Good morning, Birmingham.

Full Moon Bar-B-Que is accepting nominations for its seventh annual Backpack Blessings program, which will give 500 children backpacks filled with school supplies and gift cards.

Nominations remain open until July 15 and recipients must pick up their backpack by July 26 at a designated location.

On Friday night, Innovation Depot hosted Unbound: Freedom to Read, a celebration combining cultural dance, civil rights history, and local authors to promote literacy and oppose book bans.

Donnie Hatcher (from the Black Contractors Association) said the event provided a safe space to discuss censorship while highlighting community history.

The Homewood U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel (built in 1954) near Piggly Wiggly is closed for renovations this summer to add new landscaping, lighting and walkway upgrades; it is set to reopen in August after work is completed before school starts.

Birmingham-born musician Sebastian Kole, known as Pynk Beard, received an Emmy nomination for his song 'The Devil You Know' (shared with two co-songwriters) featured on Spider-Noir as announced on July 8; the Emmy winners will be named in September.

StoryCorps visited Birmingham as part of its Brightness in Black program, premiering two local conversations with Mayor Woodfin & notable community figures including Willie Mays' son, with the stories set to be preserved in the Library of Congress & shared nationwide.

The BJCC celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday with a festival at Legacy Arena featuring a mural, games, backstage tours, and a concert; the new mural honors decades of memorable performances and marks the venue’s lasting role in the region.

Willie Quill's Quilt Studio & Pantry is opening Saturday, July 18 in Gee's Bend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering quilt sales, live demonstrations, storytelling, and children's activities near the Gee's Bend Ferry Landing, Boykin.

The new venue celebrates local quilting traditions & community history.

Legacy Arena at the BJCC celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 11 with a free bash that featured Black Jacket Symphony, food trucks, games, family activities, backstage tours, and art installations downtown.

The venue (opened in 1976) was renovated for $125 million in 2021.

New UAB research shows that personalized workout playlists can boost exercise performance and help those facing health challenges.

Christopher Ballmann (director of UAB’s Resistance Exercise Physiology lab) explained that choice music lowers perceived exertion and motivates both gym-goers and clinical populations.

Oxford High School shortstop Rocco Maniscalco (17) was selected 50th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB draft on Jul.

11; scouts praised his smooth defense and potential for power as he begins his pro career.

Alabama high school and college players rank among the NFL’s top sack leaders, with Kevin Greene’s 160 sacks leading the list and locals like Trace Armstrong and Tim Harris also featured—showing decades of football talent from across the state.

Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron was picked at No. 18 by the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB First-Year Player Draft on Saturday in Philadelphia.

The local player, who batted .277 during the 2026 season for Alabama, is the first from the state to be chosen this year (per reports).

Magic Mondays

6-9 p.m. — Birmingham District Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a casual night of board games and brews in a friendly atmosphere.

Sammy Obeid Live Comedy Show

6:30-9:30 p.m. — Main Room — Ticket package includes food & beverage credit — Experience the comedic genius of Sammy Obeid, known for his world record of performing comedy 1,001 nights in a row.

Watts Up with Energy

1:30-4:30 p.m. — RealtySouth Training Center — Free admission — Enhance your skills to help clients make informed home buying decisions.

World Deer Expo

3-9 p.m. — BJCC North Exhibition Hall — Entry fee varies — Experience the ultimate sportsman’s paradise at the largest hunting consumer show in the country.

Alabama’s First 205 Day Festival: The Magic City Block Party

2-8 p.m. — Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark — Paid parking — Enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly fun at this vibrant festival.

Magic Mondays: Weekly Board Game Night

6-9 p.m. — Birmingham District Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a variety of board games paired with delicious brews in a welcoming atmosphere.

Captain Kudzu with Knelt

8-11 p.m. — Saturn — Tickets available — Enjoy an evening of live music with Captain Kudzu and Knelt at a popular local venue.

T.K. Kirkland Live Comedy Show

Jul 24-25 — Stardome Comedy Club — Tickets start at $90 — Experience an unforgettable night of laughter with the legendary comedian T.K. Kirkland.

TK Kirkland Comedy Show

Evening — Stardome Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night of laughter with the well-respected comedian, TK Kirkland.

Coheed and Cambria Concert

6-8:30 p.m. — Avondale Brewing Company — General admission — Experience an electrifying performance from Coheed and Cambria in a vibrant setting.