GWEN DERU
TODAY…
**ENSLEY’S FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 601 19th Street in Ensley.
**THE GREEN KNIGHT, 3 p.m. at Sidewalk Film.
** ROADRUNNERL A FILM ABOUT ANTHONY BOURDAIN, 4 p.m. at Sidewalk Film.
**BAD MOVIE NIGHT, 7:30 p.m. at Sidewalk Film. FREE!!!! First-Come! First-Serve!
**EVERY THURSDAY HAPPY HOUR, 5:30 – 9 p.m. at the Kappa Komplex, 45 6th Avenue South.
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**R&B & KARAOKE THURSDAYS at 4 Seasons Sports Bar & Grill, Happy Hour 4-8 p.m. with DJ SLIP mixing Live and hosted by KURVY KERRI and Le’DARIUS HILLIARD.
**THIRSTY THURSDAY at Hookah 114 17th Street No.
**COMEDIAN LESTER BIBBS at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**WATCH LOTS OF MOVIES – Check out the Sidewalk Film Fest for lots more.
FRIDAY…
**MILKSHAKE QUINTET featuring Jazz Vocalist CHRISTINE MAYFIELD. Showtime is Friday, 8 p.m. at Jazzi’s On 3rd, 1725 3rd Avenue North, downtown.
**QUE’s BAR & GRILL GROOVIN’ on 19th Street in Ensley.
**RHYTHM AND BREWS, 4 p.m. featuring THE SHURE SHOT DJs SUAZE and DJ RAHDU at Birmingham District Brewing Company, 2201 2nd Avenue South with games, good brews and great music.
**BAD MOVIE NIGHT, 7 p.m. at Sidewalk Film. FREE.
**LIT FRIDAYS WITH RIPCORD, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at 4501 Gary Avenue in Fairfield.
**COMEDIAN JAMES JOHANN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**KEYBOARDIST BRIAN SIMPSON at Perfect Note.
**ON THE BORDER and THE EAGLES TRIBUTE at Iron City.
SATURDAY…
**EAT IN THE STREET, 11 a.m. at the Pizitz.
**WOODLAWN STREET MARKET, 12 p.m.
**SATURDAYS IN THE GARDENS at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
**WINE DOWN HAPPY HOUR, 4-9 p.m. at Saferoom Lounge Bar.
LE DINER EN BLANC BIRMINGHAM KICK OFF PARTY, 7 p.m. at the Summit.
**SAXOPHONIST REGGIE HINES at Perfect Note.
**COMEDIAN JAMES JOHANN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
SUNDAY…
**WORSHIP AT THE SIXTH, 9:30 a.m. at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.
**FAMILY TIME, GOOD FOOD AND MOVIES.
**COMEDIAN JAMES JOHANN at the StarDome Comedy Club.
MONDAY…
**REGGAE MUSIC EVERY MONDAY NIGHT with DJ DUSTY, 8 p.m. at Black Magic 2904 Lomb Avenue.
**EVERY MONDAY is MONSLAYYY – THE CARIBBEAN WAY, 8 p.m. at the Vault with TRINI and BRENT TRINI-FRESH PIERRE. FREE.
TUESDAY…
**EVERY TUESDAY – TRUE STORY BREWINGS PRESENTS TUESDAY JAZZ SESSIONS, 7- 10 p.m., 5510 Crestwood Blvd.
**TASTY TUESDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.
**EVERY TUESDAY LIT AND JAZZ with DAVID TALLEY AND FRIENDS, 7 p.m. at Lit on 8th, 518 Rev. Abraham Woods Blvd.
WEDNESDAY…
**INTERFAITH NOONDAY PRAYER SERVICES every Wednesday, Noon at Linn Park in Downtown Birmingham.
**AUGUST BOOK – Film at Sidewalk Film.
**REGGAE WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, 8 p.m. at Blue Onyx.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**THE IRA COLEMAN EXPERIENCE at the StarDome Comedy Club.
**THIRD THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at TrueStory Brewing.
NEXT FRIDAY…
**QUE’s BAR & GRILL GROOVIN’ on 19th Street in Ensley
**LIT FRIDAYS WITH RIPCORD, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at 4501 Gary Avenue in Fairfield.
**COMEDIAN DC YOUNGFLY at the StarDome Comedy Club.
FOR POLITICAL TIMES…look for more… GET OUT AND VOTE AUGUST 24!!
**FIVE POINTS WEST COMMUNITY hosts DISTRICT 8 CANDIDATES FORUM – Five Points West Community to host District 8 Candidates’ Forum for School Board and City Council ONLY on Thursday, August 12th, 5-7 p.m. at the First United Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 4616 Terrace R, Birmingham, AL 35208.
**DISTRICT 8 MEET AND GREET – If you are still interested in getting to know the people in the neighborhood running for office or interested in meeting those persons that live in the neighborhood, then this is a good time to do so on Sunday, August 15, 5:30 p.m. at 1811 Eufaula Avenue. For more info, email gwenderu@yahoo.com RE: DISTRICT 8 VOTE (in the subject line) OR call (205) 427-7195 and leave a message.
**RUNNING FOR ANY OFFICE…Share some of your info with me. Send to me at gwenderu@yahoo.com.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS…
**AMERICAN IDOL ALABAMA AUDITIONS – Alabama Vocalists who think they have the talent to perform on American Idol for the upcoming season, can showcase their talents with virtual auditions for Alabama talent on August 16. Sign up at Americanidol.com/auditions. Contestants can either reserve a spot for an in-person virtual audition with show producers, or submit an online video audition. Must be at least 15 years old.
FOR REGGAE LOVERS…IT’S IRIE Y’ALL…
NEAR IN DAUPHIN ISLAND…A Destination City…
**AUGUST 13-15 – YOU ARE INVITED!!!….5TH ANNUAL DAUPHIN ISLAND REGGAE WEEKEND – Island Music, food and Drink Specials all weekend long. Expect cool vibes and laid back feelings all weekend as Dauphin Island puts on a little ‘Jamaican Jammin’’ with the 5th Annual Reggae Weekend. Select restaurants and bars will be celebrating the food and music of “dat” other island – JAMAICA. (Mark the dates.) Starts AUGUST 13, 5 p.m. ends AUGUST 15, 8 p.m. at Dauphin Island (FRIDAY thru SUNDAY) Live music all weekend at venues around the island along with food and drink specials with 10 bands/artists over the weekend. IRIE!!! Ya Man!
**SIDE NOTE: MORE FOR REGGAE MUSIC LOVERS ABOUT DAUPHIN ISLAND – Dauphin Island is the southernmost point of Alabama and a must visit during the summer, if you ever wanted a get outdoors trip. In addition to its crystal-clear water, it has the best sunsets…NO COMPARISON. YES, right here in Alabama. It has been known as the ‘Sunset Capital of Alabama.’ What better time to see a sunset than during the 5th Annual Dauphin Island Reggae Weekend – August 13- 15. While there, check out the beautiful scenery, famous Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Fort Gaines, (better known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay), and its ‘great’ places to eat. This is your chance to get a little bit of paradise – An island gem in Alabama.
The 5th Annual Dauphin Island Reggae Music Festival is set for Friday-Sunday and you’re invited to party! Island music, food & drink specials and more will be offered at multiple venues as follows; FRIDAY, Aug. 13 – Pirates Bar & Grill/Leland Clay 5-9 p.m., Dinners Ready/Franklin Pratt 2-5 p.m., Islanders Restaurant/Marcus Elizondo 6-9 p.m., SATURDAY, Aug. 14 – Pirates Bar & Grill/Irie Sanka 12-4 p.m., Green Park/Ryan Balthrop & Kenny Murphy 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dockside Restaurant/Marcus Elizondo 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Green Park/Hor!zen Band 1:30-5:30 p.m., Islanders Restaurant/Corey Rezner 5-9 p.m., SUNDAY, Aug. 15 – Lighthouse Bakery/Kylie Feltenberger 8:30 a.m.-noon, Pirates Bar & Grill/Tony Bowers noon-4 p.m., West End Beach/Sloth Racer 2:30-4:30 p.m. and Irie Sanka 5:45-7:45 p.m. The Reggae Festival is sponsored by Micro-Comm, ReMax Coastal Properties, Alabama Coasting and the town of Dauphin Island! So join the fun and head to Dauphin Island for some casual fun, laid back island hospitality and lots of authentic reggae music! Follow on FaceBook at “Dauphin Island Reggae Weekend 2021”. AND…Before they are all gone…Don’t forget to purchase one of the FIRST EVER REGGAE T-SHIRTs for the Memories that you Make at Dauphin Island! (Designed and created by Brian B Moe Moore of Birmingham!) Ya mon! For more: www.townofdauphinisland.org.
FOR JAZZ LOVERS…IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM…
**FRIDAY – CLASSIC JAZZ BLOCK PARTY – Trumpeter Extraordinaire MILKSHAKE QUINTET featuring Jazz Vocalist CHRISTINE MAYFIELD at Jazzi’s On 3rd. Showtime is Friday, 8 p.m. at 1725 3rd Avenue North, downtown. Milkshake is Atlanta’s home grown ‘trumpeter extraordinaire’, a title labeled on him by Atlanta’s legendary radio host, the late “Tippy” Calloway. Milkshake is his signature name, tagged him by his neighborhood friends in early childhood because of his insatiable appetite for milkshakes. This name has brought him notable acclaim; that same quenchless taste transcended to his music profession as a signature jazz artist. He is a music major from Clark College (CC); (now Clark-Atlanta University). His trumpet & flugelhorn have taken him all over the world. In 2014, he did a cameo appearance in Housewives of Atlanta’s TV series.
FOR BLUES LOVERS…IN FAIRFIELD…
**AUGUST 28 – I’VE GOT THE BLUES NIGHT – THEODIS EALEY “STAND UP IN IT” and TEKKNOLOGY BAND members ARTHUR WELLS, BERNADETTE JONES and STAN JONES, Saturday, 8 p.m. with DJ Robert Wells at 6200 Valley Road.
FOR FOOD LOVERS…
**BRUNCH AND BRUSHES, 2:30 p.m. at Iron City. Sip and paint with Paintnics after Brunch on Sunday, August 12.
NEWS …IN AND AROUND THE CITY…
**COUNCILOR STEVEN HOYT PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS – The District 8 Councilor Steven Hoyt presented a select number of Birmingham City School students with scholarships for the Ninth Annual Education with a Purpose program recently in Linn Park. Anthony Marino, Chairman of Education with a Purpose says he is thankful to have been asked to help make this happen over the last eight years. Councilor Hoyt’s Education with a Purpose Scholarship Program works in conjunction with community leaders and has helped provide over $100000 in scholarships to Birmingham Students. Birmingham City School students are required to submit an essay detailing how they can make a positive impact in their community.
**SATURDAY – SMALL BUSINESS POP UP SHOP, noon – 3 p.m. at 1417 Lomb Avenue.
IN FAIRFIELD…
**AUGUST 21 – CELEBRITY CHARITY BASKETBALL GAME, 4-6 p.m. at Fairfield Preparatory High School, 610 Valley Road, Fairfield, Ala.
**AUGUST 21 – TAP A TOP
**AUGUST 21 – LEMONADE THE DAY PARTY, 1918 Catering, Saturday, 3 – 7 p.m. with DJ CHOCOLATE in the Mix, live music, food, drinks, cigars and good times.
**AUGUST 28 – VIRTUAL FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE,9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn about Credit Analysis investment, entrepreneurship, franchises, financial freedom and more. Register at www.Eventbrite.com/e/the-9th-annual-ceaf-inc-financial-empowerment-conference-registration-156282510195.
**SEPTEMBER 24-26 – HUEYTOWN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2001 REUNION, FRIDAY – FOOTBALL GAME, 5:30 p.m. at 4881 15th Street Road, Hueytown. SATURDAY – PICNIC, 11 a.m. at Randle House, 2255 Tyler Road. DINNER, 7 p.m. at City Club Birmingham,1901 6th Avenue North Suite 3100. SUNDAY – BRUNCH (TBD). For more info, hhs2001reunion@outlook.com.
FOR MOVIE LOVERS…
AT SIDEWALK…
**23rd ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL – The 23rd Annual Sidewalk Film Festival presented by Regions Bank is returning August 23-29 to its Theatre District roots with a festival footprint that includes the Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema, the Alabama Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, First Church Birmingham, the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Recital Hall and Lecture Hall as well as the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Go to sidewalk@sidewalkfest.com for more. (Look for more about the date/time of the great films, coming soon.)
FOR FOOTBALL LOVERS…
MAGIC CITY CLASSIC…
The MCC 2021 is in the Air…look for more info right here…
**MCC PARADE – The Magic City Classic Parade Registration is available. Registration ends on August 30 th, Monday.
FOR LOVERS OF ART and Art News…around the world…
**THE LOST LEONARDO at the Lyric Arts Theatre, AUGUST 29, 3:20 p.m.
FOR LOVERS OF THE OUTDOORS…
**SATURDAY DAYHIKE, Meet 9:45 a.m. for Southeastern Outings Easy River Float, Picnic, Swim, Short, Moderate Dayhike at Locust Fork from Swann Bridge to Powell Falls near Cleveland, Ala. – DETAILS: Easy river float on the Locust Fork River. Float in the river from Swann Covered Bridge to Powell Falls. View a genuine, old but newly refurbished wooden covered bridge. Float under the bridge about a mile and a half, downstream to the waterfall. View the sheer cliffs that rise about 60 feet above the river. Enjoy a flowing river, covered bridge, high rock bluffs and at least one waterfall—all along a 1.5 mile stretch of this river. Bring something to float on such as an inflatable vinyl float or tube. Bring a picnic lunch with you. Arrive at the meeting place at 9:45 a.m. Also, bring your drink, towel and sunscreen, pack in two plastic garbage bags with twist ties, one bag over the other. Put the bags in your daypack and tie your pack to your float. This keeps your things dry and prevents them from floating away. Wear swimsuit and sturdy foot protection. Old sneakers work well. Bare feet, flip-flops, slip-ons and thin-soled “beach shoes” are not acceptable! Lunch will be on the huge flat rock in the middle of the river beside the waterfall. Have fun swimming in the pool at the base of the rock, jumping into the pool, climbing up and down or just sitting in Powell Falls. Walk back to the bridge on a trail along the river. You must be able to swim to participate in this outing! Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and up able to swim welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. Arrive at the Cleveland Chevron service station parking lot no later than 9:45 a.m. ready to depart promptly at 10 a.m. Note that parking is extremely limited at the put in point on the river. Note that reservations are NOT requested or required for this event! Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680.
TWG NEWS…
**WORLD GAMES TICKETS – Tickets for the World Games 2022 are now on sale. Birmingham takes center stage July 7-17 hosting The World Games 2022. Get your tickets. The Games will represent the highest level of competition for more than 3600 international athletes and 30 plus sports.
**CBS WILL TELEVISE TWG – CBS and Paramount Premium will televise Birmingham’s World Games. The World Games 2022 coverage will be provided by CBS Sports and Paramount Premium. CBS Sports Network will air one-hour highlight shows after each of the 10 days of competition, and the CBS Television Network will provide two one-hour specials. Coverage will also stream on the Paramount Premium service.
**CATHERINE WHITEHILL NAMED CO CHAIR – Olympic Gold Medalist and former Briarwood Christian School soccer standout CATHERINE REDDICK WHITEHILL has been named the Honorary Co-Chair of the World Games 2022. She joins former NBA MVP CHARLES BARKLEY and country music star RANDY OWEN on the current list of co-chairs. Go to www.twg2022.com for more.
NEWS TO USE…
**L’CHAIM HONORS FOUNDER PHYLLIS G. WEINSTEIN – The 10th Annual L’Chaim is Sunday, August 22nd at 3 p.m. This year’s event will honor the memory of BHEC founder Phyllis Grusin Weinstein with a combination of musical and theatrical entertainment, education, and remembrance performances by the Red Mountain Performing Ensemble and special guests, including ALIE B. GORRIE. L’Chaim will be hosted by Birmingham native, ALISON GOLDSTEIN LEBOVITZ, TV host of “The A List with Alison Lebovitz.” The program will also feature a conversational one-on-one interview with WOLF BLITZER by Birmingham resident Esther Schuster. Blitzer, host of CNN’s “The Situation Room,” is the son of Holocaust Survivors. As a community mentor, teacher, advocate, and leader, Phyllis Weinstein left her mark on virtually all the Jewish organizations and agencies in Birmingham, including Hadassah, Collat Jewish Family Services, the Birmingham Jewish Federation (BJF), and BJF Community Relations Committee. She spearheaded the founding of the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School. Weinstein’s community service extended beyond the Jewish community where she also served on the board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews and worked hand- in-hand with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) on projects that involved partnership between the African-American and Jewish communities.
Weinstein’s gift as a leader was to bring others along on the way and get them involved. She mentored a generation of Jewish leaders in Birmingham. She recruited, taught, inspired, steered, and she insisted. The Birmingham community continues to reap the benefits of Phyllis’s leadership through the many leaders she has mentored. For more about the event, call (205) 492-3350 or email: cpittmansmith@bhecinfo.org
FOR COMEDY LOVERS…
AT THE STARDOME COMEDY CLUB…
**THURSDAY… COMEDIAN LESTER BIBBS was discovered by Steve Harvey at a comedy club in Memphis called Sir Laugh A lot. Taking on topics related to life, his style is filled with polished appeal. Lester knows how to keep the crowd rolling. Lester’s recital of life’s events will paint a picture in such detail, which is apparent while Lester is performing.
**FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY… COMEDIAN JAMES JOHANN…James Johann performed on Comedy Central on CMT and has featured in The Montreal’s “Just For Laughs” Comedy competition. He also opened for the world renowned, Blue Comedy Collar Tour. James Johann was born in the Midwest during the 70’s era of bell-bottom jeans, wood paneled station wagons and disco music. His childhood upbringing was influenced by country music, countless bad haircuts and heavy doses of Catholic school. In 1991, after being fired from several “McJobs”, James began his stand-up career in Kansas City. But don’t let James’ boyish appearance fool you; he’s a 10-year veteran of the stand-up comedy circuit. His self-deprecating sense of humor and high-energy style all come together to create a unique onstage persona. James relies more on his brain than the profane, and his comedy often hits upon the universal theme of failure, and provides a truthful and hilarious reflection of life as he sees it.
**THURSDAY…THE IRA COLEMAN EXPERIENCE …Ira Coleman is soon to be a household name. With his down-home southern style, he makes audiences feel at home during his performances. Opening for well established names such as Nephew Tommy, Bruce Bruce and the late Dick Gregory, Ira is no stranger to the stage. He has even been ordained as “funny” by the king himself, Steve Harvey! The Ira Coleman Experience is more than just a stand-up comedy show, it’s a comedy experience like no other. Combining stand-up and sketch comedy using some of his most popular characters i.e. Bam Bam and Rutherford Jones, the show is filled with excitement and laughter. Comedy is Ira’s true calling, so seize your chance to see this phenomenal performer.
**NEXT THURSDAY…
**NEXT FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY… COMEDIAN DC YOUNGFLY.
COMING SOON…
**AUGUST 20 – ALABAMA WALKS Virtual Tours at Alabama A & M University.
**AUGUST 27 – ALL WHITE BLUES PARTY with MR. SIPP at Perfect Note.
**AUGUST 27-29 – DOTHAN BALLOON FESTIVAL/ National Peanut Festival.
**AUGUST 28 – LADY BOSS THE JACKIE COLLINS STORY at Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre at ASFA.
**AUGUST 29 – THE KIDS at the Sidewalk Film.
**AUGUST 29 – THE MAGIC CITY NUTCRACKER at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
**SEPTEMBER 10 – HIS SHADOW by LOY A WEBB at Encore Theatre and Gallery
** SEPTEMBER 12 – BATTLE OF THE BANDS (MEET ME AT THE 50th)
** SEPTEMBER 25 – SISTAH STRUT at Legion Field
**OCTOBER 10 – ERYKAH BADU at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
**OCTOBER 31 – CLAY FALL FESTIVAL at Clay-Chalkville High School Football Field.
**JULY 7-17, 2022 – THE WORLD GAMES are coming. Look for more!
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: gwenderu@yahoo.com and thelewisgroup@birmin
