Ride the Cyclone
Germantown Community Theatre
Performances through September 1
Picture it: A creepy abandoned amusement park. The ghosts of five high-schoolers who died on a roller coaster. A mechanical fortune-teller with the power to return only one of the youths to life. Oh, the decisions to be made. The fights to be had. How morbidly delightful. All of this is thanks to the regional premiere brought by Germantown Community Theatre. Performances end this weekend. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets ($16-$26) can be purchased here.
Delta Fair & Music Festival
Agricenter International
Friday, August 30-September 8
It’s fairly obvious that this festival is a fair shot at a great time, with games, rides, and all your fair classics. It is the Delta Fair, after all. You can enjoy the children’s barnyard, mechanical bull rides, the petting zoo, the rock wall, theme days, special events, and live music. Gate admission is $15/adults (13 and older), $10/youth (5-12), free/children (4 and under), and $10/seniors (65 & older). You can also purchase tickets at Kroger. Wristbands for rides are $25, except for Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day when they are $30. For more information, visit deltafest.com.
Orion Free Concert Series: MonoNeon
Overton Park Shell
Friday, August 30, 7 p.m.
MonoNeon is playing at the Shell for FREE. F-R-E-E, that spells free. Alex Greene wrote about him back in July (read that article here), so you know he’s cool. As with any Orion Free Concert, picnic baskets, coolers, beverages, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome, as are leashed dogs. Good Groceries Mobile Diner, Stick ’Em, Green Beetle, and Juiced What You Needed will be on site selling their fare.
Healthier 901 Fest
Shelby Farms Park
Saturday, August 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Writing these weekly “On the Fly” posts means I have a healthy appetite for events, and this event is all about health. Coincidence? Yes. Did I force a segue with the word “health”? Also, yes. But here we are, and here is the Healthier 901 Fest, a festival devoted to making Memphis healthier through fitness classes, food trucks with healthy options, fun ways for kids and adults to get active, giveaways, and more. Find out more about the event here.
First Tiger Game of the Season
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Saturday, August 31, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
The Tigers will take on the North Alabama Lions. Wooooo! Before kickoff at 6 p.m., the Tiger Tailgate Team will host the annual BBQ Extravaganza with a cocktail bar of Grind City brews, domestics, cocktails, and the drink of the day, The Lion Tamer. The Tiger Walk is at 3:30 p.m.
WLOK Stone Soul Picnic
The Coronet
Saturday, August 31, noon-7 p.m.
To quote a great writer — not like Mark Twain or Sappho, but I’m sure this quote will end up in one of those books of quotes — so to quote a great writer, my coworker Jon — Jon W. Sparks — I couldn’t tell you what the W stands for, but I’ll tell you what he wrote — “What’s fresh, free, and fun even after 49 years? How about the WLOK Stone Soul Picnic, which has become a Memphis tradition with a mix of gospel tunes and modern R&B. It’s happening Saturday, August 31st, from noon to 7 p.m. at The Coronet (formerly the Memphis Music Room), 5770 Shelby Oaks Drive. It’s nonstop entertainment with giveaways, kids’ activities, and food trucks. Throughout the day, top musical groups will perform, including headliner The Canton Spirituals, an award-winning gospel group that pioneered the mixing of traditional gospel with modern R&B. Read his full article on the event here.
UNAPOLOGETIC Presents Nubia Yasin and Eillo Followed by Kid Maestro
Bar DKDC
Friday, August 30, 10 p.m.
To quote Alex Greene from this week’s music column: “You might think you know UNAPOLOGETIC. How could a Memphis music fan not know the likes of Cameron Bethany, AWFM, and PreauXX — or producers like C Major, Kid Maestro, and IMAKEMADBEATS? And yet there’s always more simmering below the collective’s surface than what its public-facing (or face-masking) side reveals. For example, at 10 p.m. this Friday, August 30th, at Bar DKDC, some talent whose faces may seem new to UNAPOLOGETIC fans will top the bill. And yet, paradoxically, they’ve been involved in the organization’s background for years, part of what’s always ‘simmering below the surface’ there.” The artists Alex speaks of are Nubia Yasin and Eillo, and they’ll be performing with Kid Maestro. Cover is $10.
901 Day
For many places, September 1st is just the first of the month, but for Memphians, it’s 901 Day, the day to celebrate the city. Here’s just a short of what you can do on your 901 Day:
- 901 Days in the Ravine: Celebrate your city down in the Ravine over three days. On Friday (4-10 p.m.), The Poor and Hungry and Hustle & Flow will be showing in the Ravine. On Saturday (1-10 p.m.) and Sunday (1-7 p.m.), there will be live music by James and the Ultrasounds, DJ James, and Turnstyles. On Sunday (1-7 p.m.), expect a vendor market; music by Church Brothers, Zoe, and Jeff Hulett Band; a Memphis Roller Derby demonstration; and an Opera Memphis pop-up performance. | Memphis Made Brewing Co., Friday, August 30-September 1
- 901 Fest: Friday’s lineup includes John Nemeth, Terrance Simien, and DJ Witnesse; Saturday’s features Showboats, Lucky 7, Dead Soldiers, and DJ Qemist; and Sunday’s has The Wilkins Sisters, Talibah Safiya, and Marcella Simien. | Railgarten, Friday, August 30-September 1
- 901 Day on Broad Ave.: Visit shops and businesses on the street throughout the day to see what they’re offering. | Broad Ave., Saturday, August 31
- 901 Day: Hosted by the one and only Sydney Neely, featuring headliner Big Boogie, and special guest performances by Kia Shine and Al Kapone, this day will have a youth talent show, Memphis Jookin battle, poetry slam, fashion show, DJ battle, flashmob, live paintings, and so much more. | Beale Street, Sunday, September 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- 901 Day at Ghost River Brewery: Celebrate all things Memphis on 901 Day at Ghost River Brewery & Taproom with local brews, live music, art vendors, tattoo artists, and good vibes. | Ghost River Brewing Co., Sunday, September 1, 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
- 901 Day Celebration: Grind City will have drink specials, plus free people and pet caricatures and Memphis-themed music. | Grind City Brewing Company, Sunday, September 1, noon-10 p.m.
- 901 & Only Get Hitched by the Ditch: Wiseacre hosts four back-to-back wedding ceremonies for 901 Day. | Wiseacre Brewing Company, Sunday, September 1, 1-8 p.m.
- Turnt 901 Day Celebration | Lamplighter Lounge, Sunday, September 1, 2 p.m.
- 901 Day Memphis Jookin Warz: See Memphis very best dancers performing live Downtown on Main Street. | Rumba Room Memphis, Sunday, September 1, 6-10 p.m.
- Open Genre – 901 Day Edition: Celebrate 901 Day as 10-plus DJs showcase their skills and knowledge of Memphis music. | Ugly Art Co., 635 Madison, Sunday, September 1, 6-11:30 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.
