By Gwen DeRu
CELEBRATE WOMEN’S MONTH!
“HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEEKEND!”
TODAY
DAN + SHAY THE TOUR with special guest MORGAN EVANS at the Alabama Theatre.
THE CONGO SERIES: PORTRAITS OF MWANA, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Gallery 1930
93 BEATERS at The Nick.
COMEDIAN DS SANDERS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
LIVE BAND OPEN at Perfect Note.
MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
FRIDAY
V94.9 BIRTHDAY BASH featuring TRINA and PROJECT PAT & MOE at Destination Birmingham.
AMASA HINES at The Nick Rocks.
COMEDIAN CARLOS MENCIA at the StarDome Comedy Club.
UGLY BABY BITES BIT, 9:30 p.m., at the Birmingham Improv Theatre.
VIOLINIST BROOKE ALFORD, 9 p.m. at 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.
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
VOCALIST ANTHONY HAMILTON performing at the Sheraton for the 75th ANNIVERSARY OF UNCF AND THE BIRMINGHAM MAYOR’S MASKED BALL.
EVERY SATURDAY AFTER HOURS AT ZANZIBAR INTERNATIONAL BAR AND GRILL, 9 p.m., 2024 Green Springs Highway with Caribbean, African, Latino music, Signature Dish Suya and Drink Specials.
KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE, every Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on V94.9 FM with Curtis Bell. Request Line (205) 994-8949 (V949).
ABRAHAM & THE OLD GODS, WOOZLE, and FRONTIER FOLK NEBRASKA at The Nick Rocks
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, every Saturday, at Luxe Ultra Lounge, 300 24th Street S with DJ CHOCOLATE.
EAT DRINK AND RIDE NIGHT FOOD TOUR WITH COMEDIENNE JOY, at 6 – 10 p.m., meet in Brookwood Mall, at Grille 29. For more, www.diningoutwithcomediennejoy.com.
SNV – SATURDAY NIGHT VIBES, 10 p.m. at Platinum.
COMEDIAN CARLOS MENCIA at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SAXOPHONIST CAMERON ROSS at the Perfect Note.
SUNDAY
HANDS ON RAW FOOD CLASS WITH ERYKA THE CHEF, 3 p.m. at Healing Waters.
JAZZ AND FOOD, at Perfect Note.
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
SOULFUL SUNDAYS at Perfect Note.
THE AUDIOVORE – ST. PATTY’S DAY FREE SHOW at the Nick Rocks.
COMEDIAN DS SANDERS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
MONDAY
MO MONEY MONDAYS at the Eastside Lounge.
BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at The Nick Rocks.
KARAOKE NIGHTS WITH RICKEY SMILEY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
TUESDAY
TASTY TUESDAY, 5 p.m. doors open, (30+ before 9 p.m.) (21+ after 9 p.m.) at Platinum of Birmingham, every Tuesday. Free Dinner buffet for Birmingham’s Best Happy Hour.
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.
THE DIRTY LUNGS, WILD POWWERS and THE HARLEQUINS at the Nick Rocks.
WEDNESDAY
LIVE JAZZ, at The Marble Ring, every Wednesday, 430 41st Street South, Suite B.
WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY, every Wednesday at 30/40 Hookah Lounge.
WINE AND JAZZ at the Perfect Note.
STATES & CAPITALS, CITY IN THE CLOUDS and RADIO DECAY at The Nick Rocks.
JAY STEVENS at the StarDome Comedy CLub
NEXT THURSDAY
AN EVENING WITH NIKKI GIOVANNI, 7 p.m. at 808 20th Street South for an historic night of poetry.
GUITAR IS DEAD, PEOPLE YEARS and HELIOHEART at The Nick.
COMEDIAN DEON COLE at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SWITCHFOOT at Iron City.
NEXT FRIDAY
ADLET STONECUTTERS, KAMIKAZE ZOMBIE and AETHENOTH at The Nick Rocks.
COMEDIAN DEON COLE at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FOR FOOD LOVERS
ZANZIBAR BAR AND GRILL – If you love good ethnic food, then Zanzibar Bar and Grill is the place to go every Saturday night. Get your groove on with all kinds of favorite foods from Africa, Caribbean, and more. Enjoy music of all kinds including Caribbean, Soca, African, and Reggae.
FOR COMMUNITY
BIRMINGHAM HAMMERFEST – The inaugural Birmingham Hammerfest, two-day USA CRITS cycling event will be held this Saturday and Sunday, in downtown Birmingham. Saturday will feature criterium racing on a short, closed course for all ages and skill levels in the Lakeview district. The event is free to the public and racing begins at 8:30 a.m. with the D1 racing starting at 4 p.m. For additional race and weekend details, visit www.birminghamhammerfest.com.
SECOND ANNUAL JOKES FOR HOPE – Laugh for a cause at the 2nd Annual Jokes For Hope Comedy Show at Dannon Center, March 23, raising funds and bringing awareness to the Fallen Officers’ Memorial Fund in honor of Birmingham Police Department’s Sgt Carter. This show will feature comedians ROD NEWMAN, T-RAY SANDERS and headlining the one and only IRA COLEMAN. The show will be hosted by Lady Woo of 95.7-Jamz. Pre Show with DJ Plain Ol’ Marcus. Food will be available for purchase by Jay Wings. Experience the taste of Roxxy on the Rocks’ signature cocktails. Get tickets at www.roxxyrocks.com/jokes-for-hope.
BOTANICAL GARDENS SUMMER CAMP – Children’s Summer Camps will return to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens June 3 – August 2, and will feature half- and full-day camps that explore gardening, cooking, art, and more for age 4 through rising 9th graders. An educational initiative of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, these camps are designed to promote creativity and the joy of discovery in the unmatched natural setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Registration has opened to the public. Visit bbgardens.org/summercamps or call 205.414.3950 for more information and to register.
OUT SPOKEN WITH JOE LOCKETT TV SHOW, New on Cable TV. Check it out!!!
ANOTHER CARING EXAMPLE MENTORING PROGRAM – The City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) relaunches Another Caring Example for Birmingham boys and girls 8 -17 years of age and 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. The program’s curriculum includes monthly group meetings and activities with topics centered around 21st century skills. Sessions will begin in March and end in December of 2019. Interested in having your child participate in Another Caring Example? For more information about the Another Caring Example Mentoring Program contact: Ms. Ash at (205) 320-0879.
FOR YOUTH
2019 FOX6 KIDS & JOBS PROGRAM – The City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) and WBRC FOX6 launch the 2019 Kids & Jobs Program. DYS is celebrating 25 years of “Putting Our Youth to Work!” Kids & Jobs is designed to help cultivate the professional development necessary for youth and young adults to become an integral part of the workforce. EXPOSURE (14 & 15 Year-Old) PROGRAM: Participating students will receive first-time exposure to the workplace. The EXPOSURE COMPONENT of the Kids & Jobs Program gives deserving Birmingham youth, who might otherwise not be given the chance, an opportunity to experience the workplace for the first time. SUMMER EXPLORER INTERNSHIP: The EXPLORER PROGRAM provides students from 16 to 21 years of age with an introduction to the workforce and a chance to explore one of the various professions offered. SUMMER EXECUTIVE INTERNSHIP: The EXECUTIVE PROGRAM provides students from 16 to 21 years of age with a unique opportunity to establish a foundation for their career path. Applications also available: https://www.bhamyouthfirst.org/ and www.wbrc.com. Applicants must live in the city of Birmingham to participate. For more, contact DYS at (205) 320-0879.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS, SPOKEN WORD AND DANCE
OPERA BIRMINGHAM PRESENTS TOSCA -Tosca, Giacomo Puccini’s dramatic and beloved masterpiece will sweep the Opera Birmingham mainstage in a tale of love, lust, deceit, and murder. Performances will be Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. at the Samford University Wright Center. Treat yourself to magnificent melodies, dramatic music, and nonstop action that will take you on a journey to a tragic ending! A tour de force of opera, Tosca is a must-see and has long been one of the most popular operas in the entire repertoire. Set in Rome, this tragic and political story features a quintessential love triangle, as Tosca is forced to give her love to the lustful police chief, Scarpia, to save the life of her lover, the artist Cavaradossi. Tosca will be sung in the original Italian, but presented with English supertitles, so you’ll understand every 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.
FOR ART AND PERFORMING ART LOVERS
AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART
SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. THE FOUR EVANGELISTS.
EMBODYING FAITH: IMAGINING JESUS THROUGH THE AGES through April 22.
THE CONGO SERIES: PORTRAITS OF MWANA – The Congo Series: Portraits of Mwana is just around the corner! Seven portraits by Wellon Bridgers will be featured at Gallery 1930 in a solo show to benefit Mwana Villages. An artist conversation luncheon will be held on Wednesday (Reservations required). The following evening, an art show with wine and appetizers will begin at 5:30 p.m.
FOR SPORTS LOVERS
TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACEWEEKEND – Mark your calendar for the RACES AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY on April 26-28 with the Big One on the Blvd Friday night, the Saturday Night Infield Concert, and the MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACE at 1 p.m. on Sunday. For more, go to www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or call (855) 518-7223. This is an experience of a lifetime.
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 DS SANDERS…. Darren “DS” Sanders is one of the funniest comedians touring today; a must see show when he’s playing a venue near you! Darren is a dead on writer who turns life’s everyday simplicities into side splitting comedy routines. DS is known as the man of many faces and his facial expressions are as descriptive as his words. Very interactive with his audiences, never be surprised if you or someone in your party becomes part of the show. But don’t worry, it’s always in good taste. This comedy veteran is very diverse and is the right comic for any audience, having worked groups as broad as fifth graders to the Congressional Black Caucus. His style is upbeat and fast paced so be ready to go on a non-stop laugh ride. Mr. Sanders travels regularly to military bases entertaining the troops.
SATURDAY and SUNDAY COMEDIAN CARLOS MENCIA…Ned Arnel Mencia, known professionally as Carlos Mencia is a Honduran-born American comedian, writer, and actor. His style of comedy is
often political and involves issues of race, culture, criminal justice, and social class. Upgrade your tickets to VIP – VIP Includes Digital Picture with Artist, 1 piece of autographed merchandise, and Premium Floor Seating.
MONDAY…KARAOKE NIGHTS WITH RICKEY SMILEY… Birmingham’s own, Rickey Smiley is taking over the StarDome on Monday nights. Come join Rickey, his band and whatever else he has up his sleeve as he brings Karaoke to a whole new level.
NEXT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY… COMEDIAN JAY STEVENS…Jay Stevens has been a professional comedian for almost 20 years. Growing up, he was known as a hilarious outgoing character by friends, family, colleagues and those he would meet on a first encounter. Having a passion to make people laugh, he surprisingly was not seeking a career in the comedy industry. But with so many people telling him how funny he was, he decided to give it a shot. Since then Jay has been very successful making people laugh from the church and comedy clubs on land to international waters on cruises. His clean comedy style targets every area of life leaving audiences laughing with every example of how funny life really is. Jay’s Life is Hilarious Tour has been captivating audiences across the country, you don’t want to miss it.
COMING SOON
MARCH 21 -AN EVENING WITH NIKKI GIOVANNI
MARCH 23 – 2ND ANNUAL JOKES FOR HOPE at Dannon Center.
APRIL 10 – DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE at BJCC Concert Hall.
APRIL 12 – ROB BELL “AN INTRODUCTION TO JOY TOUR” at the Lyric Theatre.
APRIL 13 – KISS “END OF THE ROAD TOUR 2019” at the Legacy Arena.
APRIL 26 – 28 – TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY RACES– Celebrating the 50TH ANNIVERSARY.
APRIL 26 – SHOVELS & ROPE + FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS with special guest INDIANOLA at Avondale Brewing Company.
MAY 7 – DAVE MATTHEWS BAND at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.
MAY 14 – INDIA ARIE at the Alys Stephens Center.
MAY 22 – TYLER PERRY’S “MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY TOUR” at the Legacy Arena.
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.
