What to do? Plan with Memphis Parent!

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

by

Family Fun

"The Machine Inside: Biomechanics," an immersive exhibit for all ages that takes visitors on an intriguing journey into the marvels of natural engineering. $15. Opens, Saturday, May 15, 10:30 a.m., continues through August 1. Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central. 636-2362.

Bluff City Fair, features attractions, shows, fair food, carnival and kiddie rides, and more. $10 admission. $25 for ride wristbands. May 14-22. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, 335 S. Hollywood. bluffcityfair.com.

CAF AirPower History Tour, featuring cockpit tours plus P-51, T-6, PT-13, and B-29 rides, and airshows. $20. Monday, May 17, 1-5 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday, May 18-19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Thursday, May 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Olive Branch Airport, 8000 Terminal, Olive Branch, MS. airpowersquadron.org.

Virtual Garden Family Day, featuring art and garden-inspired activities, special performances, and connections with the natural world. Free. Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park. 312-1241.

Thursdays on the Plaza, enjoy the atmosphere of the Menke Sculpture Garden during a variety of events from blues to trivia. Cash bar with wine and craft beer, as well as a nosh or two. Free-$5. Every Thursday through July 15, 6:30 p.m. Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Ext. 682-8323.

Let's Go Outside!

Cooper-Young Garden Walk, self-guided tour of 80+ eclectic, imaginative urban gardens and green spaces in the historic, vibrant CY neighborhood. $20. May 15-16. Cooper-Young District. cooperyounggardenclub.org.

Bird Talk & Walk Series: Purple Martins, purple martins, birds that winter in Brazil, are back at Lichterman Nature Center. Learn more about this species and help monitor their nests. Take a walk around the lake to see what other birds we can see and hear. Binoculars are available to borrow. For ages 12-adult. $10. Saturdays, May 15, 22, 29, and June 5, 9-10:30 a.m. Lichterman Nature Center, 5992 Quince. 636-2224.

Agape Kids Classic Golf Tournament, participate as a sponsor, golfer, or simply donate to benefit Agape Child & Family Services presented by Greystone. $500 for an individual player, $2,000 for a team of 4. Monday, May 17, noon-5 p.m. TPC Southwind, 3325 Club at Southwind. 626-3601. agapemeanslove.org.

Music by the Lake, outdoor concert featuring family-friendly fun, food trucks, and music. Free. Friday, May 21, 6-9 p.m. and Friday, June 11, 6-9 p.m. Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center, 3663 Appling. 385-6438.

Jr. Fishing Rodeo, bring the kids to Catch’Em Lakes and spend a wonderful Saturday morning fishing in the stocked catfish lakes. Free with registration. Saturday, May 22, 8-11 a.m. Agricenter, 7777 Walnut Grove. 757-7777.

Orpheum Golf for Education, enjoy golf, food, and fun while supporting the Orpheum Theatre Group’s education and community programs. Sponsorship and donation-based. Monday, May 24, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Chickasaw Country Club, 3395 Galloway. 525-3000.

Teens and Tweens

JA Inspire Virtual Event, brand-new, two-day, virtual career exploration event for eighth-graders in which students can learn directly from employers across multiple industries. Free with registration. Monday-Tuesday, May 18-19. Online from Junior Achievement, jamemphis.org. 366-7800.

Novel at Home: Heather Truett, debut YA novelist Heather Truett in conversation with fellow YA writer Kristy Dallas Alley launch Truett's Kiss and Repeat via Zoom. Free with registration. Tuesday, May 25, 6 p.m. Online from Novel, novelmemphis.com. 922-5526.

Fodder for Foodies

World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest,  a four-day competition featuring teams representing the best of barbecue compete for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $115K in prize money. $12. May 12-15. Tom Lee Park off Riverside. memphisinmay.org.

Vintage901, featuring wine and wine education, food, presentations, and music. $100. Saturday, May 15, noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Levitt Shell in Overton Park. vintage901.org.

Novel at Home: Elizabeth Heiskell, online book launch for Come On Over!: Southern Delicious for Every Day and Every Occasion. Featuring cooking demo with Chef Kelly English. Free with registration. Wednesday, May 19, 6 p.m. Online from Novel, novelmemphis.com.

Fling into Spring Tea Party, tea party with light snacks and sweets. The first floor will be open to tour. After you have finished with your tea, enjoy learning about the language of the flowers while planting and decorating your own succulent. $25, $15 child. Saturday, May 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mallory-Neely House, 652 Adams. 523-1484.

Celebrate What's Right Panel: "The Future of Food," paving the path for success in the culinary space. The panel includes Cynthia Daniels (moderator), Kelly English, Sabine Langer, and Mariko Wiley. Free with registration. Tuesday, May 25, noon. Online from New Memphis Institute, newmemphis.org. 527-4625.

Movies

Time-Warp Drive-In: 80s Kids Adventure, films for kids from the ’80s featuring E.T., Goonies, and Explorers. $25 a carload. Saturday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. Malco Summer 4 Drive-In, 5310 Summer. malco.com.

25th Anniversary: Mission Impossible, this high-octane event also includes a featurette, Mission: Catching the Train. PG-13. $15. Sunday, May 16, 3 p.m., and Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall and Malco Collierville Towne Cinema, 380 Market. 681-2020.

Spring Movie Series, bring the family to an outdoor movie. Free. Thursdays, 8 p.m. through July, 1. Greenbelt Park, Harbor Town, Downtown Memphis. dnamemphis.org. 

  • May 20-E.T.
  • May 27-The Goonies
  • June 3-Black Panther
  • June 10-Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (Classic Version) 
  • June 17, Toy Story
  • June 24-Dream Girls
  • July 1-The Wizard of Oz 

Chimes Square Family Movie Nights, enjoy family-friendly movies on an outdoor screen with state-of-the-art surround sound. Tipsy Tumbler will be onsite selling adult beverages. Free. Fridays, 8 p.m. through June 4. May 14: To Kill a Mockingbird; May 21: Dumb & Dumber; May 28: Pride & Prejudice (2005); June 4: How to Train your Dragon. Overton Square, 2101 Madison. overtonsquare.com.

Drive-In Movie Night for Individuals with Disabilities: Toy Story, featuring the movie, popcorn, candy, ice cream, and water, or bring snacks of your own. Bring chairs to sit outside your vehicle. Craft bags for an upcoming series that starts May 16 on Zoom will be given out. Free. Saturday, May 15, 7 p.m. Hope Presbyterian Chuch, 8500 Walnut Grove. hopechurchmemphis.org.

Movies in the Park, enjoy free family-friendly movies in city parks:

  • Aladdin, Saturday, May 15, 5:30 p.m. Rozelle Park, 1693 Evelyn.
  • The Photograph, Saturday, May 15, 5:30 p.m., Audubon Park, 751 Cherry.
  • ALT, Saturday, May 29, 5: 30 p.m., David Carnes Park, 902 Whitehaven.

35th Anniversary Stand By Me, features movie and a pre-recorded conversation with author Stephen King as he recalls what led him to write the stories of his childhood. $15. Sunday, May 23, 3 p.m., and Wednesday, May 26, 7 p.m. Malco Paradiso, 584 S. Mendenhall. 682-1754.

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.