MCR Weekend Review: March 11-13, 2016

Posted by: Ted D. Davis

More magic was made in the Magic city this past weekend, which played host to country music stars, the comedy that has become synonymous with The Comedy Club Stardome, and a Hair and health expo in that felt like a day at Fashion Week.

On Wednesday March 9, 2016 WZZK 104.7 held a free concert at Rogue Tavern to benefit the Ronald McDonald house which houses and hosts the parents of children in long-term care at Children’s Hospital. The concert featured country music heart throb Michael Ray and local country songbird Cicliy Juliano.

Ray, who was mentored by John Rich of the superstar country music duo Big & Rich, won the singing competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep, and was signed to Warner Music Nashville for which his debut album spawned the single “Kiss You in the Morning”. The song reached number one on Country Airplay, a sixty position chart published by Billboard Magazine. In addition, he co-wrote Big & Rich’s 2015 single “Run Away with You”. The buff, neatly coiffed, and heavily tatted Ray, an Enerique Iglesias look alike, thrilled the predominantly female audience, as a collective coo could be heard at every strum of his guitar and lyric he sang in an acoustic show accompanied by a guitarist.

Ms. Juliano, with a look reminiscent of country superstar Miranda Lambert and a beautiful, twangy nasal tone in the vein of star Lee Ann Womack, author of the hit chart smashing 2000 single “I hope you Dance”, delighted the audience with a repertoire of selections, including her fantastic rendition of the Little Big Town hit “Girl Crush”. The talent and stage presence that these singer/songwriter’s possess gives hope for long careers that MCR hopes will produce more hit songs and featured performances in our town.

On Saturday, March 11, 2016 comedian/actor Faizon Love headlined at The Comedy Club Stardome, with opening acts Terry Tee and A.G. White. Love, best known for his hilarious portrayal of drug dealer Big Worm in Ice Cube’s 1995 hit movie Friday, a stressed department store manager in the 2003 Christmas blockbuster Elf, and as a beleaguered near divorcee in the 2009 hit Couples Retreat brought his absolutely bawdy brand of comedy to the stage this night. He recently made headlines for twitter rants in which he defends comedy legend Bill Cosby against his accusers in a sexual assault case, and it is out of that frankness that he crafts his standup routines. All in attendance laughed and cheered his performance, and those of the spontaneous Tee and the highly improvisational White.

Likewise, Saturday was the date of the exciting and informative Natural Hair and Health Expo, hosted by Jeffrey and Victor Simmons, owners of Visions Beauty Distributors, at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center North Exhibition hall. Authorities in the Natural hair and health sectors provided instruction to stylists and attendees alike on the latest in trends and styles, and beautiful models displayed fantastic hairstyles and clothing like an ecstatic group of bridesmaids, overjoyed with their marriage to movement taking place around them. The inclusion of free health screenings made the event one of stellar style and substance, and with attendance eclipsing that of the previous two years, the event looks to be a mainstay in the city for years to come. For more information on the event, see http://www.naturalhairandhealthexpo.com.

Magic City Radar had a great time attending this line up of events, and looks forward to future appearances from Ray, Juliano, Love, White, Tee, and the 2017 edition of the Expo. Stay tuned to Magic City Radar for the latest trends in entertainment, fashion, food, and cultural happenings in and around the city of Birmingham.