Blog

Alabama’s longest-running Earth Day celebration becomes a two-day event this year at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The gardens will celebrate veterans as it spotlights the Victory Garden of World War II. On April 22, the attraction will host a USO Tribute Show, and an event of April 25 will include archival displays and educational activities. […]

The smoked meat that rules so many restaurants in the Birmingham area is finally having its place in the sun. The Alabama Tourism Department recently announced that 2015 is the “Year of Alabama Barbecue.” That announcement and the publicity it brings is expected to attract even more culinary tourists to plot their travels to sample […]

Internationally acclaimed conductor Carlos Izcaray has been appointed Music Director of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The Venezuelan-born conductor, currently based in Berlin, will assume his position in Birmingham in September. Born in Caracas into a family of artistic generations, Izcaray was enrolled in Venezuela’s renowned public system of youth orchestras at three years old, when […]

No, it’s not the Ave Maria Grotto, but it’s just as interesting. Spring will bring the opening of the new $5 million Itty Bitty Magic City learning project at McWane Science Center. The early learning center will have a Birmingham and Alabama theme and will include Main Street, with a grocery store, fire station, auto […]

While we wait for Itty Bitty Magic City to open, McWane Science Center is keeping us entertained with the Mindbender Mansion. It’s an eclectic place of puzzles and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power of young and old alike. Even the most experienced puzzlers may be stumped by the brain teasers and group […]

In nearby Vance, the Mercedes-Benz auto plant has a newly redesigned Visitors Center that looks as smooth as the ML Coupe. The $3 million project was unveiled last month, replacing the old center that opened in 1997. The Visitors Center takes guests through the 128-year history of Mercedes, which includes the automaker’s two decades in […]

High End Hamburger A burger by any other name than Hamburger Fonfon just doesn’t smell as sweet. So says the food and travel website Thrillist.com that chose Chez Fonfon’s burger as Alabama’s star in their recent list of “The Best Burger in Every State in America.” Thrillist says Birmingham chef Frank Stitt loses any pretense […]

The national online reservation service, OpenTable, has named Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham one of the 10 best restaurants in America for 2014. The award is based on the opinions of more than five million restaurant reviews submitted by OpenTable diners in all 50 states. Opened by Chef Frank Stitt in 1982, Highlands has […]

    New Orleans celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse was in Birmingham recently causing a small stir among fans dining at the tony Bottega Café. He was in town to create a new cookbook with Birmingham-based Oxmoor House publishers. Word on the street has it that he dined on sea urchin, chestnut pappardelle and grilled red […]

You can get anything you want at the Alys’ Performing Arts Center. Two upcoming performances showcase the diversity of entertainment at the Alys Stephens Center. On February 21, Arlo Guthrie brings his Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour to town. Guthrie has been known to generations as a prolific songwriter, storyteller and social commentator. Next up […]