Past Events
at East Village Arts
Embedded Files
IMPROV SUNDAY! Conneseurs of Improvisation showed up and everyone participated in the creativity! Although the RISHI's from Athens, GA. had to cancel their tour at the last minute, the evening had no shortage of features: The "D-Alex debut in Birmingham! "...There is a social media alias for a popular street drummer," but that's not him. Residing on a small farm near Pell City, this dude performing with LaDonna Smith perculated improvisatory fireworks. That followed by Dada 'U'u, a father son duo on windsynth and fretless electric bass in a moving vibrational set. Euphonium Queen, Mika Carpenter performed her multi tracked composition "Ghosts!" The musical exploration of inspired soundscapes, euphonium filters and analogue effects brought new meaning to exciting sonic feedback & sound healing low resonances! The final set was open to our audience, whose antennaes for listening proved a precursor for the machinery of automatic group improvisations! A successful night of free improvisation to open our Spirit!
LARRY AND JOE 9/18/2025
Y'all, The September concert was awesome!!! These guys are so inspiring and entertaining! And the amazing harmonies that they produce penetrate right down to the core of excellence and the rewards of cultural diversity. Life becomes so much more interesting when we can share our unique gifts and talents, our diverse cultures, and mold a music made of unity, heart & soul. We are hoping to bring them back in NOVEMBER. So, anticipate the return of Larry & Joe to East Village Arts!
Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and old time star Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, & maracas to prove that music has no borders. Their engaging bilingual program includes storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing. Reimagining their two musical traditions, they sing to inspire joy and unity.
Check out the video!
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Scroll our RECENT EVENTS in 2024-25
Bards & Brews
Brian Voice Porter
Marlan Spears & Hurricane Elaine
Toadal Package is a collective power trio formed in 2020 Cosmo Gallaro on guitar, Brenna Rey on bass, and James Paul Nadien. Toadal Package plays original compositions by each member of the band & free improvisations, with nods to the free jazz traditions of Ornette Coleman, James Blood Ulmer, Sonny Sharrock, and contemporary rock and roll bands like The Flying Luttenbachers, US Maple, and Yowie. Their second release as a trio, “Toadal Package”, comes out on JPN Records 8/1/25 in alignment with their August 2025 southern and midwest tour. James Paul Nadien, based in Brooklyn is a prolific performer, collaborator, and recording artist. His current work revolves around solo percussion, as well as improvising ad-hoc with different group configurations, and playing with a few different projects like Toadal Package, Postmodern Miniatures, Art Heist, and Stalwart. Check them out at EVA on Friday, August 8th, 2025! 7:00 door 7:30 showtime BYOB $10
East Village Arts was pleased to hold the Birmingham Public Library's Open Mic Night! Featuring Marlon Spears and Hurricane Elaine Hudson in arousing original songs by Hudson, R & B, smooth jazz, blues and soul. The evening served as a tribute to honor the memory of Brian Voice Porter, who was the longtime host and creative director of Bards and Brews, the Birmingham Public Library's popular monthly spoken word poetry/craft beer event that celebrated its 11th year. The mayor of Birmingham said of Brian "that he was a true advocate for our city, unapologetic in his truths and his words never failed to stir us..." MC, Poet & educator Thed Weller navigated an awesome line up of poets for open mic.
SunRa Dayfest Sendoff!
"ARK IN TOWN" Celebrating Craig Legg Paintings SunRa Arkestra Past & Present Exhibit & Moon Stew, Sure Shot DJ's & The Audiovore! RA Art, and more. We met & hung-out with the Arkestra's in-person-send-off and celebration! The band members each got their own personal C Legg "trading-card" of themself with their instrument! Awesome hospitality, and a great party to be had! East Village Arts is in Orbit with Saturn's best! Stars and Planets, Art, food, Friends & Comrades! SATURDAY MAY 24th 11-2 (really it was 5:00!)
EAST VILLAGE GUITAR FESTIVAL- a two night celebration
April 4-5, 2025 a packed lineup of creative free improvising guitarists, raffles, auctions, merch interactive instruments, "hands on" cast iron guitars, and musical "round robins" as the audience circulates the art and musical explorations and improvisations! Experiencing the art of creative musical research in real time! Community sharing creativity fest!
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ALABAMA ART CASTING EXHIBITION
The Alabama Art Casting exhibition will be traveling to Birmingham directly from Meridian College in Mississipi showing a variety of iron art & cast objects and features the striking cast iron guitars, massive metal crafted instruments that the audience both can see and feel. The show is up through April in tandem with the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art Practices to be hosted at Sloss Furnace April 2-5. (nccciap.org)
EVA OPENING Reception April 1, 6:00-7:30 pm
February feature artist/sculptor Randy Gachet is from the visual arts faculty at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. His work is exhibited in galleries, non-profit spaces and museums throughout Alabama and the Southeastern region.
No Place Left to Land was created by visual arts students at the Alabama School of Fine Arts with artist/teacher Gachet.
For this project, recycled, upcycled, and repurposed materials create a kinetic installation that is innovative, creative, unique & responsive to its surroundings. ”Students co-created No Place Left to Land informed by elements of hostile architecture found in urban settings to discourage the homeless. Using upcycled secondhand clothing to suggest birds in flight over a hostile and uninviting architectural form, the piece addresses the plight of disenfranchised and marginalized people.
The four poets of the inaugural cohort of Poets Across Lines, Arlo Pate and Kevin L. Tarver in Birmingham and Kevin Sanchez and Ruth Ann of Tucson center around the themes of housing, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ identity, amplifying poetry and poets from communities underserved by the traditional literary establishment.
Learn more about the four selected poets of Poets Across Lines 2024: From Birmingham, AL
Arlo Pate (he/they) is a writer and educator currently nestled in Birmingham, Alabama. After studying Anthropology, they got their start in farming and since then has followed opportunities that lead to agriculture and labor organizing with the land having a profound influence on their songwriting and poetry. Kevin L. Tarver (he/him) is a writer, educator, and mental health advocate living in Birmingham, AL. He is a Black gay man trying to live a joyful life through fierce self-care and emotional honesty. His subject matter includes mental and emotional health awareness, sexual health education, and his experiences within the southern LGBT+ community. From Tucson, AZ
Kevin Sanchez (he/him) was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. As a first generation college graduate, he earned a BA in English and a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. Kevin is currently a high school teacher, sharing his love for literature and writing with the future generations of poets.
RuthAnn (they/them) is an aroace abolitionist and accessibility advocate. Born and raised in Arizona, they love the Sonoran Desert, where they continue to reside today. They are a translator and aspiring librarian. In addition to poetry, they enjoy singing, dancing, photography, cross stitch, and hand lettering.
Prince Tunde Odunlade at East Village Arts! 2024 celebrated Prince Tunde's return to Birmingham with an Exhibition of his new work, experiencing the Prince in person, his presence, stories, artworks, & amazing beaded batiks. Prince Tunde Odunlade, Cultural Ambassador of Nigeria is a print and textile artist who has exhibited, taught, lectured, studied and traveled extensively within Nigeria and throughout Africa, North America, and Europe. His work is in the collections of major institutions including the Smithsonian Museum of African Art as well as the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the MacArthur Foundation collection in Chicago, the State House in Lagos, Nigeria, and in Birmingham, Alabama at East Village Arts! ;)
Not only a hub for visiting international artists, we support amazing local talent from our own Birmingham Greater Metropolitan area! EVA is the scene for home-grown creativity: diverse & multi-cultural, alternative music, visual art & poetry, innovative cutting-edge and traditional folk arts! A gathering place for all!
Hidden Impact! - a tribute to two artists whose hidden works impacted the community in powerful ways. Eddie Melton was an inventor, a creator, and who played with shapes, fractals, & recipes! His work manifested in many unusual mediums. Neko Linda, writer & artist, silently co-organized the Sister City Connection - a multi-cultural collective of female poets. She fostered a deep awareness of Women's Spirituality was producer of the first performance of the Vagina Monologues in Birmingham. She supported and heralded the LGTBQ Spoken Word. Eddie Melton hidden talents celebrate community impact!
POP up Exhibition!
Rose Kimbrough
Max Hudson
Chloe Black
Three emerging artist show painting, textiles, and soft organic sculptures digital media, warping materials in Southern themes
Exhibition and Reception March 7, 6:00 pm.
Create Birmingham, an an early morning "Meet and Greet for artists and non-profits across the city to engage in a forum on Accounting Tips and Insight for Small Businesses and Nonprofits. The guest presenter was Talibah M. Bayles, founder and CEO of TMB Tax & Financial Services benefit networking and creative community arts solidarity
CULTURAL FORCES
FROM THE UKRAINE FRONTLINE
SECOND MUSIC TOUR OF GRATITUDE
Tuesday OCTOBER 15th, 2024
featured soldier/musicians. All fought on the front-lines of the Ukrainian war. After injuries and recovery, they were commissioned to tour the USA with the Second Music Tour of Gratitude presenting a phenomenal world-class performance of classical, folk and traditional Ukrainian music.
The cultural arm of the Armed Forces of Ukraine brought together active servicemen and volunteers of artistic and creative trades. Through culture and arts, the Cultural Forces improve fighting troop morale providing psychological support to soldiers in combat and recovery zones. All were professional artists before the war and fought in some of the fiercest battles of the war. After recovering from injuries, they went back to playing music. We were honored to be able to host their jaw dropping performance at East Village Arts of Birmingham.
Yurii Ivaskevyeh
Vocalist and Soloist in the Zapariatutua Philharmonic Orchestra, Grenade Launcher Operator, 110TH Separate Brigade
Taras Stoliar
Bandura player Honored Artist at Ukraine, PFC Reconnaissance Operative, 112th Separate Brigade
Olha Rukavishmikova Violinist, conductoer, and symphonist, Reconnaissance Operative, Grenade Launcher, Operator, 112th Separate Brigade
Mykhaile Olinyk
Composer, pianist and singer, Separate Mechanized Brigade
Sasha Poole Country music singer, composer, and writer, Capt. 22nd Separate Infantry Battalion
Liubov Shipiliuk, Bandura player, singer and songwriter, (CF frontline volunteer)
Mykolai Sierga Popular presenter, poet, musician and lproducer (CAPT, 50th Separate Mechanized Brigade)
for more information about these cultural ambassadors visit
https://culturalforces.org/international/
BAMA
Birmingham Art Music Alliance
presents Iron Giant
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Iron Giant Free Association premieres new music by local composers in boundary-stretching performance.
Iron Segments - Michael Coleman
Versicles for Aries - Kyle McGucken
Improvisation - LaDonna Smith / Iron Giant
differance - Mark Lackey
as reflected in the glimmer of the black pond Holland Hopson
Thus Spoke the Giant - Joseph Landers
Armature - Monroe Golden / Iron Giant FREE
BLAST FROM THE PAST
"Paul & Eddie from Ensley"
"Art of the Temptations"
Fourty-five new paintings from Craig Legg
Tribute to Paul Williams & Eddie Kendricks
Open Saturdays January-March, 11 a.m-3pm
also open during evening events!
BEAM SPLITTER ~ from Norway, AUDREY CHEN, HENRIK MUNKEBY NØRSTEBØ, PHIL MINTON, U.K.
OCTOBER 31, 2024
Beam Splitter an international trio of hyper-extended techniques of breath driven antics for voice and trombone. Featuring local improvisors LaDonna Smith & Taylor Rouss as Ruthlessly Killing and Dada U'u' Si Reasoning & Aiden Ritchey windsynths.
For each of us, breath is a highly personal signature at the audible edge of sound; to magnify it, is to make oneself available in a particularly bold way. And the work on Rough Tongue is nothing if not bold.
— Daniel Barbiero, Avant Music News
BEAM SPLITTER- (Norway, USA) bring their highly amplified dialog, intimate as it is raw and exposed, their individual voices join into a distinct language delving beyond the borders of voice and trombone utilizing analog electronics to offset their hyper extended physical play in a highly crafted will for improvisation and
experimentation. —
Phil Minton comes from Torquay in the UK. He played trumpet and sang with the Mike Westbrook Band in the early 60s- then in dance and rock bands in Europe for the later part of the decade.
Phil Minton, (UK) distinguished father of extended vocal techniques has been working in groups, orchestras and as a soloist worldwide. Composers have written works that especially employ his vocal prowess & improvisations.
Since the 1980s eighties, his Feral Choir, where he voice-conducts workshops & concerts for anyone who wants to sing, has been hosted in over twenty countries.
MASKS AROUND THE WORLD
Art Exhibit by Craig Legg
Paper Machet, Found-object Assemblage
Craig Legg, is a working resident artist of EAST VILLAGE ARTS, active in the community as prolific creator, tireless volunteer, arts, literature, music historian, and creator.
September 21, 2024 Jonas Van den Bossche Belgian guitarist, based in the United States explores music both through written songs and improvised playing. Van den Bossche embraces contradiction and change which enables his improvised playing to flow seamlessly from noise to melody to silence and back. He has explored noise, free jazz, and improvised music on guitar and drums for well over two decades. Also on the bill, exquisaire T Roussi, Playplace, Patrick Stone & The Hotel Bibles.
This night of free improvisation called opens ears to task! Manifesting the interception of improv, flow, & friendships at East Village Arts beautiful creative space!
Tmbuk2 hosts
"FRIDAY NITE WRITES"
The Soultopian Society graced the mic for the September monthly edition of Poetically Speaking. This event was the humorously delivered, thought-provoking commentary of Akeyla Chatman! Totally entertaining, and then participants were prompted to write and "Speak their Peace" on the subject of "There's no turning back" Participants bring a pen, pad, and an open mind to “speak your peace” on Third Thursdays!
Photos below: East Village Arts celebrated Sun Ra cosmic departure with an outdoor documentary screening, parade, music, poetry and art fair, and Sun Ra's favorite soup (all for free!) Celebrating the upcoming documentary film of Sun Ra's Birmingham legacy by French film makers, Guillaume Maupin & Pablo Guarise.
All this as the final scene of the movie was filmed at the EVA celebration! Just wait 'til Spring! ;D
We've installed some amazing mosaic Patio tables!
Do you have a green thumb? Sound & Lighting experience? Social Media Wizard? Good with a broom? Volunteer!
East Village Arts hosted an open air outdoor event celebrating the departure date of our son of the city, Sun Ra! Beginning with a parade of musicians and the Sun Ra giant puppet down first Avenue North accompanied by the volunteer ad hoc Sun Ra Band, music, poetry, a history lesson, art, merch, tee's, BBQ, and a screening of early historic Birmingham clips of Sun Ra to be included in the documentary film by French filmmakers Guillaume Maupin and Pablo Guarise.
POETICALLY SPEAKING - a writing workshop of sharing & healing through written and spoken word. The featured poet for the month of July was Jahman Hill, an astute poet and Birmingham influencer. Poetically Speaking hosted by the Soultopian Society is Third Thursdays!
The EXPROV monthly Concert Series features improvisation, electronic music, and avant-garde jazz. Presenting local and touring musicians from all over the country, as well as brilliant musical innovators from around the world.
ECHOES OF CONTEMPORARY SURREALISM
This historic event was part of "Echoes Surrealiste Contemporaines" an international collaboration of correlated Surrealist exhibitions hosted in Luxor, Egypt, Budapest, Hungary, Saint-Cirq LaPopie, France at the summer home, now Cultural Museum of Andre Breton, and in all places, right here in Alabama at East Village Arts!
The Alabama Surrealist group, FRESH DIRT, has drawn itself into the international Surrealist movement, and the Alabama exhibition was celebrated as one of the most innovative of all in live performance! The Alabama exhibition at East Village Arts included visual art from Egypt, France, Canada, Australia, Britain, Scotland, USA and Peru. Our event featured spontaneous sound poetry, dance, & performance artists, 'automatic' music, surrealist films, and the experimental stringed instruments of local artist Jean Jacques Gaudel.
BAMA New Music Festival 2024
2024 Birmingham Art Music Alliance New Music Festival Tenth Anniversary "THE NEXT MOMENT" held on Saturday May 11, 2024 and Monday
May 13 featuring "Esther & Holland"
New Old Time Music! free admission!
The Birmingham Art Music Alliance is an autonomous nonprofit organization with the twofold mission of promoting music by Alabama composers and presenting concerts of recently created art music to communities in Birmingham and beyond. We are proud to acknowledge BAMA (Birmingham Art Music Alliance) as one of the creative member organizations of EVA!
CASSANDRA GRIFFEN EXHIBITION
“I, TOO SING AMERICA”
Celebrating Black History Month
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
Cassandra Griffen is a nationally known Civil Rights Movement documentarian. Her photographs are powerful revelations of the journey of individuals and communities of color during her 30 years of intense documentations of civil unrest and cultural challenge. My images expose the individual’s hidden self. I am curious of what lies behind their eyes; where they have been; and where they hope to go. My images evoke the passage of time. Serving as Human Rights commissioner of a New State Commission taught me that racism was still a factor and this revelation impacted her passion to the underserved and overlooked.
PRINCE TUNDE ODENLADE of NIGERIA is a print and textile artist who has exhibited, taught, lectured, studied and traveled extensively within Nigeria and throughout Africa, North America, and Europe. His art has been displayed around the world in dozens of one-man and group shows. His work is in the collections of institutions including the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the MacArthur Foundation Collection in Chicago, and the State House in Lagos, Nigeria. His work is also in the collections of many private individuals in the North America, Europe, and Asia. He is Director & Curator of the Tunde Odenlade Contemporary Art Center in Nigeria.
Prince Tunde Odunlade to Birmingham! March 1, 2024
East Village Arts was proud to host Prince Tunde Odunlade, acclaimed beaded batik artist & the cultural ambassador from Nigeria. The exhibition in March featured large handmade pieces that captured the village life and spirit of his people. His hand-crafted beaded batik was heralded with performances by the drummers of Sahi On Ko Djony and dance by Nathifa African Dance director Empress LaVondia. Attendees could not help but join in the dancing followed by poetry, reggae and rap curated by Birmingham's outspoken poet, Tmbuk2 the curator of the exciting monthly series, "FRIDAY NITE WRITES!" Such a high night celebrating the arts & cultural diversity!
Alabama Roots Music and Trading Card Series
Craig Legg's Alabama Roots Music & Trading Card Series is a visual/musical history in 300+ portraits. Open January through March, 2024, it was a super hit, & Painting with the artist on Saturdays from 11:00-2:00.
FRIDAY NITE WRITES features poetry, rap and reggae hosted by EVA curator and Master of Ceremonies, Tmbuk2 in a community celebration of the Word! Each month there is a new poet or rap artist and open mic introducing the community to many talented local poets in spoken word.
East Village Arts is an eclectic & affordable community venue of the poetic, visual arts & performance! celebrating diversity and inclusion, supporting local and visiting artists. Contact: director@evabham.org
Join us at East Village Arts as a volunteer, member, or studio resident!
Studio Residency
Uniquely conceived in the form of a "village" or town, we have an open gallery for artist exhibitions, a performance space with a stage & church pew seating, a nice wood floor for dance and classwork, and a number of village mini studios which may be occupied by local artists to show or execute their work.
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More Past Events...
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EAST VILLAGE ARTS Winter Solstice Open House!
Think creatively toward the New Year.
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STUDIOS FOR RENT PERFORMANCE, WORKSHOP & TEACHING SPACE
Contact: director@evabham.org txt: Steve! 205-266-3933
Fire, food, and friends at EVA on Family Flow Night
Family Flow Night
Come see a fire show
on
our
new patio!
EVA in the news!
French filmmakers are celebrated at EVA for their work on an upcoming documentary about Birmingham's own Sun Ra.
Everyone is a unique expression of talent, insight, and reason for being. Join our membership and contribute to the wellness of the community in our city, impacting the state of things imaginative, authentic, and true. Because resources in the challenges of Life are inter-related, we ask you to join us in this mission! Become part of the EVA Vision as a listener, an observer, a supporter and a creative!
East Village Arts is a 501-c3 community artist collective supported by memberships, by you. All donations are fully tax deductible by law. Donate: Please give generously or Become a Sustaining Member Today!
ECHOES SURREALISTE CONTEMPORAINS
EXHIBITION, FILM
& PERFORMANCE ART!
6:30 p.m Art & Collaborations set the atmosphere! Early birds experience and improvise on latest stringed instrument inventions by creator, inventor, artiste Jean-Jacques Gaudel!
7:30 BODY LANGUAGE, Spoken Word, Free Improvisation & PERFORMANCE ART
CillaVee (NC), Susan Hefner and Shelley Hirsh (NY) Ruthlessly Killing (LaDonna Smith & Taylor Rouss), Si & UU, Rachel Inman & Mary Foshee, Doctor Khlurr (Clifford McPeek) poetry, music, manifestos, wild wombs ghosts, & intuitions.
8:30 SURREALIST SHORT FILMS by Si Reasoning, Michael Mills, Scott Bazaar
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