By Gwen DeRu
BIRMINGHAM….A WORLD DESIGNATION? CONGRATULATIONS to all of those that are doing things that gets Birmingham the recognition… keeping the world checking us out!!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF BIRMINGHAM AND ITS CITIZENS!!!
A WOMAN TO BE RECOGNIZED – State Representative JUANDALYNN GIVAN has done some great things prior to and since her position as an elected official. She was given the honor of LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR recently. She was elected in 2010 to the Alabama House of Representative, is the owner of Givan & Associates Law Firm, a mentor, public speaker, graduate of Miles College School of Law and has received many honors and recognition from many organizations. The NAACP named her the 2014 Woman of the Year.
CONGRATULATIONS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYNN GIVAN!!
JAZZ ON THE HILLTOP – The second annual community concert and festival, Sunday, 4-7 p.m., at the Birmingham-Southern College Lake will feature soul-jazz flutist ALTHEA RENE of Detroit and the ROMAN STREET band from Mobile. Bring your chairs and blankets to enjoy the music on the lawn. There will be an inflatable play area for kids and plenty of food vendors.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE – The City of Birmingham Civil Rights sites were recently confirmed on the short list for the Department of Interior’s possible submission for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Designation. The City is preparing its full admission package and is expanding it to include Civil Rights sites from around the state. A team of experts are being assembled to present the most cohesive and historic group under the one admission. The goal is to be ready to present to the full World Heritage Committee in 2016. CONGRATULATIONS BIRMINGHAM!!
SANDESTIN WINE FESTIVAL – WINE, FOOD & FUN IN THE SUN this weekend at the Sandestin Wine Festival. Call 877-783-3312 for more.
B-METRO MAGAZINE – FOR MORE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CITY… Check Out B-METRO!! It is another ‘Must Read!’ (Tell them Gwen told you.) Don’t miss the Fashion Issue.
AND, DON’T MISS…BIRMINGHAM FASHION WEEK, APRIL 21- 26 at Pepper Place!
FOR ART LOVERS…
COLORING THE CAHABA ART FEST – Students from kindergarten to college age are showcasing their artwork. Artwork will be available for purchase with proceeds benefitting the Cahaba River Society.
FREE WALKING TOURS OF HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS DISTRICT – Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s (BCRI) free Saturday Milestones Walking Tours will be offered each Saturday in April, starting April 5, at 10 a.m. The hour-long tour begins at the main entrance to BCRI and led by Barry McNealy, former BCRI Education Consultant and “Master Tour Guide.” McNealy is a social studies teacher at A.H. Parker High School. Birmingham is one of over 30 cities and towns involved in this April’s Saturday Walking Tours organized statewide by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel (ABTT).
Here are a few things going on this weekend and soon. (Look around for other things that you may want to enjoy and share with others. See you around. Say Hi!)
**LAUGHTER at the STARDOME COMEDY CLUB with this weekend.
THIS WEEKEND….Don’t Miss…ERIK GRIFFIN, a first generation, American born comedian/actor, is hardworking, ambitious, talented, and most importantly, “funny,” according to his mother. Griffin made the decision in 2003 to quit his job and plunge headlong into making comedy his full-time occupation. This challenge paid off, and Griffin will next be seen as a recurring character on the new Comedy Central series, Workaholics, as Montez Walker. Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you. See you there.
FOR LAUGHTER…… The STARDOME COMEDY CLUB…, JUNIOR (April 18-19), ARNEZ J (April 25-27), SINBAD (May 2-4), JAMES GREGORY (May 9-10 and 16-17) and LUENELL (May 23-25) all at the StarDome Comedy Club. See you around.
NOW… through Sunday…
**TAPAS & TAPS at the J. Clyde celebrating the Seventh Anniversary. Check it out with a different themed menu and beer nightly.
**BIRMINGHAM BARONS vs. JACKSONVILLE SUNS at the Regions Field.
**JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Birmingham-Southern College.
**REGION 8 MEN’S GYMNSASTICS CHAMPIONSHIP at the Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center. Call for more.
**ALICE IN WONDERLAND at the Virginia Samford Theatre performed by the STARS, an arts education program showcasing the talents of Birmingham’s young performers.
TODAY….
**JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE, 11:30 a.m. at The Club for the A.G. Gaston 47th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon, honoring the club’s years of service to Birmingham children.
**GUS MAYER GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT, 5-8 p.m. at Gus Mayer. Check out the Birmingham Fashion Week special guest.
**BUSINESS LAUNCH PARTY, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the World Financial Group
Office, 2129 12th Avenue North. Call (205) 701-1802 for more.
**SUN RA, 5:30 p.m. at the Vulcan Park and Museum with a film and more with the Birmingham Seven and the unveiling of artist LONNIE HOLLEY’S (3) three commissioned pieces.
**AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., next Friday, 7 p.m. and next Saturday at 2 and 7p.m. Call (205) 699-1892 for more.
**MODEL CALL, 6- 8 p.m. at the Aloft in Homewood. Send a head shot and full body photo to: irockposh@gmail.com.
FRIDAY…
** CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR, 8 – 10 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre.
FRIDAY through Sunday…
**OVATION by the Alabama Ballet at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
**SPRING PLANT SALE by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens at the former J.C. Penney at Century Plaza.
**BONUS ROUND, 9:30 p.m. a blend of contemporary pop, R&B and Funk at Ona’s Music Room.
SATURDAY…
**PEPPER PLACE MARKET, 7 a.m. – Noon at Pepper Place.
**SPRING BAZAAR MARKETPLACE, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Railroad Park.
**CAJUN COOK-OFF, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Linn Park by Girls, Inc. Taste Cajun favorites including gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya and red beans and rice. Then vote for the winner.
**READING, WRITING & RHYTHMS, Noon – 8 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Co. with lots of local bands. Supporting the Better Basics, an organization providing literacy, educational and enrichment opportunities for Alabama students.
**Book Signing & Discussion, 6 p.m. “Behind The Mic” by Roe Bonner at ONA’s Music Room.
**CHRIS MOORE PROJECT, 8:30 p.m. with special guests Chris Fryar of the Zac Brown Band and Kenny Williams Classic Jazz. Call (205) 320-7006 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you.
**JOANNA BARBERA/SHANE COOLEY/ POST WAR at the Nick, 2514 10th Avenue South. Call (205) 252-3831 for more.
**ONA WATSON AND CHAMPAGNE, contemporary jazz & smooth R&B
10 p.m. at Ona’s Music room.
SUNDAY…
**WORD UP 2014 – TOP TEEN POETS COMPETE – Students from high school in Jefferson County will compete in a poetry slam on Sunday, 3 p.m. at the Birmingham Public Library’s Arrington Auditorium. Free event. Call (205) 225-3670.
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!!
COMING….SOON….Don’t miss…
APRIL 22- 26 – FASHION WEEK – Birmingham Fashion Week 2014 Runway shows start with local, regional and nationally recognized designers showcasing their latest fashions and hottest trends. (Look for more right here.)
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR APRIL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU DORIAN KENDRICK, DESTINY BELL, KENDRA FINLEY, TERRY BROWN, EMMETT PRESTON with a special Happy Birthday to DEBBIE ‘STAR’ PERRYMAN…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)
