Attend Elvis Week’s Candlelight Vigil in person or online. (Photo: Courtesy The Beckwith Company)
Every time Elvis Week rolls around, I hear an Elvis story that I’ve never heard before. My dad told me about the time he saw Elvis at a gas station in the 1950s. Elvis shared that he’d just recorded “Blue Moon of Kentucky’’ at Sun Studio and he was going to be famous. And so it happened.
“My grandmother was friends with Gladys,” said Connie Pike, a family friend offering me a new story. “Elvis would invite my friends and me to parties at Graceland. My friends went, but I never did. I’d been around him enough at his mom’s house. I sure didn’t want to see him at his house, but I sure wish I’d gone to some of those parties now.”
Avoid regrets and be a part of Elvis’ story by celebrating his life and legacy on this 44th anniversary of his death. This year, Priscilla Presley will make special appearances at select events. Join other fans on Sunday as Elvis music sets the tone for the evening during a walk to the Meditation Garden for the Candlelight Vigil. The ceremony will also be available to watch online again this year along with a Virtual Elvis Week option featuring concerts and events livestreamed.
Nightly parties include Club Elvis: Hawaiian Style, a Blue Hawaii luau celebrating the 50th anniversary of the movie.
For all scheduled events, visit graceland.com.
Elvis Week 2021, Graceland, 3717 Elvis Presley, Aug.11-17, free-$78+.
Trains are the source of many fond childhood memories. My grandparents lived near train tracks when I was growing up. Every kid in the neighborhood used the train tracks as a playground. A kid might wander for miles along the tracks, put a penny on the track for the train to flatten, or explore the wild, tangled foliage on either side where overgrown vines created tunnels and trails.
Twice a day the train would pass on those train tracks. The trains would lumber past like massive huffing steeds. The metal on metal wheels on tracks produced a sound like rhythmic, monstrous pounding hooves. At a safe distance, we found it intoxicating.
A fascination for trains is hardly exclusive to kids, though. The Morton Museum of Collierville History recently celebrated an exhibit, “When We Rode ‘Mike’: The Somerville Accommodation Train, 1914-1920.” I’d never heard of “Mike,” so I did some research and stumbled upon an article published in the Tennessee Historical Society Quarterly in 1959 by Alfred H. Holden.
Holden recounted personal experiences on the passenger train that endeared the community to engineer Mike Brady and the train conductor George Greer Higgins, affectionately called Cap’n Higgins. Brady was so loved by everyone on the route from Memphis to Somerville, the train was called “Mike.” Holden would board the train at the Collierville station but was sweet on a girl who lived in Germantown. He recounts in his article that while courting her, he was inclined to use the Germantown station more and more. They eventually married, and both used the Germantown station.
Trains are useful tools for transporting goods on cargo trains, people on passenger trains, and — once upon a time — a daily commute. It is good, too, to have a healthy respect for trains. As much as they are useful, they can be dangerous.
Before the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and other modern-day safety regulations were put into place, Lionel “Mac” McCoy was involved in an accident in the railyard where he worked. McCoy was standing between two trains when the brakes failed on one. It rolled back, severing his body at the waist. They called his wife Lena to come to the yard and have last words with him before they pulled the trains apart. Once they pulled the trains apart, he would be gone. They kept him alive until she got there. The McCoys were my great aunt and uncle. The story was tragic and told as a cautionary tale at family gatherings. As a child, I had a healthy respect for trains.
Somewhere along the way to adulthood, through books, movies, and songs perhaps, trains were romanticized. Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot solved a murder on the Orient Express. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid robbed the Union Pacific Overland Flyer. Gladys Knight took the midnight train to Georgia, and the Monkees took the last train to Clarksville while Ozzy Osbourne hunkered down on the crazy train.
A few months ago, a friend called me. He was agitated. He was standing at one of the most dangerous railroad crossings in the country, according to a 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration report. There are only 15 locations listed on this most dangerous list. That crossing is located at Castalia and Lowell in South Memphis. A pedestrian had been struck and killed by a train. The police were filling body bags with parts of the victim’s body as “kids and adults were still crossing the tracks on foot.”
The City of Memphis installed a pedestrian bridge at the crossing after the 2016 report was released, but, according to my friend, it’s rarely used. He says that pedestrians, especially kids, still need education on railroad safety. He should know. My friend lost a leg in a railyard accident. Needless railroad deaths and injuries are personal for him.
I’m a product of the 1970s program for kids called Safety Town, sponsored by local police and fire departments, the Jaycees, Kiwanis, PTA, and other civic groups. We were taught, among other things, railroad crossing safety. Maybe it’s time to revive the program. Not only was it fun, it was informative.
No one can outrun over 200 tons of metal galloping at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The fastest human alive, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, can only run 23.35 mph. You can stop. The train can’t. If you must try to outrun it, it’s always best to do so while crossing the pedestrian bridge. The view is much better from the bridge than six feet under.
Photo: Claire James,
courtesy of Stax Museum
The new exhibit features the Bob Abrahamian Collection of more than 35,000 rare records.
The Stax Museum has a huge collection of funk and soul music items from the ’60s and ’70s. On Friday, 926 — the Stax Music Academy Alumni Band — is helping to celebrate the opening of a new and exciting temporary exhibit, “Solid Gold Soul: The Best of the Rest from the Stax Museum.”
The exhibit collection includes never-before-seen staff favorite objects, including rare photographs of Otis Redding performing in Memphis, stage costumes worn by members of Funkadelic and the TSU Toronadoes, and rare vinyl records and photographs from the recently acquired Bob Abrahamian Collection. Each artifact tells a story about the person who used, wore, or played it.
To add to the celebration, local performers will share the stage with 926. There will be family-friendly games and activities, local food trucks, back-to-school giveaways, arts and crafts activities designed by the Stax Museum, informational booths, a Stax Museum sidewalk sale, and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for those who qualify.
“This is a way for the Soulsville Foundation to re-engage with the community after the past year-plus of closing temporarily at various times, canceling most in-person events, and many of us living in isolation,” says Soulsville Foundation Communications Director Tim Sampson. “We hope this will be a fun, entertaining, informative, and productive event that will finally allow us to all come together in person.”
As an added bonus, the Stax Museum will be open and offer free admission to all attendees during the celebration. That’s solid.
Solid Gold Soulsville: A Celebration of the Music and Community at the Global Capital of Soul, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, 926 E. McLemore, Friday, Aug. 6, 6-8 p.m., free.
Neile Martin takes center stage with Bea Dawg. (Photo: Julie Ray)
There is a lot of talent under the roof at 360 Walnut — and one Bea Dawg.
“Bea Dawg is the star of the show,” says Neile Martin, one of the choreographers for the upcoming dance production of The Firebird. The affable, tail-wagging, tongue-lolling Off the Walls Art warehouse dog is limited to one talent — an overload of cuteness. But that’s okay. The talent pool is covered by the many artists working in the shared space.
Yvonne Bobo and Brendan Duffy had planned events for 2020 in their renovated mid-century 12,000-square-foot warehouse. Everything had to wait. Until now.
“Before and after the performances, we are having an art exhibition down here where my office is,” says Duffy. The basement office has a handmade, wall-length bar. “I’ll be back there serving drinks.” Upstairs, the dancers are practicing. Co-choreographer Ashley Volner steps in time with fellow dancers Grace Byrd, Aiyanna LaRue, and Conor Chaparro. Including Martin, the dancers have nearly 100 years of combined dance experience. “When I ran into Yvonne at Memphis Rox and she talked about a collaboration, I conferred with Ashley and said, ‘Put me in coach,’” says Martin.
A fiery bird wall mural created from an original sketch by local artist Melanie Pyron is the backdrop for the performance utilizing Bobo’s metal sculpture. Stravinsky’s score, adapted for modern dance, provides the music. “We wanted music that was well-known, beautiful, and could be adapted. Not only is Stravinsky’s musical score well-known and beautiful — it’s public domain,” says Martin.
The Firebird, Off the Walls, 360 Walnut, opens Saturday, July 31, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m., continues Sunday, 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. through Aug. 7, $12.
MMI hosted the indoor event Take the MMIc in 2020. (Photo: Christy Calvin, Courtesy of MMI)
Just outside the Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) Downtown office is a parking lot that is the perfect place to take indoor events outside. It’s so perfect that MMI composed a block party with Downtown neighbors including FedExForum, FedEx Logistics, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, and the Memphis Grizzlies that will be music to your ears.
All are invited to stop by and enjoy live music, food trucks, Grizzlies giveaways, activities for kids, and the company of community following a long hiatus of live music. “Our block party is our welcome back embrace after a long absence,” says Amber Hamilton, executive director of MMI. “We have been through so much over the last year collectively, and we need opportunities to reconnect and remember what is special about Memphis.”
The Memphis Grizzline will kick off the party at the intersection of South B.B. King and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Performances will include young people who are part of MMI as well as professional musicians who serve as MMI Fellows. Guests can compete for prizes during a two-hour block of live-band karaoke. Don’t be shy. You know you want those prizes.
The party favors continue past Friday’s event. Guests who are Shelby County residents can also visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum for half-priced admission from Friday-Sunday, July 30-Aug. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
It has been a uniquely challenging year, but all are welcome. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.
Return to Music Community Block Party, Memphis Music Initiative, 198 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Friday, July 30, 4-8 p.m., free.
If the upcoming festival season was a road sign, it would read “Road Work Ahead.” After the year we’ve all endured, reconstruction of public events is underway. Some annual fairs and festivals are putting the brakes on events until 2022. Others are proceeding with caution by announcing a TBA festival date. Still, others that were to be inaugural 2020 events are pulling out of the parking lot in 2021.
This list of those that gave the green light should help with planning. Buckle up, you’re now in the fairs and festivals carpool lane. Full speed ahead!
If you like that new car smell, you won’t want to miss a couple of breakout festivals this year. The Mighty Roots Music Festival in unincorporated Stovall, Mississippi, near Clarksdale, is one of them. Though the festival is just sprouting, the roots are deep, according to festival producer Howard Stovall.
And not just the roots of the Delta region’s music, but the roots in the soil, too. That’s one of the unique features of this festival: It’s agri-centric. In fact, the festival is taking place at a long-defunct cotton gin.
“We’ve spent a year and a half converting an old cotton gin on 18 acres of land for this festival,” says Stovall. “There hasn’t been power in that gin for 40 years.”
Stovall has invited 150 young farmers from the Delta Council’s Future Delta group. They’ll meet near the main stage before the first act performs and stay for the entertainment.
It’s also the only festival that has a reading list. Check out the website, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com, and you’ll find not only a suggested reading list highlighting the music, art, and culture of the Delta, but also the history of the Stovall Cotton Gin, the Stovall Store, and former tenant Muddy Waters.
Waters lived on the property for nearly 30 years. The house, in which he lived with his grandmother, is where his music was first recorded in 1941 by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress. Long after Waters moved, the house was restored and resides at the Delta Blues Museum to this day.
The festival is not just blues music; it’s roots music: reggae, bluegrass, country, and Americana, as well blues. In fact, when Stovall calls his production partner the “ambassador of music in Mississippi,” he’s not kidding. Co-producer Steve Azar was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant as Music and Culture Ambassador of Mississippi in 2017. Azar is a country-music singer and songwriter with a dozen albums under his belt. He also founded the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival in his hometown of Greenville in 2013.
According to Stovall, Azar’s festival had all the right components except for the location. It was just too far from Clarksdale, and way too far from Memphis. Once that fact sunk in, Stovall and Azar worked together to produce a similar concept for Mighty Roots. This time they think they’ve hit the right note with timing and location. It’s sure to be a hit. Check them out.
$30-$65. Friday-Saturday, October 1-2. Stovall Gin Company, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com.
Another breakout fest that should be on your radar: the Carnival of Creativity.
Organizer and founder Yvonne Bobo refers to it as an “innovative art experience.” She promises “big and crazy” events from some of the most creative minds in Memphis. In addition, the carnival is a community builder. Off the Walls Arts has partnered with some familiar South Memphis neighbors — Girls Inc., Vance Youth Development Center, and Streets Ministries.
The artist incubator and exhibition space already hosts workshops from STEAM projects with Dunbar Elementary and Girls Inc. to continuing education and creativity classes for all ages. The carnival is just another way for the collaborating artists to showcase their talents. One of the most interesting features will be a parade of puppets — Second Line-style. Lucky 7 Brass Band will perform. There will be dancing, art exhibits, and classes. The carnival is a free, family-friendly event.
Saturday, October 2, noon-5 p.m. Off the Walls Arts, offthewallsarts.org
While some festivals are just getting started, others are well into their journey. It’s time to set the cruise control and let those drive themselves.
Gonerfest is a fun festival if you like music on the edgy side. The music lineup describes every dude in the ’80s at the Antenna Club — Spits, Nots, Cool Jerks. Fans of punk, garage rock, the bizarre, and unconventional should find their way to this music festival that is old enough to join the armed forces but not old enough to drink.
30 bands in four days, streaming or in-person. $30, $100 for four-day festival pass. Thursday-Sunday, September 23-September 26. Railgarten, goner-records.com
River Arts Fest (Photo: Mike Baber)
Did you know that River Arts Fest began under another name in 1984? At its inception, River Arts Fest was called Arts in the Park and held in Overton Park. I happened to be a vendor in one of the last years the festival operated under the old name. I even won an award for the best decorated booth. I also got a slap on the wrist from code enforcement because part of my winning decorations were hay bales. Something about how someone could drop a cigarette and catch the whole park on fire. Arts in the Park made its way to South Main with a new name in 2006.
A street celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts with attractions and activities for all ages. Saturday-Sunday, October 23-24. Riverside Drive along the bluffs, riverartsmemphis.org
The Pink Palace Crafts Fair is the largest fundraising event for the Museum of Science & History and one of the largest volunteer-run events in Memphis. Funds from the fair support museum exhibits, planetarium shows, Mallory-Neely tours, and the Lichterman Nature Center. The crafts fair started nearly 50 years ago in 1973. It’s grown from about 30 craftsmen to more than 200.
Shop for arts and crafts including woodwork, leatherwork, pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, woven goods, and more. $10, $20 for weekend pass. Friday-Sunday, September 24-26, 10 a.m. Audubon Park, memphismuseums.org
Mid-South Fair (Photo: Courtesy of Obsidian Public Relations)
A lot of fairs and festivals in Memphis have staying power, though most haven’t exceeded the 50-year mark. Two come to mind: the Memphis Greek Festival, in its 62nd year; and the longest-running celebration by a mile — the Mid-South Fair.
In its 165th year, it might not surprise you that the Mid-South Fair was created for business networking purposes. Long before the internet or even phones, farmers and merchants struggled to find ways to communicate and meet one another. The first fair in 1856 was held so that the best in agricultural produce and the latest in machinery and inventions could be showcased to the public.
Shortly after the success of the first fair, fun and games were added for more appeal. The event weathered the Civil War, the yellow fever epidemic, the Depression, and two world wars. At the Centennial Fair celebration in 1956, Elvis made a surprise appearance. A time capsule was buried, to be opened in 2056.
Featuring a petting zoo, fair food, rides, attractions, contests, and more. $10. September 23-October 3. Landers Center, midsouthfair.com
Though it’s been a rough road this past year for festivals, it’s in our rearview mirror. Let’s take the rest of the year to celebrate the things that matter most — art, culture, music, heritage, history, and each other.
AUGUST
Memphis Film Prize
A film festival and contest featuring 10 short films made by filmmakers in and around Memphis. Audience votes for the winner of the $5K cash prize. Friday-Saturday, August 6-7. $30.
Malco Studio on the Square, memphisfilmprize.com
Elvis Week 2021
A lineup of events to celebrate the music, movies, and legacy of the King of Rock-and-Roll. August 11-17.
Graceland, graceland.com
Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival
Enjoy summer-inspired cocktails from more than 30 of your favorite spirits, local food, an epic dance party, and more. $39. Friday, August 13, 6-9 p.m.
Overton Square, memphisfestivals.com
Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival
A celebration of blues and gospel music in the Delta. Headliner James “Super Chikan” Johnson opens the festival. VIP tickets include food and beverages. Free. Friday-Sunday, August 13-15.
Clarksdale, Mississippi, sunflowerfest.org
Live at the Garden (Photo: Mike Baber)
Live at the Garden
• Brad Paisley, Friday, August 13, 7:30 p.m.
• REO Speedwagon, Friday, August 27, 8 p.m.
• Sheryl Crow, Friday, September 17, 8 p.m.
• Earth, Wind & Fire, Thursday, October 21, 7:30 p.m.
Summer music series featuring country, rock, pop, and soul-funk superstars. $55-$131.
Memphis Botanic Garden, radiansamp.com
Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival
Chicken, beer, yard games, live entertainment, and more. Benefiting Dorothy Day House. $40. Saturday, August 14, 6-10 p.m.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, memphischickenandbeer.com
Beale Street Artcrawl Festival
Family-friendly event featuring artists on Beale Street. Free. Saturday, August 21, 1-7 p.m.
Beale Street, dearmusicnonprofit.org
Memphis Fashion Week
Take a tour of Arrow Creative’s new Midtown space, join a class for fashionistas, meet designers and local makers, and watch a runway show. $50-$150. Wednesday-Saturday, August 25-28.
Sample wings from more than 70 competition teams vying for the hot wing world championship title. Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis. $15. Saturday, August 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, worldwingfest.com
SEPTEMBER
901 Day: Exposure
City-wide celebration featuring live entertainment, giveaways, local bites, and several organizations representing the Memphis landscape of social, civic, recreational, and entertainment offerings. Wednesday, September 1, 5-6:30 p.m.
FedExForum, newmemphis.org
Delta Fair & Music Festival
Features carnival rides, fair food, live music, attractions, vendors, livestock shows, cooking contests, and more. $10. Friday, September 3-12.
Agricenter International, deltafest.com
River City Jazz & Music Festival
Features Damien Escobar, Karyn White, Con Funk Shun, Kenny Lattimore, and Julian Vaughn. $60. Sunday, September 5, 6:30 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, thecannoncenter.com
Memphis Chevy Show (Photo: Mike Baber)
Memphis Chevy Show
The largest car show in the Mid-South region and a thrilling Pro Show featuring Larry Dixon’s Top Fuel Experience, fire-breathing Jet Funny Cars, and Open Outlaw Racing. $20. Friday-Saturday, September 10-11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Memphis International Raceway, racemir.com
Memphis Rox Yoga Festival
Features a variety of local and regional studios and vendors, lectures, workshops, film screenings, yoga classes, live music, food trucks, and kids activities. $35-$55. Saturday, September 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Featuring bacon-inspired dishes from Memphis restaurants, plus an array of distilled spirits. $39. Friday, September 24, 6-9 p.m.
Metal Museum, memphisbaconandbourbon.com
Latin Fest
Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a family-oriented festival featuring live Latin music, Latin food and drinks, crafts for kids, and vendors. Free. Saturday, September 25, noon-6 p.m.
Overton Square, cazateatro.org
Soulful Food Truck Festival
Featuring more than 100 vendors, 35 food trucks, game zone, and music by J. Buck, Keia Johnson, Courtney Little, DJ Zoom, and DJ Alpha Whiskey. $5. Sunday, September 26, noon-6 p.m.
Tiger Lane, cdcoevents.com
OCTOBER
Mempho Music Festival
Three days of performances, Pronto Pups, art pop-ups, and tunes. $80, $185 for three-day pass. Friday-Sunday, October 1-3.
Memphis Botanic Garden, memphofest.com
King Biscuit Blues Festival
Featuring blues legends and up-and-coming acts to preserve and promote the music of the Delta. $45, $85 for three-day pass. Thursday-Saturday, October 6-9.
Featuring the 2021 Beerfest mug, unlimited samples of beer, and local food trucks. Saturday, October 9, 1-5 p.m.
Midtown Autowerks Inc., cybeerfest.org
Harvest Festival (Photo: Courtesy of Agricenter)
Harvest Festival
Pumpkin-painting, kid’s activities, arts and crafts, hayrides, and educational stations. Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Agricenter International, agricenter.org
The Tambourine Bash
Featuring 30+ musicians performing for the benefit of Music Export Memphis. Funds go directly to the artists. $25. Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.
Levitt Shell, musicexportmemphis.org
Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival
Highlights stories of the people, music, and history along the Mississippi River through discussion, performances, and presentations. Thursday-Saturday, October 14-16.
Various locations and online from Clarksdale, Mississippi,deltawilliamsfestival.com
Brewfest and Brunchfest
Local food trucks, live music, games, vendors, and unlimited beer samples from 40+ breweries from around the world. $45. Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17.
Liberty Bowl Stadium, facebook.com/memphisbrewfest
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Brings a range of independent features, documentaries, and short films to Memphis from all corners of the world. Wednesday, October 20-25.
Playhouse on the Square, indiememphis.org
Mushroom Festival
Camping festival dedicated to mushrooms. Features classes and demonstrations, live music, tastings, wild food forays and dinners, identification tents, guided hikes, and more. Thursday-Sunday, October 21-24.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, memphismushroomfest.com
Dia de los Muertos Parade and Festival
Enjoy a reverse parade where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. Free. Saturday, October 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Memphis Brooks Museum, cazateatro.org
Vegan BBQ Cook-off & Festival
This Halloween edition will feature a cooking contest, food samples, fitness information, and costume contest, plus candy for the kids. Free-$20. Saturday, October 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Tiger Lane, missfitnessdiva.com
Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market
Showcases independent local artists, makers, and crafters. Enjoy shopping, family activities, and local brews. Thursday, November 11, 10 a.m.
Crosstown Concourse, memphiscraftsanddrafts.com
Whiskey Warmer
Features 40 labels of whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch, plus local food trucks, a cigar lounge, and bluegrass music. Benefiting Volunteer Memphis. $39. Friday, November 12, 6-9 p.m.
Overton Square, whiskeywarmer.com
Craft Food & Wine Festival
Celebrate culinary magic, benefiting Church Health. $65. Sunday, November 21, 3 p.m.
The Columns, craftfoodandwinefest.com
DECEMBER
Memphis Israel Festival
Enjoy all things Israel, including food, culture, market goods, and activities. Sunday, December 5.
Agricenter International, memphisfoi.org
Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival
Sip cocktails, listen to music, and wave to the big man in red himself. Each ticket includes 12 sample-sized yuletide cocktails. Food and full-sized drinks will be available for purchase. $39. Friday, December 10, 6-9 p.m.
Ephraim Urevbu has held down the corner at Huling and South Main since 1998. Prior to that, Urevbu migrated from Nigeria in 1980, earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Memphis, and opened the Art Village Gallery on Beale in 1991, which was moved to the current location. Recently, the gallery was rebranded as Urevbu Contemporary.
A new exhibit, “The Naked Truth: An American Story in White, Red and Blue,” is headed to Belmont University in Nashville and will be shown in the university’s Leu Art Gallery this fall. The full exhibition consists of more than 50 original paintings inspired by the advent of public demonstrations surrounding issues of social justice, the unjust treatment of African Americans, and the normalized presence of systematic racism.
Ahead of the university exhibition opening in late August, the artist will hold a preview exhibition, an artist-led talk, and private tour with a cross-section of paintings on display — a suite of 20 abstract expressionist paintings from the series. Many will be paired with a short essay or reference material, which function as key components to provide interactive and layered experiences to viewers.
“For 400 years, American culture and nationhood has been haunted, stalked, and tormented by the reality and symbols of racial injustice — the chains, the noose, the statues, the bullets,” says Urevbu. “Now, well into the 21st century, the labels, suspicions and accusations, the protests and riots, the righteous indignation, and ‘good trouble’ rise again and again as a shadow on the land and as a spotlight on the hypocrisy of a nation that saw itself as the standard-bearer for freedom.”
A line of limited-edition candles titled “Good Trouble” and a coffee table book titled after the exhibition are to be released in late fall of 2021. Both items can be pre-ordered at the event.
Exhibition preview for “The Naked Truth: An American Story in White, Red and Blue,” Urevbu Contemporary, 410 S. Main, Saturday, July 24, 4-6 p.m., free with registration.
Shiloh Grace takes the audience on a phallic journey at the Hi Tone. (Photo: Julie Ray)
On a quiet Monday night, I found a parking spot behind the Hi Tone between two overflowing dumpsters. A sign on the front door facing the street led me there, stating, “Entrance in back, upstairs.” Pink spilled out of the doorway from the stage illuminated by vivid red lights.
Steve Fox, the host, sat near the stage where a woman read poetry from her phone. She spoke of a young girl with flowers in her hair. Fox pointed to the next to last name on a list of poets who had signed up to read. It said Ce Jay. When she finished, Fox snapped his fingers. Others clapped.
Along with writing poetry, Ce Jay has been an educator for 16 years. “My background starts with Bridge Builders, where I not only worked but am a product of the program.”
The last name on the list was Shiloh Grace, who recited a poem written in 1993, “Ode to the American Dick,” inspired by Lorena Bobbitt. Ouch.
“I’ve felt like the Hi Tone has been my home base for decades now, across three locations.” Grace extols the virtues of her safe space without mincing words, “It’s the quintessential dive bar sans hipster shit. It’s the kind of place where subcultures collide, where we can all be ourselves. No pretense. It’s easy to lose track of time ’cause the drinks are strong and conversations are long. It feels like an alternate reality where all the rest of life’s crap can just get lost for a while.”
Proceeds benefit the artists.
901 Poetry Slam Series Finale, Hi Tone, 282 N. Cleveland, Monday, July 19, 8-10 p.m., $9.01.
There’s just something about Memphis that inspires creativity, making it a national center for innovative cultural production. Dixon’s outgoing exhibition, “Memphis 2021,” boasts more than 50 original works by 20 diverse artists.
In the exhibition, you’ll find examples of fiber art by Paula Kovarik, Sharon Havelka, Jennifer Sargent, and Johana Moscoso. Also featured are colorful paintings by some familiar artists, including Alex Paulus, Roger Allan Cleaves, Juan Rojo, Debbie Likley Pacheco, Katherine George, and Danny Broadway. Creative work incorporating ink by Meredith Olinger and Rick Nitsche, plus an unusual integration of charcoal by Frances Berry and Jonah Westbrook, add depth to varied mixed media pieces.
“The artists in ‘Memphis 2021’ are talented, hugely creative, sometimes hilarious, and always hard-working, but they are also some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet,” says Kevin Sharp, Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea director at the Dixon. “Their show is amazing and I am very proud of them all.”
Sharp might be referring to exciting detours from traditional mediums when he touts the artists as “hugely creative.” Mae Aur works with hand-cut wood and incorporates sound. Nick Hewlett showcases digital illustrations. Mary Jo Karimnia incorporates seed beads into works highlighting feminine imagery. Justin Bowles utilizes the entire Crump gallery for a sculptural installation. And Carrol McTyre and Mary K VanGieson use found objects in sculpture.
All of the artists give an exciting look at what’s to come in Memphis in the 2020s. See the exhibition, a feast for the senses, before it leaves the gallery this weekend.
Closing weekend for “Memphis 2021,” Dixon Gallery & Gardens, 4339 Park, Friday-Sunday, July 9-11, free.
Spend the Fourth with Elvis. (Photo: Courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
Recently, a young co-worker asked me if Graceland was cool or cheesy. The answer is both. Seriously, the ’70s were total cheese. You just can’t get past that. But talk to any Memphian and they have an Elvis story — either about their parents, grandparents, or friends who had a brush with Elvis. And that’s pretty cool.
So, if you are a Memphian, the upcoming Fourth of July holiday might be just the ticket to get your cool cheese on when Graceland throws their All-American 4th of July Weekend event.
Elvis Presley Enterprises states, “Graceland is so excited to celebrate America’s birthday with friends, family, and fans.”
Aren’t we all, in some form or fashion, a friend, family, or fan of Elvis Presley — if not directly, by proximity? Plus, Graceland knows how to throw a party. On Saturday, events range from a $25 Ultimate Elvis Tribute concert by Bill Cherry to a $500 Hidden Graceland Tour. On Sunday, you can attend a Gospel Brunch for $50 or a private barbecue dinner reception for VIP and package holders. The finale is free and open to the public, with fireworks set to Elvis music.
VIP and package tickets are $346-$1,200 and include special perks, access to Graceland, including the interactive and special exhibits, and most of the Fourth of July weekend events except for the Hidden Tour of Graceland.
Sounds like a great staycation for America’s birthday. There is nothing more American than Elvis, rock-and-roll, fireworks, and barbecue.
All-American 4th of July Weekend, Graceland, 3717 Elvis Presley, Saturday-Sunday, July 3-4, free-$50+.
