Find the best restaurants with outdoor seating and more in Can’t Miss Alabama
It's the perfect season to dine outside. (Getty Images)
Register for a Breast Cancer event through the end of the month.
Afternoon at the ArBOOretum in Tuscaloosa
Learn about the many different types of vicious vegetation and hair-raising animals that call Alabama home at the University of Alabama Arboretum and Department of Biological Sciences’ third annual “Afternoon at the ArBOOretum” Halloween celebration. The free event is open to the public and will be in the arboretum’s Harry Pritchett Running Park Oct. 24-25 from 1 to 3 p.m. ArBOOretum will be a drive-thru event. Attendees will be required to wear face coverings and remain in their vehicles as they are given goodie bags filled with sealed, store-bought candy from event workers. The goodie bags will contain activities related to online videos produced by faculty, graduate students and staff. These videos will teach about biodiversity in “spooky ways.” One creepy plant being featured is the resurrection plant. Animal topics will include “vampire aphids” and an exercise on identifying animal “sounds of the night.” RSVP for ArBOOretum here. The videos highlighting biodiversity will be on the arboretum’s website and Facebook page. For more information, contact mrmckain@uga.edu.
Birmingham National Jamaican Jerk Day
Get a taste of Jamaica at Birmingham National Jamaican Jerk Day with DJ Trini Fresh and DJ White Lyon. Hear the best in dance hall, reggae, soca and Afro-Caribbean music. The outdoor event will be hosted by Slayyy Queen and Rich Muzic Saturday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 11 p.m. at Bizarre: The Coffee Bar. Admission is free. Register here. For more information, call 205-427-0710. Social distancing and masks are required. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. The venue is at 217 22nd St. N.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month events continue
For decades, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) has raised money for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB and with collaborative partners. Donations stay in Alabama to support local research, which in turn makes a national impact. During October, Can’t Miss Alabama is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month by featuring information and events from the BCRFA website.
Here are this week’s highlights:
- Kendra Scott Shopping Event: Shop with Kendra Scott online Oct. 22-23 or at its store at the Summit Oct. 22 to give back 20% to the BCRFA. In the store, mention the BCRFA sale. To get the online code, check BCRFA’s Instagram page.
- 11th annual Pink Luncheon: Make a minimum donation of $25 to the BCRFA to enjoy a buffet, fun and prizes at MSE Building Co. by Friday, Oct. 23. Call 205-833-9010 to RSVP.
- CrossFit Chelsea’s Fight Like a Girl: Head out to CrossFit Chelsea to Fight Like a Girl, a two-person, mixed-gender CrossFit team event Saturday, Oct. 31, to help raise money and awareness for the BCRFA.
- Cahaba Brewing Goes Pink for BCRFA: Cahaba Brewing has a tart cherry and hibiscus Berliner Weisse specially brewed for the month, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting BCRFA.
- The Four-Course Sessions: Every Thursday in October, join Thrivent, Brick & Tin and the BCRFA for the inaugural “Four-Course Sessions.” Participants will enjoy good food and company while virtually learning about wise giving strategies. Attend one session or all four.
Your support will make all the difference. (Getty Images)
- Pink Up The Pace 2020: The third annual Pink Up The Pace, presented by Vulcan Materials, is going virtual. Join the BCRFA to raise money and awareness for local, lifesaving breast cancer research by running during October. Runners can compete for the fastest 5K time or participate in the collaborative distance challenge, connecting runners across Alabama to reach a total of 4,120 miles together, representing the 4,120 women who are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Alabama this year. The event also features a youth 1-mile run, scooter and bike race.
- Standard Heating & Air $5 for $5 Campaign: Standard Heating & Air will donate $5 to the BCRFA for every service call completed during October. During the campaign, Alabamians are encouraged to match the $5 pledge to transform each service call into $10 in donations. The company will also put up pink billboards during October.
- Pink Ribbon Project: Fire stations across the state will “Go Pink” to support breast cancer research in Alabama throughout October. More than 20 stations across Alabama are selling specially designed Pink Ribbon Project T-shirts for $15 and $20. Proceeds will help the BCRFA provide seed dollars required to secure national grants for breast cancer research at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- ARC Realty Blue Goes Pink: ARC Realty will donate $25 to the BCRFA for each new property listing during October.
- Stokes Automotive Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign: Stokes Automotive in Clanton will donate $100 to the BCRFA for every new car sold this month. More than $8,000 was raised in support of research in 2019.
Hidden Rivers Farm
Head over to Hidden Rivers Farm with the entire family for a day of corn mazes, animal encounters, pumpkins, games and more. There will be a tailgate tent for the day’s football games while the kids explore the farm. The farm is open through Nov. 1 on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is $8, with additional costs for animal feedings, pony rides and pumpkins. The venue is 298 Goose Pond Road in Hartselle.
Eat in the Streets
Downtown Birmingham restaurants will host Eat in the Streets Oct. 23-24. The event will be between blocks 100 and 200 on 20th Street North. Entertainment will be provided by Johnny Kulinich and Rick Carter. Friday times will be from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Lunch and dinner times on Saturdays for the downtown locations will vary. Check with downtown restaurants for their serving times.
Participating restaurants include:
Because these downtown restaurants are not in an entertainment district, patrons cannot carry open containers. Alcoholic beverages must be consumed where they are purchased. A mask ordinance remains in effect for the state because of COVID-19. Attendees must wear masks when not eating or drinking in the area. #bhamstrong
Eat in the Streets was launched in Avondale in July. (contributed)
Alabama Theatre
Top off the weekend with “Phantom of the Opera” at the Alabama Theatre. The 1925 silent classic is an unrated horror film that runs 93 minutes on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. A mad, disfigured composer seeks love with a lovely young opera singer. The film will feature Tom Helms playing his original score on Big Bertha, the Alabama Theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer organ. Tickets are $14. This show is reserved seating only to ensure that parties are able to sit 6 feet apart. Seats will be sold in pods of two and four. You must purchase the entire pod. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the show will begin at 2 p.m. Masks are required to be worn at all times except for when eating and drinking. All guests will have their temperature taken before entry. To make transactions as quick and safe as possible, cash will not be accepted at the box office or concessions; cards only will be accepted. This event is a fundraiser for the Alabama Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), the organization that cares for and maintains Big Bertha.
OWA Legends in Concert presents “Direct from London”
See Legends in Concert at the OWA Theater in Foley through Sunday, Nov. 1. The longest-running and most-awarded show in Las Vegas pays tribute to some of the biggest icons and luminaries in British music history (Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Rod Stewart and George Michael) together on one stage. “Direct From London” will feature not only first-rate tribute artists, but also high-energy dancers, backup vocalists, a live band, magnificent costumes, elaborate theatrical sets, a full array of special effects and much more. Performances at the OWA Theater are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale at VisitOWA.com/Tickets or by calling 251-369-6100. Group discounts for 10 or more are available. For additional information, go to www.VisitOWA.com or follow the series on Twitter @LegendsOWA, Facebook @LegendsInConcertOWA and Instagram @LegendsInConcertOWA.
Gadsden’s Hardin Center reopens
It is now free to view art exhibitions at the Hardin Center in Gadsden. Two exhibitions, a pairing of landscape painters, opened last week. New York artist Martin Weinstein uses acrylic paint on layers of floating acrylic sheets that are stacked to form a single image of great depth. The perspective of the image changes as the viewer moves. Maryland artist Stephen Estrada uses oil on canvas to capture coastal scenes. His work features spectacular images of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. The exhibitions are on view in the Chan Gallery until Wednesday, Dec. 30. Visitors may visit the art exhibitions and the Hardin Center’s 72-foot-long railroad model of Gadsden in the 1940s for free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. The art gallery and model railroad are closed on weekends. Donations are welcomed. The Hardin Center and Imagination Place are at 501 Broad St. For more information, call 256-543-2787, extension 38.
Alabama Center for the Arts
The 2020 Emerging Artists Exhibition in Decatur is open to the public through Monday, Oct. 26, in the Walking Gallery, hosted by the Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA). The exhibition will showcase works created by 18 student artists from Calhoun Community College and Athens State University. The project continues a long-standing collaborative academic effort between the colleges and serves as a model of academic institutional cooperation for the state. ACA is a venue for cultural events and activities and enhances an appreciation of art while promoting opportunities for creative expression for residents throughout the region. Click to learn more.
Paint Art Live
Every Thursday through Nov. 19, Paint Art Live hosts Cocktails + Canvases at The Wharf in Orange Beach. It is the ultimate paint party with different, colorful themes each week on a 16-by-20-inch gallery-wrapped canvas. Come early to grab a drink to sip while painting your autumn masterpiece. The minimum age requirement is 16, and attendees must be 21 or older with a valid ID to purchase alcoholic beverages. The cost is $20 per person. Click here to register. All guests must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Have fun but keep back 6 feet. Air high-fives are encouraged when you see friends.
Backyard Orchards
Enjoy a fall day at Backyard Orchards. In addition to picking the perfect pumpkin, enjoy the obstacle course, corn bin, obstacle course inflatable, ducky race, cow train, tire swing, corn maze, cotton seed wagon, pumpkin patch, cotton, sunflower fields and food. Grab your mask and your crew and head to Backyard Orchards for safe family fun any Friday, Saturday or Sunday through the end of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The event’s CDC restrictions are here. For questions and ticket information, email backyardorchards@hotmail.com or call 334-695-5875. The venue is at 6585 U.S. Highway 431 North near Eufaula.
