Forty-seven years ago, a 22-year-old girl graduated from college with a BA in Dance Education and with big dreams, opened a studio above the Page and Palette and called it Creative Outlet. Its first iteration was a school for many creative classes; piano, calligraphy, guitar, tai chi, drama, and of course, dance. Her father, a hands-on dad, co-signed a loan and taught her how to run the business, with handwritten financial ledgers, postcard marketing, and in-person, 3x5 card registration. It was the Dark Ages compared to the present day, but it worked. ‍

Poking around the shops in Downtown Fairhope last week, hoping to get an idea or two for gift-giving, I couldn’t help but notice how decked out the streetscapes were. Every store had a creative holiday decoration. 

Last week, we enjoyed four early Christmas presents at The Book Cellar in Fairhope. The first was Monday night listening to Phil and Foster. Always entertaining, they are the longest-running set every Wednesday evening at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile. They started that gig over 10 years ago, and it’s always a treat to hear them play once a month on Monday night at The Book Cellar.

Have you ever been fooled by The Fairhope Inquisitor? Lots of people have over the last seven years, and it could very well be happening again right this moment.

Christmas Art is a rich part of Fairhope’s legacy, and the art series entitled The Twelve Days of Christmas has become one of the City’s most legendary symbols of the season.

This is a story about a story slam, a live storytelling event where participants share personal stories based on a theme. My favorite podcast, The Moth, “promotes the celebration of the commonality and diversity of the human experience through the art and craft of true personal storytelling.”

Zoe Lombard-Todd, Artistic Director of Children’s Dance Theatre and owner of Creative Outlet Dance Academy in Fairhope, has performed in the classic Nutcracker Ballet for more than 23 years. She knows the music and choreography backward, forward, and sideways. At 7 years old, she was cast as a baker with Alabama Dance Theater, under the direction of Major Burchfield.

Along Scenic 98 in Fairhope lies a gem of a restaurant that is sure to please the most demanding epicurean. Called “R Bistro,” owned by Misty Rider, this restaurant you will say is “tres magnifique” after tasting some of their offerings.