Things to do in Memphis: 7 non-Elvis activities for Elvis Week

As those of us in the news media are acutely aware (probably more so than those of you who are not), this is Elvis Week.

An annual celebration of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley, Elvis "Week" actually spans nine days: It began Aug. 9 and continues through Aug. 17.

The center of activity is, of course, Graceland, where the aforementioned activity reaches its emotional climax with the Candlelight Vigil, an open-to-all procession to the Presley family gravesite that begins Aug. 15 and continues into the wee hours of Aug. 16, the date on which Elvis died at the age of 42 in 1977.

Thousands of people from around the world have traveled to Memphis this week to participate in various Elvicentric events. But, despite their enthusiasm, they remain a minority. Many thousands more, whether residents or travelers, are here in Memphis planning to experience, as they generally do, a No-Elvis Week.

But what will these people do, while the eyes of the world are trained on Elvis Presley Boulevard? Here are some ideas — seven suggestions of non-Elvis activity for Elvis Week (and beyond).

'American Perspectives: Stories from the American Folk Art Museum Collection'

Through Oct. 8; Dixon Gallery & Gardens, 4339 Park

Seventy works by self-taught artists from the colonial era to today are gathered in this show, organized by curators at New York's storied (pun intended) Folk Art Museum, dedicated to what is sometimes called "vernacular" art. Pieces on display at the Dixon through Oct. 8 include quilts, pottery, paintings, needlework and more.

For more information, visit dixon.org.

'Crosstown Splashdown!'

Noon-4 p.m. Aug. 12; Crosstown Concourse

Promoted as "the perfect way to beat the heat and say goodbye to summer," this free public event, which runs from noon-4 p.m. Aug. 12, will transform Crosstown into a family-friendly carnival, with games, DJ-provided music, a duck pond, bubble-blowing and more.

For more information, visit crosstownarts.org.

Michael Oher book signing

2 p.m. Aug. 12; Novel, 387 Perkins Ext.

The former Briarcrest Christian School, Ole Miss and professional football player whose life story as the adopted son of Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy of Memphis inspired a best-selling book and Oscar-winning movie (both titled "The Blind Side") will sign copies of his new book at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 at Novel. The book is titled "When Your Back's Against the Wall: Fame, Football and Lessons Learned Through a Lifetime of Adversity." Line tickets are required to get an autographed copy of the book.

To register or for more information, visit novelmemphis.com.

'The Way They Play' with Robert Allen Parker

2 p.m. Aug. 12; Museum of Science and History, 3050 Central

To complement "America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation," an ongoing exhibition celebrating the cultural significance and iconic cool of the guitar, Robert Allen Parker — who has picked, twanged, shredded and blazed a trail through the Memphis music scene for decades, as a band member and a solo performer — will demonstrate his style, tricks and techniques during an event titled "The Way They Play" at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Deep End Theater of the museum (still known to many Memphians as "The Pink Palace'). Geared toward the general public as well as to musicians, the talk-and-guitar demonstration is free with general admission, and seating is on a first-come basis; doors open at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit moshmemphis.com.

Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival

6-10 p.m. Aug. 12; Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

In lieu of the usual Tigers, the field of the former Liberty Bowl will be home to cooked fowl and frothy beverages, all for the tasting, as the fifth annual Chicken & Beer Festival brings together numerous beer and cocktail brands, along with many restaurants and caterers. Games, music and other attractions also will be on site. The event runs 6-10 p.m. Aug. 12, and is open only to those 21 and older. Admission is $40 (includes souvenir glass), with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Merge Memphis.

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For more information, visit memphischickenandbeer.com.

'Sunset Jazz' with Paul McKinney

6-8 p.m. Aug. 13; Court Square

Cool music provides a welcome end-of-the-weekend (or is it a start-of-the-week?) vibe as the "Sunset Jazz" concert series continues with a 6-8 p.m. Aug. 13 show by Paul McKinney, a longtime instructor and executive at the Stax Music Academy, who is a master of the trumpet and the electric bass, and has accompanied such artists as Carla Thomas, Joyce Cobb and Snoop Dogg. Like all "Sunset Jazz" events, the show is free, and food trucks will be on site; the series concludes with Cequita Monique at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 and the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra at 5 p.m. Oct. 8.

For more information, visit sunsetjazzmemphis.com.

'The Superlative Artistry of Japan'

Aug. 17-Sept. 11; Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road

Organized by the Japan Foundation, this traveling exhibition of sculptures, carvings, drawings, fabric, papercraft and other creations that exhibit "a high level of perfection" includes works from the Meiji era of 1868 to 1912 that was a major influence on the European trend of "Japonism" alongside some pieces by contemporary artists. The show opens Aug. 17 in the Visitors Center and continues through Sept. 11. Various special events will be organized to complement the show.

For more information, visit membg.org.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Things to do in Memphis: 7 non-Elvis activities for Elvis Week