By Gwen DeRu
TODAY
PEACH AVENUE, BIBLE BELT and BURDEN CONTROL at the Nick.
COMEDIAN KILLER BEAZ at the StarDome Comedy Club.
COCKTAILS & CONVERSATIONS, every Thursday at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
30/40 HOOKAH LOUNGE, every Thursday, at Luxe Ultra Lounge.
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 KILLER BEAZ at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TERRY OHMS, HOLIDAY GUNFIRE and DREE LEER at The Nick.
An evening with SHOVELS AND ROPE, 8 p.m. at Iron City.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
MARCO BENEVENTO with ALEXZANDER ISAIAH, 8 p.m. at Saturn.
GUITARIST MATT MARSHAK, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SHOVELS AND ROPE, 8 p.m. at Iron City.
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 KILLER BEAZ 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.
SATURDAY NIGHT LAUGHS, 8 p.m. at Bennie Mac’s on 1st.
LALAH HATHAWAY, RAHEEM DEVAUGHN and LEELA JAMES IN CONCERT, 8 p.m. at the BJCC.
SNV – SATURDAY NIGHT VIBES, 10 p.m. at Platinum.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, every Saturday, at Luxe Ultra Lounge, 300 24th Street South with DJ CHOCOLATE.
GUITARIST MATT MARSHAK, 8 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
FUTURE ELEVATORS, NERVES BADDINGTON and RED HARP at The Nick.
THE BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR – PICK BOX BURLESQUE’S 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE TO THE BIG LEBOWSKI, 8 p.m. at Saturn.
SUNDAY
DAVID FINCKEL and WU HAN, 2 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Center.
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
SOULFUL SUNDAYS at Perfect Note.
COMEDIAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
ROYALTY, J DAWG and LIL VAEH at the Nick.
HUMANITARIAN AID FUNDRAISER: BLACK HOSE KIDS, HEAVY USER, ME & MY KNIFE and LAUGHING SWORD, 5 p.m. at Saturn.
MONDAY
BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
CARD PLAYERS SPOT at the TIDE AND TIGER, 6 – 12 p.m.
TUESDAY
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER at the BJCC Concert Hall.
FIESTA TUESDAY at 1st and 23rd, all night.
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.
SOPPIN WET CINEMA PRESENTS DAVID BOWIS: A VISUAL COMPENDIUM, 7 p.m. at Saturn.
THE BLIND OWLS and LORD NELSON at the Nick.
WEDNESDAY: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED, 8 p.m. at Saturn.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS, every Wednesday at 30/40 Hookah Lounge.
WINE AND JAZZ at the Perfect Note.
MANHATTAN3, ZARINAH & THE ZARATANS, GIGI SCOTT & TROUBLE TOWN and LATE NIGHT W/P.O.T.I.S at The Nick.
COMEDIAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT THURSDAY
SAXOPHONIST ERIC DARIUS at the Perfect Note.
THE DIRTY LUNGS, THE DIRTY DELUSIONS, DREW DIXON and THE JIMJIMS at the Nick.
COMEDIAN QUINN DAHLE at the StarDome Comedy Club.
OMNI with LADY LEGS and CAPTAIN KUDZU, 8 p.m. at Saturn. FREE!
NEXT FRIDAY
COMEDIAN QUINN DAHLE at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SAXOPHONIST ERIC DARIUS at the Perfect Note.
BLOODKIN and WILL STEWART at The Nick.
SATURN’S MARDI GRAS BASH & WIDESPREAD PANIC AFTER PARTY! STARRING: NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS, 9 p.m. at Saturn.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS
BLACK PANTHER PRIVATE SCREENING – There will be a private screening of Black Panther at Patton Creek in Hoover, February 15th, 6 – 10 p.m. with a panel discussion from 6 – 7 p.m. on Afro Futurism and the Movement Giving Rise to Black Panther. Tickets are at BPBHAM.com. Proceeds benefit the Daniel Payne Community Plaza Job Training Program. Call (770) 605-9438 for more.
FOR BOOK LOVERS
WHY ARE THEY FOLLOWING ME? – Author DR. JOYCE GILLIE GOSSOM’s book ‘Why Are They Following Me – How to Lead More Effectively’ is a easy read, fun, straightforward, insightful and motivating book. The book is not your typical leadership book, includes personal stories that really bring home the meaning of true leadership. You can relate to it from your personal experiences or know someone that it reminds you of them. Her examples make it an easy read. It can be for anyone whether a leader (or teacher) of any organization including corporate America. It should become a resource for anyone who wants to be a leader or become a better leader. The helpful and practical advice are what one can relate to in life to make a positive difference in their business, institution or company.
FOR THE COMMUNITY
BIRMINGHAM: WHO ARE WE? – Birmingham: WHO ARE WE?
A Progressive People, A Rich Legacy… You are cordially invited to an afternoon of Birmingham: WHO ARE WE? A Progressive People, A Rich Legacy…” The event will consist of Community Conversations on Race, Heritage, Business and Culture, Friday, 12 Noon – 5 p.m., at the Birmingham Museum of Art Auditorium. For more information, contact The Ballard House Project, Inc. Facebook page and www.ballardhouseproject.org.
TEXTURES OF JAZZ”: THREADS OF CHANGE – A new art exhibit, “Textures of Jazz: Threads of Change,” by Leanna Leithauser Lesley, will debut at the Central Library downtown on run now through March 31. “Textures of Jazz” is a 25-piece jazz portrait exhibition by Birmingham artist Leanna Leithauser Lesley in honor of Black History Month. Her collection of jazz needlepoint portraits are accompanied by bios introducing the role each of these remarkable musicians played in jazz history, American history and civil rights history. The exhibit will feature two workshops by the artist Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., with live music in Central Library’s Atrium. There is an Opening Reception, Feb. 15, noon – 2 p.m. in the Fourth Floor Gallery.
SINGLE, SAVED AND WAITING ON GOD CONFERENCE – Pastor Van Moody, author and Pastor of Worship Center is the featured speaker with worship, panel discussion, vendors and more, February 17th, 9:30 a.m. at the Embassy Suites, 2300 Woodcrest Place, Birmingham, 35209. For more info, visit www.helloruth.weebly.com.
Finding Your Roots, Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 12-14, 4 p.m. at Five Points West Regional Library – Educator Henry Louis Gates Jr. has hosted several PBS series that examine U.S. history. In “Finding Your Roots,” the Harvard professor continues his quest to get into the DNA of American culture.
“Stroke Mythbusters” Facts and Myths about Strokes, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Learn the truth about stroke, presented by UAB Comprehensive Neuroscience Center and Dr. Michael J. Lyerly, director of the UAB Vascular Neurology Fellowship Program and director of the Stroke Center at Veterans Affairs.
SAVEFIRST INITIATIVE – FREE TAX PREPARATION – 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.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
SATURDAY DAY HIKE, 10 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike at the Lake Guntersville State Park – DETAILS: The hiking trails in Lake Guntersville State Park traverse moderate to difficult terrain and cover over 36 miles of park property. They are multi-use trails, serving as hiking, biking, horse trails, are varied with some following alongside the banks of the Tennessee River and there are others leading to seasonal waterfalls and wildflowers, and some piquing your interest just by their name alone such as the Old Still Path and the Moonshine Trail. The trails will differ in length from .5 miles to 3.5 miles yet connect with one another to form a loop of trails that add up to about six miles. Pack a picnic lunch and head out for a day exploring the ridges, waterfalls and river in beautiful Lake Guntersville State Park. Bring a friend or several if you wish. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 and up welcome. Optional dinner after. No charge for park admission. Depart 10 a.m. from the Floor and Décor Store on Green Springs Highway. Info: Randall Adkins, (205) 317-6969.
SUNDAY
DAYHIKE, 1 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike, at the 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. Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails. There will be some ups and downs. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up able to walk the distance of about four miles and complete the hike are welcome. Share an adventure! Bring a friend. Depart 1 p.m. from the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot.Bring $5/person ($2 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink. Info: Edd Spencer, (205)317-5868.
NEXT THURSDAY
DAYHIKE, 8:30 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike in Tannehill State Park – DETAILS: This is a weekday hike. Enjoy an easy three or so-mile hike on trails in an especially lovely Alabama State Park. And the site is very near Birmingham! Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins, and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece. The same ingredients afford today’s visitors a pleasurable escape from modern life. If you are retired or not working on this particular Thursday, you are urged to participate in the Southeastern Outings’ group hike on the trails and get a feel for the location and scale of the land. Bring water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress appropriately for the weather. Depart 8:30 a.m. from the parking lot behind the McDonald’s across from The Galleria on U.S. Highway 31 in Hoover. Optional lunch after the hike. There is a park admission of no more that $5. Information: Christine Heckemeyer, (205) 979-5730.
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 Example’ 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
CLASS IS IN SESSION – SATURDAY JAZZ GREATS: KEARN HOW TO PLAY JAZZ FROM THE PROS, now through February 24 on Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, downtown. Do you know an aspiring young musician who wants to play jazz? Class is in session. Orientation is ongoing for a limited time.
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 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 BENNIE MAC’S ON 1ST
SATURDAY NIGHT LAUGHS – LIVE AT THE BARBERSHOP, 8 p.n. at Bennie Mac. Check out RONNIE JORDAN (Atlanta), JAY R. BROWN (Montgomery), B STUCK Birmingham), COACH WESLEY, and Comedic Narrator BENNIE MAC. For more, call (205) 585-7273 or go to www.comedyinbham.com.
AT THE STARDOME
THIS WEEKEND:
COMEDIAN KILLER BEAZ. Killer Beaz continues to use his successful formula of high energy with universal appeal as one of the nations top comics touring theatres and large clubs throughout the country. “Save Up!” Find out more about this “King of Comedy!” as he is hailed by the Clarion-Ledger at www.killerbeaz.com, and don’t miss an opportunity to catch “The Best Buzz in Town”…you’ll be stung for life!!!
FOR ART AND PERFORMING ART LOVERS
ART AFTER 5 – FUTURE SEX LOVE SOUNDS, 5- 9 p.m. Friday at the Birmingham Museum of Art. You’ll fall head over heels for the special adults-only gallery tour and a heart-breaking cocktail tasting from guest mixologist Clair McLafferty. The night will also feature a screening of My Bloody Valentine to get your heart pumping and a fun maker’s activity for all to enjoy!
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art with Master Docent Julia Stork and a discussions on The Barricade by George Bellows.
20TH ANNUAL RUSHTON CONCERT, 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art featuring pianist DANIEL HSU as he brings his award-winning performances to Birmingham for the first time.
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.
NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 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 FOOD LOVERS
Soul Feast with James Washington, Friday, 11 a.m.-noon at Pratt City Branch Library- Chef James Washington will demonstrate some tasty soul food dishes that will leave your mouth watering. Bring your appetite and take notes on how to add a little flair to your traditional soul food recipes.
A Taste of Black History with Chef E, Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. at Titusville Branch Library – Join Chef E for a healthy cooking demonstration. This program is free and limited to 25 adults. Call 205-322-1140 to register.
COMING SOON
FEBRUARY 14 – DUETS, DANCING & DESSERTS, at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
FEBRUARY 22-23 – THE MEETING, at Avondale Gallery & Loft.
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.)
