The 10: Please 'Bear' with us for action, music, food and more
The official start of spring is just ahead, but with Alabama's weather the only way you'll really know is from the awesome events in our area. Check out what's happening this week in The 10 for Feb. 27-March 5.
1. Enchanted Isle: Folksongs of Ireland, Scotland and England
The Montgomery Chorale has special shows Thursday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. that’ll take you to a land full of myth and legends. It’s Enchanted Isle: Folksongs of Ireland, Scotland and England, in the Lowder Gallery at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, One Museum Drive. General admission is $20, and tickets are available online at https://www.montgomerychorale.org/tickets
2. Local Authors Day at library in Prattville
There are authors among us from Prattville, and if you’d like to meet some of them visit the Autauga Prattville Public Library on Thursday, from 5-7 p.m. for Local Author Day. You could discover new works from someone in your own backyard. The library is at 254 Doster St.
3. Pysanky egg dyeing workshops in Pike Road
It’s hard to believe, but Easter is just a short bunny hop away this spring. If you want to step up your egg dyeing game, visit the Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Road. On Friday from 5-8 p.m. and May 10 from 9 a.m.-noon, artist Korey Rowswell is giving lessons on the traditional Ukrainian egg dyeing technique Pysanky. Beeswax designs are applied to the egg surface, and then the eggs are dipped into special dyes. It results in intricate, vibrant keepsakes. It’s a three-hour class that’s good for ages 8 and up. You get to take home all the eggs you decorate. It’s $40 a person, and all materials are included. Learn more online at https://www.pikeroad.us/events-1/pysanky-egg-dyeing-workshops-2023-03-03-17-00
4. 59th annual Alabama 200 ‘Hunt for the Bear’
There’s a bear hunt happening in Montgomery this week, and no, it's got nothing to do with the already infamous "Cocaine Bear" film that just came out. This bear is on a trophy being presented to one skilled driver Saturday at Montgomery Motor Speedway — the “Show Me The Money Hunt for the Bear.” It’s the 59th annual Alabama 200, and they’ve got a huge list of racers aiming for it and $10,000.
This is a race where legends have won in the past — greats like Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Richard Petty, Chase Elliott, Red Farmer and more. It’s 200 laps with a lot of the best late model drivers in the country. That night will also feature the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour and the Shelby Concrete Street Stocks. Fan admission prices are $20 for adults, but seniors over 60, military, fire, and police with ID get in for $15. Kids 6-12 are $5, and ages 5 and under get in free. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m., the opening ceremony is at 5:45 p.m. and racing begins at 6 p.m. You can see a list of this year’s drivers at https://www.montgomerymotorspeedway.org/
5. No Limit Poets with Cash Money Lyrics
There’s going to be so much camo worn Saturday at Level 2 that you might not see the audience at all. But you’ll hear them responding to all the music from No Limit and Cash Money Records, and poets from across the Southeast. Guests are asked to wear their best camouflage attire. Doors open at 7 p.m. for Level 2, 15 West South Blvd., Montgomery. The show starts at 8 p.m. It’ll be hosted by Jus Jason, and featuring Adrian Denise, Dani Abstract, Author Terry Ware, Journey 2B Great, and Preacherman. Vendors and food will be available. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 day of the show. For more information call 334-492-8898.
6. Alabama Drag Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The legacy and history of Alabama's drag performers is being honored Saturday at the inaugural Alabama Drag Hall of Fame induction ceremony, 8 p.m. at Rhonda's Sports Bar, 4128 Birmingham Highway, Montgomery. They'll be inducting drag queens from across Alabama: Gayla DeLust, Sexkey LaBelle, Lady Jackie, Lee Michaels, Felicia Gallant (all of Montgomery), Rosalyn Heights (Mobile), Amber Love (Dothan), Libertee Belle (Birmingham), Michelle Marso (Auburn), and Bronzie De'Marco (Huntsville). They were selected by Uncle Daddy (the founder of the Alabama Drag Hall of Fame), Ambrosia Starling, Lee Michaels and from fan recommendations. The spotlight is on Montgomery, in an effort to help revive drag in the area. De'Marco will receive the first Gayla DeLust Lifetime Achievement Award for her performances, awards, accolades, advocacy and impact within the LGBTQ+ community in Alabama. The plan is to make this an annual event on the first Saturday of March. Admission is $10 at the door. Guests must be 21 to enter.
7. It's Mozart time in Pike Road
The Pike Road Arts Council is continuing its Classical Masters Series on Sunday and March 19. They'll be listening to excerpts of the 10 symphonies written by Mozart during his mature period. It's happening from 2-4 p.m. at the Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Road. It's an ongoing series held every other Sunday, highlighting the world of classical music. The series is free to attend, but registration is requested. To learn more or register, email Council Coordinator Patty Payne at patty@pikeroad.us.
8. Soulful Brunch & Bubbles at Itta Bena Restaurant
It’s time to party in the daytime, as Davis Entertainment brings Soulful Brunch & Bubbles to Itta Bena Restaurant at Wind Creek Montgomery, 1891 Eddie L. Tullis Road, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and vibe, enjoy amazing food and music, plus a cigar bar and hookah lounge. General admission with bar seating is $55 a person, which includes a three course brunch and three mimosas. If you just want to hang around the pool without brunch, it’s $20. A full price list for tables is online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soulful-brunch-bubbles-we-brunch-vibe-on-sunday-tickets-520409899017
9. 29th annual Culinary Caper from MACOA
Ever wish you could try out food from a bunch of the area’s best chefs all at once? It’s coming true once again on Sunday at noon, when MACOA presents the 29th annual Culinary Caper in downtown Montgomery at the Alabama Activity Center, 201 Dexter Ave. It’ll feature a variety of dishes, plus guests can bid on items in their online auction, participate in a wine pull, and enter a raffle to win $1,000 in gift cards from local restaurants. This event is a fundraiser for MACOA and the Meals on Wheels program that serves 428 seniors a hot meal every weekday. Last year’s proceeds provided more than 16,000 meals for seniors. Get tickets at https://www.macoa.org/events/culinary-caper, and call 334-263-0532 for more information. The online auction is being held from Friday through Sunday, and you can bid during those three days at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=MACOA
10. ‘Tempest’ brunch at MMFA
If you’re planning on going to see Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s “The Tempest” during Sunday’s matinee, come out a little early for a special “Tempest” brunch nearby at Cafe Verde in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. They’re both located in Montgomery’s gorgeous Blount Cultural Park. Verde’s Sunday brunch menu includes avocado bruschetta (appetizer), blackened catfish with smoked gouda grit cake and creole crème sauce (main course), and blueberry lemon poundcake trifle for dessert. It’s $40 a person, and mimosas are $6. Seating is limited. Brunch tickets should be purchased before noon on Thursday. After eating, you can tour the museum. If you’re up to it, you can even stroll through the park from the museum to ASF to see “The Tempest” (it’s only 0.4 of a mile away). Tickets for the brunch are available online at https://mmfa.org/event/tempest-brunch-at-verde/ or by calling ASF’s box office at 334-271-5353.
BONUS!: Did you get tickets for Gladys Knight’s sold out show?
If you didn’t get tickets to see Gladys Knight on Saturday at Wind Creek Wetumpka, well, sorry. Tickets to see the “Empress of Soul” sold out very quickly. It’s nice to see concerts returning to Wind Creek Wetumpka, since that area had been in use for spaced out gaming during the pandemic. Keep an eye out for future shows there at https://windcreek.com/wetumpka/entertainment
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: Please 'Bear' with us for action, music, food and more
