Published On: 09.10.20 | 

By: Shirley Jackson

Support the arts in Can’t Miss Alabama

The Birmingham Museum of Art continues to serve the community with a rich array of digital offerings through #BMAfromHome (contributed)

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Donations matter!

Shelby County Arts Council

Enjoy the Shelby County Arts Council (SCAC) free live stream performances from the Black Box Theatre on the SCAC Youtube channel. For the complete lineup, click here. Follow this link for upcoming events. For donations and memberships, go here.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival continues to Play On!

With audiences and artists separated from live performing arts by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Play On! allows the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (ASF) to advance its mission to create transformative theatrical programming in the wake of canceled and postponed productions. ASF recently commissioned 22 Southern playwrights to create original pieces on the theme of “home.” The playwrights collaborated with actors from around the country to bring new works to life. View all 22 monologues free of charge and learn more about Play On! by clicking here.

Carolyn Blount Theatre in Montgomery, home of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. (Altairisfar, Wikipedia)

Museums for All offers free admissions

People of all backgrounds are invited to join Vulcan Park and Museum’s Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. Museums for All supports low-income families receiving food assistance benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Up to four people per household can visit Vulcan at no charge with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Eligible members of the public can visit more than 500 museums across the country, including McWane Science Center, Imagination Place Children’s Museum, Huntsville Botanical Gardens and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. More than 500 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos and history museums. Museums nationwide are participating, representing 48 states. To make a donation to Vulcan Park and Museum, follow this link. For more information on participating museums, visit museumsforall.org.

Birmingham Museum of Art

Need an art fix? Whether you want to learn something new, create something great or explore interesting art, keep those creative juices flowing at #BMAfromHome. During these challenging times, the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) is more dedicated than ever to connecting communities to the experience, meaning and joy of art. BMA from Home will empower visitors to learn, create and explore during the time the museum is closed to the public. Donations are welcomed. Follow and interact with BMA on the website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Alabama State Fair begins Sept. 18 in Birmingham

Mark your calendar to attend the Alabama State Fair at the Birmingham Race Course Sept. 18-27. The fair will have carnival rides for adults and children, live music and food. Lady Houdini, Comedy Hypnotist and Roaming Robot are among the attractions. There will be a mandatory mask order in place except while eating in designated areas. Follow this link for the complete list of rules and guidance concerning COVID-19 at the Alabama State Fair. Visit the website for tickets and information.

Alabama Parks

With the weather cooling off, the search is on for outdoor enjoyment. Find the perfect spot to explore streams, see different breeds of fish, plants, wildlife and  panoramic views, hike, swim and enjoy on-site lodging, camping and more. Link to alapark.com to learn more, plus an opportunity to enter the 2020 Photo Contest through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Lake Lurleen State Park earned its first TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence Award this year, part of a record year for Alabama State Parks in the annual awards. (Alabama State Parks)

Highland Park Golf Course

Unwind at the Highland Park Golf Course in Birmingham from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Golfers are welcome to walk along the cart path. Book your tee time at highlandparkgolf.com or call 205-322-1902. The course management is carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and is in regular contact with health agencies for information. Click here for updates.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Charlotte Independence FC

Enjoy a soccer match at BBVA Field on the campus of UAB. Birmingham Legion FC will face Charlotte Independence FC on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The matchup will air live on My68 and ESPN+. Get tickets and check out the full schedule at bhmlegion.com. Stadium capacity will be limited and seating will be socially distanced in accordance with federal, state and local safety guidelines, but all existing season ticket holders as well as some single-game ticket holders will be able to enter the stadium while wearing a mask. All single-game tickets will be placed in specific, socially distant seating, as well as sections previously deemed general admission. For questions, contact the ticket office contacts page. The venue is at 800 11th St. S. in Birmingham.

Vulcan Park and Museum Virtual Tour

Stay connected to Vulcan Park and Museum by taking a virtual tour. The virtual museum series will consist of seven episodes with an exhibit inside Vulcan Center. Make a contribution here. Check out the full playlist here.

Lyric and Alabama Theatres

The Alabama and Lyric theatres depend on events for income but the COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardized the future of the historic venues. Donations are needed now more than ever to make sure these Birmingham Landmarks survive this crisis. Use this link to make a donation.

OWA Legends in Concert presents “Direct from London”

Four legends are coming together for an engagement to kick off the 2020 fall Legends in Concert season starting Sept. 17 at the OWA Theater in Foley. The longest-running and most-awarded show in Las Vegas, “Legends in Concert,” pays tribute to some of the biggest icons and luminaries in British music history (Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart and George Michael) together on one stage. “Direct From London” will feature not only first-rate tribute artists, but also high-energy dancers, backup vocalists, a live band, magnificent costumes, elaborate theatrical sets, a full array of special effects and much more. Legends in Concert will debut this show with performances Sept. 17-Nov. 1 at the OWA Theater Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Sundays at 3 p.m. Saturday matinee shows at 3 p.m. will be added beginning Oct. 3. Tickets are on sale at VisitOWA.com/Tickets or by calling 251-369-6100. Group discounts for 10 or more are available. For additional information, go to www.VisitOWA.com or follow the series on Twitter @LegendsOWA, Facebook @LegendsInConcertOWA and Instagram @LegendsInConcertOWA.

Follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes helpful tips and reminders about coronavirus, steps to prevent illness, and symptoms.