
I, Harlequin
Italian Film Festival at University of Memphis closes on Friday.
University of Memphis, University Center, 255 University Center, Paris Theater
Fri., April 15, 8 p.m.
VHS had already won the battle with Betamax when I worked at a video store in 1983. As a video store employee, one of the perks was being able to watch the newest, latest, and greatest movies first. I saw Tron, E.T., and Tootsie before venturing out to lesser known or older movies. It was this year I saw my first Spaghetti Western, and technically my first Italian movie. It would be another 10 years or so before I saw Il Mostro (The Monster) by Roberto Benigni and discovered a dormant love for foreign film. Hopefully you will discover a love too during the closing film at the Italian Film Festival.

Forging on the River
The Metal Museum of Memphis hosts artists, workshops, and special events during a weeklong celebration.
Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum Dr.
Wed.-Sun., Apr. 13-17
While the celebration of metalsmiths is already underway the dinner and auction will be held on Saturday. Attendees can meet internationally recognized British blacksmith and artist Stephen Lunn.

Photo by Flickr user Patrick Truby
Bacon+Bourbon
Inaugural Flyer Festival pairs bourbon with bacon inspired dishes behind Central Station.
Memphis Farmers Market, Pavilion of Central Station, S. Front & G.E. Patterson Ave
Sat., April 16, 6-9 p.m.
I'll be pouring the Dickel. Come see me and then enjoy the many bacon inspired dishes. While this is for a crowd 21 and over, there are some family friendly festivals not to miss this weekend—the 19th Annual Rites to Play: Medieval Memphis at Rhodes College is one of them. Enjoy the children's carnival featuring a giant chess set, dunk tank, inflatable jousting ring, May pole, petting zoo, and more. Africa in April will be celebrating the Republic of Tanzania with vendors, international music, and more at Robert R. Church Park. Go have fun whatever your age.

Mrs. Murray's Supper Club
Honor the most celebrated ghost at Germantown Community Theatre.
Clark Opera Memphis Center, 6745 Wolf River Parkway
Sat., April 16, 5:30 p.m.
It's a ghost of a party featuring dinner by Coletta’s Italian Restaurant, auction items, special guests George and Carol Barnes, and honorary chair Mark Billingsley benefiting Germantown Community Theatre. You'll be spirited away!
Artist reception for "The Time Catcher”

"Time Catcher"
Germantown Performing Arts Center, 1801 Exeter
Sun., April 17, 4-6 p.m.
You've seen her work for years in the newspaper. Go see it on the walls of Germantown Performing Art Center.
For a full list of what’s happening this weekend in and around Memphis, check out our calendar of events. Also, be sure to tag your favorite Instagram photos of Memphis while you are out and about with the #memphismagazine hashtag. I hope you have a great weekend.