The 27th annual Magic City Art Connection takes place Friday through Sunday in Linn Park downtown. We’re featuring 15 randomly selected Alabama artists out of the 200 or so expected to attend.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Update April 23: The event is canceled for Saturday because of inclement weather, but will resume Sunday.

Painting

Ron Lewis

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Ronald Lewis Art Gallery
• Bio: Since graduating from the University of Montevallo, Ronald Lewis has won over 95 awards for his paintings in oil, watercolor and acrylic.

“Night Rider,” Ron Lewis

Jewelry

Kelly Olshan

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Kelly Olshan Designs
• Bio: Kelly Olshan is a visual arts student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and makes jewelry on the side.

Bracelets, Kelly Olshan

Mixed media, 2D

Tracy McKay

• City: Pleasant Grove
• Site: Tracy McKay
• Bio: A mutt, athlete, self taught artist and poet using roofing paper, found objects and whatever house paints and stains that are available. I have a loose idea of what I want to paint, I trust on an impulsive process layering paint and dragging my knife and fingers around the shapes.

“Land of the Midnight Sun,” Tracy McKay

Photography

Michael Mixon

• City: Alabaster
• Site: Hanging Around Hoover
• Bio: Since opening Hanging Around Hoover. I must say that this business has been one of the most rewarding endeavors I’ve ever taken.

Photo, Michael Mixon

Clay

Jason Anderson

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Jason Anderson Ceramics

Red raku-fired vessel, Jason Anderson

Metal

Robert Taylor

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Southern Artistry
• Bio: My first experience with metal working came in 1986 when I became a member of the Alabama Forge Council. The council meetings and conferences allowed me the opportunity to learn by working hands-on alongside domestic and international master smiths.

“Cahaba Lily,” Robert Taylor

Fiber

Terry Martin

• City: Birmingham

Scarves, Terry Martin

Sculpture

Jinx Bentley

• City: Odenville
• Site: Trash Dog Sculptures
• Bio: Jinx likes to surprise people. A creative sculptor, she is an extremely passionate and self-motivated artist exploding with fresh new ideas.

“Benji,” Jinx Bentley

Glass

Jeff and Jaky Felix

• City: Titus
• Site: Joyful Imagination

Fish, Jeff and Jaky Felix

Wood

Carl Smith

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Nature’s Art by Carl
• Bio: In 1979, I started with driftwood and discovered that there weren’t many places to find it in my area. In my quest to find driftwood, I began to notice pieces of decaying wood with strikingly odd shapes. I began to venture into wooded areas in search of a variety of woods, such as oak, walnut, cedar and wisteria vines.

“Miriam the Dancer,” Carl Smith

Mixed media, 3D

Frank Ledbetter

• City: Theodore
  Site: Artistic Metal Creations
• Bio: Metal artist Frank Ledbetter creates functional metal art using stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum. Because his dad always had a metal shop in the back yard, he grew up around steel fabrication and welding.

Seahorse pedestal sink, Frank Ledbetter

Watercolor

Richard Russell

• City: Birmingham
  Site: All Things Gallery
• Bio: Having sold over 1,000 Russell original paintings, this artist got started in several upper end New York galleries.

“Temple Emanu-El,” Richard Russell

Drawing

Rob Clifton

• City: Hoover
• Bio: Most of what I draw looks like something that you would see from a wild dream, and that is because many of my ideas come to me during sleep. In my drawings I try to depict stories, as well as ideas. My primary instruments are ink pens, and I use a variety of sizes.

Drawing, Rob Clifton

Computer generated

Binx Newton

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Binx Newton

“Birmingham Street Fountains,” Binx Newton

Printmaking

Ashley Lindsey

• City: Birmingham
• Site: Ashley Lindsey
• Bio: Through printmaking, I have a connective methodology. My first artistic love is drawing, preferably with colored pencils, since color has multicultural meaning.

“Blue,” Ashley Lindsey

Also:

• Corks and Chefs features 16 chefs on Saturday and Sunday. $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Video: “Eleanor Rigby,” by Classical Mystery Tour

It’s no longer pops in the park for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. In May and June, the concerts move indoors to downtown’s Alabama Theatre.

The symphony’s summer series had previously been in outdoor locations such as Southside’s Caldwell Park and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Symphony spokeswoman Marie Sutton said via e-mail, “Last year, weather was an issue for a couple of concerts. Indoors guarantees no weather issues.”

The Protective Life Corporation Summer Concert Series will continue to be a 4-week event, kicking off Memorial Day weekend.

• May 28 | Classical Mystery Tour: Beatles tribute band who previously played with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Christopher Confessore conducts. $35-$50.
• June 3 | Act of Congress, Three on a String: Two well-known Birmingham acoustic bands. $15-$30.
• June 4 | Country’s Hit Makers: Behind The Hits: Top Nashville top singer-songwriters Brett James and Hillary Lindsey, who wrote “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Blessed.” $15-$30.
• June 18 | The Music of Michael Jackson: Spans three decades of hits from “ABC” to “You Rock My World.” Brent Havens conducts. $35-$50.

All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling (205) 251-7727.

Also: Symphony’s annual fund-raiser, Decorators’ Showhouse, features 49-room former home of Richard Scrushy.

Video: “Sin Bound Train,” by Three on a String

Video: “Take on Me,” by Act of Congress

Video: “If God Is Love,” by Hillary Lindsey and Brett James

Video: “You Rock My World,” by Michael Jackson

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 9 recap

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From the desk of J.T.:
‘Destroy this right when you finish reading!’

Oh, hell no!

They did not just do that. They. Did. Not. Just. Do. That.

The Heroes aren’t losing to the Villains; they’re losing to their own worst instincts. And leading the way is Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr.

Whether it’s “Survivor” history or “Survivor” infamy remains to be seen, but the Heroes embarked on a daring and likely foolhardy plan tonight.

Who found an idol? Who kept in their (under)pants? And who might have just handed over $1 million? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 9 preview

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Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
Are the Heroes about to make the boldest move,
or simply the dumbest?

The Heroes are on a roll with four consecutive wins on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.” They may just make it to the merge on even footing with the Villains. In fact, it would take something really stupid on their part to throw away that momentum.

Enter J.T.

It appears Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. has a plan. A big plan. Because the Heroes see Russell Hantz alone on a tribe of female Villains, they suspect a women’s alliance is about to send him packing. Maybe the Heroes could flip the game by handing Russell their hidden immunity idol.

Newly risen Darth Vader says, “No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!”

Will J.T. convince his teammates? And will it be the best, or worst, move in “Survivor” history?

Episode 8 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• The Birmingham News
• Host Jeff Probst: “J.T. has some major recovering to do because he flat out got busted and it didn’t go over well with the rest of the tribe that he went looking for the idol without telling anybody.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 8 recap

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The Heroes are on a roll. They get a little food, win a little immunity, and suddenly, they think they’re kings, damn ass hell kings.

After all, the Villains lost only one member. Who led them. And kept them unified. And helped them dominate at challenges.

On “Survivor,” a little momentum can go a long way.

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. wonders if having a secret immunity idol might not be a bad thing. And the Villains, well, “Coach” Ben Wade is upset. Sandra Diaz-Twine is pissed. Jerri Manthey is disgruntled. Russell Hantz is … wishy-washy?!

Who packed up camp? Who went on an idol hunt? And who outfoxed Russell? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 8 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
The Villains are out for blood. Each other’s.

Looks like the Heroes have the big M on their side. That would be momentum.

But with 12 contestants left, the Villains might have a big M on their side, too. Merge.

We’ll know tonight on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. looks to be sitting pretty, since his tribe has a couple of victories to keep their morale up. Plus, the Villains seem to be in a tizzy after last week’s ouster of leader “Boston Rob” Mariano.

Can the Heroes continue their winning ways? Has Russell Hantz of the Villains made himself the leader, or simply the next target?

Episode 7 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• (Mobile) Press-Register
• Host Jeff Probst: “Russell vs. Boston Rob will go down as one of the greatest battles of all time. I want them back. Now.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

Scene from “The Dhamma Brothers”

A western Jefferson County prison dabbles in Buddhism. That’s the setup for the compelling documentary, “The Dhamma Brothers,” airing at 9 tonight on Alabama Public Television.

The film screened at the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in 2008; see the trailer and our review.

From our review:

It boils down to men sitting on cushions, utterly silent for 10 days. This potentially dull setup makes for an ultimately engaging story. I’m sure this movie will win an award or two at Sidewalk, and will likely be the best one you see all weekend.

It airs following a new 2-hour documentary called “The Buddha.”

“The Dhamma Brothers” repeats at 1 a.m. Thursday and 5 a.m. Monday on APT. It also repeats on APT’s digital channel 10-2 at 9 p.m. May 2 and 12:30 a.m. May 3.

Date, location, lineup to be announced

Lilith Fair is headed for Birmingham. The tour stop is among 36 cities announced for the summer/fall tour through Canada and the United States.

The traveling music festival features a nearly all-female lineup, including Birmingham native Emmylou Harris. Other announced artists include Sarah McLachlan, Brandi Carlile, The Go-Go’s, Erykah Badu, Sugarland, Ingrid Michaelson, Kelly Clarkson, Ke$ha, Loretta Lynn, Norah Jones and Jill Scott. No word on who will perform in Birmingham, other than McLachlan.

Our best estimate places the Birmingham date in September. The likely venue would be the Verizon Wireless Music Center, given that Live Nation is producing the tour and owns the amphitheater.

Ticket prices for other cities range from $45 to $260.

The festival previously toured from 1997 to 1999, but the 2010 tour marks its first visit to Birmingham. Other nearby stops include Atlanta and Nashville.

Update April 11: Lilith Fair will take place at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. Tickets, $41 to $282, go on sale Saturday through Ticketmaster. No lineup has been announced.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 7 recap

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What fools these Survivors be.

The April Fools’ Day edition of “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” has little in the way of pranks, misdirection or jokes. Instead, we see our Hero underdogs fight to stay alive, and our Villains sharpen their knives.

James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. of Mobile looks to bond these last five Heroes together, or face oblivion. Meanwhile, the Villains continue their infighting between alpha males Russell Hantz and “Boston Rob” Mariano.

Who got his groove back? Which power couple struggled with each other? And which fool fooled another fool? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 7 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
Will Colby ever be a Hero?
Is the Boston Rob-Russell catfight headed for a smooch?

The good news? The Villains sent someone home last week. The bad news? The Heroes did, too.

James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. of Mobile is on a tribe of five. Will that be enough to make a stand against the dominant Villain tribe on “Survivor”?

And has Russell Hantz run out of tricks after his bold idol blindside last week? Can “Boston Rob” Mariano finally oust his rival?

Plus, bonus videos.

Video: The Villains cast their votes last week.

Video: The Heroes cast their votes last week.

Video: J.T. discusses the opportunity
to observe the Villains during Tribal Council.

Episode 6 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• Birmingham News
• Host Jeff Probst: “It was one of the craziest things I’d ever seen: James trying to out run J.T. with a splint on his leg.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on CBS 42. Full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

Alan Hunter, Tony Ruffino receive awards

Eddie Levert performs at the
Alabama Music Hall of Fame concert.

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame inducted its newest members Thursday, including Eddie Levert, lead singer of the O’Jays. The Bessemer musician was among the class of 2009, including the Blind Boys of Alabama and state senator Bobby Denton.

Birmingham’s Alan Hunter and Tony Ruffino won awards from the organization. Hunter, one of the original MTV veejays and the co-owner of WorkPlay, won the media award. Ruffino, concert promoter and former co-owner of New Era Productions, won the Sam Phillips Innovator Award.

Also: “Alabama Music Hall of Fame to induct Blind Boys, Eddie Levert, five others”

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 6 recap

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

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Video: Colby reveals J.T.’s confession to him.

It’s a “Survivor” spring clearance! Everyone must go!

Or that’s how it seems: Just as one Tribal Council is over on Night 14, the tribes meet up for a double elimination the next night.

James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. of Mobile seems to be stuck on a dead-end tribe, but can he stick around long enough for the merge?

Who learns banana etiquette? Who’s up for a blindside? Find out, after the jump …

(more…)

Video: North Carolina advances to NIT semifinals over UAB.

Basketball season has ended for the state of Alabama. UAB lost its quarterfinal match to the defending national champion, North Carolina, 60-55. The Blazers ended the season Tuesday with a 25-9 record in front of a sellout crowd at home.

Birmingham News: Game summary

Also:

• UAB advances in NIT, takes on North Carolina Tuesday
• UAB men, Samford women advance in NIT
• UAB, Troy headed for NIT

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains,’ episode 6 preview

survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com

Video: Preview for tonight’s episode.
Two-for-one special on a Wednesday “Survivor”!

After almost 2 weeks, “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” has returned with a vengeance. One hour, two eliminations. Who’s going home?

Mobile’s James “J.T.” Thomas Jr. seems to be calling the shots without fear that either side of the Heroes tribe will turn on him. But could his ally James Clement and his bum knee be headed for disaster?

The Villains, led by “Boston Rob” Mariano, appear to be gunning for Russell Hantz. Will he need to play the immunity idol to save his hide?

Plus, a bonus video.

Video: Jeff Probst answers fans’ questions.

Episode 5 recaps:

• Wade on Birmingham
• Host Jeff Probst: Heroes’ vote? “Let’s call this one THE DUMBEST DECISION YET.”

“Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains ” airs at 7 tonight on CBS 42, but usually airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Full recap tonight following the show.

• • •

Back up for grabs … more “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” at survivor.wadeonbirmingham.com.

The original Five Points Music Hall made it 8 years. The new one didn’t make it 8 months.

Wade on Birmingham has learned that a Five Points Music Hall manager or owner has cleared out its tables and alcohol Tuesday night from its Southside location. No word as to what happened or what’s next for the space. The Web site lists shows for this weekend and April.

Five Points Music Hall re-opened in July, after the previous tenant Banana Joe’s closed in 2008 following a double homicide in the club’s parking lot.

Also:

• Bhamwiki article
• Ona’s Music Room moving from Southside to Pepper Place following Saturday show

Hat tip and photo credit: Eric McGinty of Birmingham band Avery Ellis Exhibits.