UAB Briefs: More from Oz, a funk master, 50 years of transplants
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs.
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email us at jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
FOLLOW THE WIZARD TO THE ALYS
The many fans of The Wizard of Oz will likely enjoy “Down the Yellow Brick Road,” a family-friendly original play to be presented at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB on May 12-13, according to a UAB news release.
Local actor and playwright Jerry Sims wrote the play, adapting it from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the classic book by L. Frank Baum.
Billed as one of the most ambitious original productions at the ASC, the play will feature elaborate sets and costumes, as well as special effects.
There is also audience participation in the show, the release states.
There will be shows on Saturday, May 12, at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Sunday, May 13, at 3 p.m., in the Odess Theatre.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and students.
Call 975-2787 or visit alysstephens.org.
On Saturday, May 12, there will also be a separately ticketed Down the Yellow Brick Road Family Fun Lunch between showtimes from noon-2 p.m. There is limited seating. For more information, email ASCmembership@uab.edu or reserve your place online.
FUNK MASTER
Soul and funk saxophonist Maceo Parker will perform at the Alys Stephens Center on Friday, May 11, at 8 p.m.
Parker, 75, is a major figure in the history of funk, having played with such icons as James Brown, Prince, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic.
Parker’s current band hits the road this season on his "50 Years of Funk" tour, meant to celebrate Parker’s career and take audiences back to the heyday of funk.
Tickets are $40, with $10 student tickets.
Call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.
HALF A CENTURY OF TRANSPLANTS
In 1968, surgeons at UAB performed the first organ transplant in Alabama.
The UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute will celebrate that 50th anniversary on May 8, with an event on the first floor of the north pavilion at UAB Hospital.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 11 a.m.
Attendees can get Information about becoming a living donor or making financial gifts to support transplantation at UAB.
UAB Medicine has successfully completed more than 14,000 organ transplants for patients from 44 states over the last 50 years.
Lean more about the university’s transplant history at uabmedicine.org/transplant50.
To learn how to be a living donor, go to uabmedicine.org.