A Year in Review…..

I know that EVERYONE does ‘year in review’ articles, blogs, etc., at this time of year, but I find it particularly fitting as this New Year’s Day marks a lot of big changes in my life: my first year in Birmingham, my first year out of grad school, my first year working at the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, and my first year as an avid event attendee. Here are the events and Birmingham happenings that I won’t be missing in 2009:

Magic City Art Connection (April)

This festival in Linn Park is great because it can serve as a lunch break distraction on Friday, or an all day exploration on Saturday with friends. I love festivals, art, food, and friends, and this mixes all of those passions brilliantly.

Birmingham Barons Games (April- August)

When I imagine my Spring and Summer of 2008, I automatically think of the Birmingham Barons Games and Thirsty Thursdays. Beer, friends, pretzels and spring air—how can one go wrong?

Do Dah Day (May)

While I do not have a dog, I love this May celebration because I can vicariously be a dog owner while listening to good music in Highland Park.

City Stages (June)

I was exposed to some of my favorite musical acts at City Stages 2008, both old and new. From Marc Broussard (whom I have loved since 2002) to Ingrid Michaelson (a new favorite), this festival is known for attracting the newest and hottest talent about to trail blaze the music industry.

YP Expo(June)

While it may be a shameless plug, I genuinely enjoyed getting to see so many young professionals in one place getting involved and having a good time at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Seven hundred YPs attended the 2008 Expo—what will next year bring?

Holiday Parties (December)

While the holidays can be hectic, I think that it is genuinely beneficial to attend as many December socials as possible. Beginning my job in the 2007 holiday season allowed me to meet and socialize with many peers I would work with professionally over the year, and in 2008, I found going to as many events as possible really got me into the holiday spirit.

Birmingham Magazine Events (Year Round)

The Birmingham Magazine throws the best parties celebrating their most anticipated issues—from Best Doctors, Best Lawyers, to the Go Green Event, the Birmingham Magazine knows how to have a good time!

Anything Carla Jean Whitley tells me to do (Year Round)

I have the benefit of having a co-worker and friend who knows more about Birmingham events and culture than I do. You can read her blog here, and check out her articles in every issue of The Birmingham Magazine.

Happy New Year! See you in 2009!

New Year's Rockin' Eve

While I am often a Holiday fanatic, New Year’s Eve is not my cup of tea. It seems no matter the planning, hard work, or high hopes one has for the evening; it is almost always a let down. From trying to get all your friends together, to not knowing the “New Years Eve” cover charges at your usual favorite spots, it’s just a hassle. All the same—if you are looking for fun activities to ring in 2009, here is a list of some events going on in the Magic City. Did I leave one off? Post it as a comment!

● Naughty New Years Eve, at the Downtown Birmingham Sheraton Hotel, promises to have five hours of open bar, a late night breakfast, 3 Rooms of Entertainment, 2 DJ’s and Birmingham’s biggest balloon drop with party favors. Tickets are $150-$200.
● The Alabama Symphony Orchestra New Year's Eve Concert at Alabama Theater, Birmingham, AL will feature Christopher Confessore. This one-night-only, sell-out event boasts an exciting program of Strauss Family waltzes complete with a champagne toast, holiday masks and the ever-popular balloon drop. Tickets are on sale at the door only.
● The Stardome will host “New Year's Eve W/ Hicks Gone Wild”. These comics are both from small towns in Tennessee where the word "hick" is nowhere close to being redneck. Tickets are $40 for the 7:30 p.m. show and for the $75 for the 9:45 p.m. show.
● The Hats and Horns Society will host their 7th annual event New Years Eve Party at B&A Warehouse. Proceeds will benefit The Bell Center, The Junior League of Birmingham/Dollywood Imagination Library and the Alabama Child Caring Foundation . Partygoers will enjoy a dinner buffet, a silent auction, an open bar with midnight champagne toast and music by Mother Mercy and Hashbrown. Dress code is cocktail Attire with black tie optional. Tickets are $100 in advance (online only) $150 at the door (if available).
● Trotline will be playing a New Year's Eve Show at Zydeco from 10:00 p.m. until 2 a.m.. Tickets are $15.00.
● The Nick will be featuring Heath Green, Jezebel Dogs and Little Blue Flame at 10:00 p.m Tickets are $8.00.
● New Year's Swingin' Eve Dance will be from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Pelham Civic Center, hosted by the Birmingham Swing Dancers. Featuring the Clay Swafford Band, admission to this swingin’ time is $40 per person
● Workplay will be hosting “A Special New Years Eve Celebration With Salsabor - Latin Dance Night.” Free dance lessons start at 9 p.m. and the dancing starts at 10 p.m.. Tickets are $25 and may only be purchased the night of show.
● The Rare Martini will be featuring both the band Five-O and a three course dinner for New Years Eve. Cover is $15 before 9 p.m. and $20 after 9 p.m.
● Speakeasy will be hosting The Spots. Cover is $15, which includes free champagne!

Everyone's on Facebook......

Even the Chamber! Get on board the social media bandwagon and become a fan of YPNOW.org and the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce on Facebook!

Become a fan of YPNOW.org HERE

Become a fan of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce HERE

Community Foundation

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham gathered leaders from across greater Birmingham on Nov. 19 at WorkPlay to share great ideas about what things to keep and what to change to make our community’s future even brighter. More than 100 visionary individuals wrote their ideas on cards or had the chance to use one of the available laptops to input their ideas on line at foundationbirmingham.org/imagine.

The event was full of energy and enthusiasm, thanks to great stories from Community Foundation Board Chair Eddie Friend and President Kate Nielsen about what extraordinary people have done and are still doing through the Community Foundation. As a leader in transforming our community, the Community Foundation recently helped to create more green space through the Three Parks Initiative and to strengthen Birmingham City Schools through Yes We Can! Birmingham. Brooke and Bob Battle told their own stories about why they are involved in building new resources to build a brighter future and what they imagine we can accomplish together.