Who’s playing at Levitt Shell's fall concert series?
Blues-boogie favorites North Mississippi Allstars, high-energy Philly rock combo Low Cut Connie, and Grammywinner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience are among the acts set for the Levitt Shell’s free fall concert season.
The Overton Park venue finalized plans for the second of its twice-yearly Orion Free Concert Series programs. The fall season will kick off Sept. 6 with a performance by Nashville soul singer Devon Gilfillian and end Oct. 21 with a set by bluegrass collective Nefesh Mountain.
In between, the venue will host some concerts every Thursday through Sunday. The lineup includes a mix of local and national acts — like Oklahoma singer-songwriter John Fullbright, New York R&B artist Bette Smith and Scottish rocker Dean Owens — as well as a pair of musical film screenings.
In addition to the North Mississippi Allstars, others with Memphis and MidSouth ties set to perform include Jimbo Mathus’ Squirrel Nut Zippers, Those Pretty Wrongs, featuring Big Star’s Jody Stephens and the Freewheelers Luther Russell, and a double bill with alt-pop combo Star & Micey and reunited local indie rockers Snowglobe. Those Darlins co-founder Kelley Anderson will perform with her new project The Crystal Shrine, while Rhodes College will present a special jazz night featuring veteran vocalist Joyce Cobb.
International and world music acts — like Afro-Mexican group Las Cafeteras, South African-rooted Black Umfolosi and Orquesta Akokán, a big band collective of top Cuban musicians — will also appear. Local fine arts groups Memphis Renaissance and Opera Memphis will put on performances as well.
The Shell also will host two singalong screenings. “The Wizard of Oz” is set for Oct. 20, with a show to be announced on Oct. 6.
As part of its expanded fundraising efforts, the venue will also stage the third of three ticketed "Stars at the Shell" concerts for 2018, with a performance by Lake Street Dive on Sept. 29. Tickets for the "Stars at the Shell" shows are $30 and available at levittshell.org.
The 82-year-old venue is celebrating its 10th anniversary since being rebranded the Levitt Shell in 2008. Built in 1936, for decades the Shell was a key civic resource in the park. But the venue fell into disrepair and disuse in the mid-'90s. The Shell's fortunes changed dramatically in 2005 with the involvement of the Mortimer Levitt Foundation.
The New York-based family charity was formed to revive band shells throughout the United States and help provide free musical programming to communities. Its stated goal is to provide "opportunity for individuals and families, regardless of their ethnicity, background, culture or economic and social situation, to enjoy a wide selection of great music in a beautiful, closeup, personal and memorable setting."
After $1 million in repairs and upgrades, the rebranded Levitt Shell opened in September 2008, launching the start of a 10-year run that has seen nearly 500 shows and a million patrons.