IMPROV RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
New Huntsville entertainment center, restaurant opens April 5
Compiled by Speakin’ Out News staff and SON photos by Shelly Williams

IMPROV IS NOW OPEN - - A new entertainment center and restaurant called Improv opened April 5 in the Oakwood Village Shopping Center in Huntsville. Improv will be open Thursday through Sunday, featuring live jazz and other forms of upscale entertainment. The restaurant menu will feature Southern comfort cuisine and Improv will offer memberships, catering and VIP packages. (LEFT - RIGHT): City Councilman Mark Russell, District 2; local businessman Michael Jennings; William D. Smothers, founder, Speakin’ Out News and General Manager of Improv with his daughterTerra D. Smothers, assistant General Manager, Improv and wife, Deloris Smothers; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, and City Councilman Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., District 1

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Improv Entertainment and Restaurant held its grand opening on April 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony was well attended with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; City Councilman Mark Russell, District 2; City Councilman Richard Showers, Sr., District 1; Madison County Commissioner Bob Harrison, District 6; Huntsville School Board, Laurie McCaulley, District 1; Alabama Democratic Conference Madison Co. Chairman Eddie Sherrod, Congressional candidate Dr. Parker Griffith, and Jerry Mitchell, executive director, North Alabama African-American Chamber of Commerce along with other local business owners, family, and friends.

Besides realizing his goal to open a place to showcase the arts, Smothers, the founder of Speakin' Out News, is pleased to be part of a turnaround for Oakwood Village, which sits at the southeast corner of Oakwood Avenue and Meridian Street. William D. Smothers, owner and general manager, envisions Improv as a venue for live jazz, gospel and other music styles, as well as plays, stand-up comedy, film screenings, concerts and talent shows.

Mr. William Smothers was overwhelmed with joy and thanked everyone that made this music venue a reality. Mr. Smothers recognized Randy Taylor of Tom Taylor Agency; Allen Smith with A. Smith Architecture; Randall Norman with JAMBR General Contractor; Michael Porter, mechanical engineer; Fred Acklin, electrician; Eddie Robinson, electrical engineer, wife, Deloris Smothers and daughters, Jemeana Smothers-Roberson, Knegleshia Smothers-Cobb, Terra Smothers, and Canderiah Smothers-Mosley.

The afternoon festivities continued with the Twickenham Jazz and Swing, a 10-piece orchestra. The orchestra played big band favorites such as St. Louis Blues, Tuxedo Junction, A String of Pearls, and Kansas City. Can-Can and the Devere Jazz All-Stars closed the night with a variety of jazz favorites, such as "All of Me" and "Summertime".

"I am happy to see Black entrepreneurs continuing to successfully reinvent themselves. Congratulations", Diane Kirnes.

J. Jai Johnson attended last Thursday's night opening and said, "I was with great joy to see such wonderful project come to fruition. The "Smothers" has really stepped out and stepped up in "Huntsville". Perfect timing, Perfect venue".

Edward A. Ahmad commented, "…thank you for being a pioneer in the effort to bring mature,and sophisticated entertainment to the Huntsville area. I recently relocated to the area from Washington D.C. and have been sorely missing the type of establishment that Improv represents."

Improv is a unique upscale "entertainment centre", located in the heart of Huntsville, AL. Open Monday thru Sunday, closed Tuesday, Improv offers LIVE JAZZ and other forms of entertainment from Thursday thru Sunday. Located in the Oakwood Village Shopping Center, Improv has spatial parking and is very accessible to I-565.

If you are considering hosting an upcoming event at Improv, they offer 4,825 square feet of upscale entertainment space: a raised stage, dance floor, a VIP lounge, and a state-of-the-art sound system that will be suitable for any event such as fashion shows, plays, poetry, stand-up comedy, art shows, film screening, concerts, talent shows, and etc.

Improv also offers a Southern comfort cuisine, VIP packages, memberships, and catering.
For more information, call (256) 551.0591 or visit www.improventertainment.com.