The Jefferson Avenue Home Tour

The childhood home of actress Tallulah Bankhead is featured during The Jefferson Avenue Home Tour.
Fri., Aug. 26, 5-8 p.m. and Sat., Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Perhaps you missed my short-lived movie career. It wouldn’t have been hard. I had a few speaking parts in the independent film Slow Down…You’re Dating Too Fast and the never-released (to my knowledge) Evil in the Woods. The highlight of my career is when I was fortunate enough to give the very handsome actor Donald Meyers a big fat wet kiss right on the ol’ kisser. The low point of my career was undoubtedly when I tried to do a part in a scene filmed at the beautiful Civil War-era home of Scott Blake on Millionaire Row. The scene involved the doctors of a mental institution and me (the evil nurse keeping Donald Meyers hostage for nefarious purposes). I’m a fairly sane person. I’ve never really believed in ghosts, though I have entertained the idea. But it is my unequivocal belief that something in that house would not let me deliver my lines. Every time I opened my mouth to speak one particular set of lines, nausea enveloped my body and reduced me to wet noodle status. I tried over and over until finally the director made me lie down for a bit while he shot some other scenes. I finally made it through the scene, but under great duress. Since I was playing an evil part in the movie, I like to think the house was rather displeased with my evilness. It could have also possibly been the ghost of actress Tallulah Bankhead who lived there as a child and decided she did not rather like my performance. Whatever the cause, this home tour should be first on your to-do list this weekend. You will experience the former home of Luke Edward Wright, United States Secretary of War from 1908-1909, James Lee House, the site of Memorial Academy of Arts (now known at Memphis College of Art), and newly constructed homes.
Threepenny Theatre Company Beer Flight Theatre Night

Photo by Flickr user Brian Kramer
The Evergreen Theatre, 1705 Poplar
Fri., Aug. 26, 8-10 p.m., Sat., Aug. 27, 8-10 p.m., Sun., Aug. 28, 2 p.m. and Mon., Aug. 29, 8-10 p.m.
Beer and theatre anyone? I thought so.
Jazz-A-Fire: Celebrating Life of Ruby Wilson

FireHouse Community Arts Center, 985 S. Bellevue
Sun., Aug. 28, 4-7 p.m.
Ruby’s presence resonates form every pore on our iconic street. She left her mark, her smile, her voice on Beale. Ruby is larger than life and a life worth celebrating. Celebrate with Memphis Black Arts Alliance at Jazz-A-Fire featuring Evelyn Jack, Carla Thomas, Nokie Taylor, Naomi Moody, Michael Townsend, Tonya Dyson, and other local musical celebrities.

Photo by Flickr user Steven Depolo
Tiger Lane, 335 South Hollywood
Sun., Aug. 28, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get your burger on! Speaking of burgers, Bardog Alley Party and 5K this weekend. Beef up your weekend in the back alley.

Malco Paradiso Cinema, 584 S. Mendenhall
Sun., Aug. 28, 2 p.m. and Wed., Aug. 31, 7 p.m.
Every once in a while someone will reference an old movie that I haven’t seen in years. And I have to watch it. I am always so thrilled with an old movie the second or third time around. The classics are classics for a reason. Also, Yul Brynner made bald sexy — before it was fashionable. Sigh. I think you will enjoy this hairless classic.
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.