đŹ WLOK Black Film Festival
Various locations
Through Sunday, September 17
The WLOK Black Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday and will be screening three feature films this weekend. On Friday, September 15th, 7 p.m., Crosstown Theater will screen the 2022 biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody. On Saturday, September 16th, 7 p.m., Malcoâs Studio on the Square will screen 42, and on Sunday, September 17th, 3 p.m., the National Civil Rights Museum will screen Till. To purchase tickets ($5/film) and for more information, call 901-527-9565. And if you want to be in the know before you go, might we suggest that you read this nifty Flyer article about the festival?
đĽ Guy Fieri Bottle Signing
Busterâs Liquors & Wines
Friday, September 15, 4-5 p.m.
Guy Fieri is coming to Busterâs. Have your Santo Tequila bottle signed by the Emmy-winning celebrity chef Guy Fieri. (Bottle of 750ml Santo tequila must be purchased at Busterâs.) You must be in line BEFORE 5 p.m. to get to meet the man of Flavortown.
đźď¸ World Afro Day Art Exhibition
Orijennal Art
Friday, September 15, 6-9 p.m.
Orijennal Art presents an exhibition and natural hair meet-up dedicated to celebrating and learning about Afro hair. All featured artwork will illustrate the beauty of natural Afro kinks and curls on canvas by several talented Black artists. Enjoy wine and catered refreshments while collecting Afro Art. You can paint afro Art on canvas for an additional fee. Tickets are $22, and can be purchased here. And, hey, while we have you here, have you seen this Memphis Flyer article all about the event? Go read it. Now. (Please.)
đŹ S**TFEST: Best of the Worst: Miami Connection
Black Lodge
Friday, September 15, 7:30 p.m.
At our editorial meeting this week, our film editor Chris McCoy said, âMiami Connection is ⌠not good.â Did he say those words exactly? Maybe, or maybe I paraphrased since I donât have a photographic memory. But the movie â itâs not good. In fact itâs so bad that Black Lodge is centering its S**TFEST around it. Terrible acting, even worse dialogue, and scene after scene of jaw-droppingly bloody action set pieces and dumb melodramatic nonsense â add in an unforgettably silly ârockâ music earworm soundtrack, and you get one of the most fun BAD movie experiences ever. This is no silent screening, people. Razzing, riffing, back talking, and drunken yelling at the screen is highly encouraged. Free to all. 18+.
đ¤ Memphis is obsessed with Taylor Swift?
So, there are, like, three Taylor Swift-forward events on Friday, and a quick glance at the MF* calendar shows that there are more to come. You could say sheâs in style these days. (*MF=Memphis Flyer, this publication is clean AF.)
- Friday at 8 p.m., Druâs has a Taylor Swift-themed drag show, hosted by Aubrey Ombre, âa pre-celebration for Taylor Swiftâs release of 1989 TV.â Cover charge is $10.
- Friday at 8 p.m., Hi Tone has its Cruel Summer: A Taylor Swift Dance Party. A DJ will be playing all the bops and deep cuts from Taylor and taking your requests. Thereâll be a âCruel Summerâ-inspired backdrop for you and your friends to kick off summer in style, an iconic costume contest, lip sync battles, bridge challenge (weâre assuming not the card game), bracelet trading, and free cruel summer themed koozies. Tickets are $20 + fees, and can be purchased here. 18+.
- Friday at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., MoSH, as the cool kids call it, is putting on a Taylor Swift Laser Dance Party, taking her biggest hits and bringing them to life in dazzling laser light. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. The laser show will also run on Friday, September 22nd, and Friday, September 29th.
đCollierville Balloon Festival
Maynard Way
Saturday-Sunday, September 16-17
The Collierville Balloon Festival returns to Maynard Way (behind Walmart). The festival brings together more than 20 stunning hot air balloons, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts vendors, and more to provide a great time for the whole family. Proceeds from the event will support education programs in the local community. Single-day tickets are $15/adults and $8/kids (4-12); weekend passes are $25/adults and $15/children (4-12). Purchase them and learn more about the event here.
đśCooper-Young Festival
Cooper-Young Historic District
Saturday, September 16, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cooper-Young Festival is one of Memphisâ unique outdoor celebrations. This event has grown to be one of the most anticipated and well-attended events and one of the last free festivals of its kind. Over 130,000 guests will enjoy an appealing mix of art, music and crafts presented by over 400 artisans from around the country. Only original Memphis grown music is heard on our stages starting at 11:00 a.m. on the Main Stage and 12:30 on the Memphis Grizzlies Stage. Doug MacLeod headlines. Find out more here.
đ§ââď¸Medical District Wellness Festival
Morris Park
Saturday, September 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
MMDC hosts a free day of health-focused activities, community outreach, and live entertainment. The day will include health screenings and consultations, live entertainment by Courtney Little and the RunwayDJ, local food vendors, Zumba with David Quarles IV at 11:45 a.m., yoga at 1 p.m. with Sana Yoga Downtown, a growing Station with Black Seeds Urban Farms, an âAsk the Docsâ Station with Church Health, a Vitalant Blood Drive (register to donate here), and a kids zone with face painting, bouncy house, games, and more. Free parking available at Le Bonheur garage on Manassas or St. Maryâs Episcopal Church on Poplar.
𩰠Memphis Dance Festival
Collage Dance Collective
Saturday, September 16, noon-4 p.m.
Celebrate National Dance Day with Collage Danceâs free Dance Festival. The family-focused community event presents the best dance makers in the nation including Memphisâs own Lil Buck plus artists from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (NYC), New York City Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet (San Fran), SOUL Defined (DC), and Nashville Ballet, alongside many hometown favorites including the Grizz Girls, Ballet Memphis, and Collage Dance Collective. Attendees can also enjoy a special performance from the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band (New Orleans). Oh, and by the way, if youâre a real Flyer fan, youâd read this awesome piece all about the festival.
đť Memphis Brewfest
Memphis Sports & Events Center
Saturday, September 16, 3 p.m.
Memphis Brewfest brings back the biggest beer festival in the Mid-South with unlimited samples of 100+ beers, seltzers, and spiked ciders, plus an international brewery selection. Tickets ($45) also get you a collectible Memphis Brewfest 2023 cup, Jameson Irish Whiskey activation experience, DJ tunes from JJ Wilson, yard games, and more. Purchase tix here. The event is 21+, duh.
đźď¸ Exhibition Lecture: American Perspectives: Curatorial Highlights by Emelie Gevalt
The Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Sunday, September 17, 2 p.m.
Learn more about the Dixon’s current exhibition, âAmerican Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection,â with Emelie Gevalt, curatorial chair for collections and folk art at American Folk Art Museum. This exhibition lecture is FREE and open to the public. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibition before the lecture!
đ Memphis Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
University of Memphis
Tuesday, September 19, 5:15 p.m.
Memphis men and boys will walk to show support for women and girls in ending rape, sexual harassment, and domestic violence. Registration opens at 4 p.m. on September 19th, or pre-register here. Walkers will rally at 5:15 p.m. and the walk begins at 5:30 p.m. All are encouraged to come in time to borrow from the supply of womenâs shoes â or bring your own or wear regular shoes â and choose a sign that expresses your concern for women and girls. Registration is $15 or $10 for students and free for U of M students with ID.
đ˝ď¸ The Permission Parties
Imagine Vegan Cafe
Tuesday, September 19, 7-9 p.m.
In celebration of Alex Wongâs newest album Permission, the Permission Parties is a multi-sensory listening and tasting dinner series. Attendees will enjoy six Chinese-inspired dishes Wong has created that share some common emotion with each of the six tracks on the album. Proceeds will benefit groups fighting for AAPI safety and visibility via The Quiet Voice Fund. In order to make this event more accessible to different budgets, tiered ticket pricing is being offered. Tickets are $50-$80 and can be purchased here.
Thereâs always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.
Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.
