MEMPHIS TENNESSEE
THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
CULTURAL EVENTS
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
The National Civil Rights Museum is a complex of museums and historic buildings in Memphis, Tennessee; its exhibits trace the history of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the 17th century to the present.
The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel which was the site of the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968.
Dr. King died at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Two other buildings and their adjacent property, also connected with the King assassination, have been acquired as part of the museum complex.
The museum reopened in 2014 after renovations that increased the number of multi-media and interactive exhibits, including numerous short movies to enhance features. The museum is owned and operated by the Lorraine Civil Rights Museum Foundation, based in Memphis.
The Lorraine Motel is owned by the Tennessee State Museum and leased long term to the Foundation to operate as part of the museum complex.
The museum was dedicated on July 4, 1991, and officially opened to the public on September 28, 1991.
On October 21, 2016, the museum was honored by becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate museum.
MEMPHIS CULTURAL FESTIVALS
One of the largest celebrations of the city is Memphis in May. The month-long series of events promotes Memphis’ heritage and outreach of its people far beyond the city’s borders.
BEALE STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL
The four main events are the Beale Street Music Festival, International Week, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Great River Run. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is the largest pork barbecue-cooking contest in the world.
AFRICA FESTIVAL
In April, downtown Memphis celebrates “Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival”, or simply Africa in April. The festival was designed to celebrate the arts, history, culture, and diversity of the African diaspora.
Africa in April is a three-day festival with vendors’ markets, fashion showcases, blues showcases, and an international diversity parade.
ITALIAN FESTIVAL
During June, Memphis is home to the Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park. For over 20 years, the festival has hosted musical acts, local artisans, and the best Italian cooking competitions.
It also presents chef demonstrations, the Coors Light Competitive Bocce Tournament, the Galtelli Cup Recreational Bocce Tournament, a volleyball tournament, and pizza tossing demonstrations.
CARNIVAL MEMPHIS
Carnival Memphis, formerly known as the Memphis Cotton Carnival, is an annual series of parties and festivities in June that salutes various aspects of Memphis and its industries. An annual King and Queen of Carnival are secretly selected to reign over Carnival activities. From 1935 to 1982, the African-American community staged the Cotton Makers Jubilee; it has merged with Carnival Memphis.
COOPER-YOUNG FESTIVAL
A market and arts festival, the Cooper-Young Festival, is held annually in September in the Cooper-Young district of Midtown Memphis.
The event draws artists from all over North America and includes local music, art sales, contests, and displays.
INDIE FILM FESTIVAL
Memphis sponsors several film festivals: the Indie Memphis Film Festival, Outflix, and the Memphis International Film and Music Festival.
The Indie Memphis Film Festival is in its 14th year and was held April 27–28, 2013. Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of 25 “Coolest Film Festivals” (2009) and one of 25 “Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” (2011).
Indie Memphis offers Memphis year-round independent film programming, including the Global Lens international film series, IM Student Shorts student films, and an outdoor concert film series at the historic Levitt Shell.
OUTFLIX FILM FESTIVAL
The Outflix Film Festival, also in its 15th year, was held September 7–13, 2013. Outflix features a full week of LGBT cinema, including short films, features, and documentaries. The Memphis International Film and Music Festival is held in April; it is in its 11th year and takes place at Malco’s Ridgeway Four.
JAZZ FESTIVAL
On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Memphis International Jazz Festival is held in the South Main Historic Arts District in Downtown Memphis. This festival promotes the important role Memphis has played in shaping Jazz nationally and internationally. Acts such as George Coleman, Herman Green, Kirk Whalum and Marvin Stamm all come out of the rich musical heritage in Memphis. – Courtesy Wikipedia
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