Held over the Labor Day weekend, this colorful festival takes place on Main Street in downtown Memphis. It’s the best block party you’ll attend all year! For two days a wide variety of cultures take to the streets with people enjoying local music of every kind along with cooking demonstrations, storytelling, folk art, and dance shows throughout the day. This year, five stages will feature back-to-back entertainment from Elmo & the Shades (blues), Sonny Burgess (rockabilly), Susan Marshall (soul), Moments of Joy (gospel), Ray Harper (country), Los Contradores (Latin), and many more talented regional artists.

Always entertaining, blues/soul/funk singer Bobby Rush is in the spotlight this year with a headlining concert on Saturday and an on-stage feature interview.  Originally from Homer, LA, Bobby Rush has been on stage since the early fifties when he put together a band that included slide player Elmore James. Over the decades, Rush has recorded over two dozen albums and has received a shelf full of awards, including “Best Male Soul Blues Artist” at the annual Blues Music Awards. Known for his double entendres and energetic performances, Rush is always a crowd-pleaser.

This free festival is sponsored by the Center for Southern Folklore which proudly celebrates the culture of Memphis and the Delta region.

The Center for Southern Folklore

123 South Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 525-3655
http://www.southernfolklore.com/