EightDays (6/9/11 - 6/16/11)

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

TURN BACK THE CLOCK-AND PARTY! Remember when life was fun and cool? It was a while ago, I know, but it has a name if that helps you remember. It was called college. Or at least that’s what the people who are running the “College Rewind Backyard Band Party” are saying. The good people at the Alys Stephens Center invite you to go “back to your glory days. Where you can act like you’re 20 again—for one night at least.” But really, go to the party. Downright will be playing and (this is the best part) all proceeds go to the ASC Junior Patrons Education and Outreach Fund. The fund supports free education programs, scholarships and other opportunities for students who would otherwise not be able to afford them. You can have fun, enjoy a few beers, the company of friends and live music while knowing that it’s all for a good cause. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. So head to the backyard of ASC’s ArtPlay house, which I’m sure will be a hoppin’ joint, daddy-o. The fun will all be from 6:30-10 p.m. and tickets are $55 per individual and $95 per couple for new Junior Patrons members (includes membership)and $30 per individual and $45 per couple for current members. Call (205) 975-2787 or visit www.alysstephens.org  for more information.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

GIVE CANCER A BLACKEYE: If you’ve ever thought that wearing all black in the heat and humidity of an Alabama summer sounds like a fantastic idea, then I’ve got an event for you. If you haven’t, you should still consider attending The Black Out Cancer Party at Workplay. There will be wine, beer and food provided by Budweiser, Steel, Zaxby’s, Maki Fresh, Taziki’s and other vendors. The Undergrounders will be playing too, and there will be after-parties at Innisfree and Nana Funks. With a $35 donation,attendees will also be able to enjoy a 25 percent discount at nearby stores. Dress up or dress down, just make sure to wear all black. Even if that doesn’t sound like the best of ideas, give it a shot anyway. All proceeds for the event will go to the American Cancer Society. The party will be from 8-11 p.m. It costs $35 to get in and get the discount. The after parties will charge a $5cover. All proceeds for all events will be donated. Call (205) 930-8869 or visitwww.jebbirmingham.org  to find out more.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

HEAD TO THE WATERS:The Headwaters Festival is a new community festival being held at Trussville Springs to support health and wellness in Birmingham. Headwaters is going to beheld on the river-walk along the banks of the Cahaba River, which is appropriate considering the subtext of the whole event. The festival is going to be an interesting mix of environmental awareness,health awareness, education awareness and support for the arts. In case you haven’t caught on already, there’s going to be a veritable cornucopia of awareness on the banks of the Cahaba River during this festival. That isn’t to say that Headwaters is going to be a bunch of volunteers standing around trying to make you feel bad because you don’t run every day or compost everything that comes out of your house. The message of the whole festival is secondary to one thing: have fun! There’s going to be dance pavilions, a kickball tournament, galleries, kid’s workbenches and dozens of other activities. So just go have fun and maybe, just maybe, you’ll walk away with a bit or awareness too. But for the most part, just do what the festival says: “MOVE—IMAGINE—FEAST—RELAX.” The festival will be held through June 12,10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. The whole thing is free,though parking is $5. Call (205) 595-6306 or go to www.headwatersfestival.com   for more information.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

MAHAVIRA IN THE MUSEUM: The Birmingham Museum of Art has always liked to display exhibits that show a world from the past, particularly an Asia of the past. They are continuing that tradition this week with a new exhibit featuring Indian sculptures from as far back as the second century. These sculptures were donated to the museum by the Callahan Family, which has had a history of favoring the museum going back to the 1950s. Dr. Alston Callahan, a celebrated physician in Alabama during his life,traveled through India for many years, collecting dozens of sculptures along his travels. Richard F.Howard, director of the Museum of Art for 25 years, met Callahan in his home for dinner one day and, after seeing his sculptures, urged him to donate some of the work to the Museum. Dr.Callahan supported the Museum for much of his life, both financially and with his own private collection, and his children have continued that tradition. This collection is a good display of India’s character and heritage. The three main religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, have each influenced the art of the region in their own way. There are sculptures of Shiva and Vishnu, gods in Hindu; Buddha, the patron of Buddhism (who would have guessed?) and Mahavira, the mythical hero who inspired Jainism. Make a trip to the museum and check out these sculptures. Behind each is a story, and behind each story is a tiny part of the culture of India. The exhibit will be on display until October 2. As always, the museum is free. Call (205) 254-2565 or visit www.artsbma.org  for more information.

MONDAY, JUNE 13

KOFFIN AT THE NICK:The Nick has been called the CBGB of The Southand bands like Koffin Katsreally reinforce that idea. They’re a “psychobilly” bandfrom Detroit with a sound reminiscent of old school-greaser punk, drinking songs and (almost) The Dead Kennedy’s. They’re definitely an odd band, but then again most things worth listening to are a bit weird in their own way.If you’re looking for something violent and angry to listen to on Monday night, you can’t really do much better than Koffin Kats. The cover is $6, and the show goes on at 10 p.m. Call (205) 252-3831 or visit www.thenickrocks.com for more information.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

DOWN AND DIRTYLUNGS: There will always be a lot of local bands that just do what’s been done a hundred times before. Not that they’re bad, just that they definitely have their roots in the past. The Dirty Lungs, which is playing at Bottletree, is not one of those bands. While they’re definitely influenced by psychedelic rock,The Dirty Lungs are unique. Their sound has a lot of the features of retro-psychedelic, but some of the rhythms of punk. Whatever their summary is,they’re a great local band and deserve a look when they play at Bottletree. Giant Magic and Vegan Coke will be playing too, so it’s shaping up to be a great show. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the bands go on at 9 p.m. Tickets are $6. Go to www.thebottletree.com   to order tickets.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

CARS, CANCER AND CLEVE: Cleve Eaton is a living legend. No really. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame back in 2008 and he’s been given other honors across the country (and even outside the country). And he’s playing at Old Car Heaven, one of Birmingham’s great local venues, along with the Alabama Jazz All Stars. It should be a greats how and seeing Cleve perform is an opportunity you just can’t pass up. But there’s more to this story than just great music and great fun. A few years ago, Eaton was diagnosed with oral cancer. Fortunately, he is now cancer-free and back in the game. Medical bills, however, are often harder to remove. So donate to the cause (or buy a poster)and help one of Alabama’s greatest musicians get out of some dire straits. The cover for the show is $5. Call (205) 324-4545 or visit www.oldcarheaven.com  for more information about the show and visit www.clevelandeaton.com  to donate or buy a poster.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

RELAX AT RUCKER: Rucker Place is like an island in the city. It’s unique, beautiful and,most of all, it’s a place to escape. The house was built in 1900 by Civil War General Edmund Winchester Ruckeras a wedding gift for his daughter, but it wasn’t until 2003 when the house opened its doors as a beautiful venue for weddings and other formal events. But you don’t have to be planning a wedding to visit the beautiful house. Every first and third Thursday, Rucker will host Jazz on the Porch and open its doors to the public to provide music, tapas and a wine tasting. This Thursday the Mark Lanter Review will be playing, and Rucker will be providing tasty sandwiches, crostinis, fries and croquettes. So come down on Thursday night, 5:30-9 p.m., and enjoy one of Birmingham’s historical treasures. It’s only $5 to get in, cash only, and food ranges from $6-9. The wine tasting is another $5. Call(205) 558-2485 or visit www.ruckerplace.com  for more information.