Festivals & Events

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE?
(TLDR: it's time to register at endheroin.org!)

Every year the END HEROIN BHAM Walk brings thousands of people together in an effort to spread awareness about the drug epidemic in Alabama, and create a sense of solidarity for those struggling through it. This solidarity is just one way to reduce the stigma around substance use disorder (SUD) and one of the first steps in getting people the help they need.

Since 2017 events have been hosted in Railroad Park and Veterans Park Hoover and each year this event brings between 3,000 - 4,000 people together to fight back and support one another!

DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THIS YEAR WE ARE SHAKING THINGS UP AND GOING VIRTUAL WITH A 16.6 CHALLENGE!

16.6 is the current rate of death by overdose in Alabama (CDC). We can reduce this number by removing the stigma surrounding SUD and educating our community about the dangers of substance use.

Join us for our 2021 END HEROIN BHAM 16.6 Challenge, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Fritz Clinic, where APC is challenging YOU to 16.6 miles, reps, minutes, laps, rounds, sets, etc. of running, walking, swimming, riding, praying, meditating or anything you like to do to bring awareness to Substance Use Disorder and overdose in Alabama. You get to choose. Create a team and do something fun together! Or register as an individual and enjoy your "me time." Even if you don't want to participate, you can still create a fundraising page! We've got something for everyone!

Every registered participant will receive an END HEROIN BHAM 16.6 Challenge t-shirt, a race medal, a runner's bib and additional swag and info from our sponsors.* This year's t-shirts are Port & Company Triblend Comfort Shirts (50/37/13 poly/cotton/rayon). Please only purchase "additional t-shirts" if you are registering for the event. Only event participants will be eligible to receive additional t-shirts unless we have leftover shirts after the event ends.

*Packet pick up will begin on April 10th, location TBA.  Packets requested to be mailed will be sent out on April 9th. If you register after these dates, your packets will be sent as soon as possible.

We invite you to post a picture of yourself and/or your team in your shirts on social media with #EHBChallenge and show us how you're completing your 16.6! Together we can end the stigma surrounding SUD and save lives.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD
Encourage everyone you know to REGISTER, DONATE, and JOIN the movement to save lives!

Please help promote the event through your social media outlets! #EHBChallege. Share your story about why you walk!

So what are you waiting for? Click on the REGISTER button and accept this challenge!

Thank you to our presenting sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and The Fritz Clinic! And thank you to UAB CAPPI, Pathway Healthcare, UAB Medicine Beacon Recovery, Kopri Promotions, Jefferson County Dept. of Health, and Florida Springs Wellness & Recovery Center for supporting APC and sponsoring this event!

UAB welcomes Mercer, ULM, Central Arkansas and Coastal Carolina for the Blazer Beach Bash.

The Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by AmFirst is a signature event on the INDYCAR circuit. The 2.38-mile road course, with 17 flowing turns and 80 feet of elevation change, challenges drivers and engineers unlike any other track in the circuit.

April Murder Mystery Event for 2 nights only. Fun and Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner with Optional Ghosts & Spirits of the Past and Haunts Walk of the Mansion and Grounds After Dinner and once the mystery is solved! You’ll actively participate in the clue based mystery game. Very easy and fun! Explore the beautiful Mansion and it’s collection of historic antiques and artifacts by candlelight after dark! All of this excitement is brought to you by the TV Paranormal Investigators Lesley Ann Hyde and The Southern Ghost Girls as seen on A & E’s Truth or Legends in Your Hometown and Arlington 1840’s Historic House in Birmingham! Fun Party Atmosphere as you participate in the Murder Mystery Dinner. You will enjoy Dinner prepared by Chef Matthew Murphee . After the Murder Mystery Dinner , if you like, you will Get to Participate in an Exclusive Ghost & Spirits of the Past Hunt of the beautiful Mansion and Grounds as you use state of the art paranormal Investigation equipment! This is a One of a Kind I Event that you Do not want to miss. Perfect for Friends Night Out, Date Night, Game Night , Family Night, Birthdays, Office Parties and Team Building or just to celebrate the Season! The Price of your Ticket includes Dinner , Interacting in the Murder Mystery and Tour of the Home and Ghost & Spirits of the Past Hunt . You do not have to participate in the Ghost Hunt if you do not want to or must leave. Weather Permitting we will try to do some of the Event Outside .

The Blazers host Louisiana Tech University.

Middle & high school students will board a luxury party bus in route to the Pixel Room for endless selfies on 30 curated backgrounds, live dj, food, fun & chaperones. The 3 hour event is for groups of 10 where they can dress to impress or casual best. Go to www.ExperienceBirminghamTours.com for specials.

Temperature checks & sanitizer provided and masks are required.

Plaza Suite is a hilarious three-act comedy by Neil Simon, each act involving different characters but all set in Suite 719 of New York City’s Plaza Hotel. The two main characters in each act are played by the same two actors; the VST version will sizzle with performances by the husband and wife team, Nick and Kelsey Crawford.

April 15-25, 2021
Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2:30 pm
Tickets: $40 General Admission Social Distance Seating, $20 Student
VST Mainstage

Grab your furry quaranteam mate and join Hand in Paw virtually for a fun and safe day full of exciting race routes, contests and more - all while supporting a great cause!  The pawesome thing about Mutt Strut going virtual is that you can run or walk the race at your leisure on April 17th at any location of your choosing. We will be providing several dog-friendly race routes across Birmingham for inspiration and curating music playlists to make your virtual race experience even more fun! Each registered runner will still receive a swag bag full of goodies, a race day t-shirt and a doggie bandana!

Grab your furry quaranteam mate and join Hand in Paw virtually for a fun and safe day full of exciting race routes, contests and more - all while supporting a great cause! 

How does Mutt Strut going virtual affect the races?
Great question! The pawesome thing about Mutt Strut going virtual is that you can run or walk the race at your leisure on April 17th at any location of your choosing! We will be providing several dog-friendly race routes across Birmingham for inspiration and curating music playlists to make your virtual race experience even more fun!

Will there still be contests and prizes?
Absolutely! The HIP Team is hard at work building a race day portal where you will be able to submit your race times as well as upload pictures for the costume contest. The winners will be announced on social media on April 21 during a virtual awards ceremony and will be contacted to schedule a prize pick-up! Keep scrolling to view the different contest categories!

What about t-shirts and doggie bandanas?
Have no fear! Each registered runner will still receive a swag bag full of goodies, a race day t-shirt and a doggie bandana! We encourage you to take pictures of you and your pup wearing the swag and tag us on social media!

Reasons to Run Virtually!

• Fundraise for a pawesome cause—all proceeds benefit Hand in Paw!

• Receive a race t-shirt, doggie bandana and a swag bag filled with goodies and dog items

• Get some exercise (in costume, if you wish!) with your doggo

• Enjoy choosing from several dog-friendly race routes across Birmingham

• Compete for several different award categories with the potential to win amazing prizes

• Listen to great music playlists curated just for you

Space One Eleven is pleased to announce that registration for Alabama Charcoal art classes is open! We are very excited about our classes this year! Through the generosity of foundations and private contributors, families may qualify for free or reduced tuition.

Alabama Charcoal is Space One Eleven’s rigorous studio art program for high school students designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking.

Students learn and strengthen foundation skills, create individually conceived projects, learn about art-related careers, and work with a mentor to advance writing abilities. Juniors and seniors receive guidance for college applications and essays while building visual arts portfolios to increase college opportunities.

All skill levels are welcome.

Dates: Saturdays, 1/16 to 5/1
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
$395 per student, $28.22 per class
Classes will meet in person in the studio once per week.

Students are welcome to join the class at any time during the school year as long as seats are available. Class cost will be pro-rated for those who join later in the semester.

Join Black Warrior Riverkeeper for a day of service!

Safety: This event will take place along the roadside in an area without sidewalks, so please only sign up if you feel comfortable with this.

What we encourage volunteers to wear/bring:
1. Comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting a little wet or dirty (preferably long pants)
2. Your protective mask
3. Closed-toed shoes
What we will provide:
1. Garbage bags
2. Gloves/Litter Pickers

**Event organizers have taken extra steps this year to be COVID conscious and to protect our participants during this outdoor event. Therefore, masks are required during this event. 

**Child/Youth Participation: Youth between the ages of 10 (minimum age) and 14 must have a parent/guardian onsite under their supervision. We can\’t allow youth to be dropped off. While a cleanup is not normally dangerous, it can be to an unattended child.

Since the 1890’s this area has been the hub for business and theatre in the city, at one time known as “Birmingham’s Broadway” and home to more than 70 theatres and playhouses in its history. It was also the place to do all your shopping, with large department stores like Pizitz, Loveman’s and Parisian.

The Saturday tour begins at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $25 for Vulcan Park and Museum members and $40 for non-members. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Huge thanks to the Caring Foundation of Blue Cross Blue Shield, Spire and Protective Life Corporation for making this event possible.

This will be Southeastern Outings first ever hike to Alabama’s highest waterfall and surrounding area.   When visiting for the day, this unique attraction will quench your appetite for both adventure and history.                                                                                 The falls are a 90-foot drop into the Black Creek gorge.  It is naturally fed by Black Creek alone.  Being a natural waterfall, it is dependent on rainfall to feed the cascade.  When we see high volumes of rain we can see it flood (often in the winter and spring.)  When we see little rainfall in the late summer and fall we may only have a trickle of water.  Regardless of the amount of water, it is always a site to see!

One of the special attractions to Noccalula Falls is that by accessing the Gorge Trail you can pass under the Falls.  In addition, the bridge leading over Black Creek above the Falls allows a 360-degree view of this grand natural waterfall.  Hike rated moderately easy.

Optional dinner after the hike.

Well-behaved, properly supervised children age seven and up able to walk the distance of about 4 miles without complaining and complete the hike are welcome.

Please meet at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Applebee’s in Trussville.  We plan to depart from there at 9:45 a.m.  Or you can meet the group at ­­ Jack's parking lot, 1502 Noccalula Rd, Gadsden, AL 35901 at 10:30 a.m.

Information and Trip Leader: Marmy Nelson, marstar7@gmail.com or phone 612-245-3036 cell

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Applebee’s Restaurant Trussville (coming from Birmingham)—4711 Norrell Drive, Trussville, AL 35173.  Take I-59 North to Exit #141 (Chalkville Mountain Road Exit).  Exit I-59 at Exit #141.  Drive to traffic light at far end of interstate exit ramp.  This is at intersection of the exit ramp and Chalkville Mountain Road. Turn right at the traffic light at the far end of exit ramp.  Drive to first stoplight you come to on Chalkville Mountain Road and turn left.  Applebee’s Restaurant is on Norrell Drive directly behind the McDonald’s which faces Chalkville Mountain Road.

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS

Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has about 300 members.  We scheduled seventy-four events during calendar year 2020 for an average of 6 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10 per family or household.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events.

Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from most of our outings.

Thank you.

Take a trip back in time as you board vintage railroad coaches restored to their former glory! The Calera & Shelby Railroad runs on a portion of the former L&N Alabama Mineral Railroad, established in 1891. Ride behind a first generation diesel-electric locomotive as you travel through the scenic forests of Shelby County.

Beep Beep! Join Vocabby’s World® and your ArtPlay friends to learn new vocabulary words about ponds! We will explore new words through song, movement and creativity.
Children Ages: 0-5 years

Tune in using any electronic device from the safety of your home as we learn new words in Vocabby’s World!

FREE // Must Virtually Register

2021 Grand RiverFest

April 17, 2021 11am-5pm

Located in the front parking lot at The Outlet Shops of Grand River

One-Day Festival of Pop-Ups

Featuring Fashion, Arts, Crafts and so much more! Fun for the entire Family!

No Admission charge

Interested in becoming a vendor visit shopsofgrandriver.com to register online and for rules.

Booth Fee: $50 | Booth Size: 12×12 | Must provide your own tent, table, chairs | Vendor check in is between 7:00-9:30am

Elam Estate Antiques will have a collection of home goods that include vases and planters for any plants you bring home from House Plant Collective! There will be a giveaway as well.

Come see their spring collection and get a gift for a friend or something fun for yourself! Check out their Instagram Shop at @elamestateantiques!

We are very excited to be hosting Verde Lusso at HPC on Saturday, April 17th.
Come by for all your clean beauty skincare needs.

The Bulldogs host Mercer.

Wine & Whiskey Trackside Train - Be trackside as the train arrives! Board and depart for a rail excursion on Ozan's private air conditioned car! Return for a vineyard walk, and wine tasting! All seating is outdoors on our deck or vineyard overlook courtyard. Indoor seating is not available at this time. $29 per person

Gumbo Gala is typically one of the largest gumbo competitions in the South, with 40 cook teams and 3,000 guests.  This year's 16th Annual Gumbo Gala will be COVID-safe!  In an effort to remain socially responsible there will be no team competitions in 2021.  However, we have cooked up several opportunities to get your Gumbo groove on and support Episcopal Place!

(1) The main event is Saturday 17 April, 1:00-4:00 at Cahaba Brewing Company.  Free admission for everyone!  Guess will enjoy live jazz, vendors, and a gumbo food truck, by Tasteful Touch Catering.

(2) Gumbo to Geaux will be available Thursday April 22 & Friday April 23, 4:00-6:00 each day with curb side pick-up at Episcopal Place.  Visit gumbogala.com and order your gumbo by April 18.

(3) Several local Episcopal parishes will have various forms of Gumbo to Geaux April 14 through May 1. Visit gumbogala.com to learn more!

Gumbo Gala is the annual fundraiser for Episcopal Place.  Our mission is to provide low income seniors and disabled adults safe and affordable housing and access to related services in a home-like environment.  Visit episcopalplace.org to learn more - and while you're there, consider becoming a patron and donate online!