SOUTHERN SUMMER NIGHT – The Junior Board of Hands On Birmingham is hosting its annual Southern Summer Night, today, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Tavern on First in downtown Birmingham’s Historic Loft District. There will be fabulous food and an auction.
BACK TO SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION – VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED – Show the children that WE CARE by joining the community as we beautify 43 Birmingham City Schools, Saturday, 8 a.m. until Noon with trimming bushes, edging, planting flowers and mowing the front entrance of each school plus mow and pick up trash on all the school grounds. Volunteers can sign up at www.handsonbirmingham.org Special Events. HOB will provide water. The City of Birmingham will provide the flowers. This is a partnership between the Birmingham City Schools, Hands On Birmingham and Birmingham Education Foundation. For more, call (205) 458-8934.
BASEBALL AT REGIONS FIELD – The Birmingham Barons will return to Regions Field Sunday to start a five game set against the Tennessee Smokies.
SUNDAY – BARK IN THE PARK – The Birmingham Barons return to Regions Field Sunday for a five game series against the Tennessee Smokies, AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Fans are encouraged to bring their dog Sunday evening, as the Barons host Babe Ruff’s Bark in the Park with a 6 p.m. first pitch at Regions Field. Tickets for dogs are just $10 each, with all proceeds benefitting the Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) and their canine will automatically be entered in a contest to see Adele at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. Owners are required to have at least a general admission ticket and sign a waiver verifying that their dogs have the required vaccinations and meet standards for a social setting, and dogs are not allowed outside of the general admission area into the main seating bowl. The Parkside Picnic Area will be reserved for our dog guests and owners, with numerous cooling stations set up throughout the ballpark. The GBHS Trailer will be located just inside the gates of the outfield entrance at Regions Field with a variety of dogs up for adoption.
MONDAY – YP MONDAY – YP Monday continues the series into August with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
TUESDAY – HOT DOG NIGHT TUESDAY – Arrive early Tuesday, as the Barons give away a kids’ hat to the first 1,000 fans 12-and-under thanks to our friends at Little Debbie. Fans can feed the entire family for less than $5 with another 50-cent Hot Dog Night at Regions. Tuesday’s 7:05 p.m. game also marks the latest Social Media Night at Regions Field, with a number of great prizes available if you “Tweet Your Seat” and follow the Barons Snapchat story.
WEDNESDAY – AAA Wednesday marks the penultimate game of the series with a 7:05 p.m. start in downtown Birmingham. AAA of Alabama members can show their membership card at the box office and receive a $2 discount off select seats.
THURSDAY – THIRSTY THURSDAY – Thirsty Thursday rounds out the series with a 7:05 p.m. start at Regions Field. Hunnicutt Willis will take the stage for a pregame concert along the first base concourse as part of the Thursday Night Concert Series presented by Birmingham Mountain Radio. FOR MORE INFORMATION call 205- 988-3200.
SUMMER FUN DAYS AT THE ZOO – The Birmingham Zoo invites the community to Half-Price Summer Fun Days on the weekend. There will be half-price admission, half-price rides, discounted merchandise and $1 hot dogs in the cafes. The Dino Discovery will have a discounted price of $3 every day before it goes extinct on Labor Day. The zoo hours are 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. for the extended summer hours. Enjoy these days this and next weekend. For more go to www.birminghamzoo.com.
TODAY
THIRSTY THURSDAY at the Baron’s game at Regions Field.
OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, every Thursday at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials, 4 p.m. For more call (205) 326-2881.
LIVE AT STEEL, 8 p.m. with SHARRON performing and DJ CDUBB in the Mix at Steel on First Avenue at 23rd Street, downtown Birmingham. Get your live music and dance on every Thursday night.
DIRTY GIRL WITH CAHABE, ALEXA RANKIN at Saturn, 200 41st Street South, Birmingham, AL.
FRIDAY
BOOK RELEASE PARTY – IT WAS ALL A DREAM Book Release Party, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Summit Club, 1901 6th Avenue North, downtown. For more visit www.tdi2r.org.
A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF 1977 at Saturn.
RODNEY CARRINGTON at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FANCY FRIDAYS, 5 p.m. featuring JILLIAN GRAY with YARBROUGH & COMPANY every Friday at Legends on 18th Street North, Downtown, Birmingham. This is an After Work Experience hosted by Keely and Tiger and catered by Chef Jones. Call (205) 212-4406 for more.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
SATURDAY
FOURTH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN HOMEWOOD SIDEWALK SALE, 9 a.m. until. in Downtown Homewood.
SUPERHERO SATURDAY at 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the McWane Science Center.
RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.
SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.
COMEDIAN Rodney Carrington at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SALSARAMA PARTY at Saturn.
SUNDAY
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
JAZZ IN THE PARK, 6-9 p.m. at Wylam Park, 1101 Detroit Street with SHAUN PEZANT, and BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE BAND.
COMEDIAN Rodney Carrington at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TUESDAY
OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m., every Tuesday, at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge with $.50 wings and drink specials. For more call (205) 326-2881.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until on Graymont across from Legion Field.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
WILLIE PERRY DAY, 6 p.m. Wednesday, at Old Car Heaven. A HERO’S LEGACY – ALWAYS HELPING IN THE COMMUITY – Thirty-one years have passed since Birmingham’s Batman patrolled the highways and byways to change a tire, offer a ride or even pay for lodging for stranded out-of-towners. But his daughter and others don’t want his memory to fade, having formed the Willie J. Perry Foundation. The foundation’s Wheels of Change project restores donated cars and gives them to single parents. There are also community education programs to address bullying. The foundation’s other initiatives include weekly visits to feed the homeless and elderly, and the Willie J. Perry Vanguard Leadership Awards in November. The restoration of Perry’s car is another goal; the foundation wants to return it to the road as a symbol of helping others. For more, go to facebook.com/WilliePerryFoundation and also facebook.com/rescuetherescueship.
– See more at: http://alabamanewscenter.com/2016/06/23/birminghams-batman-legacy-lives-daughters-efforts/#sthash.AuOZonAf.dpuf.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
JAZZ at the Perfect Note in Hoover at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
JAZZ IN THE PARK BIRMINGHAM – Magic City Smooth Jazz presents JAZZ IN THE PARK at the Wylam Park, with SHUAN PEZANT BAND and BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE BAND, 6 – 9 p.m. FREE!!!!
SECRET STAGES – Next week (August 5th and 6th) see bands from everywhere for two full days. PLUS… Join Secret Stages and Sidewalk Film Festival for films during the festival on August 6th Saturday. One film is Burn to Shine 6: Atlanta at 2 p.m. and another is The Sade and Beautiful World of Sparklehorse, 3:30 p.m. at the Festival. (Look for more next week, in PPT)
BACK TO SCHOOL
BACKPACK BLOCK PARTY W/ HOT107.7 FM, Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. At Homewood Church of Christ For ages K – 8th grades. Enjoy 1,000 Backpack Giveaway, FREE Health Screenings and much more! For more information, call (205) 942-5683
BIRMINGHAM ALIVE – The Rickey Smiley Foundation presents BIRMINGHAM ALIVE Back-2-School Rally, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Legion Field. Hosted by radio show host Rickey Smiley, enjoy a day filled with music, games, resourceful information and more. The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.therickeysmileyfoundation.org/.
ERIC BLEDSOE SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY – The School Supply Giveaway is Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Regions Field. School supply giveaway while supplies last. Eric Bledsoe & NBA Players Exhibition Game on Sunday, August 7th at 4 p.m. at Parker High School. For more information, call (205) 327-3822
MOTIVATIONAL SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY – The School Supply Giveaway is Saturday, August 6, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Gunn Christian Academy 5201 Sugar Ray Drive, Birmingham 35228. School supply giveaway while supplies last. For more info, call 205-218-5011
FIRST DAY OF CLASS for Birmingham City Schools, Monday, August 8 –
Have you registered yet? On-site registration times differ per school. A list of school registration times and dates may be found online at www.bhamcityschools.org. For questions about registration, please send emails to reghelp@bhm.k12.al.us.
FOR CHILDREN
2016 SUMMER MOVIE SERIES – This is the last week that the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Series (DYS) has movies for youth that participated in the Summer Enrichment Program through the library. Youth read a book, do a report and get a FREE ticket. MOVIE: TOMORROW, Ice Age 5. Call DYS for more information at (205) 320-0879.
HAPPY HEALTHY KIDS FAIR – Join other children and parents in the Birmingham Area at the Happy Healthy Kids Fair on next Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Riverchase Galleria.
TAKE A CHILD TO THE DOCTOR DAY is September 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the YMCA Youth Center, 2400 7th Avenue North. Call (205) 320-0879 for more.
DISNEY DREAMERS ACADEMY is taking applications until October 31, for youth ages 13-19 that live in the United States and enrolled in high school grades 9-12. For more go to: disneydreamersacademy.com.
FOR LOVERS OF ART AND HISTORY
TEN ALABAMA ARTISTS EXHIBITION – The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) features the work of 10 Alabama artists through August 26 in the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Central Library who are members of the Watercolor Society of Alabama (WSA). The display is in the Fourth Floor Gallery of the Central Library, 2100 Park Place, in downtown Birmingham. FREE. For more call (205) 226-3670.
“DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR & THE CHICAGO FREEDOM MOVEMENT: PHOTOGRAPHS BY BERNARD J. KILEINA Exhibition” is at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute displaying its collection of rare color photos, through December in the BCRI’s Vann Gallery. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement. These photographs are some of the only known color photographs of Dr. King in Chicago. Bernard Kleina was a priest in Chicago that wanted to get involved in the movement, who removed his collar, picked up his camera and marched.
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3- p.m. at the BMA where you can unlock the secret works in the Museum’s collection by cultivating the art of looking slowly.
FOR FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
CREATING AND MANAGING WEALTH – The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is hosting a Financial empowerment conference, Saturday, August 27, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Trinity Baptist Church, 900 Graymont Avenue West, downtown, 35204, including financial guidance, onsite credit guidance, creating a busines plan, investment property and rental property and building wealth (retirement and multiple sources of income). For more, call (205) 781-8181 or email www.akaomicronomega.org.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS
Every Thursday is Positively Funny Improv. Check out RODNEY CARRINGTON. Rodney Carrington is a multitalented comedian, actor, and writer who has recorded eight major record label comedy albums selling over two million copies. Two of these albums have been certified gold by the RIAA. Rodney starred in his own TV sitcom Rodney, which ran for two seasons on ABC. He also co-wrote and co-starred with Toby Keith in the feature film Beer for My Horses. According to Pollstar, Rodney was the 4th highest grossing touring comedian in 2009. He regularly performs to sold out crowds across the US and Canada. Call (205) 444-0008 for more.
MORE DATES: August 2-3 – COUNTRY COOL, August 12-14 – LESTER BIBBS, August 26-28 – MIKE EPPS, September 16-18 – JOHN WITHERSPOON, September 30 – October 2. See you there!
AT THE PRATT CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR CARE GIVERS: HOSPICE CARE AND HOW IT CAN HELP – The Pratt City Branch Library, 509 Dugan Ave. in Birmingham, is hosting a free workshop. Gentiva Hospice will lead the free workshop “Learn About Hospice Care and How It Can Help You,” providing valuable tips on how to avoid caregiver stress and burnout. Ms. Melanie Johnson will be at Pratt City Tuesday, August 11, 11 – 11:45 a.m. for a seminar giving information on elderly abuse and warning signs to look for. In the workshop, Ms. Johnson will share tips on how to look for changes associated with aging or declining health. The Pratt City Library will also host workshops on women’s self-defense and elderly abuse. Call (205) 226-3746 for more.
BIRMINGHAM FASHION WEEK!
If you are interested in fashion, style and live in the immediate Birmingham Area, Birmingham Fashion week is August 25-27 at the Boutwell Auditorium.
The Birmingham Fashion Week was founded on the ideals for bringing unity to our community through fashion. The 6th Annual Birmingham Fashion Week will be bigger and better than ever before. See local and national designers, local and national boutiques, rising design stars, emerging designers with models, make-up and hair artists competing as they showcase their talents on the runway. Hair and Makeup Artists deadline is tomorrow, Friday. For more information, go to www.bhamfashionweek.com.
COMING SOON
AUGUST 17 – NETWORK AFTER WORK, 6-9 p.m. at 2901 Second Avenue South.
AUGUST 18 – ESTELLE WITHERSPOON DINNER by the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund
AUGUST 20 – EVO 2016 5K FIT CHALLENGE at Sloss Furnace, 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
AUGUST 27 – FASHION WEEK at the Boutwell Auditorium.
AUGUST 31 – RENSHAW DAVIES, the New Orleans folk and roots duo is at The Nick, 10 p.m.
SEPTEMBER 8-10 – SAINT GEORGE MELKITE CATHOLIC CHURCH MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 22-23 – TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY’S Alabama 500 and fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the most anticipated NASCAR Chase Elimination races of 2016.
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.)
