This morning I posted on Facebook that the forecast for Memphis Music & Heritage Festival this weekend is mid 90s both days with heat index probably near 100. I said I might have to take some “Bear Breaks” (trips to the Blind Bear, within the festival borders), to cool off. My friend Gary commented, “so every day is a festival for you!” I really like that as a philosophy on life. I think I will adopt it.
The South Main Association is bringing back its legendary Oktoberfest celebration. Sunday, September 27, from 3 to 7 Oktoberfest will be held at the Farmers Market pavilion at the corner of South Front and G.E. Patterson Avenue. Food, beer and wine will be served compliments of the SMA, and you will be able to dance to the music of Pam and Terry. There will be a silent auction featuring items from local businesses. The event will happen rain or shine. For SMA members tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For non-SMA members, $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Purchase tickets here.
Burlesque is coming to the Brass Door Saturday September 12 8-10 PM in a 21+ show. This is the only burlesque tribute personally approved by author George R. R. Martin himself, and it has sold out up and down the East Coast. It will star Bella LaBlanc, Bree MaDonna, Cherie Sweetbottom, Dante the Inferno, Lily Liqueur, Moxie LaBouche, Ray Bullock, and Xander Lovecraft, and will be hosted by Ego Von Hubris. Purchase tickets here Doors at 7, show at 8. No one will be seated during the harrowing Mountain vs Red Viper duel sequence.
Tonight is the regular season finale for the Memphis Redbirds. All who attend will receive a voucher for a 2016 season field box seat, for any date except fireworks dates. 2016 schedule magnets will be given away, and it will be a Fan Appreciation Night and fans will have the chance to win Redbirds merchandise every inning, including autographed memorabilia. Gates at 6, first pitch 7:05. The New Orleans Zephyrs are the opponent.
There’s a ton of college football on tonight. Here’s the schedule.
There will be a Community Open House for the newly completed Halloran Center for Performing Arts and Education, adjacent to the Orpheum on South Main, Saturday, September 12 from 10 AM to 6 PM. There will be self-guided tours and performances by Ballet Memphis, Collage Dance Collective, Hattiloo Theatre, Mömandpöp, Music for Aardvarks, New Ballet Ensemble, Opera Memphis, Theatre Memphis, and Voices of the South. Food trucks including Sin City Grillers, MEMPOPS, Parker’s Italian Ice, and Cariflavor will be there. The center will have classroom space, start-of-the-art 361-seat theatre, dance studio, cutting-edge audio/video lab, and a rehearsal hall to enhance education in the performing arts.
Memphis Magazine’s luncheon series, “A Summons to Memphis,” will continue Monday, September 14 at the Peabody’s Grand Ballroom, 11 AM to 1 PM. The speaker will be Mick Cornett, the first four-term mayor of Oklahoma City, named by Newsweek as one of the five most innovative mayors in the U.S. His progressive policies on downtown redevelopment, urban design, and health and wellness are a good model for Memphis city planners to study. Purchase tickets here. $50 individual/$450 table. Through tomorrow, use code ADVANCE for 20% off.
The Daily News has an article on planning what’s next for the soon-to-be former Memphis College of Art space at 477 S. Main.
That’ll do it for now. Check back about 6, because there may be a second post. I have Memphis Farmers Market news and we will see what else I find to talk about.