Home ♃ Recent Stories ☄ People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu

People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu

3227
0
Gwen DeRu

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!

ENJOY THE FOOD, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FUN!!

 

TODAY

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.

STONED COBRA at The Nick.

 

FRIDAY

THE 1975 at the BJCC.

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

FRIDAY UNWIND, every Friday, 7 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.

COMEDIAN FUNNYMAINE 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.

FOREVER ABBEY ROAD, 9 p.m. at WorkPlay Theatre.

KING MAGNUM at The Nick.

EVEN YEARS OF HIP HOP: LBMX ANNIVERSARY SHOW at the Saturn.

MARCUS ANDERSON at the Perfect Note.

 

SATURDAY

INDOOR TAILGATING, 1:30 p.m. at the WaterMark Place. Watch the Biggest Kickoff of the year in the State of Alabama with the IRON BOWL game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University.

RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.

ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont.

COMEDIAN FUNNYMAINE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.

TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH COUNTRY WESTERN, 10 p.m. at The Nick.

 

SUNDAY

#STAND AS ONE CANDLELiGHT UNITY PRAYER WALK, 4:30 p.m. in Linn Park, downtown. Bring candles.

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

GOO GOO DOLLS at the BJCC.

COMEDIAN FUNNYMAINE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

WALTER LUCKENS at the Syndicate.

DANIEL JOSE’ CARR WITH JAZZ, 5-8p.m. at Club M.

 

MONDAY

TORCHE at Zydeco.

DJ RELVIS, 10 p.m.  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.

CYCLES, LONELY HORSE, HARVEY McLAUGHLIN AND THE BOTTOMFEEDERS at The Nick.

SEVEN LIONS, PEGBOARD NERDS, UNLIKE PLUTO & MOGLEE and KVBM at WorkPlay.

FUNNYMAINE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

 

WEDNESDAY

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

RAT BABIES, THRONG OF SHOGGOTHS and THE MURDER OF JANE CROW at the Nick

FUNNYMAINE at the StarDome Comedy Club.

OPEN MIC NIGIHT at the Oak Hill Bar & Grill.

 PARACHUTE PUNK SHOW with RADKEY and THE FAME RIOT at Saturn.

STEVE VAI at WorkPlay.

 

Marcus Anderson
Marcus Anderson

FOR MUSIC LOVERS

BO BERRY QUARTET, 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday at Jazzi’s on 3rd.

SAXOPHONIST MARCUS ANDERSON at the Perfect Note, Friday, 7- 10 p.m.

 

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS

DAYHIKE – SUNDAY, 1 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike at Horse Creek Trail, Dora and Sumiton, AL.  DETAILS: Join friendly folks on an easy 3.2-mile walk on the Horse Creek Trail in Dora and Sumiton, in Walker County, sort of near Jasper, Alabama. Walk on one of Alabama’s rails-to-trails conversion routes on an old railroad right of way. This smooth trail is wide, level and paved. No hills on this trail. On this particular hike you will be walking on a scenic trail which goes through fields, near houses and through the woods. The trail is nicely developed, with frequent covered benches. No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail!  Note this is a relatively easy outing, one which should be lots of fun for everyone. Bring your drink. Well-behaved, carefully-supervised children age 8 and over welcome.

DEPART 1 p.m. from the now closed Kmart Green Springs or meet at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby inside the left entrance (as you face the front of the store) of the Wal-Mart Super Center in Sumiton, Alabama. For more Info and Hike Leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.netor (205) 631-4680.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE WORKSHOPS – Workshops will be held at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) by the Alabama Regional Medical Services to present facts on the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare.  No registration is required. The remaining locations include: North Birmingham Regional Library on Wednesday Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. and at the Springville Road Regional Library on Dec. 7 at 10 a.m.  For more information, visit the website at www.bplonline,org.

 

FOR THE HOLIDAY LOVERS

ENGLISH VILLAGE CLASSIC HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE, is Wednesday, 5-8 pm. In Mountain Brook featuring 30 classic cars from the Barber Motorsports Classic Car Club.

WINTER IN WONDERLAND AT THE ALABAMA – Join the lovers of Christmas music on December 2, 8 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.  Local favorite Kristi Tingle Higginbotham is guest artist with holiday favorites, and on the second half of the show will be the Academy Award nominated film The Snowman backed by the ASO!   Christopher Confessores, is the Conductor.

 

WESTERN AREA HOLIDAY PARADE/TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY – The Five Points West Community will host the Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3rd, at Noon.  The Parade starts at noon with the Tree Lighting at 2 p.m. Mayor William Bell and Art Franklin of WIAT Channel 42 are the Grand Marshals. Bands and schools that will be participating are Jackson-Olin Marching Mustangs, Parker Thundering Herd, Ramsay Rams and the Wenonah Dragons. Other schools participating are Bush Hills Academy Boy Scouts under the direction of Lester Montgomery, Troop leader and Dance Team under the direction of Kimberly Edwards. The Wilkerson Middle School Wildcats Dance Team will participate under the direction of Tanaha Sharpe and Andrea Johnson.  Neighborhood Councilor Steven Hoyt, other councilors, Commissioner George Bowman and other neighborhood leaders will have cars, floats, etc.  For more call (205) 746-0648.

Mayor Bell and members of the Birmingham City Council at the annual Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Mayor Bell and members of the Birmingham City Council at the annual Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.

 

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON – Opera Birmingham’s Sounds of the Season will start your holidays on a good note! This family-friendly concert of holiday favorites will be presented on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Samford University’s Brock Recital Hall. The heartwarming concert will feature a variety of solo and ensemble performances by native Birmingham artists, setting the perfect mood for the holiday season. The concert will also showcase the talent of the Opera Birmingham Chamber Choir: Colin Alexander, Brian Denton, Drew Duncan, Abbott Jones, Lauren Marino, Betsy Pate, Leah Pickett and Clay Walls.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR CHILDREN – Holiday shopping can actually help fund child medical grants for Alabama families in need from United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF), as one option.  Holiday gift ideas include:

  • Award-winning Oliver & Hope children’s storybooks, along with plush characters
  • Children’s joke books
  • Digit’y Do — a new numbers game that combines elements of strategy and probability with a high dose of fun.
  • Kid-designed holiday cards and 2017 wall calendars

Grins to Go bags — this nylon draw string backpack is filled to the brim with a dozen toys, games and activities that will inspire and amuse any boy or girl between the ages of 4 and 12.  All products are available at smile.Amazon.co (search for UHCCF) and 100% of the proceeds go to fund medical grants for children in AL and throughout the U.S.  Alabama families in need should go to www.uhccf.org to review criteria and submit an online application.

 

FOR ART LOVERS

OUR VOICE, OUR WORLD – The Paul R. Jones Gallery presents the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art K-12 Fellows, Program Exhibit from November 22 – December 21. This is a collaboration between University Place Elementary School, Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School and the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art. The Opening Reception is December 2, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. For more information, (205) 345-3038.

“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 COMEDY LOVERS

AT THE STARDOME: FUNNYMAINE! Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday….You won’t find many comedians that can claim to be a lifetime class clown, witty, handsome, a dual-degree college graduate, savvy in graphic design, and on top of that, just be funny as hell!  Well, Jermaine “FunnyMaine” Johnson is definitely the exception! This talented young man from Birmingham, Alabama has been entertaining audiences across the southeast for several years now, and many seem to agree that he has the potential to etch his name in the comedy history books with the greats.

 

FOR HELPING YOUTH

HELP IMPACT ALABAMA – Impact will provide over 45,000 children across Alabama with free, high-tech vision care!  Please help FOCUS FIRST, the nation’s most successful early vision care initiative, receive a Challenge Grant from EBSCO Industries in order to further expand our work. Send your contribution to Impact Alabama, 1901 6th Avenue North, Suite 2400, Birmingham, Alabama 35203.  Other programs by Impact Alabama are SPEAK FIRST and COLLEGE FIRST.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – TSU Tigers  Birmingham Chapter is hosting its annual Scholarship Brunch, January 7, 10 a.m. in the Harbert Center. The Honorable Harold Love is the Speaker.

 

FOR CHILDREN

TAKE OUT BULLYING – The Jefferson County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in conjunction with The Alabama School of Fine Arts present “Take Out Bullying.” The Alabama School of Fine Arts Theatre Arts Ensemble uses humor and personal experience to showcase skits which confront teen bullying and other social issues related to teens head on.  The Kick-off Production will be held at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, 800 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203 on Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Harmony Mendoza, Meteorologist at WVTM 13. The event is FREE and open to the public.  Other dates and locations:  Arrington Middle School – Nov. 30

  1. J. Donald Elementary School (K-6) – Jan. 11 Irondale Middle School – Jan. 18 Jonesboro Elementary School (K-6) – Jan. 27 Corner Middle School – Feb 8 (subject to change) Huffman Middle School – Feb. 28

Phillips Academy (K-6) – Feb. 28.

 

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 this Thursday.  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 – REMEMBER!!! 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 MOTORSPORTS LOVERS

JIMMIE JOHNSON WINS NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP PLUS 2017 NEWS – Jimmie Johnson made history on Sunday, winning the Ford EcoBoost 400 and joining the elite company of NASCAR Hall of Famers’ Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty as the only drivers to win seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championships. Johnson’s 2016 Championship title comes on the 10-year anniversary of when he won his first NSCS championship (2006), and laid claim to Hendrick Motorsports 12th series owner championship, which is the most all-time in the sport.   2017 NEWS – The 2017 NASCAR season returns in February at Daytona International Speedway with Speed Week events and the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 26.  Incredible three-and four-wide pack racing returns to Talladega Superspeedway for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, May 7, where the winner is all but guaranteed a berth into the 2017 Chase.  The NXS returns to Talladega Superspeedway in the 2017 season for the Sparks Energy 300 on Saturday, May 6.

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

 

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

The SMITHSONIAN 14th ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST – If you are a photographer or want to be one, then this is your chance to win up to $2,500. Enter the Smithsonian’s 14th Annual Photo Contest for the chance to win.  All entries must be submitted by November 30, at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time.  Send photos in the following categories: natural world, travel, people, the American experience, altered images, with mobile devices and sustainable travel. Visit the website for rules, to send your photos and for more information.

 

COMING SOON

DECEMBER 4 – UAB GOSPEL CHOIR featuring ALICIA OLATUJA

DECEMBER 31 – MAGIC CITY  SMOOTH JAZZ “NEW YEAR”  EVE CELEBRATION at the Dannon Project Building.

JANUARY 7 – TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH at the Harbert Center, 10 a.m.

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.)