By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**NATURE TRIVIA NIGHT, 7-8 p.m. with naturalist HENRY HERSHEY in Rushton Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
**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.
**SPECIAL EVENT: Comedian MISHA BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN SAM SALEM at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**UNTIL SKIES FALL, EVA LAVANTE and ENCIRCLED THRON NVSN at The Nick.
**THE HEAVY HEAVY with LOU HAZEL at Saturn.
**FLATLAND CAVALRY at Avondale Brewing Co.
**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
**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.
**KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION with 175 Juried Artists, workshops, live music, dance performances, pop-up cafes & lounges and more with the CORKS & CHEFS from 12-3 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces.
**FISH FRY FRIDAY at Lil Mama’s, 1200 Hall Avenue EVERY FRIDAY, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and music with Chef Dwayne “BIG DADDY” Thompson.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN EDDIE GRIFFIN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN SAM SALEM at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MAGNOLIA PARK, SILLY GOOSE, and PINKNOISE at Saturn.
**MILLENIUM GREY + SQUEEZE THE SQUID + FIRE CAMINO at The Nick.
**EVE 6 & FASTBALL at Iron City.
**MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT – DOGS OUT OF THE CAGE at Avondale Brewing So.
**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, APRIL 25
**MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION with 175 Juried Artists, workshops, live music, dance performances, pop-up cafes & lounges and more with the CORKS & CHEFS from 12-3 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces.
**EARTH DAY at The Gardens, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with live music by BROTHA JOSH, open-mic poetry by THE FLOURISH, story time with IREALLE SAUL-SYLVES, a BIO BLITZ in Kaul Wildflower Garden and other fun activities for the whole family. FREE.
**LIL MAMA’S POP UP SHOP, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Interested in being a vendor or being a part of this somehow, check this out. Get a FREE 10 x 10 space. Bring your own table and chairs. There will be music, food, fun and more. For more info, contact, Dwayne “Big Daddy’ Thompson at 205-723-4063.
**ENGLISH VILLAGE SPRING FLING, 2-4 p.m. with live music, vintage cars, raffle at 3:30 pm., drinks and sales. FREE.
**EARTHBOUND EARTHFEST 2026 at Avondale Brewing Co.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN EDDIE GRIFFEN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN SAM SALEM at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**CBDB at Saturn.
**RYAN DAY’S BIRTHDAY BASH with KARKAZA, NEOTERRA BLOOD & BRUTALITY & KNIGHT at The Nick.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
**MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION with 175 Juried Artists, workshops, live music, dance performances, pop-up cafes & lounges and more with the CORKS & CHEFS from 12-3 p.m. at Sloss Furnaces.
**HOWARD’S UNLIMITED LOUNGE & COCKTAIL BAR, 4010 Avenue I, in Belview Heights with our own favorite son radio personality 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.
**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.
**KID CONGO & THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS at Saturn.
**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.
**CURRENSY – THE WINNER’S CIRCLE TOUR at Iron City.
MONDAY, APRIL 27
**WEEKDAYS – 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 – ENVISION RADIO, 1 p.m. ‘Where Praise Meets Talk’ with a Special Guest each Monday. For more: www.envision-radio.com.
**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 with Special Guest IV.
**WAYLON WYATT – EVERYWHERE UNDER THE SUN with MEELS at Saturn.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
**HANDS UP TOGETHER, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at The Grand Bohemian Hotel with an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres celebrating “Living Well, Aging Well” by the Collat Jewish Family Services (CJFS) Care and Support for Older Adults. There will be complimentary valet and wheelchair accessible. For more: visit cjfsbham.org.
**TACO TUESDAY R & B NIGHT, EVERY TUESDAY 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.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**TRIPPING DAISY with JUMPROPE at Saturn.
**SILVERSUN PICKUPS – TENTERHOOKS TOUR at Iron City.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.
**MELT with CLAIRE ERNST at Saturn.
NEXT THURSDAY, APRIL 30
**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.
**KARAOKE KICKBACK EVERY THURSDAY, 6 – 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
**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.
**ADAM MEASEL’S MUSIC TRIVIA at Saturn.
**SAUCE FURNACE -The Upstairs at Avondale Brewing Co.
NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 1
**FISH FRY FRIDAY at Lil Mama’s, 1200 Hall Avenue EVERY FRIDAY, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and music with Chef Dwayne “BIG DADDY” Thompson.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIENNE TACARRA WILLIAMS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN UNCLE LAZER at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MAN OR ASTRO-MAN? with TWISTED TEENS at Saturn.
**GO GO GORILLA DANCE NIGHT at Saturn.
**DISINCENTIVE, HOT POSSUM, STVLER at The Nick.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE
**BIRMINGHAM WAS NAMED ‘BEST FOOD CITY IN THE SOUTH’ – Southern Living has named Birmingham the SOUTH’S BEST FOOD CITY by editor-in-chief SID EVANS. CONGRATULATIONS TO BIRMINGHAM and to all of the eateries in town. (Love the food!)
AT THE REGIONS TRADITION GOLF TOURNAMENT
**APRIL 29 – MAY 3 – BLUES TRAVELER BAND TO PERFORM AT THE REGIONS TRADITIONS – Get Ready to Rock on May 2 with the Blues Traveler on Hole 10 at the White Claw Watering Hole. The Regions Tradition Golf Tournament is April 29 – May 3 at the Greystone Golf & Country Club.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
**POWERHOUSE SOUL SINGER MARC BROUSSARD PERFORMS AT THE LYRIC THEATRE – Birmingham will host Marc Broussard, Thursday, April 30, 8 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre. This acclaimed Louisiana signer-songwriter will perform some of his songs from his newest album CHANCE WORTH TAKING released April 17. This is the second collaboration with JOE BONAMASSA, JOSH SMITH and CALVIN TURNER who performs and co-wrote some of the tracks on the album. It is his first full album of original blues soul songs. Be the first to hear and get a taste of this album with two singles: NO MORE and FEVER. The album includes a song co-written with TROMBONE SHORTY.
FOR BLUES LOVERS IN BESSEMER
**SATURDAY – Artists SELWYN BIRCHWOOD and LIL’ ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS will perform at the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival in the DeBardeleben Park on 3rd Avenue No. Birchwood performs 3:40 – 4:45 p.m. Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials perform 4:55 – 6 p.m. For more, visit: www.bobsykes.com/blues-festival/
FOR LOVERS OF TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY AND MOTORSPORTS
**ARTIST KIP MOORE HEADLINES TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY INFIELD CONCERT – Multi-Platinum singer songwriter Kip Moore will headline the Saturday Night Concert this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. ZAC BROWN of the Zac Brown Band will be the Grand Marshall for the Jack Link’s 500 along with Troy Link CEO of Jack Link’s and Lorissa Link, founder of the Lorissa’s Organics. Talladega Superspeedway Spring Race weekend is packed with fun and the action Saturday with a doubleheader – the ARCA Menards Series will hit the track in the Alabama Manufactured Housing 200 at 12:30 p.m. and the NASCAR O’Reillly Auto Parts Series Ag-Pro 300 at 4 p.m. Then, on Sunday, the NASCAR Cup Series will have its fun during the Jack Link’s 500 at 3 p.m. This is More Than a Race! This is Talladega!
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
**SATURDAY DAYHIKE, at 9:45 a.m. with Southeastern Outings at Horse Creek Trail, Dora and Sumiton, AL DETAILS: This is 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. You will walk 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! Bring your drink with you. Meet at 9:45 a.m. just outside the left front door (as you face the front of the store) of the Wal-Mart Super Center on Alabama Highway 5 (formerly U. S. Highway 78 in Sumiton, Alabama. Plan to depart by car from the WalMart at 10 a.m. and drive to the nearby start point of the hike on the trail. Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or email souheasternoutings@gmail.com.
IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE
**MAY 7 – MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST, 6:30 a.m. doors open and program starts at 7:45 a.m. at the Church of the Highlands. Hosted by Mayor James D. Stewart with DR. HENRY PANION, III, Grammy Award Winning Composer, Conductor and Educator as Guest Speaker.
**MAY 23 – AUGUST 1 – FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET, Every Saturday, 8 – 11 a.m., at the Irondale City Hall, 101 20th Street South. Seeking Vendors NOW. Any Questions: contact etolbert@cityofiriondaleal.gov or madelynjayne02@gmail.com
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BUSINESS
**FRIDAY – BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION – The Alabama Chapter of the Black Contractors Association is hosting their Monthly Meeting at Atmospheric Energy, 629 9th Street North, 6 – 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in networking, membership opportunities, industry updates, outlook and more this is where you should be early to get a seat. For more information, call 205-873-4572 or visit blackcontractorsassociationincac.org.
**FRIDAY – CARA will host an Entrepreneur Lab, 2-4 p.m. at the Innovation Depot. It will take your business to the next lever with understanding your challenges and goals that are the cornerstone of business success. The workshop is designed to deepen your strategic insight and sharpen your decision-making skills. You must register. For more, contact: abby@cara-now.org.
**TUESDAY – CHAMBER CONNECT AFTER HOURS, 6-8 p.m. at Marcdion, 2217 Second Avenue North, #1B, downtown.
IN BIRMINGHAM AND AROUND TOWN
**LAWSON STATE COLLEGE is hosting CAREY FOUNTAIN’S WILDCARD PROJECT, Wednesday, 4-5 p.m. in the Thelma Catlin Auditorium. CAREY FOUNTAIN
will discuss the different aspects of the Wildcard Exhibition, answer questions and provide instructions on the rules of how Wildcard works. There will be art, music and dialogue, which Fountain uses to inspire positivity and build connections. FREE. For more info about the exhibition, contact: clawson@lawsonstate.edu.
AT THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE
**COURAGE UNDER FIRE EXHIBITION through May 16 in the Woolfolk Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It will feature images that documented the violence perpetuated against the Freedom Riders. The black and white photographs allow visitors to reflect on the roles of violence, law, enforcement and press during the Freedom Rides. This is the 65th Anniversary of the Anniston Bus Bombing.
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.
