By: Gwen DeRu
HI EVERYBODY….IT IS ON!! IT IS HERE!!
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC WEEKEND – the largest Black Football classic in the country, right here in Birmingham, what you all have been waiting on…this week and weekend.
Get your friends and family ready for some great tailgating fun in Alabama! It started last weekend at Talladega Superspeedway GEICO 500 in Talladega. It was more than a race. IT WAS TALLADEGA!!
Africa Miranda (Photo Credit; Dwayne Boyd)
NOW…If you missed SIP & SHOP last night, for all you Glamour Girls, then tonight is the night you do not want to miss…Check out….
ALABAMA NATIVE AFRICA MIRANDA RETURNS HOME – Africa Miranda, an Alabama native is the Crème of Nature brand ambassador and star of Bravo TV’s hit docudrama The New Atlanta will be in town hosting the GIRLS WITH CURLS, an intimate multi-city beauty social tour. The event will be held at Olivia’s, 6 – 8:30 p.m. It is an opportunity to network and discover new beauty tips and techniques while enjoying complimentary signature cocktails and gifts from sponsors.
IT ‘STARTS’ AND ‘ENDS ‘HERE…the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue!
Whatever you do while tailgating at the Legion Field and during this week of Magic City Classic events, the NEW TIDE AND TIGER is there for you when you need THE SPOT to be…for you, right in front of the stadium, across the street on Graymont Avenue while tailgating, at the game or just cruising around town. Call (205) 503-3880 for all the latest.
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC WEEK…WEEKEND –
Here is a ’little’ of what is happening …in Birmingham… Laughter, music and more. This should give you a start to “Fun in the ‘Ham.”
THURSDAY –
*SCHAEFFER EYE CENTER CLASSIC INVITATIONAL presented by the Alabama Classic Foundation. Call (205) 541-3683 or go to www.topllc@gmail.com.
*COMEDY IN THE HOOD, 6 p.m. at the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue (across from the Legion Field stadium). DON’T MISS…COMEDY FOR THE GROWN AND SEXY – It’s always time to laugh so see you tonight …AND EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT…for Thursday Nite Comedy Open Mic hosted by CHARLES WINSTON. Doors open at 6 p.m. with 7 p.m. ShowTime at the Tide and Tiger Lounge, 409 Graymont Avenue. INVITING ALL COMEDIANS…or wannabes! Call (205) 862-4723 for more.
*CURTIS BELL LIVE, 8 p.m. at Henderson’s.
*THE GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY COMEDY SHOW with SIR WALT, DENO POSEY and GORDON QUINNEY at Crescendo Lounge.
*Magic City Classic featuring the Adamson West Classic Spin & Win with Tasha Simone and DJ Big Sweatt at Wine Loft.
*LINE DANCE FOR FITNESS, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the Fountain Heights Recreation Center. Call (205) 254-2679 or 908-7392 for more.
*JOSE’S JAZZ WORKSHOP with JOSE CARR, 9:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
FRIDAY –
* Kicking the weekend off this Friday is Breakfast for the early birds getting started in the morning…. Trying to party all weekend long……
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST – The Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast, Friday, 7 a.m. at the Harbert Center. WSK LLC (Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick) is once again hosting the Magic City Classic Breakfast. The African American Business Council hosted this breakfast but cancelled a year ago. Attorney Kelvin Howard took the iniatitive to converse with the firm to support the cause. Attorney Charlie Waldrep agreed. Now, the Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast has WSK LLC as its new sponsor and WSK’s generosity is truly appreciated by all. Thanks WSK, LLC. Thanks Kelvin on your upfront support and good thinking on a worthy cause. On behalf of all of Birmingham, the two schools, the alums and our visitors, we do appreciate you and all of your efforts. Keep up the good work! See you there! Call (205) 327-8333 or 266-0304 for more.
*There should be a few day parties around town. “Somebody tell somebody.”
At the Legion Field Stadium, at 3 p.m. is WILLIE CLAYTON, GEORGE PANDY with a special guest appearance by none other than our own TOM JOYNER. AND… for the grown people a 98.7 KISS Cash Machine. GIVE ME SOME OF THE MONEY!!
FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN, head to the Wine Loft for live entertainment, Logan & Alvin Garrettt, DJ & the Bad Boys of Montgomery and more, including Gentleman Jack Superlounge, Jack Honey Sizzling Cigar Bar, Live Sushi with featured Baracadi flavors and hors d’oeuvres and drink tastings. Call (205) 542-6057 for more or mygentlemanjack@gmail.com.
*MOSE STOVALL LIVE, 8 p.m. at Henderson’s.
*KID CAPRI PARTY, 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel downtown. Call (205) 966-9944 or (205) 936-9679 for more.
*NEPHEW TOMMY at the StarDome Comedy Club, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Actor and comedian Thomas Miles has captivated audiences around the country and has received outstanding critical praise for his performances as a stage actor in King Lear, Soldier’s Play, Twelfth Nite, Colored Museum, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and What Ever Happened to Black Love. Thomas joined his Uncle Steve Harvey on the nationally syndicated “Steve Harvey Morning Show.” When his uncle offered to bring him on as his “sidekick”, Thomas jumped at the opportunity to be proclaimed Steve Harvey’s Nephew Tommy. Call (205) 444-0888 for more.
*INTIMATE JAZZ AND CONVERSATIONS with JEFF LORBER, jazz keyboardist and Special Guest DARRYL EVEAN JONES, flutist, 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. at the Water Mark Place, 4500 Alabama Adventure Parkway (Bessemer).
*MAZE FEATURING FRANKIE BEVERLY, 7:30 p.m. at the BJCC Concert Hall.
*THE KID CAPRI PARTY, doors open 9 p.m., show starts midnight, at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown.
*KELLY O’NEAL, 9:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
SATURDAY –
Now, everyone should know by now that BELL BIV AND DEVOE are performing after the game. Game starts at 2:30 p.m.
*ONA WATSON & CHAMPAGNE, 9:30 p.m. at Ona’s Music Room.
*LOGAN THE ENTERTAINER, 8 p.m. at Henderson’s.
*THE Q CLASSIC AFTERPARTY, 9 p.m. at the BJCC EAST BALLROOM.
*TRIPLE SET BLOCK FEST with four parties on First Avenue North (one block) in four venues with one wristband – the Wine Loft, The Parthenon Martini Bar, the Compound & Steel, doors open at 7 p.m. as the longest running and largest classic weekend event. Call (205) 422-0576 for more.
SUNDAY –
*SOUTHERN SOUL SUNDAYS is Each and Every Sunday with the Best in Blues and Southern Soul 6 p.m. at the legends Sports Lounge.
*THE PILLARS OF BIRMINGHAM, 4 p.m. at the Lily Grove Baptist Church, 1409 20th Street North, Rev. Don Solomon, Pastor. This is the Pillars 9th Anniversary as an a capella gospel quartet. Special recognition will be given to Bishop O.L. Meadows, Evelyn Starks Hardy and Bob Friedman of the Pillars. Call (205) 441-3783 or 902-9487 for more.
*SABATON at Iron City on Southside on tour with AMON AMARTH and SKELTONWITCH. Sabaton was formed in Falun, Sweden and known for singing about historical wars and battles. The album Heroes was recorded at Abyss Studios with Peter Tagtgren. SABATON brings their dynamic live stage performances back to the U.S. and Canada this April & May as direct support to American metallers ICED EARTH on their “Worldwide Plagues” North American tour. Opening each show of the six-week trek will be Dutch heavy metallers & label mates REVAMP.
This week and weekend…
*DALAI LAMA COMES TO BIRMINGHAM – Learn More about the Dalai Lama at the Birmingham Public Library – The Dalai Lama will appear at Regions Field on Sunday, Oct. 26 as part of Birmingham’s Human Rights Week, which is now through Oct. 27. To help citizens learn more about his Holiness, the Birmingham Public Library will offer several free programs and resources in October. Check out the free screenings of the documentary “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama’’ at #5 Oporto Madrid Boulevard, Thursday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m., Smithfield Library, #1 Eighth Ave. West, Thursday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m., Titusville Library, #2 Sixth Ave. South. A resource list about books and DVDs on the Dalai Lama will be available at any library location in October.
Some of us remember that there is still time for Halloween activities. This is the last weekend for the…
*WELLS FARGO BOO AT THE ZOO – This is the last weekend for the Children and the Boo Fun at the Zoo. Have fun! Birmingham Zoo guests are invited to wear their favorite family-friendly costumes and watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions, trick-or-treating, themed rides and games for 16 nights at Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo, starting this weekend and every weekend this month. The Presenting Partner of this event is Wells Fargo. This year, guests can experience the thrill of the all-new Monster Slide. Fun for all ages, guests will glide past their friends and family on this exhilarating inner tube ride of over 100 feet! The Zoo will also host a Creepy Carnival with themed games, a hay-ride search for Sasquatch and a trick-or-treat lane, organized by local nonprofit organizations and child-centered businesses. Animal exhibits will be closed during Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. The Zoo will close at 4p.m. on each day of Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. Visit www.birminghamzoo.com for more.
TUESDAY –
FORUM – ALABAMA MICROENTERPRISE NETWORK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – The Alabama MicroEnterprise Network (AMEN) is hosting an all-day forum in Montgomery, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 300 Tallapoosa St. in Montgomery. AMEN is designed to highlight the economic impact that microbusinesses have on Alabama and the nation and speak with one voice to serve, educate and empower Alabama’s microbusiness development organizations and the entrepreneurs they represent. For more go to: www.microenterprisealabama.org.
DON’T FORGET FOOTBALL… Every weekend!
FOR LOVE OF LAUGHTER…
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… . Check out…
FOR MORE LAUGHTER, October 31 – CINDY KAZA, November 7-8 – TIM STATUM, October 28-30 and also, November 1-2 – RONNIE JORDAN, November 4-5 – BRUHHMAN & KOL BUBBA ICE, November 7-8 and November 14-15 – JAMES GREGORY, November 11-16 – SHUAN JONES, November 20-21 – DUSTIN YBARRA, November 21-23 – LAVELL CRAWFORD, November 25-26 and 28-30 – JONATHAN SLOCUMB, January 2-4 – GARY OWEN, and February 7 – MIRANDA SINGS. Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you!! Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
IN AND AROUND THE SOUTHEAST…
**TODAY – American Playwright Theatre presents SPAGHETTI SUPPER with a Dine and Discuss Social Justice, 6:30 p.m. in Nashville, Tennessee at 3510 West Hamilton Road, 35218.
2015 –
**JANUARY 30 – FEBRUARY 1 – URBAN SKI WEEKEND in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There will be 15 parties and events with special guest BENZINO and cast of Love & Hip Hop. Go to www.urbanskiweekend.com or text 832-249-0882 for more.
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!! I WILL!!
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR OCTOBER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARLOTTA SHEARER, TAMICA WASHINGTON and CYNTHIA MARZETTE. 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
