By Gwen DeRu
FALL SEASON HAS STARTED!
What are you doing this season?
ENJOY THIS WEEKEND and the happenings around the southeast!
HAVE A GOOD TIME! LAUGH A LITTLE!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADIE ADAMS!!
COMING SOON!!!! THURSDAY NITE COMEDY OPEN MIC NITE – ‘It’s Time to Laugh’ at the New Open Mic Thursday Nite Comedy hosted by CHARLES WINSTON at the ‘New’ Tide and Tiger, 409 Graymont Avenue. Doors open at 4, Showtime is 7 p.m. starting October 2. This is Comedy for the Grown & Sexy with great drinks and great food. ALL COMEDIANS ARE INVITED… and anyone that can tell jokes!! Call (205) 862-4723 for more.
BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS GRAND OPENING – Bright House Networks has opened a new state-of-the-art sales and service center in Birmingham at 1680 Montevallo Road, Suite 1000 Birmingham, AL 35210. The company held a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony at the new location with Birmingham Mayor William Bell recently. In an effort to better serve customers in the Birmingham community, customers can exchange equipment, add new services, and pay their bill at the new facility. Bright House Networks will also maintain its corporate office and payment center located at 151 London Parkway Birmingham, AL 35211, and customers will now have two locations to make bill payments. Bright House Networks sales and service facility at 6429 First Avenue South, which has been the “hub” of cable services for the metro Birmingham community for four decades, has closed its doors permanently.
CALLING ALL BLACK MEN – YOU ARE INVITED!!! Foot Soldier Washington Booker is saying that it is time for Black men to assume responsibility for the condition of their community. He is hosting an event for men, TODAY at the Historic Carver Theater at 6 p.m. The Civil Rights Activist Committee will present former Birmingham Mayor Dr. Richard Arrington, Retired Federal Judge UW Clemons and one of the first paid national staff members of the SCLC, Mr. Andrew Marrisett as panelists at the event entitled “Conversations Among Brothers.” The two-hour discussion will explore issues negatively impacting the Black Community in Birmingham. There is no admission charge and all brothers are encouraged to participate. “I believe that God holds Men responsible for the condition of their people,” says Washington Booker, Co-Chair of the Civil Rights Activist Committee, nonprofit organization comprised of the Birmingham Foot Soldiers (the children who marched, survived attacks by dogs and the sting of water hoses and even jail during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963). “Our goal for a conversation among a Brothers discussion is to actively involve Black men in a search for solutions to the social and economic problems facing our community.”
38th ORIGINAL OKTOBERFEST – The Oktoberfest will have authentic German cuisine, today through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Thursday) 9 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) with Stammtisch dinner 5-8 p.m.; Friday – 5 p.m. Keg Tap Opening Ceremony and Saturday – 2:30 p.m. UAB vs. Alabama A&M game on the screen in the Beer Hall with a 3 p.m. beer tasting, 4 p.m. Dachshund Parade and 5 p.m., Bama vs. Southern Miss game on the screen.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP – Congresswoman Terri Sewell joins Operation HOPE Jr. to co-host “Are You READY” a disaster preparedness workshop, Friday, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, 1101 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. The event will target community leaders, pastors and individuals with a vested interest in disaster preparedness plan. The goal is to widen awareness of financial disaster preparedness and to assist with a community disaster preparedness plan. FREE!
EMPOWERMENT WEEK – The Birmingham Public Library will present a panel discussion on race, redemption and reconciliation on Friday at noon in the Arrington Auditorium as part of the city’s Empowerment Week. The event is free and open to the public. The speakers will be Chervis Isom and Nick Patterson, authors of recent books that examine Birmingham during the civil rights movement. Though one author is white and the other is Black, the men’s stories carry similar messages of change and moving forward. Isom once held racist views as a child growing up in a segregated Birmingham in the 1950s and 1960s. But his opinions eventually changed when a married couple on his newspaper route taught him that it’s wrong to judge people based on skin color. He shares his coming-of-age story in “The Newspaper Boy.” Patterson had always felt that stories of the movement’s foot soldiers were ones of struggle and perseverance that needed to live on for generations to share. Through research and extensive interviews, he delved deep into the past to tell their stories in his book “Birmingham Foot Soldiers: Voices from the Civil Rights Movement.” Learn about the city’s past and how it prepares people for the future. Isom, an attorney, and Patterson, a writer, will sign copies of their books after the discussion and Q&A session. The library’s address is 2100 Park Place. Birmingham’s Empowerment Week, set for Sept. 11-15, will include a day of service, speakers and festivals.
EHS ALUMNI PEP RALLY – The EHS Pep Rally is Friday, 8 p.m. at the Merienda Lounge. A lot of you have been asking … The EHS alumni picnic weekend is ready to roll as well as the Annual Pep Rally!! This year they have added an extra element to make sure your social experience is EPIC!! The doors will open at 8 p.m. sharp with live entertainment from precision featuring Sherri B. The band starts at 9 p.m. so early arrival is a must!!! After the live entertainment, Ensley’s on Vegas ‘Dirty Vegas Benson’ will take the party to another level!!! Contact Gregory Ramsey, Ty King, or Rod Moore at (205) 215-9905, or 639-8168. Spread the word. The Yellow Jackets are ready to roll. The sting will never die!!!!!!
RIDE UNITED BIRMINGHAM – The Ride United event is Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. at Kelly Ingram Park. Let’s Ride UNITED Birmingham with family and friends pass many of Birmingham’s Civil Rights sites. There will also be a special 5 miles route for families and kids at RideUnited Birmingham. The Kids Ride will go through the treelined streets of downtown Birmingham past many of the historic Civil Rights sites. Kids get a fun ride and a powerful educational opportunity. Register and spread the word about this exciting, fun and educational community ride along the Birmingham Civil Rights Trail on the Red Rock Trails Systems. Go to rideunitedbirmingham.org for more.
14th AVENUE MUSIC FEST – The 14th Avenue Music Fest will feature TIM BOYKIN-MICHAEL CANNON, JUBAL DALZELL,MARIAN MCKAY, ALLE PARK, KEN RANDOLPH, BEN TREXEL-BERNIE WHITE, 3 LINE PLAY MASTER’S CABERET featuring DIANE McNARON and CHERYL SIMONETTI., 11 a,m, Saturday at 1823 14th Avenue South. All proceeds support ADAC Community Counseling’s Services and their work in Southside and the Birmingham Area.
TRUCKS BY THE TRACKS – This is the Third Annual Trucks by the Tracks, Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Railroad Park 1600 First Avenue So. with over 20 food trucks and carts, plenty of free musical performances by local artists that include BAREFOOT MOSES, THE GLASS JARS, AMACO FAVOR, THE ALL- STAR STRANGLERS and more.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS…. and the LOVE OF LAUGHTER…
DON’T MISS…COMEDY FOR THE GROWN AND SEXY – It’s always time to laugh so SAVE THE DATE – October 2 for Thursday Nite Comedy Open Mic hosted by CHARLES WINSTON. Doors open at 4 p.m. with 7 p.m. ShowTime at the Tide and Tiger Lounge, 409 Graymont Avenue. INVITING ALL COMEDIANS! Call (205) 862-4723 for more.
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY – MAGIC CITY CLASSIC WEEKEND – CLASSIC COMEDY SHOW – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY starring Comedian DENO POSEY, Comedian GORDON QUINNEY, and Birmingham Funniest Comedian SIR WALT, October 23 at Crescendo. Doors open at 6 p.m., ShowTime is 8 p.m. and a buffet from 7 – 8 p.m. while it lasts. The After Party is with DJ Mac Taylor.
COMEDIANS INTERESTED IN BEING DISCOVERED… AND SEEN….Email me at thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com and also gwenderu@yahoo.com.
THIS WEEKEND… Or coming soon….Don’t miss any of the LAUGHTER AT THE STARDOME COMEDY CLUB… this and every week. This FRIDAY… “Girl on Girl Comedy and Revue”, a comedy series featuring the best regional female and GLBT comedians and performers, will be at the StarDome Comedy Club.
Performers scheduled to appear include: Red Squirrel, Comedienne Carla Youngblood, Christy Eidson and Jessica Carter from Nashville, plus other special guests. It’s Sex in the City meets Lisa Lampanelli, Kathy Griffin, Chelsea Handler, and Margaret Cho! It’s primarily all female performers, so males be forewarned! Weak stomachs and the faint of heart need not apply. This is an all-inclusive show and all are welcome. Warning: the first few rows might get wet! All shows are Rated R! Show starts at 7:30 p.m., so get there early.
MORE LAUGHTER… September 16 – MARY LYNN RAJSKUB (ONE NIGHT ONLY), September 18-21 – APRIL MACIE, CINDY KAZA – September 20, September 26-28 – SOMMORE, October 3-5 – GARY OWEN, October 7-12 – MIDNIGHT SWINGER, October 14-19 – QUINN DAHLE, ANJELAH JOHNSON – October 21 -22, and NEPHEW TOMMY – October 24-26. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you!! Call (205) 444-0008 for more. Tell them Gwen sent you!
TODAY…
**The STEVE ROBERTS QUARTET w/ASHLEY ROBERTS, 8:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room. Call (205) 320-7006 for more.
FRIDAY…
**DUQUETTE JOHNSON LIVE! at the Alys Stephens Center, 7 p.m. with a 17 piece ensemble playing songs from Rabbit Runs A Destiny and ARMAND MARGJEKA opening the show.
**RECESS FRIDAYS with music by TRANQUILITY, 5 – 8 p.m., at B.O.S.S. Ultra Bar and Lounge, 312-20th Street South.
**STEVE MCCULLOUGH TRIO. 9:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SATURDAY…
**MADDIE ADAMS BIRTHDAY PARTY – 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.
**FIGHT PARTY, 7 p.m. at the Echo Lounge (one block behind Applebees in Five Points West). Check out the fight between Mayweather and Maidana and Comedy Relief with Comedian Detroit Reid. Call (205) 240-6309 for more.
**ONA WATSON & CHAMPAGNE w/J.C. CRUMB, 9:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
**FALL CLASSIC UAB vs Bulldogs After Party at the Wineloft on First Avenue North, 9:30 – 2 a.m.
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!! I WILL!!
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR SEPTEMBER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! THIS MEANS YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!
Get outdoors, laugh and enjoy the time with family and friends! Check out our ‘What’s Happening Travel and Tourism Guide’… whenever you can.
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)
Gwen Deru, Vice President
The Lewis Group
(205) 251-1666
thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com
