MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
TODAY
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CATS – Christmas with the Cats, today and tomorrow, at the Carver Theater, 8 p.m. featuring RUBEN STUDDARD, ALVIN GARRETT and LOGAN THE ENTERTAINER.
OLIVIA’S HAPPY HOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY, 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.
ROCKY DALE DAVIS at the StarDome, 7 p.m.
SHAWTY FATT TRIBUTE SHOW, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
FRIDAY
A VERY PINKERTON CHRISTMAS, ANDY JACKSON and the MARY TYLER MORMONS, 8 p.m. at Saturn.
ON THE PATIO AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue.
FRIDAY UNWIND, every Friday, 7 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
COMEDIAN ROCKY DALE DAVIS 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.
LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES – ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR GROWING KINGS AND THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER, 9 p.m. at the Nick.
LIVE BAND KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SATURDAY
RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.
CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont.
SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.
CHRISTMAS EVE PARTY, 2 p.m. at The Nick.
FLUTIST KIM SCOTT, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
COMEDIAN ROCKY DALE DAVIS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SUNDAY
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
DANIEL JOSE’ CARR WITH JAZZ, 5-8 p.m. at Club M.
NEW DEVILS, DIRTYGIRL, and UNDERLAND EXPRESS, 9 p.m. at The Nick
MONDAY
DJ RELVIS, 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.
RIVERBEND, THE LIE WITHIN CALLIE and MILK JUG at The Nick.
WEDNESDAY
CUSTARD PIE, MIDNIGHT MATINEE and CHASE ARRINGTON REVELRY, 9 p.m. at the Nick
CASIO KID at the StarDome Comedy Club.
OPEN MIC NIGHT at the Oak Hill Bar & Grill.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS AND SPOKEN WORD
BO BERRY QUARTET, 7 p.m. to midnight every Friday at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
LIVE BAND KARAOKE, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Friday.
CHRISTMAS WITH FLUTIST KIM SCOTT, 7 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Saturday.
JAZZ JAM SESSIONS, every Fourth Sunday, 6 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (Carver Theatre), except for Christmas. Jam with GARY MOTLEY on January 22.
SPOKEN WORD OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Third Sunday, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.
STUDENT JAZZ BAND FESTIVAL, April 20-22 at the Jazz Hall of Fame, Carver Theatre. New Student Roll Call for 2017 Saturday Jazz classes for new students coming soon.
FOR THE HOLIDAY LOVERS
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).
BPL HOLIDAY EVENTS – The Birmingham Library has a few more events…A Holiday Movie Marathon, today, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Smithfield Branch Library, #1 8th Ave. W. See your favorite movie – or two – and bring your favorite holiday snack to share.
CHAPTER CHATTER BOOK CLUB, next Wednesday, (Dec. 28) at 10:30 a.m., in the North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd St. North. The Chapter Chatters Book Club will be celebrating the season with good books, music, and snacks during the annual holiday party.
(All BPL locations will be closed for the Christmas holidays Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Dec. 26, reopening on Tuesday, Dec. 27. BPL locations will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday Saturday, Dec. 31 through Monday, Jan. 2, reopening on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – This captivating performance of the familiar classic will be presented at the Alabama Theatre, tomorrow, 8 p.m. 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.com (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
NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION, 9 p.m. December 31, at STEEL First and 23rd with FREE Party Favors and DANCING all night long.
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 FURNACES: THEN AND NOW – Lawson State College is presenting an exhibition entitled SLOSS FURNACES: THEN AND NOW by Adjunct History Instructor Gregory Wilson. This exhibition is covering the history of Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and the rise of the Birmingham Industrial District. The exhibition is weekdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. until February 28, at the ACATT Building, (Birmingham Campus). For more information, email: gwilson@lawsonstate.edu.
A SHARED INDIVIDUALITY by husband and wife duo James Rodger Alexander and Pamela Venz, January 5 – 30, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Dinah Washington Center Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. A reception will be held January 6, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“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:
THIS WEEKEND, ROCKY DALE DAVIS – Rocky Dale Davis is a Stand-up comedian from Brookwood, AL. 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.
AND CASIO KID, next Wednesday and Thursday…Matt Mitchell better known as Casio Kid, describes himself as “a pure southern mash boogie comedian from Alabama with bare feet, mush-mouthed drawling and a mile-wide social streak.” He doesn’t know what that means, but he saw it on a Lynyrd Skynyrd bio and thought it sounded cool. Matt got his start as the “Casio Kid” on the nationally syndicated Rick and Bubba radio show. After his hit reality tv show, “THE FATCHELOR” rocked the airwaves of the Turner South channel he put his radio career on hold and moved to Hollywood. After entertaining the nation as an on-air correspondent for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he continued this rapid rise from small town class clown to nationwide fame. After many appearances in music videos, game shows and commercials on MTV, FOX and more…he started hitting the road as a stand-up comic.
FOR HELPING YOUTH
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.
GOOD SPORTS AND ESPN DONATES TO A.G. GASTON BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB – Good Sports teamed up with ESPN and the Birmingham Bowl to make a $5,000 sports equipment donation to the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club. The donation contains a variety of equipment, including flag football belts, footballs, volleyball equipment, basketballs, basketball uniforms, and soccer equipment, which will help the organization enhance their after-school sports programs. Through this community relationship, Good Sports is supporting ESPN’s activation across five (5) College Football Bowl games by making equipment donations within local markets, including Atlanta (GA), Birmingham (AL), Boise (ID), Dallas (TX), and Forth Worth (TX). In addition to these donations, the affiliation includes a $100,000 investment to support Good Sports’ expansion into the New York market. The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club is a safe space for over 1,400 kids to go to after school and during the summer months. This donation is going to help replace equipment that has been worn out due to high attendance and year round use. The A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club is a key asset to Birmingham’s youth.
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.
FOR SPORTS LOVERS
NASCAR NEW BRAND IDENTITY – Looking for the races in 2017 at Talladega Superspeedway and the new brand for NASCAR has everyone talking about the recent changes in the motorsports industry. Combining a history that stretches more than 65 years with a future infused with a new premier series entitlement sponsor and a next generation of stars, NASCAR unveiled a new brand identity recently via its social and digital media platforms. NASCAR also unveiled the mark and name for its premier series, which will become the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2017. The new brand identity – which replaces the familiar bar mark that had been in place since 1976 – uses the colors and feel of past marks, while modernizing it to fit with the new era the sanctioning body enters in 2017. It becomes the fifth mark in NASCAR history. The new mark incorporates pieces of each of NASCAR’s previous marks, including the red, yellow and blue coloring from the first three marks, respectively, and the ‘racing bars’ that accompany the acronym ‘NASCAR’ from the prior iteration. Talladega Superspeedway’s next NASCAR weekend is set for May 5-7, 2017 with the Sparks Energy 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race and the GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series event, in addition to the General Tire 200 for the ARCA Racing Series. Log on to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call 877-Go2-DEGA for more information.
FOR GARDEN LOVERS
BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS – Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its’ annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. The event recognizes time donated by those that assist in the day-to-day operations of The Gardens, from major events to education. Hope Cooper was presented the Ida C. Burns Volunteer of the Year award for her continual service in many areas of the organization and her significant impact on The Gardens. Bart McCorquodale was presented the A. Brand Walton, Jr. Unsung Hero of the Year award for his independent and “behind the scenes” contributions. Girl Scouts Troop #31017 was recognized as Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Partner of the Year for helping The Gardens to multiply its effort and achieve its mission. Gail Snyder was awarded the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Plantsperson of the Year for sharing her plant knowledge and skills with other individuals who volunteer. Gail Pless and Ruth Varnell were awarded Educators of the Year for their educational efforts promoting public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment.
COMING SOON
DECEMBER 31 – NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION at STEEL First and 23rd.
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 Comedy Club.
FEBRUARY 3-5 – WORLD CUP USA VS SWITZERLAND at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
FEBRUARY 10 – BRIAN McKNIGHT, KELLY PRICE and SHANTE MOORE at the BJCC CONCERT HALL.
MARCH 11 – NATURAL HAIR & HEALTH EXPO at the BJCC.
MARCH 24 – CHRIS ROCK at the BJCC.
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.)
