Again, it’s the last weekend of the month and I’m left wondering, where does the year go? Heck, after chasing a two-year-old around, I wonder where my day went. I know at least one hour was spent watching “Blue’s Clues,” five hours was spent “going potty” and the rest, who knows … but I do know that everybody’s working for the weekend. So come on baby let’s go … (name the band in the comments section and you’ll get a gold star).
This is the last weekend to check out the ““Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia” exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art. When it’s super hot outside, it’s always nice and cool in the museum and the best part — FREE admission. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. I’m especially interested in the companion exhibit, “Children, Let’s Protect Our Forests.” As you may guess from the title, the exhibit features art by children, in this case, Peruvian children, with an ecological message.
Grab the bug spray. If you can stand the heat and the mosquitoes, Hoover and Helena are offering movies under the stars again this summer. I’m not really sure why I hadn’t thought to mention it before because the best part is — FREE admission. This Friday Hoover offers “We are Marshall.” Weather permitting the movie will start at 8:15 p.m. at Veteran’s Park on Valleydale Road. Popcorn and drinks for sale. If the weather looks iffy, you can call 739-RAIN for updates. In Helena, on the screen at the Old Towne Amphitheater is “Grease.” Show starts at 8 and please note, they don’t welcome picnic baskets. Call 621-6442 for more info. And while “We Are Marshall” is Hoover’s last movie of the summer, Helena will keep the reels going into August offering “The Incredibles” on Aug. 1 and “Cars,” Aug. 8. If you can’t stand the heat and bugs, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be on Alabama’s big screen. Admission $6.
Despite the wonderful talent on Bottletree’s stage Saturday night, I am very, very tempted to get in the car and head for the Mississippi state line. Specifically, I would point the car to Philadelphia, Miss., then look for the fairgrounds. The Neshoba County Fair kicks off Friday for a week of fair food, horse racing and politicking. Politicking and slow talking being the fair’s big pastimes. Thacker Mountain Radio will put on a live performance at Founder’s Square Saturday night. Guests will be fair historian Steve Stubbs, Jackson Clarion-Ledger columnist Sid Salter, author Tom Franklin and musical guests The Charlie Mars Band, Blue Mountain and Kenny Brown. My household is a big fan of Sid and Blue Mountain. I really can’t do justice to what the Neshoba County Fair is and I’m not going to try, so go check out the Web site.
Closer to home, it will take less gas to get to Matthew’s Bar and Grill Sunday afternoon for the Battle of the Blues Bands. A Magic City Blues Society event, I hear that 13 bands will be vying for a chance to represent Alabama at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. I’m guessing there will be some sort of cover but I didn’t have luck finding that info. If you know, please put it in the comments.
Don’t forget to look around the Timetable for more weekend events like Function at the Junction and Wild Sweet Orange’s CD release party.
[…] Well duh, Saturday night the Terminal staff is going to be at Bottletree for our concert. We really hope to see everyone there. But that’s just one night which leaves lots of time to fill. Let me shine the light on a few options for you. […]