Published On: 04.15.21 | 

By: Shirley Jackson

Get the highlights of Magic City Classic festivities in Can’t Miss Alabama

The Magic City Classic will be April 17 at Legion Field. (Nik Layman / Alabama NewsCenter)

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It’s another show-stopping weekend in Alabama.

Magic City Classic

The Alabama State University Hornets and Alabama A&M University Bulldogs will face off Saturday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Legion Field in Birmingham. A free hour of entertainment will be hosted by Roy Wood Jr. and DJ Traci Steele. This year, fans will see a lot of changes around the festivities due to COVID-19 restrictions, including mandatory 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.

Pregame Happy Hour

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will present a special event in honor of the Magic City Classic hosted by interim President and CEO DeJuana Thompson and member relations Coordinator Moya Morgan. The event offers a members-only happy hour with refreshments and after-hours access to tour the galleries Saturday, April 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a cash bar and live entertainment. Members can bring one guest for $10, payable upon entry. New 2021 BCRI membership cards will be available for pickup on-site. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and face coverings are required for entry. Become a member of BCRI here.

Virtual Classic Groove

This year’s spring edition of the Magic City Classic will be a virtual experience for fans and alums deeply rooted in history, culture and legacy. Events will feature stories of the country’s leading Black social innovators as well as appearances and performances by DJ D-Cas, Danielle Baskin of The Image, Sherri Brown and Carl Thomas. To learn more, click here.

  • April 16: Virtual Ignite will highlight modern-day social innovators and achievements. The event will feature music, gameday traditions and a headlining performance from Grammy-nominated singer Carl Thomas, hosted by Tasha Simone.
  • April 17: Virtual Tailgate Experience centers people and builds community by encouraging fans to creatively show gameday pride. Tailgating has always been a big part of the Magic City Classic experience and, although this year will look much different, the spirit of the game and the camaraderie shared among students, alums and fans will not be lost. The event will encompass a festive tailgate activation that features live music, special guest interviews, fan drop-ins and pregame events hosted by Fly Dave and featuring Birmingham DJs.

Gumbo Gala

Come hungry to the annual Gumbo Gala, a one-day cook-off by Birmingham’s Episcopal Place. The main event will be at Cahaba Brewing Co. Saturday, April 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The COVID-19-safe event will feature Chuck and the Kings on the main stage, Daniel Bowden on the porch, a vendor fair and the Tasteful Touch food truck. This year’s event offers free entry but donations will be appreciated. Guests will have an opportunity to order Gumbo to Geaux with curbside pickup at Episcopal Place April 22-23. This is a safe way of sharing delicious gumbo. Proceeds will benefit Episcopal Place, a nonprofit that provides affordable and independent living for low-income older people as well as low-income adults with disabilities.

Zoo Brews: Drafts at a Distance

Craft beer lovers can rejoice with Zoo Brews as it makes a comeback at the Birmingham Zoo Friday, April 16. This socially distanced event is an opportunity to unwind after a long workweek and enjoy a large selection of brews and wine. Attendees can taste beers from breweries throughout the Southeast. In addition to drinks, food trucks will be ready to satisfy cravings. Face coverings are required. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and tickets are $35. Purchase tickets in advance. Attendees must be 21 and older.

Rock the South

Rock the South returns to Cullman Aug. 13-14 with performances by Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nelly, Ashley McBryde, Jordan Davis, Ingrid Andress, Flatland Cavalry, Trey Lewis, Drew Parker, Morgan Wade, Alex Hall, Josh Kiser, Laine Hardy and Dee Jay Silver. Save up to $50 on tickets through Tuesday, May 18. Social Media Tag: #Biggestpartyinthesouth

Magnolia Festival

Enjoy a weekend of entertainment at the 20th annual Magnolia Festival in Gardendale with two days of live music, food, street performers, kids zone and more. Bring a chair and social distance. Admission is free Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mutt Strut Virtual Run

Hand in Paw’s annual Mutt Strut virtual run is on Saturday, April 17. The 5K and 1-mile run includes several dog-friendly race routes across Birmingham, contests and curating music playlists. Run or walk in the race at your leisure at any location. Each registered runner will receive a swag bag, a race day T-shirt and a doggie bandana. Register online at handinpaw.org/muttstrut. Packets can be mailed to participants living outside a 50-mile radius of Birmingham. Hand in Paw Campus is at 617 38th St. S. in Birmingham.

Birmingham Walking Tours

Vulcan Park and Museum (VPM) announces the expansion of its annual programming with 40 tours scheduled across Birmingham through the end of 2021. Visitors and residents may experience the history and beauty of Birmingham’s neighborhoods and cultural districts in a fun, invigorating way. The Birmingham Walking Tours invite participants to step into the shoes of the architects, visionaries, socialites and entrepreneurs who sparked the magic in the “Magic City.” The first three tours will be Center Street, the Retail/Theatre District and Five Points South, led by Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins, Gary Bostany and Allison Vosicky, respectively. From historical homes to new retail developments, VPM has offered walking tours the past 16 years unlocking and discovering the uniqueness of the city. A brainchild of historian and author Phillip Morris, the tours allow participants to dive into Birmingham’s history and culture to discover hidden architectural treasures. Registration is $25 for VPM members and $40 for nonmembers. Masks and social distancing are required. Tour groups will not exceed 20 participants. Reservations and payment are required in advance. The Birmingham Walking Tours are on Saturdays and Sundays over the next year. For more information or to register, go to birminghamwalkingtours.com.

‘Just Injust’ art exhibition

The Jefferson County Memorial Project (JCMP) is partnering with Space One Eleven Arts Center for the “Just Injust” art exhibition with an opening reception Friday, April 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibition will open with a panel discussion between Director Joi Brown, research fellows and formerly incarcerated artist Ronald McKeithen on Friday at noon. McKeithen was originally sentenced to mandatory life without parole under the Habitual Felony Offender Act and would have remained in prison until his death if he had not been resentenced in 2020. The discussion will be livestreamed on JCMP’s Facebook page. The exhibition will be available for public viewing through Friday, May 28. The venue is at 2407 Second Ave. N. in Birmingham.

Gravity Island Watersports

OWA’s Gravity Island Watersports in Foley will open the summer with two wet attractions, an Aqua Play and Wake Park, which are the first of their kind in coastal Alabama. The Aqua Play, by Union AquaParks, offers recreational waterplay on two inflatable obstacle courses in the lake at OWA. Guests will slip and slide, trying not to fall off, as they test their versatility and rush across the obstacles. The Wake Park is a two-tower cable system by Sesitec System 2.0 stretching across the lake at OWA, operated by professional wakeboarder T. J. Allen and his wife, Caitlin. Their team will provide hands-on training with the cable system to help guests glide across the lake with certified lifeguards on hand to ensure a fun, safe experience. Allen and his team will coach and give lessons to those looking to improve their wakeboard skills. For those new to watersports, Gravity Island Wake Park offers a “get up guarantee” to enhance the experience for every rider, regardless of experience. Once opened, reservations will be available online or onsite at the OWA Island Boathouse or Starting Dock behind Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant. Sign up for email updates at gravityislandwatersports.com.

Bloomin’ Festival

The 37th annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair is April 17-18 in Cullman at the St. Bernard Prep School. The outdoor festival will feature more than 150 artisans and welcome thousands of patrons to the campus for the annual two-day festival with food, music and entertainment. Enjoy pottery and ceramics, stained glass, woodwork, birdhouses, jewelry, clothing, dolls, brooms, fresh-ground cornmeal and grits, funnel cakes, kettle corn, roasted almonds, fudge, cookies and St. Bernard’s Best Bread. Ave Maria Grotto has reduced rates to $4 per person for the entire weekend. At the conclusion of the festival on Sunday afternoon, the school will give away a 2021 Jeep Renegade from Cullman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Other prizes include a set of Apple Airpods, Fitbit Charge 3 watch, Google Nest Hub and an electric Oral B toothbrush. Tickets are available online, at the school or Ave Maria Grotto for a donation of $5 per ticket or $25 for a sheet of six tickets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more opportunities to win, please visit the website or jnix@stbernardprep.com.

Alabama Ballet

Tickets are on sale for Alabama Ballet’s “Romeo & Juliet.” Performances are April 23-25 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Choreographed by Roger VanFleteren, associate artistic director and resident choreographer of Alabama Ballet, the classical ballet is based on Shakespeare’s tragedy. The ballet is known for its breathless pas de deux, dramatic emotions and tragic tale. Faithful to Shakespeare, it follows the fate of the star-crossed lovers from their first meeting to their untimely deaths. “Romeo & Juliet” is likely the world’s best-known love story, and the ballet version is set to Prokofiev’s dramatic score, widely recognized as a masterpiece of 20th-century music.

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Tickets are sold out for Sunday’s Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama but tickets remain for Friday and Saturday races at the Barber Motorsports Park. (Phil Free / Alabama NewsCenter)

The 2021 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama has sold out of tickets for Sunday, April 18. Sunday’s main event is the IndyCar series race, which NBC will broadcast. On-site attendance for 2021 is capped at 20,000, about 50% of a typical Sunday’s attendance due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Daily general admission tickets remain for both Friday and Saturday but are selling fast. Fans are encouraged to act quickly and purchase their tickets online at barberracingevents.com. Ticket prices are $20 (Friday) and $35 (Saturday). All tickets include free on-site parking and kids under 15 receive free admission. All on-site camping is also sold out. The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum will have extended hours for race weekend, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The museum is recognized by Guinness World Records as having the world’s largest motorcycle collection. It is also home to the world’s largest collection of Lotus race cars. Spectator protocols will include mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing protocol and cashless retail transactions. There will be no access to the garage area due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Alabama Crimson Tide A-Day Game

Alabama coach Nick Saban at practice prior to Saturday’s A-Day Game. (Rodger Champion/UA Athletics)

The Alabama Crimson Tide has several events scheduled around its A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium at noon Saturday, April 17. Alabama’s 2020 College Football Playoff national championship team will be honored at the conclusion of the 2021 Golden Flake A-Day Game. During the game, both the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award will recognize their 2020 winner, DeVonta Smith. The Maxwell Award presentation is scheduled for the first quarter break while the university’s copy of the Heisman Trophy will be presented to Smith at halftime. There will be 10,000 Alabama football posters for the A-Day Game with 5,000 available when the gates open and another 5,000 national championship celebration posters ready for fans as they exit after the conclusion of the celebration. ESPN will televise the game with Kirk Herbstreit and Joey Galloway providing analysis from the field, Joe Tessitore calling the action in the booth and Lauren Sisler reporting from the sidelines. At about 10:15 a.m. on A-Day, coach Nick Saban, along with 2019 and 2020 captains (Tua Tagovailoa, DeVonta Smith, Anfernee Jennings, Xavier McKinney, Mac Jones, Alex Leatherwood and Landon Dickerson) will address the crowd at the Walk of Champions ceremony at Denny Chimes. The captains will then leave prints of their hands and cleats in the concrete as they join a long list of Crimson Tide greats. The team will then hold its Walk of Champions, scheduled for 10:50 a.m., when it arrives at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Following the A-Day Game and national championship recognition, Saban will present the spring awards to the team at midfield to wrap things up. General admission public tickets are $5 and can be purchased by calling the Athletic Ticket/TIDE PRIDE office at 205-348-2262 or by visiting RollTide.com. Stadium capacity has been set at 50 percent for the A-Day Game with gates opening at 10 a.m. Facial coverings are required for entry into the stadium and are to be worn at all times except when eating or drinking. On-campus public parking is free for A-Day with lots opening at 8 a.m. Saturday. There will be no Crimson Ride shuttles running on A-Day. For more parking, traffic and A-Day information go to UAGameday.com. Alabama’s clear bag policy remains in effect during for 2021 A-Day Game.

Auburn Tigers A-Day Game

Coach Bryan Harsin talks to his team after practice. proir to Auburn’s A-Day Game Saturday. (Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics)

Auburn fans will have an opportunity to see the 2021 edition of the Auburn football team led by new head coach Bryan Harsin on Saturday, April 17 at the annual A-Day game presented by Golden Flake. The game is set for 1 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium and will be streamed through the ESPN app and aired on the Auburn Sports Network. Tickets are $10 each and are available for purchase online at auburntigers.evenue.net. Reserved seating will be assigned in physically distanced pods of two and four.  All tickets will be delivered digitally. Capacity will be reduced to about 40% in available seating sections due to COVID-19 restrictions. Attendees at athletics events are required to wear face coverings when entering and exiting the venue and in public spaces and encouraged to wear them when seated. Other COVID-19 protocols from the fall will remain in effect for A-Day, including a touchless and cashless experience, physical distancing protocols and signage, hand sanitizer stations and enhanced cleaning measures. The Athletic Complex, Stadium Deck, Auburn Arena, East Coliseum and Plainsman Park lots will be reserved parking. All other lots are free and open on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates to Jordan-Hare Stadium will open at 11 a.m. Please visit http://auburntigers.com/aday for additional information related to A-Day.