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From January 26, 2006...

Black, white, rich, poor...throughout the years, the modest documentarian of time - known as the camera - has been a leveler. Birmingham Festival Theatre tackles issues of race, class, and passion in their latest production. Fleetwood Mac meets Evanesence. That's how folks are describing the soulful modern rock of Birmingham's "D" Watts. I'm Greg Bass -- and this is Tapestry.

When you go to a photo exhibit at an art museum, you expect to see big glossy enlargements in expensive chrome frames, right? But a show that's now on display at Vulcan Park is something altogether different. Reporter Dale Short pays a visit to some photographs with a "common" touch...

Common Bonds

The exhibit Common Bonds: Birmingham Snapshots, 1900 to 1950 is on display through July 31 at the Linn-Henley Gallery in Vulcan Park. Curator Jim Baggett presents a gallery talk on February 12 at 2 pm.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the color of your skin determined who you could and could not marry, sleep with -- even talk to in public. That theme runs throughout Birmingham Festival Theatre's upcoming production of the play "Intimate Apparel". It follows the story of a talented seamstress during New York's ragtime era - as she strives to rise above her place in the world. Director Don Sandley spoke with WBHM's Tanya Ott.

Don Sandley on "Intimate Apparel"

Director Don Sandley. "Intimate Apparel" runs February 2nd through the 19th at Birmingham Festival Theatre on SouthSide.

Birmingham's concert calendar is busy these days, so you might overlook the opening act at WorkPlay next Friday, February 3rd. That would be a mistake because 22-year-old Megan Slankard is getting rave reviews for her CD Freaky Little Story. It remains one of the top selling CD's on the independent music website CD Baby.com, and she's got some big fans in her corner including David Knopfler of Dire Straits. She spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall...

Megan Slankard interview

Singer/songwriter Megan Slankard. She's at WorkPlay opening for Zac Brown, Friday, February 3rd at 9 p.m.. Her latest CD's are Freaky Little Story and the EP A Little Extra Sun. There's an extended interview at the Tapestry section of our website, WBHM.org.

To hear the audio portion of the Community Calendar from Tapestry, click here.

Want to know more? Activeculture.info is a one-stop source for finding out what's going on in the Birmingham metro area.

Birmingham's "D" Watts was born making music. Well, not really, but her parents are long-time music ministers and she was singing back-up vocals for her dad when she was just in elementary school. At 15, "D"...short for Denise...started writing her own lyrics and dreaming of being in a band. But it wasn't until she was nearly 30 that "D"'s dream took flight. She started singing with cover bands - and last year released her first album. This is the title track from the CD "My Own Way". "D" Watts is currently working on a new album with producer/guitarist Ben Trexel. They stopped by our studios this week. (AUDIO MONTAGE)

"D" Watts and guitarist Ben Trexel. We've got more of Watt's and Trexel's music available for download on the Tapestry page of our website, wbhm.org.

Tapestry is produced by Tanya Ott and Michael Krall. Hunter Bell is the point-man for local musicians and Francesca Rosko tracks community events. Additional reporting this week from Dale Short and production assistance from Anthony Plenty and J-T Schill. I'm Greg Bass. Next week on the program - This Birmingham premiere of a gospel-infused musical celebrating the legacy of African American women and their church hats.