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People, Places and Things By Gwen DeRu

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Gwen DeRu

 

CONGRATULATIONS SELENA LEE AS BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS’ REGIONAL WINNER IN 2016 C-SPAN STUDENTCAM COMPETITION

 

Bright House Networks recognized Selena Lee from Ramsay High School as a regional winner in the C-SPAN 2016 StudentCam video documentary competition.

 

StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. For the 2016 competition, students in grades 6-12 were asked to create a short (5-7 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the 2016 competition theme, “Road to the White House”, and the issue they most want the candidates to discuss during the 2016 presidential campaign. Selena’s video, entitled Voter “I.D. Law; Pro or Con for American Voters”, was one of four recipients of the 2016 Bright House Networks C-SPAN StudentCam regional competition. As a regional award recipient, Selena will receive a $1,000 cash prize, as well as a $1,000 donation to Ramsay High School in her honor, to be used for digital video equipment.

 

 

 

June is Black Music Month!

 

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK

 

 

HAVE SOME FUN IN THE SUN!

 

TODAY:

 

FIRST THURSDAY: AFTER HOURS AT THE BMA with a new film series at the BMA starting today, 7 p.m. with ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’  FREE. Come early to enjoy the open galleries, drinks, and tapas at First Thursdays: After Hours at the BMA. Take a blanket!

 

 

One of the ‘Hottest Jazz Festivals in the Nation’ attracting people from around the world to Birmingham starts today.

 

STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL SOIREE, with ALVIN GARRETT and LOGAN THE ENTERTAINER and Precision Groove featuring Deirdre Gaddis, 7:30 p.m. at the Harbert Center.

 

FRIDAY

 

STEEL CITY JAZZ at Linn Park fun begins at 5 p.m. with Marcus Anderson followed by Mindi Abair and BoneShakers & Marion Meadows; and Paul Taylor Sax in The City at 7:40 p.m. The great Boney James takes the stage at 9 p.m. The Friday nite party under the stars continues at 10:30 with Morris Day and The Time until midnight!

 

BARDS & BREWS OPEN MIC at the Avondale Library, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. with music by JOSH WHEELER.  There will be free craft beer sampling and light refreshments. Open to the Public and FREE. (Look for more Bards & Brews at the Vestavia Hills Library on July 8.)

 

COMEDIAN FELIPE ESPARZA at the StarDome Comedy Club, this weekend.

 

SATURDAY

 

STEEL CITY JAZZ FEST in Linn Park starting at 11 a.m. The fun continues with the legendary Ben Tankard at 12:30 p.m. Music continues at 2 p.m. with Jazz Funk Soul comprised of some of today’s hottest acts: Chuck Loeb, Jeff Lorber and Everett Harp. Then, at 3:30 p.m. Maysa followed by BWB, Rick Braun, Kirk Whalum & Norman Brown at 5 p.m. Ken Ford lights the stage at 6:30 p.m., at 8 p.m. David Sanborn. Closing out the night, Frankie Beverly and Maze, 9:30 p.m. until.

 

SUNDAY:

 

JAZZ IN THE PARK Jazz in the Avondale Park with Chris Standing and Soul Collaboration, 6-9 p.m.

 

TUESDAY:

 

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.

 

TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until on Graymont across form Legion Field.

 

 

 

FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS:

 

CANOE AND KAYAK TRIP at Locust Fork River. DETAILS: A fun Southeastern Outings canoe and kayak trip on Section 1 of the Locust Fork River in Blount County.  This stretch is fairly easy and without classified rapids.  Along the river see lots of wildflowers and stop to investigate islands and beaches. Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their canoe. Rental fees include shuttle service. Also the outfitter will shuttle for a fee the drivers of all cars bringing private boats used on this outing. If you wish to rent a boat from Eric Nolen, please call the outfitter BEFORE June 4 at (205) 429-5455 to reserve your boat. Tell the outfitter you are boating with Southeastern Outings. Depart 9 a.m. from the Cleveland Chevron Service Station. Reservations Required by email seoutings@bellsouth.net or call (205) 631-4680.  Leave your your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you are bringing a canoe or kayak and whether you need a paddling partner. If you have further questions, please contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.

 

 

FOR ART LOVERS

 

AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART:

 

ART ON THE ROCKS 2016 – The Birmingham Museum of Art is hosting Art on the Rocks for its 12th Season: June 17, July 22 and August 19. There will be art, music, food and more. The first AOTR of the summer will feature a performance by AMASA HINES, a seven-piece band with big sound from Little Rock, Arkansas. Their influences come from a diverse range of Soul, Afro-Beat, Psychedelic, Blues, Dub, and Indie Rock styling.

 

 

FOR MUSIC LOVERS

 

Deon Yates (Photo Courtesy)
Deon Yates (Photo Courtesy)

 

JAZZ SAXOPHONIST DEON YATES at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m.

 

 

JAZZ IN THE PARK – Enjoy JAZZ IN AVONDALE PARK, Sunday, 6-9 p.m. with CHRIS STANDRING and SOUL COLLABORATION. (In case of inclement weather, it will move to the Carver Theatre, downtown.  FREE.)

Chris Standring (Photo courtesy)
Chris Standring (Photo courtesy)

 

TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE – Don’t miss the FATHER’S DAY SHOW, June 19th with TJ HOOKER TAYLOR and RENITA BRAXTON PICKENS. 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.

 

 

FOR COMEDY LOVERS

AT THE STARDOME: Every Thursday is Positively Funny Improv and this weekend… Check out FELIPE ESPARZA Friday through Sunday.  That’s right, straight off of touring with The Queens of Comedy at the StarDome.

Felipe Espara (Photo Courtesy)
Felipe Espara (Photo Courtesy)

COMING SOON to the StarDome Comedy Club, 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.

 

 

FOR THE FAMILY:

 

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMER READING AND MORE –

 

Have a teenager who loves to play video games? Ever wondered what goes into designing them? Then register your teen for Get in the Game with Virtual Reality, a workshop in which UAB’s ET (Enabling Technologies Laboratory) will provide an awesome interactive presentation and discussion for teens regarding virtual reality complete with giant screens. Want to have fun exploring chemical reactions, such as mixing diet Coke with Mentos candy? Then your teen would love Get in the Chemistry Game, a workshop where they explore activities that show chemistry can be cool. Does your child like animals? They would love Scales, Tails, and More!, a workshop in which Alabama 4-H will introduce them to kid-friendly critters. Other activities will allow library patrons to see sports artifacts from Birmingham’s new Negro Southern League Baseball museum and exercise classes.  Even adults can get into the fun, with a summer full of activities including Coloring for Adults, poetry workshops, knitting lessons, learning the basics of Japanese paper folding, and tips from an artist on how to paint your own masterpiece. Registration with forms is available in any of the 19 BPL locations and online at www.bplonline.org. If you don’t have time to visit a BPL location, go on the link below to register online, log your books, and view the event calendar:

http://www.bplonline.org/summerreading.aspx#Kids_Summer_Reading.

 

 

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.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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