Here are just a few of the many reasons why..
May 4: Dinner on Stage.
Stories and history of this storied theater abound with a tour, brief film, three-course meal, paired wines, Broadway trivia, and Q&A session.
6p, $65. Orpheum Theatre, 525-3000, orpheum-memphis.com.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo Blues Ball Auction.
The Blues Ball auction is hot, hot, hot! Fabuloso auction items and magnifico food and drinks. Attire is Mexican caliente!
7p, $50. The Warehouse, 36 G.E. Patterson, 527-5683, bluesball.org.
May 6: Blues Music Awards.
More than 65 award nominees attend a night filled with their appearances and performances in a dinner-table setting that celebrates the best in blues.
5:30p, $125. Cook Convention Center, 527-2583, blues.org.
May 6: Funky Art Party.
Old chairs from the attic, lamps stashed in the basement — find funky treasures of all kinds at this fundraiser for UofM National Student Competition.
May 6: Memphis in May International Gala
Exotic Tunisian-inspired cuisine, performance by Tunisian Troupe, silent auction, and live music. 6:30p, $150. Memphis Botanic Garden, 525-4611, memphisinmay.org.
May 7: The Emerald Party
Garland and Gershwin and Glazier, Oh My!. A Wizard of Oz–themed fundraising evening plays tribute to the music and stars of Steinway artist Richard Glazier.
6:30p–midnight, $150. Theatre Memphis, 682-8323, theatrememphis.org.
May 7–8: Greek Festival
Greek traditions with homemade food, dance, wine-tasting bar, expanded marketplace, competitions, and more spell Opa!
11a–8p, $15. Greek Orthodox Church, 573 N. Highland, 327-8177, memphisgreekfestival.com.
May 8: Symphony in the Garden
A delightful evening with enchanting music performed in garden splendor. Bring picnic suppers or purchase onsite.
4p, $20. Dixon Gallery, 761-5250, dixon.org.
May 9: Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch in the Garden
The Japanese Garden features a gourmet buffet, live music by the Memphis Jazz Orchestra, roses, and carriage rides. 10:30a–2p, $40. Memphis Botanic Garden, RSVP 636-4131, memphisbotanicgarden.com.
May 11: Jack Daniel Dinner and Whiskey Tasting
Master taster from the Lynchburg distillery leads a 3-course tasting followed by a 3-course dinner of whisky-infused recipes.
6p, $55. Peabody Hotel, RSVP 529-4199, peabodymemphis.com.
May 13–15: Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
The Super Bowl of Swine smokes out all the meat you can eat and hundreds of teams competing for more than $100,000 in prizes and bragging rights.
Thu–Fri 11a–midnight, Sat 10a–10p, Tom Lee Park, 525-4611, memphisinmay.org.
May 14: Sleep Out on the Mississippi
Just bring a sleeping bag! Enjoy a riverside camping experience that includes tent, dinner, live entertainment, campfire with marshmallows, and breakfast.
$40, Mud Island, 576-7241, mudisland.com.
May 15: Levitt Shell Season Kick-Off Party
The open-air bandshell famous for Elvis’s first paid concert appearance kicks off its 2010 season with Big Star.
6p, $20, family appropriate, smoke-free. Overton Park, 272-5159, levittshell.org.
May 15: Theatre for Hope
Special performance of Oliver!, silent auction, wine tasting, live music, and treats to benefit Hope House.
6p, $50. Playhouse on the Square, 272-2702, hopehousememphis.org.
May 16: Israel Festival
Family event includes balloon bounce, Israel arts & crafts, Mideastern food, 5K, and more to benefit Friends of Israel.
10a–5p, free. Shelby Farms, 240-8102, memphisfoi.org.
May 17: Everyday Heroes: Building a Solid Community Dinner
Keynote guest Mike Huckabee and The Salvation Army recognize the importance of the everyday people who embody the dinner’s theme.
7p, $125. UofM Holiday Inn, 260-9130, uss.salvationarmy.org
May 18: Ooh La-La: The Art of Eyewear
The latest in French fashion eyewear for all ages, art exhibit, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live entertainment, hosted by The Eye Center.
6–9p, RSVP 722-3250, tec.sco.edu.
May 20: Art After Dark: Wine & Bacon
On the heels of the BBQ Fest, celebrate the tantalizing combination of swine and wine amid lush surroundings.
6–9p, $7, 2-for-1 admission. Dixon Gallery, 761-5250, dixon.org.
May 20: Opus One at The Warehouse
A different Memphis Symphony Orchestra concert experience: unconducted, unprecedented, unlimited, with light hors d’oeuvres and wine.
7:30p, $25. 36 G.E. Patterson, 537-2525, memphissymphony.org.
May 20: Third Thursdays Block Party
Two blocks of drink and food specials, live music, and sidewalk sales.
5:30–7:30p, free. Main Street between Peabody Place and Union.
May 21: Downtown Bike-to-Work Day
Get in gear and make tracks to work, as hundreds of cities across the country rediscover the bicycle as a viable means of transportation.
7–9:30a, 575-0540, downtownmemphis.com.
May 21: Japanese Garden Candlelight Tour & Children’s Day Celebration
See how children in Japan celebrate! Make a koi windsock, play cultural games, tour, and more.
6:30–8p, $7. Memphis Botanic Garden, 636-4100, memphisbotanicgarden.com.
May 22: Memphis Farmers Market Dinner Tour
Chef Chris Windsor takes it to the top, using local fare to create a farm-to-fork experience overlooking Memphis.
6p, Grill 83 on Madison Hotel Rooftop, RSVP 333-1224, memphisfarmersmarket.org.
May 22: Pawing Through History
Bring the pups to Elmwood for a pet-friendly walking tour. Leashed pups welcome; leave grumpy puppies home! 10:30a–noon,
$10. Elmwood Cemetery, RSVP 774-3212, elmwoodcemetery.org.
May 27–30: Elvis Motor Classics International Car Show
Premiere event showcases Elvis’s love for collecting cars, with more than 1,000 cars, entertainment, and competitions.
Thu–Sat 8:30a–6p, Sun 8:30a–4p, $10. Graceland, 800-238-2000, elvismotorclassic.com.
May 28: Birds & Bees Returns
This seasonal exhibit flies back to Memphis for the year, on view through Sep 6. Memphis Zoo, 276-WILD, memphiszoo.org.
May 28: South Main Art Trolley Tour
Stroll through the historic arts district as shops, restaurants, and art galleries offer unique merchandise and cuisine.
Every last Fri, 6–9p. Main between Vance and St. Paul, 578-7262, southmainmemphis.net.
May 28: Zoo Brew
The biggest brew yet features beers from around the world, live music, food, wine, and a sudsy, wild time!
7–10p, $25. Memphis Zoo, 333-6572, memphiszoo.org.
May 29: Memphis in May Sunset Symphony
The swan song to Memphis in May. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets and enjoy the Memphis Symphony Orchestra on the banks of the Mississippi River with a spectacular fireworks finale.
2–9p, $8. Tom Lee Park, 525-4611, memphisinmay.org.
Thru May 31: Memphis City Beautiful.
Organize with your neighbors to clean up, recycle, and beautify your community. Yard tools and bags available. 522-1135, memphistn.gov.
Any every Thursday night, Peabody Hotel and Madison Hotel have rooftop parties with Live Music.
It's good to live in Memphis in May!
Posts
