Community

Earth Day at the Gardens

When: 
Sunday, April 25, 2010 - 1:00pm
Where: 
Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Join Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the one billion-plus people worldwide who are expected to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April. Earth Day at The Gardens is an energy-filled celebration of the Alabama’s biodiversity (ranked fifth in the nation), as well as the cultural diversity of Birminghamians. For more information about Earth Day at The Gardens, call 205.414.3950 or visit www.bbgardens.org/earthday.

Don’t miss the Roaming Dome, a traveling planetarium from Huntsville’s Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center, featuring digital presentations and movies such as Earth’s Wild Ride, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, Molecularium: Riding Snowflakes, Force 5, The Night Sky and Saturn and the Ring World.

Other activities include:
• Zulu Dancers of the Umdabu Dance Company;
• Children's Drum Circle from Rhythm Synergy in Atlanta;
• Australian Didgeridoo performed by Neal Ross;
• Dozens of environmental organizations with fun learning opportunities;
• and Smokey the Bear and Ruby Raindrop will be wandering The Gardens, ready to take pictures with you and your family!

Earth Day is made possible in part by a grant from Legacy. To learn more about Legacy, visit www.legacyenved.org.

Birmingham Asian Cultures and Food Festival

When: 
Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 10:30am
Where: 
Cedars Club

The Birmingham Asian Cultures and Food Festival will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, from 10:30am (opening ceremony) until 4:00pm at the Cedars Club in Birmingham, AL.


Enjoy many varieties of Asian cuisine and shop the bazaar of vendors featuring Asian art and other fine merchandise from many Asian countries. Entertainment includes performers who will sing, play authentic musical instruments, demonstrate martial arts, and perform traditional dances from various Asian cultures (Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese). There will even be an Asian Elvis Impersonator!

A highlight from last year's festival will return by popular demand; an Asian fashion show will present colorful and artful outfits illustrating distinctive sewing techniques from much of Asia.

One of the highlights of the festival for adults and children alike will be an authentic "Tibetan sand mandala" which is a design picture made from many colored sands. For the kids there will be an Asian kite design workshop, and Verna, the Friendly Dragon "Moon-Walk" will also be available on-site. There is something for the whole family!

This is the third celebration of the festival, presented by the Alabama Asian Cultures Foundation (formerly the Birmingham Chinese Garden & Asian Cultural Center Foundation). One of the goals of the Foundation is to build a classical Chinese garden in Birmingham. A model of the preliminary design will again be on display, along with an interpreter who will provide an update on progress made the past year for a permanent site.

This year's Miss Birmingham (2010), Ms. Haley Arrington, will again serve as hostess for the festival, cut the ribbon to open the festivities, and be available for photographs with children during the event to support the Foundation with its fund raising efforts.

The price of admission is $5.00 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Food service will be available from 11:30 am-3:00 pm. A small number of invited restaurants representing many Asian cuisines will have prepared plates available for $5.00 each.
For the more adventurous, each restaurant will also offer "a la carte" portions of a few special dishes for $2.00 each, so you can wander among the tables and sample dishes from many different countries whose cuisine you may have never tried before. Soft drinks and bottled waters will be available for $1.00 each.

Festival Details:
Hours: 10:30am (opening ceremony) until 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages, Kid Friendly
Cost: $5.00 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

For more information:
205-903-5569
Bob Davis at bdavis@asianculturesfoundation.org

4th Annual Walk for Lupus

When: 
Saturday, June 5, 2010 - 8:00am
Where: 
Heardmont Park

BEATING LUPUS ONE STEP AT A TIME

The Mid-South chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will host the fourth annual Walk for Lupus Now Birmingham event June 5, 2010 at Heardmont Park. Walk for Lupus Now is the signature event of the Lupus Foundation of America and is held in more than 50 cities across America. These events allow people from various backgrounds to walk together and make a difference in the lives of those affected by lupus by raising funds for research, education, and support services. With more than 150 participants, last year’s Walk for Lupus Now Birmingham event raised more than $15,000.

Opening Softly - STRANDED Art Cooperative

When: 
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 10:00am
Where: 
The Old Strand Theatre

come see our new shop

BIG OPENING ALL DAY APRIL 10 | 10am-6pm


620 A MAIN STREET | MONTEVALLO | AL | USA
in the strand theater bldg | across from Montevallo Tavern

see links to all our confirmed artisans @ www.strandedart.blogspot.com

a wonder cabinet - curiosity shop - art emporium - hand made haven - hipster paradise - grande gallery - featuring a smorgasborg of hand-made functional and decorative objects de art - all priced for a post recession world - new age novelities, old school knick-knacks, music, jewelry, tote bags, apparel, paintings, sculpture, photographs, prints, posters, drawings, ceramics, comics, books, magazines, movies, toys, dolls, stickers, buttons, soaps, candles, wallets, passport jackets, action figures, t-shirts, lamps, aprons, cute baby stuff, greeting cards, gifts galore

!! also on the 10th is the Montevallo Art Festival in Orr Park - 10am-4pm !!

 

The GREEN Event

When: 
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 - 5:00pm
Where: 
Railroad Park

April marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

To celebrate, the BBA and Birmingham magazine is dedicating the majority of the April 2010 issue to all things green—ways to eat locally and organically, how to live sustainability, and how to save money—and the planet, all at the same time.

On April 6, Birmingham magazine and the BBA are hosting a green event that will do three significant things. Join us to:

• Celebrate the April issue of Birmingham magazine

• Continue our Business@Sunset networking series by meeting and greeting with BBA investors

• Highlight the soon-to-be completed Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham (railroadpark.org)

CLICK HERE TO RSVP: http://bit.ly/dySIx7

The 4th Ever "Change for a Change"

When: 
Friday, April 9, 2010 - 6:00pm
Where: 
322 85th Street South

You’re Invited!

The 4th Ever “Change for a Change”
Neighborhood Block Party and Fundraiser

Empty your penny jar, change purse
and look under your couch cushions.

This year’s funds go toward the
Neighborhood Beautification Project.

Located in South East Lake,
322 85th St. S., at the corner of
4th Ave. S. and 85th St. S.
Friday, April 9, 2010 (April 16 rain date)
6-9 p.m.

Home of Paige Patterson-PERFORMANCE!

Color Your Birmingham

When: 
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 5:30pm
Where: 
Woodrow Hall

Whether it’s for inspiration or appreciation, please join YPBirmingham as we enjoy local artists’ work at the beautifully restored Woodrow Hall.

Guests will receive complimentary beer, wine and food while enjoying the musical stylings of Josh Vasa. Flower arrangements will be provided by Flowers By Kate (kate.tankersley@gmail.com); five lucky attendees will leave with one of her fabulous arrangements!

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Get yours today at: http://coloryourbirmingham.eventbrite.com/

Are you a YPBirmingham Retail & Event Discount Cardholder? Then your entry is FREE! Don't have a card? Then sign up today: http://www.ypbirmingham.com/registration.php

A portion of the proceeds will benefit ONB Magic City Art Connection, an Alabama-based non-profit that transforms Linn Park with fresh artistic talent, sights, sounds and aromas, drawing from a pool of regionally and nationally recognized talent in visual and performance art, food & wine, dance and music.

If you are an artist interested in showing some of your work at this event, please complete our artist's application: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3G5SH3L

Local artist Erin Wederbrook Yuskaitis will lead a group abstract painting project that will be given as a door prize at the end of the night!

Bottletree Flea Market

When: 
Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 11:00am
Where: 
Bottletree

Vintage clothing, hand crafted goods, books, records, antiques - Great stuff at reasonable prices!


On the second Saturday of every month we will have vendors selling their crafts, goods, and junk - One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? Stop by this Saturday between 11-3:30pm and don't forget, the early bird catches the worm!

If you would like to participate in the flea market email tina@thebottletree.com. Spaces are limited, so get on it!

Roundtable Talk with Mayor Bell

When: 
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 - 5:00pm
Where: 
Redmont Hotel Rooftop Bar

Do you have ideas or questions about this city for our mayor? Would you like to ask Mayor Bell yourself? Now is your chance. Catalyst of Birmingham invites you to a Roundtable Discussion and reception with the newly elected mayor on Wednesday, March 31 from 5 pm - 7 pm.

The Roundtable Discussion will consist of an open conversation with Mayor Bell and attendees. All attendees are encouraged to discuss their thoughts and suggestions on city issues. This event is free to attend and is open to the public.

Green Tie Affair - A Party for the Planet

When: 
Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 6:30pm
Where: 
Avon Theatre

The Alabama Environmental Council is holding its 14th Annual Green Tie Affair Auction and Party starting at 6:30 on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Over 300 guests are anticipated at the beautifully restored Avon Theater. $50 Tickets are limited before April 16th, $60 after that.


Green Tie Affair has historically been one of THE spring social events not to miss with a robust Silent AND Live Auction, great music, and fabulous food. This year’s event will be no exception by celebrating on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with a blowout PARTY FOR THE PLANET!!!

We will begin with the acclaimed Silent Auction with an open bar and quiet cocktail music by the band Menewa before the Live Auction at 8 o’clock. After the auctions have concluded, the band will turn up the volume a notch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

Auction items this year include art from local and regional artists; vacation packages to near and far locales; tickets to local events, musical shows, and theater; jewelry and other wearable items; gift certificates to local restaurants; and more. Check back for a listing, soon.

Food will be provided by local restaurants with local produce. One of the best examples of sustainable living is supporting local farmers and artisans. Many estimate that food travels 1,500 miles on average from field to table and this has a huge impact on our environment. This is putting our money where our mouth is, in more than one way!

Open Wine, Beer & Coffee Bar throughout the night sponsored by JohnnyGreenSeeds Wines and Higher Ground Roasters.

This year’s sponsors include: EBSCO Industries, Whole Foods, Building Environments, OMYA Alabama Inc., Star Recycling, American Cast Iron Pipe Company, Acoustic Café, Grow Alabama, Joseph B. Mays, Jr., Perret Financial Group, Protective Life Corporation, Advanced Disposal, Aquatic Gardens & Fountains, Culotta & Scroggins PC, Mark & Maggie Johnston, The Dunn Companies, Valet Waste, Brasfield & Gorrie, and Meyer Electric Supply Company, Inc.

Contact the Alabama Environmental Council for tickets or more information at 205.322.3126 or purchase tickets online at www.aeconline.org. Dress for the evening is creative casual: “Dress up or dress down—as long as you hang around!”