Interactive Star Wars Holiday Special Screening
Black Lodge
Friday, December 15, 7 p.m.
The reviews are in — and have been in since 1978 — for the Star Wars Holiday Special. It’s not good. And yet the Black Lodge is dedicating the entire evening tonight to the special. Naturally. And it’ll be in the vein of a Rocky Horror Picture Show viewing, complete with singing, shouting, and throwing things. Again, naturally. For the event, the Lodge will have Star Wars-themed dishes and cocktails. The screening is free to attend, but donations to Lodge are welcome. Prop bags will be for sale for $5.
Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage Y’ALL SO LOUD Album Release Party
Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Saturday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Soul/jazz/funk sax player and vocalist Hope Clayburn is on a mission to move the people. Her unique style has allowed her to perform with an eclectic mix of artists around the world, including The Temptations, The Allman Brothers Band, and Valerie June. Join her for the Y’all So Loud vinyl record/streaming release party this Saturday. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and can be purchased here.
Take the Soul Train to Christmas
Hattiloo Theatre
Performances through December 17
You won’t want to miss out on this holiday spectacle, a time machine through the evolution of the African-American Christmas experience. Our theater editor Coco June called the production “everything theater is supposed to be.” She writes, “The concept of the play is simple: Three children struggling to write their assigned school paper on how the Black celebration of Christmas has changed throughout history get help in the magical form of a train that can move through time, operated by Grandad, who acts as their guide.” Tickets for the musical, which closes this weekend, can be purchased here. Read Coco’s full review here.
River City Flutes Sleigh Christmas Part 5: The Empire Flutes Bach
Lamplighter Lounge
Monday, December 15, 8 p.m.
You don’t have to watch out. You can cry, and you can pout ’cause Santa Claus isn’t coming to the Lamplighter Lounge. Instead of the big man in red, you can expect a flock of flute players in the vein of “marching band meets bad Santa” or “your office Christmas party meets some kind of drug trip.” At least, that’s how Elise Blatchford describes the upcoming fifth annual flute-forward concert at the Lamp. So grab your cigs and bad attitude and convene for the yearly benediction at the Lamp for holiday music and baked goods by the good flutists of Memphis. Know more before you go with this little Flyer ditty.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Orpheum Theatre
Tuesday, December 19, 3:30 p.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m.
The beloved TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season.see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in this musical. Tickets ($30-$60) can be purchased here.
A Simple Song of Freedom Music Video Debut
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m.
Memphis musicians are uniting in song in a worldwide humanitarian effort to raise one voice to bring peace and love to the world threatened by war through a remake of Bobby Darin’s 1969 song. The music video debuts this Wednesday, and all are invited. A reception will take place at 6 to 7 p.m., with a program following at 7 to 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. Read more about the project behind the video at this article by our writer Michael Donahue, who writes about more than Sushi Jimmi every now and then.
Holiday Markets
Have you been making a list? Checking it twice? Giving it a third glance, too? Oh, look there, you forgot to get your cousin’s grandma’s neighbor a gift? The shame! You still haven’t gotten your kid’s lizard’s pen pal that little holiday trinket? The disrespect! You haven’t purchased a single gift at all? The horror! The absolute horror! So, if you please, check out these markets of local-made goods, where you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.
- WinterArts, 870 South White Station Road, Monday-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m., through December 24
- Memphis Arts Collective Holiday Artist Market, Ridgeway Trace Shopping Center, Mondays-Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m., through December 24
- Holiday Bazaar, Arrow Creative, Wednesdays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m., through December 23
Bright Light! Bright Light!
Are you in the holiday spirit yet? If yes, check out the events below — they’ll keep that warm fuzzy feeling a-brewin’. If no, check out the events below — they’ll bring that on that warm fuzzy feeling you’ve been missing.
- Holiday Wonders at the Garden, Memphis Botanic Garden, select nights November 24th-December 30th, $15-$20
- Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees, Museum of Science & History, on display through December 31st, $6/children (3-12), $6/seniors, $7/adults
- Starry Nights, Shelby Farms Park, select nights November 24th-December 31st, $15.95-$35
- Zoo Lights, Memphis Zoo, select nights November 24th-January 6th, $14/members, $19/nonmembers
- <NEW!> Deck the Diamond, AutoZone Park, select nights November 24th-December 31st, $33.88
Deck the Diamond is a walk-through experience with over 190 lighting structures including large walk-through tunnels, archways, animals, presents, and trains all centered around a 60-foot Christmas tree. Guests will enjoy festive food and drinks, holiday activities, an ice-skating rink, musical entertainment, scheduled appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, and much more.
There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.
Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.
