Category: On the Fly

Barbecue Weekend
May means barbecue in Memphis, and this year we have two whole barbecue festivals on the same weekend: Memphis in May’s World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the new SmokeSlam. Read about what to expect from the two festivals in our barbecue cover story here.

• World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, Liberty Park, Wednesday-Saturday, May 15-May 18, $15.00-$549
• SmokeSlam, Tom Lee Park, Thursday-Saturday, May 16-May 18, $15.13-$544.74

DreamFest Weekend 13
Minglewood Hall | Friday, May 17, 6 p.m.
Overton Park Shell | Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, 6 p.m.
A dream is a wish your heart makes, and if your heart wished for a weekend dedicated to music, music, and more music, well, you’re in luck: This weekend is DreamFest Weekend, which means three days of free music for the whole family. Find out more here.

The ’Vous
Museum of Science & History
Friday, May 17, 7 p.m.
Catch a screening of The ’Vous documentary about the world-famous Memphis barbecue institution and celebrity attraction The Rendezvous as it faces unprecedented change as the legendary waiters retire and family business moves into a third generation. A Q&A and tasting will follow the screening. Tickets are $12/adults, $10/seniors (60+), and $10/youth (3-12). Purchase tickets here. (Read more about the film in Chris McCoy’s article here.)

Experience Memphis Gardens: Cooper-Young Garden Walk
Cooper-Young Historic District
Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Embark on the first garden tours of the Experience Memphis Gardens citywide garden walk with the Cooper-Young Garden Walk. The two-day event will feature over 100 gardens, speakers, musicians, and garden vendors throughout the vibrant, historic neighborhood. Tickets for the CY Garden Walk will also get you into the other 250-plus amazing gardens throughout the Greater Memphis area that are a part of the monthlong Experience Memphis Gardens tour. And they cost only $26 for 26 days of fun. Learn more about the event here.

AAPI Heritage Month Celebration
Bert Ferguson Community Center
Saturday, May 18, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, so explore the rich and diverse cultures of Memphis’ local Asian ethnic communities. Enjoy live performances, cultural activities, and food. This event highlights the diversity of Memphis with representation from Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Pakistani communities.

Comic Con
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fans of comics, movies, anime, manga, video games and pop culture in general will want to check out Memphis Public Libraries’ second annual Comic Con, where you can meet Matt Wagner and Gene Ha as well as more than 50 local vendors selling art, comics, toys, prints, graphic novels, art supplies, knickknacks, and more. There will also be free graphic novels for the first 200 in attendance — we’re talking Grendel, Mae, Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Heartstopper, Hilo, Nimona and My Hero Academia, to name just a few. There will also be arts and crafts, face painting for the little ones, and food trucks. Trivia will take place at 11 a.m. as will a children’s story time, followed by a Super Smash Bros. Tournament at noon. Matt Wagner and Gene Ha will participate in a panel discussion at 1 p.m., and you can register for a cosplay contest at 2 p.m.

Uptown Arts Festival
Grind City Brewing Company
Saturday, May 18, noon-7 p.m.
Grind City’s yard will transform into Uptown’s very own art festival. Local artists and businesses from and near the neighborhood will be selling food, goods, and high-quality art. Experience the Uptown neighborhood, local artists, live music, local food and dry goods, games, freebies, and beer of course. It’s free to enter, $10 to park.

Goat Yoga in the Park
Marquette Park
Saturday, May 18, 1-3 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of yoga and cute goats from 901Goats from Walkapony Goat Ranch at this fun, free event hosted by Play Your Park. There are two time slots for Goat Yoga in the Park: 1 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. No pre-registration is required. Slots are first come, first served to the first 80 people at the event. This event is for ages 10 and up.

City of Memphis’ 205th Birthday Celebration
Overton Square
Wednesday, May 22, 6 p.m.
Happy birthday to you, Memphis! That’s right: Overton Square is celebrating Memphis’ 205th birthday with a performance by jazz and blues artist Jeremy Shrader, an Elvis impersonator, plus a birthday balloon photo opp and Memphis themed treats for sale at 17 Berkshire.

Concerts in The Grove: Chinese Connection Dub Embassy
The Grove at Germantown Performing Arts Center
Thursday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.
GPAC will have music, food trucks, and corn hole, all in the beautiful, park-like setting of the TruGreen Lawn. Cocktails and drink specials are available on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Outside food and drinks are permitted at Concerts in The Grove. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here. Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month’s Hungry Tiger Tour
Various locations
Select dates in the month of May
This May take a delicious food journey highlighting Memphis’s Asian ethnic communities. Joining the tour is simple! No pre-registration required: Just grab some friends for lunch/dinner — or make some new ones along the way — and get ready to taste the best of Memphis eats. The schedule is as follows: Friday, May 10, 12:30 p.m., at Casarap; Monday, May 13, 7 p.m., at Petals of a Peony; Friday, May 17, 12:30 p.m., Mochi & Mi (inside Rio Grande Market); Monday, May 20, 6:30 p.m., at Sen Trang; Friday, May 24, 12:30 p.m., at Ryu Sushi & Pho; and Friday, May 31, 12:30 p.m., at Mosa Asian Bistro. Find out more about AAPI Heritage Month in Memphis at aapiheritagemonthmemphis.com/2024.

A Picture of Home: Chalk Drawing Competition
Crosstown Concourse
Friday, May 10, 4-6 p.m.
Join Hospitality Hub for a short conversation about the complexities of chronic homelessness and the Hub’s work with encampments, then flex your creativity by creating a chalk drawing of what “home” means to you. Winners will be announced the following week. The Hub will be at the Crosstown Plaza in May raising awareness about Hub Village, which will serve as an innovative solution for emergency shelter and transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness. See the full calendar for programming here. 

Gabriel Iglesias
FedExForum 
Friday, May 10, 8 p.m.
He’s so fluffy I’m gonna die. And that’s a compliment. And I’m talking about Fluffy, aka Gabriel Iglesias, who’s bringing his Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour to the FedExForum. Tickets start at $47 and can be purchased here.

Pickleball Street Party
Edge District, 400 Monroe
Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Don’t put yourself in a pickle this weekend. Play pickleball. Following the Orion 5k, which benefits MIFA Meals on Wheels (sign up here), Pickleball 901 will host the Pickleball Street Party for pickleball newbies and oldies. There will be FOUR pickleball courts along the street, along with great music, food, and local beer all day! All you have to do is show up, sign up, and choose an available court time. First come, first served.

Art For All Festival
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
You might have an art-attack at the Art For All Festival, a free celebration of all things art. You can expect free admission to the Brooks; musical and theatrical performances from Stax Music Academy, Opera Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble, and more; pop-up galleries and art-making stations from Arrow Creative, Opera Memphis, Metal Museum, UrbanArt Commission, RiverArtsFest, and more; traveling exhibit “I AM” presented by Historic Clayborn Temple; art and culture activations from Orpheum Theatre and Stax Museum; and so much more (seriously, like so much more). Again, this is a free event, but make sure you register here. 

Sunset Jazz: Ted Ludwig
Court Square
Sunday, May 12, 6 p.m.
Jazz up your weekend with, well, some jazz. And free jazz at that, thanks to the Sunset Jazz at Court Square concert series. This weekend’s performance will be by Ted Ludwig. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcomed. Oh, and did you see Alex Greene’s article all about the series this week? Go on and get to reading if you haven’t!

Spring Fling: Afrobeats and Island Rhythms 
The Ravine
Saturday, May 11, 5-7:30 p.m.
You may have been to Zumba in the Park with David Quarles, but this time he’s brought serious back up — Catherine Marte and Michelle Primiano! Enjoy an extra long dance session with a group of pro instructors plus healthy vendors and music by DJ Sledro to keep you moving all evening in the Medical District’s newest event space, The Ravine!

Mother’s Day
Yo mama’s so great, they dedicated a whole day to her. And I bet you forgot. Shame on you. So, lucky for you, here are some things you can do this Mother’s Day, so you can act like you remembered all along. No need to thank me or anything. Just thank your mother. Or don’t if she’s, like, evil or something. I don’t know your life.

• Baby Day at the Zoo: Meet the newest members of the zoo family this Mother’s Day weekend, with baby keeper chats. Memphis Zoo, Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Blooms & Brunch: A Mother’s Day Weekend Pop Up: Treat the human moms, dog moms, and mother figures in your life to a day they won’t forget with a delightful build-your-own bouquet cart from Hosanna’s Floral Co., delicious brunch from Hustle & Dough, and mimosa and Bloody Mary specials from Bar Hustle. Bar Hustle at ARRIVE Memphis, Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Mother’s Day at Memphis Botanic Garden: Treat mom to a libation from the cash bar. Enjoy the Picnic Grove or bring a blanket to pick your perfect setting. Children can plant a flower for mom. Memphis Botanic Garden, Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free with admission. 
• Mother’s Day on the River: Surprise your mom, mother, meemaw, or granny with a memorable trip down the Wolf River. Wolf River Conservancy, Sunday, May 12, 12:30-5 p.m.
• Mother’s Day Brunch at The Guest House at Graceland: Elvis Presley famously cherished his mother, calling her “the most wonderful person in the world.” Show the mother in your life the same love and affection by treating her to a special Mother’s Day experience with great food and live music at The Guest House at Graceland. Guest House at Graceland, Sunday, May 12, $55
• Symphony in the Gardens: Celebrate Mother’s Day with Big Band music performed by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra on the Dixon South Lawn. Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Sunday, May 12, 5-7 p.m.

Mississippi Moon Festival Presents: Artist Showcase Preview
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Thursday, May 16, 7 p.m.
Hear a sampling of 11 musicians performing acoustic Americana music before the bigger Mississippi Moon Festival happens in June in Olive Branch, Mississippi, where 29 local, regional, and national musicians and songwriters make the two-day camping and arts festival a truly unique experience on June 7th and 8th. Thursday’s performance includes Alice Hasen, Josh Thelkeld, Jake Keegan, Lily Brown, Rachel Maxann, Kelly Hunt, Wyly Bigger, Alexis Jade, Sarah Spain, Amber Rae Dunn, and Anna Sharpe. Tickets ($18.54) for the showcase can be purchased here.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

International Santa Celebration Conference
Renasant Convention Center
Thursday-Sunday, April 25-28
Santa Claus is comin’ to town! Okay, you busted me. It’s April. And Santa Claus isn’t coming to Memphis — a lot of Santa Clauses are coming to Memphis. And Mrs. Clauses. And Ms. Clauses. And elves. And reindeer handlers. It’s a whole thing (read about it in Jon W. Sparks’ story this week). And I’m not saying you oughta attend the conference (or that you can ’cause, like, some secrets are meant to be kept to the North Pole, you know?), but the International Santa Celebration Conference will have a vendors market open to the public and a Christmas in April Parade down Beale on Sunday, April 28th, at noon.

Memphis Recycling Roundup
University of Memphis, 3711 Poplar
Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sometimes I wish I could just recycle these weekly “On the Fly”s, but I’m told that reusing material from last week and reducing my work hours will leave me with less green in my wallet. So instead, I’ll tell you to recycle, reuse, reduce, go green, whatever. In fact, this weekend you can go hardcore and get rid of those hard-to-recycle items like tires, mattresses, scrap metal, and Styrofoam to be recycled, free of charge. The Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) partners with mostly local vendors to recycle these items and keep them out of landfills, so many materials are refurbished, processed into new materials, or downgraded into other materials like rags and carpet padding. For a full list of items that are being collected, go here ’cause I sure as heck am not gonna list them all out.

City Nature Challenge
Various Locations
Friday, April 26, 12:01 a.m.-Monday, April 29, 11:59 p.m. 
Take part in a global event as a community scientist! Memphians of all ages and education backgrounds are called to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals, and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist as part of the City Nature Challenge. While anyone can participate on their own, multiple community partners are hosting events open to the public to encourage spending time in nature among our neighbors. Find out more about the challenge and how to participate here.

Brick Convention (LEGO Fan Event)
Landers Center
Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28
The Brick Convention is a different kind of block party — a LEGO block party — bringing all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences in one place.  Patrick Durham, half of the fan-favorite Grandpappies team on the hit series LEGO Masters, will be coming, and so will master LEGO artist Tom Jacobsen and other LEGO artists. There’s gonna be LEGO retail, an architecture zone, brick pits, meet-and-greets, and a fan zone, featuring LEGO creations built by local fan builders. Tickets are $14.99 and can be purchased here. You will be asked to choose one of two sessions: Session I (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Session II (2-5 p.m.).

Chalkfest
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chalk it up to a good time at the Brooks’ annual Chalkfest, where you can join local artists — Craig Thompson, Sumo the Artist, Amy-Beth Rice, and Kaylyn Webster — and transform the museum’s plaza into the most colorful work of art and even recreate favorites from the art collection. Throughout the day, you’ll explore the galleries for free, dance to music from the Soul Shockers and DJ Siphne, enjoy art activities and face painting, and eat grilled hot dogs and snacks on the plaza and Feast & Graze in the MBMA Cafe. Register for the free event here.

Taste & Create
Belltower Coffeehouse at Shelby Farms Park
Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Belltower introduces this free community event where you can sip, savor, and create. The day will have live painting, pottery, and more from local artists; food, coffee, and wine from local restaurants; opportunities to get involved with local nonprofits; and face painting, bounce houses, and balloon animals for kids.

Paint & Picnic
Formal Gardens at Overton Park
Saturday, April 27, 2-4 p.m.
Paint your own nature-inspired birdhouse at a picnic. (How delightful!) All materials are provided. Tickets are $20-$30 and can be purchased here.

Independent Bookstore Day
Burke’s Book Store & Novel
Saturday, April 27, store hours
Mark your calendars, Saturday, April 27th is Independent Bookstore Day! Burke’s and Novel will have giveaways, exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items for sale, and more. Burke’s will have cookies, and Novel will have storytimes at 10:30 and 11 a.m., a raffle, and a Golden Ticket hunt. (Last year I got a free book and bumper sticker from Burke’s!)

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

Plant Sale 
Lichterman Nature Center
Friday, April 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.
Got a green thumb? You should probably get that checked out by a doctor. Might be infected. Now, if you have a metaphorical green thumb, you should probably check out the Lichterman Nature Center’s plant sale, featuring milkweeds, ferns, and an abundant selection of butterfly favorites such as blazing star, ironweed, salvia, phlox, sunflowers, bergamot, blanketflower and coneflowers. Find a full list of plants for sale here. The plant sale is also a great time to drop off empty pots for the Nature Center to recycle. Oh, and it’s going to coincide with the Discovery Forest Opening! This newest addition is an interactive and unstructured children’s play area created with natural materials, water, and objects that shape the local landscape.
(P.S. If you’re looking for even more plant sales because you’re OBSESSED with plants (you weirdo), the Dixon will have one next weekend and so will the Memphis Botanic Garden. Just to plant an idea for your plans next weekend.)

Art in the Loop
Ridgeway Loop between Briarcrest Avenue and Ridge Bend Rd.
Friday, April 12, 12:30-6 p.m.; Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
ArtWorks Foundation presents this annual arts festival in East Memphis, featuring works of all mediums in a juried artists market that you can peruse and shop from. (A full list of participating artists can be found here.) In addition to the artists market, you can enjoy demonstrations and musical performances from such groups as the Magnolia Wind Quintet, Lorraine String Quartet, and Prizm Ensemble. (A full schedule of performances can be found here.) Admission is free and food will be available for purchase from food trucks (VooDoo Cafe, MemPops, Eat at Eric’s, Pok Cha’s Egg Rolls, and Peace Love Quesadillas).

Memphis Flower Show: Rhythm & Hues
The Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Sunday, April 14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Memphis Flower Show is ready to stun as one of the most cutting-edge flower shows in the entire country. For this year’s show, titled “Rhythm & Hues,” participating floral designers have selected, to interpret in their arrangements, a piece of art from the Dixon’s latest exhibition, “Memphis 2024,” which solely features Memphis artists. In addition to floral design, the show will highlight conservation, horticulture and natural compositions, photography, and jewelry and accessories embellished with botanical life. Free to attend. 

Rachel Edelman: Dear Memphis
Novel | Friday, April 12, 6 p.m.
Temple Israel | Saturday, April 13, 6:30 p.m.
Rachel Edelman addresses her debut collection of poetry to Memphis, though her relationship to the city is fraught. Find out what compelled her to excavate her “ancestry, inheritance, and the ecological possibility of imagining a future” as she discusses (and signs) Dear Memphis at Novel this Friday. Edelman will also discuss and sign her book at Temple Israel at Crosstown. Register here for the Temple Israel event. Oh, and you can read this article by moi about Edelman and her poetry.

Shelby County Star Trek
Black Lodge
Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
In its most exciting incarnation yet, Shelby County Star Trek Day returns for its ninth year with a bona fide on-screen star of a Star Trek series — we’re talking about John Billingsley, aka Dr. Phlox in Star Trek Enterprise, who will be beamed in via Zoom for a live Q&A on Trek and Trektivism. The day will also have all the fun you’d expect: merch swap, vendors, trivia, costumes, themed drinks and food, activities, etc.

Puppy Palooza 2024
Crosstown Concourse
Saturday, April 13, noon-3 p.m.
Crosstown’s letting the dogs out at this free event open to you and your dogs. The afternoon will have a DJ, vendors, yard games (for dogs), a costume contest (for dogs) with prizes (for dogs), custom caricature portraits (for dogs), a blessing (of dogs) by Church Health, free nail-clipping services (for dogs), and more (for dogs). You can even adopt a new pet from a local rescue organization while there. 

Artist Talks at Crosstown Arts
Crosstown Arts 
Saturday, April 13, 1-3 p.m.
Hey, do you like art? YEAH, you do. Go see this artist talk at Crosstown Arts where the current exhibiting artists will talk about their work, processes, and influences. That means you’ll hear from Melissa Dunn, Michael “Birdcap” Roy, and Kevin Brooks, the subject of Michael Donahue’s Flyer cover story this week.

Kevin McDonald: Superstar
Black Lodge
Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.
Kevin McDonald returns to the Bluff City once more, this time with his rock opera Kevin McDonald: Superstar with support from the Bluff City Liars and music by HEELS. Our writer Chris McCoy talked to the Kid in the Hall in anticipation of the show, and you can read about it here. Tickets for the show can be purchased here for $25. McDonald will also be teaching two sketch-writing workshops the mornings of April 13th (Squeezing Comedy from Improv, $130) and April 14th (One-Line Premise, $130).

SANA Yoga Free Yoga 
Comeback Coffee
Tuesday, April 16, 11-11:45 a.m.
Find your glow and fuel your soul with a FREE all-levels yoga class every Tuesday at Comeback Coffee. Bring a friend and a yoga mat and get a 10 percent discount on a beverage of your choice afterwards.

Bluff City Fest
The Bluff
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30-9 p.m.
Bluff City Fest embraces the vibrant music scene and cultural heritage of Memphis and features music from multiple genres including rap, contemporary rock and pop, to blues, jazz, and classic rock. The festival offers something for everyone and showcases the top-talent musical groups from the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. Free admission.

Memphis Rhythms: Two Local Authors Celebrate Our City
Elmwood Cemetery
Thursday, April 18, 6-7 p.m.
Two local authors share their stories and insights on what makes Memphis unique: Holly Whitfield and Stacey Williams-Ng. Whitfield, previously the helm of the I Love Memphis blog, is releasing an updated edition of 100 Things To Do in Memphis Before You Die, while artist Stacey Williams-Ng will preview her latest and greatest tarot deck, Rhythm & Soul. Register for the free event here. Signed books and tarot decks will be available for purchase.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

FUNBOX Bounce Park
Agricenter International
Friday-Sunday, March 29-31
Kids too hyper? Wear them out at the world’s biggest bounce park with 25,000 square feet of continuous jumping zones connecting 10 different play areas. This play area was designed with a kid-first, social media-second approach, but it’s fun for adults too (allegedly). The park will be open weekends through May 3rd. For more info and for tickets, go here.

Easter!
If you haven’t checked your calendar, it’s Easter this Sunday (breaking news, I know). Memphis has celebrations in store, so hop to it!

• Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt: Kids will enjoy face painting, food, an easter basket giveaway, bounce houses, and games. Memphis Sports & Events Center, Friday, March 29, 11 a.m., free
• Bunny Brunch: Family-friendly brunch menu, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and balloon twister. Lafayette’s Music Room, Saturday-Sunday, March 30-31, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Easter Bunny Photos at Saddle Creek: Get a free digital and printed photo with the Easter Bunny. Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome. Saddle Creek South, Saturday, March 30, noon-4 p.m.
• Oak Court Mall Easter Egg Hunt: This free event will feature fun activities and treats for the whole family, including free Easter Bunny pictures and games. Oak Court Mall, Saturday, March 30, noon-2 p.m.
• Children’s Ranger Program – Easter Rock Hunt: Easter Rock Hunt on the Greensward for kids ages 3 to 7. Overton Park, Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m., free.
• Grind City’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt: Egg hunts for kids (1 p.m.) and adults (2 p.m.). Adults can win free beer, merch, and more. Grind City Brewing Company, Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m.
• Easter 2024: Night Egg Hunt and Dark Sides: Hunt glow-in-the-dark Easter eggs and enjoy hotdogs and s’mores around the campfire. T.O. Fuller State Park, Saturday, March 30, 7:30 p.m., $5.
• Return of the Annual Saucer Egg Hunt: Prizes from free beer, to swag, to gift cards. Flying Saucer (Downtown), Sunday, March 31, 11 a.m.
• Easter Lunch: Enjoy this Easter Sunday out on the Mighty Mississippi River for the best views of the city. Memphis Riverboats, Sunday, March 31, noon-3 p.m., $65.
• Easter at AutoZone Park: The first 800 kids will receive an Easter basket, plus postgame egg hunt on the field and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny. AutoZone Park, Sunday, March 31, 1:05 p.m.

Shop Black Fest 
Riverside Dr.
Saturday, March 30, 2-7 p.m.
Shop from and connect with over 100 Black-owned businesses in a family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy DJ battles, Easter egg hunts, live performances, food trucks, and shopping galore. Free to attend.

Memphis Pickle Fest
Growlers
Sunday, March 31, noon
If you find yourself in a pickle when it comes to your weekend plans, the Memphis Pickle Fest is an easy pick. We’re talking pickle-themed food and beverages and much more. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 day of. 21+. 

Hike-a-Thon
Memphis
Monday, April 1-30
TennGreen Land Conservancy’s fourth annual Hike-a-Thon is taking place during the entire month of April. Compete by hiking, paddling, trail running, climbing, mountain biking, or with photography with a team or by yourself. Proceeds from the Hike-a-Thon benefit TennGreen Land Conservancy. Registration is free; register here.

Cooper-Young First Thursday Night Out
Cooper-Young Historic District
Thursday, April 4, 5-8 p.m.
First Thursday Night Out each month is when restaurants, bars, and businesses stay open late to offer live music, discounts, sidewalk sales, trivia games, shuffleboard, and more. The first Night Out of the season will feature Amy LaVere and Will Sexton playing at the Gazebo.

Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience
Cannon Center For The Performing Arts
Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
For more than a decade, Theresa Caputo, aka the Long Island Medium, has touched the lives of millions of fans, comforting supporters when they need it most. Now Memphis fans will get their chance at healing when the medium and beloved personality appears live. Tickets start at $64 and can be purchased here.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

Memphis Area Master Gardeners Spring Fling
Red Barn Agricenter
Friday-Saturday, March 22-23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Spring has sprung, baby, so my sinuses are being total jerks with all this pollen in the air. But I’m not mad about it. It’s just a phase, a little fling with seasonal allergies. I, however, much prefer the Memphis Area Master Gardeners Spring Fling, but that’s neither here nor there. The Spring Fling includes educational seminars with regional/local experts, hands-on demonstrations, a 2,000+ plant sale, a mini flea-market with gently used garden items, a Kid’s Corner on Saturday, and so much more. Find a full schedule of events here. The event is free to attend.

MidSouthCon
The Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center
Friday-Sunday, March 22-24 
If you identify as a geek, nerd, gamer, cosplayer, or anything of that ilk, you’d best head out to the MidSouthCon, where you’ll be in paradise. Over the course of three days, guests will enjoy gaming, panels, meet-and-greets, workshops, vendors, an art show, and more. More information and a full schedule of events can be found here. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Literacy Mid-South. Tickets are $60/weekend, $30/kids 12 and under, and can be purchased at the door.

“Healing Thru Color”: Alexander Baker Fine Art 
The Medicine Factory
Friday, March 22, 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy fine art, music, wine and beer, and light catering at Alexandra Baker’s art show, where her mission is to “Heal Thru Color.” 

Cherry Blossom Picnic
Memphis Botanic Garden
Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Not only has this week brought us spring; the cherry on top of it all is, this weekend is Memphis Botanic Garden’s Cherry Blossom Picnic. Those who go will get to enjoy fare from Asian-inspired food trucks, listen to 901 Taiko, take a guided tour through the Japanese Garden, and participate in traditional crafts and games. The event is free with garden admission, so $12/adults, $10/seniors (62+), $7/children (2-12), or free if you’re under 2 or a member.

Memphis Ghostbusters Appearance 
Malco Cordova Cinema Grill
Saturday, March 23, 2-4 p.m.
If there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! Seriously, you can call them. Did you know that Memphis has its very own Ghostbusters?! You can meet them at the Malco Cordova before you catch Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the latest flick in the franchise. Unlike Bill Murray and gang, these Ghostbusters are the real deal and will be available to take photos, show off equipment, and answer all your paranormal questions.

Seasonal Blooms of Memphis: Floral Arranging Workshop with Midtown Bramble & Bloom 
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Sunday, March 24, 2-4 p.m.
Florals? In spring? Groundbreaking. Alright, Miranda Priestly, get off your high-fashion high horse. Yes, florals. Yes, in spring. It might not be groundbreaking but this floral arranging workshop will put the devil in Prada, if you know what I mean. (If you don’t know what I mean, I can’t blame you, I was just trying to be punny, and I’m not sure I pulled it off.) Local florist and flower farmer Marisa Mender-Franklin of Midtown Bramble & Bloom will guide you through creating your own stunning arrangement out of flowers grown in Memphis. Reserve your spot here for $55. (Oh, and on the note of Miranda Priestly, the Brooks is opening its Christian Siriano exhibit, “People Are People” this weekend, which will display his bold designs from his extensive archives. Find out more here.)

Pints, Poses & Pups 
Grind City Brewing
Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m.
Downward-facing dog? Upward-facing dog? Sideways-facing dog? Who knows what kind of yoga you’ll be doing when there are puppies involved? Join Grind City Brewing in a puppy yoga class in collaboration with Happy Tails Canine Rescue to raise money for their rescue and hopefully to get some pups adopted. Whether you are looking to support, adopt, or just have a good yoga sesh in the Grind City lawn, it’s going to be a great time. Sign up here. Puppy yoga is $25. 

Memphis Monologues 
Voices of the South
Tuesday, March 26, 7-10 p.m.
The 14th Annual Memphis Monologues benefiting Planned Parenthood Tennessee and North Mississippi is back in person. Memphis women will tell real, personal stories. Some will be funny, some uplifting, some sad, some eye-opening. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

Dinner & A Movie: Dune (1984)
Black Lodge
Wednesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m.
Before there were the sandy butthole worms of this generation’s Dune, there was the surreal operatic critically-debated 1984 version from cult director David Lynch. Black Lodge presents a special screening to be enjoyed with a special five-course meal made just for the event. Lodge chef and co-owner James Blair will prepare “Bene Gesserit Tart” (blueberry and goat cheese tart with brown butter crumb), “House Atriedes Salad” (Turkish-style carrot salad with yogurt), “Kwizac Hasherac” (root vegetable hash), “Muad’ib Main” (roasted spicy chicken on a bed of couscous), and “Spice Controls Space Ice Cream” (sesame ice cream). It’s $40 for dinner and movie, or free just to watch the movie. Reserve your spot here. Specialty drinks will be made just for the occasion. 18+.

Golden Girls – The Laughs Continue
Orpheum Theatre
Thursday, March 28, 7:30 p.m.
Picture it: Miami. 2024. The Golden Girls are still up and at ’em. Sophia’s out on bail, naturally. The DEA busted her for running a drug ring for retirees. Meanwhile, Blanche and Rose have founded a dating app for seniors that’s doing quite well (of course); it’s even landed Dorothy her current beau, who just so happens to be Sophia’s prosecuting attorney. Sounds about right, doesn’t it? The cast of Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue seem to think so. The parody show done completely in drag will take over the Orpheum’s stage on Thursday. Tickets ($44-$69) can be purchased here.

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.

WWE: Friday Night Smackdown
FedExForum
Friday, March 15, 6:45 p.m.
The Rock is coming to Memphis, and so are some other wrestling superstars like Logan Paul, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Jimmy USO & Solo Sikoa, and Kevin Owens. But the ROCK is coming to Memphis. Tickets ($20+) for the show … I mean, sporting event can be purchased here.

RiverRoots Festival 
The Greensward at Overton Park
Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
I usually reserve the weekends for cleaning. Pop on a podcast, do a little laundry, a little dusting, a little scrubbing, a lot of vacuuming. But, hey, the outside needs cleaning, too, thanks to pollution and global climate change and all that fun stuff. Easily as daunting as any indoor cleaning. So join Clean Memphis and Overton Park Conservancy for an afternoon of engaging with local organizations working to make Memphis cleaner and greener while enjoying games, contests, and giveaways. Thanks to the Tennessee Environmental Council, free tree seedlings and planting kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Plus, in celebration of World Water Day and The Memphis Sands Aquifer, Clean Memphis is giving away reusable water bottles, supported by the EPA. Reserve a spot for this free event here.

Let’s get physical!
The sun is setting an hour later, so that means everyone’s favorite free outdoor fitness classes are coming back slowly but surely. So far Tom Lee Park and Overton Park Shell are back in action, and the Dixon has been offering stuff all year-round, babes. Check out some of the offerings this week, and you better keep an eye out as more get added to our events calendar.

• Taijiquan with Milan Vigil, The Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Saturday, March 16, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• Twilight Yoga & Pilates, Overton Park Shell, Monday, March 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Hustle & Flow Pilates, Tom Lee Park, Monday, March 18, 6-7 p.m.
• Hustle & Flow Step, Tom Lee Park, Wednesday, March 20, 6-7 p.m.
• Yoga, The Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Thursday, March 21, 6-6:45 p.m.

Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County’s The Fast & The Furriest 5K
Shelby Farms Park
Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m.
There are some lovely animals in Memphis, whose luck hasn’t always been the best. Places like the Humane Society help them out by giving them a second chance, and The Fast & the Furriest 5K is just one of the ways folks can support them. So sign up here. Best part? You can bring your two-legged and four-legged kids to race with you. 

St. Patrick’s Celebrations
You best wear green this weekend. It can get hairy out there with all those pinchers. Freaks. All that to say, it’s St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday, and the celebrations are popping up all weekend long. Peep them below and find more at our full events calendar.

• St. Patrick’s Day at Celtic Crossing: Green beer, live music, corned beef and cabbage dinner, Memphis Pipe Band and Irish dancers, face painting, and more. Celtic Crossing, Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17
• Slider Inn St. Paddy’s Weekend: Two-day celebration with live music, DJ sets, raffles, giveaways, green beer, and more, plus Dose Pilates, HIGHER, Memphis Spine & Sport, YogaSix, and Rumble Boxing activations at Downtown location. Slider Inn (Midtown & Downtown), Saturday-Sunday, March 16-17
• 51st Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade: Enjoy marching bands, steppers, twirlers, floats, and all sorts of sights. The parade starts at 2 p.m., followed by the Raising of the Goat at 5 p.m. and Blessing of the Keg at 5:30 p.m. Beale, Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m.
• The Official Lucky’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl: The ultimate St. Paddy’s bar crawl in Memphis, where the holiday spirit and good times collide. Atomic Rose, Saturday, March 16, 4 p.m.-11:45 p.m., $14.03
• St. Patrick’s Day at Bog & Barley: Green beer all day, giveaways, corned beef and cabbage dinner, face painting, and music by Adam Heart, Twin Soul, and Charvey. Bog & Barley, Sunday, March 17, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Grind City’s Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Party: A day of drinking green beer and the new green sour, listening to live music, eating great food, playing yard games, and winning prizes. Grind City Brewing, Sunday, March 17, noon-8 p.m.
• St. Paddy’s Day Crawfish Boil: Crawfish, beer, and live music by Terry Greene Band. Crosstown Brewing Company, Sunday, March 17, 1-5 p.m.
• Memphis Irish Society St. Patrick’s Day Parade: This lively family-friendly festive event promises to be a joyous celebration of Irish heritage, Memphis community unity, and the luck of the Irish. Cooper-Young Historic District, Sunday, March 17, 2 p.m.
• St. Patrick’s Day Leprechaun Movie Party: An especially drunken marathon of three of the best/worst of this now iconic horror legacy. Black Lodge, Sunday, March 17, 5 p.m., free, 18+
• St. Patrick’s Day at Overton Square: Ballygran performs classic Celtic songs with traditional instruments in a free concert. Overton Square, Sunday, March 17, 5-7 p.m.
• St. Patrick’s Day Dinner & Music Cruise: Eat, Drink and be Irish down the Mighty Mississippi. Memphis Riverboats, Sunday, March 17, 6:30 p.m., $50

Memphis Black Restaurant Week
Memphis
Sunday, March 17-March 23
Memphis Black Restaurant Week is an opportunity for Black-owned restaurants to offer dining deals to bring in new customers and raise awareness. See participating restaurants here.

Taste of Place – Cheeses of France
Grey’s Fine Cheese and Entertaining
Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m.
Say cheeeeese! Or should we say, fromage? At this class, you will enjoy five French cheeses/fromages (?) and learn about the creamery/cheesemaker, tasting notes, and what best to pair each with. Tickets for the class are $45 and can be purchased here. (P.S. Grey’s offers cheese and pairing classes each week, check out the full schedule here. Next week’s class is a Wine of France wine-tasting, where you’ll enjoy four French wines paired with cheese.)

Dale Sanders Film Premiere: The Man, the Myth, the Mississippi
Malco Paradiso Cinema Grill & IMAX
Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m.
When I’m 87, I plan on being dead. Dale Sanders, he canoed down the entire length of the Mississippi River just because he could — well, and so he could reclaim the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to paddle the river. Crazytown, USA. Obviously, a film got made out of it, and it’s getting an exclusive screening at the Paradiso. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Oh, and Sanders will be there himself and will do a lil Q&A after the film ’cause he’s just that cool. 

There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.

Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.