The Beale Street Musical Festival always kicks off the wider Memphis in May celebrations. It takes place over three days on four stages, bringing the best in music to Tom Lee Park, on the banks of the Mississippi. In 2007, an enormous line-up includes Iggy & The Stooges, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows and Steely Dan.
With a great reputation and a distinguished Beale St "alumni" - including the likes of B B King, Al Green, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Isaac Hayes, Lynyrd Skynryd and Willie Nelson, the event has a reputation for being a major musical feast.
Event Details:
Date(s): Various Dates
May 30, 2008 - June 1, 2008 *
May 29, 2009 - May 31, 2009 *
* To Be Confirmed. Opening Hours: Fri 5pm-1am; Sat 1pm-1am; Sun 1pm-11pm (music ends half an hour before park closure) Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Venue Details:
Venue Name: Tom Lee Park Address: Riverside Drive & Beale St Directions: South of Mud Island on the east bank of the Mississippi, stretching between the Downtown Core and the South CBID (between Interstate Highways 40 & 55).
Parking is available west of Front St at the corner of Beale St and Wagner Pl.
Memphis Italian Festival
Marquette Park
May - Jun 2008 (annual)
Memphis' Italian community celebrates its heritage each year at Marquette Park. National and local artists perform and there is, of course, a great selection of food available via both outdoor vendors and a more formal indoor Italian dinner. Other activities include cooking contests, chef demonstrations, a Bocce tournament, grape stomping and pizza tossing.
Event Details:
Date(s): Various Dates
May 31, 2008 - June 2, 2008 *
May 31, 2009 - June 2, 2009 *
* To Be Confirmed. Opening Hours: Thu 6pm-10.30pm; Fri & Sat 11am-11pm Cost: Thu US$5; Fri free admission from 11am-1pm; Sat & Sun US$10; under 12s free Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Venue Details:
Venue Name: Marquette Park Address: Park Ave & Mount Moriah Rd 38119
Graceland
Graceland
Daily
Even those impervious to the enduring charm of America's greatest icon succumb to the legendary and irresistible Graceland, in the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, Memphis, Tennessee.
Home to the King for 20 years, this gingerbread mansion, (originally a 500-acre farm inherited by a pressman's daughter, Grace, after the Civil war) is unsurprisingly one of the top tourist attractions in the US, with a multitude of camera-clad aficionados armed with personal audio guides ushered through everyday.
It contains a myriad of rooms extravagantly decked out in homage to Seventies interior design, including the famed Jungle Room, (decorated by Elvis himself) an African-style abode complete with running waterfall and shaggy floor, walls and ceiling. Another focal point is the Trophy Building, where disciples can immerse themselves in endless memorabilia, such as his enormous collection of gold records and awards, stage costumes, jewellery and photographs. The tour relaxes and culminates in the Meditation Garden; Elvis' final resting place and invariably a shrine to true devotees.
Following the domicile visit, a highlight of the Graceland experience is the Sincerely Elvis museum. Filled with personal family belongings and mementos such as photos, clothing and particularly home movies, the self-paced walkabout reveals the private side of the legend in a remarkable depth. Elsewhere, the Automobile Museum (featuring the famous 1955 pink Cadillac) is sufficient assurance of his coupe fixation, while a wander through the extravagant interior of his private jets (emblazoned with Elvis' personal logo the "Taking Care of Business" lightning bolt), complete with gold-plated toilet seats, is truly an experience in itself.
For those reluctant to call it a day the Walk a Mile in My Shoes film in the Bijou Theater reiterates the story of Elvis' extraordinary career while the unremitting souvenir shops (strategically situated as an exit to each exhibit) with their extensive Elvis paraphernalia will defeat even the most obstinate of shoppers.
Event Details:
Venue Name: Graceland Address: PO Box 16508, 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd 38186-0508 Phone: +1 901 332 3322 Directions: Located off Highway 51, just south of the city centre of Memphis.
National Ornamental Metal Museum
National Ornamental Metal Museum
Daily; not Mon
The only musuem in the Americas to be dedicated to metalwork, Memphis' National Ornamental Metal Museum hosts workshops and exhibitions that showcase the art in all its glory. Whether it's filigree or wrought ironwork, the museum has over 3000 items dating back up to 500 years and covering everything from custom-made cutlery to a rooftop crucifix.
Event Details:
Date(s): Daily; not Mon Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12pm-5pm Cost: US$5; seniors US$4; students and 5-18 yrs US$3; under 5s free Location: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Venue Details:
Venue Name: National Ornamental Metal Museum Address: 374 Metal Museum Drive TN 38106 Phone: +1 901 774 6380 Directions: Located on a high river bluff south of Downtown Memphis, TN, the National Ornamental Metal Museum is easily reached by taking the Metal Museum Drive exit (exit 12C) on the Tennessee side of the Memphis-Arkansas (I-55) Bridge.
Tom Lee Park
Marquette Park
Graceland
National Ornamental Metal Museum