Top 5

You’re in for a treat.  Your Anti-Lame Advocates have blogged their “Top 5” lists to help increase your Birmingham enjoyment.  Let us know what other “Top 5”s you’d like to see in the future!

Top 5 Musical Venues
By: Laura and Bradley

1. Alabama Symphony Orchestra - ASO does a spectacular job of providing a variety of musical shows in a variety of price ranges. From top-dollar performances of world-renowned musicians to the free concerts at railroad park, there is always a performance that any music lover will enjoy. http://www.alabamasymphony.org/

2. Workplay - Brings out the edgier and more popular side of music life in Birmingham, with attractions such as Galactic, Little Big Town, and MuteMath. There is also a Latin Dance Night, where guests can learn how to dance Salsa, Merengue, or the Tango and then practice their new skills until late in the evening. http://www.workplay.com/

3. SuperJazz - An ensemble affiliated with the UAB music department and has been playing in the Birmingham area for over 25 years. They now play at Samford University 4 times a year and attract locals, students, and big-name jazz lovers and performers from around the globe. Prices are $5 for adults and seniors, $3 for students with IDs, and free for Samford students, faculty and staff. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=14386

4. Alys Robinson Stephens Center - A venue that truly celebrates multiple art forms. From film screenings, to acrobats, to various musical performances, ARSC provides opportunities for those interested in all types of art. With events ranging from triple digits to free, this venue provides a wide variety of mind-stretching activities for those on a budget or willing to pay the big bucks. http://alysstephens.uab.edu/

5. Your Shower at Home - When is the last time you really let loose and sang in your shower? Not only is this completely free, but it could also provide some amusement for your neighbors. All great musicians have to start somewhere...

Top 5 Mexican Restaurants

by Melissa

1. Habaneros Mexican Grill - Located in Hoover, this Mexican joint has a fun and festive atmosphere. It can get a little loud during the lunch or dinner hours from being so busy so it may not be the place to go for a quiet business meeting. But, the wonderful food more than makes up for the volume. 
2. Hacienda Mexican Grill - This Mexican restaurant has 3 locations in the Greater Birmingham Area: Eastwood, off Valleydale, and Chelsea. The queso is amazing and the steak quesadilla is the best I have had to date. The atmosphere is somewhat quieter than Habaneros thus making it an ideal location for a variety of dinner needs. 
3. Sabor Latino - Located of Green Springs highway in Homewood, this restaurant is something special. Not only do they have drink special's Monday through Thursday, and an all you can eat buffet Monday and Tuesday nights, but their service is hard to beat. This is a restaurant that you can come to only a couple of times and feel right at home. 
4. Maria's Mexican Restaurant - Located in Vestavia Hills, this place has a very authentic feel. It is small enough that if you blink you will drive right past it, but, the service is amazing and the food fantastic. Here you will find a link to a much better review. http://blog.al.com/scenesource/2009/06/marias_restaurant_in_vestavia.html
5. Iguana Grill - Located in Vestavia Hills, this restaurant features an impressive interior and a classy vibe. The prices are reasonable given the setting and the food is amazing. The Iguana Grill is definitely something to experience. 

Top 5 Birmingham Bakeries

by Melanie

1. Klingler’s Bakery - If you have not heard of this bakery, you must go and see. This is a family owned restaurant which serves traditional German and European desserts and pastries. Klingler’s has been named one of the "Best of Birmingham" by Birmingham Magazine, and their Black Forest Cake was chosen as one of the "100 dishes to eat in Alabama before you die" by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel. After tasting their desserts, one forgets the hustle-bustle environment of Birmingham and is suddenly transported to a quaint European atmosphere.
2. Savage’s Bakery - Craving a white cake with buttercream frosting? Savage’s is your bakery for finding the perfect wedding cake. Savage’s cakes are distinctively delicious. Don’t feel like a piece a cake? You must try their iced cookies- a cookie unlike any other.
3. Edgar’s Bakery - You want a full-service bakery- you got it! Everything is delicious here- but trying the strawberry and caramel cakes are a must. Additionally, Edgar’s has been rated by the Birmingham Reader’s Poll as the Best Bakery in Birmingham from 2007 to 2010.
4. Dreamcakes Bakery - You think Gigi’s has good cupcakes? Well, you obviously have not had a Dreamcakes cupcake. Rated among the best cupcakes in the South by Southern Living, Dreamcakes has quite the selection- ranging from the simple flavored chocolate cupcake to the more exotic mango tango and caramel sea salt mocha.
5. Pastry Art Bake Shoppe - On a diet? You don’t have to feel guilty when eating one of Pastry Art’s “Baby Bites.” Gone are the days of the unidimensional and often dry petits fours, welcome to the new world of flavor and variety when tasting the Baby Bite.

Top 5 Places to have a Picnic

by Erin

1. Railroad Park - downtown Birmingham. Duh, it's a happenin' place with lots of well-manicured, flat grassy areas that are perfect for a springtime picnic. There is also a covered area with tables, so your picnic can't get rained out & there is some shade in the summertime.

2. Orr Park - Montevallo, Alabama. This unique park has plenty of areas for a picnic, but has a charming, been-there-awhile charm, a beautiful stream, and tree carvings everywhere! Enjoy the quaint town while you are there, and be sure to check out the University of Montevallo campus for even more beauty.

3. Aldridge Gardens - Hoover, Alabama With lots of shade and coverings, this is a great place to take a date & talk about your hopes and dreams... or you could just walk the trails. Don't worry, these trails aren't too strenuous, so you our your gal can still visit even if she's chosen to wear a dress and flip flops.

4. Moss Rock Preserve - Hoover, Alabama  A little more intense hiking to get to where you're going, I haven't been to this place in the summer, but in the winter it was a great place to explore. Gigantic rocks, no, boulders, are all up in this natural area. The stream was dried up when I went, so try not to visit in a drought. Bottom line: if you like rocks, go here.

5. Oak Mountain State Park - This is a great place for a crowd. With pavilions and a "beach" there are plenty of different areas to picnic. Or take a special someone to the top of Peavine Falls for a more private place to picnic.

Top 5 Ways to Stay Lame

by Bethany

1. Don’t read our blog.
2. Don’t try new things.
3. Don’t venture downtown.
4. Don’t initiate plans (expect others to do all the work).
5. Don’t love life.

Summer Days (and Nights) - Part 1

Well friends, summer is in full swing in Birmingham.  We know that because….we have been to numerous weddings, been bitten by multiple mosquitoes, and have experienced mild heat strokes while walking to and from our vehicles.

While adults don’t get the luxury of summers off, we have found some ways to enjoy the summertime.

Last year, we created a fun tradition involving two of our favorite things: food and movies.  The Alabama Theatre offers several movie options each week during the summer.  Some are geared towards the kiddos, while others are perfect for dates and friends.

At only $7 a ticket, why would you watch a movie at a typical cinema?  These movies are classics (some cult classics, some award-winning), and always bring out a diverse crowd.  For the Ghostbusters movie, featured last year, there were many movie-goers who came decked out in costume, we discovered the Alabama Ghostbusters Community, and even saw an Ecto-1.

Refreshments are also very affordable.  Candy bars are $1, and popcorn is not much more.

Before each movie begins, you have the opportunity to listen to the Mighty Wurlitzer and participate in a sing-along.  Don’t be shy friends.  Really let it loose.  Why?  Because you’re at the dang Alabama Theatre.  A historical institution.  And because not singing is totally lame.

Before catching a flick, which normally begin at 7pm, we’ve found that enjoying a good Newk’s Q sandwich (see previous post) really helps set the mood.  Pick any other fun restaurant, and you’ve got a dinner and a movie experience perfect for a summer evening in Birmingham.

The Anti-Lame Campaign will be enjoying this Alabama landmark on July 16^th for a Hitchcock double feature, July 23^rd for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and July 31^st for Roman Holiday.  We hope to see you there!

Your Summer Fun Police