It’s August and hot as blazes. Kids are back in school and everyone is busy and tired; there’s not a whole lot going on because no one wants to do anything. But Labor Day is just around the corner, and September is full of events that you need to plan for now if you want to be part of them, because tickets sell out. I have more information about some still to come – and more upcoming events to tell you about as the season changes – but here are some you need to get on right away.

Kitchen Talk: Spencer McMillin at Caritas Village

Last week Caritas Village debuted its Hundred-Mile Farm Dinner, with former Erling’s chef Nate Oliva back in the kitchen. The three-course dinners will be held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The $35 dinners are prepared from ingredients from farmers within a 100-mile radius, and you bring your own alcohol.

They also raise money for Caritas Village, the community center that offers numerous services and includes a great café with super lunches by chef Spencer McMillin. This new series joins the monthly Chef’s Dinner at Caritas on the last Thursday of the month, when McMillin cooks with a guest chef. The August Chef’s Dinner is sold out, but you can buy tickets for the Sept. 25 dinner with Felicia Willett starting Aug. 30.

Check out Caritas’ Facebook page for more information; buy your tickets for events in person at 2509 Harvard and have a nice lunch when you’re there. 

Wings and Wine is part of the Southern Heritage Classic Weekend and if you want tickets, you’d better hurry. They’re $35 and include an unlimited wing buffet, an open bar and a DJ spinning R&B tunes. The event is Sept. 13, 7-9 p.m. at 3592 Knight Arnold (it’s at Beautiful Events). Get your tickets here.

Vive le Que is part of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Vive Le Brooks! series. This one is an open-flame feast with craft beers, wine, a signature cocktail and activities that include pint-glass painting, plus games and a brewery tour. It’s 6-10 p.m. Sept. 19 at Wiseacre Brewing Company, 2783 Broad, and tickets are $60. Get yours here. 

Memphis Botanic Garden celebrates the 10th anniversary of My Big Backyard with an adults-only Backyard Bash on Sept. 21. Tickets are $75 and include food from local restaurants, special cocktails prepared by Old Dominick (we’ll preview those for you closer to the event), lawn games, live music and football streaming. Get your tickets by clicking here. 

Destination: Delicious

We’re hosting our first happy hour on Aug. 29 at Silly Goose, 100 Peabody Place, and we want you to come help us kick off our new event. You’ll be welcomed with a signature cocktail (watch Bar Talk on Aug. 29 to see it being prepared), get two drink tickets, and appetizers and pizza from the new wood-fired pizza oven at the restaurant.

Tickets are $25.85 for subscribers and $32.85 for non-subscribers. Subscribers, you’ll get an email with a promo code Monday morning, and tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. We’ve switched to Eventbrite for tickets; click here to get yours. And be sure to check in – we’ll be at the door – when you arrive so we can give you your drink tickets. I’m looking forward to this and hope to see you there; it’s 5:30-7:30 p.m.

We still have tickets available for this week’s Friday lunch, so get yours now. We’re going to Rawk’n Grub, Steph Cook’s place inside Growlers at 1911 Poplar, at noon. The full menu has been finalized and I can promise you won’t go away hungry. We’ll start with Fried Green Day Tomatoes, Blue Suede Shoestring Fries and Fleetwood Mac & Cheese, then Love Me Tenders salad before we even get to the entrée.

You’ll get a choice from several of Cook’s sandwiches, tacos or shrimp and grits, then we’ll finish with a dessert of a peanut butter cheesecake fried in an egg roll and served with a bourbon caramel dipping sauce. $25.85 for subscribers includes tax, tip and soft drink; $32.85 gets nonsubscribers the same. Alcohol is served but not included in the price. Click here to get your tickets; they’re on sale now.