Art Gallery

By Kevin Lee Associate Editor

Founder’s Day Festival

Where: Bienville Square in downtown Mobile

When: Sat., Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Mobile’s 2002 Tricentennial celebration revealed a love of local history unrivalled in many Southern towns and the Crichton Optimist Club aims to bring this pride to bear again with a Founder’s Festival in the cozy environs of the Port City’s civic heart.

Though the Azalea City has existed under six flags, our French heritage is specifically celebrated with entertainment, archaeological displays and events, historically costumed re-enactors, art shows and auctions and various vendors. No Mobile celebration would be complete without food and in addition to repast for sale there will an Ancient and Modern Gumbo Contest.

Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the gate and are available at the Downtown Mobile Business Alliance offices downtown and Prudential Cooper and Company in West Mobile.

For further info, call Barbara Parker at 251-454-9872.

Contexture: Fabric, Fashion and Fantasy

Where: Space 301 Off Centre (6 S. Joachim St.)

When: Through Sun., Jan. 6

Downtown is buzzing about the “bunny men” in the windows facing Joachim Street next to the Saenger Theatre but the costumed figures are only the surface of this truly multi-textured show weaving together multiple mediums.

The works by Matt Posey, Alex Podesta and GULF ArtSpace mainstay Pinky Bass are intriguing and thought-provoking, sublime and striking.

One word of warning: be careful about parking. Though following the call of curator Clayton Colvin to see the show, Lagniappe’s arts explorer still received a $50 ticket while parked in the spaces allotted to The Centre for the Living Arts. Thanks to the Space 301 crew for offering to rectify the citation.

Gallery hours are Wed – Sat, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sun, noon – 5 p.m.

Entrance is free for members, $5 for non-members.

For more info, call 251-208-5671 or go to www.space301.com

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Where: College Park Baptist Church (5860 College Parkway, across from University of Mobile entrance)

When: Fri, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. & Sat, Nov.17, 2 p.m.

This holiday classic was an opera in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti on an original English libretto. It was the first opera composed specifically for television broadcast and was first seen on Christmas Eve of 1951 when it was transmitted from NBC Studios in New York City.

The cast of six plus a chorus tells the story of a physically disabled Middle Eastern boy whose tall tales confound those around him. He spots an unusual heavenly sight one evening and his mother summarily dismisses the child’s account until a knock at the door brings three regal and unusual visitors. What follows is a touching holiday story of loyalty, forgiveness and humility.

The event is a University of Mobile Opera Workshop with accompaniment by the UM Orchestra under the direction of professor Patrick Jacobs.

Entrance is $15 for adults, $10 for students and group rates are available.

Call 251-442-2554 for more information.

Kevin Lee is Lagniappe associate editor. Contact him at klee@lagniappemobile.com.

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