By Gwen DeRu
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeBOISE DERU and TAMIA BRYANT-DERU!!!
It’s MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!
…What are you doing this weekend?
(Don’t forget… FATHER’S DAY is right around the corner.)
FESTIVALS OF ALL KINDS ‘kick off’ in Music Month – June. Look for something right here in People, Places and Things by ME – Gwen! Enjoy the food, fun and music…it soothes the savage breast… and makes you ‘sing out loud.’
PRESERVE JAZZ FESTIVAL…Sunday at Sloss Furnace! Check it out!
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MAXINE PARKER REMEMBERED – Birmingham City Council Maxine Parker will be remembered at the Grand Reopening of the Inglenook Library TODAY, 8:30 a.m. In 2013, the Birmingham City Council approved library bond money to go toward renovations. The late Council President Maxine Herring Parker, whose district included Inglenook, obtained funding for the upgrade. She passed away on Nov. 12, 2013. Her son, Councilor William A. Parker, now represents her district. He is scheduled to attend the May 22nd ceremony, which will include the unveiling of a plaque that dedicates the renovation in her memory. The building was used as a fire station from 1927 to 1978. In 1979, it was turned into a library. The Inglenook branch hasn’t seen a makeover since 1995, which is when a new roof, new carpet, a new heating and air conditioning system and more were installed. The firehouse’s original bell will be on display. Others expected to attend are Birmingham Chief of Staff Erskine R. Faush, Jr., Birmingham Public Library Director Renee Blalock, Birmingham Public Library Associate Director Angela Fisher Hall, Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Craig Witherspoon and library board members.
ANNUAL MISSIONARY DAY – Attorney Ida Tyree Hyche (Editor, AME International Missionary Magazine) is the guest Speaker at 11 a.m. SUNDAY and Reverend Sheryl Shipman, Pastor of Mt. Zion AME Trussville is Guest Speaker at 3 p.m. at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Rosedale (2617 18th Place South, Homewood) on Sunday. Dr. Patricia Anne Outlaw is the Senior Pastor. Call (205) 871-8057 for more.
BioAlabama 2014 Annual Meeting – Alabama biotech community seeks to bridge the gap between Corporate and Academic sectors as the annual meeting takes places, next Thursday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Doubletree Hilton Birmingham. The theme for the 2014 BioAlabama Annual Meeting is “Bridging the Gap between Corporation and Academics in the Biotechnology Industry”. The morning meeting will feature a science symposium with topics focused on: Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, Medical Devices and Genomics. Groundbreaking scientific and corporate presentations from teams across Alabama will be featured including Auburn University, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, The Innovation Depot, University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of South Alabama. Chris Yochim is the Global Head of External Relations, Global Product and Portfolio Strategy for AstraZeneca. He contributed to the development of numerous marketed products, including treatments for high blood pressure, asthma and schizophrenia. As the meeting’s featured speaker, Yochim will share his insights on partnering, research and commercialization between industry and academia based on his 20+ years of experience. There will be an Opening Reception on Wednesday, May 28th from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Innovation Depot, 1500 1st Ave N, Birmingham, Alabama. Call (205) 588-0047 for more information. Tell them Gwen sent you.
ART CRAWL – Calling All Artists! Exhibit in the inaugural monthly Birmingham Art Crawl that kicks off Thursday, June 5! This consistent opportunity allows you a platform to showcase and/or sell works of art all year long in the Historic Loft District of Birmingham’s Central City neighborhood. Registering for the inaugural June 5 Art Crawl also allows you an invitation to exhibit or perform in both the June Art Crawl and July Art Crawl for only one registration fee. Be part of this exciting opportunity and continued surge of growth in the downtown area! Deadline to apply for the inaugural Art Crawl is Thursday, May 22 by midnight. Apply online at birminghamartcrawl.com.
THEN…
There is FATHER’S Day, right around the corner..
NASCAR Launches Father’s Day Campaign – Win Goodyear Blimp Ride In #NASCARwithDAD Sweepstakes – No other sport features such rich family tradition and father-son lineage as NASCAR®, where iconic names like Petty, Earnhardt, Jarrett and France have been made famous across generations. To celebrate the fathers of stock car legends and highly passionate NASCAR fans alike, NASCAR announced “NASCAR with DAD,” a Father’s Day platform built around memorable NASCAR moments with Dad. As Official Partners Goodyear, 3M and Ford have teamed up to create the #NASCARwithDAD Sweepstakes. Fans entering have a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime Goodyear Blimp Ride for two high above Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. This all-inclusive VIP experience at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway includes $500 travel cash and hospitality, and a driver meet and greet. Fans can also win one of 10 NASCAR Racing Experience prize packages to feel the thrill of driving a NASCAR-style stock car with their Dad. To win these unforgettable prizes, fans can enter the #NASCARwithDAD Sweepstakes by going to nascar.com/NASCARwithDad beginning today through 11:59 p.m. on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15.
NOW…
FOR LAUGHTER… At the StarDome Comedy Club… THIS WEEKEND…..
FRIDAY……RONNIE JORDAN… No stranger to television, Ronnie has been featured on BET’s Comic View, Martin Lawrence Presents the 1st Amendment Stand-up, P. Diddy Presents Bad Boys of Comedy and host of the successful Atlanta based video show, Oomp Camp Live. Behind the scene, Ronnie is a gifted writer who has collaborated with many of his fellow comedians and also wrote on That Comedy Show that aired on Turner South Network. Ronnie is currently touring the nation’s colleges and universities on his “College Material Tour” through the Auburn Moon Agency.
AND…EDDIE GRIFFIN, Saturday and Sunday.. Quickly following with performances on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam and a Cable Ace Award-nominated special, Griffin began branching out into acting. Roles in such films as The Last Boy Scout (1991), Coneheads (1993), and Jason’s Lyric (1994) soon led to a sitcom (Malcom and Eddie) in 1996, and Griffin’s film appearances became more frequent. After headlining 2001’s Double Take alongside Orlando Jones, Griffin earned his leading-man status, and with his role as Anton Jackson in 2002’s Undercover Brother, it seemed as if Griffin had conquered not only the stage, but the silver screen as well. In addition to his comedic skills, Griffin is also a gifted dancer and choreographer.
Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you!
MORE LAUGHTER…, May 27-June1 – JEN KOBER, June 5-8 – TOMMY DAVIDSON, June 13-15 – RUSSELL PETERS, June 20-21 – CRAIG SHOEMAKER, June 26 – GEORGE LOPEZ (One Night Only), June 27-29 – DAMON WAYANS and July 10-13 & 17-20 – RODNEY CARRINGTON. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you!!
FRIDAY…..
**MATT MARSHAK, Contemporary Jazz Guitarist at the Watermark Place, 7 p.m. Call (205) 425-1137 for more.
SATURDAY…
**ENJOY THE WEATHER! Stop by the NEW TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue across from Legion Field stadium. Tell them Gwen sent you (See you there.)
SUNDAY….
**HOT MIC SUNDAYS – Each and every Sunday is Open Mic and Karaoke, 8 p.m. – midnight at Venue 35…Free before 9 p.m. at 2724 35th Avenue North. There will be rappers, comedians and poets.
**PLAY – SOMETHING JUST AIN’T RIGHT – A gospel stage play is in town this Sunday at the Carver Theatre (1631 Fourth Avenue North), 3 and 6 p.m.
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!!
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR MAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! THIS MEANS YOU….TAMIA BRYANT-DERU, LEBOISE DERU RODNEY MORTON and STEPHONIA MCLINN! 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)
