Food for Thought
Birmingham is quickly joining the ranks of Southern food truck destination cities like Atlanta, Nashville and Durham, N.C. In a Deep South article, “Best Food Trucks in the South,” Dreamcakes and Shindigs were both Birmingham standouts.
Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shindigs and Dreamcakes will be rolling into Brookwood Village along with more than 10 other food truck favorites for the third annual Protective Life Food Truck Roundup, benefitting PreSchool Partners. The nonprofit serves at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds by preparing them and their parents before entering the Birmingham City School system.
“One component that is unique to PreSchool Partners and sets it apart from other preschools is that the program requires the parents to attend school one morning a week with their child,” the organization’s website said. “PreSchool Partners strongly believes that in order for a child to be successful in school, there must be parental involvement.”
For the first year, the Food Truck Round Up will also feature an art show with works from PreSchool Partners students and local artists including Ahmad Austin, Kristin Blakeney, Emily Brown, Emily Coe, Anne Couch, Emily DeBuys, Lauren Duncan, Dorothy Goodner, Mila Hirsh, Alice Lucas, Carrie Pittman and Lacey Russell. Kate and the Howlers will perform live, and kid-friendly activities round out the afternoon of food and philanthropy.
Tickets start at $20. Food Truck Round Up will take place in the upper parking lot of Macy’s at Brookwood Village. For more information or to reserve tickets, visit preschool-partners.org.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Fiesta Ball — Iron City. 513 22nd St. S. The Young Supporters Board of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center hosts this fundraising event featuring Mexican food, drinks, live music by Live Wire and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit young scientists in cancer research. 6–10 p.m. Tickets start at $30. For more information, visit uab.edu.
Dining Out for Life — Participating venues throughout Birmingham. As many as 33 restaurants will donate at least 25 percent of proceeds earned throughout the day during Dining Out for Life to AIDS Alabama, an organization serving Birmingham through HIV/AIDS education, prevention, outreach, counseling and free screenings. For a full list of restaurants, schedule and addresses visit aidsalabama.org.
Southeast Foraging —Emmet O’Neal Library. 50 Oak St., Mountain Brook. Author, forager, chef and cheesemonger Chris Bennett will share his foraging secrets during the Emmet O’Neal Library’s Standing Room Only program sponsored by Church Street Coffee and Books. Refreshments will be provided by Shindigs Catering and Good People Brewing Company. For more information, call (205) 445-1121.
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Party on the Porch — Alabama Outdoors. 3054 Independence Dr., Homewood. The first Party on the Porch event of the summer will benefit Red Mountain State Park and feature food from Saw’s Street Kitchen and excellent beer from Good People Brewing. Doodle’s Homemade Sorbets and Ices truck will also be participating in the event. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $10 donation includes signature cup of beer. For more information, visit alabamaoutdoors.com.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Magic Moments Kentucky Derby Patio Party — Rogue Tavern. 2312 Second Ave. N. Mint juleps, hors d’oeuvres and live music will be part of the Magic Moments’ Junior Board patio party at Rogue Tavern. A best-dressed hat and derby attire contest and race time raffle will allow attendees to win prizes. 3–6 p.m. $35. For more information, visit magicmoments.org.
Derby for Dystrophy — Dixie Fish Company. 101 Resource Center Parkway. This Kentucky Derby-themed fundraising event is sponsored by the Young Professionals of the Birmingham Chapter of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and benefits the area’s Muscular Dystrophy Association. Attendees are encouraged to wear their finest approximation of derby attire (think seersucker suits and fascinators) and nosh on heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages while taking part in a silent auction. 5–9 p.m. Tickets start at $40. For more information, visit the event on Facebook.
SUNDAY, MAY 3
Global Cuisine at the Plaza — Hoover Public Library. 200 Municipal Drive. Coffee-ol-ogy features Mexican cuisine on their internationally rotating menu throughout the month of May. Visitors may get their Coffee-ol-ogy passport stamped with each Global Cuisine purchase to be eligible for discounts. Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Free. For more information, visit hooverlibrary.org.
Arty Party: Seasons of Love — B&A Warehouse. 1531 First Ave. S. The largest fundraising event for Birmingham Aids Outreach, the 24th annual Arty Party will be an evening of food, drink, music and live and silent art auctions featuring works by more than 200 artists. The Arty Party signature cocktail, Love Potion #24, will be available for purchase, and complimentary glasses of wine will be served. String Theory will perform live during the event. 3–6 p.m. $50. For more information, visit birminghamaidsoutreach.org.
TUESDAY, MAY 5
Cinco de MayoSidewalk Salon — Rojo. 2921 Highland Ave. S. Rojo will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with their signature Mexican dishes and lively atmosphere. Attendees may enjoy a classic or specialty margarita during the next installment of Sidewalk Salon, “Grant Writing.” Free. 6 p.m. For more information, visit rojobirmingham.com.
ArtBreak — Birmingham Museum of Art. Every Tuesday, the Birmingham Museum of Art invites the public to spend its lunch break with an exclusive tour and arts discussion. This week explore the Korean piece “Moon Jar” with Don Wood, curator of Asian art. Following the tour, guests will receive a free dessert with their purchase of a lunch from Oscar’s Café. 12–12:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.