Author: Kevin Ledgewood

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.)  The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s biennial Druid Arts Awards ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Bama Theatre, has been postponed to 2025.

Due to unforeseen circumstances at this time, the staff and board agreed that a postponement to 2025 would be appropriate. The arts community is encouraged to consider your most deserving artists, volunteers, educators, and corporate sponsors throughout 2024 so that they can receive the recognition they deserve in 2025. 

The Arts Council offices are located in the Bama Theatre at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa with the Dinah Washington Cultural Center on the same block. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or DWCAC, patrons should like the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and follow the group on Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will present “Back-n-Black: The Ultimate AC/DC Experience” at the Bama Theatre on February 3, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets range in price from $20 to $30 (Premium) and are available for purchase at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36768/production/1183874.

Seating is reserved. Doors and the Bama Bar open at 7 p.m.

Back-N-Black delivers the goods with a set list that spans four decades of AC/DC’s finest. Vocalist David Jaynes founded Back-N-Black in 2007 after touring internationally with the AC/DC tribute Hells Bells named by Rolling Stone Magazine as “The Greatest Tribute Band on The Planet” and the world-renowned Black Jacket Symphony. Hear “Thunderstruck,” “Back In Black,” “Highway To Hell,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” “TNT,” “Hells Bells,” “For Those About To Rock We Salute You” and many, many more.

The audience experience will include the wild antics of Angus in his signature schoolboy uniform, the tolling of Hells Bell and the explosion of the cannons, and the feel of thunder as Back-N-Black recreates an authentic AC/DC concert setting. After sixteen years, 47 states, five countries and over one thousand performances, the show is still going strong.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s Bama Art House “Nostalgic Holiday Blockbusters” Film Series will take place December 21 and 22, 2023 at the Bama Theatre. Screenings of nostalgic films will continue at the theatre as in the summer and fall but with a holiday twist, perfect for families wishing to celebrate the season.

Visit The Arts Council’s Bama Art House film page for details including trailers at

https://tuscarts.org/bama/bama-art-house/. A link is provided with each film to pre-order your tickets and avoid lines at the Box Office.

Tickets are $10 for Adults, $9 for Students/Children and Seniors and $8 for Arts Council Members.

Season pass punch card tickets are $70 (pick 10 films in any series you want to attend. For sale at the box office prior to each film.) “The Polar Express” has an additional, special “Golden Ticket” price.

DR. SEUSS’ THE GRINCH (2018)
December 21 at 2 p.m.
Doors, Box Office, and Bama Bar & Concessions open at 1:00 p.m.
Free Grinch Meet & Greet will be before and after the film.

THE SANTA CLAUSE (1994)
December 21 at 7 p.m.
Doors, Box Office, and Bama Bar & Concessions open at 6:00 p.m.

THE POLAR EXPRESS (2004)
December 22 at 6 p.m.
Doors, Box Office, and Bama Bar & Concessions open at 5:00 p.m.
>$20 Golden Ticket: includes Santa Meet and Greet (after the film), Golden Ticket, and a Kids Popcorn and Drink

Regular ticket prices will also available.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

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GRANTS AWARDED TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ARTISTS FOR ARTS RELATED PROJECTS

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa recently awarded grants for 2023-2024 to local non-profit organizations for arts related projects. The awards took place through its annual Small Grants Program with financial assistance provided to diverse sectors in the arts and arts education. Grants were also awarded through the Arts in Education portion of the Community Foundation of West Alabama.  A committee comprised of members of The Arts Council’s Board of Directors was in charge of the selection process for both grant programs.

The following grants were awarded for 2023-2024:

Organizations:

• Kentuck Art Center & Festival: “2024 After School Programs at Kentuck Art Center”
• Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra: “Carnival of the Animals featuring Tuscaloosa City Schools 4th Grade Honor Musicians”

Individual Artists:

• Abigail Brewer
• Nathan Childers

Arts in Education:

• Hillcrest High School/Jonny Davis: “Class Camera Set”
• Northridge High School/John Cain: “Northridge High School Performs at Alabama Music Education Association Conference”

The Small Grants Program was established to aid Tuscaloosa County non-profit organizations, educators and artists in their pursuit of projects contributing to the greater good of local students and citizens through the arts. Organizations can apply for awards for such projects as exhibits, festivals, residencies, consultants, attendance at seminars, institutes, workshops by artistic and/or administrative staff and productions. Professional artists can apply for small grants for pilot or short-term projects or opportunities such as seminars, workshops, conferences or apprenticeships with master artists. Since the advent of the program in 1986, local artists and organizations have received more than $140,000.

Teachers employed by K-12 schools within Tuscaloosa County are eligible to apply for funding for art related projects through the Arts in Education Grant. Grant applications are made through The Arts Council with funding distributed by the Community Foundation of West Alabama.

The yearly deadline for submission of completed applications is October 1 with required forms and guidelines available at https://tuscarts.org/small-grants/.

For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre, or Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and also Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s Bama Art House “Nostalgic Fall Blockbuster” Film Series will conclude Tuesday, October 24, 2023 with “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” at the Bama Theatre. In addition to the screening, the evening will feature fun pre-show events with fanGtastic prizes.

Doors and the Bama Bar open at 6 p.m. The signature drink will be “The Vampire’s Kiss,” a libation topped with vampire teeth. Trivia with Soapy Jones begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring swag bags including items such as a VIP concession ticket, a Bama t-shirt and other similar merchandise as prizes.

The adult Costume Contest starts at 7 p.m. The First Place winner will be presented with one free night at The Alamite and a $100 Food Credit to Forté. Second Place will receive a $100 Gift Card to Central Mesa and Third Place will receive a $50 Gift Card to Avenue Pub. A discounted drink ticket to Nocturnal Tavern will be given to all those in costume. The Arts Council would like to thank our prize sponsors for their contribution to the evening.

The screening will begin following the conclusion of the Costume Contest.

Admission is $10 general, $9 students and seniors and $8 Arts Council members. Season pass punch card tickets are $70, good for any ten films in any series. All tickets are for sale at the Box Office prior to each film.

Visit https://tuscarts.org to view the trailer.

October 24, 2023
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Synopsis: The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.
Rated R | 2h 8min | Fantasy / Horror / Drama

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.)  The 2023 “Monster Makeover” exhibit will conclude at Harrison Galleries, 2315 University Blvd., with a silent auction and closing reception on Friday, October 20 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

On display side by side will be the original drawings of monsters by students in grades one through three from the Capitol School and the local adult artists who interpreted their work in their own media. The adults’ work will be for sale via silent auction during the event.

Funds raised from the auction will go toward the Arts in Education portion of the Community Foundation of West Alabama. Any teacher in Tuscaloosa County can apply for these funds through the Arts Council’s Small Grants program if they are pursuing an arts-based project requiring funding. The next opportunity to apply is in 2024 with a deadline of Oct. 1.

The first “Monster Makeover” project originated with the staff at the Tuscaloosa News with the first exhibit at the Children’s Hands-On Museum. Later exhibits were held at the Bama Theatre, Harrison Galleries and the Drish House.

For more information about the arts in West Alabama, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and also Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will be sponsoring its annual West Alabama Juried Show January 10, 2024 through February 2, 2024 in The Arts Council Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. An closing reception will be held on February 2, during First Friday, from 5-7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Awards will consist of the $1,000 Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Purchase Award; the $500 Gail Skidmore Memorial Award of Excellence; and three cash awards of $100 each. The winners will be announced at the opening reception during First Friday on December 3, 2021.

Following the conclusion of the exhibit, the Purchase Award will be displayed at the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama offices at 2222 9th Street. In partnership with The Chamber, selections of prior and upcoming Purchase Awards will be displayed throughout the building.

Visual artists residing in Bibb, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Perry, Shelby, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties will be eligible. A $35 entry fee entitles participants to submit up to three works for judging. All original two- and three-dimensional works will be accepted including photography. Entries must not have been shown in any previous West Alabama Juried Show.

All dates, entry requirements, payment procedures and applications are available on The Arts Council’s website at https://tuscarts.org/competition-westaljuried.php.

The completed application and up to three digital images should be emailed to competitions@tuscarts.org from Friday, December 1, 2023 through Thursday, December 7, 2023. All two-dimensional pieces accepted for the show must be ready for hanging and matted, framed and under glass if appropriate. No work should be submitted that has been executed in a class or workshop. Maximum size is 5 1/2 feet x 5 1/2 feet, and maximum weight is 50 pounds for all entries.

For questions about the West Alabama Juried Show including the entry procedure, call 205-758-5195, ext. 6 or email pr@tuscarts.org.

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is located at 620 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and also Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa will recognize artists, educators, volunteers and patrons of the arts at the 25th Druid Arts Awards ceremony on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Bama Theatre. The winners and their families will be honored at a reception at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center at 6 p.m. with the awards presented at 7 p.m. in the theatre. 

The deadline for nominations is Monday, January 29, 2024 with a deadline for tickets for the event on Monday, March 18, 2024. Tickets will be available for purchase on the Arts Council’s website in early 2024.

Visit https://tuscarts.org/druidartsawards.php to access the nomination form and view lists of the 2022 winners plus all prior award winners. Anyone who lives in Tuscaloosa County can make a nomination in any category.

In founding and perpetuating the Druid Arts Awards, The Arts Council determined that Tuscaloosa County citizens who were working as volunteers, artists, educators and corporate sponsors was very large and growing.  The Council also realized that the work of these individuals as well as supportive businesses was not often publicly recognized.  It was for this reason that the Druid Arts Awards were established, and it has become a biennial presentation to honor these special individuals who have achieved distinction in the arts over a number of years in Tuscaloosa County.

Three nominations- volunteer, artist, and educator- will be requested from the community in each of the categories of music, visual arts, dance, literature and theatre. Nominations are also requested for Patron of the Arts, Corporate Sponsor and Tuscaloosa’s Home Grown. Individuals or groups who have contributed to or supported the arts through actions outside of the aforementioned categories are honored with a Special Award. 

A committee comprised of members from The Arts Council Board of Directors will make the final selections based on their review of all submissions.

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa with the Dinah Washington Cultural Center at 620 Greensboro. For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre or CAC, patrons should LIKE the Facebook page “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and follow tuscarts on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa’s Bama Art House “Nostalgic Fall Blockbuster” Film Series will take place in September and October and will feature five movies. Screenings will take place on Tuesdays at the Bama Theatre during September 12-October 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. with no screenings during the bye weeks on Tuesday, September 26 and Tuesday, October 17.

A program of The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, the theme of “Nostalgic Blockbusters” will continue with a lineup of films ranging from comedy/fantasy to horror/mystery from the 1990s-2000s. The community reacted with much enthusiasm to this summer’s lineup that featured fan favorites from the 1970s through the 80s. Films are chosen based on their overall popularity, and in addition, the wide fan base they continue to attract.

Screenings begin at 7:00 p.m. with the doors, Box Office, and Bama Bar opening at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $10 general, $9 students and seniors and $8 Arts Council members. Season pass punch card tickets are $70, good for any ten films in any series. All tickets are for sale at the Box Office prior to each film.

Patrons can visit https://tuscarts.org to view the list of films, details and accompanying trailers.

September 12, 2023
Ghostbusters (1984)
Rated PG | 1h 45min | Action / Comedy / Fantasy / Sci-Fi
Synopsis: Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.

September 19, 2023
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Rated R | 1h 45min | Fantasy / Horror / Mystery
Synopsis: Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.

September 26: Bye Week, No Screening

October 3, 2023
26^th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival (2023)
The world’s first global film festival in which over 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across six continents gather to view and vote on the Finalists’ Films in the 26th Annual MSFF. Upon entry at all participating venues, festival attendees are handed a Voting Card and an Official Program and asked to vote for the ONE Film and Actor they feel should win. Votes are tallied by each host venue then emailed to our NYC headquarters where winning votes are tallied.

October 10, 2023
The Fog (2005)
Synopsis: A thick mist full of vengeful spirits haunts a prosperous island town off the coast of Oregon, as its inhabitants try to learn their town’s dark secret in order to stop it.
Rated PG-13 | 1h 40min | Horror / Mystery

October 17: Bye Week, No Screening

October 24, 2023
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Synopsis: The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker’s fiancée Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.
Rated R | 2h 8min | Fantasy / Horror / Drama

The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in Downtown Tuscaloosa. For more information about The Arts Council or Bama Theatre, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit www.tuscarts.org for further information.

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ARTS COUNCIL OF TUSCALOOSA GRANT APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH OCTOBER 2, 2023

(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa is announcing its annual Small Grants Program, awarding projects by Tuscaloosa County artists and non-profit organizations. Grants to all local teachers for arts related projects are also available through the Community Foundation’s Arts in Education Grant. 

The Arts Council is now accepting grant applications from local artists and organizations for upcoming projects taking place between Oct. 2, 2023 and May 15, 2024. The deadline for applications is Oct. 2, 2023 with recipients announced by Oct. 31, 2023. The maximum Small Grant available to organizations is $1,000 and $750 to individuals. 

Organizations can apply for Small Grants Program awards for such projects as exhibits, festivals, residencies, consultants, attendance at seminars, institutes, workshops by artistic and/or administrative staff and productions. Professional artists may apply for grants covering pilot or short-term projects or opportunities such as seminars, workshops, conferences or apprenticeships with master artists. Since the advent of the Small Grants Program in 1986, local artists and organizations have received more than $140,000.  

The Arts in Education Grant provides funds that are specifically earmarked for arts related projects through the Community Foundation of West Alabama. Local educators pursuing any arts related project can apply for funding from the Foundation through The Arts Council with a deadline of Oct. 3, 2023 for grant activities which will be taking place between Oct. 3, 2023 and May 15, 2024. 

Guidelines and applications for both grant programs are available online at https://tuscarts.org/small-grants.  Additional information is available to individuals or groups interested in applying by contacting Shannon McCue, Education Director, at education@tuscarts.org or 205-758-5195, ext. 4.

For more information about The Arts Council, Bama Theatre, or Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, patrons should follow and like “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” on Facebook and Twitter and also Instagram @tuscaloosaartscouncil. Call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org for further information.

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