Weekend Events in Birmingham: May 14-17
It’s Time for Birmingham Folk Fest, Taco Fest, and More!
This weekend brings us two of our favorite events! Taco Fest and Birmingham Folk Fest! You do NOT want to miss all of the excitement at Folk Fest in Avondale Park this Saturday! (We’ll be there most of the day!) Then, Sunday, head to Sloss Furnaces for Taco Fest, an afternoon of some delicious culinary creations! In addition to these events, there are some great concerts, festival days in Leeds & Pelham, and so much more! Check out all of the details below!
#RUhappenin

Monet to Matisse: French Moderns
Now-May 24
Cost: $19.50
At: Bham Museum of Art (map)
Monet to Matisse: French Moderns, 1850–1950, presented by PNC Bank, is an exhibition of over one hundred masterworks with more than half from the Brooklyn Museum’s esteemed European collection. The exhibition highlights France’s role as the epicenter of modernism during a time of profound social, intellectual, and political change. Featuring a range of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, visitors will encounter the iconic art of Paul Cézanne, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and many others. Drawing from its own distinguished collection, the Birmingham Museum of Art has nearly doubled the size of the exhibition, offering a broader and more comprehensive exploration of this transformative period in art history.
Click here for more info.

Cult Classic Cinema
Thursday, 5:30pm
Cost: FREE
At: Trussville Public Library (map)
Enjoy an evening highlighting the other half of Trussville's Core Collection of movies: Cult Classics! Come and watch cult classic movies in the library auditorium! On the second Thursday (usually) of every month, they’ll be showing a movie that is considered a "cult classic". Popcorn and snacks will be provided!
Click here for more info.

Scantron 5000 Trivia
Thursday, 8pm
Cost: FREE
At: Saturn (map)
A lot of people get anxiety the second they see a Scantron sheet. However, this Thursday they’ll be used for some fun trivia! Bust out those #2 pencils and try to win some fun prizes by answering general trivia questions! This is always such a fun time and it’s FREE! Head to Saturn for a night of fun!
Click here for more info.

Friends of the Library Book Sale
Friday & Saturday, 9am/10am-5:30pm
Cost: Free to attend
At: Hoover Library (map)
Find great deals on used books and media. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. All sales benefit the Friends of the Hoover Library. Call 205-444-7840 for more information. You never know what treasures you will find!
Click here for more info.

Andberlin
Friday, 5:30pm
Cost: $35+
At: WORKPLAY (map)
WORKPLAY + Reaction Present: Anberlin ! Don’t miss this 20th Anniversary of Never Take Friendship Personal. They’ll be performing with '68, Emery, Watashi Wa & Derek Zanetti at WORKPLAY! This is sure to be a great show!
Click here for more info.

ASO Masterworks: Symphonic Sazón
Friday, 7pm
Cost: $12+
At: Alys Stephens Center (map)
Beyond the Forest, Into the Sky takes you on one of the most dramatically satisfying journeys in the orchestral repertoire, from shadow and enchantment to open, blazing light. Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral, one of the most breathtaking works written for orchestra in the last 30 years, fills the hall with light and space and grief and wonder all at once. And Stravinsky’s suite from The Firebird brings the evening to a close in triumph, its final pages among the most electrifying in all of music. This is a program for first-timers and lifelong listeners alike, the kind of night that reminds you why live orchestral music is unlike anything else on earth.
Click here for more info.

Eat a Peach
Friday, 7pm
Cost: $20
At: Avondale Brewing (map)
Don’t miss this incredible Allman Brothers tribute band at Avondale Brewing Company this Friday night! The weather should be perfect for you to enjoy some of your favorite hits like “Melissa” and “Jessica.” For this ALL AGES show, Avondale is allowing chairs and pets! So, grab your friends and family and enjoy a wonderful evening of music!
Click here for more info.

Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties
Friday-Sunday
Cost: Varies
At: Theatre Downtown (map)
This play is absolutely hilarious! Watch as five women named Betty navigate life and interpersonal relationships while managing some internal rage. We saw this last week and absolutely loved it! This makes for a great night out with friends. Funny, strange, sexy, and just a little unhinged. In other words, exactly the kind of party you want to be invited to! Friday and Sunday are both “pay what you can” shows, so they won’t break the bank! (The show does deal with adult themes, so parental discretion is advised.)
Click here for more info.

Bertha: Grateful Drag
Friday, 8pm
Cost: $33
At: Saturn (map)
The world’s first Grateful Drag band, BERTHA is an all-star collective of queer and allied East Nashville talent coming together in wigs and full face for a good cause. Fronted by a harmony trio of Berthas and backed by a rocking all-Bertha band, BERTHA has captured the heart and imagination of Deadheads everywhere, with coast-to-coast demand for their electrifying live show. Whether collaborating with local drag queens in Mexico, or playing the most prestigious festival lineups in the States, BERTHA: Grateful Drag has only begun to make her impact on the world. BERTHA: Grateful Drag has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to local organizations working to support and empower the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities.
Click here for more info.

Birmingham Folk Fest
Saturday, 10am-8pm
Cost: FREE
At: Avondale Park (map)
The Birmingham Folk Festival is a free, family friendly, outdoor festival coming back to Avondale Park! There will be live music in the amphitheatre all day, food trucks, local vendors, and more! They’ll have interactive art projects, chair yoga, folk harp music, metal pouring to make coins, dance classes, and so much more! We plan to arrive early with our blankets and chairs and stake out a spot for the day! Get ready to have fun and relax with friends!
Click here for more info.

Pelham Palooza!
Saturday, 10am-3pm
Cost: FREE
At: Pelham City Park (map)
Pelham Palooza is the ultimate community festival, bringing together live music, delicious food, exciting vendors, and family-friendly fun! Held annually at Pelham City Park, this free event celebrates everything that makes our city special. From local artisans to interactive activities and entertainment for all ages, Pelham Palooza is the place to be! Enjoy the Kids Zone, Vendor Market Place, Food Trucks, and more! It’s FREE to attend!
Click here for more info.

PJ Party: Secret of Nimh (1982)
Saturday & Sunday, 10:30am
Cost: $6-$7.75
At: Sidewalk Cinema (map)
Join the Sidewalk Crew for this family matinee series on select Saturday and Sunday mornings. Come cozy in your PJs and from 10am - 2pm and enjoy light breakfast options for the whole family, plus a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar for the grown-ups. The Secret of Nimh is a 1980s classic that has stood the test of time! Click here for more info.

Billy & the Jets
Saturday, 7pm
Cost: FREE
At: The TED (map)
This FREE all-ages event features an incredible Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute Band! Come grab some food and drinks in the Trussville Entertainment District, then relax as you enjoy your favorite Billy Joel and Elton John hits! Sing along, dance, just have a great time!
Click here for more info.

Brotha Josh
Saturday, 8pm
Cost: FREE
At: Saturn (map)
This FREE show features local favorite, Brotha Josh! He’ll be joined by Terry Ohms, Oh.Pake, and Superfund! This will be a night full of great music at Saturn! Be sure to grab your friends and head over. You can even walk over from Folk Fest in Avondale Park that will wrap up as this show begins!
Click here for more info.

Family Hours at Up-Down
Sunday, 10am-4pm
Cost: Free to attend
At: Up-Down Arcade (map)
It's time for family-friendly fun at Up-Down with their exciting Family Hours on Sunday, May 17th! Up-Down is opening their doors to those under 21 between 11am and 4pm to give families a place to hang out for an afternoon. This means they will be opening an hour early. They will be selling pizza by the slice for those who are hungry, as well as soda and other kid-friendly drinks to those under 21 and they'll be offering a full bar to those over 21. As always, games are 25 cents or one token per play. This event is free to attend and is open to all ages. All minors MUST be accompanied by someone who is 21 or older.
Click here for more info.

Ghost Lights: Deep House DJ
Sunday, 12pm-3pm
Cost: FREE
At: Cha House (map)
Head to Cha House this Sunday afternoon for some chill, Deep House, DJ beats by Ghost Lights! This is a FREE event to attend, but tips are appreciated! You can also check out the newly renovated patio space and enjoy some custom tea blends (from cute teacups!) while there!
Click here for more info.

Birmingham Taco Fest!
Sunday, 1pm-7pm
Cost: $10adv./$15 Day of
At: Sloss Furnaces (map)
Taco ’bout a lot of fun! Bare Hands, Inc. invites you to the ninth annual Birmingham Taco Fest, featuring Birmingham’s top taco vendors, dessert vendors, music, dancing, community arts activities, farm stand, and art market! Come and join in on a taco-tastic time that is packed with family fun, food, and lots of flavor! As a cultural and culinary experience for attendees, Taco Fest creates awareness of the many restaurants and artists that are proud to call Birmingham home. Proceeds benefit the arts nonprofit, Bare Hands, and our mission of collaborating with individuals and local communities to create immersive arts experiences and arts education programs.
Click here for more info.

Hoppy Hour
Sunday, 2pm-5pm
Cost: Free to attend
At: Bham Dist. Brewing (map)
BDBC is teaming up with Alabama Rabbit Rescue for an afternoon of paws and hops. Come meet adorable, adoptable bunnies and learn all about what it takes to care for these fluffy companions. Whether you’re seriously considering adoption or just want to hang out and get some bunny snuggles in, this is the perfect chance to connect with local rescue experts and ask all your rabbit-related questions. Sip on your favorite brew while you mingle, learn, and maybe even meet your new best friend.
Click here for more info.

Alabama Spring Skies
Sunday, 3pm
Cost: $9-$13
At: Christenberry Planetarium (map)
Your guide to the spring night sky!
Look up, the spring sky is putting on a show, and you can have the best seats in the house. Spring Skies is a live, guided tour of the season's most spectacular night sky, presented under a stunning 8K dome. Whether you're a lifelong stargazer, a curious first-timer, or bringing the whole family, this show has something for everyone. Trace the classic constellations of spring, following the arc of the Big Dipper to golden Arcturus, spiking down to Spica, swinging over to Leo and Cancer, and settling into the quiet beauty of Coma Berenices. Then go deeper: galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters scattered across the spring sky, from the Beehive Cluster in Cancer to the sprawling Virgo Galaxy Cluster, one of the largest structures in the known universe! This is going to be such a cool event!
Click here for more info.

3rd Sunday Jazz
Sunday, 4pm-7pm
Cost: FREE
At: Elysian Gardens (map)
Wind down your weekend with some relaxing Jazz music at the beautiful Elysian Gardens! Enjoy some food on site and a full bar. This venue is the perfect place to spend pleasant late Spring evenings. It will be a great time!
Click here for more info.
NEXT WEEK:

& JULIET
May 19th-24th
Cost: $60+
At: BJCC Concert Hall (map)
Created by the Emmy®–winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love, her way.
With every twist of the tale, & JULIET reimagines iconic pop songs you know and love, in ways you’ll never expect. Featuring “Since U Been Gone,” “Larger Than Life,” “…Baby One More Time,” “I Want It That Way,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Roar,” “It’s My Life,” “That’s The Way It Is,” and more. The only thing tragic is missing it!
Click here for more info.
