Culture

Discover the soul of Alabama through exclusive SoulGrown stories about its rich culture

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Jeanie Edwards has found her niche as a wildlife artist and premier gallerist in Highlands, NC, but her love for art is deeply rooted in Alabama, where she grew up on a Wetumpka horse farm and was once crowned Miss Rodeo Alabama.  Recently featured in Western Art Collector Magazine, Jeanie’s career includes muralist, art teacher, […]

Artist and Wetumpka native Jeanie Edwards returns to hometown for Wildlife Arts Festival

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September 28, 2023

  Sweet Trails Alabama, in conjunction with the Singing River Trail and Jacksonville State University, will be taking a statewide public tour from October 2-6, 2023. The purpose of the Sweet Trails Alabama Swing Around the State Tour is to kickoff a year-long initiative that will identify existing trails and locate possible new routes in […]

Sweet Trails Alabama

Sweet Trails Alabama announces statewide Swing Around the State Tour

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September 26, 2023

Pumpkins, those orange icons of fall, are a great theme for an autumnal festival. And as a bonus, these events take place on working farms. For anyone raised on Linus and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” pumpkin patches provoke a healthy dose of nostalgia. But these gatherings go way beyond Linus’ patch, often featuring […]

5 Alabama pumpkin patches to visit this fall season

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September 25, 2023

On a clear day in downtown Birmingham, passersby can spot a certain futuristic white building looking out over the city. For many Birmingham residents, this is a well-known city landmark that they have frequented over the years. But for others, this piece of architecture atop Red Mountain seems somewhat anomalous. But its history is undeniable. […]

The history behind one of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks

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September 21, 2023

As the James Beard Award-winning chef/owner of Automatic Seafood and Oysters restaurant, Adam Evans is fussy about the quality of the fish he serves, down to ensuring his suppliers use sustainable methods to harvest the raw materials he turns into appetizers and entrees. But the chef is equally fussy about the potatoes he purees to […]

Automatic Seafood & Belle Meadow Farm Partnership

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September 19, 2023

Think of North Alabama, and you’ll likely think of the booming, brilliant metropolis of Huntsville, widely known for its aerospace industries and military technology. Or, you music-types may conjure images of Muscle Shoals, internationally recognized for its recording industry. Naturalists may envision the unscathed beauty of the Cumberland Mountains nestled into the Northeastern corner of […]

Discovering Decatur: A hidden architectural gem in the heart of the South

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September 17, 2023

With summer coming to an end and the temperatures beginning to drop, Alabamians can start preparing for indoor activities. While you are spending time with family or hosting your friends, a good music backdrop is essential. If you’re looking to spice up your playlist, we have gathered three bands that grew up in our beautiful […]

Homegrown Harmonies: 3 Alabama bands to add to your fall playlist

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September 16, 2023

Oktoberfest, which originated in Munich in 1810, has become the world’s largest beer party. It even has its own signature beer style. Last year in Munich, attendees quaffed 5.6 million liters of strong locally-made Oktoberfest lager – and those numbers were down due to rainy weather over the 18-day festival, according to the website, Oktoberfest.de. […]

Fall Festival Roundup Part 3: Alabama Oktoberfest Festivals

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September 14, 2023

Alabama is a colorful tapestry of cultures, woven in part by people who have moved here from other countries and made the Yellowhammer State a better place. Over the years, Mobile’s ports, Birmingham’s early 20th-century steel mills and mines, farms statewide, today’s University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Huntsville’s military and tech industries have attracted people […]

Fall Festival Roundup Part 2: Alabama Cultural and Religious Festivals

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September 13, 2023

Clocking in at one square mile in size and a population of 665 in the 2020 census, the tiny town of Leighton, Alabama leaves a BIG footprint. City leadership, led by Mayor Derick Silcox, wanted a way to celebrate all that Leighton has produced. Thus, they created Sledgefest, a music festival named after award-winning R&B, […]

Southern Sounds and Small Town Spirit: Leighton’s Sledgefest brings something new to the festival season

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September 12, 2023

Fall is full of festivals devoted to specific foods or beverages. But some cities and counties plan parties that showcase the breadth of their local restaurants, caterers, food producers, breweries, and distillers. Shelby County and the cities of Hoover and Opelika will dish local specialties in September and October. Birmingham’s first Food+Culture Fest, also in […]

Fall Festival Roundup Part 1: Alabama City and County Festivals

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September 11, 2023

Perfectly situated between Lake Martin and Auburn is a small town with hardly over 100 residents. The entirety of the town is contained in less than three square miles. It is home to a handful of businesses, one of which happens to be the one and only Standard Deluxe. Standard Deluxe is a nationally acclaimed […]

The hidden musical gem in one of Alabama’s smallest towns drawing crowds by the hundreds

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September 5, 2023

It has been the summer of national and regional recognition for Alabama. Across outlets, Alabama has been recognized for all that it has to offer across industries. From local award-winning restaurants being named the best in the South to outlets like The Wall Street Journal naming the Alabama coast as a must-visit destination, the state […]

Alabama’s Breakout Summer Earns National Recognition

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September 3, 2023

The University of Alabama is a well-known academic powerhouse in the state of Alabama. Many of the greatest minds in the state have studied at the University and found successful careers in their fields after graduation. Although the University has a range of academic accomplishments to hang its hat on, arguably the most valuable resource […]

University of Alabama Invests in Student Success

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September 1, 2023

The River Region’s biggest party is back and meatier than ever. The Druids Charity Club is thrilled to host the highly anticipated 6th Annual BBQ & Music Festival, “The Hog Days of Summer.” This charity event will be held on August 26, 2023, at the Union Station Train Shed in Montgomery. This festival aims to […]

Get Fired Up: The 6th Annual Hog Days of Summer BBQ & Music Fest is happening this weekend

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August 24, 2023

Whether you dressed in pink for the premiere of Barbie or you had black coffee at 6 A.M. to see Oppenheimer this summer has been one for the blockbusters. The “Barbenheimer” craze was a showstopping weekend in which three highly anticipated movies released. According to the New York Times, Barbie and Oppenheimer together brought in […]

Beat the Alabama Heat: 3 unique local movie theaters to visit for this summer’s blockbusters

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August 23, 2023

Birmingham’s David Diodate is responsible for some of the city’s most enticing artistic works. An incredibly talented photographer with a unique eye, Diodate brings a new perspective to the photography world, utilizing ancient Greek art methods to create memorable must-have modern pieces. “I constantly am doing photography of a variety subject matter that mostly is […]

Meet Birmingham Artist David Diodate

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August 22, 2023

Late-summer celebrations of food and drink in Alabama showcase beer, wine, barbecue, seafood, steaks, and sweet potatoes. It’s the start of a busy festival season across the state. Here are gastronomic gatherings set for August and September. Dauphin Street Beer Festival (August 26) Mobile Celebrating its 25th year, this roving party in the LoDa entertainment […]

7 upcoming Alabama food and wine festivals that you won’t want to miss

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August 20, 2023

Every bite from the multi-course meal at the 1856 restaurant delivers not only a gourmet pleasure for diners but also educational lessons for the Auburn University students who prepare and serve the food. The flagship at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center at the university, 1856 – Culinary Residence, provides a unique dining […]

Auburn’s 1856 – Culinary Residence: Nurturing the next generation of top culinary experts

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August 18, 2023

According to a recent press release, nonprofit Birmingham Talks will be presenting ‘Storytime’, “an inaugural annual fundraiser that celebrates the power of words and supports early literacy. About Birmingham Talks “Birmingham Talks supports the future stability and prosperity of our city by focusing on our most precious resource—our children. The organization’s innovative programs use cutting-edge […]

Birmingham Talks: Moving literacy forward in the Magic City with exciting new opportunity

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August 18, 2023

One of the best ways to experience the charm of Alabama’s Black Belt is by embarking on the Arts & Antiques Trail. This trail takes you on a captivating journey through many distinct areas, each boasting its unique artistic treasures and antique gems. From awe-inspiring galleries to hidden antique shops, let’s delve into ten of our favorite wonders of this trail.

Top 10 stops to make along the Alabama Black Belt Arts & Antiques Trail

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August 16, 2023