Welcome back to The To-Do List, where Daily Memphian staffers suggest their favorite events and activities for the coming week.
This week, Old Dominick celebrates Christmas in July, Freedom Summer activists share stories and stand-up comedy meets beer at High Cotton Brewing.
‘Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World’ at Crosstown Theater, Thursday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138921_740) John Lennon in “Revival69.” The film screens at Crosstown Theater on Thursday, July 25. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)
Like Woodstock, the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival music festival happened in 1969. But unlike Woodstock, its bill mostly looked backward and its own revival took more than half a century. The concert itself was an all-day affair designed to showcase and celebrate first-generation rock-and-roll greats such as Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. But The Doors headlined, and John Lennon debuted his new Plastic Ono Band, paving the way for his exit from The Beatles. Documentarian D.A. Pennebaker shot footage of the concert, which has been combined with more recent eyewitness interviews for this new documentary. Screening as part of the Crosstown Arts Film Series. 7 p.m. $5. See here for more info. — Chris Herrington
Christmas in July at Old Dominick Distillery, Friday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138848_740) Old Dominick Distillery hosts Christmas in July on Friday, July 26. (The Daily Memphian file)
The Downtown Memphis distillery will kick off its summer donation drive in support of the Dorothy Day House, a nonprofit providing temporary housing to families. The drive lasts through Aug. 8 but starts with a tropical/holiday-themed party at Old Dominick’s rooftop lounge with exclusive cocktails and food from the Smoke & Toast food truck. Bring donations of household cleaning supplies, hygiene items and shelf-stable food. 5-8 p.m. Free to enter. Food and drinks priced a la carte. 21 and up. 305 S. Front St. Click for more information. — Holly Whitfield
Spillit Slam: Uptown at Comeback Coffee, Friday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138849_740) Spillit hosts an Uptown-focused Spillit Slam storytelling event at Comeback Coffee on Friday, July 26. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
As a part of its neighborhood series — and in partnership with the Memphis Medical District Collaborative — Spillit will host a storytelling competition at Comeback Coffee. Since 2012, Spillit events have encouraged attendees to think, laugh, cry and feel inspired to share their own stories. That said, you don’t have to speak. But if you do, you’ll have seven minutes to share a story inspired by the Uptown area, or a tale with Uptown vibes. As long as it’s true, personal and unscripted, Spillit wants to hear it. The best story wins and that person can go on to compete in the year-end Spillit Story Slam championship. 7-9:30 p.m. $13.73. 358 N. Main St. Click here for more information. — Whitfield
Soulin on the River with Zsa Davis at Fourth Bluff Park, Friday:
Memphis Slim Collaboratory is bringing back its every-other-Friday summer music series, “Soulin on the River,” starting this week. This series, cohosted with the Overton Park Shell and Memphis River Parks Partnership, features modern soul artists, and Mississippi-born Zsa Davis plays the kick-off show. Bring your own chair or blanket to sit on. Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome, but there will also be food trucks and a full bar on-site. Gates open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Free. North Front Street. Click here to register for free. — Bianca Phillips
Memphis Women’s Expo at the Kent, Saturday-Sunday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138925_740) Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins will be part of a leadership panel at the Memphis Women’s Expo on Sunday, July 28. (Courtesy Angel Ortez/MSCS Communications)
This two-day expo is all about female empowerment and features Saturday panel discussions and workshops on topics ranging from money management to Black women’s health. There’s also plenty of fun, including cooking demos, live music, a Prep Curry fashion show and shopping from local vendors. On Sunday, the programming features a religious slant with “praise and worship” sessions, but there’s also a Women in Leadership panel featuring Shelby County Commissioner Miska Clay-Bibbs, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins, Memphis Urban League Interim President Gale Jones Carson and others. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday; 1-6 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $85, but other ticket levels are offered. 61 Keel Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
60th Anniversary of Mississippi Freedom Summer at the National Civil Rights Museum, Saturday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138845_740) The National Civil Rights Museum will host a daylong symposium in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer on Saturday, July 27. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian file)
At this daylong symposium, activists from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee will discuss their efforts to register Black voters in Mississippi in 1964. There’s a panel discussion featuring journalists, authors and other SNCC veterans who made an impact during Freedom Summer, a screening of the documentary “Dying to Vote” and another panel on the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission. Read more about the event and speakers in Jane Roberts’ story. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $15. Click here to register for either the in-person or virtual event. 450 Mulberry St. — Phillips
70th Anniversary of Live Rock ’n’ Roll Tour, Saturday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138927_740) Backbeat Tours will host a tour celebrating the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first live rock show at the Overton Park Shell. (Walter Lindlar/AP file)
Backbeat Tours will mark the 70th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s first live rock show — which took place at Midtown’s Overton Park Shell in 1954 — with a guided tour and tribute artist concert. Tours will leave from the Rock ’n’ Soul Museum Downtown and travel by vintage bus through the city to the Overton Park Shell, where guests will take a backstage tour of the amphitheater. After that, Elvis Presley tribute artist and rockabilly musician Finley Watkins will take the Shell’s stage for a cover performance recreating Presley’s first show. There are two tours on Saturday at 2 and 3 p.m. $60 plus taxes and fees. Starts at 191 Beale St. Read more about the tour or click for tickets. — Whitfield
‘Prairie Fever’ at Ugly Art Co., opening Saturday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138867_740) Shea Claire Goodson's "Stump at Night" will be on view in "Prairie Fever" at Ugly Art Co. (Courtesy Shea Claire Goodson)
“Funny, dark, whimsical and thought-provoking.” That’s how Ugly Art Co. describes the work of Shea Claire Goodson. Her solo show “Prairie Fever,” composed of paintings, installations and soft sculptures (works made using cloth, textiles, paper and other such materials), will premiere at Ugly Art Co. “My work is humorous, weird, uncanny,” Goodson said. Originally from Tulsa, she moved to Memphis for school and draws inspiration from female artists like Liza Lou and Bisa Butler. Using vibrant colors and playing with depth and dimension, Goodson explores life cycles, maternity and farming. On view until Saturday, Aug. 10. 6-9 p.m. Free. 635 Madison Ave. Click here for details. — Kelsey Bowen
High Cotton Comedy Club with Kyle Kordsmeier at High Cotton Brewing, Saturday:
Former Memphis comic Kyle Kordsmeier now calls Fayetteville, Arkansas, home. But he makes his return to the Bluff City this Saturday as the headliner for High Cotton Brewing’s regular comedy series. The show also features stand-up from former Memphis comedy scene alum Lila Baer (who now lives in Denver) and local comedian Tootie Two Times. Hosted by Charlie Vergos, the grandson of the Rendezvous owner. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $15 at the door or $10 in advance. 598 Monroe Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Mark Edgar Stuart at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, Sunday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138847_740) Memphis singer-songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart will play an album release show at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way on Sunday, July 28. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Memphis singer-songwriter Mark Edgar Stuart recently released “Never Far Behind,” his fifth album since launching an unlikely solo career in 2013. The album displays how his songwriting craft has evolved while circling back to the kind of personal material that first drove his emergence. I talked to Stuart for this recent profile, and this week he’ll celebrate the album’s release with an afternoon concert at Graceland-area roadhouse Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, where he’ll be joined by album producer Will Sexton and duet partner Amy LaVere. 3 p.m. $10. 3210 Old Hernando Road. See here for more info. – Herrington
Incognito Art Auction at Memphis Botanic Garden, Sunday:
![](https://thememphian.blob.core.windows.net/sized/138924_740) “Afternoon at MBG” is shown as a part of the Memphis Botanic Gardens' annual Incognito Art fundraiser. (Benjamin Naylor/The Daily Memphian)
More than 100 works by Mid-South artists will be for sale at the Memphis Botanic Garden. This is usually the part where I tell you the who and the what. But I won’t! This is an undercover art-lover event, meaning buyers choose the art because it speaks to them, not because of the signature at the bottom. The battle comes to a head Sunday night with a party at MBG, where you’ll be able to make your final bids, mingle with the artists, listen to live music from Kenneth Jackson and snack on some drinks and small bites. Read more in King Jemison’s story. Online bidding ends at 7:30 p.m. 6-8 p.m. $35 for MBG members, $45 for non-members. 750 Cherry Road. Click here for more information. — Bowen
Sacred Cacao Ceremony and Sound Bath at the Broom Closet, Monday:
Musician, Reiki master and sound therapist Matt Petty will lead a meditative sound bath using crystal singing bowls, gongs, chimes and other instruments. And if that doesn’t sound relaxing enough, you’ll also be sipping on ceremonial-grade cacao. Bring a yoga mat, cushion or blanket to sit or lay on. 6:30 p.m. $31.30. 552 S. Main St. Advance registration is recommended because space is limited. — Phillips
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