The 10: Are you feeling lucky? You should with these St. Patrick's week events
St. Patrick’s Day is here, and the green beer is sure to be flowing around the River Region. But we’ve got much more than that happening. Check it out in this week’s The 10 for March 13-19.
1. Staged reading of the play ‘Periphery’
Fifteen Montgomery actors are coming together Thursday at 7 p.m. for a staged reading of Ed Simpson’s play “Periphery” at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery. It’s being directed by the Learning Arts Center’s film instructor John Martello. This is a docudrama that features ordinary citizens who witnessed the February 1960 sit-ins at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were people on the periphery. This is free to the public, but guests should RSVP by calling 334-625-2787.
2. Seventh annual CEF Clay Shoot
Start your St. Patrick’s Day off with a blast at the 7th annual CEF Clay Shoot, 8 a.m. to noon at the Lower Wetumpka Road Shotgun Sports Club, 4758 Lower Wetumpka Road, Montgomery. It’s $125 per shooter, which includes 100 shells, ear and eye protection. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. If you’d like to just come out for lunch without shooting, it’s $15. Ages 5 and under are free. They’ll have golf carts and shotguns available for an additional fee. This is an event by Child Evangelism Fellowship of Central Alabama. Learn more online at https://www.cefcentralalabama.org/events/7clayshoot
3. St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl, and other ways to find green beer and fun
Wristbands are just $10 for Friday’s downtown Montgomery Spring Pub Crawl, presented by the Gathering of Eagles Foundation. You get food, drink and entertainment discounts at Alley Bar, Aviator Bar, Bibb Street Pizza Company, Common Bond Brewers, Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine, Saza, Taste Too, Tower Tap Room, Wintzell’s Oyster House and more. No need to drive. They’ll have a free shuttle running from University Inn to downtown. Sign up for the Pub Crawl online at https://gathering-of-eagles-foundation.snwbll.com/ticketing/goef-spring-pub-crawl-23. Funds support River Region youth with STEM and aviation scholarship opportunities. Learn more about GOEF at https://goefoundation.org/
Here's a few other chances for St. Patty fun (and maybe some green beer) on the bar side:
Corner Pocket, 5743 Woodmere Blvd, Montgomery will have a St. Patrick’s Day Party at 7 p.m.
Carl’s Country, 426 County Road 4, Prattville has a St. Patrick’s Day Bash planned at 8 p.m., featuring Austin Tolliver, Bryce Reed, Dylan Gray, Cowboy Drippy and more. Doors open at 6 p.m. For ticket info, call 334-365-9333.
Big Star Tavern, 1449 Highway 82, Prattville will have a St. Patrick’s Day party with Brandon and Ruckertown Road Band at 9 p.m.
4. SLE Rodeo back for another wild ride
It’s part death-defying wild ride and spectacle, with a huge dose of cowboy skill, livestock expo, comedy and patriotism. Yes, the SLE Rodeo is back in Montgomery for three days — Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Garrett Coliseum. There’s horseback riding and roping, bull fighting, and even “mutton bust’n” and stick horse riding for the little ones. It all opens with a parade through downtown. There’s a couple of new twists for SLE this year. First up, they’re bringing in the amazing, award-winning John Harrison as the rodeo’s clown, featured act and barrel man. They’ve also got a special “Concert on the Dirt” planned after the rodeo on Friday, featuring Shackelford Lane. Get the full schedule and ticket prices online at slerodeo.com.
5. Nat King Cole Birthday Celebration at the mural
The Montgomery Music & Arts Foundation presents Live at the Lot, a birthday celebration homecoming Saturday for Montgomery native Nat King Cole. He’s known for nearly three decades worth of music hits, including “Unforgettable,” “Route 66,” “Nature Boy,” and “When I Fall in Love.” The celebration with live music is being held 4-8 p.m. at the Cole mural at 435 Maxwell Blvd. Admission is $15.
6. SMAKenger Hunt: Selma to Montgomery Edition
Ever wanted to walk up to someone and just SMAK them? By “SMAK,” I mean “SMall Acts of Kindness.” You can register to join fellow SMAKers on Saturday at the historic Selma to Montgomery route, in Montgomery, to provide encouragement and support to march participants by SMAKing them with gift cards. It’s free for you to take part, and you’ll be given coupons and gift cards to SMAK others with for groceries, free coffee, haircuts, and car washes. You can even come as a team to give a group SMAK. It’s happening from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monroe Street and Coosa Street. The organizer is a nonprofit that’s focused on spreading kindness. Imagine standing in line for coffee, and deciding to buy coffee for the person behind you. That’s a SMAK. Now maybe that person will go SMAK someone else. So have you SMAK’d someone today? Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smakenger-hunt-selma-to-montgomery-edition-tickets-549220532397?aff=erelexpmlt. Learn more at https://smaksome1.com.
7. Spring Fling Craft Fair & Vendor Event
It’s a glorious day of shopping, with fun for the kids as well. 2.42 Church, 415 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, is hosting its first Spring Fling Craft Fair & Vendor Event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’ll be packed with craft vendors and small businesses. Plus, they’ll have a bounce house for the kids, cotton candy and food — there’s a fish fry. Admission is free. Learn more about the church at https://www.242church.us/
8. Shamrock ‘N’ Roll with Montgomery Roller Derby
Enjoy some roller derby fun Saturday during the Shamrock ‘N’ Roll at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, 1037 Pelham St., Montgomery. First whistle is at 6 p.m. to open the season for Montgomery Roller Derby against West Florida Roller Derby. This is a fundraiser for the Family Sunshine Center. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Military with ID get in for $10. Kids 5 and under get in free. Follow them online at https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryRollerDerby/
9. Prattville Pops Spring Concert is Sunday
The Prattville Pops band is performing its annual Spring Concert on Sunday, 3 p.m. at the Doster Community Center. It'll have classic pieces, including movie music. The concert is free and open to the public. Bring your family, kids of all ages, and friends. If you want to pay it forward, bring some non-perishable food items to donate to the Autauga Interfaith Care Center food bank. For more information contact the Cultural Arts office at 334-595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov.
Sanctuary Showdown: Third Round!
It’s the third round of the spring Sanctuary Showdown on Sunday, 4-7 p.m., and more music competition awaits bands and singer/songwriters playing original works for a shot at cash and studio time at Technical Earth Recorders. For audiences, its free and for all ages! Just show up, listen to awesome music and help pick the winner to move into next month’s final. It’s all happening at The Sanctuary, 432 Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. For acts that want to get in on the action, call or text: 334-245-4546, or send an email to booking-sanctuary@jubileemgm.org
Bonus! Rusty Wallace Racing Experience in Montgomery
Ever dreamed of being behind the wheel of a race car? The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience is your chance on Sunday at the Montgomery Motor Speedway, 480 Booth Road, Montgomery. They’re running the track all day in a NASCAR style race car. They’ve got different packages available: from five laps for $119 to 50 for $719. Book your spot in the seat online at https://racewithrusty.com/project/Montgomery-Motor-Speedway-deal60/
UPDATE: Prattville's 'Mustang Sally' Cruise In Car Show moved to Sunday
Because of the weather last weekend, Prattville moved its "Mustang Sally" Spring Cruise In Car Show to this Sunday. It's still being held from 1-4 p.m. at Spillway Park by the Autauga Creek Dam on Court Street downtown. Mustangs from throughout the years will be featured in this show, but other makes and models are also welcome. There will be music by The Jukebox Allstars and food vendors on site. There are no awards for this car show, but it is a great way to meet other car enthusiasts, see vintage and specialty vehicles and enjoy a free concert by the creek. It's also a salute to "Mustang Sally" singer Wilson Pickett in honor of his birthday on March 18. If you've got a car you'd like to show, there is a limited number of spaces available and reservations are required. For more information, contact the Special Events office at 334-595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov.
NOTE: ‘When Loving You is Killing Me’ play tour postponed
This weekend the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre was set to host DiShan Patrice’s stage play “When Loving You is Killing Me” for three performances. However, that’s been postponed. A post on Patrice’s social media said that they’ve had to cancel the tour. Here’s hoping they get things worked out to bring it to MPAC eventually, because it has a “killer” celebrity cast: Grammy-winning R&B artist Chrisette Michele, Grammy-nominated gospel artist Isaac Carree, The Temptations lead singer Tony Grant; R&B legend Shirley Murdock (“As We Lay”), Stellar and Dove nominated gospel artist Wess Morgan, and others. According to mpaconline.org, refunds for tickets will be available at the point of purchase for 30 days.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: The 10: Feeling lucky? You should with these St. Patrick's week events
