Dre’s Ramblings

People generally say that things happen for a reason. Getting to do things I don’t normally get to is a great reason to go on a trip, only that’s not normally the case. However opportunities kept presenting themselves throughout the weekend. One of them was the chance to venture into what some would call one of the great cathedrals of America’s pastime on more time before it is replaced. I called it my home away from home for most of my high school years on summer weekends.

I am one of the people that would tell you that growing up in the Bronx and not being a Yankees fan might be considered sacrilegious. I grew up as diehard a fan as you could get, watching the games on TV, mimicking Don Mattingly’s stance, enjoying getting the chance to hear the current voice of the New York Yankees, John Sterling, on AM radio.

The main reason for this trip was to visit my grandmother, whom I had not seen in more than two years. She was the one that had me watching baseball and who is responsible for me admitting that I’m a Bronx native with pride whenever I wear the blue NY anywhere in the world. It just made sense to do something I had not been able to do since going to college: watch the Yanks and the Red Sox duke it out on the Sunday night game of the week. The last time I’d gone to the stadium, I got to watch the second half of a day/night doubleheader when the Clemens/Piazza event occurred… six years ago… so I was due for a visit. Especially since I’m not sure when I’ll be up again during baseball season before my hometown heroes inhabit a new home, albeit just across the street from the old one (and a replica no less).

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We’ve already mentioned all the cinematic options available to locals and visitors (hello!) alike in town this weekend. Well, there are two more things to point out this morning. First of all, it luckily did not get cold until late last night, so those that were able to make it out to Movies by Moonlight enjoyed great weather and a great treat: Napoleon Dynamite. The winner of the viewer’s choice vote was announced as well; this film will be shown in October as the last feature of this year’s series. And the winner was quite appropriate indeed when you think about it…The Empire Strikes Back! Early reports are saying that costumes will be encouraged, just in time for Halloween. The Birmingham Jaycees will also have a table at next month’s event, giving away two tickets to the return of their Haunted House in Lakeview. The house will provide funds to do community service activities through 2007 and the end of 2006 for the civic organization.

“Dynamite’s” producer is also brought this year’s opening film for Sidewalk to fruition. If you have a chance to get a ticket and can’t get in to see Batman Begins at McWane, check out The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang tonight at the Alabama Theatre. (Don’t forget Urban Reversi tomorrow morning! They’re meeting at the Harbert Center) They had a great time running the game last weekend in Williamsburg.

You might also want to check out the competitive film slate using the button off to the left.

You many also notice a venue along 3^rd Avenue North that has a slightly more localized flare. The Cakewalk Film Festival makes its appearance this weekend in downtown Birmingham. This festival also hopes to do more to help local filmmakers, as is Sidewalk’s primary goal. We’ll have to wait and see what the effect of having two festivals at the same time will have on downtown… wait a sec… we’ll actually have four festivals going on at the same time. Let’s not forget about the Greek Festival on Southside and the Taste of 4^th Avenue Jazz Festival primarily located at the Carver Theater. It’s getting more like NYC all the time (better to have too many options than too few).

A visit to the House that Ruth built, after lunch.

Cheers.