ARTS GUIDE

Fall 2019 through Spring 2020

251-432-9796 www.mobilearts.org Bonjour! Mobile, Alabama, is one of the Gulf Coast’s top cultural centers, boasting a wide variety of active arts organizations and unique cultural events throughout the year. With a deep history rooted in Carnival culture, Mobile has developed into a bustling port city with a downtown that is home to a variety of galleries and centers featuring murals, sculptures, paintings, and more.

From our professional opera and ballet companies to a symphony orchestra, community theaters, and free music festivals, Mobile always has something onstage for lovers of the performing arts. Since its inception in 1955, the Mobile Arts Council (MAC) has served as a strong informational center for local arts and culture, helping to facilitate numerous events and opportunities for artists of all backgrounds and mediums along the Gulf Coast. Our mission is to enrich the quality of life in the Mobile area by increasing accessibility to the arts and promoting a vibrant cultural community. Through this new Arts Guide, we hope to share Mobile’s wealth of artistic talent to locals and visitors alike. For more listings of arts events in the area, sign up for our ArtStart newsletter and visit us at www.mobilearts.org to view our calendar. 1 mobilearts.org ALABAMA ASHLAND CONTEMPORARY GALLERY ART CENTER facebook.com/ashlandgallery alabamacontemporary.org Ashland Gallery, located Founded in 1999, at 2321 , Alabama Contemporary is a full-service custom Art Center is a nonprofit framing shop and art located at 301 Conti gallery, also featuring fun Street. Their exhibitions gifts and fine crafts. and programs investigate themes and topics AZALEA CITY relevant to the Gulf Coast CENTER FOR while creating a national model for community- THE ARTS building through the arts. azaleacityarts.com The Azalea City Center ALABAMA HUES for the Arts provides alabamahues.org opportunities for children Alabama Hues brings to explore the world of creatives and concepts artistic expression, engage together for the in intensive training in community. In their the arts, and perform artistic workspace at 2601 before live audiences. Emogene Street #100-B, The Center, located at 63 professional artists host Midtown Park E, offers classes and develop public classes that enhance self- art projects for the greater confidence, encourage Mobile area. personal growth, and strengthen academic and artistic skills.

The 2017 Arty award AZALEA CITY THE ARTYS QUILTERS mobilearts.org GUILD Now in its 15th year, azaleacityquiltersguild.org this program annually The Azalea City Quilters presents awards to Guild promotes the individuals, businesses, appreciation of quilting and organizations who are by educating the public dedicated to improving on this beautiful art form. the arts and cultural The guild comes together scene in the Mobile area. to learn new skills by The 2019 Artys will be hosting workshops, presented on Feb. 6, beginner classes, and 2020, from 6 until 9 p.m. exhibitions of their quilts at The Steeple. throughout each year.

Mobile Arts Council 2 CENTRAL ARTS COLLECTIVE cpcmidtown.com/home-2 Located within the walls of Central Presbyterian AZALEA FILM Church, 1260 Dauphin FESTIVAL Street, Central Arts azaleafilmfestival.com Collective is a working The Azalea Film Festival studio home to visial and acknowledges and awards performing artists who talented independent strive to craft community filmmakers, writers, and through service and arts performers who may cultivation. They host not get the recognition arts events throughout they deserve through the year, including art commercial film festivals. markets, Jazz Jambalayas, They celebrate film photography exhibitions, enthusiasts who are and artist open houses. committed to creating spaces for independent cinema and are devoted to spreading knowledge of this art form.

BAY CITY CONVENTION & TOURS, INC. baycityconventions.com As Mobile’s only full- service destination management company, Bay City Convention & CCT in 2019 Tours offers convention and meeting planning, CHICKASAW reunion planning, CIVIC THEATRE historical group and cctshows.com individual sightseeing and Chickasaw Civic Theatre transportation services. is at 801 Iroquois Street, Chickasaw. Season CAMERA SOUTH tickets are available, as camerasouth.org are tickets for individual Local professionals and performances. The 2019- beginners of photography 20 season will include: exchange ideas, develop ▪“Baskerville,” Oct. new skills, organize 11-20 exhibitions, and expand ▪“Mandate for their knowledge about Murder,” Jan. 10-19 the art of photography ▪“Black Coffee,” Feb. in the Camera South 28-March 8 Photography Club. ▪“Big Fish,” May 15-31

3 mobilearts.org CLASSICAL EASTERN SHORE BALLET OF ART CENTER MOBILE esartcenter.org classicalballetmobile.org The Art Center at 401 Oak Classical Ballet of Mobile Avenue, Fairhope, is free fosters a lifelong love and to the public and offers appreciation for ballet. guided tours through Located at 4621 Spring five galleries. Artists Hill Avenue, Suite C, from all over the country upcoming performances display at the Art Center will include: in the annual Outdoor ▪“Holiday Wonders,” Art Show and changing Dec. 7 exhibits. Activities include ▪End of Year Academy quarterly classes for Showcase, May 17 adults and children, and monthly Art Walks. COMMEDIA DEL ARTE MOBILE GLORIA DEI commediadelarte.org CHORALE Founded in 1990, gloriadeichoralemobile.org Commedia del Arte is Gloria Dei Chorale is a troupe of thespians a diverse ecumenical specializing in period community chorus open pieces, written and to all men and women directed by Shari who wish to commit their Prestwood. They perform time, talents, and skills at the Episcopal Church to produce fine musical of the Redeember at Hitt experiences for both and Cody roads. The next performers and audience, performance will be: while also helping their ▪ “Dracula and Me,” Nov. 9 fellow man. They perform two concerts per season. DAUPHIN ISLAND HERITAGE & GULF COAST ARTS COUNCIL ETHNIC AND dauphinislandarts.org DIHAC, located at 918 HERITAGE JAZZ Bienville Boulevard, FESTIVAL works to create and gcehjazzfest.org maintain a network The Festival’s mission is of visual, literary, and to further the preservation performing artists and and growth of jazz by patrons, providing encouraging young venues for educational musicians to play jazz. arts programs, exhibits, The Festival is known and performances. They for the Marcus Johnson showcase opportunities Summer Jazz Camp, An for educational programs Evening of Poetry and related to the heritage and Jazz, and a main stage history of the Gulf Coast. jazz concert.

Mobile Arts Council 4 MARKET IN THE PARK ncsmobile.org A free market coordinated by the city of Mobile. This fall, the markets HISTORY will take place downtown MUSEUM OF in Cathedral Square, every Saturday between MOBILE Oct. 12 through Nov. historymuseumofmobile.com 23, from 7:30 a.m. until The History Museum of noon. There will also be a Mobile, housed inside seasonal Holiday Market the Southern Market/ in Cathedral Square on Old City Hall National Dec. 7. Historic Landmark at 111 S Royal Street, boasts a collection of more than MOBILE ART 90,000 artifacts related ASSOCIATION to Mobile history, as well mobileartassociation.org as special exhibitions The Mobile Art throughout the year. They Association is made up also oversee the Historic of more than 100 artists Site at Fort Conde and the and provides its members Phoenix Fire Museum, all with many opportunities located in close proximity. to network and learn They host free Learning from fellow artists. Lunches, a discussion Monthly meetings are series about the history held the third Sunday of of South Alabama, on the each month at Springhill second Wednesday of Presbyterian Church. each month. JOE JEFFERSON MOBILE ARTS PLAYERS COUNCIL joejeffersonplayers.com mobilearts.org Founded in 1947 and The MAC exhibition named after a prominent series, displayed in Room 19th century actor, JJP 1927 at 6 Joachim Street, has their own theater at is free to the public and 11 South Carlen Street. showcases different local Performances this season artists monthly. MAC will include: now includes among ▪“Matilda the its activities monthly Musical” exhibits, quarterly ▪“Macbeth” member workshops, ▪“The Graduate” monthly ArtWalks, their ▪“Sister Act the annual Throwdown Musical” competition, educational ▪“Evil Dead the programming, art markets Musical” and more.

5 mobilearts.org MOBILE BALLET mobileballet.org Founded in 1987, the Mobile Ballet is located at 4351 Downtowner Loop North. Upcoming performances at the Civic Center include: ▪“Giselle,” Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 27, 2:30 p.m. MOBILE ▪“The Nutcracker,” CARNIVAL Dec. 14, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, MUSEUM 2:30 p.m. mobilecarnivalmuseum.com ▪“Beauty and the The Carnival Museum Beast,” March 21, reveals the history 7:30 p.m.; March of Mardi Gras and 22, 2:30 p.m. displays the intricate ▪Mobile Ballet School costume designs, float Showcase, May 17 construction, and more in a historical home. Located MOBILE BIG at 355 Government Street. BAND SOCIETY MOBILE mobilebigband.org The Mobile Big Band CHAMBER Society was formed MUSIC to continue the mobilechambermusic.org performances of the Mobile Chamber music of the Big Band era. Music works to expand See their Facebook page appreciation of chamber for the next showstimes music. Performances of and locations. this 59th season include: ▪Aizuri Quartet, Sept. MOBILE 15, 3 p.m., Laidlaw Performing Arts BOTANICAL Center, USA GARDENS ▪Pianist Ilya mobilebotanicalgardens.org Yakushev, Oct. 20, The Gardens features a 3 p.m., Laidlaw hundred acres of garden ▪Los Angeles Guitar areas and wooded trails, Quartet, Jan. 19, allowing visitors to enjoy 3 p.m., Laidlaw picnicking, birdwatching, ▪Cellist David Finkel, hiking, drawing, painting, Pianist Wu Han, and photography. Located March 1, 3 p.m., at 5151 Museum Drive. Laidlaw

Mobile Arts Council 6 MOBILE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL mobileinternationalfestival.org The 36th annual International Festival will take place at The Grounds Nov. 23. The Festival is dedicated to educating students and the general public about the immense diversity that exists in our city, state, and country. The festival gives the opportunity to meet people from over

70 countries, to speak Necaise Photo/Keith different languages and sample delicious food. , 2017 MOBILE OPERA MOBILE MEDICAL mobileopera.org MUSEUM Mobile Opera is one of mobilemedicalmuseum.org the oldest performing See 300 years of health arts organizations in the care history at the Mobile country. This season’s Medical Museum. The performances will museum houses more include: ▪ than 5,000 medical “La Traviata,” Oct. artifacts and documents. 25-27 at the Temple Located at 1664 Springhill downtown ▪ Avenue. Winter Gala Concert, Feb. 8, at Murphy HS ▪“La Rondine,” March MOBILE 27-29 at the Temple MUSEUM OF ART mobilemuseumofart.com The MMofA includes a permanent collection of works of fine and decorative arts from MOBILE PUBLIC around the world, LIBRARY spanning from classical mobilepubliclibrary.org antiquity to the present Some resources offered day. Located at 4850 include basic computer Museum Drive, MMofA classes, homework help, is supported by a and online tutoring. unique public/private With 10 branches and partnership and regularly a bookmobile, special facilitates studio art events and classes are classes, art markets, art scheduled on most days of talks, and performances. the year.

7 mobilearts.org MOBILE MOBILE SYMPHONIC POPS THEATRE GUILD themobilepops.com mobiletheatreguild.org The Mobile Symphonic Founded in 1950, the Pops is a nonprofit, adult guild has its own theater community symphonic at 14 N. Lafayette Street. concert band. Concerts Season passes and are free. Upcoming individual tickets can be performances include: purchased through the ▪ Sept. 19, 7 p.m., guild’s web site. Medal of Honor Park ▪Sept. 23, 7 p.m., MGM High School ▪Sept. 29, 6 p.m., Dauphin Island Water Tower ▪Nov. 11, 7 p.m., MYSTIC ORDER Battleship Park OF THE JAZZ ▪Dec. 12, 7 p.m., OBSESSED Davidson HS mojojazz.org ▪ Dec. 14, 7 p.m., MOJO is dedicated Murphy High School to the preservation, performance, and vigorous promotion of America’s original music. MOJO hosts a Jazz Jambalaya every fourth MOBILE Monday, at 1260 Dauphin SYMPHONY Street, except during the ORCHESTRA Mardi Gras season. mobilesymphony.org The Mobile Symphony Orchestra gives performances in the Saenger Theater downtown. Upcoming performances include: ▪Ravel’s “¡Olé!” THE PACT Sept. 21-22 thepactmobile.com ▪“Eroica,” Nov. 23-24 The PACT (Performing ▪“A Celtic Christmas,” Arts Creative Training) Dec. 14-15 shows and classes, at 3995 ▪“Bravura,” Jan. Cottage Hill Road, suites 25-26 B & C, are offered by the ▪“Vivace,” March 7-8 semester. New students ▪“Amadeus: An may register during any All-Mozart season and join for one, Celebration,” two or all semesters. April 4-5 Youngsters do not need to ▪The Music of John register for class in order Williams, May 2-3 to audition for a show.

Mobile Arts Council 8 PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK playhouseinthepark.org Playhouse in the Park is located in Langan Park, directly across from the . SOPHIELLA The theater has been GALLERY providing young people sophiellagallery.com with performance and Sophiella Gallery, at training opportunities 111 Dauphin Street, in since 1961 and produces downtown Mobile, brings four stage shows per year. the region’s contemporary fine art and collectors PORT CITY together. Representing CRAFTSMEN established as well as emerging artists from the portcitycraftsmen.com area, the gallery dedicates The Port City Craftsmen space to solo exhibitions will hold their annual Arts throughout the year. and Crafts Show Nov. 22-24 at the Abba Shrine on Hitt Road. Hours will be 9 to 5 STEWART HEATH on the first two days, 11 to GALLERY 4 Sunday. stewartheathgallery.com Stewart Heath Gallery, located at the Eastern Shore Centre, provides a clean, professionally organized and managed SAENGER fine arts gallery that focuses on emerging THEATRE artists from the Gulf saengermobile.com Coast. Opened in January 1927, Mobile’s Saenger was the 61st theater in SUMI-E SOCIETY the chain. Located at 6 OF AMERICA South Joachim Street, sumiesociety.org the Saenger now offers The Sumi-e Society up musical concerts, of America exists to symphony performances, encourage appreciation of comedy performances, East Asian brush painting and a summer movies through publications, series. Upcoming workshops, lectures, and performances include: exhibitions - bridging ▪Moon Taxi, Oct. 4 the East and West. There ▪Alison Krauss, Oct. 12 are many chapters of the ▪Gary Allan, Nov. 7 society throughout the ▪“Elf on the Shelf: A United States, with Shibui Christmas Musical,” being the Mobile-area Nov. 20 chapter.

9 mobilearts.org SWAY DOWNTOWN swaydowntown.com Sway Downtown, located at 10 Conception Street, is a performance studio and gallery - offering daily classes in yoga and dance, as well as monthly art USA exhibitions. DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC THEATRE 98 southalabama.edu/music theatre98.org The University of South Alabama’s Department Theatre 98 – named of Music has an extensive after Highway 98 – is a Musical Arts Series community-centered live every year. From now theater at 350 Morphy through April, at least Avenue, Fairhope. The 47 performances are next performance will be: scheduled. Most concerts ▪“Godspell 2012,” are held in the Laidlaw Oct. 11-27 Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Photo/Mike Kittrell Photo/Mike

‘Generations,’ Corky Goldman The Throwdown, 2018 WATERCOLOR & THE GRAPHIC ARTS THROWDOWN SOCIETY mobilearts.org wgasmobile.org Mobile Arts Council’s The Watercolor & Graphic largest fundraiser of the Arts Society is devoted year will take place on to furthering interest in Sept. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. watercolor and graphic at the USS Battleship arts media through Memorial Park’s Medal of education and exposure. Honor Aircraft Pavilion. WGAS promotes and The eighth annual event facilitates fine watercolor will feature five local and graphic arts artists in a 90-minute, exhibitions by Alabama no-holds barred, live art artists in local galleries competition. each year.

Mobile Arts Council 10 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Mobile AL PO Box 372 Permit No. 402 Mobile AL 36601 Return Service Requested