Juneteenth
As Alice Faye Duncan writes in her piece with the Flyer this week about Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth, “Juneteenth is freedom rising, and freedom is for everyone.” And this weekend is about celebrating. Check out just some of what’s going on in Memphis:
- Juneteenth Douglass Freedom & Heritage Festival: This year marks 31 of celebrating Juneteenth in Douglass Park. Friday is Youth Day, complete with youth performers, youth vendors, and a youth host and DJ. Saturday will feature National Jookin League and Marcus.901, and Sunday will feature Ekpe Abioto. The festival is free, parking is free, you are free to bring your grills, coolers, tents, tables, and chairs. Douglass Park, Friday, June 14, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Saturday-Sunday, June 15-16, 3-8 p.m.
- Juneteenth Family Reunion: Tone will host a weekend-long celebration in honor of Juneteenth. Things kick off with the Spades Tournament on Friday. Then folks can get dressed up for the Juneteenth Gala on Saturday. And then it’ll be time for the Juneteenth Festival on Sunday, where the lineup features Curren$y, Juicy J, Hitkidd, and Erykah Badu. Our writer Chris McCoy wrote all about what’s happening in this week’s cover story. Read that here. Tone, Friday-Saturday, June 14-16
- Memphis Juneteenth Festival: This festival is all about education, entertainment, food, and fun. It will feature a car exhibition, Greek Yard Show, Health and Wellness Tent, and a Freedom Run + Walk. Health Sciences Park, Friday-Saturday, June 14-15, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Juneteenth Shop Black Festival: The 4th Annual Juneteenth Shop Black Festival features live entertainment, 100 Black businesses, food trucks, and food vendors. RSVP for free here. Fourth Bluff Park, Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- The Color Purple Movie Screening: In partnership with Dr. Telisa Franklin and Memphis Juneteenth, the Orpheum Theatre Group is hosting a free screening of the 2023 movie musical The Color Purple in celebration of Juneteenth. Orpheum Theatre, Monday, June 17, 6:30 p.m.
- Juneteenth Community Day: The National Civil Rights Museum is celebrating with free museum admission. The Juneteenth Community Day will also feature a health equity focus and a range of health-related services, resources and activities, plus the opportunity to donate blood. National Civil Rights Museum, Wednesday, June 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ben Bailey
Black Lodge
Friday, June 14, 8 p.m.
There are 13,000 taxicabs on the streets of New York. But only one of them pays you. Well, paid. Cash Cab — the cab that paid you (only if you answer trivia questions correctly) — is no longer in production, but that doesn’t mean my dad doesn’t watch the show every time his channel surfing lands on it. But even though it’s Father’s Day this weekend, we’re not here to talk about my dad. We’re here to talk about Ben Bailey, former host of Cash Cab, who is coming to do his stand-up at Black Lodge this Friday. Tickets for Bailey’s show at Black Lodge are $35 in advance and $38 day of show. VIP tickets, which include seats in the first four rows and a meet-and-greet, cost $60 in advance and $65 day of show. Purchase tickets in advance here. Oh, and not to brag but I got to interview Ben Bailey ahead of the show. Read more here. (Ben Bailey says hi, Dad! If you’re not my dad, too bad.)
Crafts & Drafts
Crosstown Concourse
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
This event is no rough draft. After all, it’s put on by the spectacular folks at the Memphis Flyer, this very paper. It was perfectly crafted to fit all your summer market’s needs. Join us and enjoy a beautiful day in midtown Memphis, shop local makers and artists, and featuring delicious local craft beers.
Philippine Fiesta
Agricenter International
Saturday, June 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Memphis’ first Philippine Fiesta will have Filipino cuisine, dances, and a parade of Fiesta Queens in costumes that represent specific festivals held in the Philippines. Kids can enjoy activities like face-painting, and adults can partake in an open mic session with karaoke. Admission is free. Read more about the event here.
Record Fair
Soul & Spirits
Saturday, June 15, 1-7 p.m.
Girl, put your records on. Or, rather, get your shopping on for records at Soul & Spirits’ Record Fair. Goner Records, River City Records, and Shangri-La Records will come together to bring all your favorite places to buy music in one spot. STAX Soul Mobile, Mobile Memphis Listening Lab, Memphis Record Pressing, local collections, and art vendors will also be on site, and so will food trucks Hot n Heavy Dogs and Sno Junt. The Subteens will cap off the day with a performance. (Hey, did you read Alex Greene’s piece on their re-release of Burn Your Cardigan? Go on, get to reading it.)
Memphis Vegan Festival
Fourth Bluff Park
Sunday, June 16, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
On the veg (of glory)? This festival is for you. It’s a day full of vegan food, live entertainment, and a marketplace featuring local businesses, plant-based health and beauty products, clothing, and accessories. RSVP for free here.
Forum: Who is running for the Memphis Shelby County Schools board?
Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Monday, June 17, 6-8 p.m.
Get to know candidates running for the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board before the August elections. Students and Chalkbeat journalists will ask candidates about how and why they want to guide the school district for the next four years. The event is free to attend, but RSVP here. There will be food and childcare provided. The panel will be livestreamed here if you can’t make it.
Overton Square Movie Series: Sweet Home Alabama
Chimes Square at Overton Square
Thursday, June 20, 6 p.m.
Alabama might not be sweet or home to most of us (have you read the news?). But there’s something about Sweet Home Alabama that just makes rom-com lovers melt. A little bit of Reese Witherspoon. A little bit of that guy whose name I’ll never learn but can easily Google but won’t so every time he comes on my screen I go that’s the guy from Sweet Home Alabama. What more could you want? I mean, Overton Square is even screening it for free on Thursday. Blankets and folding chairs welcome; no outside alcoholic beverages.
There’s always something happening in Memphis. See a full calendar of events here.
Submit events here or by emailing calendar@memphisflyer.com.
