As the weather turns balmy, casual conversation has lately turned to the topic of the Levitt Shell, and how it may respond to this new era of widespread vaccinations. Wonder no more, music lovers. Today the Levitt Shell released a schedule of its first six shows of the year, two limited-capacity, ticketed concerts a month for May, June, and July.
While names of the performing artists involved are only being released one month at a time, we do know that May will feature the North Mississippi All-Stars (May 6th) and Tank & the Bangas (May 20th).
The Levitt Shell’s annual ticketed Orion Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series is typically limited to one or two per year. But now the Roosevelt-era venue is reintroducing the series as a celebration of the return to live music and outdoor conviviality. In partnership with chef Kelly English and a team of other Memphis chefs, the Levitt Shell will curate a unique, picnic style dinner dubbed “Tasty Compositions” for each concert.
Presented by Roadshow BMW, the series will be limited capacity with socially distanced pod experiences on the Shell lawn. Dates for the series are May 6th and 20th, June 3rd and 17th, and July 1st and 15th.
And an announcement of free shows is not far off, as Executive Director Natalie Wilson notes, “This vital series powers the continued preservation of the Shell and the return to free, live music from our historic stage in the fall.” The upcoming ticketed Shell Yeah series “allows us the opportunity to gift Memphis with a rich diversity of music from all over world.”
For his part, Chef Kelly English is excited. “The Shell is one of the places in Memphis that has always been an epicenter of authentic moments and organic experiences for me,” he said. “I am proud to be a part of its story and to work with a truly diverse group of restaurants to bring it back from slumber.”
Participating chefs in the series include:
Kelly English: Iris/Second Line/Fino’s
Bala Tounkara: Bala’s Bistro
Jimmy Gentry: Paradox Catering
Ryan Trimm: Sweetgrass/117 Prime/Sunrise
Karen Carrier: Beauty Shop/Hazel’s Delicatessen
Philip Ashley Rix: Philip Ashley Chocolates
Ben Smith: Tsunami
Eli Townsend: Townsend Food Services
Nuha Abuduhair: 17 Berkshire
Jason Severs: Bari
For more information about the Orion Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series, visit www.levittshell.org. Tickets will be on sale online at Ticketmaster.com starting April 9th.