Plan your weekend around fantastic shows and performances in Can’t Miss Alabama
The 'Once on This Island' performance is at Red Mountain Theatre through Feb. 27. (contributed)
Check out upcoming concerts and some of the best places to eat.
Red Mountain Theatre presents ‘Once on This Island’
From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Seussical,” “Ragtime”), comes the Olivier Award-winning musical “Once on This Island.” This highly original and theatrical Caribbean fairy tale garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score. Ti Moune is a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When their divided cultures keep them apart, Ti Moune is guided by powerful island gods Erzulie, Asaka, Papa Ge and Agwe on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. The show runs through Sunday, Feb. 27.
Birmingham Restaurant Week
From fine dining to down-home cookin’, enjoy a special breakfast, lunch and/or dinner prix fixe menu ranging from $5 to $50 per person. Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW), known as Birmingham’s premier culinary and beverage event, supports local restaurants by giving people incentives to check out the city’s dynamic food scene, one bite at a time. The winter edition of BRW is underway through Saturday, Feb. 26, with about 40 participating restaurants. To safely serve patrons, to-go and curbside options and traditional dine-in options will be available. Take part in Magic City Mixology, a fiesta-style cocktail flight tasting event Tuesday, March 1, at Events at Haven on Sixth Avenue South. For detailed information, visit bhamrestaurantweek.com.
Upcoming live concerts
- Lyle Lovett: Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group will perform at Birmingham’s Lyric Theatre March 17-18.
- Willie Nelson: Willie Nelson and Family will perform with special guests Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and Peytan Porter at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Friday, April 22.
- Luke Bryan: The Raised Up Right Tour with special guest Mitchell Tenpenny will perform Thursday, Aug. 18, at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham.
‘Dancing with the Stars’ — Live Tour 2022
Dancers from ABC’s hit series will perform an all-new show at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex on Wednesday, March 2. Professional dancers will showcase a variety of dance styles, such as the cha-cha, foxtrot, salsa, tango and everything in between. Fans will see Mirrorball champions with a cast of your favorite dancers. Follow this link to learn more about cast members. Buy tickets online.
Alabama Ballet presents ‘Blue Suede Shoes’
Dennis Nahat’s “Blue Suede Shoes,” a full-length ballet danced to the music of Elvis Presley, combines classical dance with classic rock. The rock ‘n’ roll ballet, with a good helping of jazz, follows three friends over almost 20 years, starting with high school in the 1950s (when they are first seen wearing their blue suede shoes). The scene evolves to the Hot Dog Drive-in, through graduation, into Army life, then lonely streets and a disco concluding with a gold record finale. Meet Long Tall Sally and the Big Boss Man as the three young men roll through an age of innocence, the social changes of the 1960s and into disco of the 1970s. The 90-minute ballet has 16 sets and 280 costumes designed by Bob Mackie. The performance is Feb. 25-27 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Celebrate Black History Month at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) with virtual and in-person events. Explore a variety of exhibits, including the Human Rights Gallery, Movement Gallery, Confrontation Gallery, Barriers Gallery, the Odessa Woolfolk Gallery, the “Courage Under Fire” exhibit of photos from the burning of the Freedom Riders’ bus in Anniston and “Remembering 4 Little Girls: A Gallery of Creative Expressions,” an exhibit of student works inspired by the Spike Lee film. BCRI is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mardi Gras Mobile
The historic celebration of Mardi Gras is underway through Tuesday, March 1, in downtown Mobile and across the area. Enjoy more than two weeks of 40 parades. Celebrations conclude on Fat Tuesday at 6 p.m. Many downtown parades can be seen multiple times. Follow this link for the complete schedule.
Southern Museum of Flight
The Tuskegee Airmen exhibit is being featured at the Southern Museum of Flight. This diorama display honoring Alabama’s famed Tuskegee Airmen is more than an exhibit. It is a spotlight shining on a significant period of American history, and this tribute highlights an extraordinary group of men who continue to provide inspiration for anyone who dares to dream. The exhibit features several World War II-era trainers, including a North American AT-6 Texan, a Vultee BT-13B Valiant and a Fairchild PT-19 Cornell. To learn more, email info@southernmuseumofflight.org. The museum is at 4343 73rd St. N. in Birmingham.
28 Days of Black Life, History and Culture
Mobile’s Black History Month celebrations include daily social media posts of Mobile Black history facts @mobileparksandrec and an exhibit of art by local seniors at the Connie Hudson Center Art Gallery Monday through Friday. To learn more about the events, visit the website.
Equal Justice Initiative
Discover Black history at the newly expanded Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration in Montgomery. The museum examines the legacy of slavery, from its introduction in the New World in the 17th century to ongoing issues related to mass incarceration. The Legacy Museum includes a welcome center, gift shop and the popular restaurant Pannie-George’s Kitchen. A few blocks away is EJI’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Peace and Justice Memorial Center. Follow this link to read more about the Legacy Museum.
