By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
TODAY, JANUARY 22…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**THE FAREWELL SYMPHONY with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and CONDUCTOR CARLOS IZXARAT at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**R&B TRIVIA NIGHT, 7 – 9:15 p.m. at Alibi Bar and Tapas, 5514 First Avenue North, Birmingham.
**CLUB SILENCIO: MUSIC FROM THE WORK OF DAVID LYNCH at Saturn.
**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.
**HAYDEN HUNTER & THE YEARLY TRIALS + ZOEY PETE FORD + ALABAMA HEATHENS at The Nick.
**RnB POETICALLY LIT, 5-7 p.m. at Lit on 8th, 518 Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. with HUNCHO ZAVY, KD MCQWEEN, CAROL HOOD, DKMODE, BRIANNE SHARDAW and hosted by HEMP THE ARTIST. Every Thursday.
**JAZZ IN THE MAGIC CITY HAPPY HOUR featuring Alabama’s own Jose Carr and his band, 4:30-7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. FREE. EVERY THURSDAY!
**3rd THURSDAY at the Nick with RAMBLIN’ RICKY TATE at The Nick.
**FILMMAKER NETWORKING NIGHTS, 5 p.m. at 1821 2nd Avenue North
**EVERY THURSDAY- THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS, 7 p.m. at Platinum of Birmingham with DJ Slugga.
**ALABAMA BLAZIN BINGO, 6 p.m. at Overtime Grill and Bar.
**FILM at Sidewalk Film.
**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23…
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**COMEDIENNE SPECIAL EVENT: JESS HILARIOUS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MARA NAGRA, BO LEE, THE ABUSEMENTS AND BLEACH GARDEN at The Nick.
**FREE – WILL STEWART, SLACK TIMES, LENA BATRTELS, and LAMPLIGHT at Saturn.
**THE FLOOZIES + TOO MANY ZOOZ: TOO MANY FLOOZ TOUR at Iron City.
**FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, 5 p.m. at Howard’s Unlimited Lounge & Cocktail Bar at 4010 Avenue I with food by 1918 Catering Food Truck. Happy Hour at 5, Call 205-213-9097 for more.
**GOOD PEOPLE & GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24…
SATURDAY JAZZ GREATS SPRING OPEN HOUSE, 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**XPOP CLUB NIGHT WITH DJ CHEN at Saturn.
**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: JESS HILARIOUS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25…
**JAZZ ON 4TH WITH JSU COMBO 1 – Join the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the Carver Theatre for the Sunday series, Jazz on 4th. Kicking off 2026 is the Jacksonville State University Combo 1 for a captivating live jazz performance.
**SINGO BINGO EVERY SUNDAY, 1 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company.
**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights opened recently by our own favorite son radio personality and D.J. CHRIS COLEMAN. Check it out for Sunday Brunch with food by 1918 Catering, music and more!! For more, call 205-213-9097. 1918 Catering is the best food for lunch, dinner or your special event. (Take my word.)
**JOSE CARR performing at JAZZ IN THE GARDEN SUNDAYS, Every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at Denim on 7th, 2808 7th Avenue Suite105.
**EASE BACK 4th SUNDAYS, 5 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**2ND SUNDAY FREE SHOW with ZACH AUSTIN at The Nick.
**HAPPY HOUR FREE with LUKE WOOD at The Nick.
**4th SUNDAY FREE SHOW with our favorite TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH at The Nick.
**MOTION SUNDAYS at Platinum, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. with DJ CUZZO X DJ A1 Controlling the Vibes. There will be Drink Specials.
**JON SPENCER with CASH LANGDON at Saturn.
**FOOL HOUSE – THE MILLENNIUM TOUR at Iron City.
MONDAY, JANUARY 26…
**WEEK DAYS – IRONDALE SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER has activities starting at 8 a.m. with a Hot Lunch served for Seniors Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call 205-951-1418 for details about the FREE program.
**MONDAYS – THURSDAYS – CFJS CARES RESPITE PROGRAM, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.
**MONDAYS – GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP, 10-11:30 a.m. at CJFS Conference Room. Open to survivors who have experienced loss within the past 2 years. Call 205-278-7101 to sign up.
**MONDAYS – DEMENTIA CAREGIVER VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP, 3 p.m. and/or Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Call 205-278-7113 for more info.
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick.
**DEADLINE EDUCATION AND YOUTH FUND GRANT OPPORTUNITY presented by Mayor James D, STEWART, Jr. Apply at www.tinyurl.com/IrondaleEdu26.
**THE MOTH OPEN MIC STORYSLAM: NEW LEAF (First-Timer’ Night) at Saturn.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27…
**TACO TUESDAY R & B NIGHT, EVERY THURSDAY at Hemings on 2ND Avenue.
**PODCASTING 101 at CREED63, EVERY TUESDAY at 5:45 p.m. Learn how to launch and create your own podcast at 1601 5th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203.
**JOSE CARR EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT at True Story Brewing.
**SONGWRITER’S NIGHT EVERY TUESDAY at The Nick.
**SUPERSTAR KARAOKE LATE NIGHT TUESDAYS at The Nick.
**FREE CHE ARTHUR at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28…
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**FREE BOARDINGHOUSE at Saturn.
**KEITH DANIEL – PSYCHO SWAMP STOMP at The Nick.
**NEKO CASE – NEON GREY MIDNIGHT GREEN TOUR at Iron City.
**FENG E – The Upstairs at Avondale
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 …
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m . at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**JASON POWELL is Special Guest Speaker for the Annual John A. Floyd, Jr., Lecture, with the 5:30 p.m. reception and presentation from 6-7 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
**(FREE) CRANKED to 11: A SPINAL TAP EVENT at Saturn.
**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd, with Happy Hour 5-6 p.m. FREE. There is a weekly Cash Prize hosted by Loretta Hill.
**BLUES JAM EVERY 3rd THURSDAY, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**THAT’S MY JAM THURSDAYS KARAOKE & MINGLE at Platinum with music by DEVYBE BAND and hosted by Jirus Horton. Line Dance with DESI KEITH & D2 at 6 p.m.
**Q DOT, JAXXXON AND FRIENDS at The Nick.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30….
**GUTHRIE ECHOES with PORTICO at The Nick Early Show.
**BITTER ROUTE at The Nick.
**HOT IN HERRE” 2000s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
**BINGO LOCO at Iron City.
**BEDHEAD, BEARFACE & I DECLARE! At the Upstairs at Avondale
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…
AT THE VULCAN PARK AND MUSEUM…
**2026 EXHIBITION: REVOLUTIONARY ROOTS – Celebrating Alabama’s Unique History and Natural Beauty, in honor of the United States 250th Anniversary, a part of America250 opens its 2026 exhibition – Revolutionary Roots: Celebrating Alabama’s unique History and Natural Beauty at the Vulcan Park and Museum on January 30. While Alabama was not yet a state at the nation’s founding, the exhibit honors individuals from across Alabama whose courage, resilience and leadership have helped shape the state and the country, many of whom have been historically overlooked or unsung. The exhibit will feature Calvin McGhee, who helped establish the Poarch Creek Indians, educator Carrie Tuggle, voting rights activist Virginia Durr, NASA scientist Clyde Foster and contemporary leaders including Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones and JICA! CEO Dr. Carlos E. Aleman, CEO of The Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA). The exhibition will be on view at Vulcan Park and Museum form January 30 2-26 through January 10, 2027. For more, go to visitvulcan.com.
FOR BOOK LOVERS…
**BOOK – AFRICAN TIME (Universe to 1896) by Authors TDKA KILIMANJARO, PH.D and IFE KILIMANJARO, PH.D. of the University of Kmt. The authors share that the book was written to establish a general foundational chronology of African history from the earliest organizing of the universe that we live in to 1896 A.D. The vast range of time documented, as history required that they plan, prepare and perfect multidisciplinary research procedure for over a decade. In the process of framing the world’s history and the history of Africans in the world, the authors focused on: Africa’s foundational civilizations (ancient African Kmt), the destruction of African civilization via the Holocaust of African Enslavement and on African diaspora struggles in what became the United States. AFRICAN TIME says that all civilizations have a life cycle that includes a period of gestation, rise and expansion, a period of maturity and stability, and a final period of decline, dissolution and disintegration. It further says that if the society dies a natural death, it is reborn from within the culture; if it is invaded and destroyed, it is then dismantled and carted away to other lands. African civilizations were invaded, destroyed and carted away by non-Africans. (The University of Kmt is an independent Pan-African educational cooperative that advances scholarship in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering/technology, humanities and the arts for those folk needing lucid and accurate answers to the fundamental questions of life and living. (For more: universityofkmt33@gmail.com)
FOR BUSINESS LOVERS…
**BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ALABAMA CHAPTER (BCAAC) Membership Meeting is Monday, 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Entrepreneurial Center on 401 19th Street North, Bessemer (across from the Bessemer Public Library). Join BCAAC as they kick off the 2026 year with a purpose of setting priorities and organizing for the work ahead. The meeting is open to current and new members who are ready to build, lead and move with purpose.
IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE …
**JANUARY 31 – DEADLINE FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION FEE EXEMPTION OPPORTUNITY based on your income and other ways to qualify. Application at www.tinyurl.com/IrondaleGarbageExempt. Submit at Irondale City Hall.
AT BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS…in January …
**JANUARY 31 – COMMUNITY SEED SWAP, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on National Seed Swap Day.
AT THE GBHS…
**JANUARY 31 – JAZZ CAT BALL 2026 – The Greater Birmingham Human Society (GBHS) Auxiliary is hosting the Ball of the Year, again. From show-stopping auction items, to unforgettable moments, to the dance floor, the countdown to the Jazz Cat Ball returns 5:30 p.m. for the Silent Auction at the Finley Center, Stadium Trace Parkway in Hoover. The theme is LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner and Live Auction at 7:30 p.m. Entertainment and Bons Temps Casino at 9 p.m. AND, the evening concludes at 12 a.m. This is a black tie event.
FOR COMMUNITY LOVERS AND FOR HELP…
**BE KIND BIRMINGHAM LIBRARY POP-UP SCHEDULE… January, March, May July, September, November: 1st Wednesday – 3 p.m. at Woodlawn Library, 2nd Wednesday – 10 a.m. at Wet End Library, 3rd Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Smithfield Library, and 4th Wednesday, 10 a.m. at 5 Points West Library. February, April, June, August, October, December: 1st Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Titusville Library, 2nd Wednesday, 3 p.m. at North Birmingham Library, 3rd Wednesday, 11 a.m. at East Ensley Library and 4th Wednesday, 3 p.m. at Southside Library.
**ASBURY UMC FOOD PANTRY, 6690 Cahaba Valley Road, Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. and Every 1st Sunday at 12:30 – 2 p.m. For more info, 205-995-1700, info@asburybham.org and www.asburybham.org/food.
**FOR EMERGENCY RESOURCES, Call 205-942-8911 or go to www.feedingal.org/findfood for more. OR call 211 for assistance.
LOOKING AHEAD…
FOR THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY BLACK HISTORY MONTH…MUSIC, SPORTS, VALENTINE’S DAY AND MORE…
FOR SUPERBOWL LOVERS, FUTURE EVENTS, SPORTS, FOOTBALL …
**FEBRUARY 8 – Watch the Superbowl Game at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham.
**FEBRUARY 14 – KISSING YOU VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL, 6 p.m. featuring ABRAHAM THE VOICE at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
**FEBRUARY 14 – VALENTINE’S DAY WITH DARLENE LOVE, 7:30 p.m. at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.
**FEBRUARY 15 – RAILROAD EARTH at Iron City.
**FEBRUARY 21 – 3rd ANNUAL MAGIC CITY DESSERT COMPETITION, 7-10 p.m. at The City Club Birmingham benefits the Cahaba Valley Health Care.
**FEBRUARY 27 – THE RUNAROUNDS at Iron City.
AT UAB ALYS STEPHENS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER…
FOR BLUES LOVERS…
**FEBRUARY 6 – THE GRATEFUL DEAD’S “BLUES FOR ALLAH” performed by DON WAS AND THE PAN-ENSEMBLE, 7:30 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center at UAB’s Center for the Arts. Curated and led by six-time Grammy Award-winning Musician, producer and composer DON WAS, this tribute brings together world-class musicians from across Detroit’s music scene to celebrate the album’s 50th Anniversary. The Pan-Ensemble include DAVE MCMURRAY on saxophone, keyboardist LUIS RESTO, trombonist VINCENT CHANDLER, trumpeter JOHN DOUGLAS, drummer JEFF CANADAY, percussionist MAHINDI MASAI, guitarist WAYNE GERARD and vocalist STEFFANIE CHRISTI’AN.
AT THE CARVER THEATRE…
FOR JAZZ LOVERS…
**FEBRUARY 11 – JAZZ & PILATES WITH KENYELE – Join the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at the historic Carver Theatre, 6 – 7 p.m. for Jazz and Pilates with instructor Kenyele Harrison. Get strength, stretch and center your body as you move through Pilates exercises set to smooth, soulful sounds of jazz. It is the perfect blend of wellness and rhythm.
**FEBRUARY 13 – JAZZ IN A GLASS – LOVE NOTES EDITION of A Valentine’s Day Treat, 7-9 p.m. at the AJHOF. This partnership with Pour Crazy invites you to an cocktail-making experience where mixology meets the magic of jazz.
**FEBRUARY 22 – JAZZ NIGHT WITH BIRMINGHAM YOUTH JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALUMNI CONCERT, 5 – 6 p.m. p.m. at the Carver Theatre with the Birmingham Youth Jazz Ensemble. This will be a captivating live jazz performance with New York-based trombonist and educator Calvin Sexton for an Alumni Concert like no other.
**FEBRUARY 28 – MAUSIKI SCALES & COMMON GROUNG COLLECTIVE – MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. This concert will be a powerful fusion of Afrobeats, Jazz, Funk and Soul. Music.
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send your questions, contact info with your events, your things of interest and more to: gwenderu@yahoo.com AND thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.
