4 • Thursday, September 23, 2021
ABOUT TOWN
Powerful and Essential Stories
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Red Mountain Theatre Producing Four Shows in Human Rights New Works Festival
Red Mountain Theatre will host its annual Human Rights New Works Festival Sept. 24-26, featuring performances of new works and conversations with audiences. Through the festival, Red Mountain Theatre is giving a platform to powerful and essential stories such as those of Holocaust survivors and victims of racial injustices in Jefferson County from the 1890s through the 1930s. “We are redoubling our commitment to promoting human rights advocacy through the ancient art of theatre,” Red Mountain Theatre Executive Director Keith Cromwell said in a statement. “These shows offer unique viewpoints on important topics, and we’re excited to share them with our community.” One of the original works commissioned by RMT is “Survivors,” inspired by the stories of local Holocaust survivors. It is the first play written by local resident Deborah R. Layman. Layman has become closely acquainted with survivors’ stories through her volunteer work for the past 12 years with the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center. A native New Yorker, Layman began writing when she was a child,
About Town from page 3
3-7 p.m. Where: Pizzeria GM Website: gratefuldads.instagift.com
Private Picnic in the Park
Symphony 30 will host a fundraiser for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra where patrons can order a picnic dinner, including two adult meals, two kids meals, Cookie Fix cookies, beverages, a kids craft and links to download ASO music. When: 4-6 p.m. Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens Website: alabamasymphony.org/symphony-30
Fri., Oct. 1 Tails in the Trails
The Birmingham Zoo’s junior board will host its 11th annual fundraiser in the Hugh Kaul Plaza, featuring music by Nationwide Coverage, foodie favorites from local restaurants, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, a silent auction and more. When: 6:30 p.m.10 p.m. Where: Birmingham Zoo Website: birminghamzoo.com/event/ tails-2021
Sat., Oct. 2 Blessing of the Pets
John Carroll Catholic School will host its second annual pet blessing
Photos courtesy RMTC
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
One of the original works commissioned by RMT is “Survivors,” inspired by the stories of local Holocaust survivors. It is the first play written by Deborah R. Layman.
“True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical,” by Holly Reed above, and Kelvin Reed, features a modern family during the holidays.
An Orthodox Jewish family from Brooklyn relocates to a small town just outside of Birmingham in “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham,” by Ben Andron.
composing poetry and creating stories. After years spent in education, she developed her professional writing and editing skills in marketing communications and speech writing. According to a release, “Survivors is set in a racially diverse, contemporary high school classroom and explores the parallels between the past and the present, with Holocaust stories serving as object lessons about the consequences of hate. As the slippery slope of prejudice and intolerance is examined in the classroom,
we see the power of personal stories to bring understanding and change attitudes.” The festival schedule will include “Memorial” on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m., “True North” on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., “Survivors” on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. and “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham” on Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. Commissioned by Red Mountain Theatre, “Memorial” is written by Alabamian Quinton Cockrell and is based on research provided by the Jefferson County Memorial Project.
The production will examine lynchings in Jefferson County from the 1890s through the 1930s. “Through spirit-stirring music and drama, this play commemorates the lives lost to senseless, racially motivated violence in a dark time in American history,” a release states. “True North: A Magical New Holiday Musical,” by Holly Reed and Kelvin Reed, features a modern family during the holidays. A widowed father is deployed on a secret mission weeks before Christmas, leaving
in memory of the late Megan Montgomery, a 2006 graduate of John Carroll. The event will also serve as part of the school’s recognition of St. Francis of Assisi Day. The blessing will take place in the school’s outdoor parking lot at the back of campus. When: 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Where: John Carroll Catholic School
Taste of Hoover
the performance will be approximately 45 minutes in length. Students enter for free and adult tickets are $10. When: 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Where: Avondale Ampitheater Website: operabirmingham.org
Bluff Park Art Show
The Bluff Park Art Association will host its 58th annual art show featuring local and regional artists showcasing a variety of mediums of work. When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: The Park at Shades Cliff Website: bluffparkartassociation.org
Oct. 2-3 BHM26.2
This annual event will include multiple courses including a 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run on Oct. 2 and a marathon, half-marathon on Oct. 3. All proceeds form the races will benefit Magic Moments and Children’s of Alabama. When: Oct. 2, 8 a.m.; and Oct. 3, 7 a.m. Where: Oct. 2, downtown Homewood; Oct. 3, Sloss Furnaces. Website: bhm262.com
Thurs., Oct. 7
The annual culinary event will feature tastings created by local Hoover restaurants, caterers and vendors as well as international spirits, wines and local beers. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Aldridge Gardens Website: aldridgegardens.com
SAVE THE DATE Oct. 9-Feb. 6 The Lost Realms of The Moundbuilders
The Birmingham Museum of Art will open its newest exhibition, “Lost Realms of the Moundbuilders: Ancient Native Americans of the South and Midwest” (originally titled Spiro and the Art of the Mississippian World) organized by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The exhibition will be on display in the Jemison Galleries through Feb. 6, 2022. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art Website: artsbma.org
Sat., Oct. 9 The Three Little Pigs
Opera Birmingham will host outdoor performances of this classic children’s tale come to life through the music of Mozart. Sung as written, in English,
Rescue Run 5K
The Jimmie Hale Mission will host its annual runs, including a 10K, 5K and one-mile fun run followed followed by a short awards presentations and Homewood restaurant and business specials. When: 7:45 a.m. Where: Downtown Homewood Website: jimmiehalemission.com
Sun., Oct. 10 Tailgate Challenge
The Bell Center for Early Intervention will host its annual fundraiser to celebrate the football season. The event will include tailgate food tastings created by various teams, along with live music, kid-friendly events and more. When: 1-4 p.m. Where: The Bell Center Website: thebellcenter.org
Mon., Oct. 11 Links Fore Scholars Tournament The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce will host this annual golf
behind his two children. “With a wish, a letter and some unique seasonal help, the Patterson family discovers what just an ounce of belief can do,” a release states. “Told through the lens of a child on the spectrum, ‘True North’ is a magical and insightful story about being authentic, accepting change and holding an unwavering hope in the magic of Christmas.” An Orthodox Jewish family from Brooklyn relocates to a small town just outside of Birmingham in “Bar Mitzvah in Birmingham,” by Ben Andron. According to a release, “what begins as a comedic, fish-out-of-water story opens the door for an important dialogue about the evolution toward a ‘New South’ and the alleviation and persistence of systemic racism. It is through the bonds that form between cultures that the protagonists will transform this small town – and each other – from chaos to community, as an example for us all.” All shows are general admission seating and will be performed in the Discovery Theatre at the Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus, at 1600 Third Ave. S in Birmingham. Tickets to individual shows are $10, and festival passes are $20. For more information, visit redmountaintheatre.org.
tournament fundraiser to benefit the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which annually awards four $4,000 scholarships to deserving Hoover students. When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Riverchase Country Club Website: business.hooverchamber. org
Wed., Oct. 13 Linly Heflin Fashion Show
The Linly Heflin Unit will host its 62nd Annual Scholarship Fashion Show, featuring fashions provided by Gus Mayer and highlighting featured designer Zang Toi. Funds raised will benefit the organization’s mission to provide scholarships to local women seeking higher education at Alabama universities. When: 5:30 p.m. Where: The Club Website: linlyheflin.org
Thurs., Oct. 14 Tacos for Trinity
Trinity Counseling’s annual fall fundraiser will include a silent auction, inspiring speakers and great food. Funds raised will account for a significant portion of the organization’s annual budget, supporting work to provide mental health services to the community. When: 6-8 p.m. Where: The Battery Website: tacosfortrinity.
