Must-visit attractions for festivalgoers in Can’t Miss Alabama with bridal ideas and more
The Lyric Theatre in Birmingham is among the venues for the Sidewalk Film Festival. (contributed)
Birmingham Restaurant Week continues through Aug. 29.
Sidewalk Film Festival
There is a lot of excitement around the Sidewalk Film Festival’s return to Birmingham’s gorgeous historic theater district. This year’s opening night screening will be Jeff Daniels’ “Television Event,” and Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe’s “The Beta Test” will be the closing night show. The festival will screen more than 150 films, and since it is impossible to see them all, make the most of it by using the online schedule to plan films (at the drive-in), educational opportunities (virtual) and filmmaker Q&As (virtual). Because the pandemic is not over, partnerships have been formed with venues to ensure filmmaker, audience, volunteer and staff safety, with limited capacities among social distancing and other policies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staff and volunteers are required to wear masks, and guests are asked to wear masks when not eating or drinking. Festival venues include Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema, the Alabama Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, First Church Birmingham, the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Recital Hall and Lecture Hall. Click here to view the full festival lineup and here for ticket information. Follow this link for the playlist trailer. The 23rd annual Sidewalk Film Festival is Aug. 23-29.
Birmingham Restaurant Week
From fine dining to down-home cookin’, lovers of food and drink with a taste for adventure can enjoy special breakfast, lunch and/or dinner prix-fixe menus ranging from $5 to $50 per person – making it easy and affordable for everyone to enjoy a taste of diverse dishes and sips. Birmingham Restaurant Week (BRW), known as Birmingham’s premier culinary and beverage event, aims to support local restaurants by giving people incentives to enjoy the city’s dynamic food scene one bite at a time. The annual event is underway through Aug. 29 with more than 60 locally owned Birmingham-area restaurants, food trucks and bars. Search for participating restaurants and menus by location, meal, price point and other options. To-go and dine-in options are available. For more information about BRW, follow Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @bhamrestweek. Social Media Tags: #BhamRestWeek and #BRW2021.
Wedding Showcase at Cahaba Brewing Company
Before the busy fall wedding season officially kicks off, grab your favorite bride-to-be and head to Cahaba Brewing Company for a fun wedding showcase. Featuring several of Birmingham’s best wedding vendors, this show includes special giveaways, door prizes and samples. The event is Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 4500 Fifth Ave. S., Building C. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Franklin County Watermelon Festival in Russellville
There is nothing like the sweet taste of watermelon during the sweltering days of summer. Festival weekend begins with opening ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Music gets underway at 6 p.m. when Tremayne takes the stage, followed by Rewind of the Shoals and Shootin’ You Straight. Music continues on Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. with performances by the Kerry Gilbert Band, the Joseph Baldwin Band and the Ultimate Garth Brooks tribute featuring Shawn Gerhard. The Franklin County Watermelon Festival will have two days of nonstop music, contests and entertainment as well as arts and crafts, 5K run, antique car and truck show, tasty festival foods, tractor show and a slice of free watermelon. The festival is Aug. 20-21 along Main Street (Jackson Avenue) in downtown Russellville.
Homeplate Heroes at Vulcan Park and Museum
Young actors of Make it Happen Theatre Company will take the audience on a tour of the Negro League Baseball era. Homeplate Heroes will tell the story of the Negro League baseball era, chronicling the lives of some gifted and determined athletes who endured racial discrimination while displaying exceptional sportsmanship. The production was written by Alicia Johnson-Williams and is directed by LaShanna Tripp and Eric Marable. The stage play will take place inside the Vulcan Center in Birmingham and will also be streamed on Thursday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for Vulcan Park and Museum members and $10 for nonmembers. Tickets will provide access to the presentation, observation tower and the new Linn-Henley Gallery exhibit “From Factory to Field: The Dream of Baseball in Birmingham.” Advance tickets are available and can be purchased through visitvulcan.com.
Birmingham Legion vs. FC Tulsa
Kick off the fall with professional soccer. Birmingham Legion FC will face Central Division foe FC Tulsa at BBVA Field Sunday, Aug. 22, at 4 p.m. on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Buy tickets online. Call 205-791-7145, download the Legion FC app or follow @bhmlegion on social media for more information.
