The orchestra will play Bartok’s Concerto for orchestra. Bartók makes extensive use of classical elements in the work; for instance, the first and fifth movements are in sonata-allegro form. The work combines elements of Western art music and eastern European folk music, especially that of Hungary, and it departs from traditional tonality, often using non-traditional modes and artificial scales. Conductor Carlos Izcaray. Program to include BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra.

Join The Literacy Council for an Inspiring Thanksgiving Event with Birmingham’s First Poet Laureate, Salaam Green!
Friday, November 22
11:30 am - 1 pm
Homewood Public Library, Room 116

Kick off the holiday season with a soul-stirring poetry reading by Birmingham’s own Poet Laureate, Salaam Green! Known for her work as a writer, educator, and community leader, Salaam will share powerful poetry that celebrates healing and transformation. Afterward, engage in a creative activity to inspire gratitude and gift-giving ideas just in time for Thanksgiving!
Salaam Green, a proud daughter of Alabama’s Black Belt, is the founder of Literary Healing Arts and a certified “Write to Heal” workshop leader. She’s also a Road Scholar for the Alabama Humanities Alliance, where she teaches communities to use poetry and storytelling for empowerment. Her work, featured in the Alabama Arts Journal and the book Peaches the Perfect Poet, touches on social justice, environmental healing, and personal growth.
Sponsored by Alabama Humanities Alliance, this event is an opportunity to reflect, create, and connect with the power of poetry to uplift the spirit. Light refreshments will be provided.
Seats are limited! Please RSVP by emailing Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Moreman at semoreman@literacy-council.org.

Friday, November 22
11:30 am - 1 pm
Homewood Public Library, Room 116

Don’t miss this chance to be inspired and uplifted by the art of poetry!

(4th-12th Grade) Young artists are welcome to join us and Kane Bourgeois for art classes. Learn some basics, some tips and tricks, and have fun doing it! All supplies provided, but you are more than welcome to bring any sketchbook or drawing supplies you may use, or a digital drawing interface.  Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Step into a world where two iconic composers—separated by over a century—collide in an unforgettable evening of music. Join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra  as we perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra in a concert that showcases both the brilliance of the Classical era and the bold innovations of the 20th century.

The program opens with Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony, a work full of surprises and contrasts. Composed in 1812, it stands as a testament to Beethoven’s playful yet complex genius. While it may not boast the fame of his more dramatic works, the Eighth Symphony is a vibrant exploration of shifting dynamics and rich counterpoint, brimming with sudden bursts of energy, lyrical charm, and moments of profound beauty. Beethoven masterfully weaves idyllic episodes with furious cross-rhythms, delivering a symphony that’s as technically intricate as it is emotionally captivating.

In the second half of the program, the ASO will debut Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, a thrilling composition that challenges and redefines the symphonic form. Bartók brings together the rigor of Western art music with the vibrant, earthy sounds of Eastern European folk traditions, especially from his native Hungary. Unlike a typical concerto, where one instrument takes center stage, Bartók’s work showcases the entire orchestra, allowing each section to shine. His use of non-traditional scales and modal harmonies pushes the boundaries of tonality, creating an adventurous soundscape that feels at once familiar and otherworldly.

With its sweeping orchestration and intricate interplay between instruments, Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is a tour de force of modern music, a piece that invites the audience to experience the full spectrum of orchestral color and expression.

Don’t miss this chance to experience two masterworks that push the boundaries of symphonic music in ways that are both timeless and groundbreaking.
Program to Include
BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture, No. 3
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8
BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra

Burlesque Night at The Nick with Host Bella Donna

Late Night Fridays with DJ Jack Bama at The Nick!

(Preschool) Toddlers are welcome to a musical morning filled where they are shown various instruments and interactive activities.

Erica Ryleigh with Backwood Shiners