On Saturday, the Memphis Music Foundation kicks off its first Memphis Music Week, a celebration of local music and artists in all their different forms.

"What we're attempting to do with this is cause the community in general and the business community specifically to appreciate that we can use our music to become ... a catalyst for economic empowerment," says Al Bell, former Stax head and newly appointed chairman of the nonprofit foundation. "During Memphis Music Week, we hope to bring businesses and the art side of Memphis together and cause them to do things that reflect, promote and highlight our music."

Running through next Saturday, the campaign consists of more than 18 events citywide -- including previously established events like the Memphis Pops Festival and the RiverArtsFest -- that are being branded under the Memphis Music Week banner. To be included, events had only to feature local artists and be open to the public for $15 or less. However, some companies and organizations, like Pinnacle Airlines, which is throwing a hangar party for its employees with Memphis pop-and-soul singer Ryan Peel, have jumped on board with their own private events as well.

"The idea is to just get people thinking about Memphis music and interacting with it," says the foundation's director of development, Pat Mitchell Worley, a key organizer of the effort. "If for this one week we can just get people to see the incredible diversity and quality of music that is being produced right here under their noses, maybe that will carry over beyond the week."

In addition to the concerts, the Music Foundation has teamed with the arts Web site livefrommemphis.com to produce the second in a series of local music compilations, a 27-song download featuring tracks from Amy LaVere, Al Kapone and City Champs, among others. The compilation will be available for download starting today at livefrommemphis.com. Participating companies will give out download cards to their employees or customers.

Also part of the effort, the University of Memphis' jazz radio station, WUMR FM 91.7, is playing music by Memphis artists throughout the week.

"My goals are fairly simple for this week," says Bell. "One is to have participation from the community at large. The other is, as a result of that participation, to have people talking positively about their homegrown music."

Memphis Music Week

For a complete calendar listing of Memphis Music Week events, visit livefrommemphis.com or artsmemphis.org. Here are some highlights of the week:

Memphis Farmers Market, 7 a.m.-noon Saturday at the South Main Bus Terminal. The Memphis Farmers Market will team up with the Memphis Songwriters Association to present acoustic music performances and collaborations from MSA members. Admission: Free.

RiverArtsFest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday in the South Main Arts District downtown. In addition to its usual array of arts and crafts and food vendors, this year's festival will include four stages of music featuring more than three dozen local performers, plus strolling artists throughout the day. Admission: Free. For more information, including a complete music schedule, visit riverartsfestmemphis.org.

Wolfchase Live, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at Wolfchase Galleria. Live performances in the mall's Center Court. 10:30 a.m.: Teen rockers the Young Guns. 11:20 a.m.: Americana songwriter Billie Worley. 12:10 p.m.: Tween pop singer Brittany Russell. 1 p.m.: Christian singer-songwriter Joy Whitlock. 1:50 p.m.: Spanish rock band Alfepado. Admission: Free. For more information, call 381-2769.

Hattiloo in the Park, noon-3 p.m. Saturday at the Levitt Shell at Overton Park. Musical performances from the Hattiloo repertory troupe. Admission: Free.

A Night of Inspiration with Lily Rubio. 7 p.m. at Arlington LDS Church, 12096 Arlington Trail. Newcomer and Gospel Music Association "Song of the Year" finalist Lily Rubio blends a little bit of everything that is Memphis today, including pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, and Latin music with a spiritual twist. Admission: Free. Visit lilyrubio.com or call 603-6167 for more information.

Outlaw Country on Beale. 7 p.m. Saturday at the New Daisy Theatre, 330 Beale. A night of homegrown honky tonk with the Dirt Brothers, the RT Scott Band, Sons of the South and Deadfall Rd. Tickets: $10, available online at newdaisy.com or at the door. For more information, call 525-8979.

Overton High School Band Concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Overton High School, 1770 Lanier. Performances from the performing arts high school's wind ensemble and concert band. Admission: Free. For more information, call 416-2136.

Memphis Grizzlies Opening Night, 7 p.m. Wednesday at FedExForum. Memphian and "American Idol" contestant Lil Rounds sings the national anthem at the Grizzlies home opener against the Detroit Pistons. Tickets start at $5. Available at the box office and through Ticketmaster. Visit grizzliesonline.com for more information.

"Cosi Fan Tutte" Preview, 7 p.m. Thursday at Germantown Performing Arts Center, 1801 Exeter. The final dress rehearsal for Opera Memphis production of Mozart's classic. Tickets: $10; call 257-3100 to reserve seats.