Welcome to a vibrant June in Tuscaloosa! From captivating art exhibitions to outdoor concerts and nostalgic blockbuster movie screenings, this month is brimming with exciting events.
‘Lasting Impressions’ Artist Reception & Exhibit
June 2, 5-8 p.m., Paul R. Jones Museum, free
Associate Professor Sarah Marshall’s printmaking students created their own artworks in response to selected works from the Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art to create an exhibition, Lasting Impressions: Responses to the Paul R. Jones Collection by Printmaking 321. The public is invited to an artists’ reception during First Friday Art Walk. The exhibit is on display through July 28.
Live at the Plaza Summer Concert Series
Fridays in June and July, 6 p.m., Government Plaza
Go to Government Plaza every Friday in June and July for free, live, local music. Live at the Plaza is family and pet friendly! Grab your crew, a picnic blanket and some folding chairs.
Movies in the Park
Saturdays in June and July, Dusk, Government Plaza
Townsquare Media presents this free, family-friendly movie series throughout the summer. Families are encouraged to come out just after dusk for a film and local eats from area food trucks. This month, family can enjoy “Homeward Bound” June 3, “The Lion King” June 10, “Remember the Titans” June 17 and “Akeelah and the Bee” June 24.
Junior Naturalist: Turtles
June 17, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Alabama has the highest diversity in turtle species in the United States! Join the Alabama Museum of Natural History and The Urban Turtle Project for an exciting day of exploring and learning about turtles.
‘Hallelujah Girls’ presented by Theatre Tuscaloosa
June 1-4, 7:30 p.m., Bean-Brown Theatre, Shelton State Community College
Hilarity abounds when the feisty females of Eden Falls, Georgia, decide to shake up their lives. This sidesplitting, joyful Southern comedy will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah!”
Bama Art House Film Series Summer 2023
June 6-July 11, 7 p.m., Bama Theatre
“Nostalgic Blockbusters” is the theme of this series presented by The Arts Council of Tuscaloosa. Enjoy classic films like “Jaws,” “The Goonies” and “Back to the Future,” to name a few. Screenings begin at 7 p.m. with the doors, box office and Bama Bar opening at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 general, $9 students and seniors, and $8 Arts Council members. All tickets are for sale at the box office prior to each film.
Kentuck Kids Studios
June 10 and 24, 9:30 a.m. and noon, Kentuck
Kentuck is offering art classes for children ages 2-8 to play, explore and learn what the arts have to offer. Every Saturday will feature a different art-themed activity with two time slots. Each class is one hour but sign up for both and enjoy two hours of creative play.
Celebrate Local
June 13, 11:30 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuscaloosa River Market
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Celebrate Local is a one-of-a-kind social, shopping and tasting event to highlight locally owned, independent businesses. With over 20 different local businesses set up, this is a great way for locals to discover new shops that they might not have heard of.
Saturday Art Market
June 17, 9:30-noon, Kentuck Art Center
Experience Kentuck and shop from local artists in the Courtyard of Wonders during Saturday Art Markets. There will be sidewalk chalk and a small $2 craft you and your little ones can enjoy. The market is free and family friendly.
Juneteenth Parade
June 17, 10 a.m., Tuscaloosa
Celebrate Juneteenth, the national holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., with a family-friendly parade sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Branch of the NAACP. The parade starts at Westlawn Middle School and proceeds along Martin Luther King Boulevard, ending at the McDonald Hughes Community Center.
Juneteenth Celebration in the Park
June 17, noon-6 p.m., Palmore Park, free
After the parade, Juneteenth festivities continue with a community celebration featuring recording artist Nathanial Kimble and others, local food trucks, kid activities like bounce houses, and more. Bring your tents, coolers and chairs for an afternoon of music and fun.
The Ultimate Summer Night
June 23, 6-8 p.m., Midtown Village, free
Kick off the official start of summer with a concert on the green, food trucks, local vendors, kid-friendly activities and a live performance by Fents The Band. Bring your lawn chair!