The 10: Big bucks, lobsters, music and grown people playing with toys ahead this week
From seriously amazing fun, food, and music, to silly and wet activities for grown folks, we've got you covered in this week's The 10 for the week of Aug. 15-21.
Joe Thomas Jr. Guitar Pull returns Tuesday
Get ready for another night of singer/songwriter excellence Tuesday during the Joe Thomas Jr. Guitar Pull at Cloverdale Playhouse, 960 Cloverdale Road, Montgomery. This week, they're bringing in local "American Idol" finalist Jessica Meuse of Slapout, plus Atlanta native Lara Oshon and Selma's Mac Spencer. Tickets are $10 to $20 and are available at cloverdaleplayhouse.org or at the door.
Last week to see 'American Mariachi'
It's the last show of the 50th season at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. If you haven't seen "American Mariachi" yet, this is the last week of the run. They have shows on Wednesday at 2 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. It's a celebration of Mexico's mariachi music, told through the story of a group of young women trying to form their own mariachi band in the '70s. It's a great way to cap ASF's amazing return to indoor theater productions. By the way, they've announced the shows for the 51st season:
Dec. 1-31: "It's A Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play."
Jan. 5-29 is Tazewell Thompson's "Jubilee," a cappella tribute performances inspired by real life.
Feb. 23-March 12 is William Shakespeare's final play, "The Tempest," starring the amazing Greta Lambert as Prospero and directed by Rick Dildine.
April 13-May 7 is "Million Dollar Quartet," written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux. The tale brings Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together by chance at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956.
May 11-21 is "Clyde's," told from a truck stop cafe where staff have a quest of creating the perfect sandwich.
July 6-Aug. 6 is "Cabaret," based on the book by Joe Masteroff, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. It's told from 1929 Berlin, as the Nazis gain power while the Jazz Age is in its twilight. Step into the Kit Kat Club and be entertained.
Celebrate education with the Montgomery Biscuits
More fun and giveaways when the Biloxi Shuckers come to town this week to face the Montgomery Biscuits. Get your tickets online at biscuitsbaseball.com. With getting back to school on people's minds, they've got some education themes for the week. Here's what you can expect at Riverwalk Stadium:
Golden Biscuits Tuesday: Montgomery Biscuits baseball event at Riverwalk Stadium for senior fans, Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.
Military Wednesday: Montgomery Biscuits baseball honors military with discounts and promotions at Riverwalk Stadium, Wednesday at 6:35 p.m.
College T-Shirt Giveaway: Montgomery Biscuits giving away 1,000 College T-shirts for ages 15 and up at Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday at 6:35 p.m.
Teacher Appreciation Night with Biscuits: Montgomery Biscuits saying thank you to teachers from across the River Region at Riverwalk Stadium on Friday, at 6:35 p.m.
Family Faith Night & MAX Fireworks: Montgomery Biscuits welcome church groups from across Montgomery at Riverwalk Stadium on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. MAX Fireworks after the game.
Kids Backpack Giveaway & Bark in the Park: Montgomery Biscuits giving away kids backpacks to the first 500 fans who are 14 and under, Riverwalk Stadium, Sunday at 3:33 p.m. Bring your leashed dogs to the stadium.
Buckmasters Expo 2022 returns to Montgomery
For three days — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — downtown Montgomery turns into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts when Buckmasters Expo returns to the Montgomery Convention Center at Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. As always, you get in free to the event by donating a can of food. While there's not a concert connected to this year's Buckmasters, they're bringing it big with Bulls & Buckmasters, a high energy, rock 'n' roll rodeo presented by Mountain Dew with professional bull riders from across the country. They'll also have the Top Bow indoor archery tournament, the amazing Dock Dogs in action, antler scoring and display, and Saturday and Sunday rides on the Harriott II Riverboat. Tons of vendors will be on site with all the outdoor supplies you could ever want. Hours are Friday from 3-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more at buckmasters.com.
River Region Lobster Fest
This event will happen when lobsters fly (They're being flown in from Maine, so, yes, this is actually happening). It's the River Region Lobster Fest, happening Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Church of the Ascension, 315 Clanton Ave., Montgomery. Meals will be available to dine in or to go. Meals include lobster, sides, dessert, bread, butter and lemons. The to-go lobsters are available cooked or live to take home and cook yourself. Tickets are $45, and can be purchased online at riverregionlobsterfest.org. For dine in, choose if you want open seating, or if you want to sit with a group of friends (up to 10). Dine in includes a 30-minute reception before dinner. Proceeds benefit the Ascension Day School and First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Respite Ministry.
Surfwax and Grasping at Pieces at The Sanctuary
Montgomery's music scene is blessed to have bands offering all-ages shows that a new generation of music lovers — and maybe even new artists — can see. That's the case again at The Sanctuary, 432 Goldthwaite St., on Friday, when bands Surfwax and Grasping at Pieces perform at 8 p.m. It's $10 a person to get in. So bring the kids and get ready to rock.
Two days of Montgomery Smooth Jazz Fest 2022 this weekend
Montgomery is hosting a two-day music celebration Friday and Saturday at Riverwalk Amphitheater in downtown Montgomery, 355 Coosa St. They'll have an emphasis on smooth jazz and R&B, but it also includes other genres. Enter the park through the tunnel on Commerce Street.
On Friday, gates open at 6 p.m., and music starts at 7 p.m. with Dru Hill (R&B) and Chante Moore (vocalist).
On Saturday, gates open at 11 a.m. and performances start at noon. Grammy winner Stephanie Mills is the headliner, and she joins a slate that includes Gerald Albright (Grammy-nominated jazz artist), Pieces of a Dream (smooth jazz), Ben Tankard (the Godfather of Gospel Jazz), Michael Lington and Paul Taylor (jazz sax), Adam Hawley (guitar), Kim Scott (smooth jazz flute), and Cindy Bradley (jazz trumpet).
Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food vendors will be on site. Coolers, wagons and tents are not allowed. This is a rain-or-shine event, but be aware that umbrellas must be lowered during performances.
Early bird tickets are $89.60 through Aug. 15. After that, they're $112.50 for Friday and $125 for Saturday. If you want both days, a weekend pass for $179 is available. A VIP package costing $275 includes an invitation to the VIP Reception with catered food and open bar (10-11:30 a.m.), expedited entry; lower front of house VIP seating with chairs provided; exclusive access to meet and greet/photo with available artists; exclusive Montgomery Smooth Jazz Fest Swag Bag; a commemorative VIP pass and lanyard; two drink tickets for use during the show (beverage of choice), and access to an air-conditioned restroom. Tickets are available online at montgomerysmoothjazzfestival.org. All sales are final.
Sunrise Social Club run Saturday
Hit the road and then hit up some treats on Saturday for the Sunrise Social Club run. It's a free event from MGM Runs that starts at 6 a.m. at Hilltop Public House, 3 North Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. They have 3-, 6- and 10-mile options. After the run, come back to Hilltop for food, drink and Premier League Soccer on TV.
MGM Runs is a 501(c)(3) that promotes and advocates for area charities, health and wellness, walkability and livability within ITB (Inside the Boulevard) of Montgomery through social runs at area pubs. Learn more on Facebook @MGMRuns. Register to participate in the run online at eventbrite.com/e/sunrise-social-club-tickets-312693222847
It's a Water Gun & Nerf War for adults
Parents, grab your kids' water guns and Nerf dart shooters. Other grown-ups, go hit up the toy stores and buy some. You're gonna need them Saturday night at GTSouth Geek & Gaming Tavern, 2015 Cong W.L. Dickinson Drive. From 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., grown men and women (age 21 and up) will be shooting water and Nerf bolts at each other. Nerf War is indoors, and water weapons are outside only. There's a good chance you're going to get wet, so bathing suits and other swimming attire is encourage. Heck, wear a scuba suit, though it'll be a little difficult to dance to DJ Henngod while you're wearing flippers.
Fall Kick-Off brings food, fun and opportunities
There's a big kick-off coming to Montgomery's Cloverdale Park, 3100 Cloverdale Road, on Sunday. But it's not really about football. First United Methodist Church of Montgomery is holding their Fall Kick-Off from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be food trucks — Moore's Tasty Food Truck, Los Maya's Mexican, That's My Dog, and Suga's Lemonade — plus games, giveaways and more. But the opportunity part for guests comes in getting to know the church's programming for 2022-23, and the opportunity to sign up for future ministries. So go have fun, and pick your team!
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: The 10: Food, fun, music and adult activities in August
