TODAY
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.
JOSE’ CARR WITH JAZZ ON FIRST, 6-9 p.m. at Jazzy’s on First Avenue North.
LIVE AT STEEL, 8 p.m. with SHARRON performing and DJ DUBB in the Mix at Steel on First at 23rd Street, downtown Birmingham. Get your live music and dance on every Thursday night.
POSITIVELY FUNNY IMPROV at the StarDome, 7 p.m.
LIVEBAND KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
TITANIUM BLUE, LITTLE MEMPHIS & FRIENDS, and EARL “GUITAR” WILLIAMS, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
FRIDAY
Christmas event Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria, Friday, 7:30 p.m. with CARLOS IZCARAY as Conductor at the Alys Stephens Center.
ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue.
FRIDAY UNWIND, every Friday, 7 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
COMEDIANS COUNTRY COOL 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.
HAM BAGBY & THE SIEGE – Live Recording and THE GARDINERS, 9 p.m. at the Nick.
VENUS, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SATURDAY
RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.
ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont.
COMEDIANS COUNTRY COOL at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.
THE TIP, JEZEBEL DOGS and LOLAS, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
THE 4 KORNORS BAND, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SUNDAY
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
COMEDIANS COUNTRY COOL at the StarDome Comedy Club.
DANIEL JOSE’ CARR WITH JAZZ, 5-8 p.m. at Club M.
MONDAY
ANNUAL MARTINI CHRISTMAS PARTY, 9 p.m. at the Nick.
TUESDAY
TIDE AND TIGER ON THE PATIO, 4 p.m. until … on Graymont across from Legion Field.
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.
JOSE’ CARR at the Boss Lounge, 8:30 – 11 p.m.
ROCKY DALE DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
WEDNESDAY
CASH & CLAY CHRISTMAS JAMBOREE, JOHNNY CHOPS, and KYLE KIMBRELL SOLO, 9 p.m. at the Nick
ROCKY DALE DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Oak Hill Bar & Grill.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS
BO BERRY QUARTET, 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
VENUS, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Friday. A female group ready to entertain you.
THE 4 KORNORS BAND, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Saturday.
NAKED TRUTH – THE STORYTELLER – The show Naked Truth – The Storyteller is Sunday, 5:30 p.m. at Jazzy’s on 1st Avenue North. The show features DanI with special guest Ashley Sankey, G.I., and 7even Rich.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS AND GARDEN LOVERS
SATURDAY DAY HIKE, 9 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Day hike at DeSoto State Park and Lost Falls. – DETAILS: Moderately easy hike in DeSoto State Park along the beautiful West Fork of Little River, various other trails in the park and visit Lost Falls. This is one of the most scenic state parks in Alabama. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 9 and over able to walk about five miles without complaining welcome. Enjoy an optional restaurant dinner together. Depart 9 a.m. from the Applebee’s in Trussville. For more info, contact Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or call (205)631-4680.
SUNDAY DAY HIKE, 2 p.m.
Southeastern Outings Moderate day hike Along Buck Creek in Helena, AL
Details: Explore the wilder side of Helena on a lovely creekside trail in Helena in Shelby County with a distance less than four miles. Hike rated moderately easy, briefly off trail and up some hills when the trail routes us away from the creek. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up welcome. Depart 2 p.m. from the parking lot for the Helena City Park on AL Highway 261 in Helena. Take I-65 to Exit #247, the Shelby County Route 17, Valleydale Road exit. Go to end of ramp and turn right regardless of whether you come from the south or the north. Take Co. 17, which changes from Co. Route 17 to AL 261, all the way into Helena. You will cross one railroad and then drive over a bridge with a dam and waterfall on the left. Immediately past the bridge, turn sharply back to the right just before you cross a second railroad and then drive into the parking lot for a city park right on the shore of the creek. Distances on Valleydale Road, (Shelby County Route 17) and then Alabama Route 261 from I-65 exit number 247 to driveway into Helena Park parking lot are 5.5 miles from bottom end of southbound ramp and 5.9 miles from bottom end of northbound ramp. For more info, call Mary Alice Thurman, (205) 823-5165.
FOR THE HOLIDAY LOVERS
HANDEL’S MESSIAH & VIVALDI’S GLORIA – The Alabama Symphony Orchestra is hosting the Christmas event Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria, Friday, 7:30 p.m. with CARLOS IZCARAY as Conductor at the Alys Stephens Center.
AAFB HOLIDAY PARTY – The American Advertising Federation Birmingham is hosting its Holiday Party on December, 6 – 9 p.m. at the Image Hive. The 2017 American Adverting Awards (a.k.a. the Birmingham ADDY’s) will honor the Birmingham areas best creative work and the great minds that who impact the advertising community. The ceremony will be Friday, February 24, 2017 at Events at Haven. Accepting entries for the 2017 ADDY’s! The deadline is midnight January 13th and drop-off is January 14th.
WHAT DO THE LONELY DO AT CHRISTMAS? – The very funny stage play ‘What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas’ is coming to the BJCC on Sunday, December 18. It has a star-studded cast that is bringing the soul of the holiday to the stage including Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness), Meelah (702), Willie Taylor (Making the Band 4), Ray Lavender (Tyler Perry and a writer, producer and songwriter) and Jamecia Bennett (Sounds of Blackness).
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CATS – Christmas with the Cats will be at the Carver Theater on December 22 and 23, 8 p.m. featuring RUBEN STUDDARD, ALVIN GARRETT and LOGAN THE ENTERTAINER. Birmingham will be Jingle-Bell Rockin’ at The Carver Theatre with one of the city’s most popular bands, Just a Few Cats. In 2003, Just A Few Cats began a holiday tradition, reuniting in concert with their original lead singer, Ruben Studdard, after he won American Idol season 2. Since his rise to stardom, a few other band members have found their way into the spotlight as well. The Grammy-Nominated Alvin Garrett and Logan The Entertainer have both launched successful solo careers through the “Just A Few Cats” family. Last year’s celebration was the first time featuring all three performers and adopting the nickname, “The Cats.” To their delight, The Cats presented a mixture of popular Christmas jams, original hit songs, and Classic R&B/Soul to a highly energetic sold-out crowd. The Cats have partnered with Coca-Cola to collect toys from generous guests to donate to the Rickey Smiley Foundation, which distributes gifts to needy families during the Holidays (www.rickeysmileyfoundation.org).
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – This captivating performance of the familiar classic will be presented, Friday, December 23, 8 p.m. at the Alabama Theatre. The Nebraska Theatre Caravan, the professional touring wing of the Omaha Community Playhouse, has been touring Charles Jones’ delightful adaptation of A Christmas Carol since 1979. The Caravan’s Carol, which weaves traditional Christmas carols throughout the narrative, is probably the most widely produced production of Dickens’ in the nation, annually performing for more than 100,000 people in more than 60 cities across the country.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING FOR CHILDREN, GIFTS AND FOOD – Holiday shopping can actually help fund child medical grants for Alabama families in need from United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF), as one option. Holiday gift ideas include:
- Award-winning Oliver & Hope children’s storybooks, along with plush characters
- Children’s joke books
- Digit’y Do — a new numbers game that combines elements of strategy and probability with a high dose of fun.
- Kid-designed holiday cards and 2017 wall calendars
- Grins to Go bags— this nylon draw string backpack is filled to the brim with a dozen toys, games and activities that will inspire and amuse any boy or girl between the ages of 4 and 12. All products are available at smile.Amazon.co (search for UHCCF) and 100% of the proceeds go to fund medical grants for children in AL and throughout the U.S. Alabama families in need should go to www.uhccf.org to review criteria and submit an online application.
KWANZAA CELEBRATION
UMOJO – December 26, 6 p.m. at Zee’s Takeout, 107 17th Street. (205) 250-6288.
KUJICHAGULIA – December 28, 6 p.m. at the Shebet’s Boutique, 2209 3rd Avenue North. (205) 266-0564.
UJIMA – December 28, 6 p.m. at the National Hookup of Black Women/The Family Center, 8301 8th Avenue South Eastlake. (205) 356-6417.
UJAMAA – December 29, JCCEO, 300 8th Avenue West, (205) 356-6417.
NIA – December 30, 6 p.m. at Ferrill’s African Wear, 610 ½ 19th Street, (Ensley) Upstairs, (205) 529-1182.
KUUMBA – December 31, 6 p.m. at the Muhammad Mosque, #69 at 521 Tuscaloosa Avenue, (205) 356-6417.
IMANI – January 1, 6 p.m. at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 3816 Ellis Avenue, S.W., (205) 529-1182. ADDITION: Learn about the Emancipation Proclamation, 3 p.m., call (205) 960-4237 for more.
FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE LOVERS –
ALL BLACK NYE 2017, hosted by TASHA SIMONE and the Birmingham Urban League with DJ BIG SWEATT, DJ MAVERICK and DJ SLIM ROBB on December 31st at The Hilton on Hwy 280. This is the Hottest Event of the Year !
MAKING A MOMENT A NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENT featuring CHARLES WINSTON on December 31st, 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. with all you can eat and drink while it lasts at 1439 4th Avenue North, Bessemer, AL 35020.
FOR ART LOVERS
SLOSS THEN AND NOW – Lawson State College is presenting Sloss Furnace entitled SLOSS THEN AND NOW by Adjunct History Instruction Gregory Wilson. This exhibition is about Red Mountain.
OUR VOICE, OUR WORLD – The Paul R. Jones Gallery presents the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art K-12 Fellows, Program Exhibit now through December 21. This is a collaboration between University Place Elementary School, Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle School and the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art. The Opening Reception is December 2, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (205) 345-3038.
“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.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS
AT THE STARDOME:
COUNTRY COOL is a straight-shootin’, no-holds-barred comedy show that laughs at what we’re all dealin’ with…the “this can’t really be happening” moments in life that make us feel like we’re losing our minds, one traffic jam at a time. Trish Suhr, Karen Mills and Leanne Morgan, all headlining comedians, have southern roots but are well-traveled, diverse, razor sharp and savvy. Their no-nonsense approach “tells it like it is” but, of course, with charm and style. It’s not redneck; it’s not white trash — these girls are country cool! It’s comedy for the masses, because, let’s face it, everybody’s got a little country in ‘em. These three women have been friends for more than a decade and have stood in it, walked through it and come out the other side laughing. Whether it’s overcoming cancer, the loss of a beloved pet or talking each other down from the hormonal ledge, they continue to find the humor in everything life dishes out.
ROCKY DALE DAVIS – Rocky Dale Davis is a Stand-up comedian from Brookwood, Ala. He was just recently featured on MTV’s Greatest Party Stories becoming a fan favorite episode. Rocky was truly able to showcase his storytelling ability on MTV discussing a lost connection with a girl that he posted on Twitter and got 17,000 retweets. Rocky was also hand picked by Kevin Hart and had the opportunity to film with Kevin’s new stand up show “Hart Of The City”, where Kevin Hart himself showcases young talent across the country set to air on Comedy Central. He has opened for some of the biggest names in stand up including Ralphie May, Tommy Davidson, Donnell Rawlings, Michael Blackson, Jon Reep, Tom Segura, and Bret Ernst. Most recently Rocky was a semifinalist in the prestigious Laughing Skull Comedy Festival.
FOR HELPING YOUTH
WATCH PARTY TSU TIGERS VS DUKE BLUE DEVILS – Tennessee State University Tigers plays the Duke University Blue Devils, December 19, Monday night, 7 p.m. at the Four Seasons Sports Bar and Grill, 719 Graymont Avenue North. (See you there!) Donations are for the TSU Scholarship Fund. (You can make a $12 donation to the TSU Scholarship Fund, text TSUNAA to 50155 or go online to: www.tnstate.edu/tsunaascholarship).
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – TSU Tigers Birmingham Chapter is hosting its annual Scholarship Brunch, January 7, 10 a.m. in the Harbert Center. The Honorable Harold Love is the Speaker.
FOR CHILDREN
TAKE OUT BULLYING – The Jefferson County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in conjunction with The Alabama School of Fine Arts present “Take Out Bullying.” The Alabama School of Fine Arts Theatre Arts Ensemble uses humor and personal experience to showcase skits which confront teen bullying and other social issues related to teens head on. The event will be hosted by Harmony Mendoza, Meteorologist at WVTM 13. The event is FREE and open to the public. Dates and locations: C. J. Donald Elementary School (K-6) – Jan. 11, Irondale Middle School – Jan. 18, Jonesboro Elementary School (K-6) – Jan. 27, Corner Middle School – Feb 8 (subject to change), Huffman Middle School – Feb. 28, and
Phillips Academy (K-6) – Feb. 28.
BPL TEENS PROGRAMS – Birmingham Public Library programs for teens and preteens include engineering workshop, knitting, and homework assistance.
Do you want to learn how to make and edit your own movies and podcasts? Have an interest in burning your words into new media formats for the world to see and hear? Join the Central Library Youth Department, 2100 Park Place downtown. For more visit www.bplonline.org.
FREE HOMEWORK HELP – REMEMBER!!! The library is offering free homework help for elementary- to high school-age students. Register by calling (205) 324-8428. Check the calendar at www.bplonline.org.
FOR SPORTS LOVERS
OVC NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK – Olivia Jones was named adidas ® OVC Newcomer of the Week. Tennessee State women’s basketball senior Olivia Jones was named following her performance at Lipscomb recently. Jones, who sat out the first part of the season after transferring from Middle Tennessee, nearly posted a double-double in her debut as a Lady Tiger. She recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals, two assists and one block in the victory over Lipscomb.
The Murfreesboro, Tenn. native was an integral part of TSU erasing a nine-point fourth quarter deficit. She scored six straight points to pull TSU within one before the Lady Tigers took the lead on the next possession. In overtime, she made key plays to help secure the win. The Lady Tigers return to action December 21, Wednesday night versus Fisk at home. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Gentry Center. This marks TSU’s first OVC weekly honor of the season.
COMING SOON
DECEMBER 27 – R. KELLY presents THE 12 NIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS.
DECEMBER 31 – ANTHONY HAMILTON with special guests GUY, AARON HALL and TEDDY RILEY LIVE IN CONCERT, 8 p.m. at the BJCC
JANUARY 7 – TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH at the Harbert Center, 10 a.m.
JANUARY 10 – 11 – RICKEY SMILEY at the StarDome.
FEBRUARY 10 – BRIAN McKNIGHT, KELLY PRICE and SHANTE MOORE at the BJCC Concert Hall.
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.)
