The 10: Love is in the air, and so are Mardi Gras beads
There's still time to win hearts, and you've got several opportunities to do so with Mardi Gras fun, music, theater, arts and, yes, some truly excellent chili. Take your pick from our list in this week's The 10 for Feb. 13-19.
Give your Valentine the gift of Bobby Rush
On Valentine’s Day, you can treat the one you love to a special blues night out, 7 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Louisiana native Bobby Rush, 89, has a lifetime of material. His first single, "Someday," came in 1964. He has a 2017 Grammy win for "Porcupine Meat," which to no surprise has nothing to do with the animal. Rush’s "Rawer Than Raw," a Grammy-winning album released in 2020, just before the pandemic, is a tribute to blues legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and others. Tickets to Rush’s Valentine’s Day show range from $45 to $139, and they are available at mpaconline.org or by calling the MPAC box office at 334-481-5100.
Valentine’s Day Serenade with Sharron Sings
Spend your Valentine’s Day evening with artist Sharron Sings, Tuesday, 7-10 p.m., at B.B. King’s Blues Club. They’re an R&B original and cover band from Birmingham. While you’re there having fun, you can capture the moment at the 360 photo booth on site. B.B. King’s is located inside Wind Creek Montgomery. They’ll also have a series of “1 For The Lovers” concerts leading up to Valentine’s Day: Feb. 9, Falsely Motivated, 6-9 p.m.; Feb. 10, Mylah Muse, 8 p.m.-midnight; Feb. 11, Jac Ross, 8 p.m.; and Feb. 12, Trew The Star with DJ Ali, 6 p.m.
'A Doll’s House Part 2' at Cloverdale Playhouse
Norah Helmer left her husband and children at the end of Henrik Isben’s 1879 play, “A Doll’s House,” which the Cloverdale Playhouse produced wonderfully in 2018. It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since then. Well, the story is back, set 15 years after the ending, and thankfully it’s returning to that same stage in Cloverdale. Opening Thursday, Lucas Hnath’s “A Doll’s House Part 2” continues the story with Nora’s return. It’s a difficult situation for her, her husband, and the children who grew up without her. Director Sam Wooten describes it as “a freight train to the chest.” See it for yourself, now through Feb. 26, with shows Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are from $10 to $20. You can get them online at https://www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/
Blackberry Smoke at MPAC
Some shows are worth the wait. That’s the case for Blackberry Smoke, which is coming to the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre on Saturday. The band was originally scheduled to play there back in November. This is Blackberry Smoke’s The Whippoorwill 10 Year Anniversary Tour, and tickets are from $29.50 to $46.50. Britt Taylor will open the show. If you purchased tickets for the November date, they’ll be honored on Saturday. Learn more at https://www.mpaconline.org/events/, or by calling the MPAC box office at 334-481-5100.
College bands battle Saturday at ASU’s stadium
The 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands, a huge marching band showcase, is taking over Alabama State University’s stadium in Montgomery on Saturday. It’s hosted by Rickey Smiley and Loni Love, and features a halftime performance by ASU alum artist 2 Chainz. The preshow starts at 11 a.m., and the battle begins at noon. Along with ASU’s own Marching Hornets, it’ll feature marching bands from Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia; Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma; Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia; Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland; and Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. General admission tickets are $20. Learn more and get tickets online at https://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/
Montgomery’s 8th annual Mardi Gras Block Party
The beads will be flying and spirits soaring. Let’s get this party started! Montgomery’s Downtown Business Association is bringing the 8th annual Mardi Gras Block Party on Saturday, after a couple of years of hiatus due to the pandemic. From 4 to 8 p.m. on Commerce Street, they’re promising the biggest party of the year. They’ve also planned for it to be after the Honda Battle of the Bands, so folks have time to leave ASU’s stadium and make it downtown for more fun.
Wetumpka’s Mardi Gras Festival
We’ve had some fun and beads in Prattville and Millbrook already. It’s time to let the good times roll Saturday in Wetumpka. It’s being hosted by the Order of Cimarron in Gold Star Park. Vendors open at 9 a.m., and the parade rolls out at 1 p.m. It’s a celebration that combines Wetumpka’s French history with the area’s Creek Indian heritage. Learn more online at http://www.wetumpkamardigras.com/
Teen and adult ceramics class at MMFA
Be honest. How many of you have dreamed of getting your hands into some spinning clay? The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is offering a fun, tactile experience doing just that with instructor Sara Crocker starting Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and continuing on Feb. 25 at the same time. It’s a course designed for ages 13 and up. You’ll shape clay into a flower vase that’s inspired by the work of Boudless artist Melissa Vandenberg. It’ll take two classes to form and glaze your work. The cost is $65, and space is limited. All materials are included in the registration cost. For more information or to register, visit https://mmfa.org/event/teen-adult-ceramics-class-series-with-sara-crocker/
Welcome to round 2 of the Sanctuary Showdown
Sunday is the second round of Sanctuary Showdown, a music competition where artists are working to make it to the finals in April for a chance at cash and studio time from Technical Earth Recorders. For artists, the cost is just a $5 refundable deposit to reserve a spot in the open genre competition. For audiences, it’s absolutely free to get in. They’ll have food and drinks available, including a bar. The Funke Forte food truck will be there. If you’re craving Girl Scout cookies, those will be for sale Sunday also. Plus, the audience gets to help vote their favorite acts into the finals. So just show up. It’s from 4 p.m to 7 p.m. at The Sanctuary, 432 N. Goldthwaite St., Montgomery.
Chili Cook-Off
Adventure Sports II Inc. is known for diving lessons. This weekend, they're diving into bowls of chili, and inviting you to bring your best. Is it hot? Is it chunky? Is it awesome? Call 334-269-3483, or just stop in at 1546 East Ann Street, Montgomery, to sign up to bring in your best homemade chili to compete, or bring an appetizer or dessert. It starts Sunday at 2 p.m. They’ll have soft drinks, water and ice on hand, but grownups can bring their own adult beverages.
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: Love is in the air, and so are Mardi Gras beads
