The Faces of A NIGHT IN OZ

We're back at the Birmingham Children's Theater's wonderful fundraiser - A NIGHT IN OZ*.  How could I pass up a chance to show you some of the adorable faces I captured?  There were way too many for one post.  I've saved a few more to share later.

Remember, if you would like to make a donation to the Birmingham Children's Theater, click here for more information.

* See yesterday's post for more photos of this event

Well of course she looks familiar!

A NIGHT IN OZ

Dozens of darling Dorothys !

Saturday evening I had the pleasure of taking photographs at the Birmingham Children's Theatre's first fundraiser sponsored by their Junior Board.  Held at the beautiful Southern Progress building in Homewood, this was a family event.  An Evening in Oz ....think adorable kiddos dressed to the nines in gingham Dorothy dresses, lots of red, sparkly shoes, scarecrows, lions,  Munchkins, and many, many Glenda's resplendent in their pink gowns.  The Junior Board didn't miss a trick. They had creative crafts, the most elaborate facepainting and kid appropriate food, including a self serve "Pixie Stix" machine that insured a sugar high from now to next year! (My grandson hasn't come back to earth yet.)  The theatre's talented actors,  plus other local singers,  mesmerized the audience with fabulous music from the play and everyone had a really good time!  Sadly the cuts in local and state funding have made this a necessary way for this fabulous community theatre to keep the doors open .  Please go to their website here, if you feel you can make a donation. 

TOMORROW:  The Faces of A Night in Oz!

It's Snow Joke!

Alabama Snowmobile

I did two years of hard wintertime in Iowa and Wisconsin many years ago, and I haven't forgotten one minute of it.  I'm not one of those pie in the sky southerners who spend their whole winter yearning for some kind of snow. Let's just say I've been there, done that. Yesterday's snow was just like I like it.  It snowed hard , made for some gorgeous photos, all the kids got to build snowmen and sled a little, the roads stayed clear, we didn't lose POWER, and it was over and done in a day!!!!  What could be more perfect?  Wayne asked me if we had snow plows in Birmingham. I told him we didn't have anything down here that started with the word SNOW. (Well we do.... Snow Cones).   Birmingham is very hilly and when it ices that pretty much shuts us right down.   One day is plenty thank you.  Now you have to look at a few more photos today cause I'm not through.

BLOG UPDATE: Please hop on over to my producer/manager Wayne's redesigned blog....Meandering in Lotus Land.  Same great photos of Vancouver BC,  just not always daily. My oh my, isn't he the smart one!

Just when you think it's time to sit outside on the porch...... it snows in Alabama!

Mixed message

Transformation

March Theme Day - GLASS

As I am famous for, I used my really best "glass" photos a few weeks back,  so I have been scrambling for something for today's City Daily Photo Theme Day.  I regret that this entry is not from Birmingham, but that's how it goes.   Welcome to the  Museé Carnavalet in Paris' Marais district.  A beautiful place that you should put on your "to do"  list if you ever get lucky enough to visit Paris.  I took a lot of photos through this unusual window,  and I am giving you two different shots so that you get the feel.  It overlooks the gorgeous rose garden.  I think this might be my favorite window in Paris.

City Daily Photo bloggers around the world are sharing their interpretation of GLASS!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

LATE BREAKING WEATHER!!!

Well look what happened in Birmingham overnight!  This happens every few years - a very late snowfall when we THINK spring is here.  Enjoy these images I captured this morning.  It's still snowing and baby it's COLD outside!!!!

PS, Come back tomorrow for more. I've been jealous all winter of all your fabulous snow photos, I'm going to milk this one for all it's worth!

This is Chez Virginia!

My neighbor's yard. 

10:00 a.m. and it's snowing again like crazy!!

The Gathering Storm

Yesterday found Birmingham drenched in rain with lightning lighting up the skies and  rumbles of thunder rattling the widowpanes day and night. Today there are predictions of a smattering of snow- yes, SNOW!!!  If we get even a FLAKE, believe me , you'll see it.  I thought this tree in Mountain Brook Village was a good image for the weather we've been experiencing.

The Gatekeepers

This beautiful old gate can be found on historic Morris Avenue.  Morris Avenue is noted for it's 19th, early 20th century warehouses. It is on the National Register for Historical Places.

Caution - Artists at Work!

Tres and Tom paint together

Last night I was the proverbial  "kid in the candy store".  This is how it all happened.  Last fall I met Tres Taylor at Art Walk.  You met him on Feb.24th as one of my 100 Strangers.  Well I went by his studio on Wednesday and asked if I could photograph him actually painting. He invited me back last night.   When I showed up at his very cool and funky studio near my home, I learned that he and another well known Birmingham artist, Tom Findlay, are the featured artists in a rather unique combination art/ ballet event coming up at the Virginia Samford Theatre.  Tom and Tres will actually  paint during a ballet performance!  The catch is that they have to completely paint about 6 huge canvases and then paint the whole thing black in 30 minutes!  Tres will paint one night and Tom the next.  What I got to witness was their "dress rehearsal" - to the music.  The whole process was fascinating.   Just watching them experiment with the paint and listen to them giving each other advice was an absolute delight for me, the frustrated painter.  Neither artist was painting in their usual "style" and that was an eye opener as well.  I also got a good talking to about seeking out my own style ( painting and photography) and not letting others influence what I create.   Let's just say it was a night I will not soon forget. Thanks Tres and Tom for letting me photograph both of you doing what you do best, making me feel so welcome , AND letting me offer some advice. I have a LOT of nerve!!!!

Tom

Tres, this is my new found "style". Hope you approve!

Only the Shadow Knows

A few months back I mentioned how hard it is for me to get anywhere on time,  because I see a potential photograph and feel compelled to stop and take it.  Well it happened again the other day.  I went to my friend Michael Dulin's recording studio, Polymusic Studios.  As we were leaving to have lunch, I spotted these shadows on the wall,  and you know what happened next. Mike understands me,  so he waited patiently,  and we were only a little late for lunch!

I know you expected BW on this one but my producer/manager Wayne and I  reached consensus ( drumroll please!)  that this was the way to go.

My friend Laurie at South Pasadena DP, likes to post a photo and have her viewers conjure up a possible movie script.  This photo has Laurie written all over it.  Have at it you creative viewers out there.

With Heads Bowed

Today, Ash Wednesday,  marks the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians around the world.  I thought you might enjoy seeing the beautiful Lenten Roses ( Helleborus)  that are blooming all over Birmingham.  They are tricky to photograph because the grow with their heads bowed.  I had to use a few tricks of my own ( think acrobatics) to capture these. 

100 Strangers Part IV

The Artist

A few more of the nice folks I've met while trying to gather 100 strangers' photographs around town.  For privacy reasons, I have chosen not to use the names for my portraits.

Buddies

Blue Switch

This cool blue switch can be found at Sloss Furnaces.  I 've shown you other photos from that shoot here, here and here.  My consultants Bill and Wayne, THINK it's a switch that has PROBABLY been disconnected and covered over. There you go!  I just like the color combo.

All Lit Up

The Alabama Theater as you have already seen here and here, is a treasure trove of beautiful details and furnishings.  The lighting fixtures are no exception.  Luckily they have been lovingly maintained. 

Thanks to my producer/manager who was smart enough to help me out by voting for the one I had already chosen! 

Lobby Chandelier from beneath

Chaise Noire

The morning sun streaming in the bedroom window.

Les ombres, the shadows

Do Not Touch

Taken at the Birmingham Museum of Art, these cases contained pottery and glass objects.