Thornton Dial art exhibit NOW OPEN + 7 other events you don’t to miss from Samford Arts this fall

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Mark your calendars—Samford Arts has a super exciting season planned, including an exhibit of the work of one of Alabama’s most notable artists, Thornton Dial + a fun play retelling your fave episodes of The Simpsons. Keep reading for the full lineup including art shows, dance recitals and amazing theatre performances.

1. Thornton Dial Exhibition, NOW through Dec. 2

Swing by the Samford Art Gallery to check out the work of one of Alabama’s most well known artists, Thornton Dial. The Thornton Dial exhibit is the first retrospective covering the artist’s entire career AND the first solo exhibition of his work in his home state of Alabama.

The overall multi-gallery show will include Thornton Dial: I, Too, Am Alabama at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at UAB, presenting seminal works from the 1980s alongside major works from the height of his production and some of his later works. Anyone Can Move a Mountain at Maus Contemporary will feature works by the artists commissioned to write for AEIVA’s catalog.

The exhibition (open now) focuses on his works on paper, including many works that have never been previously exhibited or published. The show features significant loans from the Dial family, Alabama institutions and private collections across the United States.

• When: September 15-December 2 | 9AM-4PM
• Where: Samford Art Gallery, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: free

2. Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, Oct. 27

How do stories get told across time and generations? Set in a dystopian world without power, Mr. Burns shows how the memories of our present become the myths of our future. This weird, wild and wacky production takes the scripts of a certain familiar TV show and imagines how these stories can become the glue that holds a society together, or tear it apart. (For mature audiences)

• When: October 27-30 | 7:30PM
• Where: Boren Courtyard Stage, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229
• Cost: $10-$20
• Tickets

2. Demondrae Thurman and Kathryn Fouse

Known worldwide for his signature sound and overt musicality, Demondrae Thurman has brought his remarkable skills to light as a soloist, educator, chamber musician and conductor.

He will be joined by Kathryn Fouse, former associate dean of Samford’s Division of Music, on piano.

• When: September 22 | 7:30PM
• Where: Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall, 880 Montague Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: free
• Tickets

3. Orphie and the Book of Heroes—Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth Series

The theatre season will begin with the Emma Taylor Theatre for Youth’s performance of Orphie and the Book of Heroes.

This show follows Homer, the iconic storyteller of The Illiad and The Odyssey, and an orphan girl, Orphie. Join them on this beautiful adventure of heroism and self-discovery.

• When:
  • September 30-October 1 | 7PM
  • October 2 | 2:30PM
• Where: Harrison Theatre, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: $5-$20
• Tickets

MORE THEATRE: don’t miss another amazing show—Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play October 27-30.

4. SPA Trio

Samford will welcome the critically acclaimed SPA Trio featuring Susanna Phillips (soprano), Paul Neubauer (viola) and Anne-Marie McDermott (piano).

This performance is part of the Davis Series and in partnership with the Birmingham Chamber Music Society. A pre-concert reception will start at 7PM. Don’t miss it!

• When: October 6 | 7:30PM–9PM
• Where: Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall, 880 Montague Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: $10-$30
• Tickets

5. Student ensembles

The student ensembles at Samford are always putting on a show from the Lakeshore ensemble to worship groups, chamber ensembles, orchestra, jazz band, university chorale and the Samford A Cappella Choir. 

Check out the events calendar to see when you can attend an upcoming show.

6. Stewart McLaurin—President of the White House Historical Association

Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, will visit Samford this October to speak on James Hoban, the Irish born designer and builder of the White House, and the skilled Europeans, enslaved workers and free laborers who built the White House.

He will also speak to the current/modern preservation of the White House and its comparison in design and function to other homes of heads of state around the world. Tickets are available now.

• When: October 20 | 7PM
• Where: Jane Hollock Brock Recital Hall, 880 Montague Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: free
• Tickets

This event is hosted by Samford’s Department of Architecture and Interior Design.

7. Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a heartwarming American opera by Gian Carlo Menotti that tells the story of Amahl and his mother who are visited by three wisemen on their way to Bethlehem. The beautiful music is perfect for audiences of all ages, and the story of faith and joy will welcome the Christmas season. 

• When: December 1-4 | Showtimes vary
• Where: Harrison Theatre, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Birmingham, AL 35229
• Cost: $5-$25
• Tickets

More fun events this fall

The are so many more can’t-miss events coming up at Samford, including:

• Samford alumnus and magician David Garrard on September 22
• Sozo Children’s Choir on September 27
• Several Alabama Symphony Orchestra concerts
• The Birmingham Boys Choir Christmas Concert on December 12

Want more? For all of the events you don’t want to miss at Samford, check out their events calendar.

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