Birmingham’s demographics go way beyond Black and White, including the Lebanese, Greek, Italian and other European and Middle Eastern immigrants who settled during the city’s early years as a steel boom town, to more recent arrivals with Asian and Latin-American roots. This colorful tapestry is reflected in several food and beverage festivals scheduled this fall in the greater Birmingham area.

When it comes to creating bucolic art scenes of flora, fauna and field sporting traditions, Sue Key enjoys taking time to celebrate: animals, the outdoors, traditions, values and, of course, community. Surrounding herself with a community of people who make or appreciate art means a great deal to the Southern artist. “Those family values are so important, creating memories and bonds and lifestyles that can be shared with friends, draw families together, last for generations, and be passed down to grandchildren,” she explains.

Although it might still be a few weeks until the Deep South will feel a true nip in the air, the calendar says that fall has officially begun. Football is back, school is in session, and pumpkin spice season is upon us. Small-town festivals and county fairs are popping up across the region, and North Alabama is here for it. This month is full of down-home entertainment everywhere you turn. Is there a better way to enjoy the impending crisp autumn air during this season change? We don’t think so. Use the list below to fill your fall weekends with a different fair or festival throughout the month of September. 

Revitalization of historic Montgomery is well underway through the addition of fine-dining restaurants, nationally recognized museum and memorials, modern housing developments, and so much more. As the capital city, Montgomery is truly the heart of “the soul of the south.” Here are three reasons why people are making the move to Montgomery and why you should consider making Montgomery home too.

When Elysian Gardens opens in Avondale this fall, it will be the culmination of a 10-year dream for Birmingham’s William Colburn. The idea to open a garden center or sculpture park had been swirling in the professional metal sculptor’s mind for several years when he connected with Lucy and Jimmy Buffet in Fairhope, where he formerly lived.

There is a special sound being produced in Birmingham, Alabama. The Mountain Grass Unit consists of three very talented young pickers who are making a name for themselves: Drury Anderson (mandolin/vocals), Luke Black (acoustic Guitar) and Sam Wilson (upright bass). The group has played music festivals, private functions, and multiple music venues, playing bluegrass tunes and adding a bluegrass touch to country, jazz, funk, rock, and even metal. They have opened for bands such as The Sam Bush Band and Kingfish.

You asked, he answered! Our Instagram followers submitted questions to SoulGrown’s “Man About Town” columnist.

Have you ever wondered what the President of a University does on a daily basis? Well, we have the inside scoop of typical day-in-the-life of University of Alabama President Dr. Stuart R. Bell. You may be wondering; does he wake up to a full pot of coffee like the rest of us? How many crimson ties does he have to choose from each morning? If it’s raining, does he still walk to his office from the President’s mansion or catch a ride?

Rosilyn Holladay isn’t afraid of a little color. The Dothan-based artist is known for her colorful pop art paintings and tropical-themed abstract pieces, but her day job wasn’t always so creatively vibrant. 

Many Birminghamians associate the end of August with more than just the return of the school-year routine. The last couple of weeks of August bring with them the reemergence of Sidewalk Film Festival, an annual film festival that has graced the Magic City for 23 years and running. Each year, more than 15,000 film lovers rendezvous in downtown Birmingham, filling theaters across town to celebrate the art of movie making. Each year, around 250 filmmakers from across the country—and around the world—have their films selected to show during the weeklong festival. 

23 counties across the mid-section of Alabama are better known to locals as the Black Belt. This area between the Appalachian foothills and the Coastal Plain has become popular to tourists for many reasons, but there are a few standouts. Here’s what we’ve found when exploring Alabama’s beautiful Black Belt.

Meet the creator of SoulGrown, Ellis Terry! While still studying at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ellis began the SoulGrown Instagram pages to showcase Alabama the Beautiful after traveling the world and growing a great appreciation for his home state.

SoulGrown’s CEO, Courtney Hancock, sat down with Birmingham’s brightest fashion entrepreneur, Randall Porter, at the newly opened Frothy Monkey for a little brunch, a lot of laughs, and a meaningful conversation around style, life in Birmingham, and what it means to Randall to be a born and raised Alabamian. This is their conversation.

A confessed hoarder, Jim Reed divides people into keepers and tossers, landing solidly in the keeper lane. His quirky collection resembles a combination of a college professor’s office, a yard sale and an old bachelor who was never really housebroken. Spend an hour or two at Jim Reed Books and Museum of Fond Memories in downtown Birmingham, and your senses flood with memories and chuckles. It is serious, too. There is a feeling as you browse the shelves, that his shop holds a significant percentage of the world’s knowledge. Books range from new to five hundred years old. Items range from a giant porky pig head to movie posters, election buttons, vintage toys, and Amazing Spiderman comic books. You can find everything from a life-sized Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, hoisting a ruby slippers thought bubble, to a rare 150-year-old diary, perhaps complete with old love letters. 

Hosted in Leighton, Alabama, at the crossroads of Old Highway 20 and County Line Road, Sledgefest celebrates the legacy of Percy Sledge, a legendary soul singer. The event is an all day commemoration of the historic city and culture that permeates throughout. A city of less than 1,000 citizens, Leighton is known for being the hometown of a plethora of notable superstars—NBA players Leon and John Douglas, as well as NFL Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome. In the world of music, Leighton’s call to fame can be heard through the voice of Jimmy Hughes—a prominent vocal talent during the mid-century boom of rhythm & blues—and his cousin Percy Sledge. 

Something about live music makes summer feel complete. If you love that country twang or just a night out with friends, then a country concert may be just what you need. From Huntsville down to Orange Beach, summer concerts are in full swing, and hot summer nights, cold beer, and the sweet sound of your favorite country artists are hard to beat. Below you can find our guide to incredible county concerts happening here in Alabama this summer!

Alabama is exploding with theater groups across the state. Some specialize in musicals, some in Broadway favorites, others in challenging themes. All of them offer entertainment and art to their communities. Here is a list of theater groups performing somewhere near you. 

Better is a nonprofit, funding therapy for women in Alabama and advocating for overall mental health awareness in the South. In 2021, Better surveyed hundreds of Alabama women finding that the #1 obstacle to attending consistent therapy or counseling was finances. Through that, Better was born.

Fourth of July is right around the corner. While you’re making arrangements for a full-blown backyard barbecue—complete with juicy burgers and even juicier watermelon—it’s also a good idea to start plotting out your firework viewing strategy for when night descends. To make planning your perfect holiday weekend even easier, we’ve compiled a list of firework shows and events to attend across the state. From all-day festivals and live music to spectacular displays, here are the best ways to celebrate Independence Day in Alabama this year. 

Meet Julia, editor and content manager for SoulGrown! Julia Sayers Gokhale plans out all the content for the website, so she always has her ear to the ground for the […]

They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but a Birmingham-based nonprofit is proving that they can also be much more than that. Animal-assisted therapy provider Hand in Paw has been serving Central Alabama since 1996 when former Greater Humane Society of Birmingham Executive Director Beth Franklin founded the organization.