UAB Briefs: Kids go mad for science, Fiesta Ball, a visit from MOMIX
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs, in which we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention?
Email Iron City Ink at sydney@starnespublishing.com or jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
Going mad for science
Children of elementary- and middle-school age with a taste for the laboratory will have a chance to take part in more than 30 fun, simple, hands-on science experiments during the Mad Scientist Day Jr. event at the UAB Chemistry Building on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., according to the event web site.
The fourth annual event is hosted by the UAB chapter of The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society.
Organizers seek to explain science concepts in a simple way with the goal of promoting scientific interest in children in the Birmingham area.
Admission is free, but attendees must pre-register online, and each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Both adults and children must wear closed-toe shoes and full-length pants. Protective goggles will be provided. Snacks will also be provided.
The Chemistry Building is located at 901 14th St. S.
For more information, call 914-382-3097 or click here.
Cinco de Mayo for a good cause
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center will celebrate Cinco de Mayo by presenting Fiesta Ball 2017 -- an annual event that raises money to help support young cancer researchers -- at Iron City on Friday, May 5, 7-11 p.m.
Fiesta Ball, presented by the center’s Young Supporters Board, will feature live music, Mexican food and drinks, and a silent auction, according to a news release from the center.
Some of the money raised at the event each year helps young researchers at UAB by providing seed money for their research, with the goal of leveraging their findings to compete for additional federal grants.
“It is more important than ever to support young cancer researchers,” said Dr. Edward Partridge, the center’s director, citing a tough economy and severe cuts in federal funding.
The silent auction will benefit services for UAB cancer patients and their families.
Advance tickets at uab.edu/fiestaball are $35. Tickets at the door will be $40.
Iron City is located at 513 22nd St. South.
Take a trip with MOMIX
Dance illusionists MOMIX will present their new work, Opus Cactus, in the Sirote Theatre at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center from Thursday through Saturday, May 11-13, at 7:30 p.m.
MOMIX, directed by Moses Pendleton, is known internationally for for presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty using only light, shadow, props and the human body.
In Opus Cactus, MOMIX brings alive the landscape of the American Southwest with dynamic images of cactuses, lizards and fire dancers.
In addition to stage shows, the group has appeared often in film and on television, including the “Dance in America” series on PBS.
Tickets are $28, $35 and $45. Call 975-2787 or go to www.alysstephens.org.
Speaking of The Alys
The Alys Stephens Center has announced the lineup for its 2017-2018 performing arts season, which includes more than 30 events.
The line-up features world-class dance, magic, theatrical presentations and music of every genre, from blues to salsa to classical.
Among the performers scheduled to appear in the new season, which will run from September through June, are popular musicians Robert Cray, Emmy Lou Harris and Dionne Warwick, legendary classical cellist Yo Yo Ma, illusionist Kevin Spencer and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Ticket pre-sale for season subscribers is May 10-16. Single tickets go on sale to the public May 17.
Member ticket pre-sale runs through May 9. Call 996-6113 to become a member.
For full details on the new season or to buy tickets, call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.
Saving lives of babies
Self-instructional CPR kits help give parents the skills they need to resuscitate an infant in case of an emergency.
That’s why the UAB Women and Infants Center hands out more than 1,500 free infant CPR kits each year to help save the lives of babies who are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiac arrest in their first years due to premature birth, congenital heart disease or other factors.
But in order to continue handing out the kits and providing training to parents before they take their babies home from the hospital, Women and Infants Center is launching a fundraising campaign, according to a UAB news release.
“In order to continue to save infant lives and hand out these kits for free, we need your help,” said Elicia Jacob, director of nursing for UAB Women and Infants Services.
The kits normally retail for $39,99, and contain a mini baby mannequin with lungs for practice, a 22-minute how-to DVD and written instructions on performing CPR on an infant, the release states.
To contribute to the UAB Infant CPR Kit fund, go to c-fund.us/bnx.