Arts and Culture
All Together Now! Alabamians Try for World’s Largest Rock Band
The Auburn group tried last year to break this record. A total of 850 people participated in that effort. Unbeknownst to them, a group in China outdid them with a 953-member rock band.
UAB Opens New Football Offices and Practice Facility
UAB Blazer fans celebrated Friday as university and community leaders cut the ribbon on the football team’s new operations center and Legacy Pavilion. The $22.5 million facility is a major milestone for a program that university officials cut in December 2014, only to revive it six months later after an outcry from alumni and the Birmingham […]
Arc Stories: July 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded at different Arc Stories events throughout Birmingham. What oneman discovers about his wife when she has to endure a major medical procedure; a young woman who moves to Africa to become a teacher though she has no training in how to do that; what happens to a guy when he inadvertently […]
Birmingham Weekly Newspaper Halts Publishing
Weld general manager, Heather Milam Nikolich, tells WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli the move is temporary.
New Elyton Hotel Blends Old Birmingham With New
The old Colonial Bank Building at the corner of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street downtown stood vacant for years. It now opens as an upscale hotel with a polished face and a plush interior, reminiscent of the city’s history as a center for industry and commerce.
Charlemagne Records Celebrates 40 Years
The Birmingham institution has endured several music format changes from cassette tapes to online streaming. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli popped in to Charlemagne to see what this little shop has done to stay afloat during a time when record stores have almost disappeared.
Arc Stories: June 2017 Edition
Four stories where plans put into motion take some rather unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense; a boy who is taken on the ride of his life; a family forced to deal with the loss of nearly all of their possessions; and, bus trip goes astray. […]
Brothers Basketballing into their 80s at Senior Games
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are battling for the NBA Championship with guys mostly in their 20s and 30s. But the Twomey brothers are in their 80s. They’re among the more than 10,000 athletes in Birmingham competing for gold.
A George Washington Museum — in Alabama
A short drive south of Birmingham is a museum that might seem more at home in the nation’s capital. It’s dedicated to George Washington.
Scott Simon Brings Weekend Edition to Birmingham
NPR's Scott Simon brings Weekend Edition Saturday to The Lyric Theatre on June 10. He spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall about the broadcast.
Birmingham Launches Film Office as State Lags in Big Productions
Birmingham is investing in a new film office, but Alabama still lags behind Georgia in film incentives.
Arc Stories: May 2017 Edition
Birmingham’s own true stories. A man’s encounter with perhaps the world’s worst burglar; a woman overlooks some early warning signs in the pursuit of love; and student recalls a beloved teacher who’s influence doesn’t take root until years later. Originally aired: May 25, 2017 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 26, 2016 at 2 p.m. and […]
A Very Sordid Wedding Mirrors Familiar Same-Sex Themes
The sequel to Del Shores' cult film and TV series Sordid Lives debuts in Birmingham Thursday.
Itzhak Perlman Returns to Birmingham
World-renowned Violinist Itzhak Perlman performs at UAB's Alys Stephens Center Sunday. He talks about his career and whether classical music is still relevant today.
On the job problem solving…
Telephone technician, Matthew King, of Birmingham…
“This isn’t a party trick”…
Opera singer, Leah Pickett, of Birmingham
Writer Clair McLafferty on Cocktails and the Art of Bartending
Cocktail writer Clair McLafferty talks to WBHM about her new book, The Classic and Craft Cocktail Recipe Book, and about what makes a person a good bartender.
Condoleezza Rice’s Book Explores Democracy, Segregated Birmingham
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just come out with a new book, "Democracy: Stories from the Road to Freedom." While in Birmingham Monday, she told WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart how memories of a segregated Alabama during her childhood have stuck with her and laid the foundation for her latest work.
Tank and the Bangas, NPR’s Tiny Desk Winners, Coming to Birmingham
Tank and the Bangas won NPR's Tiny Desk contest. The New Orleans-based group was chosen unanimously by judges from roughly 6,000 entries. The group is bringing their spirited, high-energy show to Birmingham Saturday and they spoke to WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli ahead of their gig.
Vintage Video Games Get An Extra Life
Saturn's Vintage Video Game Night gives gamers an opportunity to replay parts of gaming's past, as well as childhood favorites.
History Professor’s Book Reconstructs One African-American’s Legal Saga
In his new book "He Calls Me By Lightning," Samford University history professor Jonathan Bass writes about the 13-year legal journey endured by a Bessemer man in Jim Crow Alabama.
The Heritage Band: Keeping Birmingham’s Big Band Spirit Alive
The Heritage Band was founded in 1976 by late saxophonist J.L. Lowe. The group is keeping the big band spirit alive in Birmingham, long after the days of the Duke Ellington-style big bands have disappeared.
How History Can Heal
Vanderbilt University graduate student Stephanie Fulbright studied Birmingham and Northern Ireland to see how historic markers and other public objects can be used for reconciliation.
Arc Stories: April 2017 Edition
Four stories recorded in Birmingham in which each person is put in risky situations by some of their closest family members.
A Roman God’s Spa Day: Vulcan Gets A Fresh Coat Of Paint
Vulcan, the world's largest cast iron statue, gets a paint job -- bare bottom and all.
House Concerts: An Intimate Way to Enjoy Live Music
Imagine attending a concert in the comfort of your home surrounded by dozens of friends both old and new. That’s what it’s like hosting a house concert. This tradition has been around for decades and is a popular way to enjoy music in an intimate setting.
Bruised Fruit? Wilted Greens? Don’t Toss Just Yet
Saturday is Earth Day, and if you’re looking to turn over a new leaf, one place to start is in the kitchen. Each year, Americans toss out 133 billion pounds of food, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The number one wasted food category? Fresh produce.
Arc Stories: March 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded throughout Birmingham at different Arc Stories events. A young boy thinks he’s figured out the secret to never having to wrestle with the regret; a young man’s attempts to rise above the legacy left by his father; a new husband forced into a precarious situation because of the incompetence of others, and […]
A Murder in Rural Alabama? S-Town Podcast is on the Case
The creators of This American Life and the popular murder-mystery podcast Serial released a third season today. This one’s called S-Town, and it’s set right here in Alabama. WBHM’s Gigi Douban got a preview of the first two episodes, and S-Town host Brian Reed tells her his reporting revealed some painful truths about life in […]
TEDx Birmingham 2017: Possibility
This year's theme was “Possibility”. Each speaker challenged the status quo and looked for better ways to impact Birmingham and the world. Program Director Michael Krall attended and spoke about his experience with Andrew Yeager.
The Pizitz Then and Now
In its prime, you would run into almost anyone from any side of town in Pizitz. The same was true of my lunchtime stroll – then and now, a place to be.
A TV Meteorologist Like No Other
Weld reporter Cody Owens discusses his story on Birmingham TV meteorologist James Spann. Spann has amassed a notable social media presence and personal brand turning him into something of a celebrity.
