By Gwen DeRu
TODAY…
**MATT BRYANT, and CAPTAIN KUDZU SOLO at The Nick.
**COMEDIAN FRANK DEL PIZZO at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**SCANTRON 5000 TRIVIA at Saturn.
**LIVE JAZZ EVERY THURSDAY, 9 p.m. at Jazzi’s on 3rd.
**MUSIC, COMEDY AND MORE at VIP Lounge in Ensley.
**PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
**LIVE BAND KARAOKE OPEN MIC of Perfect Note.
FRIDAY…
**VIOLINIST JAVONNE JONES at the Perfect Note.
**TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH COUNTRY WESTERN, ACE CARLSON and LOVE RAT at The Nick Rocks.
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**RUMBA LATINA BIRMINGHAM: LATIN NIGHT at Saturn.
**THE VEER UNION at Iron City.
**UGLY BABY LIVE, 9:30 – 11:30 p.m. at Birmingham Improv Theatre, 2208 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, 35233.
**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.
**EVERY FIRST FRIDAY AT ZANZIBAR Bar and Grill, 9 p.m.
**SAXOPHONIST DONALD HAYES at Perfect Note.
SATURDAY…
**PEPPER PLACE MARKET, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
**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).
**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.
**FUNKFEST with BELL BIV DEVOE, BOBBY BROWN, JEEZY,
MONICA, JAGGED EDGE, DA BRAT, YOUNGBLOODZ plus, at 5 p.m. at Legion Field.
**FUNKFEST AFTER PARTY at Empire.
**NATCHEZ TRACERS, STONE FLOOR THEORY and GREENLEAF HUSTLE 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 ARNEZ J at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON: THE LUCKY DRAGON TOUR 2019 and BHAM EMO DANCE PARTY at Saturn.
SUNDAY…
**SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
**SOULFUL SUNDAYS at Perfect Note.
**KAMAL AKEEM, KING TALL T, CAREY FOUNTAIN, and NAPS205 at the Nick Rocks.
**COMEDIAN ARNEZ J 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.
**PLUM BAR on 17th Street, Downtown.
**JOSE’ CARR at the Boss Lounge, 8:30 – 11 p.m.
**ORCA WELLES, BIBLE BELT, and PARTICIPATION RIBBON at the Nick Rocks.
**COMEDIAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
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.
**LILLY WINWOOD, CHRIS MONTEVERDE, and JOHN THURSDAY at The Nick Rocks.
**COMEDIAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**STEEL PANTHER at Iron City.
**A SUNDAY FIRE at Saturn.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**SUMMER KICK OFF PARTY WITH BEITTHEMEANS, 53 JUDGES & TIRE FIRE at The Nick.
**COMEDIAN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
NEXT FRIDAY…
** SAXOPHONIST DWIGHT HOUSTON at Perfect Note.
**TRAGIC CITY, MONARCHS and MISNOMER at The Nick Rocks.
**COMEDIAN CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**CHRIS KNIGHT at Saturn.
**RUMOURS at Iron City.
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 MUSIC LOVERS, SPOKEN WORD AND DANCE…
**BIRMINGHAM’S CAREY FOUNTAIN AT THE NICK ROCKS, this Sunday…Carey Fountain is the founder and lead artist of DoReMe. He combines visual art with music to show the harmony between the two mediums. Originally from the Washington D.C. metropolitan town of Woodbridge, Virginia; Fountain moved to Alabama to attend the University of Alabama and moved to Birmingham in June of 2015 to immerse himself in the emerging Birmingham Arts & Music scene. After his arrival he curated various art, music, & social events in collaboration with other artists & influencers through his brand DoReMe, a community outreach initiative and online platform dedicated to creating a community of artists, intellectuals & musicians. Also, performing and from Birmingham are KING TALL T and NAPS205.
**PEARL LOUNGE GRAND REOPENING, June 1, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at 3132 Boise Avenue S.W. Everyone free before midnight, Summer Time Fly attire and soundtrack provided by DJ CHOCOLATE and DJ PAKK. Pearl’s Famous Kitchen will be open. RSVP at www.urbanham.com.
**JAZZNET is June 14, 5:30 – 9 p.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium hosted by Jeh Jeh Pruitt. It is a great networking event whether you are a musician, doctor, insurance agent, online merchant, caterer, manufacturer, candlestick maker, salesperson, personal trainer, attorney, financial advisor, etc., this is the perfect event to grow your business. Network with positive business people and promote your business to a variety of audiences.
**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…
**SLOW ART SUNDAY, 2-3 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art with Senior Docent Judy Cook leading a discussion on CITY RIVER SCENE by Hughie Lee-Smith in the American Gallery.
**CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS AWARDS – The Alabama State Council On The Arts Governor’s Arts Award is May 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. For more, call (334) 242-5147.
**ART ON THE ROCKS – Art on the Rocks at the Birmingham Museum of Art kicks off in June with visual and performing arts from live music and DJ dance parties to artist demos and interactive mural making. The dates are: June 14, July 12 and August 9, 7-11 p.m.
**AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL – The African Heritage Festival is June 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Celebrate vibrant traditions and cultures of regions throughout the African diaspora at the BMA’s free-of-charge African Heritage Festival. This family-oriented festival honors African heritage through art, crafts, music, dance, and more. Featuring a powerful performance by Atlanta-based African drumming and dance group Giwayen Mata.
FOR THE COMMUNITY…
**SPECIAL ELECTION IN BIRMINGHAM – The Birmingham Election Commission has set October 8 as the date of a citywide referendum to renew ad valorem taxes for Birmingham City Schools. For more, call Birmingham City Council, (205) 254-7726.
FOR BOOK LOVERS…
**BOOK SIGNING – MY LIFE WITH CHARLES BILLUPS AND MARTIN LUTHER KING: TRAUMA AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT by Rene Billups Baker, Tuesday, May 28, at the Five Points West Library, 5- 7 p.m. Rev. Charles Billups displayed pivotal leadership during the climax of the civil rights movement Martin Luther King’s campaign in Birmingham. Little of the Billups’ story has been told until recently by his daughter Rene Billups Baker as she relates his torture by the Ku Klux Klan. Billups Baker reveals his participation in King’s key strategy sessions at the Gaston Motel.
FOR LOVERS OF THE OUTDOORS…
**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. The camps, an educational initiative of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, are designed to promote creativity and the joy of discovery in the unmatched natural setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Registration is opened to the public. Visit bbgardens.org/summercamps or call 205.414.3950 for more information and to register.
**SATURDAY DAYHIKE, 9:45 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Cahaba Lily Walk, Hargrove Shoals along the Cahaba River in Bibb County – DETAILS: See the largest display of blooming Cahaba lilies in the world, acres and acres of them spread out over the water in the river. These lilies are a sight to behold! In places, it often looks like it has snowed on the river in May. Over seven miles of the Cahaba River lie within the Refuge boundary. The rolling uplands surrounding the river are forested with mountain longleaf and loblolly pines. Mixed upland hardwood species line ravines and the river’s edge. The largest known stand of the imperiled shoals lily (known locally as the Cahaba lily) also occurs within the Refuge. During May and June, this beautiful plant blooms, and people come from across the region to view this magnificent display of nature. There is an annual Cahaba lily festival that draws thousands of visitors to the area the last Saturday in May. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and over welcome. Optional dinner after. The hike is about five miles round trip. Rated easy. Wear sturdy footwear you don’t mind getting wet and dirty. Bring picnic lunch and your drink. Hiking poles are strongly recommended to provide additional stability when wading in the river. Meet at 9:45 a.m. at the McDonald’s Galleria. Depart from there at 10 a.m. Info. and hike leader: Dan Frederick, 205-631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net.
**SUNDAY DAYHIKE, 1:45 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike at Hillsboro Trail, Helena, Shelby County, Alabama – DETAILS: This is an easy four-mile walk. This smooth trail is wide, paved, with only a few short hills, and on a scenic trail which goes through mostly wooded terrain. No motorized vehicles are allowed on your trail! All road crossings are through three tunnels under the roads. Note this is a relatively easy outing. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 7 and up able to walk four miles without complaining are welcome on this walk. After the walk, enjoy going for frozen yogurt at Yogurt Mountain in Hoover. Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the front parking lot at the Helena Middle School and depart from that location at 2 p.m. to begin the walk. Info. and hike leader: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205-631-4680.
FOR COMEDY LOVERS…
AT BIRMINGHAM IMPROV EVERY FRIDAY…
**UGLY BABY LIVE, 9:30 p.m. at Birmingham Improv Theatre, 2208 7th Avenue South, 35233.
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 FRANK DEL PIZZO…Frank Del Pizzo lives his dream every time he steps onto the stage. He is a featured entertainer for Carnival Cruise Lines, a regular in Las Vegas, and has made several appearances on ABC and the A&E network. He has traveled the world delivering laugh after laugh wherever he goes. His unique ability to turn ordinary conversations into hilarious comedy routines has made him a highly sought after act by the nation’s top comedy clubs, colleges, and corporations. Frank loves what he does and it shows. His sharp, original comedic nature and quick wit make him a tough act to follow!
**THIS WEEKEND…COMEDIAN ARNEZ J… ARNEZ J – Rapidly becoming one of the most talked about comedians, Arnez J’s charisma and physical agility are unforgettable. With the physicality of Jim Carrey, his brand of comedy has dubbed him “the black Jerry Lewis”. Arnez was recruited by The Harlem Globetrotters after their scouts saw his very physical comedy routine and his local celebrity basketball games. However, Arnez suffered a minor knee injury that forced him to put his basketball career on hold. An Atlanta native, Arnez began working the comedy circuit in Georgia and quickly became one of “Hotlanta”s” funniest newcomers. A finalist in the 1992 Bay Area Black Comedy Competition, Arnez was immediately noticed by the entertainment industry and was asked to make his first television appearance on Showtime’s “Comedy Club Network”. Numerous television appearances soon followed including The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, Comedy Central, NBC’s “Friday Night Videos”, Russell Simmon’s “Def Comedy Jam”, and his own BET”s “ComicView Grandstand” 1/2 hour comedy special. Fulfilling one of his dreams to sing and dance on stage, Arnez J most recently toured the country with the live stage production of The Maintenance Man. In addition, this past summer, Arnez filmed a movie role in the independent feature Up Against the 8-Ball.
**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 FRIDAY AND SATURDAY… …COMEDIAN CEDRIC THE 
ENTERTAINER… Over the course of a career spanning 30 years, Cedric the Entertainer has solidified his status as one of the world’s premier performers. In July 2018, the actor and comedian was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to starring in and executive producing THE NEIGHBORHOOD, Cedric currently appears in the hit TV comedy “The Last O.G.,” starring Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish. Previously, he starred in “The Comedy Get Down,” a mockumentary series inspired by events that occurred behind the scenes of the comedian’s successful stand-up tour of the same name, with George Lopez, D.L. Hughley, Eddie Griffin and the late Charlie Murphy.
HOT NEW MUSIC…
**NEW ALBUM! NEW ALVIN! – Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter, Alvin Garrett, is celebrating the release of his latest album, “This HILL”. After several years of climbing and grinding with his breakout hit single, “By Myself,” the Grammy-Nominated songwriter, Alvin Garrett, is inviting everyone to join him on “This HILL.” Garrett’s sophomore album truly captures this Alabama boy’s old soul and takes you on a neo-vintage journey through his musical mind and life. The title song and lead-off single, “This HILL,” pays tribute to the lessons he was taught growing up, which helped shape his relentless spirit and pursuit of his goals. “Because of HOPE, I have the INSPIRATION to pursue what I LOVE at the risk of LOSS,” says Garrett. This singer-songwriter truly believes that attitude determines altitude; which he gleefully delivers with “Have A Good Time,” and the classic William DeVaughn hit, “Be Thankful For What You Got.” Alvin’s celebration of women and their unique and individual beauty is captured in the Prince-styled funk jam, “It’s You”; and he beautifully channels his inner Al Green with the gentleman-esque ballad, “What I’ll Do.” Garrett is joined by his good friend and recent Grammy-Award winner, PJ Morton, on the soul-stirring groove, “Wait.” The songs “Love Is Still The Answer” and “By Myself” prove that Garrett has no interest in escaping his Gospel roots. Get on “This HILL” with Alvin Garrett, and you’re sure to be inspired to keep climbing.
COMING SOON…
**MAY 31 – 9TH ANNUAL TAILS IN THE TRAILS at the Birmingham Zoo.
**JUNE 1 – PEARL LOUNGE GRAND REOPENING.
**JUNE 1 – ANNUAL CARRIBEAN FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL in Bessemer.
**JUNE 2 – JEFF GOLDBLUM at ASC.
**JUNE 7 – MS. SENIOR JEFFERSON COUNTY PAGEANT at the Cahaba Ridge Resort Lifestyle Communities.
**JUNE 14 – JAZZNET at the Boutwell Auditorium.
**JUNE 16 – FATHER’S DAY BLUES & BASH at the Boutwell Auditorium.
**JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL at the Birmingham Civil Rights District.
**JUNE 15 – 19 – NATIONAL JUNETEENTH OBSERVANCE at Kelly Ingram Park.
**JUNE 21 – AN EVENING WITH ICONIC KENNY G with ERIC ESSIX at BJCC Concert Hall.
**JUNE 22 – AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
**JUNE 22 – JUNETEENTH SANKOFA AFRICAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION at 1121 Tuscaloosa Avenue S.W.
**JUNE 22 – 5TH ANNUAL ZOO, BREWS & FULL MOON BAR-B-QUE at the Birmingham Zoo.
**JUNE 23 – JAZZ IN THE PARK in Bessemer.
**AUGUST 18 – L’CHAIM at the Alys Stephens Center.
**NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 5 – 3rd ANNUAL ALUMNI GETAWAY CRUISE.
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.
