The 10: May the Fourth be with you this week in Montgomery
There's a lot happening this week, including a couple of special Star Wars-themed events. Check them out in The 10 for May 1-7.
Montgomery Biscuits battle Biloxi this week
Date and time: Tuesday through Sunday, times vary
Location: Riverwalk Stadium, 200 Coosa St., Montgomery
Get tickets: milb.com/montgomery
Our beloved Montgomery Biscuits are in town again this week facing the Biloxi Shuckers. Here’s what to expect:
Tuesday 6 p.m. game. It’s Taco Tuesday — $2 beef and $3 chicken soft shell tacos.
Wednesday, 11 a.m. game. This is Grand Slam School Day, when kids from across the River Region will come to the game.
Thursday 6:35 p.m. game. They’re giving away Healthcare Appreciation T-shirts to the first 1,000 fans 15 and older. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. It’s also Thirsty Thursday, with half off domestic drafts.
Friday 6:35 p.m. game. No promotions. Just lots of baseball and ballpark fun.
Saturday 6:05 p.m. game. It’s Military Appreciation Night, and they’ll have pre-game and in-game ceremonies to honor troops. Stick around after the game for MAX Fireworks.
Sunday 3:33 p.m. game. The first 500 kids 14 and younger get free Lil’ Crumbs Wristbands. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Before the game starts, bring your glove and a ball to come play catch on the field from 2:30-3 p.m. This is also a Bark in the Park game — bring your leashed dogs in. Stick around after the game as kids run the bases. The line for the run starts at the top of Section 117 in the 9th inning.
Hellzapoppin circus sideshow in Montgomery
Date and time: Tuesday, doors open 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.
Location: Warehouse231, 3500 Wetumpka Highway, Montgomery
Cost: $20 for general admission standing room only, $40 for general admission with guaranteed seat, with additional price levels. For $500 you can get a “Freak Show Ticket,” which guarantees access for the day, with a look behind the scenes.
Tickets: ticketweb.com/event/hellzapoppin-circus-sideshow-2023-in-warehouse-231-tickets/13043135
Being wild and weird is wonderful, and that’s what you’ll get Tuesday with the Hellzapopin: SHORTYth Anniversary Decade of Destruction Tour. Whew. Say that name five times fast. This is a rock’n’roll circus sideshow featuring Half-Man Short E. Dangerously, the most tattooed man in the world, The Lizard Man, Willow Lauren sideshow starlet, award winning juggler Lucian Fuller, and the mischievous ringleader Bryce the Govna Graves.
‘Bluey’s Big Play’ is a doggone good time for kids and parents
Date and time: Thursday, 6 p.m.
Location: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa St.
Cost: Tickets range from $27.50 to $67.50
Get tickets: mpaconline.org or call MPAC box office at 334-481-5100
MPAC has really gone to the dogs, and that’s a good thing. Thursday they’re bringing in the live stage version of “Bluey,” the beloved, award-winning Australian children’s cartoon. “Bluey’s Big Play” is great for all ages. Fair warning, parents. You’re gonna want to keep an eye on your phones after this visit with the Heeler family. Bluey and little sister Bingo try to keep their dad Bandit off his phone to spend time with them. The dogs are big stage puppets that look just like the cartoon. This play’s also known to bring fun balloon and bubble fun to the audience.
Star Wars meets the terminators of termites
Date and time: Thursday, 5-9 p.m.
Location: 1518 E. Ann St., Montgomery
Cost: Free
Do lightsabers count as bug zappers? You might find out Thursday. Yes, that’s May 4, as in “May the fourth be with you.” And we’ve got a pretty unique Star Wars-themed night ahead from Absolute Termite and Pest Control. Yes, it’s their third annual customer appreciation night. I know we don’t put exterminators in The 10 very often. Maybe we should more because these guys know how to party. They’ll have food, drinks, door prizes, and a Star Wars costume contest. This is a family-friendly event, but the grownups should dress like they’re trying to impress Darth Vader. Thee costume contest winner gets a glass Star Wars whiskey bottle with glasses, a set of Death Star ice ball molds, and whiskey.
Art After Five: Plant and Play
Date and time: Thursday, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Drive
Cost: Free to attend
Enjoy an evening in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts’ Caddell Sculpture Garden, inspired by Ginny Ruffner’s Reforestation of the Imagination augmented reality “forest.” They have a new Alabama Plant Walk that highlights select Alabama plants. They’ll have live music by Think All Be All, community art with Sky Re Vera, food vendor Plant Bae, and a cash bar that features Common Bond beers.
Hot Dogs & Heroes
Date and time: Thursday, 6-9 p.m.
Location: Aloe Event Center, 2596 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery
Cost: $100
Tickets: hotdogsandheroes.swell.gives
This is the fourth annual Hot Dogs & Heroes fundraiser presented by That’s My Child. It’s a night of live music, youth performances, and food from 25 local restaurants. They’ll honor community leaders, and give scholarships to local high school seniors. This program is That’s My Child’s fundraiser for the year to offer free programs to local students. Learn more at thatsmychildmgm.org.
Blues Traveler will ‘Hook’ you into coming to see them
Date and time: Friday, 8 p.m.
Location: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa St.
Cost: Tickets range from $42-67
Get tickets: mpaconline.org or call MPAC box office at 334-481-5100
Folks, I can’t keep these feelings on the shelf. The band behind one of one of the most amazing songs ever written is coming to MPAC. That song is “Hook” from 1994. Nothing more needs to be said, but for the unenlightened longing for some “inner truth or vast reflection” this is the rock band Blues Traveler. These familiar heroes from long ago started out as New Jersey high-schoolers in 1987. Here’s a confession to draw you near: Despite their name, up until recently in their 36 years of rocking they hadn’t actually done a blues album. When they did in 2021 — just to have something to do during the pandemic — “Traveler’s Blues” was nominated for a Grammy. I ain’t tellin’ you no lie. They’ve got decades of rock hits to perform in Montgomery, on that you can rely. But it’s the “Hook” that’ll bring dedicated folks like me back to see them. If I’m doing my job, it’s your resolve that breaks, and you’ll go to this show.
Explore the arts Friday night at The Armory
Date and time: Both start at 6 p.m.
Location: Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery
Cost: separate (see below)
Register: For either event call 334-625-2787
We’ve got simultaneous art exploration opportunities happening Friday in the Learning Arts Center at The Armory.
One of them is Date Night Pottery. Think of it as reenacting that scene in “Ghost.” It’s $100 per couple, plus a $30 supply fee for 6 pounds of clay and your choice of glaze color. It’s being taught by Kaitlyn Lake. Dress to be around dust. Light refreshments will be served.
The other is Live Drawing: The Human Figure, with instructor Milton Madison. The cost is $30 per student. Bring your own supplies. Register quick for this one, since the class is limited to 10 students.
Learn to grow veggies in containers
Date and time: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
Location: EAT South (425 Molton St. (behind the lot in the back of the Montgomery Advertiser site)
Cost: Free
Get tickets: Not required, but help them know how many to expect: https://secure.givelively.org/event/eat-south/vegetable-container-gardening-with-master-gardener-glenn-huovinen-rescheduled
How does your garden grow? Well, if you’d like to keep it growing all year, putting your plants in containers might be the way to go. EAT South is offering a chance to learn how to do that on Saturday afternoon with master gardener Glenn Huovinen. Maybe you don’t have a yard. Maybe you’re in an apartment. Doesn’t matter. You can still grow vegetable plants in pots, grow bags or buckets. Learn all the tips about soil, fertilizer, best veggies to grow, and more.
Roller derby Star Wars style: Revenge of the Sixth
Date and time: Saturday, 4 p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.)
Location: Multiplex at Cramton Bowl, 1037 Pelham St., Montgomery
Cost: $12 in advance, and $15 at door. Children 5 and under free. $10 for military with ID.
Tickets: montgomery-roller-derby.square.site/product/skate-wars-revenge-of-the-sixth/24
It’s Star Wars fun on wheels, as Montgomery Roller Derby offers a double header on Star Wars Night: Revenge of the Sixth. They’re staring it off with a junior roller derby at 4 p.m. featuring the Steel City Slayers (Birmingham) vs. Druid City Daredevils (Tuscaloosa). These kids are between ages 5 and 18. The main event with the grownups start at 6 p.m. with Montgomery Roller Derby vs. Druid City Derby (Tuscaloosa). Come dressed in your Star Wars best because they’re having a costume contest at the main event’s halftime.
Bonus! It’s a royal affair: Celebrating King Charles II in Montgomery
Date and time: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
Location: 1224 Madison Ave., Montgomery (across from Patterson Field)
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under
Get tickets: eventbrite.com/e/king-charles-iii-coronation-high-tea-celebration-tickets-619322338787
There’s no monarchy here, but isn’t it fun to keep up with the happenings back in the UK? FDL Gourmet To Go is presenting a King Charles III Coronation High Tea & Celebration. They’ll have a rebroadcast of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, high tea service, hors d’oeurves and sweets buffet, coronation bingo and other games with prizes, a selfie station, access to official coronation memorabilia and two Bespoke coronation candles created for FDL by Melissa Warnke Candles (available for purchase), best dressed and best hat/fascinator contest, and a children’s activities station. Dress like you’re going to a spring garden party.
Bonus! Zoo Volunteer Serve Day
Date and time: Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location, Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, 2301 Coliseum Parkway.
Cost: Free
Register: 334-625-4900
People are needed on Saturday for the Zoo Volunteer Serve Day. Help out by doing landscaping, trimming bushes, planting flowers, raking leaves, painting and helping the zoo prepare for upcoming events. Adults and kids can help. Ages 12-16 have to be accompanied by an adult. Ages 17 and 18 must have parent or legal guardian permission. You can work all day, take a morning shift from 9 a.m. to noon, or come in the afternoon from 1-4 p.m.
Bonus! Montgomery R&B and Blues Picnic
Date and time: Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Location: Riverwalk Amphitheater, 355 Coosa St., Montgomery (Enter through the Commerce Street Tunnel downtown)
Cost: General admission starts at $35.
Get tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rnb-blues-picnic-2023-tickets-517071192857
We all need time to relax. A day of peace, tranquility and really good music would do wonders for us. That’s the idea behind the Montgomery R&B and Blues Picnic at Riverwalk Amphitheater. Set alongside the beautiful Alabama River, organizers say this is a time for good food, classic and new R&B music, blues music, wellness and healing vendors, games and more. Performing live will be Pleasure P and Erealist, plus J Marsh, Alegan Sonile, Jay Bell, and the RNB N Groove Band. DJs are DJ Tray, DJ Who, DJ Slim, DK Ali, DJ Lasalle, DK Derrick, DJ Cousin D, and DJ Carver. It's hosted by MC Lightfoot and Cet Ki. They’ll have food vendors on site, but for an extra charge you can bring your own cooler — just no glass containers. Learn more about it online at rnbbluespicnic.com.
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: May the Fourth be with you this week in Montgomery
