It's a great weekend if you're an entrepreneur, artist, or cat lover! There are some fantastic networking events, art shows, a Cat Show, and Pepper Place is returning early! Check below for all the details! **[#RUhappenin](https://www.instagram.com/happeninsintheham/)**
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**Startup Grind Hosts Tony Summerville of Fleetio!
Thurs, Jan 26, 5:30pm
Cost: $10 (Free for Students)
At: UAB ILab ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Innovation+Depot+Inc/@33.5113735,-86.8151275,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891b8d68838f07:0x1a1a60361066390!8m2!3d33.5113735!4d-86.8129388))**
Startup Grind is a great fireside chat inspired social event! Come mingle with B'hams rising entrepreneurs and learn about what Fleetio has planned for 2017! If you like to network over drinks, or want to learn about starting a business, this is the place to do it! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/212487005874149/)**
**Young Pioneers Party at The Pizitz!
Thurs, Jan 26, 6pm
Cost: $25 (members FREE)
At: The Pizitz Building ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Residences+at+The+Pizitz/@33.5140177,-86.8094395,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891b93ef5bfd67:0xa1d9b5e03ec77468!8m2!3d33.5140177!4d-86.8072508))**
Get a Sneak Peek at The Pizitz and see what all the fuss is about! Tickets include entrance to the penthouse, food, brews, and tours of the building and food hall! There are only 140 tickets available to the event, so tickets are first-come-first-served! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-pioneers-of-birmingham-party-at-the-pizitz-tickets-30727698373)**
**Awesome Birmingham's Launch Party
Thurs, Jan 26, 6:30pm
Cost: FREE
At: Carrigan's Public House ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carrigan's+Public+House/@33.51715,-86.8008445,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891bbc4db33515:0x3f9985aff25eb6de!8m2!3d33.51715!4d-86.7986558))**
The Birmingham Chapter of The Awesome Foundation for the Arts and Sciences is launching and you don't want to miss out! Mingle with some awesome people and find out how your business or non-profit can get a $1,000 grant!!! This is shaping up to be, well...AWESOME!!! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/1833357436950287/?active_tab=discussion)**
**The Miss Firecracker Contest: Opening Night
Thurs, Jan 26, 8pm (Also Fri-Sun)
Cost: $18
At: Theatre Downtown ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Theatre+Downtown/@33.5113337,-86.7976743,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891bb8e89b25e3:0x798516626a438f1a!8m2!3d33.5113337!4d-86.7954856))**
THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST is the story of a young woman whose reputation has been run in the ground by the people of her small town. So when she decides to compete in the local 4th of July beauty pageant, it has her family and the rest of the town in an uproar. **[Click here for more info.](http://www.theatredowntown.org/Main/Default.aspx)**
**Third Space Opening Party!
Fri, Jan 27, 7pm
Cost: $25 (Free for BMA Members!)
At: Birmingham Museum of Art ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Birmingham+Museum+of+Art/@33.5222197,-86.812258,644m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891b9a8d8a002d:0x4ff9c6343444caba!8m2!3d33.5222197!4d-86.8100693))**
The BMA’s upcoming exhibition *Third Space /Shifting Conversations about Contemporary Art*, presented by PNC, will invigorate and enlighten the Birmingham community, and THIS IS THE PARTY TO LAUNCH IT ALL! Be one of the first to experience it with music, drinks, food, and FUN! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/1133857413379161/)**
**Pepper Place Winter Market!
Sat, Jan 28, 8am
Cost: FREE
At: Pepper Place Pop-Up ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pepper+Place+Pop+Up/@33.5160168,-86.7934841,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891bb09b8d3335:0xc9d1b4a26ed86da0!8m2!3d33.5160168!4d-86.7912954))**
Head down to the first ever WINTER MARKET at Pepper Place! This will take place inside the Pepper Place Pop-Up until the Spring Market returns in April! They will still have a great selection of your favorite vendors! Don't miss out! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/pepperplacemarket/?fref=ts )**
**11th Annual Chinese New Year Gala
Sat, Jan 28, 11am
Cost: $5
At: Boutwell Auditorium ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Boutwell+Auditorium/@33.5218854,-86.8135516,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891b9aa4e9856d:0x48871acb1931d169!8m2!3d33.5218854!4d-86.8113629))**
It's the Year of the Rooster! Come enjoy music, arts, dance, special performances; food, games, and lots of fun, cultural activities! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/953592918109074/)**
Winter Restaurant Week's BEER SATURDAY! (21+)
Sat, Jan 28, 11:30am
Cost: $20
At: Ghost Train Brewing (map)
Buy your tickets now because the last Beer Saturday SOLD OUT early! If you missed out last weekend, be sure to head to Ghost Train for a 2hr interactive class on beer! There will be tastings and Hot Tag will be onsite serving up some great food! Click here for more info.
**2017 Birmingham Alabama Cat Show!
Sat-Sun, Jan 28 & 29, 9am
Cost: $8
At: Zamora Shrine Temple ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Zamora+Shrine+Temple/@33.534955,-86.6436766,322m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x888912368a70311f:0x39a4d2d09f1a700f!8m2!3d33.534955!4d-86.6428))**
The Puuurrrfect way to spend part of your Caturday! This is everything you could hope for from a cat show. They will have booths with awesome kitty merchandise and aisles of cats hoping to take home the top prize! We hear that Magic City Kitties is planning an outing to the event! **[Click here for more info](https://www.facebook.com/events/1862521733992106/)** AND a **[$1 off coupon! ](http://www.birminghamfelinefanciers.com/images/BFF-Dollar-Coupon-red-frame-8x2-2017.jpg)**
**The Happening Presents: *7 Deadly Sins* (21+)
Sat, Jan 28, 7pm
Cost: $10
At: Trim Tab Brewing ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/TrimTab+Brewing+Company/@33.512849,-86.7930727,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891bb764209d39:0x47c2a248c99dd99c!8m2!3d33.512849!4d-86.790884))**
This gathering is a time and place to share your talents, create, collaborate, critique and INSPIRE one another!! Participation is highly encouraged but not required! So, bring that painting you have been working on the past couple of weeks, bring your hula hoops, fire props, instruments, dance moves, and an OPEN mind. **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/1329703437103001/)**
**Freshwater Land Trust Sunday Hike Series
Sun, Jan 29, 2pm
Cost: FREE
At: JCDH Western Heath Center ([Meet up point](https://www.google.com/maps/place/631+Bessemer+Super+Hwy,+Birmingham,+AL+35228/@33.4524447,-86.9276886,645m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8888e1b6f3ba03a7:0x1079592a8bc2a694!8m2!3d33.4524447!4d-86.9254999))**
Join Freshwater Land Trust for the first of their Sunday Hike Series at the High Ore Line Trail in Midfield!
Meet up at the JCDH Western Health Center. To get to the trailhead, take the sidewalk down MLK that will be on the right of the parking lot, facing the road. See you on the trail! **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/FreshwaterLandTrust/?fref=ts)**
**Discoveries in the Making Coffee Break**
**Sun, Jan 29, 2pm**
**Cost: FREE**
**At: The Abbey ([map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Abbey+Coffee+Shop/@33.5249247,-86.7766667,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88891bba799e2751:0xabaceeae1e421c72!8m2!3d33.5249247!4d-86.774478))**
You might have heard about ketamine only in terms of its potential for prescription drug abuse. But this month's Discoveries in the Making speaker researches how the drug sometimes called "Special K" can actually be used to help those suffering from depression. Allie Widman, a 5th year Neuroscience Ph.D. student at UAB, examines the antidepressant effects of ketamine on the brain. **[Click here for more info.](https://www.facebook.com/events/241731696252244/)**