BoDeans open the Buckman's season, the Mid-South Maze opens, and blues on Grind City's patio

Hey Memphis 👋 It's Friday. Sunny and 101, heat index up to 105, and the Heat Advisory holds through 8 PM Saturday. Plan the outside stuff for after dark and carry water.

The weekend we mapped out yesterday actually starts tonight, and it has already picked up a blues band (more in Food & Drink). Missed the plan? Yesterday's guide is here. And worth repeating from it, because it's still the easiest free plan in town: TAZ at the Overton Park Shell tonight at 7.

BoDeans — Buckman Arts Center at St. Mary's, 60 Perkins Ext., 7 PM, $45. The “Closer to Free” band (yes, the Party of Five theme) opens the Buckman's new season. Details

A Family Affair — TheatreWorks at the Evergreen, 1705 Poplar Ave., 7 PM, $30, $45 VIP. A True Believers Productions play built on one question: can a preacher save his congregation if he can't save his own home? VIP gets early entry and the Bishop's lasagna, which the ticket page calls world famous. Details

Music Box: Jamille “JAM” Hunter — Hattiloo Theatre's Culture Box, 37 Cooper St., shows at 8 and 10:30, $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Jazz and soul in the small room, two sets. Hattiloo says these nights often sell out, so the late one is your backup. Details

TranscenDANCE Hip Hop Night — Lamplighter Lounge, hip-hop class 7–8 PM, party from 8 until late, donation-based. As of this week there's no set admission: give what you can. Every experience level is welcome, and Lamplighter built the night as an affirming space for trans and queer Memphians and the friends who come with them. Details

Delta Nights artist reception — Germantown Performing Arts Centre, Patrick Lawton Lobby, 1801 Exeter Rd., Germantown, 5:30 PM, free. Meet John Robinette alongside his paintings, on view in the lobby through November 2. The reception is open to all. Details

👶 With the kids

The Mid-South Maze opens for the season — 7777 Walnut Grove Rd., 4–10 PM, $12 for 13 and up, $8 for ages 6 to 12, free for 5 and under. It stays open until 10, so you can let the sun go down first. Tickets online or at the gate, and the season runs through October 31. Details

Friends of the Library Book Sale — Collierville Burch Library, 501 Poplar View Pkwy., opens at 10 AM, kids' books 50 cents to $1. Paperbacks are $1 and hardbacks $3 for the grown-ups, and it's back Saturday, 10 to 3, when you can fill a box for $15. Details

Reading Rhythms with Cazateatro — Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Dr., 10–11:30 AM, free, ages 2 to 5. Abuela Tomasa reads a bilingual picture book indoors, then Cazateatro leads a movement class. The first 25 guests get a Mempops popsicle. Details

Cooper closes at 5 tonight. The Cooper-Young Festival 4-Miler starts at 7 at Cooper and Central, so park and walk if you're headed that way. Runners finish into a block party with pizza, Memphis Made beer and music, and anyone without a race bib can get in for a $10 donation to the Cooper-Young Community Association. (via the Cooper-Young 4-Miler)

The Redbirds won the International League's first half, which puts them in the playoffs for the first time since 2018, and they host the championship series at AutoZone Park. Game 1 is Tuesday at 6:45, and lower-bowl seats are $9.01. (via the Memphis Redbirds)

Christian Brothers University has applied to move its athletics from NCAA Division II to the NAIA's Mid-South Conference, starting in 2027-28 if it's approved. CBU says scholarships and rosters stay the same, and it expects an answer later this month. (via Action News 5)

Patio Sessions at Grind City Brewing — 76 Waterworks Ave., barbecue at 6, band at 7, $5 pours of The Godhopper. The last summer night market wraps up and the patio keeps rolling with the Juke Joint Jacob Blues Band. Details

A note from Hey Memphis

Want to support Hey Memphis? We're booking sponsored spots. We started this to put Memphis things in front of Memphis people, and we think your business deserves that chance too. See how a spot works →

Gonerfest 23 — September 24–27, $175 Golden Pass, $60–$70 day tickets. Goner Records' festival is back: over 30 bands over four days, Henry Rollins among the MCs, and a Sunday party at the Shell. Details

Latin Fest 901 — Overton Square, Saturday, September 26, noon–6 PM, free. Cazateatro's festival fills the Square with music, dance, food and a kids' area. Details

St. Ann Multicultural Festival — St. Ann Catholic Church, 6529 Stage Rd., Bartlett, Saturday, September 26, 11 AM–4 PM, free. Year three of music and food on the parish grounds. Last year drew more than 600 people. Details

Yesterday we asked for your one non-negotiable Cooper-Young Festival stop, and the replies are still open. Going tomorrow? Send us one photo from the street. We'll run a few next week.

The tip line never closes — a pop-up, a band, a Friday we missed. No gatekeeping — send it to hey@heymemphis.co.

That's it from us — the planning's done, the fun part's yours. See you Monday at 6.

— Josh