Never visited an art museum with your kids? Family Fun Days with activities and live entertainment offer a fresh way to introduce children to fine arts.
ART MUSEUMS
Art Museum at the University of Memphis
142 CFA Bldg., University of Memphis
memphis.edu/amum
Student exhibitions as well as curated art installations can be viewed here. AMUM’s permanent collection features Egyptian antiquities, African art, works on paper, and various cultural artifacts including Greco-Roman glass and Navajo textiles. • Admission: Free
Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art
119 South Main St. • 523-ARTS
belzmuseum.org
Founded in 1998, Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art is home to a collection that spans the art of many cultures. Features Chinese art and Judaica. • Admission: $6/adults, $5/seniors, $4/students, free/ages 12 and under with adult. Group rates available; group tours may include lunch.
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
4339 Park Ave. • 761-5250 • dixon.org
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, a former private residence situated on 17 acres of gardens, features a permanent collection of French and American Impressionist, Post Impressionist art, and German porcelain. The Dixon offers a Mini-Masters class Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for kids ages 2 to 4 (reservations required), summer camp for ages 6 to 12, and several family concerts by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. • Admission: $5/adults, $3/ages 7-17, free/ages 6 & under, Tuesdays: Pay-what-you-can, Saturdays: Free from 10 a.m.-noon.
Gallery at Memphis College of Art
Overton Park, 1930 Poplar Ave. • 272-5100
mca.edu
Memphis College of Art hosts 10 to 12 free art exhibitions each year, in addition to visiting artist lectures. Summer art camps for children ages 4 to 16 run during June and July and feature courses in drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, digital arts, and more.
Levitt Shell
Overton Park
A spring (May-June) and fall (September-October) concert series is staged at this nonprofit arts venue. Concerts take place Thursday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday is kids music with performances at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Special events. Free.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Ave. • 544-6200
brooksmuseum.org
Tennessee’s largest fine-arts museum, the Brooks features an outstanding collection of fine art and hosts world-class traveling exhibitions. Free Family Days include art-making activities and live entertainment. Upcoming exhibitions include “Monet to Cezanne/Cassatt to Sargent: The Impressionist Revolution,” and “Divine Words/Common Tongues: Reformation Era Bibles and Prints.” • Admission: $7/adults, $3/ages 7-17, free/ages 6 & under.
National Ornamental Metal Museum
374 Metal Museum Dr. • 774-6380
metalmuseum.org
Learn about and celebrate the creativity and versatility of metalwork. Children can observe craftsmen at the blacksmith shop or check out Repair Day Weekend September 30-October 2. Ask about scheduling swordmaking demonstrations for CLUE club. Free Days with activities for kids are scheduled for September 24 and May 26, 2012. Family Fun Days offered throughout the year. Grounds are available for birthday party rentals. • Admission: $6/adults, $4/ages 5-18, free/under 5, $5/seniors.
COMMUNITY THEATRES
This season, community theatres are staging a slew of family-friendly classics. Don’t miss Little Women , The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe , or Oklahoma .
Bartlett Community Theatre
484-2646
bartlettcommunitytheatre.org
This volunteer organization performs three shows annually. Contact the theatre for information on productions and auditions.
DeSoto Family Theatre
4560 Venture Dr. (I-55 and Church Rd.), Southaven, MS • (662) 280-6546
dftonline.org
The DeSoto Family Theatre offers musical theater with a variety of family shows. The new season performance calendar includes Little Women, Sept. 9-18; A Christmas Carol, The Musical, Dec. 2-11; 1776, Feb. 17-26; You Can’t Take It With You, April 13-22; and Annie Get Your Gun, June 22-July 1. Educational programs include student matinees and summer theater day camps for ages 6 to 16 and dance classes, ages 8 to adult.
Germantown Community Theatre
3037 Forest Hill Irene • 754-2680
germantowncommunitytheatre.org
GCT’s 2011-2012 season performance calendar includes Gypsy , Sept. 16-Oct. 2; Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap , Oct. 28-Nov. 13; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe , Dec. 2-18; The Boys Next Door, Jan. 20-Feb. 5; Tom Sawyer , March 2-18; Spitfire Grill , April 13-29; and Lend Me A Tenor , May 18-June 3. Fun in Theatre Summer Camps for preK to age 14 are offered July 11-15 and July 18-22. FIT classes also offered during the school year.
Harrell Performing Arts Theatre
440 West Powell Rd., Collierville • 457-2780
colliervilleparks.org
The Harrell Theatre performs family-oriented musicals throughout the year. Broadway musical The Drowsy Chaperone takes the stage July 8-24. A summer performing arts camp incorporating drama, voice, and dance for ages 7 to 17 is offered in June.
Hattiloo Theatre
656 Marshall Ave. • 525-0009
hattilootheatre.org
Hattiloo Theatre produces nine plays each season, including musicals, dramas, and comedies. In the fall, the company hosts Hattiloo in the Park. Camp Awareness provides a cultural rite of passage for pre-teens. Hattiloo hosts acting classes for children during the school year and classes for adults offered during summer.
Theatre Memphis
630 Perkins Ext. • 682-8323 theatrememphis.org
Theatre Memphis, one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the country, has an exciting lineup of family-friendly and educational shows for the 2011-2012 season. Please call for age appropriate information on shows. Season calendar includes Bye Bye Birdie, Aug. 19-Sept. 11; Jane Austen’s Emma, Sept. 16 - Oct 12; A Christmas Carol, Dec. 2 -23; Hedda Gabler, April 6-22; Noises Off, April 23-May 13; and No, No, Nanette, June 8 - July 1. ShoWagon, the theatre’s education outreach troupe, offers plays throughout the year for kids ages 5 to 12. The troupe meets on Saturdays and teaches kids all aspects of theatre. Drama camp is available in the summer. New this fall is a technical theatre class for teens.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS
Check out the season’s family-oriented programs and shows at performing arts centers. Gems include Treasured Stories Eric Carle at The Orpheum and Moscow Festival Ballet’s Swan Lake performed at Germantown Performing Arts Centre.
Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center
3663 Appling Rd., Bartlett • 385-6440
bpacc.org
BPACC’S 2011-2012 season lineup of Family Series shows kicks off with Arthur Trace: Magic That’s So Square It’s Hip on Sept. 10. Theatre Kids Conservatory presents Oklahoma, Nov. 17-20. Auditions held Sept. 8; registration deadline is Aug. 28. Theatre Kids Conservatory presents A Starfish Circus, Jan. 28. The circus show blends aerial skills, partner acrobatics, clowning, juggling, and showmanship. Auditions held Jan. 12; registration deadline is Dec. 29. Bartlett Community Concert Band will perform March 31. The Missoula Childrens’ Theatre stages a performance in June.
Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St. Mary’s School
St. Mary’s Episcopal School, 60 Perkins Ext. 537-1483 • buckmanartscenter.com
The Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St. Mary’s School is dedicated to excellence in the arts and arts education. The Magic Carpet Ride series encourages children ages 2 and up to explore the musical traditions, dance, visual art, and folktales from around the world. The five-show series launches in September and runs through May. Family-friendly performances in Buckman’s main stage series include Mark Nizer’s 3D Juggling Adventure on February 4th, 2012 and the breath-taking artistry of the Cashore Marionettes on April 13, 2012. The Buckman Conservatory also offers classes in string, guitar, piano, yoga, middle-eastern dance, ballet and the visual arts.
Germantown Performing Arts Centre
1801 Exeter Rd., Germantown • 751-7500
gpacweb.com
GPAC presents world-class artists and a variety of performances to delight audiences of all ages. Family-friendly programs for the 2011-2012 season include Tommy Tune, Sept. 17; National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China, Oct. 22; The 5 Browns, Jan. 27; Moscow Festival Ballet’s Swan Lake, Feb. 26; and Red Priest, March 9. GPAC’s Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions introduce children ages 3 to 8 to a wide variety of musical instruments and styles. The program returns next fall on select Saturdays, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Admission: $8/children, free for up to two accompanying adults.
Germantown Symphony Orchestra
GPAC 1801 Exeter • 755-8708
germantownsymphony.org
Germantown Symphony Orchestra is committed to promoting young artists and is one of the top community orchestras in the U.S. Annual Holiday and Spring concerts take place at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre. Four competition winners perform in the Young Artists’ Concert held in November. GSO sponsors an annual concerto competition for Memphis area youth in March.
The Orpheum
203 South Main • Info: 525-7800, tickets: 525-3000 • orpheum-memphis.com
The city’s original downtown theater, this venue presents Broadway musicals along with a variety of family-friendly programs. The 2011-2012 Broadway season includes productions of Les Miserables , Sept. 13-18; Memphis, The Musical, Oct. 14-23; White Christmas , Nov. 22-27; Million Dollar Quartet ; Feb. 14-19; La Cage Aux Folles , March 20-25; The Addams Family , April 24-29; and Mamma Mia , June 5-10. The 2011-2012 Family Series include ImaginOcean , Nov. 19; San Jose Taiko , Dec. 11; The Magic School Bus – LIVE! , Jan. 28; Treasured Stories Eric Carle , Feb. 24.
Playhouse on the Square and
Circuit Playhouse
66 S. Cooper • 726-4656
playhouseonthesquare.org
Playhouse on the Square and Circuit Playhouse, Memphis’ only professional resident theatres, offer great family features. Family-oriented shows for the 2011-2012 season include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, (POTS), Aug. 12-Sept. 4; Disney’s Camp Rock: The Musical, (CIRCUIT), Aug. 26-Sept. 18; Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, (POTS), Sept. 8- Sept.11; Annie (POTS), Nov. 18-Dec. 23; Aesop’s Fable-ous Christmas Tree blending humor, rhythmic elements, rapping, puppetry, poetry, song, and storytelling, (CIRCUIT), Dec. 3-Dec. 18; A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, (POTS), May 11-June 3; and Xanadu, (POTS), June 29-July 22.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
926 E. McLemore Ave. • 946-2535
soulsvilleusa.com
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the world’s only soul music museum, pays tribute to significant recording artists with more than 2,000 interactive exhibits, films, artifacts, and memorabilia. The museum offers educational programs, member parties, exhibit opening receptions, concerts, history of music teacher curriculum, and annual, fund-raising and special events. • Admission: $12/adults,$11/seniors 62+; $9/active military and students; free/ages 9-12 with adult admission; free/members, ages 8 and under with adult. Free admission to Shelby County residents with proof of residency, every Tuesday, 1-5 p.m.
MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCE GROUPS
Dress up a bit and enjoy the evening watching the Nutcracker or hearing Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays.
Ballet Memphis
7950 Trinity Rd. • 737-7322 balletmemphis.org
Now in its 25th season, the nationally acclaimed Ballet Memphis employs 16 professional dancers, trains more than 700 students annually, and performs for more than 15,000 students each year. The 2011-2012 season includes the five-star dining fund-raiser Connections: Food, Sept. 24, performed at BRIDGES; Fall Performance, a contemporary, mixed-rep evening, Oct. 22-30, Playhouse on the Square; Nutcracker with Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 2-4, The Orpheum; AbunDANCE, a mixed-rep evening, Feb. 17-19, Playhouse on the Square; Spring Performance, a fairytale evening, April 14-15, The Orpheum; Connections Season Finale, April 28.
The IRIS Chamber Orchestra
GPAC 1801 Exeter • 751-7510
irisorchestra.com or irisorchestra.org
The IRIS Orchestra gathers the nation’s finest young musicians under the artistic direction of Maestro Michael Stern. This is a wonderful way to introduce your family to the joys of classical music. Season highlights include comic genius Martin Short, Short Stories, Oct. 1; harpist Elizabeth Hainen, String Theories, Dec. 3; soprano Heidi Grant Murphy, A Taste of Heaven, Jan. 7; violinist Vadim Gluzman, Beethoven Rhythm, Shostakovich Soul, March 17; cellist Amit Peled, Great Britten and The “Little Russian,” April 21; and pianist Andre Watts, Incandescent Watts, May 5.
Germantown Chorus
383-2051• germantownchorus.com
This all-volunteer ensemble presents a diverse assortment of choral works from show tunes to world music. The Germantown Symphony Orchestra joins Germantown Chorus for a holiday concert in December and again in March for a classical concert. Other events are held throughout the year, including an annual Youth Concert Series in April featuring a performing arts group from an area school.
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
585 S. Mendenhall Rd. • 537-2525
memphissymphony.org
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra creates meaningful experiences through music for adults and children alike. MSO musicians teach, mentor, and entertain students from public and private schools, and perform concerts at different venues around town. Great music and nature come together with music director Mei-Ann Chen and the MSO. Violinist Gil Shaham performs this season, and exciting works include Performing Pictures at an Exhibition, Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony, and Carmina Burana. Highlights of the pop season include Classical Mystery Tour; A Tribute to the Beatles; Elvis Birthday Pops; and Home for the Holidays. MSO Family Tunes and Tales starts in the fall at area libraries.
Opera Memphis
Clark Opera Memphis Center, 6745 Wolf River Pkwy. • 257-3100
operamemphis.org
Opera Memphis presents operatic programs throughout the year to schools and community groups. Programs for the 2011-2012 Education Season include the Opera Student Dress Rehearsals, Black Roots of Song: Leontyne Price touring show (K-12th), The Billy Goat’s Gruff touring show (pre-K-5th), Opera To Go touring show (K-12th), the award-winning Songwriting Program (6th-12th) and Summer Conservatory. During the Summer Conservatory, students ages 10 to 20 explore areas of opera production. Each conservatory concludes with the performance of a complete work or scenes from an opera or operetta. Conservatory auditions held in early spring. The 2011-2012 season begins with Puccini’s Tosca at the Orpheum, followed by Die Fledermuas at Germantown Performing Arts Centre, and Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at the Orpheum. Subscriptions start at $56.