BIRMINGHAM, ALBIRMINGHAM, ALBIRMINGHAM, ALLISTEN TO THE

LOCALSInsider advice on

where to eat, drink, shop, and relax

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

What to do and where to do it from Memorial Day

to Labor Day

TAKE A SIPFresh and fizzy

with cucumber bitters from El Guapo Bitters

in NOLA

PACK YOUR BAG

Summer style essentials for Southern ladies and gents

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THE BEST PLACE TO MEET STRANGERS

IS Gips Place. It’s an all-night, BYOB, blues juke joint located in the middle of nowhere. gipsplace.org

WE ALREADY HAVE TICKETS TO

Magic City Brewfest (June 6-7). It’s a celebration of how far Alabama craft beer culture has come. It’s held outdoors at the historic Sloss Furnaces, and sells out every year. If you’re a lover of craft beer, this is an essential event for a Birmingham summer. magiccitybrewfest.com

IF WE HAD TO EAT ONE DISH IN THE

CITY BEFORE WE DIED we’d have a martini, chicken liver mousse, and frites from Chez Fonfon. It’s a staple in Birmingham, so it would be our last stop. fonfonbham.com

BEST HIDDEN GEM IS Yeh Man! It’s a small Caribbean restaurant on 4th Avenue North. If you call ahead, the owner will run to market and cook a whole

snapper, and the jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat are unbelievable.

WE WOULDN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT

Cheri: my rattlesnake-fang earrings, which are made by Alabama Funk art collective (alabamafunk.etsy.com). Harris: a Huckstrap (huckstraps.com). A local company makes these recycled-plastic belts that you can customize. It’s like a Choose Your Own Adventure story for your belt.

WE’D BEAR A BRAIN FREEZE FOR

a bushwacker from Moe’s BBQ.. moesoriginalbbq.com

FOR THE PERFECT SUMMER SUNDAY

we go to Veranda on Highland (verandaonhighland.com) for brunch (duck confit French toast will make your toes curl)then stop by Lou’s Pub (louspub.com) for artisan cocktails mixed by bartender Angel Negrín.

OUR GO-TO SUMMER DRINK IS a basil smash. We get our basil from Jones Valley Teaching Farm. jonesvalleyteachingfarm.org

OUR FAVORITE WAY TO EXPLORE THE

CITY is the running routes that connect Birmingham’s neighborhoods—with rolling hills and old-growth trees, they’re the most beautiful we’ve ever seen. The Trak Shak is an awesome local running store; they even provide water stations along the way. trakshak.com

OWNERS OF TRIM TAB BREWING COMPANY, @TRIMTABBREWING

LISTEN TO THE LOCALS

BIRMINGHAM, AL

All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.

M AY 26 - 30BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS Regions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

M AY 30 -3 1TCHAIKOVSKY’S VIOLIN CONCERTOViolinist Tai Murray performs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. $19 and up; alabamasymphony.org

J UNE 1VULCAN 110TH BIRTHDAY BASHCelebrate a Birmingham landmark at Vulcan Park and Museum. $5; visit vulcan.com

J UNE 3 - 7 , 1 0 - 1 4THREE LITTLE KITTENSA family-friendly perfor-mance at Birmingham Children’s Theatre. $9 and up; bct123.org

J UNE 5 - 1 5TICK, TICK…BOOM A musical by the creator of RENT, at Virginia Samford Theatre. $10 and up; virginiasamfordtheatre.org

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s annual celebration of the ending of slavery at Kelly Ingram Park. Free; bcri.org

J UNE 8THE 2014 VIVA HEALTH STARLIGHT GALA: STEVE MARTINThe legendary comedian will show his musical side with his band, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and Edie Brickell at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. alysstephens.org

J UNE 5 - 7THE STEEL CITY JAZZ FESTIVALEnjoy a weekend’s worth of jazz performances by artists such as Ken Ford, Bobby Caldwell, and Euge Groove in the sunshine at Linn Park. $35 and up; steelcityjazzfest.org

J UNE 5 - 9BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. JACKSON GENERALSRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

J UNE 6 - 7MAGIC CITY BREWFESTA craft beer festival with beer tastings from more than 70 breweries and 200-plus varieties of brews at Sloss Furnaces. magiccitybrewfest.com

J UNE 72ND ANNUAL BIG GREEN EGG COOK-OFF Grill masters compete for glory at Ross Bridge Welcome Center. $15 and up; facebook .com/EasterSealsBirmingham

J UNE 7JUNETEENTH CULTURE FEST

J UNE 1 1BRUNO MARSThe hit-maker will bring his

tour to the Birmingham-

Jefferson Convention

Complex. $49.50 and up;

bjcc.org

J UNE 1 1 - 1 5BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. MONTGOMERY BISCUITSRegions Field. $7 and up;

barons.com

J UNE 1 3MIKE EPPSComedic performance at

the Birmingham-Jefferson

Convention Complex.

$37.75; bjcc.org

J UNE 1 3 - 1 5 RICK & BUBBA OUTDOOR EXPOAn exhibition of hunting,

fishing, and the great outdoors

at the Birmingham-Jefferson

Convention Complex. $10;

rickandbubbaoutdoorexpo.com

ART ON THE ROCKSJ UNE 1 3 , J ULY 1 1 , A UGUST 1 5

A favorite among locals, the summer series features music, food, drinks,

performances, and art at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

artsbma.org

BIRMINGHAM, AL

WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO DO IT

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

FROM MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY

All events are subject to change. Check the website listed for up-to-date information.

J UNE 2 1BRAD PAISLEY The country superstar will perform alongside Randy Houser, Leah Turner, and Charlie Worsham at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $34 and up; stubhub.com

J UNE 2 1ANTIQUES ROADSHOWBring your treasures and questions for a chance to appear on the PBS series at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. 8 a.m.; pbs.org

J UNE 24 - 28BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. MISSISSIPPI BRAVESRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

J UNE 28TOMMY EMMANUEL WITH ANTSY MCCLAIN The Australian guitar virtuoso will play at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. $39.50; bjcc.org

J ULY 4THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN FIREWORKS DISPLAYUnfold your lawn chair for a fireworks show under the stars at Vulcan Park and Museum. Free; visitvulcan.com

J ULY 4 -8BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. TENNESSEE SMOKIESRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

A UGUST 6 - 10BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. HUNTSVILLE STARSRegions Field. $7 and up;

barons.com

A UGUST 1 7 - 2 1BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTSRegions Field. $7 and up;

barons.com

A UGUST 20 -23NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIPPitches at this softball

gathering at Hoover

Metropolitan Stadium clock

in at more than 72 m.p.h.

$55; npfchampionship.com

A UGUST 22 - 2416TH ANNUAL SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVALThe popular indie film

festival returns to Birming-

ham’s Theatre District.

sidewalkfest.com

J ULY 7LINDSEY STIRLINGThis young, eclectic violinist and performance artist will perform at Iron City. $27.50; ironcitybham.com

J ULY 8 -A UGUST 3LES MISÉRABLESRed Mountain Theatre Company. $30 and up; redmountaintheatre.org

J ULY 10 - 2 7ANNIEVirginia Samford Theatre. $30 and up; virginiasamford theatre.org

J ULY 1 6 - 20BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. MISSISSIPPI BRAVESRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

J ULY 18 - 2031ST WORLD DEER EXPOGear up for deer-hunting season with seminars and exhibits at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. $11 and up; worlddeerexpo.com

J ULY 18 - 20THE MUSIC MAN JR. A kid-friendly performance of a beloved musical at Red Mountain Theatre Company. $10 and up; redmountain theatre.org

J ULY 26 - 30BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. TENNESSEE SMOKIESRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

A UGUST 23KEITH URBANThe country favorite will make a tour stop with Jerrod Niemann and Brett Eldredge at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $26 and up; vividseats.com

S EPTEMBER 123RD ANNUAL LABOR DAY CELEBRATION AND MOONPIE EATIN’ CONTESTCelebrate the day off and see who can down the most gooey goodness at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. tannehill.org

S EPTEMBER 1BIRMINGHAM BARONS VS. PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOSRegions Field. $7 and up; barons.com

LUKE BRYANJ ULY 24

See the country chart topper perform at the largest outdoor music venue

in the state of Alabama, the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $71 and up;

ticketnetwork.com

BIRMINGHAM, AL

BIRMINGHAM, AL

THE COOL DOWNNOLA’S EL GUAPO CUCUMBER

BITTERS ADD BOTANICAL NOTES TO THIS FRESH AND

FIZZY GIN-BASED DRINK

THE DRINK

MAKE IT YOURSELF

Bruise or crumple 1 fresh mint sprig in a cocktail shaker to release flavor. Add 3 Tbsp. gin (such as Bristow); let stand 2 minutes. Discard mint. Add 4 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice, 4 1/2 tsp. simple syrup, and 6 dashes of cucumber bitters (such as El Guapo). Fill shaker with ice cubes. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 sec-onds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass, and top with dry Champagne. Garnish with a mint sprig or cucumber slices.

MAKES 1 SERVING

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BIRMINGHAM, AL

FOR THE LADIESSUIT UP AND STAND OUT IN THESE STYLE ESSENTIALS JUST RIGHT FOR A SOUTHERN SUMMER

PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG

1 THE BAG: Leather accents add

weight to this woven cotton tote,

handmade in Atlanta. $125;

andovertrask.com

2 THE HAT: A crochet overlay gives a

feminine take to this baseball cap.

$85; proudmary.org

3 THE TOWEL: Supersoft towels that

are totally customizable. $50;

meandredesign.com

4 THE SUNGLASSES: The latest designs

from NOLA brand KREWE come in

sleek and stylish shapes. $185;

kreweduoptic.com

5 THE COVER-UP: A breezy beaded

tunic by the queen bee of beach

style. $138; lillypulitzer.com

6 THE SWIMSUIT: This bold red

Marysia suit is an Everything But

Water exclusive; pair with a skirt

after hours. $304; everythingbut

water.com

7 THE WRISTLET: This water-resistant

bag can afford to get a little wet.

$32; haydenreis.com

8 THE SHOES: Memory foam on the

Jasmine flip-flop makes trekking

around the coast feel like walking

on sunshine. $198; elaineturner.com

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BIRMINGHAM, AL

FOR THE GENTSYOUR NEW MUST-HAVES FOR THE BEACH AND BEYOND—ALL MADE IN THE SOUTH

PACK THE PERFECT BEACH BAG

1 THE HAT: Southern Proper’s Frat Hat is meant to be worn in and dirtied up. $28; southernproper.com

2 THE OYSTER KNIFE: Whip out this heirloom-quality hammered Edisto knife and prepare to impress. $350; williamsknife.com

3 THE SHIRT: Made of 100% cotton and prewashed for fit and comfort, Southern Tide’s T-shirt is the only one you’ll need this summer. $34; southerntide.com

4 THE BAG: This sturdy MAKR backpack can stand up to any active adventure. $245; makr.com

5 THE TOWEL: Nashville’s Turkish-T Deck Bath Terry Towel is lightweight with a layer of terry to keep you dry. $80; taigan.com

6 THE TRUNKS: Lilly Pulitzer’s granddaughter designs these salmon-hued shorts. $125; strongboalt.com

7 THE SUNGLASSES: D.C.-based Panda makes sleek wooden frames. Profits from every pair go toward charity. $120; wearpanda.com

8 THE SANDALS: Atlanta’s Clay + Bros keeps things simple with a rubber sole and parachute-cord straps. $65; clayandbros.com

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