Check out Arbor Day festivities in an area near you.

‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’

“All Things Bright and Beautiful“ brings together works primarily from the Birmingham Museum of Art’s permanent collection that look at themes of power and agency. This exhibition takes its name from a painting by Amy Sherald, whose portraits depict Black portrait-sitters with pride, dignity and joy, representation historically afforded only to white people. Some artists in the exhibition look toward power in creative endeavors, like music. Others contemplate the hidden potential of everyday objects by transforming them into works of art. Several artists engage the representation of space and architecture – including museum spaces – to discover the dynamics of power. Considered together, these works illustrate the importance of being seen, choosing how to be depicted and telling one’s own history. The exhibit will be available through March 31 at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

BPL Virtual Resources Spotlight 2021: The African American Experience

The Birmingham Public Library is hosting nearly 20 programs and activities, mostly online, to celebrate Black History Month. Topics include Let Freedom Ring, African American Genealogy Resources and a rebroadcast of the 100^th Anniversary of Negro Leagues. Click here for more listings.

For the Love of Flight

In honor of Black History Month, the Southern Museum of Flight will feature “Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen At War.” As the first African American pilots in the United States military, the Tuskegee Airmen are heroes of World War II and beyond. Their story of the fight to achieve a “double victory” against fascism overseas and racism at home remains an important lesson in how excellence can beat adversity. Go here to view the film. Visit the website or message info@southernmuseumofflight.org to learn more.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport honors Black History Month

As a part of Black History Month, travelers are encouraged to visit airport exhibits including one honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. The exhibit features four P-51 Mustang Red Tail aircraft in formation as well as related artifacts, photographs and a uniform. There is also an exhibit honoring civil rights activist the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, which offers an overview of his crucial work during the civil rights movement. For more information, email info@flybirmingham.com or call 205-595-0533. The airport is at 5900 Messer Airport Highway.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute spotlights Black history 

February is Black History Month, a federally recognized celebration of the contributions that African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice. The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” explores the African diaspora and the spread of Black families across the United States. The Black family has long been a topic of study in many disciplines – history, literature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology and social policy. Its representation, identity and diversity have been reverenced, stereotyped and vilified from the days of slavery to our own time. Click here for the full schedule of events. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is at 520 16^th St. N. Visit bcri.org for ticket information.

University of North Alabama features Black History Month events

Sponsors from across the University of North Alabama have created a unified Black History Month program calendar, bringing a variety of events and activities to celebrate and highlight Black history at UNA, in the Shoals and throughout the country. The complete list of events is here.

Plant and care for a tree on Arbor Day. (Getty Images)

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

Do your part in making the earth a little greener at Arbor Day tree giveaway events:

• Feb. 19 – Jacksonville: Town Square, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 256-454-4996.
• Feb. 22 – Anniston: Zinn Park, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow this link to learn more or call 256-236-8221.
• March 6 – Hoover: Aldridge Gardens, 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 205-682-8019.

Quilts in the Courtroom in Monroeville

The Monroe County Museum will showcase a variety of quilts on loan from around the region in a free exhibit. Quilts in the Courtroom will run through Friday, Feb. 26 during the museum’s regular opening hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Quilts will take center stage, adding lively patterns and vibrant splashes of color throughout the courtroom made famous by the film version of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Designs will range from the traditional to one-of-a-kind originals. Raffle tickets will be sold for the “Magnolias in Bloom” quilt donated by Wanda Fountaine and LuAnn Joswick of the Pensacola Quilt Guild. To purchase a raffle ticket, call 251-575-7433. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward support and maintenance of the Old Courthouse Museum. Proper protocols related to COVID-19 will be followed during the exhibit, such as social distancing and the wearing of masks or face coverings.

Montgomery Ballet 

The Montgomery Ballet returns to the stage with a three-piece lineup as part of an evening with food, dancing and revelry. An all-inclusive “Masks We Wear” evening will be Saturday, Feb. 20 at Commerce Beerworks and Saturday, Feb. 27 at The Chapel at the Waters. The two-night performance includes a Mardi Gras party combo dubbed “Masks We Wear.” Montgomery Ballet’s professional company members will perform two classical pieces: “Pas De Quatre,” with  choreography by Jules Perrot and music by Cesare Pugni, and “Animated Frescoes,” with choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Pyotr Yershov. Each piece features only four dancers but demonstrates the artistry and elegance that ballet was founded on. Those will be followed by the debut of the title piece, “Masks We Wear in the Neighborhood,” with choreography by Danny Mitsios and music mixed by Jake Pugh of Gravity. This is a contemporary work created originally for the Montgomery Ballet with unexpected twists. Handcrafted costumes are being created by the in-house costume department just for these performances. Tickets are $50 at montgomeryballet.org, limited for social distancing. Appropriate COVID-19 precautions are being taken on and off the stage to ensure the health and safety of all in attendance.

Helen Keller Art Show. (Alexis Harrison)

Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama

The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama is an annual traveling juried event. The show is open to students throughout the state who have visual impairments, blindness or deaf blindness. The artists are of various ages and attend public, private, residential and home schools. The show provides artists an opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities. Children who participate in the show use various media to create their works. Art is included in the students’ academic curriculum in areas such as the development of communication skills using visual and tactical abilities, math, science, reading and leisure activities. The artwork emphasizes creativity, color and tactile media. Student artwork is exhibited in an open reception ceremony at the beginning of the year, then in museums and venues throughout the state. The art show will be on exhibit at the Shelby County Arts Council, 105 W. College St. in Columbiana, until Thursday, Feb 25.

‘Celebrate Vegas’ at OWA

The award-winning show is underway through Sunday, May 30 at the OWA Theater in Foley. “Celebrate Vegas” will feature tributes to four artists who have had the greatest impact on Las Vegas over the past 60 years. The lineup includes the stars of the original residencies in Las Vegas, the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra, and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, portrayed by Brian Duprey and Leo Days, respectively. The Goddess of Pop, Cher, performed by Lisa McClowry, will make you “Believe,” while Erika Moul will pay homage to Lady Gaga, the hottest ticket on the strip in recent years. Tickets for “Celebrate Vegas” can be purchased at visitowa.com/tickets or by calling 251-369-6100. Group discounts for 10 or more are available; contact the box office for details. For additional information, go to visitOWA.com/legendsinconcert. Stay updated on social media: Twitter @LegendsOWA, Facebook @LegendsInConcertOWA and Instagram @LegendsInConcertOWA.

Cool and Crazy Plants at Bellingrath

There are many unusual and special things growing in Bellingrath Gardens. On Wednesday, Feb. 24, join Executive Director Todd Lasseigne, who has taken numerous plant-finding expeditions all over the world, to learn more about the exotics that thrive in our Gulf Coast climate. To reserve, call 251-459-8868 or email astrickland@bellingrath.org. For discount information, visit bellingrath.org. Bellingrath Gardens and Home follows all recommendations to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing is enforced and masks are required inside buildings.

Alabama Center for the Arts

The seventh annual juried Festival of the Cranes Exhibit is underway through Friday, Feb. 19, presented by the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. The exhibit is a walking gallery held in conjunction with the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Association. The exhibit will feature artwork inspired by cranes and other wildlife. For more information about Festival of the Cranes, visit Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Association, Festival of the Cranes Facebook page or Festival of the Cranes at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. During normal hours, the Alabama Center for the Arts is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Gulf Coast Comedy Fest at OWA

Get ready for a night of laughs at the annual Gulf Coast Comedy Fest featuring Brandon Styles’ “A Trip Down Memory Lane Dinner Show.” The live show features spot-on impressions and songs from classic artists. Enjoy a meal and adult beverages – catered by OWA’s Groovy Goat restaurant – while Styles’ impersonations take you back in time. Tickets to the dinner show start at $42 (with VIP upgrades available) and include salad, main course, side, dessert and one drink of your choice. Group pricing is available on request by contacting Brandon Styles Theater & Magic Shop. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday in February. The theater is between Alvin’s Island and Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill at OWA in Foley.