Alabama is a Southern state with strong cultural traditions. It has also been the site of many important historical events. For example, Birmingham was a center of the Civil Rights movement. This distinct past fuses with the present to create a wealth of cultural activities and arts. Visitors to Alabama will enjoy the depth of artistic pursuits and the high-quality entertainment created here. With a wide variety of performing and visual arts for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, there's no room for boredom in Alabama.
Visual Arts
Alabama is a treasure trove of museums and galleries for those interested in art. The Birmingham Museum of Art holds more than 22,000 pieces in its permanent collection, and the Huntsville Museum of Art has been named one of the top 10 destinations in the state. Around other parts of Alabama, visitors can find a number museums with a focus on Southern art. Visitors will also find a number of art centers and festivals that offer artwork and studios.
For those who enjoy crafts, learning about the pottery, quilting, and Native American works of Alabama can give quite an insight into the area's cultural heritage. Museums and craft festivals around the state offer many unique crafts, both old and new, for viewing and purchase.
Performing Arts
The state known as "The Heart of Dixie" offers a wide range of performing arts options for visitors. Alabama's Official Outdoor State Drama, The Miracle Worker, is based on the life of Helen Keller and is performed annually in Tuscumbia. The state also has an Official Outdoor Musical Drama, The Incident at Looney's Tavern, staged each year in Winston County.
A range of theaters exist in the Birmingham area, which is home to more than 30 theater companies. From professional theaters producing the classics to those with a slant on Southern writers, any drama lover will find much to enjoy there. Outside Birmingham, a lengthy list of local theaters can be found, running the gamut from edgy to traditional and professional to community.
Music is also a well-respected form of art and entertainment in Alabama. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia is the place to start for visiting music lovers. With tributes to legends such as Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, Percy Sledge, and W.C. Handy, this organization offers a complete look into the musical history of Alabama. One stop to make for some music history that can't be overlooked is in Birmingham. Here jazz lovers can drop in at the Alabama Jazz Music Hall of Fame.
Activities that are a tribute to native musical legends include the Hank Williams Trail and the W.C. Handy Music Festival in Florence. Additionally, there are a variety of music festivals around the state that host famous singers and musicians each year. Lastly, are you looking for some musical sophistication? The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is located in Birmingham.
For dance enthusiasts, Alabama is home to an impressive list of dance companies. Mobile, Birmingham, and Montgomery are all home to professional and semi-professional dance companies with reputations for excellence. For some down-home fun, check out some folk dancing. The state folk dance of Alabama is the square dance, and folk dancing is also popular at local festivals and events.
Film and Literature
Literature and film are closely intertwined in Alabama, as many of the stories written by Alabama's native sons and daughters have been turned into movies on the big screen. Films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, In Cold Blood, To Kill a Mockingbird, Big Fish, Crazy in Alabama, The Grass Harp, and others have made the transition from the printed page to the silver screen.
For film lovers, areas such as Monroeville, Eufaula, Wetumpka, Leesburg, Talladega, and Leesburg will look familiar. They were the setting for several popular films made in the state, including Sweet Home Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird, Talladega Nights, Mississippi Burning, and more.
Alabama also hosts a wide variety of film festivals. Birmingham is the unofficial capital of the independent film scene, hosting such festivals as the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, the Birmingham International Film Festival, and the Alice Film Festival. Other festivals in Alabama include the Rocket Short Festival in Huntsville and the Alabama Climbing Film Festival.
For bookworms, Monroeville is the official Literary Capital of Alabama and is a must see on any literary lover's itinerary. Home to well-known authors like childhood friends Harper Lee and Truman Capote, Mark Childress, Monroeville offers a variety of activities related to its literary heritage. Other stops to make in Alabama include the Center for the Book in Auburn and other festivals and events around the region.
Alabama is a state where history and tradition run deep. At the same time, the diverse population embraces progress. With residents who have an appreciation for the importance of both old and new, the arts and entertainment scene has spawned an impressive variety of artistic pursuits and acclaimed residents. Visitors to Alabama will surely find the opportunity to experience the state's many sides by taking advantage of the cultural activities here.
