By Gwen DeRu
TODAY
SOUND SESSIONS IN THE GRILL with COTTON BIRD TRIO, at Iron City.
IRON MIKE NORTON and JERRY CASTLE at the Nick.
COMEDIAN MARVIN DIXON at StarDome Comedy Club.
BAD EXAMPLE WEST COAST TOUR FUNDRAISER with FORCED NEGLECT and BLACK PLASTIQUE +1 TBA at Saturn.
MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
FRIDAY
COMEDIAN CHRIS KATTAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
THE SUNSETS, PINKY DOODLE POODLE and THE VORPAL SWORD at The Nick.
DWIGHT YOAKAM at Iron City.
PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE at Saturn.
SAXOPHONIST TOM BRAXTON at the Perfect Note.
FACEBOOK FRIDAYS, every Friday, at the Legion in Fairfield, 5 p.m. Happy Hour, 7 p.m. Line Dance, 9 p.m., DJ Vick Goes Live and Ladies are free until 10 p.m.
MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
TIM SPINOSI’S COLOSSAL COMEDY SIDE SHOW at the StarDome Comedy Club.
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.
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.
SATURDAY
SUMMER DREAMS, 10 p.m. at Luxe Ultra Lounge so you can Do What You Like in White!
VOCALIST DANTE HALL at Perfect Note.
SOUND SESSIONS in The Grill at Iron City with KYLE KIMBRELL.
THE AUDIOVORE SLOSSFEST AFTERPARTY at The Nick.
COMEDIAN CHRIS KATTAN 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.
GOOD PEOPLE BREWERY PRESENTS: SATURN NIGHTS WITH FUNK YOU, 8 p.m. at Saturn.
SUNDAY
INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR A. AKBAR MUHAMMAD SPEAKS AND SIGNS BOOK – Historian, author, lecturer, scholar and former bookstore owner, A. Akbar Muhammad will speak, Sunday, 10 a.m. at the Muhammad’s Mosque #69, 521 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Birmingham, 35211. He will have book-signing afterward.
ONE DAY CLOSER, IF ALL ELSE FAILS, ANNIHILISM, ATYAC and SATYR at The Nick.
COMEDIAN CHRIS KATTAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
JAZZ AND FOOD at Perfect Note.
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
SOULFUL SUNDAYS at Perfect Note.
MONDAY
BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND, 9 p.m. at The Nick.
CARD PLAYERS SPOT at the TIDE AND TIGER, 6 – 12 p.m.
TUESDAY
FREE! SUBSTRATE BINGO AT SATURN at Saturn.
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.
ASH OF EDEN, PACO LIPPS, THE RED CLAY STRAYS at The Nick.
WEDNESDAY
FANTASTIC NEGRITO with LAMONT LANDERS BAND at Saturn.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS
FLICKS AMONG THE FLOWERS at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens with the movie JAWS, 8 p.m.
SOUND SESSIONS IN THE GRILL at Iron City.
PLANET AXE TOUR – BRANDON GIBBS BAND, RYAN ROXIE, JOEL KOSCHE w/ (TEMPORARY) SAVIORS at The Nick.
LIVE JAZZ, every Wednesday, at The Marble Ring, 430 41st Street South, Suite B.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY, every Wednesday at 30/40 Hookah Lounge.
WINE AND JAZZ at the Perfect Note.
COMEDIAN EMO PHILLIPS at StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT THURSDAY
SOUND SESSIONS IN THE GRILL with COTTON BIRD TRIO, at Iron City.
HEADCASE, TOPSOIL, LASTING IMPRESSIONS at the Nick.
COMEDIAN BEN BAILEY at StarDome Comedy Club.
JOYWAVE at Saturn.
NEXT FRIDAY
COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TRAUMA ILLINOIS, SMOKING WITH THE BANDIT at The Nick.
THE MINIMALISTS: SIMPLY SOUTHERN TOUR at Iron City.
RAYLAND BAXTER with OKEY DOKEY and BRETT BIGELOW at Saturn.
PEOPLE MAKING WAVES
INTERNATIONAL AUTHOR A. AKBAR MUHAMMAD SPEAKS IN BIRMINGHAM – Historian, author, lecturer, scholar and former bookstore owner, A. Akbar Muhammad will speak, Sunday, 10 a.m. at the Muhammad’s Mosque #69, 521 Tuscaloosa Avenue, Birmingham, 35211. A. Akbar Muhammad is the author of the book AFRICA & THE WORLD REVISITED. Africa-wise, although he hails from the Diaspora, his “African-ness,” is beyond question, and it comes through loud and clear in the book. This book introduces the reader to many of Africa’s 54 recognized countries by a guide, called an ambassador and a foreign minister – who has himself traveled to 44 of those 54 capitals since his first visit in 1976. For 12 years, he was based in Ghana. From there he was a frequent visitor to all the hotspots in Africa.
Akbar will be signing books after he speaks. He also acquaints the reader with his remarkable lifelong relationship with Min. Farrakhan. As a “Welcome to Africa” tour-book alone, this would be a great book to check out. But as an encyclopedic study guide for a serious understanding of Africa, its history, its politics, this book is an important, required resource. “This should be the dream of those in the Diaspora” he writes. “From Casablanca to Comoros, from Cairo to Capetown, from Jibouti to Blantyre, from Accra to Addis, from Kumasi to Kisangani, and from Niamey to Mombassa: Africa has soul.” For more information, contact Samimah Aziz at www.cousintrips.com. The book is available on www.ustradedelegations.com. Click on “Akbar Books.”
PHAITH ‘DJ CHOCOLATE’ FRAZIER LAUNCHES GROWN AND GREEK NATIONAL WEBSERIES – Alabama based radio personality and business woman Phaith “DJ Chocolate” Frazier has launched a national web series which highlights the philanthropic side of alumni Greek life. GROWN AND GREEK TV was launched in the fall of 2017 and travels the country talking with alumni members of Black Greek Letter Organizations commonly referred to as the “Divine 9.” The primary objective of the web series is to share the community service efforts of the various organizations as well as the personal and philanthropic accomplishments of alumni members. Black Greek Letter Organizations or BGLOs can be found on many college campuses and in cities across the United States as Undergraduate Chapters and Graduate Chapters respectively. Chapters have also been established in countries outside of the United States. These organizations collectively are known as the DIVINE 9 and are governed by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The Divine 9 Greek Community boasts over 2.5 million members that make up almost 8 percent of the African American Community. Frazier is an Alabama based business woman, radio personality and corporate/special events DJ. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. GROWN AND GREEK can be found online at www.GrownAndGreekTV.com and currently features over 16 episodes with additional episodes scheduled in the second half of 2018.
FESTIVALS IN JULY
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY– SLOSS FEST at Sloss Furnaces. This is the fourth year of Sloss Fest, Birmingham’s premier music festival featuring local, regional and international artists including JASON ISBELL and the 400 UNIT, CHRIS STAPLETON, GRIZ, ARCADE FIRE, MOON TAXI, THE WAR ON DRUGS, ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES, VANCE JOY and more.
JULY 21 – RADIO! RADIO! 4 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Co. features an event at Avondale Brewing Co. with some of Birmingham’s finest local bands. Radio! Radio! includes live music, the Birmingham Punk Rock Flea Market, DJ sets by Seasick Records, local vendors and prize giveaways. Bands performing include NERVES BADDINGTON, HOLIDAY GUNFIRE, TERRY OHMS, HUMAN BEAT, HOLY YOUTH and RYAN SOBB. All ages.
FOR THE COMMUNITY LOVERS
NEXT LEVEL FOOTBALL CAMP, Friday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Legion Field. Registration is 8 a.m. at Legion Field.
HONORING THE GUARDIANS OF THE SHUTTLESWORTH FAMILY AND BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH – On Saturday, RUBY SHUTTLESWORTH- BESTER will gather the men that guarded the Shuttlesworth family from the late 1950s until the family moved in the mid 1960s. The unselfish sacrifice of the men who guarded the Shuttlesworth family and kept watch over the church and community has not been acknowledged. This will be a great opportunity for families to attend a free program, learn freedom songs and hear history from those who lived it. A rare opportunity! The event will be held at Sardis Baptist Church where the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights was chartered.
ARD LOGISTICS CELEBRATES 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY– ARD LOGISTICS celebrates 20 years as an supplier for Mercedes Benz and the overall automotive industry. The company is looking forward to building and solidifying strategic partnerships with leading corporations and fellow entrepreneurs for business opportunities to aid in Alabama’s economic growth. SYLVESTER L. HESTER, President/CEO of Global Automotive Alliance is featured at the celebration held on Monday at the Negro Southern League Museum.
NEW PARK AND RECREATIONAL SPACE – A proposal to create a mile-long linear park beneath the rebuilt Interstate 20/59 through downtown Birmingham will be presented during multiple public involvement meetings in July. Proposed ideas to activate the space include art installations, a carousel, athletic fields, fountains, performance and event spaces, and more. Tuesday is one date with times of 10 a.m. to Noon, Noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Please attend one of these meetings so you can share your ideas, show your support or voice concerns.
FORCE FOR GREATNESS – The Birmingham City Schools present Force for Greatness with Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring on July 19, with a Meet and Greet at 10 a.m. and State of the Schools at 11 a.m. in the Lyric Theatre. She will reflect on the past, examine the present and unveil the district’s proposed strategic plan focused on preparing our students for the future.
PARENT UNIVERSITY AND HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR, July 28, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Robinson Elementary School. First 100 families earn 2 backpacks filled with school supplies, voucher for school uniform. Snacks and Lunch is provided. For more, call (205) 836-0085.
COMING SEPTEMBER: NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH. 8th ANNUAL RECOVERY LUNCHEON – Celebrate National Recovery Month on Saturday, September 15, 11 a.m. at the Harbert Center for the 8th Annual Recovery Luncheon. Join Pearson Hall, Olivia’s House, Zukoski Center and Fellowship House as they celebrate the successes of the programs. Enjoy a lunch and Silent Auction. Call (205) 923-6552 for more or visit www.adatc.org.
FOR ART AND PERFORMING ART LOVERS
AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m.
ART ON THE ROCKS, July 27, 7-11 p.m. with musical guests SERATONES, whose sounds are a combination of Southern musicality, garage rock ferocity and general badassery.
FOR FOOD LOVERS
THE MARKET AT PEPPER PLACE – 7 a.m.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS AND SPOKEN WORD
SUNDAY JAZZ, 5 p.m. at the Perfect Note.
SPOKEN WORD OPEN MIC NIGHT, every Third Sunday, 7 p.m. at the Carver Theatre.
WEDNESDAY: FANTASTIC NEGRITO at Saturn. Fantastic Negrito is the story of a man who struggled to “make it”, who “got it”, who lost it all, and somehow managed to find his way back. These are singular songs by a true musician who writes and produces his own work. His songs are his fuel as he continues on the third comeback of his life, at a time when our world is in upheaval. He says America has lost its way, and now we are paying the price. Fantastic Negrito’s new album, Please Don’t Be Dead, is about what comes next. When you listen to Negrito, you’re invited to hear the story of life after destruction. For anyone who ever felt like it was over yet hoped it wasn’t, this is your music.
NEXT FRIDAY: RAYLAND BAXTER at Saturn – Rayland Baxter will be at Saturn on July 20th. “Casanova” was named one of GQ’s Songs of the Summer 2018 and #1 most added at Triple A and Americana. “Strange American Dream” was heralded by NPR Music/World Café as “a piano driven ear worm of a song that sounds like a distant cousin to The Beatles’ ‘Lady Madonna.'” Listen to his new song “79 Shiny Revolvers”.
FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
SATURDAY DAYHIKE, 8 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Short Dayhike and Glorious Swim at High Rock in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. DETAILS: Moderately easy one-mile walk on a road through the woods in the upper section of Little River Canyon National Preserve to a rather secluded, quite large and very lovely pool on Little River itself in the woods 1 ½ miles above Little River Falls. Once at High Rock float and swim for most of the day. Jump off the 20 foot high rock into the pool which is 17.5 feet deep (measured by Dan Frederick), but you can also walk down to the edge of the pool on a path and wade easily. You must be able to swim to participate in this outing!
Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. After our swim and float, walk the one mile back to the cars and then go for showers and an optional dinner. Time permitting, visit the nearby 102-foot DeSoto Falls in the early evening. Bring picnic lunch, drinking water, swimsuit, river shoes and any kind of a flotation device you wish. Hot showers for $2 per person available before dinner. Bring shower items and change of clothes if you wish to clean up and change for dinner. Depart 8 a.m. from Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville. Info: Dan Frederick, email seoutings@bellsouth.net or phone 205/631-4680. Please pay either with exact change or a check made out to SEO. First come, first served.
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
TODAY: COMEDIAN MARVIN DIXON. Dixon has been performing and hosting comedy since 1994. He has appeared on HBO Def Comedy Jam, BET Comic View, Show Time at the Apollo and most recently “The Tom Joyner Sky Show.” A former radio morning show host in Miami, he has performed many main-event shows, including Zo’s Summer Groove, The Ray Lewis Foundation Annual Event and Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: COMEDIAN CHRIS KATTAN. Kattan was a member of several improv/sketch comedy troupes one of them being The Groundlings in Los Angeles. His father was an original member of the troupe. Kattan also did some minor roles on TV, including the first episode of the second season of NewsRadio, “No, This Is Not Based Entirely on Julie’s Life,” as a photo shop employee. He moved to New York City to work on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2003. His recurring characters included Mr. Peepers, Mango, Azrael Abyss, Kyle DeMarco from The DeMarco Brothers, Gay Hitler, Suel Forrester (known for the term “dagitybo”) and, most notably, one half of the Butabi Brothers with fellow SNL (and Groundlings) cast member Will Ferrell, known for their trademark head-bobbing. Kattan and Ferrell continued the characters in 1998’s A Night at the Roxbury.
MONDAY
COMEDIAN RICKEY SMILEY ‘EVERY MONDAY NIGHT’ at the StarDome Comedy Club for Karaoke Nights.
COMING SOON
AUGUST 3-4 – SECRET STAGES, a musical discovery festival.
SEPTEMBER 2 – SOUTHERN SOUL & BLUES LOVERS FESTIVAL.
SEPTEMBER 15 – 8th ANNUAL RECOVERY LUNCHEON in National Recovery Month.
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; gwenderu@yahoo.com.
