Virtual programs and activities this weekend from Can’t Miss Alabama
Orange Beach Seafood Festival returns to the Wharf
Magic City Classic tickets
Tickets are on sale for the highly anticipated 79th annual Magic City Classic rivalry game at Birmingham’s Legion Field between Alabama A&M and Alabama State on Saturday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. This year, fans will see a lot of changes around the festivities due to COVID-19 restrictions, including face coverings. Attendance to the game will be limited to 25% of stadium capacity, and there will be no band performances or tailgating. Follow this link to purchase tickets.
Alys Stephens Center presents: ‘Dedication’
Celebrate Black History Month with a live-streamed concert Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. with the Eric Essix Group featuring Tracy Hamlin. “Dedication” is a tribute to Black history icons who have made their mark in the cause of civil rights, music, sports and American culture. The featured individuals are selected for their greatness and contributions. A musical tribute is performed that either highlights their contributions or is a part of their legacy. A short but comprehensive three- to four-minute video bio is shown prior to the song to give the audience some history and context for the featured Black history icon. Reservations required at online/virtual space.
Artists in Quarantine
The Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) highlights professional and local dancer Chris Pugh during Black History Month. The Birmingham native uses dance to influence the world around him in a positive way, with the belief that dance helps him reach people in ways that sometimes words cannot. BMA is offering other virtual programs, including Jacob Lawrence and History Forward.
For the Love of Flight
In honor of Black History Month, the Southern Museum of Flight will feature “Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen At War.” As the first African American pilots in the United States military, the Tuskegee Airmen are heroes of World War II and beyond. Their story of the fight to achieve a “double victory” against fascism overseas and racism at home remains an important lesson in how excellence can beat adversity. Go here to view the film. Visit the website or message info@southernmuseumofflight.org to learn more.
‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’
“All Things Bright and Beautiful” brings together works primarily from the Birmingham Museum of Art’s permanent collection that look at themes of power and agency. This exhibition takes its name from a painting by Amy Sherald, whose portraits depict Black portrait-sitters with pride, dignity and joy, representation historically afforded only to white people. Some artists in the exhibition look toward power in creative endeavors, like music. Others contemplate the hidden potential of everyday objects by transforming them into works of art. Several artists engage the representation of space and architecture – including museum spaces – to discover the dynamics of power. Considered together, these works illustrate the importance of being seen, choosing how to be depicted and telling one’s own history. The exhibit will be available through March 31 at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
BPL Virtual Resources Spotlight 2021: The African American Experience
The Birmingham Public Library is hosting nearly 20 programs and activities, mostly online, to celebrate Black History Month. Topics include Let Freedom Ring, African American Genealogy Resources and a rebroadcast of the 100th Anniversary of Negro Leagues. Click here for more listings.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport honors Black History Month
As a part of Black History Month, travelers are encouraged to visit airport exhibits, including one honoring the Tuskegee Airmen. The exhibit features four P-51 Mustang Red Tail aircraft in formation as well as related artifacts, photographs and a uniform. There is an exhibit honoring civil rights activist the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, which offers an overview of his crucial work during the civil rights movement. For more information, email info@flybirmingham.com or call 205-595-0533. The airport is at 5900 Messer Airport Highway.
University of North Alabama features Black History Month events
Sponsors from across the University of North Alabama have created a unified Black History Month program calendar, bringing a variety of events and activities to celebrate and highlight Black history at UNA, in the Shoals and throughout the country. The complete list of events is here.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute spotlights Black history
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” explores the African diaspora and the spread of Black families across the United States. The Black family has long been a topic of study in many disciplines – history, literature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology and social policy. Its representation, identity and diversity have been reverenced, stereotyped and vilified from the days of slavery to our own time. Click here for the full schedule of events. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is at 520 16th St. N. Visit bcri.org for ticket information.
Cahaba Brewing Company
Brews and food will be hosted by the Cajun Steamer Food Truck Saturday, Feb. 27, from noon to 5 p.m. Find the food truck driving around Birmingham, dishing out authentic Cajun & Creole food truck exclusives. Follow along on Facebook.
UAB Watch Party at Iron City
The UAB men’s basketball team will take on UTSA onscreen at the Iron City Grill Saturday, Feb. 27. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the game starts at 3 p.m. Tacos are $3. Call 205-761-5100 for COVID-19 updates. The venue is at 513 22nd St. S.
Orange Beach Seafood Festival 2021
The 29th annual Orange Beach Seafood Festival and Car Show will be at the Wharf on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with modifications in place due to COVID-19. The festival is the major fundraising event for the Makos Academics Arts & Athletics Club (MAAAC) and Orange Beach schools. To help with social distancing, there will be no Kids’ Zone and fewer vendors. Sanitizing stations will be located throughout the site and, while it is an outdoor event, attendees are asked to wear masks. There is no admission charge. A $2-per-car donation will go directly to Orange Beach schools. MAAAC is also hosting a Seafood Festival 5K Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 a.m. To participate in the 5K run, sign up here. The car show will feature antique, classic and hot rod vehicles. The registration fee for the car show is $50 in advance and $75 the day of the show. The lineup begins at 8 a.m. All vehicles must be in place by 9:30 a.m. Awards are presented to the Top 10 cars and there is a 50/50 split-the-pot raffle. Register here for the car show.
Birmingham Bulls vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers
The action is nonstop with music, contests and the prospect of a free souvenir at the Birmingham Bulls vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Visit the website for COVID-19 safety procedures.
Gulf Coast Comedy Fest at OWA
Get ready for a night of laughs Saturday, Feb. 27, at the annual Gulf Coast Comedy Fest featuring Brandon Styles’ “A Trip Down Memory Lane Dinner Show.” The live show features spot-on impressions and songs from classic artists. Enjoy a meal and adult beverages – catered by OWA’s Groovy Goat restaurant – while Styles’ impersonations take you back in time. Tickets to the dinner show start at $42 (with VIP upgrades available) and include salad, main course, side, dessert and the choice of one drink. Group pricing is available on request by contacting Brandon Styles Theater & Magic Shop. The theater is between Alvin’s Island and Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill at OWA in Foley.
Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama
The Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama is an annual traveling juried event. The show is open to students throughout the state who have visual impairments, blindness or deaf blindness. The artists are of various ages and attend public, private, residential and home schools. The show provides artists an opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities. Children who participate in the show use various media to create their works. Art is included in the students’ academic curriculum in areas such as the development of communication skills using visual and tactical abilities, math, science, reading and leisure activities. The artwork emphasizes creativity, color and tactile media. Student artwork is exhibited in an open reception ceremony at the beginning of the year, then in museums and venues throughout the state. The art show will be on exhibit at the Shelby County Arts Council, 105 West College St. in Columbiana, until Thursday, Feb 25.
Quilts in the Courtroom in Monroeville
The Monroe County Museum will showcase a variety of quilts on loan from around the region in a free exhibit. Quilts in the Courtroom will run through Friday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Quilts will take center stage, adding lively patterns and vibrant splashes of color throughout the courtroom made famous by the film version of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Designs will range from the traditional to one-of-a-kind originals. Raffle tickets will be sold for the “Magnolias in Bloom” quilt donated by Wanda Fountaine and LuAnn Joswick of the Pensacola Quilt Guild. To purchase a raffle ticket, call 251-575-7433. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward support and maintenance of the Old Courthouse Museum. Proper protocols related to COVID-19 will be followed during the exhibit, such as social distancing and the wearing of masks or face coverings.