By Gwen DeRu | The Birmingham Times
SICKLE CELL AWARENESS AND CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!
CELEBRATE LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!! SHARIFF SIMMONS IS BACK!!!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**AFTER WORK PROFESSIONAL SOIREE EVERY THURSDAY at Majestic ULTRA Lounge. Happy Hour 5 – 9 p.m. Unwind and Connect hosted by Commissioner Sheila Tyson.
**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.
**CIRCLE JERKS with NEGATIVE APPROACH and UPCHUCK at Saturn.
**JAZZ HAPPY HOUR EVERY THURSDAY at Carver Theatre.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 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, SEPTEMBER 4
IT IS FRIDAY…the weekend starts…
**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Linn Park.
**SUPERSTAR KEHLANI WORLD TOUR at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater with DURAND BURNARR, ISAIA HURON, THEARTI$T or WASEEL.
**LOVE IN THE CLUB – 2000s R&B + HIP HOP DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
**BOLEE w/CENTERFIRE SMOKEJUMPER NEOTERRA at The Nick.
**THE STOLEN FACES – CELEBATING THEMUSIC OF THE GRTEFUL DEAD at Avondale Brewing Co.
**COMEDIAN T. MURPH at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**GOOD MUSIC WITH GOOD PEOPLE BREWING at Dave’s, 6 p.m. at Dave’s Pub.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
**SATURDAYS AFTER DARK at Majestic Ultra Lounge.
**CHEEKFACE with CATBITE at Saturn.
**COMEDIAN T. MURPH at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**Early Metal Show with GHOSTLINGS, KNIVES, WINDOW ARCHOR, and UNION 251 at The Nick.
**Late Night at The Nick with BADASS METAL w/KETONA & NERVE DAMAGE.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
**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.
**SAM FRAMPTON & SKYLER DAVIS at The Nick.
**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 STEVE BROWN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**BILMURI-KINDA HARD TOUR at Avondale Brewing Co.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
**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.
**WEEKDAYS – LIBRARY AT THE GARDENS, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Weekdays. Present your Jefferson County Card to check out books, audiobooks, DVDs and more for adults and children at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
**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, 12 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.
**ATTA BOY with LIAM AND THE GODZILLAS at Saturn.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
**EDUCATION FEASIBILITY STUDY TOWN HALL MEETING, 6 p.m. at Irondale City Hall. Mayor James D. Stewart will brief the community and share the results of the recent Education Feasibility Study exploring the possibility of creating an Irondale School System.
**EVERY TUESDAY – L.I.F.T. – LEARNING AND INTERVENTIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH TEENS, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. is a FREE program for families of 7-12 graders who need help addressing mental health and behavioral needs. Dinner is included, but childcare is not provided. For more: 205-201-0060. Location provided after registration.
**MAJESTIC ULTRA LOUNGE HAPPY HOUR, 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays with specials. Take your appetite, dancing shoes and your crew. Must be 30 and up to enter.
**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.
**THELMA & THE SLEAZE with THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS at The Nick.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**FREE – SUBSSTRATE BINGO WITH JACKO at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
**BIRMINGHAM FERN SOCIETY, Every Third Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. in the conference Room of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Go to the website and email Louise Billings to reserve a spot.
**LEGENDARY SOULFUL HAPPY HOUR EVERY WEDNESDAY, 5- 9 p.m. at Majestic Ultra Lounge with Classic R&B, Songs and smooth Vibes.
**REAL FUNNY COMEDY WEDNESDAYS at True Story Brewing. Sign up at 7:30 p.m.
**NEIL HAMBURGER with MAJOR ENTERTAINER at Saturn.
NEXT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!!!
**FINANCE TOWN HALL MEETING – Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr. will share information about the city’s projected revenues & expenditures for FY 2027 and a snapshot of the Visions Spending Plan. The meeting is at 6 p.m. in Irondale City Hall.
**SEPTEMBER 10 – VOLUNTEER AT THE FOOD BANK, 1-3 p.m. at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Warehouse on 4336 Turin Drive , Bessemer, AL 35020. Food Pantry Volunteers Needed. Sign up at www.tinyurl.com/FoodBankofCentralAL
**AFTER WORK PROFESSIONAL SOIREE ‘EVERY THURSDAY’ at Majestic ULTRA Lounge. Happy Hour 5 – 9 p.m. Unwind and Connect hosted by Commissioner Sheila Tyson.
**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.
**COUNTRY DISCO DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
NEXT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
**MAYOR’S VETERANS TABLE, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Irondale Public Library. Keynote Speaker is U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Jason Miller (Retired), Shades Valley High School Marine J.R.O.T.C. Instructor. RSVP by September 7 at www.tinyurl.com/Veteran2026.
**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAYS, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Linn Park.
**IRONDALE CRUISE-IN CINEMA, 5 p.m. with a Car Show and Movie at dusk. Compete for best in show awards. Free Admission for car show participants and spectators with FREE popcorn, food & drink vendors. Bring your lawn chairs to enjoy the show with fun for the whole family. MOVIE – FURIOUS 7.
**JERVIS CAMPBELL with NATHAN COLBERG at Saturn.
**HAYDEN HUNTER & THE YEARLY TRIALS at The Nick.
**GREENSKY BLUEGRASS at Avondale Brewing Co.
**COMEDIAN DC CURRY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**STRANGELOVE: THE DEPECHE MODE EXPERIENCE at Iron City.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN SEPTEMBER …THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND and more…
NEWS TO KNOW AND USE – PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO WATCH…
**LABOR DAY WEEKEND – INTERNATIONAL RENOWN SHARIFF SIMMONS’ BACK IN THE HAM: AN OVERDUE REUNION – Birmingham! Back in town and traveling around the world – SHARIFF SIMMONS and MARC CARY will perform from the ‘WHEN THE EVOLUTION COMES’ CD at Elysian Gardens. Shariff Simmons and the Modern Democracy will perform Saturday at 8 – 11 p.m. There will definitely be great music, great poetry and great times. If you know, then you know. BUT, if you do not know, then you better be there! Elysian Fields Watch Out!!! (ALSO, check out THE POSSIBLE PODCAST WITH SHARIFF SIMMONS as he travels the world.)
FOR LOVERS OF ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, ART, GARDENING, FOOD AND MORE…
**SEPTEMBER 12 – DINER EN BLANC is ‘set and ready’ with Grammy Award-winning singer CHRISETTE MICHELE performing and CHEF LAMAR LOCKETT showcasing Birmingham’s culinary excellence with so much more. The location of this annual event is not known until the day of the event. This is where Paris Meets Magic! This will be an international experience.
IN DOWNTOWN
**JAZZI’S ON 3rd CONCERT SERIES – Jazzi’s on 3rd Music Gallery is celebrating its 10th Anniversary for three nights, including: SEPTEMBER 11- BYRON THOMAS with MASTERS KEYS III featuring DEIRDRE GADDIS & ABRAHAM THE VOICE, -SEPTEMBER 12 -CLIVE DAVIS TRIBUTE SHOW featuring BT COLLECTIVE & ECLECTIC SOUL and BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE BAND – SEPTEMBER 13 – BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE BAND featuring BO BERRY & Guest Vocalists,
**SEPTEMBER 18 – RONALD RODRIGUEZ LIVE at the Carver Theatre, 6 p.m. This is Desda la Raiz: Caribbean Connections by the Ronald Rodriquez Sextet that celebrates the rich musical connections between Caribbean culture and jazz. This will be an evening filled with rhythms, soulful melodies and the spirit of Latin jazz while celebrating Latin Heritage Month.
**SEPTEMBER 26 – WE ARE ONE BHAM – AN ALL WHITE CELEBRATION – This Third Annual Fundraiser by the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter is an evening of elegance, culture and community celebrating the legacy of Frankie Beverly’s music with live performances by talented musicians and performers including Comedian and Actor HENRY WELCH, Guitarist ERIC DUBOSE, Singer YUNG VOKALZ, and DJ Artist DJ CHOCOLATE at the Boutwell Auditorium, 7 p.m. This will be an unforgettable night.
**SEPTEMBER 26 – 14th ANNUAL COLLARD GREENS COOKOFF, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Urban Ministry & WE Gardens, 1229 Cotton Avenue SW, with collard green competition, live music, line dancing, great food, food trucks, sweet potato drop, kids zone and more. Check out who has the best greens in West End.
AT THE BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
**SEPTEMBER 18-19 – FALL PLANT SALE, Noon – 5:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday.
CELEBRATE HISPANIC CULTURE AND HERITAGE
**SEPTEMBER 26 – FIESTA BIRMINGHAM 2026 will be in Linn Park, on Saturday, Noon – 8 p.m. FIESTA FOR EVERYONE is the 2026 theme for Alabama’s largest celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. Celebrating 24 years with live music and performances, there will be authentic food, cultural experiences representing over 20 nations, family activities, health and wellness resources, community organizations, soccer, wrestling exhibitions and more. There will be six festival villages with more than 150 booths and organizations participating.
IN THE CITY OF IRONDALE
Just a little of what is going on, in September
**SEPTEMBER 25 – DEADLINE FOR CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT INSTITUTE – The City of Irondale Fall 2026 Citizen Engagement Institute. Class Dates are October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 with Graduation on November 6, 6-8 p.m. at the Irondale Public Library. Apply at www.tinyurl.com/FallCEI26.
**SEPTEMBER 26 – CELEBTRATE IRONDALE’S 139th BIRTHDAY, 3 p.m. featuring THE TONY TATUM EXPEREINCE with Dominique Hammons, Alabama A & M University Choir, Sherry Reeves and DJ Maverick at Beacon Park. Parking at “The Hill’ at Grants Mill Station with Shuttle Service.
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.
