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SOCIAL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2021
GAME ON
Inaugural Flag Football Season Opens With Plenty of Excitement
SPORTS
Welcome Back ASO Returns to Live Concerts for Its Centennial Season
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Photo courtesy ASO
s the Alabama Symphony Orchestra embarks on its 100th season, musicians who have spent more than a year performing virtually will return to the stage. Audiences will be invited back into the Jemison Concert Hall at the Alys Stephens Center for live performances when the ASO opens its season Oct. 8 and 9 with a Masterworks concert of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The orchestra began in 1921 when 52 volunteer musicians established the Birmingham Music Festival and performed in the old Jefferson Theatre. In the spring, the organization plans to host a free, outdoor concert to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The concert origi-
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
The ASO opens its season at the Alys Stephens Center with live performances on Oct. 8 and 9.
ITS OFFICIAL The Alabama High School Athletic Association sanctioned flag football as one of its sports this year. Spain Park’s Emily Stricklin looks for room to run as Vestavia’s Caroline Redden and Merritt Kelley close in during last weeks season opener. See story, page 26.
nally was scheduled to take place this year but was postponed due to the pandemic. The new season will feature a shift in programming that celebrates diversity, according to ASO Music Director Carlos Izcaray. “Over the past 18 months, we had time to take a look at our operations, including how we could better reflect the world outside the concert hall,” Izcaray said. “Beginning this season, See ASO, page 9