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The Carver Theatre’s rich history dates back to before the Civil Rights Movement. Known for being the only place Black people could catch a first-run movie, the theater is carrying on the legacy of creating space.“The rich heritage that came from Alabama and made everybody else be able to move forward with their lives and dream and do careers that they never thought they could do happened because of the people in Alabama who made that move forward,�� Dr. Leah Tucker, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Executive Director, said.And nearly 90 years later, the Carver Theatre is still opening its doors and giving Black creatives space to bring their imagination to life. The theater temporarily closed to start a $4 million renovation in 2021 and is slowly unveiling its new upgrades. >> LIVING OUT THEIR CREED: A Birmingham co-working space’s efforts to boost Black business owners“When we were closed for reconstruction of the theater every day, somebody said, ‘When are you guys going to open again?’�� Tucker said. “‘When is the theater going to open?�� Every day I got that question. We want to put on productions that will match any productions that are done in New York, Chicago, anywhere, and we want to bring that to the people, and we’re going to do it.”A new state-of-the-art sound system, theatrical lighting, new seats and renovated dressing rooms are helping breathe new life into the space. It will even serve as the home of Jazz Hall Radio 91.1 FM station.“We want to be a part of saying, ‘If you have a good idea, if you have a passion for something, we’ll try to see how we can make that happen,’�� Tucker said. >> ‘WALKING IN HISTORY��: Preserving and revitalizing Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue North Business DistrictThe theater offers comedy and poetry nights, jazz jam sessions, movie-making workshops, dance and jazz education classes. It’s even working with the Lincoln Center in New York City to roll out a new jazz curriculum.“We want every art form to thrive,�� Tucker said, “and the only way we can do that is by doing our programming and making it happen.”The Carver Theatre is planning a grand reopening. More information on the event is expected soon.