With the fall semester coming to a close and classes coming to an end, some University of Memphis students may find themselves with an open schedule and without anything to fill it.
If students who are looking at an empty schedule are so inclined, the city of Memphis and surrounding areas have many opportunities for activities to do during the holidays. Rather than staying at home in front of the television or lying in bed, there are many things people can get out and do over the break that could be fun for anyone.
The first thing students have to do before the break, though, is take their final exams, which Student Leadership and Involvement will be hosting a series of events for during finals week to help get students through the home stretch.
1. Have donuts with the dean
Donuts with the Dean will be hosted by the Dean of Students Office on Dec. 7 and 10 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the campus bookstore entrance. Students are invited to take a break from the hustle and bustle of finals week and grab a quick snack.
2. Relieve stress at the Counseling Center
The Counseling Center, in 214 Wilder Tower will host a stress management workshop from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 7 and from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 10. Students are welcome to stop by to relieve any stress they may have.
3. Grab a snack and a hot drink
Students can treat themselves to a cup of coffee or hot chocolate provided by the Deans of Students Office between 8 and 10 a.m. Dec. 11 and 13 at the University Center entrance, and on Dec. 12, Sigma Kappa will also provide hot chocolate to students at the UC entrance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4. Listen to the U of M Symphonic Band
The U of M Symphonic Band will perform at Harris Concert Hall on Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The selections for this concert are inspired by the outdoors.
The mood will be set as the audience enters the hall with lighting and projected images that relate to the music that will be performed.
Included in the program are “In this Broad Earth” by Steven Bryant, “Down a Country Lane” by Aaron Copland, “Firefly” by Ryan Goerge, “Chorale and Shaker Dance” by John Zdechlik, “Petite Symphonie” by Charles Gounod and “Sasparilla” by John Mackey. This will be the last concert they perform in 2018, and admission is free.
5. Celebrate the holidays at Graceland
Graceland will host The Graceland Holiday Concert Weekend with three live concerts at the Graceland Soundstage at Graceland’s new Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex Dec. 14 and 15.
The first concert will take place Dec. 14 and will feature Elvis’ biggest Christmas hits, and on Dec. 15, there will be two concerts, starting with an Elvis Gospel Christmas concert. The second concert will be an Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll show. Guitarist James Burton, who played with Elvis in his TCB Band, will be a special guest performer.
6. Hold back tears of childhood nostalgia during a classic production
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” will be at the Orpheum on Dec. 15. They will present the holiday classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as a musical for one day only. The event will have three showtimes: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Communications Manager Kristin Bennett at Orpheum Theatre Group said there is nothing like seeing a live show for the first time.
“You leave a different person than before you came in after a musical,” Bennett said. “Memphis has so much to offer in terms of entertainment experiences. Attend games, see live theatre, dance, concerts and movies. Get out and enjoy all the city has to offer. Experiencing these kinds of events can enrich your life in meaningful ways, and oftentimes they can have an impact on who you are and change you for the better.”
7. Cheer on the Tigers as they play the Vols
The U of M men’s basketball team will play the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers on Dec. 15. The rivalry between the two teams is set to renew when the Vols return to Memphis to play the Tigers. The game will be at FedEx Forum at 11 a.m. and will air on ESPN2.
8. Mid-South Food Bank hosts Christmas movie night
People can watch the movie “Elf” while benefiting the Mid-South Food Bank on Dec. 19. Orpheum Theatre Group will host a showing of the film at 7 p.m that day at the Orpheum.
This event is a part of the Mid-South Arts Against Hunger food drive, which benefits the Mid-South Food Bank through the collection of non-perishable food items throughout the holiday season and will be free with donations of three non-perishable food items.
9. Watch the Tigers in the 2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl
The Memphis Tigers will play Wake Forest (6-6, 3-5 ACC) in the 2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22. The Tigers earned another bowl bid as they finished the regular season 8-5.
With Birmingham, Alabama only a three-and-a-half hour drive away, many students could make the trip with little effort. U of M President M. David Rudd said on Twitter, “It’s not a bowl game without our students.” Rudd then said 400 tickets were generously donated by Tiger Fan George Johnson.
Students must pick up a voucher from the Athletic Ticket Office on the main campus sometime between Dec. 6 and 13. Vouchers will be handed out and exchanged for a ticket to the Birmingham Bowl.
10. See “A Christmas Carol” at Theatre Memphis
People can attend the 41st annual production of “A Christmas Carol” based on the book by Charles Dickens at Theatre Memphis now through Dec. 28.
11. Visit Shelby Farms to view the holiday lights
Starry Nights will take place at Shelby Farms now through Dec. 28, and visitors can drive through two miles of light displays and decorations of all kinds.
12. Memphis Zoo hosts the SunTrust Zoo Lights
Now through Dec. 30 on select nights, people can visit the SunTrust Zoo Lights at the Memphis Zoo. Attendees can view light displays, see singing Christmas trees and have visits with Santa.
Along with animals on exhibit in the Aquarium and Herpetarium, special tickets can be purchased for an additional fee that will give access to ice skating and rides on the Ferris Wheel. A calendar with the exact days people can attend the event is available at memphiszoo.org/suntrust-zoo-lights.
Kelsey Bowen and Nick Lingerfelt contributed to this story.
