GWEN DERU
TODAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**TAYLOR SWIFT LASER DANCE PARTY at Iron City.
**COMPUTER CLASSES AT THE FIVE POINTS WEST LIBRARY every Tuesday and Thursday.
**MOVIES EVERY THURSDAY at Sidewalk Fest.
**KARAOKE, 5-9 p.m. at Courtyard Alabaster Bar and Grill.
**THIRD THURSDAY BLUES JAM, 7 p.m. at True Story Brewing.
**TASTEMAKER THURSDAY – Every Thursday at Blaze Ultra Lounge, 228 Roebuck Plaza Drive, 8 p.m.- 12 a.m. with DJ Ace Twon (95.7 JAMZ) in the mix hosted by Audio Life and GMC Promo.
**THIRSTY THURSDAY at Hookah 114 17th Street No.
**TEQUILA THURSDAY at the Vibe Bar & Lounge.
**THROW BACK THURSDAY at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge, 3801 Richard Arrington, Jr., Blvd.
**FILMMAKER HAPPY HOUR-Every 3rd Thursday, at Sidewalk Film Fest. Meet with other filmmakers and discuss your newest projects.
**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.
**FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with R&B DIVA DEIRDRE GADDIS with at Perfect Note.
**FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY at City Hall, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the short 20th Street North.
**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8-11 p.m. EVERY FIRST FRIDAY, at 7611 First Avenue North with OBEAH, NINO BLACKNEZ, and hosted by TMBUK DA POET.
**RIPCORD, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at 4501 Gary Avenue in Fairfield.
**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.
**AFRO CARIBBEAN NIGHTS (Every Friday Night) at Ash’s on 2nd, 7 p.m. until with Reggae, Afro Beats, Dancehall and Top 40 Hits.
**FIREBALL FRIDAY at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge.
**FRIDAY NIGHT RAP, Every 1st and 3rd Friday at Crescent Cultural Center, 1121 Tuscaloosa Avenue, W.
SATURDAY…
**FAMILY YOGA IN THE GARDENS, 9 – 10 a.m. at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
**COUNCIL OF ELDERS COMMITTEE SUMMONS at The Crescent Cultural Community Center in Birmingham.
**CRYPT 24 with THE REVIEW AND SWEET METEOR OF DEATH at the Nick.
**WINE DOWN HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Safe room Lounge Bar.
**SAXOPHONIST BK JACKSON at Perfect Note.
**CRYPT 24 with THE REVIEW AND SWEET METEOR OF DEATH at The Nick.
SUNDAY…
**WORSHIP AT THE SIXTH, 9:30 a.m. at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.
**SUNDAY FUNDAY for the grown Folks Kickback at Tha Vibe Bar & Lounge.
**SUNDAY/HAPPY HOUR, 2-5 p.m. at Sidewalk Film Fest.
**CITY WIDE PRAYER MEETING, Every 4th Sunday, 4 p.m. for one hour at Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. The Lord’s Supper will be served and hosted by the Knights of Pythias & Court of Calanthe.
**SUNDAY with RAMBLIN’ Ricky Tate at The Nick.
**MR. KITCHEN with CATERINA at The Nick.
**GIRL NAMED TOM at Iron City.
**SOULFUL SUNDAY with SAXOPHONIST VES MARABLE at Perfect Note.
MONDAY…
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND at the Nick.
TUESDAY…
**COMPUTER CLASSES AT THE FIVE POINTS WEST LIBRARY every Tuesday and Thursday.
**DIAPER GIVEAWAY every Tuesday, 10 a.m. at the Titusville Library.
**EVERY TUESDAY is SOUL CAFÉ Happy Hours introducing the Soul Café Happy Hour, 5:30-9:30 p.m. with Soul Goodies, Soul Spirits and Soul Music including $5 Titos and Redmont, at The Vault.
**TITO’S TUESDAY at Dirty Ash’s 8 p.m. with DAVID TALLEY IV.
**AUTOPILOT at The Nick.
**AN INTIMATE EVENING w/ CANTON JONES – GOSPEL SINGER at the StarDome Comedy Club
**CARIBBEAN NIGHTS with Reggae, Caribbean and Island Vibes, 9 p.m. – until… with DJ Serious Mixing and hosted by KJ and MANNY at The Vault, downtown.
**EVERY TUESDAY – TRUE STORY BREWING JAZZ SESSIONS, 7- 10 p.m., 5510 Crestwood Blvd.
**TASTY TUESDAYS at Platinum of Birmingham.
WEDNESDAY…
**INTERFAITH NOONDAY PRAYER SERVICES every Wednesday, Noon at Linn Park in Downtown Birmingham.
**WORKOUT WEDNESDAY at Five Points West Library at 10:30 a.m. for chair yoga and other chair exercises.
**WEDNESDAYS WEEKLY JAZZ JAM, 7- 10 p.m. at True Story Brewing Company, 5510 Crestwood Blvd. Food until 9 p.m., Music until 10 p.m. and Drink until 11 p.m.
**EVERY 4th WEDNESDAY at FACE’S LOUNGE KARAOKE hosted by ARETTA, 6:30 p.m. at 7070 Aaron Aronov Dr. in Fairfield.
**DEAD BIRDS CAN FLY & PURPLEHEARTS at The Nick.
**ESCAPE THE FATE – OUT OF THE SHADOWS TOUR at Iron City.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**FURNACE FEST KICKOFF PARTY at Iron City.
**THE STEPDADS! DOLPHIN’S BIRTHDAY! at The Nick.
NEXT FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.
**TRIBUTE TO GLADYS KNIGHT featuring ERIKA KELLOM with at Perfect Note.
**RAMBLE TRIO! JO’S BIRTHDAY at The Nick.
**EMO NITE at Iron City.
IT’S 2023! NEWS TO USE…IN ALABAMA…PLUS…
FOR ART AND COMMUNITY LOVERS…
**THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM 1963 is TODAY, 9 a.m., at the 16th Street Baptist Church with activities at the BCRI, beginning at 9:45 a.m. CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS, author will address students.
**CULTURAL & HISTORICAL INSIGHT FOR BIRMINGHAM’S PATH TO RECONCILIATION is a community gathering with Eddie Glaude, in remembrance of the events of 1963, THURSDAY, 6 p.m. at the 16th Street Baptist Church.
**MEN OF CHANGE EXHIBIT: POWER, TRIUMPH, TRUTH, opens SATURDAY through December 2, at the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum. The exhibition from the Smithsonian presents the narrative of a nation through the profiles of significant African- American men who are icons in the country’s historical and cultural landscape.
**AMAL WALKS ACROSS AMERICA – ONE LITTLE GIRL.ONE BIG HOPE, on the dates of OCTOBER 11-12 at the BCRI, starting at 10 a.m., where attendees of all ages will create signs, parade streamers and flower bouquets for the Children’s March. At 11 a.m. is a send off for Amal at the BCRI outside with a greeting by the city and a poetry reading by Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley Jones. The CHILDRENS’ MARCH begins at the BCRI through Kelly Ingram Park and ends at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. A gospel choir will perform at the church’s steps with a send-off for Amal as she leaves Birmingham.
**RHYTHMS OF COLOR ART FEST AND STUDENT ART COMPETITION, October 14, 5- 9 p.m. at the Harbert Center with art by STEVE LOWERY, LONNIE HOLLEY, BODILE BALAMS, wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment by JOELLE REGAL and ROBERT HUFFMAN.
FOR BUSINESS LOVERS…
**ALABAMA MINORITY VENDOR CONFERENCE – The Minority Vendor Showcase is TODAY and FRIDAY for minority business and procurement professionals at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex with networking, training sessions, vendor meetings, roundtable discussions and more. Register at minorityvendorconference.com.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS…
**GROVER WASHINGTON, JR. TRIBUTE BAND at the Montgomery Jazz Fest at the Riverwalk Amphitheater, next Saturday, September 23.
FOR LOVERS OF OUTDOORS…IN ALABAMA…
FALL IN ALABAMA and its foliage colors are right around the corner.
**THIS WEEKEND – BOOMDAYS in downtown Fort Payne including live music, exhibitors and wine tasting, plus.
**THIS WEEKEND – FOOTHILLS FESTIVAL in downtown Jasper with local food, craft vendors, live music including THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND, SCOTT STAPP, TONIC, VERTICAL HORIZON and more.
**SATURDAY – MONTGOMERY OYSTER FESTIVAL with cooking demonstrations from local chefs, including ERIC RIVERIA from VINTAGE GROUP, JASON MCGARRY from Central and AMBER BONDS from Funky Forts in Old Alabama Town.
**SATURDAY – DEPOT DAYS FESTIVAL in Hartselle with family friendly live music, a tractor engine show, children’s activities, food and craft vendors and a car, truck and motorcycle show.
**SEPTEMBER 23 – CRUSH WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL in Huntsville, Noon – 5 p.m. in Big Spring Park with wine + spirits, celebrity chef tastings, grape stomping, a silent disco and more.
**SEPTEMBER 23 – 49th ANNUAL MULE DAY in Winfield at Winfield Middle School with a huge car show, and lots more including live music, a parade, activities, vendors and more.
**SEPTEMBER 23 – SOUTHEAST ALABAMA HIGHLAND GAMES is a Scottish and Celtic feature featuring family clans, food vendors, live music, and athletic events in Culpepper. There is entertainment for the whole family and more in Culpepper Field in Daleville.
**NEXT SATURDAY DAYHIKE, meet 9:45 a.m. for the 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. Then float under the bridge and further, about 1.2 miles, downstream to the waterfall, as you view the sheer cliffs that rise about 60 feet above the river. Enjoy a flowing river, covered bridge, high rock bluffs and one or two waterfalls—all along a 1.2-mile stretch of this river. Bring something to float on and a picnic lunch. Arrive at the meeting place at 9:45 a.m. Bring your drink, towel and sunscreen in 2 plastic garbage bags with twist ties, one bag over the other. Then put the bags in your daypack and strap the pack to your back or tie it to your float. 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 and floating in the pool at the base of the rock, jumping into the pool, or just sitting in Powell Falls. Then, 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 9 and up able to swim welcome, but parents are responsible for all risks to their children. Please be at the Cleveland Chevron Service Station no later than 9:45 a.m. ready to depart promptly at 10 a.m. Arriving 15 minutes before departure time will allow time to use the restrooms at the service station, hear announcements concerning the day’s event, and form carpools from the Chevron. Parking is extremely limited at the put in point on the river. Reservations are NOT required for this event. For more info. contact trip leader: Dan Frederick at 205-631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.
FOR COMMUNITY LOVERS…
**SPARKLE LEARNING CENTER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM with academic activities including reading, art, math, science and computers in downtown Fairfield. Call 205-785-3636 for more.
**BE A READING TUTOR at Stairbirmingham.org.
**WE CAFÉ at URBAN MINISTRY, 1229 Cotton Avenue, SW., every Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday – Sausage, Green Beans & Potatoes and Rolls, Thursday – Chef’s Anniversary Cookout, Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Salad and Rolls, Thursday – Apprentice’s Choice and Friday – Turkey Sandwiches and Chips.
AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART…
**NAPPY ROOTS: A TRANSATLANTIC STORY OF HAIR, STRUGGLE, AND LIBERATION through December 30, 2023.
AT SIXTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH
…SEE YOU AT THE SIXTH …EVERY SUNDAY!
**EVERY MONDAY MORNING MEDITATION WITH PASTOR CANTELOW, 7:15 a.m. Contact the church at (205) 321-1136 or (205) 321-1137.
**CHILDREN’S CHURCH & COLLISION CHURCH, each First Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for K-5th (Children’s Church), 6-12th (Collision).
COMING SOON!!!…
**OCTOBER 6 – MAXWELL with MUSIQ SOULCHILD & LEELA JAMES at Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre.
**OCTOBER 14 – ALABAMA FARMERS MARKET FALL FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Finley Avenue Farmer’s Market Festival, 344 Finley Avenue West, Birmingham.
**OCTOBER 28 – ANITA BAKER at the BJCC Legacy Arena.
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time. People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send events, your things of interest and more to my emails: gwenderu@yahoo.com and thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com.
