What to do? Plan with Memphis Parent!

A list of virtual (and some non-virtual) happenings.

by

Spring Events

Spring Saturdays, watering cans and paintbrushes... it’s all about flowers. Paint, draw, and plant on Spring Saturdays. Free with Museum admission. Saturdays through April 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central. 458-2678.

Plant the Town Red Art Contest, open to all Shelby County students. Theme: Plant the Town Red. Two categories: original artwork and photography. Two age groups: PreK-6th and 7-12th. Email art to enter, city.beautiful@memphistn.gov. Cash prizes. Free to enter. Art is due by May 30. memphiscitybeautiful.org. 636-4410.

Spring Blooms at the Garden, explore what’s blooming at the Garden. Featuring activities for the whole family, horticultural features, and food trucks. Masks and social distancing are required. Free with admission. Saturdays, 11 a.m. March 20: Cherry Trees; March 27: Spring Ephemerals; April 3: Spring Bulbs; April 10: Southern Delights; April 17: Irises. Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry. memphisbotanicgarden.com. 636-4100.

Madonna Learning Center Spring Market, shop with local vendors and Monarch Market featuring handmade items and food made by students and adults. Masks are required, booths will be distanced, and aisles will be marked one way. Temps will be taken at the door. Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Madonna Learning Center, 7007 Poplar. 752-5767.

Easter Egg Hunt, open to children up to age nine. Bring a basket or bag and prepare to find candy-filled eggs. Registration is required. Parents are free. $5. Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. Elmwood Cemetery, 824 Dudley. 774-3212.

Easter Egg Hunt, enjoy a full day at the farm with egg hunts, pony rides, petting the animals, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. The Barn will be open for breakfast and brunch. Baby chicks and ducks will be available. $12. Saturday, March 27, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, March 29-April 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday-Saturday April 2-3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cedar Hill Farm, 008 Love, Hernando, MS. cedarhillfarm.com. 662-449-2540.

Saturday Hikes with the Biologist, discover the treasures of the forest. Meet at the lodge, wear hiking shoes or boots, and bring water and snacks or lunch depending on the hike. In the event of inclement weather, the event will reschedule. For more information or to RSVP, email charity@camppinecrest.org. $5 per person. Saturdays, April 10 and May 15, noon. Pinecrest Camp, 21430 Highway 57, Moscow, TN. 878-1247.

Women's History Month

The Women of Lockerbie, the grief and anger due to the aftereffects of the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing lead to a life-affirming catharsis. The Women of Lockerbie asks the audience to reevaluate how we deal with hate. Free with registration, app.arts-people.com. Wednesday-Saturday, March 10-13, 7:30 p.m. Online from University of Memphis Theater and Dance, memphis.edu. 678-2576.

The Night Watcher, the story of a woman who chooses not to have children, only to be pulled into the real-life struggles of kids of all ages, races, and backgrounds. $150 for four seats. Starts, Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. Continues through April 4, Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m. and Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Hattiloo Theatre, 37 S. Cooper. hattiloo.org. 502-3486.

"Queens," an exhibition of photo-realistic portraits of empowered women by Becca Hand. The series draws inspiration from traditional playing card iconography. Free. March 1-31. Eclectic Eye, 242 S. Cooper. 276-3937.

WE Consign, featuring a large selection of furniture, rugs, crystal, sterling silver, antiques, and other treasures benefiting the Woman's Exchange of Memphis. Free. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through April 16. Woman's Exchange Art Gallery, 88 Racine. 327-5681.

"Power and Absence: Women in Europe," exhibition explores the representation of women in Europe from around 1500 to 1680, known as the Renaissance and Early Baroque period. Ongoing. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar. 544-6209.

"Bold Women Change History: Women of Elmwood, Part Two," online talk celebrating the marvelous history that Memphis women made happen presented by Kim Bearden via Zoom. $10. Thursday, March 18, 6 p.m. Online from Elmwood Cemetery, elmwoodcemetery.org. 774-3212.

Family Fun

Chalkfest, grab your chalk and hit the sidewalks then share your work on social media for fun prizes. #chalkfest2021 @brooksmuseum.  Free. March 13-20. Online from Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, brooksmuseum.org. 544-6209.

Drive-in Movies for Lent, enjoy family-friendly movies in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Listen from your car radio. Popcorn, sodas, and other refreshments will be available. Bring canned pop-top food for Pop Top ministries. Free. Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. March 13; Case for Christ: March 20; News of the World: March 27; Risen: April 2. St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar.

Memphis Black Restaurant Week, featuring 21 Black-owned restaurants with 75 amazing meals to choose from for a whole week. Starts Sunday, March 7, and continues through March 13. blackrestaurantweek.com.

Family-Friendly Virtual and Remote Volunteer Opportunities, search for opportunities like food-box packing with CatholicCharities, T-shirt sales with WYXR, and garden days with Memphis Rox or MemphisBotanic, there is something for everyone. Find an experience that fits your schedule and impacts your community. Ongoing from Volunteer Odyssey, volunteerodyssey.com.

Featured volunteer opportunities include:

  • Packing care kits for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Mission.
  • Make home-warming baskets for the newly-housed through Community Alliance for the Homeless.
  • Film a video of yourself (or your child) reading a story to send to Room in the Inn. Many guests of Room in the Inn have children who enjoy having a story read to them during snack, before a nap, or before bed.

CUBA: Journey to The Heart of The Caribbean, through the eyes of Cuban artists, historians, and scientists, the film provides an intimate look at this vivacious island nation. $10. Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. Continues through March 28. CTI 3D Giant Theater In the Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 636-2362.

“Dinosaurs in Motion,” interactive STEAM experience featuring 14 recycled metal dinosaur sculptures with exposed mechanics inspired by actual fossils. Visitors are invited to touch and learn. $15. Opens Saturday, January 30, and continues through May 2. Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 636-2362.

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer,” families will be transported to the underground home of the crime-fighting heroes to see what really happens in their secret hideaway featuring hands-on experiences. Free with Museum admission. Ongoing. Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central. cmom.com. 458-2678.

For a full listing, check out our calendar of events.  Also, check the Memphis Parent Facebook Page for information and giveaways. Be sure to tag your favorite family-fun Instagram photos with the #memphisparent hashtag. I hope you have a great week.