Torches, Tales, and Trails
C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa
Friday, October 4, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Last month, Chris McCoy wrote a Memphis Magazine cover story on the first Bluff City, the community that thrived here many centuries before European settlers arrived (if you haven’t read it, I’ve done you a favor and linked it here; I expect half a million emails in my inbox thanking me for this kind favor, and another half a million in Chris’ praising him for writing this story). This is relevant because a) we at Memphis Magazine — our sister publication — like to talk about ourselves and b) because I’d like to talk about the Torches, Tales, and Trails (try saying that fives times fast) happening at Chucalissa, the prehistoric site that Chris spends quite a bit talking about. At this Torches, Tales, and Trails, guests will stroll under the night sky guided by the light of a candle and a park ranger who likes to tell tales long forgotten. Yes, you’ll be given old-timey candle-lanterns to borrow as you make your way through Chucalissa on a 1.5 mile walk as a ranger shares Southern folktales. Bring our own water and bug spray because you don’t have to live old-timey if you don’t want to. And you can bring a flashlight. Register for the event here. It’s $20 to attend. If you have any questions, feel free to call Ranger Daulton at (901) 607-7008. Don’t tell him I sent you. He doesn’t know me, and quite frankly, you don’t either.
De Aquí y de Allá
Halloran Centre
Friday, October 4, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, October 5, 7:30 p.m.
Don Quixote is considered the first modern novel. I know this because for some reason it was on many of my history tests back in my grade school and even high school days. I don’t know why. It’s a handy fact though. Well, not really, since I don’t often think about Don Quixote nor do I know anything about Don Quixote other than he’s the hero of the first modern novel. But it is handy that Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group is putting on De Aquí y de Allá, which is all about the courageous Don Quixote of La Mancha, so now I have a reason to pull out my handy fun fact AND I can actually learn about the guy. During this play performed in Englsih and Spanish, Don Quixote and his trusty sidekick, Sancho Panza, go on an adventure full of fun, music, dance, culture and more through Latin America including Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. Tickets ($25) can be purchased here.
Alice Hasen Dream of Rain EP Release Show with Savannah Brister
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Friday, October 4, 7:30 p.m.
Alice Hasen celebrates the release of Dream of Rain, which Alex Greene wrote about a few weeks ago (read it here). The project explores themes of climate change and mental health and will be performed live by a string quartet and guest flutist. Opening on piano will be Savannah Brister. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase them here.
Mempho Festival
Radians Amphitheater At Memphis Botanic Garden
Friday-Sunday, October 4-6
Are you a Memphomaniac? Am I allowed to say that? Eh. That’s the best pun I came up with all day, and I don’t really feel like pushing my brain anymore. Mempho has returned, this year with headliners Jack White, Trey Anastasio, and Cody Jinks. Also on the lineup are The Roots, Digable Planets, Goose, Sublime with Rome, Marcus King, Charles Wesley Godwin, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Cory Wong, Warren Haynes Band, and The Kills. Other artists will fill in the roster as well, including some of this city’s finest artists. Three-day and single-day tickets to the Mempho Music Festival can be purchased here.
Hi Tone 25th Anniversary
Hi Tone
Friday-Sunday, October 4-6
Michael Donahue wrote the following. People seem to listen to him more than me, so here are his golden words from his golden mouth, or to be precise, the golden words from his golden email address. Any errors are not my own, but it’s probably perfect because Michael Donahue is perfect. “Hi Tone is turning 25. WHAT???!!!!! And owner Brian ‘Skinny’ McCabe is throwing a three-day festival October 4th through 6th at 282-284 North Cleveland to commemorate the occasion. Fifteen bands plus special secret guests will perform. Among the bands are Lucero, Dead Soldiers, and Heels, which will perform October 4th; and Pezz and Subteens on October 5th. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. October 4th and 5th. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the show begins at 4 p.m. October 6th. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Tickets and more information at hitonecafe.com.”
V&E Greenline Artwalk
V&E Greenline’s Kirby Station House Grounds
Saturday, October 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
You can talk the talk, but can you walk the Artwalk? Yeah, you can! I mean, it’s less of a walk and more of a stroll. Honestly, it’s less of a stroll and more of a stop and stare, chat, drink, eat, take a few steps, repeat. More than 50 artists and craftspeople from across the local area will set up in artists booths, showing off and selling a variety of media including painting, sculpture, jewelry design, fine glass, ceramics, woodwork, mixed media, photography, fiber arts, and more. The day will be complete with all your favorite food trucks, a full bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, a silent auction, V&E Greenline merchandise, a kids activity area, and a lineup of local-favorite music throughout the day. Admission is free, and all profits benefit the V&E Greenline General Fund which covers maintenance of the trail and its amenities as well as “behind the scenes” expenses such as insurance.
Fuller Festival
T.O. Fuller State Park
Saturday, October 5, noon-5 p.m.
You know what makes a weekend full? Live music. You know what makes it even fuller? A whole day of live music. Make that free and title it the Fuller Festival, and I don’t think you can get any fuller than that. On the Fuller Festival’s lineup are Gerald Richardson, the Bogard’s of Memphis, Just Groovin band, Sarah Smilez, and more, with MC Towanna Murphy. Plus, Memphis Concrete will present a special album release picnic for the experimental music group Nonconnah at 2:30 p.m. with guest performances by Stupid Lepton and Fosterfalls.
901 World Hoop Day
Memphis Made Brewery
Saturday, October 5, 2-10 p.m.
Hoop there it is! That was my alternate title for this week’s “We Recommend” column that I also write. Did you know that I do more than just write this here “On the Fly”? It’s crazy that they let me write a whole column. I literally almost typed out “right” instead of “write” and I’m supposed to be a righter — I mean, writer. Anyways, if you haven’t read it yet, this week’s “We Recommend” (actually titled “Hoop That Trick”) is about 901 World Hoop Day, a day dedicated to the world of hula hooping. It’s a whole culture. Who knew? The event will have hula hooping, pole dancing, aerial, and fire dancing. OMG. There are workshops, some for beginners and most for those in the scene. Again, who knew? Those are $15 to attend. Details here. If you just want to see some folks doing some cool tricks with hula hoops, poles, silks, and fire, it’s free to look (but not in a creepy way), so grab a beer and show your support. (Also, Memphis Made happens to be doing a donation drive for Hurricane Helene relief, so do with that what you will.)
Master Metalsmith: Preston Jackson | “A Hidden Culture”
Metal Museum
On display through January 26, 2025
This week, the Metal Museum opened its latest exhibition, “A Hidden Culture.” To quote the museum: “We proudly recognize Preston Jackson as our 38th Master Metalsmith. In Jackson’s words, the exhibition ‘reveals history that has been buried, forgotten, or deemed unimportant by society.’ The exhibition brings together sixteen freestanding sculptures in cast bronze and four paintings by the prolific and esteemed Preston Jackson that give voice to perspectives previously overlooked by history books. In addition, a monumental cast bronze triptych will be displayed at the Memphis Botanic Garden.” Jackson will give an artist’s talk at the Memphis Botanic Garden on Thursday, October 16, 5 p.m., and at the Metal Museum on Saturday, October 19, 4 p.m.
There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.
Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.
