By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
“CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!”
Don’t forget to VOTE – June 16 Run Offs.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**COMEDIAN 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.
**FREE – SUBSTRATE BINGO with JACKIE LO at Saturn.
**FIRE CAMINO, MILKY WHITE & LIMITED SIGHT DISTANCE at The Nick.
**S’MORES & POURS – Benefitting Bridgeways 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, JUNE 5
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.
**LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Historic Carver Theatre, Friday through Sunday.
**COMEDIAN DERAY DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**MILE AND HONEY: PRIDE at Saturn.
**KRIS DEWBERRY & THE LOWER END with THE BEND at The Nick.
**DANCE, GAVIN DANCE w/The FALL OF TROY, WOLF&BEAR and NOVELISTS at Avondale Brewing Co.
**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, JUNE 6
**EVERY SATURDAY through 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.
**2nd Annual HEROES ON THE RUNWAY, 5 p.m. at the Alabama AGC Building in Irondale.
**13th ANNUAL MARVEL CITY CARIBBEAN FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. at the Debardeleben Park in Bessemer by the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization.
**LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Historic Carver Theatre.
**COMEDIAN DERAY DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**THE MIDNIGHT EFFECT” 10 Year Anniversary at Saturn.
**3 THE HARDWAY, SUBHYMNAL, MAYWEATHER + LORELEI TAYLOR at The Nick.
**LATE NIGHT BEAUTY IS THE ENEMY, SOUNDS IN MY HEAD, WITHERED, ESOTERROR, XENOBILE at The Nick.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
**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.)
**LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Historic Carver Theatre
**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 DERAY DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**SEND DUDES at The Nick.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
**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.
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
**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.
**PAWPAW ROD: PICTURE DAY TOUR at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, June 10
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**OPEN MIC NIGHT at StarDome Comedy Club.
**PRIDE IDOL at Saturn.
NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 11
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS CONFERENCE by the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce, at the Marriott Birmingham, 2590 Grandview Parkway. This conference is for businesses and owners looking forward to growing, learning, networking and getting more information to survive in the world today. Knowledge is power when you want your business to grow. For more information, email: info@ALBlackCC.org.
**COMEDIAN MARCUS MONROE 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.
**STEEL CITY MEN’S CHORUS at Saturn.
**BRIAN WOLF & THE HOWLERS with MILLENIAL JONES at The Nick.
NEXT FRIDAY, JUNE 12
**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 AKAASH SINGHat the StarDome Comedy Club.
**ANDY HALL at Saturn.
**JOMBI, SAM AND THE BIG BOYS, BAND SILHOUETTE, LUNAR PARQUE at The Nick.
*TAYLORVILLE – TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE at Avondale Brewing Co.
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE
CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!
**THE MARVEL CITY CARIBBEAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL – The Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization (CACAO) is hosting their 13th Annual Marvel Caribbean Food and Music Festival, June 6, Saturday, at the DeBardeleben Park, 1623 Second Avenue in Bessemer. Pauline Ford, Founder of CACAO, is expecting a crowd with vendors from Tennessee, Georgia and all around Alabama. There will be plenty of good food, good music and a great atmosphere that will be very welcoming to all. The parade kicks the festival off at NOON at the Alex Bradford Park heading to the DeBardeleben Park where Mr. Desi Keith will be instructing line dancing for those that love to do so with great music and plenty of line dancers. …HERE IS A LITTLE OF WHAT TO EXPECT: MCs are ULATO SAM (Bob Marley Musical, Las Vegas) and WAYNE HALL (Wayne Hall Show, Atlanta, GA). 1 p.m. – Welcome from Bessemer Mayor Gulley, Sheriff Mark Pettway, Police Chief Carmichael and Commissioner Sheila Tyson. 1:30 p.m. -Kenne Blessin and Revolution Reggae and Soca Band, 2 p.m. -T. Renee Xperience, 2:30 p.m. -Pansonics Steel Band, 3 p.m. -Heartbeat Dance Company, 3:30 p.m. -Jeremy Torres, 4 p.m. -Queen Barbee and Ulato Sam, 4:45p.m. -Kenne Blessin and Revolution Reggae and Soca Band, 5 p.m. -DJ Dance Contest, 5:30 p.m. -Pansonics Steel Band, 6 p.m. -Jeremy Torres, 6:30 p.m. -DJ Interactive ‘Show What You Got Party’ block party, 7:30 p.m. -Kenne Blessin, Jeremy Torres and Revolution and Soca Band. SEE YOU THERE!!! For more, go to: cacaooline.org.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES IN AND AROUND BIRMINGHAM THIS SUMMER
**HIRING – SUMMER AT THE SIXTH – Sixth Avenue Community Development Corporation is hiring for 6 weeks of action and a lifetime impact working in childcare or with children as an assistant counselor, lead counselor or driver. Interested individuals ages 16+, college students, teachers and retirees. For more, sixthavenuecdc.org
**HIRING – HABD SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM is accepting applications for the SUEP that offers young individuals the opportunity to develop leadership and mentorship skills by servicing as summer interns or Camp Counselors. Participants will have the opportunity to gain professional experience working with HABD departments and partner organizations while developing leadership and workforce. If hired they can work flexible work schedule while earning $12 per hour. Apply at: habd.org/jobs.
**HIRING – GIRLS INC EUREKA SUMMER ENRICHMENT Program will provide middle and high schools girls hands-on STEM experience to explore career pathways, build confidence and develop new skills. Camp Dates are June 15-26 and July 6-17, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Questions, contact Deidre Brown at 205-599-5551 or email dbrown@girlsinccentral-al.org. Limited spots for 8th graders to attend at a discounted rate.
**BECOME A LIFEGUARD – Pools are gearing up for the fun in the water. If you are ready, can lead, protect then apply. Perks include competitive pay, certification opportunities, flexible schedules and fun on the summer job. Call 205-254-2189 for more.
**SUMMER FILM CAMP – This is a five-day summer program for high school students to learn filmmaking, get the fundamentals of storytelling, lighting camera work and editing with professional filmmakers. Camp is June 8-13. Scholarships are available for those that qualify. Go to: bhamfilmcamp.com.
**JUNIOR NATURALIST ACADEMY – Each week in June, Tuesday through Fridays at Ruffner Mountain, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The academy includes animal programs, camp songs, eco-arts, hiking, mature journaling and plant identification. Register at jeffcogreenways.org/programs/youth/junior-naturalist-academy. There is a fee.
**MAGIC CITY YOUTHBUILD – Housing Authority of the Birmingham District is accepting applications to a six to nine-month initiative providing training and educational opportunities in healthcare and construction to young people ages 16-24 Who are looking to earn their GED. Biweekly stipend provided. Applications will be accepted until July 15. Apply at: youthbuild@habd.org or call 205-937-7550.
**CAMP BRILLIANCE – Registration is open for enrollment in the summer camp June 8 – July 23, 7:15 a.m. -5:15 p.m. for ages 3 – 13 at Zion AME Church in downtown Birmingham. It will offer math, reading, tutoring, arts, crafts, character development, science experiments and weekly field trips. Contact Ms. Bolden at 205-587-5183, 205 305-1719 or email brilliant.kids@aol.com
**FIRST TEE BIRMINGHAM will offer FREE participation for Birmingham City Schools at Roebuck Golf Course and Highland Park Golf Course. Register at www.firstteebirmingham.org. use code: bcs26.
**SPACE ONE ELEVEN CITY CENTER ART – Afterschool studio art program for Artists to learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory and history for Grades 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Call 205
**BIRMINGHAM PARK AND RECREATION KIDS SUMMER CAMP – Session 1: June 8 – 26, Session 2: July 6-24, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. where campers can enjoy engaging activities, make new friends and stay active all summer long. For more call 205-254-2391. There is a fee.
**JUNE 1 – JULY 31 – WHACK KIDZ SUMMER ADVENTURE 2026 students will experience one of the most engaging and popular summer, faith-based enrichment programs in the Birmingham Area. Register at pci.jotform.com/form/
**BIRMINGHAM SUMMER INSTITUTE – Enrollment for this year’s camp is open. Camp will run from June 18 – July 24 and serve students in grades 3 – 8. Activities will feature arts and crafts, outdoor activities, field trips and science experiments. Cost includes meals, activities, field trips and a t-shirt.
**CAMP BETHEL COLLEGEVILLE SUMMER LEARNING CAMP is accepting applications at 3200 28th Avenue North. Camp is June 8 – July 24, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday -Friday. Important Dates: Field Trips every Friday beginning June 19. Closed June 19 and July 3. Early dismissal July at 3 p.m. Registration and weekly tuition. For more, contact Mr. Norman Dixon at 205-322—5360 or email campbethel18@gmail.com.
**UAB SUMMER ENGINEERING PROGRAMS – This is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on learning and exploring difference fields in engineering and technology. Options Drone Academy: June 8-12 and July 6-10; Punkin Chunkin: June 15-18 and July 29-July 2; Robotics, AI and Coding: July 13-16 and July 20-23; and the Civil Engineering Summer Camp: June 22-25. For more, go to uab.edu/engineering/home/summer-camps.
**STRIVE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM for justice-impacted residents ages 18-24 to take the step toward a career in industries including construction, logistics and manufacturing. The 8 week NO-COST program provides coaching, job training, internship opportunities, support services, counseling and support groups, development workshops, job placement assistance and lifetime alumni support. For more, strive.org/Birmingham.
**JULY 10 – UNBOUND: FREEDOM TO READ, 4- 8 p.m. at Innovation Depot, 1500 1st Avenue North by the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter- 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.
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.
