Remembering the Curtain

One of the most charming, and hazardous, features of the Lyric Theatre before the restoration, was the asbestos curtain. In vaudeville days, an asbestos curtain was something to brag about as there were frequent backstage fires. Unfortunately there was no way to seal this beautiful old curtain to make it safe by today's standards. I just found this photo in my archives. I love it. 

Cleve Eaton

Welcome to Birmingham Through My Lens. Today is the first post and I hope you will stop by often.This blog was previously Birmingham Alabama Daily Photo but on January 2, after almost 8 years as a City Daily Photo blog I made the decision to stop in order to give myself time to pursue new directions in my photography.

I've been waiting to find just the right image for DAY 1, and last night at the grand reopening of the historic 102 year old Lyric Theatre, the curtain opened to this. Cleve Eaton was just one of the many performers in the talent packed vaudeville show.  Cleve has played with Ramsey Lewis and Count Basie and to quote the program, "He has become a consummate bassist, producer, composer, publisher, arranger and head of his own recording company."

Watch Your Step

The stair railings in the historic Lyric Theatre won't be showing their age as much when the renovations are done in the fall of 2015. I'll miss the old rust and grunge....a lot.

CDP Theme Day - Landmark

Today I join my fellow City Daily Photo blog friends around the world who are celebrating the theme I chose for this month....LANDMARKS.  I had method to my madness when I was asked to pick a theme.  As my faithful followers know, the historic 100 year old Lyric Theatre in downtown Birmingham is undergoing a fabulous restoration and I have been so blessed to be able to chronicle the progress through my lens.  The work underway and huge changes are taking place. I've not been inside for a few months but today share one of the my many obsessions with this lovely old place... the horsehair backed plaster architectural details.  Before the serious stuff started, I'd walk around the balconies with my camera and find pieces at my feet. I'm told the horsehair backing is the reason for the fabulous acoustics.  I hope to bring you recent photos of progress very soon.

Bits and Details

Those of you that follow this blog know that I have had a love affair with the Lyric Theatre for YEARS.  Now, thanks to generous donors, the 100 year old Lyric is undergoing a fabulous restoration. I am grateful to be included in the documentation portion of all this.  I'll admit, the idea of the grungy, crusty theatre, that I've been passionate about photographing for so long,  getting "spiffed up", has taken me a while to accept.  I have loved her in all her peeling paint, bats, and dangerous areas for a long time. Today, I share one obsession, the plaster details. Look closely, that's horsehair. That is what makes the acoustics so fabulous. The best is yet to come.

View From the Top

For years I've been blessed with opportunities to photograph the historic Lyric Theatre. When I first stepped inside, years ago, she was in terrible disrepair but as they say, "Her bones were good."  Since then, I've been back and documented the continuing clean up and now the full blown restoration.  Recently I was fortunate to be allowed to come inside and actually stand on the scaffolding and see this gorgeous chandelier up close. I've photographed it previously, but this view was the best!

Merry Christmas From The Lyric

Last week I took some out of town friends down to the Lyric.  Things are  hopping down there and as you can see, the lobby is looking better and better and was decked out for Christmas as well!

We Lit The Lyric

The façade and new signage for the Lyric is completed and last night Birmingham turned out to watch the lights go on this almost 100 year old beauty.  1.9 million dollars are still needed to reach the goal so please go to Light the Lyric.com to make a donation or just learn more about the restoration of this historical landmark!

Girls' Night Out

Girls' Night Out, a group of very talented members of Independent Presbyterian Church, performed on the state of the historic Lyric Theatre recently. Church members came down to see the progress of the Lyric's renovation and these ladies provided some nostalgic music from days gone by. By the way, the accoustics in the Lyric are amazing. Their microphones were just props!

Grand Entrance

Serious work in the lobby of the Lyric Theatre has officially begun.  Last Saturday, we found a large hole on the 18th Street side wide open and of course we had to investigate. Shortly after, Glenny Brock stopped by and had to use the "new" entrance!

Play It Again Sam

As our faithful band of curious photographers combed the historic 99 year old Lyric Theatre last Sunday, we moved to the adjoining office building and started exploring. On some of the top floors, where I'd never been before, we found the pipes and parts of an organ and also these xylophones.  Who knows if they will ever be used again but what a great find!

Up On The Roof

Yesterday we gathered another group of enthusiastic photographers for Shoot The Lyric, Part II.  The 99 year old Lyric Theatre as no AC of course so we were a hearty but hot group.  Somehow I was persauded into climbing all six floors of the adjoining office building and........ up on the roof. The breeze was most welcome as was the chance to see our city from that vantage point.  I finally got to see the beautiful detail at the top of the historic Alabama Theatre across the street!

Shoot The Lyric - Part II

If you are a regular follower of this blog, you probably are familiar with the historic Lyric Theatre in downtown Birmingham.  This 98 year old lady started out as a vaudeville theatre and over the years has had many different "lives".  Thanks to Alabama Landmarks and the Light Up The Lyric fundraisers, she will be restored to her former glory by her 100th birthday.  I have had the privilege of photographing this historic place many times, but last week I organized a group of photographers for a Sunday afternoon "Shoot The Lyric" event.  We were allowed to venture into all the safe places in the theatre and adjoining office building.  These enthusiastic photographers will then share some of their photographs with the Light Up The Lyric group and hopefully share on their websites, Facebook pages etc. to bring public awareness to this historic treasure.

Today I share one of my photos of photographers LaTrelle Grayson and Pat Dortch , as they discussed their next shot from the stage.

They Shot The Lyric

L-R Katy, Charlie, Stacy, Patty, Larry, Caroline, LaTrelle, Michael and Pat

Yesterday an enthusiastic group of my photography buddies gathered at the historic Lyric Theatre for a little photo shoot. Thanks to Birmingham Landmark's Glenny Brock for opening on a Sunday afternoon and giving us a little history of this 99 year treasure.  It was hot and dusty but everyone scattered to find what caught their eye.  In return, they will all share some of their photos on blogs, websites and Facebook as well as donate images to Light Up The Lyric's fundraising efforts.

If you would like to make a much needed donation or schedule a tour, contact:brant@alabamatheatre.com

Historic Lyric Theatre

1816 3rd Avenue North

Light Up The Lyric

is the name of the fundraising campaign to help rustle up some much needed funding to renovate the old Lyric Theatre downtown.  This is one of the lovely old light fixtures in the lobby.

Rads

On the way to the upper balcony of the Lyric Theatre, I stuck my head into a little room and spotted this beautiful old radiator.  Some things don't need to be repainted.

Save The Lyric Series - The Balcony

The Lyric was the few movie theaters in the South to have segregated seating for blacks and whites at the same ticket price. The blacks entered from the 18th Street North side of the building and climbed this staircase to get to the top balcony where they sat.  Whites occupied the mezzanine and bottom floor.

The first time I photographed here, about 4 years ago, there were pigeons roosting in these upper windows.  Although in disrepair, I love the elegant plaster detail that is still evident today.


If you would like to learn more about the restoration efforts of the Lyric visit their website SAVE THE LYRIC.com

Save the Lyric Series - The Lower Balcony

Today, the third of my series on the restoration of the Lyric Theatre.  The lower balcony or the mezzanine, still maintains it's beautiful details and graceful curve,  although the seats have now been ripped out ( except for one).  Tomorrow we'll visit the upper balcony and learn its history.

If you would like to learn more about the restoration efforts of the Lyric visit their website SAVE THE LYRIC.com

Save the Lyric Series - The Stage

Today, we visit the stage of the Lyric Theare.  One of the most stunning pieces is the wonderful curtain ( as seen on my header) that proudly proclaims that it is made of asbestos!  Back in vaudeville days, backstage fires were common, so an asbestos curtain was a safety feature to boast about.  Today it has been sealed so prevent contamination.  The ample wings and depth of this stage and the marvelous acoustics make it an excellent choice for ballet, theater and musical concerts. There is already a great amount of interest within the community to rent the building when restorations are complete.

Birmingham Landmarks has contracted with National Community Development Services to lead a 7 million dollar restoration effort.  Please visit their website for more information on how you can contribute.

Save the Lyric Theatre Series - The Lobby

The historic Lyric Theatre opened in 1914 as a vaudeville theater. Over the years it became a movie theatre but has fallen into tragic disrepair.  Luckily there is a strong movement to raise funding for the restoration. This week I will be featuring photographs that I have been fortunate to make on four different occasions over the last four years. Hopefully these posts will raise awareness and perhaps spark and interest with future donors.

Birmingham Landmarks has contracted with National Community Development Services to lead a 7 million dollar restoration effort.  The first phase will be the restoration of the lobby.  Recently the entire space has been blasted with dry ice dust to reveal the beautiful architectural details such as this.