The 10: So what exactly is a Flimp? You'll find out this week

There's a lot to celebrate this spring in the Montgomery area, with music, theater and all kinds of festivals. You might even see some little springtime magical creatures. Take a look at The 10 for April 10-16.

Million Dollar Quartet at ASF

Lots of fantastic fiction hits the stages of Alabama Shakespeare Festival, but here’s a tale that actually happened. On Dec. 4, 1956, four music icons came together in a studio: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley. They were at Sun Records in Memphis for one awesome jam session. Starting Thursday, ASF is bringing that day to life with “Million Dollar Quartet.” It’s a live performance full of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, R&B, and country hits. The four actors playing these music legends have worked really hard, and actually play all the instruments. Among the songs, you’ll hear “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Walk the Line,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more. Performances run through May 7. Get tickets online at asf.net.

History of Dance from Montgomery Ballet

Time and again, the incredibly talented dancers at Montgomery Ballet have presented amazing performances, but this Thursday at 11 a.m. they’re getting ready to take you to school. For one night only, they’re presenting “History of Dance,” an educational performance about the evolution of dance through time — early concert dance, social and folk dancing, and the development of classical ballet. They’ll also cover modern and contemporary dance, and the birth of tap, jazz and hip hop dance. Dances will be accompanied by commentary. It’s all happening at Montgomery Ballet’s studio, 1044 E. Fairview Ave. Admission is $10. Get tickets online at https://montgomeryballet.org/

Seafood & Arts Festival

Seafood, art and music combine into one delicious event Friday, 6-9 p.m. at the Union Station Train Shed in downtown Montgomery. It’ll feature seafood from The Cousins Maine Lobster Roll Truck, The Wharf, Potz & Panz, D’Road Café and more. Music by Sabadas. They’ll have a cash bar. Entry is a minimum $5 donation, benefitting Child Protect.

Flimp Festival is Saturday

For more than 30 years, there's been a little creature roaming the grounds of Blount Cultural Park. It's part flower, part imp. Yes, it's a Flimp, a kind of fairy with attitude. That's the namesake of a huge celebration of the arts that's rolling around again.

Flimp Festival is back Saturday at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Drive in Blount Cultural Park. It’s a free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that happens both inside and outside the museum. On the outside, there’s a bunch of art activities for all ages, plus live music from MEOWAcademy and Montgomery band Electric Blue Yonder. Local artists Tara Cady Sartorius (mixed-media), Sara Crocker (ceramics), Laura Murray (coloring book designer), and Aaron Sanders Head (quilts and textiles) will show their artistic styles. Art activities include Marvelous Me Portraits, creating fancy wands, weaving, photo booth, quick-dry pinch pots and flower crowns. The first 100 families to enter the garden will receive a colorful bag with items from our sponsors and art-making materials to make more art at home. You can also get glitter temporary tattoos from local art educators and artists from Abrakadoodle. Food will be available from That's My Dog, Potz and Panz, and Kona Ice. Inside the building in the ArtWorks section, there’s a lot of family-friendly activities. There's also an amazing collection of artworks to view.

While you're inside, you can see the Flimps. They're on a signature art piece designed in 1937 by Geneva Mercer — the Flimp Fountain. It's part of MMFA's collection. Learn more at https://mmfa.org/event/flimp-festival-2023/

10th annual YMCA Strides for Kids 5K Dash

The Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex, 300 Brown Springs Road in Montgomery, is going to have even more footwork going on than usual Saturday. It’s the 10^th anniversary YMCA Strides for Kids 5K Dash – which is both a 5K and a 1 mile run. The 5K has a $35 registration at https://tinyurl.com/2bjfe4xw, and the run starts at 8:30 a.m. The 1-Mile Fun Run has a $15 registration at https://tinyurl.com/2m3snksc, and the run starts at 9:45 a.m. This is a rain-or-shine event. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Greater Montgomery Annual Campaign and their Mobile Feeding Program "The Brown Bag Bus." For more information contact Manny Sanchez at 334-396-9754.

Black Jacket Symphony brings Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever

Note for note, their concerts are always a trip back in music history. Black Jacket Symphony is doing it again at 8 p.m. Saturday when they perform Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever album live on stage at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. This round of classic rock is Petty’s 1989 debut solo studio album. This is the one that contained Petty’s hits “Free Fallin’,” “Runnin’ Down and Dream” and “I Won’t Back Down.” Each Black Jacket concert features artists hand-picked for the album they’re recreating. It’s an amazing night of music with the full rock show lighting. Tickets are $35, and are available online at https://www.mpaconline.org/events/ or by calling the MPAC box office at 334-481-5100.

Garrett Coliseum packed with hot tubs this weekend

Looking to get wet and relax from home this year? Garrett Coliseum could have just the thing you’re looking for this weekend at the Hot Tub & Swim Spa Blowout Expo. Admission is free, and they’ll have more than 50 hot tubs on display. Hours are Friday 2-7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you find something you like, they’ll have financing available. If you miss this one, you’ll need a “Hot Tub Time Machine” to get these deals. Learn more at https://www.thegarrettcoliseum.com/

Marca MP and Los Farmerz at Rancho El Paraiso

Get ready for a night of Mexican music excellence with Marca MP and Los Farmerz. They’re coming to Montgomery’s Rancho El Paraiso, 1890 Snowdun Chambers Road, on Saturday from 2-8 p.m. It’s the Gran Concierto Baile (Grand Concert Dance). This is an all-ages show, and tickets are $70 (plus a $7 fee) by calling 1-800-668-8080, or go online at https://tkn.ticketon.com/event/marca-mp-y-los-farmerz-montgomery-al-2023-04-15-7j1wcukoff8d

Youth Spring Jam Fest

It’s going to be a huge day of fun for kids and parents Saturday during the Youth Spring Jam Fest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ida Belle Young Park, 5400 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. It’s $10 entry per school-age child, but parents get in free. Parking is free also. They’ll have inflatables, face painting, food vendors, drinks and music. Wristbands will be sold at the entrance. Snow cones are $2. Can your kid dance? They’ll be awarding cash prizes for the three best dancers. Learn more by calling 907-205-8334

CoosaPalooza Brewfest

CoosaPalooza Brewfest is back in Wetumpka on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. in Merchants Alley, 231 Hill St. This is a Main Street Wetumpka fundraiser for downtown revitalization. Among the almost 40 breweries featured will be Common Bond, Avondale, Oyster City, Black Warrior, Catawba, Palmetto, Kings Calling, New Belgium, SweetWater, Sam Adams, Kentucky Ale, Terrapin, Good People, Pretoria Fields, Goat Island, Fairhope, Ghost Train, Hi Wire, Parish, Trim Tab, Cahaba, Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer. General admission is $45, and includes entertainment, beer tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Designated drivers get a big discount at $20 admission. Tickets are available online at https://www.bigtickets.com/events/q/usa-all-dates/coosapalooza/

BONUS: Sanctuary Showdown final spring show

Three months of competition comes to a head Saturday, 6 p.m. at The Sanctuary, 432 S. Goldthwaite St., Montgomery. It’s the Sanctuary Showdown final Spring 2023, with artists from the past three months coming together to compete for cash and studio time at Technical Earth Recorders. It’s free to get in to see the show, and you get to help vote for who should win.

BONUS: SouthernTok comedy show at GTSouth

Sunday is a night of comedy at GTSouth Geek & Gaming Tavern, 2015 Cong. WL Dickinson Drive, Montgomery, featuring a live show from SouthernTok at 6 p.m. You also get food, the bar will be open to buy drinks, and get to be a part of SouthernTok’s infamous “Hey Jon!” series. Ask them questions and hang out with the gang — Timothy King, Destiny Shae, Jeeb, and Coconut Jon. Learn more about them online at https://southerntok.com/

BONUS: SAC’s Gallery 41^st annual Members’ Show & Competition

Starting Sunday and running through May 11, SAC’s Gallery. 529 S. Perry St., Suite 14, in Montgomery is hosting its 41^st annual Members’ Show & Competition daily from noon to 5 p.m.. SAC’s stands for the Society of Arts & Crafts. It’s a non-profit art group that’s been around since 1974. https://sacs.gallery/

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: The 10: So what exactly is a Flimp? You'll find out this week