By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
“HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND! SHOW SOME REAL LOVE!!!”
“CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY!!!”
TODAY, FEB. 12…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**CITY OF IRONDALE STATE OF THE CITY “IMPACT 2026” LUNCHEON, 11:30 a.m. at the Pine Tree Country Club presented by Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. on Education, Economic Development and Eco-tourism.
**City of Irondale STUDENT ART & ESSAY CHALLENGE submissions due. Winners announced on February 17 at the City Council Meeting in Irondale Public Library.
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**CLAY STREET UNIT 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.
**DALLAS MOORE with JARRETT FORRESTER at The Nick.
**GALENTINES – CANDLE MAKING at Avondale Brewing Co. in the Sour Room.
**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.
**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, FEB. 13…
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**MOVIE “SHIRLEY” Screening at the Irondale Senior Activity Center.
Join MISS IRONDALE for a VALENTINE’s DAY CELEBRATION, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Irondale Public Library for all ages with singing, dancing and more. Showing love is for everyone..
**JAZZ IN A GLASS – LOVE NOTES EDITION of A Valentine’s Day Treat, 7-9 p.m. at the AJHOF..
**TURPIE, YEAR OF OCTOBER & MINDSHAFT at The Nick.
**BAYKER BLANKENSHIP at Saturn.
**ALL THEM WITCHES – HOUSE OF MIRRORS 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 p.m. 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, FEB. 14…
**EMO NIGHT: BROOKLYN at Saturn.
**VALENTINE’S NIGHT with PROVING GROUND (WIDE SPREAD PANIC TRIBUTE) at The Nick.
**COTTAGE CHEMISTRY: A HEATED RIVALRY DANCE PARTY at Iron City.
SUNDAY, FEB. 15…
**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights opened recently by 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.)
**MAESTRO LOVES HOLLYWOOD, 2:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre. Join MAESTRO RON BOURDAGES for LOVE AT THE LYRIC with a thrilling celebration of music from movies and TV, past and present. For more, call 205-253-1313.
**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.
**AN EVENING with KYLE KIMBRELL 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.
**FREE – SAM BETTENS with JANET SIMPSON, LOVE RATE DUO, STINE at Saturn.
**RAILROAD EARTH at Iron City.
MONDAY, FEB. 16…
**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.
TUESDAY, FEB. 17…
**Join West End Library for a 10:30 a.m. showing of “WOODLAWN”, followed by Bingo and prizes.
**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 2ND TUESDAY at The Nick.
**AN AUTHOR EVENT with RODDY BOTTUM at Saturn.
**FREE SUBSTRATE BINGO with JACKIE LO at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18…
**GROWING AN AFFORDABLE GARDEN, 11 a.m. to Noon at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens with Alabama Cooperative Extension Agent BETHANY O’REAR who will introduce simple money-saving methods along with her tried-and-true tips for growing vegetables at home. You must register.
**THE MAYOR’S DESK PODCAST with EMMA TOLBERT of Irondale Public Relations, 12:30 p.m. Live on Facebook and YouTube at City of Irondale.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**FREE – JAHNAH CAMILLE at Saturn.
**THE MISMITHS at the Nick.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19 …
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**Irondale Senior Activity Center Field Trip to the Negro Southern League Museum & Yo Mama’s Restaurant.
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**DAIKAIJU with SKEPTIC 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.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20….
**BIRMINGHAM HOME SHOW starting TODAY through Sunday at the BJCC.
**QDOT + JAXXXON & FRIENDS at The Nick.
**GIMME GIMME DISCO at Saturn.
* 68th ANNUAL BIRMINGHAM AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS, 5:45-10 p.m. at The Club in Homewood. Cocktail Hour is 6-7 p.m. Awards Show is 7-10 p.m. AAF Birmingham is hosting its annual evening honoring the creativity, strategy and bold ideas that shape Birmingham’s marketing, advertising and communications community. Connect, celebrate and be inspired as it brings together agency leaders, in-house marketers, designers, strategists, students and rising professionals for a night that celebrates excellence and community. So, whether you submitted a work for judging or love the craft, this is the night to connect. For more: addys@aafbirmingham.com. Get your Early Bird tickets now at www.aafbham.org.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…
**OUR VERY OWN CHILDREN’S OF AL – MENDING KIDS’ HEARTS: CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA RECOGNIZES AMERICAN HEART MONTH – Children’s of AL has a national ranked heart center the PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART CENTER OF ALABAMA that provides world-class care to thousands of families each year. This “heart hospital within a hospital” represents decades of superior cardiovascular clinical research dedicated to children. The center has 20 private cardiovascular intensive care unit rooms, four dedicated EVMO suites, 16 private intermediate care unit (ICU) rooms, two cardiovascular operating rooms and two cardiac catheterization labs.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND…
**FRIDAY – KISSING YOU – VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL, 7 p.m. featuring ABRAHAM THE VOICE at Jazzi’s on 3rd Music Gallery with an unforgettable experience filled with love and music. CHEF KRISTOPHER HICKS of Infinit Eats will have exquisite cuisine.
**FRIDAY – VALENTINE’S DAY WITH LEGEND DARLENE LOVE, 7:30 p.m. at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Grammy Award Winner DARLENE LOVE was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 by Bette Midler. She was proclaimed by Rolling Stone as “one of the greatest singers of all time.” She captivates audiences worldwide with her warm, gracious stage presence and superb performances with soul and so much more.
**FRIDAY – VALENTINE WITH VULCAN, 6-8 p.m. in the Electra Room at Vulcan Park and Museum. Treat your sweetheart to a romantic indoor celebration featuring dinner, drinks, dancing and live music.
**FRIDAY – THAT’S AMORE – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dinner, live music and dancing at The Blub, 6 – 10 p.m. with the Italian American Heritage Society.
**FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY – LOVE THY NEIGHBOR WEEKEND – Rev. Dr. Kurt and First Lady Ruby Clark are hosting their FIRST ANNUAL THREE-DAY “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR Event, FRIDAY – Love thy Neighbor Soiree at the Avondale West at 7 p.m., SATURDAY – Love Thy Neighbor 5K at Railroad Park at 7 a.m. and SUNDAY – Love Thy Neighbor Worship Service at Sardis Church at 10 a.m. LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF – Matthew 22:39 – Register at eventbrite.
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY AND MORE… maybe a little unknown history for you…
FOR HISTORY BOOK LOVERS…
**BOOK – HAITI BETWEEN PESTILENCE AND HOPE – The Progressive Ideals from the Revolution of 1804 Set the Pace by AUTHOR FRITZNEL D. OCTAVE. As a veteran journalist, Octave talks to you and tells stories; stories about what happened and also what people think really happened. It holds facts and perceptions. The book elaborates themes, such as betrayal, blame, lack of leadership, missed opportunities in the development of the country and it indicates signs of hope, renewal and thoughts on the way forward. It is a book with some outspoken opinions that invite debate and further reflection. This book is about a country with multiple crises and about a country where the vast majority of the people are not heard or without a say in their destiny. For decades Haitians have been living between fear, despair from uncertainly and hope to see better days. Most of Haiti’s stories can be about its natural beauty and its extraordinary people who pioneered a revolution that led to the permanent abolition of slavery in the Americas.
FOR GARDEN BOOK LOVERS …
**BOOK – FLOWERING OUTDOORS: GARDENS & PARTIES is by Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2026 SPENCER LECTURE, MARGOT SHAW who is Special Guest speaker and is the founder and editor-in-chief of FLOWER magazine. She is the author of the new book FLOWERING OUTDOORS: GARDENS & PARTIES to be released soon. The event is free and open to the public on March 12 with reception at 5:30 p.m. and the talk at 6 p.m. You must register.
FOR OUR YOUTH …
**UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA KIDS FEELINGS SURVEY – KIDS NEEDED ages 6-11 to test out a computerized activity designed to help kids learn about other peoples’ feelings. Families receive up to $600 for participating. IT will be 11 sessions at the Clinic at UAB. Engaging activities for kids, Parent Surveys, Cash payment for parents and kids and Kids earn prizes. Does your child show little concern for others feelings, School performance or Rules an consequences, then, For more on this research study, call 205-737-4610 or fastclinicaltrials@ua.edu. Study is by the Center for Youth Development and Intervention.
**BRAIN READ YOUTH STUDY – UAB is looking for children diagnosed with autism ages 7 – 13 to participate in an MRI study at UAB that includes a complimentary 10-week intervention for improving reading comprehension. The child gets to participant in an intensive intervention program at no cost, which may improve their comprehension. You will also help to learn more about how children understand what they read. Children will be paid up to $250 for their participation.
For more contact The Cognition, Brain and Autism Lab at 205-202-0616.
**SMALL MAGIC – BIRMINGHAM TALKS – This program is committed to making Birmingham the best place to raise a child under age 5. It is designed to support early literacy, helping children become three times more likely to be ready for kindergarten. The program provides families with a wearable word counter – technology typically only available to high-income households – along with books, educational toys and the support of a personal coach to help track progress and set developmental goals.
**RENEW BIRMINGHAM – Services that are provided include: housing, adult education/work force development, transportation. jobs, youth services/education, community health and wellness. Call 205-201-4275 or visit www renewbhm.org. Email admin@renewbham.org. Address is 1801 Avenue H, Birmingham 1801 Avenue H.
**MAGIC CITY YOUTHBUILD is accepting applications from 16-24 year s old. It is a 6 to 9 month program. Youth can earn their GED. They get paid a biweekly stipend and get training in construction and healthcare careers. Contact youthbuild@habd.net or call 205-983-7550 to learn more.
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.
