Photo by Julieta Cervantes
18 ◊ Thursday
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s award-winning masterwork comes to life on the stage. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theater.
Orpheum Theatre, performances through August 21, $29-$125.
Mighty Sound of the South Preview Show
Join the Mighty Sound of the South at their 2022 Preview Show for a sneak peek of the upcoming soundtrack for Memphis Tigers Football! The Mighty Sound will take Memorial Field, near the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. These student-musicians will have spent two weeks of intensive rehearsals preparing for an awesome season with new music, new formations and new ways to excite Tiger fans.
Memorial Field, University of Memphis, Thursday, August 18, 5:30 p.m.
Photo Courtesy Museum of Science & History
19 ◊ Friday
Laser Bruno Mars
Singer, songwriter, musician, producer, dancer, Bruno Mars is a pop powerhouse. Laser Bruno Mars brings his retro showmanship and style to the dome in vibrant laser light. With an energetic soundtrack combined with gorgeous visuals, Laser Bruno Mars is just plain fun.
Museum of Science & History, Friday, August 19, 8 p.m., $13
20 ◊ Saturday
Global Climbing Day
Memphis Rox has teamed up with The North Face and climbing gyms across the globe to celebrate inclusivity and community through climbing. Get psyched for free goat yoga, shirt tie-dye, film screening, food, a dunk tank, and more. A few professional athletes will even join for the celebration.
Memphis Rox Climbing, Saturday, August 20, 9-11 a.m.
Mini Mosaiculture Planting Party
Learn about the art of mosaiculture that created the giant Wonderland friends and plant your own mini version to take home! Each family makes one planter (up to two adults and two children included; additional guests $10; children under 2 are free).
Memphis Botanic Garden, Saturday, August 20, 10-11:30 a.m., $40/members, $50/nonmembers
Novel Turns Five + One Final Storytime with Miss Marjorie!
Miss Marjorie returns for one final storytime to celebrate Novel's fifth birthday. There will be contests and other promotions that day. Novel will be streaming the storytime on Facebook Live for anyone who can't make it, but it will be WAY more fun dancing with all your friends in person! Read more about Miss Marjorie in this article by Risha Manga.
Novel, Saturday, August 20, 11-11:45 a.m.
Crosstown Splashdown
At this enchanting magic-themed event, families say goodbye to summer and cool down. As the magic garden blooms, there will be a waterslide, a DJ, spin-art machines, skee ball, leaping lizards, sprinklers, cotton candy, interactive bubble art, and more.
Crosstown Concourse, Saturday, August 20, noon-4 p.m., free
Back to School Self-Care
Going back to school can bring a lot of pressure and stress into kids’ lives. The South Branch wants to make sure kids have strategies to deal with that stress through identifying feelings, meditation, journaling, face masks, and more.
South Library, Saturday, August 20, noon-1 p.m.
Photo Courtesy The Dixon Gallery & Gardens
Game On! Family Night
Take game night to the next level! Game On! Family Night is all about play: on the board, on the field, and even on the screen! From the nostalgic to the new, everyone can enjoy games galore, special activities, music, and more.
The Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Saturday, August 20, 5-8 p.m.
24 ◊ Wednesday
The Comeback: An Evening of Stories from Memphis Educators and Students
Join New Memphis, Chalkbeat Tennessee, and Spillit for an evening of stories from high school students and educators that speak to the theme, “The Comeback.” New Memphis will also announce its new class of Educators of Excellence. Doors open at 6 p.m., and light refreshments and drinks will be provided. This event is free to attend, but RSVP here.
409 South Main, Wednesday, August 24, 6 p.m.
25 ◊ Thursday
Whet Thursday: Dog Days of Summer
At this free after-hours event held at the Metal Museum, families can enjoy games on the lawn, food truck fare, live music, metalsmithing demos, and more. While there, be sure to take advantage of the free admission and check out the museum’s latest exhibitions — “Tributaries: Morgan Asoyuf | Royal Portrait” and “From Artisans to Artists.” For this final Whet Thursday of the season, the museum invites visitors to bring their leashed pups.
Metal Museum, Thursday, August 25, 6-8 p.m.
Photo Courtesy Indie Memphis
27 ◊ Saturday
7th Annual Indie Memphis Youth Film Fest
This is an all-day event featuring filmmaking workshops and screenings of short films made by students from Memphis and around the world! All screenings and workshops are completely free of charge to students, grades 7-12. This year's event will kick off with a special presentation from Hollywood filmmaker and Memphis’ own Craig Brewer! Students can sign up for their free pass here. Full schedule can be found here. (Note: Workshops and presentations are intended only for students. Adults and parents are invited to attend in-person film screenings with Pay-What-You-Can tickets via the schedule.)
The Halloran Centre, Saturday, August 27, 9:30 a.m.-8:15 p.m.
Mindful Movement: Family Yoga
As part of Kindred Place’s Mindful Movement series, Katie Honeycutt will host a family yoga session. The class is open to all ages, with a focus on children 1-6 years old. No yoga experience is necessary. This is a free class, but registration is required. You can register here.
Kindred Place, Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m.
Ruby Bridges Reading Festival
For the fifth year, the National Civil Rights Museum is proud to partner with civil rights icon Ruby Bridges-Hall to present the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival. Children pre-K through elementary school can not only receive free books at the festival but can also enjoy storytelling and entertainment. Educators, with their valid school ID, can also get free books for their classrooms. Ruby Bridges will engage with young readers and their families by reading and signing her books Through My Eyes and This Is Your Time.
National Civil Rights Museum, Saturday, August 27, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Splash and Save Dusky Gopher Frogs
Join the Memphis Zoo at the Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation Splash Park to support the Dusky gopher frogs, which the zoo has been working for over 20 years to help conserve. The after-hours, family-friendly Splash Park adventure will feature a silent auction, and the Memphis Zoo research team will be available to talk about the ongoing conservation efforts. Tickets include a towel and a Mempop and concessions and bar will be available for purchase.
Memphis Zoo, Saturday, August 27, 6-8:30 p.m., $30/members, $35/nonmembers
Twilight Tours
Ever wondered what happens at the zoo when the sun goes down? Well, now is your chance. Lace up your sneakers and prepare for an adventure in the Outback with a knowledgeable tour guide as your fearless leader through the zoo as you uncover what animals are moving around after dark.
Memphis Zoo, Saturday, August 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $30/members, $35/nonmembers
Photo by NASA and STScI
Wonders of the Webb Telescope
View the exciting space images in MoSH’s planetarium, meet the Memphis Astronomical Society, enjoy space-themed activities, see how the Webb telescope compares to telescopes at MoSH and the human eye, and grab some swag while supply lasts. There will also be observing through telescopes outside of the museum main entrance to get a closer look at the night sky.
Museum of Science & History, Saturday, August 27, 8-10 p.m., $10/youth, $14/adult
Ongoing
Memphis & Shelby County’s 901 Student Passport Program
The “901 Student Passport” program allows Shelby County’s school-aged children and their families free admission to nine historic sites and cultural institutions. Simply visit each location and present your passport at the admissions counter to earn a stamp, plus free entry for the student and one parent. The participating museums and galleries are: Fire Museum of Memphis, Dixon Garden & Gallery, Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, Lichterman Nature Center, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, the National Civil Rights Museum, Museum of Science & History, Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, and the Metal Museum. After you get all your stamps and submit your passport, you may earn a personalized gift from the mayor’s office. Learn more about the program here, and check out this Memphis Parent article by Krishnav Manga.