To showcase the diversity of Memphis's greatest asset, our creative spirit, this spring Downtown's Main Street and Court Square will be tranformed into a performance stage for our city's arts, cultural and innovative organizations!

Downtown Alive! is a program designed to bring vitality to the streets of Downtown with compelling performances and demonstrations during the lunch hour in April, May and June.

This effort is being coordinated by the Memphis Center City Commission.

11 April 2008 at Court Square - Alf Leyla We Leyla We Layla Middle Eastern dance troupe will be showcasing authentic dances from the Middle East, and giving pointers on how to belly dance to audience members!


16 April 2008 in the Cotton District and Cotton Musuem at Front and Union
In the barbecue joints and plate lunch cafes off Memphis� Front Street, an almost hidden society existed. It was a society peopled with characters and cads, the big and the small time, the rich and the richer, the hangers-on, the anointed, the powerful and the busted. It created empires in agriculture, transportation, banking, warehousing, merchandising, textiles, and a hundred other businesses.

Though Front Street�s 'King Cotton' culture is no longer in its heyday, its influence remains. Calvin Turley takes you on a walk along the Cotton District to learn more about the plant that made Memphis.


17 April 2008 near the Peabody Place Trolley Stop on Main Street The Center for Southern Folklore presents John Wood Community College Vocal Show Ensemble and Jazz Band!


21 April 2008 Court Square
Christian Brothers High School presents Walnut Groove its 17-member jazz ensemble performing a variety of jazz styles: swing, latin, rock, reggae and traditional New Orleans! Their repertoire includes standards from Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Lee Mogan and many others!


22 April 2008 in Courtyard of Felicia Suzanne's - Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Enjoy beautiful music in a beautiful courtyard with sounds from our Memphis Symphony Orchestra! Felicia Suzanne's will offer special box lunches at a nominal price!


23 April 2008 in Court Square - The Orpheum Theatre presents Spelling Bee
Cast members from the Tony-Award winning musical comedy "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", will participate in a live spelling bee! People on their way to or from lunch can stop and compete in a spelling bee to win merchandise, prizes and a chance to be entered in a ticket giveaway drawing!


29 April 2008 Main Street near Court Square - Metal Museum Forged Metal Art Demonstration
The Metal Museum will show how to make beautiful art out of metal.


1 May 2008 Civic Center Plaza - Memphis' Multi-Cultural Affairs Ofc. presents Multi-Cultural Day!
Performances and food from the diverse cultures in Memphis!


5 May 2008 Court Square on Main - Salsa Memphis presents Cinqo de Mayo Dancing Lessons!
Watch Memphis' premiere Salsa dancers offer 4-5 minute salsa performances to a musical mixture of traditional salsa rhythms blended with hip-hop and reggaeton. Lifts, tricks and high speed turns! Salsa and Meringue lessons open to the public!


7 May 2008 Union at Riverside - The Manhole Cover March: Walking Tour of Downtown
Jimmy Ogle will take you on a walking tour to learn about the history of Downtown Memphis as told through � man hole covers? That's right! There are more than 175 different types of manhole covers in Downtown, all with a special meaning and story. Tour departs from Union and Riverside at 11:45 am. If you are interested in participating, contact Leslie Gower at 575-0561 or gower@downtownmemphis.com. Wear comfortable shoes!


7 May 2008 100 South Main - Kids Color Downtown Banner Project
The Center City Commission is partnering with schools throughout the city to bring student art exhibits to outdoor spaces in Downtown! St. Louis School will hang their student artwork exhibit, "Animals", along the construction fence at 100 South Main!


12 May 2008 The Patio of Felicia Suzanne's on Main Street - Opera Memphis!


20 May 2008 TBA - Church Health Center presents Healthy Downtown
Lunch time friendly physical activity demonstrations that won't get you sweaty! Low to moderate intensity line dancing and circuit stations


21 May 2008 Court Square - Dance by Company D
Talk about inspirational performances! Company D is a performing arts troupe of young adults sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis. They have performed at national, regional and local events to create awareness of talents and gifts of individuals with disabilities in the community through performing arts!


22 May 2008 at the Peabody Place Trolley Stop - Belz Museum presents Asian-Inspired Activities

Chinese dragons, artwork and food! More details forthcoming.


27 May 2008 Civic Center Plaza - Africa in April Mini-Festival
Dancers, musicians, artwork, and more.


30 May 2008 Court Square - Latino Memphis Mini-Festival
Aztec dancing, music, food and more!


10 June 2008 TBD - Navy Band of the Mid-South


11 June 2008 Memphis Riverboats / Cobblestones at Monroe and Riverside
Historian Jimmy Oglegives a historical overview of the riverboats.


13 June 2008 Court Square Elmwood Cemetery's "Residents" History Tour
Meet historic Elmwood Cemetery "residents" that once lived in Downtown! Characters in costume will tell their tales of lives and history in Downtown in the days of yore.


27 June 2008 Orpheum Theatre - The Orpheum Theatre
A day long event with information about the Historic Orpheum Theatre.
An organ concert and backstage tour will take place around lunch time for Downtown Alive!
11:30 � 2:00 Downtown Alive! lunch hour event with free Domino�s pizza and free soft drinks
12:00-12:20 Organ concert by John Hiltonsmith
12:30-1:00 Backstage tour by Orpheum President Pat Halloran
2:00 � 4:00 Back stage tours and seating tours by FOTO and free soft drinks
4:00-4:20 Organ concert by John Hiltonsmith
4:00 � 6:00 Happy hour drink specials and free snacks
7:15 Orpheum Movie Series: Gladiator (everyone who comes to the Open House gets a free movie ticket)