Welcome DeafConnect of the Mid-South

We're so excited to announce that we're partnering with DeafConnect of the Mid-South to provide live interpreting at several of our concerts this year! It’s important to us to consider accessibility at our concerts, which is why we’re always looking for new ways to meet the needs of ALL Memphians.

A few steps we have taken to accomplish this include: continued training and yearly certification by Kulture City to be a Certified Sensory Friendly Place, which means our events are more accessible for patrons with sensory processing disorders; the addition of ReciteMe software to our website, which has a variety of accessibility tools and features reading support aids and a translation tool with over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices and many other features to ensure all guests can use our website.

The Shell is committed to inclusivity and accessibility on and off the stage.

2022 Orion Free Concert Series Lineup Announced

It’s here, it’s here! The Overton Park Shell, presented by nexAir is pleased to announce the 2022 Music Season with the Orion Free Concert Series + the first round of the Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series! Dust off the old lawn chairs, and clean out your coolers because we've got so many bands that we can’t wait to introduce you to!

We're kicking the season off with the return of the Sunset Symphony on May 29th and then the great concerts just don't stop coming!

Check out the Free Concert Series lineup here

Check out the Shell Yeah! Benefit Concert Series lineup here

We made it to the Final Four!

The Overton Park Shell has made it into the Final Four of Garden & Gun Magazine’s 2022 Southern Music Venues Bracket. Head over to Garden & Gun and vote for us now! Voting ends April 1st at 11am CST

SHELL ON WHEELS: Five Fridays of Jazz to Begin April 1st

The Overton Park Shell will be rolling through Memphis and YOUR community soon! Thanks to our official community sponsor, AutoZone, and in collaboration with over 15 incredible Memphis community organizations, Shell on Wheels seeks to amplify the voices of Memphis artists and creatives and to make the performing arts accessible to all of Memphis from our historic stage to your backyard.

Our first set of events will be the 5 Fridays of Jazz series at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Head to our Events Calendar to find our more info on who is playing!

THE OVERTON PARK SHELL IS YOURS

On Thursday, March 3rd, The Shell returned to our historic name -- the Overton Park Shell, a change that indicates the beginning of a new era supporting our collective Memphis community. And we kicked it off with the party of all parties! We had Lucky 7 Brass Band on the stage, some amazing food and drinks from our partners Chef Eli Townsend, Memphis Grazing, J. Brooks Coffee Company and some incredible artists like @erickarobertsstudio, @life_in_colors_studio, @northevergreencreative, and @b.sartain painting, and selling their work out on the lawn! We also had several inspiring speakers like Kontji Anthony, Evan Collins, Natalie Wilson, Kevin McEniry, Mayor Harris, Chief McGowen, and Marty Marbry who shared their vision of what the Overton Park Shell can be!

It was a day full of joy and celebration, and the weather could not have been better. Thanks so much to everyone who came out and joined us in celebrating this new era for The Shell.

Our Commitment to inclusivity

The historic Overton Park Shell is part of the Memphis Cultural Coalition, founded in 2016 to serve as a round table for arts and cultural organizations, working to build a more equitable and inclusive sector.  The murder of George Floyd serves as a catalyst and reminder that working toward a just and inclusive community is paramount to our Shell mission.  We stand in solidarity with our community against injustice, racism and oppression; and for justice, peace and equity.  We commit to these principles because we know there is much work to be done; we stand with communities of color and our fellow arts and cultural organizations.  We know that the Overton Park Shell can help bridge divides, develop understanding, and find hope.

On June 15th, 2020 we signed this letter from a collection of Memphis Nonprofits called Memphis Nonprofits Demand More to stand with our fellow nonprofits to push for change within the city of Memphis. As stated in the letter, “We believe we can have a city where everyone thrives, but it will take bold action to get there.” To read the letter, please click here and please reach out to Memphis Nonprofits Demand More at memphisnonprofitsdemandmore@gmail.com for more information or any questions.