By Gwen DeRu
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
“WISHING YOU THE BEST OF EVERYTHING!”
February has many things going… It’s the Month of Love!
THIS IS FOR THE LOVER IN YOU!
FIRST… Here are some other things going on around the state for Black History, Valentines’s Day and more.
(Photo Credit: vegas.com )
Don’t Miss… GEORGE WALLACE AND FRIENDS, Live in Concert ONE NIGHT STAND, 8 p.m. at the BJCC Concert Hall. Get your laugh on with a FREE rose for the ladies. See SIR WALT, EUNICE ELLIOTT AND RORY AND THE RIFF RAFFS
REMEMBERING BOOKER T. WASHINGTON – Join others in Montgomery, at Alabama State University, today and Friday for the Southern Conference on African-American Studies at ASU with great speakers on both days! The Theme of the conference is “Remembering Booker T. Washington” and speaking on Thursday is Charles Jones, Professor of Africana Studies, University of Cincinnati, Brian Johnson, President of Tuskegee University and Friday’s keynote is Attorney Cleo Thomas, former vice president of Booker T. Washington Life Insurance Company and who served as the first African-American Board of Trustees member at the University of Alabama and its first African-American SGA president. The organization aims to bring together all minds, regardless of color or creed, that are interested in interpreting and preserving African-American history and culture especially that which originated in and/or affected the South. Call (334) 229-4368 for more.
CARL CROSBY OF BBVA COMPASS UNCF 2015 CHAIRMAN – Crosby was recently named chairman of the office’s 2015 UNCF’s Masked Ball, the organization’s largest fundraising project for 2015. As ball chairman, Crosby will help in identifying giving partners and participants for the nonprofit’s scholarship cause and ball. The ball will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 6 p.m. at the Birmingham Sheraton Ballroom in downtown Birmingham. Crosby joined the bank in 1983 as a member of its management training program and has served in numerous senior leadership positions during his 31-year career there. The Masked Ball reception will start at 6 p.m. and dinner will start at 7 p.m. The name of a national recording artist scheduled to perform at the ball will be announced later this month.
(Photo Credit: Sacks & Co. Nashville)
ANDREW COMBS COMES TO BIRMINGHAM – Combs will be touring this winter with a stop in Birmingham at Bottletree on February 20. His new album ‘ALL THESE DREAMS’ will be released on March 3. The official music video for Andrew Combs’ new song “Nothing to Lose” premiered recently at NPR Music and can now be viewed/embedded via YouTube. “Nothing to Lose” is from Combs’ forthcoming album All These Dreams. In celebration of the release, Combs is currently in the midst of a European tour with Justin Townes Earle and, in February, will embark on a series of U.S. shows with The Apache Relay followed by a performance at the 2015 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, Calif. He has toured Germany, Netherlands, U.K. Kentucky and Ohio this week with a stop in Birmingham before heading to Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, California, and Oklahoma.
REGIONS FIELD HOSTS BARONSFEST – The Birmingham Barons are set to host their third annual Baronsfest on Saturday, February 21 at Regions Field. The event is open to the public and lasts from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and features a variety of interactive events for fans of all ages. Fans will have the opportunity to take all-access tours of Regions Field, giving them unprecedented access to areas normally closed during game days – including the Barons clubhouse, press box and club lounge. Younger fans can play in the Bright House Networks Family Fun Park and interact with mascots Babe Ruff, Lillie Mays, The Chef, Homer the Hot Dog and The Taco from the All-South Appliance Fast Food Race. Fans will also have the opportunity to view available seating for 2015 ticket packages. A youth baseball clinic, administered by the UAB baseball team, begins at 9:15 a.m. and runs until 10:15 a.m. The clinic is open to the first 150 children ages 5-9 and will include instruction from UAB Head Coach Brian Shoop his 2015 Blazers squad. In addition, everyone is invited to stay for UAB’s game against Savannah State immediately following Baronsfest at 1 p.m. free of charge. White Sox prospect and 2014 Baron Tim Anderson is set to attend and is available to sign autographs from 11 a.m. – noon. Complimentary Golden Flake and Bud’s Best snacks and Coca-Cola beverages will be available throughout the event. Birmingham opens the 2015 season Thursday, April 9 as Regions Field hosts the Mobile BayBears at 7:05 p.m.
(Photo Credit: Blackfilm.com)
THE STARS ARE COMING – HILL HARPER, MUSIQ SOULCHILD and TONYA H. WARE will be in Birmingham on March 8, 5:30 p.m. for the LIFE IS YOUR SONG PREMIERE. THERE IS A RED CARPET & VIP MEET AND GREET at 3:30 p.m. with doors open for the public at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Premiere.
Author Tonya H. Ware’s powerful book, LIFE IS YOUR SONG – DISCOVER YOUR VOICE is a story everyone struggling with reclaiming their life must read. Tonya shares how to reset your inner compass, understand who you really are and how to find your place in this world. People everywhere are standing at the threshold of decision, asking this question – What is the answer for MY life? Having experienced a life-changing event where she actually died, and was miraculously revived, Tonya transitioned from a corporate million dollar producer who recorded her debut album Tonya Ware – The Voice, to life as a virtual shut in – spending more than six years trying to reclaim her health and her life.
BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE … in February….
BCRI BLACK HISTORY MONTH FILM FESTIVAL – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will host a film weekly throughout the month of February in the Richard Arrington, Jr. Resources Gallery from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The remaining films are: FREEDOM SUMMER, February 18 – BLACK MAGIC, and February 25 – STAND. The films are free with admission to the BCRI.
FOR THE NASCAR LOVERS …..AND MOTORSPORTS FANS…. CHECK OUT THE DAYTONA 500… NEXT WEEKEND. Starting the engines and racing for the gold starts the 2015 season at Daytona. Don’t miss it on TV with family and friends. Then don’t forget to head to Talladega Superspeedway the first weekend in May – May 1-3, 2015.
FOR LOVERS OF MUSIC, ANIMALS, FOOD AND MORE…
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS GOING ON…
THE HUNG TRIO at the Alys Stephens Center…. TODAY
FOR LOVERS….
WOO AT THE ZOO – The Birmingham Zoo invites guests ages 21 and up to its second annual Valentine’s Day event (February 14), “Woo at the Zoo,” Saturday,6-8 p.m. The event will feature light hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, beer, giveaways and exclusive animal greetings upon arrival in the auditorium. Woo at the Zoo is designed for those seeking an enriching and unique experience on Valentine’s Day, setting this day apart from other Valentine’s Day formalities.
FEBRUARY AT THE BOTANICAL GARDENS – For the Love of Chocolate – Few foods inspire such passion in humanity as chocolate. Learn about the plants that make it possible as well as its fascinating history of ritual, medicine and passion reaching back through the last 4,000 years into exotic lands and ancient cultures. Grab your spoon as you learn the process of creating flavorful hot cocoa stirrers, piping and how to dip your favorite treats. Then, take your handmade treats home in a Valentine box perfect for sharing on Valentine’s Day! February 14. 10 – noon
Herbs: From the Ground to the Medicine Cabinet Part I – Part one will introduce 20 southern herbs. Discussion will focus on traditional uses for promoting relief of common ailments such as: colds, coughs, flu, stress, insomnia, and seasonal allergies. Class time will be spent on plant identification, herbal properties, growth habits, and seasonal times for harvesting medicine. Herbal highlights include: Cayenne, Elder, Goldenrod, Hydrangea, Passionflower, Peach, Solomon’s Seal, Yarrow, and Yellow Root. Students will leave this class with informative handouts and recipes. February 14. 2 – 4 p.m.
For more information and to register online, visit www.bbgardens.org/classes.
CUPCAKES AND CONVERSATIONS – A LOVE JONES EXPERIENCE, today, at Legends Sports Lounge with Pictures With Words by Peter Hall.
VALENTINE’S BASH (in Tuscaloosa) – Live performances by JEFF FLOYD & TRE WILLIAMS, Friday, 8 p.m. at Archibald and Woodrow, 5600 McFarland Blvd, East Tuscaloosa, Ala.
VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY – A Salute to the Single Life at the Legends Sports Lounge downtown Birmingham on the corner of Third Avenue and 18th Street this Saturday, 2 p.m.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT THE LIBRARY –
TODAY, at the Smithfield Library at the 10 a.m., Birmingham foot soldiers Gwendolyn Sanders-Gamble and Janice Kelsey will present a copy of a New York Fire Department 1963 resolution that’s been lost for more than 50 years. New York sent the resolution to Birmingham in 1963 to speak out against fire hoses being sprayed on peaceful civil rights demonstrators in Kelly Ingram Park. However, Birmingham citizens were never told about the resolution. When the NYC Fire Department discovered in 2013 that Birmingham citizens never knew about the resolution, the fire department presented another resolution to Sanders-Gamble and Kelsey in 2014. The two women will present a copy of the resolution to the Smithfield Library during a ceremony today. The Birmingham Fire Department and other officials are slated to attend.
Race relations and Birmingham native Tanner Colby’s book “Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America’’ will be discussed at three Birmingham libraries as part of Magic City Crossings, a citywide dialogue project led by REV Birmingham’s Community Affairs Committee, the Bethesda Life Center and Joyce Vance, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Library talks will take place at Five Points West Library, 4812 Ave. West, on Monday, Feb. 23, 3:30-6 p.m.; the downtown Birmingham location, 2100 Park Place, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; and East Ensley Library, 900 14th St., Ensley, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 3:30-6 p.m.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS…AND DANCE…
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS GOING ON…
THIS WEEKEND… TODAY…
**ASHLEY AND KEEPERS at Ona’s Music Room.
**JEZEBEL DOGS at The Nick
FRIDAY…
**FESTIVAL EXPRESSIONS at Ona’s Music Room.
**SKEPTIC?, HUDSON FALCONS, THE AGGRAVATED, BIG JESUS, DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION at The Nick on southside.
SATURDAY…
**VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION WITH ONA WATSON AND CHAMPAGNE at Ona’s Music Room.
**TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
**BOYFRNDZ, CADDYWHWOMPUS and BELIAL at The Nick.
SUNDAY…VALENTINE’S EDITION SKATE NIGHT FOR THE ADULTS at the Funtime Skate Center, in Fultondale, 7 p.m. – 12 midnight.
**HAPPY LEMMY at The Nick.
THERE IS THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER….IN THE ‘HAM… AT THE STARDOME AND IN DA HOOD AT TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE…LAUGHTER FOR THE NEW YEAR…
(Photo Credit: birmingham365.com)
**AT THE STARDOME…,CASIO KID – MATT MITCHELL,TODAY… and, OPEN MIC NIGHT FRIDAY! Matt Mitchell describes himself as “a pure southern mash boogie comedian from Alabama with bare feet, mush-mouthed drawling and a mile-wide social streak.” He doesn’t know what that means, but he saw it on a Lynyrd Skynyrd bio and thought it sounded cool. Matt got his start as the “Casio Kid” on the nationally syndicated Rick and Bubba radio show. After his hit reality tv show, “THE FATCHELOR” rocked the airwaves of the Turner South channel he put his radio career on hold and moved to Hollywood. After entertaining the nation as an on-air correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he continued this rapid rise from small town class clown to nationwide fame. After many appearances in music videos, game shows and commercials on MTV, FOX and more…he started hitting the road as a stand-up comic.
(Photo Credit: Comedians and speakers.com)
DON’T MISS… FINIS HENDERSON. this weekend… What is in a name that makes you unique? What is in a voice that makes an audience beg for more? What is in a performance that tops the most seasoned entertainer? Simply, the Finis. Finis Henderson that is! A show filled with hilarious antics, romantic ballads, high energy and versatility at its best. COMING SOON…,SHERYL UNDERWOOD – February 20-21, MIRANDA SINGS – February 7-8 (Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you.) Enjoy some good laughter and fun times while you eat some great food with your friends. For more, call (205) 444-0008.
**MORE LAUGHTER…COMEDY IN DA HOOD at the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue. Comedians are invited! Call (205) 503-3880 for more.
Look for more.
**February 17-18 – A. G. GASTON CONFERENCE – Economic Empowerment through Enterprise Development AT THE BJCC.
**MARCH 5-9 – BRIDGE CROSSING JUBLIEE in Selma, Alabama.
NOW…. BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU… LEBOISE DERU, JR., LEKAMEREN DERU, JACARYS BRAXTON, LEKOTA DERU, CASSANDRA GRIFFEN MCINTYRE, PHYLLIS CONNELL, BETTINA BYRD GILES, MICHAEL GOULD, EVERETT SPRUILL, DR. CAROLYN BOLIVAR HAMEEN AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! Celebrate ‘your’ month…I do…all 30 days ‘and’ some!
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.)
