Events in May, Abridged and Action-Packed

This is a small sampling of fun/interesting stuff that's going on. For more comprehensive lists, I would consult Memphis in May's site, the extensive Sierra Club calendar and the Memphis Flyer event calendar.

April 30, May 1, May 3, May 8, May 10, May 17-18, May 25

• April 30 (Wednesday):
  Our Vibe. Our City. On Film. Screening
  6:30- 8:00, Malco's Studio On The Square, 2105 Court Street
  


• May 1 (Thursday):
  "The City Livable: Modest Suggestions for Making Memphis Great"
  Reception at 4:30 p.m., presentation at 5:00 p.m.
  Buckman Hall, Christian Brothers University
  Please use CBU's Central Avenue entrance and parking lot.
  


• May 1 (Thursday):
  Sierra Club First Thursday Gathering
  5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Otherlands, 641 S. Cooper
  
  Sierra Club members, activists and friends can meet in a casual setting to talk about issues and interests. For more information contact Juliet Jones, Vice Chair, at (901) 374-0582 or juliet101@comcast.net
  


• May 1 (Thursday):
  Cooper-Young Nite Out
  5pm - 9pm
  Cooper-Young Historic District
  


• May 3 (Saturday):
  Mississippi River Canoe and Kayak Race
  10 a.m.
  


• May 3 (Saturday):
  Neighborfest at Idlewild Elementary.
  11 a.m. to 3p.m.
  
  Eat a snocone and a hamburger, and learn about the great things happening at this fine Memphis elementary school!
  


• May 3 (Saturday):
  Jug Band Jam Session in Tribute to Will Shade.Will Shade, the Memphis Jug Band leader, was buried in an
  unmarked grave in 1966. His gravestone will finally be installed this week. Ceremonies honoring him will be this jam session and the gravestone installation at the Shelby County Cemetery


• May 3 (Saturday): Mission Accomplished? Fest
  2 p.m., National Civil Rights Museum
  


• May 3 (Saturday):
  Memphis Warehouse Revival v3.0!
  
  Thrown by the Rozelle Art Guild, this party at 822 Rozelle is scheduled for May 03 at 10PM. DJs Saturna, Mind At Large, University Acid Squad, Jim Henson, Bobby Lee, Mr. White, and the triumphant return of Memphis's own Shawn OD! $10 door, +$5 to drink. Ages 18+.
  


• May 8 (Thursday):
  Artist Rick Lowe speaks on Project Row Houses
  6:30 p.m., Memphis College of Art
  Sponsored by the UrbanArt Commission.
  
  If you're an artist, architect, developer or activist, don't miss this.
  


• May 10 (Saturday):
  Old Forest Hike
  10:00am to 11:30am, Overton Park, led by the Citizens to Protect Overton Park.
  
  Meet at the bridge on Old Forest Lane, next to the Rainbow Lake parking lot, for a guided walk through the Old Forest at Overton Park. Email Naomi or call 901.278.2396 if you need more info.
  


• May 17-18 (Saturday-Sunday):
  A Weekend with the Reddings
  
  On Saturday and Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2008 the Soulsville Foundation will once again make history when Otis Redding's family will be our special guests and events participants on two very exciting evenings. The family includes Otis Redding's widow, Mrs. Zelma Redding, along with his three children, Otis III and Dexter Redding and Karla Redding-Andrews.
  
  All will be special guests on Saturday, May 17th at the Stax Music Academy SNAP! After School Spring Concert at the University of Memphis' Michael D. Rose Theater. Otis III and Dexter will perform with the students. All ensembles will be featured during the concert - Stax Music Academy Rhythm Section, StreetCorner Harmonies, Premier Percussionists, and the Soulsville Swing Band, as well as The Soulsville Charter School's Soulsville Symphony Orchestra. Also starring as a speical guest is the academy's Artist in Residence, internationally acclaimed saxophonist Kirk Whalum.
  
  The concert is at 7 p.m. and admission is just $5!
  
  On Sunday, May 18th, the entire Redding family will be our guests for our "Conversations With The Reddings" panel discussion/Q&A, along with others who knew Otis Redding well, including Ben Cauley, the only Bar-Kay band member on board the plane to survive the tragic crash on December 10, 1967 near Madison, Wisconsin, which took the life of Redding at the age of 26. This event will take place in the Stax Museum's intimate Studio A. The discussion will not only focus on Otis Redding the phenomenal entertainer, but also Otis Redding the loving father and husband.
  
  "Conversations With the Reddings" will take place from 5 - 7 p.m. $10 general admission and free to Stax Museum members.
  
  This will be Zelma Redding's and Karla Redding-Andrews' first visit to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
  


• May 25 (Saturday):
  Chickasaw Group Sierra Club Canoe Trip Through Mississippi River Bottomlands
  8:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
  
  Meet at the Visitor's Center. Reservations required. Free! Canoes provided. Bring your lunch and water. For reservations, contact Judith Hammond, (901) 276-2819.