TUSK CALENDAR: Who's playing and what's happening

This week in West Alabama, April 18-24, the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater season begins with Riley Green; annual favorites Death by Chocolate, Puppy Palooza and the West Alabama Food and Wine Festival return; theater offerings run at the University of Alabama, Shelton State, and in Birmingham at the BJCC and Lyric Theatre; and the Tuscaloosa Public Library hosts an album-release party for Taylor Swift's latest, "The Tortured Poets Department."

MUSIC

THURSDAY

Riley Green, Tracy Lawrence and Ella Langley: 7:30 p.m. Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, and at the Amp box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, for $89.50, $79.50, $59.50, $49.50, and $39.50, plus fees and taxes.

Jazz Night with the Jules: 8-10 p.m., Nocturnal Tavern, 2209 Fourth St., downtown Tuscaloosa.

FRIDAY

Lindy Urban: 6:30-8 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. www.druidcitybrewing.com.

Alex Ott: 6-9 p.m., The Venue Tuscaloosa, 6052 Watermelon Road, Northport. www.venuetuscaloosa.com/events.

SATURDAY

Gimme Gimme Disco: 8-10 p.m., $18, Druid City Music Hall, 1307 University Blvd., The Strip, UA campus. www.druidcitymusichall.com.

SUNDAY

Open-mic night: 6 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. www.druidcitybrewing.com.

WEDNESDAY

Celtic Women: 7 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $32 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.bjcc.org.

LOCAL EVENTS

ONGOING through JULY 20

"Southern Queer History ― Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition": Exhibit on display telling the story of the queer community in Tuscaloosa, Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum, 1901 Jack Warner Parkway. In collaboration with the Summersell Center for the Study of the South, UA grad student Callum Campbell researched the obscured narratives of the queer community through the lens of the Tuscaloosa Lesbian Coalition (TLC). The exhibit sheds light on the resilience and resourcefulness of Tuscaloosa’s queer community, and expresses appreciation for their contributions to the broader social fabric of the city. 205-248-4931.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

"She Loves Me": Performed by the UA Department of Theatre and Dance, Marian Gallaway Theatre, Rowand-Johnson Hall, UA campus. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, ,closing with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Set in the 1930s, this Broadway classic features two bickering coworkers who are unknowingly pen pals in a secret handwritten romance. As their letters of love and longing cross paths with everyday interaction, the stage is set for a heartwarming comedy of eros and errors. Tickets, $25 general, $22 seniors, and $10 each for group rates, through ua.universitytickets.com.

"The Diviners": Performed by Shelton State theater, in the D-rooms (just off the atrium at Shelton's Martin campus), 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. Set in a small, mythical Indiana town in the 1930s, this modern-day parable tells the story of a mentally challenged boy whose childhood trauma left him with an extreme fear of water and a gift: he's a diviner, someone who can locate underground aquifers. He befriends a disillusioned Kentucky preacher passing through town, whose well-meant guidance leads to calamity. All tickets $5. www.theatretusc.com/diviners.

THURSDAY

Death By Chocolate: 5:30 p.m., Tuscaloosa Market, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa. Patrons can taste delicacies from about 12 of the area's best bakers and chefs, then cast a vote for their favorites. Awards will include People's Choice, Chef's Choice, and others for creativity, presentation and table decor. Fund-raiser for Family Counseling Service. Tickets, $35, through www.counselingservice.org/shop.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

"Don Quixote": Kid-friendly ballet performed by Magic City Performing Arts, Lyric Theatre, 1800 Third Ave. N., Birmingham. Performances at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets, $10 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.lyricbham.com.

SATURDAY

Third Annual Puppy Palooza: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the green at Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E. Live music, a puppy photo booth, face painting, and more; free and open to the public. Vendors will offer opportunities to support the Metro Animal Shelter.

DCBC Smoke Show: Music and food fest, 1-11 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. Music by Haunted House Cat, Blip, Sqquat, beginning at 7 p.m. Voluntary donations of $4.20 (or more) will be accepted to help pay the bands. Specials on sale from Ell's Kitchen include the Pinner, a hot dog with Russian dressing kraut, diced pickles and a topping of Funyun shake; the Fatty, a quarter-pound all beef dog on a hoagie roll, with smoked pulled pork, beer cheese, barbecue sauce and pulverized Flamin' Hot Cheetos; the Hotbox, nachos with smoked chicken, green onions, jalapenos and more; and the Pineapple Express, a thin-crust pizza with pineapple, bologna, diced pickles and beer mustard.

Taylor Swift album release party: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuscaloosa Public Library main branch, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa. Party will celebrate Swift's newest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," with themed activities, snacks, and a spin of the new disc. Registration is required due to limited space. To reserve a spot, visit or call the reference department at 205-345-5820, ext. 1271, or press 1 after dialing the Main Branch.

Flow Tuscaloosa walking lantern parade: Gathering from 5 p.m. onward, starting near the Army Corps of Engineers office, in the field area west of the River Market, to prepare lanterns and learn about local waterways. As sunset approaches, the parade will begin along the Riverwalk, moving west toward Parker-Haun Park. www.flowtuscaloosa.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Showing of the movie, with live accompaniment by a symphony orchestra. Tickets, $25 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.bjcc.org.

SUNDAY

2024 West Alabama Food and Wine Festival: 4-7 p.m., downtown Northport. VIP admission begins at 3:30. General admission $100; VIP $125. Tickets include tastings from more than 30 restaurants and distributors, and a keepsake wine glass. In addition to early entry, VIP tickets also include private lounge seating. Proceeds will benefit two Alabama nonprofits, Turning Point Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services, and the West Alabama Food Bank. www.westalabamafoodandwine.org.

"The Psychology of Serial Killers, and Why They Captivate Us": 7:30 p.m., BJCC Theatre, Birmingham, featuring Rachel Toles, clinical psychologist. Tickets, $29 and up, through www.ticketmaster.com. www.bjcc.org.

MONDAY

This Could Be You: Comedy show with open-mic, 8-11 p.m., Black Warrior Brewing Co., 2216 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa. Signup at 7:30. Hosted by Stand-Up Tuscaloosa and Compton Smith.

MONDAY-TUESDAY

"Smoke on the Mountain" auditions: Actor's Charitable Theatre will hold auditions for its production of the gospel comedy-musical at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the ACT facilities, 3801 Alabama Ave. in Holt. Performances will be May 30-June 2. www.theact.online.

UPCOMING

APRIL 26: Travis Tritt, Chase Matthew, Frank Foster, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the amp's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway in downtown Tuscaloosa, for $99.50, $79.50, $59.50 and $39.50.

MAY 12: Rick Springfield, 38 Special, 7:30 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets, at $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 and $29.50, plus fees and taxes, through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

MAY 17: Billy Currington, Kip Moore, Redferrin, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the amphitheater box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa, for $99.75, $89.75, $69.75, $49.75 and $29.75, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

JUNE 1: Kool and the Gang, The Bar-Kays, Midnight Star, Lakeside, 6 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, for $110.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50, $39.50 and $29.50, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

JUNE 7: KC & the Sunshine Band, Rose Royce, Dazz Band, 6:30 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, downtown Tuscaloosa. Prices will be $99.50, $89.50, $59.50, $49.50, $29.50 and $19.50, not including fees and taxes.

SEPT. 20: Cody Jinks, the Cadillac Three and Calder Allen, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, for $258, $158, $107.50, $87.50, $67.50, $47.50 and $33, plus taxes and fees. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

AUG. 30: Tom Segura, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets for $99.50, $59.50, $49.50, and $32.50, plus fees and taxes, through www.ticketmaster.com, or or at the venue's box office, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

SEPT. 26: Koe Wetzel, Treaty Oak Revival, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the 2710 Jack Warner Parkway box office, for $83, $63, $53, $43, plus fees and taxes. www.mercedesbenzamphitheater.com.

OCT. 3: The Commodores, Pointer Sisters, Spinners, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, Tuscaloosa. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the 2710 Jack Warner Parkway box office, for $159.50, $139.50, $99.50, $79.50, $59.50 and $39.50, not including fees and taxes.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: TUSK CALENDAR: Who's playing and what's happening