By Gwen DeRu
TODAY
JOELL REGAL, BOBBY ROCKNROLLS, MATRIXX OF DOMINATION, and THE SOLAR SYSTEM (ZACH EVANS), at the Nick.
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SCRANTON 5000 TRIVIA at Saturn.
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY – BIRMINGHAM ART CRAWL 2018, 5 -9 p.m. in Birmingham downtown. 120 19th Street North. BIRMINGPRINTS is the featured artist.
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
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
CRAWL, THE GODDAMN RIGHTS and ADLET at The Nick
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
PIANIST BRIAN SIMPSON, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
COREY SMITH, 8 P.M. at Iron City.
NOWHERE SQUARES, DREE LEER and RYNEA SOUL at Saturn.
FUNNY FREE FRIDAYS (Comedy Show) at Good People Brewery, 9- 10:30 p.m.
FRIDAY NIGHT EXPERIENCE at Luxe Ultra Lounge.
JAZZ at FRIDAY UNWIND, 6 p.m. – midnight, at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
LIVE JAZZ at UNWIND FRIDAY, 8 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd with great jazz.
PASSPORTS FRIDAYS, 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. at Legends Sports Lounge with Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Afro-Beats and Top 40. FREE until midnight.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
SATURDAY
RAILROAD PARK is where the fun is Saturday.
COMEDIAN TENNESSEE TRAMP featuring JERRY HARVEY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
THE BRISKET BELT TOUR at the StarDome Comedy Club.
EAT DRINK AND RIDE NIGHT FOOD TOUR WITH COMEDIENNE JOY, at 6 – 10 p.m. meet, in Brookwood Mall, at Grille 29.
SNV – SATURDAY NIGHT VIBES, 10 p.m. at Platinum.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, every Saturday, at Luxe Ultra Lounge, 300 24th Street S with DJ CHOCOLATE.
PIANIST BRIAN SIMPSON, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
ROYAL THUNDER, BACKWOODS PAYCHECK and STONED COBRA at The Nick.
SUNDAY
SUNDAY JAMS – CONCERT & BRUNCH SERIES, 11:30 a.m. at Iron City.
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
SOULFUL SUNDAYS at Perfect Note.
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
MONDAY
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY At the StarDome Comedy Club.
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.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
JOSE’ CARR at the Boss Lounge, 8:30 – 11 p.m.
COMEDIAN GERALD KELLY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
THE LIVING STREET, BATTITO, VAGITTARIUS, REBECCA EGELAND at the Nick.
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS at Saturn.
WEDNESDAY
WINE AND JAZZ at the Perfect Note.
DEAD COUNTRY GENTLEMEN and MILK JUG at The Nick.
COMEDIAN GERALD KELLY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT THURSDAY
RADIO MOSCOW at the Nick.
COMEDIAN CHRISTOPHER TITUS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FOURTEEN 76 APP DEBUT at Saturn.
NEXT FRIDAY
COMEDIAN COREY HOLCOMB at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SARAH PEACOCK, KYLE KIMBRELL DUO and GW & THE RIDGE RUNNERS at The Nick.
MACHINE HEAD at Saturn.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
SAVEFIRST INITIATIVE – FREE TAX PREPARATION – In partnership with the Office of Mayor Randall Woodfin, Impact Alabama will hold a joint press conference with the City of Birmingham, today, at 10 a.m. at Smithfield Library (#1 8th Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204) announcing that Impact Alabama’s annual free tax preparation services for working families will be available at five locations in the Birmingham area – Bessemer, Roebuck, Smithfield, West End, and Woodlawn. The SaveFirst initiative will provide free income tax preparation services to working families making up to $54,000/year with kids in the home or $20,000/year without kids in the home. Interested individuals should call 1-888-99-TAX-AL for a free appointment.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM SPORTS, today, 7:30 – 9 a.m. at the UAB Bartow Arena, in the Green and Gold Room.
FOR YOUTH
ANOTHER CARING EXAMPLE – The City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) is re-launching Another Caring Example Mentoring.
Another Caring Example is a direct serve mentoring program through DYS for Birmingham boys and girls ages 8 -17 years old. This is a great opportunity for youth to participate in a program that focuses on developing adolescents socially and emotionally. The program is designed to provide and equip Birmingham’s youth with another caring example to inspire them to become leaders of tomorrow.
Another Caring Example participants take part in gender and age specific sessions that cover topics relevant to the issues they face today. Participants get access to DYS special events and programs. Sessions are held once a month from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. The 2018 Applications should be submitted by Friday, February 16 (previous ‘Another Caring Exampl’e participants must register for 2018). Interested in having your child participate in Another Caring Example? Return the application to Ms. Crystal Ash at Crystal.Ash@birminghamal.gov or mail to: City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services, 1608 7th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS AND SPOKEN WORD
JOELL REGAL, today, 9 p.m. at the Nick. Singer, songwriter Joell Regal is from Birmingham AL. Joell Regal, also interpreted as Royal Prophet, is poised to reign as one of the most profound songwriters amongst her peers. Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, she was raised in the heart of Birmingham, where her love for music emerged at the early age of 7. She has since discovered a passion for songwriting, using her voice and guitar as a means of transforming her life experiences into “melodic words”. Joell first started performing in September of 2012, and has since been moving full speed ahead, opening up for various artists such as jazz flautist Claudia Hayden, and Los Angeles’ own DeQn Sue. With sounds ranging from folk to jazz, and from ballads to hip-hop, this artist is a one-stop shop for great music and genuine talent. Spectators of her shows have deemed her “A life saver” and one who “…casts spells on the audience,” as she sings. With lyrics that uplift and exude passion, Joell has set her sights on not only changing her community, but ultimately the world, by way of music and poetry, one listener at a time. Joell Regal is well on her way!
SUNDAY JAZZ, 5 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SPOKEN WORD OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Third Sunday, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS
THE HOLOCAUST IN FILM on TODAY – LAST LAUGH at 6:30 p.m. and February 4- AMMON’S JOURNEY at 2 p.m., 2222 Arlington Avenue (ground floor of the Bayer Properties Building. For more, www.bhecinfo.org. FREE with discussion by Dr. Andre Milliard of UAB.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS
AT GOOD PEOPLE BREWING
EVERY FRIDAY:
FUNNY FREE FRIDAYS (COMEDY SHOW), 9 – 10:30 p.m., at Good People with Birmingham’s finest comedy show at a brewery. It’s free and features the best comedians from around the country.
AT THE STARDOME
THIS WEEKEND
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY – Funny-man Rickey Smiley is known for making millions laugh for over 25 years. As a much loved comedian, television host, and top rated nationally syndicated radio personality, Smiley has earned a reputation for delivering for audiences on and off stage. With the distinct ability to take everyday observations and turn them into comedic gold, Smiley is a standout in the entertainment world. Rickey Smiley is one of the few “clean” comics amongst the upper echelon of contemporary great comedians. His audiences are treated to such original characters as “Mrs. Bernice Jenkins,” “Lil’ Daryl,” “Joe Willie” and “Buford.” In addition, his comedy shows often include a live band, which he accompanies playing several instruments and singing.
SATURDAY
COMEDIAN TENNESSEE TRAMP featuring JERRY HARVEY – JANET WILLIAMS, better known as Tennessee Tramp. Audiences consist of folks 18 to 80 as her subject matter encompasses all ages, genders, and ethnic groups. She has an endearing stage presence that makes her audiences think of her as a crazy grandmother, a wacky aunt, or a nutty neighbor. All can relate to her in some way.
TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY
GERALD KELLY – Comedian Gerald Kelly, as seen on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” Comedy Central, HBO, and BET, gives a very special Fathers’ Day performance with his multitalented son Isiah. Gerald has performed all over the world — from Los Angeles to West Africa – and has been seen on NBC and ABC. He’s worked as a radio show host on New York’s WBLS-FM and in Hartford on Hot 93.7. Gerald just shot a new stand-up special and appeared in the motion picture “Budz House.” Under his father’s watchful green eyes, young Isiah Kelly started performing stand-up at the age of 10. He appeared on NBC’s “Showtime at the Apollo” and by the age of 11 he was a regular at Carolines on Broadway. He opened up the Hot 97 April Fools Day Comedy Show, and also performed at the Montreal Comedy Festival — all before the age of 12. He’s also appeared in the films “The Cook Out 2,” and is now opening up for international sensation Russell Peters and R&B legends Boyz to Men.
FOR ART AND PERFORMING ART LOVERS
ALL THAT ART! ALL THAT JAZZ! – An exhibition of work by Arcadia Elementary School students, through February 23, at the Paul R. Jones Gallery in Tuscaloosa.
MLK TAPESTRIES BY PETER SIS – Ireland-based Bill Shipsey is a human rights activist, artist event promoter and producer, barrister, and the founder of Art for Amnesty-Amnesty International’s global artist engagement program. Since 2012 he has conceived and commissioned 12 monumental memorial tapestries. These tapestries are on permanent loan at various airport and museum locations around the world. Three new Peter Sis-designed tapestries honoring Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. are on display at the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham. These tapestries are at the BCRI through March 16.
FEBRUARY 1 – 26 – BLANKET SERIES BEYOND THE SURFACE – The University of Alabama Gallery presents ‘Blanket Series Beyond the Surface’, the artwork of KEVIN COLE at 620 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, 35401. Reception is February 2, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Gallery. The exhibition is from February 1 – 26.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
SATURDAY DAY HIKE, 9 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Waterfowl Viewing Trip at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (WNWR), Decatur, AL – DETAILS:
Experience the thrilling sight of thousands of sandhill cranes, wild geese and ducks plus herons and other birds. The Refuge has the largest concentration of wintering geese and ducks in the entire state of Alabama! You don’t need to be a bird watcher to enjoy this outing! This 35,000 acre refuge attracts thousands of wintering waterfowl each year. WNWR is comprised of diverse habitat types including bottomland hardwoods, wetlands, pine uplands, shoreline or riparian woodlands, agricultural fields, and backwater embayments. These habitats provide excellent feeding, resting, and roosting sites for wintering waterfowl, white pelicans, sandhill cranes and a few whooping cranes as well as nesting sites for migratory songbirds and many species of resident wildlife. Guide is Dwight Cooley, the recently retired Refuge Manager. We will drive to various bays and sloughs to easily see hundreds of ducks and geese in large numbers and so many other types of birds including, hopefully, bald eagles.
There will even be a huge flock of sandhill cranes which winter at the refuge each year. Bring binoculars, a birding field guide and a spotting telescope with you if you have them. This outing is rated easy, as there is very little walking involved, and we won’t be climbing any hills or walking through thick brush. Dress for the weather. The wind at the refuge can be biting, blowing across open water on cold days. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 10 and over who can remain quiet for extended periods of time (so as to not disturb the birds and bird watchers) are welcome. Optional dinner after the birding trip depending on what time we finish bird watching. Depart at 9 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride parking lot, or you may meet the group at 10 a.m. at the WNWR Visitor Center with driveway entrance on AL Highway 67 between Priceville and Decatur 2.7 miles west of the Highway 67 exit (Exit number 334) off I-65. We’ll carpool from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride meeting place up to the refuge. Info: Dan Frederick, (205)631-4680 for additional information.
SUNDAY DAYHIKE, 1:30 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike on Montevallo Parks Trail – DETAILS: Enjoy an easy four-mile hike on a trail in Montevallo. The main trail is two miles one way and goes through parks, by two picturesque, flowing streams, and around a beautiful University-owned lake in a wooded park. Total hiking distance is about four miles. This guided tour is an easily walkable trail. Please bring plenty of water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress appropriately for the weather. Depart 1 p.m. from the McDonald’s Galleria or meet the group at 1:30 p.m. at the parking lot beside the larger bridge over Shoal Creek that is the wide creek that flows through Orr Park between the ball fields and the open recreational area in the park in Montevallo. The bridge is right beside the parking lot along the creek at the back of the ball fields. If you would like driving directions from Hoover to Orr Park sent to you before the hike, email Dan Frederick. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and able to complete the hike are welcome. Optional dinner after the hike. Admission to Trail: Free. For more information: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or (205)631-4680.
COMING SOON
FEBRUARY 10 – LALAH HATHAWAY, RAHEEM DEVAUGHN and LEELA JAMES IN CONCERT at the BJCC.
FEBRUARY 14 – DUETS, DANCING & DESSERTS at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
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 orgwenderu@yahoo.com.)
