By Gwen DeRu
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LE BOISE DERU and TAMIA BRYANT-DERU!!!
It’s SUMMERTIME…for real!
…What are you doing this weekend?
(Don’t forget… FATHER’S DAY is right around the corner.)
BUT, first…let’s take a look back at Springtime…
Here are some things that have been happening during the last few weeks…I will see you during the next month….
AROUND TOWN…
CELEBRATING…
…People have birthdays everyday…TAMIA and her father LEBOISE DE RU both were seen celebrating …several times…this month. (Smile) I think that they have learned a little from me (the grandmother and mother)… celebrate ‘all month long. I know that I owe it to myself, so I celebrate every day during June, which happens to be my month. You will see and hear more from me this month. Actually it has already started. OH…Tamia graduated and is heading to Tuskegee University in the Fall. Her dad…a proud father!
Also, Celebrating… STEPHONIA MC LINN! She had a party at the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont (across from the Legion Field front entrance). There was fun had be all! Happy Birthday, again, Stephonia!
POLITICKING…
…At WINELOFT (downtown) were Janine Hunt-Hilliard, Earl Hilliard, Jr., Steve Shaw, John Saxon and Earl Hilliard, Sr. on the ‘Campaign to Elect Earl Hilliard, Jr.’ trail. There were quite a few people out that night supporting Hilliard and enjoying the Wine Loft, one of Birmingham’s Top Hot Spots. I love going there and the food is good. (I will see you there during ‘MY’ Birthday Month.
…At Ramsay High School and many other places was State Representative Rod Scott. Besides politicking for re-election, Rod Scott received the OUTSTANDING PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARD from the Birmingham Council of PTAs. I guess this means that city parents ‘and’ teachers appreciate him enough to give him that award… showing he deserves it. They say it is for someone that goes above and beyond in support of the Birmingham Council of PTAs. I will say CONGRATULATIONS ROD SCOTT!! (I think that Rep. Scott supports the effort of Ramsay principal, Dr. Nettles to be transferred back to Ramsay as well as the building of a new Bush K-8 in Ensley. I heard that he wanted to have a larger setting for the meeting that discussed the personnel moves. I, also, heard that Ramsay, a magnet IB school was tagged by U. S. News & World Report as Alabama’s 11th best high school, a spot above Vestavia Hills High School.)
ENJOYING SPORTS…
…At TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY, Mahari McTier, Jestina Howard, L’Tryce Slade were hanging out with me at Talladega Superspeedway during the Aaron’s Dream Weekend. Jestina has been many times but Mahari and L’Tryce were there for the first time and had a ball. They want to get back again. (We will have to talk about it.)
…At Barber’s Motorsports were fans from all over the county that love cars of all kinds. AND, there was the REGIONS TRADITION for those that love golf. I do…but more than that….MUCH MORE…my boss, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis, Sr. Dr. Lewis’ middle name is GOLF. IF you know him then you know exactly of what I am speaking.
JUST HANGING OUT…
Stephonia McLinn had a birthday party at the NEW Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue. She celebrated her birthday on Mother’s Day weekend with friends and family AND she is still celebrating. If you just want to ‘hang out’ and watch the votes come in next Tuesday (June 3), the New Tide and Tiger is the place to be. Everyone that is voting at the Legion Field Stadium should get out and watch the votes at the neighborhood Lounge – Tide and Tiger…for grown folks.
COMING SOON…Other than my birthday month….(AND, I will be ‘hanging out’ and celebrating, too)…
LAUGHTER AT THE STARDOME COMEDY CLUB…This weekend…
JEN KOBER…Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Kober has recently relocated to Los Angeles where she has quickly become a nationally known headliner- playing colleges, casinos and comedy clubs all over the country and bringing crowds to their feet with her original blend of stand-up, storytelling and improvised rock-n-roll comedy. MORE LAUGHTER…, 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 and ‘One of MY Favorites’ July 25-27 – D.L. HUGHLEY. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you!! Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you!
FESTIVALS OF ALL KINDS ‘kick off’ for 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 brings all kinds of good feelings to mind. (smile)
THEN…
ALL FATHERS ARE INVITED – Father’s Day is right around the corner. If you are interested in music and business then the African American Business Council Luncheon is the place to be. All the fathers (and mothers) are invited to see who helped some of the Top Hip-Hop artists make it BIG! Hip-hop, R&B executive Kevin Liles will address the 28th Annual African American Business Council Luncheon, June 5th , NOON, at the Harbert Center. The music executive is instrumental in the global branding success of artists Jay Z, LL Cool J, Kanye West and many others. Liles is the former president of Def Jam Recordings, rocketing from unpaid intern in 1991 to top executive at the record label by 1998, and a former executive vice president at Warner Music Group, where he helped take the company public. He is known for his leadership style and ability to help artists make the leap from performer to global brand. Today, Liles is CEO of KWL Management, which works with entertainers, athletes and models to develop brands, forge partnership and cultivate successful careers. He is a committed philanthropist and advocate for youth empowerment and education through his work with New Yorkers for Children, Junior Achievement of New York and his own Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore, which empowers African American youth to succeed in the business world. Liles also is the author of Make it Happen: the Hip Hop Generation’s Guide to Success. The luncheon is presented by Protective Life Corp. (You may recall he came to Birmingham not too long ago and you definitely can get some great information at this luncheon.) For more call (205) 241-8127. I will see you there.)
FRIDAY…
**RECESS FRIDAYS with music by TRANQUILITY, 5 – 8 p.m., at B.O.S.S. Ultra Bar and Lounge, 312 20th Street South,
SATURDAY…
**ENJOY THE WEATHER! Stop by the NEW TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue across from Legion Field stadium where the grown folk hang out. Tell them Gwen sent you (See you there.)
SUNDAY….
**MUSIC LOVERS….JAZZ IN THE PARK, 6-9 p.m. at the Avondale Park. Performing will be SHIRLEY REEVES, VINCENT INGALA, and JONATHAN FRITZEN. (See you there!)
**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.
**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)
