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.

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.

A Taste of Memphis, celebrate and share the accomplishments of local neighborhoods and what indigenous leaders are doing to make Memphis a great place. Free with registration. Thursday, August 19, 5-10 p.m. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood. memphiscdc.org.

Beale Street Artcrawl Festival, family-friendly event featuring artists on Beale Street. Free. Saturday, August 21, 1-7 p.m. Beale Street, Downtown Memphis. dearmusicnonprofit.org.

Whet Thursday, wander the Museum grounds and experience live music by KOTA, Tipsy Tumbler Traveling Tavern, Buster's Liquors & Wines, Smashed Eats food truck, lawn games, art exhibits, and metalsmithing demonstrations before watching the sunset from the best view along the Mississippi River. Free. Thursday, August 26, 6-8 p.m. Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum. metalmuseum.org.

World Championship Hot Wing Contest Festival, sample wings from more than 70 competition teams who will be vying for the hot wing world championship, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. $15. Thursday, August 28, 11-7 p.m. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood. worldwingfet.com.

Theater, Dance, Performing Arts

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.

Wickedly Wizard of Oz, local skaters' athletic and artistic talent are showcased in this Wizard of Oz/Wicked on-ice theater mash up. Proceeds benefit the growth of figure skating in the greater Mid-South area. $12.Friday-Saturday, August 13-14, 6 p.m. Mid South Ice House 10705 Ridgeway Industrial Dr, Olive Branch, MS. fscmemphis.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.

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.

Movies

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.

The Faithful: The King, the Pope, the Princess, 20-year exploration of fandom, memorabilia, memory, and legacy within the orbits of three of the biggest cultural icons of our time: Pope John Paul II, Elvis Presley, and Diana, Princess of Wales. The filmmaker will conduct a Q&A after the screening. $20. Saturday, August 14, 7 p.m. Crosstown Concourse Theater, 1350 Concourse. crosstownconcourse.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.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 35th Anniversary, includes Three Picture Saga, an informative and entertaining featurette in which cast and crew explore the back-story of Star Trek II, III, and IV. $15. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall, and Collierville Towne Cinema, 380 Market, Thursday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 22, 3 p.m. malco.com.

Arthouse Film Series: Black Orpheus, a retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice set in the streets of Rio during Carnival. $5. Thursday, August 19, 7:30 p.m. Crosstown Concourse Theater, 1350 Concourse. crosstownconcourse.com.

Coraline, this one-day event will also feature bonus content with never-before-seen animation test footage. $15. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall, and Collierville Towne Cinema, 380 Market, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. 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

Virtual Pets Family Day, celebrate pets of all kinds: plant, animal, rock, or imaginary beast. Join the Dixon for a day of virtual pet-themed activities and experiences for everyone. Free. Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m. Online from Dixon Gallery & Gardens, dixon.org.

Online Paw Prints House PAWty, choose meal options from Pete and Sam’s, Ecco, or Restaurant Iris. Tickets include a party pack filled with supplies to host a party with friends and family. Silent auction online. $50-$120. Saturday, August 21, 3-5 p.m. Online from Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County, memphishumane.org.

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.

"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.

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.