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2021: Here’s Looking at You

If 2020 was the year of despair, 2021 appears to be the year of hope.

Wanna see what that could look like? Cast your gaze to Wuhan, China, birthplace of COVID-19.

News footage from Business Insider shows hundreds of carefree young people gathered in a massive swimming pool, dancing and splashing at a rock concert. They are effortlessly close together and there’s not a mask in sight. Bars and restaurants are packed with maskless revelers. Night markets are jammed. Business owners smile, remember the bleak times, and say the worst is behind them. How far behind? There’s already a COVID-19 museum in Wuhan.

That could be Memphis (once again) one day. But that day is still likely months off. Vaccines arrived here in mid-December. Early doses rightfully went to frontline healthcare workers. Doses for the masses won’t likely come until April or May, according to health experts.

While we still cannot predict exactly “what” Memphians will be (can be?) doing next year, we can tell you “where” they might be doing it. New places will open their doors next year, and Memphis is set for some pretty big upgrades.

But it doesn’t stop there. “Memphis has momentum” was Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s catchphrase as he won a second term for the office last October. It did. New building projects bloomed like the Agricenter’s sunflowers. And it still does. Believe it or not, not even COVID-19 could douse developers’ multi-million-dollar optimism on the city.

Here are few big projects slated to open in 2021:

Renasant Convention Center

Throughout 2020, crews have been hard at work inside and outside the building once called the Cook Convention Center.

City officials and Memphis Tourism broke ground on a $200-million renovation project for the building in January 2020. The project will bring natural light and color to the once dark and drab convention center built in 1974. The first events are planned for the Renasant Convention Center in the new year.

Memphis International Airport

Memphis International Airport

Expect the ribbon to be cut on Memphis International Airport’s $245-million concourse modernization project in 2021. The project was launched in 2014 in an effort to upgrade the airport’s concourse to modern standards and to right-size the space after Delta de-hubbed the airport.

Once finished, all gates, restaurants, shops, and more will be located in a single concourse. The space will have higher ceilings, more natural light, wider corridors, moving walkways, children’s play areas, a stage for live music, and more.

Collage Dance Collective

The beautiful new building on the corner of Tillman and Sam Cooper is set to open next year in an $11-million move for the Collage Dance Collective.

The 22,000-square-foot performing arts school will feature five studios, office space, a dressing room, a study lounge, 70 parking spaces, and a physical therapy area.

The Memphian Hotel

The Memphian Hotel

A Facebook post by The Memphian Hotel reads, “Who is ready for 2021?” The hotel is, apparently. Developers told the Daily Memphian recently that the 106-room, $24-million hotel is slated to open in April.

“Walking the line between offbeat and elevated, The Memphian will give guests a genuine taste of Midtown’s unconventional personality, truly capturing the free spirit of the storied art district in which the property sits,” reads a news release.

Watch for work to begin next year on big projects in Cooper-Young, the Snuff District, Liberty Park, Tom Lee Park, and The Walk. — Toby Sells

Book ‘Em

After the Spanish flu epidemic and World War I came a flood of convention-defying fiction as authors wrestled with the trauma they had lived through. E.M. Forster confronted colonialism and rigid gender norms in A Passage to India. Virginia Woolf published Mrs. Dalloway. James Joyce gave readers Ulysses. Langston Hughes’ first collection, The Weary Blues, was released.

It’s too early to tell what authors and poets will make of 2020, a year in which America failed to contain the coronavirus. This reader, though, is eager to see what comes.

Though I’ve been a bit too nervous to look very far into 2021 (I don’t want to jinx it, you know?), there are a few books already on my to-read list. First up, I’m excited for MLK50 founding managing editor Deborah Douglas’ U.S. Civil Rights Trail, due in January. Douglas lives in Chicago now, but there’s sure to be some Memphis in that tome.

Next, Ed Tarkington’s The Fortunate Ones, also due in January, examines privilege and corruption on Nashville’s Capitol Hill. Early reviews have compared Tarkington to a young Pat Conroy. For anyone disappointed in Tennessee’s response to any of this year’s crises, The Fortunate Ones is not to be missed.

Most exciting, perhaps, is the forthcoming Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda prose anthology, expected February 2nd. The anthology is edited by Memphis-born journalist Jesse J. Holland, and also features a story by him, as well as Memphians Sheree Renée Thomas, Troy L. Wiggins, and Danian Darrell Jerry.

“To be in pages with so many Memphis writers just feels wonderful,” Thomas told me when I called her to chat about the good news. “It’s a little surreal, but it’s fun,” Jerry adds, explaining that he’s been a Marvel comics fan since childhood. “I get to mix some of those childhood imaginings with some of the skills I’ve worked to acquire over the years.”

Though these books give just a glimpse at the literary landscape of the coming year, if they’re any indication of what’s to come, then, if nothing else, Memphians will have more great stories to look forward to. — Jesse Davis

Courtesy Memphis Redbirds

AutoZone Park

Take Me Out With the Crowd

Near the end of my father’s life, we attended a Redbirds game together at AutoZone Park. A few innings into the game, Dad turned to me and said, “I like seeing you at a ballpark. I can tell your worries ease.”

Then along came 2020, the first year in at least four decades that I didn’t either play in a baseball game or watch one live, at a ballpark, peanuts and Cracker Jack a soft toss away. The pandemic damaged most sports over the last 12 months, but it all but killed minor-league baseball, the small-business version of our national pastime, one that can’t lean on television and sponsorship revenue to offset the loss of ticket-buying fans on game day. AutoZone Park going a year without baseball is the saddest absence I’ve felt in Memphis culture since moving to this remarkable town in 1991. And I’m hoping today — still 2020, dammit — that 2021 marks a revival, even if it’s gradual. In baseball terms, we fans will take a base on balls to get things going before we again swing for the fences.

All indications are that vaccines will make 2021 a better year for gathering, be it at your favorite watering hole or your favorite ballpark. Indications also suggest that restrictions will remain in place well into the spring and summer (baseball season). How many fans can a ballpark host and remain safe? How many fans will enjoy the “extras” of an evening at AutoZone Park — that sunset over the Peabody, that last beer in the seventh inning — if a mask must be worn as part of the experience? And what kind of operation will we see when the gates again open? Remember, these are small businesses. Redbirds president Craig Unger can be seen helping roll out the tarp when a July thunderstorm interrupts the Redbirds and Iowa Cubs. What will “business as usual” mean for Triple-A baseball as we emerge from the pandemic?

I wrote down three words and taped them up on my home-office wall last March: patience, determination, and empathy. With a few more doses of each — and yes, millions of doses of one vaccine or another — the sports world will regain crowd-thrilling normalcy. For me, it will start when I take a seat again in my happy place. It’s been a long, long time, Dad, since my worries properly eased.— Frank Murtaugh

Film in 2021: Don’t Give up Hope

“Nobody knows anything.” Never has William Goldman’s immortal statement about Hollywood been more true. Simply put, 2020 was a disaster for the industry. The pandemic closed theaters and called Hollywood’s entire business model into question. Warner Brothers’ announcement that it would stream all of its 2021 offerings on HBO Max sent shock waves through the industry. Some said it was the death knell for theaters.

I don’t buy it. Warner Brothers, owned by AT&T and locked in a streaming war with Netflix and Disney, are chasing the favor of Wall Street investors, who love the rent-seeking streaming model. But there’s just too much money on the table to abandon theaters. 2019 was a record year at the box office, with $42 billion in worldwide take, $11.4 billion of which was from North America. Theatrical distribution is a proven business model that has worked for 120 years. Netflix, on the other hand, is $12 billion in debt.

Will audiences return to theaters once we’ve vaccinated our way out of the coronavirus-shaped hole we’re in? Prediction at this point is a mug’s game, but signs point to yes. Tenet, which will be the year’s biggest film, grossed $303 million in overseas markets where the virus was reasonably under control. In China, where the pandemic started, a film called My People, My Homeland has brought in $422 million since October 1st. I don’t know about y’all, but once I get my jab, they’re going to have to drag me out of the movie theater.

There will be quite a bit to watch. With the exception of Wonder Woman 1984, the 2020 blockbusters were pushed to 2021, including Dune, Spielberg’s West Side Story remake, the latest James Bond installment No Time to Die, Marvel’s much-anticipated Black Widow, Top Gun: Maverick, and Godzilla vs. Kong. Memphis director Craig Brewer’s second film with Eddie Murphy, the long-awaited Coming 2 America, will bow on Amazon March 5th, with the possibility of a theatrical run still in the cards.

There’s no shortage of smaller, excellent films on tap. Regina King’s directorial debut One Night in Miami, about a meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown, premieres January 15th. Minari, the stunning story of Korean immigrants in rural Arkansas, which was Indie Memphis 2020’s centerpiece film, lands February 12th. The Bob’s Burgers movie starts cooking April 9th. And coolest of all, next month Indie Memphis will partner with Sundance to bring the latest in cutting-edge cinema to the Malco Summer Drive-In. There’s plenty to be hopeful for in the new year. — Chris McCoy

Looking Ahead: Music

We usually highlight the upcoming hot concerts in this space, but those are still on the back burner. Instead, get a load of these stacks of hot wax (and streams) dropping next year. Remember, the artists get a better share when you purchase rather than stream, especially physical product like vinyl.

Alysse Gafkjen

Julien Baker

One of the biggest-profile releases will be Julien Baker’s Little Oblivians, due out on Matador in February. Her single “Faith Healer” gives us a taste of what to expect. Watch the Flyer for more on that soon. As for other drops from larger indie labels, Merge will offer up A Little More Time with Reigning Sound in May (full disclosure: this all-Memphis version of the band includes yours truly).

Closer to home, John Paul Keith’s The Rhythm of the City also drops in February, co-released by hometown label Madjack and Italian imprint Wild Honey. Madjack will also offer up albums by Mark Edgar Stuart and Jed Zimmerman, the latter having been produced by Stuart. Matt Ross-Spang is mixing Zimmerman’s record, and there’s much buzz surrounding it (but don’t worry, it’s properly grounded).

Jeremy Stanfill mines similar Americana territory, and he’ll release new work on the Blue Barrel imprint. Meanwhile, look for more off-kilter sounds from Los Psychosis and Alicja Trout’s Alicja-Pop project, both on Black & Wyatt. That label will also be honored with a compilation of their best releases so far, by Head Perfume out of Dresden. On the quieter side of off-kilter, look for Aquarian Blood’s Sending the Golden Hour on Goner in May.

Bruce Watson’s Delta-Sonic Sound studio has been busy, and affiliated label Bible & Tire Recording Co. will release a big haul of old-school gospel, some new, some archival, including artists Elizabeth King and Pastor Jack Ward, and compilations from the old J.C.R. and D-Vine Spiritual labels. Meanwhile, Big Legal Mess will drop new work from singer/songwriter Alexa Rose and, in March, Luna 68 — the first new album from the City Champs in 10 years. Expect more groovy organ and guitar boogaloo jazz from the trio, with a heaping spoonful of science-fiction exotica to boot.

Many more artists will surely be releasing Bandcamp singles, EPs, and more, but for web-based content that’s thinking outside of the stream, look for the January premiere of Unapologetic’s UNDRGRNDAF RADIO, to be unveiled on weareunapologetic.com and their dedicated app. — Alex Greene

Chewing Over a Tough Year

Beware the biohazard.

Samuel X. Cicci

The Beauty Shop

Perhaps a bit hyperbolic, but the image that pops into my head when thinking about restaurants in 2020 are the contagion-esque geo-domes that Karen Carrier set up on the back patio of the Beauty Shop. A clever conceit, but also a necessary one — a move designed to keep diners safe and separated when going out to eat. If it all seems a little bizarre, well, that’s what 2020 was thanks to COVID-19.

We saw openings, closings, restrictions, restrictions lifted, restrictions then put back in place; the Memphis Restaurant Association and Shelby County Health Department arguing back and forth over COVID guidelines, with both safety and survival at stake; and establishments scrambling to find creative ways to drum up business. The Beauty Shop domes were one such example. The Reilly’s Downtown Majestic Grille, on the other hand, transformed into Cocozza, an Italian ghost concept restaurant put into place until it was safe to reopen Majestic in its entirety. Other places, like Global Café, put efforts in place to help provide meals to healthcare professionals or those who had fallen into financial hardship during the pandemic.

Unfortunately, not every restaurant was able to survive the pandemic. The popular Lucky Cat Ramen on Broad Ave. closed its doors, as did places like Puck Food Hall, 3rd & Court, Avenue Coffee, Midtown Crossing Grill, and many others.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Working in the hospitality business requires a certain kind of resilience, and that showed up in spades. Many restaurants adapted to new regulations quickly, and with aplomb, doing their best to create a safe environment for hungry Memphians all while churning out takeout and delivery orders.

And even amid a pandemic backdrop, many aspiring restaurateurs tried their hand at opening their own places. Chip and Amanda Dunham branched out from the now-closed Grove Grill to open Magnolia & May, a country brasserie in East Memphis. Just a few blocks away, a new breakfast joint popped up in Southall Café. Downtown, the Memphis Chess Club opened its doors, complete with a full-service café and restaurant. Down in Whitehaven, Ken and Mary Olds created Muggin Coffeehouse, the first locally owned coffee shop in the neighborhood. And entrepreneurial-minded folks started up their own delivery-only ventures, like Brittney Adu’s Furloaved Breads + Bakery.

So what will next year bring? With everything thrown out of whack, I’m loath to make predictions, but with a vaccine on the horizon, I’m hoping (fingers crossed) that it becomes safer to eat out soon, and the restaurant industry can begin a long-overdue recovery. And to leave you with what will hopefully be a metaphor for restaurants in 2021: By next summer, Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman’s Hog & Hominy will complete its Phoenician rebirth from the ashes of a disastrous fire and open its doors once again.

In the meantime, keep supporting your local restaurants! — Samuel X. Cicci

“Your Tickets Will be at Will Call”

Oh, to hear those words again, and plenty of arts organizations are eager to say them. The pandemic wrecked the seasons for performing arts groups and did plenty of damage to museums and galleries.

Not that they haven’t made valiant and innovative efforts to entertain from afar with virtual programming.

But they’re all hoping to mount physical, not virtual, seasons in the coming year.

Playhouse on the Square suspended scheduled in-person stage productions until June 2021. This includes the 52nd season lineup of performances that were to be on the stages of Playhouse on the Square, The Circuit Playhouse, and TheatreWorks at the Square. It continues to offer the Playhouse at Home Series, digital content via its website and social media.

Theatre Memphis celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2021 and is eager to show off its new facility, a major renovation that was going to shut it down most of 2020 anyway while it expanded common spaces and added restrooms and production space while updating dressing rooms and administrative offices. But the hoped-for August opening was pushed back, and it plans to reschedule the programming for this season to next.

Hattiloo Theatre will continue to offer free online programming in youth acting and technical theater, and it has brought a five-week playwright’s workshop and free Zoom panel discussions with national figures in Black theater. Like the other institutions, it is eager to get back to the performing stage when conditions allow.

Ballet Memphis has relied on media and platforms that don’t require contact, either among audience members or dancers. But if there are fewer partnerings among dancers, there are more solos, and group movement is well-distanced. The organization has put several short pieces on video, releasing some and holding the rest for early next year. It typically doesn’t start a season until late summer or early fall, so the hope is to get back into it without missing a step.

Opera Memphis is active with its live Sing2Me program of mobile opera concerts and programming on social media. Its typical season starts with 30 Days of Opera in August that usually leads to its first big production of the season, so, COVID willing, that may emerge.

Courtesy Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Dana Claxton, Headdress at the Brooks earlier this year.

Museums and galleries, such as the Dixon Gallery & Gardens, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, National Civil Rights Museum, and the Metal Museum are functioning at limited capacity, but people can go and enjoy the offerings. The scope of the shows is limited, as coronavirus has put the kibosh on blockbuster shows for now. Look for easing of protocols as the situation allows in the coming year. — Jon W. Sparks

Politics

Oyez. Oyez. Oh yes, there is one year out of every four in which regularly scheduled elections are not held in Shelby County, and 2021 is such a year. But decisions will be made during the year by the Republican super-majority of the state legislature in Nashville that will have a significant bearing on the elections that will occur in the three-year cycle of 2022-2024 and, in fact, on those occurring through 2030.

This would be in the course of the constitutionally required ritual during which district lines are redefined every 10 years for the decade to come, in the case of legislative seats and Congressional districts. The U.S. Congress, on the basis of population figures provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, will have allocated to each state its appropriate share of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. And the state legislature will determine how that number is apportioned statewide. The current number of Tennessee’s Congressional seats is nine. The state’s legislative ratio is fixed at 99 state House members and 33 members of the state Senate.

Tennessee is one of 37 states in which, as indicated, the state legislature calls the shots for both Congressional and state redistricting. The resultant redistricting undergoes an approval process like any other measure, requiring a positive vote in both the state Senate and the state House, with the Governor empowered to consent or veto.

No one anticipates any disagreements between any branches of government. Any friction in the redistricting process will likely involve arguments over turf between neighboring GOP legislators. Disputes emanating from the minority Democrats will no doubt be at the mercy of the courts.

The forthcoming legislative session is expected to be lively, including holdover issues relating to constitutional carry (the scrapping of permits for firearms), private school vouchers (currently awaiting a verdict by the state Supreme Court), and, as always, abortion. Measures relating to the ongoing COVID crisis and vaccine distribution are expected, as is a proposal to give elected county executives primacy over health departments in counties where the latter exist.

There is no discernible disharmony between those two entities in Shelby County, whose government has devoted considerable attention over the last year to efforts to control the pandemic and offset its effects. Those will continue, as well as efforts to broaden the general inclusiveness of county government vis-à-vis ethnic and gender groups.

It is still a bit premature to speculate on future shifts of political ambition, except to say that numerous personalities, in both city and county government, are eyeing the prospects of succeeding Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland in 2023. And several Democrats are looking at a potential race against District Attorney General Amy Weirich in 2022.

There are strong rumors that, after a false start or two, Memphis will follow the lead of several East Tennessee co-ops and finally depart from TVA.

And meanwhile, in March, the aforesaid Tennessee Democrats will select a new chair from numerous applicants. — Jackson Baker

Categories
Cover Feature News

Give Memphis! Great Local Gift Ideas for the Holidays

CREDIT: Greg Cravens

Greg Cravens

If 2020 has proven anything, it’s that we need to come together to support our community — the health, happiness, and longevity of our fellow Memphians count on it now more than ever. While we may not be able to gather with friends and family for gift exchanges like we have in the past, we can still lift their spirits with thoughtful presents that help our local restaurants, retail outlets, and entrepreneurs keep doing what they do. Think local this season!

A Box of Magic

Have a giftee in your life who seeks to better understand their own power, to look within and outside for growth and restoration? Give them a box of magic, or as Sami Harvey, owner of Foxglove Pharm, calls it: a Coven Box.

“I’ve always been amazed by Mother Nature’s ability to heal, and I love finding new ways to use her ingredients to solve my problems,” Harvey says. “I started Foxglove Pharm in 2017 because I wanted to share some of those solutions with my community.”

Each subscription box ($40/month) includes a rotating variety of handcrafted herbal “remeteas” (About Last Night: Hangover Tea, Out of the Blue: Third Eye Tea, and others), scented oils, Resting Witch Face skincare products, rituals, and more special items that “honor the moon, the current astrological phase, and a featured plant.”

Sami Harvey

Each month, she partners with another local maker or small business to spotlight their wares. For her Foxglove offerings, Harvey is “the only witch in the kitchen,” so the products are small-batch and made with “ethically sourced, organic, sustainable ingredients.”

Regarding the rituals included in a box (or separately on the website), Harvey says, “These aren’t like supernatural spells that will destroy all your enemies and turn Michelle Obama into your BFF. But they’re ways to meditate and channel your energy into manifesting a better reality for yourself. The real magic ingredient is you and your intention.”

Visit foxglovepharm.com to order a Coven Box and shop products. — Shara Clark

Feed an Artist

The old cliché about “starving artists” has seldom been more true. Buying art is often the last thing folks are thinking about during tough times like these, but our Memphis painters and sculptors and photographers — and their galleries — have bills to pay, just like the rest of us. That’s why this might be a great year to put a new painting on your wall, or gift someone a work of art so they’ll be reminded of you every day.

Courtesy Jay Etkin Gallery

Untitled by John Ryan

There are many fine galleries in Memphis. Here are just a few: L Ross, David Lusk, Jay Etkin, Crosstown Arts, Orange Mound Gallery, Art Village, Cooper-Young Gallery, and B. Collective. Artists featured include Matthew Hasty, Jeanne Seagle, John Ryan, Mary Long, Roy Tamboli, Eunika Rogers, Cat Pena, Yancy Villa-Calvo, Hamlett Dobbins, Anne Siems, Tim Craddock, and many, many more. In addition, many galleries are featuring special holiday shows.

End what has been a nightmarish year on an upbeat note: Buy a piece of art. It’s good for your heart. — Bruce VanWyngarden

Let Them Eat Cake

I’d be happy to receive a Memphis Bourbon Caramel Cake from Sugar Avenue Bakery, either in or out of my stocking. This is the Sugar Avenue collaboration with Old Dominick Distillery.

Just listening to Sugar Avenue owner Ed Crenshaw describe the six-inch cake makes me crave a slice or three: “The cake is four layers. Each layer is literally soaked in a bourbon caramel sauce. And then our caramel icing, which we make from scratch.”

Courtesy Ben Fant

Sugar Avenue cake

Sugar Avenue worked with Old Dominick’s master distiller/senior vice president Alex Castle to come up with the perfect blend of cake and bourbon. Old Dominick’s Huling Station Straight Bourbon Whiskey was chosen for the cake, which has “a great hint of bourbon flavor,” Crenshaw says. “We add bourbon to the icing and ice the cake with it.”

To help you get even more into the holiday spirit, Sugar Avenue Bakery recently began adding two-ounce jars of extra caramel sauce with every bourbon-flavored cake.

Memphis Bourbon Caramel Cakes are $55 each, and they’re available at sugaravenue.com. — Michael Donahue

Accessorize in Style

When Memphians need to give the gift of stylish living, they turn to Cheryl Pesce, the jewelry and lifestyle store in Crosstown Concourse. The store takes its name from its owner, Cheryl Pesce, a jewelry maker, entrepreneur, and all-around style guru.

This month, Pesce opened a second store in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, giving Bluff City-area shoppers double the chances to find — and give — stylish accoutrements. “I’m banking on Memphis,” Pesce explains. And Memphis seems ready to support Pesce. “We had a grand open house, social distancing into the parking lot, and it went well.”

Courtesy Cheryl Pesce

Handmade jewelry from Cheryl Pesce

The store opening story is just the tip of the breaking-news iceberg, though. Pesce tells me excitedly that she’s been in touch with fashion designer Patrick Henry, aka Richfresh, about his newly designed Henry Mask. “I spoke with him today and — drumroll — we will now be carrying his masks in my Laurelwood store.”

But wait! That’s still not all. The ink is still fresh on a deal for Pesce to carry Germantown-produced Leovard skincare products. “I will be his only brick-and-mortar store in the country,” Pesce says. “So there are a lot of cool things happening, most of them local.”

In the smaller store in Crosstown, Pesce sells hand-sewn baby items, masks, Christmas ornaments, and anything with the Crosstown logo — she’s the official source for Crosstown-brand goods. Laurelwood is larger and a little more deluxe. “One of the focuses for that store is local and regional artisans,” Pesce says. She carries Mo’s Bows, Paul Edelstein paintings, and, of course, hand-crafted jewelry. “That’s really my wheelhouse.

“My studio is at Laurelwood,” Pesce says, “so not only is it made in Memphis, made by me, but it’s all under one roof now. The store, the studio. You can literally come pick out your own pearls — ‘I want this pearl on that earring’ — and then I craft it for you right there.”

Cheryl Pesce is located at 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 125, and at 374 Grove Park Road South, Suite 104. Find out more at (901) 308-6017 or at cherylpesce.com. — Jesse Davis

Good Reads

There’s something that comes from holding the edges of a book and being taken to a distant land or wondrous world. Whether it’s due to happenstance or the crazy and confusing world in which we find ourselves now, I have been reading more and more as the months drag on. To fuel my ever-growing hunger for words and phrases completed on the page, Novel has been my go-to place.

Novel is proof that when you are doing something you love, the results will follow. The bookstore, founded in 2017, is the go-to for other local book enthusiasts, too — and with good reason. Their staff will go to the moon and back to help you find the book that fits you just right, and if you’re looking for something specific, chances are they will be just as excited about it as you are.

Matthew J. Harris

of what gift to give this season.

Many of their aisles have felt like a second home to me the past few months. And with books in every genre, it is often easier to ask them what they don’t have, rather than what they do. Personally, I love their new-this-year home delivery option, which offers a safe way to give the gift of literature this holiday season. — Matthew J. Harris

Hit the Boards

This year has given us plenty of time to learn new skills. And what better way to get your mind pumping in both a constructive and competitive fashion than with a game of chess?

The Memphis Chess Club recently opened its new café/headquarters Downtown at 195 Madison Avenue, and the three levels of annual memberships make for a great gift, whether someone is looking to seriously pursue an interest in the game or just learn a few tips and tricks.

Samuel X. Cicci

A Memphis Chess Club membership isn’t as risky a move as the Queen’s Gambit.

The social membership ($50) allows members to play chess in the café area at any time, with tables, pieces, and clocks all provided. The full membership ($100), meanwhile, affords all of the social perks but provides unlimited and free access to all classes and tournaments, which are held at the club weekly. It also offers discounts on merchandise, and members are able to check out materials from the club’s chess library, which contains old magazines and strategy books.

For whole families looking to kickstart an interest in the game? The family membership ($150) contains all full membership benefits and includes two adults and all the children in a household.

And, hey, if chess isn’t your thing, the spacious café is a great space to just hang out or study while sipping on some brewed-in-house coffee or munching on one of chef Grier Cosby’s specialty pizzas.

Visit memphischessclub.com/join for more information. — Samuel X. Cicci

The Gift of Grub

Food is fun and helps define Memphis culture. Those who make that food and fun are in trouble.

Restaurants have maybe suffered more than any small business during this pandemic. Restrictions on them have come and gone and may come again soon. Memphis restaurateurs have shown amazing resilience in these ups and downs. They’ve shifted business models, adapted to the latest health directives, and adjusted staff levels (laying off workers and hiring them back) to match it all.

Memphis Restaurant Association/Facebook

Support local restaurants — so they can stick around.

However, we forever lost some Memphis favorites, like Lucky Cat and Grove Grill. The National Restaurant Association said nearly 100,000 restaurants across the country closed either permanently or for the long-term six months into the pandemic. Nearly 3 million employees have lost their jobs. Help restaurants out and have food fun, too. This holiday season, buy gift cards from our local restaurants.

At the pandemic’s beginning in March, we told you about a national push to buy “dining bonds” or “restaurant bonds.” Many Memphis restaurants jumped in — many selling gift cards at deep discounts. For restaurants, gift cards are quick infusions of cash, helpful in tough times.

So instead of that scarf you’re kind of on the fence about, spend the same amount on a restaurant they love. It’ll be unexpected and, yes, come with some delayed gratification — delicious delayed gratification. Present it not as a gift card but as that dish they love from that place they love.

Sing it with me: “Everybody knows, a burger and some mistletoe help to make the season bright. Memphis foodies, with their eyes all aglow, will find it hard to sleep tonight.”

Gift cards are available at almost every restaurant and for almost any amount. Check websites and socials for details. — Toby Sells

Music to Their Ears

Remember when giving music was a thing? Physical things like LPs, CDs, and cassettes could be wrapped. But now that everything’s ethereal, there’s still a way to give the gift that keeps on giving: Patreon. Musicians are embracing this platform more and more, and it’s working for them. A subscription to their accounts may just be the perfect gift for the superfan in your life who already has everything.

Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing, Ghost of Vroom) relies on his Patreon subscribers for both income and inspiration. As he told the Detroit Metro Times, “Doing a song a week is amazing, and that is really what, if I had my druthers, I’d do for the rest of my life.” Patrons can subscribe at different levels, each with premiums like CDs and T-shirts, but everyone paying at least $5 a month can access Doughty’s song-a-week and more.

Greg Cravens

Other Memphis-affiliated singer/songwriters like Eric Lewis, J.D. Reager, and (coming in December) Marcella and Her Lovers also have accounts. And last month, label and music retailer Goner Records began offering Patreon subscriptions that include access to the Goner archives and exclusive music and videos.

Patreon’s site notes that “there isn’t currently a way to gift patronage,” but if you get creative, you can search for an artist on patreon.com and buy a subscription in a friend’s or family member’s name — and they can thank you all through the year. — Alex Greene

Support Arts and Culture

“A plague on both your houses!” cried the dying Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and it seems the COVID-19 pandemic took that sentiment to heart, emptying out our theaters and concert halls and thinning out attendance at museums. But still they persisted. The organizations behind the arts we love are still at work online, virtually, distancing, and striving to keep the arts alive — especially in programs aimed at young people.

You can help the old-fashioned way by getting season subscriptions and memberships for whenever the lights come back on — and they could use that support right now. Or make a simple donation. Help keep Memphis culture alive by giving gifts on behalf of the following, but don’t be limited by this partial list — if you have other favorites, give them a cup o’ kindness as well.

Jon W. Sparks

Spring, Summer, Fall at the Brooks Museum by Wheeler Williams

Performing arts organizations:

• Playhouse on the Square (playhouseonthesquare.org)

• Theatre Memphis (theatrememphis.org)

• Opera Memphis (operamemphis.org)

• Ballet Memphis (balletmemphis.org)

• New Ballet Ensemble (newballet.org)

• Cazateatro (cazateatro.org)

• New Moon Theatre (newmoontheatre.org)

• Hattiloo Theatre (hattiloo.org)

• Tennessee Shakespeare Company (tnshakespeare.org)

• Memphis Black Arts Alliance (memphisblackarts.org)

• Emerald Theatre Company (etcmemphistheater.com)

Museums and galleries:

• Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (brooksmuseum.org)

• Dixon Gallery and Gardens (dixon.org)

• National Civil Rights Museum (civilrightsmuseum.org)

• Metal Museum (metalmuseum.org)

• Stax Museum of American Soul Music (staxmuseum.com)

• Pink Palace Museum (memphismuseums.org)

• Children’s Museum of Memphis (cmom.com)

• Fire Museum of Memphis (firemuseum.org) — Jon W. Sparks

Basket or Box It for a Gift That Rocks It

Need something sweet for your honey this holiday season? Thistle & Bee has the gift that gives twice. A relaxing gift box contains raw Memphis honey, a milk and honey soap bar, and a pure beeswax candle ($20). Every item is handcrafted and directly supports women survivors to thrive through a journey of healing and hope.

Social enterprise director at Thistle & Bee, Ali Pap Chesney, drops a stinger: “We partner with other businesses, too. Feast & Graze uses our honey.”

Feast & Graze/Facebook

Feast & Graze

The cheese and charcuterie company Feast & Grace is co-owned by Cristina McCarter, who happens to co-own City Tasting Box. Boxes are filled with goodies promoting local Black-owned businesses like Pop’s Kernel and The Waffle Iron. An exclusive limited-quantity holiday gift box, Sugar and Spice, just rolled out for the season in two sizes — regular ($74.99) and ultimate ($124.99).

Memphis Gift Basket is owned by Jesse James, who says he is rolling out a new logo this week. Along with the new logo are new products for baskets ($55-$100) that focus on diversity by including more women- and minority-owned businesses, in addition to local items with iconic names like The Rendezvous and Memphis magazine. Guess what else you might find in a Memphis Gift Basket? Thistle & Bee honey.

Now that we’ve come full circle, check out these gift box and basket businesses, as well as partnering companies, for errbody on your holiday list — including that corporate gift list.

Visit thistleandbee.org, citytastingbox.com (use code SHIP100 for free shipping on orders over $100), and memphisgiftbasket.com for more. — Julie Ray

Lights, Camera, Action

A lot of businesses have been hard-hit during the pandemic, and movie theaters have been near the top of the list. With social distancing-limited theater capacity and Hollywood studios delaying major releases into next year in the hopes a vaccine will rekindle attendance, theater chains like Memphis-based Malco have been in dire straits. The exception has been drive-in theaters, like the Malco Summer Drive-In, which have seen a renaissance in 2020.

If you want to support this local institution and give a treat to the movie-lover in your life, you can buy them a Malco gift card. Available in any denomination from $10 to $500, the gift cards can be used for movie tickets and concessions for any film now or in the future. You can also enroll in the Malco Marquee Rewards program, which allows frequent moviegoers to earn points toward free tickets and concessions.

Greg Cravens

Malco has taken extraordinary steps to ensure the safety of its patrons, including mandatory masks, improved air filters, and non-contact payment options. And if you’re not comfortable sharing a theater with strangers right now, there’s a great option: The Malco Select program allows you to rent an entire theater for a screening of any film on the marquee — and that includes screenings in the massive IMAX theaters at the Paradiso. Prices start at $100, which works out pretty well if you want to watch Wonder Woman 1984 with your pod this holiday season. And if the person you’re buying for is a gamer, Malco has a brand-new option. With Malco Select Gaming, you can bring your system to the theater and play Call of Duty or The Last of Us on the biggest possible screen. — Chris McCoy

Categories
Music Music Blog

The Flow: Live-Streamed Music Events This Week, August 20-26

Lindsey Stirling plays a benefit for St. Jude

Some breaking news in the online streaming world: local live-stream stalwarts Amy LaVere and Will Sexton have moved their regular slot to Wednesday evenings at 7 now. Look to her profile page the next day for a watch party, replaying the show from the previous evening. We also see Opera Memphis stepping up its live-stream game this week, and major artist Lindsey Stirling playing a benefit for St. Jude. Enjoy!

REMINDER: The Memphis Flyer supports social distancing in these uncertain times. Please live-stream responsibly. We remind all players that even a small gathering could recklessly spread the coronavirus and endanger others. If you must gather as a band, please keep all players six feet apart, preferably outside, and remind viewers to do the same.

ALL TIMES CDT

Thursday, August 20
Noon
Live DJ – Downtown Memphis Virtual Carry Out Concert
Facebook

5 p.m.
Lindsey Stirling – benefit for St. Jude
Facebook

7 p.m.
Opera Memphis presents My Favorite Songs
University of Memphis Scheidt School of Music’s Paulina Villarreal with
Chelsea Miller, soprano
Helen Hassinger, soprano
Paulina Villarreal, mezzo-soprano
Philip Himebook, tenor
Marcus King, baritone
Jake Stamatis, baritone
Facebook

7 p.m.
The Rusty Pieces
Facebook

8 p.m.
Alice Hasen – Ixora Sessions
Facebook

8 p.m.
Devil Train – at B-Side
Facebook

Friday, August 21
Noon
DJ Siphne Aaye – Virtual Fridays in HSP
Facebook

Saturday, August 22
8 p.m.
Walking On Landmines & The Cloak Has Failed
Memphis Made Brewing Co. at Growlers
Facebook

Sunday, August 23
3 p.m.
Dale Watson – Chicken $#!+ Bingo
Facebook

4 p.m.
Bill Shipper – For Kids (every Sunday)
Facebook

Monday, August 24
8 p.m.
John Paul Keith (every Monday)
YouTube

Tuesday, August 25
7 p.m.
Bill Shipper (every Tuesday)
Facebook

8 p.m.
Mario Monterosso (every Tuesday)
Facebook

Wednesday, August 26
7 p.m.
Amy LaVere & Will Sexton
Facebook

8 p.m.
Richard Wilson (every Wednesday)
Facebook

Categories
News News Blog

COVID Grants Given to Local Arts Organizations

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has chosen ArtsMemphis as one of nine local arts agencies nationwide to receive $250,000 in CARES Act funding. Separately, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (CFGM) selected ArtsMemphis to receive a $200,000 capacity building grant from the Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund.

Both grants will help the nonprofit arts community combat the financial implications of COVID-19.

In addition to the CARES Act grant to ArtsMemphis, the NEA announced grants of $50,000 each to four Memphis arts organizations: Blues City Cultural Center, Hattiloo Theatre, Indie Memphis, and Opera Memphis.

The NEA recommended grants for direct funding through the CARES Act to 855 organizations across the country. ArtsMemphis and eight other local arts agencies were selected to receive a larger grant of $250,000, joining Boston, Chicago, Lafayette, Colo., Phoenix, Reno, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and Tucson. The remaining 846 organizations will receive grants of $50,000.

The CFGM grant is part of a larger block of funding from the Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund intended to address community needs, and to provide a wider safety net for the forward progress of the arts sector. “We will redirect these funds as unrestricted support to nonprofit arts organizations in Memphis and Shelby County,” says ArtsMemphis president and CEO Elizabeth Rouse.

A survey of more than 250 Shelby County artists and organizations conducted by ArtsMemphis indicated a total anticipated loss of income across the arts sector of $7.4 million through June 30, 2020. Nationally, according to data released by Americans for the Arts (AFTA) of 17,000 arts organizations surveyed, projected losses through June 30th at $8.4 billion.

This is the second distribution of funds received by ArtsMemphis from CFGM’s Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund since the pandemic forced arts organizations to close on March 16th. ArtsMemphis established the Artist Emergency Fund (AEF) in partnership with Music Export Memphis (MEM) and together they distributed $308,000 to 443 individuals in the Mid-South arts sector.

Categories
Film/TV Film/TV/Etc. Blog

Four Memphis Arts Organizations Receive NEA Grants

It’s a tough time for the arts. With performance venues shuttered by COVID-19 and the associated economic downturn hurting donations, arts nonprofits are struggling to make ends meet. Four Memphis arts organizations got some welcome relief this week when they learned they have been selected to receive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.

All four grants were awarded through the Art Works program. The New Ballet Ensemble was selected for a $40,000 Arts Education grant. Opera Memphis will receive a $25,000 grant. In the theater category, Hattiloo Theatre was chosen for a $25,000 grant. And Indie Memphis will receive its first-ever NEA Media Arts grant worth $20,000.

In total, 18 grants worth $1.2 million will go to arts organizations in Tennessee. The largest is the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which is slated for a $75,000 Our Town grant for design. The Dogwood Arts Festival and the Big Ears experimental music festival in Knoxville were also chosen. Among the 10 organizations in Nashville chosen for grants are the Nashville Children’s Theatre, the Nashville Symphony, and Vanderbilt University. By far the largest grant this funding cycle went to the Tennessee Arts Commission, which received $846,100 as part of the State and Regional Partnerships program.

In all, more than $84 million in competitive grants were awarded across all U.S. states and territories. The NEA is also supplying technical support for these organizations to help them adapt their programming to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

 

Categories
Music Music Blog

Opera Memphis Keeps Singing; Live at the Garden Season Cancelled

Opera Memphis is continuing its aggressive programming on Facebook. During April, it’s been offering a digital version of its 30 Days of Opera program with an Aria Jukebox, a teaser about a hedgehog hoping to revive his opera career, and local singer Philip Himebook singing multiple parts in, for example, what Opera Memphis is calling the social distance version of “O Mio Babbino Caro.”

Philip Himebook and Amanda Quinn singing ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ on Facebook for Opera Memphis.

General director Ned Canty says that on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., Opera Memphis will have a variety of live events on its Facebook page. This week’s Opera for Animals program will be co-hosted by WKNO’s Kacky Walton, and next week will feature what Canty says is “an all musical theater edition of our ‘Opera Bingo.'”


He says he hopes to bring the Sing to Me program back soon, where a singer and accompanist travel to various neighborhoods to perform at an appropriate distance. And he is offering to celebrate birthdays of front-line workers by having a performer serenade them with “Happy Birthday.” Email singtome@operamemphis.org with contact info.

To see Opera Memphis’ programming, go here.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Botanic Garden’s (MBG) Live at the Garden season has been cancelled. Sherry May, co-director of Live at the Garden, posted on MBG’s website that the scheduled May 6 announcement of the summer’s acts was also cancelled.

The organization had hoped to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the season but now is considering other ways to mark the milestone. Live at the Garden brings in about 25 percent of the MBG’s annual budget. May called the cancellation “financially devastating.”

Categories
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

Categories
Art Art Feature

Escape For the Homebound Just a Click Away

Thanks to the Great Quarantine of 2020, we don’t get to visit galleries, hang out at juke joints, or take in a play. But creative people are relentlessly creative, so you don’t need to go without, you can just go online.

Here’s a sampling of who is doing creative programming that you can enjoy from home:

  • Tennessee Shakespeare Company’s Decameron Project on its Facebook page presents literary readings and speeches by the Bard. Goes live at 10:15 a.m. Mondays-Fridays.

    Peter Pan

  • The Facebook page of Playhouse on the Square (POTS) is featuring “Story Time in Neverland” with Peter Pan reading the classic story and teaching some choreography to boot. The POTS page also has scads of videos of many of its productions with interviews and performance excerpts.
  • New Moon Theatre Company has been posting a Shakespeare blowout, full performances of past shows on its Facebook page, from Hamlet to Titus Andronicus (adults only!) to 12th Night and more.
  • The Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s FB page has plenty to hear, such as the Lockdown Sessions — check out the “Horns in Time of Plague” duet with Caroline Kinsey and Robert Patterson.
  • Hit up the FB page of the Art Museum of the University of Memphis and you’ll find plenty to see. Artworks, of course (photos by Lawrence Jasud, for example), and interviews (Carl Moore), and an opportunity to be part of the “In 7, 6, 5…” exhibition.

  • Find our more about the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art’s Virtual ChalkFest at its Facebook page.
  • The Dixon Gallery and Gardens virtually continues its weekly Tours at Two with curator Julie Pierotti talking about various works in the museum’s collection. And there are pictures of flowers. So many pictures of flowers. 

  • Art Village Gallery’s Online Viewing Room has the new exhibit “‘Twas Her Undoing,” provocative works by several local women artists.
  • The Pink Palace is offering its Museum To-Go experience with activities, movies, planetarium shows, and more.

More things are going on as well, from at-home jookin’ lessons (New Ballet Ensemble), to the Digital Aria Jukebox from Opera Memphis.

Just look and listen around you — art is everywhere.

Categories
Music Music Blog

The Arts and the Pandemic: Who Will We Become?

My brain, like many others, is exploding, but I need to share this.

Early in my time leading Opera Memphis, I was in a multi-week workshop run by the Assisi Foundation. I was one of only a handful of non-social service organization people. One of the questions we all needed to answer was “what would happen if your organization closed.” This was mainly to find out who might have overlapping or redundant services, so maybe wasn’t relevant to an arts organization. However, the question has never left me. I ask it to myself often, moreso in times like these. I could answer, “We are the only opera company for hours in any direction, so our closing would leave Memphis without opera.” I, and many of my friends, would say that is a terrible thing. Maybe it is. I fear that far more people might never even notice we were gone.

This is turning into one of the most challenging times in decades for so many people, parts of society, segments of the economy, etc. I do not mean to imply that opera (or any live art) has it worse than restaurants or churches or hospitals; that is not my point. My point is that every single person who loves or makes opera must now answer the question: What difference did our shows make in their absence? Beyond the walls of the opera house, who has suffered when the curtain didn’t rise? And are we comfortable if that number, as I think it may be for many of us, is very, very small?

This is a time for all of us to think creatively, but most importantly to ask ourselves: Who are we without performances? What role can we play, or must we play in this crisis, and in our communities?

I say this not to preach but to remind myself that how we act in the next few months, or longer, will likely have more impact on the field of opera than any full decade before now. We all now have a chance to embrace the change that is going to be necessary; to view it as an opportunity, not a tragedy. I have no idea what opera will look like in 5 months or five years, nor does anyone. But I know it will be here for as long as people have ears and souls. I never worry about opera disappearing. I do worry that if we spend too much time fighting against change, we allow ourselves to be Blockbuster instead of Netflix; Sears instead of Amazon.

My job at Opera Memphis is to do everything in my power to ensure we are Netflix, and I intend to do so.

This week we started asking for folks who are cooped up by the coronavirus to email us at singtome@operamemphis.org. We are going to drive our van and flatbed trailer to where they are, and sing to as many of them as possible. Will an outdoor performance on a trailer that just last month was hauling hay in Mississippi be the same as a show on the stage of GPAC, the Orpheum or POTS? Nope. Not even close. But again, not the point. The point is that when times like these arise, we cannot respond by worrying about what will become of the old way of doing things.

We need to remember that this is Memphis. We invent things. We innovate things. We export music to the world. We don’t mope. We don’t wallow. We grit, we grind, and we get on with the work of making something amazing. Whether that something is for 2 people on a Vollintine-Evergreen porch, or for thousands at the Levitt Shell, I have no idea. Frankly, I don’t care. If I know that there is one more person out there we can reach, who will hear our music and feel? That is something worth trying. Worth getting up for every morning. And so I shall.

Stay safe everyone, and #keepthemusicgoing.

Ned Canty has been general director of Opera Memphis since 2010.

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.