June 1-30

Why should only kids get art shows? Local artists of any medium: Bring your piece to the Adult/Teen desk during the month of June, and we'll showcase it in the Ellenburg Art Gallery during the month of July. Artists and art collectors can join us on Saturday, July 26, for a reception. Please make sure all pieces submitted are PG-13. 3-D art, fabric arts, paintings, and everything else is welcome! Check out our website for the application form at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Improv Camp 3rd-5th Grade, Improv Camp 6th-12th Grade, Harry Potter Camp, Disney Mini Camp, Musical Theatre Bootcamp, and Mini Production Camp!

There is something for everyone this summer at Homewood Theatre!

The ARMS Ensley Health Center Open House is a community-focused event designed to connect residents with accessible, high-quality healthcare services in a welcoming environment. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet dedicated providers and staff, tour the health center, and learn more about the wide range of medical, dental, and behavioral health services available to individuals and families in the Ensley area.

In addition to learning about ARMS programs, guests can take advantage of free health screenings and enter a raffle for a chance to win a brand-new television. This event underscores ARMS's ongoing commitment to promoting health equity and building stronger, healthier communities through outreach, education, and service.

(Rising 6-12 Grade) The Teen Advisory Board is a volunteer group of 6th-12th graders who are dedicated to serving the Homewood Public Library. 10-11am Lakeshore Trail

Park-side entrance River clean-up (Parents are welcome to join)

Applications available online at https://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/tab-application. 

(Rising 6-12 Grade) Meet some live animals that are related to or are endangered local Alabama animals. Learn about how to protect our animal friends. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(All Ages) Let your creative juices flow at our afternoon craft buffet. Use our provided crafting materials to tinker and create your own self-guided projects.

U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (he wrote "Fox on the Fairway" which we performed a couple of years ago) tells the joyous, heartwarming story of his parents’ courtship during World War II and the results are anything but expected.

(Rising 6-12 Grade) Young artists are welcome to join us and Kane Bourgeois in this bi-weekly art boot camp over the Summer. Learn some basics, some tips and tricks, and have fun doing it! All supplies provided, but you are more than welcome to bring any sketchbook or drawing supplies you may use, or a digital drawing interface.  Register for each session online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

About Party on the Porch
Each Party on the Porch at our Homewood store focuses on giving back to our local community and raising environmental awareness for conservation, access, usage, and education. The event is held on the first Friday evening of each month from April to October (except for July which we skip as it is so hot).

Party on the Porch brings together local musicians, breweries, food trucks, and artisans for an evening you do not want to miss. This is a family-friendly event, with activities for kids, a dog-friendly atmosphere, cornhole, giveaways, and loads of fun! Attendance is free, but we ask that of-age attendees donate (not required) $10 for a wristband and a souvenir cup with your donation going to a local non-profit organization at the event.

Net proceeds from your donations at our May event go to Alabama State Parks.

About our beneficiary:

The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 21 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas.
When?
Friday, June 6th, 2025, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where?
Alabama Outdoors Homewood Store

Who's attending?
Our friends from:

Alabama Beer Company
Altra
Anderson Ord
Birmingham Mountain Radio
Birmingham Hat Co.
Birmingham Ultra Trail Society
Birmingham Boulders
Trail Sisters

Music:

Cash Back

Beer + Beverages:

Alabama Beer Company: Free craft beer for those with wristbands and our souvenir Party on the Porch cup (21 years and older)

Food:

Saw's Street Kitchen
Frios Gourmet Pops

Birmingham Opera Project (BOP) is a student-focused performance collective dedicated to making opera accessible, inclusive, and boldly rooted in the Birmingham arts scene. We create intimate, high-quality productions that pair student performers with professional musicians and creatives, providing valuable real-world experience in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Our 2025 season features a compelling double bill: Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini and Trouble in Tahiti by Leonard Bernstein. These performances explore themes of grief, isolation, and human connection through two strikingly different musical lenses.

At BOP, we believe that opera should reflect the voices of its time and place. We support emerging artists with paid opportunities and prioritize storytelling that is emotionally honest, theatrically engaging, and accessible to new audiences. Whether you're a lifelong opera lover or brand new to the art form, our work invites you to experience opera in a fresh, deeply personal way.

Each year in June the Caribbean come to Bessemer, Alabama in an explosion of color, music, food and a costume parade that engages the public as well as the participants along the street. This year's  festival is celebrating its 12th year with and again promises to bring attendees from all over Alabama and  the southeast to include Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. Children 12 and under are free with a special area for children located in the gazebo featuring clowns, face painting, games and balloon art.

The program begins at 11:00am with line dancing by local Line Dance Instructor Desi Keith.  The dancing is interactive festival attendees are encouiraged to join in . The remainder of the program which runs through 9:00pm includes live performances by a variety of Caribbean Reggae and Soca artists including crowd favorite The Revolution Band featuring Kenne Blessin, as well Pansonic steel band under the leadership of Mr. Vere Henry.  The packed program also includes singers and dancers such as Birmingham's own HeartBeat Dance Company under the guidance of Jessica Ponte, where attendees learn the latest Latin Dances. Headliners this year, for the first time,  will include Logan the Entertainer.

A highpoint of the festival is the costume parade which begins at noon at Alex Bradford Park and winds its way into DeBardeleben Park, downtown Bessemer. The vibrant costumes and music which fills the street from trucks in the parade is intoxicating and also features several dance groups from local schools and civic organizations,  as well as horseback riders, vintage cars and local officials.

MCs for this year will again be crowd favorites Ulato Sam from Los Angeles and Wayne Hall of the Wayne Hall Show in Altanta.

Love. Grit. Prayer. Joy.

Music by Black artists has been there for it all, as have dancers.

Experience the power of collaboration and celebration as we express all the feels through diverse dance genres. We are excited to present an exciting and passionate show you won’t forget.

We do not subscribe to the "starving artist" stigma, so all ticket profits will be shared equally with the dancers of this show. Thank you for respecting and supporting our Alabama-based artists. Whether in-person or through your support ticket, thank you for joining me in this cultural production and advocacy project. Thank you for moving the needle forward!

(Rising 6-12 Grade) Learn how to paint beautiful paintings with oil paints. All supplies are provided. Please make sure to wear something you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(Preschool-Grade 1) Miss Lauren is bringing her menagerie of instruments for a musical summer morning perfect for toddlers and 1st graders!

Take time out of your busy schedule for our free yoga classes sponsored by Homewood Library. A gentle workout of 15 minutes in the chair, 15 minutes standing with chair, 15 minutes on the mat.  All levels of fitness are welcome.  Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(All Ages) Join us every Tuesday morning for a special program. Our favorite magician, Mr. Larry, is bringing music, balloons, storytelling, and puppets for another magical summer!

Birmingham Baroque is an ensemble of four professional musicians who have spent a lifetime performing with various musical groups in the area. The primary focus of this ensemble is the delightful music composed between 1600 and 1750. They enjoy exploring the vibrancy, nuances, and uniqueness of this Baroque period using violin, recorder, cello and harpsichord. Though the goal is not necessarily to recreate what would have been heard hundreds of years prior, sharing the joy of these treasures today along with interesting history and insight into the instruments is most enriching for all. Free program, but registration required for headcount. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(All Ages) Enjoy a day of interactive and movement-filled storytimes by some of your favorite librarians. We will have one in the morning and another in the afternoon to double the fun and dancing.

(Rising 6-12 Grade) Learn digital art with procreate on iPads. (iPads provided). Spots are limited, so sign up soon! Feel free to bring your own ipad if you have one, but know that we will be using the program Procreate, not any other programs. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org

(All Ages) Wear your bathing suits, slather on your sunscreen, because Summer Reading is here, and we’re also celebrating the end of the school year by throwing our annual Bubble Bash!

(All Ages) Join us at "Paddington Station" with your favorite stuffed bears for a tea party, activities, and games sure to delight all-ages and bears!