Idlewild Presbyterian Church (Friday (March 20)
Churches from the Presbytery of the Mid-South are bringing together their congregations via the radio and Livestream to provide worship services at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 22, and for the near future, because of the recommended “social distancing” during the coronavirus outbreak. Members and guests can “be there” at the service, broadcasted from Idlewild Presbyterian Church. The service will be also be archived on the church’s website for later viewing.
The combined congregations of Balmoral, Buntyn, Evergreen, First (Memphis), First (Somerville), Idlewild, Parkway Gardens United and Shady Grove Presbyterian are providing various pastoral staff to participate during each service. This week’s service includes the following service leadership: The Reverend Anne H. K. Apple (Idlewild), The Reverend Carla Meisterman (Balmoral), The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians (Idlewild), The Reverend Elizabeth Dick (Evergreen), Mr. Barry Oliver, Director of Music Ministry (Idlewild) and soloists, Amy Phillips and Tyler Brumback (Idlewild). Members of Idlewild’s youth are the preachers for this Sunday: Helen Gillespie, Peter Calkins and Caroline Seamons.
Worship services are held in the sanctuary with no physical congregation, but all are invited “to attend” the service via the church’s Livestream, www.livestream.com/idlewild, or by listening to WIVG-FM 96.1.
For information about the church, please visit www.idlewildchurch.org or call 901-726-4681.
Memphis City Council (Thursday, March 19)
THE MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 3:30 p.m.
Due to the declarations of a State of Emergency by the President of the United States, the Governor of Tennessee and the Mayor of Memphis relating to Covid-19 Epidemic the Council has determined that is necessary that the meeting be conducted by electronic or other means of communication in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, City employees, Council staff and Members of the Council.
THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL MEETING
Memphis Botanic Gardens (Thursday, March 19)
I write today during this period of uncertainty, both locally and nationally. As I write this, your Garden has already taken numerous steps to help contain the spread of COVID-19 / Coronavirus and we stand ready to take more drastic measures if they become warranted.
Some of the steps we have taken – so far include:
The canceling of all events in excess of 10 people thru at least May 15, 2020.
The closing of My Big Backyard, our children’s garden, to the public beginning Friday, March 20. Because of the many interactive surfaces contained within this garden, we feel it is prudent to close this area off until further notice.
The opening of the Gardens (with the exception of the Children’s Garden) to the public without cost, effective Friday, March 20 and until further notice. We encourage social distancing, and with 96 acres to visit and small groups, we believe this to be a sensible gesture of goodwill to the community. Members and Guests may now enter directly onto Garden grounds at the south end of our parking lot without entering the building or interacting with staff.
This remains a very fluid situation, and we are doing our best to adapt and adhere to CDC guidelines as they evolve. We are also following local health official’s guidance. While at this time we do not intend to close the outdoor spaces of the Garden to the public, we will adapt to future guidance if it comes.
I encourage you to follow us on our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) or to visit MemphisBotanicGarden.com for the most current situation as regards your Garden.
I wish you and your family well during this difficult time, and we will remain as transparent as possible in the days and weeks to come
Locations include The links at Audobon, Overton, Galloway, Davy Crockett, Fox Meadows, Pine Hill, Riverside, and Whitehaven.
State Parks Group Hikes (Thursday, March 19)
We have decided to cancel our guided Spring Hikes this weekend. These annual hikes usually attract thousands of visitors to our parks, and these groups exceed the recommended group sizes for helping our communities “flatten the curve.”
We are sorry for this cancellation, and hope that you will plan to join us for our next signature hike on June 6, 2020.
Macy’s (Thursday, March 19)
In response to the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) today announced that it will temporarily close all stores by end of business today, March 17, 2020, through March 31, 2020. This includes all Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet and Market by Macy’s stores. Macy’s, Inc. will provide benefits and compensation to its impacted workforce.
Hope Church (Thursday, March 19)
We want to address our response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and how we as a church are doing our part to flatten the curve, follow government and health official guidelines while keeping our family and community healthy!
Beginning this weekend, March 21 & 22, all Hope services will move online only. Together, we will connect, worship and experience God’s word online as one Hope family.
Join us on Facebook, YouTube, and HopeChurchMemphis.com/Live this Saturday night at 5:30 pm, Sunday morning at 11:15 am and Sunday night at 5:30 pm for The Stirring.
Overton Park (Thursday, March 19)
During these times where it’s safest for us to be apart from each other, we’re so glad that the trails and open spaces of Overton Park are serving as a refuge for many of us.
It’s with heavy hearts, then, that we’ve decided to close restrooms, playgrounds, and the dog park until further notice.
We’ve made this choice for two reasons: one, because keeping these facilities open encourages people to gather in close proximity to each other; and two, because there are no current CDC guidelines for how to clean playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities during a pandemic outbreak.
With reports that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for days, and our cleaning crew only able to visit once or twice per day, there’s simply no way for us to keep all surfaces sanitized for every visitor.
The park’s trail system remains open for you to get some much-needed fresh air. (PSA: The nature trails are so saturated from the endless rain that you’d need wading boots to walk them, so we recommend the paved trails for now!) We encourage you to follow the National Recreation and Park Association’s guidelines for using the trails:
• Before visiting trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, and do not use trails if you have symptoms.
• Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.
• Alert other trail users of your presence, and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times.
• Be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms.
• Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
• Bring a suitable trash bag. Take trash with you to protect park workers.
• We’ve posted signs announcing the closures, but our playgrounds are open-air, so we’ll need everyone’s cooperation to stay away. Thank you for helping to keep yourself and other park visitors safe.
Memphis Zoo (Wednesday, March 18) 
Memphis Zoo will temporarily close to the public Thursday, March 19th.
The health and safety of our team members, guests, volunteers and animals is our top priority, and Memphis Zoo is committed to taking proactive steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Any guests who had field trips or group visits planned will be able to reschedule or receive a refund.
While we are closed, our zookeepers and essential team members will continue to care for our animals. Zoo fans will also be able to check on our animals and team members through our social media accounts.
How you can help Memphis Zoo
During our closure, we are reaching out to our Memphis Zoo friends to ask for your support. Please consider donating to our Emergency Animal Support Fund. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to the Zoo again soon. To donate please visit memphiszoo.org/emergencysupportfund.
Orion Federal Credit Union (Wednesday, March 18)
The safety and well-being of our community is Orion’s highest priority. Orion continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and we are making necessary adjustments to business processes and operations.
Beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, we are temporarily shifting our branch services approach to drive-through only. Our ATMs are available 24 hours a day. For non-cash transactions, remember you can bank with us without leaving the comfort of your home.
YMCA (Wednesday, March 18)
Due to the ongoing public health emergency presented by the COVID-19 virus outbreak and recommendations from the CDC and other health officials, the YMCA will be temporarily closing all 11 YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South locations effective at 8:00 p.m. on March 18, 2020.
According to the YMCA, the goal with the temporary closure is to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community before it threatens to overwhelm the public health system, while continuing to focus resources on providing services to healthcare workers, first responders, and those most vulnerable in our community.
“In times like these, the very best of who we are is called forward, giving us the opportunity to live our mission and values and promise to the community. Now, it is critical that we step up and respond to the needs in our community, redirect our expertise and resources, serve those who need us most, and provide inspirational leadership and hope for all. We will pivot our operations to focus on our community response to the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 virus and repurpose our branches as community response centers,” said Jerry Martin, President and CEO for YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.
YMCA Emergency Childcare For First Responders & Healthcare Workers:
Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, Healthcare & First Responder Childcare will be offered 7 days a week from 6:00AM to 8:00PM to accommodate a 12-hour shift schedule for these families at various YMCA locations throughout our community. Care will be supervised by trained childcare team members for children ages 3 years (potty trained) to 12 years of age.
For more information and to sign up please visit www.ymcamemphis.org or call our Customer Support Center at 901-766-7677.
YMCA Partnering with School Districts for Meal Services:
The YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South will be joining our schools partners to provide children access to meals at designated sites throughout our community.
Meals are scheduled to be served between 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m beginning March 23, 2020. For a full list of meals site locations, visit: www.ymcamemphis.org
Highpoint Climbing & Fitness (Wednesday, March 18)
In a continued effort to mitigate risk and prioritize safety, we have decided to temporarily suspend operations of all High Point facilities beginning March 18th through March 31st. We believe that social distancing is the best way for us to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
While we try our best to keep our doors open whenever possible, in this instance, our temporary closure can help ensure the safety of our members, staff and the overall community. We will be monitoring how this situation continues to unfold and use this as an opportunity to do a deep sanitation of all facilities.
To our members:
• During this time memberships will automatically be frozen at no additional cost and you will receive a prorated credit to be applied toward next month’s dues.
• We will provide a status update on billing by March 27th as well as any additional details on possible closure extensions.
• If you need to contact the gym, or if you need to retrieve items from a locker in our locker rooms, we will be maintaining office hours Mon-Fri from 10am to 4pm. Please email us at Memphis@highpointclimbing.com and we will be happy to coordinate with your needs.
We are looking forward to serving all of our wonderful community members again soon and in the meantime encourage everyone to stay positive and safe as we move through this together!
As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Pink Palace Family of Museums including the Pink Palace Museum, theater, planetarium, Lichterman Nature Center, Mallory-Neely House and Magevney House will temporarily close to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
“The Pink Palace Family of Museums has remained open these past two days in order to wind down scheduled activities between now and the end of May. In just two short days, our staff has worked incredibly hard at winding down operations affecting over 11,000 people who had scheduled visits through May,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director Pink Palace Family of Museums.
The public is encouraged to visit the Pink Palace Family of Museums website (www.memephismuseums.org), Facebook and Instagram pages for online content for children and adults created to keep the public engaged and entertained during this period of home quarantine.
“We plan to roll out online services next week in order to continue to engage with the public. We have an initial set of items for next week, and plans are in the works to continue to create online environments to share our history. Please check our website and social media outlets for more information,” continued Thompson.
Ballet Memphis (Tuesday, March 17)
Ballet Memphis is prioritizing the health of students, families, dancers, patrons, and staff, and will be taking the following precautions against the spread of COVID-19:
● Ballet Memphis Office: Closed to the public beginning March 18th until further notice
● Ballet Memphis School: Closed until further notice
● Pilates and Adult Classes: All classes, workshops and certifications canceled until further notice
● 2020-21 Company Auditions: in-person auditions canceled – Digital video submissions, headshot and resume should now be sent to auditions@balletmemphis.org
● Cinderella: Performance and supporting events canceled.
“Cinderella is a piece that brings magic to life for families, but we will not perform at the expense of our community,” says Steven McMahon, Artistic Director. “We are being proactive, both in prevention and serving our community. We hope that during this time, we’ll be able to reach our audience through virtual tools so that we may continue to bring dance to Memphis.”
Those who have already purchased tickets to Cinderella will be contacted directly. Refunds are available for tickets purchased through Ballet Memphis, however the organization is asking patrons to consider purchased tickets a donation.
“On behalf of the Ballet Memphis team, I can’t wait to bring Ballet Memphis back to the stage very soon,” said McMahon.
Ballet Memphis staff will continue to communicate any updates and ways they will continue to share the power of dance in a time when our community could use it most.
Memphis Rox (Tuesday, March 17)
In light of recent announcements over the past few days about local schools, organizations, and businesses closing due to concerns with Coronavirus COVID-19 and an increased emphasis on the safety, health, and wellness, Memphis Rox Climbing Gym will temporarily close Wednesday, March 18 for the remainder of the month. We will continue to monitor circumstances daily and will remain flexible and forward-thinking in regards to the next steps.
Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests, employees, and our community. Our commitment to improving the quality of life for Mid-Southerners through climbing and community outreach has not wavered during this time of uncertainty looming around Coronavirus (COVID-19). Now more than ever, it is important for us all to exercise collective leadership and take precautionary measures to participate in the healing of our city, state, nation, and world.
Furthermore, we will steadfastly follow all protocols recommended by the CDC, Tennessee Health Department, and Shelby County Health Department and encourage everyone in the community to do the same.
To support our staff during this time of closure and uncertainty, all employees will be paid for their previous average weekly hours worked, even as the gym remains closed for the next two weeks. We will then create various projects for our employees to participate in to improve the gym experience for our customers with an emphasis on safety protocols.
Memphis River Parks Partnership (Tuesday, March 17)
Justin Fox Burks
An aerial view of the new River Garden park.
As much as we love having folks share the space of the Memphis River Parks, we’re reminded that we’re all in this together to keep Memphis healthy. Please follow guidance from the CDC and Shelby County Health Department.
The Partnership has increased the frequency of scheduled cleaning and sanitizing in all park facilities and reinforced recommended procedures with staff while monitoring development and following the latest guidance on COVID-19.
All public events scheduled to take place on the riverfront in the next eight weeks have been postponed or canceled. Keep updated on the latest on Facebook and our website.
Metal Museum (Tuesday, March 17)
It is with deep regret that we inform you that we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to close the Metal Museum to the public, effective immediately until further notice. This includes all public programs and classes.
As with our peer institutions in the city of Memphis and across the country, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure the continued well-being of our visitors, volunteers, and staff.
Please watch your email and/or the Museum’s website and social media for the most up-to-date information. Our staff will continue to work during this time to answer any questions you have and to ensure that exhibitions and programs are to the high standard you expect when we reopen. Should you have any questions during this time, please do not hesitate to email us at info@metalmuseum.org.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time and, as always, your support of the Metal Museum.
In light of the developing news about the coronavirus (COVID-19), here’’s the latest from Hattiloo. We continue to look to the CDC, the Shelby County government and the City of Memphis and state leadership for guidance. Following the temporary recommendation to limit public gatherings, and in concert with our colleagues throughout the theatre industry, we’’ve suspended all performances through May 1, 2020.
We’’re adapting as quickly as we can to this situation. For your convenience, as always, you can email us at manager@hattilootheatre.org, or call 901.502.3486. With the expected volume of emails, it may take us 3-5 business days to respond, but rest assured that we will get back to you. Our shows are canceled for now, but our staff is here for you.
Thank you for your support. Please stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you when Hattiloo reopens.
Southland Casino Racing (Monday, March 16)
In coordination with the Arkansas State Racing Commission and the State of Arkansas, we are acting to temporarily close the venue. No new patrons will be permitted into the facility after 11:59 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 16, and the facility will be closed at 6 a.m. March 17 until further notice. All activities are canceled, including casino promotions.
We will be communicating as quickly as possible with our employees to assist them during this period. We thank them for their ongoing diligence and ability to adapt in a very fluid and unprecedented circumstance.
To date, we have worked to protect public health by following CDC guidelines on sanitizing protocols and cleaning throughout our venue. We will remain in close touch with State and County health officials, and we look forward to reopening Southland Casino Racing shortly and continuing to provide a clean, safe environment.
We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to hosting you again in the near future. We will keep you updated on our website at www.southlandcasino.com and via Facebook.com/SouthlandCasinoRacing as more details become available.
Earlier today, Opera Memphis made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Midtown Opera Festival, including the production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte.
Though this decision is heartbreaking, we know it is vital that we play our part in combating the spread of COVID-19 in this truly unprecedented situation.
We know there are many disappointed opera lovers reading this, so we are also taking the opportunity to announce 30 Days of Digital Opera beginning on April 1. Every September, we fan out through the city giving free performances for the entire month. This coming April, instead, will be a chance for us to provide fresh, daily content on all of our digital channels.
More details will be shared on this new program as it develops. We know nothing can replace the feeling of seeing an opera live and in person, but hopefully, this new program will help bridge the gap!
Within the next several days, we will reach out to all of our ticket holders and provide them with their options. We hope our patrons will consider donating their tickets to help us recoup some revenue, as the company has decided to pay our artists and crew who rely on performances for their livelihood.
Finally, the administrative offices for Opera Memphis will be temporarily closed. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at info@operamemphis.org.
Thank you in advance for your patience.
Germantown Performing Arts Center (Monday, March 16)
Friends and Family of GPAC:
The safety of GPAC’s audiences, artists, volunteers and staff are our first priority. In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), GPAC will be closed to the public indefinitely as of Monday, March 16, at 5 p.m. The following events have been modified:
Welcome to Night Vale Live, March 18, at 7:30 p.m.: This show will be rescheduled. We’re working with the tour on a new date, and GPAC will make an announcement as soon as it is set.
Peanut Butter & Jam: José! by New Ballet Ensemble, March 21, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.: This program will be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for the new date.
Artist’s Reception with Pam Santi, March 21, at 5 p.m.: This reception has been cancelled.
Germantown Symphony Orchestra 250th Anniversary Beethoven Celebration, March 21, at 7 p.m.: GSO is rescheduling this concert and apologizes for any inconvenience. Please hold onto your tickets and they will be providing additional information once more is known about the future concert schedule.
Memphis Symphony Orchestra: Masterworks 5: Strauss, Tchaikovsky, & Shostakovich, March 22, at 2:30 p.m. MSO will not hold the concert. The decision to reschedule or cancel will be determined at a later date, and will be guided by public health and safety and scheduling considerations. Additional updates will be made on the MSO website, social media and emails to subscribers and ticket buyers. Please contact the MSO Box Office with any ticket related questions at (901) 537-2500 or tickets@memphissymphony.org.
ArtSavvy: Shadow Play Workshop, March 24, at 7 p.m.: This program will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. You can find updates here or on the Facebook event.
Jazz in the Box: Emmet Cohen & Houston Person, March 27, at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.: This show will be rescheduled. We’re working on a new date based on safety and scheduling considerations. GPAC will make an announcement as soon as it is set.
Pilobolus—Shadowland: The New Adventure, March 28, 8 p.m.: Pilobolus’ performance has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 19, at 8 p.m. Tickets for the March performance are valid for the September show.
Visual Arts Exhibit, Artist’s Reception and Artist Chat with Yancy Villa Calvo will be rescheduled for the fall. Keep an eye on information for the 2020-2021 Season for details.
Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m. This performance will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. Tickets for the April concert will be valid for the rescheduled show.
Artsavvy: Gullah Traditions, Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m. This program will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. You can find updates here or on the Facebook event.
Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers, Thursday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. This show will be rescheduled, we are working with the tour on a new date.Tickets for the April performance are valid for the rescheduled show.
Ranky Tanky, Friday, April 17, 8 p.m. This performance will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. Tickets for the April Ranky Tanky concert will be valid for the rescheduled show.
We will communicate updates for these events via the GPAC website, social media and through emails to patrons and ticket holders affected by rescheduled events and cancellations. If you have questions regarding ticketing for the above mentioned performances, please call the GPAC box office at (901) 751-7500 or at boxoffice@gpacweb.com. Thank you for your understanding.
Quark is suspending performances until, hopefully, we can remount it in the (near) future. That may be in 2 weeks; it may be in 2 months. We will keep you informed.
We had originally planned to complete our entire run. While we believe any possibility of virus transmission at Theatre South is quite low because it only holds, at the most, 50 people, we understand the the possibility is not zero. We also understand that people are concerned right now and seem to be getting more so.
We hope to see more of you in the future!
The safety of our patrons, staff, artists, teachers, and volunteers is of utmost importance, and we at Playhouse on the Square (Circuit Playhouse, Inc.) have been adjusting our plans to confront the challenges of COVID-19 on a daily basis based on information from the CDC, WHO, Shelby County Health Department, City of Memphis, and the State of Tennessee.
With 18 productions on 3 stages, 2 school touring productions, and 13 education and outreach programs, reaching 10s of 1000s of people yearly, there are many moving parts, and we strive to present our offerings with as little disruption as possible.
This past weekend, the CDC issued new recommendations, and we will be implementing the following courses of action:
· Beginning on 3/16/20, we will be cancelling remaining performances of The Book of Will; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Schoolhouse Rock Live; The Ant and the Grasshopper; and Days of Rage through May 7, 2020.
· We will push the entire run of Little Shop of Horrors 1 or 2 weeks later to run May 8 through May 31 or May 15 through June 7.
· We will shorten the run of Mississippi Goddamn by opening one week later to run June 12 through June 28.
· We will push the entire run of Something Rotten 1 week later to run June 26 through July 12.
· St. Paulie’s Delight’s run will retain its current schedule, July 10 through July 26.
· After School Acting Program (ASAP) and Theatre School will be cancelled until the Fall.
· TnT and PlaySlam will be postponed to a later date.
· Summer Youth Conservatory programming will retain its current schedule.
· The 43rd Annual Original Art Auction, scheduled for April 25, will be postponed until Summer or Fall of 2020.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope that you will continue to support Playhouse on the Square as we endeavor to confront both the health and economic challenges to our patrons, staff, teachers, and volunteers.
If you have tickets for upcoming cancelled performances, our Box Office team will be reaching out to you to change your reservation to another show, issue refunds, or process your payment as a donation should you prefer that option. Our Box Office (901-726-4656) will maintain normal business hours until further notice.
201 Poplar (Monday, March 16)
In light of the health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the criminal justice system at 201 Poplar will be functioning much differently over the next few weeks, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich said Monday.
Major changes will include:
• Out-of-custody defendants with cases in General Sessions and/or Criminal Court will have their cases reset automatically to the corresponding day of the week of April 20, 2020, through May 5, 2020. You do not need to appear at 201 Poplar.
Here is the updated schedule:
• In-custody cases are top priority and will be handled as usual.
• There will be no jury trials until further notice.
• The Shelby County Grand Jury will not meet until further notice.
• If you are a victim or a witness subpoenaed by the DA’s office, someone from the DA’s office will contact you. If you have not been contacted within a day of your ordered appearance, please call 901-222-1300 and ask for the Victim Witness Unit.
Other important numbers to keep:
General Sessions Criminal Court Clerk – 901-222-3500
Criminal Court Clerk – 901-222-3200
Gold Strike Casino Resort (Monday, March 16)
GM Resorts International announced its decision to temporarily suspend operations at its two Mississippi properties, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and Gold Strike Casino Resort, until further notice, effective as of Tuesday, March 17th. Casino operations will close at 6 a.m. CST, followed by hotel operations.
“Our highest priority remains the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees. We will work to mitigate the impact this will have on our employees, partners and communities,” said MGM Chief Operating Officer and president Bill Hornbuckle. “We will continue monitoring the situation and announce plans for reopening when appropriate.”
Crosstown Arts (Saturday, March 14)
Crosstown Arts is working to help slow the potential transmission of coronavirus and is postponing all music performances, public events, gallery open hours, Shared Art Making open hours, and food/beverage service at the cafe and Art Bar through April 1. Refunds to any ticketed events will be issued within 48 hours.
For updates about when these spaces and programs will resume normal operation, please look for an announcement in the Crosstown Arts newsletter; check out crosstownarts.org; or follow Crosstown Arts on social media — Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Dixon Gallery and Gardens (Monday, March 16)
Dear Friends,
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is above all concerned for the health and safety of our visitors, employees, and many volunteers. We are measuring our response to the new Coronavirus/COVID 19 by the best and most current information available from the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Shelby County Health Department, the American Alliance of Museums, all the area hospitals, and the City of Memphis. We have taken part in conference calls with the Association of Art Museum Directors, ArtsMemphis, and the Cultural Coalition of Memphis to learn how other organizations are gathering information and making decisions. We have been impressed by the spirit of cooperation, the sharing of information, the sacrifice, and the genuine compassion of the cultural sector in Memphis.
The Dixon has taken a number of actions—some very difficult—in trying to combat the spread of Coronavirus/COVID 19 in our community. Effective Tuesday, March 17, we are closing the Dixon Galleries, the museum facility, for the next two weeks. We will see where we are on Monday, March 30. Count on regular updates. We also are cancelling all education and outreach programs, whether in the museum or in the gardens, and asking our many volunteers to work from home the next two weeks or to take a few days off.
The Dixon is also canceling or postponing the following large events: the Margaret Oates Dixon Society gathering (18 March); the Philipp Laagland lecture (19 March); the Daffodil Show (20-21 March); the Director of Horticulture tour of ‘Dixon Blooms’ (24 March); the Memphis Flower Show (3-5 April); the Cosmopolitans Spring Party (9 April); and the Dixon Easter Egg Hunt (11 April). The Dixon is determined to make good and transparent decisions for the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, and to get reliable information to you in a timely fashion.
For the time being, the Dixon Gardens will remain open. If you come to the gardens, please be considerate of one another’s personal space. Temporary social distancing is one of the very simple actions we can all practice—along with staying home if we feel ill, washing our hands vigorously and frequently, and refraining from touching our faces—to thwart COVID 19. The Dixon has also doubled and tripled our cleaning and disinfecting efforts around our campus.
The best thing the Dixon can do for our community right now is to eliminate any close public interactions that are not necessary. Don’t get me wrong, art is essential, but it is also eternal, and it will be waiting for you in the Dixon Galleries when we reopen. And the Dixon Gardens await you. With 200,000 tulips and other flowering bulbs coming into bloom, the gardens offer abundant joy and solace in these challenging times. I repeat, our seventeen acres also present more than ample room for safe social distancing. Please respect the personal space of others while you are here.
Thank you for your support of the Dixon. We will get through this together.
Kevin Sharp
Stax Museum of American Soul Music (Monday, March 16) 
The Soulsville Foundation – which operates the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School at the original site of Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee –has made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Stax Museum beginning March 18, 2020 out of concern for the safety of its employees, visitors, volunteers, and other guests amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
While we have not seen any signs of COVID-19 among our staff and visitors, we feel that we should take this preventative measure because the circumstances surrounding the virus are changing by the hour and we always err on the side of caution when it comes to safety, which is our top priority.
While the museum’s closure status will be reevaluated every two weeks, it is postponing until further notice all events and programs until at least April 30, 2020.
The Stax Museum is unique in that it is not only an international tourist destination drawing people from around the world and a community-based museum offering free programming for the general public throughout the year, but it also shares the same campus as the aforementioned Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School, which provide education and other services to roughly 800 children and families each day. In keeping with Shelby County Schools’ policies, both schools are closed until March 30, 2020.
“Like the rest of the world, we are deeply concerned about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak,” said Soulsville Foundation President and CEO Richard Greenwald. “We realize that many of the Stax Museum’s guests travel to Memphis from across the United States and from other countries and, given the propensity for the virus to affect those traveling, we feel it’s our responsibility to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by temporarily closing the Stax Museum. It’s not an easy decision but we feel it’s the right thing to do at this time.”
In the meantime, the Soulsville Foundation will continue deep cleaning and sanitizing of all its facilities and following all protocol set forth by the American Alliance of Museums, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Shelby County Health Department, and other relevant organizations. We urge everyone to follow these guidelines to help stop the spread of the virus.
We will keep the public updated on any and all changes during this time and regret any inconvenience.
“Our hearts go out to the millions of people being affected by COVID-19,” Greenwald continued. “Our hope is that the pandemic will eventually subside and we can return to business as usual of preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records in the many ways we do that.”
Earnestine & Hazel’s (Posted there Thursday, March 12)
Toby Sells
Earnestine & Hazel’s wil shut down for two weeks.
Owners of Earnestine & Hazel’s closed the “most popular dive bar in America” for two weeks in a memorandum that appeared on the bar’s front door Thursday.
“I hope my actions are going to be considered overkill, perhaps like taking a flame thrower to a cockroach,” said co-owner (and medical doctor) Dr. Kevin Merigian. “My intuition tells me otherwise.
Agricenter (Monday, March 16)
Agricenter is closely monitoring the recommendations from the CDC and Shelby County Health Department as it relates to COVID-19 in our region. CDC issued guidance over the weekend on limiting gatherings to 50 people or less.
Effective immediately, all event activities in Agricenter’s Expo Center, ShowPlace Arena, and Farmer’s Market that are larger than 50 people will be postponed or cancelled through March 31, 2020.
Agricenter is working closely with show organizers to reschedule their events as possible. Event notices will be posted on the events page here: www.agricenter.org/events
Memphis International Raceway (Monday, March 16)
Memphis International Raceway (MIR) and its parent company IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) have made changes to the upcoming event schedule in adherence with national, state and local public health officials’ recommendations to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• The 34th annual Super Chevy Show has been postponed and rescheduled to Sept. 25-27, 2020
• Memphis International Raceway will host an action-packed doubleheader weekend by combining the 34th annual Super Chevy Show with the ARCA Racing Series 200 championship race of the Sioux Chief Showdown Saturday, Sept. 26 – this is a weekend you will not want to miss
• Anyone who has purchased tickets to the 34th Annual Super Chevy Show will be able to transfer their tickets to the rescheduled date of Sept. 25-27, 2020.
Children’s Museum of Memphis (Monday, March 16)
The Children’s Museum of Memphis will be closed temporarily as a safety measure beginning Tuesday, March 17, based on the CDC and local health departmental recommendations.
Dr. Stewart Burgess, Executive Director of the museum, said: “Although we have not had any presumed or confirmed cases of the virus at the museum, we would rather do our part to protect the safety of our visitors, staff, and the community.”
Although we are making this adjustment, we plan to provide parents with fun, educational materials, and creative suggestions to keep their children engaged. And, of course, we will have some fun activities planned for when this concern has been resolved.
Our staff will continue to monitor released health updates and will post any updates on our website and social channels.
Indie Memphis (Monday, March 16)
Indie Memphis is postponing upcoming events in March and April as a precaution to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
If you purchased a ticket to a film screening, you will be receiving a refund and/or your member credits will be returned.
Our youth film mentor teams have been recommended to meet virtually during this time to avoid close contact.
I am in regular communication with our peer arts organizations in Memphis and around the country as the situation evolves. We look forward to announcing new programming and rescheduling screenings when the time is appropriate.
National Civil Rights Museum (Monday, March 16)
The Lorraine Motel is among the three sites in Memphis to be included on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
A Special Alert from the National Civil Rights Museum
regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
With news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalating, the National Civil Rights Museum will temporarily CLOSED to the public, beginning Tuesday, March 17, until further notice. We recognize that this situation is extremely fluid and feel it necessary to halt operations to ensure the safety of our employees and guests.
While the Museum is closed, all public events and programming are cancelled. This includes our annual April 4th commemorative service.
We will provide frequent updates on any changes in our operations status. Thank you for your understanding as we work together to ensure a safe environment for everyone associated with the Museum.
For more information from health officials regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Kroc Center of Memphis
In light of the national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus), the Kroc Center of Memphis has temporarily suspended all public programming and operations effective immediately.
As risks have increased regarding community spread of COVID-19 across Memphis and the Mid-South, we have considered all options and have ultimately decided to follow CDC guidelines to limit public exposures. As such, all activity, with the exception of Spring Break camp, will be suspended in our building effective Monday, March 16. Spring Break Camp will be held March 16-17 only.
As this matter evolves, we will offer facility updates on when we plan to reopen. Our local and national Kroc Center teams are working within parameters set forth by the CDC and the guidance of local government to determine when we can safely return to normal operations. For those that are enrolled in programs, we will communicate plans for rescheduling as that information becomes available. If you have any questions in the interim, please contact us at info@krocmemphis.org. You may also call 901.729.8007, and press 2.
Temporarily closing our doors is a difficult decision, as we balance being available to the community with being proactive in the interest of public health. We are grateful to have your understanding and patience during this time.
We truly appreciate your support and commitment to helping us create a welcoming space for Worship, Arts, Education, and Recreation. We know that staying fit and active is our best way to build a strong immune system and stay healthy. Even though you can’t make it in to join us in person, here is a FREE online option of our Les Mills fitness classes to help keep you active and working out at home. This platform offers 95 free workouts across 8 categories and it will remain available as long as the disruption from Coronavirus continues. Additionally, we plan to post on our social media platforms, providing tips to stay active and engaged over the coming day.
Please continue to observe the recommended practices for maintaining good health, and we look forward to seeing you when the Kroc Center reopens.
Blessings,
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
Memphis Restaurant Association (Monday, March 16)
Postponed – Pro Tips for Avoiding ADA Nightmares
We feel it is responsible to postpone the March membership meeting at this time.
Thanks to Evans Petree for being flexible and agreeing to speak at a later date which is to be determined.
Brooks Museum of Art (Sunday, March 15)
Since March 4, the Brooks staff has made extraordinary efforts to disinfect and sanitize its spaces. We now believe we must close temporarily to further limit transmission of COVID-19, and do all we can as a public institution to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and community.
We understand how rapidly this situation is evolving, so we will provide updates as we have more information.
Meanwhile, as one of our region’s greatest cultural assets, we hope that you will enjoy checking our website and social media to experience our temporary exhibition, “Native Voices, 1950s to Now: Art for a New Understanding,” our great permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs, decorative arts, and new media; and snapshots of some of our nationally-recognized educational programs in action.
We appreciate your support of the Brooks and our efforts to care for our community. We assure you that our staff and Board are committed to making this effort as effective and smooth as possible for everyone in our great city.