People, Places and Things
By Gwen DeRu
REMEMBER TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACES MAY 1 -3!!
SEE YOU THERE!!
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY SATURDAY!!!
There are always plenty of things to do around the southeast. Here are a few things going on in town…
(Photo Credit: lab344.com)
ROBERTA FLACK AT THE BJCC CONCERT HALL, SATURDAY!!
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WOMEN AND GIRLS BUSINESS NEETWORK – YOU ARE INVITED! Join the women in Birmingham every third Thursday Noon, at UAB, 1919 University Blvd., for a networking session with a motivating speaker and lunch. This week enjoy KEISA SHARPE, Owner of Love My Own Hair, Inc. Sharpe is an author, speaker and former Birmingham newscaster. Call (205) 934-8535 or 975-7869 for more details. Ask for Yvonne Lowery Kennedy. FREE. (Tell them Gwen sent you.)
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DANIEL PAYNE PLAZA DEDICATION – The Ninth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) officially dedicates its new complex – Daniel Payne Community Plaza, TODAY, 3 p.m. at 1500 Daniel Payne Drive in Birmingham. The laying of the cornerstone is a part of a three-day observance, ‘Celebrating the AME Difference: Connecting Christ, Church and Community” from today to Sunday. The Daniel Payne Community Plaza is the former Daniel Payne Middle School. The plaza is named for the Sixth Bishop of the AME Church, Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne, who was one of the founders and former presidents of Wilberforce University in Ohio. Birmingham Mayor William Bell, State Representative Juandalynn Givan, Bishop James L. Davis, other dignitaries of the AME church, community leaders, clergy and members will be present.
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BCRI LECTURE BY DR. CHARLES McKINNEY – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is hosting Dr. Charles McKinney, TODAY, 7 p.m. in the BCRI Woods Community Meeting Room. The lecture is entitled Chasing Dreams: African Americans and the Perpetual Pursuit of Voting Rights. Dr. McKinney is a respected scholar and lecturer on the Black Experiences in America.
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RIVALS FOR WISHES – Join the fans of the University of Alabama and Auburn University for ‘one’ night of fun at the Regions Field, 5:30 – 9 p.m., TODAY, with MAKE-A-WISH ALABAMA’s efforts, live music, auctions and lots of surprises.
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AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION HOSTS BUDDY PALMER – Buddy Palmer, Create Birmingham, will speak at the AAF luncheon, FRIDAY, 11:30 a.m. at the Vulcan Park and Museum. Palmer will speak about the Birmingham’s recent creative industries report and the new direction and rebranding of Create Birmingham. Create Birmingham is the former Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham.
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DARTER FESTIVAL – (I remember when the children had to do a project on Birmingham’s native fish a DARTER, I found out plenty.) NOW, there is a festival hosted by the Southern Environmental Center, SATURDAY, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Railroad Park. It is a celebration of the South’s biodiversity and one of its native fish – Watercress Darter. It will feature darter art, kite flying, a bicycle parade and live music by the BANDITOS. Good People even has a Darter Ale. My, My!!
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EARTHFEST – Black Warrior Riverkeeper will host a Earth Day event, Saturdy, 2-6:30 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Company, with live music, clean water, local food, beer and art. Proceeds support Black Warrior efforts.
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CITY OF IRONDALE SPRING FEST – The City of Irondale is hosting its Irondale Spring Fest SATURDAY, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Grant’s Mill Station on Beacon Drive. Enjoy a family-friendly event, live music, food and arts and crafts. FREE.
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NOW…on to the rest of the happenings….
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS….
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**YOGA ON THE TRAIL – A MORNING IN NATURE – There will be yoga, mediation and service at Ruffner Mountain on Sunday, 8 a.m. FREE. There will be a Ruffner Planting Project at 10:30 a.m. and a Box Lunch Picninc at 11:30 a.m. Bring your refillable water bottle. Go to sweetomalabama.org for more.
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**CANOE TRIP, SATURDAY, 10 a.m., Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip at Cahaba River, Grants Mill Road to River Run. This moderate 7.5 mile trip on the Cahaba River is near Birmingham in Jefferson County near Mountain Brook. It is fairly easy and without classified rapids. Enjoy the wilderness scenery and expect to see lots of wildflowers. Please arrive at the Sam’s Wholesale Club, 3900 Hubert Kilgore Memorial Drive at exit #133 off I-20 East in Irondale before 9:45 a.m.
Reservations Required: Contact trip leader David Freeman, 205/491-8845 or email David.Freeman@bellsouth.net for details, bad weather rescheduling, more info or cancellations.
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**WILDFLOWER WALK, SUNDAY, 2:30 p.m., Southeastern Outings Wildflower Walk in a Forest Preserve in Homewood – The City of Homewood owns two forest preserves on Shades Mountain adjacent to the Homewood High School. Spend a relaxing two hours walking and admiring wildflowers in the lower preserve. Rated moderately easy. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 6 and older welcome. Meet 2:30 p.m. in the Homewood High School east (nearest Brookwood Village Shopping Center) parking lot, just off Lakeshore Drive in Homewood. For more info contact Mary Alice Thurman at (205) 823-5165.
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SAVE THE DATES…..
CRUISE IN ALABAMA – An ‘80s vs ‘90s throwback cruise is April 25th aboard the Harriott II in Montgomery. The cruise will feature a live DJ, VIP section, live entertainment, comedy, and more. DJ services will be provided by Birmingham’s own DJ Dre Smoove and DJ Big Show from Tuskegee. Hope to see you on the cruise this year! For more information, call (1-888-946-9655, Ext 813 or go to goyollo.com).
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FOR GOLFERS….
**IN BIRMINGHAM…
Today is the last day of the 4th ANNUAL CITY OF BIRMINGHAM MAYOR’S CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC at the Highland Park Golf Course. The tournament supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Sickle Cell Foundation to help fund ongoing research towards treatment and finding cures for both diseases.
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**GLOW ON THE GREEN – Big Brothers and Big Sisters host its annual Glow on the Green Night Golf Tournament, 5:30, Friday, with BBQ, drinks, live music, raffles and night golf.
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FOR LOVERS OF ART, MUSIC, FOOD AND MORE…
It’s Springtime…. Get out and enjoy when and what you can!
**WIND DOWN THURSDAYS – Every 3rd Thursday is Wine Down Thursday at the Wells Fargo Tower, 420 – 20th Street North, 5:30 – 8 p.m. This week’s topic is Marketing and Branding Your Business. FREE.
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**SPRING ART SHOW – The 34th Annual Spring Art Festival is hosted by Mountain Brook Art Association on Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Crestline Field. Enjoy art, vendors, live jazz, and food trucks.
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AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART…
**GALLERY TALKS WITH ARTHUR WHEELOCK – Join the BMA as they welcome the National Gallery of Arts leading scholar on Johannes Vermeer, Dr. Wheelock, Saturday, 6 p.m. at the final After Hours of SMALL TREASURES with tapas, cocktails, and open galleries until 9 p.m.
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**CONCERT–MUSICAL TREASURES FROM 17TH CENTURY NETHERLANDS – The Birmingham Music Club presents a chamber concert of music that complements the exhibition, Small treasures: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Their Contemporaries. Listen to the music that would have been played during the time of the Dutch Masters on Sunday.
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**OUT WITH THE CROWD – Celebrate the Birmingham Baron’s season at the Museum with a small exhibition dedicated to the sport of baseball. ‘Out with the Crowd’ features 14 photographs by David Levinthal and one large-scaled mixed-media piece by Radcliffe Bailey….now through May17. FREE.
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**ART ON THE ROCKS….COMING SOON!!
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AT THE BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE…
**WALKING TOURS – Join the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute every Saturday in April at 11 a.m. for a FREE Walking Tours of the BCRI and the Fourth Avenue Business District. The free Hour long tour begins at the main entrance to the BCRI located at 520 16th Street North, 35210. The tours are led by BARRY MCNEALY.
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**FRANK X. WALKER – KENTUCKY’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN POET LAUREATE – The Birmingham Civil Rights (BCRI) will present a reading and book signing by Frank X. Walker on Monday, at 6 p.m. in BCRI’s Woods Community Meeting Room. In 2014, Walker was named Kentucky’s youngest and first African American Poet Laureate. He also received an NAACP Image Award for his book Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers. Voted one of the most creative professors in the south, Walker is a full professor in the Department of English and director of the African American and Africana studies program at the University of Kentucky. The reading and book signing are free and open to the public and registration is available at www.bcri.org.
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**20th ANNUAL BCRI JUNETEENTH – The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Kelly Ingram Park. FREE. It is a family festival with food vendors, children’s activities, music and contests. For more, call (205) 328-9696 x234. This is a Celebration of 150 Years of Freedom 1865-2015.
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FOR MUSIC LOVERS…
CHECK OUT….the TIDE AND TIGER every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday on Graymont.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON…THIS WEEKEND…
TODAY…
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**TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
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**UAB JAZZ BAND at Ona’s Music Room. (It’s the Crooning for Critters Celebration.)
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**Squidling Brothers Circus Sideshow at The Nick.
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FRIDAY…
**SARAH GREEN & THE SUNDAY LOVERS with SAM GUNDERSON at Ona’s Music Room.
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**JESSE DAYTON (feat. John Evans & Mike Stinson from Austin TX) and HONEYHONEY, with a late night show featuring Rebirth Brass Band at The Nick on southside.
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SATURDAY…
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**SARAH GREEN & THE SUNDAY LOVERS with SAM GUNDERSON at Ona’s Music Room.
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**TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
**American Animal, Kyle Kimbrell, Stop Light Observations at The Nick.
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SUNDAY…
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**Future Thieves and Cahaba at the Nick.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS…
DON’T MISS….
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**BLACK AND BROWN COMEDY TOUR ‘GET DOWN’ starring CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, MIKE EPPS, EDDIE GRIFFIN, D.L. HUGHLEY, GEORGE LOPEZ and CHARLIE MURPHY at the BJCC Legacy Arena, May 8, 8 p.m.
(Photo: Carlos Mencia)
**AT THE STARDOME…, this weekend…
CARLOS MENCIA
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COMING SOON…, CINDY KAZA – April 18, May 16 and June 13, BIG ED CAYLOR – April 23-26, LIL DUVALL – May 1-3, JAMES GREGORY – May 8-9, AVERY SUNSHINE – May 10, JAMES GREGORY – May 15-16, ARIES SPEARS – May 22-24, STEVE BROWN – June 2-7, JON REEP – June 12-13. (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.
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HAVE A HAPPY EARTH DAY WEEKEND!1
NOW…. BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…. 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.
