The Lyric Theater (Visited During The Sidewalk Film Festival)

Not much to say except that I love this old building. It's one of those places that speaks to me. If you want to know more about the Lyric go HERE. They open the building for visitors a few times a year and it is a really cool place to wander around in. I think it'll be great to have these pics and go back to look at them after the restoration is done. If you get the chance to visit you really should go for it and check the place out.

From the 2nd floor balcony looking at the "box seat" areas to the side of the main floor seating.

Same place from the main floor area.

The front edges of the upper balconies as seen from the main floor.

From the entry area looking at the side of the main floor area. The seats have been removed from this area, soon they'll all be out and the floors can start to be rebuilt.

From the inside looking above the doors to the main entry area of the theater.

From the 2nd floor balcony.

The second floor balcony has had the seats removed as well and clean up is progressing up here.

Looking out at the sides of the room.

Near the ceiling.

The stairwells to get to the upper areas.

From the very top looking down at the stage.

There are still some seats up on the third floor balcony.

One of the chandeliers.

Looking out at the lights in the top of the facade on the side walls of the auditorium.


GO SEE THIS PLACE FOR YOURSELF. IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!

Some of The Pics From The Sidewalk Film Festival

A couple of weeks ago Allison and I volunteered at the Sidewalk Film Festival here in Birmingham. It's a great event and is worth the effort to attend. We worked Sunday afternoon in the ticket booth at the Alabama Theater and in exchange we had passes for Saturday and Sunday's movies. We saw quite a few cool movies and also got to just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere. One of the great things about this event is that they usually open the old Lyric Theater to visitors. I'm looking forward to them getting all the asbestos removed so I can volunteer to help with the restoration of this great historical theater. I'll have some pictures of the inside of the auditorium up in a day or so. In the meantime enjoy the first round of pics from this place.

Walking from where we parked I saw this view and liked it so I shot it.

Zoomed in on the two nice older buildings in the background.

The floor of one of the offices in the the Lyric building.

Same room, different angle. I love to get these low angle floor shots when the floor has some kind of interesting texture or design.

Allison in the restroom lobby of the Alabama Theater which is across the street from the Lyric. The Alabama is a great historical theater itself and has done quite well since its restoration many years ago. The Lyric is owned by the same people and will be a great compliment to the Alabama due to the difference in the sizes of the two auditoriums.

Another view of Allison taking a break from walking.

Looking at the Alabama Theater from one of the offices in the Lyric building.

Looking up at the Alabama's sign from the sidewalk.

Stay tuned there's more pics to come.

Animal Krackers!

Got a few shots of my Dog and Cat that I kinda like. Sorry I haven't posted much here lately, but I've been pretty tired since the Bastard Bash. I'll post more often fro a little while at least.

One of my favorite pictures of my Best Buddy Merlin. He wants to go to sleep, but is afraid he'll miss something.

Ginger rarely sits in anyone's lap. SOMETIMES she'll sit like this with Caitlin, but for some reason she decided my Wife Allison's lap was sudden;y worthy and jumped right up. Gotta wonder what goes on in their heads sometimes.

Playing with camera settings and took this one. Nothing special, I just kinda like it.

Close up of Ginger in Allison's lap.

When Merlin finally started to close his eyes.

BAAM 2011 (Birmingham Arts & Music Festival)

Ryan and Lee Anna were invited back to town to play this festival so of course you know that means I had to go. I'm glad I did we had a great time Saturday night. The kids put on a great show and after they played we saw a little of a great Blues singer (pics didn't come out) and then got to see a little of one of Ryan & Lee Anna's old bandmates play with his new band. Remember to support local music and get out to the shows whenever you can!

Ryan tuning his guitar while Lee Anna rests her poor little leg before the show. This is one of my favorite pics I've ever taken.

Ryan playing some truly interesting music for one of the new songs they've recently written.

Lee Anna playing. I hated using the flash during the show, but the room was really dark. I DID figure out that I can adjust the intensity of the flash on my camera and it helped a lot.

Waiting his turn to play again.

I could listen to her sing the phonebook!

Caught em' looking at each other for once.

They had a pretty good crowd, especially compared to the folks who came for the bands before and after.

Patrick played on Lee Anna's last EP. He decided to stay here when they moved to Nashville and now fronts his band Miss Information Age. Very interesting show and the band has some damn good musicians in it. Her is Patrick playing in front of the Alps (The show was in the German Club).

Cousin It jams with the band.

Garden Party At My Mother-In-Laws

A week ago my Mother-In-Law Jane had a Garden Party to show off her beautiful garden and all the flowers blooming in it. I took advantage of the opportunity to take some shots of the flowers just to see what I could do. Hope ya like em....

I was standing in the bamboo thicket looking up at a dead tree. I like how the bamboo is out of focus while the dead tree is pretty sharp.

Some red flowers ;-)

From another angle.

This plant was pretty cool. It has the big huge leaves, but puts out this very small delicate flower. I really thought this was neat and really reflects life in general. We're surrounded by big leaves, with little pockets of color and beauty just to spice it up.

I just liked the colors in this one.

I have been playing with depth of field stuff and am pretty pleased with how this one came out.

Love the brightness of this one.

Who doesn't like a picture of the garden cat ;-)

Trigger Hippy, Birmingham, AL July 20, 2011

Trigger Hippy is basically a new "all-star" band working out of Nashville. Allison and I wanted to see them because we are Joan Osborne fans and she is their singer. It turns out that we're fans of the whole damn band now ;-) The bands consists of  Audley Freed, Steve Gorman, Nick Govrik, Jackie Greene, and  Joan Osborne and everyone of these folks are incredible musicians. Check out the links and if you can listen to their music you WILL be impressed. Now on to the pics!

Joan Osborne doing what she does best.

Audley Freed playin' that Les Paul1

Jackie Greene is a great all around musician.

Jackie Greene again.

Joan wore her glasses a lot because the band is so new she had cheat sheets with the lyrics up on stage with her. Us older folks need our glasses.

Jackie getting into it.

Audley wailing away!

Zoomed in on those magic fingers.

Joan and Jackie.

Joan is feeling it in this one.

Like a songbird....

This man is incredible!

The show was great and if you get a chance to see then I highly recommend it!