Welcome back to The To-Do List, where Daily Memphian staffers suggest their favorite events and activities for the coming week.
This week, make a splash at Overton Park, party in Downtown’s Barboro Alley and break out your jazz hands at Crosstown Arts.
Fourth of July celebrations, Wednesday-Saturday:
Central Garden’s annual Fourth of July parade will be held on Thursday, July 4. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian file)
Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, but the fireworks shows started earlier this week and continue through Saturday. The annual Memphis Redbirds “Red, White and Boom” celebration is Wednesday, July 3, and the first 1,500 fans will receive a Redbirds bucket hat. There will also be post-game fireworks, a performance by the Beale Street Flippers and a cookout.
The City of Memphis’ annual “Liberty for All” fireworks display will be at Liberty Park on Wednesday, July 3, and Bartlett, Collierville and Horn Lake will host their displays that day, as well.
Graceland’s All-American July 4th Weekend runs from Thursday, July 4, through Saturday, July 6 with a Salute to Memphis Music Concert, fireworks and more. Grind City Brewing Co. wanted to bring a fireworks show back Downtown and is doing a day of festivities, beginning at noon and culminating in fireworks at 9 p.m.
Central Gardens and Cooper-Young will both host neighborhood parades on Thursday, July 4. And in the suburbs, Cordova, Germantown and Hernando will host fireworks shows on Independence Day.
Also, the Museum of Science and History and the Lichterman Nature Center will be open on July 4 if you need something besides fireworks to entertain you on your day off.
For a full list with times and other details, check out our fireworks guide. — Bianca Phillips
Christmas in July: First Fridays on Broad, Friday:
The Broad Avenue Art District holds its First Fridays event this Friday, July 5. (Ziggy Mack/The Daily Memphian file)
We’re somewhere around the halfway point before the winter holidays, so let’s do Christmas in July. And perfect timing since snowmen and icicles sound like an ideal respite from the oppressively hot Memphis summer. Of course, you’ll have to play pretend with those things because it’ll nearly 90 on Friday. But the fact that Broad Avenue shops will be peddling special Christmas-themed merch and treats should help. Ho, ho ho, y’all. 5-8 p.m. Free. Broad Avenue Arts District. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Portugal. The Man’s ‘The Knik Country Tour’ with Spoon Benders at Minglewood Hall, Friday:
Zoe Manville of Portugal. The Man performed during the 2023 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The band will play Minglewood Hall on Friday, July 5. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP file)
Maybe you think you haven’t heard of indie/psych/rock/pop darlings Portugal. The Man, but you probably have. Well, at least one of their songs — the 2017 smash crossover hit, “Feel It Still.” The groovy, upbeat tune was the most Shazamed song in the United States for seven weeks that year thanks to major radio play, an Apple ad and a Vitaminwater commercial with “Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul. But Portugal. The Man have 20 years and nine albums worth of other heartfelt, pulsing songs to jam to. (Be a rebel just for kicks, and check out “People Say,” “Modern Jesus,” and “Live in the Moment.”) Spoon Benders will open. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. $49.95. All ages. 1555 Madison Ave. Click here for more information. — Holly Whitfield
Summer Splash at Overton Park, Saturday:
The temps will top around 90 degrees on Saturday, and that means the heat index will surely be close to 100. You (and the kids) can cool off at this monthly summer water party in the park. Pop-up slides and water features will be taking over the Greensward. Can’t make it this weekend? Overton Park will do it again on the first Saturday in August. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 2080 Poplar Ave. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Shoot & Splice: TV & Screenwriting with Brandi Nicole at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Tuesday:
Screenwriter Brandi Nicole will discuss her experience working on “Your Honor” at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts on Tuesday, July 9. (Courtesy Crosstown Arts)
If you’re obsessing over “Your Honor” (or maybe you need to catch the bug), you’re in luck. Brandi Nicole, one of the writers behind the show, will be sitting down at The Green Room to discuss her experience working on season two. Having written for Amazon’s “Ballard” and Paramount+’s “Happy Face,” Nicole has spent her career creating and exploring complex and layered characters. She will talk about her how she got there and give tips about the creative and business side of writing. To learn more about the event, which is part of Indie Memphis and Crosstown Arts’ Shoot & Splice series, click here. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., forum runs froom 7-9 p.m. Free. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280. — Kelsey Bowen
Alley Dayz at Barboro Alley, Wednesday:
The Downtown Memphis Commission hosts Alley Dayz, a block party in Barboro Alley on Wednesday, July 10. (The Daily Memphian file)
Who needs a block party when you can have an alley party? This new event from the Downtown Memphis Commission will bring a DJ and local vendors to Barboro Alley off Main Street. Nearby restaurants, including Sage, Aldo’s and Local on Main, will offer dining deals, and local historians will share the alley’s back story. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Click here for more information. — Phillips
Modern Masters Jazz Series featuring Fareed Haque and The Ted Ludwig Trio at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts, Wednesday:
Crosstown Arts’ jazz series show this month features modern guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, whose style is steeped in classical and jazz traditions. Over the years, he’s garnered all kinds of awards including Best World Guitarist from Guitar Player Magazine. He’ll be joined by seven-string jazz guitarist Ted Ludwig and his band. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. $20 advance, $25 at the door or $10 for students. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280. Click here for more information. — Phillips
..... |