Gwen DeRu
CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LeBOISE DeRu and TAMIA BRYANT-DeRu!
Father and daughter celebrate birthday month, graduations, real estate classes completion, and preparation for that major real estate exam. Congratulations on a job well done in real estate classes, completing the course and freshman class at University of Alabama. Wishing you both the best!
CONGRATULATIONS HARDWICK HALL! Director of the Birmingham Public Library Angela Fisher Hall congratulates her son, Hardwick Hall, after his graduation from Alabama State University.
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM RECOGNIZES NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
The City of Birmingham is joining the nation to honor those who work day in and day out keeping our communities safe. As they tackle the injustices of random crime, purposeful intimidation of threats and simple posturing of security with their presence, they too can often be overlooked as valuable elements of leadership that hold our nation together. In observance of National Police Week 2016 the City kicked off the week during a special ceremony held outside of Birmingham City Hall. Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Steven Hoyt, Chair of the Public Safety/Transportation Committee said he could not be more proud of the men and women who serve and protect our city.
“Our officers risk their lives daily just by showing up to their roles as the ultimate protectors and responders in our communities,” Councilor Hoyt said. “National Police Week should resonate with every leader and citizen alike. We appreciate their continued devotion to this great city, and we are honored to be able to say thanks by recognizing all of their efforts during National Police Week.” To conclude the ceremony, officers read off the names of Birmingham Police officers who have lost their lives during the call of duty with a special wreath laying ceremony.
President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962, which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the following week as Police Week.
FOR ART LOVERS
TODAY: JOHN MORTON LECTURE IN PHOTOGRAPHY at the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA), 7 – 8 p.m. with New York based photographer Leslie Hewitt’s work that has received international praise.
ART ON THE ROCKS 2016 – The Birmingham Museum of Art is once again bringing the Art on the Rocks for its 12th Season. The dates are June 17, July 22 and August 19. There will be art, music, food and more.
MED STUDENTS IMPROVE PRACTICE WITH ART – The BMA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have partnered to practice research showing how studying art can help medical students become better doctors.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS:
JAZZ IN THE PARK – Enjoy JAZZ in Park Gadsden, this Sunday, 6-9 p.m. with ISAAC BYRD, JR at 6 p.m. and NILS at 7:30 p.m.
TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – This Saturday at the Tide And Tiger is the LADIES OF DISTINCTION SPRING FLING PARTY. May 29 – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SHOW – BILL AVERY and RENITA BRAXTON PICKENS. June 19- FATHER’S DAY SHOW with TJ HOOKER TAYLOR andRENITA BRAXTON PICKENS is open for hanging out, is located on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field and open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. CHECK OUT the TIDE AND TIGER. Every Tuesday enjoy wings for 50 cents and $5 drinks at half price. Every Sunday enjoy music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with DJ Tide and Tiger. For more information, call (205) 503-3880.
BIRMINGHAM FUNKFEST – NEW EDITION, GUY, 8BALL & MJG, UNCLE LUKE, SILK and SOS BAND are in the ‘Ham, this Saturday, at Legion Field. Gates Open at 5 p.m. Funk Fest 2016, in partnership with Pepsi, makes way to Alabama featuring some of the greatest artists in Hip Hop and R&B on May 21st. Funk Fest aims to captivate fans again this concert season with a roster of impressive performances and legendary artists. After making huge waves in Orlando, Jacksonville, and Atlanta the tour heads into Birmingham with the same goal in mind; by bringing together talent that includes: Silk, Guy, New Edition, 8Ball & MJG, SOS Band and more. The last few cities for the 2016 Tour also include: Mobile, AL (June 4), Washington, DC (Sept. 10), Detroit, MI (Sept. 18), and Miami, FL (Jan. 1, 2017). Featured artists will be different in each city and the complete concert line-ups are available on www.FunkFestConcerts.com.
DON’T MISS: PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND – One of the most talented and iconic bands to come out of the legendary New Orleans scene is the PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND and they are kicking off a nationwide tour. Stopping in Birmingham at the Avondale Brewing Co. on June 1st, Wednesday. The band will give you some of what you have been missing – Real Music!
FOR HISTORY LOVERS:
COMMEMORATION OF THE 55th ANNIVERSARY FREEDOM RIDERS –
IN BIRMINGHAM – HANK THOMAS, one of the original Freedom Riders and JANIE FORSYTH McKINNEY, who as a 12 year old helped the Freedom Riders, will be at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, today, at 6 p.m. in the BCRI’s Woods Community Meeting Room.
IN MONTGOMERY – Freedom Riders from all over the nation will gather at the former Greyhound Bus Station in Montgomery, 10:15 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to join the Alabama Historical Commission in commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides. There will be more at the Freedom Riders Museum, 210 South Court Street, Montgomery. There will be an event at the First Baptist Church, 347 N. Ripley Street where the Freedom Riders will speak about their experiences. There will be a First Annual B.Y.O. B (Bring Your Own Bike) Freedom Ride. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/first-annual-byob-bring-your-own-bike-freedom-ride-tickets-25135237171. Book Signings, Gallery Talks and Museum Tours are scheduled. FREE ADMISSION to the Museum on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call (334) 414-8647.
Who are the Freedom Riders? During the spring of 1961, student activists from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) launched the Freedom Rides to challenge segregation on interstate buses and bus terminals. The Freedom Rides, and the violent reactions they provoked, bolstered the credibility of the American Civil Rights Movement. They called national attention to the disregard for the federal law and the local violence used to enforce segregation in the southern United States. Police arrested riders for trespassing, unlawful assembly, and violating state and local Jim Crow laws, along with other alleged offenses, but they often first let white mobs attack the riders without intervention.
FOR GOLF LOVERS:
REGIONS TRADITION – Regions Tradition Annual Golf Tournament, at the Greystone Golf Course through Sunday.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS:
AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Postively Funny Improv and this weekend: JAMES GREGORY performing for the second week. Check out ADELE GIVENS, next Friday through Sunday at the StarDome. ADELE GIVENS is gaining such credits as HBO’s Def Comedy Jam, Martin, Moesha, The Steve Harvey Show, The Parkers, The Hughley’s and having a ½ hour comedy special on Comedy Central – it is no wonder she prevails as one of the Queens of Comedy. That’s right, straight off of touring with The Queens of Comedy The Stardome is proud to present this lively and inspiring talent.
COMING SOON: June 3-5 – FELIPE ESPARZA, June 10-12 – COREY HOLCOMB, June 17-19 – FORTUNE FEIMSTER, June 21-26 – JOHN MORGAN, July 1-3 – D.L. HUGHLEY, July 8-9 – CARLOS MENCIA , July 15-17 – ARNEZ J, July 22-24 –RICKEY SMILEY, and July 28-30 – RODNEY CARRINGTON. Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
COMEDY AT BENNIE MAC’S ON 1ST – This Saturday don’t miss I’M HALF SHARP, SO I GET OUT TONIGHT COMEDY SHOW, 8 p.m. at Bennie Mac’s on 1st, 4831 First Avenue North with SIR WALT (Bessemer), CHARLES WINSTON, RON MOSLEY (Nashville) and FELICIA co-hosting with BENNIE MAC.
IN AND AROUND TOWN:
From the Big Screen to the Stage: Red Mountain Theatre of Birmingham Presents Sister Act 2
For nearly four decades, Red Mountain Theatre Company has cultivated a cinematic culture that reigns as one of the finest arts education centers in the South making Birmingham the premier place for high-quality performing arts shows and programming. Lead actress Caprenia Anthony, who stars as Deloris Van Cartier, in “Sister Act 2” says fans can be assured that they will be in for a treat!
“The theatrical production of this classic film allows you to feel the emotions and become empathic about different people and situations taking place in the storyline,” Anthony said. “I enjoyed working with such a diverse and talented cast of actors and actresses. It has been so fun to be a part of this production as it connected Birmingham to a larger dimension of unity through the arts.” This weekend at the Red Mountain Theatre.
SUNGLASSES ON THE ROOFTOP – A Day Party at The Southern, Saturday, 4-9 p.m., located at 2301 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd North, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203.
FOURTH ANNUAL REY OF HOPE GALA A HUGE SUCCESS – The Annual Ray of Hope held each year for the Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School was a tremendous success recently when supporters brought in addition to the more than $200,000 in operational support raised a record-breaking $300,000 at The Club. It was enough money to acquire two more buses to support the transportation needs of this unique school. Fr. ALEX STEINMILLER was honored for his nine years of dedicated service as the founding President of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School. His portrait was recently installed in the front hall at the school.
FOR SAFETY LOVERS:
RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY
Alabama’s general public NEEDS Education of Railroad Crossing Safety
Statistics show that there is an extremely small chance of surviving railroad crossing accidents. With the rise in crossing accidents across the State of Alabama this year, it is clear more than ever that the general public is in dire need of education on Railroad Safety. “RailSmart is working on an action plan to be out in the communities in the coming days hosting railroad safety events,” stated RailSmart’s Executive Director Justin Humphries.
RailSmart wants to remind the public of the following actions to take when approaching a railroad crossing:
– Remember the old saying “Stop, Look, & Listen.”
– Approach rail crossings at a slower speed and look both ways before crossing the railroad tracks!
– Turn your radio down and listen for the sound of an approaching train.
– NEVER go around a railroad crossing gate!
COMING SOON:
MAY 29 – SAM FRAZIER CD RELEASE SHOW – Blues, Soul and Country singer Sam Frazier will have a CD release show at Henderson’s (Midfield), 7 p.m. Backed by his full band this will be a fun show as Sam is truly an entertainer. In his early days Sam played Dukes in Birmingham and had a 14 year stint on the Country Boy Eddie show. Later he had several shows in Vegas and then in Los Angeles with the Johnny Otis’ Rhythm and Blues Revue. MusicMaker just released his new CD “Take Me Back”. In August the Birmingham Record collectors will induct him into their Hall of Fame.
JUNE 5 – VULCAN BIRTHDAY BASH starts at 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Go to visitvulcan.com for more.
JUNE 6 – THE REVIVAL: TIME FOR A MORAL REVOLUTION OF VALUES, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the New Pilgrim Baptist Church, 708 Goldwire Place SW, Birminhgam, AL 35211.
JULY 16-17 – SLOSS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL, in Birmingham. Look for more soon.
AUGUST 20 – EVO 2016 5K Fit Challenge, 8 a.m. – Noon at the Sloss Furnace.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, LEBOISE DERU, TAMIA BRYANT-DeRu, ANOOP MISHRA, ROZ MITCHELL, STEPHONIA McLINN, LONNIE GLENN, DEE LINSON WATSON, MELISSA SHERRILL SNOW-CLARK, ANGELA WEBB, MELANIE DICKINSON, MATTHEW KAVON FANAEI, VELDA KINSEY, KENNETH CRITTENDEN, KARARR KENNEDY, TABITHA BOYD, LaVONDIA BRYANT, MIA FRITERMAN, BEN HARRELL, ROBERT, E. MOORE, III, MARVA V. DOUGLAS, DONNA EDWARDS TODD, and JEROME DAVIDSON, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS! MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! Celebrate your all 30 days!
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.)
