Birmingham Magazine shows off the pretty, pretty people

Each June, Birmingham Magazine singles out the fairest of them all, the city’s “Beautiful People.” You can find them all in this slideshow, or on the newsstand this month.

Ogle them, rate them, rank them.

At least one blogger has already done so:

“There is hardly any criteria to being birmingham’s most beautiful person. These ppl have normal jobs for the most part, and are semi-attractive according to the pictures. So what? Why is a magazine going to set themselves up for complete criticism by putting the word beautiful on the cover and then not deliver….AT ALL!”

So, are they Birmingham’s prettiest? Or somewhat plainest?

City Stages 2008, the historic 20th edition, has wrapped. We’ll know in a week whether or not it lost money, broke even or turned a profit to help erase its persistent debt.

Not having been since 2006, I was glad to check out the familiar sights and sounds. Not much has changed, and for those who like the feel of the downtown event, that should be of great comfort. For those who crave even modest improvement, that news is downright disheartening.

(more…)

Still don’t know which movies you want to see yet? We can help.

Check out the updated 2008 Ultimate Summer Movie Guide, with dozens of free or cheap flicks throughout the season.

In addition, we’ve added complete lists by

• alphabetical order
• date order

so you can quickly find the right movie at the right time and place.

In addition, you can see video previews of just about every movie listed, along with links to buy or rent them, if you happen to miss them here in town.

See you at the show!

The big 2-0. Yes, City Stages 2008 launches its 20th edition on Friday. (Oh, how we miss the tongue-twisting title sponsor …) In honor of this milestone, we present our best of the fest playlist.

Look for artists from every stage and every style. Enjoy the sonic diversity of these 20 tracks, even if you can’t make it this weekend.

One’s a freebie, the rest will run you about $20 on iTunes.

The songs in detail, after the jump …

(more…)

Time to go to the movies. But not just the standard Hollywood fare at the multiplex.

Welcome to the 2008 Ultimate Summer Movie Guide, with more than 60 movies in over a dozen venues. And most of them are free — some even have free food and drink.

It’s a comprehensive look at all films in all places around Birmingham. So thank you, and enjoy the movie.

Updated with full alphabetical and chronological lists …

(more…)

‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ live recap, episode 16 (season finale)

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny and Wade

Roger Shultz of Enterprise takes his last last weigh-in. Can he make it to the final three of “The Biggest Loser”? And will he win the $250,000 grand prize?

The live recap of the live two-hour finale — plus details on where you can meet him in person this weekend — after the jump …

(more…)

‘Biggest Loser’ player Roger Shultz reveals all before finale

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

Trainer Bob Harper, left, and Roger Shultz

He may be better known these days, at least by the ladies, as a record-breaking competitor on “The Biggest Loser” than as a linebacker for the Crimson Tide. But Roger Shultz owes it to an intense focus on weekly weigh-ins on the NBC reality competition.

The season concludes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, where the Enterprise native could win $250,000 during the live broadcast.

Shultz talked by phone about his experiences, his chance of being chosen for the final three, and being identified by his missing tooth.

• I have to know: Was chef Rocco DiSpirito’s pepper steak really as good as your mama’s?

It was pretty good. It was different. He added peppers at first thinking it would be a Chinese dish. (laughs)

• Did you ever think you would make it to the final four?

Realistically, no. All I thought was, stay above the yellow line and good things will happen. I took it one week at the time. And then, things happened like (the final twist where America votes).

• That final weigh-in was intense …

You should’ve been there with me! But it was still exciting-losing the most weight of anyone on campus. It was the first time I focused in on a number and really fine-tuned my diet and workouts to reach it for the final weigh-in.

Unfortunately, that was a motivator for everyone.

(more…)

‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ recap, episode 15

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

It’s the last episode of “The Biggest Loser” before the live two-hour finale, and only two spots are guaranteed. Will the boys in blue, including Roger Shultz of Enterprise, earn a chance at the $250,000?

Remember, it’s a singing competition, not a popularity contest, after the jump …

(more…)

The words of Harper Lee live on.

Since January, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative has pushed reading in a big way with Project Mockingbird. Everyone reads the same book, the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

(We still have our well-worn, beloved copy from ninth grade.)

The end draws near, but not without a few events to celebrate:

• Mary Badham, the Birmingham-born actress who played Scout in the film version, will speak from 7 to 9 tonight at the Hoover Library Theatre. Free, but reservation required (205-444-7820).
• The 10th annual author festival Alabama Bound will focus entirely on the book. In between the seminars will be performances by the Four Eagles Gospel Singers and Red Mountain. Free, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Central library.

Plus more chances to discuss the book and see the movie, all on the events calendar.

Shultz’s last hope rests in voters’ hands

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com

Alabama’s “Biggest Loser” contestant is one vote away from the finals.

America will decide if Roger Shultz of Enterprise or Mark Kruger of Boston will compete for the $250,000 grand prize.

In last night’s episode, both Shultz and Kruger lost more than 10 pounds each during the final week in California. In fact, Shultz broke the show’s record for most weight lost on campus, having lost a total of 144 pounds, weighing in at 219.

But even that wasn’t enough against the one-two punch of underdogs Kelly Fields and Ali Vincent. The women have already earned their spots in the finals, leaving one slot to be decided by Internet vote.

Shultz’s campaign video

Visit the show’s site to enter. Each voter can cast up to 100 ballots. Polls close at 9 p.m. Thursday.

The live two-hour finale of “The Biggest Loser: Couples” takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday on NBC 13.

Also:

• Last week’s recap
• Coming soon: A one-on-one interview with Roger Shultz
• Coming soon: All the highlights from this week’s episode

• • •

Shape up: more “Biggest Loser” at biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com.

‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ recap, episode 14

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

Previously on “Survivor,” Tyra took the girls to Sydney for shoots and go-sees while fear was not a factor for one player. But which team arrived first at the Pit Stop? Find out this week on “A Baby Story.”

(Even reality shows do mashups, as we see on this week’s “Biggest Loser.” Plus, Enterprise’s Roger Shultz receives his first passport stamp.)

More Franken-reality, after the jump …

(more…)

Diana Ross, Flaming Lips set to headline

Ten weeks and counting until the 20th anniversary edition of City Stages. Organizers have announced the first round of acts performing on Father’s Day weekend (June 13-15) in downtown Birmingham, including:

• Diana Ross
• The Flaming Lips
• Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
• Buddy Guy
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Roots
• Citizen Cope
• Sean Kingston
• Galactic
• Will Hoge

Three-day passes go on sale Friday through Ticketma$ter for $37.50 ($45 and $50 closer to the event dates).

What do you think of the lineup? How does it compare to the Crawfish Boil or Bonnaroo? (Same booking agents as Bonnaroo, but also same restrictions on artist exclusivity.) Is it better than the 2007 lineup? Tell us in the comments.

Plus, video previews after the jump …

(more…)

‘The Biggest Loser: Couples’ recap, episode 13

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com
By Ginny

A piece of chocolate cake changes “The Biggest Loser” game. In the sense that the last episode did not include a piece of chocolate cake, and this ones does. Does Roger Shultz of Enterprise take the cake?

In a contest of pointless twists, this one may be the pointlessest. Still, it turned out to be a pretty good week.

Find out why we’re not frosted, after the jump …

(more…)

Roger loses Jax State job

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com

Enterprise’s Roger Shultz has shed more than 100 pounds so far on “The Biggest Loser,” but now he’s shed even more: his job with the Gamecocks.

The former Alabama lineman had served as associate athletics director at Jacksonville State University, but was fired after a nearly six-month absence while in California on the show. He remains in the running for the $250,000 grand prize, to be awarded on the live finale April 15.

He says he might open a gym in Birmingham with his former teammate and TV partner Trent Patterson, one that emphasizes a monthlong approach to fitness. Performa district, anyone?

Plus, he still has “In the Trenches,” his weekly radio show with Stan White in the fall. Oh, and a longer lifespan, blah blah blah.

• • •

Shape up: more “Biggest Loser” at biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com.

The good news is that Birmingham Shout is still around for a third year, providing films with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. The bad news is that it’s down to five movies and a short (as opposed to 16 films in 2007), moving up to March instead of April.

Info

• Film schedule: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. S. [map]
• Tickets: $7 per film, $5 for students and members. All-day pass for $17, $15 for students and members.
• For more info, visit the official site or call (205) 324-0888.
• MySpace profile

Previews after the jump …

(more…)