Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011
Ross Mathews: UAB Homecoming Comedy Show, 7 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Television personality Ross Mathews, who got his start as Ross the Intern on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” is headed to the UAB campus for a hilarious Homecoming comedy show. Mathews will bring the opinions and comedy he’s known for as a weekly panelist on E!’s hit late-night talk show “Chelsea Lately” and as Ross the Intern live to the ASC stage. The show won’t be strictly stand-up — he’ll tell stories and share a multimedia presentation referencing pop culture, hot topics and his own life and experiences. A frank Q&A with the audience will close the show with an uproarious blast. The event is co-presented by UAB Student Life Blaze Productions and UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $21; $10 for students with valid ID. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011
Young Concert Artist Gleb Ivanov, piano, 7 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. With a personality to match his larger-than-life talent, Russian pianist Ivanov has been captivating audiences since winning first prize in the 2005 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. On the program are works by Haydn, Schubert and Rachmaninoff. Tickets are $32; $20 student tickets. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Monday-Friday, Nov. 7-11, 2011
Common Threads: Quilters of West Alabama Meet Mud Cloth Makers of West Africa, in residence at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Join the ASC for this Living Art Residency developed by the Alys and ArtPlay Teaching Artist Sharrif Simmons, free and open to the public as part of ASC’s World on Stage Festival. This project showcases the artistry of two of the world’s most vibrant contemporary textile traditions: the quilters of Gee’s Bend and Groupe Bogolon Kasobane, mud-cloth masters of Bamako, Mali, working simultaneously on their art pieces during the course of a weeklong residency in the ASC lobby. Lunchtime discussions and special events will explore each art form and the artists that practice it, the similarities between the arts and cultural memory patterns included in both groups’ artistic expressions. Hands-on educational activities are planned throughout the week. Open 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11:30 a.m. until the closing ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday. Free. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2011Noche Flamenca, 8 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. With annual seasons in New York City and Buenos Aires and return engagements at theaters around the world, Noche Flamenco has a dedicated global audience. Hailed by critics everywhere for its transcendent and deeply emotional performances, the group is recognized as the most authentic flamenco touring company today. Part of the Alys Stephens Center’s World on Stage Festival. Continue the evening with an ASC After Party on the stage of the Sirote Theatre, featuring local flamenco dancers, Spanish wines, tapas and a DJ that will keep the rhythm flowing. After-party tickets are $10; free for ASC Junior Patrons. Performance tickets are $59.50, $49.50, $39.50; student tickets $20. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
ArtPlay presents The Bollywood Experience with Parul Kapoor, shows at 10 and 11:30 a.m. in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. From classical Indian dance inspired by ancient texts to modern dance as seen in the Bollywood films of today, local dancer Parul Kapoor and friends will demonstrate the cultures of various regions in India through dance. Part of the Alys Stephens Center’s World on Stage Festival. Tickets are $8 for kids, $10 adults. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011
Golden Dragon Acrobats of China, 3 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. The Golden Dragon Acrobats reside in Hebei, China, and represent the best of a time-honored tradition that began more than 25 centuries ago. Their performances combine dazzling acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. Part of the Alys Stephens Center’s World on Stage Festival. Tickets are $45.50, $35.50, $25.50; student tickets $20; $15 kid-friendly tickets. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
Southern Circuit Film Screening & Director Q&A: “Welcome to Shelbyville,” 7 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Featuring Southern Circuit Independent Film Screenings and Meet the Director events. This season, the ASC and Sidewalk Film Festival celebrate the art of film with these special events designed to get you up close and personal with the country’s hottest new directors. See the film, then meet the filmmaker Kim Snyder and discuss the artwork. “Welcome to Shelbyville” chronicles America at a crossroads through the lens of one rural town in the Bible Belt of Tennessee. A stone’s throw from the birthplace of the KKK, the town grapples with its segregated past while at the same time navigating the arrival of Latino immigrants and newer Somali refugees who have come to work in the local chicken plant. Set during the beginnings of an historic new administration, a declining economy and unprecedented demographic shifts, an ensemble cast of colorful, irreverent characters represent life in small town America at a critical time in the country’s history. Tickets are $10, $8 students. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
ASC Jazz Café presents Charlie Hunter, guitar, 7:30 p.m., in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Innovative jazz musician Hunter has recorded 17 albums playing custom-made, seven- and eight-string guitars. A former student of the legendary guitarist Joe Satriani, Hunter is known for wowing audiences as he often simultaneously plays bass lines, rhythm guitar and solos. Tickets are $42.50, $34.50, $25.50; student tickets $20. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.