Arts and Culture
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.
One African-American’s Mission to Preserve His Family’s Rural History
Albert “Peter” Datcher Jr. has been tracing his family history -- from slavery to farming -- in a small, rural, predominately white town in Shelby County, Alabama for the past 15 years. He wants to be sure people recognize African-American contributions to the region.
Arc Stories: February 2017 Edition
Stories about growing up during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham. A young black boy who lives in the basement of a wealthy white family’s home and then becomes a key player during the civil rights movement; a young woman who was arrested by Bull Conner, then driven in his car to be dropped off […]
Living History: A Freedom Rider Shares His Story
The “Freedom Riders” were civil rights activists, black and white, who challenged segregation by riding buses across the South. In 1961 near Anniston, a mob slashed one of those buses’ tires, set it on fire, and beat some of the passengers. Freedom Rider Hank Thomas was one of them.
The Green Book and the Black-Jewish Relationship During Segregation
The Green Book has been described as the Bible for black travelers in the mid-20th century. It featured black-friendly businesses like motels and restaurants where travelers could rest on long road trips. The book’s publisher actually took the idea from a similar book used by Jews.
She Brought Water to the Freedom Riders: “I Couldn’t Let It Pass”
There’s a new national monument to the “Freedom Riders, the civil rights activists – black and white – who challenged segregation by riding buses across the South. In 1961, a mob set one of those buses on fire and beat some of the riders. But there’s a lesser-known wrinkle to the story: a little white girl, whose family feared the Ku Klux Klan, brought water to the injured passengers.
Black History Month Specials on WBHM
In honor of Black History Month, WBHM presents four documentaries highlighting America’s racial past and the long, dramatic struggle for civil rights. Also, jazz with significant commentary on the African-American struggle, and a special themed Arc Stories featuring stories about growing up during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham Say it Loud: Great Speeches on […]
Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Carlos Conducts Copland
WBHM's Michael Krall talks with Carlos Izcaray about this weekend's upcoming Masterworks concert.
Noise Music and Birmingham’s Growing Local Music Scene
When it comes to live, local music, Birmingham is still in it's infancy. From The Spring Street Firehouse, Saturn and WorkPlay have emerged as creative spaces where the city's many talented, local artists can perform and make a name for themselves.
Arc Stories: January 2017 Edition
Arc Stories features live storytelling from right here in Birmingham. No notes, no outlines. Just great storytellers sharing great, true stories. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, and always engaging.
New National Monument Connects Birmingham’s Past to Today
President Obama establishes the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument place many notable civil rights sites under the banner of the National Park Service.
Magical Things Happen Here….
Musician Kevin Kozak of Homewood…
The Power of Music…
Dementia Care Coordinator Pam Leonard of Alabaster…
Talladega Band Looks to Crowdfunding to Help Pay for Inauguration Trip
The 200-member band wants to raise $75,000 to help pay for transportation, lodging and other expenses. A total of $6,625 has been raised through 110 contributions, since the campaign launched five days ago.
Musician James Mullis: An Old Soul with a Millennial’s Heart
Birmingham musician James Mullis offers his unique blend of blues, folk and Americana.
Talladega College President Undecided On Band’s Inauguration Performance
Talladega College doesn’t have a football team, but it has a band – the Marching Tornadoes. More than 100 band members from the historically black college east of Birmingham have been invited to perform in President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural parade. The college president is undecided on whether the band will perform, a college spokesman said. Talladega […]
Meet the Host of 1A: Joshua Johnson
Meet Joshua Johnson, the host of 1A -- a new program which will succeed The Diane Rehm Show.
Arc Stories: Holiday Edition 2016
Arc Stories features live storytelling from right here in Birmingham. No notes, no outlines. Just great storytellers sharing great, true stories. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, and always engaging.
The Queer Library: A New Home for LGBT Literature
The brainchild of Change Project founder Steven Romeo, every book is written by an LGBT author or contains LGBT content.
