TODAY
**LIVE BAND KARAOKE, 7 – 11 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
**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, 7-10 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.
**MIKE GARDNER at the StarDome, 7 p.m.
**THE SINGING BUTCHER, EARLY JAMES & THE LATEST, AND THE PRESCRIPTIONS, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
FRIDAY
**DJ CED AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont Avenue.
**FRIDAY UNWIND, every Friday, 7 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
**COMEDIAN MIKE GARDNER 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.
**C2 & THE BROTHERS REED, KYLE KIMBRELL BAND and SUBURBAN LOVE JUNKIES, 9 p.m. at the Nick.
**THE CLUTCH BAND, 8 – 11 p.m., at the Perfect Note.
SATURDAY
**TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – TSU Tigers Birmingham Chapter is hosting its annual Scholarship Brunch, 10 a.m. at the Harbert Center. The HONORABLE HAROLD LOVE is the Speaker.
**DEREK SELLERS BAND, 8 – 11 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
**RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.
**DJ CED AT THE TIDE AND TIGER on Graymont.
**SOULFUL SATURDAY at Steel 1st and 23rd Club.
**DAZE OF BROKEN FATE, CRUSHING ATLAS and FOREVER BROKEN, 10 p.m. at The Nick.
**COMEDIAN MIKE GARDNER at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SUNDAY
**SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
**MIKE GARDNER at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**VOICES IN VAIN, DRIVER and LEVELS at The Nick.
MONDAY
**DJ RELVIS, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
**CARD PLAYERS SPOT AT TIDE AND TIGER, 6 – 12 p.m.
TUESDAY
**TIDE AND TIGER HOT TUESDAY, 3 p.m. until … on Graymont across from Legion Field with $.50 wings and drink specials until 9 p.m. For more call (205) 503-3880.
**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.
WEDNESDAY
**REDLEG HUSKY and PHILOS MOORE, 9 p.m. at the Nick
**MIKE GARDNER at the StarDome Comedy Club, Wednesday through Sunday.
**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.
**THE CLUTCH BAND, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Saturday.
**DEREK SELLERS BAND, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note, Saturday. Enjoy great jazz with the Derek Sellers Band.
**A NIGHT WITH DWELE, 7 p.m at First and 23rd, hosted by DJ CHOCOLATE.
**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 ART LOVERS
**FREEDOM? – An exhibition FREEDOM?, is at the University of Alabama in the Paul Jones Gallery, January 23 – April 28.
**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, today through January 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 tomorrow, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
**SATURDAY DAYHIKE – Southeastern Outings Dayhike, at Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest – DETAILS: Moderately strenuous four-mile hike in a highly scenic location, Upper Quillan Creek Forest Area. Most of the hike is off trail with lots of ups and downs, and several rock-hopping crossings are required across small creeks. Walk along a creek and old road to a nice waterfall. The path out or in (depending on which group you are in) will be along an old road. Stop for lunch at the site of an old mill. See several small waterfalls on side creeks and tributaries to Quillan Creek. Visit at least two other pretty waterfalls on Quillan Creek itself along the way. Bring lunch and water for the day. Expect to finish about 4 p.m. with an optional dinner after. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 9 up and able to walk four miles off trail without complaining welcome. Reservations Required: Call Dan Frederick, (205) 631-4680 or email your reservation to seoutings@bellsouth.net by 5 p.m. today. Leave your phone number or email address. Outing is limited to 20 people (two separate groups of 10 people with a separate leader). The leader will advise meeting time and place to those who have signed up for trip. To cancel, please telephone Dan, (205) 631-4680 right away.
**SUNDAY DAYHIKE, 1 p.m. –Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Oak Mountain State Park – DETAILS: Enjoy a moderate four mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon. This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors. This hike may be partially off the color-coded trails with some ups and downs. Supervised children age 8 and up able to walk the distance of four miles and complete the hike are welcome. Depart 1 p.m. from the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. Bring $5/person ($2. seniors and children) park admission fee plus your drink. Info: Call Bob Lamb, (205) 408-7431
FOR BOOK LOVERS
**Read some cool library books and earn a circus ticket at the same time.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and BPL are partnering to host the Out of This World @ Birmingham Public Library! Kids can earn virtual badges and prizes including a Ringling Bros. circus ticket by simply reading. Children of all ages through 12th grade can register online or at one of BPL’s 19 locations. The BPL Reading Challenge ends on Jan. 22, 2017.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS
AT THE STARDOME: THIS WEEKEND, MIKE GARDNER, January 4 – 8th. Mike Gardner is a rising young star on the comedy circuit! Gardner just released his second DVD Special “Better Than a Real Job”. His edgy autobiographical humor will take you on a roller coaster ride of subjects from his Redneck Mother and growing up with six-sisters… to his celebrity run-ins during his previous life as a prestigious country club golf pro. You’ve seen him on MTV, FOX, WGN, and you’ve heard him on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show, and Sirius XM Radio.
FOR HELPING YOUTH
**TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – TSU Tigers Birmingham Chapter is hosting its annual Scholarship Brunch, Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Harbert Center. The HONORABLE HAROLD LOVE is the Speaker. Love is the son to the late Rep. Harold M. Love, Sr. and Mary Y. Love, the last of five children and the only male. Currently, Love is pursuing a PhD in Public Administration at Tennessee State University. While attending Tennessee State University as an undergraduate he marched in the Aristocrat of Bands, was initiated into the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “Mighty Rho Psi” Chapter and elected president of the Graduating class. He accepted his call to the ministry in June of 1995 and was ordained an elder by the Tennessee Annual Conference in 1999 then received his first Pastoral assignment. Since October 2002 he has been the Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Nashville, TN. He is a member of Prince Hall Lodge #1 F.&A.M., Mount Sinai Chapter #135 Royal Arch Masons, Mount Ararat Council #5 Royal and Select Masons, Apollo Commandry #1 Knights Templar, J.A. Henry Consistory #48 Scottish Rite Mason 33° and Hella Temple #105 Shriner. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Tennessee State University Foundation, The 18th Avenue Family Enrichment Center, Nashville Branch of the NAACP. He is a member of the House Calendar & Rules, Business & Utilities and Education Committees for the 109th Tennessee General Assembly. SUPPORT TSU STUDENTS.
**HEADSHOTS FOR SCHOLARS – This Networking and scholarship fund-raising event will support the YNOT Foundation Scholarship Fund, Saturday, 6-9 p.m. at the Magnolia House, 916 – 23rd Street, South. Get a business professional head-shot and the ladies can get a professional makeup done with a donation.
**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.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATIONS
**FIELD OF DREAMS AT THE NEGRO SOUTHERN LEAGUE MUSEUM (NSLM) – The Negro Southern League Museum is hosting a new event called Field of Dreams, a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, January 16, noon – 4 p.m. at the NSLM. The purpose of this event is to commemorate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by recognizing the role baseball played in the Civil Rights Movement and the integration of American society. Event goers will tour the museum, meet former Negro League and Industrial League players and help create the Negro Southern League Museum’s Field of Dreams Humanitarian Baseball Collage! Guests will also enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies compliments of Royal Cup Coffee and Bud’s Best Cookies, music and food will be made available for purchase by Greg’s Hotdogs. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more details, follow the museum on Facebook and Twitter @NSLMBham or visit www.birminghamnslm.org. Join the Negro Southern League Museum as we celebrate the man, the dream and the game of baseball.
**A MESSAGE TO THE FUTURE FROM THE KEEPERS OF THE DREAM – The Citywide-Montgomery 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is January 18, 6 p.m., at the Historic Davis Theatre in downtown Montgomery. A matinee of the event occurs that morning at 10 a.m. This will be the third annual celebration sponsored by both Alabama State University and Troy University-Montgomery at the incredible and historic venue of the Davis Theater, which highlights Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” The event’s executive director and producer is ASU’s dean of its College of Visual and Performing Arts (and acclaimed star of Hollywood television and cinema), Dr. Tommie ‘Tonea’ Stewart. The theme of the event is “A Message to the Future from the Keepers of the Dream,” which reflects the programs’ desire to move forward as we continue to bond as a community. This celebration is a joint effort of the Friends of the ASU Theatre, Troy University-Montgomery and The Alabama State University.
COMING SOON
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.)
