A revitalization of Birmingham’s Theatre District has opened a world of possibilities for planners that are looking for venues with pizazz.
Historic event venues abound, which is a good thing considering attendees are expressing increased interest in localization programs that completely immerse them in the essence of the destinations they visit. Here are a few of Birmingham’s theatres that are open for group business.
The Lyric Theatre
Included in the mix is the renovation and re-opening of the 1914-built Lyric Theatre, which sparked the transformation of the Pizitz building into the Pizitz Food Hall, offering everything from Ethiopian cuisine to chicken and waffles. Meeting planners can get crafty here in its courtyard and in other historic event venues throughout the city. But back to the Lyric: the former Vaudeville theatre is a now home to concerts, symphonies, operas and community events. And, of course, your event, too.
Carver Theatre
The circa ‘30s Carver Theatre, home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, is also renovating and reopening this year with live jazz performances and event rental space. As one of the first movie houses for African Americans to see first-run films, the theater will be part of Birmingham’s newly designated Civil Rights National Monument, which encompasses historic sites landmarks across four city blocks.
Alabama Theatre
The Alabama Theatre in the heart of downtown Birmingham, was built as a movie palace in the late 1920s by Paramount Studios to showcase Paramount films, but also hosted the annual Miss Alabama pageant and weekly Mickey Mouse Club. Groups of up to 20 can tour the historic gem, which hosts more than 300 events every year (maybe yours), and get an in-person demonstration of Big Bertha, Alabama’s prized Mighty Wurlitzer Organ that was the not-to-be-missed feature of the venue’s silent-era film heyday.
