5 Things to Do in Memphis This Weekend: 6/15 – 6/17
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Happy Friday, y'all – I'm so glad we're here. Here's this week's list of the top five, can't miss weekend events (all of which are dad approved for Father's Day):
1. Overton Square Block Party, Overton Square, Friday, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., free
Celebrate the start of Overton Square's rebirth at this afternoon's block party. Star and Micey are playing, there will be food and drinks from local restaurants, street theatre, art and lots of family friendly good times. I recommend grabbing a seat on the patio at Bayou or Bosco's for the best people watching (and cold beer).
2. Sing Along Grease, Orpheum Theatre, Friday, 7 p.m., $7
Finally – you don't have to wait for your next all-lady roadtrip (or solo hairbrush rockstar moment) to sing along to the "Grease" soundtrack. The slightly cheesy musical about the foibles of teenage love will play at the Orpheum tonight as part of their summer film series. If you don't know the words, don't worry – you can follow the subtitles. And yes, costumes are encouraged.
3. Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race, Greenbelt Park, Saturday, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m., free to watch
More than 500 people will dip their paddles into the Mississippi River for the June 16th race, which is one of the largest canoe and kayak races in the Southeast. Olympians, world champions and amateurs will compete for more than $15,000 in cash and prizes during the annual race.
4. Todd Snyder, Levitt Shell, Saturday, 8 p.m., free
Usually, I haven't heard of the great bands that play free shows at the Levitt Shell during the summer, but that's not the case this week. Todd Snyder is a legitimately big deal in the world of folk and Americana music, and he's bringing some friends (Hayes Carll, Elizabeth Cook and Will Kimbrough) to the outdoor venue on Saturday for the What the Folk Fest. The show is free and you can bring a picnic.
5. Food Truck Rodeo, Sunday, Broad Ave. Arts District, 12 p.m., free
The brand new-ish Memphis Food Truck Alliance is holding the first of their weekly food truck rodeos on Broad Ave. this weekend. The alliance is expecting around 50 local trucks to attend, so there will be plenty to eat. Some of the trucks take plastic, but bring cash just in case.
If none of these events are your thing, there are plenty more on the blog's calendar. There's also a bonus sixth thing to do on the I Love Memphis tumblr. No matter what you do this weekend, I hope you have a blast. Come back and tell me about it on Monday.
3:21 pm
I think it's "SNIDER," not "SNYDER."
3:28 pm
The Memphis Blues Rugby Club is hosting Franckypalooza tonight at Newby's starting at 7pm. One of our teamates, Francky Samson, had a major brain injury in a match on Saturday, March 3rd. Francky was in a coma for two weeks and spent the next two months in rehab. While Francky is recovering very well, he has been left with a tremendous medical bill. Entry fee tonight is $10 for 18-21 and $20 for 21 and up. All the beer you can drink for those 21 and up until the six kegs are gone. There are six bands playing, limited edition t-shirts for sale and a raffle including thousands of dollars in prizes. Show up for a good time and help support a great cause!
1:30 pm
The shell lastnight was AWESOME! Every act, up to and including Todd Snider were amazing…not to mention that it was the largest crowd the shell has seen since it was remodeled!
2:53 pm
So, K- did you get anything to eat? I waited a half hour or more at the Mark's Grill truck before I gave up. Sara and the little one got an ice cream and a lemonade, but that is the sum total of our hour or so there.
4:50 pm
I got some Yolo, then walked around for a little bit. I’m hoping that since today’s rodeo was the first one, that they’ll improve with time. More trucks will mean fewer lines, I hope.
8:05 pm
I dropped a comment on the food truckers’ association FB page, they said they had a rough start and are working on making the next one better.
3:31 pm
Missed the food truck rodeo, but I made the Grease Singalong. The costumes were the best part! And I made it to the Nesbit Blueberry Plantation to pick a couple of tanks of blueberries. It was hot, but worth it.