Mother’s Day Weekend Fun! 

Happy Mother’s Day weekend! This one is FULL of fun activities, including a couple of Mother’s Day Markets! You can also check out the Tails in the Trails fundraiser at the Zoo, see Beetlejuice the musical, and catch a Stallions game. 

ALSO….

For those of you who may not know, Sidewalk Film Festival & Cinema was awarded a $25k NEA federal grant which they were told to announce in January. These funds were crucial to continued operations for both the Cinema and Sidewalk Film Festival (501c3). Unfortunately, last week, with ZERO warning,  the federal government took back this grant saying the programing of Sidewalk (see SHOUT film and Black Lens film programs) “didn’t align with the views of the current administration.”  This comes just four months before the 2025 Sidewalk Film Festival. 

How can you help? Check out our list of events happening this week at Sidewalk Cinema and participate! Go see a film, attend an event like Bad Movie Night or Karaoke, and buy concessions or a drink from the bar while you’re there! Every dollar helps! Some of us have stayed up 48hrs straight watching “Bad Movies” while raising funds for Sidewalk, others have eaten insanely hot peppers at the Salsa Showdown.  While we’re not asking for you to deprive yourself of sleep or to cauterize your tastebuds, we do ask that you show up, have fun, and spend some money at Sidewalk Cinema! Bring friends! 
#RUhappenin

Sidewalk Cinema Events
May 8-11
Cost: FREE-$10.75
At: Sidewalk Cinema (map)
After reading the above information about Sidewalk having their $25k grant yanked out from under them, here are some great ways you can support them this week!  Some of these events are FREE and others cost just $10.75! 
Boy Band/Girl Group Karaoke: Thurs 8pm- Come sing your favorites!
Tape Night: Thurs 7:30pm- A VHS tape projected onto the screen in all its glory!
O Brother Where Art Thou: Thurs 2:30pm & 4:45pm- 25th Anniversary screening!
The Shrouds (film): Thurs 2/4:30/7pm- This is a dark, dystopian, techno thriller! 
Bad Movie Night: Fri 8pm- FREE Movie! It's gonna be BAD, but FUN!
Mamma Mia! (film): Check for showtimes- There'll probably be singing.
Lily (film): Check for showtimes- A moving film set in Alabama. 
Princess Diaries PJ Party: Sat & Sun 10:30am- Come watch the film in PJs!  
Click here for more info. 

Beetlejuice the Musical
May 6-11
Cost: $50+
At: BJCC Concert Hall (map)
He earned his stripes on Broadway… now the ghost-with-the-most is coming Birmingham! It’s showtime! Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. With an irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld, BEETLEJUICE is “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarious surface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love, and making the most of every Day-O!
Click here for more info. 

Pepper Place Spring Bazaar
Thurs, May 8, 5-9pm
Cost: FREE
At: Pepper Place (map)
Spring is in the air! Join in the fun at Pepper Place on Thursday, May 8, from 5 to 7 PM for the Spring Bazaar, an evening market-style celebration of community and creativity. Set in the heart of the Pepper Place District—in the parking lot of the Dr Pepper Building—the Bazaar features a curated lineup of local vendors, live music, seasonal sips, and tasty bites, all set against the backdrop of Birmingham’s design district. Free and open to the public, this event is perfect for Mother’s Day shopping or an almost Friday evening out!
Click here for more info. 

FREE SHOW at Saturn!
Thurs, May 8, 7pm
Cost: FREE
At: Saturn (map)
Meghan Dowlen is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer from Atlanta, GA. Her music guides us through the duality of femininity with both brute force and sensitivity. With its dance-pop sensibilities and subtle homages to new-wave, her upcoming sophomore album Dizzy Spell draws clear lines of inspiration while standing very much on its own ground. With theatrics emulating the likes of Kate Bush and the vocal dexterities of Nina Hagen, Meghan escorts the audience along the journey into the joy, the anger, the unknown, and everything in between.
Click here for more info. 

Tails in the Trails 2025 (21+)
Fri, May 9, 6-9pm
Cost: $50 
At: Bham Zoo (map)
Purchase your tickets for this fabulous fundraiser benefiting ‘Fund Carlito’s Casa’! Your Birmingham Zoo’s Junior Board invites you to their 15th Annual ‘Tails in the Trails event on Friday, May 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. ‘Tails in the Trails is presented by Novu Residential Group. Come party on the Trails of Africa at this outdoor celebration with music, animal encounters, small bites from area restaurants, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and a silent auction! Sip cocktails and see some real tails! 
Click here for more info. 

Ugly Baby Improv
Fri, May 9, 7pm
Cost: $10
At: Faraway Theatre (map)
Friday Night! Ugly Baby has May flowers as a result of April showers. These long-form improvised comedy shows are not for small minds or those who hate flowers. Prepare for lots of laughs and some surprises! Bring a date! If they don’t like it, that could be a red flag and then Ugly Baby has saved you from future heartache! 
Click here for more info. 

 

Dead for Love
Fri, May 9, 7pm
Cost: $15
At: Avondale Brewing Co. (map)
Calling all Deadheads! Come check out this incredible Grateful Dead tribute band! Tickets are just $15 for this show in the updated space at Avondale Brewing Co.. Bust out your tie dye and get ready for a great show! 
Click here for more info. 

Dance Nation
Fri-Sun, May 9-11
Cost: $30
At: Theatre Downtown (map)
Across America, a fierce pack of pre-teen dancers is on a mission to conquer the competition. Their latest routine could be their ticket to the top at the Boogie Down Grand Prix in Tampa Bay—but winning isn’t their only goal. In Clare Barron’s bold and electrifying spectacle, these young performers aren’t just perfecting their moves; they’re wrestling with ambition, identity, and the raw hunger to carve out their place in the world. Featuring an all-adult cast of non-dancers, Theatre Downtown is excited to bring this bold and unconventional show to the stage under the masterful direction of Tawny Stephens. A finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, you won't soon forget this one!
Click here for more info. 

Mother’s Day Market
Sat, May 10, 11am-4pm
Cost: FREE
At: Cahaba Brewing Co. (map)
Treat Mom to something special at the annual Mother’s Day Market! Join in Saturday, May 10th, from 11 AM to 4 PM for a day of shopping, live music, handcrafted cocktails, and cold craft beer. Cahaba Brewing is hosting talented local artists, vendors, and makers to bring you a fun shopping experience filled with one-of-a-kind gifts Mom will love!
Click here for more info. 

 

African Heritage Festival 
Sat, May 10, 1-5pm
Cost: FREE
At: Bham Museum of Art (map)
Join BMA to celebrate the vibrant traditions of African cultures and the Museum’s African art galleries with the annual African Heritage Festival! The festival will feature art making, performances, face painting, and a focus on the BMA’s African art collection. Representatives from the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization will also be at the festival to share more about their work within the Birmingham community. This event is FREE and open to all!
Click here for more info. 

Spring Family Day
Sat, May 10, 1pm
Cost: FREE
At: ArtPlay (map)
Celebrate the season of creativity at ArtPlay’s Spring Family Day! Enjoy an afternoon of interactive art activities, engaging story time, and live music in a welcoming atmosphere. Perfect for young artists and their families, this free event invites you to explore, imagine, and connect through hands-on experiences that capture the spirit of spring. This event is FREE, but registration is required. ArtPlay is SUCH a cool venue and a hidden gem of Birmingham! 
Click here for more info. 

Bham Stallions vs Houston Roughnecks
Sun, May 11, 11am
Cost: $20
At: Protective Stadium (map)
The Birmingham Stallions are having another great season! Come see what all of the excitement is about at this Mother's Day match up with the Houston Roughnecks. Protective Stadium is also offering “Family Friendly” concession pricing all season long! Don’t miss out on all of the fun this Sunday! 
Click here for more info. 

Mother’s Day Market 
Sun, May 11, 12-4pm
Cost: FREE
At: Bham Dist. Brewing  (map)
Celebrate Mom the local way! Head to Birmingham District Brewing Company for their Mother’s Day Market — a fun-filled afternoon featuring a curated lineup of local vendors, perfect for finding that one-of-a-kind gift. Whether you’re shopping with Mom or picking out something special for her, enjoy great brews, unique handmade goods, and delicious bites from Cousins Maine Lobster (serving up their famous lobster rolls) and more! 
Click here for more info.