We typically wait until a little later in the month to post our monthly Happenings, but we are running this a week earlier than usual since many people are on spring break next week.

The weather is finally warming up so it’s time to get outside and enjoy our city! If you happen to be in town over spring break, there are plenty of fun things to do. Get outdoors with a picnic in Railroad Park, a hike at Oak Mountain, take in a Baron’s game at Regions Field or expand your horizons at the Birmingham Asian Cultures & Food Festival.

April 1, 2014: 

An Evening with C. S. Lewis

British actor brings his acclaimed one-man play to the Wright Center. An Evening with C. S. Lewis is set in the year 1963 and Lewis, the now-famous British author, is in the twilight years of his life. Lewis is in his element as he hosts a group of American writers at his home just outside of Oxford, telling them the stories of his associations, his writing, his family, his faith and his great love. Payne captures the essence of the man who created the Narnia chronicles in an enthralling, laughter-filled and poignant performance … utterly captivating! For more information visit events.samford.edu.

April 3, 2014: 

Empty Bowls Soup and Bread Lunch

For $15 attendees gather to enjoy a delicious bowl of soup, sample different styles of bread from area bakeries, and select one of over 800 donated bowls to take home as a thank you for supporting Magic City Harvest in its work to alleviate hunger and food waste. The food-safe, bisque bowls have been hand-painted and glazed by local potters, artists, students, churches, and ceramics groups. Proceeds from the event benefit Magic City Harvest, the food recovery program of greater Birmingham. 800 bowls are available to give to lunch attendees, thanking them for supporting our food distribution efforts AND reminding them of how many “empty bowls” there are across the greater Birmingham community. For more information visit www.magiccityharvest.org/.

Homewood Grown

Join the Homewood City Schools Foundation for “Homewood Grown,” an outdoor dining event sponsored by Trust Building Services, on Thursday, April 3 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. This first-annual event will celebrate the Foundation’s 20thanniversary and the people and educators who make us proud to be “Homewood Grown.”

Held on the Terrace at SoHo Square, the event will feature live music with a family-style dinner catered by Café Dupont. During the night, the Foundation will present the “Teacher Impact Award” to a teacher at each of our five schools who has made a significant difference in the lives of Homewood students. For more information visit www.homewoodcityschoolsfoundation.com.

April 5, 2014:

5K for Kids

Join the Junior League of Birmingham and the Birmingham Barons as they take Small Steps to End Childhood Obesity in the 5K for Kids and 1 Mile Fun Run. The race is the culmination of a unique educational program provided to select elementary schools in the Birmingham City School System designed to educate and motivate our youth to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Students from these schools are also invited to participate, free of charge, on race day! For more information visit www.jlbonline.com/5kforkids.

Darter Festival

The third annual Darter Festival will be held at Railroad Park. It celebrates Birmingham’s singular fish, the Watercress Darter, and will raise funds to support darter habitat restoration efforts. The event will highlight the Darter, its habitat, and the extraordinary gift of Alabama’s biodiversity through the following events and activities:

• An exhibit of Darter Art in collaboration with art students from Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama Waldorf School, Birmingham-Southern College, Spring Valley School, Stone Creek Montessori, The Altamont School, and the University of Montevallo
• Kite decorating
• Darter kite flying
• Live music
• Fish specialties provided by George Sarris
• Seasonal Darter Ale by Good People Brewing Company
• Educational programs presented by the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Freshwater Land Trust, Black Warrior RiverKeeper, and other organizations engaged in protecting the Watercress Darter

For more information visit www.bsc.edu/sec/darterfest.cfm.

April 9th – 13th, 2014: 

Birmingham Barons Baseball vs Jacksonville Suns

The 2013 season proved to be one of the most memorable in the long and storied history of Birmingham baseball as the Barons celebrated their return to downtown with the franchise’s 14th Championship. Under the leadership of manager Julio Vinas, the Barons went 77-63 and stamped their ticket to the post-season with a North Division First Half Championship. In the playoffs, the Barons defeated the Tennessee Smokies and Mobile BayBears in two thrilling five-game series to capture their seventh title in the Southern League era. For more information visit birmingham.barons.milb.com.

April 10th, 2014: 

Feng Shui for Life Improvement with Katie Rogers: Green Feng Shui for Outdoor Spaces

In honor of Earth Day, join Katie Rogers at Homewood Library to explore how our monetary abundance is connected to Nature. The outside of your home has just as much of an impact as the inside. Come learn how the front of your home is affecting your wealth, and how to feng shui your garden, whether it’s a simple herb garden or your entire backyard. Certified feng shui consultant and certified arborist, Katie Rogers, will communicate the importance of keeping a connection with the outdoors and taking care of our environment in order to promote a higher sense of self-awareness as well as financial growth. For more information visit www.katierogersfengshui.com.

A Night Out with StyleBlueprint’s FACES of Birmingham

A Night Out with Style Blueprint’s ‘Faces of Birmingham’ hosted by Gus Mayer. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting event!

Rebecca Tully Fulmer Show at Gallery 1930

For Rebecca Tully Fulmer, art is in her genes. Passed on from her mother, Toni Tully, who was an artist renowned and beloved in the Southeast, Rebecca has followed in her footsteps and is blazing her own unique trails. Gallery 1930 invites you to the opening reception. For more information visit www.facebook.com/gallery1930/events.

April 10th – 13th, 2014: 

Spring Plant Sale

Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale features over 100,000 plants, most of which have been nurtured by volunteers at The Gardens. This sale allows a unique opportunity, providing expert knowledge on the plants and by offering unique plants difficult to find in ordinary garden centers. And your purchase helps The Gardens reach its educational goals. The Spring & Fall Plant Sales at Birmingham Botanical Gardens further the mission of promoting public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment while providing consumers seasonally appropriate planting advice from experts and satisfaction from supporting a worthwhile cause with each purchase. For more information visit www.bbgardens.org/spring-plant-sale .

April 12th, 2014:

Pepper Place Market Opens

Pepper Place Market brings the best Alabama growers, food producers and artisans to Birmingham each week. Rain or Shine! April to December. For more information visit www.pepperplacemarket.com.

Farm Day at the Zoo

Take a look at Alabama’s agricultural heritage with a fun and educational peak into daily farm life during this annual event in the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo and Alabama Wilds. Watch horseshoe making demonstrations, create rural-themed arts and crafts, examine several antique tractors and farm equipment, watch a goat show and much more! For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/252810081551709.

April 18th, 2014: 

Matthew Mayfield at Iron City

Head over to Iron City to catch acoustic rock singer/songwriter/Birmingham native, Matthew Mayfield’s captivating show. Originally the lead singer in the group Moses Mayfield, which disbanded in 2008, Matthew has moved on to a solo career. Check out his latest albums, A Banquet for Ghosts and Now You’re Free. This is a show you don’t want to miss! For more information visit ironcitybham.com/calendar.

April 21st – 26th, 2014:

Birmingham Fashion Week

BFW, now in its 4th year, was founded on the ideals of bringing unity to our community through fashion. Local and national designers, alongside local and national boutiques, will gather together to promote and inspire our rising stars. Models, make-up and hair stylists will showcase their talents on the runway, while encouraging locals and visitors to explore the creative talents of Birmingham. For more information on this years event visit bhamfashionweek.com.

April 25th – 26th, 2014: 

16th Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival

This two day event features the food and culture of Lebanon. Authentic food including kibbee, grape leaves, tabouleh, grilled chicken, homus, baklava and more. Come out for great food and so much more:

• Professional Lebanese band from New York, Amin Sultan, performs each night in tent outside from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
• Daytime Church Tours Showcasing the beautiful Stain Glass Windows of St. Elias and our newly renovated interior.
  Self-Guided tours 11:00 am – 8:00 pm both days, except during Saturday Vigil Liturgy from 5:00 – 6:00 pm.
  Guided tours start on Front Steps of the Church at each top-of-the-hour beginning at 11:00 am and ending at 7:00 pm.
• Traditional Lebanese Dancing by our youth on inside stage Friday evening beginning about 6:00 pm, and Saturday afternoon and evening beginning about 12:30 pm.
• Silent Auctions both days.
• 5K Run and Fun Run Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 am.

For more information and a complete menu go to www.stelias.org.

April 26th, 2014: 

Hope for Autumn Foundation Crawfish Boil

The Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil will be an afternoon of music, food, and fun held at the Ross Bridge Welcome Center. There will be live music and plenty of activities for the kids. Proceeds from the event benefit the families of local pediatric cancer patients, as well as the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorder’s Developmental Therapeutics Program which seeks to find new treatments for children with difficult to treat cancer. Crawfish prepared by Louisiana native John Hein. There will be hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids, as well as bounce houses, face painting, and balloon artists. Soda and water will be provided, bring your own adult beverages. Live music by Rollin in the Hay and The Clammers. For more information visit www.hopeforautumnfoundation.org.

 

Hope you enjoy the month of April and all that’s going on around town!