Alabama Shakes > Taylor Swift

Good morning Birmingham!

One of my favorite bands (Alabama Shakes) is on a reunion tour, and will be at the Coca Cola Amphitheater this Saturday night! For those who don’t remember, their album Sound & Color was up for album of the year at the 58th Grammy’s in 2016. Taylor Swift ultimately won the award, and I’m still bitter about it 🙃 

We’ve got tons of other activities this weekend if you can’t make the show - shopping sales, pool parties, baseball, food trucks, tequila, and more!

Let’s get to it.

Remember to follow us on Facebook | Instagram!

Alabama Shakes Rocks Birmingham This Saturday!

Get ready to groove, Birmingham! Alabama Shakes is making their triumphant return to the stage this Saturday, July 26th at 7:30 PM at the brand-new Coca-Cola Amphitheater. After an 8-year hiatus, the multi-Grammy award-winning band is back with their 2025 Reunion Tour, and we couldn't be more excited!

Brittany Howard's powerhouse vocals (think Janis Joplin vibes) will fill the air as the band delivers both beloved classics like "Hold On" and "Don't Wanna Fight" plus some exciting new material. Opening acts Caleb Elliott and Alanna Royale will warm up the crowd before Alabama Shakes takes the stage.

The shiny new 9,300-capacity outdoor amphitheater promises to be the perfect backdrop for this long-awaited reunion. Whether you're a longtime fan who's been waiting eight years for this moment or discovering their infectious rock sound for the first time, this Saturday night is going to be absolutely electric!

Don't miss your chance to witness Alabama Shakes' homecoming magic right here in Alabama – it's going to be one heck of a show!

Just Opened

🍸️ Sticks N’ Stones
Hoover's cocktail scene just got a major upgrade with the grand opening of Sticks N' Stones, an elevated cocktail bar that's bringing big-city sophistication right to Knox Square in Trace Crossings. This dream-come-true venture from lifelong Hoover residents Trice and Lynnie Harrison-Green teams up with acclaimed Birmingham restaurateur Jesus Mendez (the mastermind behind Salud Taqueria and The Louis Bar) to deliver an unparalleled drinking experience.

The bar's creative cocktail menu features signature drinks like The Knox Square Margarita, The Grayson (a pecan liqueur old-fashioned), and The Ultima Palabra (a mezcal twist), while Chef Ché Gaines (formerly of Bocca Ristorante) crafts a "small but mighty" food menu to complement the libations. Located at 5852 Elsie Road across from Hoover Metropolitan Complex, Sticks N' Stones promises "a world where elegance reigns supreme and each evening is an exquisite celebration" with unparalleled experiences crafted for those seeking the height of sophistication.

No more tedious drives to downtown Birmingham—Hoover now has its own upscale cocktail destination that's already generating buzz and drawing professionals from across the metro area! (link)

🫖 Stash - A Hidden Gem That Delivers Designer-Quality Vintage Treasures That Transform Homes Into Curated Masterpieces

Get ready to fall head-over-heels for Birmingham's most coveted treasure trove—Stash, where owner Melinda Decker has transformed her personal passion for collecting into the Southeast's premier destination for designer-quality vintage goods! Located at 2417 1st Avenue South in downtown Birmingham, this carefully curated wonderland offers an ever-changing collection of high-end antique furniture and decor that promises "the rush of finding your perfect piece" every single time you visit.

What sets Stash apart is Melinda's impeccable eye for "details, lines, color and character"—she chooses collected over cookie cutter every time, creating stunning tablescapes and vignettes that serve as instant conversation starters and design inspiration. Whether you're hunting for that one-of-a-kind statement piece or simply browsing for creative fuel, Stash delivers an experience where every item tells a story and reflects Melinda's philosophy of choosing pieces with soul over mass-produced finds.

With options to shop online or visit in person, plus consignment opportunities to turn your own treasures into cash, Stash isn't just a store—it's an ultimate vintage destination where your home decor dreams come to life!

🏙️ Birmingham Among Top 5 U.S. Cities for New College Graduates as Second-Tier Markets Outshine Major Metros

Birmingham, Alabama has emerged as one of the top five most promising cities in the nation for recent college graduates seeking entry-level jobs, according to a new study by ADP. This recognition places Birmingham alongside other second-tier cities like Raleigh, Baltimore, Austin, and Milwaukee as superior alternatives to major metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Chicago.

The study, which analyzed data for over five million workers in their 20s, ranked Birmingham highly based on three key factors: affordability, wages, and hiring activity in a particularly challenging job market where unemployment for recent graduates sits at 7.3%. Birmingham's success stems from its strong concentration of healthcare, finance, and technology companies, as well as major employers like the University of Alabama at Birmingham and its medical center.

The city is attracting young professionals like Aaron Gill, who initially planned to return to Atlanta but decided to stay in Birmingham long-term, drawn by the city's more affordable living costs, less congested environment, and growing influx of out-of-state professionals seeking opportunities. (link)

📱 Unplugged and Ready: Birmingham Tech Expert Helps Families Ditch the Screens Before School's Phone-Free Zone Begins

Birmingham entrepreneur Courtney Woods, founder of PC Media Techs, is launching a "Digital Detox Week" to help Alabama families and students adjust to new cellphone restrictions as the school year approaches.

The initiative comes as Alabama's FOCUS Act takes effect, which limits cellphone use in public K-12 schools during instructional time, creating a need for families to develop healthier digital habits at home. Woods, who also serves as a consultant for Bessemer City Schools to facilitate this transition, defines digital detox as a planned break from screens to combat issues like disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, and brain overload in young people.

The free community events run from July 24 through August 5 and include an after-work mixer on digital mental health, a family fun day with screen-free activities, a webinar on phone relationships, and a seven-day guided unplugging challenge. Woods emphasizes that the program aims to help families reconnect with what matters most while supporting students in adapting to Alabama's bold steps toward creating distraction-free learning environments. (link)

💵 UAB Implements Spending Cuts and Hiring Freezes Following $19 Million Federal Grant Losses

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is implementing significant cost-cutting measures and hiring restrictions after losing over $19 million in federal grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation. UAB officials held a campus-wide town hall instructing faculty and staff to adhere to "cost containment measures," with the College of Arts and Sciences—the university's largest college with over 4,700 students—receiving specific directives to reduce discretionary spending, limit overtime and new hires, and postpone equipment purchases.

The federal grants were terminated because they may have involved diversity, equity and inclusion programming, affecting research funding across multiple Alabama universities. While UAB spokesman Tyler Greer emphasized there are no plans for institutional layoffs or benefits reductions at this time, the university is encouraging all departments to practice "responsible financial stewardship" and scrutinize expenses to adapt to the uncertain higher education funding landscape. The College of Arts and Sciences, which employs 175 faculty members, was specifically told to review class sizes, course loads, and eliminate non-essential expenses as the university navigates what officials describe as "uncertainty in the higher education landscape related to enrollment and federally funded sponsored research."

The University of Alabama System board of trustees is scheduled to meet on September 11, where these budget challenges may be further addressed. (link)

⚽️ Birmingham Legion vs Forward Madision FC | Protective Stadium | 07/26 | More
“Christmas in July” initiative supporting Children’s of Alabama!

⚾️ Birmingham Barons vs Montgomery Biscuits | Regions Field | 07/24-07/27 | More 
Our hometown barons face off against in state foe from Montgomery 4 nights in a row!

🍻 Otey’s Fest | Otey’s Tavern - Crestline Village | 07/26 | More
Cookout and concert event with live music, food, and drinks at a neighborhood favorite!

🥐 Food Truck Pop Up Park | 9th Ave N & 21st St N | 07/26 | More
A food truck festival featuring Mexican, Cajun, BBQ, and other street food vendors!

🍸️ National Tequila Day | Sol Y Luna | 07/24 | More
No better way to celebrate Tequila Day than hanging out with DJ Ulises at Sol Y Luna!

🏊️ Avondale Adult Swim Party | Avondale Brewing | 07/26 | More
Frozen drinks, mini pools, and a giant water slide for some adult summer fun!

🛍️ Downtown Homewood Sidewalk Sale | Downtown Homewood | 07/26 | More
Walk around downtown Homewood and enjoy up to 75% discounts!

🐕️ BarkBash 2025 | 3D Dog House | 07/26 | More
Fundraiser for Hand In Paw Therapy Dogs featuring live music, food, beer, and dog art!

🎥 Moonlight Movies - Inside Out | Village at Lee Branch | 07/24 | More
Disney’s Inside Out playing from 6-8 with free popcorn and cotton candy!