By Gwen DeRu
IT’S SPRING TIME! What are you doing?
DON’T MISS FASHION WEEK, next week!
AN EVENING WITH JOHN LEGEND: THE ALL OF ME TOUR – Legend will perform live in concert, tomorrow, 8 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center as part of The All of Me Tour. A singer and songwriter, musician, producer, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Legend is one of the music industry’s most innovative artists. He released his fourth solo album, “Love in the 
Future,” using R&B and soul to create a melodic soundscape of romance, love, hope, commitment and optimism. He also puts his gospel and pop influences, classical training and hip-hop sensibilities to use on the new recording. You don’t want to miss him!
JAZZ BAND FESTIVAL – The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Jazz Band Festival featuring the next Generation of Jazz is full of inspiring, finger-snapping and exhilarating LIVE JAZZ, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Carver Theatre. This is the 12th Annual Student Jazz Festival. FREE! Call (2054) 327-9424 for more.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE – YOU ARE INVITED! Join the City of Birmingham, Veterans Network Community and the Birmingham VA Medical Center as they salute the Vietnam Veterans. This is a memorial and tribute to over 58,000 plus men and women who fought and died, as per the 1963 – 1975 Vietnam conflict. The event is Saturday, April 26 at Noon at the George Ward Recreation Park on Green Springs Highway. The public is welcome. The schedule will include placing wreath, prayer, taps, national anthem, a Welcome acknowledge and ‘Open Mic’ with closing remarks. Call (205) 925-5180 for more.
FOR ART LOVERS…THE WORLD SPEAKS: TRIBUTES TO EDWARD O. WILSON – Don’t Miss…. A Lifetime of Honors – The Edward O. Wilson Collection April 21-25 at the University of Alabama in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AlL35401, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
APRIL 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, for this and next Saturday, 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).
SPRING WALKING TOUR – Experience the Magic City from Vulcan’s view as the Vulcan Park and Museum series offers residents an invigorating way to experience the history and architectureal beauty of Birmingham’s neighborhoods and districts. The tours invite you to step into the shoes of the architects, visionaries, socialities and entrepreneurs who sparked the magic in the Magic City. There is a Maya 3 tour of Mountain Brook Estates: A Vision of Community. Go to www.visitivulcancom for more.
BUILD YOUR WIDGET – Learn how to manage the components of a successful business, TODAY, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, 2201 Jack Warner Parkway, 2nd Floor, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Learn to write a business plan, finance your business, market your business, complete a personal financial statement, what type of business you should have and what you need to know about your credit. For more call (205) 516-0912. This is a Project 5117 effort of the HOPE Coalition America, a division of Operation HOPE, Inc. of Alabama Central Region. Get more information about future projects that can assist you and your business. (Tell the Gwen sent you)
LANDSCAPES/GARDENS & THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE – Join others for a cultural dialogue, Wednesday, 5:15 – 7 p.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. FREE! Call (205) 731-2000 for more.
THE STRUGGLE IS OVER MEN’S CONFERENCE – This is a men’s conference presented by Pastor Thomas Wilder, Jr., April 24th and 25th, 6 – 9 p.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church in Collegeville, 3200 28th Avenue North, Birmingham, 35205. Join Pastor John Cantelow, Pastor Michael Moore, Pastor Thomas Wilder, Jr., Pastor Michael Wesley and Pastor George Matthews. Call (205) 322-5360 for more.
BARONS FACE THE SMOKIES in a FIVE GAME SERIES AT REGIONS FIELD April 13-19 – Homestand includes an appearance by BirdZerk!, 50-cent hot dog night and the first Business Person Special of 2014. The Barons will begin their second homestand against the Tennessee Smokies, Double-A Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs beginning Saturday, with a special pre-game ceremony celebrating Regions Field as the 2013 Ballpark of the Year as awarded by Baseballparks.com. Baseballparks.com’s Joe Mock will be on hand to present the Ballpark of the Year plaque. Saturday throughout the season, the Barons will also give away a free grill from All-South Appliance. Sundays are Salute to Armed Forces Days all season long at Regions Field as the Barons pay tribute to the men and women of the United States armed forces. Sunday also brings a special 5 p.m. start time, allowing fans the opportunity to enjoy the Easter holiday prior to the first pitch. Monday brings the first Business Person Special start time of the 2014 season as fans are encouraged to take in the Barons game during their lunch hour in downtown Birmingham with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Monday will also be a School Day at Regions Field as area school children will have the opportunity for a special afternoon at the ballpark. Mondays throughout the 2014 season are YP Days at Regions Field presented by YP. On Tuesday, a fan favorite returns for the first time in 2014 with 50-cent Hot Dog Nights presented by Kayem, Flowers Baking Co., MINI of Birmingham, ALFA and CBS 42. Fans will also have the chance to interact with the Barons on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for special prizes, giveaways and promotions during Social Media Night. Tuesdays throughout the season are Birmingham Zoo Nights at Regions Field presented by the Birmingham Zoo.
The homestand concludes with AAA Wednesday where fans can get $2 off admission by showing their AAA card. Wednesday will also bring the second School Day of the homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
(Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org)
JOE NAMATH GRAND MARSHAL AT HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA –
Barber Motorsports Park and ZOOM Motorsports announced that former University of Alabama quarterback and Hall of Famer Joe Namath will be this year’s Grand Marshal for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama held April 25 – 27 in Birmingham, Ala. Namath played college football under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama from 1962 until 1964, where he led the team to a national championship in 1964. He then went on to play for the New York Jets, leading the team to a win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, among many other division championships. He finished his career playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Nicknamed “Broadway Joe” and “Joe Willie,” he was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1985. “We are honored to have another well-respected athlete as our grand marshal,” stated Gene Hallman, President of ZOOM Motorsports, the exclusive event promoter of the Barber Motorsports Park. “His presence will add to the fun-filled weekend, and what a great opportunity for fans to get up-close with a true legend.” Namath’s duties as grand marshal of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama include announcing the widely recognized pre-race command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” to kick-off Sunday’s race. Broadcast live on NBC Sports Network, Namath will be waving the green flag to start the race for some of the biggest stars of INDYCAR including Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Marco Andretti, Juan Pablo Montoya and more. (You don’t want to miss this action in Birmingham.) For more, go to: www.barbermotorsports.com
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 and coming soon.
(Photo Credit: Comedyhouse.us)
THIS WEEKEND…Don’t Miss…JUNIOR from the STEVE HARVEY Show. Kier Spates has appeared on BET’s Comic View, Getting Paid and most recently and regularly you hear him on The Steve Harvey Morning Show as Junior. He truly is a force to be reckoned with. His motto to date is unforgettable. So when you think of this up and coming, stand up comedic great, please remember his belief that laughter doeth the heart good like medicine and the words of Kier himself – “This Just Got Serious” Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you. See you there.
FOR LAUGHTER…… The STARDOME COMEDY CLUB is always the place to be.
(Photo Credit: zimbio)
NEXT THURSDAY – AFFION FOR ONE NIGHT! Affion was introduced to the world on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, demonstrating his crystal clear impressions and physical comedy, for which he was labeled the next Jim Carrey. He also shows his range with dramatic turns on CSI: NY, NYPD Blue and The District. He was also the breakout star on MTV’s ‘Wild’n Out’ and ‘Short Circuitz’ with Nick Cannon. He has starred on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ and ‘Cedric The Entertainer’s Show.’ Crockett also co-starred in the films, ‘Dance Flick’ with the Wayans Brothers, ‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins’ with Martin Lawrence, and ‘Soul Men’ with Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac. He is currently co-starring in ‘A Haunted House’ parts 1 & 2 alongside Marlon Wayans and the upcoming film ‘The Wedding Ringer’ with Kevin Hart. COMING SOON…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…
TODAY….
**PIGPEN THEATRE Co. with THE SPRING STANDARDS, 8 p.m. at the WorkPlay Theatre.
FRIDAY…
**OPEN MIC at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**BANGERS, BRATS AND BEYOND, 6 p.m. at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve with bluesy rock by BILL LEDBETTER PROJECT. Enjoy food, music and fun for all ages.
SATURDAY…
**PEPPER PLACE MARKET, 7 a.m. – Noon at Pepper Place.
**BARONS GAMES, 6:30 p.m. at the Regions Stadium.
**ONA WATSON AND CHAMPAGNE, contemporary jazz & smooth R&B
10 p.m. at Ona’s Music room.
SUNDAY…
**BARONS GAMES, 5 p.m. at the Regions Stadium.
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!!
COMING….SOON….Don’t miss…
NEXT WEEK – 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.)
APRIL 25-27 HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX – Don’t miss Ryan Hunter-Reay as the defending champion of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park.
APRIL 25 – RACING FOR CHILDREN’S –This is a fundraiser for Children’s of Alabama Hospital ‘Racing for Children’s Dinner,’ 6:30 p.m. reception and 7:30 p.m. dinner at the Barber’s Motorsports Museum. Call (205) 638-9956 for more.
MAY 14-18 – REGIONS TRADITION – Don’t miss theRegions Tradition at ther Shoal Creek again this year when David Frost will defend his title. The Regions Tradition will relocate to Greystone Golf & Country Club for 2016, 2017 and 2018.
MAY 22 – Don’t forget the Birmingham International Center and the things that they do. This is just one day’s event. Call (205) 252-7652 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR APRIL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY 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)
