By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**IRONDALE CELEBRITY BASKETBALL SHOWDOWN ON THE COURT, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Team Mayor Stewart vs Team Councilor London at Shades Valley High School.
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR with JOSE CARR AND HIS BAND, 5 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
**BYRON THOMAS at the Carver Theatre.
**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.
**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, MAY 1
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**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.
** 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, MAY 2
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN TACARRA WILLIAMS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN UNCLE LAZER at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**CAN’T FEEL MY FACE: 2010s DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
**ZAK LOY LIVE AND TROY MILLETTE at The Nick.
**LATE NIGHT with MINDSHAFT + THE REVEREND EARL SNATCH + KARAKZA
**FUTURE ELEVATORS – at the Upstairs at Avondale.
SUNDAY, MAY 3
**THE MAYOR’S DESK – A Podcast with Mayor James D. Stewart and Special Guest ADAM HICKMAN, Foxhound Bee Company during National Small Business Month.
**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.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN TACARRA WILLIAMS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MAGOO with DAVIS & HALEIGH at Saturn.
MONDAY, MAY 4
**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.
**THE MOTH OPEN MIC STORY SLAM: I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA at Saturn.
TUESDAY, May 5
**IRONDALE CELEBRATING JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 6 p.m. at Irondale City Hall with Mayoral Proclamation & Shehekyanu Prayer.
**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.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
**THE MAYOR’S DESK – A Podcast with Mayor James D. Stewart, City of Irondale and Special Guest ADAM HICKMAN, Foxhound Bee Company during National Small Business Month at 12:30 p.m.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.
**FREE SUBSTRATE BINGO with JACKIE LO at Saturn.
**UNDER BLACK SKY with MY OWN TRADEGY + DRIFTSEEKER at The Nick.
NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 7
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**IRONDALE 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.
**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.
**SING ANYTHING: 80s KARAOKE with TRISTEN KLAVENGA at Saturn.
** YACHT ROCK REVUE – PRINETIME – by CANN at Avondale Brewing Co.
**ARCHITECTS at Iron City.
NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 8
**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 BILL BELLAMY at the StarDome Comedy
**HOUSE OF HEAVY at Saturn.
**SUNDROP + FRIENDS at The Nick.
THE LACS & GIOVANNIE AND THE HIRED GUNS at Iron City.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE
**FOOT SOLDIERS’ 63rd ANNIVERSARY – Civil Rights Street Celebration, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.in the Historic 4th Avenue District. This is a powerful day of Remembrance, Unity and Inspiration, Honoring the Legacy, Uniting the Neighborhoods, Inspiring the Nation, Celebrate the courage and impact of the Foot Solders who helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. Enjoy Tribute Ceremonies honoring the Foot Soldiers, Live music and performances, Community Unity Village, Youth Legacy Zone and Evening Candlelight Tribute and Unity Walk. This is a call to remember, reconnect and rise together. Be A Part of History In Motion!!!
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
**SATURDAY AFTERNOON MOUNTAIN LAUREL WALK, at 1:45 p.m., Dunnavant Valley Greenway Walking Trail (DVGWT)
Details: The trail winds along a bubbling stream, Yellow Leaf Creek, overhung with majestic American beech, oak, and hickory trees. The stream expands to 15-feet wide at its widest point along the trail. Hike off the trail to view a pretty waterfall nearby. There are footbridges over the streams, and a steep patch over a ridge, walking on the trail itself is easy. Bring water with you. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and older able to walk 4 miles without complaining are welcome to participate. Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the ‘small’ DVGWT trail head parking lot on the edge of Yellow Leaf Creek on the very back far edge of the soccer fields on AL Highway 41. Depart at 2 p.m. If you don’t park in the proper lot, you will not find our hiking group. Use the restrooms before you begin the hike, in a building next to the large pavilion at the end of the very first driveway from County Road 41 before the first right turn going around the soccer fields to the trailhead.
Information and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680.
** WEDNESDAY KAYAK AND CANOE TRIP at 8:45 a.m. at Terrapin Creek near Piedmont, Alabama with dinner after. -DETAILS: This trip is in Cherokee County, near Piedmont, Alabama. The paddle is relatively easy with one class I classified rapid (which you can portage around if you prefer). This is a scenic stretch of creek located in a very rural area. You may rent one person sit-upon plastic kayaks for $25 each from Terrapin Outdoor Center that include shuttle service, paddles and life jackets. Call the Center at 256/447-6666 to reserve your boat. Let them know you are boating with Southeastern Outings. OR Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, currently has canoes for $40 per boat. Southeastern Outings will pay the $10 per boat shuttle service fee for people renting canoes from Aree. Please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com OR 205/631- Participants must be able to swim on this outing! After the trip, plan to eat at a restaurant in Piedmont for an optional dinner. Bring a change of clothes and a towel to wash up and/or have dinner. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED: Email southeasternoutings@gmail.com or call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this outing. Do not just show up!! Meet 8:45 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville. Depart at 9 a.m.
IN BIRMINGHAM AND AROUND TOWN
**CARA TECH COMING TO MAIN STREET – MEET YOUR FACILITATORS NONPROFIT UNIVERSITY, MAY 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Auburn University Birmingham Campus with Myeisha Hutchinson- Board Development, Claire Cole -Nonprofits are a Business, Trinity Hummons, -Funding Readiness, Emory Mauldin – Compliance for nonprofits and Jeremy Duckworth – Projects to progress.
**LAWSON STATE COLLEGE Customer Service Professionals (CSP) Program -DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS is FRIDAY. This program is about bolstering a company’s brand and its bottom line – very critical elements for any business that wants to thrive in the competitive marketplace. The eight-week program is open for applications through Friday. The CSP Program is perfect for people looking to switch careers and those who would benefit from short term, career-focused training. Skills include communication, problem-solving, engagement and professionalism which are teachable and needed in today’s workforce . Those chosen to participate receive training in call center operations, business communication, sales, customer relationship management software and product promotion. For more, call 205-929-3485.Session begins June 1 and running from June 6 – August 6, Tuesday and Thursday evening at Lawson’s Birmingham campus.
**MAY 6 AND MAY 13 – GIRL SCOUTS COMMUNITY BOUQUET GIVEAWAY at East Ensley Library, 3:30 -5 p.m. Girl Scouts Troop 27019 will design and assemble more than 150 handcrafted flower bouquets to give to neighbors, library visitors and community supporters. This helps the girls understand how simple acts of kindness can brighten an entire community as it reflects the focus on leadership, creativity and service. The girls will practice floral design, teamwork and community engagement. FREE and Open to the public.
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.
AT UAB
**NOW through SATURDAY – 2026 BFA EXHIBITION – UAB Student Art will be featured in BFA exhibition at UAB’s AEiVA. The 2026 BFA exhibition at UAB’s Abroms-Engel institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA) will have a free closing reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday May1. Admission is always FREE and AEVIA is open to the public from Noon – 5 p.m. Tuesdays – Saturday. Students whose work is featured are Ty Bell, Karah Gohn, Martinee Hill, Gracie Hollington, Jaymie Hornsby, Landon Krail, Nadia Johnson, Kana Luecke and Angeline Robinson.
**SUNDAY – YELLOW BIRD CHASE show starts at 6 p.m. It is a world of imagination and adventure with masks, puppets and improvisation. This is about a maintenance crew that finds a magical yellow bird and a mad chase begins, racing over land across the sea and through the air, battling pirates and monsters. For more, call 205-975-2787.
IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE
**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
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.
