Bessie Coleman, the first African American female pilot, and her plane in 1922. Photo courtesy of the Southern Museum of Flight.
On Wednesday, Aug. 26, The Southern Museum of Flight will be transported back to the 1940s during the inaugural Bombers and Bombshells Ball. The ball is one of several events this year proposed to support the Mary Alice Beatty Scholarship for women in aviation.
Beatty, an early Alabama aviatrix, noted aviation writer, adventurer and businesswoman, established a collection of aviation artifacts at Samford University, which became the Southern Museum of Flight, explained the museum’s events manager Elizabeth Grady in a press release.
In a time when women were barred from learning trades that were considered more masculine, Mary Alice Beatty’s husband, pilot Donald Beatty, taught his wife to fly and welcomed her as a valuable companion on his South American expeditions during the 1930s. Together, Donald and Mary Alice were the first couple to fly over the Andes.
“He taught me to love the sky and to feel right side up and upside down in the clouds,” Mary Alice Beatty wrote in her 1986 memoir, To Love the Sky.
“It is with great pleasure that the museum along with Mary Alice Beatty’s daughter, Mary Alice Carmichael, pays tribute to her legacy in developing the scholarship for young women,” the release said.
The Bombers and Bombshells Ball begins at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour at the soldiers cocktail canteen accompanied by Les Fillmer and Ambisax, a one-man band that plays swing tunes of the ’30s and ’40s. Next, Steel City Swing will sponsor a free swing dance lesson from 7:30 to 8 p.m. The winners of the “Are you a Rosie?” Facebook contest supporting positive female imagery and Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics employment for women will be awarded. The 2015 Bombshell Pinup Calendar for the scholarship will also be revealed. Birmingham Flight Center, the American Rosie the Riveter Association and Birmingham Pinups will be in attendance. Trumpet player Terry Binion, a member of the 313th Army Band, will perform a tribute to the 70th Anniversary of the ending of World War II (August 14, 1945). DJ Coco will mix swing music throughout the event. Attendees are encouraged to dress in 1940s or military attire.
The Mary Alice Beatty scholarship will be awarded March 5, 2016, at the Bombshell Luncheon. All interested scholarship applicants may apply through Women in Aviation International at wai.org, according to the press release.
The Southern Museum of Flight is located at 4343 73rd St. N. Tickets are $25. For more information, visit southernmuseumofflight.org.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me Screening — Virginia Samford Theatre. 1116 26th St. S. Country music legend, Glen Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011. Documentarian James Keach followed the musician during his farewell tour and was allowed intimate access to Campbell’s life with Alzheimer’s. A talk-back discussion will be held after the screening. 7 p.m. $20. For more information, visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.
Are We There Yet? I’m Innocent! — The Carver Theater. 1631 Fourth Ave. N. This episode of Max Rykov’s live talk show will feature interviews with 10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge, Stephen Wallace; Ralph Hendrix, Program Manager for UAB’s Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities; and public defender Kira Fonteneau, about the criminal justice system in Jefferson County. Following the interviews Birmingham locals will participate in a game of “Mafia.” 7:30 p.m. $10. For more information, email mirykov@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Third Friday in Forest Park — Forest Park, South Avondale. Every third Friday the shops, restaurants and galleries in Forest Park stay open late to offer deals, dinner and drinks to local patrons or newcomers. Restaurants will have specials and wine tastings, and each venue’s restrooms feature an art installation through Tour de Loo. Participating venues include Silvertron Café, PaperWorkers Local and Little Savannah. Free. 5 p.m.–11 p.m. For more information, visit forestparksouthavondale.com.
The BMA Speaks to Birmingham: Black Like Who? — Birmingham Museum of Art. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. The spoken word poetry group, BMA Speaks, will perform live during this event to encourage conversation about race relations in Birmingham. A panel discussion will follow featuring speakers from a variety of backgrounds and professions. 6–8 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Autism Shines Gala — Birmingham Marriott. 3590 Grandview Pkwy. The annual Autism Shines Gala will benefit the Autism Society of Alabama, which provides advocacy and programming for children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families. During the event the Marriott will provide food and cocktails and live music will be performed by Box of Souls. 6–10 p.m. $65. For more information, visit autismshinesgala.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
L’Chaim 2015: Honoring Holocaust Educators — Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. In honor of Holocaust educators, including special honorees Brenda and Fred Freidman, the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center presents this event of music, dessert, education and a live dramatic reading of What We Saw: In the Words of the Liberators. 2:30–4 p.m. $50. For more information, visit bhamholocausteducation.org.
Between the Covers Book Club: Fight Club — Saturn Birmingham. 200 41st St. S. This summer Saturn Birmingham unveiled its bimonthly book club. This week finish out Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk with a discussion on chapters 16–30. 5–6:45 p.m. Free. For more information, visit meetup.com/Birmingham-Between-the-Covers.
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Exploring Faiths Program: The Sikh Faith — The Atlantic Institute. 2146 Centennial Dr., Hoover. These educational programs aim to promote dialogue and understanding among various religions. In this installment, attendees will learn about Sikhism. 6:30 p.m. Free.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Vulcans on Parade — Railroad Park. 1600 First Ave. S. The 2015 class of Project Corporate will unveil its civic engagement and artistic tourism project. Two miniature Vulcan statues have been painted by local artists Paul Cordes Wilm and Carrie McGrann to reflect the Birmingham metro area. In the future, Project Corporate plans to have 20 small Vulcans around the city. 8:15 a.m. Free. For more information, call (205) 933-1409.
Iron Cinema: Pulp Fiction — Iron City. 513 22nd St. S. Iron Cinema’s Summer Film Series “Cults, Classics and Comedies” continues with Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 hit Pulp Fiction. Before the screening, attendees may taste craft beers and spirits or order from a special dinner-theater menu. Door prizes will be awarded for best costume. Free. 7 p.m. For more information, call (205) 202-5483.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
The Works of Men — Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. 560 16th St. N. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute presents an evening of spoken word poetry and live music. Performers include Kuumba Nia, Leroy “Obeah” Hicks, Shawn Jenkins, Shaun Judah, Carlos Fair, Barry Johnson, Doug Ford, Glenwood Griggs, Dennis “Ajamu” Harris, Ronique Carter, Shayamme “Brother Shay” Jones and Haki Jamaal. 6 p.m. Free. For more information, visit bcri.org.
SHOUT Film Festival: Tangerine — Carmike Cinemas. 321 Summit Blvd. Sin-Dee Rella, discovers that her pimp boyfriend has been cheating on her. Sin-Dee and her BFF, Alexandra, set out on a hilarious, chaotic trek through West Hollywood to confront the involved parties. Winner at the 2015 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Traverse City Film Festival. 7–8:28 p.m. For more information, visit sidewalkfest.sched.org.
