Winter blues? 3 local concerts that will boost your mood 

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If winter in Birmingham has you craving hibernation, we have just the thing to make you crawl out from under the covers. This January, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is turning up the heat with live music packed with lush orchestral sound, Broadway-worthy vocals and plenty of reasons to leave the house.

From musical theatre favorites to symphonic showstoppers, read on for three must-see concerts that will cozy up your calendar this month.

1. “South Pacific” brings Broadway magic to Birmingham

ASO kicks off 2026 with something truly special: a semi-staged concert production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” This marks the ASO’s return to large-scale vocal works for the first time in more than a decade—and trust us, they’re going all out! Set on a tropical island during World War II, this timeless musical tells a story of love, courage and confronting prejudice.

Think of this concert as Broadway, but bigger—and ready to sweep you off your feet. The cast and creative team bring together some of the best talent from near and far, blending sweeping orchestra sound, show-stopping vocals and the intimacy of live theatre.

Event details

• When: Fri, Jan. 16 + Sat, Jan. 17 | 7PM
• Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
• Cost: $36.50–$95.50
• Tickets

2. A Farewell Tribute to 2025

Few spots in Birmingham set the mood like the Carver Theatre, with its historic charm and intimate setting, making it the perfect place to experience The Farewell Symphony with conductor Carlos Izcaray leading the ASO on an immersive and emotional musical adventure. 

Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony starts the night with a beautiful, mysterious sound that keeps you hanging on every note. 

Then Haydn’s “Symphony No. 45,” also known as the “Farewell” Symphony, brings a playful, touching ending to the evening that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Event details

• When: Thurs, Jan. 22 | 6:30PM
• Where: Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts
• Cost: $25–$90
• Tickets

3. Luminous Legends: Tchaikovsky & Brahms light up the stage

Are sweeping melodies your jam? Then this ASO concert is just the thing to warm your soul on a chilly January night in Birmingham.

The show begins with Beethoven’s “Overture to Egmont,” a bold, dramatic blast that gives you a jolt of courage right in your seat. 

Next up, Tchaikovsky’s No. 4 in G major, “Mozartiana” glides in with elegant, classy vibes, giving a nod to Mozart. It’s a rare pairing: Tchaikovsky, the very Russian composer, and Mozart, the very Viennese genius, join in a playful musical convo that’s full of pizzazz.

The show wraps with Brahms’s “Symphony No. 3” in F major, a soul-packed finale that hits your heart and doesn’t let go even after the last note fades.

Event details

• When:
  • Fri, Jan. 30 + Sat, Jan. 31: 7PM
  • Fri, Jan. 30 | 11AM: Coffee Concert — a shortened, morning-friendly performance that comes with coffee and muffins in the lobby. Perfect if late nights aren’t your thing!
• Where: UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
• Cost: $12–$90
• Tickets

Want to keep the music going all year? Grab your tickets for what’s coming up next with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

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