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!

High Atop....?

I see my Birmingham readers scratching their heads.  I have to give a nod to my photographer friend Michael Anderson who discovered this fool the eye location and was kind enough to take me there. I'll let my savvy readers have fun guessing where this was taken. I'll reveal tomorrow!

The Lyric Theatre Part I- Stage Door Johnny

The only Stagedoor Johnnies these days, are the pigeons that have made their home in the balconies for years.  

This week I'm heading into uncharted territory. For the first time on BADP, I will be featuring a weeklong series of photographs from Birmingham's historic Lyric Theater.  I've featured photos from previous photo shoots. Recently my friend and Alabama Theater volunteer Tom Cronier, was able to help me and my fellow shooters, Mike, LaTrelle, and Rip have a chance to get in and have a look around. The Lyric was built in 1913 and for many years was a grand vaudeville house.   The years have not been kind, but it is in the slow and laborious process of being restored by Birmingham Landmarks Inc., and we in Birmingham have high hopes.  In the meantime, the disrepair makes for some interesting shots.  I hope you enjoy the series.

Here are two very nice videos that you will enjoy here and here.

Tight Squeeze

Sloss Furnaces National Historical Landmark

Vintage Skyscraper

For Birminghamians, the City Federal Building is a well known landmark. Built in 1913, the former Jefferson County Savings and Loan building was the tallest in the southeast. It was renamed the City Federal in 1963. This 27 story terra cotta faced building remains the tallest neoclassical skyscraper in the south. Today, it has been preserved and condominiums are for sale right here.

SKY WATCH FRIDAY - Look Up BIrmingham III

Today you get a "twofer" .  You get the lovely corner view of the old John Hand Building on Birmingham's most prominent corner, 1st and 20th.  This is probably one of my favorite buildings.  I love that dark brown against the white on the facade.  Photo #2 gives you a nice close up of the wonderful columns streetside.  The details on this building are just spectacular.  

Just another example of one of  Birmingham's best preserved 'ladies'.

To see all the participants in SKY WATCH FRIDAY, click on the sidebar.