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Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Summer fun at no cost: Eight free things to do in Montgomery
Does the idea of a fun day out and about sound great, right up until it hits your wallet? Worry not. The Montgomery Advertiser is offering eight free or cheap fun things for adults to do in the Montgomery area this summer. Where: 1 Museum Drive Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Info: The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, located in Blount Cultural Park, is absolutely free to get in and view a variety of masterpieces — though they'll gladly accept a donation. The museum's permanent collection includes 19th- and 20th-century American paintings and sculptures, Southern regional art, Old Master prints and decorative arts. The museum offers tours, has a cafe, and frequently hosts live performances. Summer months ahead include several workshops and camps. Online: Contact: 334-625-4333 More: Summer festivals & fun in Montgomery that you've got to experience While you're at MMFA, there's a gorgeous spot to enjoy a picnic lunch outdoor in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. Blount Cultural Park, including the area around nearby Alabama Shakespeare Festival, is also bursting with scenic picnic opportunities. There are many more beautiful locations across the city as well where it's free to set up and enjoy a meal. You can see a big list of park areas online at Montgomery is just packed with outdoor art displays, many of which reflect the people and history of the city. One must-see is the Civil Rights Memorial, a granite fountain with the names of people who were killed during the Civil Rights Movement. It's in downtown Montgomery at 400 Washington Ave. There are at least 24 murals to be seen downtown, midtown, and on the west side. A map to them is available at There are statues across the city, including life size versions of Hank Williams, Rosa Parks, and many more. If nature's your thing, Montgomery has. lot to offer on walking trails. There are at least 22 trails available to walkers in Montgomery's public parks. You can find them online at Another amazing venue for this is Montgomery Whitewater. It's free to visit, and has multi-use trails set up for walking, running, and mountain biking. On the not-free side, if you want, you can book whitewater rafting adventures there or take to the trees in the ropes and zipline course. See more online at More: Summer pool hours: Splash pads and swimming spots in the Montgomery area Country legend Hank Williams was a young man on Montgomery's streets. He died at age 29 on New Year's Day 1953 in the back seat of his 1952 Cadillac while headed from Tennessee to a scheduled concert in Canton, Ohio. His all-too-short life created a legacy of country western music. The city will celebrate what would have been Hank's 102nd birthday this summer with a music celebration on Sept. 13, 3 p.m. at the Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St. Tickets are on sale through the Hank Williams Museum — $35 for general admission, and $45 for VIP. Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St.: This museum is dedicated to all things Hank, and along with a lot of memorabilia and imagery, it even has his blue Cadillac. You do have to get tickets to get in here: $15 for ages 18 and up, $5 for ages 15-17, $3 for ages 5-14, and ages 4 and younger are free. But Montgomery is full of places you can visit to see where and how Hank lived — and most are free to go look at. How many places can you visit in a day? Hank Williams statue, 216 Commerce St.: The 6-foot-2 bronze statue of Hank Williams stands at the intersection with Tallapoosa Street in front of the tunnel to Riverfront Park. Empire Theater, 234 Montgomery St.: This is where a young Hank won a singing contest in 1937. The Empire is gone, and the Rosa Park Library and Museum sits where the theater once stood. Jefferson Davis Hotel, WSFA radio, 344 Montgomery St.: When Hank was just a "singing kid" of around 13, he landed a gig singing live on WSFA radio (With the South's Finest Airport). It's a job he and his Drifting Cowboys would have there for several years, Sidney Lanier High School, 1756 S. Court St.: This school, which closed down in 2024, is where 16-year-old Hank dropped out of school in October 1939 after a brief enrollment, opting to focus on his blossoming music career with the Drifting Cowboys. Chris' Hot Dogs, 138 Dexter Ave.: This famous downtown hotdog and burger restaurant — which opened in 1917 and still operates today — is where Williams was known to frequent on late nights after gigs to sober up in a back booth. Elite Café, 121 Montgomery St.: This is where Hank sang publicly for the last time on Dec. 28, 1952, while attending an American Federation of Musicians holiday party. Municipal auditorium, 103 N. Perry St.: Where the City Council meets now is where thousands paid their final respects Sunday, Jan. 4, 1953, to Hank. They were inside and outside what was then called Municipal Auditorium. Hank Williams Memorial & Gravesite, 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road in Oakwood Cemetery Annex: Hank's gravesite is a must-see for visiting Hank Fans. It's also the gravesite of Hank's first wife, Audrey − the mother of Hank Williams Jr. Take a tour of the State Capitol at 600 Dexter Ave. It's a working museum of state history and politics, with offices for the governor and executive branch officers. Areas open to the public include the House of Representatives, Senate Chamber, Old Supreme Court Chamber and Library, and the Rotunda. When: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free Just across Adams Avenue at the Department of Archives and History you can dig into the state's past at the Museum of Alabama. When: The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Admission for self-guided tours is free. There's music playing nightly at spots across Montgomery. One of the most active places is The Exchange at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa, 201 Tallapoosa St. They have music going 7 days a week, and most nights feature two music acts on their outdoor stage. There are many bars, restaurants and other venues that host live music — though some may have a door charge. You can find them at Another amazing source for live music that's absolutely free is Montgomery Whitewater, 1100 Maxwell Boulevard, which frequently hosts live music concerts. See what music is ahead this summer online at One of the jewels of Montgomery is the stretch of the Alabama River at Riverfront Park, 355 Commerce St. The area includes Riverwalk Amphitheater, and hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. It's also home to the Harriott II Riverboat. It's a great place to visit toward the evening to watch a stunning sunset reflected on the water. Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: See our picks for eight free things to do in Montgomery this summer
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen Moyer Is a True Bloodhound in Art Detectives — Watch a Sneak Peek From the New Acorn TV Drama
Stephen Moyer has a nose for clues as one of the titular Art Detectives in Acorn TV's new drama series debuting Monday, June 6, with the first two of six episodes. Starring and executive-produced by Moyer, Art Detectives is centered around the Heritage Crime Unit, a police department consisting of art-loving DI Mick Palmer (Moyer) and straight-talking DC Shazia Malik (Virdee's Nina Singh). Together, they solve murders connected to the world of art and antiques, from Old Master paintings to Banksy street art, medieval manuscripts and collectible vinyl. More from TVLine Outlander's Jamie and Claire Get Goofy in Bed and Other Season 7 Bloopers - Watch Exclusive Reel S.W.A.T. Vet Jay Harrington Breaks Silence on EXILES Surprise: 'I Did Not Have Spinoff on My Bingo Card' (Exclusive) Harry Wild Renewed for Season 5 at Acorn TV 'Each episode follows Mick and Shazia as they navigate a rich and colorful world driven by greed, obsession, lust and revenge,' the synopsis tells us. 'Throughout the season, the artfully astute detectives encounter a fake Vermeer, Viking gold, a rare Chinese vase, and items rescued from the Titanic. Mick navigates these demanding cases while managing a budding romance with museum curator Rosa (Pennyworth's Sarah Alexander).' In the series premiere, titled 'Pictures at an Exhibition,' Mick and Shazia visit a country house where an art historian has been brutally murdered. In the exclusive sneak peek above, the duo survey the crime scene, where they pore over a takeout menu and find a crucial clue. In the second episode dropping on Monday, titled 'Dead & Buried,' Mick and Shazia investigate the discovery of a gold hoard and realize it's been stolen from a prehistoric burial chamber. As they dig deeper, they uncover a faked suicide, professional betrayal and a thousand year-old cover up! Will you be tuning in for the ' artsy investigations? Best of TVLine Summer TV Calendar: Your Guide to 85+ Season and Series Premieres Classic Christmas Movies Guide: Where to Watch It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, Die Hard and Others What's New on Netflix in June
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Meet The Man Behind The Largest Napoleonic Collection In History
Napoleon's iconic bicorne hat with an estimate of $571,167 - $913,867. There is no greater collector or no greater fan of Napoleon Bonaparte than Pierre-Jean Chalençon. He is easily the most prolific collector of Napoleonic material, reportedly estimated to be more than 1,000 items. In fact, his collection, which has taken him four decades to amass, has grown so large that he reportedly no longer can afford to keep it all. Thus, more than 100 of his cherished Napoleonic items will come to auction at Sotheby's Paris on June 24. It includes imperial furniture, silver, porcelain, sculpture, Old Master paintings, manuscripts and drawings. Items in the auction provide as complete a picture of the historical figure as possible, covering his childhood, his military career, his coronation at Notre-Dame, his family life, and finally the collapse of his empire and his exile to the island of Saint Helena. The catalog hasn't been published yet but from the materials Sotheby's has released, the top lot of the sale is Napoleon's iconic bicorne hat, arguably the most prolific symbol of Napoleon's reign as a wartime leader. Officers typically wore their bicornes front to back. Napoleon, however, wore his in battle with the wings parallel to his shoulders. Its estimate is €500,000 – €800,000 ($571,167 - $913,867). An Imperial Gift from Napoleon in 1811, a gold and diamond ring by Marc-Etienne Nitot, with an ... More estimate of $228,466 - $342,700 Another important lot is a a gold and diamond ring by Napoleon's official jeweler, Marc-Etienne Nitot, that was an imperial gift from Napoleon in 1811. Its estimate is €200,000- €300,000 ($228,466 - $342,700). In an interview by email, Chalençon answered in a concise and frank manner question regarding his personal connection to Napoleon; his motivation to amass such a collection; his process of curating his collection; and the collection's historic, cultural and public significance. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Pierre-Jean Chalençon: From childhood, I was struck by Napoleon's extraordinary destiny. He is the symbol of ascension through merit, of military and political genius, and above all, he demonstrated an iron will. He is this mythical figure, both human and superhuman, he is a self-made man. French empire gold, enamel and diamond necklace watch, with an estimate of $45,700 - $68,500 PJC: Yes absolutely – it was a letter from Napoleon written when he was still at military school. In fact, it is the first letter by his hand ever known to exist. Acquiring this letter made me realise that historical artefacts have a soul. PJC: It's grown and deepened as my collection expanded. The more items I collected the more they enabled me to understand the man behind the icon. Napoleon wasn't just a conqueror; he was a reformer and a master builder. My collection holds a mirror to the extraordinarily multi-faceted person he was. PJC: Passion is the driving force, but it also requires discipline, an immense curiosity, networking and sometimes, yes, a little bit of luck. It's a lifelong endeavor, carried out with an almost sacred obsession. PJC: It's a tough choice to make. I do like his gold seal, which was stolen from his carriage at Waterloo. It's extraordinary to have found this unique piece, which he held so dear. This was the only seal he used to ratify the most important documents of the Empire. The will is also an interesting piece. It is perhaps one the most important manuscript in the history of France. A man facing his destiny. Napoleon's personal gold and ebony seal with an estimate of $171,350 - $285,583 PJC: Yes, there are many and, in truth, every new acquisition carries with it a special story and is an adventure. PJC: I work with leading experts, and I research archives, correspondence and provenances. It's an almost archaeological process. There's no room for error. PJC: They reveal an extremely human character. We move from imperial splendor to extreme destitution at Saint Helena. And yet, the same strength of soul endures throughout. It's overwhelming. But I leave it to future visitors to New York and then Paris to discover some little-known memorabilia that will undoubtedly change their view of the man. The Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honor with an estimate: $171,350 - $228,466 PJC: Yes, definitely – such as the idea that he was a cold tyrant. His letters, his personal belongings, show a sensitivity, a generosity, sometimes a fragility that contradict this cliché. PJC: The Anglo-Saxons are fascinated by the romantic aspect of his period as an exile. Asians see him as a military and strategic genius. The French, for their part, oscillate between admiration and ambivalence. Americans recognize in him the man who started from nothing and conquered Europe in a decade. Napoleon remains endlessly fascinating. PJC: We are the custodians of parts of history the state cannot always preserve, and we share it. It is a mission, almost a duty. The herald sword and stick used during the coronation ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris, with an ... More estimate of $228,466 - $456,933 PJC: The time has come. We must learn when to pass on such collections. These objects must continue to live on; to inspire and I want others to be able to carry this legacy forward. PJC: History moves on, but Napoleon is eternal. PJC: They are not just relics, but fragments of a destiny that changed the history of humanity and of a man who is still, today, perhaps the most famous historical figure in the world. The religious marriage certificate of Napoleon and Joséphine with an estimate of $34,270 - $57,116 PJC: My dream would be for a buyer to come forward and purchase the entire collection. It's not a gathering of objects, but a truly complete and logical collection. It brings together the most important objects from the empire as well as the finest works of art from the period. PJC: I own all of them. PJC: Perhaps the buyer of the entire collection will do so, and I will be at their entire disposal to continue this adventure.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Antiques Roadshow expert's collection sells for double its estimate
A collection owned by the late Antiques Roadshow expert Hugo Morley-Fletcher has sold for double its low estimate. The collection included portraits from Yester House, Mr Moray-Fletcher's former family home, as well as European porcelain from his private collection. Held on March 11-12, the collection sold at auction for a total of £249,201, despite a low estimate of £120,638 – including the buyer's premium. Mr Morley-Fletcher died in 2022, aged 82. He was an expert on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow for more than 25 years, was a founding member of the French Porcelain Society, and wrote four books on pottery. The collection was sold at Roseberys' Fine & Decorative and Old Master, British & European Pictures auctions in London. Leading the sale was a portrait in oils on canvas of Lady Margaret Hay, Countess of Roxburghe, by the renowned Scottish portraitist David Scougall – painted in the 17th century. The painting achieved £39,000 against a £6,000 estimate. Other notable sales included two works from the studio of Sir Peter Lely. One is a portrait of Lady Jane Scott of Buccleuch, 1st Marchioness of Tweeddale, which sold for £25,260 over a £7,000 estimate. Another portrait, of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale, achieved £24,568 against a £8,000 estimate. Maitland was a Restoration politician, serving on the Privy Councils of England and Scotland and playing a key role in efforts to persuade King Charles I to establish Presbyterianism. He later became Secretary of State for Scotland from 1660 to 1680. A portrait by Alexander Nasmyth, who is considered the founder of Scottish landscape painting, sold for £31,200 against a £10,000 estimate. It depicts Scottish peer George Hay, 7th Marquess of Tweeddale, the great-grandson of John Hay, 2nd Marquess of Tweeddale, with his horse and two dogs in an extensive landscape, the painting demonstrated the artist's skill in both portraiture and landscape painting. Lara L'vov-Basirov, head of Old Master, British & European Pictures at Roseberys, said: 'It was a privilege to have a collection of this calibre, with such excellent provenance, at Roseberys. 'It reflects centuries of Scottish art history and the central role that Hugo Morley-Fletcher's family played as patrons of the arts. 'Hugo worked tirelessly to trace and re-acquire his family's collection, and I am thrilled that these works achieved such fantastic prices.' Anna Evans, associate director and head of Furniture & Works of Art, Fine & Decorative Sculpture & Clocks at Roseberys, added: 'Porcelain was Hugo's lifelong fascination, and this auction offered buyers a rare opportunity to acquire works from the collection of a true connoisseur. 'The sale was viewed and admired by a huge number of clients resulting in competitive bidding and only one unsold lot. 'The new owners have become the next custodians of many beautiful works and furthering their already rich history.'
