Let’s start this little column with some hilarity: Tim James. As he creatively redefines xenophobia for an entire generation, many people are influenced by his incredible work through the visual medium of television and no doubt wonder aloud, “how can I, too, be a part of Alabama’s creative arts?” And although you might lack the theater know-how that an exclusive, private Baylor School education can provide to a privileged white son of an Alabama “business” “man,” you are no less privy to the cultural explosion going on all around the Gulf Coast. Let’s take a look at the goings-on of our community that don’t include oil cleanups and eviscerating European and Asian languages that predate our own.
With performance seasons having ended for the spring, it can be difficult to find a higher-brow cultural experience in and around Mobile with everything being so totally dunzo, but never fear, the tide of artistic endeavors marches forward. March forward with me:
The Mobile Opera is taking applications for its VIVACE! program. Designed to introduce opera to a new generation of audiences, it’s open to anyone ages 21 to 45 who is willing to fork over a modicum of money in exchange for a cultural program meant to give appreciation to the finer arts “with a twist” (whatever that means). It offers members discounts to various happenings, which is a plus, but also involves public performance for those who take part, which makes me want to drive off the Cochran-Africatown Bridge. But perhaps you have the singing bug, or are insane. Who knows? Anyway, it might be for you.
The Mobile Museum of Art’s ‘Shoot’n Southern’ exhibition continues apace, displaying the artwork of Southern female photographers past and present. Parallel to this are the Claudia DeMonte ‘Mapping Beauty’ exhibit, and Kate Clark’s ‘Give and Take,’ all running through mid-July. Admission is still ten bucks (or less, depending on if you can pass for a student with appropriate or at least appropriate-looking documentation), so it’s not like it will break your bank to spend an afternoon walking around and looking at the creative works of others.
The Joe Jefferson is putting on ‘Crimes Of The Heart’ right now, described as “warm-hearted, irreverent, zany and brilliantly imaginative, the play teems with humanity and humor as it examines the plight of three Hazlehurst, Mississippi sisters betrayed by their passions.” There’s more at the site, and I’d rather you spend time pouring over their descriptors as it seems they’ve put quite a bit of work into the production. It’s starts on the 14th and will continue from there at various stops until the 23rd, so work your schedule around it.
Speaking of local productions, the Chickasaw Civic Theatre is putting on ‘South Pacific,’ one of my absolute favorites (it’s so campy, I adore it), starting on the 21st. I don’t know if there will be shirtless men, but the poster does, in fact, have men without shirts. Whether this justifies a refund should this turn out to be false advertising, I just don’t know. You should contact David J. Maloney about that, I suppose.
Rounding out local productions, I must admit I’m remiss to give advertising to anything Florida-related (dreadful place, have you heard of it?), but the Pensacola Little Theatre is putting on an insane production on the 13th called ‘Southern Hospitality.’ There’s a character called Twink, and it seems to involve populist ideals and anti-Big Corporation ethos, so in the spirit of Tim James I recommend you get in touch with the little man. The little man named Twink.
Finally if you haven’t had the chance, go on over to the Mobile Opera’s website and fill out their Mobile Opera Audience Survey so they can know the how-what of those who frequent such establishments in our fair city. Please don’t be silly and skew the numbers on purpose, because that is terribly rude, even if it is hilarious.
Until next week, I’m going to enjoy a walk in the park and maybe a visit to the art museum. How ’bout you?
