GWEN DERU
TODAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**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
**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.
**FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with SAXOPHONIST DALEN MINNIFIELD at Perfect Note.
**DRAG NIGHT at The Nick.
**MAXWELL with MUSIQ SOULCHILD & LEELA JAMES at Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre.
**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 YOGI DADA and A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, 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.
**WINE DOWN HAPPY HOUR, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Safe room Lounge Bar.
**TRIBUTE TO JASMINE SULLIVAN FEATURING JASMINE HARRIS at Perfect Note.
**LOST HEARTS WITH BLOOD MOON RIOT & SPEAK IN WHISPER 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 TUNES with KYLE KIMBRELL at The Nick.
**KAMALA LIMBAUGH BENEFIT with THE SICK FUCKS, DISINCENTIVE, THE PAPER ARMY, JUSTIFY THESE SCARE, BEAUTY IS THE ENEMY and SOUNDS IN MY HEAD at The Nick.
**SOULFUL SUNDAY with SAXOPHONIST DELON CHARLEY at Perfect Note.
**SUMMER SERIES- FOR A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, 5 p.m. at Legion Field with STOKLEY and YUNG VOKALZ.
MONDAY…
**BIRMINGHAM BANDSTAND with Special Guest 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.
**SGT. SPLENDOR featuring ERIC McFADDEN & KATE VARGAS at The Nick.
**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.
**COMMON MAN WITH BLOOD MOON RIOT at The Nick.
NEXT THURSDAY…
**READ THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES. Catch up on the news!
**ANDII STYRON, DOMINIC DELANEY, THE KILLBILLIES, and MIDNIGHT SHEPHERDS at The Nick.
NEXT FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY NIGHT WRITES, 8 – 11 p.m. at 7611 1st Avenue North.
**FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with D SMOOTH at Perfect Note.
**VERA BLOOM with POSEIDON at The Nick.
**THE LACS at Iron City.
IT’S 2023! NEWS TO USE…IN ALABAMA…PLUS…
NEWS TO USE…
SPOTLIGHT-
**FIRST ADULT SPELLING BEE IN BIRMINGHAM for 21 and up, SATURDAY, 8:30 p.m. at Bar Sebastian. Show off your linguistic prowess and compete against fellow word enthusiasts for a Fun Night Out. You do not have to be a spelling champ, just come for the fun, alongside other media, influencers and Birmingham tastemakers. Grab a dictionary and get ready! IF you miss a Word…Take a Shot! There will be special judges and a few surprises. For more: DM@Righteouslythepodcast.
**UAB SOLAR HOUSE FREE TOURS – UAB will be hosting its free tours on Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 1637 11th Avenue South, Birmingham 35294.The Solar House serves as a model for energy-efficient construction in Alabama. The Project aims to promote sustainable living in all aspects including a house powered by solar energy, with a fully remote microgrid. There will be free tours, a vintage market, nonprofit booths, Hero Doughnuts, face painting with Art play, Wild Honey Flower Truck and music by UAB Jazz Combo and more. The House + Sustainable Neighborhood is 100% solar-powered designed by UAB students, efficient and self-sufficient, zero waste space (don’t use single-use plastics and recycle and compost everything), full of nature and has a 2,5000 gallon rainwater irrigation system.
**GET COVID-19 TESTS FREE – The U.S. government is providing new (free) COVID-19 tests with deliveries starting October 2. FREE! Order the tests at COVIDTests.gov. Each household can order up to (4) FREE TESTS. The tests should last until the end of the year. This is an effort to prevent future shortages as the winter months come and the rise of coronavirus cases – as well as Flu and RSV- are expected. They will be effective in testing for new variants, including the BA.2.86 variant.
FOR FOOD LOVERS…
**TODAY – TASTE OF HOOVER, at 5 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens
**TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY – 50th ANNUAL GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL, 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.at Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 301 19th Street South.
**FRIDAY – BIG DADDY’S FISH FRY FRIDAY, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 1200 Hall Avenue, Bessemer.
**SATURDAY – WHATCHA COOKING BIG DADDY SATURDAY, 3 p.m. until at Chaser’s Sports Bar and Grill, 815 24th Street North (Downtown).
**TUESDAY – TAPAS & TAPS at Lake Parke, 5:30 p.m. with food, live music, small plates, local dining and more.
**NEXT FRIDAY – 5th ANNUAL ST. SYMEON FOOD and CULTURE FAIR, 9 a.m. at St. Symeon Orthodox Church.
**NEXT FRIDAY – FOOD + FARMERS, 7 a.m. – Noon at Pepper Place.
**NEXT FRIDAY – HARVEST FESTIVAL, 9 a.m. at Oak Mountain State Park.
**NEXT FRIDAY – ALABAMA FARMERS MARKET FALL FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Finley Avenue Farmer’s Market, 344 Finley Avenue West, Birmingham.
**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.
FOR MOTORSPORTS LOVERS…around the southeast…
**MICHAEL JORDAN WAS AT TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY …if you did not know or were not there. MJ was at the Talladega Superspeedway, this past weekend, with his team for the YellaWood 500 Weekend race on Sunday. The Talladega Superspeedway lived up to its expectations as one of the most anticipated races in NASCAR. Both of Jordan’s 23XI Racing teams languished below the cut line. The #23 driver, BUBBA WALLACE, could explore the option of accumulating stage points to qualify. Wallace led 3 laps, completed 188 and finished 23rd. The #45 TYLER REDDICK had a two-point barrier and a road course expertise as an additional strength. Reddick led 2 laps, completed 188 laps and finished 16th. The winner of the YellaWood 500 was RYAN BLANEY after a last-lap duel with Kevin Harvick to the start/finish line. WILLIAM BYRON came in second, with DENNY HAMLIN in third. This is Blaney’s third win at Talladega. A LITTLE HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT TALLADEGA – This was the sixth closest race in history at Talladega and also the competitiveness of the race from start to finish. This was the second race of the Round of 12 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. (Some taken from Essentially Sports and CBS.)
*THIS WEEKEND – 18TH ANNUAL BARBER VINTAGE FESTIVAL at the Barber Motorsports Park is the largest Vintage Motorcycle festival in the country with activities including historic motorcycle racing, food trucks, entertainment, parade laps, swap meet, stunt shows, Wall of Death, Globe of Death, Monster BMX Team Stunt Show, demo rides, food trucks, beer garden, Ball of Steel, merchandise, live music and more. There is the 100 Year Anniversary of BMW Motorad, the first time ever in the United States. There is the Isle of Triumph for free fan area with bike shows, live music, and giveaways. The Grand Marshall is Fujio Yoshimura.
FOR FOOTBALL LOVERS…
**MOREHOUSE TUSKEGEE CLASSIC, SATURDAY at Legion Field, 7 p.m. Kickoff.
**THE BIG GAME WATCH PARTY between TEXAS A&M VS ALABAMA at Cabo Costal Grill NEXT SUNDAY.
FOR MUSIC AND EVENTS’ LOVERS…
IN OCTOBER…
IN BIRMINGHAM…
**TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY – FESTIVAL DE CINE at Sidewalk Cinema.
**SATURDAY – OPERA BIRMINGHAM’s performance of THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Avondale Amphitheater. Children’s tickets are FREE.
**SATURDAY – DISTRICT 8 BLUES AT THE BALL PARK, 8:30 p.m. in Rickwood Field with MS. JOHNNIE AND THE JAMMERS, ‘HURRICANE’ ELAINE HUDSON, CHARLES ‘SUGAR HARP’ BURROUGHS, ALBERT WHITE, ARETTA WOODRUFF, ROB HARRIS, ELNORA SPENCER, JEFF JENSON BAND, JOSE RAMIREZ, NIKKI HILL and more.
**SATURDAY – 60th BLUFF PARK ART SHOW, 9 a.m. in Hoover.
**NEXT FRIDAY – RHYTHMS OF COLOR ART FEST AND STUDENT ART COMPETITION, 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.
**NEXT SATURDAY – THE BLACK VIOLIN EXPERIENCE at the Lyric Fine Arts Theatre.
AT ALYS STEPHENS CENTER, JEMISON CONCERT HALL…
**SATURDAY – KEB MO, Country Blues,
**OCTOBER 15 -ERIC BENET, 6 p.m., R & B.
**OCTOBER 29 – TRUMBONE SHORTY, 6 p.m.
AROUND THE SOUTHEAST…
IN GEE’S BEND…
**THIS SATURDAY – AIRING OF THE QUILTS FESTIVAL, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
IN ATLANTA…
**SUNDAY – 8th ANNIVERSARY POETRY VS HIP-HOP LIVE SHOW, 8 p.m. at the City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Avenue NE with music by PHILIPPIA WILLIAMS, Hip-Hop feature TRANSLEE, comedy by B-TUCK, hosted by Grammy nominated poet Queen Sheba, co-host is JAMEL MOORE. Team Poetry includes QUEEN SHEBA (Founder), SHEBARZ, CHEV, STEFFORTLESS, KITO FORTUNE and GLENWOOD URBZ.
IN NASHVILLE…
**EXPERIENCE AFRICA, October 15-21 in Nashville. This event series historic match-up is celebrating GHANA VS USA Soccer. The Ghana BLACK STARS play at the Geodis Park.
FOR LOVERS OF OUTDOORS…IN ALABAMA…
** SATURDAY DAYHIKE, Meet 10:45 a.m. Southeastern Outings Dayhike, Richard Martin Trail (previously named Limestone Rail Trail), Elkmont, Alabama- Details: This trail is located in extreme North Alabama just to the west of I-65 and a few miles south of the Tennessee-Alabama border and is rated easy. Hike a total of 5.3 miles and see lovely scenery along the path that was once a part of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad. Walk on one of Alabama’s rails-to-trails conversion routes on an old railroad right of way. This smooth trail is wide and level with no hills. The scenic trail goes through fields, near houses, through the woods, winds through wetlands with wildlife, a great variety of birds and will pass the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle. Bring your picnic lunch and drink with you. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 and over able to walk six miles without complaining are welcome. Optional dinner afterwards at Terranova’s Restaurant in Athens, Alabama. Meet 10:45 a.m. at the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride. Depart at 11 a.m. Info. and Trip Leader: Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com, phone 205-631-4680.
**SUNDAY DAYHIKE, Meet 1:45 p.m. in Oak Mountain State Park.Enjoy a moderate four to five -mile walk in the woodlands near. Parts of this hike may be off the color-coded trails. There will be some ups and downs. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 8 and up able to walk the distance of about four miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome. Bring a friend. Meet at 1:45 p.m. in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. Depart at 2 p.m.Bring $5/person ($2.00 seniors) park admission fee plus your drink.Info. and Trip Leader: Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969.
**NEXT THURSDAY WEEKDAY HIKE, Meet 9:45 a.m. Southeastern Outings Leisurely Weekday Hike at Veterans Park, 4800 Valleydale Road, Hoover, AL 35242. Enjoy an easy three-mile hike on trails in North Shelby County just off Valleydale Road. Veterans Park is an 82-acre park with numerous walking trails, a four-acre lake and a one-acre pond. The hike is about three miles. The walking pace for this hike will be moderately easy with views, trees, bird songs, the trail and woods around us. Bring water and wear good walking shoes or boots. Dress for the weather. Meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Veterans Park parking lot right beside the building with restrooms in it at the park. Depart from there at 10 a.m. Optional lunch at Metro Diner Restaurant in Inverness. Admission to Park: Free. Information and hike leader:Randall Adkins, 205/317-6969 cell.
FOR COMMUNITY LOVERS…
**COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP & CAREER EXPO, November 2nd (Boutwell Aud., Birmingham) and November 3rd (Embassy Suites, Montgomery), 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. There will be 60 plus colleges and universities, college admission and scholarships on the spot, waiving of college application fees, free admission, learn of short certificate programs in trades, funding for education information available. Students: (Bring 5 Copies of each) your official transcripts, ACT Scores, recommendation letters, and resumes. For more www.horusscholars.org/register-here/student-registration/
**GRAND OPENING – MAGNOLIA SOAP AND BATH, Friday and Saturday, 923 11th Avenue South.
FOR ART LOVERS…
AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART…
**NAPPY ROOTS: A TRANSATLANTIC STORY OF HAIR, STRUGGLE, AND LIBERATION through December 30, 2023.
AT BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE…
**MEN OF CHANGE EXHIBIT: POWER, TRIUMPH, TRUTH, 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.
HAPPENINGS 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).
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.
