May Events in Memphis, Tennessee

May offers a lot of things to do for residents and visitors of Memphis. There are family events and things that couples can enjoy for a night out on the town. Memphis In May International Festival is here and honoring Chile with lots of events planned through out the month. Here is a look at what you can look forward to doing this month.

May 1 & 2
Kicking the Memphis In May International Festival off, the "Beale Street Music Festival" is here again on May 1-3. There will be over 60 performances spanning over the three days. Some notable performers that will be on stage are Jerry Lee Lewis, Katy Perry, Elvis Costello, and Memphis's own Three 6 Mafia. This is a great event to get a group of friends together and head downtown to have some fun with. Be responsible with any drinking that you do and make sure to catch some of the acts that are rolling into town.

Branford Marsalis, world renowned saxophonist, will be performing at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre with the Iris Orchestra on May 2, 2009 at 8pm. Come here Symphony No. 9 and excerpts from "Neruda Songs". This is a great date night event for music lovers.

The Center For Southern Folklore is proud to have Daddy Mack Blues Band performing on May 2 at 9pm. Come and check out the acclaimed blues band that has three top albums on the blues charts. This is a fun event that any blues fan will enjoy. Admission is $5.

Calling all car buffs! Cruz-In American Muscle Cars will be an event you will not want to miss in Olive Branch Old Towne on May 2, 2009. There are always lots of cars that participate in this event.

Redbird's has a home game against Iowa on May 1 at 7:05pm, may 2 at 1:05pm, and May 3 at 1:35pm. Baseball is a great event to include the whole family. AutoZone Park has great ball park food and fun for all.

The Mississippi River downtown area is going to be bustling on May 2, 2009 at 10am when the 28th Annual Outdoors Inc. Canoe & Kayak Race hit's the water. Paddler Magazine has noted it as "The Best Race in America". The action starts at north end of the Green Belt Park and the action ends at Jefferson Davis Park. You will need to register ahead for the race to participate.

May 3-9
It is time for the 2009 Blues Music Awards at the Memphis Cook Convention Center on May 7, 2009 at 5:30pm and the party goes until 1am. Come party with the stars while the best of the best get awarded.

"The Beale Street Music Festival" continues on May 3, 2009 as part of Memphis In May International Festival. For more details see description under May1-2.

"Fiddler on the Roof" brings it's national tour to the Orpheum Theatre of Memphis on May 5-10. Come and see the man that originally reprised the role of Tevye in the movie version in 1971, Chaim Topol. It is being said that this tour will be Topol's final
farewell. The plays story is a view of the life of a milkman, Tevye, set back in 1905 in Russia.

The Memphis Zoo will be busy this week with the Wise and Wild Wednesday: Luncheon Series that starts at 11:30am and ends at 1pm. The upcoming exhibit, Birds and the Bees, will be Herb Roberts topic while you are served a box lunch. On May 7 the "Chef's Dinner", a five course meal prepared by Erling Jensen, will be served in the Northwest Passage Underwater viewing area at 7pm. With your meal you can enjoy Chilean wines by In Situ. If you are interested in this event you will need to get reservations.

The Memphis Symphony will be taking the stage at the Cannon Center presenting David's Adieu: Mahler 9 at 8pm.

Come take part in the "Relay for Life" in support of the American Cancer Society on May 8 at the Snowden Grove Park. This is a great event to get some friends to come out with you to the park and give your time for a good cause.

"All About Women" is coming to the Memphis Cook Convention Center on May 9 and admission is free. There will be over 100 services and activities for women, this is a great mom and daughter event for some "you" time. It starts at 9am.

May 10-16
Jennifer Hudson and Robin Thicke are coming to the Orpheum Theatre of Memphis on May 11. Jennifer's latest album "Spotlight" has earned high praises and Robin's 2008 release "Something Else" has critics talking. The show will start at 8pm.

The Orpheum Theatre will be having "Dinner on Stage". Come for a tour of the theatre guided by Pat Halloran and enjoy a three course meal with a Broadway trivia game. Fun starts at 6:30pm on May 13. You will need reservations for this event. This is a great date night experience for couples.

Memphis Redbirds has a home game against Las Vegas. Game times are May 12 at 7:05pm, May 13 at 11:05am, and May 14 and 15 at 7:05pm. This is a great family event and the kid's will have a blast.

Memphis Redbirds has a home game against Reno on May 16 at 6:05pm. The kids will enjoy this event.

The Memphis Symphony will be at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens on May 16 at 6pm for a family event on the south lawn where there will be kid's activities that start at 4pm. Bring your own picnic and participate in the picnic contest which has several winning categories.

As part of the Memphis In May International Festival, the annual "World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest" is back. This event receives a lot of national attention for Memphis. Tom Lee Park will be bustling with people hoping to catch a smell of the best barbecue there. It will start on May 14 and end on May 15. This is an event that is a must for the family to do.

May 17-23
Memphis Redbird's are having a home game against Reno on May 17 at 1:35pm, May 18 at 7:05pm, and May 19 at 1:05pm. This is a great family event for all to enjoy.

It is time for the Memphis Zoo's "Zoo Brew" where attendees have the chance to sample 100 different beer brews from all over the world. While you are enjoying the beer, Snowglobe will be performing on stage. There will be food, wine, and soda for sale at this event.

Memphis In May International Festival continues this week with the Sunset Symphony with special guest Three Dog Night. There will also be an air show included. It starts at sunset, so grab your family and some blankets and enjoy the music.

May 24-31
India Arie is bringing her 2009 Soulbird Tour to the Orpheum Theatre on May 24. This is following her latest release Vol. 2, Love and Politics. It starts at 8pm. Come hear her new stuff and old stuff like "I Am Not My Hair" and "Video".

Memphis Redbird's has a home game against Iowa on May 29 at 7:05pm, May 30 at 6:05pm, and May 31 1:35pm.

The Memphis Motorsports Park will be busy this week with events like the RT Turbines Et Bracket Racing Series #3 on May 30 and Porsche Club of America Autocross on May 31.

Germantown Community Theater is proud to have "110 In The Shade" on May 29-31. Based on the "Rainmaker" from 1954, it tells a story about a Plain Jane girl that is desperate to find a man and she lives in a town that is in severe need for rain. A man comes to town and renews hopes that both can happen.

The Memphis Italian Festival is at the Marquette Park on Mt. Moriah and Park Avenue on May 28 through May 30. This is a family event that has food, music, arts and crafts, games, and more. This is a great way to let children see Italian culture.