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.

The Potter's Hands

Last month I visited Cahaba Clayworks and photographed Earthborn Pottery's Nabeel working his magic at the potter's wheel.  Today another look.

Details

I will be honest. I've lived in Birmingham almost all of my life and never noticed these shell details in downtown Birmingham. If my Birmingham readers are scratching your heads, I'll share the location. On the corner of 18th Street and 3rd Avenue North. It's just around the corner from the Alabama Theatre.

O Holy Night

Christine's , Mt. Brook Village

 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

Here We Come A Caroling

Last night I had the pleasure of joining family and friends at two annual caroling parties.  This time of year can be hectic for sure,  but it's worth it to have such good times celebrating the joys of the season with those you love.

Time To...

wrap it up!  Almost a relief to have it all done and be able to sit back and enjoy time with family and friends.

Love At First Sight!

Bombed

Yarn bombing is catching on here in Birmingham.  I spotted this nice crocheted one outside of Charm on 2nd Avenue North, downtown.  The bright colors fit this funky and fun jewelry and gift shop!

Charm 

2329 2nd Avenue North

Yes Laura Kate....

there is a Santa Claus. 

Heart to Heart

Yesterday I had so much fun photographing our STAIR  students at Independent Presbyterian Church.  It was the Christmas Party for the Tues/Thurs. group and after their snack, they came into the church parlor around the big tree and sang a few songs with Mrs. Robinson while anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus and his delightful Elf.  Santa took each child on  his lap and presented them with a book from their Tues and Thurs tutors, along with a stocking FULL of fun... and a new toothbrush.  After Santa left the room, the kids met with their tutors, opened their presents and had a look inside their stockings.  One boy, found Santa making his escape to the sleigh and had a few personal moments to chat about what he wanted.  He ended with , "How are you getting to the North Pole?" Elf Cathy and I replied, "With the reindeer of course!"

Well Ho Ho Ho!!!

Yesterday, Santa made a personal call to Catala Road in Vestavia Hills via the VHFD.  He heard there had been a lot of good boys and girls so he pulled up a chair in the Lawrence's front yard and had a chat with every one of them.  Unfortunately the low light made photographing that next to impossible.  Take my word for it, everyone enjoyed their time with the bearded one and I even gave him a kiss!

Baaaaa.......

humbug??? Of course not.  The sweet lambs, the creation of Colin Richmond, are anxiously awaiting Christmas!   You can have one of these or other handmade creatures by visiting Colin's Creatures or if you're in the Birmingham area, at Dinah Toro's Charlotte Woodson Antiques in Mt. Brook Village.

America Mourns

Knesseth Isreal - Beth-El Cemetery

Angels We Have Heard On High

The Advent Day School's Choral Ensemble presented a Christmas concert yesterday.  Under the direction of Rick Phillips, this choir always amazes me.  (By the way, that's my little angel Eva on the front row in the middle!)

And while these angels sang, in Connecticut the unthinkable was happening. Once again our nation's heart is broken in grief and disbelief.

Dear Santa....

take a little off the sides.

Don's Hair Care Center

1803 3rd Avenue North

On The Sixth Day of Christmas...

What's On Second?

my true love gave to me SIX PLASTIC SANTAS!

Foggy Morning

on Altamont Road

A Nesting Place

This dear little nest was nestled near the entrance to Petals From the Past's shop. I"m sure it's left over from the spring/summer but a nice reminder even in December.

Landmark

 Birmingham's iconic City Federal Building at dusk.  Built in 1913, it was once the tallest skyscraper in the southeast.

BADP On The Road - Sewanee, TN

Last Sunday I traveled up to Sewanee, Tennesse to attend the Service of Lessons and Carols at All Saints' Chapel at Sewanee.  Before the service we road around and found the small cemetery for St. Mary's Convent tucked away in the woods. What a beautiful find!

Optimistic

You can buy a fresh tree around here on almost every corner, but you can't buy one from the Shades Valley Optimist Club that has been selling Christmas trees in Homewood for as long as I can remember. That's Shades Cahaba Elementary School in the background. Every year I taught there, (19 to be exact) the Optimists put up their lights and moved the green mini trailer onto the Horseshoe, as we called it.  That meant Christmas was coming !  I took my third graders up there every year to make their pictures with the trees or with cute Santa hats looking through a wreath.  This organization does good work in our communities, please support them.

The Perfect Gift

The Literacy Council of Central Alabama

Books. They are always on my Christmas list. Maybe we always have them to hold, flip the pages, and read and reread!

Asleep At The Wheel

Toby, the ahemmmm....guard dog at Petals From The Past, was asleep at the wheel.  You can't get good help these days!

Cruisin'

Railroad Park

 Three new mallards are now making Railroad Park their home.  This one cooperated nicely.

Graphic Traffic

Downtown Birmingham on a blue sky day!

Resting

Kelly Ingram Park, downtown Birmingham

View From the Crest

Homeowners that live along the crest of Red Mountain are lucky to have a spectacular view of downtown Birmingham.  This one is so beautifully framed.

CDP THEME DAY - My Street

My street, Clairmont Avenue, winds past my apartment to Triangle Park, and beyond. This great space is a gathering place for the whole Forest Park neighborhood.  I was there yesterday for a photo shoot. The Sunday before Christmas, Santa will arrive at 4:00 PM on a fire truck!!  Triangle Park is a vibrant part of Forest Park.

Today I join my fellow City Daily Photoblog friends around the world  who are participating in this THEME DAY right here!

Summer's Last Roses

Thank you to my friend Cathy, who graciously allowed me to photograph the last of her heirloom roses last week. I will look forward to photographing them again next summer.  For now,  I'm thinking these fading blossoms will be hard to top!

Meet Nabeel

Last Monday I visited Cahaba Clayworks in Leeds for second time.  I had entered a giveaway on Facebook and WON!  Tena Payne's nationally known Earthborn Pottery is crafted right there and I was thrilled to receive a beautiful plate from Tena herself.  She graciously allowed us to photograph the work space and I honed in on Nabeel back in the corner hard at work.  He told us he'd been working there since last January and proved an interesting subject to photograph. I will share more photographs in the coming days.

Arthur Price - Dreaming Tracks

Birmingham's Arthur Price might just be one of my favorite artists, not to mention one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  Art dreams big and paints big. His enormous canvases envelope the space.   His fabulous work can be seen at Art Folk Gallery downtown till December 21st.  You won't want to miss his latest collection, Dreaming Tracks.

Art Folk Gallery
1731 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203

Glorious Autumn

This could very well be a new theme for this blog.  I think I've found more magnificent photos this season than spring and summer rolled into one.  I took this just outside the door of Henhouse Antiques in English Village.

Urban Oasis

My B'ham photography buddies know just where this is, but my guess is that most of you do not. Hint: Walk down Morris Avenue and hang a right at the parking lot under the railroad tracks. Cool huh???

Leaving Stones

Last week I visited Knesseth Isreal-Beth-El Cemetery,  one of two Jewish cemeteries in Enon Ridge, north Birmingham.  It is a Jewish tradition when visiting a grave, to leave a stone or pebble to show honor for the deceased by the visitor.

Knesseth Isreal-Beth-El Cemetery

320 11 Court North

A special thank you to my photography cohort in crime, Michael Anderson, for taking me here and other fascinating places around Birmingham, I've not been.

FREEDOM

Kelly Ingram Park , called "A place of revolution and reconciliation", it faces the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Dominoes in the Park

Last Sunday afternoon, there were spirited games of chess and dominoes in progress at the pavilion at Linn Park downtown.

Thanksgiving Wishes

to all my readers in the US this day.  I'm so very grateful for my family and friends, here and around the world!  Bon appétit!

Corny

I can't help it, when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of corn.  Funny, we never have it at our house for dinner but I guess it's that Pilgrim/Indian thing.

Killer!

A large group of high school students were gathered at Linn Park on Sunday afternoon for a photo shoot.  The young ladies were wearing some of the most amazing high heels I have ever seen in Birmingham.  These are but a few!

Shadow Play

 Avondale Park Amphitheater

Sunday Church Series - IPC Organ Recital Series

Nathan Laube

Stuttgart,German

The Independent Presbyterian Church Organ Recital Series continue this afternoon at 4:00.  Peter DuBois will be the guest performer.  The following Sunday will feature Peter Sykes.  This free series is open to the public.  

Pepper Place Dogs - Telling Secrets

These two were actually "family" as I recall.  I just loved the special moment between them!