Soaring into the Weekend in Tuscaloosa
Not only is “The Greatest Show Above Earth” coming to Tuscaloosa this weekend, but we have a swarm of great events taking off. The Turnpike Troubadours will be at Druid City Music Hall on Friday night. Saturday is a big day in Tuscaloosa. The Children’s Hands-On Museum is starting the day off with a huge pizza party, and what kid can resist pizza? Then, The Druid City Dames are taking on the Montgomery Roller Derby team at the Super Skate in their second home bout of the season. Finish off your weekend at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airshow featuring the Blue Angels on Saturday and Sunday. You don’t want to miss seeing the Blue Angels in person as they always put in an aerial spectacular in Tuscaloosa!
Turnpike Troubadours at Druid City Music Hall
The Turnpike Troubadours will be in town on Friday night. Head to Druid City Music Hall to hear deep-rooted soul music that’s impossible to resist. We also hear that a video crew will be in attendance, so show up and show out if you want a chance to be featured in a Tuscaloosa Tourism video about the local music scene. The doors open at 7:30 pm and the music starts at 8:30 pm. It’s going to be a good time as Turnpike Troubadours always put on a great show, so visit druidcitymusichall.com to purchase tickets!
Pizza Party at CHOM!
The best kind of party is a pizza party. Spend your Saturday afternoon at the Children’s Hands-On Museum making a pizza hat, playing pizza games, sling-shotting pizza and best of all, sampling pizza! CHOM’s events are always a good time. The fun begins at 10:00 am and goes until 4:00 pm. This is an event that you don’t want to miss!
Druid City Dames Roller Derby
The Druid City Dames are Tuscaloosa’s premiere roller derby team. They are back in town this weekend against the Montgomery Roller Derby. They compete on Saturday at the Super Skate on McFarland Boulevard at 5:30 pm. Come out and support them this weekend as they compete to be another title-winning team in our city of champions. Visit druidcitydames.com to view to buy tickets or for more information.
The Tuscaloosa Regional Airshow featuring the Blue Angels
The Tuscaloosa Regional Airshow is Saturday and Sunday and it is going to be a blast. Gates open at 10:00 am and there will be concessions, kids zone and an aviation display area throughout the day. The show begins at 12:00 pm and the action lasts until 4:00 pm. There will be helicopter rides available after the show. If you are worried about parking, there will be shuttles available to jet you over to the event. Visit tuscaloosaregionalairshow.com to see all the shuttle locations and to view the complete schedule. The Blue Angels always put on a great show in Tuscaloosa, so don’t miss out!
Like us on Facebook (@visittuscaloosa) to stay up-to-date on important events. Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts. We love seeing Tuscaloosa through your eyes!
Welcome to the single greatest weekend of arts, culture, and music Tuscaloosa has ever had. We have music from a local band rising to stardom returning for a huge show, a band in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (and another that should be), art showcases from the best two art organizations in the area, and that’s just scratching the surface of this weekend’s slate. The 9th Annual Druid City Arts Festival presented by Cadence Bank has finally arrived! Saturday will be a great day of art, entertainment, food, and fun. Below are just a few of the best events going on, but hop over to visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for a full list that includes the NCAA gymnastics regional and Tuscaloosa Titans’ season tip-off.
Druid City Arts Festival
Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports and Cadence Bank are looking forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual Druid City Arts Festival on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tuscaloosa’s Government Plaza! DCAF has had rich success in introducing new music and visual artists to Tuscaloosa’s community and has also provided a free day of fun and entertainment for everyone in the past eight years. This year it is going to be bigger and better than ever! Downtown Tuscaloosa will be an entertainment district from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, so grab a drink and peruse the artwork from artists all over the country. DCAF will feature two-dimensional art, as well as pieces constructed out of clay, fiber, wood, glass, metal, and food. There will also be literature pieces, photography, jewelry, and mixed media. Caleb O’Connor, a local artist, will be on site demonstrating his artwork for everyone to view.
Local Roots, Steel City Pops, La Mexicana, Nothing Bundt Cakes, The Cypress Inn, South Fresh Farms, Jim ‘N Nicks and Chick Fil A are a few of the vendors that will be on site to serve up some delicious food. There will be musical performances all day by many local artists. In addition to the food and music, there will be a kid zone for the children to enjoy. It is going to be a fun community event for the whole family to enjoy. You can check out the list of artists and find out additional information about DCAF by visiting http://www.druidcityartsfestival.com. Be sure to use #DCAF18 and our Snapchat filter when sharing from the event.
Art Night at Kentuck
Art Night at Kentuck is a monthly celebration of art and artists from the local community. Join us at the Kentuck Art Center in Downtown Northport this Thursday night from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in celebrating these artist’s masterpieces. This event is free and open to the public! Come see what Sydney Gruber has been working on in her studio in the Clarke Building! There will be open studios for all of the Kentuck Artists so you can see what we are working on and enjoy the raw creation process.
Teer Gallery:
Kentuck is honored to present a retrospective of work by local living legend Dr. Norman Ellis. A founding member of the Woodworkers Association of West Alabama (WAWA), the 96-year-old still mentors woodworkers in his studio. Ellis’s work consists of whimsical furniture handmade in the Mission style, which features exposed joints and focuses on the natural beauty of the wood used.
Museum Gallery:
It’s the last Art Night to visit The Juneaus’ expansive exhibit of Louisiana art. Pat Juneau and son Andrea create playful metal sculptures that exemplify the culture of Louisiana, while Suzanne and daughter Angelique create one-of-a-kind jewelry using precious and semi-precious stones combined with enameling and precious metals.
Courtyard of Wonders:
Pop-up shops and free cob oven pizza with dough from Mary’s Cakes and Pastries and fresh, locally grown produce from Snow’s Bend Farms. Live music by Jake Sandford and the Jake Sanford Orchestra. Kentuck’s Studio Artists will have open studios for browsing, learning, observing, and purchasing.
Gallery Shop:
Open until 8 pm; members get a 10% discount. Fire Ant and Big Dog members are invited to sample champagne.
First Friday
To continue with the theme of arts and culture, Friday night is First Friday Art Night. Downtown Tuscaloosa will transform into an entertainment district on Friday night. First Friday is completely free, and the galleries can’t wait to host you. Grab a drink and take a stroll through our magnificent galleries, such as the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, Harrison Galleries, The Paul R. Jones Museum, O’Connor Art Studios and Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy. Visit firstfridaytuscaloosa.com for offerings and hours as they vary by location. This event generally begins at 5:30 and runs to 8 or 9 depending on location.
CBDB at Druid City Music Hall
This will be the funkiest weekend of the whole year, between CBDB and Parliament-Funkadelic, and the hometown heroes CBDB get first crack at funking you up on Friday night. This band is on the road to stardom and have a chance to define Tuscaloosa’s music culture in a way R.E.M. did for Athens, GA. This group has a big sound, great writing, and create the type of atmosphere at a show that you have to experience. Our favorite is Pschabongo and gets played on repeat around the Visit Tuscaloosa offices. They have played at many major festivals with high profile bands and will be blowing the lid off of Druid City Music Hall before embarking on a national tour with stops in DC, New York, and Philiadelphia. Doors open at 7:30 pm and the music begins at 9:00 pm.Visit druidcitymusichall.com to purchase tickets to witness the Tuscaloosa’s premier band, and preorder their upcoming album “Out of Line” on itunes or look for it on Spotify May 5.
Funkaloosa
George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Morris Day & The Time, and Sheila E will be funking up the Coca-Cola concert series “Funkaloosa.” The Parliament-Funkadelic collective has been around since the late 60’s and has been among America’s greatest funk icons for 50 years and included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Morris Day and Sheila E joining them makes this an all around incredible show that should not be missed under any circumstances. The doors open at 5:30 pm with the funky beats blasting from 7:00 pm until the funk is within you. This is the type of music that has to be experienced live to be truly heard. To purchase tickets visit ticketmaster.com. #WeWantTheFunk
Styx, REO Speedwagon, & Don Felder
Styx and Reo Speedwagon have teamed up and they will be rockin’ with special guest Don Felder on Sunday at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater. The music begins at 7:00 pm and will have you groovin’ all night long. To purchase tickets visit the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater’s website.
Follow us on social media (@visittuscaloosa) to stay up-to-date on important events. Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts. We love seeing Tuscaloosa through your eyes!
We’re getting ready for another great weekend in Tuscaloosa! The Alabama gymnastics and women’s basketball teams are gearing up for some competitive SEC matches. Tuscaloosa native Ham Bagby returns home to jam at Green Bar, and CHOM is celebrating the Chinese New Year with arts and crafts for the children. Don’t forget to tag @VisitTuscaloosa in all your photos from the weekend for a chance for them to be featured on our social media accounts.
Alabama Gymnastics vs. Kentucky
Join Alabama gymnastics for a high-energy matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats for a thrilling meet against a conference team. Take your kids and enjoy the performance by Alabama’s talented gymnasts. Head to Coleman Coliseum this Friday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. to enjoy the fun. Visit rolltide.com to purchase a ticket.
Ham Bagby + The Seige at Green Bar
Ham Bagby returns to his hometown of Tuscaloosa on Friday night for a special show at Green Bar. Ham nails the southern rock vibe and actually sounds a lot like the Drive-by Truckers. Doors open at 8 pm for this 10 pm show. Tickets are $8 and you can get them at greenbarttown.com.
Chinese New Year at CHOM
Celebrate Chinese New Year at the Children’s Hands-On Museum this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be tons of creative activities for the kids to enjoy such as, making your own dragon, finding out your zodiac animal, making a mask and learning to write your name in Chinese. Bring the kids out for a day of fun!
Alabama Women’s Basketball vs. Auburn
The Alabama Women’s Basketball team is ready to roll against their rival, the Auburn Tigers. The action begins at 4 pm Sunday afternoon in Coleman Coliseum. Come out and support the Crimson Tide in this SEC matchup. Visit rolltide.com to purchase tickets.
There are plenty of other events going on this weekend and every weekend in Tuscaloosa. Go to visittuscaloosa.xyz/events to see them all!
Events in Tuscaloosa this Weekend
The good times will be rolling in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Bama Basketball hosts one of the countries’ hottest teams for the second weekend in a row when Tennessee comes to town. The 25th annual Mystic Krew of the Druids Bal Masque rolls out the red carpet on Saturday for a night of music and fun. Check out visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for even more happenings, and don’t forget to tag @visittuscaloosa in all your photos this weekend for a chance to be featured on our social media accounts!
The Great Tuscaloosa Chili Cook-off
The Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa is sponsoring a chili cook-off to raise funds for the Club’s community service projects. Stop by the Bryant Conference Center from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm on Saturday to sample over 30 different varieties of chili. After you have sampled the chili, you can vote for your favorite. There will be valuable prizes for attendees, live music, and children’s activities. As well as, free cheese biscuits, hot dogs, and ice cream.
Alabama Men’s Basketball v. Tennessee
Coleman Coliseum will be rocking again this Saturday when the Tennessee Volunteers come to town. Tip-off is at 5:00 pm and the atmosphere will be electric as the Crimson Tide competes with an SEC rival. StubHub has tickets available, but don’t wait too long to secure your ticket to watch an incredible SEC matchup.
The Mystic Krewe of the Druid’s Silver Anniversary Bal Masque
Join The Mystic Krewe of the Druids as they celebrate their Sparkling Silver Anniversary year with Bal Masque 25: Roll Out The Red Carpet! On Feb. 10, 2018, join them at the historic BAMA Theatre at 7:30 pm as they pay tribute to the past, present, and future of their Krewe with an all-star awards show! Take a stroll down their paparazzi-lined red carpet and watch as their Tableau revisits MKD history, honoring some of their most storied and “award-winning” moments with an opportunity to raise money for West Alabama AIDS Outreach (WAAO). Contact any Krewe member or message the MKD Facebook page for tickets.
The Official Bal Masque After Parties
R. Davidson Chophouse and Icon Bar will be hosting the official after parties. They begin after the show and continue until 2 am. R. Davidson Chophouse will feature a live band, Farmer’s Daughter. The after parties are included if you purchased a VIP ticket. If you do not have a VIP ticket it is $10 at the door.
South Regional Quidditch Championship
Teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee will have the opportunity at the USQ South Regional Championship for the chance to attend the national championship, the US Quidditch Cup. Last season, Florida’s Finest defeated Carolina Heat to take home their second South Regional Championship title in Columbia, South Carolina. Will Florida’s Finest keep their streak in the newly created community division? Who will claim the title of collegiate champion? Come out to Munny Sokol Park North Saturday and Sunday to find out!
The first weekend of the month is always a big arts and culture weekend in Tuscaloosa, and this month has even more to experience than usual! The Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival kicks off Thursday and goes through Saturday, so check out this special music, film, and dance festival that is unique to Tuscaloosa. Kentuck Art Night and First Friday will have tons of beautiful works of art on display for you to enjoy. The Cadillac Three is back in town, and it’s a show you don’t want to miss. While you’re enjoying the local art scene on Friday, grab a drink from your favorite bar because Tuscaloosa will be an entertainment district until 10 pm. Don’t forget to tag us at @VisitTuscaloosa in your social posts while you are exploring the arts and culture scene, and use #FirstFridayTuscaloosa.
Kentuck Art Night
This Thursday night Feb. 1, at 5 pm head to historic downtown Northport for a fun night for the whole family. Kentuck Art Night is a monthly free event that includes: an exhibition at Kentuck Art Center, Kentuck Studio Artists have studios open, pop up shops in the Courtyard of Wonders, a food truck, live music, Downtown Northport artists’ studios, champagne for Big Dog and Fire Ant members of Kentuck, wine, snacks, and cob oven pizza.
First Friday
First Friday returns this week to kick off 2018. The galleries involved can’t wait to showcase their amazing works of art to the community. First Friday is completely free, and some of the galleries will be serving hors d’oeuvres for you to enjoy while you admire their masterpieces. While you’re enjoying the local art scene, grab a drink from your favorite bar because Tuscaloosa will be an entertainment district until 10 pm. Taking a stroll through downtown Tuscaloosa is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Galleries on the Art Walk include The Arts Council and The University of Alabama Galleries at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, The Paul R. Jones Gallery, Harrison Galleries, O’Connor Art Studios and Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy. Visit firstfridaytuscaloosa.com for offerings and hours.
Cadillac Three
The Cadillac Three is an American Southern rock group consisting of Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray, and Neil Mason. They have toured with many big-name artists and bands such as Florida-Georgia Line. Catch them at Druid City Music Hall on Saturday, February 3rd at Druid City Music Hall! Doors open at 7:30 pm with music starting around 8:30. Visit ticketweb.com to grab a ticket to this awesome concert.
Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival
The Tuscaloosa Heritage Festival is a three-day celebration promoting diversity and cultural sensitivity, in the areas of film, music, and dance. These exciting cultural events will include food vendors, craft vendors and more. The West Alabama community will be able to participate in a “Rep Your Heritage” Film Challenge and Spiritual Dance Competition as well as the Africana Film Festival. The festival is Thursday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb.3.
Alabama Women’s Basketball Game
Watching the Tide play basketball is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. The Crimson Tide women’s basketball team takes on the Arkansas Razorbacks Sunday in Coleman Coliseum. Tip-off is at 1:00 p.m., and this conference game is sure to be a good one!
Starting January 22nd and going through January 26th, Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports will be hosting the first annual Tuscaloosa D.A.T.E. Week, a week where businesses around the city provide deals and specials in order to accommodate couples looking for a respite from their weekly routine. We are excited about this opportunity to showcase businesses around the city of Tuscaloosa and to provide couples the chance to get out and celebrate each other as the new year kicks off! If you would like to explore all the ways that you can enjoy Tuscaloosa Date Week all around town, you can visit https://www.ttowndateweek.com/ for all the details you need!
The word “DATE” as a part of this week-long event is actually an acronym for all the available opportunities around town: Diamonds, Arrangements, Tastes, and Entertainment. These four key words reflect the deals and specials around the town, whether they are special food menus, exciting new couples events, or delicious food options for two! We have worked with a diverse selection of businesses around the city to provide a wide variety of ways for couples to have a nice dinner together, get out and do something, or to purchase a gift of some sort for each other. You can buy flowers or diamonds, you can get coffee or dessert, or you could even get barbecue, pizza, tapas, or seafood! Plus, if you haven’t yet been to some of the exciting restaurants Tuscaloosa has to offer, you can try them out! Places like Dotson’s Burger Spot and Southern Ale House will be offering a special menu, while Chuck’s Fish and Animal Butter are perfect places to take the opportunity to try something new at a discounted price!
Tuscaloosa Date Week is an opportunity for anyone looking to make a special date with their significant other, whether it be a first date or an anniversary celebration! For a first date, you can break the ice over a cup of coffee at O’Henry’s and then go learn how to make a cocktail at Roxy’s! For a date with a long-time loved one, you could get a snack at Frutta Bowls during the day and then surprise them with a lovely piece of jewelry from Hudson-Poole right before trying some new wines at Carpe Vino! If you and your significant other want to share a pizza pie, Tuscaloosa Date Week is the perfect opportunity to try something other than delivery, like Heat Pizza or Broadway Pizzeria! There are many opportunities to celebrate each other all during the week in Tuscaloosa. Some of the locations participating in Date Week offer a way to just hang out, drink some cocktails, and get to know someone better, like Five Bar, Sweet Home Food Bar, or Avenue Pub! Whatever activity is best suited to the kind of date you want to have, there is a place where you can do that!
Gifts are a wonderful way to express how much you care for someone, and therefore Tuscaloosa Date Week will be offering deals at businesses all around town to purchase gifts for those for whom they care greatly. Someone in a relationship has the ability to surprise their special someone with an unexpected bouquet of flowers or even a shiny, new bracelet, all purchased using the Tuscaloosa DATE Week discounts put in place by participating businesses. The two florists participating in Tuscaloosa Date Week are Pat’s Florist and Gourmet Baskets and the Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe, and both are offering discounts to those who come in and purchase a special gift to celebrate Date Week! Even further than flowers, Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers will be offering 10% off, in addition to other deals, to customers who come in and mention that they are celebrating Tuscaloosa Date Week!
While some of the offers appeal to the gift-giving side of date night, others appeal to some of the most popular date night activities: dinner, dessert, and wine! During Tuscaloosa Date Week, all participating restaurants will be offering special deals or special Date Week menus for customers that mention they are celebrating “date week”! Evangeline’s will be offering 25% off your whole meal, along with half-priced glasses of wine! In total, there are 20 restaurants around Tuscaloosa looking to provide a decadent addition to any couple’s date night while they are celebrating Tuscaloosa Date Week! Some sit-down restaurants included in Tuscaloosa Date Week are Jim‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, Avenue Pub, and 301 Bisto, Bar, & Beer Garden, to name a few. In addition to sit-down restaurants, some coffee shops and dessert destinations will be celebrating Tuscaloosa Date Week with deals, including Monarch Espresso Bar, UPerk, Cravings Specialty Grocery, and O’Henry’s Coffee.
However, if the relationship you are in is more geared to going out and doing something, then you have a mass of deals around town to satisfy your craving to get out of the house. Many businesses will be offering experiences for couples to enjoy together, like learning to make sushi at Black Warrior Brewing or making your own candy bar at Peterbrooke Chocolatier! Additionally, couples have the opportunity to have a classic date tonight together by visiting Cobb Theaters and Druid City Music Hall for a movie or to see Corey Smith in concert. Corey Smith will be performing Thursday at 8:30 PM with Hudson Moore and tickets can be found for that show at https://druidcitymusichall.com/. Tickets start at $20 and go up to $35 per person!
In addition to diamonds, arrangements, tastes, and entertainment, another business participating in Tuscaloosa Date Week is a mobile app, Wyndy, that connects parents with college-aged babysitters. This way, those couples who may not be able to get out are able to hire a babysitter for the evening and have the night on the town to themselves! Couples celebrating Tuscaloosa Date Week will enjoy $10 off their babysitting service when they use the app during Date Week. Details on the app and how to receive this discount are located on the Tuscaloosa Date Week website at https://www.ttowndateweek.com/.
Share your Date Week experience with us by tagging us, @VisitTuscaloosa or using #DateWeek in your post! We will be looking out for posts all over social media and giving shoutouts to those that mention us or use our hashtag! In order to learn more about the deals around town, you can visit https://www.ttowndateweek.com/. On the website, there is a list of participating businesses and what deals you can find at every location. We are excited to see everyone get out and go celebrate each other during the first annual Tuscaloosa Date Week!
Written by Will Baggett
| Business | Christmas Eve | Christmas Day |
| 301 Bistro, Bar & Beer Garden | 11am-3pm | closed |
| Another Broken Egg | 7am-2pm | closed |
| Avenue Pub | closed | closed |
| Baumhowers Restaurant | 11am-4pm | closed |
| Broadway Pizzeria | 11am-7pm | closed |
| Buffalo Phil’s Wings | closed | closed |
| Central Mesa | closed | closed |
| Chuck’s Fish | closed | closed |
| Chuy’s Tex-Mex | 11am-3pm | closed |
| City Cafe | closed | closed |
| Cravings | closed | closed |
| Cypress Inn | closed | closed |
| Depalma’s Italian Cafe | closed | closed |
| Dreamland BBQ – Tuscaloosa | til 3pm | closed |
| Dreamland BBQ – Northport | til 3pm | closed |
| Edelweiss | 8am-12pm | closed |
| Evangeline’s | closed | closed |
| Five | 10am-3 pm | closed |
| Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers | 10:30am-4pm | closed |
| Full Moon BBQ | til 3pm | closed |
| Glory Bound | closed | closed |
| Heat Pizza Bar | closed | closed |
| Hoo’s Q | closed | closed |
| Iguana Grill | regular hours | closed |
| Innisfree | closed | closed |
| Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill | 11am-3pm | closed |
| Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ | 10:30-3pm | closed |
| La Hacienda El Mexicana | closed | closed |
| Levee Bar & Grill | closed | closed |
| Miss Dots Tuscaloosa | closed | closed |
| Moe’s Original BBQ | closed | closed |
| Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes | unknown | closed |
| Mr. Chen’s | regular hours | closed |
| Mugshots Grill and Bar | closed | closed |
| Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza | 10:30-2pm | closed |
| Rama Jama’s | unknown | closed |
| River | closed | closed |
| Ruan Thai Exotic Thai Cuisine Rest. | closed | closed |
| O’Henrys Coffee | 7am-5pm | closed |
| Side-by-Side | 11am-9pm | 11am-11pm |
| Southern Ale House | closed | closed |
| Subs-N-You | closed | closed |
| Surin of Thailand | regular hours | closed |
| Sweet Home Food Bar | closed | closed |
| Swen Chinese Restaurant | closed | closed |
| Taco Mama | til 4 | closed |
| Taziki’s Cafe | 11am-3pm | closed |
| The Front Porch | closed | closed |
| Wilhagan’s | closed | closed |
| Zoe’s Kitchen (all locations) | closed | closed |
The big snow last weekend has really gotten into the holiday spirit. There are classic wintery plays being shown, ice skating and more to celebrate this special time of year with your friend and family. Don’t forget to tag @VisitTuscaloosa on Instagram when you post your holiday adventures around Tuscaloosa. We may use your photo and give you a shoutout!
The Actor’s Charitable Theatre presents the classic tale of adventure and magic with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe all weekend long. Come to the Bama Theatre and take a walk through the old wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia this Friday-Sunday. Times are as follows:
Friday- 7:30
Saturday- 2:00
Saturday- 7:30
Sunday- 2:00
Sunday- 7:30
Visit the www.theactonline.com for tickets and enjoy the show!
Alabama’s Women’s Basketball team is back in action this Sunday against out-of-conference foe SMU. The Tide is 4-0 at home this season so come be a part of what could be a special season for this team, who is building something special after wins over Lipscomb and Utah. The game tips at 2:00 in Coleman Coliseum and tickets are only $5.
There is nothing more perfect on wintery weekends than holiday events. Tuscaloosa’s Holidays on the River will be open this weekend with special events like a visit from Santa on Friday and Carriage Rides on Saturday. Plus you will have a blast skating at the outdoor ice rink. The rink schedule this weekend is as follows:
Thursday- 5-9
Friday- 5-10 with Visit from Santa
Sat- 11 am – 9 p.m. with Carriage Rides
Sun- 1-5
Go to holidaysontheriver.com for more information and a complete schedule of events for the season.
Looking to get your kids in on the holiday action this weekend? Look no further than the Children’s Hands-On Museum. This Saturday from 10-4 will be a Holiday Hoopla! Kids of all ages will be able to go through gift creating stations to make something unique and special for a sibling, friend, parent, or other loved one. Don’t let them miss out on this fun holiday event.
The holiday season would be complete without experiencing the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” Theatre Tuscaloosa will be presenting the Romulus Linney version of this incredible story of a man who learns what Christmas is all about. Shows will run all weekend at the Bean-Brown Theatre at Shelton State:
Thursday- 7:30
Friday- 7:30
Saturday- 2:00
Sunday- 2:00
Visit Theatretusc.com for tickets!
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events below, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements
Another big weekend in the city of champions is around the corner, and we’ve got the low-down on all the fun events taking place. Friday is December 1, so that means First Friday Art Night will be taking over downtown T-town. Grab a drink from your favorite bar or restaurant and take a tour of the local art scene before seeing some live music at Green Bar.
First Friday Art Night in downtown Tuscaloosa has become a special monthly event to residents and visitors alike. Local artists and gallery owners showcase incredible works each month and this week will be no different. An entertainment district will be in effect until 10 p.m. so grab a drink from Catch-22 or your favorite bar or restaurant and head out to explore Tuscaloosa’s vibrant art scene. Galleries involved include:
– Grace Aberdean Habitat Alchemy 6-9 p.m.
– O’Connor Art Studios 5:30-8:30 p.m.
– The Paul R. Jones Gallery 5:30-7:30 p.m.
– Uperk 5:30-8
– Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center 5-8 p.m.
– Harrison Galleries 6-9 p.m.
These galleries would love the opportunity to host you, and some even provide hors-d’oeuvres. Best of all, the event is free, so you have no reason not to go, and you are guaranteed to stumble upon something that surprises and delights you.
When you’re finished taking in the local art scene on Friday evening, head over to Green Bar where Admiral Snackbar will be rocking all night. This Tuscaloosa band plays some of the best rock around and has been influenced by Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Rage Against the Machine. As Tuscaloosa’s music scene continues to develop its unique blend of sounds, keep an eye on Admiral Snackbar and their contributions. Bands like the Alabama Shakes and St. Paul & the Broken Bones used to play Green Bar, so you never know when you could see the next great Alabama band. The music starts around 11 and tickets are FREE!
Great local bands won’t just be playing downtown this weekend. Angela and the Able Brothers Band mix acoustic guitars, smooth bass, and incredible vocals for your listening pleasure. The band has seemingly played everywhere this year and this Saturday will take their show to Band of Brothers Brewing. It’s such a blast to watch a band perform next to the huge brewing equipment, and it makes Band of Brothers a special place to see Tuscaloosa’s best bands. Head over around 7 and get lost in the music.
It wouldn’t be a weekend in Tuscaloosa without Alabama sports. Coach Avery Johnson has the Crimson Tide Men’s basketball team off to a scorching 5-1 start, with the only loss being mostly a 3 on 5 game where young bull Collin Sexton scored 40 points, an Alabama freshman. You have got to see this team play in person, and Sunday at 1 p.m. against UCF is your chance. Tickets can be purchased at RollTide.com and are only $15, which is a steal to watch this squad.
There are always fun events going on around town, so visit our event calendar at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for a complete list.
It’s another great weekend filled with exciting events in Tuscaloosa! Alabama football and basketball are in action, and there is live music and performances for those so inclined. The entertainment district downtown has gone so well that it has been extended. This Friday and Saturday you will be able to head downtown, grab a drink, and explore the wonderful shops and art galleries in the area so don’t miss out!
Alabama rolls into its last home game of the season with at least ten wins for the tenth straight season, but this team is hungry for more against a Mercer team that gave Auburn fits earlier this year. Saturday is senior day in Bryant-Denny Stadium, so come and support the seniors who have compiled an incredible career record of 50-4 with a chance to cement their legacy with these accomplishments: a 55-4 record, four straight SEC titles, and two national titles. Don’t miss a great opportunity to come cheer on JK Scott, Rashan Evans, Hootie Jones, Tony Brown, Da’Shawn Hand, Levi Wallace, and Shaun Dion Hamilton. The game kicks at 11:00 so come out and enjoy a nice day in Tuscaloosa afterward.
Green Bar does a great job of hosting great bands every weekend, and this Saturday night they present a three-piece homegrown Tuscaloosa band King’s German Legion that will blow your socks off. This blues-rock band puts you in the mind of the Black Keys with a heavy base and distorted, finger-blistering guitar work. Tickets are $5.00 at greenbarttown.com and the music starts at 10:30.
Moundville Archaeological Park and the Office of Archaeological Research are hosting an event this Saturday at Moundville Park! They invite you to come and help catalog and wash real artifacts that have been found recently at Moundville. You never know what you might get your hands on! The event runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. There will be light snacks and water provided. The event is free with park admission ($8).
Wind your weekend down by taking in one of the most famous American plays of all time presented by UA Theatre and Dance. August: Osage County is a story about one of the most dysfunctional families you will ever encounter. It will hopefully make your own family seem tame by comparison when you are sitting around the Thanksgiving table arguing about politics next week, and you’ll be glad to have the perspective. The show begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Marian Gallaway Theatre on Alabama’s campus. You can get tickets here: https://theatre.ua.edu/productions/august-osage-county/
Alabama has rocketed off to a 2-0 start with wins over Memphis and Lipscomb. The Tide’s young freshmen look as good as advertised and could lead the Tide to a special season in 2017-2018. The next opponent in their way on their journey to the top is Alabama A&M. Collin Sexton and John Petty are two players you have to see to believe, and your next chance is this Friday night at 7:00. Don’t miss the best basketball squad Alabama has had in 13 years!
There are always fun events going on around town, so visit our event calendar at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for a complete list.
Black Friday or Bust: A Guide to Holiday Shopping in Tuscaloosa
Thanksgiving has come and gone and people all over Tuscaloosa are gearing up for the holiday season. Everyone knows the deal for Thanksgiving weekend: feast on a delicious meal, spend time with your loved ones, watch some great football, and of course shop till you drop on Black Friday. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or others this year, the One and Only has you covered for where to shop on Black Friday.
Midtown Village
It’s hard to miss Midtown Village in Ttown, with everyone popping in and out of this massive shopping center on an almost daily basis. Midtown is home to over 60 different stores and restaurants and is sure to have something for everyone on your list. Stop in a boutique like Soca, Lavish, Az Well or South to grab something for your favorite lady. There are plenty of options for men, too, including Kinnucan’s and Alumni Hall. Don’t forget the little ones on your list with a new toy from Crazy 8! No matter who you’re shopping for, Midtown Village will have it all.
Downtown
Downtown Tuscaloosa has you covered for almost every type of gift, and some great food options too. Make a trip over to Effie’s, Lucca or Pause for a cute holiday outfit for women. For men, you can’t go wrong with something classic from The Shirt Shop or the Locker Room. Or check out the Pants Store for both men and women, or maybe just a new pair of shoes! If you get hungry along the way, make a pit stop at one of the awesome downtown coffee shops like O’Henry’s, Heritage House or Monarch for your daily caffeine kick.
The Strip
If it’s Alabama gear you’re looking for, look no further than The Strip! With stores like Bama Stuff, Alabama Express, and even Expeditions, you’re bound to find the perfect thing for every Alabama fan, big or small. Hop across the street to Ellie Crimson to find that perfect Iron Bowl outfit, or make a quick stop in The Trunk to look for something for your favorite Greek gal or guy. Conveniently located right next to campus, make sure to stop by these great shops on Black Friday!
Written by Katy Aspinwall
In the One and Only Tuscaloosa, there are so many places to go and things to see. These 10 things are popular among the locals and won’t break the bank. So take a chance and try something new!
1. Children’s Hands-On Museum (CHOM)
This museum has been providing children with fun activities and events since 1984. There are three floors of fun for children of all ages. The Great Pumpkin Party and the Monster Walk Scavenger Hunt are two events that are happening soon. Admission is less than $10! CHOM is a great place to take the kids and enjoy a day of fun!
2. Paul W. Bryant Museum
This museum is a blast from the past! Check out over a hundred years of Crimson Tide memorabilia and football history. Visit the Paul W. Bryant museum to see what it takes to be “nothing but a winner.” Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.
3. Arboretum
If you’re a dog lover then the arboretum is the place for you! The arboretum is sixty acres of the great outdoors. Check out the dog park, community garden, as well as the hiking trails. The best part is that it is completely free!
4. The Waysider
Take a trip to Paul “Bear” Bryant’s favorite breakfast destination. It truly is the breakfast of champions. The restaurant is packed with decades of Alabama memorabilia. The Waysider offers made-from-scratch biscuits and gravy all for just under $3!
5. Homegrown Alabama Farmers Market
Edit: We regret to inform you his event will no longer happen. If you are interested in farmers’ markets in Tuscaloosa then check out the Tuscaloosa Farmers’ Market at the River Market.
6. Babes Donuts
A family-owned breakfast, brunch and coffee business located in Downtown Tuscaloosa. The menu features gourmet doughnuts unlike anything else you’ll find in town. Flavors include: bacon maple, sourdough, Reese’s Peanut Butter, Heath Bar sprinkle, Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, S’mores, red velvet, blackberry cream cheese and others. Seasonal offerings can range from King Cakes during Mardi Gras to candied blood oranges. Stop by and grab a treat for under $10.
7. Steel City Pops
Nothing is better than a Steel City Popsicle on a hot Alabama summer day. They have many flavors to choose from, so there is a flavor for everyone. Flavors include: Arnold Palmer, Bosc Pear with Honey, Champagne White Tea, Cinnamon Apple, Cranberry Orange, Lime, Plum with Rosemary, Pomegranate, Strawberry Fig, Strawberry Lemonade, Avocado, Buttermilk, Carrot Cake, Chocolate, Coconut, Coffee, Maple Bacon, Bourbon, Pumpkin, Toasted Marshmallow, Vanilla Bean. All popsicles are $4.49 and under.
8. Black Warrior River
The Black Warrior River is absolutely stunning and the perfect place to go on a hot summer day. You can cast a line and catch some fish or bring your own boat and cruise the water. The Black Warrior is also perfect for paddle boarding or just floating down the river. Don’t feel like getting in the water? That’s fine because the Tuscaloosa River Walk runs along the river and offers beautiful scenery. It’s the perfect place to get some exercise or take your dog for a walk.
9. City Café
For decades, locals and students alike have enjoyed the homemade cooking served up at City Café. At lunchtime, this restaurant is packed with locals stopping in for a tasty meal at a reasonable price. Stop in and enjoy a meat and three for under $10. You won’t be disappointed, it’s just like mama makes it.
10. Gallette’s Yellowhammer
Stop by Gallette’s and sip on a Tuscaloosa favorite. People from all over the United States have enjoyed Yellowhammer’s from the One and Only Gallettes while in Tuscaloosa. The Yellowhammer is a staple on gameday at the University of Alabama. Their yellow cup is a popular accessory for the Crimson Tide fans walking around the quad. Visit Gallette’s and try one for yourself.
Written by Rachel Horton