Mountain Brook
Summer Reading Kickoff Carnival
May 20, 2:30 p.m.
Emmet O’Neal Library
The Junior Women’s Committee of 100 sponsors this carnival to kick off the library’s Summer Reading program. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. with the annual Thomas Hughes Brinkley Memorial Fun Run. The outdoor carnival from 3-5 p.m. features game and craft booths, concessions and a train ride. During the carnival, librarians will be on hand to register readers of all ages for the Summer Reading program. DJs from the Boosterthon will be there, too. Tickets and registration for kickoff events are available now. All other Summer Reading programs and activities begin May 29. For more information, call 879-0497 or visit www.eolib.org.
Mountain Brook
Shop and Eat in English Village
May 18, All day
English Village
The American Cancer Society and English Village are teaming up to host Shoe and Eat in English Village to support the upcoming Hope Gala. Participating merchants will have special sales or will donate a portion of their sales that day to the Hope Gala, an American Cancer Society event set for Aug. 25. Visit www.welcometomountainbrook.com for a list of special activities and sales. For information on the Hope Gala, call 930-8860.
Birmingham
Wild for a Cure
May 18, 6:30 p.m.
The Club
The Alabama Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International presents the 11th annual Night of Hope Gala, Wild for a Cure. The evening includes cocktails and a silent auction. Gala Committee chairmen are Paget Pizitz and Lynne Petro. The Living and Giving Honoree is Jim Richardson; Corporate Honoree is Bradley, Arant, Boult and Cummings. Special guest speaker is Kendall Simmons, former Auburn University offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For more information, visit www.jdrfalabama.org.
Birmingham
Hats Off!
May 19, 1 p.m.
Cahaba Grand Conference Center
Grace House Ministries, Inc., will host its 13th annual “Hats Off!” event to honor those who continue to serve the community and the girls who call Grace House their home.The fundraising luncheonwill take place from 1-3 p.m. Grace House is a nonprofit organization that provides safe and loving homes for girls who have been abused or neglected and cannot live at home. Proceeds from this banquet will directly support the mission of Grace House Ministries and are tax-deductible. This year’s luncheon will feature several guest appearances including keynote speaker Victoria Rowell from television soap opera “Young and the Restless.” CBS 42 news anchor Sherri Jackson will serve as the mistress of ceremony. Also, there will be a musical performance featuring recording artist Jillian Everett. Grace House Founder Lois Coleman, affectionately known as Mama Lois, will honor this year’s Legacy Award recipients, Addie Pugh and Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $75 for adults and $40 for children. There are also various levels of sponsorship for the event. Visit www.grace-house.org or call (205)-786-4663 for more information.
Cahaba Heights
Caring for Cahaba Heights
May 19, 9 a.m.
Cahaba Heights Elementary School
Caring for Cahaba Heights is a service project in remembrance of the storms of April 27 that devastated the Vestavia Hills community. The event will have service projects including yard work, planting and painting and will end at noon with a picnic and music. It’s being sponsored by Brookwood Baptist Church, Cahaba Heights Baptist Church, Mountain Brook Community Church, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Trinity Presbyterian Church and Cahaba Heights Elementary School.
Birmingham
Do Dah Day
May 19, 11:01 a.m.
Caldwell and Rhodes Parks
This free music festival and parade raises money for homeless animals. The parade, beginning at 11:01 a.m., winds along Highland Avenue. Bands begin playing at noon. Bring your dog, cat, lizard, llama or other friendly animal and enjoy the music, sights, concessions, merchandise and more. Do Dah Eve, the festival kick-off, is May 18 at Nana Funks in Birmingham’s Lake View district. Visit www.dodahday.org or follow on Facebook groups: Do Dah Day for more information.
Birmingham
The Main Event
May 19, 7:30 p.m.
3205 2nd Ave. South
Tickets are $75 for this fundraiser benefiting the Levite Jewish Community Center, American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. Included are cocktails, dining, music, a silent auction, special guest appearances and commentary and boxing. The Juarez Boxers and special guest former Gov. Don Siegelman will take to the ring and show off their skills. Women can show their support for AHA by wearing red. Black tie is optional. For more information, visit www.bhamjcc.org.
Mountain Brook
Evening of Wines
May 20, 5:30 p.m.
Country Club of Birmingham
The Alabama-Mississippi chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society hosts Alabama’s oldest wine auction. Before dinner, guests can visit with honorary chairman Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of Caymus Vineyard in Napa Valley, Calif. The event includes an auction. For more information, call Andrew Bell, chapter vice president, at 879-8546.
Birmingham/Vestavia Hills
Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition and Gala
May 19-20
UAB Hulsey Hall, VCC
Twenty aspiring young singers from across the country, chosen from more than 100 applicants, will compete May 19-20 for more than $12,000 in cash prizes and a chance to sing Opera Birmingham’s “Catch a Rising Star” concert in the fall. The semi-finals of Opera Birmingham’s 2012 Vocal Competition will be on May 19 at UAB’s Hulsey Hall.The morning session of the semi-finals competition is from 10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. The afternoon session is 1:10 p.m. -2:20 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 at the door. Season ticket holders are admitted free of charge and are still available by calling Opera Birmingham at 322-6737. “Opera Idol 2012,” the gala dinner and finals of the 34th Annual Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition will be May 20 at Vestavia Country Club. The evening will commence with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. A concert of the finalists begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner immediately following. Tickets are $175 per person ($100 per person is tax deductible) or a Patron Table of eight for $1,500. Black tie attire is optional. Advanced reservations are required. Reserve your place by calling 322-6737.
Hoover
Birmingham Boys Choir Spring Concert
May 20, 4 p.m.
Shades Crest Baptist Church
The Choristers of the Birmingham Boys Choir will present this 34th annual concert featuring the Junior Choristers, Senior Choristers and Continuo Chorister of the BBC. Admission is free. To audition for the group’s 2012-13 concert season, visit www.birminghamboyschoir.com or email Ken Berg, music director at [email protected]
Hoover
C.S. Lewis Onstage
May 20, 2:30 p.m.
Hoover Library Theatre
The Seasoned Performers will present a one time-only performance of “C.S. Lewis Onstage” by Birmingham native Tom Key. Eight works by Lewis form Key’s adaptation, a performance he has honed over 20 years in venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and the Shaldonean Theater at Oxford University, England, at the invitation of Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham. After the performance, the Seasoned Performers will host a reception honoring Key at a private English manor-style home in Ross Bridge, where patrons may meet and chat with him. The reception will feature British pub fare and beverages. Tickets are $50 for the play and an additional $25 for the reception. For tickets, call 444-7888.
Homewood
Pierre Bensusan Live
May 20, 3 p.m.
Virginia Samford Theatre
Bensusan is an internationally acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist and composer whose music is often characterized as Celtic, folk, New Age or chamber jazz. Tickets are $20; call 251-1206 or visit http://www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org/season.php.
Birmingham
Boomers RxR
May 26, 5 p.m.
Railroad Park
Eastview Healthcare Center will host a free concert for the baby boomer generation from 5-8 p.m. featuring living entertainment by Gritz and Jelly Butter. For more information email [email protected].
Birmingham
Magic City Brewfest
June 1, 7 p.m.; June 2, 4 p.m.
Sloss Furnaces
Free the Hops! presents this weekend dedicated to learning about craft beer and sampling the best Alabama has to offer. More than 200 individual beers will be available for tasting, including many rare, specialty and cask ales never before seen in Alabama. Music will be provided by Red Mountain and The Dozens on Friday and by the Old Paints and India Ramsey Saturday. Tickets are $33 in advance or $39 at the gate. VIP tickets are $89. For more information, visit www.magiccitybrewfest.com.
Homewood
Faces of Lupus Unveiled
June 2, 6:30 p.m.
Aloft
This annual fundraising gala supports the Lupus Foundation of America and LifeVision Enrichment Network, Inc. It includes a cocktail reception, music Mardi Gras masked theme with the unveiling of two faces of lupus, Cajun hors d’oeuvres, dessert buffet, entry into an hourly raffle, a prize for the most elegant mask, gift bag and more. Mistress of ceremonies is Chandra Kendall. Keynote speaker is Dr. Robert P. Kimberly, UAB professor of medicine and Howard L. Holley Research chairman of rheumatology. Admission is $30; tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information or to buy tickets, visit facesoflupusunveiled.eventbrite.com
Birmingham
2012 Life Inspiration Awards
June 5, 5:30 p.m.
The Club
American Cancer Society volunteers are planning this event, held annually to celebrate survivorship, caregivers and medical professionals fighting cancer. The Caregiver award is given to someone who stood alongside their loved one throughout his or her battle. The Life-Saver award recognizes health professionals. Bobby Humphrey, former University of Alabama football player, is the keynote speaker. For more information visit www.lifeinspirationawards.org. or call call (205) 930-8879.
North Shelby County
Bark and Wine
June 16, 6 p.m.
Eagle Point Golf Club
Goods and services from donors will be auctioned off in live and silent auctions at this event hosted by the Shelby Humane Society. Tickets are $40 per person or $60 per couple; visit www.barkandwine.eventbrite.com. Net proceeds benefit programs and pets of Shelby Humane Society.
Chelsea
Weight Management Camp
June 3-20
Camp Hargis YMCA
Register now for this third annual overnight weight management camp. Camp SHINE educates at-risk or obese children about healthy lifestyle habits and to jumpstart weight loss through fun activities and a healthy diet. The camp also serves as a resource to parents who want to help their children maintain a healthier lifestyle. Camp SHINE will include cooking lessons, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, field trips, canoeing, dancing, hiking and many more kid-friendly activities. All camp counselors are affiliated with the William A. Daniel Adolescent Health Center, a joint initiative between Children’s and UAB. The program is coordinated by UAB physicians. Registration is $600; some scholarships are available. Applications must be submitted by April 15. For more information about the camp or to register, visit http://weight.childrensal.org.
Birmingham
An Acoustic Evening with Jason Isbell
June 16, 7:30 p.m.
Alys Stephens Center
This is the first show in the “GoodSongsGoodPeople” series presented by UAB’s Alys Stephens Center, Good People Brewing Co. and Birmingham Mountain Radio. The special series for music lovers, which focuses on songwriting, will spotlight three artists; the next two artists in the series will be announced later. The show will be in the center’s “On Stage” format, which turns the traditional concert hall around so patrons can be closer to the artist. Tickets are $29.50 plus a $2 restoration fee. Guests can arrive at 6:30 for a cocktail hour with a cash bar featuring Good People’s finest craft brews and food and snacks from Birmingham eateries. For this series, patrons can purchase a theater-friendly commemorative cup and take their drinks into the show. Call 975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org for tickets or for more information.
Mountain Brook
S-M-ART Camp
June 25-29
Mountain Brook Elementary
Three Mountain Brook Elementary teachers are teaming up to host S-M-ART Camp (Spanish, Music and Art). Spanish teacher Sara-Kathryn Bates, music teacher Shari Dorsett and art teacher Kendra Haddock will lead the camp, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, for all incoming kindergarten-third grade students in Mountain Brook. Activities include artistic creations, musical productions, Spanish language crafts, a trip to Davenport’s for lunch on Thursday and more. The camp ends Friday with an artistic, musical and Spanish presentation for parents. Cost is $255, which includes a camp T-shirt, snacks and bottled water, lunch at Davenport’s and supplies.
