This week, original members of 24-Carat Black stop at Stax, the Broad Avenue Arts District gets a “Paint Memphis” makeover and soul legend Mavis Staples plays the Germantown Performing Arts Center.
‘Soul of the City Tour: Memphis Music’ at Elmwood Cemetery, Thursday-Saturday:
Elmwood Cemetery’s annual “Soul of the City” walking tour will be held Oct. 6-8 and honors Memphis music this yeear. In this file photo, actor Terry Rogers adjusts his hat while portraying civil rights photographer Ernest Withers during filming of the “Soul of the City” tour on Friday, July 31, 2020. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
In this 60-minute, costumed walking tour of the city’s oldest active cemetery, actors will portray eight songwriters, producers, composers and singers who are buried at Elmwood. The featured “Elmwood residents” include big band maestro Jimmie Lunceford and gospel singer Sister Thea Bowman, as well as multiple Grammy Award-winners, blues musicians and more. A rotating cast of food trucks will be around all weekend. Times vary, and some time slots have already sold out. $22 adults; $18 for vets, students and seniors; free to kids 12 and under. 824 S. Dudley St. Click here to purchase tickets and learn more. — Bianca Phillips
An evening with original members of The 24-Carat Black at Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Thursday:
Original members of The 24-Carat Black will be present at a panel discussion and listening session at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Oct. 6. (Courtesy Stax Museum)
While listening to the music of Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Pusha-T, Nas and Digable Planets, fans have also been listening to sounds Stax Records released. Each of those hip-hop artists sampled songs from The 24-Carat Black, a group of 12-plus Cincinnati musicians. In 1973, the band and its producer Dale Warren created “Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth” under Stax subsidiary Enterprise Records. According to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, due to Stax Records’ money troubles (and eventual bankruptcy), the album didn’t get the support it needed to gain listeners, and the band toured around the country in a U-Haul and subsequently went broke. Decades later, the band finally got those listeners in the form of DJs and others who sampled the work. Magazine PopMatters calls “Ghetto” the “most sampled album never heard.” On Thursday, 24-Carat Black singers Princess Hearn and C. Niambi Steele and saxophonist Jerome Derrickson will be present at Stax Museum for a panel discussion and listening session featuring WYXR program manager and Stax contributor Jared Boyd and band book biographer Zach Schonfield. 7 p.m. Free. 926 E. McLemore Blvd. Click here for more information. — Elle Perry
Tennessee Shakespeare Company’s Shout-Out Series presents ‘Macbeth’ at Wiseacre Brewing, Thursday:
Tennessee Shakespeare Co.’s Shout-Out Series presents “Macbeth” at Wiseacre Brewing on Oct. 6. In this file photo, Tennessee Shakespeare Co. performs “King Henry VI: The Wars of the Roses” in Overton Square. (Courtesy Joey Miller)
You can see a Shakespearean tragedy in an unconventional-but-familiar setting at this production of “Macbeth” at Wiseacre’s Broad Avenue location. The Wiseacre performance will be one of many chances to catch the show, which is playing at nine vastly different venues until its closing night on Sunday, Oct. 23. Performances are directed by Stephanie Shine and star Michael Khanlarian, both members of the Tennessee Shakespeare Company, a nonprofit theater and acting school. Kids are welcome, but the company warns of sword violence and death in the stage play. 7 p.m. Free. Read more about the event here. 2783 Broad Ave. — Judaea Driscoll.
Weird Al Yankovic at Graceland Soundstage, Thursday:
“Weird Al” Yankovic will perform his orginal, non-parody music on the Graceland Soundstage on Oct. 6. In this 2019 file photo, “Weird Al” performed at The Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX/AP file)
Just a week after the death of Coolio (RIP), the rapper’s one-time arch-nemesis — who famously turned “Gangster’s Paradise” into “Amish Paradise” — is coming to Memphis. But don’t expect Weird Al to play his satirized versions of Top 40 hits, like “Smells Like Nirvana” or “Another One Rides the Bus.” Nope, Weird Al will be decidedly less weird (but still funny) when he takes Graceland Soundstage to play an intimate show of original comedy music from his 2014 album “Mandatory Fun.” Doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m. $39.50 to $79.50. 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Dixon Beer Garden at Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Friday:
Black Cream will perform at the Dixon Gallery & Gardens “Beer Garden” event on Oct. 7. Black Cream lead guitarist Thomas “T.O.” Crivens is featured in this file photo. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian file)
This Friday and next, the Dixon’s grounds become a beer garden, complete with live, local music and a local beer created with herbs grown at the Dixon. In addition to music — from soul band Black Cream this week and pianist/singer Wyly Bigger next week — the events include frozen cocktails, wine and appetizers for sale from the museum’s Park+Cherry restaurant, as well as food trucks. The Oct. 7 featured brewery is Boscos, and the featured food trucks are El Mero and Cousins Maine Lobster. The Oct. 14 featured brewery is Grind City, and the featured food trucks are Yippie Trippie & the Porkstars, Let’s Be Frank and Green Beetle. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. $25 (for required beer punch card). 4339 Park Ave. Click here for more information.— Perry
‘Wattstax’ screening at Orange Mound Tower, Friday:
The “Wattstax” concert documentary will screen at Orange Mound Tower on Oct. 7 to mark the 50th anniversary of the festival. This file photo features the Wattstax festival crowd in 1972. (Courtesy Stax Museum)
“Wattstax,” a concert documentary filmed in 1973, will be screened at Orange Mound Tower to mark the 50th anniversary of a festival that’s been referred to as the “Black Woodstock.” The film was produced by Stax Records executive and producer Al Bell, and it was directed and shot by Mel Stuart and David L. Wolper of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” fame. The film would go on to play at the Cannes Film Festival and earn a Golden Globe nomination. The event is in partnership with the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis Record Pressing, Tone, Indie Memphis and WYXR. DJ Bizzle BlueBland will perform before the show. Parking will be available onsite and in the Lamar Shopping Center. This is an all-ages event. Doors at 6 p.m. Free. 2205 Lamar Ave. Click here to find out more. — Driscoll
‘Choice’ by Nasty Women Memphis at Marshall Arts, opening Friday:
Nasty Women Memphis presents “CHOICE,” a group exhibition at Marshall Arts, opens on Oct. 7. (Daniela Molina/Courtesy Nasty Women Memphis)
Nasty Women Memphis, the local branch of Nasty Women Global Art Exhibitions and Activism, will host a group art exhibition called “Choice” in a demonstration of solidarity among “artists who are women, people with uteruses, and those who support them in the face of threats to individual and reproductive rights.” Fifty percent of funds from any art sold will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi; the other half will go to the artist. Nasty Women Global Art Exhibitions and Activism has organized more than 80 exhibitions across the globe, following the 2016 presidential election. Opening reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday. On view through Oct. 21. Free. 639 Marshall Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Big River Fit Festival at Mud Island River Park, Saturday:
The new free, family-friendly Big River Fit Festival happens at Mud Island River Park on Oct. 8. (Daily Memphian file)
Big River Fit Fest, a new free, family-friendly fitness festival, hits Downtown this weekend. The aim is to foster fitness, wellness and health in Memphis, while building community. The day includes nine fitness classes, a CrossFit competition and a vendor market. The schedule also includes a class at 9 a.m. from the Memphis Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas dance team. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. 125 N. Front St. Click here for more information. — Perry
V&E Greenline Artwalk at the corner of Tutwiler and Avalon, Saturday:
The V&E Greenline Artwalk is Oct. 8 at the greenline’s Kirby Station. (Stacy Pennington/Courtesy Vollintine-Evergreen Community Association)
The annual V&E Greenline Artwalk is a combination of things: trail fundraiser, community bonding activity, family-friendly outing and art fair. The artwalk serves as the main fundraiser for the 1.7-mile Vollintine-Evergreen Greenline. The event features 50 to 75 artisans and artists selling their wares at the greenline’s Kirby Station. A juried “Best of Show” winner will also be selected. There will also be music, food trucks, beer and wine, children’s activities and art demonstrations. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Tutwiler and Avalon. Click here for more information. — Perry
‘Frankenstein’ and ‘The Birds’ at Crosstown Theater, Saturday:
Crosstown Concourse’s “Fright-tober” film series will screen Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” at Crosstown Theater on Oct. 8. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)
Crosstown’s double-decker Halloween-season “Fright-ober” film screenings offer up a pair of true classics this week. Director James Whale’s 1931 “Frankenstein” doesn’t quite reach the ecstatic heights of its sequel, “Bride of Frankenstein,” but Boris Karloff is indelible as the Monster, and many of its moments are deeply etched in our collective cultural memory. Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 “The Birds” is the toniest and ultimately spookiest of the “another species is attacking us” creature features of its era. Not among Hitchcock’s very best — an exceedingly high bar to clear — but among both his most assaultive and mischievous. Each flick — screening separately — is both a cultural reference point worth having and, more importantly, a good time at the movies. “Frankenstein” is at 2:30 p.m., “The Birds” is at 6:30 p.m. Both screenings are free. 1350 Concourse Ave. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington
BALTHVS at B-Side, Saturday:
BALTHVS played the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, earlier this year, and now the Colombian psychedelic funk trio is coming to Memphis. What can one expect at a show? If they are anything like the band’s two albums, fans of Texas trio Khruangbin would definitely enjoy the sounds of BALTHVS. The band also includes elements of dance and soul within their songs. 7 p.m. $10. 1555 Madison Ave., Suite 101 (Inside Minglewood Plaza). B-Side has more information on its Facebook page. — Perry
‘Owning The Block’ at Avon Acres, Saturday:
Kahlana Barfield Brown
If you’re looking to hear from women in the beauty and entertainment industry, here’s your chance. New York-based event production agency The Vanity Group is bringing fashion and beauty expert Kahlana Barfield Brown to its second annual career empowerment event experience. Brown is the first designer selected for Target’s apparel brand “Future Collective.” The stylist will be the event’s keynote speaker. Attendees will be served savory bites from local celebrity chef D. Arthur and signature cocktails courtesy of brand partner Courvoisier. 3 to 7 p.m. $100. 4361 Summer Ave. More information about the event is here. — Jasmine McCraven
Paint Memphis in the Broad Avenue Arts District, Saturday:
More than 150 artists will paint murals in the Broad Avenue Arts District during Paint Memphis on Oct. 8. This photo shows murals at Georgia Avenue and B.B. King Boulevard from Paint Memphis’ 2021 event. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
Paint Memphis is calling artists of all ages to join in on its one-day community painting event. More than 150 regional and international artists are working together to paint murals on the streets of the Broad Avenue Arts District. The day will include more than 50 food trucks, art vendors, live music and a mural workshop. Paint Memphis is open to all ages. Noon to 6 p.m. North Hollywood Street, Broad Avenue and Scott Street. Free.More information can be found here. — McCraven
Crosstoberfest at Crosstown Brewing Co., Saturday:
Crosstown Brewing Co.’s Crosstoberfest is Oct. 8. (Daily Memphian file)
One of the best things about having so many local breweries in Memphis is having so many local Oktoberfest celebrations. It seems that every brewery has one, and this Saturday, it’s Crosstown Brewing Co.’s turn. The Crosstoberfest beer — their spin on the traditional Oktoberfest style — will be flowing, and there’s a lederhosen costume contest, a cornhole tournament and a stein-holding competition. At 1 p.m., Memphis jam band Grape takes the stage, and the Mighty Souls Brass Band will play at 5 p.m. 1 to 8 p.m. Free. 1264 Concourse Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Mavis Staples at Germantown Performing Arts Center, Saturday:
Mavis Staples will perform at the Germantown Performing Arts Center on Oct. 8. In this file photo, Staples was performing at the sixth annual Love Rocks NYC concert in New York in 2022. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP file)
A Memphis Music Hall of Famer twice over, as the dominant voice in her family band, the Staple Singers, and now as a solo artist, Mavis Staples wasn’t able to make it to her second induction last month. But she will take the Memphis stage this week at GPAC. The Staple Singers was where soul, gospel and topical folk music all intersected, and Staples has continued to preach the musical good word — sacred and secular — deep into a now decades-long solo career. 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $30. 1801 Exeter Rd. See here for more info. — Herrington
‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ at the Orpheum Theatre, opening Tuesday:
“Pretty Woman: The Musical” opens at the Orpheum Theatre on Oct. 11. (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy Orpheum Theatre)
You know the story: Hollywood sex worker Vivian Ward is hired by wealthy businessman Edward Lewis to be his date for business and social functions, and the two end up falling for each other. The 1990 film, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, has been adapted for the stage and features music and lyrics by another ’90s icon, Bryan Adams, and his “Summer of 69” songwriter Jim Vallance. The musical made its Broadway debut in 2019, and it’s opening at the Orpheum next week. Runs through Oct. 16. Times vary. $29 to $125. 203 S. Main St. Click here for more information. — Phillips
