Next Week Today is a selection of our picks from the upcoming week’s events, published every Sunday at 11 a.m. We’ll give you juuuuuust enough detail to whet your whistle, and then let you do the digging. In other words, these are the events we recommend giving a second, perhaps even third glance as you wend your way along the path to entertainment.

Bunches of Labor Day and post-Labor Day fun to be had this week, from gross-out B-movies to dog festivals to theatre in a warehouse full of fire engines. Check it.

MONDAYSeptember 5

Seasick Labor Day Block Party Jammer w/ Courtesy, Sugar Plums, DOGG & The Audiovore (Seasick Records, 3 p.m.) — Join the fine folks at Seasick Records for their first-ever Labor Day block party jammer. With a bevy of band performances plus a DJ set from The Audiovore for you to enjoy at this free BYOB event, good times should be had by all (plus you can grab some new tunes while you’re there).

WEDNESDAYSeptember 7

Courtney Barnett / We Don’t Ride Llamas (Iron City, 8 p.m.) — Grammy-nominated Aussie singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett is gracing the Iron City stage with her signature laid-back delivery and insightful lyrics that run the subject gamut from mundane personal issues to cosmic existentialism.

TVs of Terror presents Saturn’s September SLUGS Slimeboree! (Saturn, 8 p.m.) — Get ready to be grossed out! This edition of TVs of Terror puts the 1988 American/Spanish creature feature Slugs up for your slimy enjoyment. Join the residents of a rural Northeastern town as they fight off an invasion from mutant slugs created by improper disposal of toxic waste. Ewwwwwwwwwww.

THURSDAYSeptember 8

Jordy Searcy w/ Julianna Zachariou (Avondale Brewing Company, 7 p.m.) — Jordy Searcy has a voice smooth enough that it would easily sound at home in over-produced radio pop, but instead he’s using it to craft intricate and inspirational tunes that uplift. He’s joined by Julianna Zachariou, one half of the group Echobaby, whose aesthetic is much more down-to-earth and should be a nice contrast/compliment.

FRIDAYSeptember 9

Artwalk — Day One (20th St. N from 1st Ave N. to 3rd Ave. N., 5 p.m.) — Artwalk, Birmingham’s free, annual two-day art festival, has returned to its 20th Street North location for this year’s version and will feature work from around 80 mostly local artists creating in a multitude of mediums. Friday night is a little more festive, so if you’re looking for a party, then come out for day one.

Thornton Dial: I, Too, Am Alabama — Opening Night Reception & Panel (Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, 5:30 p.m.) — Speaking of art, Friday is also the opening reception for AEIVA’s latest exhibit, an exploration of the life and work of Alabama artist Thornton Dial, which marks the first large exhibit of his work in his home state. There will also be a panel discussion focused on Dial’s work with members of his family and others.

Gary Clark Jr. (Avondale Brewing Company, 7 p.m.) — Gary Clark Jr. has long-surpassed his roots as a blues musician, incorporating elements of rock, hip-hop and funk into his evolving sound, culminating in the massive step forward that was his 2019 album This Land, which saw him embrace protest music in a politically charged tour de force that garnered him four Grammy nominations.

SATURDAYSeptember 10

Artwalk — Day Two (20th St. N from 1st Ave N. to 3rd Ave. N., 10 a.m.) — Day Two of Artwalk gets an earlier start and is a much more laid-back atmosphere than Friday night’s. Geared more towards family and children, there will be a KidZone open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lots of crafts and other activities for the kiddos. Might be enough to keep them docile while you peruse the art on hand.

Lee Bains In-Store Performance (Seasick Records, 12 p.m.) — Did you miss Lee Bains when he passed through The Nick last week? Or perhaps you just didn’t get enough time with the records at Seasick during the block party on Monday? Well, this is the perfect event for you then! Bains will be doing a free in-store performance at noon, so get some up-close-and-personal time with one of Alabama’s rock ‘n’ roll greats. (Also, if you can’t make this event at noon, check out Lee’s other free show on Saturday with Lonnie Holley at AEIVA).

Canine Companions presents Dogfest Alabama (Railroad Park, 11 a.m.) — DogFest Alabama brings canine lovers of all types to Railroad Park to celebrate their furry friends while fundraising for Canine Companions, a group dedicated to providing service dogs to people with disabilities. Bring that doggo of yours and make sure you register to be able to take part in the festivities.

SUNDAYSeptember 11

The Guys by Anne Nelson (Southern Vintage Fire Apparatus Association Warehouse, 3 p.m.) — Birmingham Festival Theatre and Southern Vintage Fire Apparatus Association present this reading of Anne Nelson’s play dramatizing the “true story of how a writer and a Fire Captain sought to honor the fallen heroes of 9/11.” If you have proof of being a first responder, bring it with you for a 50% discount off a pair or more of tickets.

Laugh Garden (Saturn, 8 p.m.) — Laugh Garden is a “comedy variety event” produced by co-creators Alice Whatley and Lauren Lamphere, featuring not just stand-up comics getting their funny on, but also music performances and local small-business vendors for your shopping enjoyment.