By Gwen DeRu
HAPPY HOLIDAYS…..TO ALL OF YOU….
….FROM ALL OF US!!!
During the Holiday Season more than ever, our thoughts turn grateful to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely…. Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year.
ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS!! Share the Joy of the Season!
HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeKAMEREN DeRU!
NOW…,Hurry to check this out, first…..
INTERESTED IN MAKING A FILM – ABFF “American Black Film Festival” is Accepting Feature And Documentary Submissions for 2014 – Film Life is seeking exceptional narrative feature and documentary films made by or about people of African descent for consideration for the 18th annual ABFF (American Black Film Festival). The 2014 ABFF is scheduled to take place in NYC, next June 19-22. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131107/NY12968LOGO)
“2013 has certainly been a tremendous year in Black cinema, providing great inspiration for Black artists. They are looking for more original and dynamic work in 2014. Films must be completed post January 1, 2013. Documentaries should have a minimum running time of 45 minutes, and narrative features a minimum of 72 minutes. Submission deadlines are February 7, and March 10, 2014, respectively. For full eligibility criteria, please visit www.abff.com or www.Withoutabox.com where submissions are being accepted online only.
AND…. Enjoy the weekend…
AT THE CARVER THEATRE…Music, performances and dance … I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, an Urban Musical Drama, Saturday, 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. This is the first time Brenda Rivers has gotten the family together for Christmas since their father’s funeral. Witness the comedy, drama, romance, and suspense that goes down when you spend Christmas with the Rivers Family! Ultimately a story about love, family unity, and acceptance. Don’t miss this urban musical that will warm your heart. DECEMBER 29, Sunday… Dr. Frank Adams will play the National Anthem for UAB Blazes at the UAB Men’s Basketball game vs. Alabama A & M in Bartow Arena. JANUARY 5 – PASQUALE RETURNS, 3 p.m. Get out and dance with Pasquale on Sunday.
HELP THE …….MS SANTA “ADOPT-A-FAMILY” – Please consider being a MS Santa and Adopt-A-Family. You will be partnered with a family and you can be the MS Santa by donating a gift or gifts from their Wish List. You would purchase items of your choice from their list and deliver to the Chapter’s Birmingham office. The family‘s name is kept confidential, but the wish list is provided to you. Let’s count you in. Join this movement. Call (205) 879-8546 for more. Tell Jan Bell that Gwen sent you.
PLEASE…..SUPPORT UCP HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE – This holiday season, give back to a United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) child or adult in need. Help make their holiday a little merrier and brighter! UCP will be accepting new and unused items such as developmental and sensory toys for children birth to age 5, pretend play toys and dress up clothing, children’s books, art science, music items for children and adults, and for adults jewelry, cologne, makeup, wallets, purses, watches, lap blankets/throws, card games, playing cards, dominoes and popular CDs and DVDs for adults until tomorrow, Friday. Call (205) 944-3909 or contact creno@ucpbham.com for more.
FOR FARMERS….producers or ranchers….. Here is a little information for you…from USDA – Value Added Producer Grant Solicitation, USDA, Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs, Value Added Producer Grant and Grant. http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=248375
A. Eligible Applicants – 1. Type of Applicant: You must demonstrate that you meet
all definition requirements at 7 CFR 4284.902 for one of the following applicant types: Independent producer, agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority controlled producer-based business venture. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Grants Division, Cooperative Programs,
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., MS–3250, Room 4016-South, Washington, DC 20250–3250, or call (202) 720–8460.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON…
THIS WEEKEND….
**GREG MORTON at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB. Greg has been described as having “an animated presence.” Not surprising when you read his credentials. Greg worked as an animator on such shows as the Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show and the New Flintstone’s. His voice-over talents can be heard on such shows as Robocop and Police Academy (the cartoon series). He has directed several Saturday morning cartoon hits including ABC’s Hammerman (MC Hammer) and The Legend of White Fang for HBO. AND MORE AT THE STARDOME…DON’T MISS……, next weekend, LAVELL CRAWFORD, JAY PHAROAH on December 31, TWO KINGS AND A QUEEN, January 3-5, CARLOS MENCIA, January 10-11, COREY HOLCOMB, January 17-19 and HENRY CHO on January 30-February 2. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you. Enjoy some good laughter and fun times while you eat some great food with your great friends. See you there! For more, call (205) 444-0008.
TODAY… UP, 8 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY AFTER WORK, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. at 25 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 26 in Homewood. Call (205) 572-1295 for more.
**ALL NIGHT HAPPY HOUR, 5 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
**P.J. SPRAGGINS & P.J. SPRAGGINS BAND, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**AFTER MIDNIGHT OLD SCHOOL AFTER PARTY, 11:59 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
SATURDAY….
**SEAN MICHAEL RAY TRIO, 10 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**AFTER MIDNIGHT OLD SCHOOL AFTER PARTY, 11:59 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
SUNDAY….
**PHASE II BAND AND SHOW, 9 p.m. at Tide & Tiger Lounge, 409 Graymont Avenue (across from Legion Field.) For more, call (205) 229-4829 or 502-3880.
**Birmingham’s Own MAD SKILLZ 10th ANNIVERSARY at WorkPlay, 500 23td Street South. Celebrate 10 years of Mad Skillz Dance Company with Art in Motion 10, the all-time favorite PARENT DANCE OFF and with DJ CJ THA STICMAN. See you there!!
**SALSA SUNDAYS, 8 p.m. at Jazz Underground.
MONDAY….
**NAPPY NIGHT – Music at Boujee Lounge, every Monday at 204 Avenue U in Pratt City, 8 p.m. with good jerk food, vendors and music. See you there on Mondays!
WEDNESDAY… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
COMING SOON…..
AT THE NEW TIDE AND TIGER – In the neighborhood… Around the corner… Down the street…and across from the Legion Field Stadium on Graymont is the ‘new’ TIDE AND TIGER…. Here are a few events that you will enjoy at the ‘new’ Tide and Tiger Lounge…. -XMAS PARTY, Saturday, 8 p.m. until 2 p.m.
DECEMBER 27 – BOBBYE ‘DOLL’ JOHNSON – THE ARTIST, 9 p.m. Showtime. Doors open at 8 p.m. Don’t miss this performance.
December 31 – NEW YEAR’S PARTY, 8 p.m. until the cows come home, meaning it is ‘all night long.’ For more call (205) 503-3880. Don’t say that I did not tell you when you hear about this ’best kept secret’ around. You can even play cards on some nights or get Dance Classes by PASQUALES on Saturdays at 4 p.m. Check out the ‘new’ Tide and Tiger Lounge. Tell them Gwen sent you.
IN 2014 –
MARCH 8 – UNCF MASKED BALL at the Sheraton Hotel, Grand Ballroom in downtown Birmingham presented by the Central Alabama Sickle Cell Foundation. Make your reservations now.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU LeKAMEREN DeRU…AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…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)
