Can’t Miss Alabama brings you the best in food festivals and good music
Bring a big appetite and learn the history of the iconic Bob Sykes barbecue restaurant. (contributed)
Make this weekend perfect with a family affair.
Bob Sykes Barbecue and Blues Festival
Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy blues musicians at the 11th annual Bob Sykes Barbecue and Blues Festival Saturday, April 30. The festival will combine the blues and barbecue from noon to 8 p.m. The musical lineup includes Bobby Rush, Robert Kimbrough Sr. Blues Connection, Tullie Brae, Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’Blues, Hurricane Elaine Hudson and Force of Nature, NJ Speights and Band and Yarbrough and Company. There is something for the entire family, including a large kids corner with activities and games. Children 8 and younger are admitted free with a ticketed adult. The festival also offers arts and crafts, outdoor exhibits and a diverse selection of vendors. A portion of festival proceeds will go to “Caring Men and Caring Women,” an Alabama charitable group that motivates, empowers and encourages boys and girls through mentoring and other resources. Gates open at 11 a.m. Buy tickets at bobsykesblues.com, eventbrite.com or at the restaurant. For detailed information, email elaine.lyda@gmail.com or call 205-426-1400.
RELATED: This iconic Alabama BBQ restaurant brings it from pit to plate
MS Walk Huntsville
Take a step toward a world free of multiple sclerosis with Walk MS on Saturday, April 30. Find a walk of your choice by selecting from one of three options: Society-hosted event, Virtual Walk MS and Walk MS Your Way. Only service animals will be allowed on the walk. Registration is required; donations are welcomed. Follow this link for event details. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Bama Coast Cruisin’
One of the Gulf Coast’s most unusual car shows, Bama Coast Cruisin’, will be held April 29-30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are no restrictions to the vehicles that can be entered. Entertainment includes a swap meet and food. Following the car show, enjoy the parade cruise along scenic Perdido Beach Boulevard. The two-day event takes place on Main Street, Wharf Parkway and Marina Lawn.
‘An Officer and a Gentleman’
A musical based on the Oscar-winning film “An Officer and a Gentleman” will be presented at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex through Sunday, May 1. Zack Mayo has the raw talent and strength for the U.S. Navy’s Officer Training School; but his arrogance is out of step. Graduating from the elite program will secure Zack’s career and future, but can he endure the relentless commands of Drill Sergeant Foley? On his journey of self-discovery, Zack finds comfort in the arms of a strong-willed local factory worker. When tragedy befalls a fellow candidate, Zack learns the importance of friendship and honor, finds the courage to be his best self and wins the heart of the woman he loves. The new musical includes the Grammy- and Oscar-winning No.1 song “Up Where We Belong” and other ’80s hits. Visit the website for more information.
Red Mountain concerts
Live concerts include:
- April 29 – Indigo Girls, Mars Music Hall in Huntsville.
- April 30 – The Avett Brothers, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater.
- April 30 – Mat Kearney, Lyric Theatre in Birmingham.
- April 30 – Primus, Mars Music Hall in Huntsville.
- May 3 – Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, Iron City in Birmingham.
For more shows, visit redmountainentertainment.
Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala
More than 3,000 people are expected to attend the annual Gumbo Gala in Birmingham Saturday, April 30 from noon to 3 p.m. Attendees will watch 30 teams battle for the title of best gumbo in Birmingham. One the South’s largest gumbo competitions and the largest Episcopal event in the state, Gumbo Gala will offer live music, beverages and 15 awards. Dogs are welcomed. The proceeds will fund supportive services for low-income seniors and disabled adults at Episcopal Place. Click here for more about Episcopal Place and here for ticket information. The venue is Cahaba Brewing Company.
One of the South’s largest gumbo competitions will be at Cahaba Brewing Company April 30. (contributed)
Opera Birmingham
Opera Birmingham presents “La Bohème” Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 at 2:30 p.m. Giacomo Puccini’s unforgettable opera features the romantic tale of a group of friends in Paris, searching for love in the City of Light. A perennial favorite, the opera features instantly recognizable and soaring melodies, elevating the emotional impact of this tragic love story. Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure – and one of the most popular romances of all time – the story inspired the hit musical “Rent.” Sung in the original Italian, “La Boheme” will be presented with English supertitles above the stage. The production will feature members of the Opera Birmingham Chorus and Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Order online at operabirmingham.org or call 205-322-6737. To inquire about rates for groups of 10 or more, call 205-322-6737. The venue is the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater.
Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Birmingham will celebrate its annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival April 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The menu is large and varied: baked kibbee, grilled lemon chicken, rolled grape leaves, spinach pies, meat pies, baked kibbee and falafel sandwiches, tabouleh, loobia (Lebanese-style green beans), rice, hummus and pita bread, baklava, Lebanese ice cream and zlaybeh (Lebanese donuts). Takeout and walk-up options will be available for anyone on the south side of the church. On Friday, food orders of $100 or more will be delivered to patrons in downtown or Southside. The New York-based Amin Sultan Lebanese band will play outside onstage under a large tent from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly. Traditional Lebanese dances will be performed by church youth on an indoor stage starting at 6 p.m. Friday and at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. During festival hours, visit the church’s silent auction room to bid on a variety of items. The auction closes Saturday at 7 p.m. For the silent auction letter and donor form, click here. The St. Elias Cedar Run 5K and Cedar Shake Fun Run will be held Saturday morning. For more information about the fun run or to register, visit runsignup.com/cedarrun5k. Parking is available at the church and around the premises. A free shuttle service will run Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from UAB Parking Lot R-1 on Eighth Street South (next to Stivers Collision Center). St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church is at 836 Eighth St. South.
World Games 2022 and Hibbett | City Gear
The final day to have an opportunity to see and wear the gold, silver and bronze medals that will be placed around the necks of winning athletes is Thursday, April 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hibbett Sports on Bessemer Road. Visitors can take their picture wearing the medals, learn more about The World Games 2022 and visit with the official mascots of The Games, Vulcan and Vesta. The World Games 2022 is the new generation of global sports competition and will feature 3,600 elite athletes from more than 100 countries competing for medals in 34 sports. Organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee, the competitions will take place in Birmingham July 7-17. In addition to thousands of athletes, an estimated 500,000 spectators will attend the opening and closing ceremonies and watch incredible displays of athleticism in softball, flag football, gymnastics, dance sport, sumo wrestling, sport climbing, parkour, drone racing and other sports. For more information, visit TWG2022.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Renew Our Rivers
Take part in weekend cleanups at Smith Lake April 28-29, Weiss Lake April 30 and Mobile River May 3-4. Supplies will be provided. For information about Smith Lake (Winston County), email Jim Eason at msgjeason@yahoo.com; for Weiss Lake, contact Sam Marko at 404-682-8594; and for Mobile River (Plant Barry), contact Jeff Reeves at 251-829-2746. Follow this link for the complete schedule.
Birmingham Stallions
(contributed)
The Birmingham Stallions will face the New Orleans Breakers Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. in Protective Stadium. Click here for the complete schedule. Buy tickets here. Follow the Birmingham Stallions on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute walking tours
Join the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) Saturday, April 30 at 10 a.m. for a tour that illuminates the legacy of those who changed the world through the civil rights movement. Walk in the footsteps of legends like Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Rosa Parks and Dr. Angela Davis. Honor the lives lost during the movement at the site of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Salute heroes A.G. Gaston and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as you walk the path alongside A.G. Gaston Motel and envision their strategic meetings. Expand your insight and understanding as you explore the historic sites of the Birmingham Civil Rights District that commemorate those who altered history. Registration is not required.
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons will battle the Tennessee Smokies through Sunday, May 8 at Regions Field in Birmingham. Follow this link for the complete schedule, updates, promotions and giveaways. Tickets are available online.
Birmingham Legion FC
Birmingham Legion FC will play Miami FC Wednesday, May 4 at Protective Stadium. Stay updated by downloading the Legion FC app or follow @bhmlegion on social media. For the complete schedule, click here. Tickets are available online.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
The National Park Service, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Scrollworks Music School and Magic City Poetry Festival will collaborate on free “Poetry in the Park” Saturday, April 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The organization is a celebration of community through local poetry, history, nonprofits, craftspeople and culture workers in Birmingham. Masks that cover the nose and mouth are required for the indoor portion of the program at St. Paul UMC. The program will begin in the fellowship hall of the church; then, local Birmingham tour guides will lead participants to various stops along the civil rights trail, where stationed poets will share their work. Local poets include Sanovia Muhammad, Liz Hughey, Kwoya Fagin Maples and Caleb Calhoun. The event will conclude at St. Paul UMC with a performance by Scrollworks’ musical students and a drum circle in which the audience will be encouraged to take part. Participants will receive a free set of drumsticks. Scrollworks will have an instrument petting zoo set up during the program, allowing attendees to try the instruments. Participants will meet at St. Paul UMC at 1500 Sixth Ave. North and park in the lot adjacent to the church building.
St. Paul continues to lift up children through its collaboration with the musical education nonprofit Scrollworks. (contributed)
‘Legends of Country’
Performances featuring tributes to Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Martina McBride and Elvis Presley are underway through Sunday, May 29 at Owa Theater in Foley. Stacey Whitton Summers will pay homage to Shania Twain and Martina McBride, with Shawn Gerhard as country music superstar Garth Brooks and Patrick Dunn as Elvis Presley. Dunn is the recently crowned 2021 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion from Elvis Week in Memphis. “Legends of Country” is his first appearance in coastal Alabama. For tickets and more information, visit the website.
