Tag: Indie Memphis

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Spaceship Earth, “White Guys Solve Sexism” Lead Oxford Film Festival and Indie Memphis Online Offerings

Spaceship Earth

Two Mid-South film festivals continue their online programming this week, offering diverse fare for Memphis-area audiences.

Now on week three of converting their canceled March festival into a virtual experience, the Oxford Film Festival is presenting a narrative feature, a documentary, and a shorts program. The comedy I’ve Got Issues by director Steve Collins promises a group of intertwining stories that probe existential questions such as “What do we do with all this hurt?” The Armenian documentary I Am Not Alone by director Garin Hovannisian tells the story of a revolutionary walk across the country to inspire a revolution.

Oxford’s “Hello Gorgeous” narrative shorts program, which is always a great place to start at film festivals, includes eight films, with international entries from England and Canada. The most intriguing is director Christopher Guerrero’s comedy short “White Guys Solve Sexism,” which pretty much does what it says on the box:

White Guys Solve Sexism – Trailer 2019 from Christopher Guerrero on Vimeo.

Spaceship Earth, “White Guys Solve Sexism” Lead Oxford Film Festival and Indie Memphis Online Offerings (2)

The Indie Memphis Movie Club has five films available, including the Beanie Feldstein-starring comedy How to Build a Girl, and James Sweeney’s gender-bending comedy Straight Up. This week’s documentary selection is Spaceship Earth, the stranger-than-fiction story of Biosphere 2. In an effort to better understand the feedback loops that regulate Earth’s climate and ecosphere, a group of volunteers spent two years quarantined in what was essentially a giant greenhouse in the Arizona desert. But was it a legit science experiment, or just the public facing part of a giant financial scam? Here’s the trailer for director Matt Wolf’s movie, which you can rent at the Indie Memphis Movie Club.  

Spaceship Earth, “White Guys Solve Sexism” Lead Oxford Film Festival and Indie Memphis Online Offerings

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

Stories of sweeping social change are always compelling, but I have a soft spot for documentaries which explore the lives of the people behind the movement. That’s something Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution excels at.

The film is co-directed by documentary producer Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht, a veteran sound designer in his first directorial role. LeBrecht has spina bifida, and as a child in the 1960s, he had his life permanently changed when he went to Camp Jened. For many of its participants, the summer program for disabled people was the first time they had been around other kids with similar issues. It was the first time they felt normal.

The first half of Crip Camp looks back on Camp Jened, thanks to extensive interviews with the now-grown-up campers and a wealth of open-reel videotape footage from an aborted TV documentary project that miraculously survived the years. The campers stories are inspiring and occasionally hilarious. Kids in wheelchairs got to play baseball for the first time. The sexual awakening among the teenage campers leads to an outbreak of crabs in the barracks. Except for the fact that most of them are in wheelchairs, the kids come off just as genuine, idealistic, and stoned as the average teenager in the Summer of Love.

But the most interesting footage from the camp is a gathering around a dinner table where the campers talk politics. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, some of the campers and their counselors made it their mission to bring the utopia of Camp Jened to the wider world. Judith Heumann emerged as the leader of the movement to win disabled people the rights to access and equality. In the second hour of Crip Camp, Heumann and the core of activists from the camp take on the state of California and the federal government in an escalating series of protests that leads to a month-long occupation of an office building. Here, the doc gets more conventional in structure, but the insights gained from the camp sequences make the fight more poignant. While inside the besieged building, the activists recreate the camp’s dinner table discussions to keep their movement intact and on track.

Judith Huemann (center)

Crip Camp won the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s an exquisitely crafted documentary with humor and pathos that will forever change the way you look at sidewalk wheelchair ramps.

Netflix bought the film and released it after its limited theatrical run was canceled by COVID-19. This Thursday, May 7th, Indie Memphis is hosting a virtual Shoot & Splice on the subject of editing. One of the guests will be Eileen Meyer, the editor of Crip Camp who is a former Memphian. She will be discussing the art of the cut with the editor of The Farewell, Michael Taylor, and moderator Laura Jean Hocking. You can find out how to tune in and join the discussion on the Indie Memphis website.

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Indie Memphis Does the Hollywood Shuffle with Actor/Director Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend (right) and Jimmy Woodard (left) in Hollywood Shuffle

Here’s the secret about the racial disparity in Hollywood: It’s not a secret, and it never has been. Even if many people didn’t become aware of the problem of the dramatic underrepresentation of people of color among the decision makers in the American film business before the 2015 “Oscars So White” moment, the people struggling on the ground certainly were.

Witness Hollywood Shuffle. In 1986, Robert Townsend was by any definition a big talent. The comedian, actor, and fledgling director had been in the entertainment trenches for ten years when he produced and directed his own film on a shoestring budget. In a story reminiscent of Dolemite Is My Name, Townsend gathered his underpaid and struggling black friends in L.A., including future stars such as Keenen Ivory Wayans, to make a movie about the delusions of ambition and the reflexive prejudice black actors faced in the Hollywood of the 1980s.

Hollywood Shuffle is a strange beast. Townsend stars as Bobby Taylor, an actor from a working-class California family trying to juggle auditions and his crappy job at a hot dog stand. Those parts are fairly conventional ’80s light comedy, until the film flies off the rails with parodies of Hollywood films done “the black way.” In one skit, Townsend pops up with Jimmy Woodard in a Siskel and Ebert parody where the two film critics are forced to sneak into the theater.

With its expansive cast, irreverent attitude, and charmingly low-budget aesthetic, the film proved to be a huge hit upon release in 1987. To watch it today is to see someone in the past making arguments and observations that still resonate with current events. It’s also still super funny.

Indie Memphis is partnering with the Criterion Channel to feature Hollywood Shuffle on their weekly Movie Club pandemic streaming series. Tonight, Tuesday, April 28th at 8 p.m., Indie Memphis artistic director Miriam Bale will host a Zoom-based discussion with Robert Townsend about the legacy of his work and the realities of being black in 2020 Hollywood. You can find out how to watch the film and sign up for the Q&A discussion on the Indie Memphis website.

Indie Memphis Does the Hollywood Shuffle with Actor/Director Robert Townsend

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Cover Feature News

How Will the Pandemic Change the Arts?

Memphis cultural organizations are planning for an uncertain future.

A recent study published on the Know Your Own Bone website had some information that cultural organizations are studying carefully. The survey asked what it would take to make people feel safe and comfortable in going back to the cultural places we’ve had to give up during the coronavirus pandemic. When can we safely go back to the theater? The museum? The symphony?

The upshot is that there are various factors, and some attractions (theaters, concerts) will have a somewhat tougher time getting people back than others (museums).

The study is being closely examined by those in the culture business. And figuring out how to survive has been an ongoing topic, not just within organizations, but among their leaders. That was made plain in interviews with local heads of these organizations. And every one of them is facing dire circumstances, but every one is planning on surviving.

Ned Canty

Ned Canty, general director of Opera Memphis, describes the problem: “I have said for years that part of what makes opera and other live performing arts special is that you’re in there breathing the same air as the people. Of course, that’s no longer a selling point for any of us.”

It will likely get back to that someday, but for now it’s up to digital technology to make opera special. “We’re doing as much online content as we can,” Canty says.

For example, he says, Opera Memphis has done a Facebook live stream “where we’ve got singers from all over on a Zoom call and you can vote on what they’re going to sing. That kind of thing feels different to people than us just posting something that’s been prerecorded. The idea of something that’s happening right now being different than something that happened previously may sound small, but that’s definitely informed the way that we think about how to create digital content or curate the content that we’ve created in the past.”

Canty says he — and all arts organizations, to some extent — are wrestling with the imminent question: “We are asking ourselves what does a season look like in a time when people don’t want to gather in groups or are not allowed to gather in groups for whatever reason?”

Along with that, he notes that some issues that have been more or less on the back burner of arts groups are suddenly imperative. “The timeline has changed, and we’ve all been thrown into the deep end of the online content trying to figure out, what does this mean?” he says.

“We’ve already learned that there are certain things that we could’ve been doing for years that would have added value for our patrons,” Canty says. “And we haven’t been doing them, in part, because of the time it takes to learn how to do these things and how to do them well — there was never time for that. Well, now we have to learn these things.”

What’s going for any performing arts institution that relies on a gathering of people is the basic human need to see somebody live right where you are. “And the corollary to that is we will always want to share that with someone next to us,” Canty says. “Whether we know that person or not, that increases the value of the experience for everyone. Otherwise, why would anyone go to concerts when they own every album? Why would anyone go to a ballgame when they can watch them on TV and have a much better view? It is a basic human need that will not go away.”

So, all that’s needed is a miracle cure. “We need to be back doing shows and theater soon,” he says. “And that means coming up with a plan in case nobody wants to leave the house or can’t leave the house. What do we do with this period where restrictions have been lifted but people are not yet comfortable?”

Steven McMahon

Steven McMahon, artistic director at Ballet Memphis, says that canceling Cinderella at the Orpheum and postponing summer programming has been tough. But he’s determined to keep bringing dance “with technology as a buffer until we can be together again safely.”

Last week was the organization’s first online performance, and though a bit glitchy, the response was encouraging. Ballet Memphis is having dance classes online on YouTube, and virtual Pilates classes, and wants to do more.

As for the business, McMahon says, “We’ve had to make some difficult but prudent decisions, and while it has been uncomfortable, our long-term sustainability is our greatest concern. We are dedicated to our dancers and, with significant help from supporters, have thankfully been able to honor their full contracts for the season.”

As for the next season, he’s pressing ahead. “I have planned a season that is about joy and hope, two things that I think we will all need when we come through this storm,” he says. “I have had to completely redesign what next season looks like for us, but I promise we will never compromise on quality or originality. Next season looks different, but it looks great.”

Kevin Sharp

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens has one advantage: Much of what people enjoy is outdoors, and when restrictions ease, people are likely to want to find places with spaces.

“We probably will bring staff back from working at home very gradually,” says Kevin Sharp, director of the Dixon. “We will almost certainly start with the gardens team, and they will have a tremendous amount of work to do to make the Dixon presentable again. We have kept everything alive on the grounds, but it is impossible to do much more than that.”

When the gardens are reopened, there will still be cautions. “Even with 17 acres, we may become more explicit about what people can and cannot do on the property,” Sharp says. “Once the museum can reopen, and I have no sense of when that will be — June or July perhaps — we may have to limit access to an agreed upon number of visitors at any given time. We have great exhibitions scheduled this summer and this fall, and I am eager for people to see them, but not if it puts them or the Dixon staff at risk. It all feels manageable, but a lot more complicated and structured than business as usual.”

The Dixon staff, he says, is going through various scenarios regarding education programs, outreach, workshops, lectures, special events, and facility rentals. “Under the best of circumstances,” he says, “maybe all of our programs resume at some point, only with much tighter controls. In a worse situation, we would double down on the virtual experiences we are already creating.”

Sharp says the Dixon has lost some revenues that won’t be recovered, and it’s in an austerity mode as far as spending. “But there is a great deal we can do just by rolling up our sleeves and working together, even if working together means working separately. We will stay that way for as long as we possibly can, and by that, I mean for the duration. Together, we will make things happen.”

Debbie Litch

Theatre Memphis was in the unusual position of already being dark as this pandemic came into being. Its 100th anniversary season begins this fall, and it closed down in January to begin a renovation and expansion of its facility. That work continues, and Theatre Memphis hopes to open Hello, Dolly! as scheduled in late August.

But, as executive producer Debbie Litch says, changes have already begun: “We have completed the virtual auditions for our first three shows of our 2020-21 season including Hello, Dolly!, The Secret Garden, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The process was totally new and different, but successful.”

The rehearsal process is likely to be different, with a limit on the number of people allowed to rehearse at one time. “Safety is always a top priority at Theatre Memphis for our staff, actors, volunteers, and patrons,” she says.

Litch says that preventive measures are being incorporated even as the revamped facility comes together. “It will allow for more distancing between patrons with additional restrooms and sinks, multiple entrances, and expanded spaces in the lobby, as well as a new south corridor and porte-cochère,” she says. Before opening, the building will undergo a deep cleaning.

And the process of attending the theater will be different. “We will adhere to six-foot-separation lines at the box office, will call, restrooms, and concessions,” she says. “We will ask our bartenders, box office, ushers, and house managers to wear masks.”

Litch is unsure just how the seating arrangements will change. “We will adhere to the rules if we must space and limit our seating,” she says. “Then we will have to look at adding performances so we can accommodate our patrons during a popular musical production and A Christmas Carol. If that is the case, then I will have to contact the performance rights agencies to see if they can adjust the royalties based on attendance rather than number of shows, which could cause a considerable increase in royalties per show.”

She says, “We are cautiously hopeful that we can proceed with a new or revised regimen in place and look forward to our 100th-anniversary celebration season.”

Ekundayo Bandele

Hattiloo Theatre has had to cancel shows, summer youth programs, and reduce staff. It’s a blow, but founder Ekundayo Bandele has always had the long view and he’s trying to otherwise make the most of the shutdown. He’s been positioning Hattiloo as a significant regional black theater, noting that a third of Hattiloo’s audience is from outside the Mid-South.

With the usual performance avenues shut down, Bandele has been getting creative with virtual performances and virtual programming to expand that by a third. Part of that is having a series of Zoom panel discussions on aspects of black theater with nationally recognized actors, directors, writers, and academics (the second one is Wednesday, April 22nd).

It’s a natural extension of what Hattiloo has long done: promoting discussion in the community and expanding its offerings. “We plan to draw more attention to Memphis by commissioning new works,” Bandele says. “Typically we’ve just done established plays, but we’ve now commissioned a play by Jireh Breon Holder, and if you want to to see it, you’ve got to come to Memphis.”

Commissions and bringing in celebrities into the programming is part of Bandele’s long-term plan to increase the stature of Hattiloo on the national scene. As problematic as the pandemic shutdown is, he says, “It’s given us time to look at what we set in motion, look at how can we better implement what we’ve already set in motion, and then what are some of the other tools that we have that can complement what we are putting in motion.”

Peter Abell

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra is shut down for now, but not silent. Peter Abell, president and CEO, says, “It’s certainly new territory for those of us whose perceived existence is about gathering people together as a core element. It’s forced us to really think through the important elements, which are artists connecting with people, with communities, with organizations through their skills and their talents. That’s really what we’re about.”

He says playing on stage is what everyone loves to do, and he believes the time will come when the MSO will do concerts again. “Our goal is to just stay as flexible as possible.”

Abell says conversations are ongoing, with musicians, the MSO’s partners, Ballet Memphis, Opera Memphis, and other arts groups, including symphony organizations around the country.

“We haven’t totally come to terms with what that looks like from a long-term perspective,” he says, “but we are pretty clear that our focus is on supporting the musicians. Very early we decided that we would pay the musicians’ contracts for the remainder of the season.”

And it is the MSO musicians, he says, who are coming up with creative ideas on how to stay connected. “We published a virtual performance of Rossini’s William Tell Overture finale, available on the MSO’s Facebook page. Every musician recorded their part, usually on their iPhone camera, and emailed it back. It was all synced up with Robert Moody ‘conducting’ it from his home.”

Music education is a top priority of the MSO, and that’s getting some reconsideration along with everything else. “How can we support traditional music education, the orchestra experience?” Abell asks. “We have a pretty big focus on early literacy through a program we do called Tunes & Tales. A lot of that’s going to be able to continue on maybe a little different look in the way we present it.”

So the planning goes on with an eye toward filling up a concert hall again. “They say absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Abell says. “So hopefully there’ll be a time when people just can’t get a ticket ’cause everyone wants to go.”

Michael Detroit, executive producer at Playhouse on the Square, says the organization has long been fiscally responsible, which is helping weather drastic changes wrought by the coronavirus.

But the stark fact is that the usual earned income has gone away, and that’s what was used toward paying employees, getting materials, keeping the lights on, and so forth. Playhouse gets grants and donations, but it is ticket sales, classes, and rentals that make up the majority of the budget.

“We’ve been hit pretty hard,” Detroit acknowledges. But to get through it, he got with Whitney Jo, managing director, and decided first that nobody would be laid off — there are 40 full- and part-time employees — and that contracts would be completed. “We shut down three shows that were in the middle of production — up on the stages — and that was a huge hit to our finances,” he says. We ended up canceling two more. We canceled two education programs. We postponed three shows. We postponed three other education programs. And we canceled our largest fundraiser of the year, the art auction.”

Detroit says that they’ve been undertaking financial planning and projections to calculate the various possibilities. Similarly, they have a plan if they can open in June, or if not, then a plan for July, and so on. “We’ve got the programming, we just need to know when to turn it on,” he says. There are committees that meet daily, and there are meetings with other arts groups, all to find a way through the shutdown.

He says that there won’t be any streaming of performances because none of what they do is in the public domain. “And even if we were allowed to stream something,” Detroit says, “the technology involved needs to be learned and we don’t have that capacity.”

POTS is doing Facebook live events, which are more about marketing, so it can be ready when the doors open again. And when that happens, things will be in place for the new normal. “People will be spread out in the theater,” Detroit says. “So instead of a sell-out being 347 seats, that will probably be, you know, 170 or whatever. And we’ll space one or two seats apart. We’ll have some spacing things done in our lobbies so people don’t have to stand on top of each other. The big thing is going to be when they have a cure for this. That’s when everybody’s going to feel comfortable being next to each other and hugging each other and shaking each other’s hand. But that’s not going to be for a year. So we’ll keep taking it day by day just like everybody else.”

Emily Ballew Neff

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art has seen many changes in its 104-year history. Executive director Emily Ballew Neff says, “History tells us that after 9/11 and post-2008, whenever there is a cataclysmic kind of change, that people yearn more than ever for cultural experiences, and that visitation to art museums goes way up. Art connects us to what it means to be human.”

The desire to come back to the museum is assured, but the challenge is how to best do it. “When is it ethical and safe to reopen and what does reopening look like?” she asks. “That means doing a lot of scenario planning, and there’s a lot of uncertainty right now as we try to figure that out and look at the different models.”

The approach, she says, requires being nimble. The Brooks had to furlough several of the staff, and its biggest fundraiser in May had to be postponed. Reopening will be on a schedule set by the virus and a hoped-for vaccine.

“[When there is a] vaccine is when everyone will feel, I would imagine, 100 percent comfortable being in larger crowds,” Neff says. “So we’re looking at everything from limited galleries being open and the experiences that go along with that. We’re asking if we need to have the infrared thermometers. Do we need to be looking at how the grocery stores do it for their older patrons, having a separate opening time for seniors? We’re always balancing the safety, ethical, and accessibility questions.”

Neff acknowledges that a crisis like this forces an organization to look afresh at its practices. “For example, our digital platforms were not as robust as they needed to be,” she says. “We needed to pivot quickly because that is the way we reach our audiences now. You’re having to balance those shifting priorities, and do it quickly with minimal resources.”

Meanwhile, museum-goers might expect fewer traveling exhibitions for now. “There’s a sort of ballet dance that happens behind the scenes of an art museum that has to do with the crating, the shipping, the insurance, the courier trucks, the security, and the people to do that. And so that is definitely going to slow down, and some instances stop, at least in the short-term.”

Instead, look for more exhibitions from the museum’s permanent collection. “We’ve always wanted to do a lot of collection remixes and use the time before moving Downtown into a new building [planned for 2025] to continue the evaluation of the collection as we’ve done the past couple of years, but also experiment with a number of different installation ideas.”

Education is a crucial element of the Brooks’ existence, and Neff says they’ve been moving on that front. “The short-term impact is that everything planned for this period is moving online,” she says. “This past week we had home-school day, but that obviously had to move online. So did all of the materials, all of the planning that went into that, all of the preparation, all of the curriculum. And we have a very robust home-school program that is now available online.” Those short-term moves will likely become long-term as well while the museum works with school systems to scope out the future. — Jon W. Sparks

Indie Memphis (and Film Festivals)

One of the great unknowns of the post-pandemic world is what the film and theater industries will look like. As a business designed around gathering large numbers of people together for a shared experience, movie theaters were among the first closures, and could be among the last venues to come back online. One problem is that even if a movie theater owner has good reason to believe it is safe to reopen, they couldn’t do it easily, since all the Hollywood studios and national film distributors have pulled their planned offerings, either delaying release dates or prematurely pushing films to streaming services.

Plans to reopen the theater chains will have to be coordinated at least regionally, more likely nationally. Memphis-based Malco Theatres declined to comment for this article.

Film festivals like Indie Memphis face both a dilemma and an opportunity. From the industry perspective, the traditional idea of a festival is to get films in front of an audience of cinephiles in order to gauge their potential for wide release and to make a case for purchase by distributors. For the audience, it’s a chance to see next year’s hot movies today, and to see stranger, more niche, or cutting-edge work. The close mixture of artists, pros, and audience members at screenings, panels, and parties is crucial to the festival atmosphere — but it also presents opportunities for coronavirus transmission. Sundance, for example, which is held in Park City, Utah, in January, is notorious for “the festival flu.”

For Indie Memphis, which hosts year-round programming, the timing of the pandemic was particularly bad. Last year, the festival announced a partnership with Malco Theatres to take over a screen at Studio on the Square that would expand the festival’s weekly arthouse and indie screening programs to seven days a week. Indie Memphis executive director Ryan Watt says they were busy preparing the Indie Memphis Cinema when the shutdowns began. “We were days away from announcing a campaign leading up to opening night. And we were planning on April 9th, so in early March, we realized this might not even happen.”

So, Indie Memphis, like the rest of the country, pivoted to living online. “Most of the Hollywood movies have been delayed,” says Watt. “But the smaller, niche, arthouse titles, foreign films, and documentaries decided it doesn’t make any sense to delay. They might as will find a way to get the movies available online in some capacity.”

Easier said than done for festivals and cinemas whose business model and copyright management regimes are designed around the in-person experience. That’s where an innovative company with deep ties to Indie Memphis stepped up.

Iddo Patt

Eventive grew out of a need in the film festival world for a better ticketing system, says founder Iddo Patt, a Memphis-based filmmaker, producer, and longtime Indie Memphis board member. “The basic problem was that the festival sold passes, but also wanted to sell single tickets to the movies. But you had no way of knowing which pass-holders were coming to what movies, so you had to set aside a certain number of seats.”

The information disparity would sometimes lead to films that were marked as “sold out” playing to half-empty theaters while frustrated, would-be audience members stewed in the lobby. “The idea was,” says Patt, “could you make a virtual punch card that would let somebody who bought a pass reserve a ticket to a movie, and then you could also sell tickets to the movie directly to people who only wanted to buy single tickets, and they would all come out of the same place?

Theo Patt

“It seems pretty straightforward, but it’s not simple to implement. So I asked my son Theo, who at that time was was 15 years old but a very serious computer programmer already, if he could find us something that we could use that would do that. He said, ‘There’s nothing off the shelf, but I will build it for you guys.’”

Indie Memphis launched the ticketing system that would come to be known as Eventive in the fall of 2015. It was a game-changer. It not only allowed the festival to keep better track of their box office, but also allowed festival-goers an easy way to plan their experiences. “The way he built it, it wasn’t just that it did the tickets, but it also displayed the online schedule of events and films and basically created a whole customer-facing website,” says Patt. “People loved it. So in 2016, Theo re-architected the platform to be functional for multiple festivals.” The Patts had to figure out how to cope with growing demand for a product they didn’t expect to catch on. “The next year, [Theo was] heading into his senior year. So I had to think about, how is this thing gonna continue without being a burden to him while he’s in college?”

Patt met with a number of software companies to gauge interest in the nascent product. “They said, ‘You have a mature and highly developed platform here, and there’s nothing else like it. What you really need are sales.’ So in 2017, we decided we would turn it into, essentially, a free-standing product that was available to everyone.”

Eventive formally launched with a presentation at the January 2018 Art House Convergence conference. Demand surged immediately. “We went into this year with 118 festivals and art house cinemas around the world using the platform,” says Patt.

By March, Theo was studying Computer Science at Stanford University and Iddo was traveling the film festival circuit signing up new customers and helping new users implement the system. Iddo says he was driving from New Orleans to Memphis when he realized the world was about to change. As the wave of cancellations crashed and Theo was sent home when Stanford closed down, the duo tried to figure out how to translate the festival experience online. “How can we take this infrastructure that we built and connect it with some kind of streaming option that we can offer our partner festivals, just to continue to be able to show movies to folks? We looked at the platforms that were out there and pretty quickly realized that there was nothing that would work to provide us a seamless customer experience — an Eventive-level experience.”

Once again, the problem is more complex than it sounds on first blush. “It is very, very important to strictly protect the film, and to protect it in a way that there’s not somebody unlocking it with a password or a code or whatever,” says Patt. “The content protections are actually built into the system, and the event organizers are able to strictly limit the availability dates. The film festival model is based on filmmakers and distributors giving festivals films for free or for a nominal rental fee, and the film festival brings in an audience. But the idea is that the audience is there for a defined period of time with a limited number of seats in a particular place. We wanted to give the festivals the ability to sort of replicate that model.”

In a matter of weeks, Theo had cranked out the new code and Iddo was wooing clients. By early April, the Indie Memphis Movie Club served as a test case, and they scored a major coup by convincing Sony Pictures Classics to entrust the new platform with their new release The Traitor. By last week, Eventive had signed up 20 festivals that had previously canceled to shift to the new online platform. This week, the Oxford Film Festival will become the first to use the Eventive system to take place fully online.

Indie Memphis’ Watt says everyone has been pleased with the new system’s performance so far, and they will soon be using Eventive exclusively for weekly Movie Club screenings. He says the organization’s annual film festival will take place as scheduled in late October, but depending on the prevailing epidemiological conditions, it may be an online festival or some blend of live and virtual events. But given the considerable effort being thrown into the innovative new systems, Watt believes the online component will be a staple of film festival life going forward. “We want to get to a point for the user where the Indie Memphis platform will be one more thing — like Netflix — that they’re just used to.” — Chris McCoy

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

The Whistlers Brings International Intrigue to Indie Memphis Movie Club

Catrinel Marlon as Gilda in The Whistlers.

This week’s new selection for Indie Memphis’ Movie Club is a stylish thriller from Romania called The Whistlers. The Movie Club is bringing virtual screenings of the films that would be filling art house and festival circuit screenings about now, if not for the cursed virus. Director Corneliu Porumboiu’s heist film puts his heroine Gilda (Katrinel Marlon) in a high-stakes relationship with Bucharest police inspector Cristi (Vlad Ivanov). The title comes from the obscure whistling language of the Canary Islands that comes in handy if you need to communicate clandestinely about shady stuff. 

The Whistlers Brings International Intrigue to Indie Memphis Movie Club

The film is available as video on demand from Indie Memphis’ new web portal, which you can access here. Half of the $12 rental fee goes to Indie Memphis. Tonight, Tuesday April 7th, at 8 p.m., Indie Memphis’ Artistic Director Miriam Bale will host a Zoom discussion about The Whistlers with New Yorker film critic Richard Brody for Indie Memphis members and those who have rented the film. 

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Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Supernatural Polygamy! Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands On This Week’s Indie Memphis Movie Club

Marriage is a sacred institution between two people and also sometimes a nude ghost. That’s the premise of Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands, this week’s Indie Memphis Movie Club selection.

Based on a bestselling novel by Jorge Amado, the 1976 film by director Bruno Barreto set a box office record in Brazil that held for 35 years. Sonia Braga (who later went on to star in Kiss Of The Spider Woman and the other current Indie Memphis Movie Club selection, Bacurau) plays Dona, whose rakish husband Vadinho (Jose Wilker) dies in the film’s opening scenes. Their relationship was tumultuous and unstable, but sexually satisfying. Looking for more stability, she finds love with Teodoro (Mauro Mendonça), He’s a good husband, but boring in bed. Then, Vadinho’s thirsty ghost returns to haunt his wife, and Dora must find an equilibrium between the two marital extremes.

Tonight at 8 p.m., Indie Memphis artistic director Miram Bale and film writer Monica Castillo will host an online discussion of the film’s history, impact, and meaning in our present moment. Go to the Indie Memphis website for more details, and check out the trailer.

Supernatural Polygamy! Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands On This Week’s Indie Memphis Movie Club

Categories
Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Indie Memphis Weekly Film Series Goes Virtual

Bacurau

For years, Indie Memphis’ weekly film screenings have been a highlight of life in the Bluff City. The organization, whose acclaimed annual film festival is the largest in the region, brings films to the big screen that otherwise won’t play theatrically here.

This month, Indie Memphis, teaming with Malco Theatres, was scheduled to open its own dedicated movie theater in Studio on the Square. Obviously, the opening ceremonies have been delayed due to the ongoing pandemic lockdown. So Indie Memphis is doing what a lot of arts organizations are doing right now—going virtual.

The Indie Memphis Movie Club will be bringing you the same kinds of quality films you’ve come to expect from them at home. Instead of one screening a week, the films will be available for a full week. On Tuesdays, IM will bring you an online Q&A with the programming staff and special guests—usually the director or others involved in the production of the film.

The first week’s film is Bacurau. Directors Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles’s film is a huge hit in their native Brazil. The barbed political satire centers on a rural Brazilian village that suddenly finds itself missing from maps. The inhabitants try to cope as they find themselves under attack from mysterious forces, including maybe UFOs. Check out the trailer:

Indie Memphis Weekly Film Series Goes Virtual

You can find out more about Indie Memphis’ latest plans and activities on their new and improved website. 

Categories
News News Blog

Coronavirus Megathread: Closings and Delays Across Memphis


Idlewild Presbyterian Church (Friday (March 20)

Churches from the Presbytery of the Mid-South are bringing together their congregations via the radio and Livestream to provide worship services at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 22, and for the near future, because of the recommended “social distancing” during the coronavirus outbreak. Members and guests can “be there” at the service, broadcasted from Idlewild Presbyterian Church. The service will be also be archived on the church’s website for later viewing.

The combined congregations of Balmoral, Buntyn, Evergreen, First (Memphis), First (Somerville), Idlewild, Parkway Gardens United and Shady Grove Presbyterian are providing various pastoral staff to participate during each service. This week’s service includes the following service leadership: The Reverend Anne H. K. Apple (Idlewild), The Reverend Carla Meisterman (Balmoral), The Reverend Sara Dorrien-Christians (Idlewild), The Reverend Elizabeth Dick (Evergreen), Mr. Barry Oliver, Director of Music Ministry (Idlewild) and soloists, Amy Phillips and Tyler Brumback (Idlewild). Members of Idlewild’s youth are the preachers for this Sunday: Helen Gillespie, Peter Calkins and Caroline Seamons.

Worship services are held in the sanctuary with no physical congregation, but all are invited “to attend” the service via the church’s Livestream, www.livestream.com/idlewild, or by listening to WIVG-FM 96.1.

For information about the church, please visit www.idlewildchurch.org or call 901-726-4681.

Memphis City Council (Thursday, March 19)

THE MEMPHIS CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 3:30 p.m.

Due to the declarations of a State of Emergency by the President of the United States, the Governor of Tennessee and the Mayor of Memphis relating to Covid-19 Epidemic the Council has determined that is necessary that the meeting be conducted by electronic or other means of communication in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, City employees, Council staff and Members of the Council.

THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL MEETING

Memphis Botanic Gardens (Thursday, March 19)

I write today during this period of uncertainty, both locally and nationally. As I write this, your Garden has already taken numerous steps to help contain the spread of COVID-19 / Coronavirus and we stand ready to take more drastic measures if they become warranted.

Some of the steps we have taken – so far include:

The canceling of all events in excess of 10 people thru at least May 15, 2020.

The closing of My Big Backyard, our children’s garden, to the public beginning Friday, March 20. Because of the many interactive surfaces contained within this garden, we feel it is prudent to close this area off until further notice.

The opening of the Gardens (with the exception of the Children’s Garden) to the public without cost, effective Friday, March 20 and until further notice. We encourage social distancing, and with 96 acres to visit and small groups, we believe this to be a sensible gesture of goodwill to the community. Members and Guests may now enter directly onto Garden grounds at the south end of our parking lot without entering the building or interacting with staff.

This remains a very fluid situation, and we are doing our best to adapt and adhere to CDC guidelines as they evolve. We are also following local health official’s guidance. While at this time we do not intend to close the outdoor spaces of the Garden to the public, we will adapt to future guidance if it comes.

I encourage you to follow us on our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) or to visit MemphisBotanicGarden.com for the most current situation as regards your Garden.

I wish you and your family well during this difficult time, and we will remain as transparent as possible in the days and weeks to come

City of Memphis Golf Courses (Thursday, March 19)

In light of current public health issues, for the safety of our golfers and employees, we have made the decision to temporarily close the City of Memphis Golf Courses. It is unknown as to the time frame of the closures. We will keep you updated via www.memphispubliclinks.com.

Locations include The links at Audobon, Overton, Galloway, Davy Crockett, Fox Meadows, Pine Hill, Riverside, and Whitehaven.

State Parks Group Hikes (Thursday, March 19)

We have decided to cancel our guided Spring Hikes this weekend. These annual hikes usually attract thousands of visitors to our parks, and these groups exceed the recommended group sizes for helping our communities “flatten the curve.”

We are sorry for this cancellation, and hope that you will plan to join us for our next signature hike on June 6, 2020.

Macy’s (Thursday, March 19)


In response to the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) today announced that it will temporarily close all stores by end of business today, March 17, 2020, through March 31, 2020. This includes all Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet and Market by Macy’s stores. Macy’s, Inc. will provide benefits and compensation to its impacted workforce.

“The health and safety of our customers, colleagues and communities is our utmost priority. As a result of the recent COVID-19 developments, we have decided to temporarily close our stores. We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “During this closure, we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites.”

All three Macy’s, Inc. brands – Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury – will continue to serve customers through macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com and through its mobile apps.

Hope Church (Thursday, March 19)

We want to address our response to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and how we as a church are doing our part to flatten the curve, follow government and health official guidelines while keeping our family and community healthy!

Beginning this weekend, March 21 & 22, all Hope services will move online only. Together, we will connect, worship and experience God’s word online as one Hope family.

Join us on Facebook, YouTube, and HopeChurchMemphis.com/Live this Saturday night at 5:30 pm, Sunday morning at 11:15 am and Sunday night at 5:30 pm for The Stirring.

Overton Park (Thursday, March 19)


During these times where it’s safest for us to be apart from each other, we’re so glad that the trails and open spaces of Overton Park are serving as a refuge for many of us.

It’s with heavy hearts, then, that we’ve decided to close restrooms, playgrounds, and the dog park until further notice.

We’ve made this choice for two reasons: one, because keeping these facilities open encourages people to gather in close proximity to each other; and two, because there are no current CDC guidelines for how to clean playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities during a pandemic outbreak.

With reports that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for days, and our cleaning crew only able to visit once or twice per day, there’s simply no way for us to keep all surfaces sanitized for every visitor.

The park’s trail system remains open for you to get some much-needed fresh air. (PSA: The nature trails are so saturated from the endless rain that you’d need wading boots to walk them, so we recommend the paved trails for now!) We encourage you to follow the National Recreation and Park Association’s guidelines for using the trails:

• Before visiting trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, and do not use trails if you have symptoms.

• Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people. Keep it as you walk, bike or hike.

• Alert other trail users of your presence, and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times.

• Be prepared before you leave and time outings so that you are not dependent on public restrooms.

• Bring water or drinks — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.

• Bring a suitable trash bag. Take trash with you to protect park workers.

• We’ve posted signs announcing the closures, but our playgrounds are open-air, so we’ll need everyone’s cooperation to stay away. Thank you for helping to keep yourself and other park visitors safe.

Memphis Zoo (Wednesday, March 18)

Memphis Zoo will temporarily close to the public Thursday, March 19th.

The health and safety of our team members, guests, volunteers and animals is our top priority, and Memphis Zoo is committed to taking proactive steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Any guests who had field trips or group visits planned will be able to reschedule or receive a refund.

While we are closed, our zookeepers and essential team members will continue to care for our animals. Zoo fans will also be able to check on our animals and team members through our social media accounts.

How you can help Memphis Zoo

During our closure, we are reaching out to our Memphis Zoo friends to ask for your support. Please consider donating to our Emergency Animal Support Fund. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to welcoming you to the Zoo again soon. To donate please visit memphiszoo.org/emergencysupportfund.

Orion Federal Credit Union (Wednesday, March 18)


The safety and well-being of our community is Orion’s highest priority. Orion continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and we are making necessary adjustments to business processes and operations.

Beginning Friday, March 20, 2020, we are temporarily shifting our branch services approach to drive-through only. Our ATMs are available 24 hours a day. For non-cash transactions, remember you can bank with us without leaving the comfort of your home.

YMCA (Wednesday, March 18)

Due to the ongoing public health emergency presented by the COVID-19 virus outbreak and recommendations from the CDC and other health officials, ​the YMCA will be temporarily closing all 11 YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South locations effective at 8:00 p.m. on March 18, 2020.

According to the YMCA, the goal with the temporary closure is to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community before it threatens to overwhelm the public health system, while continuing to focus resources on providing services to healthcare workers, first responders, and those most vulnerable in our community.

“In times like these, the very best of who we are is called forward, giving us the opportunity to live our mission and values and promise to the community. Now, it is critical that we step up and respond to the needs in our community, redirect our expertise and resources, serve those who need us most, and provide inspirational leadership and hope for all. We will pivot our operations to focus on our community response to the unique circumstances created by the COVID-19 virus and repurpose our branches as community response centers,” said Jerry Martin, President and CEO for YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.

YMCA Emergency Childcare For First Responders & Healthcare Workers:

Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, Healthcare & First Responder Childcare will be offered 7 days a week from 6:00AM to 8:00PM to accommodate a 12-hour shift schedule for these families at various YMCA locations throughout our community. Care will be supervised by trained childcare team members for children ages 3 years (potty trained) to 12 years of age.

For more information and to sign up please visit ​www.ymcamemphis.org​ or call our Customer Support Center at 901-766-7677.

YMCA Partnering with School Districts for Meal Services:

The YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South will be joining our schools partners to provide children access to meals at designated sites throughout our community.
Meals are scheduled to be served between 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m beginning March 23, 2020. For a full list of meals site locations, visit: ​www.ymcamemphis.org

Highpoint Climbing & Fitness (Wednesday, March 18)

In a continued effort to mitigate risk and prioritize safety, we have decided to temporarily suspend operations of all High Point facilities beginning March 18th through March 31st. We believe that social distancing is the best way for us to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

While we try our best to keep our doors open whenever possible, in this instance, our temporary closure can help ensure the safety of our members, staff and the overall community. We will be monitoring how this situation continues to unfold and use this as an opportunity to do a deep sanitation of all facilities.

To our members:
• During this time memberships will automatically be frozen at no additional cost and you will receive a prorated credit to be applied toward next month’s dues.
• We will provide a status update on billing by March 27th as well as any additional details on possible closure extensions.
• If you need to contact the gym, or if you need to retrieve items from a locker in our locker rooms, we will be maintaining office hours Mon-Fri from 10am to 4pm. Please email us at Memphis@highpointclimbing.com and we will be happy to coordinate with your needs.
We are looking forward to serving all of our wonderful community members again soon and in the meantime encourage everyone to stay positive and safe as we move through this together!

Pink Palace (Tuesday, March 17)

As a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Pink Palace Family of Museums including the Pink Palace Museum, theater,  planetarium, Lichterman Nature Center, Mallory-Neely House  and Magevney House will temporarily close to the public beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

 “The Pink Palace Family of Museums has remained open these past two days in order to wind down scheduled activities between now and the end of May.  In just two short days, our staff has worked incredibly hard at winding down operations affecting over 11,000 people who had scheduled visits through May,” said Kevin Thompson, Executive Director Pink Palace Family of Museums. 

The public is encouraged to visit the Pink Palace Family of Museums website (www.memephismuseums.org), Facebook and Instagram pages for online content for children and adults created to keep the public engaged and entertained during this period of home quarantine. 

“We plan to roll out online services next week in order to continue to engage with the public. We have an initial set of items for next week, and plans are in the works to continue to create online environments to share our history.  Please check our website and social media outlets for more information,” continued Thompson.


Ballet Memphis (Tuesday, March 17)


Ballet Memphis is prioritizing the health of students, families, dancers, patrons, and staff, and will be taking the following precautions against the spread of COVID-19:

● Ballet Memphis Office: Closed to the public beginning March 18th until further notice

● Ballet Memphis School: Closed until further notice

● Pilates and Adult Classes: All classes, workshops and certifications canceled until further notice

● 2020-21 Company Auditions: in-person auditions canceled – Digital video submissions, headshot and resume should now be sent to auditions@balletmemphis.org

● Cinderella: Performance and supporting events canceled.

“Cinderella is a piece that brings magic to life for families, but we will not perform at the expense of our community,” says Steven McMahon, Artistic Director. “We are being proactive, both in prevention and serving our community. We hope that during this time, we’ll be able to reach our audience through virtual tools so that we may continue to bring dance to Memphis.”

Those who have already purchased tickets to Cinderella will be contacted directly. Refunds are available for tickets purchased through Ballet Memphis, however the organization is asking patrons to consider purchased tickets a donation.

“On behalf of the Ballet Memphis team, I can’t wait to bring Ballet Memphis back to the stage very soon,” said McMahon.

Ballet Memphis staff will continue to communicate any updates and ways they will continue to share the power of dance in a time when our community could use it most.

Memphis Rox (Tuesday, March 17)

In light of recent announcements over the past few days about local schools, organizations, and businesses closing due to concerns with Coronavirus COVID-19 and an increased emphasis on the safety, health, and wellness, Memphis Rox Climbing Gym will temporarily close Wednesday, March 18 for the remainder of the month. We will continue to monitor circumstances daily and will remain flexible and forward-thinking in regards to the next steps.

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our guests, employees, and our community. Our commitment to improving the quality of life for Mid-Southerners through climbing and community outreach has not wavered during this time of uncertainty looming around Coronavirus (COVID-19). Now more than ever, it is important for us all to exercise collective leadership and take precautionary measures to participate in the healing of our city, state, nation, and world.

Furthermore, we will steadfastly follow all protocols recommended by the CDC, Tennessee Health Department, and Shelby County Health Department and encourage everyone in the community to do the same.

To support our staff during this time of closure and uncertainty, all employees will be paid for their previous average weekly hours worked, even as the gym remains closed for the next two weeks. We will then create various projects for our employees to participate in to improve the gym experience for our customers with an emphasis on safety protocols.

Art Museum of the University of Memphis (Tuesday, March 17)

In keeping with the measures the University is taking to contain the spread of COVID-19, the opening reception for “In 7, 6, 5…” scheduled for March 21st has been cancelled. We tentatively postpone re-opening to the public until March 31st. Please contact the museum for further information. In spite of being closed to the public, AMUM continues to install our upcoming exhibition and will be sharing online stories about “In 7, 6, 5…” once the show is up. When we are able to re-open to the public, then we will schedule an opening reception to replace the one that was cancelled, which would have taken place on March 21st.


Memphis River Parks Partnership (Tuesday, March 17)
 Justin Fox Burks

An aerial view of the new River Garden park.


As much as we love having folks share the space of the Memphis River Parks, we’re reminded that we’re all in this together to keep Memphis healthy. Please follow guidance from the CDC and Shelby County Health Department.

The Partnership has increased the frequency of scheduled cleaning and sanitizing in all park facilities and reinforced recommended procedures with staff while monitoring development and following the latest guidance on COVID-19.

All public events scheduled to take place on the riverfront in the next eight weeks have been postponed or canceled. Keep updated on the latest on Facebook and our website.

Metal Museum (Tuesday, March 17)

It is with deep regret that we inform you that we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to close the Metal Museum to the public, effective immediately until further notice. This includes all public programs and classes.

As with our peer institutions in the city of Memphis and across the country, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure the continued well-being of our visitors, volunteers, and staff.

Please watch your email and/or the Museum’s website and social media for the most up-to-date information. Our staff will continue to work during this time to answer any questions you have and to ensure that exhibitions and programs are to the high standard you expect when we reopen. Should you have any questions during this time, please do not hesitate to email us at info@metalmuseum.org.

We greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time and, as always, your support of the Metal Museum.

Hattiloo Theatre (Tuesday, March 17)

In light of the developing news about the coronavirus (COVID-19), here’’s the latest from Hattiloo. We continue to look to the CDC, the Shelby County government and the City of Memphis and state leadership for guidance. Following the temporary recommendation to limit public gatherings, and in concert with our colleagues throughout the theatre industry, we’’ve suspended all performances through May 1, 2020. 

 

We’’re adapting as quickly as we can to this situation. For your convenience, as always, you can email us at manager@hattilootheatre.org, or call 901.502.3486. With the expected volume of emails, it may take us 3-5 business days to respond, but rest assured that we will get back to you. Our shows are canceled for now, but our staff is here for you.  

If you have tickets for this weekend’s performance, please email tickets@hattilootheatre.org for information.

Thank you for your support. Please stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you when Hattiloo reopens.

Southland Casino Racing (Monday, March 16)

The situation surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) is rapidly developing, and Southland Casino Racing continues to be focused on efforts at our facility to protect the health and safety or our guests and employees. 

In coordination with the Arkansas State Racing Commission and the State of Arkansas, we are acting to temporarily close the venue. No new patrons will be permitted into the facility after 11:59 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 16, and the facility will be closed at 6 a.m. March 17 until further notice. All activities are canceled, including casino promotions.

We will be communicating as quickly as possible with our employees to assist them during this period. We thank them for their ongoing diligence and ability to adapt in a very fluid and unprecedented circumstance.

To date, we have worked to protect public health by following CDC guidelines on sanitizing protocols and cleaning throughout our venue. We will remain in close touch with State and County health officials, and we look forward to reopening Southland Casino Racing shortly and continuing to provide a clean, safe environment.

We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to hosting you again in the near future. We will keep you updated on our website at www.southlandcasino.com and via Facebook.com/SouthlandCasinoRacing as more details become available.

Opera Memphis (Monday, March 16)

Members of the Opera Memphis family,



Earlier today, Opera Memphis made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Midtown Opera Festival, including the production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte. 



Though this decision is heartbreaking, we know it is vital that we play our part in combating the spread of COVID-19 in this truly unprecedented situation. 



We know there are many disappointed opera lovers reading this, so we are also taking the opportunity to announce 30 Days of Digital Opera beginning on April 1. Every September, we fan out through the city giving free performances for the entire month. This coming April, instead, will be a chance for us to provide fresh, daily content on all of our digital channels.



More details will be shared on this new program as it develops. We know nothing can replace the feeling of seeing an opera live and in person, but hopefully, this new program will help bridge the gap!



Within the next several days, we will reach out to all of our ticket holders and provide them with their options.  We hope our patrons will consider donating their tickets to help us recoup some revenue, as the company has decided to pay our artists and crew who rely on performances for their livelihood. 



Finally, the administrative offices for Opera Memphis will be temporarily closed. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at info@operamemphis.org.



Thank you in advance for your patience.

Germantown Performing Arts Center (Monday, March 16)


Friends and Family of GPAC:

The safety of GPAC’s audiences, artists, volunteers and staff are our first priority. In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), GPAC will be closed to the public indefinitely as of Monday, March 16, at 5 p.m. The following events have been modified:

Welcome to Night Vale Live, March 18, at 7:30 p.m.: This show will be rescheduled. We’re working with the tour on a new date, and GPAC will make an announcement as soon as it is set. 

Peanut Butter & Jam: José! by New Ballet Ensemble, March 21, at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.: This program will be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for the new date.

Artist’s Reception with Pam Santi, March 21, at 5 p.m.: This reception has been cancelled.

Germantown Symphony Orchestra 250th Anniversary Beethoven Celebration, March 21, at 7 p.m.: GSO is rescheduling this concert and apologizes for any inconvenience.  Please hold onto your tickets and they will be providing additional information once more is known about the future concert schedule.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra: Masterworks 5: Strauss, Tchaikovsky, & Shostakovich, March 22, at 2:30 p.m. MSO will not hold the concert. The decision to reschedule or cancel will be determined at a later date, and will be guided by public health and safety and scheduling considerations. Additional updates will be made on the MSO website, social media and emails to subscribers and ticket buyers. Please contact the MSO Box Office with any ticket related questions at (901) 537-2500 or tickets@memphissymphony.org.

ArtSavvy: Shadow Play Workshop, March 24, at 7 p.m.: This program will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. You can find updates here or on the Facebook event.

Jazz in the Box: Emmet Cohen & Houston Person, March 27, at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.: This show will be rescheduled. We’re working on a new date based on safety and scheduling considerations. GPAC will make an announcement as soon as it is set.

Pilobolus—Shadowland: The New Adventure, March 28, 8 p.m.: Pilobolus’ performance has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 19, at 8 p.m. Tickets for the March performance are valid for the September show.

Visual Arts Exhibit, Artist’s Reception and Artist Chat with Yancy Villa Calvo will be rescheduled for the fall. Keep an eye on information for the 2020-2021 Season for details.

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m. This performance will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. Tickets for the April concert will be valid for the rescheduled show.

Artsavvy: Gullah Traditions, Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m. This program will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. You can find updates here or on the Facebook event.

Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers, Thursday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. This show will be rescheduled, we are working with the tour on a new date.Tickets for the April performance are valid for the rescheduled show.

Ranky Tanky, Friday, April 17, 8 p.m. This performance will be rescheduled or cancelled based on safety and scheduling considerations. Tickets for the April Ranky Tanky concert will be valid for the rescheduled show.

We will communicate updates for these events via the GPAC website, social media and through emails to patrons and ticket holders affected by rescheduled events and cancellations. If you have questions regarding ticketing for the above mentioned performances, please call the GPAC box office at (901) 751-7500 or at boxoffice@gpacweb.com. Thank you for your understanding. 

Quark Theatre (Monday, March 16)

Quark is suspending performances until, hopefully, we can remount it in the (near) future. That may be in 2 weeks; it may be in 2 months. We will keep you informed.

We had originally planned to complete our entire run. While we believe any possibility of virus transmission at Theatre South is quite low because it only holds, at the most, 50 people, we understand the the possibility is not zero. We also understand that people are concerned right now and seem to be getting more so.
We hope to see more of you in the future!


Playhouse on the Square (Monday, March 16)

The safety of our patrons, staff, artists, teachers, and volunteers is of utmost importance, and we at Playhouse on the Square (Circuit Playhouse, Inc.) have been adjusting our plans to confront the challenges of COVID-19 on a daily basis based on information from the CDC, WHO, Shelby County Health Department, City of Memphis, and the State of Tennessee.

 

With 18 productions on 3 stages, 2 school touring productions, and 13 education and outreach programs, reaching 10s of 1000s of people yearly, there are many moving parts, and we strive to present our offerings with as little disruption as possible.

 

This past weekend, the CDC issued new recommendations, and we will be implementing the following courses of action:

 

·      Beginning on 3/16/20, we will be cancelling remaining performances of The Book of Will; Ain’t Misbehavin’; Schoolhouse Rock Live; The Ant and the Grasshopper; and Days of Rage through May 7, 2020.

·      We will push the entire run of Little Shop of Horrors 1 or 2 weeks later to run May 8 through May 31 or May 15 through June 7.

·      We will shorten the run of Mississippi Goddamn by opening one week later to run June 12 through June 28.

·      We will push the entire run of Something Rotten 1 week later  to run June 26 through July 12.

·      St. Paulie’s Delight’s run will retain its current schedule, July 10 through July 26.

·      After School Acting Program (ASAP) and Theatre School will be cancelled until the Fall.

·      TnT and PlaySlam will be postponed to a later date.

·      Summer Youth Conservatory programming will retain its current schedule.

·      The 43rd Annual Original Art Auction, scheduled for April 25, will be postponed until Summer or Fall of 2020.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we hope that you will continue to support Playhouse on the Square as we endeavor to confront both the health and economic challenges to our patrons, staff, teachers, and volunteers.

 

If you have tickets for upcoming cancelled performances, our Box Office team will be reaching out to you to change your reservation to another show, issue refunds, or process your payment as a donation should you prefer that option. Our Box Office (901-726-4656) will maintain normal business hours until further notice.

201 Poplar (Monday, March 16)

In light of the health and safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the criminal justice system at 201 Poplar will be functioning much differently over the next few weeks, Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich said Monday.

Major changes will include:

• Out-of-custody defendants with cases in General Sessions and/or Criminal Court will have their cases reset automatically to the corresponding day of the week of April 20, 2020, through May 5, 2020. You do not need to appear at 201 Poplar.

Here is the updated schedule:

• In-custody cases are top priority and will be handled as usual.

• There will be no jury trials until further notice.

• The Shelby County Grand Jury will not meet until further notice.

• If you are a victim or a witness subpoenaed by the DA’s office, someone from the DA’s office will contact you. If you have not been contacted within a day of your ordered appearance, please call 901-222-1300 and ask for the Victim Witness Unit.

Other important numbers to keep:

General Sessions Criminal Court Clerk – 901-222-3500

Criminal Court Clerk – 901-222-3200


Gold Strike Casino Resort (Monday, March 16)

GM Resorts International announced its decision to temporarily suspend operations at its two Mississippi properties, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and Gold Strike Casino Resort, until further notice, effective as of Tuesday, March 17th. Casino operations will close at 6 a.m. CST, followed by hotel operations.

“Our highest priority remains the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees. We will work to mitigate the impact this will have on our employees, partners and communities,” said MGM Chief Operating Officer and president Bill Hornbuckle. “We will continue monitoring the situation and announce plans for reopening when appropriate.”

Crosstown Arts (Saturday, March 14)

Crosstown Arts is working to help slow the potential transmission of coronavirus and is postponing all music performances, public events, gallery open hours, Shared Art Making open hours, and food/beverage service at the cafe and Art Bar through April 1. Refunds to any ticketed events will be issued within 48 hours.

For updates about when these spaces and programs will resume normal operation, please look for an announcement in the Crosstown Arts newsletter; check out crosstownarts.org; or follow Crosstown Arts on social media — Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens (Monday, March 16)

Dear Friends,

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is above all concerned for the health and safety of our visitors, employees, and many volunteers. We are measuring our response to the new Coronavirus/COVID 19 by the best and most current information available from the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Shelby County Health Department, the American Alliance of Museums, all the area hospitals, and the City of Memphis. We have taken part in conference calls with the Association of Art Museum Directors, ArtsMemphis, and the Cultural Coalition of Memphis to learn how other organizations are gathering information and making decisions. We have been impressed by the spirit of cooperation, the sharing of information, the sacrifice, and the genuine compassion of the cultural sector in Memphis.

The Dixon has taken a number of actions—some very difficult—in trying to combat the spread of Coronavirus/COVID 19 in our community. Effective Tuesday, March 17, we are closing the Dixon Galleries, the museum facility, for the next two weeks. We will see where we are on Monday, March 30. Count on regular updates. We also are cancelling all education and outreach programs, whether in the museum or in the gardens, and asking our many volunteers to work from home the next two weeks or to take a few days off.

The Dixon is also canceling or postponing the following large events: the Margaret Oates Dixon Society gathering (18 March); the Philipp Laagland lecture (19 March); the Daffodil Show (20-21 March); the Director of Horticulture tour of ‘Dixon Blooms’ (24 March); the Memphis Flower Show (3-5 April); the Cosmopolitans Spring Party (9 April); and the Dixon Easter Egg Hunt (11 April). The Dixon is determined to make good and transparent decisions for the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, and to get reliable information to you in a timely fashion.

For the time being, the Dixon Gardens will remain open. If you come to the gardens, please be considerate of one another’s personal space. Temporary social distancing is one of the very simple actions we can all practice—along with staying home if we feel ill, washing our hands vigorously and frequently, and refraining from touching our faces—to thwart COVID 19. The Dixon has also doubled and tripled our cleaning and disinfecting efforts around our campus.

The best thing the Dixon can do for our community right now is to eliminate any close public interactions that are not necessary. Don’t get me wrong, art is essential, but it is also eternal, and it will be waiting for you in the Dixon Galleries when we reopen. And the Dixon Gardens await you. With 200,000 tulips and other flowering bulbs coming into bloom, the gardens offer abundant joy and solace in these challenging times. I repeat, our seventeen acres also present more than ample room for safe social distancing. Please respect the personal space of others while you are here.

Thank you for your support of the Dixon. We will get through this together.

Kevin Sharp

Stax Museum of American Soul Music (Monday, March 16)

The Soulsville Foundation – which operates the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School at the original site of Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee –has made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Stax Museum beginning March 18, 2020 out of concern for the safety of its employees, visitors, volunteers, and other guests amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

While we have not seen any signs of COVID-19 among our staff and visitors, we feel that we should take this preventative measure because the circumstances surrounding the virus are changing by the hour and we always err on the side of caution when it comes to safety, which is our top priority.

While the museum’s closure status will be reevaluated every two weeks, it is postponing until further notice all events and programs until at least April 30, 2020.

The Stax Museum is unique in that it is not only an international tourist destination drawing people from around the world and a community-based museum offering free programming for the general public throughout the year, but it also shares the same campus as the aforementioned Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School, which provide education and other services to roughly 800 children and families each day. In keeping with Shelby County Schools’ policies, both schools are closed until March 30, 2020.

“Like the rest of the world, we are deeply concerned about the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak,” said Soulsville Foundation President and CEO Richard Greenwald. “We realize that many of the Stax Museum’s guests travel to Memphis from across the United States and from other countries and, given the propensity for the virus to affect those traveling, we feel it’s our responsibility to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by temporarily closing the Stax Museum. It’s not an easy decision but we feel it’s the right thing to do at this time.”

In the meantime, the Soulsville Foundation will continue deep cleaning and sanitizing of all its facilities and following all protocol set forth by the American Alliance of Museums, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Shelby County Health Department, and other relevant organizations. We urge everyone to follow these guidelines to help stop the spread of the virus.

We will keep the public updated on any and all changes during this time and regret any inconvenience.

“Our hearts go out to the millions of people being affected by COVID-19,” Greenwald continued. “Our hope is that the pandemic will eventually subside and we can return to business as usual of preserving and promoting the legacy of Stax Records in the many ways we do that.”

Earnestine & Hazel’s (Posted there Thursday, March 12)

Toby Sells

Earnestine & Hazel’s wil shut down for two weeks.

Owners of Earnestine & Hazel’s closed the “most popular dive bar in America” for two weeks in a memorandum that appeared on the bar’s front door Thursday.

“I hope my actions are going to be considered overkill, perhaps like taking a flame thrower to a cockroach,” said co-owner (and medical doctor) Dr. Kevin Merigian. “My intuition tells me otherwise.

Agricenter (Monday, March 16)

Agricenter is closely monitoring the recommendations from the CDC and Shelby County Health Department as it relates to COVID-19 in our region. CDC issued guidance over the weekend on limiting gatherings to 50 people or less.

Effective immediately, all event activities in Agricenter’s Expo Center, ShowPlace Arena, and Farmer’s Market that are larger than 50 people will be postponed or cancelled through March 31, 2020.

Agricenter is working closely with show organizers to reschedule their events as possible. Event notices will be posted on the events page here: www.agricenter.org/events

Memphis International Raceway (Monday, March 16)

Memphis International Raceway (MIR) and its parent company IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) have made changes to the upcoming event schedule in adherence with national, state and local public health officials’ recommendations to limit the spread of COVID-19.

• The 34th annual Super Chevy Show has been postponed and rescheduled to Sept. 25-27, 2020
• Memphis International Raceway will host an action-packed doubleheader weekend by combining the 34th annual Super Chevy Show with the ARCA Racing Series 200 championship race of the Sioux Chief Showdown Saturday, Sept. 26 – this is a weekend you will not want to miss
• Anyone who has purchased tickets to the 34th Annual Super Chevy Show will be able to transfer their tickets to the rescheduled date of Sept. 25-27, 2020.


Children’s Museum of Memphis (Monday, March 16)

The Children’s Museum of Memphis will be closed temporarily as a safety measure beginning Tuesday, March 17, based on the CDC and local health departmental recommendations.

Dr. Stewart Burgess, Executive Director of the museum, said: “Although we have not had any presumed or confirmed cases of the virus at the museum, we would rather do our part to protect the safety of our visitors, staff, and the community.”

Although we are making this adjustment, we plan to provide parents with fun, educational materials, and creative suggestions to keep their children engaged. And, of course, we will have some fun activities planned for when this concern has been resolved.

Our staff will continue to monitor released health updates and will post any updates on our website and social channels.

Indie Memphis (Monday, March 16)

Indie Memphis is postponing upcoming events in March and April as a precaution to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

If you purchased a ticket to a film screening, you will be receiving a refund and/or your member credits will be returned.

Our youth film mentor teams have been recommended to meet virtually during this time to avoid close contact.

I am in regular communication with our peer arts organizations in Memphis and around the country as the situation evolves. We look forward to announcing new programming and rescheduling screenings when the time is appropriate.

National Civil Rights Museum (Monday, March 16)

The Lorraine Motel is among the three sites in Memphis to be included on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

A Special Alert from the National Civil Rights Museum
regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalating, the National Civil Rights Museum will temporarily CLOSED to the public, beginning Tuesday, March 17, until further notice. We recognize that this situation is extremely fluid and feel it necessary to halt operations to ensure the safety of our employees and guests.

While the Museum is closed, all public events and programming are cancelled. This includes our annual April 4th commemorative service.

We will provide frequent updates on any changes in our operations status. Thank you for your understanding as we work together to ensure a safe environment for everyone associated with the Museum.

For more information from health officials regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Kroc Center of Memphis

In light of the national developments and rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus), the Kroc Center of Memphis has temporarily suspended all public programming and operations effective immediately.

As risks have increased regarding community spread of COVID-19 across Memphis and the Mid-South, we have considered all options and have ultimately decided to follow CDC guidelines to limit public exposures. As such, all activity, with the exception of Spring Break camp, will be suspended in our building effective Monday, March 16. Spring Break Camp will be held March 16-17 only.

As this matter evolves, we will offer facility updates on when we plan to reopen. Our local and national Kroc Center teams are working within parameters set forth by the CDC and the guidance of local government to determine when we can safely return to normal operations. For those that are enrolled in programs, we will communicate plans for rescheduling as that information becomes available. If you have any questions in the interim, please contact us at info@krocmemphis.org. You may also call 901.729.8007, and press 2.

Temporarily closing our doors is a difficult decision, as we balance being available to the community with being proactive in the interest of public health. We are grateful to have your understanding and patience during this time.

We truly appreciate your support and commitment to helping us create a welcoming space for Worship, Arts, Education, and Recreation. We know that staying fit and active is our best way to build a strong immune system and stay healthy. Even though you can’t make it in to join us in person, here is a FREE online option of our Les Mills fitness classes to help keep you active and working out at home. This platform offers 95 free workouts across 8 categories and it will remain available as long as the disruption from Coronavirus continues. Additionally, we plan to post on our social media platforms, providing tips to stay active and engaged over the coming day.

Please continue to observe the recommended practices for maintaining good health, and we look forward to seeing you when the Kroc Center reopens.

Blessings,

The Salvation Army Kroc Center

Memphis Restaurant Association (Monday, March 16)

Postponed – Pro Tips for Avoiding ADA Nightmares
We feel it is responsible to postpone the March membership meeting at this time.

Thanks to Evans Petree for being flexible and agreeing to speak at a later date which is to be determined.

Brooks Museum of Art (Sunday, March 15)

We have made the painful but necessary decision to temporarily close the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, effective Sunday, March 15 at 5:00 pm until March 31, 2020. This includes all public programming.⁣

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Since March 4, the Brooks staff has made extraordinary efforts to disinfect and sanitize its spaces. We now believe we must close temporarily to further limit transmission of COVID-19, and do all we can as a public institution to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and community.⁣
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We understand how rapidly this situation is evolving, so we will provide updates as we have more information. ⁣
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Meanwhile, as one of our region’s greatest cultural assets, we hope that you will enjoy checking our website and social media to experience our temporary exhibition, “Native Voices, 1950s to Now: Art for a New Understanding,” our great permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, drawings, photographs, decorative arts, and new media; and snapshots of some of our nationally-recognized educational programs in action. ⁣
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We appreciate your support of the Brooks and our efforts to care for our community. We assure you that our staff and Board are committed to making this effort as effective and smooth as possible for everyone in our great city.
Categories
Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

From Ava Gardner to Reese Witherspoon to King Kong, a Classic Week at The Movies

Eva Gardner in Pandora and the Flying Dutchman

It’s a week of classics on the big screen in Memphis. First up, tonight, March 10th, a new regular film series begins at Black Lodge. Steve Ross, who recently retired as Professor Emeritus of the University of Memphis’ Communications and Film Department, was approached by his former film students Chad Allen Barton and Stephen Hildreth and Lodge owner Matt Martin to share some of his favorites with audiences.

“I immediately thought of Black Lodge as the perfect venue for a series of American films from the 1950’s—specifically, glossy melodramas by directors like Vincent Minnelli and Douglas Sirk,” says Ross. “These were enormously popular films that were too overwrought, too excessive, and too flamboyant to be taken seriously by critics at the time of their release. Black Lodge has never shied away from films that some might condemn as disreputable. And Written On The Wind is one of the most disreputable examples of high-gloss melodramas with sly undercurrents of satire running through them.”

The screening is free, and the show starts at 7 p.m. tonight. Check out the wild opening credit sequence of Written On The Wind to get a taste of delicious disreputability, 1956-style.

From Ava Gardner to Reese Witherspoon to King Kong, a Classic Week at The Movies (2)

Tomorrow, Wednesday March 11th, Indie Memphis’ weekly film series presents another melodrama from the 1950s. Pandora and the Flying Dutchman was Ava Gardner’s first bona fide star vehicle. It’s a weird supernatural thriller from director Albert Lewin that has Gardner cast as a femme fatale named for the demi-goddess of chaos and James Mason as the possible incarnation of the Flying Dutchman. Also, there are racecars. The 4K restoration of the film screens at Malco Ridgeway at 7 p.m.

From Ava Gardner to Reese Witherspoon to King Kong, a Classic Week at The Movies

On Thursday night at Crosstown Theater, the Arthouse series presents a doozy. Reese Witherspoon got an Oscar for playing June Carter Cash, but 10 years earlier she was a crazed Little Red Riding Hood taking preemptive revenge on big bad Kiefer Southerland in one of the weirder post-Pulp Fiction sordid crime pictures. Behold the sleazy glory of Freeway, playing at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

From Ava Gardner to Reese Witherspoon to King Kong, a Classic Week at The Movies (3)

On Sunday, March 15th at 1 p.m., Turner Classic Movies is bringing King Kong to the Malco Paradiso. Is it just me, or did it always seem like a really bad idea to bring the big ape to Broadway? This is not a hindsight thing. Just seems like common sense. But what do I know about showbiz?

From Ava Gardner to Reese Witherspoon to King Kong, a Classic Week at The Movies (4)

Categories
Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

International Jewish Film Festival Finale and Do the Right Thing This Week in Theaters

Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles

The 2020 Morris and Mollye Fogelman International Jewish Film Festival ends today (Tuesday, February 25th) with a sure-fire crowd pleaser. Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles is a documentary about the origin and impact of Fiddler On The Roof, the 1964 musical about a Jewish community trying to stay together in Tsarist Russia.

The Best Musical Tony winner was one of the most successful Broadway plays of all time and has become a staple of musical theater, and a touchstone for Jewish diaspora communities all over the world. The acclaimed documentary puts the play and the film adaptation in context with the political and social forces that influenced the play’s creation and its rise to take a place in the canon. The show starts at 6:30 at Temple Israel.

Cantor Abbie Strauss will open the program by singing several songs from the play, and at $5 for members and $7 for the community, you don’t have to be a rich man to attend.

International Jewish Film Festival Finale and Do the Right Thing This Week in Theaters

On Wednesday, February 26th, Indie Memphis presents Vitalina Varela, a film by acclaimed Portuguese director Pedro Costa. The screening starts at 7 PM at Malco Ridgeway.

International Jewish Film Festival Finale and Do the Right Thing This Week in Theaters (2)

The Malco Studio on the Square Thursday Throwback selection this week is Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, the 1989 masterpiece that made the director a household name (even among people who never saw the movie) and, among other epochal accomplishments, introduced a guy named Samuel L. Jackson to a wider audience.

International Jewish Film Festival Finale and Do the Right Thing This Week in Theaters (3)