The Rose Garden

Country Line Dancing

Current to completely novice dancers, adults and children can join in this open line dance in the Rose Garden. Line dancers move to cha cha music, rumba music, waltz music and hip hop and every other kind of music. There will be two different callers: Libby Schropp who teaches at the Ivy Leauge Brew and Helen Woods from Shepherd Center East!

Painting to the right by James Ryan Foster

Groove Rhythm Nation

Join us for ASFA's Groove Rhythm Nation Workshop! Dive into the vibrant beats of Africa, Brazil, and African American cultures with ASFA Dance Instructor Germaul Barnes and master drummer Baba Barry Johnson.

In this exciting one-hour session, participants of all ages will discover the rich rhythms of African and Brazilian traditions. Get ready to explore dance styles from around the world using specially crafted drums. Plus, embrace the joy of African American social line dances!

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with the wider Alabama community. Let's groove together!

Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding

Bring yourself, your friends, your loved ones to the Rose Garden to learn more about Knowledge Rhythm and Understanding, started by Shaheed and DJ Supreme to teach young kids to express themselves positively and constructively through the art of Hip Hop. K.R.U. also teaches Hip Hop as a form of therapy. This initiative will also teach the history and basics of Hip Hop culture. It does take a village and K.R.U. Could use your help! Please take inventory of the abundance you have and take what you may be able to spare and donate to this wonderful initiative.

The Flourish at The Rose Garden

The Flourish will be thriving all over the place at this year's BFF! They are taking an intimate hour in the Rose Garden this year to show what has bloomed in their creative community - They create and facilitate “multi-medium” programming and curriculum geared towards helping youth create collaborative art projects, facilitate art workshops for artists of all ages, and create and host events that showcase artists of color. Created by Eric Marable, Jr. and Jahman Hill, The Flourish divides its organization into two wings: outreach and events. The outreach wing focuses on aiding the youth of Birmingham and surrounding areas through in-school programming and workshops. The Flourish has completed projects with a number of schools and organizations, including Birmingham Public Library, Greater Birmingham Arts Education Collaborative, Ramsay High School, Birmingham Museum of Art, Sidewalk Film Center, and more.

Irish Jam

An Irish Jam will ensue following the FOOTMAD Contra/Square Dance at Avondale United Methodist Church led by Mathew Beadlecomb "Beadle" and friends. Feel free to bring an instrument that can contribute to this musical community that hosts an Irish Jam twice a month in Birmingham! This is an oppoetunity to listen, dance, or join in the jam.

Community Mural

Ryan Foster, an American oil painter based in Birmingham and art professor at The University of Montevallo, will be leading our community through a shared community painting in the Rose Garden. Come grab a brush and add your stroke! Thank you to The University of Montevallo for making this possible!

Arts and Crafts

We will be announcing more info shortly on who our Birmingham arts initiatives are that will be connecting with families in the Rose Garden Pavillion!

Henna and Face Painting

Birmingham's beloved Yogi Dada will be in the Rose Garden throughout the day making beautiful people beautiful with their art and contagious joy. Henna will also be available free of charge from Blue Mehndi. Stop by and be transformed!

Miss Calliope

Classically trained with all of her inner child intact, Miss Calliope takes children and adults on a journey into the self and beyond. Music can be a medium for transmitting so much to the listener and is in and of itself a teacher. Bring your family to join Miss Calliope on a journey through her and the audience's shared imagination.

“Versatile artist with awe inspiring ability to captivate audiences both young and young at heart. Singer songwriter that plays a multitude of stringed instruments, Calliope Pettis is equally talented at performing jazz standards as inviting kids to sing along with her as she engages with her audiences." -Elmore DeMott

pink on nature trail - Miss Calliope.jpg