Laugh, sing along and shout 'Play ball!' this weekend with Can't Miss Alabama

Published On: 07.21.16 |

By: Alabama News Center Staff

Laugh, sing along and shout ‘Play ball!’ this weekend with Can’t Miss Alabama

It's a home-state showdown this weekend as the Birmingham Barons face off against the Montgomery Biscuits. (File)

It’s hot as July out there, but there are some cool things to do this weekend with Can’t Miss Alabama.

Laugh yourself happy in Hoover with Rickey Smiley

Rickey Smiley is in Birmingham this weekend. (Contributed)

Rickey Smiley (Contributed)

Rickey Smiley has been at it for more than 25 years, but the radio, television and standup star still has plenty of hilarious observations on modern life to deliver as only he can. He has earned a reputation as of the few top-tier comics who can keep it clean and still make you hurt yourself laughing. Six of Smiley’s seven shows this weekend at Hoover’s Stardome, 1818 Data Drive, are sold out, but at post time on Thursday tickets were still available for his show at 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $38 and $33.

Cheer for your favorite Alabama ballclub in a home-state showdown

The Birmingham Barons host the Montgomery Biscuits at Regions Field for a five-game series that lasts through the weekend. Remaining games are at 7:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Each game features something special: a pregame concert tonight, merchandise giveaways for kids Friday and Saturday, and a salute to the Armed Forces on Sunday. Tickets are available here.

Fall under a spell at an enchanting live rendition of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Stephanie Rothenberg and Alexander Mendoza in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” (Contributed)

The “tale as old as time” gets retold in a sparkling new production as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery brings its collective talents to Disney’s spirited musical version of “Beauty and the Beast.” Ages 4 and older. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $44 through age 16, with adult prices ranging from $54 to $79.

Find your musical bliss with the annual W.C. Handy Music Festival

North Alabama’s 10-day 35th Annual W.C. Handy Music Festival kicks off Friday with events scheduled all over the Florence-Muscle Shoals area. Whether you love gospel, blues, singer-songwriters or R&B, low-key or amped up, from fun runs to a truck show, there’s something on the calendar for you. One of the opening weekend’s big events is “A Night to Remember,” a kickoff concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Shoals Theater in Florence featuring Howard Hewett, Latimore, Prince Damons Band and the Midnighters. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door. For a full list of festival events, click here.

Jump back to the Jazz Age and say ‘Happy Birthday’ to Zelda

“Z: The Beginning of Everything” will get a showing at Montgomery’s Fitzgerald Museum in honor of Zelda Fitzgerald’s 116th birthday. (Contributed)

Not every great writer has an even more colorful spouse, but F. Scott Fitzgerald certainly did. Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, one of Montgomery’s most famous daughters, gets a 116th birthday tribute on Sunday at the Fitzgerald Museum. Those attending the free event at the couple’s former residence, 919 Felder Ave. in Montgomery, will enjoy a refreshing drink and cake and a viewing of the pilot of the Amazon miniseries “Z: The Beginning of Everything.” The party begins at 5:30 p.m. with the viewing at 6, followed by a Q&A with Will Thompson, the museum’s executive director.

Enjoy ballgames at the beach with two big Gulf Coast world series events

The Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley sportsplexes are hosting the 2016 USSSA Global Sports Baseball World Series 6, with games starting at noon Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 256-651-1686 for more information. Meanwhile, the 2016 USSSA Softball “C” Fastpitch World Series continues Thursday through Sunday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, 19025 Oak Road West. More than 150 teams are competing, with games starting at noon daily. Call 256-990-0978 for more information.