Friday, September 21st, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., 20 metered parking spaces along Peabody Place between Front and Second Streets will temporarily be transformed into public parks. In its second year at the downtown location, Park(ing) Day is an annual open-sourced global event where over 800 cities participate in the mission of calling attention to the need for more urban open space. The project began in 2005, when a single metered parking space was transformed into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco by Rebar, an art and design studio.
Projects at last year’s Park(ing) Day Memphis included a sandy beach lounging area, a human library, and a pooch pub. I signed my wife and myself up for a Sleep Out on the River at Mud Island after hearing several songs from someone playing the banjo next to a teepee. (We never made the trip. With food, entertainment, tents and marshmallows provided, it looked like it could have been a great time. Oh well, there is always forever.)
This year’s Park(ing) Day promises to be better. At least, I promise it will be better. With a Roller Skating Disco Opera being performed by multi-media artist Jill Wissmiller, how could it not?! I cannot tell you how often I have dreamed of a roller skating disco opera. No really. I have.
Scheduled events also include: an interactive diorama by Memphis City Beautiful, a virtual travel trailer vacation by Crosstown Arts and Jamie Harmon, and a Sculptural Performance by Elisha Gold, who will weld a life-sized steel sculpture on site. Look for me at the disco opera. I will not be traveling far from this beautiful beautiful thing.
Click this link to see more work from Jill Wissmiller.
Here is a link to the Facebook Park(ing) Day event.
Images of 2011 Park(ing) Day Memphis, from the event’s Facebook page
