Community Calendar

The USA Trombone Choir will perform their Fall Concert on Thursday, October 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. The Trombone Choir is directed by USA faculty Dr. Chase West.

Death Takes a Holiday opens Halloween at CCT

What if Death got tired of being despised? What if he masqueraded as a man? And what if he fell in love? The lovely musical Death Takes a Holiday may answer these questions. And what better day to open such a show than Halloween?

Death Takes a Holiday, by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan, with lyrics and music by Maury Yeston, opens October 31 and runs through November 10 at Chickasaw Civic Theatre.

The story originated in a 1924 Italian play, later translated into English, then revamped for the famed 1934 movie with Fredric March, and then revised once again as Meet Joe Black in 1998. Stone and Yeston, who collaborated on the magnificent musical Titanic (produced at CCT in the old theatre and again in the current theatre in 2012) began working on the smaller-scale Death Takes a Holiday almost immediately. Yeston’s music for this show has been likened to that of Jerome Kern—lush, lilting, and operetta-like.

Shadoe Valentin is directing the CCT production. He’s new to CCT, but well-known in the Mobile area theatre community because of his work at University of Mobile. Laura Thomason is music director, and Heidi Lemon is choreographer.

Jake Thomason appears as Prince Nikolai (and Death) and Carmen Murray as Grazia, the woman who charms him.
Also in the cast are Michael Devery, Lisa Hellman, Steve Alsip, Trish Keller, David Peeler, Wes Megginson, Caleb McKell, Katarina DeMoncrieff, Holly Moore, Adam Meshejian, Hannah Mansfield, and Rhonda Ray.

“Death Takes a Holiday is a profound exploration of what makes life truly worth living,” comments Valentin. “It’s a reminder that the simplest moments—feeling the soft petals of a rose against your skin, sensing the tickle in your ear from listening to great music, or experiencing the magic of a love’s first kiss—are the experiences that give life its richness and meaning. But at its core, this story is about love’s triumph over death. It shows us that while life is fleeting, the power of love endures beyond time and even death itself. With its luscious score, familiar characters, and unforgettable story, this show will grip your heart and leave you reflecting long after the curtain closes. It’s a celebration of life, love, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. Come discover why life’s a joy as you join us on this extraordinary journey!”

SHOP LOCAL, SAVE BIG, and SUPPORT THE ARTS with Mobile Ballet's new Nutcracker Savings Card!

Get your Nutcracker Savings Card online now with a $50 donation to Mobile Ballet, and unlock exclusive 20% discounts at select Mobile Bay area retailers from October 25 through November 3... just in time for early holiday shopping!

The Nutcracker Savings Card program is Mobile Ballet's exciting new fundraiser, with the perfect blend of holiday spirit and community support! Proceeds from card sales will benefit Mobile Ballet, supporting our outstanding public performances, community outreach programs, and scholarships for young dancers.

This program is a collaborative effort between Mobile Ballet and over 50 local retail partners throughout Mobile County and the Eastern Shore.

You can easily save hundreds of dollars on your holiday shopping, all while directly supporting local businesses and the arts in your community! Discounts are valid at participating retailers during the program dates from October 25 through November 3, subject to individual retailer restrictions.

Don't miss this opportunity to save big and give back this holiday season!

Here's how it works:

1 - Get your card for $50 at www.mobileballet.org
2 - Receive your Nutcracker Savings Card via email
3 - Shop in stores October 25 to November 3 and present your card before checkout
4 - Enjoy exclusive 20% discounts at over 50 local retailers
5 - Feel great about saving money and making a difference in your community!

Visit www.mobileballet.org to view the list of participating retailers, purchase your card, and start planning your holiday shopping!

The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host “Gary Chapman: NOIR” in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center Oct. 4 - Nov. 21, 2024. Featuring works by Gary Chapman, Artist/Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the exhibit will open on Oct. 4th at 5 p.m. during the free First Friday Art Walk in downtown Tuscaloosa. Gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is free.
The exhibit will be composed of ten pieces from “NOIR: The Series” and five works from “The Firmament: Falling, Floating, Flying.”

The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will host Gary Chapman: “NOIR” in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center Oct. 4 - Nov. 21, 2024. Featuring works by Gary Chapman, Artist/Professor of Painting and Drawing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the exhibit will open on Oct. 4th at 5 p.m. during the free First Friday Art Walk in downtown Tuscaloosa. Gallery hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and admission is free.
The exhibit will be composed of ten pieces from “NOIR: The Series” and five works from “The Firmament: Falling, Floating, Flying.”

The Porch: A Night of Intercession is an event centered around collective prayer and spiritual intercession, with the call to action being "Rise, Remnant, Rise." It aims to unite a group of faithful believers to intercede on behalf of their community, lifting up prayers for transformation, healing, and breakthrough. Inspired by Joel 2:16-17, which urges God's people to come together and cry out for His mercy, this event seeks to raise a remnant—a group of devoted intercessors who will pray fervently for divine intervention.

Participants are encouraged to engage actively in the prayers rather than merely observe, making the event highly interactive and spiritually immersive.

Attire: Casual

Feel free to bring throw blankets, pillows, or anything you need to be comfortable. If you have a tallit, you're welcome to bring that as well!

Death Takes a Holiday opens Halloween at CCT

What if Death got tired of being despised? What if he masqueraded as a man? And what if he fell in love? The lovely musical Death Takes a Holiday may answer these questions. And what better day to open such a show than Halloween?

Death Takes a Holiday, by Peter Stone and Thomas Meehan, with lyrics and music by Maury Yeston, opens October 31 and runs through November 10 at Chickasaw Civic Theatre.

The story originated in a 1924 Italian play, later translated into English, then revamped for the famed 1934 movie with Fredric March, and then revised once again as Meet Joe Black in 1998. Stone and Yeston, who collaborated on the magnificent musical Titanic (produced at CCT in the old theatre and again in the current theatre in 2012) began working on the smaller-scale Death Takes a Holiday almost immediately. Yeston’s music for this show has been likened to that of Jerome Kern—lush, lilting, and operetta-like.

Shadoe Valentin is directing the CCT production. He’s new to CCT, but well-known in the Mobile area theatre community because of his work at University of Mobile. Laura Thomason is music director, and Heidi Lemon is choreographer.

Jake Thomason appears as Prince Nikolai (and Death) and Carmen Murray as Grazia, the woman who charms him.
Also in the cast are Michael Devery, Lisa Hellman, Steve Alsip, Trish Keller, David Peeler, Wes Megginson, Caleb McKell, Katarina DeMoncrieff, Holly Moore, Adam Meshejian, Hannah Mansfield, and Rhonda Ray.

“Death Takes a Holiday is a profound exploration of what makes life truly worth living,” comments Valentin. “It’s a reminder that the simplest moments—feeling the soft petals of a rose against your skin, sensing the tickle in your ear from listening to great music, or experiencing the magic of a love’s first kiss—are the experiences that give life its richness and meaning. But at its core, this story is about love’s triumph over death. It shows us that while life is fleeting, the power of love endures beyond time and even death itself. With its luscious score, familiar characters, and unforgettable story, this show will grip your heart and leave you reflecting long after the curtain closes. It’s a celebration of life, love, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. Come discover why life’s a joy as you join us on this extraordinary journey!”

Rojo is now open again late night on Friday and Saturday nights!  Our bar stays open until midnight or later on these nights.  Special $8 secret cocktail available too!  Our kitchen closes at 10pm, so be sure to get your order in by then and eat late!  Call us if you ever want a late-night party on the weekend.

SHOP LOCAL, SAVE BIG, and SUPPORT THE ARTS with Mobile Ballet's new Nutcracker Savings Card!

Get your Nutcracker Savings Card online now with a $50 donation to Mobile Ballet, and unlock exclusive 20% discounts at select Mobile Bay area retailers from October 25 through November 3... just in time for early holiday shopping!

The Nutcracker Savings Card program is Mobile Ballet's exciting new fundraiser, with the perfect blend of holiday spirit and community support! Proceeds from card sales will benefit Mobile Ballet, supporting our outstanding public performances, community outreach programs, and scholarships for young dancers.

This program is a collaborative effort between Mobile Ballet and over 50 local retail partners throughout Mobile County and the Eastern Shore.

You can easily save hundreds of dollars on your holiday shopping, all while directly supporting local businesses and the arts in your community! Discounts are valid at participating retailers during the program dates from October 25 through November 3, subject to individual retailer restrictions.

Don't miss this opportunity to save big and give back this holiday season!

Here's how it works:

1 - Get your card for $50 at www.mobileballet.org
2 - Receive your Nutcracker Savings Card via email
3 - Shop in stores October 25 to November 3 and present your card before checkout
4 - Enjoy exclusive 20% discounts at over 50 local retailers
5 - Feel great about saving money and making a difference in your community!

Visit www.mobileballet.org to view the list of participating retailers, purchase your card, and start planning your holiday shopping!

Enjoy the satisfaction of making functional art by hand!

In this 6-week ceramic hand-building class you will learn the fundamentals of creating functional ceramic pieces using high-fire ceramic clay and food-safe glazes. Perfect for beginners and open to all skill levels, this workshop will guide you through hand-building and surface decoration techniques to create pieces that you can use every day. No prior experience is necessary—just come ready to explore and create!

This class is taught by Cheryl Lewis, who earned a Master of Arts in Art Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Art from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.