You and Your Family Are Personally Invited To Spend Easter With Pastor Thomas Beavers & The Star Church
Sunday, April 9, 2023
Birmingham Crossplex Arena
2340 Crossplex Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35208
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Admission Is Free
Tails in the Trails 2022 - You're Invited!
Exciting Spring Events at Railroad Park 🌷
FREE Exercise Classes Return April 3
Have fun and get fit for FREE at Get Healthy on the Railroad sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. We have an exciting lineup of classes to help you meet your fitness goals.
2023 Get Healthy on the Railroad Class Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Evening Exercise Classes
Monday: Kickboxing NEW
Tuesday: Hip-Hop Cardio
Wednesday: Zumba
Thursday: Yoga
Friday: Line Dancing NEW
8:00 a.m. Morning Exercise Class
Tuesday: Senior Fit
No pre-registration is required, simply show up 15 minutes prior to
class time to sign up. We look forward to seeing you in class
and don't forget to bring a friend!
#ShopLocal at Magic City Pop-Up Plaza
Back by popular demand, Magic City Pop-Up Plaza will serve up some of the best local food trucks and retail vendors. Join us on Saturday, April 8 from 12 - 5 pm on the Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza. FREE to attend!
SAVE the DATE: Cooking Classes Return April 23
Local expert chefs will provide cooking demonstrations, food tastings, healthy eating tips and take-home recipe cards at our FREE Get Healthy on the Railroad Cooking Classes sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. The first 100 attendees will also receive a fresh bag of produce from Piggly Wiggly to replicate the recipe at home. See the full schedule here.
Calling All Railroad Park Members
Spring migration will be at its peak on April 17, offering a glimpse of the 112 species of birds that have been documented at Railroad Park. Join us for this Member Exclusive event with local Alabama Audubon expert Greg Harber. Members may bring a friend to enjoy the experience. Space is limited, so click here to RSVP.
Not a member? Join now and receive special invites & other perks!
Healthy, Fresh & Affordable - Mobile Market Returns
UAB's Live HealthSmart Alabama Mobile Market returns to Railroad Park in 2023. Come shop on Railroad Park's Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza every Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Fresh produce, pantry items and more are available. Find the full schedule and more on their website.
Railroad Park is the Place to Be!
Railroad Park is the ideal outdoor location for weddings, reunions, corporate gatherings, fundraisers and more. Let our expert Events Team help you create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Upcoming Events at Railroad Park:
Magic City Health Fair - April 1
Stop the Violence 5K - April 22
March for Babies - April 29
Purple Stride - April 29
Highlands College Half Marathon & 10K - May 6
Magic City Wine Fest - May 13
CJFS News: CARES needs Volunteers, Buy your Hands Up Together Tickets Today, Anxious Kids? & New Grief Group forming
Join Us For
Hands Up Together!
Tickets are ON SALE NOW for Hands Up Together 2023 presented by The Lucille Beeson Trust of Canterbury UMC and Medical Properties Trust. Join Chairs Anne Warren & Robert Levin for a celebration of our Personal Care special anniversary.
In 2003, start-up funding from the Lucille Beeson Trust at Canterbury UMC enabled CJFS to launch our Personal Care program, which began by serving 10 clients and has grown over the decades to serve as many as 150 clients each year. Today, CJFS Personal Care team members visit clients for 1-4 hours each week providing bathing assistance, meal preparation, laundry service, and/or light housekeeping for an average fee around $4 per hour. These regular, friendly check-ins provide much-needed socialization, in addition to helping clients manage tasks that they could not handle alone. For 2 decades, CJFS Personal Care has provided a unique, effective solution to enable older adults to maintain their cherished independence.
Celebrate the countless ways this program has helped our community over the past 20 years at Hands Up Together 2023!
Make summer count with ASFA summer camps! 🌞
Register for ASFA Summer Camps today!
Make your 2023 summer count with Alabama School of Fine Arts summer camps! Offering camps in app design, computer science, visual arts, creative writing, and three-week pre-algebra and algebra intensives for those looking to review or get ahead.
Come create, learn and discover with ASFA's award-winning faculty!
Register at www.asfaschool.org/summer-camps.
Member Movie Night at the Birmingham Zoo on April 8th!
Member Movie Night
At Your Birmingham Zoo!
JOIN us for the first member-exclusive event of 2023!
Birmingham Zoo members are invited to a night of food, fun, and a fabulous family film. Enjoy an outdoor showing of Disney's The Lion King (1994).
DETAILS AT A GLANCE:
DATE: Saturday, April 8th, 2023*
TIME: Gates open at 6:15 pm, Movie starts at 7:30 pm
TICKETS: $2 per person for ages 4 and up (infants and children ages 0-3 are FREE)
Snack Pack Tickets: pre-purchase your family's snacks and skip the line!
4-Person Pack: 2 popcorns, 2 waters, 2 Tum-e Yummies, 2 chocolate chip cookies
2-Person Pack: 1 popcorn, 1 water, 1 Tum-e Yummies, 1 chocolate chip cookie
If you pre-purchase either a 2 or 4-person snack pack, please pick those up at our Toucantina snack stand located on Henley Lawn when you arrive.
FOOD: Dinner, snacks, and beverages are available at Nourish 205 restaurant as well as our Toucantina snack bar located in Henley Park.
FUN: FREE carousel rides; Meet and greets with Ambassador Animals
REMEMBER: Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs
*In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled. Tickets will be honored for the new event date.
For more information or questions, please contact your Birmingham Zoo Membership Team at membership@birminghamzoo.com.
HOLI: A FESTIVAL OF COLOR
Schedule of Programs
11AM – 2PM // Main Lobby // Artmaking
Discover your inner artist and create your own Holi-inspired works of art using a variety of materials in our lobby area.
11am -- 2pm // Sculpture Garden // Art activities, Henna & Face Painting
Venture into our outdoor sculpture garden and get a beautiful henna design by Blue Lotus Mehndi or get your face painted by Painted Personalities!
12 – 1PM // Auditorium // Dance Performances
Talented local Indian dance troupes will dazzle visitors with traditional and fusion performances in the auditorium. Enjoy their unique styles and the energy and excitement they bring to the festival. Performing local dance troupes include: Aastha’s dance classes, Natyananda, Notinee Indian Dance, Prema and Purnima Bhat, SAI Choir, Creations Kathak Adults and Kids Groups & Folks of Dakshin.
1- 2PM // City Walk Amphitheater // Music, DJ, Dancing, Food Trucks
For the first time, we will partner with City Walk to provide an expanded footprint for our popular festival. Stop by the City Walk Amphitheater for an afternoon of lively Bollywood music by DJ Krish and Dance Performances by Aastha’s Dance Classes.
The group will also be providing a pop-up instructional workshop where you can learn some of the moves and steps of traditional Indian dance to do while you participate in the throwing of the colors.
2 – 4PM // City Walk Main Ground // Music, DJ, Food Trucks, Throwing of Colors!
Join us at the City Walk Main Ground for the most joyous and popular part of the event – the throwing of colors! We’ll provide plenty of colorful gulal for everyone to use, or feel free to bring your own. DJ Krish will provide all the Bollywood tunes for you to dance to while you throw and celebrate this colorful and fun-filled activity with your friends and family.
Holi T-Shirts
Now Available
Preorder your limited edition BMA Holi T-Shirt now! Shirt has a subtle BMA logo that is revealed when colors are thrown.
Shirts will be available for purchase on the day of the event, but preorder now to ensure availability. Shirts are for local pickup only (no shipping). Orders are now available for pickup in the Museum Shop during regular business hours and on the day of the event.
All sizes are adult unisex, but may run slightly small. Order up one size if you are unsure.
View The Latest News You Can Use!
CrossPlex seeking paid and volunteer help this week
The Birmingham CrossPlex is hosting the 2023 NCAA DIII ITF Championships this week. They are in need of city employee staff to serve in paid roles and volunteers to serve in non-paid roles. City employees who are interested in serving March 8-11, 2023, please reach out to Charlicia R. Heard at charlicia.heard@birminghamal.gov. Non-city employees who would like to volunteer should see the attached flyer for details.
Awesomeness Day is March 10
You are the reason Birmingham is a great place to work. COB HR is celebrating International AWESOMENESS Day. Spread joy and positivity by telling others how wonderful they are! Send your AWESOMENESS day moments to employeerelations@birminghamal.gov with the #COBAwesomenessDay hashtag to be featured on social media, as well as COB & HR's page. Printable cards are attached so that you can celebrate your coworkers!
Sign up today for the 2023 Women's Summit
The City of Birmingham is hosting its 2023 Women’s Summit, which is themed “Telling Our Stories and Becoming____”* The event will take place on Thursday, March 23 at the Boutwell Exhibition Hall from 1-5 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of motivation, sharing, and forward-thinking. There will be a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Attendance is free, but registration is strongly recommended. All employees are invited. (Note: Please discuss your attendance with your department leadership.) Go to birminghamal.gov/cobwomen for details and to sign up.
* You fill in the blank of what you want to gain and who you want to become.
The Perfect Note Express has new hours
The Perfect Note Express, the café located in the basement of City Hall, has new hours of operation. They are now open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. https://perfectnoteexpress.com/
Attend a financial Lunch and Learn in March
The Birmingham City Credit Union is hosting a series of lunch and learn events this month. See attached for details.
Money 101 – March 15 at 11:30 a.m.
Credit 101 – March 22 at 11:30 a.m.
How to Navigate Kids and Money – March 29 at 11:30 a.m.
Volunteers sought for the Birmingham Community Emergency Response Team
Birmingham Fire & Rescue Service is preparing for its upcoming Community Emergency Response Team class this fall and is currently seeking volunteers to participate. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program helps train people to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations in their communities. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a CERT member, email your name, phone number, and email address to pubed@birminghamal.gov.
The classes are from April 11 to May 23, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Fire Station No. 2, located at 600-11th Street South.
BPD hosts a hygiene drive
As a part of Women’s History Month, the Birmingham Police Department will be hosting a women’s hygiene drive until March 24. All items collected will be donated to a local women’s shelter. The following sites are drop-off locations:
Birmingham Police Headquarters: 1701 1st Ave N
South Precinct: 1320 19th Street S
East Precinct: 600 Red Lane Road
West Precinct: 2236 47th Street
North Precinct: 2600 31st Avenue North
Please see attached flyer for additional information
Get your tickets for the A Novel Tasting event
The Birmingham Public Library cordially invites you to the second annual A Novel Tasting! This festive event will take place on Thursday, April 6, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the downtown Central Library. The evening will feature a tasting of fine wines, locally crafted beers, and distilled spirits. Live music by Eric Essix, catered food, and complimentary drinks will entertain guests throughout the evening. A cigar bar will be set up outside for aficionados of fine tobacco, and a VIP reception will be held between 5 and 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase now on Eventbrite.
Enjoy lunch at the Arlington House
Enjoy a three-course lunch at the historic Arlington Antebellum House on Thursday, March 23. Seatings are 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. $20 per person. Reservations required. Click here for more info.
Get tickets for Mother’s Day Celebration!
Celebrate mom with an evening of music featuring Pastor Mike Jr. LeAndria Johnson, Shirley Caesar, and Marvin Sapp with comedian Jonathan Slocumb. Friday, May 12. 7:30 p.m. Boutwell Auditorium. Get tickets at Etix.com or call 254-2820.
Submit your news to marie.sutton@birminghamal.gov.
AIDS Alabama Newsletter - March 2023
Gay/Bisexual Men in Southeast US 50+ with Serious Illness:
UAB wants to hear your voices!
In full partnership with the LGBT community in the Southeast, UAB is working to hear the voices of older (50+) LGBT people in the Southeast to hear of their experiences and their wishes. It’s UAB’s long-term goal to then work in partnership with the LGBT community to create a healthcare training program to train clinicians who provide care to our community members. UAB has met with and heard the perspectives of older lesbians and their caregivers; they are meeting with transgender men and women and now are ready to hear from older (50+) gay/bisexual African American and white men. They really need to hear the voices of older African-American and white gay/bisexual men with serious illnesses to hear of their experiences in the healthcare system and their recommendations for how healthcare is provided to gay/bisexual men based on the community’s values and lived experiences.
Benefiting AIDS Alabama
Bring your friends, bring your pups, and join supporters of AIDS Alabama at Hi-Wire brewing! A percentage of all flagship beer sales will benefit the life-saving, life-affirming services provided by AIDS Alabama.
Free Community Vision Screenings
El Centro / The Hub at AIDS Alabama is excited to partner with Central Alabama Pride and the UAB School of Optometry’s Spectrum Club to provide free vision screenings to members of the community!
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Brunch
March 11th - National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Brunch: This event will raise awareness for HIV prevention, treatment, and education for women and girls. It is open to all women and girls ages 10 and up. There will be free food, raffle gifts, and a wonderful speaker. Please RSVP or call with any questions or concerns (205-918-8183).
Miss Fancy: Elephant Queen of the Zoo opens soon at the Birmingham Children's Theatre
A NOTE FROM OUR SCENIC DESIGNER
We’ve been planning for Miss Fancy to arrive on BCT’s MainStage for 4 years now, so I’ve had a lot of time to consider what the world of this show would look like. Because to me, that is what scenic design is all about - you are creating the world the play is about to exist in. And of course that means there are practical considerations like time period (1936), physical location (Avondale Zoo), and a need for it to fit the space the show is taking place in (BCT’s MainStage). But even when doing a historical show, we’re also creating an art piece so what are the influences? What is the feeling we want the space to have? How can the setting reinforce the story?
That is just a snapshot into my design process. For an even closer look you can check out my Pinterest research board of images that influenced the direction of this world.
One of my favorite parts of this piece is that it is approached with magical realism - that is to say, we have some historical figures and many of the events are true, but the world they are existing in is filled with imagination! Miss Fancy is an elephant, she is also a former Vaudeville star. Her friend Gloria is a peacock but she’s also a tap dancer and percussionist. Our young protagonist is a black child living in Depression-era Birmingham, but that won’t stop him from finding the magic (literally) in his world. And while we are able to tackle real themes of the era, we are also given permission to sing, dance, believe in magic, and live joyfully!
Scenically, the zoo is a zoo, but it might look more like a vaudeville stage, and a little bit of a circus ring as well. For many of our characters, the zoo is home and it needs to have the warmth to evoke that. Miss Fancy has a “cage” which looks an awful lot like a dressing room and she can step out of it at any time. (If you don’t know the legend of Fancy, she was a precocious elephant who would slip out from the zoo and wander around the Avondale neighborhood, picking apples off window sills). Fancy is also a star of the stage, so this world is also her performing arena. And this is where the magic of the lighting designer comes in, to make this environment transform to its different functions.
I hope you’ll come join us this spring at the Avondale Zoo/Circus/Vaudeville stage for this World Premiere production of Miss Fancy: Elephant Queen of the Zoo!
-Ashley Woods
SPRING BREAKOUT! CAMP
A Spring Break Camp for ages 8-18!
BCT’s Spring Break-out Camp is a fast-paced theatrical learning experience designed to take a script from the page to the stage in just one week! Our camp will introduce your child to all aspects of theatre: rehearsal etiquette, character development, self-confidence and expression, design and technical opportunities, vocal exercises, acting and movement techniques, and more!
Each day start with specialized activities for each age group.
Younger students (ages 8-13) will focus on “actor toolbox” basics such as creating characters, understanding a script, and story-telling fundamentals.
High-school students (ages 14-18) will explore the behind-the-scenes and design aspects that bring magic to any theatrical performance and work to create the scenery, costumes, props, and sound for their production.
Both groups will come together after lunch to rehearse and
prepare for the showcase performance on Friday, March 31st.