Birmingham
Black-Out Cancer
June 8, 8 p.m.
WorkPlay
The American Cancer Society’s Junior Executive Board of Birmingham is organizing this fourth annual party, which ends at midnight. Guests are asked to wear all black. The event will feature music from The Undergrounders, a silent auction and free food, wine and beer. Tickets are $35 in advance and may be purchased from board members, online at www.jebbirmingham.org or at sponsoring stores, including all locations of Iron Tribe Fitness, La Vie MD & Spa, Mia Moda, Steel 1st & 23rd and Trak Shak. Those who attend the Black-Out Cancer Party are invited to the official after-party at Innisfree and Nana Funks, which will both donate all cover charge proceeds to the ACS. There will also be special drink prices in support of the cause. The money raised at the Black-Out Cancer Party and the after-party will go to the ACS for cancer research, education programs, advocacy efforts and patient support. For more information, visit www.jebbirmingham.org or call Mary Frances Colley with the ACS at 930-8893.
Birmingham
Bama Rocks
June 1, 8 p.m.
WorkPlay Theatre
Toomers for Tuscaloosa will present Bama Rocks! featuring Sudden Impact, Todd Simpson, Hope from a Downfall and Alive in Wonderland. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance at www.workplay.com or at the WorkPlay box office. The show is for ages 18 and older. There is a $3 surcharge for patrons under 21. Toomers for Tuscaloosa is a nonprofit that formed after the April 27, 2011 tornados.
Hoover
Celebrating Life
June 1, 6 p.m.
Regions Park
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Birmingham Barons and several Alabama cancer-related organizations will host this National Cancer Survivors Day event. National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration of life that is held in hundreds of communities annually during the first weekend of June. This year’s event will feature educational opportunities, children’s activities, giveaways and more. The Barons will take on the Chattanooga Lookouts and help recognize thousands of cancer survivors. The first 200 cancer survivors will receive a free T-shirt and ticket to the game. There will be an honor wall for attendees to honor a loved one who has battled cancer. For more information or to submit a name for the honor wall, visit www.uab.edu/survivorsday.
Irondale
Birmingham Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association Meeting
June 2, 11:15 a.m.
The Irondale Cafe
This quarterly meeting’s featured speaker will be J.J. Aretz Jr. with the Military Order of the Purple Heart. All women who assisted on the home front during World War II and their male and female descendants are encouraged to attend. For more information, call president Nell Branum, 608-0898.
Hoover
Hoover First United Methodist Church Yard Sale
June 2, 8 a.m.
Hoover First United Methodist Church
This annual yard sale will include furniture, clothing, household items, electronics and more. The sale ends at 2 p.m.
Hoover
Art in the Gardens
June 2-3, 9 a.m.
Aldridge Gardens
Alabama artists will exhibit their works at Aldridge Gardens, celebrating its 10th year. More than 50 participants will compete for category and best of show awards in this juried open-air show, which ends at 5 p.m. both days. Shop the works of painters, potters, woodworkers, photographers, jewelry makers and glass artists. Ron Lewis, Beverly Klamer, Jayne Harrison, Rollina Oglesbay, Ken Gables, Toby Klein and others will return; more than a dozen new artists will participate. Hoover trolleys will run continuously from the nearby HH Gregg parking lot; a food vendor will be onsite. For more information, call 682-8019 or visit www.aldridgegardens.com.
Ruffner Mountain
Wine and Cheese Hike
June 2, 6 p.m.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Hikers will have a view on the sunset over the downtown Birmingham skyline from Hawk’s View Overlook. After wine and refreshments, including cheese donated by Cabot Creamery, participants will head back down the mountain under a full moon. Tickets are $10. Visit shop.ruffnermountain.org to buy tickets or for more information.
Hoover
Preserve Jazz Festival
June 3, 3 p.m.
The Preserve
The 2012 Preserve Jazz Festival presented by Tom Williams Lexus is a world-class outdoor jazz festival. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the festival begins at 4 p.m. This year’s headliner is Kirk Whalum. Other performers include co-headliner Alex Bugnon, Birmingham’s Eric Essix and saxophonist Eric Darius. For the first time, the festival will offer the Lexus Platinum VIP package, which indlues onsite parking premium seating and access to food and beverages in the Lexus Lounge. General admission ticket holders will again park and ride from Regions Park on free shuttle buses. For more information visit www.preservejazz.com.
Birmingham
VULCAN’S 108th BIRTHDAY BASH
June 3, Noon
Vulcan Park
Vulcan will ring in its 108th birthday, and Vulcan Park and Museum has a party planned to help him celebrate. From noon–4 p.m., Vulcan’s surrounding park grounds will be transformed into a party atmosphere with balloons, clowns, live music, entertainment, ice cream and more in honor of the Iron Man’s special day. Throughout the afternoon, a variety of activities will take place for visitors of all ages to enjoy. At 2 p.m., all attendees are encouraged to join Birmingham Mayor William Bell in singing “Happy Birthday” to Vulcan. At this time free Blue Bell Ice Cream will be served (while supplies last). Admission to the party is $5 for ages 5+ and includes all birthday bash activities and entrance to Vulcan Center Museum and Observation Tower. Children ages 4 and under and Vulcan Members are free. Food and refreshments will be available for an additional charge. For party details, log on to www.visitvulcan.com.
Vestavia Hills
Vacation Bible School: Accept the Challenge
June 4-8, 9 a.m.
Shades Mountain Baptist Church
VBS classes, which last until noon each day, will be offered for incoming kindergartners-eighth graders. For more information, call 822-1670 or visit www.shades.org/summer2012.
Vestavia Hills
Steel Strides Point to Point 5K for MDA
June 9, 8 a.m.
Ruby Tuesday
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is partnering with KGS Steel, Inc. for the first “Steel Strides Point to Point 5K for MDA” run to benefit spinal muscular atrophy research through the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The course is a point to point downhill path beginning at Ruby Tuesday in Vestavia Hills and ending at Pizitz Middle School. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the run starts at 9 a.m. To register for the run, visit www.active.com and insert “steel strides” in the keyword prompt or contact the local Birmingham MDA office at (205) 823-8191. If you are not a runner, but still wish to donate to the event, contact Casey Ramey, director of business development, at (205) 823-8191.
Birmingham
Art from the Heart
June 10, 6 p.m.
B&A Warehouse
Tickets for the 23rd Art from the Heart are $100 for 5:30 p.m. admission and $60 for 6 p.m. admission. More than 200 artists donated works for live and silent auctions. The event benefits Studio by the Tracks, a nonprofit organization providing free art classes to adults with autism or mental illness and children with emotional disorders. Adults receive 60 percent from the sale of their artwork. Visit www.studiobythetracks.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
Birmingham
Al Pacino: One Night Only/Viva Health Starlight Gala
June 15, 7 p.m.
UAB’s Alys Stephens Center
This event benefits the programs and education initiatives of UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Al Pacino will discuss his life, career and backstage tales. He will show never-before-seen film clips and retrospectives and answer questions from the audience. Tickets are $125 and $175; both include a pre-show reception. Call 975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.
Homewood
National Sacred Harp Singing Convention
June 14-16, 9:30 a.m.
First Christian Church
This 33rd annual convention includes three days of Southern hospitality, fellowship and shape note singing from the Sacred Harp Hymnal published in 1844. The event ends at 2:30 p.m. each day. A covered-dish lunch is included. Sacred harp sings are participatory events with no rehearsals or performances. Last year the event drew 700 singers from 29 U.S. states, Ireland, Canada and the UK. For more information, visit http://www.mcsr.olemiss.edu/~mudws/national.html or contact P. Gaston White at 879-1909 or [email protected]. The event is open to the public.
Hoover
On Stage @ the Plaza
June 15, 12:30 p.m.
Hoover Public Library
This Hoover Public Library event includes a presentation by Catherine Heinzerling on Old World Europe: Budapest and Prague history and culture. The event is free and open to the public.
Hoover
Hydrangeas under the Stars
June 16, 6 p.m.
Regions Park
Aldridge Gardens’ 11th garden gala will celebrate the Gardens’ 10-year anniversary. Hosted by Kay and Eddie Aldridge and emceed by Dave Baird of ABC 33/40, the festivities will begin in the Michael Jordan Room of Regions Park. A cocktail reception starts at 6 p.m. with music by the Alabama School of Fine Arts Jazz Ensemble. Following the reception is a seated dinner prepared by the Jefferson State Community College’s School of Culinary Arts under the direction of Chef Joseph Mitchell. The final event will be a live auction conducted by Jack Grainger, which will feature art, wine and travel. Auction items include trips for two to Spain and Ireland, lake and condo stays, more than 20 plein air paintings from participating artists at this year’s Plein Air Art Show and Sale, wine baskets, jewelry and more. Individual tickets are $150, a table for eight is $1,000 and a corporate table for eight is $2,000. Buy tickets at Aldridge Gardens or through any committee member. For more information, call 682-8019 or visit www.aldridgegardens.com.
North Shelby County
Block Party and Health Festival
June 23, 4 p.m.
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
This family-friendly festival will feature the Rock Candy Band, a demonstration from the Flyball Dogs and free Zumba, hula hoop and spin classes. Children’s activities include a moonwalk, games and face painting, while adults will be offered free chair massages compliments of Spa One Nineteen. The event also includes the opportunity to meet local physicians and to have free health screenings, including cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and skin cancer evaluations; colorectal take-home kits; vision and hearing; prescription consultations and foot screenings and analyses. Fasting is not required and health professionals will be onsite to interpret results. The American Diabetes Association, Lupus Foundation and other health-related organizations will be at the event. Food vendors include Spoonfed Grill, Coca-Cola, Doodles Italian Ice and Edible Arrangements. For more information, call 408-6600 or visit www.onenineteen.com.
Birmingham
Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala
June 23, 11 a.m.
Sloss Furnaces
Forty teams of professional and backyard cooks will cook and serve gumbo and compete for 10 gumbo awards, including Birmingham’s Best Gumbo. The gala also includes live music by the Pineapple Skinners, children’s entertainment and vendors’ booths. The event raises funds to provide supportive services to the seniors and disabled adults who live on limited incomes at Episcopal Place. Tickets are $10; children under 13 are admitted free. Buy tickets at www.gumbogala.com or at the gate. For information, call 939-0085.
Hoover
Paws at the Library
June 24, 2:30 p.m.
Hoover Public Library
A Hand in Paw handler will bring one of the organization’s dogs and discuss the group’s Sit, Stay, Read program. Door prizes will be given away. Call 444-7840 for more information. The program is free and open to the public.
Hoover
Summer Acting Workshops for Seniors
July 9-25, 10 a.m.
Artists on the Bluff
The Seasoned Performers’ Martha Haarbauer will lead these six fun and interactive two-hour acting workshops especially for senior adults. Topics include how to open up and express yourself, what an actor should really be thinking about, talking and listening on stage, conquering stage fright, playing different characters and expanding your imagination. Haarbauer has taught acting for more than 25 years at UAB. Theatre games and scene work will be used in the workshop; no memorization is necessary. The workshop will be July 9-25, Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon. The fee for senior adults is $150 for all six sessions. For more information or to register, contact the Seasoned Performers office at 978-5095 or [email protected].
Homewood
Soiree@SoHo
July 26, 6:30 p.m.
Rosewood Hall in SoHo
The Girl Scouts Young Professionals Society will host the third annual Soiree@SoHo, formerly Soiree@Saks, from 6:30-9 p.m. Young professionals are invited to join the YP Society for live music, food and drinks, a silent auction and a role model runway fashion show by Belk at Brookwood Village. Proceeds allow girls in north-central Alabama to participate in Girl Scout programs. For sponsor and ticket information, contact Meredith Foster, communications coordinator, at 453-9530 or [email protected]
