Birmingham Events Calendar: May 27th - June 3rd

We hope you’re having a great Memorial Day Weekend and getting some fun family time with your loved ones!

School’s Out for the Summer! It’s time to start on that summer fun list! Summer Movies will kick off this week, as well as the Summer Reading Programs at your local Libraries!

If it’s too hot for you (already!) Make sure to check out the new Dora and Diego Exhibit at the McWane Science Center! The weekend will bring Farmer’s Markets, the BBQ Festival and Alabaster Cityfest!

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Sunday May 27th:

Memorial Day Activities at the Birmingham Zoo
Come out and join in all the fun the Zoo has to offer over this long holiday weekend. Feed the giraffes, take a camel ride, check out a Wildlife Show, visit Granny’s Butterfly Garden and much more!

In honor of this holiday, all active and retired military and their dependents get free admission to the Zoo on May 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th with valid military identification.

Alabama Phoenix Festival – Cahaba Grand Conference Center
The Alabama Phoenix Festival is a celebration that spans the realms of creativity and imagination and shows how the impossible is possible for us all! The Festival invites all ages from 1 to 909 years of age to come together and celebrate The Arts, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gaming and all interests from every quarter of the universe! There is something for everyone! The fantasies and dreams of today lead to the realities of tomorrow and Alabama Phoenix Festival is here to support that in our community!
We are starting the 2012 Alabama Phoenix Festival at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 25 with activities around the clock until closing at 5:00 pm Sunday, May 27. Primary programming will be set in 1 hour, 15 minute long blocks with 15 minute breaks between each block.

Bats of Alabama – Oak Mountain
Are bats scary? Do bats hurt people? Come learn the truth about some very unique mammals. Bats are interesting, important creatures and they are often misunderstood. Did you know the Little Brown Bat, one of the most common North American bat species, can catch and eat as many as 1,200 mosquitoes in one hour? Meet at 7p.m. at the Campground Pavilion (B-side).
Free after admission to Oak Mountain State Park.

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Design a teacup just in time for Mother’s Day!

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1:00pm

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Monday May 28th:

In honor of this holiday, all active and retired military and their dependents get free admission to the Zoo on May 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th with valid military identification.

Memorial Day Bug Races – Oak Mountain State Park
Come race some bugs at the 2nd Annual Memorial Day Bug Race. On your mark, get set,…..GO!
Come to Treetop Nature Trail (Terrace Drive) at 10a.m. to race bugs.
Free after admission to Oak Mountain State Park.

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Tuesday May 29th:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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Wednesday May 30th:

Rickwood Classic
The Birmingham Barons will host the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in the 17th Annual Rickwood Classic. The Birmingham Baron’s annual turn-back-the-clock game will honor baseball during World War II and the Korean War. The Barons will don uniforms from the 1940s, when they were an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The Chattanooga Lookouts will also wear replica uniforms from the era.

Rickwood Field
1137 2nd Avenue West
Birmingham , AL 35204
12:30pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Silly Doggy! Find out what happens when a little girl finds what she thinks is a dog in her yard. There will be a craft and we will have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday May 31st:

Summer Reading’s Very Special Kickoff Concert – Homewood Library
Eric Herman live in concert! The Oregon Children’s performer who brought us the YouTube sensation, ‘The Pirate Song’ will kick off Summer Reading. To attend register before May 31st and pick up your Summer Reading bag.
10:30am

Night Out with Dora and Diego – McWane Science Center
Embark on a family adventure with your favorite Nickelodeon characters Dora the Explorer and Diego! Bring your own backpack and collect clues on a very special scavenger hunt! Be sure to bring your camera to capture all of your adventures. Refreshments provided. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (205) 714-8414
TIMES: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
COST: $15 Adults, $12 Kids (Members: $12 Adults, $10 Kids)

Brookwood Live! – Brookwood Village
Live Music and fun for the whole family every Thursday in May. Enjoy the great entertainment and fun on the street at Brookwood Village.
De’Ja Blue Band
5pm – 9pm

Popcorn and Movie – Emmet O’Neal Library
Everyone’s favorite sword-fighting cat sets out on an adventure to save his hometown, joined by street-smart Kitty Softpaws and mastermind Humpty Dumpty.
10:30am

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Friday June 1st:

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Saturday June 2nd:

Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
Tuesday and Thursdays (10:00 AM — 1:00 PM)
Saturday (10:00 AM — 4:00 PM)
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members

Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival
Live blues music on one stage all day and evening plus delicious Bob Sykes BBQ and children’s activities.

DeBardeleben Park in Downtown Historic Bessemer
1623 Second Avenue North
Bessemer, AL 35020
For ticket information and time, call 205-426-1400

Alabaster Cityfest – Municipal Park Alabaster
Come join us for Alabaster Cityfest. This is an all-day festival featuring music, kids activities and vendors. LoneStar and Everclear headline this years festival.
Free Event
Gates open at 9:00 am.

Storytime on the Mountain – Ruffner Mountian
Join Ms. Jerri in the Activity Hall of the Treehouse as she reads “The Wide-Mouthed Frog” by Keith Faulkner. Ever wondered what a frog, mouse, or alligator eats? This story will give you the answers with fun pop-up illustrations. Make frog finger puppets to take home and receive a copy of the book thanks to our sponsor, Target. Stick around after Story Time and meet Ruffner’s resident grey and green tree frogs.
10am

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
Re-open again for the season! Pepper Place Saturday Market brings the best local growers, food producers and artisans to you each Saturday morning. Rain or shine!
7am – Noon

Yard Sale and Market –
Yard Sale, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Baked Goods, Local Arts and Fun Children’s Activities. For more information please contact the Norwood Resource Center at 205.322.7361.
Norwood Community @ 15th Avenue and 32nd Street North on Norwood Community Blvd.
10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read I Spy Under the Sea. We will find out about the different animals that live in the ocean. We will make a craft and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday June 3rd:

Vulcan Birthday Bash
Make plans to attend the BIGGEST birthday bash in Birmingham! Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! Vulcan Park and Museum will host a festive outdoor community celebration offering fun activities for the whole family! Admission will be charged and includes admission to the party, Vulcan’s Observation Balcony, Museum and a special exhibition in the Linn-Henley Gallery. Log on to www.visitvulcan.com for additional party details.
12pm – 4pm

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
During the month of June, join us for a special parent and child art activity – Make an Inuit inspired animal sculpture out of soap!
1pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

The Tornadoes of April 27th – Looking Back — Moving Forward, a new exhibit at McWane Science Center, reflects on the experiences of the April 27th, 2011 storms. The exhibit shares personal stories from those who experienced the devastation of the storms firsthand, while emphasizing the importance of tornado preparedness and explaining the science behind tornadoes.

Photos and stories from The Birmingham News help tell the story of the storms and the affect they had on survivors, volunteers, and the community as a whole. Students from Daniel Payne Middle School also help tell the story of their school and community through photos and artifacts from the storm for the exhibit. UAB students worked with the children from Daniel Payne Middle School to create short documentaries that can be seen in the exhibit as well.

In addition to sharing the personal stories from that day, the goal of this exhibit is to inform the community about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions, explaining the science of tornadoes and stressing awareness.

With vivid displays, the exhibit allows visitors the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of tornadoes. Graphics within the exhibit illustrate tornado formation and anatomy, educating visitors on how such extreme weather conditions develop. Additionally, the exhibit displays statistics and disputes common myths concerning the destructive storms.

Guests can watch live video from the storms that rolled across our state on April 27th, 2011, including the
weather forecasts from that day and actual images of the tornado as it made its way through our area provided by FOX6 WBRC. The exhibit is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum this summer.

Be Ready Alabama Exhibit Presented by:
The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
www.readyalabama.org

Dora and Diego, Let’s Explore Exhibit
Get ready for adventure with Dora and Diego at McWane Science Center in the new exhibit Dora & Diego—Let’s Explore! The exhibit features beloved characters Dora and Diego from Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, along with their friends Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico, and of course Swiper, now in their own exhibit for children to explore as they learn and play along.

This new, interactive traveling exhibit, was created by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon, and presented by the WellPoint Foundation.

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call, especially when weather can impact the event.