BIRMINGHAM, AL - Southern Living

BIRMINGHAM, AL
LISTEN TO THE
LOCALS
MARK YOUR
CALENDAR
Insider advice on
where to eat, drink, shop,
and relax
What to do and where to
do it from Memorial Day
to Labor Day
TAKE A SIP
Fresh and fizzy
with cucumber bitters
from El Guapo Bitters
in NOLA
PACK YOUR
BAG
Summer style essentials for
Southern ladies and gents
BIRMINGHAM, AL
LISTEN TO THE LOCALS
HARRIS
AND CHERI
STEWART
OWNERS OF TRIM TAB BREWING COMPANY, @TRIMTABBREWING
snapper, and the jerk
chicken, oxtail, and curry
goat are unbelievable.
WE WOULDN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT
Cheri: my rattlesnake-fang
earrings, which are made by
Alabama Funk art collective
(alabamafunk.etsy.com).
Harris: a Huckstrap
(huckstraps.com). A local
company makes these
recycled-plastic belts that
you can customize. It’s like a
Choose Your Own Adventure
story for your belt.
WE’D BEAR A BRAIN FREEZE FOR
BYOB, blues juke joint located
in the middle of nowhere.
gipsplace.org
WE ALREADY HAVE TICKETS TO
Magic City Brewfest (June
6-7). It’s a celebration of
how far Alabama craft beer
culture has come. It’s held
outdoors at the historic Sloss
Furnaces, and sells out every
year. If you’re a lover of craft
beer, this is an essential event
for a Birmingham summer.
magiccitybrewfest.com
IF WE HAD TO EAT ONE DISH IN THE
CITY BEFORE WE DIED we’d have a
martini, chicken liver mousse,
and frites from Chez Fonfon.
It’s a staple in Birmingham,
so it would be our last stop.
fonfonbham.com
BEST HIDDEN GEM IS Yeh Man! It’s
a small Caribbean restaurant
on 4th Avenue North. If you
call ahead, the owner will run
to market and cook a whole
a bushwacker from Moe’s
BBQ.. moesoriginalbbq.com
FOR THE PERFECT SUMMER SUNDAY
we go to Veranda on Highland
(verandaonhighland.com) for
brunch (duck confit French
toast will make your toes
curl)then stop by Lou’s Pub
(louspub.com) for artisan
cocktails mixed by bartender
Angel Negrín.
OUR GO-TO SUMMER DRINK IS a basil
smash. We get our basil from
Jones Valley Teaching Farm.
jonesvalleyteachingfarm.org
OUR FAVORITE WAY TO EXPLORE THE
CITY is the running routes
that connect Birmingham’s
neighborhoods—with rolling
hills and old-growth trees,
they’re the most beautiful
we’ve ever seen. The Trak
Shak is an awesome local
running store; they even
provide water stations along
the way. trakshak.com
CHRIS ELLENBOGEN
THE BEST PLACE TO MEET STRANGERS
IS Gips Place. It’s an all-night,
BIRMINGHAM, AL
J UNE 11
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
BRUNO MARS
WHAT TO DO
& WHERE TO DO IT
FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY
M AY 26-30
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
M AY 30-31
TCHAIKOVSKY’S VIOLIN CONCERTO
Violinist Tai Murray performs
at the University of Alabama
at Birmingham. $19 and up;
alabamasymphony.org
J UNE 1
VULCAN 110TH BIRTHDAY BASH
Celebrate a Birmingham
landmark at Vulcan Park
and Museum. $5; visit
vulcan.com
J UNE 3-7, 10-14
THREE LITTLE KITTENS
A family-friendly performance at Birmingham
Children’s Theatre.
$9 and up; bct123.org
J UNE 5-15
TICK, TICK…BOOM
A musical by the creator of
RENT, at Virginia Samford
Theatre. $10 and up;
virginiasamfordtheatre.org
J UNE 5-7
THE STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL
Enjoy a weekend’s worth of
jazz performances by artists
such as Ken Ford, Bobby
Caldwell, and Euge Groove
in the sunshine at Linn Park.
$35 and up; steelcityjazzfest.org
J UNE 5-9
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
JACKSON GENERALS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
J UNE 6-7
The hit-maker will bring his
tour to the BirminghamJefferson Convention
Complex. $49.50 and up;
bjcc.org
J UNE 11-15
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
MONTGOMERY BISCUITS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
The Birmingham Civil Rights
Institute’s annual celebration
of the ending of slavery at
Kelly Ingram Park. Free;
bcri.org
J UNE 8
THE 2014 VIVA HEALTH STARLIGHT
GALA: STEVE MARTIN
The legendary comedian
will show his musical side
with his band, the Steep
Canyon Rangers, and Edie
Brickell at the Alys Stephens
Performing Arts Center.
alysstephens.org
J UNE 13
MIKE EPPS
Comedic performance at
the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex.
$37.75; bjcc.org
J UNE 13-15
RICK & BUBBA OUTDOOR EXPO
An exhibition of hunting,
fishing, and the great outdoors
at the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex. $10;
rickandbubbaoutdoorexpo.com
MAGIC CITY BREWFEST
A craft beer festival with beer
tastings from more than 70
breweries and 200-plus
varieties of brews at Sloss
Furnaces. magiccitybrewfest.com
J UNE 7
2ND ANNUAL BIG GREEN EGG
COOK-OFF
Grill masters compete for
glory at Ross Bridge Welcome
Center. $15 and up; facebook
.com/EasterSealsBirmingham
ART ON THE ROCKS
J UNE 13, J ULY 11, A UGUST 15
A favorite among locals, the summer
series features music, food, drinks,
performances, and art at the
Birmingham Museum of Art.
artsbma.org
J UNE 7
JUNETEENTH CULTURE FEST
All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.
BIRMINGHAM, AL
J UNE 21
J ULY 7
The country superstar will
perform alongside Randy
Houser, Leah Turner, and
Charlie Worsham at Oak
Mountain Amphitheatre.
$34 and up; stubhub.com
This young, eclectic violinist
and performance artist will
perform at Iron City. $27.50;
ironcitybham.com
J UNE 21
LES MISÉRABLES
BRAD PAISLEY
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
Bring your treasures and
questions for a chance to
appear on the PBS series at
the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex.
8 a.m.; pbs.org
J UNE 24-28
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
MISSISSIPPI BRAVES
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
J UNE 28
TOMMY EMMANUEL WITH
ANTSY MCCLAIN
The Australian guitar
virtuoso will play at the
Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex.
$39.50; bjcc.org
J ULY 4
THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN
FIREWORKS DISPLAY
LINDSEY STIRLING
J ULY 8-A UGUST 3
Red Mountain Theatre
Company. $30 and up;
redmountaintheatre.org
J ULY 24
See the country chart topper perform
at the largest outdoor music venue
in the state of Alabama, the Oak
Mountain Amphitheatre. $71 and up;
ticketnetwork.com
J ULY 10-27
ANNIE
Virginia Samford Theatre.
$30 and up; virginiasamford
theatre.org
J ULY 16-20
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
MISSISSIPPI BRAVES
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
J ULY 18-20
31ST WORLD DEER EXPO
Gear up for deer-hunting
season with seminars and
exhibits at the BirminghamJefferson Convention
Complex. $11 and up;
worlddeerexpo.com
J ULY 18-20
THE MUSIC MAN JR.
Unfold your lawn chair
for a fireworks show under
the stars at Vulcan Park
and Museum. Free;
visitvulcan.com
A kid-friendly performance
of a beloved musical at Red
Mountain Theatre Company.
$10 and up; redmountain
theatre.org
J ULY 4-8
J ULY 26-30
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
TENNESSEE SMOKIES
LUKE BRYAN
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
TENNESSEE SMOKIES
A UGUST 6-10
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
HUNTSVILLE STARS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
A UGUST 17-21
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
A UGUST 20-23
NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH
CHAMPIONSHIP
Pitches at this softball
gathering at Hoover
Metropolitan Stadium clock
in at more than 72 m.p.h.
$55; npfchampionship.com
A UGUST 22-24
A UGUST 23
KEITH URBAN
The country favorite will
make a tour stop with
Jerrod Niemann and Brett
Eldredge at Oak Mountain
Amphitheatre. $26 and up;
vividseats.com
S EPTEMBER 1
23RD ANNUAL LABOR DAY
CELEBRATION AND MOONPIE
EATIN’ CONTEST
Celebrate the day off and
see who can down the most
gooey goodness at Tannehill
Ironworks Historical State
Park. tannehill.org
S EPTEMBER 1
BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS.
PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS
Regions Field. $7 and up;
barons.com
16TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK
FILM FESTIVAL
The popular indie film
festival returns to Birmingham’s Theatre District.
sidewalkfest.com
All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.
BIRMINGHAM, AL
THE DRINK
THE
COOL
DOWN
NOLA’S EL GUAPO CUCUMBER
BITTERS ADD BOTANICAL
NOTES TO THIS FRESH AND
FIZZY GIN-BASED DRINK
MAKE IT YOURSELF
MAKES 1 SERVING
CHRIS ELLENBOGEN; FOOD STYLING: KELLIE KELLEY
Bruise or crumple 1 fresh mint sprig
in a cocktail shaker to release flavor.
Add 3 Tbsp. gin (such as Bristow);
let stand 2 minutes. Discard mint.
Add 4 1/ 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 4 1/ 2
tsp. simple syrup, and 6 dashes of
cucumber bitters (such as El Guapo).
Fill shaker with ice cubes. Cover
with lid, and shake vigorously until
thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass, and
top with dry Champagne. Garnish
with a mint sprig or cucumber slices.
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG
FOR THE LADIES
SUIT UP AND STAND OUT IN THESE STYLE ESSENTIALS JUST RIGHT FOR A SOUTHERN SUMMER
1 THE BAG: Leather accents add
weight to this woven cotton tote,
handmade in Atlanta. $125;
andovertrask.com
2 THE HAT: A crochet overlay gives a
feminine take to this baseball cap.
$85; proudmary.org
4
THE TOWEL: Supersoft towels that
are totally customizable. $50;
meandredesign.com
4 THE SUNGLASSES: The latest designs
from NOLA brand KREWE come in
sleek and stylish shapes. $185;
kreweduoptic.com
5
2
3
6
5 THE COVER-UP: A breezy beaded
tunic by the queen bee of beach
style. $138; lillypulitzer.com
6 THE SWIMSUIT: This bold red
Marysia suit is an Everything But
Water exclusive; pair with a skirt
after hours. $304; everythingbut
water.com
7
7 THE WRISTLET: This water-resistant
bag can afford to get a little wet.
$32; haydenreis.com
THE SHOES: Memory foam on the
Jasmine flip-flop makes trekking
around the coast feel like walking
on sunshine. $198; elaineturner.com
8
8
ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: STACY K. ALLEN
3
1
BIRMINGHAM, AL
PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG
FOR THE GENTS
YOUR NEW MUST-HAVES FOR THE BEACH AND BEYOND—ALL MADE IN THE SOUTH
1 THE HAT: Southern Proper’s Frat
Hat is meant to be worn in and
dirtied up. $28; southernproper.com
2 THE OYSTER KNIFE: Whip out this
heirloom-quality hammered Edisto
knife and prepare to impress. $350;
williamsknife.com
3 THE SHIRT: Made of 100% cotton
and prewashed for fit and comfort,
Southern Tide’s T-shirt is the only
one you’ll need this summer. $34;
southerntide.com
1
2
4
3
5
4 THE BAG: This sturdy MAKR
backpack can stand up to any active
adventure. $245; makr.com
6 THE TRUNKS: Lilly Pulitzer’s
granddaughter designs these
salmon-hued shorts. $125;
strongboalt.com
7 THE SUNGLASSES: D.C.-based Panda
makes sleek wooden frames. Profits
from every pair go toward charity.
$120; wearpanda.com
8 THE SANDALS: Atlanta’s Clay + Bros
keeps things simple with a rubber
sole and parachute-cord straps.
$65; clayandbros.com
6
7
8
ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: STACY K. ALLEN
5 THE TOWEL: Nashville’s Turkish-T
Deck Bath Terry Towel is lightweight
with a layer of terry to keep you dry.
$80; taigan.com