The holidays are here, and as the spirit of the season is among us, we often try to replicate what made the season feel so magical to us in our youth. The traditions we set for our own families often mirror some of what we experienced as a child whether it is the smells, the sounds, the lights, the holiday activities, or a combination of it all that reflects that best.
As much as I love to travel, for me there is truly no place like home for the holidays. Leading up to the main festivities, I look forward to the warmth of gathering with old friends visiting Birmingham for the holidays. I make time to leisurely shop without a list or a gameplan, but with plenty of stops for coffee, snacks, and cocktails.
This year, I’ll definitely make plans to watch The Nutcracker, this time with eyes that more fully appreciate not just the intricate, meticulously cared for costumes and sheer talent, but how lucky we are to be one of only eight com panies licensed to perform Balanchine’s Nutcracker. I hope you’ll take the time to read Denise’s piece on page 18.
Growing up, Christmas morning was a blazing fireplace (regardless of the weather outside), Bing Crosby, the smell of breakfast casserole and dad with a camcorder capturing the rush downstairs to discover what Santa had obviously labored many, many hours to produce and display beautifully. The colorful nee dlepoint stockings made by my grandmother still overflow with gifts to this day.
As we toast to memories old and stockings abundant, we also consider those among us experiencing hardship, loneliness, illness and despair. I hope you’ll see page 38 for information on how you can help our team identify and assist community members in need this season.
A Final Thought: In closing out 2022, I’d like to thank all of our partners who choose to advertise in Birmingham Lifestyle. All are incredible com munity and business leaders; without them we would not be able to bring this magazine to 60,000 readers (for free!) every month. It’s their belief in our publication that allows us to spotlight local nonprofits, artists, events, young leaders and all stripes of Birminghamians doing interesting things.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting our local business partners!
KALI MCNUTT, PUBLISHER
@BIRMINGHAM.LIFESTYLE
Where neighbors can see and be seen.
Photography
1-7: Dallas based teacher Molly Hardy aka “Mahjong Molly” joined The Mahjong Line founders Annie O’Grady and Kate LaGere for an American Mahjong learning session at the home of Caroline Drummond. Playing on hand-painted tiles by The Mahjong Line, newbie players left the event ordering tile sets and planning the next meet-up. Cheers to Amanda Williamson and Sarah Eskridge for the first winning line!
1-7: Guests enjoyed Gala in the Gardens sponsored by Cooper Construction and honoring Maggie and Will Brooke, longtime supporters of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This year’s festive black-tie event was chaired by Jeremy Clark and Sarah Stewart.
A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.
Did you know that Birmingham's his toric John Hand Building is home to a quietly luxurious boutique hotel and exclusive restaurant? An underthe-radar gem, The Welton gives diners "Heaviest Corner on Earth" big city views from within the mem bers-only John Hand Club. Each evening a few tables are reserved for non-members. Starting this winter, dinner will be served Wednesday through Saturday. May we suggest the (pictured) two top that club man ager Martha Anne Petty describes as "the most romantic seat in the city?" Reservations required; book online at johnhandclub.com .
Created by hospitality industry veterans José Medina Camacho of Automatic Seafood and Jesús Méndez, Adiós is a craft cocktail bar inspired by the spirit of Mexico City and the duo's personal background. While many think Mexico only pro duces tequila or mezcal, Camacho is dedicated to working with the state to get new spirits imported into Alabama. Adiós will offer lessons on ingredients and spirits less familiar, offering a taste of something new for all who enter.
Photography Ashton Johnson & Emily Dixon
Verde Lusso is not just another beauty store — this luxury shop commits to the highest standards for clean, green, non-toxic beauty and skincare, with a team devoted to helping customers create self-care and beauty routines to serve them in the highest way. "Creating this space has been my dream for so long," says Founder Mary Frances Dale. "This shop is rooted in my personal passion for discovering the very best of clean beauty."
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Birmingham
ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC LUCKY MELISSA DOOLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Twenty years ago, a tradition formed between Glenda Cochran and her young daughter, Coco — a tradition many other Birminghamians cherish and look forward to season after sea son. The Alabama Ballet, a premier company based right here in the Magic City, had just decided to perform George Balanchine’s famed version of The Nutcracker, the holiday classic that contin ues to capture audience's hearts.
Only eight ballet companies worldwide have the privilege to perform the Balanchine Nutcracker. First performed by the New York City Ballet in the mid-twentieth century, the production is a complexly choreographed visual marvel. It was ideal timing for Cochran and her daughter to immerse themselves in what would become one of the Ballet’s greatest achievements. With the same appreciation for a challenge that has led to her success as
an attorney, Cochran applauded Coco as she rose to the occasion, holding various roles in the cast each December. Inspired, Cochran chose to get involved with the Ballet herself, as more than just the mother of a ballerina. Over the last two decades, her relationship with the nonprofit has continued to thrive.
“I came to the Ballet following my daughter. Now, she’s about to graduate law school from Tulane, and I’ve been involved for those 20 years as a board member, an executive board member and as an officer,” Cochran says. “At this time of year especially, I get really excited about the Ballet because of The Nutcracker.”
Darla Hoover, who serves as the Alabama Ballet’s Balanchine Trust Répétiteur, felt cer tain that the exquisite talent displayed among the dancers meant they should challenge themselves and embrace Balanchine’s version of the Christmas classic. “She suggested the Balanchine production, and we’ve been per forming it ever since,” says Tracey Alvey, CEO and artistic director since 2007.
“It’s a beautiful production. The thing about the Balanchine version is that it creates dancers. In a lot of Nutcrackers, you see the ballet danc ers simply dressing the stage. But in this one, they never stop — it's difficult and fast-moving choreography. Darla had been working with the company three or four years prior and knew our dancers very well,” she adds.
“This season marks the first time I have ever danced with a company entrusted to perform Balanchine’s Nutcracker,” shares Dagny Ingle, who is new to this year’s performance.
“The sets, costumes and choreography will all be new to me, but they somehow seem famil iar and truly classic. I am so excited to satisfy the dream of the little girl in me who always wanted to twirl in those iconic pink skirts from the ‘Waltz of The Flowers!’”
While the Alabama Ballet is in highly exclusive company performing Balanchine’s Nutcracker – with greats such as The Royal Danish Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet — what is perhaps more astounding about our local company are the costumes worn each year by the dancers. These costumes are precise replicas of those worn in the first New York City Ballet perfor mance of Balanchine’s Nutcracker, designed by the Ukrainian costumier Barbara Karinska. An Academy Award winner for her costumes in cinema, ballet, musical and dramatic the ater, lyric opera and ice spectacles, Karinska made each piece by hand for the first 1954 performance. Today, Alabama Ballet dancers wear handmade replicas, lovingly maintained by Costume Director Wendy Gamble, who assisted on their original construction with Betty Smith. Each handmade costume bears the portrait of George Balanchine on its fabric.
“We have over 200 costumes, all handmade, and they are incredible works of art,” Cochran says. “And we are one of the only companies in the world to follow the maintenance of these costumes to the letter. There is constant work involved. The candy canes, for example — each one has more than 254 jingle bells!”
“They stay with us because it is such a rich community,” Cochran muses. “They dance because they love their art form — not to make money. I go to the ballet in other cities and even other countries, and you won’t find a better one than our little com pany in Birmingham.”
Wendy Gamble agrees that each costume requires tender care to ensure readiness for each year’s performance. The beautiful tutus that you see on this month’s cover of Birmingham Lifestyle, for example, must be regularly inspected for rips or tears, cleaning needs, worn-out elastic and more. Tights are often in need of mending. Hats and shoes are often in need of repairs. “Whatever needs to be done,” Gamble says with a chuckle.
She adds that because The Nutcracker occurs each year— and not sporadically the way other clas sic ballet productions do — there is more potential for wear and tear on costumes. “But we always stay within [the original Karinska] design,” she assures me. “It’s an ongoing, yearlong process to make cer tain things look good on stage.”
The Alabama Ballet remains true to its mission: supporting the dancers and exalting the art form. Even throughout the pandemic, while performances were thinned out and audience members wore masks, the staff recognized the shows would need to go on … and they did. It was worth it, of course — the Ballet continues to gain accolades and attention as more aficionados learn of its quality.
“Particularly with The Nutcracker, we receive great community support, and last year was the best ever,” Alvey says, beaming. “We're a local organization that receives little funding from elsewhere, and it’s important that our local community supports us. If you have not seen ballet live, you should come and experience it; it doesn’t translate well to TV. You don’t get the full experience, beauty and intricacy if you are not in the live audience.”
According to Cochran, the passion and talent of The Alabama Ballet frequently catches the eye of ballet companies from bigger cities looking to “poach” the best dancers. However, many of these dancers choose to remain in Birmingham. Indeed, many have danced with the Alabama Ballet for more than 10 years.
“They stay with us because it is such a rich com munity,” Cochran muses. “They dance because they love their art form — not to make money. I go to the ballet in other cities and even other countries, and you won’t find a better one than our little company in Birmingham.”
Lynlee strongly believes in and supports residential growth in Birmingham. Since obtaining her license in 2014, Lynlee has completed over 400 transactions totaling over $155 million dollars of real estate sold in the area. "I have made a huge effort to be intimately engaged in the central city and surrounding "city suburbs" from Forest Park to Homewood, Mountain Brook and Vestavia, so that I can provide the greatest benefit to my clients, which I strongly believe is market knowledge". Her greatest motivation is her clients: She says, "Success to me is doing what I love every day and knowing that my contributions positively impact my clients, my company, and my city and that I have produced the highest quality work."
An eye-catching charcuterie board for the holidays is a feast for both the eyes and palate. We spoke to cheese expert John Litzinger at The Son of a Butcher to get some pointers on what this season’s best boards should include.
Clockwise, starting from the top left, this gorgeous board features the following items, available at The Son of a Butcher:
Cabot Clothbound Black Label - A oneyear clothbound cheddar, aged at Jasper Hill Cellars.
1. Consider the crowd when building the board — yourself included. Litzinger advises against going to great lengths to make a board unusual. Pick items you and everyone else will enjoy, taking the crowd into consideration. "At a party, the visual aspect is more important – you want color and variety," he says. "And if I were building a board for other cheese industry people, I’d make a different board than for my family."
2. Pick three or four cheeses and a “wildcard”. You can't go wrong with one aged cheese, one soft cheese and another variant, such as blue. Then, add a final wildcard cheese if you're feeling adven turous. "With my family, we typically have about eight or nine people, so I’d go with about four cheeses," he says.
18-month Prosciutto di Parma. Also on the board are various pickled vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and spreads.
3. Keep accompaniments simple. Because the holidays can be stressful, Litzinger says to keep it simple. "I like dried apricots, dates and figs," he notes. "And pickles are great for cutting fat, due to their acidity. I love pickled okra on cheese boards, and we carry them in the store."
We tasked local prop stylist and floral designer Kathleen Varner to concoct a fresh take on a holiday tablescape. Here, she takes us behind the scenes, sharing her thought process and her favorite local sources.
Varner found the earthy brown tablecloth first and used it to set the tone for the entire table. "Brown is in this season. It seems to be the color of the year," she informs. Subtle cran berry and green tones give a wink and a nod to Christmas without screaming "holiday!"
To take the setting from feminine and floral to festive, Varner added crimson and gold accents and a sprinkle of collected ornaments. “Every year, Circa has great little ornaments that I love to use for gift wrapping and styling tables,” she notes.
• Tablecloth, Shop Hammett, shophammett.com
• Pink and white plate, Alkmy, shopalkmy.com
• Charger and placemat, Bromberg’s, brombergs.com
• Fish scale Herend saucer, Bromberg’s, brombergs.com
• Pink wine glass, Bromberg’s, brombergs.com
• Transferware, Henhouse Antiques, henhouseantiques.com
• Sage green napkin, Shop Hammett, shophammett.com
• Flatware and green glass, Alkmy, shopalkmy.com
• Red glass, Still Johnson, stilljohnson.com
• Gold candle, Patina, shoppatina.online
• Ornaments, Circa, circainteriors.com
Varner used the purple Amaranth as the starting point for her arrangement. Davis Wholesale happened to have the Butterfly Ranunculus, and the Red Celosia just makes the arrangement read holiday.
Need some holiday outfit inspiration? Emma Freeze, personal stylist and founder of “The Chic Next Door,” has you covered – in feathers, baubles and velvet. Check out these gorgeous handpicked outfits, all sourced from local shops, and get ready to look your festive best all season long.
TOP: ALICE & OLIVIA, HEMLINE, $440
PURSE: SONYA, SHEA DAVIS, $84
Emma says: Perfect for holiday dinner, this outfit is what textured dreams are made of! Feathers, leather and organza all work together in this combination when using pieces that color coordinate.
SHOES: SAM EDELMAN, HEMLINE, $150
EARRINGS: DEEPA GURNANI, MANHATTAN SOUTH, $125
PANTS: COMMANDO, MANHATTAN SOUTH, $198
Emma says: Use winter brights to make a statement at your next hol iday event! In this combination, the blazer becomes the main focus by keeping jewelry simple, acces sories color coordinated and the main body monochromatic.
DEEPA GURNANI MANHATTAN SOUTH $395
Hemline: shophemline.com 205-802-9252
Manhattan South: stores.manhattansouth.net 205-977-3871
Shea Davis Boutique: sheadavis.com 205-637-5683
Gus Mayer : gusmayer.com 205-870-3300
Dukes Clothier: dukesclothier.com 205-739-2244
Soca Clothing: socaclothing.com 205-879-6788
Mia Moda Boutique: miamodaboutique.com 205-824-9411
Monkee’s of Mountain Brook : monkeesofmountainbrook.com 205-783-1240
Emmat says: Keep it classic at Christmas with a Little Black Dress! To make this velvet num ber shine, use light golds and greens in your accessories to add interest and dimension.
DRESS: RHODE, DUKES, $495
Emma says: Make an impression at the office party with a suited style. In this combination, keep the dress in focus by keeping accesso ries coordinated with each other, as well as the hardware on the dress. Sheer tights would also pair well with this look if you’re look ing for more coverage.
DRESS: SELF PORTRAIT, GUS MAYER, $495
MANHATTAN SOUTH, $70
HANDBAG: LOEFFLER RANDALL, MONKEE’S, $250
Most people cannot even imagine how it feels to watch a child take on a battle against cancer. The courage, strength and resilience our patients demonstrate every day is what inspires us to give our best. We are here when families need us the most, caring for their children and never giving up hope in their fight against cancer. Learn more at
Twinkling stars and crackling firesides pair wonderfully with an easy-sipping red wine this time of year, and we’ve got just the right one for your toasts as 2022 draws to a close.
2019 Lafage Narassa Red, available at Classic Wine Company in Homewood for $22.79 per bottle, is an example of some thing wonderful emerging from error. A bundle of overripe Grenache grapes did not deter inspired winemakers, who ended up creating this “luxurious and supple wine,” according to Classic Wine Owner Josh Terrell. Now made in a semi ripasso style, the grapes are harvested and dried to recreate the same texture, then combined with Syrah to enhance lift and acidity. The resulting wine has the tantalizing aroma of dark fruits, including blackberries and plums, plus hints of minerality, and it is “rich and lus cious” on the palate.
Terrell suggests gently chilling this red wine in the fridge for just 20 minutes to achieve its optimum temperature of cool but not cold. Pair the Lafage Narassa with any year-end festivity your heart desires, including those peaceful evenings by the fire, watching stars fall on Alabama.
Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent strug gling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a finan cial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does.
To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely con fidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.)
Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amounts up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed.
“We believe in giving back and serving the communi ties where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”
Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue.
“We believe God has blessed our company with contin ued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.”
City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving pro gram whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”
“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”
To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need.
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
DECEMBER
1ST - 18TH
RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE
Cozy up to Red Mountain Theatre’s annual Holiday Spectacular — a gift of everyone’s favorite music of the season performed by Birmingham’s best talent and RMT’s Performing Ensembles. It will leave your heart glowing and set the stage for a magical holiday.
DECEMBER 10TH
INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Savor an afternoon Christmas Tea and see the IPC sanctuary and parlor festively decorated for the holidays. New for 2022, a deluxe ticket includes a virtual tour along with an in-person tour of IPC and a traditional afternoon tea with warm beverages, finger sandwiches, pastries and scones. Purchase a ticket for yourself or as a gift.
DECEMBER 10TH
CAMP BOW WOW HOOVER | 9:00 AM
Adopt a snuggly four-legged family member this season with Camp Bow Wow's Christmas Adoption Event, in partnership with Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Come out with the whole family on Saturday, Decem ber 10 from 9 a.m. until noon and see what the all-new Camp Bow Wow has to offer.
DECEMBER
13TH - 22ND
BUS DEPARTS CAHABA BREWING COMPANY | 6:00 PM
Embrace your tackiness on Dec. 13, 15, 20 and 22! Wear silly holiday sweaters, and take a festive ride to see wacky holiday light displays with Fresh Air Family. This event is a fundraiser for Fresh Air Family's Gross Out Camp — in Summer 2021, close to $25,000 was awarded to over 150 children in need. Visit freshairfamily.org/ wacky-tacky. Buses leave every 10-15 minutes between 6pm - 7:45pm.
DECEMBER
16TH - 23RD
BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON CONVENTION COMPLEX
Experience George Balanchine’s choreography right here with our own Alabama Ballet — one of eight com panies worldwide entrusted to this stunning version of a holiday classic. Featuring luminous costumes and dancers who exude passion and talent, this is one version of The Nutrcacker you’ll put on your calendar for years to come! Tickets start at $45.
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Birmingham
Inspired
Newly addicted to American Mahjong, this former "I-don't-play-games" gal is eyeing The Mahjong Line's new Lucky Line in Jade Green. Each of the set's 160 acrylic tiles is hand painted, depicting traditional lucky symbols from horseshoes to evil eyes. themahjongline.com
The whimsical work of Birmingham-based artist Gabrielle Saifi is inspired by her love of travel, bygone eras and candlelit dinner parties. She creates custom pieces and has a selection of prints perfect for gifting. Her bespoke, hand-painted event sta tionery, menus and invitations are equally dreamy. Bottom line, her art makes you feel like you're on an extended romp through Europe. gabriellesaifiart.com
Local jewelry and interior designer Shelby Mullins has a classic, elegant, clean aesthetic. I especially love the "Margot," her Art Deco take on the diamond stud. shelbymullins.com
Brent Neale's new collection "Alice's Picnic," which can be found at Etc... is just...everything. It's hard to pick favorites, but an opal and garnet pinky ring made to mimic an olive? That's defi nitely my favorite. shopetcjewelry.com
Margot Earrings, Studio Mullins, from $1,800
The perfect mossy green throw is an elevated, everyday luxury. Alicia Adams Alpaca Throw, Still Johnson, stilljohnson.com, $445
The Lucky Line: Jade Green Release, The Mahjong Line, $425
Brent Neale Olive Ring, Etc... $5,950
by Jaipur, the Jai Glass by Giberto Venezia would be perfect for sipping Ouzo, Still Johnson, stilljohnson.com, $120
Portrait of a Hedonist, Gabrielle Saifi, $116
Verde Lusso's Clean Beauty Box is a perfect little non-toxic skincare starter set, verdelusso.com, $100
Brent Neale Coral and White Moonstone Necklace with Diamonds, Etc... $7,450
