Inaugural Southside Storyteller Festival

The Five Points Alliance, in partnership with The J. Clyde and Orbit Salon, is pleased to announce the inaugural Southside Storyteller Festival.

The festival will support Birmingham creatives and consist of all things whimsical and fantastical, including street performances, fountain-inspired venue spaces, costumes and storytelling. The festival will also be centered on the Storyteller Fountain created by Frank Fleming that lies in the heart of Five Points South and celebrate 130 years of the Five Points Birmingham District.

“We’re so excited to be able to celebrate the creative and artistic minds of our city in a way that truly represents their skills and imaginations,” says Joe Babin, owner of Orbit Salon and founding member of the Five Points Alliance Board of Directors. “The creative community of Birmingham has been growing at a rapid rate, so organizing a festival where individuals can debut their talents is going to be a great experience for everyone.”

Local businesses of the Five Points area will transform their locations into “whimsical fantasies” in commemoration of the event. The day will also feature artistic performances around the famous Storytelling Fountain in the form of spoken-word, poetry and storytelling from groups such as Real Life Poets, Sister City Connection, Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop, Green Bucket Press, Arova Contemporary Ballet and more. Guests are also encouraged to dress up as their favorite story character or make up their own.

Event attendees are encouraged to join in on the act by participating in the “Five Points Star” singer/songwriter competition. Local Birmingham artists have been invited to present their own artistic creations.

The top 10 finalists from the online poll will perform their original works on stage between 4 and 5 p.m. Online votes will count for 25 percent of the final vote, with the remainder being cast on site following the performances. The winner will receive $500, have their song produced as a single with Ol’ Elegante Studio and get airtime for the new song thanks to Birmingham Mountain Radio.

Those interested in volunteering at the event can email fivepointsstoryteller@yahoo.com. For more information about the festival. For more information about Five Points and the Alliance, please visit www.fivepointsbham.com.