Best Bets

Best Bets

Check your Best Bets before you make your weekend plans, so you don't miss out! We've got local events, concerts and more all along the Gulf Coast.Full Bio

 

Best Bets for the Weekend, Jan 17- Jan 20

LIGHTING OF THE MARDI GRAS TREE - Thurs 6pm-8pm, Mardi Gras Park, Downtown Mobile

Experience the fun, music, and magic that marks the beginning of this festive season, with the Lighting of the Mardi Gras Tree and Brass Band Showcase. The Excelsior Band kicks things off at 6 p.m. The Mayor will light the tree at 6:30 and then the Jukebox Brass Band will perform. The Blow House Brass Band performs at 7:20. Plus, there will be food trucks!  CLICK HERE  

10th Annual DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR BLACK TIE AWARDS GALA- Sun 5pm-9pm, Government Plaza, Downtown Mobile

Prepare for an exquisite evening where excellence meets purpose! Keynote speaker, Ashley Hogue, MD, will inspire with her vision and dedication. Dr. Hogue is the Director of the USA Health Center for Healthy Communities, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, and the Founder of Project Inspire. Her work in trauma, acute care surgery, and community health perfectly aligns with this year’s theme: “Character Matters."  CLICK HERE  

**** REVISED SCHEDULE DUE TO WX**** DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR 35th Annual MARCH/BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION- Monday, Downtown Mobile

UPDATE:

Due to the latest projected weather conditions, we’re adjusting our plans for Monday, January 20, 2025. Rest assured, nothing has been canceled—we’re just moving indoors to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.

Updated Schedule:

🌟 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Youth Ambassadors Breakfast

🌟 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Program preparations

🌟 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration — now inside the gym at Dearborn YMCA!

We’ll still have all the excitement you love, including speakers, food, music, singing, and more! Please note: Space is limited, so it’s first come, first served.

📢 Spread the word: The Dr. MLK Day Event will now be held INSIDE the Dearborn YMCA Gym starting at 12:00 Noon.  CLICK HERE  

**** CANCELED DUE TO WX **** PENSACOLA MLK DAY PARADE- Mon 11am, Spring & Garden Streets, Downtown Pensacola

The theme of the 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day Parade in Pensacola is “One Team - One Dream”. This lively celebration not only honors Dr. King’s profound impact but also fosters diversity and highlights the cultural and economic contributions of Pensacola’s residents.  CLICK HERE    

HALESTORM: THE LIVING ROOM SESSIONS WITH LZZY & JOE- Fri 8pm, Hard Rock Live Biloxi, CLICK HERE

HALESTORM: THE LIVING ROOM SESSIONS WITH LZZY & JOE- Sun 8pm, Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, CLICK HERE   

THE RAY HOWARD BAND: A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN- Fri 7:30pm, OWA Theater, OWA Parks & Resort, Foley, CLICK HERE   

HERMAN’S HERMITS starring PETER NOONE- Fri 8pm, IP Casino Biloxi, CLICK HERE    

THE DRIFTERS, CORNELL GUNTER’S COASTERS, and THE PLATTERS- Thurs 7:30pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre, Downtown Pensacola

DUSTY SLAY: THE NIGHT SHIFT TOUR- Sat 7pm, Pensacola Saenger Theatre, Downtown Pensacola, CLICK HERE   

SOULS OF TIME- Fri 7pm, Mobile Saenger Theatre, Downtown Mobile

SOULS OF TIME, a musical drama, is a story that follows a young girl named Jade, residing in Mobile in 2020 before the Pandemic.

Living with her emotionally abusive mother and younger brother in the Down the Bay community, Jade struggles with self-acceptance and self-love. Through an unexplained turn of events, she is transported to 1963, living in the body of Mary-Ann Thomas, a 15-year-old girl who lived in the same house 57 years earlier. She experiences firsthand the challenges of Black people in Mobile County during the height of segregation, subsequently, learning about herself, her culture, the history of Mobile County and Alabama, and her inner-generational resilience.  CLICK HERE   

I DO! I DO!- Thurs-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm (Jan 16-Jan 26), Chickasaw Civic Theatre, Chickasaw 

The musical I Do! I Do! brings to life the story of a couple, from their marriage in 1898 through the subsequent fifty years — with kids and diapers, careers and caresses, and even the occasional spat.  CLICK HERE  

GALLERY NIGHT PENSACOLA: LUNAR NEW YEAR “ART OF THE SNAKE”- Fri 5pm-9pm, Downtown Pensacola

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a mesmerizing evening of art, culture, and community as we honor the Year of the Snake. This vibrant Gallery Night event will explore the symbolic beauty of the snake—representing wisdom, transformation, and creativity—through diverse art forms and performances.  CLICK HERE  

MOBILE JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL- Various dates/locations through Jan 30th, Mobile and Fairhope

Thurs 2pm, Mobile Museum of Art: Vishniac 

Roman Vishniac is best known for his iconic images of Jewish life in Eastern Europe from 1935 through 1938. Few predicted that less than a decade later, these communities would be wiped out, and Vishniac’s photographs would provide the last visual records of an entire world. Now for the first time, his story comes to life as a feature documentary. CLICK HERE  

Sun 6pm, Ahavas Chesed Synagogue, Mobile: Reita Franco Memorial Film: The Catskills

The Catskills is a humorous and nostalgic tribute to what became affectionately known as the Borscht Belt. Through the lens of stand-up comedians delivering their finest routines and the reminiscences of former waiters, entertainers, and dance instructors, the film captures the essence of the family-run resorts and bungalows that served as the inspiration for iconic films like Dirty Dancing. By piecing together personal anecdotes, home videos, promotional images, postcards, and menus, this cinematic time capsule offers a comprehensive overview of Jewish immigration to New York.

Film preceded by a dinner of Borsht Belt old world delights at 6pm. Film begins at 7pm. CLICK HERE  

ART, DANCE & MUSIC @ MMofA - Sat 11am-2pm, Mobile Museum of Art, Langan Municipal Park, Mobile

This is a free, family-friendly day of fun to celebrate the special exhibition (Un)Settled: The Landscape in American Art!

Featuring an Art Talk by Mobile artist Charles Smith; music by the Mobile Alabama Africatown Drummers; and African Step lessons. Also enjoy scavenger hunts and art activities for all ages.  CLICK HERE   

GREAT DINOSAUR RACE- Sat 2pm-4pm, Exploreum Science Center, Downtown Mobile

Families/teams can participate in the Great Dinosaur Race around the Exploreum to try and win a 3D printed dinosaur egg containing a secret surprise. The first family/team to complete the race will win a Mini Plus Family Membership.  CLICK HERE  

BRIDGE BUILDER CLASSIC- Mon 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm - High School Games; 3pm HBCU game, USA Mitchell Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile

HBCU Basketball is back in the Port City! This is the fourth year for the classic featuring two Historically Black Colleges and Universities battling it out for the Bridge Builder Classic trophy. This year, the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University host the Tigers of Benedict College.  

Before the big game, four local high schools will take to the court to showcase the local talent.  

10:00 AM - LeFlore HS vs. B.T. Washington HS

11:30 AM - Blount HS vs. Jackson HS

1:00 PM - Murphy HS vs. Pine Forest HS

3:00 PM - Benedict College vs. Albany State

CLICK HERE   

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS HOCKEY: PEANUTS NIGHT- Fri 7pm, Pensacola Bay Center

The Peanuts gang makes their return to the Hangar for another fun night with friends and family!  CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS HOCKEY: WIENER DOG RACE NIGHT- Sat 7pm, Pensacola Bay Center

The most anticipated race of the 2024-25 season is back and better than ever. Sit back, relax, and take in exciting wiener dog races during the intermissions! Fans can register their dachshund to race now at: icefly.co/Race-Registration .   CLICK HERE  

PENSACOLA ICE FLYERS HOCKEY: SAVINGS SUNDAY- Sun 4pm, Pensacola Bay Center

Calling all kids! On this Savings Sunday, fans can purchase children’s tickets at 50% off at the Pensacola Bay Center box office.  CLICK HERE  

            

ICE SKATING RINK- November 15 - January 20 ***ENDS MONDAY****, Main Street at the Wharf, Orange Beach

Grab a pair of skates and glide, spin or fall into the season on real ice! CLICK HERE  

The Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, Washington, DC.

Photo: Jon Hicks / The Image Bank Unreleased / Getty Images


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