11 minute read
UAB: Young writers get support at Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop
DISCOVER
Above: A participant in the Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop gathers
inspiration for his writing on a field trip. Photo by Lexi Coon, UAB University Relations. Left: Participants in the Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop, a summer program hosted annually by UAB. Photo by Andrea Mabry, UAB University Relations.
UAB
Young writers get support at Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop
By JESSE CHAMBERS
The UAB English Department will once again present a summer creative writing workshop for teens.
The university has partnered with Amazon as part of the retail giant’s educational program.
A new federal grant will help UAB fight food insecurity in the area.
And Cooper Green — in existence for half a century — is seeking stories from former patients and staffers.
FINDING INSPIRATION
The Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop — held each summer by the UAB Department of English — is a chance for a select group of 30 high school students to work closely with nationally acclaimed novelists, essayists and poets.
“This workshop is built around our students finding inspiration, guidance and support to express their ideas,” said Tina Braziel, director of the workshop, in a news release.
This year’s workshop will take place June 13-July 1 at the Spencers Honors House on the UAB campus.
Applications from rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will be accepted through May 1 or until all the spaces are filled.
Participants can earn up to one hour of college credit and will receive one-on-one attention to develop their writing skills, Braziel said.
The Jimmie Hess Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to assure that all interested students can attend.
The program encourages students to find inspiration in Birmingham’s rich culture and history.
Students are able to explore different genres such as poetry, fiction, memoir, and magazine production.
They draft, critique, and revise original works weekly, culminating in a published piece in The Writer’s Block, the workshop’s yearly anthology.
In the past, students represented over many Alabama schools including the Alabama School of Fine Arts, G.W. Carver High School, Huffman High School Magnet, Gadsden City School and Ramsay High School.
The workshop is named for Dr. Ada Long, a professor of English and the founding director of the UAB Honors Program.
Long was a lifelong advocate for community outreach, the value of a liberal education and the enduring significance of literature.
Braziel is an award-winning poet. Her collection, “Known by Salt,” which won the 2017 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry, was published by Anhinga Press in 2019.
She earned her MFA at The University of Oregon, has been published in numerous journals and published a poetry chapbook, “Rooted by Thirst,” in 2016
To apply and for more information about the workshop, call 205-934-8573 or go to go.uab.edu/ada.
UAB AND AMAZON
Choice Partner Network.
This means that eligible Amazon associates can receive full tuition assistance while pursuing a bachelor’s degree or certificate at UAB.
Those associates can pursue one of the school’s 55 bachelor’s degrees and 86 minors — with on-campus and online options available.
“The Career Choice program aligns with UAB’s strategic plan and mission pillars, including education and community engagement” said Bradley Barnes, the university’s provost of enrollment management.
The Career Choice program offers a variety of opportunities, including full college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs and foundational skills such as English language proficiency, high school diplomas and GEDs.
For more information, go to uab.edu/ amazon.
COOPER GREEN MEMORIES
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority is looking for stories from past and present patients and employees, according to UAB News.
Cooper Green wants to hear from patients, physicians, nurses, other employees and past students and trainees, said Dr. Raegan W. Durant, the facility’s medical director.
Anyone can submit a story or memory, and the best will be captured for a 50th anniversary video.
To submit a story, call 205-930-3450 or email cgmhs_marketing@uabmc.edu.
Cooper Green was called Mercy Hospital when it was opened by Jefferson County in 1972. It was renamed in 1975.
FIGHTING HUNGER
UAB recently received a grant for $60,000 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, as part of the VISTA program’s food security initiative.
The initiative was launched in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,
The grant — part of AmeriCorps’ $1 billion American Rescue Plan — allows UAB to expand its reach and provide food security resources and access in the Birmingham metropolitan area and surrounding areas.
The money will enable the university to collaborate with community partners, farmers, food banks and other community resources to identify funding opportunities, develop marketing materials and conduct outreach activities to promote food resources.
“At the onset of the pandemic, hunger soared to the highest rates in modern history when schools were shuttered and older Americans’ meal programs put on hiatus,” said AmeriCorps Chief Executive Officer Michael D. Smith. “The work of our food-security initiative and the University of Alabama at Birmingham will turn back this tide and bring much-needed support to older adults and families.”
This initiative by VISTA increases UAB’s ability to serve food-insecure populations by recruiting and managing volunteers and to support programs like Blazer Kitchen, a on-campus food pantry.
NECK OF THE WOODS
CENTRAL CITY ASO to celebrate centennial on Memorial Day weekend
By JESSE CHAMBERS
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 100th anniversary this season. And they want to share this historic moment with as many people in Birmingham as possible.
The orchestra will present a special threeday celebration, A Century in Symphony, at Railroad Park downtown on Memorial Day weekend.
Admission is free.
It’s a great time to hear the ASO, which has about 50 musicians and hires additional players for large events, said ASO Music Director Carlos Izcaray.
“The symphony is sounding spectacular this season,” Izcaray told Iron City Ink.
The ASO is excited about the event, he said.
“We are also honored that we can perform for our community on such a solemn date,” Izcaray said, referring to Memorial Day.
A Century in Symphony begins Friday, May 27, at 8 p.m., with the Symphonic Spectacular. The ASO will play a Dvorak symphony, as well as works by American composers, including Birmingham native
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director Carlos Izcaray, will present a series of free concerts at Railroad Park on Memorial Day weekend. Photo courtesy of ASO.
Brian Raphael Nabors.
On Saturday, May 28 at 8 p.m., the ASO will perform music by Mendelssohn inspired by Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” as well as works by Sibelius and Beethoven.
The weekend concludes with a Family Fun Day on Sunday, May 29, at 6 p.m. The symphony will play a variety of works, including patriotic music. ASO Concertmaster Daniel Szasz will make a solo appearance.
People should feel comfortable attending symphony performances even if they don’t know a lot about classical music, Izcaray said.
“One of the most common desires amongst us musicians is that of sharing our music with those who haven’t had a chance to experience it yet,” he said. “I personally love to hear their stories after they’ve heard our symphony for the first time.
A symphony concert is “one of the greatest mediums that brings people together to share an emotionally moving experience,” Izcaray said. “Our music tells the story of humanity through an emotional angle. That is why it can deeply impress both a kindergartener and senior citizen.”
The ASO’s 100th anniversary is important to Birmingham, he said.
A symphony’s “worth far outweighs its cost, hence a community that has 100 years of symphonic history is well positioned for the next decades ahead,” Izcaray said.
The ASO will also present several other events in May.
These include Masterworks concerts on May 6-7 and May 20-21 and a SuperPOPS! event May 14.
For details, go to alabamasymphony.org/ events.
FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? BIRMINGHAM BARONS BIRMINGHAM BARONS
WE HAVE THE SOLUTION.
FOUNDATION REPAIR BASEMENT WALL REPAIR FLOOR LEVELING CRAWLSPACE ENCAPSULATION
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE TODAY 205-520-9777•foundationsunlimited.com
Family-Owned and Operated Since 1996 MAY 3-8 MAY 17-22
SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW PROMOTIONS & PURCHASE TICKETS!
PUT THESE IN MAY’S BEST BETS INK
COMMUNITY
Ongoing. Civil Rights History: The Church,
Children & Community. Various locations downtown. Freedom Line Tours presents this two-hour walking tour of sites important during the civil rights era in Birmingham. Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. $65.99 per person. 866-259-9691. freedomlinetours.com
Ongoing. Crunk Fitness. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium, 1930 Eighth Ave. N. Jamme, the creator of Crunk Fitness, offers a fun, funky dance workout that focuses on the full body. Mondays and Thursday, 6-7 p.m. Admission free. 205-9607763. crunkfitness.com
May 4: YW Allies. 6-8 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. S. Hosted by YWCA Central Alabama, YW Allies honors men in Central Alabama who advocate for gender and/or racial equality. 205-322-9922. ywcabham.org
THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE
Saturn, 200 41st St. S., May 6, 8:30 p.m.
DO YOU SPEAK MEXICAN?
MUSIC
May 1: Godspeed You! Black Emperor. 8 p.m. Saturn, 200 41st S. Veteran rock band Godspeed takes part in the Saturn seventh anniversary show. $30. 205-703-9546. saturnbirmingham.com
May 3: Lavona Rushton concert. 7:30-9 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. A popular BMA event featuring an internationally acclaimed pianist, with past performers include including Daniel Hsu, Vadym Kholodenko and Van Cliburn Competition silver medalist Beatrice Rana. Stay tuned for 2022 concert details and registration. Details TBA. For updates, call 205-254-2565. artsbma.org
May 4: Colin Hay. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre, 1800 Third Ave. N. Singer-songwriter Colin Hay is well-regarded for his intimate, confessional live shows. Tickets start at $39. 800-745-3000. lyricbham.com/events
May 6: Kaydee Mulvehill. 10 p.m. The Nick, 2514 10th Ave. S. Mulvehill is a singersongwriter from Birmingham. $7 advance, $10 day of show. 205-252-3831. thenickrocks.com/
May 6: The Brian Jonestown Massacre. 8:30 p.m. Saturn, 200 41st St. S. This legendary alternative rock band formed in San Francisco in the 1990s. $22 (advance). 205-703-9546. saturnbirmingham.com/
May 6-7: Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S. The ASO will perform Mozart's 40th Symphony and Brahms' First Piano Concerto Friday and Saturday at 7 p,.m. 205-975-2787. alysstephens.org
May 12: Kulture Krisis. The Nick, 2514 10th Ave. S. Kulture Krisis from Atlanta will appear, along with Digigost and Dj Drewski. 205-2523831. thenickrocks.com/
May 15: Key Glock. 8 p.m. Iron City. 513 22nd St. S. Key Glock appears in a stop on the “Yellow Tape Tour.” All ages show. $25-$79. 205-7615105. ironcitybham.com
May 19: Medical Music Day. 10 a.m. Various locations, UAB Hospital. During this annual events, many members of the UAB Hospital Community with musical talents perform 20-minute sets. 205-975-2787. alysstephens. org/events/medical-music-2022 May 19: Sevendust. 7 p.m. Iron City. 513 22nd St. S. Sevendust is a veteran rock band, formed in the 1990s in Atlanta. $29.50. 205-761-5105. ironcitybham.com
May 20: Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road. 9 p.m. Zydeco. 2001 15th Ave. S. This bluegrass band will appear with Mountain Grass Unit from Birmingham. $12. 205-933-1032. zydecobirmingham.com
May 26: Choral Evensong. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave. N. The Cathedral Choir sings the traditional Anglican service of sung Evening Prayer in celebration of the Feast of the Ascension. Admission free. 205-226-3505. adventbirmingham.org
ARTS
Ongoing: Birmingham Bottling: Soft Drinks in
the Magic City. Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive. An exhibit showing the rich history of soft drink bottling in Birmingham. The exhibit is located in the Linn-Henley Gallery inside Vulcan Center. Vulcan Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The exhibit is included in the cost of museum admission. 205933-1409. visitvulcan.com/explore/exhibits
Did we miss something?
If you would like to have your neighborhood association meeting mentioned in next month’s calendar, email the meeting info to jchambers@starnesmedia.com.
May 1: An Officer And A Gentleman. BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. The American Theatre Guild presents the first national tour of the musical based on the 1980s hit film. Tickets start at $35. 800-9822787. broadwayinbirmingham.com
May 25: Do You Speak Mexican? 7:30 p.m. Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, Alabama School of Fine Arts, 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. Co-creators Elena Maria Garcia and Christian Perez make their Alabama debut with a funny, inspirational exploration of a firstgeneration Cuban-American family finding their place in the United States. $25. 205-563-6390. djdtheater.org
SPORTS
BIRMINGHAM BARONS (HOME GAMES AT REGIONS FIELD)
May 3-8: Tennessee
May 17-22: Rocket City Trash Pandas
(For times and tickets, call (205) 988-3200 or go to https://www.milb.com/birmingham)
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC (ALL HOME GAMES AT PROTECTIVE STADIUM)
(205-600-4696, bhmlegion.com)
May 4: Miami FC, 7 p.m.
May 18: Las Vegas Lights FC, 7 p.m.
BARBER MOTORSPORTS PARK AND MUSEUM
(205-699-7275. barberracingevents.com)
May 7-8: Sportbike Track Time
May 14-15: BMW Club Heart of Dixie Chapter
May 27-June 1: California Superbike School
