Culture

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

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Few places in Birmingham have as dedicated a fan base as Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen. Known for curated comfort meals and creative catering, Executive Chef Brian Mooney brings something unique to the table with every dish. A beautiful blend of sweet and savory, his Fennel Arugula Salad is certainly no exception. This recipe is […]

Recipe: Fennel Arugula Salad by Birmingham Chef Brian Mooney

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August 19, 2025

Franklin County Watermelon Festival Summer’s favorite fruit will take center stage Aug. 15-16 at the annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival. The fruity fun festival offers arts and crafts, watermelon contests, car and truck show, 5K run and 1-mile fun run, food vendors, children’s activities, games and musical entertainment, among free watermelon samples. Admission to the festival […]

Can’t Miss Alabama: Unwind and enjoy the weekend festival scene

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August 14, 2025

The South is home to incredible artistic talent that spans across many mediums, techniques, and unique points of view. While there is no lack of beautiful art being created locally, there is a lack of spaces to showcase these pieces and interact with the minds behind them. The Loyola Art Show, Mobile’s premier fine art […]

The vision behind Mobile’s first fine art market experience

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August 9, 2025

Three cities in North Alabama have landed on the “World Atlas” “8 Most Charming Town Squares In Alabama” list. The town squares of Athens, Mentone and Florence encapsulated what the online geographical resource described as “… a common thread of friendly locals, cultural attractions, and a diverse mix of vintage architecture that adds sophistication to match […]

North Alabama boasts three ‘Most Charming Town Squares’ in the state

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August 6, 2025

Pray First. Read Genesis 35. Change is hard. It comes with uncertainty, leaving behind the familiar, and often letting go of things we’ve grown to love. As a military family, many times we’ve let go, left behind, and moved to the unknown to begin again… and again. Yet with each move or change, we learned […]

Water for the Soul: Get Out of That Boat

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August 3, 2025

For Katie and Steven Lee, health is everything. From protecting their family’s future to building community locally, health and wellness serve as the foundation for a life well-lived. Based in Hoover, Alabama, the duo has dedicated their businesses to benefiting the longevity of loved ones and locals alike. Through their health food café, Clean Eatz, […]

Meet the inspiring couple transforming Hoover’s health and wellness scene

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August 2, 2025

Red Mountain Theatre presents ‘Waitress’ Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, the Tony-nominated musical “Waitress” offers a special recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places. Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the […]

Can’t Miss Alabama: Local art, festivals, concerts, and more to explore

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July 31, 2025

If you’re craving something simple that’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory, this Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowl is about to become your new go-to recipe. Created by Rachel Brown, the Rocket City Dietitian, this viral recipe is a hit in her own Huntsville kitchen—and it’s packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats […]

Recipe: Hot Honey Sweet Potato Beef Bowl

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July 27, 2025

In the rapidly evolving field of facial plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine, the allure of the latest trends and treatments can sometimes overshadow the foundational principles of patient safety and ethical practice. At Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Blake Raggio is steadfast in his commitment to upholding these principles, ensuring that […]

Raggio MD: The Gold Standard in Facial Aesthetic Medicine

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July 25, 2025

Live Locally Alabama is a statewide initiative developed by the Alabama League of Municipalities that celebrates the heart of our hometowns—the people who live there and the leaders who help them thrive. By sharing local stories about Alabama’s 466 cities and towns and highlighting civic achievements, the campaign reminds us that strong communities start with […]

Live Locally Alabama: Central Alabama communities building stronger futures together

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July 24, 2025

From the careful sourcing of ingredients to the artful presentation on the plate, the culinary world is undeniably a form of artistry–and this year, Birmingham Restaurant Week is celebrating that by adding a fresh dimension to the table: visual art. This year’s theme, Legacy of the Southern Table, is brought to life through a special […]

From Plate to Palette: Arden Upton brings Alabama’s culinary scene to life

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July 24, 2025

Qadeem Hassan doesn’t just know how to make a good cocktail—he understands how to craft an entire experience like finding the perfect song to add to a curated playlist. This fall, Hassan and his business partner Justin Speegle are set to open Ralph’s Listening Room, Birmingham’s first listening bar, which will showcase a soulful collision […]

The vision behind Birmingham’s first-ever listening room experience

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July 22, 2025

Red Mountain Theatre presents ‘Waitress’ Inspired by Adrienne Shelly’s beloved film, the Tony-nominated musical “Waitress” offers a special recipe for finding happiness in unexpected places. Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, Jenna fears she may have to abandon the […]

Can’t Miss Alabama: Summer sports, concerts, festivals, and more

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July 17, 2025

For Southerners, food is not only a major part of everyday life, but it is a culture in and of itself. While the South is synonymous with soul food, there are creative chefs and cooks throughout the region who bring something unique to the table. For Alabamians, one of the best-known of these is James […]

James Beard Award-winning Alabama chef stars in new series

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July 15, 2025

The Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermens Market in Foley has once again drawn national recognition, this time being named one of the Top 10 Best Farmers Markets in the U.S. in Newsweek’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The year-round market, located at 781 Farmers Market Lane in Foley, has previously been honored as a USA Today Top 10 Readers’ […]

This South Alabama farmers market ranked number two in the country

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July 9, 2025

Each summer, Dothan, Alabama, springs to life as the Press Thornton Future Masters returns to Dothan Country Club, welcoming hundreds of the world’s top junior golfers. Now in its 76th year, the 2025 tournament took place from June 21 to June 28, continuing a tradition that began in 1950 and has become a cornerstone of […]

Future Masters 2025: Dothan’s enduring junior golf legacy

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July 6, 2025

Pray First. Read Genesis 31:3 and 33:1-4. When we vacationed in Yellowstone National Park, which I highly recommend, we saw many warnings not to approach the animals. This was especially true of momma bears with her cubs. Those mommas would have no mercy when protecting their little ones.   As a mom myself, I understand that […]

Water for the Soul: Be Reconciled

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July 6, 2025

To speak with someone who lives a life of impact is a rare and priceless experience, and we had the honor of recently interviewing one such standout individual. A Purple Heart and Bronze Star veteran as well as the currently longest-serving chief executive of a public university in the U.S., Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., gave […]

Veteran to Visionary: How an Alabama leader helped heal a divided history

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July 3, 2025

Independence Day events Here are some holiday celebrations taking place around the state: July 3: Alexander City Celebrate Freedom. July 3: Wetumpka’s Independence Day Celebration. July 3: Fire on the Water, Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. July 4: Shark Run 5K, The Wharf in Orange Beach. July 4: Celebration on the River in Tuscaloosa. July 4: Independence Day 1776, American Village […]

Can’t Miss Alabama: Fourth of July ideas, summertime favorites

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July 3, 2025

As you plan your travels to the Gulf Coast this summer, consider making a meaningful stop at the Poarch Creek Indians Museum and Welcome Center in Atmore, Alabama. Located just off I-65 at Exit 54, this inviting destination offers an educational and enriching experience for all visitors—whether you’re on a family road trip, a teacher […]

Discover a Deeper Experience at the Poarch Creek Indians Museum and Welcome Center This Summer

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July 1, 2025

Thomas Rhett and Jason Isbell in concert Enjoy back-to-back concerts this weekend with Thomas Rhett: Better In Boots Tour and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Rhett will perform Friday, June 27, and Isbell Saturday, June 28. Both concerts will be at the new Coca-Cola Amphitheater on the site of the former Carraway Hospital in Birmingham. Rhett, a country […]

Can’t Miss Alabama: Coca-Cola Amphitheater Concerts

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June 26, 2025