By:Gwen DeRu
FALL! FOOTBALL!! FUN AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY!! ….WITH MORE TO SEE AND DO….ALL AROUND THE STATE!!
ENJOY THE COOL DAYS AND TAILGATING FUN!!
Birmingham is still commemorating the 50th Anniversary of 1963 – a pivotal year in the City’s history and the civil rights movement. The eyes of the world are on the City.
Visitors are here taking in the old, but more the new. And, people are still exploring the history of the City, the state and the world.
Here are a few more things going on…….
**MUSEUM OF URBAN ART ANNUAL ART SHOW AND AWARDS GALA –
The Museum of Urban Art hosts the 7th Annual “Rhapsody in Red” Art Show and Awards Gala during the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham. Rhapsody in RED is today 6 p.m. reception and 6:30 p.m. Awards Gala at the Vulcan Park and Museum. Honorees are Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. George R. French, Urban Legend Award – Leola Early, Run-D.M.C. Award – Robert “Coach Dick’ Dickerson, Run-D.M. C. Award – Alicia Johnson-Williams, Idol Award – Sebastian Cole, Urban Entertainer Award – Michael Ham, Theatrical Award – Caprenia Anthony, Youth Entertainer Award – Master Malik Kofi and Posthumous Award – James E. Lewis, Sr. Other awards will go to individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to their communities: Jarvis Escott – First Impressions Marketing, Gina Hurry – Artist/Visionary Inspero, Gloria Washington Lewis Randall – Birmingham Foot Soldier, Civil Rights Activists Committee and Leah Tucker – Executive Director, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. As an annual treat, Dr. McDowell displays his artistic talents by developing, as we watch, an original masterpiece. That drawing is then auctioned and the proceeds benefit the Museum of Urban Art. There will be a musical tribute to the Four Little Girls. Call (205) 821-8119 for more.
**BARONS PLAYER OF THE YEAR MARCUS SEMIEN and BARONS PITCHER OF THE YEAR ERIK JOHNSON – Following their 2013 Southern League Championship, the Birmingham Barons have announced that INF Marcus Semien has been named Barons Player of the Year while RHP Erik Johnson has been named the team’s Pitcher of the Year.
SEMIEN put on a virtuoso performance in his first season at the Double-A level hitting .290 (114-for-393) with 15 home runs, 16 doubles, two triples, 90 runs scored and 49 RBI in 105 games. At the time of his promotion to Triple-A Charlotte, he ranked among the league-leaders in multiple categories including ranking first in runs, walks (84), on-base percentage (.420), total bases (190), tied for first in hits (114), tied for fifth in home runs and sixth in batting average while helping to lead the Barons to the First Half North Division Championship and the team’s 10th playoff appearance in the last 15 seasons. He was particularly dominant during the month of July. He was named Southern League Player of the Week for the period from July 22nd-28th, hitting .583 (14-for-24) with four home runs, a triple, three doubles, 10 runs scored, 11 RBI and 12 walks. After being voted as the Utility Infielder on the Southern League North Division All-Star Team, Semien received the same honors again on the Southern League Postseason All-Star team. Semien demonstrated a diverse skill set by splitting time between second base, shortstop and third base with the Barons before his promotion to Charlotte on August 1. He collected his first Major League hit in his very first big league at-bat against former Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia in Yankee Stadium. Prior to the start of the postseason, Semien was named the 2013 Southern League Most Valuable Player, joining Aaron Miles (2002) and Joe Crede (2000) as former Barons to take home the league’s top individual honor.
JOHNSON helped lead the Barons to the Southern League’s best record and a first half North Division Championship going 8-2 with an ERA of 2.23 (21 ER/ 84.2 IP) over 14 starts in his first season at the Double-A level. At the time of his promotion he led the Southern League with eight wins and ranks among the league leaders in numerous categories including WHIP (1st, 0.92),complete games (1st, 3) innings pitched (2nd), opponents average (2nd, .189), ERA (2nd) and strikeouts (3rd, 74).
Johnson was especially dominant at home going 5-1 with a 1.06 ERA in seven starts at Regions Field. He had scoreless outings in six of his 14 starts and won each of his last six starts while posting an ERA of 1.83 (8 ER/39.1 IP). Johnson was promoted to Charlotte on June 23rd where he continued to dominate going 4-1 with a 1.57 ERA (10 ER/57.1 IP) with 57 strikeouts in 10 starts. He joined Semien with the White Sox after September call-ups and recorded his first Major League win on September 17th against the Minnesota Twins. GO BARONS!!!!
**SOMMORE AT THE STARDOME COMEDY CLUB – MY FAVORITE COMEDIENNE….Known as The Diva of Contemporary Comedy, Sommore tells her message the only way she knows how…straight up! With a sharp wit and cutting sarcasm, Sommore speaks about the things that most women only think about, but never say. You’ve seen her tear it up on BET, Showtime and HBO – She has been in several movies and all over the place. And, we look forward to her… here in Birmingham, this weekend. (I tried to get the opportunity to ask a few questions but I was unable to do so.) Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you.
THIS WEEKEND…..
**LAUGHTER AT THE STARDOME with SOMMORE. Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
THURSDAY…
**MAGIC CITY LIVE AFTER 5, 5- 9 p.m. with THE URI BAND at the Outdoors at the BJCC Entertainment District on 22nd and Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. URI Band is an Alabama-based group that mixes Reggae, Blues, Jazz AND Funk! Magic City Live offers Birmingham city-dwellers a unique experience that features exclusive giveaways, trendy drink and food specials, and live music from Birmingham’s hottest bands including The Negotiators, URI Band, Just a Few Cats, Gabriel Tajeu, Gentleman Zero, Yung Vokalz and Downright. MCLAS is every Thursday until October 31st outdoors at the green space across from the new BJCC Uptown Entertainment District.
FRIDAY…
**ON PURPOSE w/DWIGHT HOUSTON, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SATURDAY…..
**MAKE IT HAPPEN AUDITIONS, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at ArtPlay on 19th Street South. Make It Happen Performing Ensemble is under the direction of Alicia Johnson-Williams and is comprised of local youth who engage in research, acting classes and voice and dance lessons. Preparing for Black History Month the students also perform at special events and are members of the Martin Hames Mentoring Program. Call (205) 975-4769 for more.
**ONA WATSON with CHAMPAGNE, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SUNDAY….
**JONATHAN NELSON COMES TO CBF MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, 10 a.m. – Noon at the Parkway East office. Dr. Jhun Cook, Pastor of CBF Ministries International cordially invites you to worship with us as we welcome Multiple Stellar Award Winner Jonathan Nelson. This event will take place Sunday, September 29, at 10:15 am. September has been declared as “Supernatural September” and they want you to come and experience the abundance, the overflow and the worship experience. Curtiss Glenn & Free 2 Worship will also be ministering in the morning. This event is FREE and open to the public. No need to register, no tickets needed…, just join us!
COMING SOON…….
**NEXT SATURDAY…..PARTY WITH A PURPOSE – The national award winning Party with a Purpose returns to Ensley Park on Saturday, October 5, 2013, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Presented by Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt, the 7th Annual Party with a Purpose is a family festival that features a job fair and health fair. “I am proud of this collaborative effort with the city, law enforcement, community and business leaders who have all come together in an attempt to combat crime, poverty and health issues that affect our community. This is another opportunity to reach out and serve,” said Councilor Steven Hoyt. For more information, call 254.2363.
For more information, log onto http://www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org/
**FIGHT FOR THE CURE by Jyll’s Sweet Treats, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 600 Center Street North. There will be vendors, food, panel discussion and more.
**OCTOBER 10 – THE REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND ROAR –
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band will embark on a fall tour that will see them tear up the stage alongside Shooter Jennings, Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants, Don Flemons of The Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Dex Romweber Duo. They perform at WorkPlay Theatre on October 10.
Special guests include SHOOTER JENNINGS, CHRIS SHIFLETT & THE DEAD PEASANTS, DON FLEMONS OF THE CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS AND THE DEX ROMWEBER DUO. Bursting out of the southern Indiana foothills, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is truly a force to be
reckoned with. The trio plays a brand of Americana and Blues that stands alone, breathing new life into old forms of music unlike any other band today. Their ironclad work ethic keeps them on the road 250 dates a year, playing for their fans with hurricane-like force. Their latest album,
Between The Ditches , reached #1 on the iTunes blues chart upon release and has since been praised by the likes of Vintage Guitar, Living Blues, Alternative Press, Classic Rock Magazine and more. Joining The Rev, Breezy and Ben are some of today’s hottest names in country, blues and Americana. The Big Damn Band will meet up with SideOneDummy label-mates and Foo Fighter Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants for a run along the west coast. They have a one off in hot ‘Lanta with the Dex Romweber Duo and finally, the relentless touring schedule concludes back in Indiana for the band’s annual Thanksgiving weekend shows, this time joined by Don Flemons
of The Carolina Chocolate Drops .
**OCTOBER 10 – AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE! Coming… October 10, 7 p.m. at the BJCC Concert Hall. Call (205) 458-8400 for more.
**CRESCENDO’S OCTOBER EVENTS –
Soulful Fridays Concert Series – October 4 – LIVE IN CONCERT BERNARD BUGGS, JR., 9 p.m.
THE CLASSIC ANNUAL LUNCHEON, Wednesday October 13, 11 a.m. with food, drinks and entertainment.
KICK OFF CLASSIC CONCERT, Thursday, October 24 – LIVE IN CONCERT MBM – THE THREEE KINGS, 9 p.m.
CRESCENDO CLASSIC JAM, Friday October 25, LIVE IN CONCERT CALVIN RICHARDSON, 9 p.m. Call (205) 862-4723 or 337-6999 for more.
DON’ T MISS…
**FOOTBALL GAMES all over the place.
**AND….. TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACES OCTOBER 18 – 20!! SEE YOU THERE!! Tell you more next time!!
NOW….a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)
