I'm Ready to Eat Drink Read Write

Last weekend I rededicated myself to a promise I made years ago. 

No, I didn’t renew my wedding vows.  I decided to renew my efforts to fall in love with the city of Birmingham. I spent last Friday night and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the Sidewalk Film Festival, an annual independent film festival held in various venues of downtown Birmingham. (I wrote stories on the film Our Mockingbird and the short documentaries produced by University of Alabama at Birmingham students for Magic City Post.) I had a blast and the weekend made me realize that Birmingham really can make me happy if I give her a chance.

So, this fall I plan to attend as many events as I can. Just around the corner is the Birmingham Public Library’s second Eat Drink Read Write Festival, which is set for Sept. 8 - 15, 2012. The Birmingham Public Library has joined forces with several Birmingham food organizations to present this year’s event. Presentations will include good food and good conversation from national and local food and beer experts. All events are free and will feature food tastings, a cooking class, a food documentary and more. Events will be held at the downtown public library, Pepper Place and the Desert Island Supply Co. in Woodlawn.

Five reasons I’m excited about this event:

I love food. Saturday, Sept. 8 I plan to head to the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market where Birmingham storyteller Katie Elkins will perform stories related to food. The Desert Island Supply Co. will lead informal produce-themed writing workshops for children and adults. The library will offer food-related crafts. And, of course, while I’m there I can buy fresh food to cook up that evening.

I love stories. I can’t wait to attend Food Stories on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Desert Island Supply Co., 5500 First Ave. North. For this event participants will have five minutes to tell a true, personal story about food. No notes allowed. This presentation is modeled after National Public Radio's "The Moth: True Stories Told Live.'' Birmingham Originals member restaurants will provide refreshments. Reservations are required so visit http://foodstories2012.eventbrite.com/ to register today.

I love movies. Unfortunately, I missed the screening of the documentary Eating Alabama at the Sidewalk Film Festival this weekend, but I will get a second chance on Thursday, Sept. 13. Tuscaloosa filmmaker Andrew Beck will share his documentary Eating Alabama: A Story About Why Food Matters and then lead a discussion about it. The film is about a young couple setting out to eat the way their grandparents did, locally and seasonally. However, they soon realize that nearly everything about today's food  system has changed from the past. To reserve your spot at this screening visit http://eatingalabama.eventbrite.com/.

I love poetry. It’s really a shame that I have yet to attend the library's popular Bards & Brews monthly poetry performance and beer-tasting event. But on Sept. 14 I plan to finally check it out. On this night  Chef Corey Hinkel of MIX Bakery and Cafe will discuss beer and cheese pairings. Chef Chris Dupont of MIX Bakery and Cafe and Cafe Dupont will prepare appetizers, using ingredients donated by Whole Foods Market. There will also be a poetry slam and prizes to the top three winners. Avondale Brewing Co., Back Forty Beer Co., Bell's Brewery and Good People Brewing Co. will furnish the beer. The Reflections, a band made up of library employees, is also set to perform.

I love wine. I’m not proud of this but last year I unlocked the wino badge on Foursquare. But I was pretty excited when I learned that at most events attendees can get two free drinks (craft beer or wine), courtesy of The J. Clyde.

If you’re in Birmingham and would like to attend any of these events with me, give me a shout on Twitter @writeousbabe.

Click here for a complete list of events.