30 Days of Opera
When: September 15 – October 15
Come experience Opera in the Park(ing) spot! Every day for a month, there will be opera being performed somewhere in Memphis. Every performance will be free, every performance open to the public. Visit http://www.operamemphis.org/calendar for specific showtimes!
Hurt Village
When: October 4 – 21st
Location: 656 Marshall Avenue
In this show, a government grant means relocation for many residents of Hurt Village, a Memphis housing project. As Cookie, a thirteen year-old aspiring rapper, and her family prepare to move, her father returns from Iraq and struggles to find a position in his violent community and his daughter’s wounded heart. http://www.hattiloo.org/plays.php
Craig Brewer’s Indie Memphis Peep Show
When: October 4, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: 165 Beale Street
A MEMBERS-ONLY** sneak preview of the 2012 Indie Memphis Film Festival (IMFF) hosted by Memphis’s own Craig Brewer. Join for the lowdown on the upcoming 2012 IMFF, food, drinks, live music by Bluff City Backsliders, door prizes and performances by Sock It To Me Burlesque. Membership is $50 and is available for purchase at the door; RSVP by September 28 to mandy@indiememphis.com.
Jazz and Laffs
When: October 4/5, 9:00pm-1:00am
Cost: $10 general admission, $5 with event flyer
Location: Café Ole, 959 S. Cooper
Come relax after work and be serenaded by the sounds of 2 Piece and a Biscuit (a neo-jazz band comprised of various acclaimed Memphis musicians) intertwined with comic relief by regional and local comedians. $4 drink specials all night. This event is 21+.
Live Kids’ Music
When: October 6, 1:00pm
Where: Metal Museum
Repair days Family Day always include activities and projects for children. Join us as the Rozelle Elementary School student orchestra performs classical selections. They will be followed by original music Tooken, a trio of 10 year old students born out of the Rock N Romp Summer Camp.
FreeWorld’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
When: October 6: Brass Note Presentation Ceremony, 12:00pm-1:00pm/7:30pm Release Party
Location: Beale St in front of Blues City Café/Levitt Shell
Cost: Free admission
First, Memphis’ legendary world music jam band celebrates their 25th anniversary following receiving their Brass Note on the Beale St. Walk of Fame with an outdoor concert at the Levitt Shell. There will be an Alumni Reunion Concert & DVD/CD Release Party at The Levitt Shell from 7:30pm-9:00p. There is no cover charge at either event, but attendees are encouraged to purchase copies of both the new DVD documentary on the band, as well as the companion, retrospective compilation CD.
Artistik Lounge
When: Every Sunday in October; 8:00pm-11:00pm
Location: Rumba Room, 303 Main Street
Cost: $5 cover
Artistik Lounge is collaboration between Hip-Hop duo Artistik Approach and TamED Productions. It is a weekly, artistic melting pot that utilizes music to bring an eclectic mix of talent together.
Memphis Farmers Market
When: Every Saturday in October;
7:00am-1:00pm
Location: South Main Bus Terminal
Cost: Free admission
The Memphis Farmers Market is a weekly non-profit outdoor market featuring local farmers and artisans. Enjoy live music and weekly themed events and programs. The market showcases locally sourced produce and food items and locally produced arts and crafts from the Mid-South region and also serves to educate the community about eating local, nutrition and food choices. www.memphisfarmersmarket.org
Myla Smith
When: October 11, doors at 7:00pm
Location: Christ City Church (inside Minglewood Hall)
Myla Smith will be performing for her “Drugs” EP Release show.
In the Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue
When: October 11, 3:00pm-5:00pm and
7:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Orpheum Theater
Cost: tickets from $15
More than a concert, IN THE MOOD is a Big Band Theatrical Swing Revue. It’s the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, and other greats of the 1940’s. Featuring a company of 19 on stage including the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, the show’s music arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets! http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/events/detail/in-the-mood
STAX! The Memphis Sound
When: October 13 (7:30pm-9:30pm),
October 14 (4:00pm-6:00pm)
October 13th – Cannon Center for the Performing Arts:
Legendary STAX artist Booker T. Jones will join the MSO and the Soulsville Charter School in a night highlighting the rich heritage of Memphis music. Those traditions took a new turn in 1961 when Satellite Records was renamed STAX and began issuing a new Southern Soul sound by artists such as Otis Redding and Booker T. and the M.G.’s. Popular music was changed forever. Tickets start at $15, with students entry $5.
October 14th – 915 East McLemore:
This concert is free to the public. Please consider donating to the Memphis Symphony.
The Breakfast Club
When: October 14, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Where: Revive Cereal Bar 669 Highland Ave.
Departing from the late night, club-driven party scene and into the light of day; TBC focuses on presenting excellent talent in a great venue at a low cost to be enjoyed by the entire family. Revive is a warm, open, modern space featuring a full menu and the city’s only cereal/oxygen/energy bar.
Rock N Soul
Museum Press Conference
When: October 16, 2:00pm
Where: 191 Beale Street
MSO’s Opus One
with DJ Redeye
When: October 18, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Location: 915 East McLemore:
MSO’s poplar Opus One series kicks off the season with Memphis’ own DJ Redeye, of Memphix Records and Tunnel Clones. From its inception, Memphis Symphony’s musician-led series, Opus One, has delighted in bringing together musicians from all different colors of the musical spectrum. The musicians of Opus One often perform new and unexpected music in nontraditional venues, but what they play is what they believe in: good music without boundaries of era, genre, or locale. http://opusonememphis.org/about/
Star & Micey
When: October 18, 8:00pm-11:00pm
Location: Hi Tone
Come enjoy one of Memphis’s most popular local bands at the Hi Tone as they perform their I Can’t Wait EP Release Show. Doors open at 5:00pm. This event is 18+. http://holdmyticket.com/event/114733
River Project
When: October 20, 8:00pm
October 21, 2:00pm
October 25-27, 8:00pm
October 28, 2:00pm
Location: Playhouse on the Square
Join Ballet Memphis’ most exciting endeavor yet as they embark on a collection of new works using our beloved river as a catalyst in our nation’s young history for moving people, ideas, music, religion and, of course, dreams. This world premiere will feature three new works—including Steven McMahon‘s gospel-inspired revelation, Julia Adam‘s New Orleans French-imbued expedition and Matthew Neenan‘s Motown-infused experience—all of which will soon become the heart of their national touring program. http://www.balletmemphis.org/theriverproject
City Changers of Memphis Mid-South Unity Youth Fest
When: October 20, 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: Mud Island River Park
City Changers of Memphis hosts the Mid-South Unity Youth Fest to bring families and the community together to demonstrate the power of unity to our children. The purpose of this event is to bring hope and healing to this generation by educating families of the services and tools available to them in a fun filled and family oriented environment. City Changers’ goal is to also highlight and support the positive things that young people are doing. Local children and teenagers will showcase their talent on the main stage. There will also be rides, contests, and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy! The message to the youth is that they can experience and share in unity through uniting with other diverse people in the Memphis area. For more information, call (901) 598-4508.
Medieval Steel
When: October 21 (6:00pm),
October 26 (8:00pm)
October 21 – Overton Park Shell:
Medieval Steel has returned along with other heavy metal bands to hold an outdoor fundraiser at the Levitt Shell with concerts and a silent auction. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 day of show. This event is all ages and children under 5 get in free.
October 26 – New Daisy Theater, 330 Beale Street:
CD release party concert at the New Daisy! This event is 18+.
Railroad Revival Tour
When: October 22
Location: Memphis Central Train Station
Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Band of Horses, and John C. Reilly are coming to town. This unique tour travels across the U.S. on 16 vintage rail cars and combines the country’s rich train history with organic American music. The artists will live and collaborate together on the train and perform eight concerts in large outdoor venues near the tracks, stopping in Memphis on the 22nd.
The Carnival of Terror
When: October 24, 8:00pm
Location: Newby’s
This Newby’s costume and freak show will feature Surrender the Fall, Taproot, and Nonpoint. Dress accordingly in your “scariest, skankiest, freakiest” outfits.
Sweet 16 Party
When: October 25
Where: Hi Tone Café
Beale Street Caravan, Memphis’ only internationally syndicated radio show, is celebrating 16 years of delivering the best that the blues and its derivatives have to offer!
RiverArtsFest
When: October 26 (6:00pm-9:00pm),
October 27 (10:00am-6:00pm), October 28 (10:00am-5:00pm)
Cost: $5
Location: Historic South Main Arts District, Downtown
RiverArtsFest 2012 will feature a market with over 170 juried artists, as well as Artist in Motion, Hands on Art and other festival offerings including community art events, great live music and tasty Southern food. A successor to Arts-in-the-Park, RiverArtsFest is in its sixth year located in the heart of the Historic South Main Arts District in Downtown Memphis, TN. The festival has successfully presented rich cultural artistic diversity and talent from the Mid-South and over 40 states in what’s become the longest running fine arts festival in this region. http://riverartsmemphis.org/
Mahalia (Gospel Musical)
When: October 27, 3:30pm and 7:30pm
Location: Germantown Performing Arts Center
Deborah Manning Thomas and Stefani Bolton team up in this gospel explosion that celebrates the life and music of the world’s greatest gospel singer. The musical features songs including “Move On Up A Little Higher” and “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho.” http://www.hattiloo.org/plays.php
