Saturday: part 2.5 The Alabama stage

First, a little about the Mighty Wurlitzer: It is a Wurlitzer Opus 1783. It has four keyboards, 20 original sets of pipes, 8 sets of tuned percussion units, and all the sound effects needed to accompany a silent movie. There were 8 sets of pipes added later for a total of 2008 pipes! OH, and it raises and lowers from beneath the stage. So cool to listen to.

view from the back

view from the side while the organist is playing

Now for what I think was the coolest part of the day: We were about to leave, but I wanted to get more pictures from the stage. There were people shuffling off and on the stage to take family pictures, pictures of the organ and just well, any other kind of picture ... and to look around, of course.

Well, the organist starts playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow and suddenly, I look around. It's just Daughter and I standing on the stage. And she starts dancing.

I run down the stairs and take a seat on the front row with others who are listening. and I start taking pictures of my daughter. dancing. on stage at The Alabama, alone.

a solo.

I got chills. She was being so "in the moment." I don't even think she noticed the dozens of people in the audience watching her/listening to the organ.

I loved it.

"Look Mommy, I dance all by myself."

more dancing

it was magical

I took a couple of videos of her dancing that I'll have to load soon.

3/4, not bad.

I emailed my mother a few dozen pictures of the day trip and she told me she had never been to The Lyric but used "to go see all the Elvis pictures at The Alabama." cracks me up.

Saturday: part 2.4 The Alabama Projection Room

While Husband and the kids were crawling around in the upper balcony, I sneaked up to the projection room.

well, I didn't sneak up -- it was open for touring. I just mean I escaped before the kids could beg to go with me.

The stairs

This is the spotlight for the Wurlitzer (notice it on stage)

old reels.

the projector

a super zoomed in view of the Wurlitzer from the Projection Room

It was much cooler in there than I expected and I stayed a little longer just to cool off a little!

There was also a spotlight labeled "BIG WHITE AL" I took a picture but didn't load it.

Saturday: part 2.3 The Alabama the balconies

First the lower level balcony.

Two older ladies were talking to Daughter here.

The front row lower level balcony chairs right behind Daughter is where Husband and I sat the first time we came to see It's a Wonderful Life together.

Son, still confined. ready for action

the sides of the chairs. (they were only decorated on the main level and lower balcony.)

Daughter climbed ALL the way to the TOP of the theatre and this is the seat she picked.

the view of the stage from the top row of the theatre

Son, released and trying to get in the projection room.

3/4 ... not too bad. sitting on the stairs playing. I felt pretty lucky that there wasn't really anyone else in the upper balcony with us and the kids could run around without being in anyone's way.

I'm sure Husband is either telling Daughter about the theatre's history or explaining how jumping from the top isn't a good idea.

Son didn't like his seat at the top and switched.

walking down the stairs

wall

Son making his way down before being reconfined.

Can you tell that I've been sweating like a pig? HOT HOT HOT.

Husband looks the same. always.

Daughter making a "snowman" in the lobby of the lower balcony.

She gets snowmen and snow angels mixed up.

Saturday: part 2.2 The Alabama light fixtures

I took a lot of pictures of the light fixtures.

SO, I figured I'd give them their own entry.

upper level balcony

balcony wing, near the stage

view from the lobby, looking up to the first level balcony

view from the first level balcony, looking down to the lobby

the lighted dome in the center of the theatre

women's restroom, basement. yes. really. (also known as the ladies lounge to class it up a little)

the lobby

the ticket booth area

Saturday: part 2.1, The Alabama Theatre

(I'm breaking this post into 5 mini posts so picture loads will be faster)

Husband and I decided the first Christmas we were together (we were engaged at the time) that we'd go to The Alabama Theatre to see It's a Wonderful Life every year. Well, it's been four Christmases and we've only been twice (kids will slow you down).

Regardless of how often we get to go, we LOVE The Alabama and its Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Husband wants to start taking Daughter to weekend cartoons there eventually, so we thought this would be a fun way to introduce her to the theatre. (and Son too)

Daughter enjoying a cookie in the main lobby. She had to put her punch down before I let her in that chair! This is when we first got there and were hot and sweaty from The Lyric. Refreshments were in order.

The view coming up from the basement. I liked the lighting.

Daughter first walking into the theatre and choosing a seat so we could listen to the Wurlitzer.

Her seat. She was amazingly attentive.

Husband and Son's seats, across the aisle

ever so patient. He's a rock. (and a little tired)

Daughter making her way up to the lower balcony

relief work on the staircase

This is when we're preparing to leave. headed back down to the lobby

Of course, one more helping of refreshments were called for. Making this a true Part-Day.