
Birmingham
Rally for Reading
Aug. 9, 6 p.m.
B&A Warehouse
This Literacy Council Junior Board event will include food and drinks, silent and live auctions and music from On the Real Side. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Visit www.literacy-council.org for more information or to purchase tickets.
Birmingham
Southern Summer Nights
July 28, 8 p.m.
Hill Event Center at the Alabama Theatre
This Hands On Birmingham’s Junior Board fundraising event will include food, music and drinks. Guests will have chances to win a donation from Diamonds Direct, SEC championship tickets, backyard grill, the Cabinet of Cheers and more. Tickets are $40 each or $65 a couple. Proceeds will go to further HOB’s mission to connect people to volunteer opportunities that improve their community. Visit www.handsonbirmingham.org for more information.
Birmingham
Shades Valley High Class of 1962 Reunion
July 27-29
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame; The Club
The Shades Valley High School Class of 1962 is having its 50th high school reunion July 27-29. A Friday night reception at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame will honor Bill Legg, Hall of Fame executive director emeritus and former Shades Valley teacher and coach. The main reunion dinner will be July 28 in the ballroom of The Club with other informal activities planned throughout the weekend. To help the reunion committee find classmates or for more information, contact Marvin Thornton at 591-3190 or jmt2143@aol.com.
Homewood
Grief Support Group
Every Sunday-Sept. 9, 4:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Birmingham
This peer-led grief support group hosted by First Baptist Church of Birmingham meets each Sunday now-Sept. 9 except for Labor Day weekend. The group is for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more information, call the church office, 870-3888.
Birmingham
Legally Blonde
Now-Aug. 5, 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Virginia Samford Theatre
Bailey Hanks, MTV’s “Search for Elle” winner and Broadway leading lady, heads to Birmingham to star in this Red Mountain Theatre Company production. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are $30-$35; call 324-2424 or visit www.redmountaintheatre.org. Group, senior and student rates are available.
Birmingham
An Intimate Evening with Lindsey Buckingham
July 26, 8 p.m.
Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center
UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center is adding a new superstar to its summer/fall lineup of world-class performers: acclaimed guitarist, singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Lindsey Buckingham. The former Fleetwood Mac band member and solo artist has a new album, “Seeds We Sow.” Tickets are $69.50, $60.50 and $49.50. Call 975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets or more information.
Birmingham
Eric Essix CD Release Party
July 28, 7:30 p.m.
Alys Stephens Center
Birmingham’s own Eric Essix will debut his new, self-titled CD with a celebratory concert. Tickets are $37 and include a copy of the CD. Call 975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org. The show is part of the “Good Songs, Good People” series presented by the ASC, Good People Brewing Co. and Birmingham Mountain Radio. Come early for cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar featuring Good People’s craft brews and food and snacks from Birmingham eateries.
Birmingham
Dream Showcase
July 28, 6 p.m.
Workplay
This event with more than 40 artists will showcase the talents and culture of young local artists. Visual and performing art will be on display. Admission is $7. For more information or tickets, contact Aimara Rodriguez at 370-2856 or arodriguez134@yahoo.com.
Hoover
YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program
July 30, 5:30 p.m.
Hoover YMCA
The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program will begin hosting classes at the Hoover YMCA July 30. Call Debby LaCruz at 801-7224 or email NoDiabetes@ymcabham.org for program fees and details. All participants receive 16-week complimentary citywide family access to the YMCA. Financial assistance may be available.
Birmingham
Home Sweet Home Playhouse Project
Aug.1-31
The Summit
CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, will host the annual Playhouse Project through August. A playhouse built by local volunteers will be displayed at The Summit. CASA staff and volunteers will be onsite every weekend in August providing entertainment for children and selling raffle tickets for $5 for a chance to win a playhouse. The final drawing for the playhouses will be Aug. 26. All money raised from the raffle will go to CASA Alabama to help abused and neglected children find a home. For more information, visit www.alabamacasa.org
Homewood
Hot Diamonds in the Summer
Aug. 2, 5:30 p.m.
Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry and Collectibles
This event, presented by Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, offers a chance to win “diamonds” during a wine and cheese reception at Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry and Collectibles at SoHo Square in downtown Homewood. A diamond tennis bracelet featured in the benefit is valued at $5,000 and presented compliments of David Hezlep and Preston Foy. Chances are $25 each or $100 for five. Tickets may be purchased at the reception or before the event at Wallace-Burke and Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama. Tickets also are available at www.alzca.org or by calling 871-7970. This event benefits ACA services, including respite care, scholarships for patients to attend adult day care centers and continence supplies.
Trussville
Bama Champs Fighting for Brielle
Aug. 4, 4 p.m.
Lightning Strikes Bowling Center
Prince Wimbley Productions will host a charity event and autograph signing benefiting Brielle Warren, daughter of Derrick Warren, a University of Alabama tight end from 1989-91. More than 45 former Alabama players have agreed to sign autographs in an effort to raise money for Brielle’s fight for her life as she battles Alexander disease. Entertainment includes the Wayne Mills band, a DJ, comedian Steve Brown and silent and live auctions. Tony Kurre from WJOX will be the emcee. Tickets are $10 at the door for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. Doors open at 4 p.m.; the signing will be from 6-8 p.m. Food and adult beverages will be sold. For more information, visit www.princewimbleyproductions.com.
Hoover
Shear Kindness: Haircuts to Help Kids
Aug. 4, all day
Join Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama’s Young Leadership Board for this third annual hair cut-a-thon. Participating salons — Paul Mitchell XCell Academy and Sports Clips in Wildwood, Pelham, Trussville, Lee Branch, Patton Creek, Alabaster and Fultondale — will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama and accept additional donations. For more information, contact Mallory Gudzan at 529-7369 or wallemp@gmail.com.
Birmingham
Greater Birmingham Republican Women
Aug. 13, Noon
B&A Warehouse
The Greater Birmingham Republican Women will host Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman from noon-1 p.m. For more information, contact Mary Saggus at mwsaggus1@gmail.com.
Birmingham
Cocktails in the Gardens
Aug. 9, 4:30 p.m.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The rejuvenated sixth season of Cocktails in the Gardens begins Aug. 9 in the Hill Garden. This season, The Gardens Café by Kathy G. will remain open until 8:30 p.m., offering a full cash bar and tasting menu. Tickets are $5 for BBG non-members and free to members. Admission includes entrance to the event and live entertainment. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit BBG educational programs. The Aug. 9 event features T.U.B. (The UnKnamed Band) with covers of the Grateful Dead, Phish and Widespread Panic. The cafe will offer white pear rosemary sangria and a Latin tapas menu available for purchase. Other events in the series will be Sept. 13 and Oct. 11. Visit www.bbgardens.org/cocktails for more information.
Birmingham
Wake up with the Animals
Aug. 11, 7:45 a.m.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be at the zoo when the animals arise in the morning, come to Wake Up with the Animals. The event begins with a special wildlife show and personal animal interaction at the Wildlife Stage. Next, watch an elephant feeding and hear a keeper chat in the Boma Yard. Afterwards, have breakfast at the Safari Café and then explore the zoo. Registration is from 7:45-8 a.m. Tickets are $9 for adult members, $17 for nonmembers, $6.50 for children who are members and $14 for children who are nonmembers. All tickets include breakfast and admission for the day. Make reservations by Aug. 3 by calling 879-0409.
Hoover
Babypalooza
Aug. 11, 10 a.m.
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
Central Alabama’s only baby and maternity expo and market will again feature more than 100 exhibits, health seminar areas, baby goods and services, shopping areas, childcare, birthday party area and more. The expo is designed for new, expectant and hopeful parents. There is no charge to attend. For more information, visit www.babypaloozatour.com.
Hoover
Greystone 5K and Lori Johnson 1 Mile Fun Run
Aug. 18, 8 a.m.
This eighth annual event will raise funds for ovarian cancer research. Overall winners receive cash and prizes. All children participating in the fun run will receive medallions as they cross the finish line. The event also includes a silent auction, food, pool games, entertainment and fun for the entire family. Pets are welcome. Register for both runs at raceit.com or on the day of the event starting at 7 a.m. The 5K starts at 8 a.m. followed by the fun run at 9 a.m. For more information, visit nlovca.org.
Birmingham
ArtPartners Live Auction and Showcase
Aug. 19, 5:30 p.m.
B&A Warehouse
This VSA Alabama event features a live and silent auction of collaborative works of art created by community artists and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. This year’s theme, “The Creative Power of 10,” celebrates the decade- long ArtPartners program. Patty McDonald, a longtime VSA supporter, is the 2012 Community ArtPartner honoree. Honorary co-chairmen are Grace Davis, Lindsay Davis, Allie Simmons and Ryan Steeley. The showcase includes a live auction by Guin Robinson with some 25 pieces of collaborative art from ArtPartners studio time. The silent auction will have an additional 150 pieces of art. Live music, wine and food are included. Tickets, $100 each or $150 for a pair, may be purchased at the door, by phone at 307-6300 or by visiting ArtPartners2012.eventbrite.com. For sponsorship or ticket information, contact Meagan Vucovich, development and communications coordinator, at 307-6300, ext. 12 or Meagan@vsaalabama.org or visit www.vsaalabama.org.
Hoover
Banks High School Class of 1962 Reunion
Aug. 25, 6 p.m.
Altadena Country Club
Members of the Banks High School Class of 1962 are invited to the class’ 50th reunion celebration. For more information, to sign up or to help find fellow classmates, contact Kaye Walker Davis at 822-0902 or kayewdavis@gmail.com.
Birmingham
Harvest of Hope Luncheon
Sept. 18, 10 a.m.
Cahaba Grand Conference Center
This sixth annual luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m.; a silent auction begins at 10 a.m. Bobby Humphrey, former University of Alabama running back and NFL star, is the keynote speaker. Janet Hall of Fox 6 News will be the mistress of ceremonies. The Rev. Al Lewis and Passion Lewis will provide musical entertainment.