Life + Culture

For the Love of the Game—and the Kids

Birmingham’s baseball legend Papa Jack teaches the next generation more than how to hit Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Katherine Mullen When my 10-year-old son Jonathan joined his baseball team last year, he was a true rookie. His coach mentioned a guy named Papa Jack—said if we ever wanted hitting lessons, he was the one to see. Jonathan was eager to level up his swing, so we found our way to a small brick warehouse across town, not really knowing what to expect. There was a small...

Style + Beauty

Well Suited: Birmingham’s Custom Style Scene

From suits and ties to heirloom leather goods, these Birmingham brands are elevating men’s style one detail at a time Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Provided Secret Society Neckwear Nathan Green describes his style as “classic meets rock and roll,” and it’s hard to think of a better way to sum up the spirit of his custom tie line, Secret Society Neckwear. His pieces blend tradition with just enough edge to add character to a suit—and reflect the personality of the man wearing it. ...

Home + Design

A Gentleman's Edit

Art Deco meets modern function in this private Birmingham office Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr If work is where we spend half our lives, it ought to feel a little more like this. Tucked inside a quiet Birmingham office building, designer Danielle Balanis has created a space that feels more suited to Manhattan or Mayfair. Saturated in deep sapphire blues, burnished woods, and soft gold accents, it’s a room layered with rich materials and thoughtful details—tailored enough...

Shopping

Classic Appeal

Locally sourced gifts for Father's Day Article and Photography by Bond No. 9 Beekman Place A sweet, woody scent perfect for dad. $450, Gus Mayer Classic Camo Whiskey Tote For carrying whiskey or wine in style. $195.00, Tom Beckbe Captains Cut Double Rye Whiskey, Voyage 1 Barrel strength from Birmingham-based label. $79.99, Mersey Craft Spirits Vuori Men's Kore Short For effortless outdoor living. $68.00, Alabama Outdoors Meisterstück Solitaire Doué Blue Hour Classique...

Arts + Culture

Beards, Fiddles, and Gold Teeth

How Pynk Beard is changing the country music narrative Article by Je’Don Holloway-Talley | Photography by Reginald Allen Sebastian Kole isn’t abandoning soul; he’s just giving it a Southern twang. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, known for his rich vocals and R&B chops, has re-emerged under a new moniker: Pynk Beard. And yes, the name is literal. With a vibrant pink beard, gold teeth, and a new EP full of life lessons, joy, heartache, and grit, he’s trading in smooth ballads for steel...

Food + Beverage

Haute Cuisine + Southern Roots

From his Alabama garden to cross-continent kitchens, Chef Jonathan Harrison brings flavor, culture, and connection to the table Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Mary Fehr Long before he plated a dish in Portugal or simmered 25 gallons of gumbo, Birmingham personal chef Jonathan Harrison was learning the art of good food in his grandfather’s garden. “At the time, I didn’t realize how much that was shaping me—or would shape me,” he says. Years later, as he tends his own sprawling garden...

Entertainment

The Men Behind the Mics

Inside the wildly popular Birmingham-based sports talk show, The Next Round Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Provided On Halloween 2022, news broke that Auburn had fired head football coach Bryan Harsin. Over at The Next Round , Birmingham’s midday sports talk show, hosts Jim Dunaway, Lance Taylor, and Ryan Brown were ready to dive in. They were also dressed as Top Gun Maverick, Evel Knievel, and Ken from Barbie —roller skates and all. “Other outlets were picking up our conversation...

Arts + Culture

Taking a Leap

How Alabama Ballet is reimagining the stage with the world premiere of Unbound Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Courtesy of Nashville Ballet The first time Christopher Stuart saw Grease, he wasn’t thinking about ballet. He was watching John Travolta, entranced by the way he moved—the rhythm, the ease, the sheer joy of it. He wanted to dance like that. That fascination with musicals led him to dance classes; not ballet at first, but jazz and contemporary. Then, one day, he stepped into...

Style + Beauty

Bloom & Flourish

Emmie Leath on creativity, nature, and the joy of flowers Article by Blair Moore As a child, Emmie Leath tiptoed barefoot through the backyard, picking every single daffodil, even those that hadn’t fully opened yet, eager to bring their sunshine indoors. In her creative world, Barbies wore tiny dresses made of her mother’s fabric scraps, their homes built from twigs and moss. Even then, she saw beauty in nature’s raw materials and delighted in turning them into something uniquely her own. ...

Home + Design

A Room of Her Own

Designer MK Quinlan transforms a screened-in porch into a soothing retreat for a hardworking doctor and mother of two Article by Blair Moore | Photography by Laurey Glenn As a longtime OB/GYN and mother of two, Dr. Jamie Routman was used to days that revolved around caring for others. When she finally had the chance to create a space just for herself, she knew exactly what she wanted: a quiet room where she could tune out the noise and tune into a good book—and maybe enjoy a glass of wine. ...