People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu

By Gwen DeRu

TODAY 

 WILLY WONKA, JR., 7:30 p.m. today, tomorrow and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. For more, go to www.virginiasamford.org. 

BANTAM FOXES, NEW DEVILS and HOTBED, at The Nick. 

COMEDIAN DREW THOMAS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

LIVE BAND KARAOKE, 7:30 p.m. at Perfect Note. 

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. 

AFTER WORK AFFAIR every Thursday, 4 p.m. at 1st and 23rd. 

FRIDAY 

Y’ALL CONNECT CONFERENCE, at Rosewood Hall, 2850 19th Street South, Homewood, 35209. For more, go to www.yallconnect.com. 

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO and WILL KIMBROUGH at Saturn. 7 p.m. 

GREENLIGHT BAND on UNWIND FRIDAY, 8 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd with great jazz. 

COMEDIAN DREW THOMAS 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. 

JACKSON ULMER, RENSHAW DAVIES and BATTITO, 9 p.m. at the Nick. 

LATRESE BUSH, 7 p.m., at the Perfect Note. 

SATURDAY 

Live Music at Jazzi’s on 3rd. 

RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday. 

THE LADIES OF featuring JAMES HALL, IN THE PINES and THE NEXT APPOINTED HOUR at the Nick. 

TIG NOTARO and MICHAEL MCCALL at Saturn. 

QUINTRON AND MISS PUSSYCAT at Saturn. 

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, every Saturday, at Luxe Ultra Lounge, 300 24th Street S with DJ CHOCOLATE.  

COMEDIAN DREW THOMAS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

SUNDAY 

PARK AND CREST MARKET, 11 a.m. 

SUNDAY BRUNCH at 1st and 23rd. 

SHADES & SUNDRESS SOIREE, 4-9 p.m. at the Wine Loft. 

SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art. 

PEYOTE COYOTE at The Nick. 

COMEDIAN DREW THOMAS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

JAZZ IN THE PARK IN BIRMINGHAM, Arlington Antebellum Homes and Garden featuring First Class Jazz and Josh Vietti, 6- 9 p.m. 

MONDAY 

BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND, 9 p.m. at The Nick. 

CARD PLAYERS SPOT at the 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. 

A PLACE BOTH WONDERFUL AND STRANGE, THE MURDER OF JANE CROW and JACQUIE COTILLARD at the Nick 

PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown. 

JOSE’ CARR at the Boss Lounge, 8:30 – 11 p.m. 

COMEDIAN BRUH MAN, 7:30 p.m. at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

YOUR PEST BAND, GT, and THE INVISIBLE TEARDROPS at Saturn. 

WEDNESDAY 

THE COMA KIDS, THE MCRYATTS and AMERICAN PASTIME, 9 p.m. at the Nick. 

WINE AND JAZZ at the Perfect Note. 

WAXAHATCHEE, PALEHOUND and OUTER SPACES at Saturn. 

COMEDIAN JULIE SCOGGINS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

 NEXT THURSDAY 

THE BEATLES HARD DAY’S NIGHT followed with music by THE RAINE BAND, 6 – 11 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Company. 

THE STIR, THE PINX and HAPPY LEMMY, at The Nick. 

COMEDIAN JULIE SCOGGINS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

NEXT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 

COMEDIAN JULIE SCOGGINS at the StarDome Comedy Club. 

NEXT SATURDAY 

THE OLD GRAY LADY – Legion Field Stadium, the Old Gray Lady, celebrates its 90th anniversary with former college and pro legends, stadium tours, fun zone for the kids, ESPN youth football combine and the movie Woodlawn on the video board. Gates open at 3 p.m. Free! Call 205-254-2391. 

SUMMER JAM 2017 – City Council District 9 announced the official concert lineup for Summer Jam 2017 on August 19, 5 9 p.m. Regionally-renowned band Top Secret will serve as headliner for the music event. Additional performing artists include local favorite Netra and producer John Boy & Surround Sound – whose works include hits for popular national recording artists including Young Jeezy, Young Joc, Ying Yang Twins, Soulja Boy, Too Short and more. Summer Jam 2017 will also feature street vendors, an “Open House” highlighting downtown Ensley businesses and grand prize giveaways. Confirmed food truck partners include Dirty Red, Granny’s Fish & Grits, Magic City Sweet Ice and Kin Folks Grille & Catering. Summer Jam 2017 will take place at the corner of Avenue F and 19th Street Ensley as part of the fourth and final outdoor concert installment under the current District 9 leadership. Summer Jam is an initiative by City Councilor Marcus Lundy to promote unity, highlight economic development potential and celebrate the rejuvenation movement of Ensley’s historic downtown. For more information contact Jose Perry, Jr. at 205.254.2302, or jose.perryjr@birminghamal.gov. 

AT THE STARDOME THIS WEEKEND 

DREW THOMAS. The comic stylings of Drew Thomas are a hilarious portrayal of comedic storytelling. He draws his audience in with his accounts of relationship follies and keen retorts on everyday life and current affairs. Drew’s insight on comedy leaves you with a sense of intimacy that makes women want his number; guys want to grab a beer with him and everyone laughing all night.

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 and gwenderu@yahoo.com. )