SUMMER 2008 NEWSLETTER

New this quarter, don’t miss our exciting “fun facts” at the bottom of the news page!

Big News!

The long-awaited opening of the new Hill Arts Center main banquet hall is just around the corner. The ceiling tile will be placed in the grid by the middle of the month, the new emergency stairway is almost complete and the carpet will be installed May 29. The kitchen appliances are on the way and when completed and opened, downtown Birmingham will experience one of the most elegant party rooms and reception centers in the state. This space will be available for parties, receptions, weddings and pre- and post-show events. With the five chandeliers from the original Tutwiler, antique furniture and historic photos of the Alabama Theatre and Goldstein building, there will be nothing like it in the city.

Piano Desperately Needed

We are in need of a 6 ft. grand piano to use in the new banquet hall. If you or someone you know has a piano to donate, please contact Cecil Whitmire at the Alabama theatre by phone at (205) 252-2262 during business hours or by e-mail at alatheatre@aol.com.

The Alabama Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so the donation of a piano will be tax deductible and the donor’s name will appear on a brass plate on the piano as well as on the wall of honors with the other donors to the banquet hall project. Your gift will be greatly appreciated and will become a part of the Alabama Theatre legacy.

First Monday Organ Concert

The first of the Mighty Musical Monday organ concerts began in February and have been very well attended with everyone having a lot of fun. These free noon concerts each first Monday of the month feature “Name that tune,” prizes, a sing-a-long and special requests. Reservations are not required and each concert is different, so if you’ve been before you’ll find something new each time. If your group is coming by bus or van, please contact the theatre at (205) 252-2262 and we’ll make every effort to reserve a parking space for you. Remember to bring your lunch or pick up a lunch at the Lyric Hot Dogs and Grill located across the street from the Alabama. Soft drinks and bottled water are available at the concession stand during each concert.

Summer Films 2008

The list of summer films and the children’s matinee movies are now on the website and this year’s lineup is spectacular. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, the feature movie this year and the theme for the series is Jaws! Take a look and make your plans to attend one or more of these classics. We will have movies shown in film format and video, each featuring our new sound system. We’re also pleased to announce admission will still be the same low price as last year.

Celebration

The day slipped by without notice, but May 6 marked the 21st year that Birmingham Landmarks, Inc. has owned the theatre. In 1987 the front page headline in the Birmingham News read, “Little group takes on big debt” and it was also the top headline on all the local TV news programs. But 21 years later, with the debt retired and the theatre restored, the day went by without notice. Happy anniversary to Birmingham Landmarks and the Alabama Theatre!

Dressing Room Project

We’re currently hard at work on the restoration of the stage-right dressing rooms, installing marble tile on the floors, ceramic tile in the showers and adding air conditioning. When completed, we will have 15 dressing rooms on par with any theatre in the nation.

Lyric Theatre Project

Talks are still ongoing with the City of Birmingham and other leaders in the area, but unfortunately there are no new updates to report at this time. Built in 1914 as a Vaudeville theatre, the Lyric is located at the corner of 18th Street and 3rd Avenue North. Many patrons of the Alabama are unaware the Lyric exists, much less that it’s located just across the street. Be sure to look for it the next time you’re visiting the Alabama Theatre and check back here for progress on the restoration of Birmingham’s much needed Lyric Theatre.

Upcoming Events

Most people don’t realize that events often book very close to the date of the show. We invite everyone to please check our website frequently for updates at www.alabamatheatre.com, and don’t forget to add us to your web browser’s favorites. You never know what you’ll find that might pique your interest!

Alabama Theatre Fun Facts

Did you know…

The Alabama Theatre hosts over 25 children’s daytime school shows each school year, with an attendance of over 35,000 children arriving at the theatre in over 500 buses?

The Alabama Theatre provides movie passes to local nonprofit organizations to aid in their fundraising efforts?

The Alabama Theatre owns a commercial parking lot on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and 18th Street, just behind the theatre?

The Alabama Theatre has the largest regular (non-IMAX) indoor movie screen in the state? The screen measures 42 feet 6 inches wide and is 24 feet tall. The distance from the projector to the screen is over 150 feet!

 The Alabama Theatre was built from ground-breaking (April 1, 2007) to opening day (December 26, 1927) in just eight months and three weeks?

In 1933 there were over 7,000 movie palaces in the United States? Today there are slightly fewer than 1,000 remaining.  At one time there were a total of 16 movie palaces in Birmingham, but today the Alabama Theatre is the only remaining movie palace in the city.

The Alabama Theatre hosts over 250 events each year and these events are attended by over 500,000 people?

More news and fun facts next quarter.

See you at the summer movies!