By Gwen DeRu
HISTORY! WOMEN HISTORY!
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!!
Continue to ‘read’ all that you can….and ‘what’ you can…about women! March is Women’s History Month!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. HELEN M. LEWIS, JO HOOKS AND GWENDOLYN ENGLISH!
Don’t Miss….
O’JAYS AT THE UNCF MASKED BALL!!
The O’Jays will perform at the UNCF MASKED BALL, this Saturday at the Sheraton Hotel, downtown. Here is a little of what they had to say about the O’Jays…
The O’Jays are living legends…American treasures. The term “living legend” is often overused and abused, but with The O’Jays, well, there’s little argument that the honorable tag truly applies.
With their place in modern music secure, The O’Jays could have cruise-controlled to that comfy hammock on a sandy beach, umbrella-decorated drinks in hand. Why? (1) An ocean-wide body of work that spawned 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. (2) Incredibly energetic and dynamic live shows. (3) Mad respect for their Olympian vocals. And (4) their social and political impact on generations and nations. But doing things slowly is not Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant’s modus operandi. After 40 plus years making such international hits as “Back Stabbers,” “For The Love Of Money,” “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby,” “Love Train,” “I Love Music,” “Use Ta Be My Girl” and “Have You Had Your Love Today,” The O’Jays are light years away from easing up on the gas. And like fine wine, The O’Jays just get better with time.
Through the years, they were blessed to have had the late great choreographer Cholly Adkins around. Adkins taught them the importance of showmanship and how to execute their steps while still delivering their songs.
There have been “four faces” of the O’Jays. This vocal group from Canton, Ohio originated with Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr., William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles and they were named after Cleveland DJ Eddie O’Jay. Isles left the group in 1965. Massey left to become a record producer in 1971 and Levert, Williams and Powell continues as a trio. Powell retired from touring due to illness in late 1975, passing at the age of 35 in 1977 and was replaced by Sammy Strain, formerly with Little Anthony & The Imperials. Strain returned to his former group in 1993 and was replaced by Nathaniel Best. After the departure in 1995 of Nathaniel Best, Eddie Levert, Sr. and Walter Williams, Sr. reached out to Eric Nolan Grant, a gifted vocalist who was already a part of the group’s extended Cleveland-based musical family. Their chart-topping album “Love You To Tears” marked Grant’s first appearance with the group. Says Eddie, “Eric was the ideal person for the O’Jays, because he was used to working within a group. He was really a shoo-in and he fit perfectly. With his addition, we have been able to keep our performances at a level that we’re used to having stage-wise and in the studio.”
That’s It!!!! Check them out this weekend!! I will see YOU there!!
IN SELMA…THIS WEEKEND – SELMA BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE – This year’s jubilee activities include a workshop by Rev. William Barber II, leader of North Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement, as well as the Unity Breakfast, many festivities and the pilgrimage across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The 49th commemoration kicks off on Thursday March 6th with a traditional
mass meeting at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma with speaker
Rev. William Barber, head of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference
and leader of North Carolina’s Moral Mondays Movement.
Other events over the four days include: a music and street festival with live entertainment and vendors, the annual Unity Breakfast with a featured guest speaker; the Freedom Flame Awards honoring heroes from the past and those continuing in the legacy of past heroes, including actor Lou Gossett, Jr. and former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin; an Education summit, a Youth Summit and the annual re-enactment of the Bridge Crossing.
TODAY…
NIGHT OUT AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART, 5-9 p.m. with the featured
event at 6 p.m. – Eugene Delacroix: The Last of the Great Artists of the
Renaissance and the First Modern. Then stroll the galleries as you eat tapas,
have a glass of wine or participate in the beer tasting and enjoy the live music
by Muscle Shoals band THE VALLEY ROOTS.
FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY AFTER WORK, 4-9 p.m. at 25 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 26. Call (205)
572-1295 for more.
SATURDAY….
**SPRING BAZAAR, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Church, 300 Fourth Court North, 35204. Join the fun with lots of food, balloons for the children, music for everyone. Bring a friend to the Saint Paul AME Church with Reverend Ronald D. Sterling Pastor. Call (205) 251-9438 for more.
**INVEST IN YOURSELF, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the CBF Ministries International, 9094 Rear Parkway East Birmingham, Ala. 35206. The Women Who Win Ministry of CBF Ministries International invites you to share in a One Day Empowerment Experience. Come and “Invest In Yourself” on May 8, 2014. Enjoy and experience powerful breakout sessions, panel discussions, various vendor sales, breakfast and lunch, the soulful sounds of Gospel Recording Artist Marquita Anthony, an impactful impartation from Best Selling Author Vanessa Davis Griggs and a word from God from our guest speaker, President & CEO of Pinky Promise, Heather Lindsey. You do not want to miss this event. It will be an encounter to remember. For more call (205) 240-6559.
**ALGEBRA ALBUM RELEASE PARTY, 8:30 p.m. at Crescendo Bar and Lounge hosted by TASHA SIMONE with a performance from DANI with AMPLIFIED NOIZ. Call (205) 254-7800 for more.
MONDAY…
**UNITE TO FIGHT-THE CARAVAN FOR DEMOCRACY: FROM THE STATE CAPITALS TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL – The Saving Our Selves Movement for Justice and Democracy will leave the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma at 8 a.m. stopping for rallies at state capitols in Montgomery, Ala., Atlanta, Ga., Columbia, S.C., Raleigh, N.C. and Richmond Va. converging in Washington, D.D. on Wednesday March 12 at the U. S. Supreme Court and then march to the U.S. Capital. The march will culminate in a rally that protests the Supreme Court’s adverse Decision on voting rights and urges Congress to fully restore the Voting Rights Act. For details about the campaign go to www.sosmovement.net/marching-to-the-50th or go to www.bcjubilee.org.
COMING….SOON….
MARCH 13 – UNWIND WITH VULCAN AND 2014 COLLECTORS – Join the fun after-hours and unwind with Vulcan. Explore the museum, mingle with friends, and enjoy cocktails and refreshments as the sun sets over Birmingham. At 6 p.m. there is a unique program exploring the people, places and events that have shaped our dynamic city. In celebration of the 110th Anniversary of Vulcan’s creation, Vulcan® Park and Museum is proud to present Birmingham Collectors, our exploration of the art of buying and selling Vulcan and Birmingham historical keepsakes. The program features Graham Boettcher of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Jim Reed of Jim Reed Books, Steve Gilmer of What’s on 2nd and Greg Hodges of Hodges and Associates sharing their adventures in the fine art of collecting. Gather tricks of the trade from these local collectors and see selections of their most interesting finds. Special Guest: 15-year old “picker” Henry Kilpatrick of Magic City Finds, who The New York Times recently profiled. You are invited to bring your own Vulcan, Birmingham or Alabama items to share.
MARCH 15 – EIGHTH ANNUAL FITNESS N MOTION 5K RUN/WALK & HEALTH FAIR, 8 – 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel. Register at www.fitnessnmotion.org.
MARCH 16 – SUNDAY GOSPEL BRUNCH, 12 – 4 p.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium. The Birmingham Sunday Gospel Brunch is the place to go to enjoy live gospel music with a full soul food buffet! The monthly event will be held on the third Sunday of each month starting March 16. Guests are welcome anytime during the show and the headliner performs at 1:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy local gospel talent while feasting on your favorite southern entrees like made to order omelets, mimosas, and chicken and waffles!
For more information, visit bhamsundaygospelbrunch.eventbrite.com
MARCH 31 – SPECIAL EXHIBITION BASEBALL GAME – Miles College Plays the Barons in Exhibition Game – Birmingham Barons will play the Miles College Baseball Team in an special exhibition game at Regions Field on Monday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Dr. George T. French, Jr., President of Miles College will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch. This exhibition game has taken place in the past. However, this game is due in part to the growth and expansion of Miles College. “The growth”, says President French “is aimed at providing additional opportunities for Miles College students and strengthening Fairfield, Birmingham and surrounding communities.” All seats are general admission and open to the public. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased from any member of the Miles College Baseball Team or the Business Office. Regions Field is located at 1400 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL. For more information call 205-929-1473.
APRIL 13 – LIL BOOSIE with the ‘Touch Down to Cause Hell Tour,’ 8 p.m. at the BJCC Arena.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR FEBRUARY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MRS. HELEN M. LEWIS, JO HOOKS AND GWENDOLYN ENGLISH! …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)
