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People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu

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Gwen DeRu

NASCAR COMES TO TOWN AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY!!

THIS WEEKEND don’t miss:  TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S HELLMANN’S 500and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

TODAY

YOUTH SUMMIT for young men and boys – What Matters In Our Lives is hosting its Kick-off Reception for the Second Annual Youth Summit, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Vulcan Park.

DISNEY ON ICE DREAM BIG at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.

OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, every Thursday at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials, 4 p.m. For more call (205) 326-2881.

LIVE AT STEEL, 8 p.m. with SHARRON performing and DJ DUBB in the Mix at Steel on First Avenue at 23rd Street, downtown Birmingham. Get your live music and dance on every Thursday night.

POSITIVELY FUNNY IMPROV at the StarDome Comedy Club at 7:30 p.m.

NASHVILLE NIGHT IN BIRMINGHAM w/BOO RAY, THE TANGLED HEARTS and RIVERBEND REUNION at The Nick.

VINTAGE VIDEO GAME NIGHT at Saturn.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S HELLMAN’S 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

FRIDAY

Dee Lucas
Dee Lucas

YOUTH SUMMIT for young men and boys – What Matters In Our Lives is hosting its Second Annual Youth Summit, 10 a.m. – NOON, at the Birmingham Cross Plex with speakers and facilitators discussing topics and issues that the city’s young men and boys have determined to be important to them, including Handling Dispute Resolution, Managing Peer Pressure, Avoiding Gang Affiliation, Understanding the Importance of Respecting Authoritative Figures, Understanding and Relating to Law Enforcement, the Value of Education and Not Dropping Out of High School and Character Building.

COMEDIAN JAMES GREGORY at the StarDome Comedy Club.

FANCY FRIDAYS, 5 p.m. featuring JILLIAN GRAY with YARBROUGH & COMPANY every Friday at Legends on 18th Street North, Downtown. Birmingham. This is an After Work Experience hosted by Keely and Tiger and catered by Chef Jones.  Call (205) 212-4406 for more.

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.

TAYLOR JOINER & THE REMEDY, DIRTY DEEP, BAD COLOGNE, MARK “PORKCHOP” HOLDER and MPH at The Nick.

LYDIA LOVELESS at the Saturn.

SAXOPHONIST DEE LUCAS at the Perfect Note.

ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S HELLMAN’S 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, practices for the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

SATURDAY

RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.

ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont.

COMEDIAN JAMES GREGORY at the StarDome Comedy Club.

SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.

DREW TUCKER, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note.

FIREWATER REVIVAL, VAALBARA, DEVIL TO PAY, ASH OF EDEN and PARLANGUA at The Nick.

TIM DUGGER and CJ MICHAELS will perform at the Talladega Superspeedway.

PINK BOX BURLESQUE’S “LITTLE BO PEEP SHOW” A FAIRY TALE MASQUERADE, 8 p.m. at Saturn.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

SUNDAY

SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art with Marlean Wallace

COMEDIAN KING KOUNTRY WAYNE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

RUE SNIDER at the Nick.

PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET at Saturn.

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S HELLMAN’S 500, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.

 

MONDAY

DJ RELVIS at The Nick.

 

TUESDAY

TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until … on Graymont across from Legion Field.

OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m., every Tuesday, at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials. For more call (205) 326-2881.

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.

ROCKY BOTTOM, PHILOS MOORE, RAYVON PETTIS and STEVEN BRIAN at The Nick.

COMEDIAN B.T. at the StarDome Comedy Club.

 

B.T.
B.T.

WEDNESDAY

MASTER PASQUALE with dance classes and music at the Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue.

THE SKULX and The FABULOUS MISS WENDY at the Nick.

COMEDIAN B.T. at the StarDome Comedy Club.

KING, Grammy winning trio with An Evening of R&B and Soul at Saturn.

 

FOR CHILDREN

DISNEY ON ICE DREAM BIG is at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC, today through Sunday.

 

FOR VOTERS

ELECTION DAY – The last day to register for the 2016 Elections in Alabama is MONDAY. You can register online and get more information at www.alabamavotes.gov.

 

(Photo: Portrait of the Marquise de Fortia)

FOR ART LOVERS

SLOW ART SUNDAY – This Slow Art Sunday at the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) discussion is focused on PORTRAIT OF THE MARQUISE DE FORTIA by Nicolas de Largilliere.

ARTBREAK – Join art lovers at the Artbreak on Tuesday, 12 – 12:30 p.m. at the BMA for a discussion of GUSTAV LAMPRECHT COLLECTIONS OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN CAST IRON. This is the largest collection in the world and the only collection of its kind in the United States.  FREE.

19TH ANNUAL LAVONA RUSHTON CONCERT – This year’s Lavona Rushton Concert winner is VADYM KHOLODENKO. He is the winner of the coveted gold medal and all special prizes at the Fourteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2013 and will perform, October 26, 7:30 p.m. at the BMA.  FREE.

ART AFTER 5 – The BMA’s next Art After 5 is scheduled for November 4, every first Friday of the month. Local songwriters KELLI JOHNSON and JASON BAILEY will perform with a mini studio class, specialty cocktails and more. There will be an exhibition of the photographs of rural Hale County called WHAT’S LOST IS FOUND by LAUREN HENKIN.

“DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. & THE CHICAGO FREEDOM MOVEMENT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY BERNARD J. KILEINA Exhibition is at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute displaying its collection of rare color photos, through December in the BCRI’s Vann Gallery. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement.  These photographs are some of the only known color photographs of Dr. King in Chicago.  Bernard Kleina was a priest in Chicago that wanted to get involved in the movement, who removed his collar, picked up his camera and marched.

 

FOR MUSIC LOVERS

 

SAXOPHONIST DEE LUCAS at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m. Friday night. Go to www.perfectnotelive.com for more. National recording artist and contemporary jazz soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas continues to take contemporary jazz in a different direction with his unique melodic styling. This Atlanta-based saxophonist has been consistently expanding his fan base since the release of his well-received 2004 debut solo CD “Remembrance”. The latest release, “Going Deeper” is a true testimony to reincarnating contemporary jazz with a fresh and honest approach to an already competitive genre of music.

 

Drew Tucker
Drew Tucker

DREW TUCKER at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Go to www.perfectnotelive.com for more. Drew Tucker is a musician, educator, and social entrepreneur – a unique combination of talents that place him at the intersection of the arts and activism. Artistically, he’s at the forefront of the movement to reinvent the vibraphone – a dynamic instrument that he melds with soul, funk, jazz and hip-hop influences. His jazz influenced twists on modern-day standards from Michael Jackson to Prince and The Police, have earned him key endorsements from Mike Balter, Musser, Beetle Percussion, Lot Riot and Sabian Cymbals – and the applause of sold-out audiences nationwide.

 

TIM DUGGER and CJ MICHAELS will perform at the Talladega Superspeedway Saturday night Infield Concert.

 

JERROD NIEMANN Nashville country star will perform as the headliner for the traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert, Sunday, as part of the Chase double elimination weekend.

 

KING
KING

KING, Grammy winning trio at Saturn on Wednesday.  Twins Paris and Amber Strother and musical sister Anita Bias are dream-pop trio KING. In 2011, KING independently released their debut EP to much acclaim – The Story, Supernatural, and Hey made up the 3-piece introduction to their carefully crafted sound. Fueled by word of mouth excitement and social media posts from supporters including Prince, Gilles Peterson, Erykah Badu, Solange, Nile Rodgers, Sam Sparro, Janelle Monae, Questlove and a host of others, their story and songs have spread wide and made new fans of many. Since the release of their initial EP, KING has been touring, performing as a headlining act to sold out crowds in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Chicago, London, and Amsterdam amidst a host of other U.S. cities.

 

NASCAR COMES TO TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY – Fans are in ALABAMA from all over the world looking for racing at its finest at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR’s most competitive track. Well-known country music singer-songwriter TIM DUGGER, along with the popular DJ MICHAELS, are set to open Talladega Superspeedway’s traditional Saturday Night Infield Concert, as part of the highly anticipated NASCAR Chase double elimination weekend featuring the HELLMANN’S 500 for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, this weekend. Dugger, a popular mainstay in NASCAR, and Michaelis, will join headliner and Nashville country star Jerrod Niemann to give fans a triple dose of riveting music at NASCAR’s Party Capital taking place at the intersection of Eastaboga and Talladega Boulevards. The Party will get rocking just hours after the conclusion of the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the final race in the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Chase (NCWTS) in which the field of title contenders will be reduced from eight to six at the race’s conclusion.  A past performer at Talladega, Dugger is no stranger to the infamous Infield Concert. The Alabama native has a loyal following of NASCAR enthusiasts, drivers, crews and fans alike. After an epic day of racing, Dugger will kick off the show and treat fans with country songs like “Whiskey Kisses,” “Beer on a Boat,” “Hurts Don’t It” and many more. He is sure to bring the energy and excitement to rock the rowdy infield crowd of the biggest and baddest race track on the planet. The party will continue between sets as Michaels, who will also be performing at the legendary “The Big One on the BLVD”  Friday night event and during pre-race ceremonies for the HELLMANN’S 500 on Sunday, will be sure to bring the beats to keep the crowd going until Niemann takes the stage. Michaels has recently joined NASCAR in a collaborative project, producing original music and performing at tracks on the NASCAR circuit. He has performed with popular artists such as Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Skrillex, Ludacris, The Weekend and many more. Talladega Superspeedway’s action-packed weekend kicks off on Friday (Oct. 21) with practice sessions for both the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola and the HELLMANN’S 500. Saturday’s schedule includes Foodland/Food Giant qualifying for both NCWTS (9:30 a.m. CDT) and NSCS (3 p.m. CDT) while the fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola gets the green flag at 12 Noon CDT. The HELLMANN’S 500 race is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. CDT.  For more information, go to  www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 1-877-Go2-DEGA.

MAGIC CITY CLASSIC is October 29 in Birmingham Alabama.

 

FOR BUSINESS LOVERS

BUSINESS FITNESS REBOOT, today, 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the Innovation Depot.

DIVERSE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE INTERNSHIP MEETING – If you are interested in diverse meeting options, join the University of Alabama Department of Small Business Inclusion Diverse Business interest meeting on Friday, 8:30 – 10 a.m., at the UAB Facilities Conference Center, 801 6th Avenue South, 35294. The mission is to select students from UAB’s Collat School of Business and School of Engineering to intern with small businesses to establish a relationship that would allow DBEs to building capacity and students to grow and enhance alliances within the community.  For more, call (205) 934-9349 or dpscott@uab.edu.

 

FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS

NAACP BIENNIAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS – The Metro Birmingham NAACP Biennial Election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee meetings will be held at the Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place downtown, Saturday, NOVEMBER 5, Noon – 4 p.m. – Election.  For more, call Secretary at (205) 714-5860.

 

FOR COMEDY LOVERS

 

AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Positively Funny Improv.  Check out COMEDIAN JAMES GREGORY! James Gregory…  The Funniest Man in America returns! For over twenty years, the unforgettable caricature of veteran comic James Gregory has stood grinning: his blue shirt untucked, his arms outstretched, a carefree welcome to a down-home, hilarious storytelling experience. The trademark caricature is the essence of James Gregory´s comedy: whimsical reflections on life from the front porch.

 

Kountry Wayne
Kountry Wayne

KOUNTRY WAYNE, Wayne Colley is a Superstar Comedian on the rise! However, if you asked him to describe himself, he would say he is just a humble guy from the small town of Millen, Georgia wishing to make sure he provides not only a stable life for his seven children, but also a lasting faith-based legacy. Not a flashy guy at all, King Kountry Wayne, as he is known online, resides and runs two successful businesses in South Georgia. He currently has a following on social media of over 2.5 MILLION raving fans who fully support his comedic ventures. However, this was not his intention from the start.

 

COMEDIAN B.T., Tuesday and Wednesday at the StarDome Comedy Club.

 

FOR BOOK LOVERS

BPL TEENS PROGRAMS – Birmingham Public Library programs for teens and preteens include engineering workshop, knitting, and homework assistance.

Do you want to learn how to make and edit your own movies and podcasts? Have an interest in burning your words into new media formats for the world to see and hear?  Join the Central Library Youth Department, 2100 Park Place downtown, for HIGHKEY THURSDAYS, 3:30 -5 p.m. The class is free to all and will take place in the Youth Department on the second floor every Thursday afternoon through Dec. 8. No programs will take place on today or Nov. 24. The students will work with iMovie, Garageband, and more. HIGHKEY Thursdays is among several free after-school programs the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is offering in many of its 19 locations for kids of all ages, from babies to adults. The workshops include knitting, Teens Engineer Birmingham programs at Woodlawn and Southside Branch, and Central Library, and 1-2-3 Play With Me for babies.

FREE HOMEWORK HELP – The library is offering free homework help for elementary- to high school-age students. Register by calling (205) 324-8428. Check the calendar at www.bplonline.org.

 

FOR ENSLEY COMMUNITY

FINDING AMERICA – A national initiative will tell the story of Ensley and its people. THE JUNCTION, a radio series produced by WBHM as part of Finding American is inviting people who live in Ensley, work or are from Ensley to share their insights by completing a community survey.  For a copy of the survey, email producer@junctionstories.com. The deadline is October 24 to submit your comments. Mary Quintas produces The Junction on 90.3 where you can hear the stories and more.  Complete the survey to create a fuller portrait of the community other than the Ensley that is portrayed as crime-ridden and impoverished. Share your insights. For more, go to www.wbhm.org, www.junctionstories.com or facebook.com/junctionstories.

 

COMING SOON

OCTOBER 29 – MAGIC CITY CLASSIC at the Legion Field Stadium.  (Look for more about the Magic City Classic Weekend, next week.)

 

Well, that’s it.  Tell you more ‘next’ time.

 

(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com.)

 

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