What to do? Plan with Memphis Parent!

A list of family-friendly happenings.

by

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,

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.

Elvis Week 2021, an amazing line-up celebrating the music, movies, and legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Highlights include a 50th-anniversary concert, Blue Hawaii Luau, Ultimate ETA contests and concerts, tours, first-time experiences, and more. Free-$78+. August 11-17 (visit website for a schedule of events). Graceland, 3734 Elvis Presley. graceland.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.

Theater, Dance, Performing Arts

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

Memphis Made: Ghost Town Blues Band, Memphis-soaked sound drenched with roots, funk, soul, New Orleans jazz, rock, and hip-hop infusions. Lauded for its dynamic live performance, this septet uses an unusual array of curious instruments. $20. Friday, August 13, 8 p.m. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary's School, 60 Perkins Ext. buckmanartscenter.com.

Magic Carpet: Nutcracker in a Nutshell, participants ages 2 and up will be transported through the wonder of their imaginations to Tchaikovsky’s magical Land of Sweets as part of the Nutcracker. With the help of the Buckman Dance Conservatory, children will explore ballet and this holiday classic with interactive storytelling and creative movement. Pay what you can. Donations accepted. Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m. Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary's School, 60 Perkins Ext. buckmanartscenter.com. 537-1483.

Now I Am Alone, a performance written by William Shakespeare, conceived and performed by Geoffrey Owens of stage and screen. $150/four seats. Opens Saturday, August 14, 2 p.m. and continues on Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. through September 15. Hattiloo Theatre, 37 S. Cooper. hattiloo.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.

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.

Time Warp Drive-In: Worst Movies Ever 3, laughably dumb sci-fi, wincingly stupid musicals, mind-bogglingly ridiculous action, horrible acting, and stupid special effects. Features Superman 4: The Quest for Peace, Cool as Ice, Bride of the Monster, and Manos: The Hand of Fate. Also screening, a best moments rogue cut of the worst animated kids movie of all time: Food Fight. $25 per car. Saturday, August 7, 8 p.m. Malco Summer 4 Drive-In, 5310 Summer. malco.com.

Reset, takes global audiences on a journey of rediscovery of our world through the eyes of young people, from the Arctic Circle to French Polynesia. $15. Monday, August 9, 7 p.m. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall. malco.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.

Summer Movie Series: School of Rock, features a family-friendly musical movie, live music by T-Bone & Keys, and food trucks. $10. Friday, August 13, 7 p.m. Germantown Performing Arts Centre, 1801 Exeter. gpacweb.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

Memphis Modern Market, shop and explore the work of local artists. Features artists, vintage sellers, and boutiques from the Memphis area. Opens Friday, August 6, 5-8 p.m. and continues Friday, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. through October 10. Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. memphismuseums.org.

Kids Town, shop consignment for kids under one roof. Friday, August 6, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, August 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove. consignkidstown.com.

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.

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.