By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH!!!
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!!
THURSDAY, MAY 14
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**VIVID REFLECTION MAY SOIREE – Celebrate A Resilient Community Through Cultural Artifacts, an exhibition hosted by Ballard House Project through June 13. TODAY, 5-7 p.m. stop by the Vivid Reflection” May Soiree with music, food and community memories to help celebrate. FREE.
***COURAGE UNDER FIRE’ EXHIBITION through Saturday 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
**60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE A.G. GASTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, at the Renaissance Ross Bridge featuring a “CONVERSATION WITH JALEN”. Jalen Hurts is an Alabama Icon and quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles.
**SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN DUSTIN NICKERSON at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**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.
**SCANTRON 5000 TRIVIA FREE at Saturn.
**ELMIENE at Saturn.
**ELMIENE – SOUNDS FOR SOMEONE TOUR at Iron City.
**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.
**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 15
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.
**THE BIG MEETING – A Great Gathering of the Jefferson County Community. It will feature the Powerful Stage Drama – THE MEETING. This event will honor 35 of Jefferson County’s most influential residents, 4:30 p.m. at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pratt City, located at 1701 Spencer Avenue. Panel discussion topics will include family health, financial literacy, youth empowerment, crime prevention, drug intervention, arts and education inspiration.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN RON FUNCHES at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**The Broadway Room at Stardome: LANCE WOODS at Stardome Comedy Club.
**BERTHA: GRATEFUL DRAG at Saturn.
**SID-JERR DAN & THE SNAKE MOUNTAIN BOYS w/KYLE KIMBRELL AND WEAVER at The Nick.
**TALK 99.5 with JAW BONE JAM: BROTHER CANE w/ STONE HORSES AND CADD at Iron City.
**EAT A PEACH – AN ALLMAN BROTHERS TRIBUTE at Avondale Brewing CO.
**COMEDIAN LANCE WOODS at the Stardome Comedy
**COMEDIAN BERTHA: Grateful Drag at Saturn.
**JA BPME JA: BROTHER CANE W/STONE HORSES AND CADD 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 MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.
SATURDAY, MAY 16
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN RON FUNCHES
at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**COMEDIAN LANCE WOODS at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**BROTHA JOSH with TERRY OHMS, OH PAKE SUPERFUND at Saturn.
**DEBI TIRAR MAD FIESTAS – NOCHE DE REGGAETON, DEMBOW and Y LATI NDANCE at Iron City.
**BURLESQUE Night at The Nick Every 3rd Saturday.
SUNDAY, MAY 17
**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 RON FUNCHES at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**SOME HEARRS + WILLIAMSON BROTHERS at The Nick.
MONDAY, MAY 18
**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.
**TECH N9NE + 40 – STRANGE WID’ IT TOUR 2026 at Iron City.
TUESDAY, May 19
**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.
**FREE OSCILLATIONS – ELECTRONIC MUSIC OPEN MIC PERFORMANCE at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**OPEN MIC NIGHT at Stardome Comedy Club.
**JARROD WAKER at Saturn.
**COMEDIAN GRAESON MCGAHA at Stardome Comedy Club.
**OPEN DECK at The Nick.
NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 21
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN COUSIN TIERA at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**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.
NEXT FRIDAY, MAY 22
**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.
**THE BIG MEETING – A Great Gathering of the Jefferson County Community. It will feature the Powerful Stage Drama – THE MEETING. This event will honor 35 of Jefferson County’s most influential residents, 4:30 p.m. at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pratt City, located at 1701 Spencer Avenue. Panel discussions will include: family health, financial literacy, youth empowerment, crime prevention, drug intervention, arts and education inspiration.
**COMEDIAN SPECIAL EVENT: COMEDIAN EARTHQUAKE at the Stardome Comedy Club.
**THE SUN RA ARKESTRA LIVE at Saturn.
**GFY HATERS PART II” HAM’S BIRTHDAY at The Nick.
**A FOREIGNER’S JOURNEY TO BOSTON at Iron City.
**ALTER BRIDGE – WHAT LIES WITHIN US TOUR w/FILTER AND TIM MONTANYA at Avondale Brewing CO.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!!!
IN AND AROUND BIRMINGHAM
**MAY 24 – SHERRI BROWN LIVE – A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PRODUCTION EVENT at WorkPlay Theatre, 7 p.m. This show is a collaboration with MOON MEN DJS (MMDJS) and R & B recording artist SHERRI BROWN of Sherri Brown Music. Moon Men DJS is the team behind the multi-camera arena productions, cinematic LED wall integrations and high-production-value live events across the Southeast. The system is built to make every seat feel like the best seat in the house. KEVIN KEY stellar Award-winning cinematographer is the founder of Moon Men DJS.
**MAY 28 – BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION-ALABAMA CHAPTER Monthly meeting, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS, 2173 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35205. For more, call 205-873-4572 OR visit blackcontractorsassociationincac.org.
**JULY 10 – UNBOUND: FREEDOM TO READ, 4- 8 p.m. at Innovation Depot, 1500 1st Avenue North. Educating and Uplifting with Freedom of Speech and Expression, Legacy and History. There will be authors, poets and writers. Come and experience a moment of expression in unity. Network and meet other business owners to experience the importance of Black Voices in the community. There will be spoken word, live music, light hors d’oeuvres, and drink ticket, It is hosted by LADY WOO, with beats by CHOCOLATE and performances by DEIDRE GADDIS and Saxophonist PEDRO MOORE. For vending, and more information, call Donnie at 205-873-4572.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
**NEXT SATURDAY PICNIC AND ASO CONCERT at 7 p.m. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. FREE. Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO) Concert at the Railroad Park (situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets South) in downtown Birmingham. DETAILS: Enjoy Southeastern Outings for music under the stars with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy special concert, which promises to yield a great evening of fun. Relax on the lawn with your blanket or lawn chair. If you’d like to eat with SEO, bring your picnic (no glass or alcohol allowed) to enjoy at 7 p.m. Look for the Southeastern Outings people near the walkway on the railroad side (far side of park away from 1st Avenue South) of the park. Bring as many friends and family members as you wish. Admission: FREE. For more info: call the ASO office, 205-251-6929 or Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680.
IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE
**MAY 20 – THE MAYOR’S DESK – A Podcast with Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. and Special Guest SUNSHINE DANG of Sunshine’s Bakery during National Small business Month. Tune In Live where you get your podcasts.
**MAY 20 – LIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY AWARDS presented by Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr., 6 p.m. at Irondale City Hall, during the Irondale City Council Meeting.
**MAY 22 – ZOOTOPIA 2 is the First Screen Scene of the Movie Series at the City of Irondale with fun and games at 7 p.m. with the Movie starting at dusk. There will be popcorn, hotdogs, train rides, snow cones, lemonade and more. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs.
**MAY 23 – RUFFNER PARK SPORTS COMPLEX FINAL INNING FESTIVAL, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
**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@cityofirondaleal.gov or madelynjayne02@gmail.com.
**MAY 27 – HOT DOG HAPPY HOUR presented by Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. , 5-7 p.m. at Tails by the Rails at Ellard Park, 2420 Ruffner Court.
**MAY 28 – COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR at Starbucks at Cahaba crossing, 1290 Grants Mill Road. Catch up on the latest news in the City of Irondale with Mayor Stewart and get your questions answered. Enjoy a FREE Beverage.
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.
