Nov. 5, Support the Arts and Win a 2009 Smart Car from The Alys Stephens Center

Support the arts in Birmingham and win one of the smartest vehicles on the planet Nov. 5 when the Alys Stephens Center (ASC) will give away a 2009 smart® fortwo pure coupe worth nearly $14,000.

“Get smART, Support the Arts” is an Alys Stephens Center Junior Patrons’ two-month fundraising campaign to support ASC programs and art education initiatives. The “Get smART” campaign will culminate at a party when one lucky donor will become the new owner of their very own smart® fortwo, the most fuel efficient, non-hybrid vehicle on sale in the United States.

There are three ways to win the car: donate $50 to the ASC, join the ASC Junior Patrons (ASC-JPs) Sept. 17 or after, or purchase a ticket for $50 to the “Get smART” finale party set for Thursday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through the Alys Stephens Center Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. South, Birmingham, on the ASC Web site at www.AlysStephens.org, at any Birmingham-area RBC Bank branch and at Crown Automotive in Hoover.

The smart® car will be unveiled at the Alys Stephens Center’s interARTive patio party Thursday, Sept. 17. Then, join the fun as it speeds through Birmingham making stops at new locations each week. “Get smART” sponsor Mental Floss magazine has created a new Web site, www.wheresmysmartcar.com, which will feature clues about the car’s weekly location and prizes to be given away at each stop.

At the “Get smART” party, enjoy live music from one of Birmingham’s best bands, The White Oaks, and a blind beer tasting with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Buy an ASC Smart Mystery Box for $25. All boxes will contain prizes, and some will include big prizes including tickets to shows, dinner packages, weekend getaways and more.

To win the car, three finalists will be drawn at random from all entries to compete in a test of skill. The smart® car will be on display in the lobby. Click here for “Get smART” rules and regulations.

All aspects and events in association with the campaign will be engaged in “green” practices, including the use of environmentally-friendly products and local vendors to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. “Get smART, Support the Arts” is sponsored by Crown Automotive, RBC Bank, Mental Floss magazine, UAB, the ASC-JPs, Fox 6, smartwater and Commercial Printing.

About the Alys Stephens Center
Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama. For more information on all Alys Stephens Center events and programs, visit www.AlysStephens.org.

The Alys Stephens Center Presents New Show, "An Evening with Jewel, Solo Acoustic" Oct. 30

Acclaimed American singer/songwriter and poet Jewel has just been added to the new Alys Stephens Center (ASC) season lineup.

The Alys Stephens Center will present “An Evening with Jewel, Solo Acoustic,” at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 in the center at 1200 10th Ave. South. Singer-songwriter Meiko will open for Jewel. VIP tickets are $75. Performance tickets are $56, $46, $36 and $20 for students. Tickets go on sale to Alys Stephens Center subscribers and ASC Junior Patrons only on Tuesday, Aug. 18 and can be purchased by calling 205-975-2787. Tickets can be purchased online at www.AlysStephens.org, by calling 205-975-2787, at the ASC Box Office, and at Tickets.com.

Jewel’s personal odyssey, partly chronicled on one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, the 12-time platinum “Pieces of You,” comes full circle with her latest work “Lullaby.” The 15-track album, her first independent release, features 10 self-penned songs and a few standards, including “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”

It comes as no surprise that Jewel, a singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter of an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter, also finds herself in the embrace of country music these days. Jewel is set apart for singing and writing all of her songs, with hits like “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “You Were Meant for Me,” “Foolish Games” and “Stronger Woman.” She has received three Grammy Award nominations and has sold 27 million albums worldwide. The show is sponsored by WBHM, Viva Health and The Birmingham News.

About the Alys Stephens Center
Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of Theatre and Music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.

Alys Stephens Center "Arts In Action" Adds New Community Programs, More Great Events

This season the Alys Stephens Center’s “Arts in Action” Education and Outreach program will feature two new community partnerships in addition to the diverse array of free to low-cost performances, events and classes presented each year.

This year the Alys Stephens Center (ASC) will bring the new Robert Redus School of Guitar to a select group of students at Glen Iris Elementary School. Born from a vision of friends and family of the late Robert Clark Redus IV to spread his gift of music, this year-long program will offer six students the chance to study guitar with a university-level instructor. At the end of the school year, the students will have the chance to keep their guitars based on their commitment to lessons, practice, responsibility and volunteerism.

Also new this year is the ASC’s Make It Happen Performing Ensemble. Through a partnership with Make It Happen Theatre Company and Birmingham City Schools, the Alys Stephens Center invites high school students to audition this fall for this performance-based program. Selected students will attend weekly theater classes and rehearsals that will culminate in the Feb.14, 2010 ASC Kids’ Club performance “Extraordinary Americans Who Happen to Be …” which celebrates Black History Month. This performance will be researched, written and performed by the students, who also will get the opportunity to participate in the Arts in Action mentoring program.

For the third year, the Alys Stephens Center will present ASC Kids’ Club on the Road, an arts education program that can travel right to schools for free. Three shows with engaging, enlightening artists will be offered: Poets’ Corner Poetry Workshop with artist Sharrif Simmons for grades 5-12; No Fear Shakespeare with actor/director and educator Quinton Cockrell for grades 6-12; and The Watershed Workshop with singer-songwriter Charles Tortorici for grades 5-12. Availability is limited. For details call 205-934-0862 or visit www.alysstephens.org.

About “Arts in Action”
“Arts in Action” presents programs and events to enrich the lives of both students and adults. The program’s mission is to cultivate an appreciation for and understanding of the arts and make the performing arts accessible to everyone. Among the many branches of Arts in Action are master classes for small student groups who learn from experts in the field and meet the artist events for schools. The program also offers a mentoring program, the ASC Kids’ Club shows for families, innovative classes and enrichment activities for adults, free concert talks and drama workshops and summer camps. The program lower-cost tickets for students and children to selected performances as well as free buses to and from the center. Since its inception in 2002, more than 50,000 students have participated in Arts in Action events and programs.

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An Evening with Jewel, Solo Acoustic

The Alys Stephens Center Presents New Show, "An Evening with Jewel, Solo Acoustic" Oct. 30

Acclaimed American singer/songwriter and poet Jewel has just been added to the new Alys Stephens Center (ASC) season lineup.

The Alys Stephens Center will present “An Evening with Jewel, Solo Acoustic,” at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 in the center at 1200 10th Ave. South. VIP tickets are $75. Performance tickets are $56, $46, $36 and $20 for students. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.AlysStephens.org, by calling 205-975-2787 or at the ASC Box Office.
Jewel’s personal odyssey, partly chronicled on one of the best-selling debut albums of all time, the 12-time platinum “Pieces of You,” comes full circle with her latest work “Lullaby.” The 15-track album, her first independent release, features 10 self-penned songs and a few standards, including “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”

It comes as no surprise that Jewel, a singer, songwriter, actress, poet, painter, philanthropist and daughter of an Alaskan cowboy singer-songwriter, also finds herself in the embrace of country music these days. Jewel is set apart for singing and writing all of her songs, with hits like “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “You Were Meant for Me,” “Foolish Games” and “Stronger Woman.” She has received three Grammy Award nominations and has sold 27 million albums worldwide. The show is sponsored by WBHM, Viva Health and The Birmingham News.

About the Alys Stephens Center
Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of Theatre and Music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.

Alys Stephens Center to Celebrate Nashville Music with Two New Shows

Nashville’s Holly Williams to perform Aug. 20

Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass Trio “On Stage with the Band” Oct. 14

The Alys Stephens Center will celebrate Nashville music with two new shows: Holly Williams on Thursday, Aug. 20 and the Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass Trio on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Come early for craft brew tastings hosted by Good People Brewing in the lobby at 6 p.m. before each show. Concert hall doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the shows begin at 7 p.m. The Alys Stephens Center is located at 1200 10th Ave. South. Call 205-975-2787 or go to www.AlysStephens.org.

Holly Williams’ debut album “The Ones We Never Knew” and her latest “Here with Me” prove the Nashville singer-songwriter follows the family tradition yet creates a sound uniquely her own. Hank Williams was her grandfather, Hank Junior her father and Hank III is her half-brother, but she is a woman with her own sound. Williams, who penned the majority of the new album’s 11 tracks, writes with piercing clarity on situations from her life. She is featured in the current People magazine, and you can see her Aug. 12 on CBS’s “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” Tickets go on sale for $35 July 28 ($20 for students). Call 205-975-2787 or go online to www.AlysStephens.org.

Jim Lauderdale is country music’s most prolific songwriter and brings his stellar bluegrass trio to the Alys Stephens Center’s one-of-a-kind setting, “On Stage with the Band.” Patrons enjoy a more intimate music experience with the band during “On Stage” series shows in 110 seats on stage with the band and 220 seats in the choral balcony.

Lauderdale is fresh from the acclaimed “Sulphur to Sugarcane” tour with Elvis Costello and a 2008 Grammy win for Bluegrass Album of the Year for “The Bluegrass Diaries.” This quintessential “songwriter’s songwriter” has written hits for some of country music’s superstars: The Dixie Chicks, George Jones, George Strait, Vince Gill and Patti Loveless. He won a 2002 Grammy for “Lost in the Lonesome Pines” with Ralph Stanley and won the Americana Music Awards Artist of the Year and Song of the Year awards in 2002 and 2003. Tickets on the stage are $40; tickets in the choral balcony are $35. Call 205-975-2787 or go online to www.AlysStephens.org.

About the Alys Stephens Center
Located on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.

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Single Tickets On Sale Aug. 10 for New Alys Stephens Center Shows

Purchase tickets online, win prizes

Enjoy free coffee, pastries 9:30 a.m.- noon

Single tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 10, for shows in the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center’s new 2009-2010 season.

Season ticket packages are on sale now. For a brochure or to purchase tickets, call 205-975-2787 or toll-free 1-877-278-8457, go to the ASC Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham, Alabama, or visit the center online at www.AlysStephens.org.

On Aug. 10, the ASC Box Office will open at 9:30 a.m., with free coffee and pastries from Lucy’s Coffee and Tea served until noon.

All buyers who place a ticket order online at www.AlysStephens.org that Monday will be entered in a contest to win prizes, including a $50 ASC gift card, autographed artist merchandise, CDs and more. Buyers must purchase tickets online between midnight Sunday, Aug. 9, and midnight Aug. 10.

This season the Alys Stephens Center will present Bruce Hornsby, Loretta Lynn, The Wailers, Los Lobos, David Sedaris, Buddy Guy and Béla Fleck. The new season line-up also boasts comedian Darrell Hammond, Hubbard Street 2 Dance, Battleworks Dance Company, Chicago City Limits, McCoy Tyner Trio with Savion Glover, Soweto Gospel Choir, Shawn Colvin, Regina Carter with Kurt Elling and Russell Malone, pianist Gabriela Montero and more. Click here for a complete season calendar.

About UAB
Located on the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama.

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TEXT: www.uab.edu/news
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Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center

Alys Stephens Center Announces New 2009-2010 Season of Performances

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Bruce Hornsby, Loretta Lynn, The Wailers, Los Lobos, David Sedaris, Buddy Guy and Béla Fleck are among the performers the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center will present for its 2009-2010 season.

The new season line-up also boasts comedian Darrell Hammond, Hubbard Street 2 Dance, Battleworks Dance Company, Chicago City Limits, McCoy Tyner Trio with Savion Glover, Soweto Gospel Choir, Shawn Colvin, Regina Carter with Kurt Elling and Russell Malone, pianist Gabriela Montero and more. Click here for a complete season calendar.

The Alys Stephens Center is Alabama’s own world-class performing arts center on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) campus. Visit the Alys Stephens Center online at www.AlysStephens.org.

Season subscribers can purchase tickets now. New subscription orders go on sale Monday, May 18. Single tickets go on sale Monday, August 10. For a brochure or to purchase tickets, call 205-975-2787, toll free 1-877-278-8457, go to the ASC Box Office at 1200 10th Ave. S. Birmingham or visit www.AlysStephens.org. Sign up online for the center’s popular ASC E-Club for exclusive discounts, show announcements and reminders, ticket giveaways and more.

Since opening in 1996, the Alys Stephens Center has established itself as the center for arts and education in Birmingham. UAB, Viva Health and The Birmingham News are sponsors for the Alys Stephens Center’s 13th season as they present the world’s best and brightest artists in the center’s four intimate, acoustically impeccable venues.

This season the Alys Stephens Center offers nine series sure to please: Legends & Icons Series, Eclectic Palate Series, Beyond Comedy Series, Global Rhythm Series, Red Hot & Jazz Series, Movement & Magic Series, Birmingham Music Club Classically Inclined Series, Birmingham Chamber Music Society Series and the ASC Kids’ Club Series.

Returning is the VIP ticket level, which offers first choice of seats and added benefits such as concierge service, discounts, special event invitations and meet-the-artist opportunities. Custom-design a subscription with the popular “It’s Your Choice” package by choosing any four regular season performances, then deduct 10 percent from the single ticket total cost. “Continue the Experience” events enhance many shows in the season with free parties, wine tastings, dance lessons, refreshments and more.

Subscription packages begin at $34. Discounts are available for UAB students, faculty and staff and for groups of 10 or more. Student- and kid-friendly tickets are available. Flexible payment options are available for season packages.

In addition to world-class performances, the Alys Stephens Center’s Arts in Action program also presents top-quality, far-reaching arts education events, workshops, meet-the-artist events and performances for people of all ages. Since 2002, this education program has presented unique performing arts experiences to more than 15,000 area students and adults each season. Most of these programs are free or very low cost, and even provide free buses from schools to the center for most programs.

The ASC Junior Patrons group offers young professionals the chance to experience great live performances, receive special discounts for many ASC shows, access to the Junior Patron VIP Lounge and invitations to Junior Patron and ASC Social Club events throughout the year, which are free to members.

About UAB
Located on the UAB campus, the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is one of the Southeast’s premier performing arts centers, hosting the best in international, national and local performance. Home to the UAB departments of theatre and music and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, the ASC also presents its own season, bringing the world’s best music, dance, theater, comedy and family entertainment to Alabama. For more information on all Alys Stephens Center events and programs, visit www.AlysStephens.org.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a separate, independent institution from the University of Alabama, which is located in Tuscaloosa. Please use University of Alabama at Birmingham on first reference and UAB on second reference.

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