It’s that time of year again; the time where students get together and drive down to Panama City, Orange Beach, Destin or wherever else they like to enjoy their week off of school.
Aside from Panama City banning the consumption of alcohol on their beaches during the month of March, college students from all over the nation travel to places where they can either soak in the sun or party out all of the stresses of a college semester.
Then there are the students who choose to stay at home because they do not have the finances to support such a vacation.
There are also some who have to work to help pay for things like a car, school or other expenses. Others will go home to spend time with family.
For those of us who are staying in the Bluff City and cannot work or do not have family close by, it is not the end of the world. There are plenty of things you can enjoy in town without having to spend too much money.
Local Sports
The University of Memphis men’s basketball team will be preparing for the American Athletic Conference tournament. The tournament will be played between March 10 and 13 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, and you can catch the games on the ESPN networks.
The Memphis Grizzlies will also be gearing towards the end of the season. If you don’t have season tickets or don’t want to pay for a single game ticket, you can catch the games on television or at several restaurants around campus like Ubee’s, Garibaldi’s and Moe’s.
If you are looking to get active and not spend all week watching television, the recreation center will still be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the week.
Music
The city of Memphis is becoming a hotspot for music. If sports aren’t your thing, there are low-cost or free music events to experience.
Starting March 4, the Levitt Shell will partner with the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library to put on Five Fridays of Free Jazz at the Main Library. The Memphis Standard Time Quartet will open the Five-Friday event, which will take place between 6:30-9:30 p.m. and will be free to the public.
On March 5, the third annual MISOMI (Memphians in Support of the Mentally Ill) benefit at the Hi-Tone will present a lineup of several bands. The event will start at 9:00 p.m., and all donations and proceeds will go to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). You can also head to local restaurants like Huey’s and Newby’s and catch local bands play on the weekends.
Comedy
If you enjoy stand-up, there will be some comedy shows to check out in the city.
On March 4 at the Midtown Crossing Grill, Blacksmith Comedy will bring back their Homeroom comedy show after last month’s successful set. The set, starting at 7:30 p.m., costs $5 and includes impromptu book reports, hilarious pop quizzes, malfunctioning PowerPoint lectures and failed science fair projects.
On March 7, the Hi-Tone will present Don’t Be Afraid of the Comedy, Memphis, hosted by Josh McLane. The event will start at 8:15 p.m., will cost $5 and will feature comedians such as Ross Turner, a local DJ at 98.1 The Max, and Reggie Junior, a national touring comedian.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
On March 12, the 42nd Annual Silky Sullivan St. Patrick’s Parade on Beale Street will start at 3:00 p.m. Spectators from all over the world will come downtown to enjoy an afternoon of dancing, music, food and bead throwing. The event will be free and open to the public.