Opening reception for "Motown Black & White”

Photo Courtesy of Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Al Abrams personal collection of Motown in black and white.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore
Fri., Aug. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The former Motown director of public relations, Al Abrams, passed away last year. But not before turning his personal collection into a traveling exhibit inspired by his book, Hype & Soul Behind the Scenes of Motown. This collection includes rare photos, press releases, and other historical documents. Items accumulated from his Motown tenure include salvaged “materials from secretaries' wastebaskets” according to his obituary. I guess that proves that one man's trash is another man's soul.

Photo by Flickr User Alan Levine
Paws for Celebration with Southern Friends
Annesdale Historic Mansion, 1325 Lamar
Fri., Aug. 19, 6:30-10 p.m.
Southern Friends Animal Society wants to celebrate our furry friendships during this benefit at Annesdale Historic Mansion. The benefit features tours, dinner, dancing, and an auction. Paw Prints Party benefiting Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County will be held at Racquet Club of Memphis on Saturday. Round out the weekend on Sunday at HOPE: Helping Our Pets Event to be held at Bangkok Alley on Brookhaven Circle. I might be barking up the wrong tree, but this weekend might have just officially gone to the dogs.

Photo by Flickr User Uncalno Tekno
Science of Wine
Memphis Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central
Fri., Aug. 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Fine wine is no accident. There is a science to it—enology, the scientifically-based understanding of wine production. Memphis Pink Palace Museum wants to help you expand your mad science skills. Over a glass of wine, of course.
Germantown International Festival

Germantown International Festival
The Great Hall and Conference Center, 1900 S. Germantown
Sat., Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Playwright David Henry Hwang said, "I'm interested in internationalism. It's the new multiculturalism. How we deal with each other isn't sufficient any more. It's about time we examine how we interact with the rest of the world we live in." Celebrate how international Memphis really is and interact with the world via authentic multicultural arts and crafts, food, music, and programs.

Debra Parmley joins Meg Farrell and other romance novel authors at Center for Southern Folklore
Center for Southern Folklore, 123 S. Main at Peabody Trolley Stop
Sat., Aug. 20, 2-5 p.m.
Love is like a soaring bird. Promptly crashing into the windshield of a speeding tractor trailer truck. At least for me. Case in point, my eighth grade crush told me I looked like Loni Anderson. I returned with, “You look like a turtle.” I was into turtles at the time and thought they were cute. He ended up going steady with another girl. High school heart throb told me I had beautiful eyes. I returned with, “You smell like soup.” Soup was a personal favorite, and he looked just as yummy going—running, actually—as he did on the approach. Alas. To be quite honest, things just come out of my mouth. I don’t know what I’m saying. As soon as the words leave my mouth I know I’ve messed things up for romance. And since August is Romance Awareness Month, I couldn’t help pointing you in the direction of this little gem being held at the Center for Southern Folklore. Five romance novelists will be talking about their books and signing them. I believe it will be more romantic than turtle soup.

Ostranders at the Orpheum
The Orpheum, 203 S. Main
Sun., Aug. 21, 6 p.m.
Mums the word—bonus event this weekend. Hopefully my boss's math skills are slipping and won't notice a sixth "Five Things To Do This Weekend in Memphis." Sister Myotis will be on stage—live—celebrating our theater community. We do love our local thespians. Show it!
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.