October 18, The Alys Stephens Center Presents Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Blind Boys of Alabama

The Alys Stephens Center presents Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Blind Boys of Alabama in “Down by the Riverside,” at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform first, followed by the Blind Boys of Alabama, then both groups will perform on stage together.

September 11, 2008

• Pre-show shrimp boil, Dixieland jazz

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Alys Stephens Center presents Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Blind Boys of Alabama in "Down by the Riverside," at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Ave. S., Birmingham. Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform first, followed by the Blind Boys of Alabama, then both groups will perform on stage together. Enjoy a 7 p.m. pre-show shrimp boil with live Dixieland jazz and cash bar outdoors in the ASC Haskell Courtyard. Tickets are $85, $65, $55 and $45; students $20. This show is part of the AT&T Red Hot and Jazz Series. Call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.

The Blind Boys of Alabama and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band continue to bring attention to the rich musical heritage of New Orleans with their new touring concert, "Down by the Riverside." These two historic institutions join together to share with audiences the jubilance and richness of New Orleans as the city continues to rebuild and revitalize. In addition to the Alys Stephens Center, they'll also perform at the Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center.

In January, the Blind Boys released "Down in New Orleans," their first album ever recorded in the Big Easy. "Down In New Orleans" represented the Blind Boys desire to draw hope to the still storm-ravaged city. The album features guest performances by Preservation Hall, the legendary Allen Toussaint and local kingpins the Hot 8 Brass Band. In April the Blind Boys and Preservation Hall performed together, along with special guests Dr. John, Susan Tedeschi and others, at a sold-out concert at Tipitinas in New Orleans.

The show is sponsored by AT&T, Patty McDonald, The Birmingham News, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Viva Health.