ASC 2014 Summer/Fall Magazine

THE NILE PROJECT IN 2015 30 NOT THE SAME OLD JAZZ 36 EARFILMS U.S. PREMIERE 40

CENTER MAGAZINE VOLUME 3

» ISSUE 1 » SUMMER/FALL » 2014

UAB BRANDING AD

IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. No matter who you are, or where you are in life, you have the power to make life better for everyone. Because when you support the work of UAB, giving something changes everything.

GIVE NOW | uab.edu/give

There are those who turn science into an art. There are those who have art down to a science. Both possess the power to change the world. And at the heart of that power is knowledge.

We applaud that. uabmedicine.org

APRIL 18, 2014 » JOHN LEGEND PERFORMS A SOLD OUT SHOW IN THE JEMISON CONCERT HALL » PHOTOGRAPHY BY NIK LAYMAN

30 40

6

46

36 58 2014 SUMMER / FALL SEASON 6.... Take a look at the new season

HEARING IS BELIEVING 40..... U.S. premiere of EarFilms

THE NILE SOUND 30..... The Nile Project is coming to ASC

ART WILL CHANGE YOUR WORLD 46..... The benefits of ASC membership

NOT THE SAME OLD JAZZ 36..... ASC shines a new light on jazz

ARTPLAY IS FOR EVERYONE 58..... New classes mean new opportunities

Season at a Glance .................................... 25 Subscriptions and Ticket Order Form ....... 27 Backstage Pass .......................................... 51 ASC Membership and Support ................ 52 Seen at the ASC ......................................... 54 Donors, Sponsors, Board Members ........... 56

ASC Partners and Their Schedules ........... 62 UAB Students & UAB Employees .............. 64 All About the ASC ..................................... 65 Parking and Directions ............................... 66 Seating Charts .......................................... 67 Alys Stephens Center Staff ......................... 68

THIS IS THE MARK OF AN ASC CURATED EVENT. THE MARK INDICATES THAT THE EVENT IS A ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTISTIC PROGRAM PRODUCED

BY THE STAFF OF UAB'S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 3

E

ACH TIME WE PROGRAM A SEASON AT UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS

CENTER, WE INTENTIONALLY STRETCH OUR BOUNDARIES. WE PUSH OURSELVES TO LOOK BEYOND WHAT OTHER SEASONS WERE AND CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO GO FURTHER. WE SEARCH FOR INNOVATIVE ARTISTS, TIRELESSLY CURATE UNIQUE ARTISTIC EVENTS, AND ENLIST TALENTED MUSICIANS TO DESIGN A DIVERSE AND MEMORABLE SEASON. » AS A COLLECTIVE GROUP, PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ARTS, WE CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT THIS SEASON WE FEEL WE HAVE RAISED THE BAR. » THE SEASON BEGINS

BY CELEBRATING ALL THAT MAKES OUR MAGIC CITY MAGIC, THEN WE REVEL IN A BLUES / JAZZ / ROCK / R&B LEGEND, VENTURE THROUGH A SONIC WORLD, EXPERIENCE

AN ICON OF ROCK-N-ROLL HISTORY, SWIRL IN THE LOVE OF JAZZ, REJOICE IN MESSAGES OF HOPE, DELIGHT IN GUITAR MAGIC, AND END WITH AN ARTISTIC JAUNT AROUND THE GLOBE. OUR SUMMER/FALL 2014 SEASON IS ECLECTIC AND OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. » ALONG OUR JOURNEY TO PROGRAM, WE REALIZE THAT THERE IS A MUCH LARGER STORY TO TELL. SO WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR ARTICLES ON UPCOMING ASC EVENTS, BEGINNING ON PAGE 30. » JOIN US THIS SEASON TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE BELIEVE IS ART THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR WORLD.

Shirley Salloway Kahn, Ph.D.

Theresa Harper Bruno

UAB Vice President for Development, Alumni and External Relations

ASC Corporate Board Chair

welcome to the

SUM M ERFALLS E A S O N

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 5

summerseries2014

MUSIC

EATS

BREWS

GOODS

It’s all about BIRMINGHAM saturday »

JUNE 21 » 5pm

Enjoy the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, by celebrating Birmingham at LOCAL, a free community event put on by the Alys Stephens Center’s Junior Board. » Browse tents and enjoy produce from local farmers’ markets like Pepper Place Saturday Market and West Homewood Farmers Market. Shop various local vendors, grab a bite to eat and a beer from a local craft brewery.

» Enjoy music from the finalists of ASC Commissions Birmingham as they each perform a set, including their own song written about Birmingham. » Through sponsorships LOCAL will raise funds to help support ArtPlay, the ASC’s education and outreach initiative.

ArtPlay reaches over 12,000 individuals in our community yearly through its arts education programs.

» WEST HOMEWOOD FARMERS MARKET » STONE HOLLOW FARMSTEAD PANTRY » WEST ELM » OCTANE » STEEL CITY POPS » OLI. O » GREEN BOTTLE CANDLE CO. » CAHABA BREWERY

PEPPER PLACE SATURDAY MARKET LEAF & PETAL

» ENGEL PLAZA « FREE VIP Tickets are Available » $25 in advance » $30 day of event ~ Includes food and beverages from participating vendors 6 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

the

BASEBALLPROJECT SCOTT McCAUGHEY » MIKE MILLS » LINDA PITMON » STEVE WYNN

thursday »

JULY 10 » 7:30pm

summerseries2014

This supergroup, formed in 2007 by Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, R.E.M.) and Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3, Gutterball), began as a way for a couple of fans to pay musical tribute to our national pastime. The Baseball Project has since blossomed into a full-fledged, much-loved band in its own right, one that currently includes drummer Linda Pitmon (Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3, Zuzu’s Petals) and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Mike Mills on its official roster, and one whose following and creativity has steadily grown with each release and tour. The ensemble’s newest CD,

3rd, showcases the band’s musical muscle in ways that 2008’s Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails and 2011’s Volume 2: High and Inside only hinted at.

The rock record, 3rd, approaches the grand old game from a variety of intriguing angles. True legends of the game (“The Babe,” “They Don’t Know Henry,” “A Boy Named Cy”) share the lineup alongside humorous and heartfelt salutes to lesser-known players like “Pascual on the Perimeter,” which recalls the time Atlanta Braves pitcher Pascual Perez got lost on the way to a game at his own team’s ballpark.

Join us as we cheer on The Baseball Project while they rock the night away.

» SIROTE THEATRE « $ 29.50

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 7

summerseries2014

LALAHHATHAWAY & RUBEN STUDDARD thursday »

JULY 17 » 8pm

Join Lalah Hathaway and Ruben Studdard for an evening of classic soul coupled with rhythm-and-blues hits – one elegant show with a seamless blending of classic duets, fan favorites, and selections from each of the artists' respective catalogs. » The ASC proudly welcomes back one of our favorite artists, Lalah Hathaway. Born to R&B/soul music royalty, as the daughter of late soul music legend Donny Hathaway, Lalah is often referred to as the “first daughter of soul.” » With a Grammy Award, multiple acclaimed recordings, and incredible live performances under her belt, Hathaway has created a musical legacy all her own. One of her more recent collaborations includes the “Velvet Teddy Bear”

himself, Verve Recording artist Ruben Studdard.

Studdard has warmed the hearts of his huge fan base with five albums and has toured with the varied likes of Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, CeCe Winans and David Foster. » But with his new album Unconditional Love, which was helmed by Foster in his role as chairman of Studdard’s new label, Verve Records, he has delivered the recording that he himself states is 'the record I should have made after I won American Idol.' Indeed, Unconditional Love brings together timeless classics and new compositions sure to qualify, including “Meant To Be,” the first single, which Studdard introduced on the finale of "The Biggest Loser," and co-wrote with Foster.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $61.50 B $52.50 C $43.50 8 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

BOZSCAGGS thursday »

AUGUST 14 » 8pm

summerseries2014

A casual listen to the Boz Scaggs discography makes one thing obvious: Boz Scaggs is both a musical seeker and a man of sizable talent as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. His explorations in blues and R&B, rock and jazz have produced lasting work and a career that has brought with it acclaim, a loyal following, and an enduring respect among musicians. » The Grammy Award-winning rock legend released his 17th album, Memphis, in 2013. The album is a mixture of both original songs and classic covers designed as a nod to toward family history and American roots music.

Memphis was recorded with an all-star band (Keb’ Mo’, Willie Weeks, Steve Jordan, Ray Parker Jr. and

Spooner Oldham), at the landmark Royal Studio where countless Hi Records hits were recorded by Al Green, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy and others.

The album hit No. 1 on Billboard’s blues chart in 2013. » In addition to touring extensively with his own band, Scaggs continues to work with Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald as The Dukes of September, most recently playing a 47-city tour to rave reviews, performing their own material along with R&B and soul classics. Within that collaboration, throughout his career and especially evident in Memphis, Scaggs’ unique voice and trademark sound make plain his abiding respect for a wide spectrum of American roots music.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $74.50 B $65.50 C $55.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 9

A U D I O

I M A G I N A T I O N

STEVE HAYWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

AUGUST 19 through AUGUST 22

EARFILMS TO SLEEP TO DREAM U.S. PREMIERE AUGUST 19 - AUGUST 22 ODESS THEATRE » 7:30pm » $21.00

ONLY 90 TICKETS AVAILABLE NIGHTLY. Call the ASC Box Office and reserve your tickets today.

SCAN QR FOR MORE ABOUT EARFILMS

» ARTPLAY » Meet the Artist school shows - daily at 10am »

summerseries2014

Experience the U.S. premiere of EarFilms’ cuttingedge, award-winning, feature-length film, To Sleep To Dream, in the intimate setting of the Odess blackbox theatre. » Seated within a 3D ambisonic sound system, you are blindfolded to focus your senses.

EarFilms creates a playground for your imagination - a medium where your mind’s eye fills in the blanks, paints the pictures, chooses the camera angles and costumes, and allows you to become the director.

An EarFilm isn’t just the telling of a story - it’s a way for the listener to be a part of the story. » Live storytelling, immersive 3D sound and a musical score will draw you deep into your own iteration of this story as your ears become your eyes.

» “Creating The Story” discussion » Wednesday, August 20 & Thursday, August 21, at 3pm »

IN HONOR OF THE EARFILMS RESIDENCY AND U.S. PREMIERE OF TO SLEEP TO DREAM THE ASC INVITES YOU TO DELVE FURTHER INTO THE WORLD OF SOUND. Beginning at 6pm prior To Sleep To Dream (and running continuously each evening) enjoy these free sonic experiences in the Jemison Concert Hall and the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall.

I/O - AN IMMERSIVE AURAL EXPERIENCE » JEMISON CONCERT HALL » 6pm » FREE Experience a 7.1 surround sound installation, commissioned by the ASC and created by UAB professors William Price and Scott Phillips, allowing you to hear a piece of music in a way not possible through a recording or live performance. » Entering the Jemison Concert Hall, you will see a series of parabolic speakers hanging from the ceiling, all playing the same piece of music.

Choose the path you wish and hear a different part of the music at each stop. At one stop, just the strings – at another, just the brass – and at the conductor’s position, hear all the music combined.

SOUND & SENSE FILM SERIES » REYNOLDS-KIRSCHBAUM RECITAL HALL » 6pm » FREE In partnership with the Sidewalk Film Festival, the ASC is honored to host a series of films selected by Sidewalk that deal with the subject of sense and sound. » The Sidewalk Film Festival runs August 22-24.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 11

magic chromacity AMANDA browder AN INSTALLATION BY UAB VISITING ARTIST

MAGIC CHROMACITY ALYS STEPHENS CENTER & AEIVA » FREE

In the first joint project for UAB’s Cultural Corridor, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC), the Department of Art and Art History (DAAH) and the new Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) together have commissioned Brooklyn fabric and installation artist Amanda Browder to create “Magic Chromacity.” The vast works Browder will create with community members will use recycled and donated materials to create largescale art pieces adorning both the AEIVA and ASC buildings, which face each other on 10th Avenue South on the UAB campus. The large-scale art pieces will allow the buildings to “speak” to each other while also serving as individual works of art.

MOCK-UP OF BROWDER’S PROPOSED INSTALLATIONS

As part of the DAAH’s new Pop-Up Studio series, Browder will be in residence July 9-12.

She will give a free lecture at 6pm Thursday, August 28 with an opening reception to be held August 29, both at AEIVA. Both events will be free and open to the public. The lecture is sponsored by the UAB Department of Art and Art History, John S. Jemison Fund, and the Alys Stephens Center.

summerseries2014

AMANDA BROWDER LECTURE » AEIVA » FREE

COMMUNITY SEWING DAYS » AEIVA & ARTPLAY » FREE Browder visited Birmingham in April and will visit again in July for the Magic Chromacity “Community Sewing Days.” The entire community is asked to come out and take part in this historic project. The final artwork will be installed and celebrated Thursday, August 28, and on view through Friday, September 5.

July 9 » 4 - 8pm, AEIVA July 10 » 9am - 7pm, AEIVA July 11 » 9am - 1pm, AEIVA 3pm - 5:30pm, ARTPLAY July 12 » 8:30am - 5pm, ARTPLAY TO LEARN MORE OR GET INVOLVED, VISIT THE DAAH WEBSITE UAB.EDU/CAS/ART

thursday

»

AUGUST 28 through SEPTEMBER 5 » friday

» UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER & ABROMS // ENGEL INSTITUE FOR THE VISUAL ARTS « FREE ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 13

summerseries2014

KEB’MO’ and G.LOVE&SPECIALSAUCE tuesday »

AUGUST 26 » 7pm

Keb’ Mo’ has been making critically acclaimed albums since 1994 when he released his self-titled debut and became a fresh face in the blues/roots genre. That record proved to be an entryway that got many to sit up and take notice. But it was his second release, Just Like You, in 1996 that won him the first of three Grammys. It dared a deeper venture into the joyful and healing aspects of the blues and a more mainstream style. » His genre-blending artfulness, intuitive lyrics, unique guitar style, distinctive voice, and magnetic charisma on stage have gained him the significant honor of being called “a musician’s musician.” » G. Love & Special Sauce are a Philadelphiabased trio whose laid-back, sloppy blues sound is unique,

as it encompasses the sound/production of classic R&B and recent rap artists. Twenty years after the release of their self-titled debut and eight years since their last live performance together, the original lineup of G. Love & Special Sauce (G. Love - born Garrett Dutton, Jeff Clemens, Jim Prescott) return with their first album in nearly a decade. Built on the trio’s signature hip-hop blues sound, they are breathing new life into their groove-heavy, Chicago-blues-infused brand of stripped-down rock-nroll. “The goal for the album was to make it really raw and immediate, with live takes and live vocals, and everybody playing so that it all comes together in that intangible way,” says G. Love. “That’s what our music is all about.”

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $68.50 B $58.50 C $48.50 14 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

DUQUETTEJOHNSTON WITH OPENING ARTIST, ARMAND MARGJEKA

friday »

SEPTEMBER 12 » 7:30pm

summerseries2014

The ASC is excited to present Duquette Johnston one of the most talented artists to emerge from Birmingham’s music scene. » This performance brings together Johnstons rock band with orchestral musicians, forming the largest band the artist has performed with to date. “I’ve been performing with a nine-piece band which includes my string quartet, but being able to play in the ASC’s Sirote Theatre will allow me the space and setting to bring the orchestra I have envisioned over the last year to life,” says Johnston. » The 2013 groundbreaking relsease, Rabbit Runs a Destiny, is new territory for Johnston, unveiling a voice that’s willing to be both vulnerable and strong.

Anchored by sweeping and majestic sonic landscapes, Rabbit shows a musician firmly in control of his craft, but unafraid to grow and dig deeper. These songs mark a new journey for Duquette Johnston, and one that’s worth hitching a ride to follow. » As a songwriter and producer, opening artist Armand Margjeka has developed a reputation for his fascination with the process of making great records: the intentional, incidental, and accidental sounds breathing life into a recording and embodying its unique character. » Margjeka’s sophomore album, Hummingbird, is available now from Birmingham’s PIPEANDGUN and Communicating Vessels.

» SIROTE THEATRE « $ 29.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 15

EXPERIENCE HENDRIX

EXPERIENCEHENDRIX thursday »

SEPTEMBER 25 » 7pm

Since 2004, with the endorsement of the Hendrix family, Experience Hendrix has been delighting fans at sold-out shows worldwide. Musicians love this show as much as fans! It’s a time for them to come together and celebrate one of their biggest and most important musical influences. » The tour offers multiple opportunities for performers and the audience to witness unique collaborations among the tour’s featured artists, and will highlight these artists' favorite Hendrix signature songs including “Little Wing,” “Fire,” “Purple Haze,” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” » The star-studded tour, which has included performers like Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd,

Bootsy Collins, Eric Johnson, and more, finds some of the genre’s most respected artists paying homage to arguably one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. » It’s this fusion of classic Jimi Hendrix music combined with the unique pairing of practicing musicians that makes the Experience Hendrix tour such an uncommon musical treat dishing up night after night of legendary music and exciting stage show. » The ASC performance will feature Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Chris Layton of SRVDT, and Doyle Bramhall II. » Keep watching during the summer for more musicians to be announced as featured performers for the ASC performance!

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $125.00 B $110.50 C $91.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 17

FEATURING

KIRK WHALUM SWING VOL. 2

THEESSENTIALSSWING FEATURING KIRK WHALUM

Hosted by UAB Artist-in-residence Eric Essix, The Essentials is a new innovative series devoted to honoring music’s rich history and sound.

Over the coming years the ASC will enlighten and entertain you as we journey through jazz. Join us for the second installment of The Essentials as we explore Swing! » The first half of this evening is dedicated to surveying the exciting period of swing’s history, the music, and artists – led by Essix and featuring acclaimed jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum alongside the UAB Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of assistant professor of jazz studies and trumpet Dr. Steve Roberts. The ensemble recently won top prize at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame competition and will also be joined by vocalist Ashley Roberts, who has performed with the nationally renowned Birmingham band, St. Paul and the Broken Bones. » The second set features guest artist Kirk Whalum. Soulful, passionate, stirring ... these are the words most often used

friday »

to describe Whalum’s music. Forged from his Memphis gospel roots, Whalum’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. An 11-time Grammy nominee, he won his first Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song for “It’s What I Do” featuring Lalah Hathaway. » In addition to music, Whalum has a passion to educate young, aspiring musicians, and as such he currently serves as chief creative officer of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music in his hometown of Memphis. In a career spanning decades, Whalum has a sound that is uniquely his; it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener. » The residency also includes a Meet the Artist school show complete with curriculum guides and a master class/open rehearsal for music students. » This series is especially innovative because it combines equal parts education and entertainment in one stage show and spotlights an internationally acclaimed jazz artist alongside our talented local jazz musicians.

SEPTEMBER 26 » 8pm

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « $ 39.50 » ARTPLAY Meet the Artist School show - 10am & Master Class for Music Students « This performance is made possible by the support of Welch Hornsby, Inc. ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 19

TROMBONESHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE

thursday »

OCTOBER 2 » 8pm

Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews has a given talent, natural charisma, and a relentless drive to bridge music’s past and future. His third outing for Verve Records, Say That to Say This, sounds like nothing else out there, as Andrews and his longtime band, Orleans Avenue – guitarist Pete Murano, bassist Mike Ballard and drummer Joey Peebles – continue their natural musical evolution. » Trombone Shorty began his career as a bandleader at the young age of 6, toured internationally at age 12, and spent his teens playing with various brass bands throughout New Orleans and touring worldwide with Lenny Kravitz. He has also performed alongside

noteable artists such as B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Mary Lambert. In 2012, he received the President’s Medal from Tulane University in recognition of his charitable work with the Trombone Shorty Foundation. In collaboration with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the Trombone Shorty Foundation donates quality instruments to schools across New Orleans. » On a worldwide tour that’s taking fans by storm, Trombone Shorty and his ensemble, Orleans Avenue, explore funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop with a style all their own and are some of the most exciting, high-energy artists touring today.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $55.50 B $46.50 C $36.50 20 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

MARYMARY thursday »

OCTOBER 16 » 7pm

Fearless. That one word eloquently captures the creative spirit of the groundbreaking duo Mary Mary.

Ever since siblings Erica and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with the pioneering crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You),” the chart-topping sister act has never wavered from defying convention to fulfill its mission: sending uplifting messages through music and words that are relatable to everyone. » “It’s about making music that touches both adults and young

people,” says Erica. Adds Tina, “It’s about spreading good news for the world but doing it in the Mary Mary way: banging beats and melodies, intertwined voices and messages of hope.” » An amazing 10 years later, having earned three Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and a BET Award, the “Mary Mary way” sounds just as fresh and innovative as it did when they first dreamed of sharing their message with the world.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $68.50 B $59.50 C $49.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 21

JULIANLAGE & CHRISELDRIDGE thursday »

OCTOBER 23 » 7pm

The Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge duo is a collaborative effort founded in the roots of acoustic music, exploring the worlds of improvisation and composition. With Lage’s background in modern jazz and new music, and Eldridge’s deep relationship with bluegrass - as well as being a member of the widely acclaimed band Punch Brothers - this duo lives at the nexus of improvisation, spontaneous composition, and virtuosic refinement, all performed on their respective 1939 Martin guitars. » Lage began playing guitar at an early age and by the time he was 8, he was playing with Carlos Santana. At age 11, he began performing and collaborating with Gary Burton. In 2009, Lage released his debut album, Sounding

Point, with the help of musicians such as Bela Fleck and Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile. Sounding Point was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. » Eldridge has been at the vanguard of acoustic music for much of the past decade. In 2005 Eldridge also caught the attention of Nickel Creek’s Thile, who enlisted him, along with banjoist Noam Pikelny, violinist Gabe Witcher, and bassist Greg Garrison to start working on an ambitious side project. Soon after they decided to focus all of their collective energies into one band, the Punch Brothers was born. The band has since released three critically acclaimed albums, received two Grammy nominations and toured around the world.

» ARTPLAY PARLOR « 37.50 BEVERAGES & HOR D’OEUVRES INCLUDED » ARTPLAY Meet the Artist - Friday, October 24, 10am « $

22 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

THEASSADBROTHERS THE WORLD'S MOST ACCOMPLISHED GUITAR DUO

thursday »

NOVEMBER 13 » 7pm

The ASC is excited to annouunce the return of the Brazilian-born brothers, Sérgio and Odair Assad. » Fusing classical, jazz, and Latin stylings, the Assads have set the benchmark for all other guitarists by creating a new standard of guitar innovation, ingenuity, and expression. » The Washington Post declares they are “the best twoguitar team in existence, maybe even in history… no amount of anticipation could have prepared me for the Brazilian brothers’ daringly flexible, eerily unanimous ensemble playing.” » They have worked extensively with renowned artists such as Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Fernando Suarez Paz, Paquito

D’Rivera, Gidon Kremer, and Dawn Upshaw, and have an ongoing, highly acclaimed, collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2009, the brothers were featured on Ma’s chart topping release, “Songs of Joy & Peace,” which features other guest artists as diverse as James Taylor and Dave Brubeck. » The prolific duo is playing a major role in creating and introducing new music for two guitars.

Their virtuosity has inspired a wide range of composers to write for them, and now Sérgio Assad is adding to their repertoire by composing music for the duo and for various musical partners both with symphony orchestra and in recitals.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « $ 49.50

» ARTPLAY Meet the Artist school show - Thursday, November 13, 10am «

GLOBALFEST

Join us for 3 days of free events from around the globe that coincide with The Assad Brothers performance.

THE MAJESTY OF AFRICAN ART EGYPT: A VIEW FROM ABOVE Wednesday, NOVEMBER 12 » Noon

Thursday, NOVEMBER 13 » 5:45pm

A TOUCH OF TANGO SOUNDS OF IRELAND Thursday, NOVEMBER 13 » Noon

Friday, NOVEMBER 14 » Noon

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 23

ADICKENSVESTPOCKET CHRISTMASCAROL DECEMBER 19 & 20 friday @ 7pm » saturday @ 11am

Back by popular demand, A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to everyone! Join the Cratchets, Tiny Tim, all the Spirits, and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge in his journey toward redemption and enlightenment. This delightful play is

adapted and directed by beloved ASC staff member and ArtPlay teaching artist Jerry Sims, whose popular original productions include Yuletide in Dogtown, Alice’s EVEN BIGGER Tea Party, and Down the Yellow Brick Road. Come early to enjoy holiday treats and more!

» SIROTE THEATRE « ADULTS $11.00 CHILDREN $9.00

» ARTPLAY Meet the Artist school shows - Thursday, December 18, 10am & 1pm » Friday, December 19, 10am & 1pm « 24 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

SEASONATA GLANCE LOCAL It’s All About Birmingham Saturday » June 21 5pm page 6

Experience Hendrix Tour Thursday » September 25 7pm page 16

The Baseball Project Thursday » July 10 7:30pm page 7

Kirk Whalum The Essentials: Swing Friday » September 26 8pm page 18

Lalah Hathaway & Ruben Studdard Thursday » July 17 8pm page 8

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Thursday » October 2 8pm page 20

Boz Scaggs Thursday » August 14 8pm page 9

Mary Mary Thursday » October 16 7pm page 21

EarFilms U.S Premiere Tuesday » August 19 Friday » August 22 7:30pm page 10

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge Thursday » October 23 7pm page 22

Magic Chromacity An Installation by Artist Amanda Browder Thursday » August 28 Friday » September 5 page 12

The Assad Brothers Thursday » November 13 7pm page 23

Keb’ Mo’ and G. Love & Special Sauce Tuesday » August 26 7pm page 14 Duquette Johnston with Armand Margjeka Friday » September 12 7:30pm page 15

GlobalFest Wednesday » November 12 Friday » November 14 page 23

A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol Friday » December 19 » 7pm Saturday » December 20 » 11am page 24

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 25

MORE SHOWS. MORE ART.

MORE SAVINGS!

Take advantage of the ASC’s

IT’S YOUR CHOICE ticket package.

When you purchase tickets to three or more performances at once, you will RECEIVE 15% OFF your order. In addition, you have the benefits of being a season subscriber, which include PREFERRED SEATING and ADVANCE PURCHASE opportunities to all ASC Presents shows before tickets go on sale to the general public.

After purchasing your IT’S YOUR CHOICE package, should you decide to purchase additional performance tickets throughout the season, you will be able to apply the 15% subscriber discount. Just identify yourself as an ASC Subscriber when you call the ASC Box Office, and the discount will be applied.

Continuous subscribers who purchased tickets to three or more performances in our previous season will be given priority to receive the best seats for the upcoming season.

Act now to receive the best seats available.

All subscriptions are processed in the order received.

TICKETS ON SALE JUNE 16, 2014

26 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

WINTER / SPRING

2014 TICKET ORDER FORM

Choose the performances you would like to see and the number of tickets to each show, total at the bottom, and send over your completed form.

ONLINE

PHONE » 205.975.2787 1.877.278.8457 FAX » 205.975.2958 » AlysStephens.org ASC Box Office, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1261 » PHYSICAL ADDRESS » 1200 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35205

MAILING ADDRESS

EVENT

DATE

The Baseball Project

July 10

7:30pm

$

29.50 x

Lalah Hathaway & Ruben Studdard

July 17

8pm

$

61.50 x

$

52.50 x

$

Boz Scaggs

August 14

8pm

$

74.50 x

$

65.50 x

$

EarFilms

To Sleep To Dream

August 19 August 20 August 21 August 22

7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 7:30pm

$

August 26

7pm

$

68.50 x

58.50 x

$

29.50 x 110.50 x

$

Keb’ Mo’ and G. Love & Special Sauce

TIME

SEATING A

SEATING B

SEATING C

43.50 x

55.50 x

21.00 x 21.00 x $ 21.00 x $ 21.00 x $

$

48.50 x

Duquette Johnston

Opening Artist Armand Margjeka

September 12 7:30pm

$

Experience Hendrix Tour

September 25 7pm

$

Kirk Whalum

September 26 8pm

$

39.50 x

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

October 2

8pm

$

55.50 x

$

46.50 x

$

36.50 x

Mary Mary

October 16

7pm

$

68.50 x

$

59.50 x

$

49.50 x

Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge

October 23

7pm

$

37.50 x

The Assad Brothers

November 13

7pm

$

49.50 x

A Dickens Vest Pocket Christmas Carol

December 19 7pm December 20 11am

The Essentials: Swing

If you are a UAB employee, student, or graduate, you are eligible for 15% off single tickets plus an additional 5% discount on the It’s Your Choice package. Please include a copy of your current UAB ID or alumni card to receive the discount. Payroll deduction for UAB employees is available through the ASC Box Office.

TICKET $ VALUE

$ $

125.00 x

11.00 x 11.00 x

$

$ $

91.50 x

9.00 x 9.00 x

Step 1: Add the prices above for your Ticket Subtotal:

Step 2: If purchasing tickets to three or more shows, subtract 15% to determine Discounted Ticket Subtotal and enter here (otherwise, proceed to Step 3): Step 3: Please note our Handling Fee:

8.00

$

Step 4: Add Handling Fee to Ticket Subtotal or Discounted Ticket Subtotal for your Ticket Total:

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 27

BECOME A MEMBER » For more information on becoming a member, call 205.996.6113. For more information about the corporate membership program, call 205.934.6196. Choose from the following membership levels: CIRCLE CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Director’s Circle $10,000+_____

Diamond Circle $5,000+ _____ Platinum Circle $2,500+ _____

Gold Circle $1,000+ _____ Silver Circle $500+ _____ ASC FAMILY CIRCLE: Ovation $250+_____

Bravo

$100+_____

Applause $60+ _____

JUNIOR PATRONS MEMBERSHIP:

Dual Contributor

Individual Contributor

Dual

Individual

$175+_____ $100+_____ $75+ _____ $40+ _____

I would like to be invited to Family Events.*

FRIENDS OF THE ASC: Ambassador $250+_____

Supporter $100+_____

Advocate $60+ _____

I would like to be invited to Junior Patrons Events.*

*Valid only for Circle Club members and Family Circle members at the Ovation level.

MEMBERSHIP TOTAL $

THANK YOU

Ticket Total $ _______ Membership Total $ _______

FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Grand Total $ _______

PLEASE NOTE: In order to best serve you and locate you in our database, we ask that all personal information below be complete and accurate.

This information is used to issue your tickets, make exchanges, send event postcards, and contact you personally if a performance is cancelled.

This information also provides ticket insurance in case tickets are lost.

Title: Mr.

Mrs.

First Name:

Ms.

Miss

Dr.

Last Name: ____________________

Spouse:

Street Address:

City:

Day Phone: ______________________ Evening Phone: Please check all that apply:

Please charge my tickets: Visa

MasterCard

State:

ZIP Code:

_________________________ Email:

Renewing my subscription Becoming a new subscriber Purchasing single tickets UAB employee interested in payroll deduction

American Express

Name on card (please print) Expiration date

______________________

You may also contact the ASC Box Office at 205.975.2787 and provide your credit card payment information by phone.

Discover Card number

Signature

Enclosed is my check payable to: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center

SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF THIS WONDERFUL FACILITY! UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting, developing, and advancing the best in the performing arts and arts education in Alabama. In order to continue serving the community, we must maintain and care for the beauty of this performing arts center.

Please note that each ticket price includes $2 for the Alys Stephens Center Preservation Fund, which ensures the future of this facility for years to come.

Thank you for your continuing support.

28 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

40 the center magazine

30

46 36

58

NILE the sounds of the

BY LINTON WRIGHT // PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY of MATJAZ KACICNIK

30 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

For thousands of years, the Nile Today, the populations of nations River has served as both the bedrock such as Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and lifeline of the world’s greatest and Uganda continue to rely on the civilizations. Flowing from Tanzania Nile as a source of both clean water and running and sustainable north through power. These Egypt, the Nile is resources are of the longest river vital importance in the world, to these countries, spanning over and as a result 4,000 miles and there is ongoing A Nile gathering in Aswan, Egypt, on the Nile River. This gathering resulted in the Nile Project’s first album released touching 11 tension over access in 2013, dubbed “Aswan.” countries. Each and usage of the of these countries has a special Nile’s precious resources. relationship with the river, and Modern dam construction has their people have depended on its significantly altered the flow and waters to survive for millennia. behavior of the river in a way that

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 31

between these nations seem dismal, there has favored more developed downstream THE NILE PROJECT are people in these countries working nations. With the continued economic SEEKS TO BRING together to create an equitable and and social development of upstream sustainable solution through their shared nations, demand for the resources of THE PEOPLE OF THE cultural heritage and mutual reverence the Nile has increased, but development along the river in upstream countries has NILE BASIN TOGETHER of the Nile. One group in particular, The Nile Project, is finding a way to been hindered by those downstream.

TO ENCOURAGE directly engage the people of these nations The flow of water is greatly affected through the ubiquitous appeal of music. by development projects upstream, DIALOGUE AND RAISE The Nile Project seeks to bring the making downstream nations assertive people of the Nile basin together to in maintaining control over their water AWARENESS OF ISSUES encourage dialogue and raise awareness of allotment. The current status quo has IN AN EFFORT TO issues in an effort to enhance the future created geopolitical conflict between riparian, or river-bordered, peoples. many nations along the Nile, which ENHANCE THE FUTURE ofTheallproject brings together musicians will likely only be exacerbated by the from the diverse artistic traditions found increasing demand for clean water and OF ALL RIPARIAN PEOPLES. throughout the Nile basin and illuminates the threat of climate change. the interconnected musical and cultural Efforts to alleviate the tensions have heritage shared by all people along the river. Combining the visceral had limited success. The 437 million citizens who depend on the percussion and polyrhythms of Tanzania with the diverse melodic Nile in their day-to-day lives have few ways to communicate with and harmonic styles of Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, The Nile one another across state borders due to lingual and cultural barriers.

Project creates a musical fusion that is both distinctively modern yet Furthermore, many people in these nations lack understanding simultaneously rooted in some of the oldest musical traditions in or awareness of the issues at hand due to poor relationships and the world. Energetic drums pound and eclectic string instruments dialogue with their governments, as many decisions regarding meld together in perfect harmony as vocalists, singing in multiple resources are made without their knowledge or consent. languages, serenade audiences across the globe as part of one of the While many of the political and environmental disputes world’s most unique orchestras.

The project was founded in 2011 by Egyptian ethnomusicologist Mina Girgis and Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero as a new and creative way to explore the many challenges facing Nile-

A woman of the Nile basin meditates while kneeling on the riverbank.

bordering countries. The first iteration of the project took shape throughout 2012 and featured 18 artists from Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. The group collaborated for 10 days, introducing one another to the unique musical styles and techniques of their homelands by sharing both original music and traditional folk songs. At first this process was difficult, since many of the musicians were completely oblivious to the musical vocabulary of their collaborators.

However, as time went on the collective found commonalities amongst all of their styles and solidified their music into a cohesive whole. “We came in as separate musicians,” says Brooklyn-based Sudanese vocalist Alsarah, a participant in the first Nile Project. “But now we’re creating a little orchestra with a new sound – a Nile sound.”

The music created by this group features six vocalists singing in 11 different languages with moods ranging from introspective and melancholic to unabashedly euphoric.

Lyrically, the songs explore themes Singing, dancing, of identity, globalization, and music-making diaspora, and, of course, from the Nile Project the Nile itself. While this concert at Al Azhar Park, Cairo, Egypt, collaboration continues January 2013. to affect everyone who was fortunate enough to participate, the group’s creative efforts outwardly culminated in a performance in Aswan, Egypt, in January 2013. That performance was recorded and subsequently released as Aswan and has received numerous accolades for its musicianship and social and political message.

Following up on the success of the first gathering, The Nile Project recently conducted its second workshop between January 23 and February 13 of this year. Featuring 14 different musicians, the scope of the project is now even larger than before, with a full international tour planned in advance of the debut of the project’s second album, Jinja.

While it’s easy to focus solely on the group’s amazing music, The Nile Project adamantly reinforces its primary goal of raising awareness on the vast issues that face the Nile basin by promoting

environmental and sustainability education. In addition to performing their music, The Nile Project works closely with universities throughout the world in programming interdisciplinary forums and workshops that incorporate numerous academic disciplines. The group has a seemingly endless well of designed discussions and lectures that touch upon the most pressing issues facing the Nile basin, including international development, sustainable business, and water politics both in the Nile and here in the U.S. While to many it may seem that the problems of the Nile are distant and inapplicable to our own experience here in the U.S., it is important to remember that our nation faces similar developmental issues surrounding the Mississippi River and that the potential water crisis facing the Nile is just a microcosm of the issues that could face the planet as a whole. Thus, the broader message of The Nile Project is one that should be heard by people across the globe.

With their commitment to use music to both inspire and educate, it makes perfect sense that the ASC and UAB are eager to work with The Nile Project. The ASC is fully committed to utilizing the arts and arts education to create positive social change through the many programs at ArtPlay and the ASC. “The arts have never been created simply for entertainment,” says Theresa Bruno, ASC Corporate Board Chair. “If you go back through history, some of the earliest forms of art – such as storytelling and drama – sought to raise awareness of cultural issues. I think there is tremendous power in allowing cultural issues to surface through artistic expression.” The potential impact The Nile Project could have on students and young people is profound, and the ASC intends to work closely with The Nile Project and UAB to hold

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 33

Nile Project musicians perform for a large crowd while playing instruments from each musicians native country during the concert at Al Azhar Park, Cairo, Egypt, January 2013.

salon discussions, education and outreach events, and workshops leading up to The Nile Project’s performance in January 2015.

Topics that could be addressed throughout these programs include sustainability, agriculture, watershed and water politics, geopolitics, health policy, and international development. “In past projects, the ASC has sought to curate events and bring in projects that engage with the UAB community at large,” says Bruno. “The Nile Project fits in perfectly with that goal. We hope to have an excellent roster of speakers to present on issues touched by The Nile Project as part of their visit in January.” In addition to lectures and workshops in conjunction with UAB, ArtPlay is planning its own education and

“WE CAME IN AS SEPARATE MUSICIANS,” SAYS BROOKLYN-BASED SUDANESE VOCALIST ALSARAH, A PARTICIPANT IN THE FIRST NILE PROJECT. “BUT NOW WE’RE CREATING A LITTLE ORCHESTRA WITH A NEW SOUND – A NILE SOUND.” outreach activities aimed at elementary, middle, and high school students in the Birmingham area. ArtPlay Teaching Artist Charles Tortorici has already worked with young people in Birmingham for many years to educate them on water issues through his Watershed Workshop, and preaches the importance of clean and sustainable water sources through both visual and performing arts.

With this much activity surrounding The Nile Project, you can expect the events will capture the attention of people throughout all reaches of the Birmingham community. By exploring the current conflicts and problems facing the Nile basin, the people of Birmingham will have a unique and vitally important opportunity to address the problems facing future generations both at home and abroad. Such dialogue is essential to our continued development as a city, state, and nation and will give Birmingham a voice on these issues throughout the world. As always, the ASC is committed to serving as the catalyst for this crucial conversation in a way that is thoughtprovoking and inspiring to everyone who shares in the experience.

In Residence at the ASC

JANUARY 20-23, 2015 Performance at the ASC

JANUARY 22, 2015

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NILE PROJECT? Join us for a lecture and a documentary screening.

TROUBLED WATERS

September 12 » Friday @ Noon » ASC Lower Lobby Presented by Shaun Crawford, Ph.D., CIH, Professor at UAB's School of Public Health In anticipation of the upcoming Nile Project residency, Shaun Crawford, Ph.D. will lead us in a discussion on how the study of our most precious natural resource holds the power to ensure the future of generations to come.

Crawford is experienced in conducting environmental health and industrial hygiene services for business, industry, government, and communities since 1990.

His current research focus includes exposure modeling, the built environment, respiratory protection, and healthy and sustainable communities. Crawford currently holds a faculty position in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at UAB and has also been on faculty in the Urban Environmental Studies curriculum at Birmingham-Southern College.

THE NILE PROJECT DOCUMENTARY

October 3 » Friday @ Noon » ASC Lower Lobby

Get a sneak peek of the extraordinary Nile Project with the new documentary film that includes highlights from their recent African tour and musical residency.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 35

The first Essentials installment featuring The Marcus Roberts Trio, hosted by Eric Essix

NOT

THE SAME OLD

JAZZ

BY LINTON WRIGHT // PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY of CLARK SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

“Jazz music is a people’s music, created by spontaneous reaction.

It’s like a fruitcake, made up of all sorts of ingredients.” - Dr. Frank Adams Jazz is not an easy music established the framework to define. Its history spans from which rock-n-roll, the entire 20th century and, soul, funk, R&B, hip-hop, depending on which artists and rap were derived. Greats you listen to, takes on many such as Louis Armstrong, different forms. What is not Billie Holiday, and Charlie ambiguous is jazz music’s Parker made jazz one of the influence on all music that most popular genres in the Jazz pianist, Marcus Roberts came after it. Jazz and its first world for a time, and innovators cousin, the blues, have provided the such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis foundational blocks for virtually changed music history through their all contemporary music and groundbreaking explorations.

J

azz is one of our nation’s greatest cultural achievements, and despite its near-universal influence, few people today are aware of the genre's vital role in the development of modern popular music. Recognizing a need for greater support and appreciation of jazz, the ASC sought a way to present the music to the people of Birmingham that would further expand the genre’s local fan base. The result is The Essentials, a unique series spanning three years that will focus on the rich history of jazz while simultaneously exploring the very best in contemporary jazz.

The ASC is no stranger to jazz – legends such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, as well as modern greats Charlie Hunter and Medeski, Martin, and Wood, have all graced the Jemison Concert Hall stage. However, the ASC wanted to devise a creative and educational way to bolster support for jazz performances in Birmingham. Hosted by the ASC’s own Eric Essix, the series showcases modern jazz artists by challenging them to perform music from a particular style throughout the history of jazz. In the first set of each performance, Essix will guide audiences through the historical importance of the featured genre. The guest artist, along with hand-selected local and regional musicians, exemplifies each style’s distinct sound by performing canonical songs and tunes associated with the movement. The second set features the original music or contemporary style of the visiting artist, allowing audiences to make connections between older genres and more contemporary ones.

For the inaugural event, pianist Marcus Roberts paid homage to both Ragtime and New Orleans jazz, two genres that Roberts knows well. Roberts, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, has recorded numerous records inspired by both styles – including one dedicated to Ragtime’s most influential composer, pianist Scott Joplin. Joplin is remembered as the most popular and influential composer of

the Ragtime era, penning such memorable tunes as “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.”

“Marcus Roberts has an extensive knowledge of Ragtime,” says Essix. “It is just an incredible marriage between an artist and what we’re trying to do here at the ASC.” Roberts is especially adept at performing this music, as he is a renowned solo pianist. Roberts also chose to showcase his skill as an ensemble performer by bringing along his band – not only to aid in the education portion of the evening, but also to perform their latest material during the second set.

However, do not think that the first set was merely an homage to jazz music’s past.

Improvisation and interpretation are integral to the jazz tradition, allowing Roberts and his band the freedom to make older genres relevant to today’s listeners. “We want to make it relevant to the 21st century,” Roberts said from the stage. “A lot has happened since [these tunes] were written.

If Joplin had heard what I just did, he would have been mad!”

These musicians share reverence for older artists and performers but understand the need to bridge the gap between past traditions and current trends, allowing the audience the chance to make connections from what they hear being played to music they already enjoy. These goals are so integral to the project that the performing ensemble – including locals Dr. Steve Roberts and Chad Fisher – is known as the Modern Jazz Generation, a group of performers spanning multiple generations committed to the idea that all jazz is modern, regardless of when it was composed. The first of many such groups to perform over the next three years, this ensemble exemplified The Essentials’ goal of showcasing jazz as a living, breathing genre, fostering a love of all jazz both old and new in the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Times have changed and, like many other former jazz hot spots, the jazz scene in Birmingham is not what it was during the height of the swing era. However, jazz is still very much alive in

Marcus Roberts has an extensive knowledge of Ragtime,” says Essix. “It is just an incredible marriage between an artist and what we’re trying to do here at the ASC. The Marcus Roberts Trio shares the stage with UAB’s Jazz Ensemble and Essix.

38 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

The Essentials fits in perfectly with the ASC’s ongoing efforts to provide educational and outreach opportunities to everyone in Birmingham.

Birmingham if you know where to look.

Small clubs such as Ona’s Music Room and the recently reopened Marty’s have kept the intimate jazz tradition alive in Birmingham. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame continues to encourage and support students who are interested in learning jazz methods and techniques. Local festivals such as the Taste of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival and Eric Essix’s own Jazz Escape provide unique opportunities to expose hundreds of people to the best in local and contemporary jazz.

While all of these venues and events keep the scene alive to those who are already fans of jazz, the ASC strives to contribute to

Birmingham’s jazz community in a way that enriches and expands that group for the betterment of artists and patrons alike. The Essentials fits in perfectly with the ASC’s ongoing efforts to provide educational and outreach opportunities to everyone in the city of Birmingham. What better way to accomplish that than to educate people on the amazing artistry of jazz. As Dr. Adams said, “jazz is a people's music. Its free and eclectic nature draws people from all walks of life toward it.” Marcus Roberts captured this sentiment best when he said, “I never plan to stop studying and sharing in the creation of great music. When I play, I play for the people. Jazz is not elitist. It was created and grew from the soil of our fertile and, at times, difficult American experience, and it will resonate as long as our democratic structure exists.”

This is how jazz has crept its way into almost all other music and how, as long as people are making music, there will be jazz.

ESSENTIALS SWING FEATURING KIRK WHALUM

featuring

KIRK WHALUM VOL. 2

SWING

Hosted by UAB Artist-in-residence Eric Essix, The Essentials is a new, innovative series devoted to honoring music’s rich history and sound. Over the next three years the ASC will enlighten and entertain you as we journey through jazz.

Join us for the second installment of The Essentials as we explore Swing!

friday »

SEPTEMBER 26 » 8pm

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL $39.50 «

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 39

G N I R A E H IS BELIEVING An interview with the creators of EarFilms, premiering in August.

BY LINTON WRIGHT // PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY of STEVEN HAYWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

)

H

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )))

deprived atmosphere that gives their minds the freedom to create their own visual accompaniment.

One might expect to find this sort of groundbreaking, genredefying artistic project only in New York or London, but thanks to the Alys Stephens Center, Birmingham will host the U.S. premiere of To Sleep To Dream – the very first feature length EarFilm – as part of the EarFilms residency, August 19-22. The ASC will not only feature performances of To Sleep To Dream but also an original sound installation created for the Jemison Concert Hall stage by UAB’s own Dr. Scott Phillips and Dr. William Price, as well as film screenings in the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall in partnership with

ave you ever been transported by your imagination while listening to your favorite music? Have you ever pictured characters from a piece of literature long after you have put the book aside? Many of us have had these experiences and, as a result, have deeply personal relationships with music, literature, and storytelling. The reason for these strong relationships is that we are able to engage with those arts creatively in a way that we cannot with more visual mediums. In reading our favorite books or listening to our favorite music, we ourselves can become artists. We can transport ourselves far from reality and, with art as our guide, create a new world entirely in our own imagination.

Now imagine a new type of work that combines music, storytelling, and cinematic sound to create a film-like experience containing no visual content. What you have imagined is not fantasy – EarFilms are a new, real phenomenon that could change the artistic landscape as we know it today. An EarFilm is an exclusively audio “film,” a cutting-edge form of aural art and storytelling. EarFilms combine music, sound design, and live dramatic storytelling to create a hyper-realistic experience that is shaped by the audience’s own creativity. Listeners are seated in a surround-sound environment and given blindfolds to eliminate all visual stimuli, creating a sight-

EarFilms are the brainchild of awardwining composer and storyteller Daniel Marcus Clark, musician and director Chris Timpson, and producer Dannii Evans, all natives of the United Kingdom.

Creators Daniel Marcus Clark and Chris Timpson )

) 42 |

)

)

)

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )))

))) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

)

)

)

)

Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival.

EarFilms are the brainchild of award-wining composer and storyteller Daniel Marcus Clark, musician and director Chris Timpson, and producer Dannii Evans, all natives of the United Kingdom. Clark first met Timpson and Evans at the UK music festival Secret Gardens, where Clark and Timpson were performing as musicians. The group got to talking backstage and quickly realized they all shared the desire to work on a new form of art that hones in on the precise point where music, sound, and storytelling mix perfectly to create an immersive and imaginative experience.

The EarFilms project was born that day, and the group soon started working on prototype and short versions of the concept.

The closest analog to an EarFilm is probably the longstanding tradition of radio storytelling, a phenomenon that became popular in the early days of radio and is continued today by programs such as “This American Life” and “Radiolab.” What separates EarFilms from these sorts of programs is that EarFilms are entirely fictional works that feature live narration as an integral part of the experience. “The narrator serves as a guide for the audience, experiencing and reacting to things at the same time that they are,” says Clark. In this sense, EarFilms are influenced by traditional forms of storytelling and dramatic monologue as much as they are by cinema. Furthermore, Clark is quick to point out that the music is as vital to the storytelling process as the narrations. An advanced ambisonic surround-sound system allows the audience to experience the score – unique to each EarFilm – in three dimensions, creating a rich, textured atmosphere that weaves intricately around the narration. In To Sleep To Dream, Clark and Timpson employ a classic cinematic arrangement and orchestration, giving the piece a familiar and timeless musical palette.

While Clark is responsible for the storytelling, Timpson’s role focuses mostly on creating a perfect sound environment for the complex array of music and sound. There are over 6,000 audio tracks in To Sleep To Dream that run out of 23 speakers, with each listening room differing from the next. Timpson works tirelessly to ensure each showing goes smoothly, installing and calibrating the sound system for each unique space. “I had previously done quite a lot of music production in stereo, but the jump from two speakers to 23 speakers entailed a very steep learning curve,” says Timpson. “We continue to experiment and discover new ways to manipulate sound within the system.” Audiences in Birmingham will have the chance to experience this work firsthand in the magnificent Odess Theatre, a black-box theatre perfect for customized sets and sound production.

Clark and Timpson’s goal in an EarFilm is for the imagery to ))) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

An EarFilm is an exclusively audio “film,” a cutting-edge form of aural art and storytelling. EarFilms combine music, sound design, and live dramatic storytelling to create a hyper-realistic experience that is shaped by the audience's own creativity. conjure itself spontaneously and without effort, as if audiences are dreaming. “Imagination is extremely important to our growth as humans, but there seems to be little space for it in our world,” says Clark. Indeed, much of our lives are dominated by visual interfaces that leave us passive consumers instead of active creators of artistic experience. Clark’s description below will likely ring all too true for many people in today’s world: “We look at screens on our way to work, we look at them at work, we look at them on our way home, and we look at them when we get home … then we go out for a special evening and watch a big screen.

And even when we go to bed at night and read our books, our books are screens. With EarFilms, I’m trying to create an antithesis for this, a kind of playground for the imagination.”

Indeed, the completely dark yet intensely stimulating experience is one that takes many by surprise. Timpson has observed the profound effect the lack of visuals can have on people who come )

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 43

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )))

The EarFilms team has actively collaborated with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, a UK organization that provides services to over 2.5 million people with sight loss every year. length piece, it seemed like the natural fit.” The story, which borrows its title from lines of Shakespeare’s most famous soliloquy, is set in a not-too-distant dystopian future where the earth has been devastated by flooding. Only one city remains, and a single corporation wields absolute power over the population, controlling almost every aspect of their lives. Most basic freedoms are outlawed in this world, even dreaming. The story follows Jack Richards, an ordinary citizen who stumbles upon a message left between the waking and sleeping worlds. Audiences follow Jack as he discovers previously unknown realities and joins a movement to bring dreaming back to the world.

While the official U.S. premiere of To Sleep To Dream is the featured attraction, it is not the only innovative exhibit that will be showcased August 19-22. The ASC has commissioned Dr. Phillips and Dr. Price to create an original sound installation for the Jemison Concert Hall stage that features both music and sound design. The

to a performance. “Experiencing the show is a deeply personal experience, as everything really is in your own imagination,” says Timpson. “It takes people a little while to re-adjust to reality when they come out of the show. Some people have likened it to meditation or lucid dreaming.”

Clark, Timpson, and Evans are the artistic leaders of the EarFilms project, but their dreams are brought to life by a talented group of collaborators and technicians, many of whom are highly accomplished in their fields. In particular, Clark has employed the talents of legendary BBC voice director Graham Frost and members of Ardmore Sound, many of whom were involved with award-winning sound work on HBO’s Game of Thrones (Season 1). Perhaps most interestingly of all, the EarFilms team has actively collaborated with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, a UK organization that provides services to over 2.5 million people with sight loss every year. Since EarFilms have no visual element, members of the institute have been instrumental in making EarFilm experiences compelling, providing feedback during a small series of workshops and focus groups. Members of the institute were amazed by what they experienced.“[To Sleep To Dream] is absolutely brilliant. I’m itching to hear the full version,” says one member of the institute. In response to their collaboration, the RNIBP issued a statement regarding EarFilms proclaiming, “We have never come across a project that is so wholly inclusive to people regardless of their level of vision.”

While Clark has made a number of shorter EarFilms, no project compares in scope and detail to his first feature-length EarFilm, To Sleep To Dream. The idea for the project began about eight years ago when Clark had an extremely vivid dream while he was ill. “The story just sort of hung around, waiting to be told,” says Timpson.

“When we realized that we were going to make our first feature)

) 44 |

)

)

)

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )))

))) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

)

)

)

)

)

project, titled I/O: An Immersive Aural Experience, will transform the Jemison stage into a three-dimensional sound atmosphere using carefully placed and highly directional speakers. Audiences will hear the content and mix of the music changing as participants move around different areas of the stage. The installation will demonstrate the importance of perspective and environment in our everyday experiences of music and sound. “In our lives today, we are constantly surrounded by sounds and music, but we pay little attention to most of it,” says Phillips. “Hopefully people will consider the sounds around them differently after they have experienced I/O: An Immersive Aural Experience.”

Dr. Phillips and Dr. Price are both highly talented individuals within their fields, drawing from a combined 37 years of experience in sound design, music technology, and acoustic and electric musical composition. Dr. Price’s compositions have been performed throughout the world, receiving international awards and recognition. Dr. Phillips is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in music technology, and his most recent book, Beyond Sound: The College and Career Guide in Music Technology, has quickly become a definitive work on music technology in universities throughout the country.

During the EarFilms residency, the ASC has also partnered with Birmingham’s Sidewalk Film Festival. Sidewalk has designated the Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall as an official screening room for the 2014 festival, where they will showcase a variety of short and feature-length films. Additionally, filmmakers participating in this year’s festival will have the opportunity to hear a private performance of To Sleep To Dream. These partnerships are examples of the ways in which the ASC supports the arts community in Birmingham and continues to be a trendsetter within the performing arts community worldwide.

The ASC seeks to push the boundaries of what is artistically possible.

The EarFilms residency is another instance of multi-disciplinary, genre-defying curation that places the ASC miles beyond any other performing arts center in the region. Birmingham is quickly becoming a fertile environment for artistic growth, and the ASC is at the forefront of this movement, planting the seeds of creativity and imagination in every way that it can.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

THE ASC PRESENTS

EARFILMS

U.S. PREMIERE

AUGUST 19-22 ODESS THEATRE

» $21.00

August 19 -22 » 7:30pm Only 90 tickets are available for each performance.

Please reserve your tickets in advance.

“Imagination is extremely important to our growth as humans, but there seems to be little space for it in our world,” says Clark.

))) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

)

In conjunction with EarFilms premiere, the ASC also presents these FREE sonic experiences ...

)

)

I/O - AN IMMERSIVE AURAL EXPERIENCE

SIDEWALK FILM // SOUND & SENSES

Jemison Concert Hall

Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall

Nightly @ 6pm » FREE

Nightly @ 6pm » FREE

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 45

Yo-Yo Ma performs a sold-out show at the ASC on December 6, 2013 - Photograph by Nik Layman

IS TO IMAGINE A SOCIETY DORMANT IN ALL ASPECTS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT. THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, THE ARTS HAVE CONSTANTLY TRANSFORMED CULTURES AND CIVILIZATIONS IN WAYS SO DEEP AND PROFOUND THAT ONE COULD NEVER FULLY MEASURE THE ENORMITY OF ITS IMPACT.

BY LINTON WRIGHT // PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY of NIK LAYMAN

S

adly this fact is often under-appreciated, and many today view the arts as an expendable luxury good merely for their own sake. Arts programs are often the first to be cut when public schools face periods of austerity. These actions are both foolish and tragic because the arts are one of the greatest ways to inspire achievement in our youth. The ASC is doing everything in its power to reverse this trend by using our education and outreach programs at ArtPlay and the ASC to provide arts opportunities to those who would not have access to them otherwise. The classes and programs organized by the ASC have changed lives and transformed whole communities for the better. Young people who were on a path toward the fringe of our society have changed course and become active, productive citizens. In this way, the arts can have a profound economic and social impact on city and state, one that we simply cannot afford to neglect.

Of course, these sorts of programs would not be possible without the gracious help of our supporters. Their contributions are absolutely essential to everything that happens at the ASC. For every $50 ticket that is sold to a show at the center, only $5 comes back to the ASC with the rest being used to cover the expense of the production.

Most of the activities and programs that the ASC and ArtPlay are able to organize would be impossible if performance revenue were their only financial backing. Both organizations have been fortunate to receive amazing support from the people of Birmingham over the years, and the group’s work has helped make Birmingham the burgeoning cultural hotspot it is today.

Membership with the ASC can have a lasting impact on our community, but many members have also had wonderful personal experiences as a result of their patronage. One couple who has supported the ASC for many years is Stein and Donald Jones.

The Joneses are originally from New Orleans, a city recognized throughout the world for its fantastic art and music culture. The two moved to Birmingham in 1991 and quickly realized they needed to find a place where they could continue to experience world-class performing arts. Upon opening its doors, the ASC proved to be the

48 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

perfect place for them, catering to their passions for classical music and progressive jazz. They quickly became ASC members and have been enjoying the benefits of the center ever since. Donald Jones recalls how his wife first sparked passion for classical music when she purchased tickets for them to see Joshua Bell at the ASC a few years ago. The performance left a strong impression on him, particularly because he had the opportunity to speak with Bell after the show. “I was so fascinated with Mr. Bell’s playing and personality,” he says.

“He reaffirmed my belief in God. He is truly an awesome individual.”

Furthermore, Jones credits the ASC for affording him this oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. “We didn’t expect to see this caliber of programming when we moved to Birmingham. These are the sorts of performances you would expect from much larger cities.”

Another great story comes from Jamey McMahon, a longtime supporter and Circle Club member of the ASC. McMahon has been a fan of Buddy Guy for a long time: in fact he hired Guy to play at his engagement party back in 1990. When McMahon was 21, he saw Guy perform two nights in a row in Chicago.

“I was totally blown away,” says McMahon. “There’s nothing like your first Buddy Guy concert.” Two years later, McMahon and some of his friends were planning the engagement party and they thought to themselves, “Why not see if Buddy Guy would perform for it?” The group inquired, and everything came together perfectly – Guy played a great show for McMahon and all of his closest friends. This all happened shortly before Guy released Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues, a record that would win a Grammy and mark the second major wave of Guy’s career. Since then, McMahon has seen Guy 12-15 times and his son, Drew, has seen him three times.

McMahon had the chance to meet with Guy for the first time since his wedding when he performed at the ASC in 2013. It was an exciting moment for both McMahon and his son. McMahon brought one of the remaining party invitations to share with Guy, who said that he remembered playing the party. McMahon was even able to bring one of his closest friends, Ted Pewitt, along with Ted’s son, Price, to share in the experience. “It was great to get to

meet with [Guy] before the show and have pictures made,” says McMahon. Of course, the show was spectacular in a way that only ASC shows can be – stunning sound, atmosphere, and service. “One of the best things about seeing him at the ASC is the intimacy of the venue,” says McMahon. “There’s not a bad seat in the house, and the sound is stellar – what’s not to love?”

McMahon is not alone in his experiences at the ASC, as many others have had the opportunity to meet their heroes through their membership. For Carolyn Ratliff, such an opportunity happened to fall on her birthday.

When Ratliff and her husband found out that Yo-Yo Ma was performing on her birthday, they knew that there was no way they could miss such an amazing opportunity, especially since birthdays are very special days in their household. “We pull out all the stops,” she says. However, by this time there were no seats available to the general public. The Ratliffs were disappointed because Ma was one of

their all-time favorite performers.

Ratliff had actually met him previously when she had the chance to sit next to him at a charity gala. He left an incredible impression on her that evening.

“He’s such a terrific human being – he’s kind, he’s accessible, he’s interested,” she says. “I was very eager to see him again.”

Ratliff called the ASC box office to see if there was any way she and her husband could get tickets to the show. She was told that there were still some tickets available for ASC members, so if they joined the ASC family they could see the show and possibly attend a meet-and-greet reception with Ma afterward.

She did not hesitate to respond with “Great, done, let’s do it.”

The Ratliffs immediately became members and attended what Mrs. Ratliff describes as one of the best performances she has ever seen.

Afterward, they were even able to be photographed with Ma. “It was a peak experience for me,” says Ratliff. “There are a lot of great ways to celebrate your birthday but I couldn’t think of anything better

“One of the best things about seeing him at the ASC is the intimacy of the venue,” says McMahon.

“There’s not a bad seat in the house, and the sound is stellar – what’s not to love?”

Donald and Chay Watkins with John Legend ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 49

Stein Jones and Joshua Bell

Carolyn and Bill Ratliff, Yo-Yo Ma, Dora Singh, Jim and Catherine Hansen

than sitting in the midst of Yo-Yo Ma and being in his presence.”

While McMahon and Ratliff have had truly extraordinary experiences with ASC membership, Circle Club member Donald Watkins Jr. lauds the everyday benefits he receives. Watkins was thrilled to receive advance notice that Grammy Award winner John Legend would perform this spring. Furthermore, Watkins and his wife were able to purchase tickets to the show far in advance of the public on-sale date. These experiences are not unique; in fact, all ASC members had the opportunity to take advantage of this special offer, regardless of level. What was special for Watkins was the response he received from his friends and family through social media.

“When I found out about the John Legend concert, I made a post about it on my Facebook page,” says Watkins. “I frequently do this when I hear about great shows at the ASC. I received an overwhelming response from friends asking about how to get tickets or how they could become members of the ASC.” That single post went a long way in showing members of the community what they can expect from ASC membership. The John Legend show sold out almost immediately when tickets became available to the public, meaning many people missed out on the opportunity

to see this world-class performer. However, with ASC membership, Watkins was among the first to secure his place in the Jemison Concert Hall. Of course, Watkins also enjoys many other perks through his membership at the ASC. He too has had the opportunity to meet with performers, including Yo-Yo Ma. As a member of the ASC, you can share in the sorts of benefits enjoyed by the Joneses, the McMahons, the Ratliffs, and the Watkinses. However, what membership with the ASC really means is a commitment to helping our community through the transformational power of the arts. Members have had amazing opportunities through the ASC, but as excellent as these benefits are, they pale in comparison to the transformational power the ASC offers to the community.

Meet-and-greets and priority ticket sales can be remembered fondly, but the education and inspiration provided by the ASC and ArtPlay can last a lifetime. This is why the ASC is more than just another performing arts center, and more than just another entertainment venue. The ASC is an organization committed to changing the world for the better, and it does so through the support of the people of Birmingham.

“We didn’t expect to see this caliber of programming when we moved to Birmingham,” says Jones. “These are the sorts of performances you would expect from much larger cities.”

50 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

BACKSTAGE

PASS

1

3 2

Patrons and members of the ASC enjoy special privileges throughout the year.

As photographed from left to right:

4

1 Gloria Moody, Hugh Rowe Thomas III, Yo-Yo Ma 2 Jay Rhodes, Natalie Merchant, Jennifer Rhodes 3 Birmingham Mayor William Bell, John Legend 4 Kit Samford, Robert Cray, Mac Fairley 5 Yo-Yo Ma and Peggy Morgan

5

6 Nyya Parson-Hudson, John Legend, John Hudson 7 Nick Sellers, John Legend, Julie Sellers 8 Noah Harvill, Gaynell Hendricks, Marcus Roberts

6

9 Daniel Coleman and daughter Temple, Yo-Yo Ma 10 Ron Bourdages, Yo-Yo Ma, Patty McDonald 11 Anoushka Shankar (center) and friends

7 8

9

10 11

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 51

BECOME AN ASC MEMBER AND EXPERIENCE

ART CHANGE YOUR WORLD that will

At the Alys Stephens Center we believe in the power of the arts to change lives.

Becoming a partner with the ASC through membership enables us to continue bringing the highest quality of performers to Birmingham, and support ArtPlay – our education initiative – which connects both children and adults to the transforming power of the arts.

MEMBERSHIP INLCUDES

52 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

{

» Priority ticket purchase opportunities » Reservation priority for art camps and classes » Opportunity for seat upgrade one week prior to a performance » Invitation to twice-yearly donor luncheon event (Circle Club members) » Discount on ArtPlay camps, classes, and tickets (Circle Club and Family Circle members)

CHOOSE AN

ASC MEMBERSHIP THAT BEST FITS YOU...

For the VIP experience:

Become a Circle Club member, our highest level of membership – the ASC’s inner circle and our most loyal supporters. ($500-$10,000)

For the entire family:

Join the Family Circle to enjoy great benefits and arts experiences that will create a lifetime of fond memories. ($60- $499)

For the young professionals:

Join the ASC Junior Patrons, a dynamic group of young professionals who enjoy live performances, social events, and giving back to the community. ($40- $175)

For those who love the arts:

Become a Friend of the ASC to help further the ASC’s mission of bringing the best in presented and curated events. ($60- $499)

Delight family and friends with a gift they’ll remember forever. ASC memberships are perfect gifts for any occasion. For more information about membership with UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, please contact Jennifer Foster at 205.996.6113 or jenfost1@uab.edu.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 53

1

2

SEEN AT THE ASC

3

Friends, patrons and members of the ASC enjoy performances and entertainment throughout the year.

At the ASC you might find movers and shakers who make Birmingham thrive, or local artists and residents of Birmingham who enjoy supporting what the ASC has to offer. These are the guests ‘Seen at the ASC.’

4

5

6

7

9

8

54 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

10

11

12 13

14 15 As photographed from left to right: 1 Chay Watkins and Farah Sultan

16

2 Bart Crawford and Vivian Terry 3 Young art lovers 4 Tandy Graves and Julie Stephens 5 ASC Patrons Luncheon 6 Mindy Boggs, Jay Oglesby, Paula Beck 7 Shelby Mackey and Allen Montgomery 8 Tom Armstrong and Abby Van Alstyne 9 Albert and Marian Oberman 10 Patty McDonald, Eric Essix, John Montgomery

17

11 David and Barbara Oberman, Robin and Gwen McCorquodale 12 Lucy and Christopher Daniel 13 ArtPlay Teaching Artist Sunny Davenport

18

14 Joel and Karen Piassick and Hal and Judy Abroms 15 Carolina Chocolate Drops 16 Gaynell Hendricks and Theresa Bruno

19

17 Narek Arutyunian at ArtPlay 18 ASC Patrons enjoying Light Dreams II 19 Amrik Walia, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Dr. Sanjay Singh, C.T. Fitzpatrick

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 55

UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center thrives because of the many individual and corporate donors listed below. These visionaries are building on Alys Robinson Stephens’ artistic legacy.

THOMAS A. BLOUNT

MR. ANTHONY BRUNO

JANE STEPHENS COMER

MIKE & GILLIAN GOODRICH FOUNDATION

JEMISON INVESTMENT COMPANY

BETTY AND JOHN McMAHON

BIRMINGHAM-SHUTTLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

UNCUT FLOWERS

MR. AND MRS. CHARLES GOODRICH

DR. AND MRS. JAMES K. KIRKLIN

Birmingham Chapter of the Links » Birmingham Chums » Birmingham Mountain Radio » The Birmingham Times » Bloom Books-A-Million, Inc. » Bottega Restaurant and Café » Chez FonFon » Drury Hotel » First Commerical Bank » Fox 6 WBRC Good People Brewing Company » Highlands School » Honda Manufacturing of Alabama » Hotel Highland » Patty McDonald O'Neal Industries » Summit Media Group » Target Corporation » The Eagle 106.9 » The Tutwiler Hotel UAB National Alumni Society » Vitalogy Wellness Center » WELD for Birmingham

56 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MEMBERS DIRECTORS CIRCLE

Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Watkins Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Ray L. Watts Ms. Bea Tatum Wright and Mr. Anthony Wright

Mr. Arthur M. Fairley Ms. Pauline Ireland

DIAMOND CIRCLE

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ferguson Ms. Stein Jones and Mr. Donald Jones Dr. and Mrs. James K. Kirklin Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Piassick Ms. Kaye M. McWane Rosse and Mr. Mark Rosse Mr. James A. Stroud Dr. Chivers R. Woodruff Jr. and Ms. Susies Hoopes

PLATINUM CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Harold L. Abroms Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Bayer Mr. and Mrs. John G. Beard Sr. Mr. and Mrs. William Brooke Mr. and Mrs. Brad Crowe Mr. and Mrs. James W. Cunningham Mr. and Mrs. Alan Z. Engel Mrs. Ruth S. Engel Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt R. Haskell Mr. and Mrs. J. Brooke Johnston Jr. Mr. and Mrs. W. Davis Malone III Mrs. C. Caldwell Marks Dr. Charles A. McCallum Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. McCallum Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Lee McGriff III Mr. and Mrs. Alex W. Newton Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Pursell Dr. and Mrs. Sanjay K. Singh Mr. and Mrs. C. Stephen Trimmier Jr.

GOLD CIRCLE Mrs. Adriene Balton-Topping and Mr. W. Frank Topping Mr. Tom Barnett Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bean Mr. and Mrs. John Beeler Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David A. Boutwell Mr. and Mrs. David P. Bruno Dr. Tara Bryant and Dr. Jim Bryant Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Campbell Dr. and Mrs. James E. Cantrell Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Carroll III Ms. Lydia C. Cheney and Mr. James D. Sokol Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence K. Cochran Mr. Jonathan Collier Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Cooper IV Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Daniel Mr. and Mrs. Christopher H. Daniel Mr. and Mrs. J. Mark Davis Dr. and Mrs. Richard O. Davis Mrs. April A. Deal Dr. and Mrs. Alan R. Dimick Mr. and Mrs. David D. Dowd III Mrs. Joan M. Edmonds Dr. Susan H. Eiland and Dr. C. Morgan Eiland Ms. Rebekah Elgin-Council and Mr. Bryan Council Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elkourie Mrs. John Durr Elmore

Dr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Elsas Mr. and Mrs. R. Glenn Eubanks Dr. and Mrs. I. William Ferniany Dr. and Mrs. Winfield S. Fisher III Mr. Charles Foshee Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Fred H. Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Ted Giles Ms. Betty Allenberg Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. William Goodrich Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Hamby Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Hawley Dr. Mary T. Hawn and Dr. Eben L. Rosenthal Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Hess Mr. and Mrs. Richardson Hill Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hire Jr. Ms. Carol Ann Hobby and Mr. Mark White Dr. Jeanne S. Hutchison and Dr. John C. Mayer Dr. Donald Kern Dr. and Mrs. Kent T. Keyser Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Koehler The Honorable and Mrs. Curt Lee Mr. David M. Loper Mr. and Mrs. R. Barry Luther Mr. and Mrs. Shelby S. Mackey Dr. Walter Maddox Mr. and Mrs. James W. May Mr. and Mrs. John James McMahon III Dr. and Mrs. Jose Mestre Ms. Dottie Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. John L. Mitchell, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Allen Montgomery Ms. Gloria Narramore Moody

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Oglesby Ms. Martha J. Pezrow Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Pizitz Mr. and Mrs. William T. Ratliff III Ms. Miriam Kirklin Reed and Mr. Les Reed Ms. Elberta G. Reid Dr. Susan M. Rich and Dr. Robert R. Rich Mr. and Mrs. Ed D. Robinson III Dr. and Mrs. Henry P. Robson III Ms. Emily Jones Rushing and Mr. Hugh Rushing Ms. Marianne M. Schoel Mr. and Mrs. John Sellers Mr. and Mrs. James Wylie Shepherd Sr. Dr. Carol Smith and Mr. Jeffrey E. Morrison Ms. Kathryn Smith and Mr. Matthew Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Murray W. Smith Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Stettheimer Dr. and Mrs. Kevin L. Sublett Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Tarr Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Thomas Ms. Kimberly West Mr. Jon Whetsell Mr. and Mrs. G. Coke Williams Jr. Ms. Jane Fulton Williams Dr. and Mrs. Charles Wingard Ms. Cynthia Woods Mr. and Mrs. Larry Youngblood Dr. Sandy Zahradka and Mr. William T. Mann

UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BOARDS CORPORATE

Theresa H. Bruno, Chair Harold L. Abroms Jane Stephens Comer H. Corbin Day M. James Gorrie Shirley Salloway Kahn Fred J. McCallum Jr. Charles D. McCrary James T. McManus II Katherine J. Nielsen G. Ruffner Page Jr. Charles D. Perry Jr. Ray L. Watts

ADVISORY

Adriene Balton-Topping Gail L. Bayer Karen N. Carroll Willie N. Chriesman

Barton T. Crawford Mary Catherine Crowe Neil E. Davis April A. Deal Rebekah Elgin-Council Monique Gardner-Witherspoon Hallie Gibbs Debra H. Goldstein Wyatt R. Haskell Gaynell H. Hendricks Pauline Ireland Ronald A. Levitt Jennifer R. McCain Connie K. McCallum Patty McDonald Betty McMahon Lesley McRae Joyce Crawford Mitchell Allen Montgomery Kim K. Morgan

Peggy Morgan Howard Neiswender Jay T. Oglesby Dorothy D. Pak Matthew I. Penfield Karen P. Piassick Carole Marcus Pizitz Lydia D. Pursell Ed D. Robinson III Emily Jones Rushing Rachel K. Russell Amber Scanlan John Sellers Sanjay K. Singh Julie M. Stephens Farah Sultan Mark J.Tarr Steven Thomas Brent Thompson Rae Wade Trimmier

Chay C. Watkins Donald V. Watkins Jr. Bea Tatum Wright

JUNIOR PATRONS

Lewis W. Cummings III, Chair Jimmy Adams Hap Arnold Lillian M. Boland Ivy Watson Cardwell Megan Reed Cottle Russell M. Cunningham IV Clint DeShazo Anna Grier Donald Jay M. Ezelle David K. Germany Crystal K. Goodman Alexandra Dauphin Goodrich Daagye Hendricks Brian K. Hoffman

Eric W. Hoffman Howell B. Holland Jr. Wilson Hollifield L. Waymond Jackson Jr. Sarah K. Johnson T. Devon Laney Brandy Murphy Lee Jennifer Lyles Justin Mayfield Nick A. Musso Omar Nagi Avani Patel Ryan Robinett Rahul Thadani George C. Thompson Jr. Justin P. Weintraub

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 57

ArtPlay

UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Education and Outreach

Get STUDIO ONE, ArtPlay’s free mobile app that allows you to record your artistic side and

be posted on ArtPlay’s website and STUDIO ONE app.

Since 2010 ArtPlay has touched the lives of over 12,000 Birmingham-area residents through classes and community outreach. We are honored to have some of the most innovative and passionate teaching artists in the Birmingham area sparking the creative spirit of those wanting to learn.

ARTPLAY OFFERS CLASSES IN MANY ARTS DISCIPLINES AND FOR ALL AGES. Our students are proof that the power of art can transform lives. It’s never too late to learn something new and become the painter, actor, or muscian you’ve always wanted to be. Join us – create with us – and experience the magic of art in your life this fall. To register for classes, or for the most current class and workshop information, visit our website at ArtPlayASC.org or call ArtPlay at 205.975.4769.

PRE-K ME & YOU & PAINT & GLUE 2 - 3.5 years with Parent » September 6 - November 8 » Saturday 10:00am - 10:45am » Alley Bulka » $120 » Join Ms. Alley as you create new masterpieces. These simple projects will help your child develop the artist inside and have fun while creating with you .... and glue.

PLAY ME A STORY Ages 3.5 - 6 » October 4 - 25 » Saturday 11:15am - 12:15pm » Lisa Dolensky » $70 » Discover how to compose stories through sensory toy scenes, crafts and dramatic play to increase social interaction, vocabularies, fine motor, spatial awareness, beginning phonics and math skills.

MATH ART: “SEE ME TRY SYMMETRY & MORE” Ages 3.5 - 6 » November 1 - 22 » Saturday 11:15am -12:15pm » Lisa Dolensky » $75 » Prepare to take your artist within to a new dimension. Create math art inspired by playing with numbers, geometric shapes, math tiles, and more! Learn about famous works and master artists through history who have combined math and art.

WIGGLE, GIGGLE, DANCE & SING Ages 3.5 - 5 » September 8 - November 24 » Monday 10:00am - 10:45am Mary Elizabeth Neal » $150 » Through a mixture of age appropriate silly songs, rhythm, musical games, and creative dances, students will deepen their concept and love of music while developing motor skills and making friends.

58 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

PRIMARY BALLET Ages 4 - 6 » September 6 - November 8 » Saturday 9:00am - 10:00am » Shannon Boswell » $150 » Beginning ballet students are introduced to classical ballet, fundamental positions and movements to build their foundation for dance.

TOGETHER MAKING MUSIC SECTION A » Ages 1 - 3 with Parent » September 6 - November 8 » Saturday 11:00am - 11:45am SECTION B » Ages 2 - 4 with Parent » September 4 - November 6 » Thursday 10:00am - 10:45am Mary Elizabeth Neal » $150 » A class for parents and children to enjoy making music together. Families will learn fun, easy, songs paired with simple movements to increase your child’s motor skills, physical development and can be incorporated in your daily routine.

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTING OUT THEATRE WORKSHOPS SECTION A » Ages 7 - 9 September 6 - November 8 » Saturday 10:00am - 11:00am SECTION B » Ages 10 - 12 September 6 - November 8 » Saturday 11:10am - 12:10pm Darrell Revel » $120 » Actor/ teacher Darrell Revel will guide participants through the basics of theatre. They will learn theatre games, improvisation, warm-up and concentration exercises, voice and diction, theatre terminology, character development, and musical theatre basics.

MUSICAL THEATRE II Ages 12 - 16 » September 4 - November 20 » Thursday 5:00pm - 6:00pm » Red Mountain Theatre Company » $150 » Students will continue learning musical theatre including acting technique, song interpretation, rhythms, dance steps & staging directions, with a focus on scene into song work and solo singing.

ARTPLAY ELEMENTARY CHOIR Ages 7 - 11 » September 8 - November 24 » Monday 4:30pm - 5:30pm » Mary Elizabeth Neal » $150 » Students will learn 15-20 pieces, including patriotic, sacred, secular, and educational pieces. Students will focus on tone production, rhythmic reading and performance, basic vocal technique, and knowledge of composers and music history. Class will culminate in a choral concert.

HIP HOP DANCE Ages 10 - 14 » September 3 - November 19 » Wednesday 4:30pm - 5:30pm » Elizabeth Ross » $150 » Students will love getting physically fit and learning the latest dance moves in this fun and ageappropriate hip hop class.

ELABORATION STATIONS Ages 7 - 12 » October 4 - 25 » Saturday 10:00am - 11:00am Lisa Dolensky » $75 » Elaboration Stations Writing Workshops by author builds vocabularies, as well as inspires the creative process of visual and language arts through fun, interactive activities.

MATH ART: “SEE ME TRY SYMMETRY & MORE” Ages 7 - 12 » November 1 - 22 » Saturday 10:00am - 11:00am » Lisa Dolensky » $75 » Prepare to take the artist within to a new dimension. Create math art inspired by playing with numbers, geometric shapes, math tiles, and more! Learn about famous works and master artists through history who have combined math and art.

HIGH SCHOOL & ADULT

ADVENTURES IN VISUAL ART SECTION A » Ages 6-9 » September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 4:30pm - 5:30pm » $160 SECTION B » Ages 10-12 » September 4 - November 20 » Thursday 4:30pm - 5:30pm » $170 Section C » Ages 13-15 » September 4 - November 20 » Thursday 5:30pm - 6:30pm » $180 Carrie McGrann » Students will experiment in a variety of visual arts genres - drawing, painting, mixed media and mosaics. Class fee includes materials.

COMIC, CHARACTER, CREATION Ages 10 - 14 » September 3 - November 19 » Wednesday 5:30pm - 6:30pm Bo Hughins » $160 » Learn the basics of cartooning and rendering a variety of characters from caricatures to comic books.

Class fee includes materials.

THEATRE MAKERS LAB » SPECIAL SUMMER CLASS! July 15 - August 21 » Tuesday & Thursday 6:30pm - 8:30pm » Dane Peterson » $125 » In a six week course, actors and directors will have the opportunity to flex their creativity while working collaboratively on a fully staged play presented for the public at the conclusion of the process. From auditioning, casting, table work, rehearsing and performing, participants will be guided by Dane Peterson (Associate Member Stage Director and Choreographers/Equity Membership Candidate) in a nurturing, positive and productive atmosphere.

Open to all levels of experience.

THE ACTING STUDIOS FOR YOUNG ACTORS Ages 14 - 18 » September 8 - October 27 » Monday 5:00pm - 6:00pm » Susan McCain » $150 » The class follows legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with Sensory work – the heart of the method – followed by monologue and character development.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 59

SCULPTURE & ART INSTALLATION FOR TEENS September 22 - October 27 » Monday 5:30pm - 7:30pm » Sarah Heath » $160 » Creating 3-D works and art installations using found and everyday objects.

COMIC, CHARACTER, CREATION Ages 10-1 » September 3 - November 19 » Wednesday 5:30pm - 6:30pm » Bo Hughins » $160 » Learn the basics of cartooning and rendering characters of a wide variety, from caricatures to comic books. Class fee includes materials.

ADVENTURES IN VISUAL ARTS Section C » Ages 13-16 » September 4 - November 20 » Thursday 5:30pm6:30pm » Carrie McGrann » $180 » Students will experiment in a variety of visual arts genres - drawing, painting, mixed media and mosaics.

Class fee includes materials.

CONTEMPORARY MOVEMENT Ages 16-Adult » September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Amanda Miller-Fasshauer » $200 » Participants will learn to develop new forms of expression through movement. Using technique derived from Rudolf von Laban, students will open and expand their own movement vocabulary. Perfect for dancers and non-dancers, this class is also a wonderful way to lose yourself in the world of movement.

RHYTHM AND MOVES September 8 - November 24 » Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Ashley Booker » $160 » This fun and unconventional adult dance class will contain a colorful blend of styles influenced by street dance, new style and popular music. Lively choreography will be taught during each class, then danced a few times though with all the style and flavor you can muster! If you’ve ever daydreamed of dancing alongside your favorite music artists in a video, join us!

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY OF MY LIFE THUS FAR: CREATIVE NONFICTION Ages 14-18 » September 8 - October 13 » Monday 5:00pm - 6:00pm » Desert Island Supply Co. » $70 Everyone has a story to tell! Learn how to write about your personal experiences in a way that engages and entertains others. Express yourself and explore personal narratives with techniques from creative nonfiction. From funny adventures to social commentary, this six-week workshop will give you the tools to find and strengthen your voice.

60 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

PLAYWRITING September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm David Roby » $200 » Through assignments and analysis of modern plays, students will learn the basic elements of playwriting. In 12 sessions, students will complete a monologue, a scene for two, a 10-minute play and an outline for a one act or full length play. One playwright will be selected for a staged reading of their work.

THE COURAGEOUS PERFORMER October 15 - December 19 » Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00pm» Dennis McLernon » $100 » Students will learn an acting process that allows them to reveal self through trust and ensemble building.

ACTING FOR ADULTS: TAKE ONE September 4 - November 20 » Thursday 6:00 - 8:00pm » David Roby » $200 » Students will learn theatre terminology, voice and diction, improvisation, and character development. Participants will come away with a prepared monologue for auditions.

ACTING FOR ADULTS: TAKE TWO September 3 - November 19 » Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00pm » David Roby » $200 » Students will be able to build on their basic foundation and further develop their technique, learn to establish realistic relationships with a scene partner, and work with a director.

IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY September 8 - October 27 » Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Brian Barrett » $180 » Learn the fundamentals of longform improv, like creating strong characters, and original, comedic scenes.

THE ACTING STUDIOS September 8 - October 27 » Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Susan McCain $180 » The class follows legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with sensory work – the heart of the Method – followed by monologue and character development.

VISUAL ART APPRECIATION September 18 - November 20 » Thursday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Sarah Heath » $150 » Gain a stronger knowledge of artists, styles,

genres, movements, techniques and themes. This course will deal with the nature of art, questioning the definition of art and examining the reasons why artists and cultures create art. Class also includes visits to local galleries and lectures from visiting artists.

MIXED MEDIA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY September 8 - November 24 » Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Trent Thomas » $200 + materials » Students will have hands-on exposure with alternate methods of drawing, painting and collage, along with helpful critiques along the way.

INTERMEDIATE MIXED MEDIA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Trent Thomas » $200 + materials » Picking up where Mixed Media for the 21st Century left off, students will explore their favorite materials while working through a variety of conceptually-focused projects, designed to push their visual communication to new heights.

INTRO TO DRAWING September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Tym Davis » $200 + materials » Learn a variety of classic drawing techniques.

Projects will explore still life, landscape and portraiture.

BEGINNING KNITTING September 4 - October 9 » Thursday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Mary Kaiser » $130 » (Sign up for Beginning and Intermediate Knitting for a discounted rate of $200.) Beginning knitters will learn common knitting stitches while creating a unique hat and scarf project. Students will learn the skills to follow knitting patterns to develop their own designs.

INTERMEDIATE KNITTING October 16 - November 20 » Thursday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Mary Kaiser » $130 » (Sign up for Beginning and Advanced Knitting for a discounted rate of $ 200.) Intermediate knitters will choose a project to complete that may include a garment, a blanket, a shawl, socks, or gloves.

Students will develop skills such as fitting a garment using shaping techniques, knitting in the round, garment construction, and advanced blocking.

FABRIC ART - CREATING WITH TEXTILES September 3 - October 15 » Wednesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Michelle Reynolds » $125 » Find inspiration in your surroundings, develop ideas, and learn the art of telling a story with color, pattern, and

texture using appliqué techniques with fabric. Design, cut, layer, and stitch to make a multi-layered fabric collage. From beginner to expert, hand-stitchers and machine sewers alike, we’ll assemble and sew in a comfortable setting, and through guidance and tutorials, make a personal one-of-a-kind fabric art wall hanging to take home.

Fabric and supplies will be provided.

DO IT YOURSELF RECORDING STUDIO September 8 - November 24 » Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Emanual Ellinas » $200 » The DIY Recording class will focus on making the very best recordings with whatever equipment you have! A program on a phone or tablet, a laptop setup, or even a cassette deck will work perfectly. Each student will be able to bring in the setup and learn the most efficient way to obtain the very best audio recording possible. Each student will be able to present a mix to the class.

ADVANCED AUDIO RECORDING September 2 - November 18 » Tuesday 6:00pm - 8:00pm » Emanual Ellinas » $200 » This class is for the students who have a basic understanding of audio recording. Students will learn more about important factors such as proper gain staging, compression types and applications, mic selection and placement, and the proper use of EQ in a mix. Students will participate in the recording of tracks, and each will be able to demonstrate the techniques learned to produce their own mix of the material.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION ArtPlay offers private instruction in a variety of instruments and artistic disciplines through partnerships with local instructors and music organizations. Lessons range from 30-60 minutes, depending on the age and preference of the student. Instructors are available at varying times throughout the week. Please visit ArtPlayASC.org for the most current teacher roster.

PARTNERSHIP with UAB’S DEPARTMENT of MUSIC Through a partnership with UAB’s Department of Music,

ArtPlay is able to offer additional private instruction in trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, saxophone, euphonium, and French horn.

Instructors in this program are UAB students extensively trained in music education and performance in the instrument they teach.

These students will be advised and guided by UAB Department of Music faculty. For instructional fees, teacher availability, and more information, please call ArtPlay at 205.975.4769.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 61

UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

PARTNERS UAB DEPARTMENTS OF MUSIC AND THEATRE

UAB’s Alys Stephens Center is proud to have unified partnerships in the strong and growing arts community of Birmingham. Together, with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and UAB’s Departments of Music and Theatre, we bring you some of the most diverse and highly acclaimed artists, events and shows in the world. We are constantly looking for new and innovative opportunities to inspire and educate through the power of the arts.

Make plans now to witness firsthand all the sights and sounds of this exciting new season, which promises to be among the finest in our history.

ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has entertained audiences for more than 90 years, playing a variety of classical and popular music and hosting performances by some of the finest guest musicians in the world. Performing concerts for 100,000 people annually, the 54 talented musicians of the ASO bring to life some of the world’s most treasured musical masterpieces and introduce listeners to exciting new works and composers. For the ASO’s full schedule, visit alabamasymphony.org.

“Great acoustics are only one of the many reasons why we consider ourselves fortunate to call the ASC the ‘Home of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.’ It is a pleasure to work with the dedicated and professional ASC team to bring great musical performances to our community each season.”

– CURT LONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ASO 2014 Summer/Fall Schedule SEPTEMBER 2014 Fri & Sat » Sept 12-13 Symphonie Fantastique » Rossen Milanov, Conductor » Dukas/ MacMillan/Berlioz Fri & Sat » Sept 19-20 Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff » Rossen Milanov, Conductor » Kirill Gerstein, Piano » Zivkovic/ Rachmaninoff/Tchaikovsky

Fri » Sept 26 The Hit Men » Super Pops!

OCTOBER 2014 Fri & Sat » Oct 10-11 Mendelssohn Hebrides Overture » Andreas Delfs, Conductor » Elissa Koljonen, Violin » Mendelssohn/Walton

Friday » Oct 17 Act of Congress » Super Pops!

Fri & Sat » Oct 31-Nov 1 Brown Plays Mozart » Justin Brown, Conductor & Piano » Mozart/Beethoven NOVEMBER 2014 Fri » Nov 14 Ann Callaway Sings Streisand » Super Pops!

Tues & Wed » Nov 21-22 Barber Cello Concerto » Maximiano Valdes, Conductor » Jay Campbell, Cello » Ginastera/Barber/Schumann DECEMBER 2014 Fri » Dec 5 Christmas w/Michael W. Smith » Super Pops!

UAB DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE The UAB Department of Theatre (DOT) is a production-oriented program in a liberal arts context.

The DOT offers a BA degree with General, Performance, and Design/Technology concentrations within a comprehensive academic curriculum. Its mission is to expand cultural and aesthetic awareness, develop research and communication skills, and foster critical thinking, discipline, and collaboration among students through the study and practice of the art and craft of theatre. For more information visit uab.edu/theatre.

"In addition to the BA degree, the Department of Theatre at UAB now offers students training that will lead to the conferral of a BFA in musical theatre. The ASC is an ideal location to train future generations of Broadway performers, and we are very excited to partner with the Department of Music and the ASC in the endeavor."

– KELLY ALLISON, CHAIR, UAB DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

UAB DOT 2014-2015 SEASON Clybourne Park 62 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

Trojan Women

In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play)

2015 Festival of Ten Minute Plays

Avenue Q

UAB DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC The UAB Department of Music (DOM), with 18 regular and 30 adjunct faculty, offers high-level music learning and performance experiences within a liberal arts curriculum.

Additionally, the DOM serves the entire UAB and greater Birmingham communities by providing more than 100 performances annually, many of which occur in the world-class venues of the ASC. For more information, visit uab.edu/cas/music.

“Students and faculty are inspired to create and perform at their best as they collaborate with fellow artists and mentors in the ASC.” – PAUL MOSTELLER, ASSOCIATE CHAIR, UAB DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

UAB DOM 2014 Summer/Fall Schedule

Listings are current as of May 2014. New events are added weekly. Please check our website uab.edu/cas/music.

JUNE 2014 Sat 14 » 1pm » Summer Music Camp Final Concert. » JCH » Free Sun 15 » 7pm » UAB Gospel Choir Father’s Day concert, conducted by Kevin Turner. » JCH » Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

JULY 2014

Sun 14 » 4pm » “Dowland Lute Songs and the Cult of Elizabeth I,” a Faculty Recital featuring soprano Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk and guest lutenist David Walker. » RKRH » Free

Thu 30 » 7pm » Faculty Recital featuring Won Cho, bass, and Yakov Kasman, pianist. » RKRH » Free

Wed 17 » 12:20pm » UAB Department of Music Faculty Potpourri Recital » HRH » Free

Tue 4 » 7pm » Percussion Ensemble led by Gene Fambrough. » JCH » Free

OCTOBER 2014

Thu 3 » 7pm » UAB Concert Choir Bon voyage concert, conducted by Brian Kittredge. » JCH » Free Fri 4 » 7pm » UAB Summer Band Independence Day concert. » Bartow Arena Lawn » Free AUGUST 2014 Fri 22 » 7pm » Marching Blazers Band Camp Show. » UAB Campus Green » Free SEPTEMBER 2014 Sun 7 » 7:30pm » Iron Giant Percussion Ensemble. » MKST » Free

Sun 12 » 4pm » Piano Series concert. » RKRH » Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

Thu 16 » 7pm » UAB Choirs conducted by Brian Kittredge. » SBC » Call 205-975-2599 for tickets.

Fri 17 » 7:30pm » Voice Studio Recital featuring students of Won Cho, Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, and Paul Mosteller. » HRH » Free Tue 21 » 7pm » Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, conducted by Sue Samuels. » JCH » Free

NOVEMBER 2014

Sun 9 » 7pm » Jazz Ensemble led by Steve Roberts. » JCH » Free Tue 11 » 7:30pm » Jazz Combos led

by Carlos Piño and Steve Roberts. » HRH » Free Thu 13 » 7pm » Faculty Recital featuring Denise Gainey, clarinet, and Yakov Kasman, pianist. » RKRH » Free Sat 15 » 7:30pm » Computer Music Ensemble led by Scott Phillips.

New works of electro-acoustic music and multimedia by student composers. » HRH » Free

Mon 17 » 7pm » UAB Gospel Choir led by Kevin P. Turner: 19th Anniversary Fall Concert. » JCH » Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

Thu 20 & Fri 21 » 7:30pm » UAB Opera presents "The Elixir of Love"

by Donizetti (in English), led by Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk. » MKST » Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

DECEMBER 2014 Mon 1 » 7pm » Christmas at the Alys. » JCH » Call 205-975-2787 for tickets.

Sat 6 » 2pm » Middle School Honor Bands Concert. » JCH » Free Sat 13 » 3pm » High School Honor Bands Concert. » JCH » Free

Sun 16 » 7:30pm » Piano Studio Recital featuring students of Yakov Kasman, and Piano Ensembles led by Tatiana Kasman. » HRH » Free

HRH - Hulsey Recital Hall JCH - Jemison Concert Hall MKST - Morris K. Sirote Theatre RKRH - Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall SBC - Southside Baptist Church

OT - Odess Theater

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 63

ASCLOVESUAB

YOUR CAMPUS, YOUR CENTER To bring you the very best in entertainment and educational opportunities, the ASC is working very closely with UAB Student Affairs to tap into the UAB community and find out exactly what students want. The ASC offers students discounted tickets, opportunities to get involved, and the option for first-year students to see shows for free using the Freshmen Arts Card.

Here’s to bringing you the best entertainment and experiences on campus!

Student Discounts Student tickets are available in advance on select performances.

UAB Student Pack Receive four tickets to ASC Presents

shows for $10 each. Offer available to current UAB students only.

Redemption limit of two tickets per show. Some restrictions apply.

Freshmen Arts Card All UAB Freshmen receive this card, which allows freshmen free admission into two ASC Presents shows.

Get Involved Build your résumé and gain valuable experience as an intern or part-time employee at the ASC. Contact Bryan Jones at bwjones@uab.edu about available positions.

Tell Us What You Want Who do you want to see

perform at YOUR performing arts center? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. www.facebook.com/ASCBham @ASCbham #ASCbham

Enjoy the UAB Family Discount If you are a UAB employee, student, or graduate, then you are eligible for 10% off single tickets plus an additional 5% discount on the It’s Your Choice package.

Discounts may not be available for special events, such as fundraisers or galas. Call the Box Office for more information at 205.975.2787.

ALLABOUT

UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS CENTER E-News Keep up with the latest happenings and events through weekly e-mails that feature performance reminders and special discounts. Sign up at AlysStephens.org.

Get Connected Like, tweet, snap, and post your ASC experience

on all of our social sites for exclusive discounts, promotions, and giveaways.

Like us at www.facebook.com/ASCBham Follow & tweet us @ASCbham Follow & tag us #ASCbham

Help Us Fill Seats If you are unable to attend a performance,

please notify the ASC Box Office prior to the show. We make it easy for you to return your tickets so that someone else may use them. While no refunds will be given, you may exchange your tickets for another ASC Presents performance or receive a tax credit for the value of your tickets.

Group Discounts We welcome all groups of 10 or more by offering a special discount. Call 205.975.2336 for more information.

Speakers Bureau Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the

performing arts by inviting a speaker to your next group meeting. The Speakers Bureau offers a variety of topics and tailor-made presentations free of charge. Contact Anna Tucker at 205.975.5662 to schedule.

Gift Cards An ASC gift card makes a perfect present for family, friends, clients, and coworkers. Call the Box Office at 205.975.2787 for more details.

Special Seating We are pleased to accommodate requests for

special seating. Just notify our Box Office at 205.975.2787.

Volunteer Interested in ushering, becoming an ASC Ambassador, or

other volunteer opportunities? Please contact Bryan Jones at bwjones@uab.edu.

ASC PARKING&DIRECTIONS NORT

H

to I-65

8th Ave. S / University Blvd.

NORT

H

t. S

PARKING

ine Eng

P

erin

Athletic Fields

Alys Stephens Center

Lot 15F

g

Sidewalk

Humanities Building

th S

P

Lot 15R

UAB Buildings

P

P

Hulsey

Spencer Honors House

ASC

Business

P 10th Ave. S

P

Lot 15L

P

Lot 15F

Education Building

Alabama Power Sub-Station

P

Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts

Lot 15G

Lot 15D

Lot 15R

Lot 16A

Educa Buildi

National Humanities Alumni Society Building Hoehn Building

erin

g

P

Mini-Park

P

Sterne Library

Hulsey

Spencer 11th Ave.Honors S House

ine

*Additional parking for select performances available at UAB Highlands, located in the 1100 block of 13th St. S.

P

12th St. Deck

Lot 16A

10th Ave. S

Members Lot

Eng

Alys Stephens Center Handicap Parking Sidewalk

Alabama Power Sub-Station

Jerry D. Young P Lot 15G Memorial Baseball Field

11

P

Alys Stephens Center Handicap Parking

Mini-Park 8th Ave. S / University Blvd.

13th St. S

UAB Buildings

ASC Preferred Parking

to I-65

14th St. S

Alys Stephens Center LEGEND

12th St. Deck

13th St. S

Athletic Fields

P

12th St. S

th S

PARKING

11

P

Jerry D. Young Memorial Baseball Field

t. S

ASC Preferred Parking

12th St. S

LEGEND

ASC

Sterne Library

DAYTIME PERFORMANCES Business Daytime parking options during the week may vary based on the event, but do include Lot 15D and a combination 10th Ave P Members Lot of other lots as available. Street parking is also available.

National Alumni 10th Ave. S Abroms-Engel Institute Society ACCESSIBLE PARKING INFORMATION for the Visual Arts Lot P 15L During performances and evening events, the metered spaces between the ASC and UAB’s Spencer Honors House will be restricted to those with *Additional parking for select Hoehn performances available at handicap permits. The upper and lower circle driveways may be used as a drop-off for patrons with disabilities. The gated lot next to the ASC is Building P Lot 15D UAB Highlands, located in the available for sponsors and Circle Club members at the Gold level and above, as well as designated supporters of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

1100 block of 13th St. S. PREFERRED PARKING The 12th Street Deck, Lot 15R and Lot 15D provide easy access to the ASC via connecting sidewalks.

11th Ave. S

DIRECTIONS TO THE ASC Interstate 65 North: Exit #259 onto University Boulevard/8th Avenue South. Turn right onto 13th Street South. Turn right onto 10th Avenue South. The ASC will be on your right.

Interstate 65 South: Exit #259B onto 4th Avenue South. Turn right onto 13th Street South. Turn right onto 10th Avenue South.

The ASC will be on your right.

Highway 280 East or West (Elton B. Stephens Expressway): Exit onto 8th Avenue South/University Boulevard and turn right. Turn left onto 13th Street South. Turn right onto 10th Avenue South.

The ASC will be on your right.

66 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

ASC SEATINGCHARTS JEMISON CONCERT HALL

SIROTE THEATRE

Upper Jemison Concert Hall

Lower Sirote Theatre

Upper Sirote Theatre STAGE

101

105

102

106

103

107

104

AA

108

MAIN FLOOR BELOW

1

28 AA

BB 1 CC DD

33 BB

1

32 1

28

EE 1

22

CC

DD

EE

BALCONY LEVEL MORRIS K. SIROTE THEATRE

REYNOLDS-KIRSCHBAUM RECITAL HALL

18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

K J H G F E D C B A

18

1 1 1

1

(EVEN NUMBER SEATING)

RIGHT DRESS CIRCLE

G H J K L

40

General Admission 1006 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205

48

A Seating

12

1 1

1

T 2

U 2

B

2 4 6 8 10 12

C D F

E

ARTPLAY PARLOR SEATING

N

M

Reynolds-Kirschbaum Recital Hall

O P Q

101

CH

OR

R

G H J K L M N O P Q W

S

R

47

HT

RIG

S

F

E

D

C

1 (ODD NUMBER SEATING)

LEFT DRESS CIRCLE

39

CENTER ORCHESTRA

W

RCH

11 9 7 5 3 1

U

TO

B

LEF

116 116 115 116 115 116 115 116 115 116 115 116 115 116 115 116 115

1

T

1

STAG E

1

Lower Jemison Concert Hall

1

K J H G F E D C B A

STAGE

B Seating

C Seating

ASC BOX OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-6pm For Saturday and Sunday performances, the ASC Box Office opens at noon and closes after the last intermission.

ASC BOX OFFICE: 205.975.2787 » toll-free 877.278.8457 » ascboxofc@uab.edu ADMINISTRATION OFFICE : 205.975.9540 » AlysStephens.org ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

| 67

UAB'S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

DR. SHIRLEY SALLOWAY KAHN, UAB Vice President for Development, Alumni & External Relations THERESA HARPER BRUNO, ASC Corporate Board Chair

ADMINISTRATIVE

Executive Assistant to the Director CHUCK EVANS Senior Director LAURA KELLY

ARTPLAY

KIMBERLY KIRKLIN, Director of Education & Outreach /ArtPlay Associate Education Director HEATH MIXON Education Coordinator CATHY CATALANO Education Coordinator JENNY HAYES

DEVELOPMENT LILI ANDERSON, Director of Development Development Officer JENNIFER FOSTER Development Assistant ERICA MILLER Development Associate MELISSA STRANGE

CREATIVE & MARKETING AMBER ALLEN-PARSONS, Creative Director Marketing Specialist Art Manager Marketing Associate Copywriter/Marketing Graphic Design Consultant Media Relations

ANNA TUCKER PAT POWELL JASON PAULIN LINTON WRIGHT JOEY SEALES SHANNON THOMASON

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Financial Officer ROMIKA GODWIN Financial Associate MICHELE THORNTON Accountant ADRIANE CARTER

OPERATIONS BRYAN W. JONES, Director of Operations Operations Assistant LINTON WRIGHT Operations Associate NOAH ANDREWS

BOX OFFICE Subscription & Group Sales Manager Daily Operations Manager Shift Supervisor Ticket Agents

MONICA DENT DANIEL HARDEGREE LINDSEY CULVER NOAH ANDREWS » KYM BOWEN » TIKIA ELLISON ALETHEA JAMES » MARIE KING ROBERT KINSEY » DON McFALL NICK STERMER » GINGER ZINGARA

HOUSE MANAGEMENT Catering Coordinator General House Events Manager & Volunteer Coordinator Associate House Events Manager House Management Assistants

MELANIE S. MARTIN JERRY D. SIMS DEREK PURIFOY JOHN BRYAN » TERRIE ENTRUP KIM MITCHELL » LINTON WRIGHT

TECHNICAL Technical Director ADAM STERMER Stage Managers KENNY CRAYTON » TERRY LeBRUN DANA PHARO » AMANDA VANDERSTELT

PROGRAMMING

Artist Manager Programming Assistant Hospitality Coordinator Hospitality Associate

ERIC ESSIX MOLLY SILVERSTEIN LANNIE GUSTER JR. NOAH ANDREWS MARIE KING

THE CENTER MAGAZINE STAFF

Creative Director Marketing Specialist Art Director Production Assistant Copywriter Contributing Photographers

68 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

AMBER ALLEN-PARSONS ANNA TUCKER PAT POWELL JASON PAULIN LINTON WRIGHT MICHAEL GRIFFIN » TIM JONES » STEVEN HAYWOOD MATJAZ KACICNIK » NIK LAYMAN » LARRY O. GAY CLARK SCOTT » MICHAEL SHEEHAN MICHAEL WADE » STEVE WOOD

TO ALL THE

BIG DREAMS OUT THERE.

ViVa HealtH is proud to salute the world’s finest performing artists and the Alys Stephens Center.

www.VivaHealth.com

|

205.558.7474

|

800.294.7780

Non–Profit Org US Postage mailing address:

ASC 1720 2nd Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35294–1261 physical address:

1200 10th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205

PAID

Permit 1256 Birmingham, AL