Cooler temperatures bring more than just a change of seasons; they also bring a change of attitude. Suddenly, brisk air invigorates the city and the month of October is full of fundraisers under the stars, music and basketball as our Memphis Grizzlies come back to the FedExForum. Enjoy the change of seasons, as well as our curated list of the best happenings around town!
MIFA’s final Feed the Soul event takes place October 6. Image | MIFA
Memphis Events: October 2016
September 30 – October 1, 2016: The Bona Fide Blues Festival
Midtown comes alive with the blues, as the Bona Fide Blues Festival takes over Overton Square for two days. Performances take place on two stages — and those are free. You also can buy a wristband, starting at $30, to catch acts on indoor stages throughout Midtown. The festival features more than 30 local blues artists and honors the legendary Ruby Wilson. This is a great way to up your blues IQ, as well as take in the soul of the city. Visit bonafidebluesfest.com.
October 2, 2016: Limón Dance Company at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center
The Limón Dance Company – known as the Father of the Modern Dance Movement — brings dramatic world dance to the Rose Theater stage at the Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. Curtain is at 7 p.m. and tickets start at $35; buy them online at buckmanartscenter.org.
October 5, 2016: Sunrise Yoga at the Dixon
Start your day with a little Namaste in the gorgeous setting of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Yoga instructor Peggy Winburne will lead you through sun salutations as the sun rises over Memphis. Her class is offered every Wednesday morning at the Dixon at 6:15 a.m. and is open to all. All levels are welcome. Visit dixon.org.
October 6, 2016: Feed the Soul
The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association’s annual fundraiser, Feed the Soul, is calling it a decade with one last casual evening of food and friends. Live entertainment includes headliner Tamika “Big Baby” Goodman and The Soul Therapy Band. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Warehouse in the South Main district and tickets start at $45. Buy them online at mifa.org.
October 7, 2016: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic
The Grizz open the preseason with a home game against the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. and the FedExForum should be packed for the first game of the season (even though it doesn’t really count). Tickets start at $29 and are available online at nba.com/grizzlies.
October 7 – 9, 2016: Moon River Music Festival at the Levitt Shell
Native Memphian and singer-songwriter Drew Holcomb returns to Memphis to put on his Third aAnnual Moon River Music Festival at the Levitt Shell. The lineup includes his own band, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, The Oh Hellos, and more. Don’t miss out on this exciting weekend of music and food at the Shell! Tickets start at $45 for a single-day pass; $70 for a two-day general admission pass. Buy them online at moonriverfestival.com.
October 14 – 16, 2016: Pink Palace Crafts Fair
It’s one of the oldest and one of the city’s most-loved festivals and the Pink Palace Crafts Fair brings artisans to Audubon Park for the 44th year. There’s also plenty of food, music, educational exhibits and more — all weekend long. Tickets are $9 for adults; $3 for children and are cash only at the door. More information is online at memphismuseums.org.
October 15, 2016: Oaktoberfest at Oak Hall
Oaktoberfest is the event of the season at Oak Hall with an all-day trunk show and cookout. Oak Hall representatives will showcase the store’s expanded fall collections. Join the fun under the tent at the store’s East Memphis location at 6150 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38120; more information is online at oakhall.com.
October 15, 2016: Memphis Food & Wine Festival
It has been years in the making and now it’s finally here! The inaugural Memphis Food & Wine Festival brings together top wineries and the top chefs from Memphis and the South — plus a few superstars from both coasts. Tickets are limited and are $200 each and the event begins at 6 p.m. Complete details and tickets are online at memphisfoodwinefestival.org.
October 21 – 23, 2016: 10th Annual RiverArtsFest
The region’s largest juried fine arts festival is back for its 10th year in the South Main Arts District. Come see the works of more than 180 artists from around the country, music on three stages, food and beverages and activities for all ages. Admission is $5 for adults; kids attend free. The festival gets underway at 6 p.m. on the Friday, October 21, 2016, and more information is online at riverartsmemphis.org
October 21 – 23 and 27 – 31, 2016: Le Bonheur Zoo Boo
From hayrides to candy stations to straw mazes, you won’t want to miss this SPOOK-tacular Halloween event. Zoo Boo is fun for ghosts and goblins of all ages and now covers eight frightful nights of fun — Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23, 2016; Thursday, October 27 through Monday, October 31, 2016, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day; tickets start at $10. Details are online at memphiszoo.org.
October 22, 2016: Art on Fire at the Dixon
Join the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for the hottest night of the year! Each year, Art on Fire has been bigger and better and this year is no exception. There will be more than 20 local restaurants, live music, entertainment, drinks, an auction and more! The evening starts at 7 p.m.; Tickets for Dixon members are $60 in advance and $75 the day of the event; $75 for non-members; and VIP packages also are available. Purchase them online at dixon.org/art-on-fire.
October 23, 2016: A Century of Fashion at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
On Sunday, October 23, celebrate the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art 100th anniversary with a fashion show featuring the vintage fashions of Paul Thomas, and fur collection from Babbie Lovett. Wine and Hors d’Oeuvres after in Museum Events room. Proceeds benefit the Museum in their ongoing projects. Show starts at 2 p.m. in the Hohenberg Auditorium at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Purchase tickets online: www.brooksmuseumleaguememphis.org
October 27, 2016: Power of the Purse: Fun, Food and Fashion
The Power of The Purse features an auction of designer bags, shoes and more that benefits programs of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis that support grant-making and special initiatives that promote the economic security of women and their families in Memphis. The festivities start at 6:30 p.m. at the University Club of Memphis. Tickets start at $50; $75 for VIP and can be bought online at wfgm.org
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