself

2. Comin’ back to Alabama with a banjo on his knee to spread holiday glee

3. Out of (the) Range

4. The Wolves are coming to Alabamba

5. When she came home, it was anything but Sunny

6. His last work of words was engulfed in flames but he's back again

7. The Scorsese light was recently shown on this Chicago musican

8. Woof Woof Woof. Zzzzzzz……

9. You'll want to Get Up & Stand Up for this band.

Just send your answers to us at ngarcia@uab.edu by 5 p.m. this Friday, April 24th. We'll email the winner on Monday!

It's Free, It's Outside - What Could Be Better?

Some of my most memorable nights at the Alys Stephens Center have not been seated watching a big name performer.  Many have been spent outside in our courtyard listening to a local performer and socialing with friends, both old and new.  That's why I'm so excited about our new series called AFTER WORK & OUTDOORS.  This series gives us a chance to showcase Birmingham's great talent.

And, we encourage you to blog in your opinions and comments on these local musicians.  Let's get a dialogue going - this is your performing arts center after all.

After Work & Outdoors
at the Alys Stephens Center

The perfect way to end your day or start your night!

Every Thursday April 30 – May 21

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine

FREE, No Ticket Required

Experience a different sound every week with live music by Birmingham’s best up-and-coming bands and musicians.

april 30 – chill to the poetry & spoken word of asc artist-in-residence Sharrif Simmons, while enjoying manhattan drink specials and food for sale from Salt: Fine Catering.

may 7 –  get the party started with latin beats and dance lessons from DJ Carlos & Latinsoul Productions. plus, killer margarita specials and food for sale from Saturday Gourmet!

may 14 – grab a cocktail from the martini bar, food from Little Savannah, and groove to local favorites
The Martini Shakers.

may 21 -  enjoy southern mint juleps, food from Jim N Nicks Bar-B-Que, and original newgrass from
The Jason Bailey Band.

▪  Beverages from Good People Brewing Company, Johnnygreenseeds Wines, and Morgan Creek Winery

▪  Great local food for sale from Salt:Fine Catering, Little Savannah, Saturday Gourmet, Whole Foods, and Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Que

▪  Ticket Giveaways

▪  Eco-friendly vendors and recycling and composting of event materials

▪  Carpooling is encouraged

Become an ASC Junior Patron and enjoy the JP Lounge complete with complimentary beer & wine and delicious food.

Special thanks to the Emerging Arts Leaders Association, Slow Food – Birmingham, Jones Valley Urban Farm, 100.5 FM, the Southern Environmental Center, ASC’s Junior Patron Board, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Whole Foods, Birmingham Weekly, Good People Brewing, and the new Live 100.5.

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