The Levitt Shell announced their 2016 summer lineup in Memphis. Horray! Read more announcements about the fall lineup and expected programming from Bob Mehr at the CA here. You can also read more about the Shell's improvements here. Pro tips: - Most of the shows are family friendly and super fun, but parents should take a minute to look up the artist performing that night before taking your kids. Just like you would any event or movie. - You can bring blankets, lawn chairs, coolers, picnic baskets, any of your own food and drink (alcohol is allowed for those over 21) - There are food trucks and booths to buy beer and merch - Most, but not all of the shows are free - Most shows begin at 7:30 p.m. I'd arrive at least half an hour early to snag a spot. As far as parking, I'm just gonna be real with you: it's not super easy. Add even more time in to find yourself a spot. While there is available parking in the Overton Park area and surrounding neighborhoods, I personally always Uber/Lyft, bike, walk, or at least carpool. Here is the current lineup:

June 2 - The Soul Rebels with the Beale Street Flippers

June 3 - Rocket Boys

June 4- Big Ass Truck

June 5- Rising Appalachia

June 9- The Record Company

June 10- Mariachi Flor De Toloache

June 11- Cherry Poppin Daddies

June 12- Birds of Chicago

June 16- The Bo-Keys

June 17- Flow Tribe

June 18- Frazey Ford

June 19- New Ballet Ensemble

June 23- Hayes Carll

June 24- Steep Canyon Rangers

June 25- Stax Music Academy

June 26- Stax Music Academy rain date

June 30- Patriotic Pops

July 1- Elizabeth Cook

July 2- Soul Classics- Ultimate Family Reunion, feat. Slave

July 7- Hal Ketchum

July 8- Lera Lynn

July 9- “Stars at the Shell”- Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (not free)

July 10- tbd

July 14- Band of Heathens

July 15- Cedric Burnside

July 16- Uncle Lucius

July 17- Mipso

July 21- Suzy Bogguss

July 22- Hip Abduction

July 23- The Night Owls

July 24- Nikki Hill

July 28- Martin Harley

July 29- Snowglobe

July 30- RIPE

July 31- Alvin Youngblood Hart

Also announced is the October 15 "Stars at the Shell" featuring Mavis Staples with St. Paul & The Broken Bones. This one isn't free. Get tickets here.

Go there: Levitt Shell 1928 Poplar Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 (901) 272-2722

Learn more at http://www.levittshell.org/