Best Bets
Tatsuya Nakatani Gong Orchestra — Friday: A rare, large-scale experimental sound performance at Off the Walls Arts.
Disney’s Frozen — Friday: Opening night for Playhouse on the Square’s visually ambitious family musical.
Opera Goes to Broadway — Saturday/Sunday: Opera Memphis voices take on Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim and musical-theater showstoppers.
Solace Awakening Variety Show — Saturday/Sunday: Aerial arts, fire, partner acrobatics and belly dance in a full cirque-style production.
Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band — Saturday: One of the weekend’s strongest major concerts.
Strictly Jazz: Betty Carter and Elvin Jones — Sunday: An unusually focused tribute led by Jeremy and Dermel Warren.
The Surfrajettes — Tuesday: Surf-rock showmanship, psychedelic guitar and towering beehives in Hi Tone’s upstairs room.
Thursday, November 12
6–9 p.m. — Crosstown Arts Resident Artist Talks
Crosstown Arts, 1350 Concourse Ave. — Crosstown · Free
[FREE] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Six resident artists share current work and creative processes, making this the week’s most concentrated introduction to new visual, literary and interdisciplinary work. Crosstown ArtsDoors 6:30 p.m.; slam 7 p.m. — Speaker Box Slam
Hattiloo Culture Box, 37 Cooper St. — Overton Square · $10 advance/$12 door; participating poets free
[ADVANCE-TICKET]
Ten poets compete before audience-selected judges, with the evening structured as a genuine spoken-word contest rather than a casual open mic. Hattiloo Theatre7 p.m. — Tigerchor Fall Concert
Harris Concert Hall, University of Memphis — University District · Free
[FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The UofM ensemble joins Olive Branch High School for a useful, low-cost chance to hear emerging regional choral musicians. memphis.edu7–9:30 p.m. — The Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975
Crosstown Theater — Crosstown · Ticket price not posted
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Rediscovered Swedish 16mm footage of Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale and the Black Power movement becomes a vivid archival documentary. Crosstown Arts7–10 p.m. — Aaron Lewis: Acoustic Origins Tour
Cannon Center, 255 N. Main St. — Downtown · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A stripped-back set combines Lewis’s country catalog, selected Staind songs and stories about their origins. RenasantConventionCenter.com7:30–9:30 p.m. — Byhalia, Mississippi
Next Stage at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Extended — East Memphis · $15–$62
[ADVANCE-TICKET]
Memphis-born playwright Evan Linder directs his raw Southern drama about race, class, betrayal and a white couple whose newborn is Black. Adult language and themes. Theatre Memphis7 p.m. — Medium Build with Eden Joel
Satellite Music Hall, 1291 Autumn Ave. — Crosstown · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Nick Carpenter’s emotionally direct indie-pop project gets a larger-room presentation on the “King of Having Fun” tour. Live NationDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Rachel is Kozi / Wagoneer / FDAT
Hi Tone Big Room — Crosstown · $14.50
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A three-act upstairs bill and the stronger melodic-rock option among Thursday’s club shows. Hi Tone CafeDoors 7:30 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Pestilence Presents
Hi Tone Small Room — Crosstown · $18.50 · 21+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The alternative for listeners seeking a heavier, more underground downstairs-room show. Hi Tone Cafe8 p.m. — Tekkno Thursday: Kairo, Von Gögh and Patox
Growlers, 1911 Poplar Ave. — Midtown · $5
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Three local electronic acts make this the least-expensive late-night dance option. 901growlers.com
Friday, November 13
5–9:30 p.m. — Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival: opening night
Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place — Midtown · $23 members/$25 nonmembers; under 2 free
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [OPENING-NIGHT] [ADVANCE-TICKET]
Large illuminated animal sculptures, glowing pathways, artificial snow and an interactive holiday maze transform the zoo after dark. memphiszoo.org6–7:30 p.m. — Ibex Clone: Gravity listening session
Memphis Listening Lab — Crosstown · Free
[FREE] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Hear the Memphis post-punk band’s new album in a listening-room setting before Saturday’s planetarium release show. Memphis Listening Lab6–8 p.m. — Assembly Required: Zine & Collage Art Show opening
Goodwyn Gallery, Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library — East Memphis · Free
[FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [OPENING-NIGHT]
A grassroots exhibition devoted to zines, collage and accessible DIY publishing broadens the week beyond conventional gallery work. Memphis Public Libraries7 p.m. — Disney’s Frozen — announced opening night
Playhouse on the Square, 66 S. Cooper St. — Overton Square · Current price at checkout
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [OPENING-NIGHT] [ADVANCE-TICKET]
The Broadway musical brings Elsa, Anna, major production numbers and elaborate visual effects to Playhouse’s main stage. Friday is the announced opening date, although the online ticket page currently shows Saturday as the first readily available performance; check for box-office returns. playhouseonthesquare.org7 p.m. — Tatsuya Nakatani Gong Orchestra
Off the Walls Arts, 360 Walnut St. — South Memphis · Price not posted
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Nakatani directs a locally assembled ensemble through a physical, immersive performance built from bowed, struck and resonating gongs. Goner Records7 p.m. — The Great Soirée
Orpheum Theatre — Downtown · $150 · 21+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A 1920s-themed arts-education fundraiser fills the theater with food, cocktails, live entertainment, an auction and a silent disco onstage. I Love Memphis BlogDoors 7 p.m.; show 7:30 p.m. — Evergreen Sound Sessions: Life’s Luckii with Saturday Sunset
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $20 advance/$30 door
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Life’s Luckii headlines a Memphis-centered bill also featuring Raneem Imam, Chelsthemac, Jai Musiq and DXPE. Crosstown Arts8 and 10:30 p.m. — Music Box: Soothing Sounds
Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · $20 advance/$25 door
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Two intimate violin-centered concerts provide a quieter alternative to the night’s large electronic and rock bills.Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Paul Oakenfold + The Crystal Method with Liquid Todd
Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout · All ages
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A substantial electronic triple bill brings together a global trance figure, an American big-beat institution and a veteran radio DJ. Minglewood HallDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience
1884 Lounge at Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout · All ages
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Period staging, costumes and guitar theatrics make this more production-minded than the average tribute-band set. Minglewood Hall8–11 p.m. — Too Small EP release with Foster Falls and Carry Ripple
Bar DKDC, 964 S. Cooper St. — Cooper-Young · Cover not posted
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A grassroots local release party drawn from DKDC’s current social calendar, centered on Too Small’s new I Am Small EP. BabaluShowDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Molch with Jombi and Mary Hatley
Growlers — Midtown · $10
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Growlers categorizes this left-field three-act bill as jazz, though the artists range into experimental and genre-blurring territory. The calendar’s “8 a.m.” show notation is an evident typo; doors are at 7 p.m. 901growlers.comDoors 8 p.m.; show 9 p.m. — The Wailing Banshees / Slumberland / Saw It Coming
Hi Tone Small Room — Crosstown · $13.50 · 21+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A compact three-band underground bill and a good late-night choice after an earlier opening or screening. Hi Tone Cafe
Saturday, November 14
Saturday is unusually dense; these are competing choices, not a workable single itinerary.
From 10 a.m.; principal activities around 11 a.m.–2 p.m. — Cooper-Young Fall Crawl
Participating Cooper-Young businesses · Free
[FREE] [FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The inaugural neighborhood crawl combines live music, business specials, a passport and scavenger hunt; individual venues set their own schedules. FALL CRAWL10:30–11:15 a.m. — Peanut Butter & Jam: Massey Tate
Watkins Studio Theater at GPAC — Germantown · Pay what you can
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
An interactive music-and-movement performance designed especially for children eight and younger. Germantown Performing Arts Center2:30–5 p.m. — Like You Film Club: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Giant Screen Theater at MoSH — East Memphis · Current price at checkout
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Wes Anderson’s tactile stop-motion film is an excellent fit for the festival-style family film club and the Pink Palace’s large screen. Memphis Museums of Science and History5:30–7:30 p.m. — Remy Miller exhibition reception
Patrick Lawton Lobby at GPAC — Germantown · Free
[FREE] [OPENING-NIGHT]
Meet the artist and see a new exhibition of finely observed works on paper before the evening’s Second City performance. Germantown Performing Arts CenterDoors 6 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Squeeze the Squid with Sunweight and Kirkos
Growlers — Midtown · $10
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A local funk-forward bill that offers three bands for substantially less than most Saturday tickets. 901growlers.com7 p.m. — Red Bull Turn It Up
Satellite Music Hall — Crosstown · Current price at checkout · 18+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A DJ showcase structured around competitive, crowd-responsive sets gives the concert a staged dance-event format. Live Nation7 p.m. — Bingo Loco
Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout · 18+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Bingo is rebuilt as a three-hour rave and game show with lip-sync battles, dance-offs, confetti and deliberately ridiculous prizes. Minglewood Hall7–10 p.m. — Ibex Clone Gravity album-release show
MoSH Planetarium — East Memphis · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Ibex Clone, Composer 4, Drop Ceiling and DJ JB Horrell perform beneath the planetarium dome—one of the weekend’s most unusual concert settings. Memphis Museums of Science and History7:30 p.m. — Opera Goes to Broadway
Opera Memphis, 216 S. Cooper St. — Overton Square · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET]
The Handorf Company Artists apply operatic voices to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Sondheim and other musical-theater repertoire. A second performance follows Sunday at 3 p.m. Opera MemphisDoors 7 p.m.; show 7:30 p.m. — Folk All Y’all: Spencer LaJoye
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $20
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
LaJoye combines crystalline vocals, queer indie-folk songwriting and live-looping in a room built for attentive listening. Crosstown Arts7:30 p.m. — Blackberry Smoke: 25th Anniversary Tour
Bluesville at Horseshoe Casino, 1021 Casino Center Dr. — Tunica Resorts · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The Southern-rock band marks a quarter century with the weekend’s strongest destination concert outside Memphis proper. Live NationDoors 6 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Cyrena Wages album-release show
Hernando’s Hide-A-Way, 3210 Old Hernando Rd. — South Memphis · Approximately $12 advance/$15 door
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The Memphis singer-songwriter celebrates a new record with Boys Club for Girls in a room closely associated with roots and country music. hernandoshideawaymemphis.com8 p.m. — Lyle Lovett and His Small Large Band
Graceland Soundstage — Whitehaven · $54.50–$99.50 plus fees
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Lovett’s dry storytelling and sophisticated blend of country, swing, jazz and gospel make this the marquee listening-oriented concert. smartseat.graceland.com8–9:30 p.m. — The Best of The Second City
GPAC — Germantown · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The touring company mixes new improvisation with songs, characters and sketches drawn from Second City’s 65-year archive. Germantown Performing Arts Center8–10 p.m. — Solace Awakening Variety Show
Off the Walls Arts — South Memphis · $25 general/$35 premium
[ADVANCE-TICKET]
Nava Sanctum returns after nearly a decade with partner acrobatics, aerial work, fire and belly dance shaped into a journey through struggle and transformation. Also Sunday at 3 p.m. OFF THE WALLS ARTSDoors 9 p.m. — Night of the Scorpio
Bar DKDC — Cooper-Young · $10
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Five DJs—including DJ Larry, Space Age and Sledro—take over DKDC for the late installment of its Zodiac Nights series. BabaluShow
Sunday, November 15
2 p.m. — See How They Run — closing performance
Fine Arts Auditorium, Northwest Mississippi Community College — Senatobia · $10; NWCC students, faculty and staff free
[CLOSING-WEEKEND] [ADVANCE-TICKET]
Final chance to catch the student production of Philip King’s fast British farce involving mistaken identities, clergy and escalating door-slamming chaos. Northwest Mississippi Community College3 p.m. — Micky Dolenz: 60 Years of The Monkees
Heindl Center for the Performing Arts — Senatobia · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Dolenz combines Monkees songs, film material and personal stories in a concert designed as a retrospective stage production. Heindl Center for Performing Arts3–5 p.m. — Solace Awakening Variety Show
Off the Walls Arts — South Memphis · $25 general/$35 premium
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [CLOSING-PERFORMANCE]
The matinee is the final opportunity for Nava Sanctum’s aerial, fire, acrobatic and belly-dance production. OFF THE WALLS ARTS3–5 p.m. — Opera Goes to Broadway
Opera Memphis — Overton Square · Current price at checkout
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [CLOSING-PERFORMANCE]
The more convenient matinee choice for Opera Memphis’s Broadway-repertory program. Opera Memphis4–6 p.m. — GPAC Youth Symphony Fall Concert
GPAC — Germantown · Current price at checkout
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Multiple student ensembles showcase developing orchestral players from across the region. Germantown Performing Arts CenterDoors 5:30 p.m.; show 6 p.m. — Strictly Jazz: The Music of Betty Carter and Elvin Jones
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $25 advance/$35 door
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Jeremy and Dermel Warren lead a focused exploration of two singular jazz improvisers, bringing New York, gospel and hip-hop influences to the tribute. Crosstown Arts7:30 p.m. — Stray Cats
Orpheum Theatre — Downtown · $41.35–$162.75
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom bring rockabilly showmanship to the Orpheum rather than a standard club room. The Orpheum Theatre Group7:30 p.m. — Rump State with Seymour Glass and Ricky & Joey
Goner Records — Cooper-Young · Price not posted
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The experimental, grassroots choice pairs the former Sightings project with two local support acts in an actual record shop. Goner RecordsDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Hunxho
Satellite Music Hall — Crosstown · Current price at checkout · All ages
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The Atlanta rapper brings a current melodic-rap tour into Memphis’s newest midsized concert room. Ticketmaster
Monday, November 16
Doors 7 p.m.; show 7:30 p.m. — Aaron Westberry
Growlers — Midtown · $15
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A touring stand-up set keeps Monday from becoming a placeholder night; Westberry’s performance is the only verified one-off music or stage listing found on the approved calendars. 901growlers.com
Tuesday, November 17
6:30–8:30 p.m. — Toy Box: Karaoke and R&Bingo
Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · Pay what you want
[FAMILY-FRIENDLY]
Included despite being recurring because this edition combines DJ-led karaoke, music-based R&Bingo and open tabletop games in an unusually participatory performance setting. Hattiloo TheatreDoors 7 p.m.; show 7:30 p.m. — Jazz Jam hosted by the Alex Upton Quartet
The Green Room at Crosstown Arts — Crosstown · $7; participating musicians free
[ADVANCE-TICKET]
A low-cost intergenerational session where student, emerging and established Memphis musicians can actually share the stage.Doors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Kurt Vile & the Violators with Twisted Teens and Optic Sink
Minglewood Hall — Midtown · Current price at checkout · All ages
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Vile’s loose, guitar-rich indie rock is paired with two worthwhile regional support acts rather than a perfunctory opener. Tickets, 2026-2027 Event Schedule, Seating ChartDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — The Surfrajettes with Turnstyles
Hi Tone Big Room — Crosstown · $23.50 · All ages
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The Toronto quartet’s reverb-heavy instrumental surf rock comes with synchronized visual style, towering beehives and go-go-boots showmanship. Hi Tone CafeDoors 7:30 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — Pestilence x DIY Memphis Presents
Hi Tone Small Room — Crosstown · $13.50 · 21+
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
The downstairs alternative keeps a local DIY and heavy-music option in the roundup even without marquee publicity. Hi Tone Cafe
Wednesday, November 18
6–7:30 p.m. — SHE DJS Meetup
Memphis Listening Lab — Crosstown · Admission not posted
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
A networking and skill-sharing gathering for women and gender-expansive DJs adds a practical music-making event to the concert-heavy week. Memphis Listening LabDoors 6:30 p.m.; show 7 p.m. — Laugh Box: Richard Douglas Jones and Rob Love
Hattiloo Culture Box — Overton Square · $12 advance/$15 door
[ADVANCE-TICKET] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
Jones’s “Southern Fried Nerd” perspective and social commentary share the bill with Memphis touring comic Rob Love. hattiloo.org7–9:30 p.m. — The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington
TheatreWorks at the Square, 2085 Monroe Ave. — Overton Square · RSVP; price not posted
[ADVANCE-RSVP] [ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
New Moon’s PHASES series presents a staged reading of James Ijames’s darkly comic, historically imaginative play—one of the week’s clearest devised-development opportunities. New MoonDoors 7 p.m.; show 8 p.m. — The Calm Before the Storm Tour
Growlers — Midtown · $10
[ONE-NIGHT-ONLY]
All Is Calm, Kept in Ruins and Burnt Witch close the week with an inexpensive three-band metal bill.
