Digitally Doing Life in “The M”: Virtual Events & Happenings

Things are still moving in Memphis, even if it’s from the confines of our own homes! Our community has gotten crafty with how we go about making connections, and how we’re embracing this new way of life—so much that many Memphians are taking to the internet to provide a number of ways for you to digitally do life in the “M.”

Thursday, April 30

• Taste your way through Memphis with Edible Memphis Bingo.
• Join MemphisMagazine this Thursday afternoon at 2pm for their virtual series “In The Kitchen,” featuring Chef Felicia Suzanne of Felicia Suzanne’s Restaurant sharing a favorite recipe!
• Join HenHouse wine bar for a virtual wine tasting online at 5:30 via Instagram live.
• Catch Lyrica Anderson, Love and Hip-Hop Hollywood star, doing her thing in the Beatroot Suite as she raises funds for JUICE Orange Mound‘s CAREavan initiative, their newest campaign to deliver care packages to families within the community.

Friday, May 1

• Check out the Copper Young Garden Club virtual Walk
• Louise Page is showcasing her talents during Virtual Zebra Lounge, round 5!
• Even though we can’t gather in Health Sciences Park, their live concert series, featuring Bailey Bigger, will make us feel like we’re there.
• Toss on seersucker and a floppy hat for Phillip Ashley’s Kentucky Derby inspired Live Tasting Party.
• Prepare with boogie with Memphis Jone$ as he lays down some tracks during the Spin, Move, & Groove Virtual Dance Party.
• Strengthen and condition your muscles with Collage Dance Collective company member Ricky Flagg II.

Saturday, May 2

• Whip up a sweet treat while your virtually visit Muddy’s Fun House.
• Get the whole family moving during a virtual dance class with Collage Dance Collective’s Education Director, Tammy Hurt.
• Sip whiskey with the folks of Celtic Crossing during the Virtual Whiskey Tasting.
• The Sister Summit is gathering a panel of experts online to bring wellness tips, beauty tutorials, workshops, good music, and positive vibes to all you lovely black ladies out there.

Sunday, May 3

• Flourish Studio is hosting a Virtual pop up pre sale this Sunday on Instagram! Snag some goodies while you can

Ongoing Virtual Events:

• You may not be able to gather by the river for a sweet yoga session, but Downtown Memphis invites you to gather on Zoom every Tuesday from 6PM-7PM for a free, live yoga class, and on Fridays from 6:30PM-7:30PM with Your Inner Yogi.
• Keep an eye out for Five in One Social Club on Facebook where they’ve been going live with all of the kindergarten craft classes that’ll make your adult heart happy.
• Crosstown Arts launched Against the Grain, a new online platform for Memphis musicians to post made-at-home videos of their musical performances on Crosstown Arts’ website. Viewers can buy a virtual ticket and directly support musicians who are unable to perform in public during the pandemic.
• Thanks to the Kroc Center of Memphis, there are handful virtual fitness classes going down that’ll keep that Quarantine-fifteen from creeping up on us.
• Join the Ghost River Brew Crew as they set out on the Bikes and Beers Virtual Ride, a nine-week social distancing ride full of new records, post-ride celebratory pics, and local beer. Participating riders get an appreciation package including two wooden tokens that are redeemable for 2 pints with the taproom reopens.
• John Paul Keith is coming at you live with tunes every Monday.
• Even though you can’t spend time at the Dixon, you can still… spend time at the Dixon thanks to #DixonFromHome! There are virtual tours of the garden, art challenges to participate in, and their hosting fun games and even more experiences on Instagram and Facebook.
• Order some local BBQ, pour yourself a glass of wine, and settle in for a movie that marries the two. Uncorked was recently released on Netflix, and it’s a Memphis movies you won’t want to miss.
• I know we’re all disappointed that Opera Memphis can’t wow us with their pop-up performances right now, but starting April 1st, their taking to the virtual world to share their talents with you during 30 Days of Digital Opera.
• Indie Memphis has got all you need to enjoy the incredible work of local filmmakers. Rent movies, join the Indie Movie Memphis Movie Club, or join the Tuesday Q&A sessions with special guests!
• Memphis’ Pink Palace Museum has designed a Museum to Go, complete with a planetarium show, “The Sun, Our Living Star.”
• Check out what’s happening at the Memphis Zoo….from your couch! Follow their Facebook page and tune in as they go live with animal encounters.
• Don’t get too comfy on that couch! Keeping active is good for the mind, body, and soul—and David Quarles is hosting Zumba classes via Zoom livestream.
• Tired of the same old home workouts? Change it up, because the Kroc Center is providing virtual classes for free. You can try HIIT, Barre, Meditation, and more from your living room (or your back patio–we’re here for this weather!)

• Bring some of our city’s top notch eats straight to your table with a Virtual Food Tour led by City Tasting Tours. Not only will you be filling your tummies during this 1.5 hour experience, but you’ll hear from our phenomenal, local restauranteurs who want to share their passions with you as you settle in for a delightful dinner for two. Pre-order your Virtual Tour Experience for $65.99 which includes dinner from 3 South Main restaurants, plus no contact delivery for Shelby County residents. Deliveries begin April 11th.
• All that couch camping can’t being doing your body good. What you need is a good stretch to work all those kinks out. Bendy Beast Fitness is going live on Zoom with free classes that not only include flexibility training, but strength training, mat pilates, and more.
• Now’s the time for some indulgence! Phillip Ashley is going live on IG with a chocolate and wine tasting every Friday at 6PM, and you’re invited to join on the fun! Just purchase your tasting kit online, and they’ll handle the rest.
• Spend time vibing with Memphis Jone$ as he spins on Elmertha from the Central Station Hotel. Live sets schedules every Wednesday at 2PM, and every Friday at 7PM.
• When you can’t escape your home, you can at least escape a Memphis Escape Room! Their new Print & Play games ($10/game) let you bring the mystery and fun of an escape room into your own home. They may be specifically designed for students in grade K-12, but who says adults can’t get in on the good times? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• You’re invited to get your groove on as Memphis Tourism’ Music Hub features some of Memphis’ finest DJs during the Spin, Move, & Groove Virtual Dance Party.
• Whip up a sweet treat while your virtually visit Muddy’s Fun House.

Memphis Music

• In need of some feel good tunes that’ll keep you vibing? Night Park is making his  Future-Everything debut with the release of Outside Love. Find a teaser here, and experience the whole she-bang when it’s released on all streaming platforms starting Friday, April 3.
• Since I’ve streamed her music almost back-to-back for the past three mornings in a row, it feels necessary to show my girl Jordan Occasionally some love. She serving up that kind of soulful sound that’ll help you kick-off your day, or close out your night with ease.
• Because good tunes can get us through the toughest of times, we thank the heavens for local music lovers who love to create playlists. For example, currently, you can’t, or shouldn’t, have a photoshoot in Crosstown Concourse—but you can bring a bit of that flavor back home with you by listening to the Concourse playlist curated by The Daily Memphian’s Jared Boyd.
• If you want to keep on theme with the weirdness of our current situation, Ezra Wheeler of Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum has created a playlist of of “cheeky-titled Memphis tunes,” featuring songs like “Fever” “Solitary Man,” and more.
• Victoria Jones, Executive Director of The CLTV, created a playlist of HOT JAMS inspired by our current climate.

We’ll be adding to this list as we go! If you know of any virtual happenings going down this week, let us know in the comments!

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Past Events:

Friday, March 27

• Attend Get Live! Memphis, the first, local Virtual Music Festival. Who knew that attending a virtual music festival would be something we’d be crossing off our bucket lists ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I Love Memphis and Memphis Tourism have partnered to host Get Live! Memphis, a three-day Facebook Live event that will features a number of talented Memphis musicians, and act as a fundraiser for for Music Export Memphis‘ COVID-19 Response Fund.

• Skipping date night? Think again. Fit4Mom is hosting a virtual game night so you can tuck the kids in bed and enjoy some time with your boo.

Saturday, March 28

• See Memphians spill it with the Spillit Slam.  Now more than ever, we’ve all got a story worth sharing—and Spillit Memphis is providing a platform for you to do so. They’re coming at you live from the Ixora podcast studio, and whether you share a story or lend your ear as a listener, it’ll be cathartic experience for all.

Monday, March 30

• Peter Pan is calling for all lost boys (and girls) to join him as he reads J.M. Barrie’s classic play and teaches choreography to “I Won’t Grow Up.” Join the fun from Playhouse on the Square on YouTube or Facebook Live.
• Use Memphis as your canvas for Brooks Museum’s Virtual Chalkfest 2020! Create sidewalk art during the week of March 30- April 3, and tag @brooksmuseum on Instagram plus use the hashtag #Chalkfest2020 for a chance to be featured on their site and social media.

Tuesday, March 31

• Novel Memphis is hosting Storytime with Miss Marjorie for kiddos age 0-5. Join Miss Marjorie on Facebook Live for singing, dancing, reading, and fun!
• Arrow Creative is home to many talented retailers, but all that magic starts somewhere else. During the  Positively Creative Quarantined Convo with Hard Knot Designs you’ll step into their home studio for a coffeehouse style convo that might just stoke that creative flame that’s always been inside you.

Thursday, April 2

• I, too, have found myself captivated by the bizarre story of the Tiger King—and if you’re like me, you should  test yourself during Tiger King Trivia with Cerrito Trivia.

Friday, April 3

• Lonely at home? Put your imagination to the test as you create your very own quarantine, clay critter during Creatively Quarantined Crittermaking with Beck Zee.
• The Flourish Studio Virtual Pop-Up, happening from 4PM-8PM, features eight local makers who could use your support!
• The only thing better than a whiskey tasting at a pub is a whiskey in your own home! Celtic Crossing is hosting a Virtual Whiskey Tasting with owner DJ Naylor on Saturday, April 4th, but Friday’s the day to get all of your goods. Purchase your tickets, and see all the deets here.

Saturday, April 4

• It’s the 52nd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death, and the National Civil Rights Museum invites you to honor his life during the “Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment” Virtual Commemoration which will include a performance by the MLK50 Legacy Choir, spoken word by Ed Mabrey, a children’s story time featuring the book, Martin’s Big Words, and more. The ceremony begins at 5PM, and will be streamed on the museum’s website, YouTube, Facebook, and Livestream platforms. *Poets are invited to submit their original poem in tribute to Dr. King by April 4via social media using the hashtag #RememberingMLK and tagging @ncrmuseum so their poems maybe shared on the museum’s social channels.*
• Get in losers, we’re going shopping! The Memphis Modern Market is hosting a pop-up market for you to shop from the comfort of your own home. From jewelry and candles to vintage wears and handmade ceramics—and a special giveaway curated by all 13 makers, you’re bound to find something that’ll take away the “You Gotta Be At Home” blues.
• Who will walk away with a gold medal after the first-ever ZOOlympics? Tune into the Memphis Zoo’s Instagram all week to watch the games go down!

Monday April 6

• We’re going live on Instagram at 4PM with Bridget Sisney, TFA Director and Founder of UniverSOUL Wellness, who will walk us through a 25-minute yoga flow and give us breathing techniques to practice at home.

Tuesday, April 7

• Connect with talented authors from the comfort of your living quarters with Novel Memphis‘ new live series, Reader Meet Writer. They are kicking things off at 2PM with Grady Hendrix, an author who combined the southern of Steel Magnolias with the horror of Dracula to create The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.
• Starting today, thanks to their partnership with Culturalyst, the CLTV is bringing a piece of Memphis culture online with a curated weekly series of live sessions featuring local artists across different mediums. They’ll be kicking things off at 7:30PM with Ed Williams, creator of Mayke, being interviewed by CLTV Executive Director Victoria Jones.

Wednesday, April 8

• Find your zen as Virtual Yoga with the Memphis Public Libraries launches this week.
• Break out those art supplies for Virtual Figure Drawing with the Brooks Museum.

Thursday, April 9

• Some of that useless information that you’ve tucked away in your mind might do you some good during Virtual Trivia Night with Cerrito Trivia.
• Indie Memphis is bringing their filmmaker forum, Shoot and Spice, online! Join Indie Memphis Artistic Director Miriam Bale, Senior Programmer Brighid Wheeler, and Programmer Kayla Meyers as they discuss what they are looking for from films and filmmakers.

Friday, April 10

• Many churches are having virtual Good Friday services you can attend:
  • 7 Last Words Service with Annointed Temple of Praise at 11:00
  • Calvary Episcopal Church at 12:00
  • Cross of Calvary Lutheran Church from 3-6
  • Greater White Stone Missionary Baptist Church at 12:00
  • Idlewild Presbyterian Church at 7:00
• Join Downtown Church for a panel discussion on how faith intersects with work. At 12:00, you’ll hear from a local doctor, FedEx employee, educator, and pastor during Faith and Work.
• Thanks to neighborhoods everywhere, you can participate in a visual Easter egg hunt. Just load the kids up and drive around looking for Easter eggs Memphians have placed in their windows.
• Since last week was a hit, Louise Page is performing again. Support her and local bartenders as she performs for the Virtual Zebra Lounge 2.
• Cerrito Bingo is bringing the game to you. Join them virtually for a live edition and win prizes from Memphis Made Brewery.
• Kick it with DJs Mike McConnell, Stephen Mirdo, and Justin Hand while they play DJ Cecil’s 420 mix for Exile: Quarantined Edition.

Saturday, April 11

• Skip the lines at the grocery store and hit up Loflin Yard for their Supplies Market. You’ll find everything from fresh food to toilet paper. Yup. We said toilet paper!
• Grab your drink and join the Issa Vibe Party House #4 for some disco/funky ass house & classics and grooving into some heavier stuff as the night progresses.
• Support New Ballet at their virtual benefit so that they can still continue to provide high-quality classes and career-ready training regardless of the ability to pay.
• Limber up and enjoy the benefits of mindfulness and yoga….for free! Join the Memphis Public Library’s Virtual Yoga Series at 2:00.
• Bring your Havdalah candles and join the virtual Havdalah service in Rabbi Bess Wohlner’s and Rabbi Jeremy Simons’ living rooms at 8 pm.
• Check out our list of restaurants offering curbside and take a break from cooking! You deserve it.

Sunday, April 12

• Local churches are offering virtual services, and they’ve gotten incredibly creative with the ways they livestream. Here are some options:
  • Calvary Episcopal Church at 10:00
  • The Color of Love with Cummings Street Missionary Baptist Church at 9:00
  • Downtown Church at 10:00
  • Fellowship Memphis at 11:00
  • Easter with Hope Church at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:15
  • Sunday Morning Worship with Grace St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 10:30
  • Cyber Revival with Living Word Memphis at 10:00
  • Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church at 10:30
  • Sunday Morning Worship with Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church at 10:30
  • Worship Service with Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church Memphis at 11:00
  • Drive-in Easter at Ridgeway Baptist Church at 11:00
  • Live Stream Mass with St. Augustine Catholic Parish at 11:00
• You can still have the best Easter brunch and just pretend you’re sitting on the restaurant’s patio (while sitting on your own of course). Several Memphis restaurants are offering family sized meals for delivery or to pick up curbside:
  • Tug’s Casual Grill Easter Family Meals
  • Char
  • Celtic Crossing‘s Brunch Options
  • Amerigo‘s Easter Family Meals (call 901.761.4000 to order)
  • The Liquor Store
  • And don’t forget to check for any other restaurants you love are offering Easter brunch specials!

Monday, April 13

• Give to New Ballet’s Virtual Benefit.
• Take the Start 2 Finish Virtual Challenge.
• Hiring Days at Senior Solutions at 9:00.
• Practice soccer with Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• Watch via livestream as TOPS play at the Hi-Tone cafe.

Tuesday, April 14

• Practice soccer with Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• Learn about and see Wolf River Wildlife.
• Donate blood to the West Cancer Center Blood Drive.
• Bottom’s up during Silky’s Virtual Happy Hour with special guest Craig Schuster.
• Madeline Salmon Newkirk is hosting an online class series for Self-Healing Techniques.

Wednesday, April 15

• Take the at-home soccer challenges with Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• Get moving at Virtual Kids Yoga with Mrs. Roxanne.
• Practice mindfulness and movement during the Virtual Yoga Series with the Memphis Public Library.
• Get your art therapy on during the the LIVE Virtual Paint Class: The Wishing Tree with Pinot’s Palette.
• Help us escape a Memphis Escape Room on Instagram Live at 4PM!

Thursday, April 16

• Take the at-home soccer challenges with Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• Get your kids art supplies out and join Pinot’s Palette’s LIVE Virtual Kids’ Event: Dinosaurs at Dusk.
• Register your kiddos for this virtual playgroup: Music and Movement focused on tumbling.
• Work that brain during Cerrito Trivia’s next Virtual Trivia Night on Facebook Live.
• Arrow Creative wants to teach you how to organize your life by using Trello.
• Catch local R&B singer Porcelan sharing her talents with the world during the next episode of The Beatroot Suite.

Friday, April 17

•  @Choose901 is going live with @devin_steel  at 2:00 PM to talk music, digital media, and of course quarantine. Devin is the IHeart Radio’s VP of programming for its 7 Memphis stations, the K97 afternoon drive host, and a legendary DJ. 
• At 9:01 PM, Devin will take over the Choose901 Instagram for a live DJed party, so you can party with people everywhere from the comfort of home. Be sure to follow @choose901 and @devin_steel on IG!
• Practice soccer with Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• Hone in one your Photoshop and Lightroom skills during a zoom workshop with Arrow Creative.
• Whether you walk, run, bike, or bust a move, do your body some good, and Get Moving for Meritan.
• Learn how to brew cxffee with cxffeeblack during Pouragami Fridays with prophiphop.
• Louise Page is coming at you live with sweet sounds at for Virtual Zebra Lounge 3.
• Get your groove on to some old-school Memphis hip-hop during Memphis Tourism Music Hub’s DJ Series Virtual Dance Party.
• Grab your painting supplies and join the Virtual Paint Night: Open Studio Style.
• Quarantined? Isolated? Now Exercise! Join Curves Lunch and Learn: How Do You Move? 
• Momentum Nonprofit Partners hosts a Virtual Happy Hour to talk about everything but COVID-19.
• Take part in Virtual Vintage901 Spring Weekend 2020 and join Friday’s Perfect Pairing’s Dinner.
• New Wing Order food truck will be set up at Crosstown Brewing Company serving award-winning wings and Southern Grub!
• Take a break from homeschooling and join Join Cerrito Trivia for some Disney trivia!
• Games. Challenges. Discipline. 3 things Kids need during lost of time at home. Join us for a Kids Virtual Martial Arts Workshop.
• Pinot’s Palette hosts another paint your own piece night.

Saturday, April 18

• You might discover your new favorite, local artist during the Memphis Songwriters Series: Virtual Voices hosted by The Orpheum Theatre.
• Toss back some whiskey with Celtic Crossing during the Virtual Whiskey Tasking.
• Take part in Virtual Vintage901 Spring Weekend 2020 and join Saturday’s Grand Tasting.
• Hiring Days at Senior Solutions is for those who are looking for a job and deeply care about others.
• If you’re looking for some soccer drills to entertain, try out Play Where You Stay Virtual Season.
• It’s the weekend. Join Hightailer’s Virtual Happy Hour. 
• Explore the basic patterns of Ballroom Dancing with Social Dancing Basics.

Sunday, April 19

• Take part in Virtual Vintage901 Spring Weekend 2020 and join Sunday’s Sparkling Breakfast.
• Print and play with Memphis Escape Rooms or join a live video escape room!
• Buy a ticket to a local musician’s virtual concert on Memphis’s newest music platform, Against the Grain, and lay back.
• Support local filmmakers and buy a movie ticket from Indie Memphis.
• Grab your paints and join Pinot’s Palette for a virtual paint class: Pinot’s Poppin’ Peonies.

Monday, April 20

• Relive your favorite 2019 Tiger football moments with the launch of the University of Memphis’ #FB19Flashback.
• Looking for a career in education? The Teach901 Virtual Job Fair kicks off today, and there are openings for teachers, administrators, support staff, and more.
• Check out Unapologetic’s new YouTube series “What You Doin” which hits the web today!
• Don’t be a couch camper! Get up and get active with this week’s lineup of virtual classes by the Kroc Center.

Tuesday, April 21

• Take the ‘Mayor’s Meal Challenge’ in support of local restaurants and the Mid-South Food Bank.
• Bring MemPops to your neighborhood so everyone can get a sweet a treat.
• You might discover your new favorite movie thanks to Indie Memphis’ Movie Club.
• Volunteer with a local org that is doing what it can to continue serving Memphis.

Wednesday, April 22

• Let your inner Picasso shine during a An Acrylic Painting Social Night with Kayla Owens of Arrow Creative.
• Tune in to hear DJ Spanish Fly spinning some old-school Memphis rap during one of Memphis Music Hub’s DJ Sets.
• Think you have what it takes to escape a Virtual Memphis Escape Room? See for yourself!

Thursday, April 23

• Share your truth for Spillit Memphis’ Spillit Slam Livestream: Breaking (Out/In/Up)
• Connect with hard-working young professionals during the Virtual Happy Hour with The Link Up Memphis.
• Bee supportive of the local music scene and and tune in to Live From The Hive with The Wealthy West

Friday, April 24

• DJ Alpha Whiskey’s coming at you with all female soul jams during Memphis Music Hub’s DJ Sets.
• Crack open a beer, and kick it in your backyard while you enjoy a Levitt Shell Virtual Concert ft. Big Ass Truck.
• Discover your next favorite music artist and celebrate Memphis song writers at Memphis Songwriters Series

Saturday, April 25

• You’re hear music of all kinds performed by U of M students during Hear901’s Virtual Music Festival.
• Hit the ground running, wherever you are, to participate in the Virtual Bad Dog 5K/10K.
• Celtic Crossing is back with another Virtual Scotch Whiskey Tasting.
• Any high schoolers out there that want to become  filmmakers? Sign up for Indie Memphis FREE Virtual Youth Workshop.
• The shops of Saddle Creek are hosting Quarantunes with Tyler Kieli Beretta of the Everdeens

Sunday, April 26

Monday, April 27

• Tune into our IG Live at 3PM to hear from local chocolatier Phillip Ashley.
• The Brooks Museum is challenging you to create a still life using the objects that you have at home! Create and share your still life on social media, and then challenge a friend to make one too.
• For $5, you can (virtually) get moving for Meritan! Your support would help enable Meritan to continue to fulfill its mission to provide care and services to more than 1,700 Mid-Southerners through in-home health care and job training programs for seniors.
• The Memphis Zoo is hosting FREE virtual tours to give you a chance to connect with animals virtually!

Tuesday, April 28

• Round 3 of Silkys Virtual Happy Hour! Viewers can participate in a virtual toast as we share our Drink Recipe of the Day
• Tarot reading is a skill anyone can develop with practice. However there is more to giving a tarot reading that just knowing the meanings of the cards. Join The Broom Closet for ta FREE Zoom workshop for tricks and tips on how to become a Tarot reading master.
• Needing some helpful hints on how to kickstart online sales? Join Arrow Creative for a live chat with local artist Whitney Winkler at 8pm via Zoom
• Stay active with the Kroc Center of Memphis!  Various virtual fitness classes happening to get us moving on the daily.

Wednesday, April 29

• Get your creative juices flowing with #DixonAtHome activities via Facebook videos and posts!
• Join the Tennessee Shakespeare Company  actors live every weekday at 10:15am for the newest episode of The Decameron Project on Facebook Live!