Leno supports arts, education in Birmingham

A legend in late-night comedy is coming to Birmingham Sunday to support another legend in the performing arts.
Jay Leno, host of NBC’s Tonight Show for over 20 years, will appear at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center June 7 for its 2015 Viva Health Starlight Gala.

Jay Leno is at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Sunday, June 7 for the 2015 Viva Health Starlight Gala.
The gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for the center, which is part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Proceeds will go toward education and outreach programs serving more than 17,000 people in the Birmingham area. Alabama Power contributes to the Alys Stephens Center.
Leno, a nationally touring standup comic, said he is looking forward to visiting Alabama.
“What I really like about the South is the diversity of the crowd,” Leno said. “You play Atlanta, Birmingham, they have a really good mix of families and older folks – it’s more diverse than you get in other places.”
“People listen in the South,” he added. “They have a wonderful lyrical way of speech. They always have a better word than the obvious word.”
A noted automobile enthusiast, Leno spoke about the current popularity of electric-powered cars.
“Electricity has always been the best way to power a car,” he said. “I’ve got a 1909 Baker electric car. It’s nothing new, it’s just that the battery technology is now catching up to it.”
“I’m redoing a 1914 Baker electric using a lithium ion battery,” he said.
Asked about the Tesla line of electric-powered vehicles, Leno said he is a fan. He drove a Tesla Model S on an episode of his show “Jay Leno’s Garage.”
“I think they’re terrific, they’ve really done a great job,” he said. “[Tesla Motors CEO] Elon Musk is the new Thomas Edison.”
When it comes to energy and the environment, Leno expressed hope for the future.
“I’m a fairly optimistic-type person,” he said. “I’m one of those people who believe engineers will change the world, fix the world.”
Hope for the future
Leno said conditions have improved in America over his lifetime.
“When I first moved to Los Angeles, 128 days a year were smog days. You couldn’t even exercise outdoors,” he said. “You go to China and you see where we were 50 years ago; everyone’s wearing gas masks and choking to death.”
Leno, whose garage is solar-powered, said he believes progress could go faster, but that it will not stop.
“The last horse is always better than the first car,” he said. “But it changes.”
Leno will perform an evening of comedy at 8 p.m. Sunday in the Alys Stephens Center at 1200 10th Ave. S. in Birmingham. Tickets are $125 and include a reception. Call 205-975-2787 or visit Alys Stephens Center for tickets or for more information.
UPDATE: Leno donated $10,000 to the Stephens Center and ArtPlay, according to the UAB News. The donation will be used to benefit veterans and their families through the arts, including classes and tickets to performances.