ASC 2014 Winter/Spring Magazine

24 CULTIVATING AN ARTS COMMUNITY 30 GIVE SOMETHING, CHANGE EVERYTHING 34 A PRESIDENT PASSIONATE FOR THE ARTS

CENTER MAGAZINE VOLUME 2

» ISSUE 2 » WINTER/SPRING » 2014

UAB BRANDING AD

W H AT W O U L D Y O U G I V E

to make a

DIFFERENCE

in the

WORLD?

What would you give to wipe out a disease, or give someone a chance at a future?

What would you give to ensure the future of the arts, or give a scientist the resources to discover? No matter who you are or where you are in life, you have the power to do all these things. Because when you support the work of UAB, giving something , changes everything.

uab.edu/give

art that changes your world Everything we do at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) is built on the premise that art can change your world – whether it’s presented programming, educational outreach, or curated events.

We want what we do to make a difference in people’s lives. We want people to feel their world has been enriched by participating in and supporting the arts. » We are truly grateful for the generous gifts you have shared with the ASC, gifts that have enabled us to offer the highest quality performances to the largest number of patrons. In addition, the support we have received from the community is allowing us to create a cultural corridor at UAB that includes the Alys Stephens Center, the Departments of Art, Music and Theatre, and the new Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts. This burgeoning arts district at UAB will have a tremendous cultural impact in our community for generations to come. » The first half of our 2013-2014 ASC season was a great success. We hope the second half excites you as much as it does us. Please join us in Winter/Spring 2014. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you as together we present art that will change our community, state, and world.

Shirley Salloway Kahn, Ph.D. UAB Vice President for Development, Alumni and External Relations

Theresa Harper Bruno ASC Corporate Board Chair

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

6 WINTER / SPRING PERFORMANCES 6....The ASC’s 2014 Season offers something for everyone A PRESIDENT PASSIONATE FOR THE ARTS 24.....An interview with Dr. Ray Watts BREAKING NEW ARTISTIC GROUND 26.....The ASC’s first world premiere is a monumental success

24 26

BREAKING

CULTIVATING AN ARTS COMMUNITY 30.....ASC Nite Market supporting local farmers

30

NEW ARTIST 34 GROUND

GIVE SOMETHING, CHANGE EVERYTHING 34.....Making an impact one person at a time ARTPLAY GOES CLINICAL 46.....Healing in the arts becomes a bedside reality AILEY II® DANCE RESIDENCY 50.....Empowering students by taking arts into the classroom

ASC Membership and Support ...................... 40 Seen at the ASC ............................................ 42 Donors, Sponsors, and Board Members ........ 44 ArtPlayWinter/Spring 2014 Classes ............... 54 ASC Partners and Their Schedules ............... 56 UAB Students and Employees ....................... 58 All About the ASC ......................................... 59 Parking and Directions ................................ 60 Seating Charts .............................................. 61 Subscriptions and Ticket Order Form ........... 62 Season at a Glance ......................................... 65

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ARE YOU A MUSICIAN WHO WANTS YOUR MUSIC HEARD? New Orleans, Chicago, New York … every great city has music written in its honor. This year, the ASC wants YOU to write a song or compose a piece of music about living in Birmingham! Your work could be one of 12 selected to be performed at an all-day music festival at the ASC on June 21, 2014. Three performers – selected by audience members and a panel of judges – will win $1,000 and studio time at UAB to record their songs. Share your talent with the world and help us celebrate the Magic City with the first annual Birmingham Makes Music Day! BEGINNING JANUARY 21, 2014

IT’S all ABOUT BIRMINGHAM. IT’S all ABOUT THE MUSIC. THE SPECIFICS:

THE NITTY-GRITTY:

» All entries will be judged by local arts and music industry experts. 12 finalists will be selected and announced on May 21.

» All genres and instruments are eligible – from classical and jazz to rap and country, and everything in between.

» Experts will work with the finalists to prepare for recording and a performance on June 21. » Each finalist will receive a $250 stipend to perform a short set – including the Birmingham song – live. » The audience, as well as judges, will select three winners based on the finalists’ live performances. Each winner receives a $1,000 prize and recording session at UAB’s new studios to record their winning song.

» The song must be an original piece written about the Magic City and your experience living here. »

A video of any production quality (even a smartphone) must be submitted to the Alys Stephens Center email via YouTube link. Only one per person/group.

Email submissions to makemusicbham@uab.edu.

The deadline for submissions is April 21.

THE IMPORTANT DATES:

JAN.

APR.

MAY

project begins

submission deadline

finalists announced

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21

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BIRMINGHAMmakesMUSICday » JUNE 21 Birmingham Makes Music Day will showcase the finalists in a FREE, all-day, outdoor event at the ASC. The audience and an expert panel of judges will vote for their favorites, and three winners will be selected.

For more details and event updates, go to AlysStephens.org.

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PATTY MCDONALD presents ARTPLAY'S PARLOR MUSIC SERIES featuring YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS performing the music of Copland, Schumann, Schonfield & more

NAREKarutyunian clarinetist

accompanied by MARIKO FURUKAWA, pianist

thursday »

january 23 » 7pm

Clarinetist Narek Arutyunian is an artist who “reaches passionate depths with seemingly effortless technical prowess and beguiling sensitivity,” comments The Washington Post. Mr. Arutyunian’s career is growing by leaps and bounds and, as always, the ASC is thrilled to support an artist who is a true rising star of classical music. As a winner of the 2010 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Narek was

presented in YCA’s Rhoda Walker Teagle New York debut concert at Merkin Hall and at the Kennedy Center to rave reviews. » The evening’s program features Jacob Weinberg’s Hebrew Melodies in the Form of a Suite, Aaron Copland’s Sonata for clarinet and piano, Robert Schumann’s 3 Romanzes, Op. 94, Marius Constant’s For Clarinet, and Paul Schonfield’s Sonatina for Klezmer clarinet and piano. (Program is subject to change)

» ARTPLAY PARLOR $37.50 (Beverages & hors d’oeuvres included) « » ArtPlay: Meet the Artist On the Road « This residency is made possible in part by the Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Fund of Young Concert Artists.

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yakov&aleksandra KASMAN TWO PIANO RECITAL

friday »

february 7 » 8pm

The ASC proudly presents this exciting “four hands” evening featuring an all-Rachmaninoff program of music.

Experiencing a two-piano performance with Yakov and Aleksandra Kasman is the perfect way to appreciate the texture and grace of the Russian composer’s sound. » Well known to ASC audiences, Professor of Piano and Artistin-Residence at UAB, Yakov Kasman made his debut in America in 1997 as Silver Medalist in the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. It was the culmination of several competition triumphs, including prizes at the 1991 Valentino Bucchi Competition in Rome, the 1991 London World Piano Competition, the 1992 Artur Rubinstein International Competition in Tel Aviv, and the 1995 International Prokofiev Competition in St. Petersburg.

Since his American debut, Kasman has appeared as soloist with more than 60 orchestras around the world, and produced 15 recordings on the

Calliope label. His two-CD set of the recordings of the complete sonatas of Prokofiev was awarded the “Grand Prix de la Nouvelle Academie du Disque” in France in 1996.

International Piano Quarterly recommended his recording of Moussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” as one of the 14 best in a survey of recordings over the past 75 years. » Aleksandra (Sasha) Kasman is the national winner of NFMC’s Stillman-Kelley Award, Silver Medalist of the VII International Competition for Young Pianists in Memory of Vladimir Horowitz in Kiev, Ukraine, and a second-place and Young Jury Award winner at the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition in Columbia, S.C. Recent engagements include Sasha’s solo recitals in New York and Washington, D.C., duo-piano performances with Yakov Kasman at the International Summer Keyboard Institute in Fort Collins, Colo., at the Concert Series at Tulane University in New Orleans, in Orel, Russia, and in Busan, South Korea.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL, LOWER LEVEL « ALL SEATS $43.50

Student tickets are available – call 205.975.2787 for more information.

» ArtPlay: Meet the Artist School Show «

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ArtPlay Presents make it happen

PERFORMING ENSEMBLE’S

celebrate! saturday »

february 8 » 10 & 11:30am

Something amazing happens in the hands of young actors. ArtPlay’s Make It Happen Performing Ensemble (MIH), under the direction of Alicia Johnson-Williams, is comprised of local middle- and high-school students. This performance celebrating Black History Month is researched, written, and performed by these young actors. This production is packed with memorable songs, spoken word, and dances that only MIH can bring to life.

Through the voices of the past and the present, the ensemble tells a story that not only celebrates, but educates. » Now in its sixth year, MIH started as a pilot program through a relationship with Ramsay High School and since its inception has grown immensely, having performed for more than 5,000 people.

Auditions are held every September. Throughout the year, MIH performs all over the greater Birmingham area, making them true ArtPlay ambassadors!

» REYNOLDS-KIRSCHBAUM RECITAL HALL « ADULT $10.00 CHILD $8.00

» ArtPlay: Meet the Artist «

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THE

robertCRAYband friday »

february 14 » 8pm

Spend your Valentine’s Day with us and legendary rock blues icon Robert Cray for a night of music you’re sure not to soon forget. Known for a blazing live performance, Cray is one of the greatest guitarists of his generation.

With five Grammy Awards, 15 nominations, millions of record sales worldwide, and thousands of sold-out performances under his belt, this incredible artist shows no signs of slowing down … just the opposite, his career and artistry seem to be reaching new heights. » Recently inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame at the age of 57,

he is one of the youngest living legends to receive the prestigious honor. Rolling Stone magazine in its April 2011 issue credits Cray with reinventing the blues with his “distinct razor-sharp guitar playing” that “introduced a new generation of mainstream rock fans to the language and form of the blues.” Coming off the hot ticket of Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival and the accompanying film, which combined the greatest guitarists of our generation, Cray’s new tour blurs the lines of blues music and showcases his barrier-busting repertoire.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $57.50 B $48.50 C $39.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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CAROLINAchocolateDROPS friday »

february 28 » 8pm

Making their debut engagement at the ASC, Carolina Chocolate Drops are artists we love to listen to and watch. » The Carolina Chocolate Drops won a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2011 with their album Genuine Negro Jig, and were nominated again in 2012 for their follow-up effort, Leaving Eden. This African-American string band, founded in 2006, is on Nonesuch Records. Their ever-evolving sound began with material culled from the Piedmont region of the

Carolinas, and has expanded to include a wide variety of traditional songs in addition to original writing from Rhiannon Giddens and others. The group’s 2014 lineup will feature two more virtuosic players alongside founding member Giddens and Hubby Jenkins – cellist Malcolm Parson and multiinstrumentalist Rowan Corbett – illustrating the expansive, continually exploratory nature of the Chocolate Drops’ music. Expect a new disc from this quartet in 2015.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL, LOWER LEVEL « ALL SEATS $39.50

» ArtPlay: Master Class «

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TAJmahal

saturday »

march 22 » 8pm

Blues and world music man Taj Mahal makes his second visit to the ASC. This composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist is one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th-century blues and roots music.

Though his career began more than four decades ago with American blues, he has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the world – west Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Hawaiian Islands and so much more. What ties it all together is his insatiable interest in musical discovery. Over the years, his passion and curiosity have led him around the world, and the resulting global perspective is reflected in

his music. » As the son of a jazz pianist, young Taj learned to play the piano, clarinet, trombone and harmonica, and he loved to sing. He discovered his stepfather’s guitar and became serious about it in his early teens when a guitarist moved in next door and taught him the various styles of Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed, and other titans of Delta and Chicago blues. » From those early years, through musical explorations that have resulted in an eclectic recording catalog and multiple Grammy awards, Taj says, “Even at the end of 40 years, in many ways my music is just getting started.” Those are words we love hearing as we welcome Taj back to the ASC stage!

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « A $62.50 B $53.50 C $43.50 ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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UAB’S ALYS STE P HE NS PE RFO RMI NG A RT S C E NT E R PRE SE NT S THE 2014 VI VA H E A LT H ST A RLI G H T GA L A

STEVE MARTIN

& THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS featuring

EDIE BRICKELL sunday »

June 8th » 8pm

JE MI SO N C O NC E RT H A LL

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The Viva Health Starlight Gala is Birmingham’s crown jewel of performing arts events. This annual engagement benefits the programs and education initiatives of UAB’s Alys Stephens Center and ensures we continue to provide our community the very best in arts entertainment. This year we proudly present an innovative musical duo: Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell. The ensemble will perform songs from their new album Love Has Come for You. The performance will showcase original material performed

by Martin and Brickell, along with the unique hybrid of bluegrass and comedy that Martin and the Steep Canyon

Rangers have been delighting audiences with at their sold-out, critically acclaimed shows. » Although the new musical partners have already built widely loved individual bodies of work, their inaugural duo effort is a substantial departure, as well as a creative milestone, for both artists. Love Has Come for You offers 13 eloquently rootsy Martin/Brickell compositions that combine the former’s inventive, expressive, five-string banjo work with the latter’s heart-tugging vocals and vivid, detail-rich lyrics.

The pair’s unconventional co-writing method, which is both organic and inspiring, is sure to create an evening you will never forget. Reserve your seats today.

The CONTRIBUTOR PACKAGE includes premium seating and an elegant reception prior to the performance. $125 The SUPPORTER PACKAGE includes regular seating and an elegant reception prior to the performance. $85

» A VIP dinner package is available. For more information, please call (205) 934-6196. « ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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aileyII ®

TROY POWELL » artistic director friday »

march 28 » 8pm

Ailey II is universally recognized for merging the spirit and energy of the most talented young dancers with the passion and creative vision of today’s outstanding emerging choreographers.

The company embodies Alvin Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, the Ailey spirit shines as this critically acclaimed company presents an

exhilarating and diverse repertoire of timeless classics and thrilling new works. » The ASC has been honored this season to present a residency program with the Ailey organization that culminates with this celebratory public performance. During the residency, dancers from Ailey II and teaching artists from Ailey’s Arts In Education program will have worked with more than 150 students in our area, resulting in a student recital in early 2014.

Official US Tour Sponsor: MetLife Foundation

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

» ArtPlay: Meet the Artist School Show «

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

GENTRY ISAIAH GEORGE PHOTO BY EDUARDO PATINO

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JAZZ

ESSENTIALS A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF JAZZ

HOSTED BY

ERIC E S SIX

UAB ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

PRESENTS

ragtime&earlyNEW ORLEANSjazz featuring MARCUS ROBERTS TRIO thursday »

april 10 » 7pm

Jazz Essentials is a new, innovative series devoted to honoring the rich history of jazz music and bringing the best artists in contemporary jazz to the city of Birmingham. Over the next three years, the ASC will take you on a journey from the birth of jazz up through today’s most innovative artists with performances and educational activities. This season, Jazz Essentials will begin its journey by showcasing ragtime and early New Orleans jazz, hosted by UAB Artist-in-Residence Eric Essix and featuring music performed

by the Marcus Roberts Trio, alongside local jazz artists. » SET ONE will take audiences through the history, music, and artists of the inaugural era of jazz. SET TWO will feature the highly acclaimed original music and repertoire of the Marcus Roberts Trio. » Roberts has received praise from the legendary Wynton Marsalis, who, when discussing Roberts, has said, “We call him ‘the genius of modern piano’ – because he is.” » Jazz Essentials coincides with the 2014 UAB Jazz Summit, April 10-12.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL « ALL SEATS $38.50

Student tickets available – call 205.975.2787 for more information.

» ArtPlay: Meet the Artist School Show, Musician Clinic, and Mentoring Program « ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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johnPRINE

with special guest HOLLY WILLIAMS friday »

april 11 » 8pm

John Prine has been at the top of our artist “wish list” for some time. We are thrilled to present his debut performance in the acoustically pristine Jemison Concert Hall – the perfect setting for an artist like Prine. Some four decades since his remarkable debut, Prine has stayed at the top of his game, both as a performer and songwriter. Recently honored at the Library of Congress by U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser, he’s been elevated from the annals of songwriters into the realm of bonafide American treasures. » Long considered a “songwriter’s songwriter,” Prine is a rare talent who writes the songs other songwriters would sell their souls for. Evidence of this is the long list of songwriters who have

recorded gems from his extensive catalog, including Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, the Everly Brothers, John Denver, Kris Kristofferson, Carly Simon, Ben Harper, Joan Baez, and many others. » “He’s so good, we’re gonna have to break his fingers,” Kristofferson once said after being justifiably stunned by a Prine performance. Bob Dylan remarked, “Beautiful songs …

Nobody but Prine could write like that.” » Opening for Prine is ASC favorite and special guest Holly Williams. With three widely acclaimed studio releases – The Ones We Never Knew in 2004, Here with Me in 2009 and The Highway in 2013 – and inspiring live performances, Williams has proven she can forge her own path as a singer, songwriter, and artist.

» JEMISON CONCERT HALL «

A $69.50

B $61.50

C $50.50

» ArtPlay: Songwriting Clinic with Holly Williams « 18 |

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PATTY MCDONALD presents ARTPLAY'S PARLOR MUSIC SERIES featuring YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS performing the music of Schubert, Ravel & Beethoven

ji

PIANIST

thursday »

may 1 » 7pm

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “a gifted young pianist who is clearly going places,” 22-year-old Ji has a compelling musical presence and a career that began at the age of 10, when he was the youngest pianist to win the New York Philharmonic’s Young Artists Competition, and subsequently played at Avery Fisher Hall under Maestro Kurt Masur. » In December, Ji makes his debut at New York’s Merkin Hall and the Kennedy Center before arriving in Birmingham for his ArtPlay debut. » Well-known in his native Korea, Ji performed Korea’s first outdoor classical concert as a soloist with the BBC Symphony; and performed in Seoul with world-renowned ballerina, Sue Jin Kang and dancers from the Stuttgart Ballet. Ji’s creative » ARTPLAY PARLOR

$37.50

vision to make classical music accessible to young people led to his “Stop & Listen”outdoor guerrilla performances in 2010, during which he worked with renowned Korean pop-artist Tae Jung Kim, bringing classical music to the public on the busy streets of Seoul. » Ji was featured on a special program dedicated to the music of John Corigliano on NPR’s “From the Top,” on which he played Corigliano’s Etude Fantasy. At 16, he appeared in the PBS documentary Prodigies and Masters of Tomorrow. » The evening’s program is slated to feature Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47, Beethoven’s Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a (“Les adieux”), and Ravel’s La Valse. (Program is subject to change)

(Beverages & hors d’oeuvres included) «

» ArtPlay: Meet the Artist On The Road « This residency is made possible in part by the Annaliese Soros Educational Residency Fund of Young Concert Artists.

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN STEINER

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LIGHT

dreams

II

In 3D for 3 Days

When the Sun goes Down, the Light Dreams begin...

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lightDREAMSII thursday

friday

saturday

MAY MAY MAY

8

9

10

7:30 NIGHTLY

A FREE Celebration of Digital Projection, Art, and Music.

This year, Light Dreams II goes 3D! Join us for the second annual Light Dreams festival, a FREE celebration of art, music, dance, and light. This year, an even bigger team of Birmingham’s best artists will use UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) as a canvas for their digitally projected artworks and large-scale light installations. The entire southern façade of the ASC building will once again be wrapped in fabric and transformed into a giant projection screen.

With these innovative light projects – plus live music, interactive art exhibits, and your favorite local food trucks – Light Dreams is becoming one of Birmingham’s best arts and music festivals.

THE FESTIVAL FEATURES ...

» The premiere of architecturally mapped “light dream” projection shows in 3D » “Let Your Light Shine” parade featuring musicians and wearable art installations » 3D virtual-reality “light dream” from UAB’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and

Enabling Technology Laboratory, and Computer and Information Sciences Department » Live music from Downright, John Scalici’s Homebrew, and more » Mind-blowing “Points of Light” installations by innovative local artists » An illuminating live dance performance using electroluminescent wire » Birmingham’s favorite local food trucks and cash bars with light-themed drinks

The ASC Light Dreams II Artistic Team includes: Jean-Jacques Gaudel, Liesa Cole, Randal Crow, Mary Foshee, Randy Gachet, John & Katie Gaiser, Heather Spencer Holmes, Christophe Nicolet, Jon Martinez, Tony Rodio, John Scalici, Joe Walker, Veronique Vanblaere, Jonathan Meadows, Carrie McGrann, Deedee Morrison, Corey Shum, Eva Dennis, Mike Brascome, Zekai Demirezen, Anthony Skjellum, Scott Wehby, Josh Davenport, Andrew Hyde, Sarah Heath, Matthew Devine, Lauren Lake, Stacey Holloway, Celeste Laborde, Jessica Simpson, Adam Stermer, Kimberly Kirklin & Amber Allen-Parsons.

FREE » ASC ENGEL PLAZA

» ArtPlay: Community workshops are scheduled (see Page 54). Visit ArtPlayASC.org for updates and more information. « ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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the ABROMS-ENGEL INSTITUTE for the VISUAL ARTS

transforming

a into

Over the past year, the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) has transformed from a dream into reality. On course to open in January 2014, the building continues to evolve each week into a magnificent structure unlike anything else in Birmingham. The building’s unique architecture will provide a fresh look to UAB’s campus that is both contemporary and innovative while maintaining some stylistic elements common to all of UAB. The AEIVA was designed by renowned architect Randall Stout, known for his modern and abstract style that captures the beauty of the building’s surroundings while crafting a facility that exudes both form and function. The building will be the new home of UAB’s Department of Art and Art History, featuring state-of-the-art classrooms and gallery space capable of showcasing the work of internationally acclaimed visual artists.

The AEIVA will be the final piece of the burgeoning cultural corridor on Birmingham’s Southside begun by the ASC almost 20 years ago. Together, the AEIVA and the ASC will create a dynamic artistic atmosphere that nurtures both talent and creativity, demonstrating UAB’s commitment to excellence in the arts as well as the sciences. The new space will serve as a testing ground for a wide variety of cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the ASC looks forward to a rich creative future with the AEIVA. With these two brilliant arts centers on one street, the future of the arts at UAB and in Birmingham couldn’t be brighter.

Thank you to those who made the AEIVA possible: Judy and Hal Abroms » Ruth S. and *Marvin R. Engel Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Bayer » Ronne and Donald Hess Foundation » Carol and *Jack Odess The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. » The Brooke Family Foundation The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham » Day Family Foundation Jemison Investment Co., Inc. » *Mr. Leo Kayser, Jr. » Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Perry Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Piassick » Candy and Stephen Berman & Family » Catherine and Bill Cabaniss Ellen and Fred Elsas » Ms. Betty Allenberg Goldstein » Mr. and Mrs. Wallace D. Malone Jr. John and Nancy Poynor » Robert R. Meyer Foundation » Mr. and Mrs. Elton B. Stephens Jr. The Stephens Foundation » Albert and Toni Tully » *deceased ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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P A

RESIDENT PASSIONATE FOR THE

ARTS

It is no secret that President Ray Watts is a champion of both science and medicine. As a physican and researcher, chair of neurology, dean of medicine, and now as president of UAB, Dr. Watts has worked tirelessly to advance medical and scientific research throughout his illustrious career. What may come as a surprise to those who don’t know him personally is that Dr. Watts has a deep passion for the arts, having supported both UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) extensively since he returned to Birmingham in 2003. Dr. Watts has served on the board of the ASO for many years, leading the “Doctors for the ASO” as a way to engage the medical community with the arts in Birmingham. Additionally, Dr. Watts was one of the first to donate to ArtPlay’s ArtReach program, which provides opportunities in arts education to children and adults in the Woodlawn neighborhood that otherwise would not exist.

As UAB’s seventh president, Dr. Watts is determined not only to make UAB one of the top medical research centers in the country, but also one of the country’s richest artistic communities. This project is already well under way: the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) is on track to be completed early in 2014 and, in conjunction with the ASC, will create a unique cultural arts corridor on 10th Avenue South. In a recent interview, Dr. Watts shared his thoughts on the ASC, the arts community in Birmingham, and the state-of-the-art programs at UAB and their future as the university marches forward: ASC: Have you always had a passion for the arts, and do you practice any particular art forms?

Dr. Watts: Since I was a child, I have loved the arts – music, drawing, graphic arts, poetry, literature, and the performing arts.

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the human spirit. At this point in my life, I enjoy gardening as an expression of both visual and living art, especially flowers and flowering shrubs and trees. I see gardening as a way to paint a living canvas and then see it evolve over time, enjoying it all throughout the process. It has been an important artistic and creative outlet for me in recent years, and the best part is that I can do it at any time of day.

ASC: How strong do you feel the arts community is in Birmingham?

Dr. Watts: I think the arts community in Birmingham is strong.

I think that outsiders would be – and usually are – very impressed when they come to Birmingham and realize what a wonderful arts community the city has. We have a wonderful orchestra and a wonderful performing arts center in the ASC with all of its varied presentations and programs throughout the year. Red Mountain Theatre Company also does a great job, especially with young people, and there are many other successful theater and artistic groups across

the city as well. Furthermore, the Birmingham Museum of Art is a world-class museum.

It has many strengths, and people have always been very impressed with it. I think now that the AEIVA is across the street from the ASC we will really see this area [around UAB] become a cultural hub for the performing arts, music, visual arts, and the language arts, not only for UAB but also for Birmingham.

ASC: What is the current state of the arts and the arts programs at UAB? Dr. Watts: I think the arts are vital to UAB and are stronger than they have ever been. We will soon have a new BFA in musical theatre as well as numerous other degree programs coming together across the performing arts and in our music department. I think the AEIVA will transform our visual arts program. They have always been excellent, but now they will have a venue for education, for sharing their work as well as bringing people together and bringing in people from around the world. The institute will curate galleries and displays, both from local and world-renowned artists. I think with the ASC as a great music and performing arts platform, and the AEIVA as a great platform for the visual arts, we’ll have places to bring people together in a unique way.

ASC: What do you think is special about the ASC? What separates it from other performing arts centers and venues in the region?

Dr. Watts: What I love about the ASC is the varied spectrum of artistic presentations. I love the innovation, the boundary-pushing expression that goes on at the ASC. I particularly enjoyed Project Bandaloop, Mass Ensemble and the Earth Harp, and most recently the piece composed by Yotam Haber, A More Convenient Season. It used a multi-media approach to deal with a tragic issue and bring it to a new day of tremendous accomplishment for Birmingham.

The piece allowed people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and creeds from communities all across the city to come together and be proud of where Birmingham is today and especially proud of where we are going together in the future.

ASC: Who are some of your favorite artists?

Dr. Watts: As far as symphonic music goes, I’ve always loved the classics – Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms – but I’ve also always loved

composer Aaron Copland.

Copland speaks with a uniquely American voice, and I don’t know if there has been a better piece of American music written than Appalachian Spring. I guess since I’m a Southerner having grown up here in Birmingham, in the foothills of the Appalachians, and spent time in the Smoky Mountains, I can’t help but think [Appalachian Spring] is a really beautiful look at music, painting beautiful pictures of nature in your mind. I’m also a huge fan of Copland’s Portrait of Lincoln.

I listen to popular music as well, and I grew up loving James Taylor. With five children whose ages span from their early 20s up into their early 30s, Nancy and I have really enjoyed all types of new music over the past few decades. They’ve introduced us to artists we would have never been exposed to otherwise, and we’ve loved it all. We love country music – well ... my wife not as much as I since she’s from Boston – but there is really no music I don’t like.

For me to relax, at the end of the day and into the evening, there is nothing like jazz. I love Miles Davis, Coltrane, and other smooth jazz musicians. Recently, I have loved getting better acquainted with the great jazz guitarist of our very own, UAB Artist-in-Residence Eric Essix!

In theater, I’ve always thought Les Misérables is a great example of telling the human story and confronting social injustices, both musically and visually. It’s really quite powerful. In the visual arts, I’ve always favored the French impressionists, but also appreciate the American impressionists, and Picasso.

As far as architecture, I particularly love the AEIVA’s architectural design because it is so different from anything else on campus.

The building will have a unique motif for us – a silhouette different from anything else. Not to mention how beautiful it will be on the inside and the sculpture garden on the side of the building.

Since I have focused my career on science and medicine, the arts really have been a great outlet for me. They allow me to enjoy the creative part of my own mind and share it with others who are expressing themselves. The arts couldn’t be more important to humankind. ￭

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UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center MADE

ITS LARGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE ARTS IN ITS HISTORY,

ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2013, WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF A MORE CONVENIENT SEASON,

an artistic work that pays tribute to the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement and the FOUR GIRLS who lost their lives in the infamous church bombing of 1963.

The piece stands as a monument to a pivotal time in our nation’s movement. These archival recordings provide a direct link to the past, making AMCS an abstract history worthy of study for anyone history, and also signifies momentous change for both the city of seeking to understand this time in our nation’s past.

Birmingham and the ASC as an organization. A More Convenient The premiere on September 21 was beyond compare, earning a Season (AMCS) garnered national recognition – and deservingly so, five-minute standing ovation and a five-star review from the local since the piece is one of the greatest artistic achievements the city of press. For many in attendance, the experience was one they will Birmingham has ever produced. The hope AMCS has brought the never forget, conjuring a spectrum of emotion from sadness to people of Birmingham, and the conversations it has sparked, have joy. “It evoked a feeling unlike anything I felt before,” says Robert only just begun and will continue to echo throughout the nation.

Hernandez, an attendee of the This multi-media artistic work, performance. “It was as if I could created by composer Yotam Haber feel the sorrow, pain, melancholia, with contributions from filmmaker and nostalgia of those who struggled David Petersen and musician through this movement. At the end, Philip White, was commissioned there was a sense of peace with such by architect and philanthropist a simple but powerful message of Tom Blount and produced by the no longer being afraid.” Hernandez ASC as a way to commemorate was not alone in his thoughts, as and share Birmingham’s incredible any attendee would tell you there transformation over the past 50 was something special in the air that years. In a letter to the ASC, night. Positive energy permeated the former President Bill Clinton room, palpable in every seat in the commended UAB’s recognition of Jemison Concert Hall. Spectators Birmingham’s civil rights past and were gripped by the thematic and the city’s subsequent evolution. emotive arc of AMCS, which begins More than two years in the making, as a meditation on Birmingham’s AMCS – and the challenge of troubled past, but later shifts its bringing it all together – marked focus to the hope for a bright the greatest artistic work ever tomorrow. This sentiment was produced by the ASC and solidified captured perfectly by Haber, who its status as curator of world-class shared his thoughts after a week’s Composer Yotam Haber, conductor Michael Morgan, performing arts. Beginning with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and the AMCS choir reflection on the evening:“When only an ambitious idea, Blount Saturday, September 21, came and I sat in the darkness of the Alys commissioned Haber with the task of writing a piece that engages Stephens Center with everyone else, I felt like we were all – orchestra, Birmingham’s checkered past while affirming the progress that has soloists, chorus, and audience – about to embark on a journey as occurred and spurring that progress forward into the future. one intertwined entity. In all the concerts of my music, I have never An all-consuming project, Haber spent two years writing experienced such an hour of pure meditative concentration around AMCS, digging through the hundreds of records of the me as I did that evening. We were all there to commemorate not just Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s Oral History Project as well the passing of four lives but also to celebrate how far we have come, as listening and learning directly from those who witnessed and and think about what has yet to be accomplished.” participated in the civil rights movement and its aftermath. For While anyone who attended can attest to the power of the Haber, AMCS is the most meaningful work he has ever created, and these one-on-one experiences with civil rights foot soldiers were premiere, the emotion of the evening was magnified considerably essential in its creation and, for him, as valuable as the finished work for those involved in the performance itself. The premiere was conducted by Michael Morgan and performed by the Alabama itself. “If all I had at the end of this project were those precious, Symphony Orchestra. Four young female soloists were featured unforgettable conversations, I would count myself blessed,” Haber alongside an all-female chorus comprised of members from the says. These conversations are the source of every word one hears Mississippi State University Chorus, the Tuskegee University in AMCS. No word spoken, sung, or heard is a poetic fabrication; Chorus, and a volunteer chorus representing various (continued) the words are real speech uttered during or in recollection of the ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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choral courses designed around AMCS. Students will spend an entire semester studying the piece in depth, rehearsing and learning all of the intricacies of the score, which will culminate in the January performances.

Some organizations would cower at the prospect of producing a performance of this magnitude, not to mention taking it on the road, but the team at the ASC thrives on challenges, constantly pushing their small squad to new heights. ASC programming consultant and curator Jessica Simpson commented on the project as a whole and what it could mean for the future of the ASC: “The entire project of AMCS has been a series of firsts for the ASC, and it is amazing how it has changed us and how we have grown as an organization because of this project. I think it’s only the beginning. What if all of our curated works could be performed elsewhere?”

AMCS was not the first of the ASC’s original productions or curated projects, and it will certainly not be the last. In addition to the performance at REDCAT, the ASC is already planning its next original events, including Light Dreams II, a follow-up to last spring’s immensely successful, free multi-media light festival, featuring film dance, visual art, and more. With the level of talent present in the small team at the ASC, there is no limit to what can be accomplished, often to the amazement of everyone looking in from the outside.

As for the future of AMCS after the Los Angeles performances, David Harris sees the REDCAT as just the beginning for the piece, a work which he considers to be one of the most important choral and symphonic compositions of our time. He compares it to Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, a piece written in the early 1960s

that commemorates and reflects on the pain of World War II and is considered to be one of the most important musical pieces of the 20th century. Like War Requiem, AMCS emotionally unpacks a difficult time for many in our country, conveying themes that are universal and will continue to resonate throughout history. It is not the easiest work to perform, requiring an all-female chorus singing in conjunction with an orchestra and audio recordings, but Harris believes this will not inhibit interest in the piece. “It will take time to be recognized, perhaps … but in time, I believe the power of the piece will overcome the logistic difficulties and it will find its way into many concert halls,” he says.

The thought-provoking power of AMCS is what makes the piece a masterwork for our time. This power, however, is derived not just from the work itself, but from the thoughts and emotions it stirs in audience members – a process unique to every individual. This is illustrated in Haber’s two hopes for the performance of AMCS: “One, I hope that my work, filled with more questions than answers, sparked conversations that need to be had. Two, I hope that my piece never instructed how to feel or think, but just allowed one’s mind to wander, resonating with each listener in a deeply personal way.”

The work will make waves throughout the world not simply because of its musical achievements but because of the questions it raises and the conversation it initiates. The piece does not preach – it does not tell you what to think – but it gives one the tools to discover your own feelings and create your own experience of it. ￭ Top from left to right – AMCS choir; AMCS soloists. Bottom from left to right, conductor Michael Morgan; the AMCS choir and the ASO.

a v t i i n t l g u c AN ARTS

COMMUNIT Y 30 |

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Amidst a humid summer afternoon, the ASC’s Engel Plaza and Haskell Courtyard were brimming with the uniquely Southern smell of savory pork, the sound of earthy folk music, and the sight of fresh produce. Community members from Birmingham’s Southside and beyond came together that day to buy organic fruits and vegetables, talk with local farmers and growers, learn about Alabama’s burgeoning agricultural organizations, sample a local craft beer or two, and, of course, have fun. Whether they knew it or not, people were doing more than shopping for produce and having a good time. People were making a statement about what good food is and how it should be.

People who came to ASC’s Nite Market on July 20 were participating in a movement that demands a change in America’s attitude toward food. They came for fresh, organic produce farmed in a way consistent with their values and their desire for a healthier, more honest lifestyle. They also came to engage with their friends and neighbors and bolster their local economy. Perhaps most interestingly of all, they came to do it at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.

Most people don’t associate farmers markets with performing arts centers, but, for anyone familiar with the ASC, it should come as no surprise that the center would host such an event. Over the past few years, the ASC has been regularly challenging people’s perceptions of what a performing arts center is and what role it can play in the community. Through events such as Light Dreams, Global Fest, Cirque Alys, and A More Convenient Season, the ASC is engaging the community in unprecedented ways, redefining its image as a cultural gem in Birmingham. With more curated programming planned for 2014, the ASC will continue bringing unique events to the Birmingham community. Not to mention the fact that anyone who has some experience in farming or gardening will tell you that growing requires the subtle precision of an artist. The perfect tomato, the perfect squash – vegetables of a certain quality demand an eye for the aesthetic.

With this sort of growing reputation, the ASC captured the attention of major players in Alabama’s budding organic and sustainable agriculture community. Nite Market attracted a veritable who’s who of food industry personalities in Birmingham and the surrounding area, including Edwin Marty of E.A.T. South, Alice Evans of the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network, Katherine Davis and other associates from Jones Valley Teaching Farm, Michael Sellers of Good People Brewing Co., Kenyon Ross of West Homewood Farmers Market, Lisa Beasley of Pepper Place Saturday Market, REV Birmingham, UAB Sustainability & Wellness, Bottega Café, and many more. “The people at Nite Market were great,” Beasley says. “[There were] some very important food people there.” These vendors were not just there to sell vegetables: numerous participants gave “seed planting” talks to educate the public on not only the state of Alabama’s farms and fields, but also on how people in the community can improve their own food practices.

Regular attendance at farmers markets was common practice for many Americans throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. Farmers markets were an important social institution in those days, allowing neighbors to come together not only to support their local economy, but also to socialize with their neighbors and fellow community members. (continued) ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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Farmers markets began to disappear in the 1950s and 1960s, when innovations in agricultural technology and practices changed the landscape of farming in this county. During this period, farms became fewer, larger, and more industrial, producing more food with less and with lower cost of production. The price of produce began to fall, and fruits and vegetables became more widely available for consumers year-round. The result was that people were now turning to the grocery store for produce, not their local farmers market.

The quantity and availability of produce increased, but, over time, the quality decreased.

Over the last decade, however, this trend has begun to reverse itself throughout the country because many consumers have become more aware of the food that is filling their plates. Nowadays, many people are demanding locally grown organic produce, and smallscale farmers and farmers markets have arisen to meet that demand in communities across the nation. Birmingham is no exception; Jefferson County alone has more than 20 active farmers markets.

“We’ve made amazing inroads in awareness,” says Beasley, manager of Pepper Place Saturday Market, Birmingham’s premiere farmers market located at Pepper Place in the Lakeview District. “People like to eat fresh and in-season. It’s a lifestyle choice. They make farmers markets a part of their weekly shopping.”

Of course, these aren’t the only attractions of the farmers market.

Just as in the old days, much of the recent surge in popularity of farmers markets can be attributed to the social interaction and community engagement that they provide. Farmers markets provide family-friendly (and animal-friendly) environments with lively atmospheres that include live music and hot, ready-to-eat food.

A market can be a whole day’s worth of activity that will make people feel part of something larger than themselves. In the age of increasingly isolating technology like smartphones and iPads, opportunities like this can be hard to come by.

One highlight of the afternoon came from Bottega Café’s own chef, Mark Driskill, speaking vividly about the delicate craft of canning, one of many beloved traditions of Southern cuisine. Chef Driskill emphasized the importance of his family and the community in fostering his love for preservatives and how canning has always been, for him, a fundamentally social activity. Canning has served as an essential means for him to gather with his friends and family

throughout his life. For all of its brevity and simplicity, Chef Driskill’s talk elegantly cut to the heart of what Nite Market was all about: community. Farmers markets have always been about community.

They are symbolic of more today, but at their core farmers markets are still fundamentally about bringing people together for the benefit of all. This is why the Alys was so determined to host an event like Nite Market. The ASC sets itself apart from other arts centers and venues across the country by being more than just that: it is a community center. With Nite Market, the ASC saw a way to engage the community in a meaningful way, supporting a cause that directly impacts the people of Birmingham.

Farmers markets may be new territory for the ASC, but putting on a great concert is most certainly not. The ASC has a knack for picking artists that perfectly complement its curated events, and there couldn’t have been a more perfect candidate to bookend Nite Market than singer/songwriter Susan Werner. Having spent her young life on a family farm in Iowa, Werner is personally entrenched in the struggles of small farmers across the nation and the importance of farmers markets in communities. Her most recent album, Hayseed Project, is a concept album of sorts, commissioned by the Lied Center for the Performing Arts and the University of NebraskaLincoln to pay tribute to farmers and agricultural sustainability. The album is equal parts freewheeling and emotional, speaking from many different perspectives about the livelihood of farmers and the people who support them. In a recent interview, Werner shared her perspective on the recent rise of the farmers market: “Farmers markets are the face of agriculture today … They provide consumers with fresher food, jobs to the community, they keep jobs local, and they preserve fields and agriculture in the environments of any given community. They’re a winner from right to left across the economic and political spectrum.”

Werner feels that we’ve come a long way in spreading awareness over the past few years. The total number of farmers markets in the U.S. has risen from roughly 5,000 in 2008 to 8,114 in 2013. For Werner, the key to understanding this success, and what will continue to push it forward, is the education of children and young people.

“Today’s kids are adopting new habits,” Werner says. “Kids learning about what their food is, where it comes from, how it’s grown and cultivated. That is an important permanent change, and probably

As long as the people of Birmingham are willing to come out in support of each other

and an important cause,

the ASC will continue its relentless pursuit of building a better Birmingham for all. the one that heartens me the most, being a farm girl myself.”

Looking at what propels the movement today, Werner places the farmers firmly in the driver’s seat: “As a writer and performer, what I do isn’t anywhere nearly as important as actually growing the food – and I know it, full well ... it’s also a thousand times easier than being a farmer.” However, Werner doesn’t sell her own efforts short. She knows that musicians have an important role to play in a grassroots social movement. “What I can do is entertain, by animating the issues and characters in the world of agriculture, and advocate. I just talked with legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, who is 94 now, at the Clearwater Folk Festival in June. He said to me, ‘Show ’em songs are better than speeches.’ Just by singing on pitch – and having a good punch line – you can do a helluva lot.”

That being said, it should come as no surprise that Werner found herself fully in her element at Nite Market. From a long talk with farmers from Jones Valley Teaching Farm, the tastes of Good People’s

craft brew, the “corno de toro” peppers from Edwin Marty at the E.A.T. South stand, and the “EAT the HAM” shirt courtesy of The Urban Food Project that is now a regular in her fashion rotation, Werner had plenty of love for Nite Market. “This effort to restore quality, locally grown food to Alabama and the South in general – this is so wonderful,” she says. “Seen from Chicago and the upper Midwest, look, you are the South. You are supposed to have wonderful food. This is part of your heritage, your mystique.

Celebrate it.”

Celebrate it they did, and celebrate it they will. The success of Nite Market has already sparked conversations about next year’s edition of the popular event. Amidst all of the other innovative, communityoriented projects and events in store for the upcoming spring and fall, the ASC is making moves to repeat Nite Market in 2014. Next year’s event will no doubt eclipse the success of this year’s event, with plans to up the ante of growers, farmers, and craftspeople. ￭

Bottom left page from left - Jones Valley Teaching Farm; Jason Bailey Trio; Nite Market schedule; Stone Hollow Farmstead; Alabama peaches; Susan Werner

CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE IS FAR FROM A SMALL TASK. THERE ARE MANY ISSUES WE FACE AS A CITY, AS A NATION, AND AS A PLANET, AND IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO BRING ABOUT POSITIVE CHANGE AND ACHIEVE A BRIGHTER TOMORROW. 32 |

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WHILE THE MAGNITUDE OF ISSUES LIKE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATION MAY SEEM DAUNTING, PROGRESS IS MADE THROUGH THE INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS OF MANY PEOPLE IN SOCIETY, MAKING AN IMPACT ONE DAY AND ONE PERSON AT A TIME. GIVE SOMETHING

| C H A N G E EV E RY T H I N G

THIS IS THE WAY UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS CENTER AND ITS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, CALLED ARTPLAY, ARE BUILDING A BETTER, MORE VIBRANT CITY FOR EVERYONE WHO CALLS BIRMINGHAM HOME. Every performance, every arts class, and every outreach program gives an opportunity to someone that could change their life in a way that may not have existed otherwise. If just one person walks away each day from one of these programs inspired, motivated, or changed for the better by what he experienced, then the ASC and ArtPlay are succeeding in their efforts to extend the beauty and marvel of the arts to as many as possible in Birmingham and beyond.

Sharon Chamblin is a working mother living in Woodlawn, a historic neighborhood on Birmingham’s east side. For many years Chamblin worked in the healthcare industry, but a few years ago her fortunes changed and she became ill. Her sickness prevented her from working and, as a result, Chamblin found herself confined to her home. “I was just stuck at my house, not working, with nothing to do,” Chamblin says. This was a difficult period in her life, as she struggled with the stasis that accompanied her illness. However, Chamblin’s life would soon be transformed in a way that she never expected. She came into contact with ArtReach, ArtPlay’s community outreach program that operates in the Woodlawn area. The program is a collaboration between ArtPlay and the YWCA, offering free arts classes for the entire community at YWoodlawn. Chamblin decided it would be good for her children to participate in the program, and as she was registering them for a class, she noticed that ArtReach also offered a number of adults-only classes. One class, quilting, stuck out in particular, so she decided to sign up and try something new.

Chamblin had basically no experience with art up to this point, and definitely no experience sewing or quilting. She was skeptical about the class and her ability to learn a new skill, worrying about messing up the materials or breaking the sewing machine. Despite her anxiety, she stuck with the class, having been assured by her teacher, Lillis Taylor, that it wouldn’t matter if she tore anything and that she would not break the sewing machine. Soon Chamblin found herself a regular at the class, becoming a little bit better at quilting with each session. At first the classes were just a source of relaxation and entertainment, a way for Chamblin to get out of the house and engage with others in her neighborhood. However, Chamblin soon 36 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

Sharon Chamblin participating in an ArtReach quilting class.

began to discover that not only was she developing a passion for sewing, but she was getting pretty good at it as well. “I never had really explored my creative side,” Chamblin says. “It gave me such a boost of confidence to start creating things.” Soon Chamblin began to branch out from quilting into other areas of sewing, producing pillows, garments, and even leather bags. It wasn’t long before Chamblin realized that what started as a hobby could easily become a full-blown profession. With the encouragement of those around her, Chamblin decided to start her own sewing business, DNJD Design, named for her four children. Chamblin began by selling her products to her friends, but soon expanded the operation to local farmers markets. Now she sells her products on Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade craftwork, and is working on setting up her own website and Facebook page. “The program has truly changed everything for me,” Chamblin says. With this newfound confidence and direction in her life, she sees no limit to how far her business could take her and her family.

Even though she is busy running her own business, Chamblin continues to be a part of the ArtReach quilting class. She has become good friends with her teacher, Taylor, and now attends other sewing groups in the area. In fact, ArtPlay is piloting a program for local schools that would bring both Chamblin and Taylor into classrooms Children participate in a Woodlawn ArtReach event.

to teach quilting and its cultural importance throughout American history. She continues to support ArtReach because she is thankful for the program and wants to see it continue to help others in the same way it helped her. “I’m glad they have the program, and I hope that it can continue,” Chamblin says. “I always tell my friends, especially those who aren’t currently working, to go try out one of the classes. Many of them are skeptical, but I always tell them that I had no experience sewing when I started – and look at me now!”

Her children also continue to regularly attend some of the classes, including visual arts, African drumming and hip hop dancing. “I just think it is so great that these classes are available,” Chamblin says.

“It broadens [my children’s] horizons. Most people [in Woodlawn] wouldn’t be able to afford these sorts of classes, so these programs are From Left: UAB Women’s Club members Valerie Thomas, Kim Brunsting, giving kids opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Eric Essix, Pam Thompson, and Valerie Pasche.

Chamblin’s tale is just one of many success stories that are playing out through the efforts of ArtReach. The program is part of a larger individuals and their associated organizations have supported the effort to revitalize the Woodlawn area, including the YWCA’s nearly ASC or ArtPlay in different ways, but each of their gifts carries $ 14 million housing initiative. All of these programs are critical the same weight in the eyes of the people who benefit from them. in enhancing the lives and expanding possibilities for people in Every donation helps the ASC continue to give back to the the Woodlawn area, and ArtReach is an essential part of this community, and we’re excited to be able to share the contributions revitalization. Just one experience with ArtReach can provide many of these gracious individuals with the world. They have shown people with the confidence and tools they need to further their that, for many members of our community, giving something ambitions and pursue their dreams. “I always tell my children that can change everything. they can do anything and be anyone they want to be,” Chamblin One noteworthy contributor is Valerie Thomas. She came to says. “It’s not about the area you live in or where you come from; Birmingham from San Antonio, TX where she frequented the if you use your imagination and work hard, the world is yours.” prestigious Majestic Theatre. Since she arrived in Birmingham, she Through ArtReach there is no telling how many people, young and has come to love the ASC just as much, advocating the ASC to all of old, could discover an unknown talent or gain confidence, discipline, her friends and colleagues. “[I tell them] you need to be a member, and important skills through the pursuit of the arts. For those people, you need to support the ASC,” Thomas says. This year, she decided these arts experiences can be the opportunity of a lifetime, that she would encourage the UAB Women’s Club (UABWC) to an opportunity that, for some, could truly support the ASC and the city’s “50 Years change everything.

Forward” initiative by sponsoring and Programs such as ArtReach wouldn’t be attending Evolution, a concert featuring the possible without the support of many ASC’s own Eric Essix. Thomas, president individuals throughout Birmingham. There of the UABWC, saw this concert as a good have been so many who have chosen to give social and philanthropic opportunity for the something to the ASC, and each of those club, a group that supports the interests of gifts has made a difference, no matter the female faculty and staff across all of UAB. She size. A gift of $50 can pay for a child’s music was thrilled to be able to support Evolution lesson at ArtPlay, a gift of $150 can allow and noted the impact the performance had local students to bus in for a free show on members of her group. “Everybody raved at the ASC, and a gift of $300 can enroll about Eric’s concert,” Thomas says. “We have a child in ballet classes for an entire year. an excellent partnership with the ASC.” The cumulative effect of these gifts Thomas always wants to expose new members creates countless opportunities for people of the UABWC to the ASC, since many of all across the city and the state. Over the them are new to Birmingham and are not yet past year, the ASC has received support aware of all the amazing opportunities this from a number of active citizens in the city has in store for them. The advantages of city of Birmingham, including members membership with the ASC are numerous, of the UAB Women’s Club, the ASC including preferred seating, ticket exchanges, Birthday Club, the Summit Group, and meet-and-greet opportunities, and more.

-Sharon Chamblin, ArtReach participant the Birmingham CHUMS. Each of these Thomas sees the ASC as an (continued)

“Most people in Woodlawn wouldn’t be able to afford these sort of classes, so these programs give kids opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

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institution of vital importance to Birmingham, one that contributes to the continued growth and vibrancy of the city.

Other individuals who have inspired friends and colleagues to give to the ASC and ArtPlay are Allen Montgomery and John Sellers.

These men are devoted to making Birmingham a richer and more vibrant city and have been longstanding supporters of the ASC. This year, Montgomery – an ASC Advisory Board member – was approached by ASC Development Director Lili Anderson about engaging new people with the ASC. The two decided that Light Dreams – a multi-media light festival curated by the ASC last May – would be an excellent event to showcase the ASC to new people and encourage support for its projects. Montgomery reached out to fellow members of the Summit Group, an organization that serves as a networking group for retired businessmen looking to invest in the economic and cultural development of Birmingham. Montgomery pitched the idea of visiting Light Dreams, and the group quickly jumped on board, bringing more than 40 people on site for a behindthe-scenes tour of the elaborate festival setup.

“We were blown away,” says John Sellers, co-founder of the Summit Group and ASC Advisory Board and Circle Club member.

“No one knows what goes on behind the scenes at the ASC. It’s really amazing.” For Sellers and other members of the Summit Group, supporting the ASC is just an extension of their efforts to help make Birmingham a cultural gem of the South. Sellers sees the arts as essential to any great city and the ASC as Birmingham’s premiere arts organization. “We cannot have a vibrant Birmingham without the efforts of UAB and the ASC,” Sellers says. “Their efforts make our city well-rounded and contribute to our goal of making Birmingham a cultural and economic powerhouse.” These gentlemen’s involvement with the ASC did not end with Light Dreams; they offered additional support for Evolution, as well as recruited new members to the ASC’s Circle Club. Their partnership with the ASC has gone a long way to further the shared interest in creating a better Birmingham and will continue to do so in the future.

The ASC also had the privilege of working with April Deal, Sallie Downs, Fran Godchaux, Debra Goldstein, Brenda Hackney, Pam Light Dreams “Point of Light” installation and digital projection show.

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The “ASC Birthday Club” celebrates with an on-stage luncheon.

King, and Sally Price, a group of women who celebrated a significant birthday this year. In lieu of giving gifts to each other, they wanted to find a way to give back to the community. They saw the ASC as a perfect fit for this kind of gift and formed the “ASC Birthday Club” to support ArtPlay and ArtReach. “Our group was in agreement that we wanted to do something in celebration of our special birthday year that would make a positive difference in the lives of children,” Deal says. “The Alys Stephens Center’s ArtPlay and ArtReach programs met that requirement in a big way.” The women made individual donations to provide a large number of tickets for students to see world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform in the ASC’s Jemison Concert Hall on December 6, 2013, giving these young people a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness one of the greatest classical musicians of all time, completely free of charge.

The women of the Birthday Club were overjoyed to be able to provide this opportunity for the students and expressed their gratitude to the ASC and ArtPlay for giving them the chance to do so. “The ASC is a valuable asset in our state,” Deal says. “Not only is it a magnificent facility, but the rich diversity of entertainment and educational programs immeasurably touches the lives of all who experience its offerings. It is so very important to support the ASC because we must nurture this jewel and keep it thriving.” The ASC is thrilled that these women chose celebrate their birthday in this way and hope that their contribution will encourage other birthday groups to make similar choices in years to come and become a part of the ASC Birthday Club. Their gifts will make an impression on these students that they will likely never forget and one that could inspire them to pursue their dreams in whatever way they choose, be it art, science, business, or anything else they can imagine.

Last but not least, the ASC received wonderful support this year from Adriene Balton-Topping and members of the Birmingham chapter of CHUMS, an organization whose goals are to create and implement projects that broaden the goals and enlighten the minds of young people. Members of the Birmingham CHUMS have supported the ASC in the past through board membership, ticket

ASC SEAT DEDICATION

Dedicate a seat in the Jemison Concert Hall to honor a loved one. (Costs range from 500 to $2,500.)

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ASC MEMBERSHIP Instill a passion for the arts by bestowing the gift of an ASC membership.

ASC HOLIDAY CARDS

Send us the name of your honoree(s), and the amount you wish to donate per person ( $20 minimum), and alys an we will send them alys ASC Holiday Card letting them know that a gift has been made in their honor. r 205.975.27 87 arts cente

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steph ens perfo rming alysst

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From left: ArtPlay Director Kimberly Kirklin, Adriene Balton-Topping and Charletta Sheehy of CHUMS

WAYS TO GIVE SOMETHING, AND CHANGE EVERYTHING.

uab’s

purchases, and hosting guests for the wide variety of performances the ASC brings to Birmingham. This year, Balton-Topping, the Birmingham Chapter president, decided to encourage other members to support ArtPlay’s education and outreach programs, since ArtPlay’s programs fall perfectly in line with CHUMS’s motto, “Listen to the Children.” Balton-Topping saw an opportunity to further CHUMS’s goals and worked with the ASC’s Lili Anderson and ArtPlay Director Kimberly Kirklin to provide free enrollment in ArtPlay’s programs for the fall 2013 and winter 2014 semesters. “We have a great respect for the Arts,” Balton-Topping says. “ArtPlay is a tremendous path for the youth to benefit from exposure to arts education and internationally accomplished artists. This exposure may form a young career that may otherwise not have existed without ArtPlay and the ASC.” These individuals’ support has provided tremendous opportunities to young people – opportunities that could have a lasting impact on them for the rest of their lives. Progress and change begin one person at a time, and the ASC and ArtPlay are taking steps to bring about lasting change in the lives of everyone in Birmingham.

The success of programs such as those offered by the ASC and ArtPlay does not happen overnight and requires great effort from those involved in the organization. With this in mind, it is important to remember that none of these programs are possible without the continued support of the people in Birmingham. Every gift the ASC or ArtPlay receives can have an impact on our community, be it through providing discounted tickets to students, offering a child dance lessons at ArtPlay, or taking internationally renowned musicians into the auditoriums of local schools. All of these programs start small and build momentum through generous contributions of so many throughout the community. The ASC and ArtPlay thank everyone who has helped us this year and in the past, each of whom serves as an example that giving something can change everything. ￭

moves moves moves ing arts center stephens thatperform 205.975.2787 alysstephens.org

that

you

you

that

you

ASC HONORARIUM

Honor someone special by making a donation in his or her name.

For more information on ASC gift giving, please contact Jennifer Foster at 205.996.6113 or jenfost1@uab.edu.

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Becoming an ASC member is making an investment in your community that yields dividends for generations to come …

ART CHANGE YOUR WORLD that will

ASC membership dollars have never had a greater impact than this year.

Membership dollars help to invest in our community’s future by allowing the ASC to touch thousands of lives each year. The support of ASC members allows us to reach deep into our community and school systems to make the arts available to everyone, while pursuing excellence in arts programming, arts education, and curated events. The enhanced community outreach initiatives of ArtPlay, such as Meet the Artist school shows, master classes, residencies, and workshops, directly correlate to membership dollars.

Be a part of art that changes our world – become an ASC member.

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THE CENTER MAGAZINE

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.

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seen AT THE asc 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.’

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21 As photographed from left to right:

1 Veronica Ann Grant, Rev. Israel Grant, Yotam Haber, Pamela Montanaro, and Author, Cynthia Levinson

2 Jon and Sheryl Kimerling, Karen and Joel Piassick

3 Dr. Ray Watts, Eric Essix, and Mayor William Bell

13

4 Vince Gill, Judge John H. England Jr., Amy Grant, and Dr. Coradean Bishop

5 Mollie and Bill Barrett, and Dana Ferniany 6 Diane Robertson Braddock and Gail Pugh Gratton

7 Ellen and Fred Elsas

8 Jim and Alison Gorrie and Dr. Ray Watts 9 Jeffrey Klinner, Patty McDonald, and Bill Lewis

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10 Tom Blount, Susan Starr and Morris Dees

11 Elias Hendricks, Al Head,

Monique Gardner-Witherspoon, and Craig Witherspoon

12 Valerie and Steve Thomas

13 Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Stephen Curreri, Nancy Kane, Kelly Bownes, David Loper, Eva Robertson, John and Kate Cotton

14

14 Bill Slaughter and Sanjay Singh

15 Yotam Haber, Theresa and James Bruno 18

16 Brian and Miki Edwards, and Ayaka Yoshikana

17 Bea Tatum Wright, Eric BenĂŠt, and Anthony Wright

18 DeValerie and Jeff Williams, and Steve Thomas

19 Jaqueline and Jay Ogelsby

20 Elizabeth and Dr. Robert Palazzo 21 Mary Chapin Carpenter,

Margie and Steve Sabino, and Shawn Colvin

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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.

Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation

Mr. Tom Blount

Ms. Jane Stephens Comer Betty and John McMahon

Jemison Investment Company

Friends of Cornerstone School

BIRMINGHAM-SHUTTLESWORTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Mr. and Mrs. M. James Gorrie

Mr. and Mrs. M. Miller Gorrie

KBC, llc

Dr. and Mrs. James K. Kirklin

Pauline Ireland

the

Thomas E. Jernigan Foundation

Uncut Flowers

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Goodrich Sheryl & Jon Kimerling

Mr. and Mrs. James T. Stephens

Alabama State Council on the Arts » Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Bayer » Alabama Gulf Seafood » Birmingham Mountain Radio BLOOM » Books-A-Million, Inc. » Bottega Restaurant and Café » Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP » Mrs. Susan Carswell Chez Fon Fon » Ms. Mary Cunningham Beck and Mr. Charles Beck » Drury Hotels » Ms. Lessie Duncan » Mr. and Mrs. Alan Z. Engel Judge John H. England Jr. » Dr. Monique Gardner-Witherspoon and Dr. Craig Witherspoon » Good People Brewing Company Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt R. Haskell » Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hire Jr. » Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC » The Hotel Highland Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q » Patty McDonald » Karen and Joel Piassick » Lydia and Taylor Pursell » Residence Inn Dr. Jacquelyn S. Shaia and Mr. Leo A. Shaia » Dr. and Mrs. Sanjay K. Singh » Sterling Capital Management Drs. Farah and Parvez Sultan » Target Corporation » Mr. and Mrs. C. Stephen Trimmier Jr. Tutwiler Hotel » Ms. Beverly S. Virciglio » Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Wright

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UAB’S ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER MEMBERS DIRECTORS CIRCLE

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

Mr. Arthur M. Fairley Ms. Kim Morgan and Mr. H. Corbin Day

DIAMOND CIRCLE

Mrs. Marvin R. Engel Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ferguson Ms. Susie Hoopes and Dr. Chivers R. Woodruff Jr. Ms. Pauline Ireland Ms. Stein Jones and Mr. Don Jones Dr. and Mrs. James K. Kirklin Patty McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Joel B. Piassick Ms. Kaye M. McWane Rosse and Mr. Mark Rosse Mr. James A. Stroud

PLATINUM CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. Harold L. Abroms Mr. and Mrs. John G. Beard Sr. Mr. and Mrs. William Brooke Mr. and Mrs. Brad Crowe Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Earle Mr. and Mrs. Alan Z. Engel Mrs. Foster Etheredge 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 Ms. Sara R. Sistrunk Mr. and Mrs. C. Stephen Trimmier Jr.

GOLD CIRCLE Mr. and Mrs. John C. Asbury Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Bagby Mrs. Adriene Balton-Topping and Mr. W. Frank Topping Mr. Tom Barnett Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Bayer Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bean Mr. and Mrs. John Beeler Jr. Ms. Lea Bone Mr. and Mrs. David A. Boutwell Dr. Tara Bryant and Dr. Jim Bryant Ms. Jennifer M. Buettner and Mr. Ernest F. Bates 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 Chester’s International, Inc. Mr. Lawrence Cochran Mr. Jonathan Collier Mr. Mike Cooke 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. William B. Deal Mr. and Mrs. David D. Dowd III Dr. and Mrs. Alan R. Dimick Mrs. William F. Edmonds Dr. Susan H. Eiland

and Dr. C. Morgan Eiland Dr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Elsas Ms. Rebekah Elgin-Council and Mr. Bryan Council Mr. and Mrs. Paul Elkourie Dr. and Mrs. John Durr Elmore Ms. Pam M. Eubanks Mr. and Mrs. John Faulstich Dr. and Mrs. I. William Ferniany Dr. and Mrs. Winfield S. Fisher III Mr. Charles Foshee Jr. Ms. Betty Allenberg Goldstein and *Mr. Leo Kayser, Jr. Judge Debra H. Goldstein and Mr. Joel R. 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 Mrs. S. Richardson Hill Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Hire Jr. Ms. Carol Ann Hobby and Mr. J. Mark White Dr. Jeanne Hutchison and Dr. John C. Mayer Mr. and Mrs. James M. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. D. Paul Jones Jr. Dr. Donald Kern Dr. and Mrs. Kent T. Keyser Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Koehler Mr. and Mrs. Curt Lee Mr. and Mrs. R. Barry Luther Ms. Margaret MacLeod Mr. and Mrs. James W. May Mr. and Mrs. John James McMahon III Ms. Dottie Mitchell

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Montgomery Mr. Jeffrey E. Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Howard W. Neiswender Mr. and Mrs. Jay Oglesby Dr. Valerie Pasche and Dr. Boris Pasche Ms. Martha J. Pezrow Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Pizitz Ms. Miriam Kirklin Reed and Mr. Les Reed Ms. Elberta G. Reid Dr. Robert Rich Dr. Susan Richard Mr. and Mrs. Ed Robinson Dr. and Mrs. Henry P. Robson III Ms. Emily Jones Rushing and Mr. Hugh Rushing Ms. Rachel K. Russell Ms. Marianne M. Schoel Mr. and Mrs. John Sellers Mr. and Mrs. James Wylie Shepherd Sr. 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. Mark J. Tarr Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Thomas Dr. and Mrs. David Warnock Amy Wehner Mr. Jon Whetsell Mr. and Mrs. Coke Williams Ms. Jane Fulton Williams Ms. Cynthia Woods Mr. and Mrs. Larry Youngblood * deceased

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

Judy Abroms John C. Asbury Adriene Balton-Topping Gail L. Bayer Jennifer M. Buettner Karen N. Carroll Willie N. Chriesman Anna F. Comer Barton T. Crawford Mary Catherine Crowe Neil E. Davis April A. Deal Rebekah Elgin-Council Monique Gardner-Witherspoon Debra H. Goldstein Wyatt R. Haskell Gaynell H. Hendricks Pauline Ireland Ronald A. Levitt

Jennifer R. McCain Connie K. McCallum Patty McDonald Lesley McRae Joyce Crawford Mitchell Allen Montgomery Kim Morgan Peggy Morgan 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 Sanjay K. Singh Julie M. Stephens Farah Sultan

Mark J.Tarr 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 Ivy Watson Cardwell Megan Reed Cottle Russell M. Cunningham IV Clint DeShazo Anna Grier Donald Jay M. Ezelle David K. Germany Lillian M. Glass 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 Ryan Robinett Rahul Thadani George C. Thompson Jr. Justin P. Weintraub

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n a bright

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fall afternoon, an artcare teaching artist, Helene Taylor, carefully soaks paper and passes out paint tins to a group of women gathered in the High Risk Obstetrics unit at UAB’s Women and Infants Center.

The women are quiet, many of them restless and uncomfortable, since they are all suffering from complications in their pregnancies and are confined to the hospital until it is deemed medically appropriate for them to give birth.

Taylor smiles assuringly at them all, cheerfully announcing, “I guarantee you’ll have fun. The key is to not worry about what you’re making.”

After a brief demonstration from Taylor, the women begin to create small watercolor paintings using a simple palette of colors. The paint runs and the brushes swirl, producing small works both abstract and particular. (continued)

Within minutes, the women begin to engage one another about their conditions, families, past pregnancies, and lives in general, briefly escaping their pain and discomfort and finding camaraderie in their shared experiences. For these women, this painting exercise is not about perfecting a skill – it is a way for them to relieve their anxiety, release their emotions, and discover a new source of enjoyment in their lives. What these women are doing is a form of therapeutic art and is one of the simplest and most effective ways to transform the experience and further the healing of the clinically ill and hospitalized.

ArtCare, an outreach program of the ASC’s department of education and outreach, ArtPlay, is currently forging a partnership with UAB Hospital and has begun providing arts-based therapy for patients admitted to various units. The program began with funding from Protective Life, initially with four artists working with older adults in independent- and assisted-living communities. Classes offered included movement, music, theater, and even a memoir program, where participants had their personal stories collected and organized in writing. Response to these programs was very positive, and ArtCare soon began offering monthly programs at ArtPlay for children affiliated with Children’s of Alabama hospital.

Now the program partners with five artists-in-residence at UAB – as well as a music therapist, an art therapist, and an artist-inresidence at Children’s – and has recently begun a pilot program at UAB Hospital with the goal of expanding into additional units.

Jordan DeMoss, associate vice president of UAB Hospital, recently expressed enthusiasm about the future of ArtCare at UAB. “I am excited about the opportunity to build an ArtCare program at UAB to complement the high-quality care currently provided,” DeMoss says. “ArtCare presents an opportunity to support patients emotionally, spiritually, and physically while providing therapeutic benefits and creative escape from the reality of their condition.”

The practice of art as therapy began in the middle of the 20th century and has gained popularity ever since. Therapeutic arts

ArtCare participants in a movement class at Highland Manor 48 |

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encourage patients to pay close attention to their emotions, emphasizing personal growth over strict technicality or artistic results. Countless studies have shown that the inclusion of arts in healthcare is an effective technique in alleviating depression and restoring confidence and control to people’s lives. There are numerous scientific journals devoted entirely to the study of the arts’ relationship with healthcare, most prominently “Arts & Health,” an international journal for research, policy, and practice published by the Global Alliance for Arts & Health.

ArtCare is not UAB’s first experience with art therapy. There have been art therapy programs in the past, and currently there is a music therapy program with four full-time music therapists on staff at the hospital. However, DeMoss wanted to see arts in healthcare programs expand at UAB, and expressed interest in the work being done by ArtCare. With his help, ArtCare has been given $5,000 for a 12-week pilot program at UAB Hospital, allowing artists to work in five different units for two hours per week. The pilot program is just an exploratory run, but ArtPlay Director Kimberly Kirklin is confident the program will produce positive results and attract more funding, allowing ArtCare to establish a permanent presence in the hospital. In fact, positive results are already rolling in. “ArtCare completes our holistic approach to patient care at UAB,” DeMoss says. “In only a few weeks of the pilot, we have received positive feedback from the pilot units and a recurring desire for more time available from our artists for patient care and support.”

Taylor is one of the artists participating in the experimental run, and the session in the High Risk OB unit is one of many that will occur there throughout the fall. The positive results appear fairly obvious to Taylor. “It’s just good to get them out of their rooms,” she says. “It’s hard to get comfortable when you’re in pain.”

These sessions provide an opportunity for patients to escape the monotony of their hospital beds, and the women in the session are very thankful for it. “It’s just so relaxing,” said one patient. Another said she “had a stressful morning … It helps so much to get out [of the room].” Many of these women said they have little experience with art – one woman said she had never created art before this program. However, this lack of experience is often a good thing, allowing the women to create carefree pieces unencumbered by concern over what comes out in the end. “Picasso said everyone is an artist,” Taylor says. Emphasizing that it’s never too late to pick up something new, no matter what experiences in the past, or as children, they may have had that turned them away from art.

To prepare for this program, ArtPlay received an ArtHealth Solutions Consulting Grant and enlisted the help of Jenny Baxley Lee, MA, BC-DMT, a dance/movement therapist and lecturer at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine. Lee led a twoday workshop for artists interested in getting involved in ArtCare or learning more about the relationship between the arts and healthcare in general. Panels focused on navigating the healthcare environment and basic cultural competency, a must for a hospital with a patient base as diverse as UAB’s. Lee has an extensive background in the field, since the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital has one of the largest and most successful arts in healthcare programs in the nation. In fact, Kirklin sees Shands as a model for how integrated

”

ARTCARE PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT PATIENTS EMOTIONALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND PHYSICALLY WHILE PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS AND CREATIVE ESCAPE FROM THE REALITY OF THEIR CONDITION. the arts and healthcare communities at a university can be. There are numerous student volunteers from UF working in Shands’ Arts in Medicine (AIM) program. In addition, the University of Florida Performing Arts (UFPA) center regularly has its performing artists visit Shands, either to perform full-fledged concerts or, when possible, bring their talents to individual patients’ rooms.

Furthermore, art and aesthetics are deeply ingrained in the interior design of the hospital, creating a welcoming atmosphere for patients and their families that nurture both comfort and confidence.

Kirklin would love to see this level of integration and cooperation between the arts and healthcare fostered at UAB. She hopes that future ArtCare programs at UAB Hospital will draw inspiration from what has occurred at Shands, where the arts have a place in all aspects of life at the hospital. With this integration in mind, Kirklin and DeMoss have discussed the possibility of increasing art exhibits throughout UAB Hospital. Additionally, Kirklin believes there is a wonderful opportunity to increase UAB student involvement and would love to have music, theater, and visual art students from UAB contribute some of their time to providing much-needed interaction with patients at the hospital. “I think there are a number of students who would connect with the mission of ArtCare,” Kirklin says.

“It’s could be a meaninful way for students to get involved in the community and gain additional skills.” Many students are probably unaware that a program like ArtCare exists at UAB, but a few have already expressed interest. Several UAB students attended ArtPlay’s Arts in Healthcare workshop.

The 12-week run at UAB is just the tip of the iceberg for ArtCare.

The program is now a part of the Hope and Cope Program at the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, which is a partnership between Children’s of Alabama and the UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology. Art and music therapists, along with an artist-in-residence from ArtPlay, will be partnering with the Hope and Cope interdisciplinary psychosocial team to provide expressive therapies for children hospitalized on the inpatient hematology and oncology unit as well as the stem cell transplant unit. “Everyone has different coping styles; art and music enable children to be distracted from being hospitalized, escape briefly into an imaginary world or a place that provides them with a sense of normalcy, strength, and comfort,” says Dr. Avi MadanSwain, associate professor of pediatrics at UAB, and director of the

”

Jordan DeMoss, Associate Vice President of UAB Hospital

Children participating in a group painting class

Hope and Cope program. “It also enables children to express their fears and concerns through color, images, and music nonverbally.”

There is no limit to how far ArtCare could go. “The possibilities are just endless as far as whom you can involve and what can come out of it,” Kirklin says. “We have the opportunity to be involved in some groundbreaking work.” The demand is certainly there, as the results of the program’s work are unquestionable. “Once you see the joy on a patient’s face, it is obvious what they get out of it,” Kirklin says. Best of all, the experience doesn’t have to end when patients leave the hospital. Untapped creative talent and passion discovered in the hospital can continue to grow at ArtPlay, giving patients the chance to further what ArtCare started for them for the rest of their lives. “It’s all about letting people grow in the arts and find new modes for creative expression,” Kirklin says. “We want to show what the arts can do for someone at all times in his or her life. It’s another extension of our mission to bring the arts to the broadest possible audience.” It’s a mission that is worth every penny and one that will no doubt continue to transform people’s lives for years to come. ￭ ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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ARTPLAY AND

AILEY ARTS IN EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

gobacktoschool

On October 10, 2013, the percussive sounds of drums and moving feet reverberated throughout the gymnasium of William J. Christian K-8 School (W.J. Christian), a Birmingham City school located near Roebuck. The room was filled with energetic sixth-graders, dancing around in unison with the direction of a few inspiring dance instructors. The choreographed moves came in rapid succession, with students stretching their arms wide, bending to the floor, and turning their bodies sharply. Before too long, the dance routine broke down into chaos and laughter. Soon the kids were sitting quietly, listening to a smaller group of students recite creativewriting pieces they had penned. The agenda then shifted focus a few more times throughout the morning, transitioning to history and later back to where it all began – dance.

At first glance, one might wonder why these different subjects were being paired. How much can someone learn about language or history through dance? What about mathematics or problem-solving? The answer is volumes; in fact, the dance class described above specializes in just that. The program, called “Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach” (RAIA), is a traveling interdisciplinary curriculum that engages students in language arts and (continued) ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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social studies through the power of dance. The program was part of a five-day residency in collaboration with ArtPlay – the department of education and outreach for UAB’s Alys Stephens Center (ASC) – and Ailey Arts in Education and Community Programs, going on site to work with students from St. Barnabas Catholic School, as well as W.J. Christian. The residency was ArtPlay’s first extended collaboration with an ASC “Presented” Artist, furthering the ASC’s mission of providing opportunities in the arts for people throughout Birmingham. This proved to be a perfect match for ArtPlay, since the program has a long history of bringing arts education to public schools throughout the nation. Nasha Thomas-Schmitt, Ailey Arts in Education Master Teacher, has been teaching the interdisciplinary course for more than 11 years. “It’s a chance for students to do something new, have fun, and explore their creative side,” says Schmitt, as another eager group of middle-schoolers files into the W.J. Christian gymnasium. “They’re engaged, they must think, and they have to share their ideas.”

RAIA is centered on the life and work of world-renowned dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey. The program teaches students choreography from Ailey’s most famous work, Revelations, as well as language and history through assignments focusing on Ailey’s biography. The program was founded in 2000 and has grown steadily ever since, reaching new heights last year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Revelations. Students learn choreography from the piece but also examine the work in a historical and lingual context. Students study key pieces of U.S. and world history, as well as gaining new vocabulary through examination of the lyrics from the spirituals used in Revelations. Most interestingly, students get to add a personal touch to these lessons, learning the history of their own family members from the era, as well as rewriting lyrics from the piece drawing from their own experiences. Creative, personal assignments add an original spin to homework, which is a new experience for many of these students. “Homework is homework,” Thomas-Schmitt says. “It’s not always thought of as something fun, but part of the curriculum is to do things that interest them … to have them focus on the lives of family members helps to make it more interesting.”

The method is clearly effective, as students were engaged and eager to share what they had written. Lisa Lavender, a language arts teacher at W.J. Christian, noted the impact of the assignments on her students. “The assignments worked directly with what goes on in my classroom,” Lavender says. “It helped teach my students how to choose their words wisely.” Teachers have materials provided by RAIA, which they can expand upon in their own classrooms, continuing the experience even after the dance classes have ended.The teachers even participated in a professional development class with Ailey the day before the student classes began. Lavender also pointed out how important it was that these lessons opened up a line of communication between the school and the parents. The homework gave parents insight into what is going on in the classroom, as well as a chance for them to learn something themselves.

The benefits of the program helped the students in many areas of their lives not directly associated with the dance classes. While math is not technically a part of the RAIA curriculum, sixth-grade math teacher Debra Cammack lauded the Ailey program’s ability to get 52 |

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THE ASSIGNMENTS WORKED DIRECTLY WITH WHAT GOES ON IN MY CLASSROOM. IT HELPED TEACH MY STUDENTS HOW TO CHOOSE THEIR WORDS WISELY. - Lisa Lavender, language arts teacher at W.J. Christian School

students to see connections between disciplines of all varieties. She challenged her students to make connections between dance and mathematics, telling them that there were no wrong answers as long as they could justify their reasoning. Cammack was amazed at the responses she received. “They came up with so many creative answers using mathematical terms like perpendicular, parallel, annex … they went on and on,” Cammack says. “I said to them ‘Wow, you all are really making connections.’” Now Cammack says that her students are seeing mathematics in all aspects of their lives, motivating them to apply themselves more in the classroom.

While the educational benefits are plentiful, one of the most important products of the program is the self-confidence and desire for self-expression it inspires. Cammack has been pleased with how the program has increased class participation, with many once-reserved students now speaking up in the classroom. ThomasSchmitt attributed these improvements to the methodology of the program, which asks kids to find their own answers and voice instead of memorizing information. “Children are not asked [personal] questions that often,” she says. “Usually they are only expected to remember information. It’s important for them to know that their thoughts are valid.”

Of course, the real key to the success of RAIA is that the dance portions of these classes are just plain fun. Dancing is a wonderful outlet for creative energy, not to mention great exercise. All of the students, girls and boys included, were very eager to get their bodies moving, even those who are typically apathetic or disengaged during group activities. When the five-day program came to an end, many students couldn’t believe the program wouldn’t be continuing into the next week. Thomas-Schmitt, who has taught this program to thousands of kids over the last decade, has experienced the change that occurs in students time and time again: “By Friday, the students

Ailey Arts in Education Master Teacher Nasha Thomas-Schmitt with W.J. Christian students.

say, ‘Oh man, you’re not going to be here next week? This was so much fun. We love you.’ They are coming up to give you hugs!”

Many of the sixth-graders at W.J. Christian were new to the school this year, having transferred from other elementary schools across the city. RAIA has been an excellent way for them to get acclimated to the school and more comfortable with each other as a group. “This is the happiest bunch of sixth-graders on planet Earth,” Cammack says.

The program had a positive impact on everyone involved, but the experience didn’t end when the dance instructors left. The schools’ teachers were given additional course work to incorporate into their respective curricula throughout the fall. Best of all, the program will culminate in the students’ attending a Meet the Artist performance of Revelations at the ASC. Some students may even have the opportunity to perform parts of Revelations with the dance company – a rare treat, solidifying the notion that with enough hard work the arts can take you anywhere. “This is what the arts can do,” says ArtPlay Director Kimberly Kirklin. “The arts transform lives.” The success of the Ailey residency will no doubt attract the attention of local educators who want their students to be engaged in the unique programs that artists and organizations such as Ailey offer, creating even more opportunities for ArtPlay to bring the arts to the people who need them. ￭

ailey II ®

TROY POWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

March 28, 8pm Tickets on sale now.

Seating is limited

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ArtPlay

The education and outreach initiative of UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center

ARTPLAY OFFERS CREATIVE CLASSES FOR EVERYONE FROM INFANTS TO ADULTS.

WINTER/SPRING 2014 CLASSES PRE-K Me & You & Paint & Glue » Ages 18 months-3 years + Guardian Jan. 25-Apr. 5 » Sat. 10-10:45am » Alley Bulka » $120 » Create new masterpieces with simple projects that will help your child develop the artist inside and have fun while creating with you.

Brushless! » Ages 3.5 years-6 » Feb. 1-22 » Sat. 10-11am Lisa Dolensky » $75 » Experience the freedom of painting with everything except a brush! Masterpieces emerge in motion painting with spinning tops, rolling cars, water-color bubbles, cotton swabs and more!

Creative Movement » Ages 3-5 » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 » Mon. 10-10:45am Melissa Turnage » $150 » Students will use their imaginations to bring stories and characters to life through movement set to music and rhythms.

Class activities will promote body and sensory awareness, physical fitness, and self-esteem.

Primary Ballet » Ages 4-6 » Jan. 25-Apr. 5 » Sat. 9-10am Shannon Boswell » $150 » Beginning students are introduced to classical ballet, fundamental positions and movements for a foundation for dance.

Together Making Music » Ages 12 months-3 years + Guardian Jan. 25-Apr. 5 » Sat. 11-11:45am » 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 into your child’s daily routine.

Wiggle, Giggle, Dance, & Sing » Ages 3.5 years-5 » Jan. 25-Apr. 5 Sat. 10-10:45am » Mary Elizabeth Neal » $150 » Through a mixture of silly songs, rhythm and rhymes, musical games, and creative dances, students will deepen their understanding and love of music while developing motor skills and making new friends.

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL 3D: Dream It, Design It, Do It! » Ages 7-12 » Feb. 1-22 Sat. 11:10am-12:10pm » Lisa Dolensky » $75 » Students will explore mixed media, manipulative sculpting activity centers using every day objects, creative process exercises, and experimenting with design techniques. A final group project will be given as an expression of community service to benefit a local charity.

ArtPlay Elementary Choir » Ages 7-11 » Jan. 27- Apr. 21 Mon. 4:30-5:30pm » 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.

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With its FREE mobile application, ArtPlay offers Studio One, a program allowing you to showcase your artistic expression on video, featured on the ArtPlay website and ArtPlay App. Acting Out Theatre Workshops Section A, Ages 7-9 » Jan. 25-Apr. 5 » Sat. 10-11am Section B, Ages 10-12 » Jan. 25-Apr. 5 » Sat. 11:10am-12:10pm Darrell Revel » $120 » Students will learn theatre games, improvisation, monologues, scene work, stage make-up application, theatre terminology, and voice & diction.

Intro to Musical Theatre » Ages 10-14 » Jan. 30-Apr. 24 Thurs. 5:30-6:30pm » Red Mountain Theatre Co. » $150 » Students will learn the foundations of musical theatre including beginning acting technique, song interpretation, rhythm, basic dance steps, and staging directions.

My Journal: The Musical » Ages 10-14 » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 Tues. 5:30-6:30pm » Mary Elizabeth Neal » $150 » Students will work together to construct a story and compose lyrics and music for a 3-5 song musical based on ‘An Exceptional Day in the Life of a Typical (Pre)Teen’. Original songs will be recorded in our state of the art media lab. Students will premiere their work in the last class.

Improvisational Movement » Ages 5-7 » Jan. 22-Apr. 16 Wed. 3:30-4:30pm » Amanda Miller-Fasshauer » $150 » A class designed to develop the students ability and knowledge to engage in an inter-active world. The goal is to create a place for thoughts ideas and imagination, a possibility for communication in a tactile, physical, and playful experience.

Creative Ballet » Ages 7-10 » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 4-5:30pm Amanda Miller-Fasshauer » $175 » A 3-dimensional and holitistic path to explore and introduce the fundementals of ballet movement and language.

An enviroment of playfullness, introducing the grace and musicality of ballet.

Hip Hop Dance » Ages 10-14 » Jan. 22-Apr. 16 » Wed. 4:30-5:30pm Antonio Mincy » $150 » Students will love getting physically fit and learning the latest dance moves in this fun and age-appropriate hip hop class.

Adventures in Visual Art Section A » Ages 6-9 » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 4:30-5:30pm » $160 Section B » Ages 10-12 » Jan. 30-Apr. 24 » Thurs. 4:30-5:30pm » $170 Section C » Ages 13-15 » Jan. 30-Apr. 24 » Thurs. 5:30-6:30pm » $180 Carrie McGrann » Students will experiment in a variety of visual arts genres drawing, painting, mixed media and mosaics. Price includes materials.

Comic, Character, Creation » Ages 10-14 » Jan. 22-Apr. 16 Wed. 5:30-6:30pm » Bo Hughins » $160 » Learn the basics of cartooning and rendering characters of a wide variety, from caricatures to comic books. Price includes materials.

HIGH SCHOOL & ADULT The Acting Studios for Young Actors » Ages 14-18 » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 Mon. 5-6pm » Susan McCain » $160 » The class follows legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, beginning with Sensory work – the heart of the Method – followed by scene and character development.

Adventures in Visual Arts, Section C » Ages 13-15 Jan. 30-Apr. 24» Thurs. 5:30-6:30pm » Carrie McGrann » $180 Students will experiment in a variety of visual arts genres - drawing, painting, mixed media and mosaics. Price includes materials.

Beginning Sculpture » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 » Mon. 6-8pm Sarah Heath » $225 » Focus on the mold-making and casting processes through a variety of techniques. A portion of the class will take place at Sloss Furnaces to create bonded-sand molds for your iron castings.

Contemporary Movement » Ages 16-Adult » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 Mon. 6-8pm » Amanda Miller-Fasshauer » $200 » This creative class embraces the importance of enjoying the moment and has a calming effect on one’s mental and physical state.

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS

Ballet » Ages 16-Adult » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 6-8pm Amanda Miller-Fasshauer » $200 » This class is for both contemporary and traditional dancers to understand the joy of movement within the structures and ideas of classical ballet.

Playwriting » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 5:30-7:30pm » 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.

Acting for Adults: Take One » Jan. 30-Apr. 24 » Thurs. 6-8pm 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.

The Acting Studios » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 » Mon. 6-8pm » Susan McCain $ 250 » Following legendary Lee Strasberg’s design, with Sensory work – the heart of the Method – followed by scene and character development.

Visual Art Appreciation » Jan. 30-Apr. 24 » Thurs. 6-7:30pm Sarah Heath » $150 » Gain a stronger knowledge of styles, genres, movements, techniques, and themes. Class also includes visits to local galleries and lectures from local artists.

Beginning Painting » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 5:30-7:30pm Trent Thomas » $200 + materials » Develop skills as a painter, by mastering the fundamentals of design, explore still life, landscape and portraiture.

EXPLORE YOUR

Light the World Workshop » Ages 7-12 » Apr. 26 & May 3 Sat. 10am-Noon » Carrie McGrann » Cost $35 » Learn the art of paper lanterns and glow in the dark painting . The result of the work will be an ArtPlay art installation to be featured at Light Dreams Festival.

PRIVATE INSTRUCTION

Improvisational Comedy » Jan. 22-Mar. 12 » Wed. 5:30-7:30pm Brian Barrett » $180 » Learn the fundamentals of long-form improv, like creating strong characters, and original, comedic scenes.

Intro to Drawing » Jan. 21-Apr. 15 » Tues. 5:30-7:30pm Bo Hughins » $200 + materials » Learn a variety of classic drawing techniques. Projects will explore still life, landscape and portraiture.

The Fine Art of VJ’ing » Ages 12-18 » Apr. 12 » Sat. 1-5pm John & Katie Gaiser » $35 » Learn the art of creation or manipulation of imagery and 3-D mapping through real-time editing using video jockeying software in synchronization to music. Students will use their skills to VJ at Light Dreams Festival.

3D Animation Creation » Ages 13-18 » April 26 » Sat. Noon-4pm Josh Davenport » Cost $35 » Learn basic animation terms and techniques by using Blender’s 3D creation program. You will gain an understanding of 3D space, manipulating a virtual camera and creating a natural sense of movement within your animation.

Acting for Adults: Take Two » Jan. 22-Apr. 16 » Wed. 6-8pm 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.

Mixed Media for the 21st Century » Jan. 27-Apr. 21 Mon. 5:30-7:30pm » 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.

Awaken Your Light Dream » All Ages » Apr. 12 » Sat. 10am Local Artists » $5 » Bring art to life and light by creating wearable sculpture, illuminated musical instruments, and glowing LED wire art. Showcase your creations in the Light Dreams Parade!

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.

Current Teacher Roster » Carlos Pino, Guitar » Pat Bowman Billups, Piano » Diane McNaron, Voice » David Roby, Acting » Ray Robinson, Drums/Percussion » Sunny Davenport, Music Therapy/Piano & Voice for varying abilities Partnership with the UAB 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.

Please note that classes will not be held the week of Mar. 22-28, 2014 due to Spring Break. Saturday classes will resume Mar. 29, 2014.

Visit ArtPlayASC.org for up-to-date class and workshop information.

creativity TODAY

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UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Alabama Symphony Orchestra UAB Departments of Music and Theatre

PARTNERS

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 Winter/Spring Schedule

Contact the ASC Box Office for tickets.

JANUARY 2014

Fri 10 » 11am » Coffee Concert: Franck’s Symphony in D minor Sarah Hicks, Conductor » JCH Fri & Sat Jan 10-11 » 8pm Regions Masterworks: Two Pianos Quattro Mani Sarah Hicks, Conductor » JCH Sun 19 » 3pm » Reflect & Rejoice: A Tribute: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Roderick Cox, Conductor » JCH Tues 28 » 7:30pm » Concertmaster & Friends: Contemporary Visions » BRH Fri & Sat Jan 31-Feb 1 » 8pm Regions Masterworks: Bach and Beethoven Stefan Sanderling, Conductor » BRH

MARCH 2014 Sun 2 » 3pm » ASYO: Side-by-Side Roderick Cox, Conductor; The ASO with the Indian Springs School Choir, featuring the winners of the Lois Pickard Scholarship Competition » JCH Sat 8 » 7:30pm » The Wells Fargo Classical EDGE: Mohammed Fairouz Fawzi Haimor, Conductor » JCH Sat 29 » 8pm » Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Rhapsody in Blue: The Best of George Gershwin Christopher Confessore, Conductor » SWC APRIL 2014 Fri & Sat 4-5 » 8pm » Regions Masterworks: Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins Robert Treviño, Conductor » JCH

FEBRUARY 2014

Wed & Thurs 9-10 » 10am Young People’s Concert 2: Symphonic Storytelling Roderick Cox, Conductor » ALTH

Sat 8 » 8pm » Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Johnny Mathis in Concert Christopher Confessore, Conductor » ALTH

Fri 11 » 8pm Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Classical Mystery Tour Martin Herman, Conductor » ALTH

Thurs 13 » 7:30pm The Wells Fargo Classical EDGE: Vivian Fung Justin Brown, Conductor » JCH

Fri 18 » 7:30pm Special Event: Classical Masters: Mozart & Grieg Christopher Confessore, Conductor » BRH

Fri & Sat 21-22 » 8pm » Regions Masterworks: Justin Brown Conducts Wagner » JCH

Fri 25 » 11am » Coffee Concert: Brahms’ Violin Concerto; Jose Luis Gomez, Conductor » JCH

Fri & Sat 25-26 » 8pm Regions Masterworks: Brahms’ Violin Concerto; Jose Luis Gomez, Conductor » JCH Sun 27 » 5pm » ASYO: Spring Concert Roderick Cox, Conductor » JCH MAY 2014 Fri & Sat 2-3 » 8pm » Regions Masterworks: Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 Courtney Lewis, Conductor » JCH Thurs 8 » 7pm » The Classical Edge: 04 Rossen Milanov, Conductor » WPSS Sat 10 » 8pm » Red Diamond SuperPOPS! Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies Christopher Confessore, Conductor » SWC Fri & Sat 16-17 » 8pm Regions Masterworks: Mozart’s Requiem Andrew Grams, Conductor » JCH Tues 20 » 7:30pm » Concertmaster & Friends: Respighi’s II Tramonto; Daniel Szasz, Violin » BRH Fri 30 » 11am Coffee Concert:Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Case Scaglione, Conductor » JCH Fri & Sat 30-31 » 8pm Regions Masterworks: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto; Case Scaglione, Conductor » JCH

ALTH - Alabama Theatre BRH - Brock Recital Hall, Samford University JCH - ASC’s Jemison Concert Hall SWC - Wright Center, Samford University WPSS - WorkPlay SoundStage 56 |

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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 www.uab.edu/theatre.

“The Department of Theatre is proud to perform in the ASC, where great performances are on the bill nearly every night of the year. Our students, faculty, and staff want to thank you, our patrons, for supporting the next generation of performing artists!”

– KELLY ALLISON, CHAIR, UAB DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

UAB DOT 2014 Winter/Spring Schedule Wed-Sat, Feb 19-22, 7:30pm / Sun Feb 23, 2pm

Mon-Fri, Mar 10-14, 7:30pm / Sun Mar 15, 2pm

Wed-Sat, Apr 9-12, 7:30pm / Sun Apr 23, 2pm

Rabbit Hole » ASC’s Sirote Theatre

2014 Festival of Ten - Minute Plays » ASC’s Odess Theatre

Urinetown: the Musicall » ASC’s Sirote Theatre

UAB Department of Music The UAB Department of Music (DOM), with 16 regular and 28 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 70 performances annually, many of which occur in the world-class venues of the ASC. Currently, about 170 music majors and minors are enrolled at UAB. For more information visit uab.edu/music.

“Students and faculty enjoy the privilege of performing in the ASC’s world-class venues, which adds to the inspiration they receive from the world-class artists who appear there.”

– PAUL MOSTELLER, ASSOCIATE CHAIR, UAB DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

UAB DOM 2014 Winter/Spring Schedule JANUARY 2014 Thurs 9 » 7:30pm » “American Vernacular,” a recital by Guest Artist Nicholas Phillips, pianist » HRH* Sun 12 » 4pm » Piano Series concert featuring Valery Kuleshov RKRH » $15 / $5 for UAB Students Sat 18 » 3pm UAB Honor Choir Concert » JCH* Tue 21 » 7:30pm » Eric Rieger, tenor, in Guest Artist Recital » HRH* Wed 22 » 12:20pm » Eric Rieger Master Class » HRH* Wed 29 » 12:20pm » UAB DOM Faculty Potpourri Recital » HRH* FEBRUARY 2014 Fri 7 » 8pm » Yakov and Aleksandra Kasman, pianists » JCH (ASC event) Thurs-Sat 13-15 » 8pm DOM presents the 3rd Annual Brass Symposium » HRH and other venues Thurs 20 » 7:30pm Faculty Recital featuring Gene Fambrough, percussion » HRH* Tue 25 » 3pm » Wind Symphony and Symphony Band, conducted by Sue Samuels » JCH* * - Free

Thur 27 » 7:30pm Guest Artist Vocal Recital featuring Evan Jones, baritone » HRH* Fri 28 » 12:30pm Evan Jones Master Class » HRH* MARCH 2014 Sat-Sun 1-2 » TBD » DOM presents the 12th Annual Clarinet Symposium HRH and other venues Sat 1 » 7pm » Clarinet Symposium concert » RKRH* Sun 2 » 2pm » Clarinet Symposium final concert MKST* Tue 4 » 7pm » Faculty Recital featuring Paul Mosteller, baritone, and Yakov Kasman, pianist » RKRH* Fri 7 » 7:30pm » Voice Studio Recital featuring students of Won Cho, Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, and Paul Mosteller » HRH* Sun 9 » 4pm » Piano Series concert; Artist to be announced » RKRH $ 15 / $5 for UAB Students Tue 11 » 7pm » UAB Choirs conducted by Brian Kittredge.

Sponsored by the UAB DOM and the Birmingham Art Music Alliance SBC » $8 / $5 students

Sun 16 » 4pm » UAB DOM Extravaganza, featuring UAB Bands, Choirs, Ensembles, & Soloists. » JCH Funds raised support a UAB DOM International Initiative Tue 18 » 7pm » Faculty Recital featuring Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, soprano, and Yakov Kasman, pianist RKRH* APRIL 2014 Tue 8 » 7pm » UAB Choirs conducted by Brian Kittredge JCH » $8 / $5 students Wed 9 » 12:30pm UAB Woodwind Ensembles in concert » HRH* Fri 11 » 5:30pm Steel Band directed by Gene Fambrough » HRH* Sat 12 » 7:30pm UAB Opera Scenes, directed by Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk » HRH* Sun 13 » 3pm » Wind Symphony and Symphony Band conducted by Sue Samuels, with Guest High School Band » JCH*

HRH - Hulsey Recital Hall JCH - Jemison Concert Hall RKRH - Reynolds Kirschbaum Recital Hall

Sun 13 » 7:30pm » Piano Studio Recital featuring students of Yakov Kasman, and Piano Ensembles directed by Tatiana Kasman HRH* Mon 14 » 7pm UAB Gospel Choir presents Gospel Anthology III: Evolution, directed

by Kevin P. Turner » JCH » $7 / $5 each for groups of 20 or more (advance purchase required).

Tue 15 » 7pm » Honors Recital featuring winners of the 2014 Honors Recital Competition RKRH* Wed 16 » 12:30pm » Faculty Recital of premieres, featuring James Zingara, trumpet » HRH* Wed 16 » 7:30pm » Brass Chamber Ensembles. Concert will feature Blazer Trumpets, Trombone Choir, Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble, and other brass ensembles HRH* Thurs 17 » 7pm Percussion Ensemble directed by Gene Fambrough » JCH* Fri 18 » 7:30pm » Computer Music Ensemble directed by Scott Phillips.

New works of electro-acoustic music and multimedia by student composers OT » $5

MKST - Morris K. Sirote Theatre SBC- Southside Baptist Church

OT - Odess Theater ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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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. Groups of 10 or more students may be eligible to receive an additional discount.

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/AlysStephensPerformingArtsCenter @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-Club 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/AlysStephensPerformingArtsCenter 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 Savings 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.

ALYSSTEPHENS.ORG

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asc PARKING&DIRECTIONS For specific event parking options, please contact the ASC Box Office at 205.975.2787.

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ACCESSIBLE PARKING INFORMATION *Additional parking for select performances available at During performances and eveningUAB events, the metered spaces between the ASC and UAB’s Spencer Honors House restricted Lotbe 15D P will Highlands, located in the to those with handicap permits. The upper and lower circle 1100 block of 13th St. S.driveways may be used as a drop-off for patrons with disabilities. The gated lot next to the ASC is available for sponsors and Circle Club members at the Gold level and above, as well as 11th designated of Ave.supporters S the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

PREFERRED PARKING The 12th Street Deck and Lot 15D provide easy access to the ASC via connecting sidewalks. Round-trip shuttle service may be available for select events. Call the Box Office for more information 205.975.2787.

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.

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Sterne Library

ASC

Business DAYTIME PERFORMANCES Members Daytime parking options during the week may vary based on the event, but do include LotP15D Lotand a combination of other lots as available. Street parking is also available.

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SEATINGcharts JEMISON CONCERT HALL

SIROTE THEATRE

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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

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Subscribing Makes All The Difference

more SHOWS. MORE art.

MORE SAVINGS! Take advantage of the ASC’s it’s your choice package and save.

ALL TICKETS ON SALE NOVEMBER 24, 2013 Act now to receive the best seats available. Subscriptions are processed in the order received.

When you purchase tickets to three or more performances at once, you will receive 15% off your order. In addition, you will enjoy all the benefits of being a season subscriber, including 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 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.

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Winter / Spring

2014 Ticket Order Form

ORDERING YOUR TICKETS IS EASY! ONLINE » AlysStephens.org PHONE » 205.975.2787 or toll-free at 877.278.8457 FAX » 205.975.2958 Event

Date

ArtPlay Parlor Music Series

MAIL THIS FORM TO » Alys Stephens Center Box Office 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1261 IN PERSON » Alys Stephens Center Box Office 1200 10th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205 Time

Seating A

Seating B

Narek Arutyunian, Clarinetist

Jan. 23 7pm

$

37.50 x

Yakov & Aleksandra Kasman

Feb. 7

$

43.50 x

Accompanied by Mariko Furukawa, Pianist

Two-Piano Recital

8pm

Seating C

Ticket $ Value Total

ArtPlay Presents Make It Happen Performing Ensemble

Feb. 8 10am ___ (adult) $10.00 x (child) $8.00 x Celebrate! 11:30am ___

The Robert Cray Band

Feb. 14 8pm

$

57.50 x

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Feb. 28 8pm

$

39.50 x

Taj Mahal

Mar. 22 8pm

$

Ailey II

Mar. 28 8pm

Jazz Essentials:

John Prine

Troy Powell, Artistic Director

Marcus Roberts Trio

With Special Guest Holly Williams

ArtPlay’s Parlor Music Series

Ji, Pianist

$

48.50 x

$

39.50 x

62.50 x

$

53.50 x

$

43.50 x

$

55.50 x

$

46.50 x

$

36.50 x

Apr. 10 7pm

$

38.50 x

Apr. 11 8pm

$

69.50 x

$

61.50 x

$

50.50 x

May 1

$

37.50 x

7pm

For ArtPlay Presents performances, please mark the time you would like to attend.

UAB Discount: If you are a UAB employee, student, or graduate, you are eligible for 10% 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.

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 it 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

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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.

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THE CENTER MAGAZINE

seasonATa GLANCE ASC Commissions Birmingham January 21 >> pg 6

Parlor Music Series Narek Arutyunian, Clarinetist Accompanied by Mariko Furukawa, Pianist January 23 Thursday, 7pm >> pg 8

Yakov & Aleksandra Kasman Two Piano Recital February 7 Friday, 8pm >> pg 9

ArtPlay Presents

Make It Happen Performing Ensemble’s Celebrate!

February 8 Saturday, 10 & 11:30am >> pg 10 The Robert Cray Band February 14 Friday, 8pm >> pg 11

Carolina Chocolate Drops February 28 Friday, 8pm >> pg 12

Taj Mahal March 22 Saturday, 8pm >> pg 13

Ailey II Troy Powell, Artistic Director March 28 Friday, 8pm >> pg 16

Jazz Essentials:

Marcus Roberts Trio April 10 Thursday, 7pm >> pg 17

John Prine With Special Guest Holly Williams April 11 Friday, 8pm >> pg 18

Parlor Music Series

Ji, Pianist May 1 Thursday, 7pm >> pg 19

Light Dreams II

May 8, 9 & 10 Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 7:30pm >> pg 20

2014 Viva Health Starlight Gala Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell June 8 Sunday, 8pm >> pg 14

Scan to stay connected through the ASC’s Website.

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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 JENNY HAYES Education Coordinator CATHY CATALANO

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 Graphic Artist Marketing Associate Copywriter/Marketing Graphic Design Consultants Media Relations

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

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS Financial Officer ROMIKA GODWIN Financial Associate MICHELE THORNTON Accountant ADRIANE CARTER

OPERATIONS BRYAN W. JONES, Director of Operations

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

MONICA DENT DANIEL HARDEGREE LINDSEY CULVER » WILL RAINER NOAH ANDREWS » KYM BOWEN » TIKIA ELLISON ALETHEA JAMES » AURELIE KING » ALICE JONES DON McFALL » BRIANNE MITCHELL

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

MELANIE S. MARTIN LINDA DANSBY 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 Coordinator Hospitality Coordinator Hospitality Associate Programming Consultant & Curator

ERIC ESSIX LANNIE GUSTER JR. JOSÉ PERRY JR. JESSICA SIMPSON

THE CENTER MAGAZINE STAFF

Creative Director Marketing Specialist Graphic Artist Design Consultant Production Assistant Copywriter Contributing Photographers

66 |

THE CENTER MAGAZINE

AMBER ALLEN-PARSONS ANNA TUCKER MEGAN MARR PAT POWELL JASON PAULIN LINTON WRIGHT ELLE DANIELLE » MICHAEL GRIFFIN » TIM JONES NIK LAYMAN » LARRY O’GAY » ANDI RICE CLARK SCOTT » MICHAEL WADE » STEVE WOOD

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