Kira Nix is an entrepreneur to the core, but her passion is more than money. It’s giving people beautiful moments to enjoy. The aspiring business woman has been providing this sensation to the people of Birmingham and beyond with both Not Your Average Picnic and The Dope Show experiences. Nix is now merging the two brands to create Dope Events and Picnics, the ultimate Magic City entertainment resource.
“I started the picnic business over a year ago now. It’s been pretty successful,” Kira shares, “I know there’s not a lot of people in the Birmingham area that do a lot as far as picnics go. More people need to venture out and do different things during the summer. It gives family, friends, and couples something different to do other than the typical date or day outing.”
Nix’s picnics come in a variety of forms, and tend to shift how they look based on the customer. Basic packages with charcuterie boards and wine start at $150 but picnics can include everything from hookahs to a sip and paint experience. Interested parties can email Kira at Kiranix56@gmail.com or message her on Instagram at @thekiram_ for more pricing information. “It’s not an average picnic as you can tell. Most picnics you out there with a picnic basket or a bag with a blanket. This is an entire setup. It makes you feel like you have the aesthetic,” Nix explains, “ It’s like when people go to dinner in Paris for example - you want that aesthetic and that’s why you’re there. When I want to feel luxurious, I’m going to book luxurious.”
Dope Events and Picnics will even do travel trips if the client is interested, and hosts surprise location picnics as well. One of the current more local favorite spots for Nix is Pelham City Park. “It’s a good location. Lots of family-orientated things out there,” the entrepreneur shares, “They have volleyball, basketball, dog parks. There's a lot happening around the area so being in the middle of that will attract people to see what you’re doing.” Railroad Park is another favorite location of Nix’s, but she’s really been enjoying locations in the smaller communities outside of the Birmingham metro.
Kira has an event planning career background, and understands what it takes to make a client feel most at ease with the entire planning process. “I want people to feel free and comfortable. Sometimes when you're booking things or working with coordinators, they make you feel intimidated. They don’t make you feel like ‘Oh we’re besties.’,” Nix entails, going on to share that . “I want more people to do things and get outside while enjoying the environment and nature. Not just always sitting in the house watching the TV - I love a good Netflix series don’t get me wrong - but like today. It’s a beautiful day and I want to be outside and enjoy it. I’m an outside type of girl. I’m from the country so things like this mean a lot to me. Having picnics, spending time with family and friends. It’s a good way to build connections and meet other people. You never know what you’re going to get out of it.”
Nix’s event planning history means that Dope Events and Picnics is more than capable to help plan weddings, engagement parties, birthdays, and more - especially if they have a nature setting! The first “Dope Show” event was a sold out success that featured some of Birmingham’s hottest musicians including ChriStyle, Michael Kure, Alexis Rhines, John Jr., Ham-Flo, Kansas Chaney, and Beezie Conwell, and the business only plans to host more fun gatherings including block parties and day parties.
For Kira this business was always bigger than a money maker (although that’s great too). “It means that I’m showing people how to love themselves, and how to explore and do different things. Don’t settle for the basic just because we see the basic everyday,” Nix reflects, “Step out and do something different. Enjoy your life, have fun, embrace what you’re doing, and love every second of it. It’s kind of hard to describe it: I do this for me because I want to see people enjoy themselves. I love seeing people having a good time. My very first picnic - Michael Kure won - and I stayed out there the entire time and coordinated their picnic. It went from a picnic to a music video to us doing sack races and playing volleyball. It was just a lot of fun. For me - I’m 26 - it brought me back to being a kid which brought me a lot of peace. That day made me feel like I knew I was on that right path.”
We are glad the right path for Kira means more fun memories made in the Magic City.
Cover image taken by Kansas Chaney
