Ales and DamNation: Let Rivers Flow screens documentary
Mossy trees stretch to the sky from an ant’s eye view in the first shot of the documentary DamNation. Ambient music wafts in as the camera pans over ivy-covered stones and a fierce, tumbling river.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s voice crackles in, a grating contrast to the tranquil forest. “This morning I came, I saw and I was conquered, as everyone would be who sees for the first time this great feat of mankind,” Roosevelt said Sept. 30, 1935 to 5,000 spectators at the dedication of the Boulder Dam (later renamed the Hoover Dam).
The film, which will be screened at Avondale Brewery by Let Rivers Flow on Monday, June 8, takes a strong stance in favor of destroying the ideal of harnessing nature to meet human convenience, namely by removing dams across the country.
According to the documentary, removing dams has “proven to be an effective way to restore entire watershed ecosystems, revive wild and sustainable fisheries and associated jobs, protect coastal beaches and wetlands, improve water quality, and improve the lives of adjacent communities and native cultures.”
Nationally — and just recently, globally — reception of the film’s message has been positive. Among its 21 film festival awards, DamNation was SXSW’s 2014 Audience Choice winner, International Wildlife Film Festival’s Best Conservation Film and the Best Feature Film at the Green Film Festival in Seoul, South Korea.
Toward the end of Roosevelt’s optimistic address he speaks on behalf of the nation, which is reportedly proud of the Boulder Dam with a few exceptions: the skeptics or the “narrow visioned [sic]” as the president refers to them.
DamNation filmmakers Matt Stoecker, Travis Rummel, Ben Knight and Beda Calhoun may be narrow-visioned by presidential estimation, but the people have spoken: DamNation is broad-minded, innovative and inspiring.
The screening will take place at Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. S., from 5–7 p.m. Free. For more information, visit letriversflow.com.
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
Party on the Porch — Alabama Outdoors. 3054 Independence Dr. The second Party on the Porch of 2015 will be an evening of SlapHappy BBQ, Trim Tab draft beer and fundraising for the Cahaba River Society. The event is also the kickoff celebration for the tenth annual Cahaba River Ramble scheduled for Sunday, June 7. Other activities include corn hole and face painting, plus special discounts on Alabama Outdoors merchandise. 5:30–7:30 p.m. Free. For more information, call (205) 870-1919.
Bards and Brews — Avondale Public Library. 509 40th St. S. Once a month the Birmingham Public Library System hosts a battle of words between talented local spoken word artists. Full of audience participation and soul, the event includes a craft beer tasting provided by Avondale Brewing Company, snacks and a musical performance by Anna Corbun. 6:30–9 p.m. Free. For more information, visit Bards and Brews on Facebook.
Magic City Brewfest — Sloss Furnaces. 20 32nd St. The ninth annual Magic City Brewfest presented by Free the Hops is a weekend-long craft beer festival dedicated to sharing the tradition of craft brewing and sampling more than 200 rare, specialty and cask ales. Local and Alabama-based breweries like Ghost Train, Good People, Black Warrior and Goose Island will be represented during the event. 7–11 p.m. Saturday 4–8 p.m. $37. For more information, visit magiccitybrewfest.com.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
G.R.E.A.T. Scholarship Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show — The Harbert Center. 2019 Fourth Ave. N. The Metro-Birmingham Professional Women’s Association (MPWA) presents the 29th Getting Ready for Excellence | America Today (G.R.E.A.T.) Scholarship Awards Luncheon. More than $160,000 in scholarships are being awarded. Each year, six high school graduates are chosen from the Birmingham metro area to receive scholarships. During the luncheon, ticketholders will also be able to win prizes, watch a fashion show and shop local vendors. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. $30. For more information, call (205) 934-5171.
Amuse Bouche Poetry Dinner — Continental Bakery Downtown. 1820 Fourth Ave. N. Irene Latham, Barry Marks and James Miller Robinson, Alabama natives and prize-winning poets, will share this live poetry reading at Continental Bakery’s downtown location. Attendees may enjoy dinner and cocktails during the event. 7–9:30 p.m. Free. For more information, call (205) 323-4110.
SliceFest — Slice Pizza and Brew. 725 29th St. In addition to the stellar lineup of bands, Slice Fest offers an edible tour of Birmingham. Homewood’s Sprout and Pour fresh pressed juices, NOLA Ice, and Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn will be represented as vendors. The Slice, Shindigs and Cantina food trucks will also be parked and dishing out favorite menu items. Farmers market Pepper Place will present a pop-up mini market to sell their usual crop of locally produced fruits and vegetables. 12 p.m.–12 a.m. $30. For more information, visit slicefest.com.
Pink Box Burlesque Show — Black Market Bar and Grill. 2011 Highland Ave. S. The new wave of Burlesque performances is more accepting, more approachable and possibly more entertaining than previous incarnations as variety entertainment acts in the Victorian Era. Pink Box Burlesque from Tuscaloosa, now in its seventh season, descends upon Birmingham this week with its cast of comics, contortionists and dancers supported by a live jazz band. 8 p.m. $10. For more information, visit pinkboxburlesque.com.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Thinking Man’s Trivia — Rogue Tavern. 2312 2nd Avenue S. Join Birmingham’s best and brightest pub trivia competitors for a grueling meet of the minds every Monday night for exciting prizes. Challenging teams will unite to try and defeat last week’s winner. Will they prevail? Hosted by Joshua Rutsky. 8:30 p.m. Free to play. For more information, visit Thinking Man’s Trivia on Facebook.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Lunch and Learn: Drink Your Garden — Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 2612 Lane Park Rd. Every Wednesday the Botanical Gardens offer an opportunity for green thumbs (and not so green thumbs!) to learn more about the living world around them during their lunch break. This week’s installment will focus on using botanicals to flavor garden-inspired cocktails. 12–1 p.m. Free. For more information, visit bbgardens.org.
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Chefs for the Cure — The Club. 1 Robert S. Smith Dr. Susan G. Komen North Central Alabama and 12 of Birmingham’s gourmet chefs unite to deliver this tasting experience benefitting breast cancer research and awareness. A kick-off cocktail reception will begin the evening followed by a sampling of local cuisine from Bistro V, The Pantry by Stone Hollow Farmstead, Vino, Ocean and many more. $100. For more information, visit komenNCalabama.org.