STAR TREK LIVE BLASTS OFF AT THE ASC!

The ASC presents Star Trek Live on Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 3 PM in the Jemison Theater.

Based on the popular science-fiction franchise, the show takes audiences on an exhilarating journey offering an unforgettable live theatrical experience for fans of all ages.

About STAR TREK LIVE:

Audience members join Starfleet Academy only to be unexpectedly whisked into an adventure steeped in the grand tradition of Star Trek. STAR TREK LIVE combines cutting-edge special effects, unmatched audience interaction, cool science and on-screen appearances from Captain Kirk and Spock themselves to create an exhilarating and unforgettable theatrical experience. Eager to learn from Starfleet’s best and brightest, our cadets assemble, anxious to prepare for their first day at the Academy. As we are introduced to the Academy, the Earth itself comes under attack from a renegade Romulan, leaving the fate of the future itself in the hands of our cadets. Our cadets will have to quickly learn the intricacies of living and working in space, modern space travel and the latest in communication and technology as they draw on the achievements of science in the 21st century. It will require all our knowledge, ingenuity, logic and an exploration of science to discover what is happening and how to set things right before it’s too late!

STAR TREK LIVE is a thrilling journey for audiences of all ages! Awesome special effects, unrivalled audience interaction and an exploration of real space-age technology take everyone on an unforgettable journey through the Star Trek universe. Join STAR TREK LIVE and boldly go where no one has gone before! http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=93

"Bollywood" in Birmingham!

Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes several regional film industries sorted by language. Bollywood is the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world.

Bollywood is formally referred to as Hindi cinema, but there has been a growing presence of Indian English in dialogue and songs as well. It is common to see films that feature dialogue with English words phrases, or even whole sentences.

With the growing interest and popularity of Bollywood, the ASC is proud to host "The Bollywood Experience" Saturday, November 13 for two shows at 10 AM and 11:30 AM. From classical indian dance inspired by ancient texts to modern dance as seen in the Bollywood films of today, dancer Parul Kapoor will take you on a magical journey through time. You won't want to miss this performance that's enhanced by traditional indian costumes and great music! Part of the World on Stage Festival. http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=96

Come see THE MYSTICAL ARTS OF TIBET at the ASC!

Drepung Loseling is dedicated to the study and preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of wisdom and compassion. A center for the cultivation of both heart and intellect, it provides a sanctuary for the nurturance of inner peace and kindness, community understanding, and global healing.

In implementing this vision, Drepung Loseling has two main objectives:
To contribute to North American culture by providing theoretical knowledge and practical training in Tibetan Buddhist scholarly traditions for Western students, scholars and the general public; and
To help preserve the endangered Tibetan culture, which today leads a fragile existence in the exiled refugee communities in India and Nepal.http://www.drepung.org/About.cfm

Witness the famed monks from Tibet's Drepung Loseling Monastery as they perform traditional temple music and mystical masked dances at the ASC during the World On Stage festival on November 11 at 7 PM. http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=73 This extraordinary Dalai Lama endorsed performance features elaborate costumes, traditional instruments, and unique multiphonic singing - where the monks simultaneously intone three notes of a chord. Hear the inviting tones of traditional instruments like the 10-foot dung-chen horns, drums, bells, cymbals, and gyaling trumpets. And you'll also experience the rich brocade of costumes and masked dances, such as the Dance of the Sacred Snow Lion.

Also not to be missed are the daily viewing of the monks as the create a beautiful Mandala Sand Painting in the lobby of the ASC. Public viewings start on November 8 with an opening ceremony at 1 pm and every day after from 10 AM - 6 PM with a closing ceremony on November 12 at 1 PM.

ASC presents THE WORLD ON STAGE!

The Alys Stephens Center is proud to present the World on Stage. Throughout this festival, you'll witness a sampling of diverse performers that represent unique cultures and artistic expression from around the globe. Festival Events Include:

The Mystical Arts of Tibet

Witness the famed monks from Tibet's Drepung Loseling Monastery as they perform traditional temple music and mystical masked dances. Starting November 9, the public is invited to observe as they create a beautiful Mandala Sand Painting in the lobby of the ASC everyday from 10 AM to 6 PM. November 11 is the ASC performance at 7 PM.

Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Orchestra

Come to a Poncho Sanchez show and you'll hear fragments of Latin jazz, swing, bebop, salsa, and other infectious grooves colliding and churning. His over 20-year relationship with Concord Records has yielded more than two dozen recordings, a Grammy Award and several Grammy nominations. This promises to be a show you don't want to miss! November 12 at 8 PM.

"The Bollywood Experience"

From classical indian dance inspired by ancient texts to modern dance as seen in the Bollywood films of today, dancer Parul Kapoor will take you on a magical journey through time. You won't want to miss this performance that's enhanced by traditional indian costumes and great music! November 13 at 10 PM and 11:30 PM.

African Children's Choir

No other show title has described an artistic endeavor more aptly than African Children's Choir "Journey of Hope." Through glorious performances the choir raises funds to send the members to school, provide housing, and continued leadership training. We hope you will join us in welcoming these amazing artists to the ASC and experience this joyful celebration of the power of hope, compassion, and the arts. November 14 at 3 PM.

Bill Frisell's Beautiful Dreamers

"It's hard to find a more fruitful meditation on American music than
in the compositions of guitarist Bill Frisell. Mixing rock and
country with jazz and blues, he's found what connects them:
improvisation and a sense of play. Unlike other pastichists, who
tend to duck passion, Mr. Frisell plays up the pleasure in the music
and also takes on another often-avoided subject, tenderness." - The
New York Times

Born in Baltimore, Bill Frisell played clarinet throughout his childhood in
Denver, Colorado. His interest in guitar began with his exposure to pop
music on the radio. Soon, the Chicago Blues became a passion through the
work of Otis Rush, B.B. King, Paul Butterfield and Buddy Guy. In high
school, he played in bands covering pop and soul classics, James Brown
and other dance material. Later, Bill studied music at the University of
Northern Colorado before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Over the years, Frisell has contributed to the work of such collaborators as Paul Motian, John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Ginger Baker, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, Suzanne Vega, Loudon Wainwright III, Van Dyke
Parks, Vic Chesnutt, Rickie, Lee Jones, Ron Sexsmith, Vinicius Cantuaria, Marc Johnson (in "Bass Desires"),
Ronald Shannon Jackson and Melvin Gibbs (in "Power Tools"), Marianne Faithful, John Scofield, Jan
Garbarek, Lyle Mays, Vernon Reid, Julius Hemphill, Paul Bley, Wayne Horvitz, Hal Willner, Robin Holcomb,
Rinde Eckert, The Frankfurt Ballet, film director Gus Van Sant, David Sanborn, David Sylvian, Petra Haden
and numerous others, including Bono, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell and Daniel Lanois on the soundtrack for Wim
Wenders’ film Million Dollar Hotel.
This work has established Frisell as one of the most sought-after guitar voices in contemporary music. The
breadth of such performing and recording situations is a testament not only to his singular guitar conception, but
his musical versatility as well. This, however, is old news by now. In recent years, it is Frisell's role as
composer and band leader which has garnered him increasing notoriety.

Bill Frisell brings a rich palette of colors and textures to the ASC on Friday, November 5 at 7:30 PM in the 350 seat Sirote Theater. Tickets will go fast so get yours today at the box office. http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=81

Greatest Songs Ever!!

Wow! The response to our contest to win tickets for Rosanne Cash has been overwhelming! So many of you have shared your "Greatest Song Ever" with us and that's all it takes to enter. Join the fun and give us your pick for a chance to win at: http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=79

My 'current' personal favorite is "Call Me" by Al Green.

Here is just a a sample of some of your responses:

Cyndi Lauper's "Time after Time"
"Crying" by Roy Orbison
George Jones, "He Stopped Loving Her Today"
"Unchained Melody""Seven Year Ache"
"The Man Comes Around"
"I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash
John Denver's "Take Me Home Country Road"
"May the Circle Be Unbroken"
"Son of a Preacher Man"
Elvis Presley's version of "How Great Thou Art"
"You Don't Have to Call Me Darlin', Darlin" by David Allen Coe
"She's Got You"
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
"Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow"
There were many more and the entire list will be posted on the blog on October 15 when the contest ends!
In the meantime, see if one of yours made this list at squido.com!
http://www.squidoo.com/100songs

ASC screens documentary, Burning In The Sun!

26-year-old charmer Daniel Dembele is equal parts West African and European, and looking to make his mark on the world. Seizing the moment at a crossroads in his life, Daniel decides to return to his homeland in Mali and start a local business building solar panels – the first of its kind in the sun drenched nation. Daniel’s goal is to electrify the households of rural communities, 99% of which live without power. BURNING IN THE SUN tells the story of Daniel’s journey growing the budding idea into a viable company, and of the business’ impact on Daniel’s first customers in the tiny village of Banko. Taking controversial stances on climate change, poverty, and African self-sufficiency, the film explores what it means to grow up as a man, and what it takes to prosper as a nation.

http://alysstephens.uab.edu/events/?id=106