By Gwen DeRu
TODAY
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.
MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
FRIDAY
COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TRAUMA ILLINOIS, SMOKING WITH THE BANDIT, LOW-FREQUENCY BUZZ, and AMERICAN DREAM FACTORY at The Nick.
THE MINIMALISTS: SIMPLY SOUTHERN TOUR with Special Guest ANTHONY ONEAL at Iron City.
RAYLAND BAXTER with OKEY DOKEY and BRETT BIGELOW at Saturn.
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
BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kelly Ingram Park by More Than Conquerors Church and ABC 33/40. For more call (205) 322-2644.
RADIO! RADIO!, Saturday, 4 p.m. at Avondale Brewing Co.
SAXOPHONIST JEFF KASHIWA at Perfect Note.
SOUND SESSIONS in The Grill at Iron City.
FIVE EIGHT, URBAN SOIL, THE PAUSES,and CAFETERIA at The Nick.
COMEDIAN ARNEZ J 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
ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS voice students perform at 2 p.m. at the school.
MAGIC CITY BLUES SOCIETY BATTLE OF THE BLUES BANDS Presented by Birmingham Mountain Radio and Cathead Vodka at Saturn.
SCARLET VIEW and BEDLAM at The Nick.
COMEDIAN ARNEZ J 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
KARAOKE NIGHTS WITH 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
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.
WITCHSISTER, BIBLE BELT and (THE) DEAD SEA FLOWERS at The Nick.
WEDNESDAY
SOUND SESSIONS IN THE GRILL at Iron City.
WILLIE TRAYWICK and CAMERON ELLIS 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 MARVIN HUNTER at StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT THURSDAY
SOUND SESSIONS IN THE GRILL at Iron City.
META FITNESS NEW YEAR NEW YOU REVEAL at Iron City.
THE GODDAMN RIGHTS, YOU VANDAL, SEAGULLLS and DREW BROOKS at the Nick.
COMEDIAN at StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT FRIDAY
COMEDIAN ETTA MAY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
NOWHERE SQUARES, THE SWITCHBLADE KID,and PROPERTY at The Nick.
WYE OAK at Saturn.
FESTIVALS IN JULY
RADIO! RADIO!, Saturday, 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
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.
BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY, Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kelly Ingram Park with give-aways, music, food, rides and more. For more call (205) 322-2644.
MEGA SPORTS CAMP, July 23 – 27, 5:30 – 8 p.m. evenings Monday through Friday in Tarrant at 1225 East Lake Blvd.
with Pastor Cedric Brown, Pastor of Destiny Convenant Church. Instead of the regular Vacation Bible School Week, study with basketball, martial arts, dance, art, cooking, and a Parent Camp Monday, 5 p.m. FREE!!
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 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 SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
STUDENT MUSICAL PERFORMANCE, 2 p.m. Sunday by talented voice students of CATHY SPENCE Vocal teacher at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
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.
TOMORROW: 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 earworm 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, 9 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Waterfall Walk, Stream Wade and Long Swims at South Caney Creek in the Bankhead National Forest. DETAILS: This is a short, moderately easy hike to two waterfalls on South Caney Creek. Swim at both of the lovely falls. Most vehicles will be parked at a remote location during the entire outing and will not be accessible by just walking back to the start point of the walk. Wear old shorts or a swim- suit, sturdy footwear. Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, loose slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! Bring a towel along with your picnic lunch and water.
After the outing, plan to go to a restaurant for an optional dinner. Shower and change clothes at a campground near the restaurant, so bring a change of clothes for dinner and your shower things. No charge to use the campground restroom to wash up and change clothes. Or, bring $2 exact change cash for shower fee. Well-behaved, properly-supervised children age 7 and over welcome. Depart 9 a.m. from the Floor Décor Store on Green Springs Highway or meet 10:20 a.m. at Jacks in Double Springs. Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or (205)631- 4680.
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 BEN BAILEY. Emmy winning comedian Ben Bailey shines in his latest one hour stand-up comedy special “Ben Bailey Live and Uncensored”. He really lets loose in this landmark performance that truly lives up to its name. Bailey can make anything funny, from a simple “Thanks for Coming out” to a brilliantly improvised encore. His clever writing, quick wit, unique delivery and contagious energy will keep you laughing from start to finish and for a long time to come. WARNING: This is not Cash Cab. Ben uses bad words. Ben asks no Trivia questions. Ben gives away no money. Ben is most recognized as the host of Cash Cab, and his stand-up has been seen on Comedy Central Presents and his first one hour special “Road Rage and Accidental Ornithology”. Ben has made appearances on 30 Rock, MADtv, The Late Late Show, The Tonight Show, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and Law & Order to name a few.
FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY: To those in the know Arnez J. is quickly emerging as one of the hottest, most talked about comedic artists in the game. His raw energy, talent and comedic skill quickly landed Arnez the coveted hosting slot on BET’s longest-running comedy series “Comic View” for two seasons joining the ranks of hosts such as D.L. Hughley and Cedric the Entertainer. His hilarious new comedy special “Racially Motivated” is now available on Netflix.
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
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.
