Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
Sneak peek + 5 things to know about the newly renovated Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
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Over the past few years, the Carver Performing Arts Center—home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame—has undergone a complete renovation to bring the historic African-American theatre into the 21st century.
Bham Now got a sneak peek inside the beautiful new facility and interviewed several staff members about their favorite parts. Read on to learn more.
About the Carver Performing Arts Center
Birmingham’s Carver Theatre was originally built in 1935 as a movie theatre. Located on Fourth Avenue North in Birmingham’s Black Business District, the Carver Theatre was one of the few places where African-American audiences could see first-run films during the Jim Crow era.
Although the theatre closed in the early 1980s, the City of Birmingham purchased the theatre in 1990. The city renovated it for several uses, including live performances and as a permanent home for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Recently, the theatre underwent a complete interior renovation. Along with the upgrades, the theatre received a new name to reflect the variety of programming it will soon offer: the Carver Performing Arts Center.
- Carver Performing Arts Center: 205.327.9424 | Website
- Address: 1631 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
5 reasons you’ll love the newly renovated Carver Performing Arts Center
1. A bright, inviting lobby
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression—which is why the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame went all out on their new and improved lobby.
“I really love how the lobby turned out. It’s been expanded and features large windows that let in a ton of bright, cheery light.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
When you step inside the lobby, you’ll notice quotes from jazz greats like Ornette Coleman and George Gershwin. Lining the hallway are informational posters about jazz icons, such as:
- John T. “Fess” Whatley
- Mary Alice Clarke
- Robert Summers
- Teddy Hill
- W.C. Handy
2. A new theatre experience
More than just a theatre, the Carver Performing Arts Center features a new, state-of-the-art performance space perfect for a variety of events, such as:
- Dance recitals
- Documentary screenings
- Plays
- Jazz concerts
“We’ve completely transformed the performance space with new seating, an upgraded sound system and theatrical lights. We’ve even expanded the dressing rooms backstage.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
3. A new home for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
The new and improved Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame will feature new exhibits and technologies, including:
- Interactive touchscreens with information on over 200 Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductees
- A short-throw projector with a unique story about Nat King Cole
- A fresh exhibit on Birmingham jazz icon Sun-Ra
“It is our hope that the new Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame will not only educate visitors about these important jazz artists, but also encourage them to ask questions and explore why they are important to the history of jazz.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
4. Upgraded studio for Jazz Hall Radio + Birmingham Black Radio Museum exhibit
For years, Birmingham’s Jazz Hall Radio (FM 91.1 WAJH) has operated out of a space at Samford University in Homewood. Now the renovated Carver Performing Arts Center has allowed Jazz Hall Radio to create a permanent home with more powerful technology.
“The updated equipment and new studio will allow Jazz Hall Radio to do things we could never do before. Listeners can expect some new, live on-air personalities in the near future.”
Orville Ifill, Vice-President, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
In addition to Jazz Hall Radio’s new studio space, the basement will be home to a new exhibit from the Birmingham Black Radio Museum.
“The Birmingham Black Radio Museum’s upcoming exhibit will feature memorabilia as well as soundbites of interviews with several huge civil rights figures, DJs and musicians. We’re excited to bring a new audience to the Carver Performing Arts Center.”
Leah Tucker, Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
5. New space for jazz programming
Once open, the new Carver Performing Arts Center will give the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame the resources and facilities it needs to enhance its valuable programming, including:
Want to learn more about the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame + upcoming events at the Carver Performing Arts Center? Follow @alabamajazzhall on Instagram to stay up to date on their progress towards reopening.
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