The 10: One look at this and you'll be saying 'That's my jam!'
Whether you're a music fan, a Mardi Gras funseeker, or even a Magic: The Gathering fanatic, we've got something for you in The 10 for Jan. 30-Feb. 5.
Ukulele Jam in Wetumpka
The Alabama River Region Arts Center, 300 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka, has something free and unique offered Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. It’s the Ukulele Jam, a monthly class that’s free and open to the public. They have these around the first Thursday of each month, so there’s plenty of chances to strum for fun. Learn more by calling 334-578-9485.
Four bands, one huge night of music
Not only is Friday a huge night of music at The Sanctuary, it’s a huge all-ages night with four different flavors of rock. There’s the proto-punk band Bad Hygiene, the 2-piece instrumental stoner metal band Pleasant Valley, the solo instrumental post metal of Birmingham’s Spirit Guardian, and the 2-piece sludgy doom rock of Dead Vibes Ensemble of Athens, Georgia. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. It’s $10 to get in. Beyond the music, they’ll have original art and prints for sale by Gloria Aitken Art, and Funky Forte’s food truck will be there from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Sanctuary is at 432 S. Goldthwaite St., Montgomery.
Phyrexia: All Will Be One prerelease
Magic: The Gathering fans have a special weekend ahead in Montgomery, with the upcoming release of Phyrexia: All Will Be One. In honor of the occasion, Visions Cards and Games, 101 N. Burbank Drive, Montgomery, will have three days of sealed prerelease events Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. Entry is $25, and prizes will be based on the number of signups. Find out more by calling 334-215-3334.
19th annual Mardi Gras celebration in Prattville
The beads will be flying Saturday in downtown Prattville with the return of Mardi Gras. Here's hoping the weather is nice, because Prattville is honoring the area's TV, radio and online weather gurus — meteorologists from WSFA, Alabama News Network, and the Righ Thomas Weather Network on Bluewater Broadcasting. They'll all serve as the grand marshals for Prattville's Mardi Gras parade.
Starting at 11 a.m., Prattville will have food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, inflatables and activities.
At 2 p.m., it’s time for the downtown parade, which will roll out from the corner of 4th and Court streets by the Autauga County Courthouse. It will follow Main Street, turn right on Northington, left on Doster Road, and end at Stanley Jensen Stadium.
So why meteorologists? Because of their quick action in alerting the public when tornadoes and strong storms threatened the River Region recently, working through the night and into the morning. They even lent a hand in cleanup and recovery.
For more information call 334-595-0854.
Millbrook Mardi Gras Festival and Parade
The Millbrook Revelers will be telling their own story, and have an excellent storyteller as the grand marshal, Saturday for the city's Mardi Gras Festival.
Millbrook's festival is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Village Green Park in downtown, with more than 60 vendors on site. At 10 a.m. they'll hold an Umbrella Stroll. This year’s king and queen are Ben Robbins and Shirley Haase.
Novelist, columnist and beloved speaker Sean "Sean of the South" Dietrich is being honored at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Millbrook, just before the Mardi Gras parade starts at noon. Mayor Al Kelly is presenting Dietrich with a proclamation making him an honorary citizen of Millbrook. Along with being an author or 14 books, the latest of which is his 2022 "You Are My Sunshine," Dietrich also writes a daily column about life in the South.
“We are excited to have Sean as the Grand Marshall of our festival and parade,” Kelley said. “He is a wonderful writer and does an outstanding job chronicling life in the South. He has the unique gift of making his readers laugh and cry, sometimes both in the same column.”
The Revelers Krewe has brought the fun and pageantry of Mardi Gras to Millbrook for nearly 20 years. Primary sponsors for this year’s festivities are The Dansby Law Firm, Brookside Funeral Home and Wind Creek Casino.
Learn more online at https://www.millbrookrevelers.org/
Annual Mardi Gras Buffet
Yes, there will be all kinds of Mardi Gras goodies flying at Saturday, but if you really want to treat yourself go to the annual Mardi Gras Buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Plantation House Restaurant and Catering, 3240 Grandview Road, Millbrook. For $24.95, plus tax, you get an all-you-can-eat experience that includes blackened chicken, crawfish boil, jambalaya, cajun fried okra, seafood gumbo, red beans and rice, shrimp and grits, dirty rice, bread pudding with bourbon sauce, Berliner, king cake and more. Tea and coffee included. They also have beer, hard cider and wine.
Take Your Child to the Library Day
The Autauga Prattville Public Library invites everyone to come celebrate the library with your families on Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. They’ll have a scavenger hunt and photo opportunities available all day. The library is at 254 Doster St., Prattville.
Winter Wellness Fitness Series opens
If you’re still figuring out how to make those “healthier you” New Year’s resolutions a reality, we’ve got a step in the right direction from the Shoppes at EastChase. Starting this weekend, join them every Saturday in February from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on The Green for a free workout class. Saturday’s starts it with Angel from Jackson Wellness Center. On Feb. 11 will be yoga with Breezeville. Feb. 18 is Zumba with Diana from Jackson Wellness. Feb. 25 is puppy yoga with Bandaloop Yoga and the Montgomery Humane Society. All fitness levels are welcome. Get your free tickets today online at www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-wellness-tickets-510881318777
Red & White Valentine Show
Will he or she be your early Valentine? They just might if you get tickets to the Red & White Valentine Show on Saturday at Garrett Coliseum, 1555 Federal Drive, Montgomery. It’s a huge night of music with R&B and soul singer Calvin “Prince of Soul” Richardson, Lacee, Billy “Soul” Bonds, West Love, and introducing Mz. Brown Suga, and “MSG.” Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets range between $45-$50 and are available online at https://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/262177/
Elicio Winds at the Capri Theatre
Elicio is Latin for “to draw out” or “entice,” and that’s what the Elicio Winds hopes happens to folks to draw them in to the Capri Theatre on Sunday at 4 p.m. They’re the woodwind trio of Dr. Virginia Kunzer, Kathleen Carter Bell, and Conor Bell, all three of which are Auburn University professors. Sunday’s performance is in collaboration with ClefWorks. Tickets for the show are $25, with student tickets at $10 and military tickets at $15. For $50 you can get a patron ticket, which supports ClefWorks educational programs. https://clefworks.org/our-seasons/?blm_aid=23565#
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: One look at this and you'll be saying 'That's my jam!'
