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From October 6, 2005...

I'm Greg Bass. This is Tapestry and it's time for Oktoberfest! The event normally includes plenty of imbibing, but Cullman, Alabama's getting national attention for it's "family friendly" festival. Down in Birmingham, it's all things Celtic this weekend. And we wrap it all up with Dixieland Jazz from The Legendary Pineapple Skinners. First, this arts news.

Arts news

Say you're in Cullman over the next few days and you come across someone in the bank or grocery store wearing Lederhosen or a Dirndl. There's no need to panic or go running for the door. It's just Oktoberfest . And the locals go a little -- "verrukt", crazy -- with the deep German heritage of this north Alabama town. It's a ten day affair and it wraps up this weekend. While you're likely to find herdsman stew, wiener wurst, sourkraut and black forest cake, there's one Oktoberfest item you won't find in Cullman but will in Munich: beir. Gay Voss is one of the organizers of the event. She tells WBHM's Steve Chiotakis that the festival in dry Cullman County -- is more family friendly.

Oktoberfest in Cullman, Alabama

WBHM's Steve Chiotakis traveled the I-65 autobahn and gathered the sounds of Oktoberfest in Cullman. The event runs through Sunday. You can a link to the schedule inside the Tapestry section of WBHM-dot-ORG.

Birmingham is a major tour stop for international Celtic musical talent. We've hosted the Chieftains, the Tannahill Weavers and other big name acts that attract fans from across the Southeast. Those fans will have plenty of choices this weekend, as three celtic groups take to various stages around town. Paige Gardner Smith, president of the Alabama Celtic Association, tells WBHM's Tanya Ott it's no surprise there's a strong celtic influence in the southeastern U.S. .

Birmingham's first Celitic festival

Paige Gardner Smith is president of the Alabama Celtic Association. You'll find links for the association and the bands that are performing in Birmingham this weekend, on the Tapestry section of our website, WBHM.org.

If you enjoy a good love song, Ann Hampton Callaway is your glass of champagne. Callaway is one of New York's premier cabaret singers, and she brings her sensual style to the Alys Stephens Center tonight where she will perform with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. In addition to standards from the American songbook, Callaway sings her own compositions. She's written songs for Barbara Streisand, won an Emmy for writing and performing the theme to the hit TV show, The Nanny, and on her new CD, "Slow", she sings a tune she co-wrote with Carole King. I asked Callaway how she preps to perform with a Symphony Orchestra.

Ann Hampton Callaway interview

Ann Hampton Callaway performs tonight at 8:00 with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at the Alys Stephens Center.

What's going on in and around the Birmingham area. For additional details, go to our online version of the Community Calendar.

Community Calendar

What do you get when you mix a pharmacist who loves the ukulele, a high school English Teacher, a Chicago native who plays ten instruments, the son of a legendary drummer and a man got his start imitating Jimmy Durante and Ed Sullivan? The Legendary Pineapple Skinners - of course! Here's the traditional Dixieland song "Tiger Rag" from the their new CD "Over the Moon" Bandmates Tony Lombardo and Tom Dameron...(AUDIO MONTAGE)

The Legendary Pineapple Skinners play every Saturday from noon until 3:00 at Classic Joe's at the Village at Lee Branch. We've got more of their music available for download on our website, wbhm.org.

Tapestry is produced by Tanya Ott and Michael Krall. Hunter Bell books our musicians. If you've got a community calendar event to list, Francesca Rosko's your woman. Additional reporting this week from Steve "The Greek" Chiotakis and production assistance this week from interns: Jenny Rozen, Jonathan Glass and Tommy James. I'm Greg Bass. Alvetersein!

Support for Tapestry comes from the Jefferson County Commission through the Jefferson County Community Arts Funds administered by the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham.