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The Grove at GPAC sees success as it opens for its first official season

The Grove at GPAC opened over the summer but on Wednesday, its first season will begin.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — A new outdoor venue known as The Grove at the Germantown Performing Arts Center opens its first season on Wednesday after a successful trial run over the summer.

The Grove opened in June and tested out event programming throughout the summer while adjusting to changes under a pandemic.

In August, every event sold out with the limited capacity of 250 people allowed in. The Grove can hold 1,200 people.

For the fall season, The Grove will stick to the 250 capacity limit but they'll increase programming to five nights a week.

"We knew people were going to be banging on the door," GPAC Executive Director Paul Chandler said. "Well they're banging on the door but we’re just limited on the people that we can do which is why we want to do five days a week, we want to reach as many people as possible."

Programming for The Grove runs Wednesday through Sunday nights with themes each night featuring films, music and local chefs.

Even though attendance has to stay low, Chandler said the new space is already achieving its goal of bringing in new people to GPAC. Chandler said more than 25% of the people that have attended events at The Grove had never been to a previous GPAC event.

“That kind of percentage is very, very hard to achieve," Chandler said. "I think we would have done it as well if it was 1,200 people so we’re really excited for when we get past this situation to be able to host thousands and thousands of people.”

The first event for the fall season on Wednesday will be "Music & Movies" featuring the documentary 'Take Me to the River' and live music.

Chandler said the pandemic has made them reinvent themselves with programming. 

“We put this Grove season together in about two and a half weeks," he said. "It’s 25 events in five weeks. We’re going to be busy.”

The fall season for The Grove runs through October 18th. Details can be found here.

The Grove Season One Details:

Wednesdays - Music & Movies
Thursdays - Dine Out in The Grove
Fridays - Family Night in The Grove
Saturdays - Concerts in The Grove
Sundays - Jazz in The Grove

Schedule:
Wednesday - Music & Movies

9/16 - Take Me to the River
9/23 - La La Land
9/30 - Shine a Light
10/07 - The Wizard of Oz
10/14 - Loving Vincent

Thursdays - Dine Out in The Grove

Movies for foodies hosted by local chefs and restaurateurs Ryan Trimm, Ernie Mellor, David Krog, Roel Mesta and Glenda Hastings. Each Thursday is a unique chance to Dine Out in The Grove, offering a savory medley of all things culinary arts. 

9/17 - Hosted by Chef Ryan Trimm
Movie: Julie & Julia
9/24 - Hosted by Chef Ernie Mellor, Pit Master Hog Wild BBQ
Movie: Kings of Beer
10/1 - Hosted by Amanda and Dave Krog, Dory
Movie: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
10/8 - Hosted by Chef Roel Mesta, The Village at Germantown
Movie: Chocolat
10/15 - Hosted by Glenda Hastings, Napa Café
Movie: The Hundred Foot Journey

Fridays - Family Night in The Grove

Movies for kids with live family-friendly entertainment starting at 5 PM. Food trucks, Mempops and beverages for the young and young at heart available on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. Movie begins at 6 PM.

9/18 - Sing with Josh Threlkeld
9/25 - Annie with Hoops & Taps
10/2 - Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events with Michelle & Jeremy Shrader
10/9 - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Magic Mr. Nick
10/16 - Coco with Side Street Steppers

Saturdays - Concerts in The Grove
9/19 - Memphis Ukulele Band
9/26 - Opera Goes to Broadway
10/3 - To Be Announced
10/10 - Ketch Secor & Molly Tuttle
10/17 - Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Sundays - Jazz in The Grove

9/20 - Annie Sellick & Pat Bergeson
9/27 - Kirk Whalum
10/4 - Joyce Cobb
10/11 - Stephen Lee & Friends
10/18 - Mike Jones

Before You Leave, Check This Out