photography by playhouse on the square
Jersey Boys
Playhouse on the Square
Performances through July 16
Legend goes that in the hours after those humans declared independence from the country across the pond, an aged bellman was so excited that he rang a bell so hard that it cracked. The bell in question was the Liberty Bell; the story in question was and is ... false. Yes, there’s a crack in the Liberty Bell. No, I don’t have the qualifications to tell you how the crack got there, but I can tell you that the bell will not be rung this Fourth of July as it hasn’t been rung in many, many years. Sad, I know, but it’s not like we’d hear it all the way in Memphis anyway.
But while we won’t be hearing the ringing of the Liberty Bell this Independence Day weekend, we can hear that wonderful Frankie Valli cry of “Sherrrrrrryyy, Sherry Baby. Sheeeeerrrrrryyy, Sherry Baby” — which frankly (hehe, frankly, Frankie, is that a pun?) is a close second, or honestly first, to the ringing of the Liberty Bell.
Singing the classic song, of course, is the cast of Jersey Boys at Playhouse on the Square. Jersey Boys, for the who-the-heck-is-Frankie-Valli crowd, is the Broadway smash hit chronicling the rise and eventual breakup of the legendary doo-wop group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons — the guys who sang songs like “Beggin’,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” (not the Fergie song), “Walk Like a Man,” and “December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night).” As Playhouse says, “Jersey Boys is an exciting walk down memory lane of the Golden Era of American Music,” so what better way to celebrate ’Merica?
Performances run Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., through July 16. For tickets ($40), call the box office at (901) 726-4656 or get your tickets here.
*Audiences should note that the production features strong language and suggestive adult situations that could be offensive to some, but not to the author of this article.*
Photography by JOHN BEARBY IMAGES on Unsplash
Lake & Lodge: Movies by Moonlight: Addams Family Values
Lichterman Nature Center
Friday, June 30, 7 – 10 p.m.
Did you know that the Declaration of Independence has something written on the back? That’s right, Nic Cage’s National Treasure is based on a true story — said no one ever. But, yes, there’s something written on the back of that old paper — “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776.” I know, I know, YAWN. It’s nowhere near as fun as a treasure map; it seems that’s just the stuff of movies. Sigh.
And I know what you’re thinking — ’cause I’m thinking it and we share a hive mind whether you believe it or not — you’re thinking, “But I like the stuff of movies. Movies are fun.” And they are fun, but did you know that your pals at MoSH and Black Lodge are making them even funner? Now that’s a true story.
This Friday, the two are presenting a social and experimental outdoor movie experience like no other, with a screening of Addams Family Values plus some fun (albeit creepy) activities. Such fun happenings include “Who moved the rock?” where you can get acquainted with resident creepy crawlies like a tarantula, a snake, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches (ew!); “I’ll get you, and your little hand, too!” where you can experiment with electricity with a Tesla coil, Van de Graaff generator, and plasma globe, and learn the difference between safely conducting electricity … and electrocution (?!); and “All day long, coronaries, transplants” where the brave of heart can interact with models of the human heart, learn its parts and how it works, and get a closer look at a preserved pig heart (yikeseroni and cheese).
Tickets ($15) for this family-friendly event can be purchased here. Goth and ’90s costumes are encouraged.
Upcoming Lake & Lodge movie screenings include Jaws, Jumanji, and The Princess Bride (as you wish!).
photography courtesy spillit
Spillit Slam: Summer Lovin’
Black Lodge
Friday, June 30, 7 p.m.
So today I learned that Betsy Ross probably didn’t design the first American flag, and that the guy who got a B-minus on his high school project to design a flag for all 50 states only to have his design become the flag we know today — he also probably isn’t responsible for the flag’s designs. Like, WHAT?!? Who’s been telling me these lies? And why? What are they hiding? And who is “they”? I just want to know the truth. And you know who we can count on for the truth (well kinda — most of the truth is better than NONE)? Spillit.
The storytelling event is back at the Black Lodge this weekend, and this show is about all things summer — the people, places, and things. It’ll be a slam event with storytellers having seven minutes to tell a tale of an all true/mostly true personal narrative. After 10 stories the audience will judge and a winner will be picked.
Buy your tickets ($10) at the door or right here.
All-American Weekend
Graceland
Saturday-Sunday, July 1 – 2
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was displeased with the choice of our national bird? The man called the bald eagle “a bird of bad moral character,” who “does not get his living honestly … [and] is too lazy to fish for himself.” To that, I would say to Bennie Frank, the King — not like monarchy king — that would kinda make the whole Revolution that you were a part of, and I’d hate for your life purpose to be disrespected the way that you disrespected the bald eagle — but the King as in Elvis would say that the eagle is “something would say ‘America’ to the world.” That’s why he had his jumpsuit bedazzled with an eagle on the back of his stage cape.
That being said, I guess you could say that Elvis was more patriotic than Mr. Franklin. After all, his Graceland is celebrating the Fourth with a blow-out party all weekend (and you can’t say the same for old Bennie, can you?).
For the weekend, Graceland will host several special events, and the iconic Graceland Mansion will be beautifully lit in red, white, and blue. There’s going to be a tribute concert, a Great American Gospel Brunch, a Viva Las Vegas sing-along screening, and a barbecue dinner and reception. (Tickets for these events can be purchased here.)
To cap off the weekend on Sunday at 8 p.m., Graceland is also hosting the All-American Party & Elvis Fireworks Extravaganza — aka a fireworks show set to Elvis’ music. DJ Argo of SiriusXM Elvis Radio will host and will share unique stories of Elvis and Graceland. Admission to this event is free.
Photography by Tom Dahm on Unsplash
Overton Square Independence Celebration
Overton Square
Saturday, July 1, 7 – 10 p.m.
As you celebrate your freedom, just remember you’ll never be free from me as long as I continue to get paid to write this here “Five Things To Do.” Will every blurb be great? No. [Editor's Note: Yes.] But the events in Memphis are always a time to be had. So to finish this “Five Things” with a bang I present to you: Overton Square Independence Celebration.
The family-friendly celebration is free and will feature live music from Cyrena Wages and Band, plus free face-painting and balloon art for the kids. Plus, plus, the Fire Museum is bringing out their cool vintage fire trucks for all to check out, a nice reminder not to set the world on fire with all your fireworks this weekend. 🙂
