TUSK CALENDAR: Who's playing and what's happening
This week in West Alabama, April 25-May 1, the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra closes out its 2023-2024 season with "Heroes," featuring music saluting inspirational figures; Travis Tritt at Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater; the 2024 Mayor's Cup 5K for Pre-K; Druid City Derby hosts a triple-header bout at the Bobby Miller Center; Christ Episcopal hosts its previously postponed Grateful Dead Eucharist; and Broadway in Birmingham presents "Pretty Woman -- The Musical" at the BJCC.
MUSIC
FRIDAY
Jud Cameron: 6-9 p.m., The Venue Tuscaloosa, 6052 Watermelon Road, Northport. www.venuetuscaloosa.com/events.
Travis Tritt, Chase Matthew, Frank Foster: 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the amp's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway in downtown Tuscaloosa, for $99.50, $79.50, $59.50 and $39.50.
Loaded Dice: 7:30 p.m., VFW Club, Post 6022, 7001 University Blvd. E., Cottondale.
Blind Amibition: 9 p.m., Big Al's Backstreet Lounge, 2108 14th Ave., Tuscaloosa.
SATURDAY
Black Jacket Symphony performing the Beatles' "Abbey Road": 8 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $20 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.bjcc.org.
SUNDAY
Open-mic night: 6 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. www.druidcitybrewing.com.
MONDAY
Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra's "Heroes" concert: 7 p.m., Moody Concert Hall, UA campus. The TSO's 2023-2024 season will close with tribute to inspirations throughout history, including Joseph Schwanter's Pulitzer Prize-winning work, "New Morning for the World," paying tribute to the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr.; Beethoven's "Symphony No. 3," also known as the "Eroica Symphony," celebrating the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Tickets $30 and up; free for students. www.tsoonline.org.
TUESDAY
Casting Crowns: 7 p.m., Alabama Theatre 1817 Third Ave. N., Birmingham. Tickets, $35 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.alabamatheatre.com.
LOCAL EVENTS
ONGOING through JULY 20
"Southern Queer History ― Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition": Exhibit on display telling the story of the queer community in Tuscaloosa, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, 1901 Jack Warner Parkway. In collaboration with the Summersell Center for the Study of the South, UA grad student Callum Campbell researched the obscured narratives of the queer community through the lens of the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition (TLC). The exhibit sheds light on the resilience and resourcefulness of Tuscaloosa’s queer community, and expresses appreciation for their contributions to the broader social fabric of the city. 205-248-4931.
THURSDAY
Open Book Club with author Michelle Cox: 5:30 p.m., Zoom meeting hosted by Ernest and Hadley Booksellers. Cox will be discussing her latest standalone novel, "The Fallen Woman's Daughter." Attendees must register in advance: www.tinyurl.com/bhaj5er5. www.ernestandhadleybooks.com.
SATURDAY
2024 Mayor's Cup 5K for Pre-K: 8 a.m., downtown Tuscaloosa. The Mayor’s Cup, presented by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International raises funds for the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative, which aims to expand Pre-K access for Tuscaloosa children. The 5K is open to all ages and participants are welcome to run or walk. Timing chips attached to race bibs will be used to determine race results, and awards will be given. For more, see www.tuscaloosamayorscup.com.
Druid City Derby triple-header: Bobby Miller Activity Center, Tuscaloosa. Game one, 12:30 p.m., Birmingham's Steel City Slayers vs. Chattanooga's Ruby Regulators. Game two, 3 p.m., Druid City Daredevils vs. Red Stick Juniors. Game three, 5:30 p.m., Druid City Derby vs. Peach State. After-party at Druid City Brewing Co. Pre-sale tickets for $12, or $15 at the door. Free for kids under 10. www.facebook.com/DruidCityDerby.
Desmond Jackson, Christopher Love book launch: 2-4 p.m., Ernest and Hadley Booksellers, 1928 Seventh St., downtown Tuscaloosa. Authors will be celebrating the launch of "Crimson Code: The Price of Success," as part of Independent Bookstore Day celebrations. RSVP via Eventbrite, www.buff.ly/49pKowi
SUNDAY
Intro to Musical Theater Dance: 2 p.m., Theatre Tuscaloosa facilities on Shelton State Community College's Martin campus. Introducing students to dance techniques, steps, and practices that will help them become better on-stage performers, taught by Nate Blakley. Classes for students 6-9 years old from 1:30-2:15 p.m.; for ages 16 and up, 3-4:15 p.m. ci.ovationtix.com/36220.
"Derek Hough -- Symphony of Dance": 7:30 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $28 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.bjcc.org.
MONDAY
This Could Be You: Comedy show with open-mic, 8-11 p.m., Black Warrior Brewing Co., 2216 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa. Signup at 7:30. Hosted by Stand-Up Tuscaloosa and Compton Smith.
TUESDAY
Triple Threat Audition Workshop: 7-9:30 p.m., $20 to attend, available for those age 10 and up, at the Wilson Carr Rehearsal Hall, in the Theatre Tuscaloosa facilities in Shelton State Community College, Martin campus. This mock audition workshop prepares actors for a real audition by requiring a one-minute monologue, 16 bars of a musical theater song, and learning a small piece of choreography on-site. Dance shoes and appropriate attire are recommended for the dance portion. Instructors will be Ray Taylor, Beth Rominger and Quincy Hall. www.theatretusc.com/courses.
TUESDAY-MAY 5
"Pretty Woman -- The Musical": BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $45 and up, through www.ticketmaster. For times and more, see www.bjcc.org.
WEDNESDAY
Christ Episcopal Church Grateful Dead music-inspired eucharist: (New date, from postponed April date) 5:30 p.m., The Venue Tuscaloosa, 6052 Watermelon Road, Northport. All are welcome; casual, come-as-you-are service.
UPCOMING
MAY 12: Rick Springfield, 38 Special, 7:30 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets, at $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 and $29.50, plus fees and taxes, through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
MAY 17: Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Redferrin, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the amphitheater box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, for $99.75, $89.75, $69.75, $49.75 and $29.75, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
JUNE 1: Kool and the Gang, The Bar-Kays, Midnight Star, Lakeside, 6 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, for $110.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 and $29.50, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
JUNE 7: KC & the Sunshine Band, Rose Royce, Dazz Band, 6:30 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, downtown Tuscaloosa. Prices will be $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $29.50 and $19.50, not including fees and taxes.
SEPT. 20: Cody Jinks, the Cadillac Three and Calder Allen, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, for $258, $158, $107.50, $87.50, $67.50, $47.50 and $33, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
AUG. 30: Tom Segura, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets for $99.50, $59.50, $49.50, and $32.50, plus fees and taxes, through www.ticketmaster.com, or or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
SEPT. 26: Koe Wetzel, Treaty Oak Revival, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the 2710 Jack Warner Parkway box office, for $83, $63, $53, $43, plus fees and taxes. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.
OCT. 3: The Commodores, Pointer Sisters, Spinners, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the 2710 Jack Warner Parkway box office, for $159.50, $139.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50 and $39.50, not including fees and taxes.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: TUSK CALENDAR: Who's playing and what's happening
