By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
“KEEP CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!”
VOTE!! VOTE!!! VOTE!! – June 16 Run Offs Tuesday!!
THURSDAY, JUNE 11
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**SUMMER MEMBERSHIP SOCIAL, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Pinnacle Financial Partners. This is an evening of networking, drinks and light bites while connecting with fellow Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce members. You must register. FREE for chamber members.
**AAFter HOURS MEETUP + BOARD RECRUITMENT, 5:30 p.m. for a social at The Grocery, 2823 Central Avenue in Homewood for drinks, food, darts, networking and socializing. Join us if you are interested in growing our thriving creative advertising community. Meet the New President WINK WINKLER and get involved.
**ENTREPRENEURS & INNOVATORS CONFERENCE by the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce, TODAY AND TOMORROW 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.
**BINGO, 11 a.m. at the West End Library.
**COMEDIAN MARCUS MONROE J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round 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.
**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 12
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**AIR LAYERING PROPAGATION PRACTICE at the Birmingham Botanical Garden, 9 – 11 a.m.
**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Linn Park.
**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.
**CHRIS CAIN, the blues guitar virtuoso, vocalist and songwriter performs ‘Living Blues’ at Woodlawn Theatre, 5503 First Avenue North, 7 p.m.
**COMEDIAN AKAASH SINGH at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**ANDY HALL with Brother Bird at Saturn.
**DUSKY WATERS & TEENA MAY at The Nick.
**JOMBI, SAM AND THE BIG BOYS, BAND SILHOUETTE, LUNAR PARQUE at The Nick.
**TAYLORVILLE – TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE 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 13
**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.
**SATURDAY – JAZZ GIRLS DAY, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. This groundbreaking event will celebrate young women in jazz through workshops, mentorship, and music-making.
**AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL at the Birmingham Museum of Art. FREE. There will be art making, performances, face painting and a focus on the BMA’s African art collection.
**FACE PAINTING with YOGI DADA at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 1-5 p.m.
**COMEDIAN AKAASH SINGH at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**SATURN SUMMER PRIDE MARKET at Saturn.
**THE OFFICIAL PRIDE AFTER PARTY at Saturn.
**ANITA & JJ’S 60TH + KELVIN PRUITT’S BIRTHDAY PARTY at The Nick.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
**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.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**WYATT FLORES – DRIVE ALL NIGHT TOUR w/SHELBY STONE at Avondale Brewing Co.
MONDAY, JUNE 15
**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.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
**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 – FEATS OF STRENGTH: WRESTLING TRIVIA NIGHT at Saturn.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
WEDNESDAY, June 17
**MAKE JUNETEENTH BRACELETS, 1 p.m. at the West End Library using a variety of beads.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**NAUM, 86HOPE with WAX FUR, LUNAR PARQUE at Saturn.
**OPEN DECK at the Nick
NEXT THURSDAY, JUNE 18
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**COMEDIAN MARK PAUL at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round 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.
**BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME” BLUE NOWHERE US TOUR 26 with IMPERIAL TRUMPHANT, FALLUJAH at Saturn.
**POUR MINDS – STILL SIPPIN’ TOUR at Iron City.
**THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT: KEEP SPINNING TOUR at Avondale Brewing Co.
**THE FIRESIDE COLLECTIVE – STRING CHEESE AFTER PARTY at the Upstairs at Avondale.
NEXT FRIDAY, JUNE 19
**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.
**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Linn Park.
**FRIDAY NIGHT SCREEN SCENE MOVIE SERIES showing ‘PRINCESS AND THE FROG,’ at Friday Nights at Beacon Park, 5309 Beacon Drive in Irondale. There will be popcorn, hotdogs, train rides, snow cones, lemonade and more.
**COMEDIAN NATE JACKSON at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**2026 ALABAMA’S FUNNIEST- Preliminary Round at the StarDome Comedy Club.
COMEDIAN CALEB ELLIOTT at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN’ with LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER at Saturn.
POUR MINDS – STILL SIPPIN’ TOUR at Iron City.
FOR FILM LOVERS
**TUXEDO JUNCTION – The documentary Tuxedo Junction: The (Almost) Lost Story will air again on Sunday, June 14, at 1:30 p.m. The film shines a spotlight on one of Birmingham’s most important cultural landmarks and explores the powerful history behind Tuxedo Junction—the legendary community, music, and legacy that helped shape American jazz and swing. Katie Rogers, the director, has shown a deep love for Birmingham’s history, the documentary preserves stories that deserve to be remembered, honored, and passed forward. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and celebrate a piece of Birmingham history that still moves with rhythm, pride, and purpose.
FOR BOOK LOVERS
**A WOMAN, A DRUM, A JOURNEY DJEMBE CHRONICLES – Humans, Animals and Angels – Author YOGI DADA is hosting a Book Signing, FRIDAY, 6-7:30 p.m. at The Greenhouse located at 602, 19th Street Ensley. The book includes twenty-two short stories of life changing encounters playing the African djembe throughout parks in Birmingham, AL. Each story is accompanied with photography and artwork.
FOR ENTERTAINMENT LOVERS
**JAMES BALDWIN – An Experience Through Dance and Spoken Word for all audiences, on Saturday, 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. hosted by the DJD Southern Dance Works at Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, 800 19th Street North. International choreographer GERMAUL BARNES, Artistic Director at Southern Dance Works is shifting Birmingham with dance, poetry, music and more. This is a phenomenal ensemble of dancers, designers, and special guest, Mr. Charles Reese, international purveyor of James Baldwin.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
**SATURDAY RIVER FLOAT, PICNIC AND SWIM, at 9:45 a.m. with Southeastern Outings on the Locust Fork River from Taylor’s Ford through Cornelius Falls in Blount County near Royal, AL – DETAILS: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River from Taylor’s Ford through Cornelius Falls and below. Float downstream to the widest waterfall on the Locust Fork River. Enjoy your picnic lunch sitting on the rocks overlooking the waterfall. This is one of the prettiest lunch spots in Alabama with sheer cliffs that rise high above the river. Enjoy a flowing river, high rock bluffs and a gorgeous waterfall—all along a nearly uninhabited stretch of this river. Bring a picnic lunch, drink, sunscreen and something to float on such as a fabric-covered, inflatable vinyl float. Wear swimsuit and sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! You must be able to swim to participate in this outing! Have fun swimming in the pools in the river and just sitting in Cornelius Falls. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up able to swim are welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. Meet at the Cleveland Chevron, 9:45 a.m. Depart at 10 a.m. Info. and trip leader: Dan Frederick, call 205/631-4680 or southeasternoutings@gmail.com. NOTE: Substantial, fabric-covered, inflatable, vinyl, rectangular floats like you use to ride the waves at the Gulf work best. Trip leader Dan Frederick has floats for sale and will provide float pumps to assist at the start point. First come, first served.
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.
