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!
It’s time for another great weekend in Tuscaloosa. Get out and enjoy the last few days of D.A.T.E. Week at many local restaurants, florists, and jewelers. After your date, you can head downtown to catch Backup Planet with Space Phunk Express and Zoofunkyou at Green Bar and Corey Smith at Druid City Music Hall. Finish off the weekend by heading over to Coleman Coliseum to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Oklahoma Sooners. You don’t want to miss this weekend in the One and Only.
Corey Smith at Druid City Music Hall
Corey Smith is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist that is no stranger to Tuscaloosa. He is back again with special guest Hudson Moore Thursday night, Jan. 25, at Druid City Music Hall. He knows how to put on a show so make sure you grab a ticket before they are gone. The concert begins at 8:30 pm with doors opening at 7:30 pm.
D.A.T.E. Week
D.A.T.E. Week 2018 is coming to a close, but you still have two more days to take your special someone out on the town. This week has been a blast, but Friday night, Jan. 26 is the last day of this year’s D.A.T.E. week. Head to https://www.ttowndateweek.com to get a complete list of participating restaurants, florists, babysitting services, and venues.
Backup Planet with Space Phunk Express at Green Bar
Backup Planet is a progressive funk-rock band out of Nashville, TN. They tour all over the United States and they are making a stop in Tuscaloosa. They will be accompanied Friday night, Jan. 26, by Space Phunk Express. The music begins at 10:30 pm and doors open at 8 pm.
Zoofunkyou at Green Bar
Green Bar just keeps rolling with great music all weekend long! Zoofunkyou is a psychedelic mix featuring Chicago blues, soul, funk and melodic lyric. They will be ready to rock Saturday night, Jan. 27, at 10:30 pm with doors opening at 8 pm. This band will have you wanting to get up and dance.
Alabama Men’s Basketball v. Oklahoma Sooners
Collin Sexton and the Crimson Tide will be back in town Saturday, Jan. 27, to face possibly the best player in the country in Trae Young the Oklahoma Sooners. The tide tips off at 1:15 p.m., so grab some tickets off of StubHub and head to Coleman Coliseum because this sold-out matchup is going to have a Final Four atmosphere.
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
It’s a weekend of music, sports, and celebrating in the City of Champions. Band of Brothers hosts award-winning blues artist Diedra the Alabama Blues Queen, Alabama men’s and women’s basketball play conference games, and the football team’s national title celebration will take place on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on the steps of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Also, Monday brings with it a special event unique to Tuscaloosa. It’s D.A.T.E. Week! Check out the info below so you can plan your weekend accordingly. The weather is even going to warm up so you can get out and have some fun after this cold spell, so we know you’re itching to get out and get down.
Diedre The Alabama Blues Queen at Band of Brothers Brewing Company | Friday, January 19 | 7:00-10:00
Diedra The Alabama Blues Queen is a 15-time Blues Award Winning and Nominated International Artist and a 2014 International Blues Challenge Finalist. Together with her band that includes husband and Alabama Blues Hall of Fame member Keithen Ruff, she belts out blues hits like “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Battered Wild Food Truck will be on site, so you can grab a nice local brew, listen to the best blues around, and grub!
Alabama Men’s Basketball vs. Mississippi State | Saturday, January 20 | 7:30
The Tide iced the hottest team in the country on Wednesday when they snapped Auburn’s 14-game winning streak behind John Petty’s 27 points on eight three-pointers. Alabama now has a nice 4-game winning streak of their own, and look to keep it rolling against Mississippi State on Saturday. Come out and see this special Tide squad before these Freshmen go pro!
Alabama Women’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt | Sunday, January 21 | 2:00
At 13-5 through eighteen games, Alabama is having a great year under 5th-year coach Kristy Curry. Most impressive is the Tide’s 9-1 record in Coleman Coliseum so far. Come see as the squad continues its climb to the top of the conference against Vanderbilt on Sunday. If you enjoy winning, you can’t miss this Alabama team at home. General Admission (All Ages) is $5, so don’t miss out.
D.A.T.E Week | January 22-26
We have a special event for you beginning Monday of next week (1/22). It’s D.A.T.E Week! Local businesses will have special promotions on Diamonds, Arrangements, Tastes, and Entertainment (D.A.T.E.). Your SO would love some pretty flowers and a nice dinner out. Or perhaps they would love to do something fun with you like attend a chocolate making class, a wine pairing, or mixology class. All of this is going on and more during D.A.T.E Week! Visit our website TtownDateWeek.com for a full list of participating locations and start planning your special night out today!
Have a blast in the City of Champions this weekend, and check out visittuscaloosa.xyz/events for more upcoming events!
Happy New Year! We hope you had a good 2017 and that your 2018 is even better. As we turn the page to a new year with new opportunities, make it a resolution to get out and experience the burgeoning arts, culture, beer, and food scene in Tuscaloosa. You never know what you may be missing out on, as Tuscaloosa has added some great restaurants and events over the past year such as Central Mesa, and several great coffee shops.
There are only 11 days left for ice skating at Holidays on the River, and this weekend cranks up the fun with Glow Crazy Night! What could be more fun than glowsticks and skating? The rink is open from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday for Glow Crazy Night, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, so catch Holidays on the River before it disappears like a warming snow.
Live music becomes a little harder to come by over the holidays in Tuscaloosa, but Band of Brothers Brewing has you covered. Friday night from 7-10 they will have Casie Jo & The No Joes at the brewery to kick off your weekend. This five-piece plays a mix of rock, southern rock, funk, and blues that pairs great with the Band of Brothers’ famous Monk on the Radio beer. The Battered Wild food truck will also be on site, so you can eat, drink, and enjoy good local music all night long.
Snow may not be in the forecast this weekend, but on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. the Children’s Hands-On Museum will be a winter wonderland when they host an indoor Snow Day. Kids of all ages will be able to have a “snowball fight,” cut paper snowflakes, make a hot chocolate cone, and more! If your kids haven’t gotten the chance to play in the snow, now is their chance!
Sunday nights at Druid City Brew have become a fun and relaxed place to wind down your weekend. You’ll find great beer and great people enjoying local music from great local artists. Drop by from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. for Acoustic Open Mic Night and recharge for the coming week.
Unfortunately, there will be no First Friday this month, but check back in February as Tuscaloosa’s art galleries gear up for another year. Also check out our website: visittuscaloosa.xyz for a full list of fun upcoming events.
The Alabama football team may be headed to New Orleans, but there is a lot going on in Tuscaloosa this New Year’s weekend. Both Alabama basketball teams begin conference play in Coleman Coliseum against ranked foes, and Holidays on the River gives you a chance to experience Tuscaloosa’s winter wonderland with ice skating and more. 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!
It’s going to be another perfect winter weekend for ice skating and fun at Holidays on the River. If you haven’t tried ice skating before then now is your chance to experience something new and different. The rink will be open from 2 pm -10 pm on Friday and 11 am – 9 pm on Saturday. There will also be a New Year’s Eve celebration on Sunday. Buy your tickets at now at http://www.holidaysontheriver.com/
After an 8-4 start against non-conference opponents, the Alabama men’s basketball team begins SEC play Saturday with a visit from the #5 Texas A&M. The Aggies come into Tuscaloosa with an 11-1 record and looking like the team to beat in the SEC. An Alabama win would be huge for the program and the season, as the Tide have struggled toward the end of their non-conference schedule. This is one of the biggest games in Coleman in a long time. The atmosphere will be electric with the Tide’s 5-star talent trying to knock off a top 5 opponent. You won’t want to miss this one! Get tickets now at RollTide.com for this 5 pm tipoff.
New Year’s Eve is all about fun, and the Children’s Hands-On Museum wants to make sure kids get the full, festive experience. From 10 am – 12 pm on Saturday the 30th CHOM will host the New Year’s Eve for Kids and will pull out all the stops to make sure kids ring in the new year right. This includes hats, horns, tiaras, a balloon drop at 11 am, and a New Year’s toast. Go to CHOMOnline.org for more information, and Happy New Year!
The men’s basketball squad isn’t the only team entering SEC play this weekend. The women’s team will continue their special season against #16 Missouri on Sunday at 2 pm. Alabama is on a five-game winning streak and has posted a 9-3 record on the season thus far. They are a perfect 7-0 at home, so maybe that home cooking will help knock off the 12-1 Tigers. Come be a part of what could be a statement win of the 2017 season. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at RollTide.com.
We have tons more going on so check out our great upcoming events at visittuscaloosa.xyz/events, and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements.
| 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
LSU weekend is always a special weekend in Tuscaloosa, and this year is no different. There are tons of exciting things to do beginning on Friday at 5:30 with Tuscaloosa’s First Friday Art Walk. Due to the success of the entertainment district the past few weekends, it will once again be in effect on Friday and Saturday from 9am-10pm each day. So get out, grab a drink, and explore the shops and art galleries that Tuscaloosa has to offer while you’re in town for the game.
Tuscaloosa’s local art scene comes alive on Friday night for the First Friday Art Walk. Experience the vibrant Tuscaloosa downtown area with drink-in-hand as you visit Harrison Galleries, the Paul R. Jones Gallery, O’Connor Art Studio and more! Check out the First Friday website and map your personalized art crawl. You may even stumble on an original Salvador Dali like we did!
Alabama has its biggest home game of the season on Saturday night when the 19th-ranked LSU Tigers come to town. Alabama is a 21-point favorite, but this is a rivalry where truly anything can happen. Alabama has beaten LSU six games in a row –including the national title game in 2011 – and LSU will once again be looking for revenge under the lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised by CBS.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to brew your own beer? Join Band of Brothers Brewing on November 4th at 1: 00 p.m. when The American Homebrew Association will be on site for Homebrew day! Learn to Homebrew Day brings together thousands of people from all over the world, and we encourage anyone who enjoys beer—from brewing beginners and hobbyists to professionals, to get involved,” said Gary Glass, director, American Homebrewers Association.
The Children’s Hands-On Museum always has something for the kids on Saturday, and this weekend is no different. Join them for River Discovery Days Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as “Riverboat John” Ferguson performs with songs and stories about life on the River! Kids will learn about careers on the river, how to be a Captain, Navigator, Deckhand and more as they trace U.S. rivers, learning and having fun along the way.
Alabama football isn’t the only sport in action this weekend. Come cheer on the Alabama volleyball team as they take on Georgia Sunday at noon. The Tide are looking to bounce back from a loss to Auburn against a good Georgia team that they’ve already beaten once this season, so it’s a good opportunity to get their mojo back. The match will be in historic Foster Auditorium which is a great venue to watch Crimson Tide volleyball.
We have tons going on during the upcoming holiday season, so make sure to check out our great upcoming events and follow us on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements. Tell your friends and we can’t wait to see you around the One and Only Tuscaloosa!
Also, check out our Gameday Fashion Blog for some great places around town to pick up your perfect gameday outfit.