What to do? Plan with Memphis Parent!

A list of family-friendly happenings.

by

Back to School

Stuff the Bus Campaign, visit United Way of the Mid-South for ways to donate school supplies to students for the upcoming school year. Visit the website for ways to donate school supplies, which will be distributed at a block party on Saturday, August 7. Donations are accepted through Friday, July, 30. uwmidsouth.org.

Back to School Bash, family-themed event featuring STEAM activation stations, birthday booking incentives, free arcade play, discounted bowling, contests, prizes, face painting, and a balloon artist. Free with RSVP. Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m.-noon. Main Event Entertainment, 7219 Appling Farms Parkway. mainevent.com.

Back to School Giveaway, features free food, dunk tank, water slide, food trucks, school supplies, and other fun and creative outdoor activities. Free. Saturday, July 31, 2-5 p.m. Breedlove and Vollintine, 962 Breedlove. bondskidsinc.org. 864-1449.

Hollywood Library Back to School Bash, features outdoor fun, festivities, giveaways, and more. Free. Saturday, July 31, 2-4 p.m., Hollywood Branch Library, 1530 N. Hollywood. memphislibrary.org.

Let’s Get Back to School Celebration, Shelby County Schools are ready for the classroom featuring school supplies, haircuts, vaccines, and more. Free. Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.Tiger Lane, 450 Early Maxwell. scsk12.org.

Theater, Dance, Performing Arts

The Firebird Modern Dance Performance, choreographed to Stravinsky’s musical score, adapted for modern dance plus an art exhibition. $12. Thursday-Saturday, July 30-August 7, 7 p.m. 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. and Sunday, August 1, 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. Off the Walls Arts, 360 Walnut. offthewallsarts.org.

Bye Bye Birdie, a musical comedy about rock star Conrad Birdie who sends the wholesome enclave of Sweet Apple, Ohio into chaos. $20. Friday, July 30, 7 p.m., Saturday, July 31, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, August 1, 2 p.m. dftonline.org.

Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, a family-friendly performance of Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood adventure directed by Julie Reinbold. $15. Friday, July 30, 8 p.m., Saturday, July 31, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, August 1, 2:30 p.m. gctcomeplay.org.

Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers could be the school pupils’ saving grace. This production is a benefit for the new Wesley W. Williamson college scholarship. $20. Saturday, August 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. kudzuplayers.org.

Indian Dance Open House, Jay Kumar will present an open house for Indian Dance. Features a free bindi (beauty spot), and henna (herbal washable tattoo), use of Indian dance costumes and jewelry, and some yoga, hand gestures, facial expression, dance moves, and a short performance. Recommended $5 donation. Saturday, August 14,10 a.m. for kids 4-7 and 11 a.m. for kids 8-11. childrensballettheater.com.

Festivals

Soulin' On the River Music Series, features music, food trucks, and more. Visit the website for the lineup and locations. Free. Every Friday through August 20, 6 p.m. memphisriverparks.org,

Return to Music Block Party, enjoy live music, food trucks, activities for kids, Grizzlies giveaways, and more. Free. Friday, July 30, 4-8 p.m. memphismusicinitiative.org. 410-4100.

901 Kidpreneur's Summer Marketplace, a young entrepreneur event to network and display products and services. Attend to see what young entrepreneurs have to offer or contact the bakery to have your child's idea on display. Free to attend. Sunday, August 1, noon-4 p.m. Butteriffic Bakery & Cafe, 488 S. Second. butterifficbakery.com.

Solid Gold Soulsville: A Celebration of the Music and Community at the Global Capital of Soul, features performances on an outdoor stage, games and activities, food trucks, school supplies giveaways, informational booths, sidewalk sale, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Plus free admission to Stax Music for the new exhibit opening. Free. Friday, August 6, 6-8 p.m. Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore. staxmuseum.com.

Watermelon Festival, features a petting zoo, bounce houses, giant water slides, hayrides, train rides, watermelons, and more. free-$8. July 1-August 15, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m, Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., free-$8. Priddy Farms, 4595 N. Germantown. priddyfarms.net.

Movies

GPAC Summer Movies Series: Sister Act, a family-friendly musical movie under the trees in The Grove with live music by Memphis Jazz Workshop, bar, food trucks, plus the chance for you to learn more about Madonna Learning Center. $10. Friday, August 6, 6-9 p.m. Germantown Performing Arts Center, 1801 Exeter. gpacweb.com.

The Great Muppet Caper 40th Anniversary, the crime of the century has occurred, and investigative reporters Kermit, Fozzie, and Gonzo are out to crack the case. $15. Sunday, August 8, 3 p.m. and Wednesday, August 11, 7 p.m. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall and Malco Collierville Towne Cinema, 380 Market. malco.com.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory 50th Anniversary, take an unforgettable, uniquely magical, musical journey through the deliciously delightful, whimsically wonderful world of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. $15. Sunday, August 15, 3 p.m. and Wednesday, August 18, 7 p.m. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall and Malco Collierville Towne Cinema, 380 Market. malco.com.

Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker, an inspiring tale about a colony of endangered Australian sea lions and the journey of one sea lion pup. $10. Wednesdays-Sundays, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Ongoing. CTI 3D Giant Theater, in Musem of Science and History (Pink Palace), 3050 Central. memphismuseums.org. 636-2362.

Family Fun

Stargazing on The Lawn, explore the stars and planets through telescopes on the front lawn of the Pink Palace Mansion. See and learn about different types of telescopes and enjoy a host of fun activities for all ages. $5. Children under 3 are free. Online advance ticket sales only. Friday, July 30, 7-10 p.m. Memphis Pink Palace Museum Lawn, 3050 Central. memphismuseums.org. 636-2362.

Chucalissa Family Day, features a guided tour of the village, exhibits, and archaeology lab. Learn about the games played by prehistoric Native Americans, try dart-throwing with a hunting tool called an atlatl, and paint a decorative gourd to take home. Free-$6. Saturday, July, 31, 10-11:30 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. Chucalissa Archaeological Museum, 1987 Indian Village. 785-3160.

Train Heritage Day, features goody bags and conductor hats while supplies last, train photo opportunities, live music at the gazebo, history talk, and Mempops. Free. Saturday, August 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Morton Museum of Collierville History, 196 Main. colliervillemuseum.org.

"Inside the Walt Disney Archives," an exhibition celebrating the legacy of The Walt Disney Company archives, with behind-the-scenes access never before granted to the public. Free for kids 4 and under, $8 ages 5-10. and $15 adults. Through January 2, 2022. graceland.com.

Picture Pawfect Calendar Contest, make your pet a star in the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County’s calendar. Winners will be featured in the 2022 Humane Society calendar and eligible to win prizes. Vote June 8-August 13. $15 photoshoot. Entries accepted through August 12. humanememphis.org.

"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. The exhibition closes Sunday, August 1. Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central. cmom.com.

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.