a great event for every day
2 THURS
It’s Groundhog Day, will Birmingham Bill see his shadow? Traditionally, if a groundhog emerges from its hole on Groundhog Day, then winter will soon end.
However, if that groundhog retreats back into its hole then winter will continue for another six weeks. I’m headed to the Birmingham Zoo to see for myself if Birmingham Bill retreats back into his hole or stays out to enjoy the day. Get there early to place your prediction in the prediction box, make a craft and enjoy hot cocoa and coffee. There will also be photo opportunities before and after the show with Birmingham Bill. Activities start at 9:30am and the show starts at 10am. And regardless of his action, I hope that Spring will come soon and the flowers will be in bloom for all to enjoy!
3 FRI
J Anthony Brown Comedian J. Anthony Brown will be performing tonight at the Comedy Club Stardome in Hoover. Brown is best known for his over the top suits matched with the finest pair of gators as well as his gregarious personality and fantastic comedic timing. J. Anthony has been writing and performing for over 20 years and has had many television and movie appearances while also writing for such shows as The Arsenio Hall Show, The Parkers and many more. His most popular bit is to sing his versions of the latest hit songs in a manner which would fit right in with American Idol auditions. The show starts at 7:30 both nights this weekend and tickets are only $29.
4 SAT
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 For myself, the older I have gotten the more I have enjoyed seeing classical music performances and tonight we have a real treat.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will present Maestro Chen and Eliran Avni who will be returning to the Alys Stephens Center for the first time since the 2010 season. Having received fantastic reviews while conducting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in ’09-’10, Maestro Chen will be sure to dazzle as she conducts Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite this weekend. Also, Avni will be reciting Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with his return to the ASO. Truly a great show and one not to be missed as it will be playing both nights this weekend. Tickets are reasonably priced from $79 down to $10 with a student ID. Concert starts at 8pm both nights.
5 SUN
Superbowl Sunday baby! Love ‘em or hate ‘em this year’s Superbowl contest will be between the New York Giants and New England Patriots which are both very popular teams nationally. I am going to be watching this game at my place with a couple buddies this year so I looked around for a couple deals out by where I live on Hwy 280. Fox n’ Hound will have buy one get one wings for take-out only with a minimum of 10 wings and Tilted Kilt will be running their $2 wells and domestic beers with .50 cent wings until 7. If you’re looking to get out of the house, the Comedy Club Stardome will be having a party hosted by Remy Martin with a cover charge of just $10. Whatever you decide to do make sure and enjoy it even if these aren’t your “teams” because unless you like arena football, it’s the last football you will see until the fall. However, that new Lingerie League on MTV is pretty awesome…
6 MON
Birmingham Aids Outreach BINGO Making a difference and being able to play BINGO at the same time?! Well, it only happens once a month on the first Monday of the month at the BAO building. BINGO at BAO is a great opportunity to have some fun and help support the fight against this terrible disease here in Birmingham. One can expect to see anywhere from 150 to 300 participants with cash prizes of $100 or more as well as door prizes throughout the evening. The game is held in the BAO building located at 205 32nd Street South. Doors open at 6:00pm and the game is from 7:00pm until 9:00 pm. $17 to play 6 games. Must be at least 19 to play.
7 TUES
Mafiaoza’s I have given up on ordering pizza from the usual suspects. Chain restaurants that you see all over TV with their enticing deals and appeals to the consumer as to the quality of their ingredients.
I just don’t buy it (pun intended). In lieu of my recent boycott of cookie cutter pizza parlors I have been frequenting a place that is local or at least regional, Mafiaoza’s. With over 75 choices of toppings that range from Andouille Sausage to Rembrandt Aged Gouda, any topping that is not made fresh in house or bought locally is imported. Without a doubt Tuesday is the best day to go because any slice of their New York style pizza is buy one get one free. So take your significant other or a buddy and get a couple slices and mix ‘n match. Oh yeah, and the 20 plus beers on tap are all half priced too!
8 WED
Bill Burr. Whoever is doing the booking for the Stardome has been doing a great job so far this year! Tonight only, we have yet another hilarious comedian at the Stardome.
Bill Burr, who got his first big break from being on the infamous and wildly successful Chappelle’s Show, will be performing tonight at 7:30 pm. Burr is a native of Boston, MA and brings a certain “tell it like it is” East Coast quality to his act which he showcases regularly on Letterman, Conan O’ Brien and Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. I am definitely not going to miss this show as it is one night only and tickets are just $28. The show starts at 7:30pm.
9 THURS
Birmingham Fashion Week. The second annual Birmingham Fashion Week got underway yesterday with a kick-off party at the Gus Mayer store at the Summit. Tonight’s event is the search for the Next Top Designer with 5 finalists being selected out of 11 Emerging Designers as well as 9 finalists being selected from 18 Rising Design Stars. Soca boutique in Homewood will host the first event while Laura Kathryn boutique in Mountain Brook will be holding the latter. Also the after party will be at my favorite jazz club, Ona’s in Pepper Place. Keep in mind that the BFW benefits many great charities including Camp Smile-A-Mile which helps kids with Cancer in Alabama and Alabama Forever, a foundation formed in response to the devastating tornadoes last April. So for high fashion and a great time this weekend make sure to check out some of the events at this year’s BFW which will be running until Saturday night. For more information please visit www.bhamfashionweek.com.