Memphis Flyer - 7/29/2021

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OUR 1692ND ISSUE 07.29.21

JERRY D. SWIFT Advertising Director Emeritus KELLI DEWITT, CHIP GOOGE, HAILEY THOMAS Senior Account Executives MICHELLE MUSOLF Account Executive BRYCE HAYES Classifieds Coordinator ROBBIE FRENCH Warehouse and Delivery Manager JANICE GRISSOM ELLISON, KAREN MILAM, DON MYNATT, TAMMY NASH, RANDY ROTZ, LEWIS TAYLOR, WILLIAM WIDEMAN Distribution THE MEMPHIS FLYER is published weekly by Contemporary Media, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 Phone: (901) 521-9000 Fax: (901) 521-0129 memphisflyer.com CONTEMPORARY MEDIA, INC. ANNA TRAVERSE FOGLE Chief Executive Officer LYNN SPARAGOWSKI Controller/Circulation Manager JEFFREY GOLDBERG Chief Revenue Officer MARGIE NEAL Production Operations Director KRISTIN PAWLOWSKI Digital Services Director MARIAH MCCABE Circulation and Accounting Assistant KALENA MATTHEWS Marketing Coordinator

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CONTENTS

JESSE DAVIS Editor SHARA CLARK Managing Editor JACKSON BAKER, BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN Senior Editors TOBY SELLS Associate Editor CHRIS MCCOY Film and TV Editor ALEX GREENE Music Editor SAMUEL X. CICCI, MICHAEL DONAHUE, JON W. SPARKS Staff Writers ABIGAIL MORICI Copy Editor JULIE RAY Calendar Editor LORNA FIELD, RANDY HASPEL, RICHARD MURFF, FRANK MURTAUGH, MEGHAN STUTHARD Contributing Columnists AIMEE STIEGEMEYER, SHARON BROWN Grizzlies Reporters ANDREA FENISE Fashion Editor KENNETH NEILL Founding Publisher

When the COVID pandemic sent the Flyer staff home last year, we moved much of our work onto our Slack channels. The notes in the margins of printed-out pages, the style conversations that used to happen in the hallways all moved online. The jokes, too.

Which might help explain why someone posted a newspaper clipping about a woman who thought she had won a “brand-new Toyota” only to discover that she had, in fact, won a “toy Yoda.” You know, the little green Jedi master from Star Wars who speaks in disjointed sentences. Judging by her photo in the paper, the Yoda-winning woman was not at all impressed. I can’t say that I blame her.

There have been times in my life when I’ve been without a car, and it’s never been fun. A new Toyota would have erased a Hummer’s load of worries. In fact, up until about a week ago, I was carless — again.

When it became clear that we weren’t just going to be working from home for two to four weeks, I began to wonder if I needed the old hunk of junk parked outside my house.

I wasn’t driving to work — or gigs or the radio station or to go rock climbing or to visit friends. Why pay insurance on an unreliable car I drove only once a week so that it wouldn’t forget how to turn on? So I sold it. One less thing to worry about, right?

Then, in a whirlwind of everything-hits-at-once, I was double-vaxxed and going into the office more or less daily. As editor, I want the Flyer folks to be able to stick their heads in my office and pitch me stories, ask me questions, or just gripe about what ails them. Suddenly, I needed a car again, but this time, I aimed to go about the whole process a little differently.

In years past, I followed the wisdom handed down by my dad: If you “buy” a car by taking out a loan, that’s not your car; it’s the bank’s. Sensible enough, right? So I would search the classifieds, always on the lookout for that rarest of creatures — an old, honest grandad who lived out in the middle of nowhere and was “gittin’ rid of” the Oldsmobile he’d only ever used to go to church and the grocery store.

Sometimes that system yielded wonderful results — cars bought cheap that weren’t much to look at but got me where I needed to go. Sometimes I ended up being the owner of a money pit in constant need of maintenance, with windows that fell off their track at inopportune times (on Walnut Grove in torrential rain, say) and never quite managed a waterproof seal, giving the car its own subtropic atmosphere, somehow more humid and warmer than even the wettest, hottest Memphis summer. Once I even bought a total lemon, a Saturn that lasted roughly two weeks. The body and interior were in perfect shape. The transmission was not. Luckily, I sold it to a used car salesman who specialized in Saturns, and I walked away (literally) with as much money as I’d put into it.

This time, though, I decided to ignore what, in my family, passes for conventional wisdom. On the advice of some close friends whose parents presumably didn’t take Polonius’ speech in Hamlet about lending and borrowing at face value, I took out an auto loan and bought a three-year-old (not 13-year-old, or 23-year-old, but three!) crossover that still isn’t much to look at but doesn’t develop its own interior nimbuses when it rains. It even has a working radio!

Imagine my surprise when our finance columnist, Gene Gard, this week listed an auto loan put toward reliable transportation as one of the few examples of “good debt.” One has to establish credit, after all, and those charming rural grandpas have never responded to my requests for verification of payments.

Sometimes it pays to take a risk on unconventional wisdom. It’s been worrisome to me that we have been in such a hurry to rush back to “normal,” whatever that means. In the last year, we’ve seen unprecedented things. In fact, I’ve seen the word “unprecedented” in so many headlines, it’s starting to sound like a meaningless buzzword. But in the N E WS & O P I N I O N face of major health crises, weather events, THE FLY-BY - 4 globe-spanning social and racial justice NY TIMES CROSSWORD - 6 movements, and an attack on our national POLITICS - 6 legislative body, maybe it’s time to embrace AT LARGE - 8 the unconventional.

FINANCIAL FEATURE - 9 Whether the issue is the climate or public COVER STORY “THE RETURN OF FAIRS & health or our relationship to history, we find FESTIVALS” ourselves at a crossroads. We can muster

BY JULIE RAY - 10 the courage to take bold action, or we can WE RECOMMEND - 14 continue driving around with our heads in MUSIC - 16 the clouds.

CALENDAR - 19 You didn’t really think this column would SPIRITS - 24 FOOD - 25 be about cars, did you? Guess you got “toy FILM - 26 Yoda-ed.”

C LAS S I F I E D S - 29 Jesse Davis LAST WORD - 31 jesse@memphisflyer.com

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THE

fly-by

MEMernet Memphis on the internet.

TM O N EY S O F U N NY

POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY TMONEY SOFUNNY

July 29-August 4, 2021

On YouTube, Memphis voice-over comedian Tmoney SoFunny hilariously puts Memphis words in the mouths of actors. Here are the best insults from an overdubbed episode of Atlanta: “Your baloney sandwich eatin’ ass,” “That Diana Ross lookin’ like” emeffer, and someone with a “Baconater head.”

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G O N NA HATE Haters in the Tennessee subreddit hated on Memphis last week (for all the regular reasons) after TIME magazine named the city one of the top 100 places on the planet.

Best defense comment IMHO is from u/Memphis_Fire: “Don’t you Nashville us TIME magazine! Our rough reputation is the only thing keeping housing prices somewhat reasonable! We fear for our lives daily, that’s what we tell outsiders.

“Don’t let them know it takes 15 minutes to drive anywhere and there is always parking. Don’t let others know how wonderful it is seeing all of your friends at the free Shell concerts series.

Don’t let anyone know what we have!”

S ATI S F YI N G Dinstuhl’s Candies posted an insanely satisfying video to TikTok showing how they form marshmallow for s’mores.

POSTED TO TIKTOK BY DINSTUHL’S CANDIES

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Questions, Answers + Attitude Edited by Toby Sells

W E E K T H AT W A S

By Flyer staff

Smoke, Forrest Gone, & Tom Lee Park Wildfires hit home, bust removed from state capitol, and approvals pave way for construction start.

FO R R EST B USTE D The bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest left the Tennessee State Capitol last week after a final vote from the State Building Commission.

Two “no” votes on the statue’s removal came from the two top leaders of the Tennessee General Assembly. Tennessee Lt. Governor and Senate Speaker Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and House Speaker Rep. Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) voted against moving the statues.

The remaining votes for the bust’s removal came from Governor Bill Lee and members of his administration.

The removal came after years of protests, a year of votes from different state agencies, and the support of Governor Bill Lee.

PHOTO: TOBY SELLS

Clockwise from top: Construction began on the new Tom Lee Park last week, starting with a gazebo demolition; Western wildfires caused an air quality alert.

TO M LE E PAR K B EG I N S The maw of a big, yellow front-end loader pulverized the tiny gazebo that sat quietly (and largely unused) in Tom Lee Park last week, marking the beginning of what will be a brand-new park.

Construction on the project officially began after a final permit was issued by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and an approval from the mayor’s office last week.

The project is spearheaded by the Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) and will completely transform the now-flat and wide-open riverside park with small hills, paths through forests, a café with a porch, a covered space for recreation, a new entry plaza, a canopy walk, and more. Construction on the Cutbank Bluff portion of the project got underway earlier this year and is scheduled to be complete this spring.

“From nature walks, to outdoor concerts, to running through the misting fountains on a hot summer day — and so much more — that’s what we have to look forward to,” said MRPP president and CEO Carol Coletta. “A free, signature park that will put Memphis on the map, complete with fascinating features for everyone to enjoy, 365 days a year.”

Half of the funding for the project is from city, county, and state coffers. The remainder will be raised privately. All funds for the 30-acre park project now total $52 million.

WI LD F I R E S M O K E An air quality alert was issued last week as smoke from western wildfires entered Shelby County.

Wildfires burning in California, Washington state, and Can-

ada have brought similar air quality alerts to Pittsburgh, PHOTO: NASA Philadelphia, and New York City.

The Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) said air monitors registered an increase of particle pollution but expected levels to remain in the moderate range. Still, officials urged those with health problems to avoid “prolonged exertion.”

M E M P H I S I N TI M E Memphis made TIME magazine’s annual list of “World’s Greatest Places” this year.

The third-annual list “highlights 100 extraordinary travel destinations around the world.” On the list, Memphis joins cities like Bangkok, Berlin, Seattle, and Santa Fe. For the inclusion, TIME pointed at a host of “new” things in Memphis, like exhibits at Graceland, hotels, and restaurants.

“This is a great honor for our city and destination from a globally recognized media outlet,” said Memphis Tourism president and CEO Kevin Kane. “This accolade from TIME showcases our diverse culinary scene and new hotel development that combine to create an authentic and exciting experience for travelers.”

Visit the News Blog at memphisflyer.com for fuller versions of these stories and more local news.

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CITY REPORTER B y To b y S e l l s

Sidewalking New program could help fix Downtown sidewalks. around 33 percent of sidewalks buildings look matters, the here. way the public realm looks For Downtown’s pilot repair matters,” Roler said. “It not only program, Roler said his team communicates to people that will look for sidewalks along this is a place that folks care main pedestrian connections about, but it also makes it easier PHOTO: DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS COMMISSION on “signature streets,” from [to walk] and you likely feel The DMC aims to help improve sidewalks in the South Main to Beale Street, for safer walking within the retail Central Business Improvement District. example, or Madison and Main. nodes like South Main or the The DMC, he said, has been hesitant Edge District or the Main Street mall.” budgeted $4.3 million for them. to put money in sidewalk repairs Sidewalk repair is a thorny issue in Since 2004, Memphis has Memphis, and it has a past. It’s up to cumulatively budgeted only $334,000 on because “you can argue sidewalk repairs are the responsibility of the property property owners to fix them, not the city, its sidewalks. To fix them all, it would cost about $1.1 billion, city figures say, owner.” and there are a lot of broken sidewalks to the tune of about $19 million per year “But, at the end of the day, if out there. for the next 24 years.

Downtown is not seen as a safe, The city has 3,429 miles of sidewalk, However, sidewalks here are in bad comfortable place to walk, our retail enough to stretch from Texas to Hawaii. shape. The latest figures from the city businesses aren’t going to be successful,” A 2015 survey of peer cities found Roler said. “People aren’t going to want say 80 percent to 95 percent of the city’s Memphis has more sidewalks and spent to live here. Businesses are not going to immense sidewalk network is in need less on them. Atlanta, for example, move here.” of repair. Immediate repair is needed on had about 2,200 miles of sidewalk and

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Downtown sidewalks are in need of repair, and a new grant program hopes to help get them fixed.

The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) wants to set aside $50,000 to help Downtown business owners fix sidewalks in front of their properties. The business owners would split the cost of sidewalk repairs with the DMC through grants up to $5,000.

For now, the program is only available for businesses located in the Central Business Improvement District (CBID).

There, the DMC staff has identified 60 parcels that could be eligible for the grant program.

The main aim of the program is to improve walkability and the area’s look overall, said Brett Roler, the DMC’s vice president of planning and development.

“Our retail strategy says that the way

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Crossword ACROSS 1 Sticker that says who you are 6 Part of the body that crunches work

28 With 45-Across, savory topping found in tubs … and the circled squares?

47 ExxonMobil product

31 Complete lack of wind, as at sea

9 Dreadlocks 33 Feeling good to wearer, informally wear, say 14 The “F” of R.A.F. 34 Languages 15 Kitten’s sound

35 Iced tea brand in a bottle

16 Use as a dinner table

36 When repeated, gets specific, as an informer

17 Zero-tariff policy 19 Back’s opposite 21 Orders (around) 23 Swanky 24 Beginning blossoms 25 With 39-Down, last words in many an old movie 27 Six-sided game piece

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PUZZLE BY JACOB STULBERG

18 Was a passenger 22 Retrieves, as baseballs 24 Happened to 26 Last part of U.R.I.’s URL

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43 Human rights advocate Jagger 44 Like brand-new clothing

45 Trudge 48 Stacked 50 Sand ridge 52 Grape or watermelon plant 53 Item in a tackle box 54 Mideast bigwig 55 Chooses, with “for” 57 Bit of voodoo 59 Where parishioners sit

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The County Commission gets ready for a new fiscal year.

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12 Throat part

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11 Moved out of the way

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P O T I T Y X I S Q S O U H N E A S B D O M E J U I C I L L E F E R N U S E L B E L I D A D Y V E

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45 See 28-Across

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

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20 Shaggy grazer

Edited by Will Shortz 14

60 Aged fairy tale character

POLITICS By Jackson Baker

In what amounted to their last public meeting of the expiring fiscal year, the 13 members of the Shelby County Commission resolved several pending issues, more or less clearing the boards for the year to come.

The Commission overwhelmingly endorsed County Mayor Lee Harris’ nomination of Dr. Michelle Taylor to be the new director of the Shelby County Health Department. The vote was 13-0, unanimous, and it included even Republican Commissioner Mark Billingsley, who had questioned the appointment in committee last week and raised doubts about it in a widely circulated email.

Billingsley made a point of apologizing to Taylor before casting his vote on Monday, attributing his former concerns to a feeling that he had been “misled”

by Harris. He did not elaborate further.

Taylor’s persona and credentials had been extolled by several audience members before the vote, and a sizeable number of attendees were on hand to root for her approval. The mayor had made a spirited speech in her favor in the Commission lobby before the vote.

Early in the meeting, county health officer Dr. Bruce Randolph had offered the Commission some new statistics indicating part of the challenges facing Taylor.

As Randolph noted, only 35 percent of Memphis residents are vaccinated, and the rate of new cases, almost all involving the Delta variant, has jumped sixfold in the last month.

The Commission followed its ringing endorsement of Taylor by choosing a new General Sessions judge to replace the retiring John Donald. Danielle Mitchell Sims was selected from a group including Carlos Bibbs, James Jones, Cedrick Wooten, and William Larsha Jr. Later on, the Commissioners elected Willie Brooks Jr. as new chair of the Commission in fiscal 2021-22, with Michael Whaley to serve as vice chair.

A tradition of sorts was dispensed with, as both the new leaders are Democrats.

With some deviations over the years, the Commission had adhered to a formula of alternating the party affiliation of chairs,

with the vice chair being a member of the other party from the chair.

The Commission now contains eight Democrats and five Republicans, and outgoing Republican Vice Chair Brandon Morrison’s chances were dimmed for either of next year’s positions when her fellow Republicans cold-shouldered her — payback for her win for vice chair last year with Democratic votes against fellow Republican Amber Mills.

An important bit of old business was cleared out, as the Commission roundly defeated by a vote of 8 to 2 the latest of several requests from the Shelby County Election Commission to purchase $4 million of new ballot-marking voting machines from the ESS Corporation.

Election Commission Chair Brent Taylor and Election Administrator Linda Phillips were on hand to plead for the Commission’s support.

The Commission, though, has the responsibility for purchasing new voting machines, and a Commission majority has consistently voted its preference for paper-ballot devices, for reasons of both transparency and expenses. The two bodies have been at an impasse for at least a year on the matter — “Your power versus our power,” said County Commissioner Eddie Jones — and the Commission, by an 8 to 2 vote with one abstention, voted late in the meeting to put out its own RFP (request for proposal) for the paperballot devices it favors.

Two more pending issues of more recent vintage were dealt with on Monday.

The Commission approved a procedure to process by the target date of September 15th bonuses that it had authorized for county employees in the most recent county budget — $5,000 for full-timers and $1,600 for temporaries. And the body approved a new ethics advisory panel for itself, to be constituted by members of the greater community.

The Commission’s newly formed Black Caucus held a brainstorming session in advance of the regular Commission meeting and emerged, under the guidance of caucus Chair Tami Sawyer, with a commitment to focus on economic and health issues. Caucus members also heard a report on environmental hazards in the city’s underserved neighborhoods and agreed to sponsor a blood drive for victims of sickle cell anemia.

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The Lion Clean A youngster and an experienced hand tackle a tough job together.

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iara Woods and Paul Tracy are cleaning lions this week — namely the fearsome-looking stone creatures that guard the bottom of the stairs leading from Morrie Moss Lane up to the west side of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The lions have been on duty in this location since at least the early 1980s, when they were moved here from a grand mansion that once stood on Union Avenue. Paul and Tiara have been on duty in this location for seven days, as of last Friday.

Though the lions were unable to protect their former home from the predations of a fast-food franchise developer, they’ve held up nicely here in this shady nook in Overton Park — except for some lichens, moss, soot, forest detritus, and occasional bird poop. They still look fierce, but they’ve never been cleaned and could use a proper spruce-up. Which is where Tiara and Paul come in.

Paul Tracy has been a preparator at the Brooks since 1982, when he was hired fresh out of nearby Southwestern College (now Rhodes). You might say he knows the neighborhood, having grown up in Crosstown and gone to Catholic High School, a couple blocks away.

Tiara graduated from Overton High School and attends the University of Tulsa. She is working at the Brooks this summer through an internship sponsored by Studio Institute, which endeavors to get young people connected to the visual arts and art careers. She wants to be an art conservator.

For the past week or so, Paul and Tiara have been working side by side. Paul has the lion on the right side of the steps; Tiara, the one on the left. They are using a combination of brushes, headstone-cleaning solution, water, and bamboo skewers. It is tedious, serious detail work. The stone is porous, pocked with nooks and crannies, tiny fossils, and complex carving details.

“You have to wet down an area, then spray it with cleaner and let it sit for a bit.” says Paul. “Then you scrub with brushes and pick at the small crevices and pockmarks with the skewers. Your fingers get kinda numb, so after a couple of hours, you have to stop.”

It’s the kind of work that might test the dedication of some young people, but for Tiara, it’s all part of the learning curve. “I

like finding out how all these roles come together,” she says, “how people wear different hats.”

“It’s true,” says Paul. “It’s always something different. One day I’m matting a Rembrandt print, the next day I’m moving a heavy crate to a gallery to unpack.”

The museum began the cleaning of its outside artwork during the pandemic. “A lot of employees could work from home,” says Paul. “But the preparators, not so much, because we work on the objects, the art itself, and we couldn’t work in the museum. So it was decided that we would work on the art objects that were outside. It kept us on the payroll, which was nice, and it’s really spruced things up around here.

Before this, we cleaned the seasons statues and they look wonderful — and they were a lot easier than these lions.”

PHOTO: BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN

Tiara Woods, Paul Tracy, and a lion.

After Paul and Tiara are finished cleaning the kings of Morrie Moss Lane, Tiara will move on to spend some time working on pre-Columbian objects with conservators.

“She wants to be a real conservator,” says Paul, laughing. “I just play one on TV.” Tiara smiles. “I’m just really interested in art conservation,” she says. “And interested in working in a museum setting — so this is a great opportunity for me to get experience in an actual museum.”

And outside of one.

F I N A N C I A L F E AT U R E B y G e n e G a r d

Paying Off Debt When should I pay what?

What about loans with lower interest rates? There’s still a good case to be made for paying them off as soon as possible.

Even 0 percent interest sounds like a great deal, but it’s still money spent that you didn’t have at the time, and those payments impact your future financial security and flexibility until they’re gone.

There’s a lot of debate about what defines good debt. The most common example is a mortgage, as it represents a hybrid of paying for shelter and investment in the future. Real estate has made many people wealthy over the years, but not without risk.

It’s hard to make big returns in real estate without borrowing, which works great most of the time, but can also go wrong, as we saw leading up to 2008. I believe in buying a house because you need a place to live, not as a speculative investment.

Enjoy any appreciation, but don’t expect it and certainly don’t rely on it. A mortgage is usually the lowest-priority debt to pay off in a given household.

A case can be made against almost

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all other kinds of household debt. The problem is that virtually all household borrowing is financing consumption of things that are currently unaffordable.

Some things might be necessary, like a reliable car, but a lot of unnecessary money is spent and justified in the name of reliable transportation. Generally, consumer loans like these should be minimized and paid off as soon as possible.

Student loans are a tricky subject, because right now, many people are expecting eventual forgiveness from the government. Forgiveness might come, or might not. Regardless of your expectations, it’s probably wise to avoid taking advantage of any kind of deferment where payments stop but interest continues to accrue.

If possible, make payments so that the balance declines each month.

Credit scores are also tricky. On one hand, a decent credit score is necessary for basic tasks like renting apartments or opening bank accounts. On the other, I’ve seen many financially destructive things done in the name of establishing credit or building credit history. In my experience, credit history will naturally build up over time with things like car loans and a credit card with reasonable limits. There’s no reason to focus on gaming your score.

For some debt, it might make sense to keep the low-interest debt and invest any extra money in the markets. Keep in mind that we may not get another 20 years of 10 percent stock market returns, but there’s a good chance the market will outperform a 2.5 percent mortgage in the long term.

Investing in things like 401(k) plans with an employer match should probably be prioritized even above paying off nonmortgage, low-interest debt. Ask your financial advisor about both opportunities and risks in your particular situation. It’s important to look at the big picture.

Many lives have been ruined by overwhelming debt, while I’ve never heard anyone complain about being debt-free, even if it’s not optimal. If in doubt, it’s probably never completely wrong to just pay your debts off if you can.

Have a question or topic you’d like to see covered in this column? Contact the author at ggard@telarrayadvisors.com. Gene Gard is Co-Chief-Investment Officer at Telarray, a Memphis-based wealth management firm that helps families navigate investment, tax, estate, and retirement decisions.

NEWS & OPINION

Q:

I have debt I want to pay off, but I also want to start investing to enjoy the value of compounding. How should I think about household debt?

A: It’s probably never truly wrong to pay it off, but sometimes a little debt might not be a bad idea.

Let’s start with the easy part. Some types of debt should be attacked mercilessly with singular focus and attention until it’s gone.

This would include any kind of payday loan, credit card debt, predatory car loans, or anything with a high interest rate. To me, a high interest rate is anything above what a reasonable investment portfolio could hope to produce on average in the future.

Over the last 20 years, U.S. stock market returns have annualized about 10 percent a year and are unlikely to exceed that going forward, so any 10%+ interest rate should certainly be considered high these days and attacked with all available resources.

9

The Return of

PHOTO: BLAKE BILLINGS | DREAMSTIME.COM

Fairs & Festivals

Celebrate the Mid-South Fair’s 165th year this fall with fun and games. the Library of Congress. Long after Waters moved, the house was restored and resides at the Delta Blues Museum to this day.

The festival is not just blues music; it’s roots music: reggae, bluegrass, country, and Americana, as well blues. In fact, when Stovall calls his production partner the “ambassador of music in Mississippi,” he’s not kidding. Co-producer Steve Azar was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant as Music and Culture Ambassador of Mississippi in 2017. Azar is a country-music singer and songwriter with a dozen albums under his belt. He also founded the Mighty Mississippi Music Festival in his hometown of Greenville in 2013.

According to Stovall, Azar’s festival had all the right components except for the location. It was just too far from Clarksdale, and way too far from Memphis. Once that fact sunk in, Stovall and Azar worked together to produce a similar concept for Mighty Roots. This time they think they’ve hit the right note with timing and location.

It’s sure to be a hit. Check them out. $30-$65. Friday-Saturday, October 1-2.

Stovall Gin Company, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com.

July 29-August 4, 2021

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Music, carnivals, food, and so much more — your favorite events make a comeback in 2021.

C OVE R STO RY BY J U LI E R AY

I

f the upcoming festival season was a road sign, it would read “Road Work Ahead.” After the year we’ve all endured, reconstruction of public events is underway.

Some annual fairs and festivals are putting the brakes on events until 2022. Others are proceeding with caution by announcing a TBA festival date. Still, others that were to be inaugural 2020 events are pulling out of the parking lot in 2021.

This list of those that gave the green light should help with planning. Buckle up, you’re 10 now in the fairs and festivals carpool lane.

Full speed ahead!

I

f you like that new car smell, you won’t want to miss a couple of breakout festivals this year. The Mighty Roots Music Festival in unincorporated Stovall, Mississippi, near Clarksdale, is one of them. Though the festival is just sprouting, the roots are deep, according to festival producer Howard Stovall.

And not just the roots of the Delta region’s music, but the roots in the soil, too.

That’s one of the unique features of this festival: It’s agri-centric. In fact, the festival is taking place at a long-defunct cotton gin.

“We’ve spent a year and a half converting an old cotton gin on 18 acres of land for this festival,” says Stovall. “There hasn’t been power in that gin for 40 years.”

Stovall has invited 150 young farmers from the Delta Council’s Future Delta group. They’ll meet near the main stage before the first act performs and stay for the entertainment.

It’s also the only festival that has a reading list. Check out the website, mightyrootsmusicfestival.com, and you’ll find not only a suggested reading list highlighting the music, art, and culture of the Delta, but also the history of the Stovall Cotton Gin, the Stovall Store, and former tenant Muddy Waters.

Waters lived on the property for nearly 30 years. The house, in which he lived with his grandmother, is where his music was first recorded in 1941 by Alan Lomax for

nother breakout fest that should be on your radar: the Carnival of Creativity.

Organizer and founder Yvonne Bobo refers to it as an “innovative art experience.”

She promises “big and crazy” events from some of the most creative minds in Memphis. In addition, the carnival is a community builder. Off the Walls Arts has partnered with some familiar South Memphis neighbors — Girls Inc., Vance Youth Development Center, and Streets Ministries.

The artist incubator and exhibition space already hosts workshops from STEAM projects with Dunbar Elementary and Girls Inc. to continuing education and creativity classes for all ages. The carnival is just another way for the collaborating artists to showcase their talents. One of the most interesting features will be a parade of puppets — Second Line-style. Lucky 7 Brass Band will perform. There will be dancing, art exhibits, and classes. The carnival is a free, family-friendly event.

Saturday, October 2, noon-5 p.m.

Off the Walls Arts, offthewallsarts.org

W

hile some festivals are just getting started, others are well into their journey. It’s time to set the cruise control and let those drive themselves.

Gonerfest is a fun festival if you like music on the edgy side. The music lineup describes every dude in the ’80s at the

McDonald House Charities of Memphis. $15. Saturday, August 28, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Liberty Bowl Stadium, worldwingfest.com

Antenna Club — Spits, Nots, Cool Jerks.

Fans of punk, garage rock, the bizarre, and unconventional should find their way to this music festival that is old enough to join the armed forces but not old enough to drink.

30 bands in four days, streaming or in-person. $30, $100 for four-day festival pass. ThursdaySunday, September 23-September 26.

Railgarten, goner-records.com

SEPTEMBER 901 Day: Exposure City-wide celebration featuring live entertainment, giveaways, local bites, and several organizations representing the Memphis landscape of social, civic, recreational, and entertainment offerings.

Wednesday, September 1, 5-6:30 p.m.

FedExForum, newmemphis.org

id you know that River Arts Fest began under another name in 1984? At its inception, River Arts Fest was called Arts in the Park and held in Overton Park. I happened to be a vendor in one of the last years the festival operated under the old name. I even won an award for the best decorated booth. I also got a slap on the wrist from code enforcement because part of my winning decorations were hay bales.

Something about how someone could drop a cigarette and catch the whole park on fire.

Arts in the Park made its way to South Main with a new name in 2006.

A street celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts with attractions and activities for all ages. Saturday-Sunday, October 23-24.

Riverside Drive along the bluffs, riverartsmemphis.org

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appeal. The event weathered the Civil War, the yellow fever epidemic, the Depression, and two world wars. At the Centennial Fair celebration in 1956, Elvis made a surprise appearance. A time capsule was buried, to be opened in 2056.

Featuring a petting zoo, fair food, rides, attractions, contests, and more. $10.

September 23-October 3.

Landers Center, midsouthfair.com

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he Pink Palace Crafts Fair is the largest fundraising event for the Museum of Science & History and one of the largest volunteer-run events in Memphis. Funds from the fair support museum exhibits, planetarium shows, Mallory-Neely tours, and the Lichterman Nature Center. The crafts fair started nearly 50 years ago in 1973.

It’s grown from about 30 craftsmen to more than 200.

Shop for arts and crafts including woodwork, leatherwork, pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, woven goods, and more. $10, $20 for weekend pass. Friday-Sunday, September 24-26, 10 a.m.

Audubon Park, memphismuseums.org

hough it’s been a rough road this past year for festivals, it’s in our rearview mirror.

Let’s take the rest of the year to celebrate the things that matter most — art, culture, music, heritage, history, and each other.

A

Elvis Week 2021 A lineup of events to celebrate the music, movies, and legacy of the King of Rock-andRoll. August 11-17.

Graceland, graceland.com

lot of fairs and festivals in Memphis have staying power, though most haven’t exceeded the 50-year mark. Two come to mind: the Memphis Greek Festival, in its 62nd year; and the longest-running celebration by a mile — the Mid-South Fair.

In its 165th year, it might not surprise you that the Mid-South Fair was created for business networking purposes. Long before the internet or even phones, farmers and merchants struggled to find ways to communicate and meet one another.

The first fair in 1856 was held so that the best in agricultural produce and the latest in machinery and inventions could be showcased to the public.

Shortly after the success of the first fair, fun and games were added for more

AUGUST Memphis Film Prize A film festival and contest featuring 10 short films made by filmmakers in and around Memphis. Audience votes for the winner of the $5K cash prize. Friday-Saturday, August 6-7. $30.

Malco Studio on the Square, memphisfilmprize.com

PHOTO: MIKE BABER

Bop along to Live at the Garden’s music series this fall.

Sunday, August 13-15.

Clarksdale, Mississippi, sunflowerfest.org Live at the Garden • Brad Paisley, Friday, August 13, 7:30 p.m.

• REO Speedwagon, Friday, August 27, 8 p.m.

• Sheryl Crow, Friday, September 17, 8 p.m.

• Earth, Wind & Fire, Thursday, October 21, 7:30 p.m.

Summer music series featuring country, rock, pop, and soul-funk superstars. $55$131.

Memphis Botanic Garden, radiansamp.com Memphis Chicken & Beer Festival Chicken, beer, yard games, live entertainment, and more. Benefiting Dorothy Day House. $40. Saturday, August 14, 6-10 p.m.

Liberty Bowl Stadium, memphischickenandbeer.com Beale Street Artcrawl Festival Family-friendly event featuring artists on Beale Street. Free. Saturday, August 21, 1-7 p.m.

Beale Street, dearmusicnonprofit.org

Memphis Summer Cocktail Festival Enjoy summer-inspired cocktails from more than 30 of your favorite spirits, local food, an epic dance party, and more. $39. Friday, August 13, 6-9 p.m.

Overton Square, memphisfestivals.com

Memphis Fashion Week Take a tour of Arrow Creative’s new Midtown space, join a class for fashionistas, meet designers and local makers, and watch a runway show. $50-$150. WednesdaySaturday, August 25-28.

Arrow Creative, arrowcreative.org/memphisfashionweek

Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival A celebration of blues and gospel music in the Delta. Headliner James “Super Chikan” Johnson opens the festival. VIP tickets include food and beverages. Free. Friday-

World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival Sample wings from more than 70 competition teams vying for the hot wing world championship title. Benefiting Ronald

Delta Fair & Music Festival Features carnival rides, fair food, live music, attractions, vendors, livestock shows, cooking contests, and more. $10. Friday, September 3-12.

Agricenter International, deltafest.com River City Jazz & Music Festival Features Damien Escobar, Karyn White, Con Funk Shun, Kenny Lattimore, and Julian Vaughn. $60. Sunday, September 5, 6:30 p.m.

Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, thecannoncenter.com Memphis Chevy Show The largest car show in the Mid-South region and a thrilling Pro Show featuring Larry Dixon’s Top Fuel Experience, firebreathing Jet Funny Cars, and Open Outlaw Racing. $20. Friday-Saturday, September 10-11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Memphis International Raceway, racemir.com Memphis Rox Yoga Festival Features a variety of local and regional studios and vendors, lectures, workshops, film screenings, yoga classes, live music, food trucks, and kids activities. $35-$55.

Saturday, September 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Memphis Botanic Garden, memphisroxyogafestival.com Rendezoo This ’80s-themed event features live entertainment and fare from Mid-South restaurants, bars, and eateries. $250.

Saturday, September 11, 7 p.m.

Memphis Zoo, memphiszoo.org Memphis Tequila Festival Features more than 30 types of tequila, local DJs, face painting, a costume photo booth, and more. $39. Friday, September 17, 6-9 p.m.

Overton Square, memphisfestivals.com

continued on page 12

COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

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continued from page 11 Cooper-Young Festival A celebration of the arts, people, culture, and Memphis heritage. Free. Saturday, September 18, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Cooper-Young Historic District, cooperyoungfestival.com Memphis Bacon & Bourbon Festival Featuring bacon-inspired dishes from Memphis restaurants, plus an array of distilled spirits. $39. Friday, September 24, 6-9 p.m.

Metal Museum, memphisbaconandbourbon.com Latin Fest Kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a family-oriented festival featuring live Latin music, Latin food and drinks, crafts for kids, and vendors. Free. Saturday, September 25, noon-6 p.m.

Overton Square, cazateatro.org Soulful Food Truck Festival Featuring more than 100 vendors, 35 food trucks, game zone, and music by J. Buck, Keia Johnson, Courtney Little, DJ Zoom, and DJ Alpha Whiskey. $5. Sunday, September 26, noon-6 p.m.

Tiger Lane, cdcoevents.com

OCTOBER Mempho Music Festival Three days of performances, Pronto Pups, art pop-ups, and tunes. $80, $185 for three-day pass. Friday-Sunday, October 1-3.

Memphis Botanic Garden, memphofest.com King Biscuit Blues Festival Featuring blues legends and up-and-coming acts to preserve and promote the music of the Delta. $45, $85 for three-day pass.

Thursday-Saturday, October 6-9.

Downtown Helena, Arkansas, kingbiscuitfestival.com Memphis Greek Festival Features Greek food, entertainment, dancing, fun, and games. $3. FridaySaturday, October 8-9.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, memphisgreekfestival.com

Harvest Festival Pumpkin-painting, kid’s activities, arts and crafts, hayrides, and educational stations.

Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Agricenter International, agricenter.org

Cooper-Young Beerfest Featuring the 2021 Beerfest mug, unlimited samples of beer, and local food trucks.

Saturday, October 9, 1-5 p.m.

Midtown Autowerks Inc., cybeerfest.org

The Tambourine Bash Featuring 30+ musicians performing for the benefit of Music Export Memphis. Funds go directly to the artists. $25. Thursday, October 14, 7 p.m.

Levitt Shell, musicexportmemphis.org

PHOTO: MIKE BABER

Rev your engines for Memphis Chevy Show this September.

Mississippi Delta Tennessee Williams Festival Highlights stories of the people, music, and history along the Mississippi River through discussion, performances, and presentations.

Thursday-Saturday, October 14-16.

Various locations and online from Clarksdale,

READY FOR

July 29-August 4, 2021

A SUMMER OF

[RE]DISCOVERY AT

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE? 12

crosstownconcourse.com /visit

Dia de los Muertos Parade and Festival Enjoy a reverse parade where families are invited to honor ancestors and celebrate the cycle of life and death. Free. Saturday, October 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Memphis Brooks Museum, cazateatro.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF AGRICENTER

Paint a pumpkin and enjoy a hayride at the Harvest Festival in October.

Mississippi, deltawilliamsfestival.com Brewfest and Brunchfest Local food trucks, live music, games, vendors, and unlimited beer samples from 40+ breweries from around the world. $45.

Saturday-Sunday, October 16-17.

Liberty Bowl Stadium, facebook.com/memphisbrewfest Indie Memphis Film Festival Brings a range of independent features, documentaries, and short films to Memphis from all corners of the world. Wednesday, October 20-25.

Playhouse on the Square, indiememphis.org

Vegan BBQ Cook-off & Festival This Halloween edition will feature a cooking contest, food samples, fitness information, and costume contest, plus candy for the kids. Free-$20. Saturday, October 30, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Tiger Lane, missfitnessdiva.com Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market Showcases independent local artists, makers, and crafters. Enjoy shopping, family activities, and local brews. Thursday, November 11, 10 a.m.

Crosstown Concourse, memphiscraftsanddrafts.com

Whiskey Warmer Features 40 labels of whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch, plus local food trucks, a cigar lounge, and bluegrass music. Benefiting Volunteer Memphis. $39. Friday, November 12, 6-9 p.m.

Overton Square, whiskeywarmer.com Craft Food & Wine Festival Celebrate culinary magic, benefiting Church Health. $65. Sunday, November 21, 3 p.m.

The Columns, craftfoodandwinefest.com

DECEMBER Memphis Israel Festival Enjoy all things Israel, including food, culture, market goods, and activities.

Sunday, December 5.

Agricenter International, memphisfoi.org Holiday Spirits Cocktail Festival Sip cocktails, listen to music, and wave to the big man in red himself. Each ticket includes 12 sample-sized yuletide cocktails. Food and full-sized drinks will be available for purchase. $39. Friday, December 10, 6-9 p.m.

Cadre Building, memphisfestivals.com

COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Mushroom Festival Camping festival dedicated to mushrooms.

Features classes and demonstrations, live music, tastings, wild food forays and dinners, identification tents, guided hikes, and more. Thursday-Sunday, October 21-24.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, memphismushroomfest.com

13

steppin’ out (& stayin’ in)

We Recommend: Culture, News + Reviews

On Fire

PHOTO: JULIE RAY

By Julie Ray

Neile Martin takes center stage with Bea Dawg.

There is a lot of talent under the roof at 360 Walnut — and one Bea Dawg.

“Bea Dawg is the star of the show,” says Neile Martin, one of the choreographers for the upcoming dance production of The Firebird. The affable, tail-wagging, tongue-lolling Off the Walls Arts warehouse dog is limited to one talent — an overload of cuteness. But that’s okay. The talent pool is covered by the many artists working in the shared space.

Yvonne Bobo and Brendan Duffy had planned events for 2020 in their renovated mid-century 12,000-square-foot warehouse. Everything had to wait. Until now.

“Before and after the performances, we are having an art exhibition down here where my office is,” says Duffy. The basement office has a handmade, wall-length bar. “I’ll be back there serving drinks.” Upstairs, the dancers are practicing. Co-choreographer Ashley Volner steps in time with fellow dancers Grace Byrd, Aiyanna LaRue, and Conor Chaparro.

Including Martin, the dancers have nearly 100 years of combined dance experience. “When I ran into Yvonne at Memphis Rox and she talked about a collaboration, I conferred with Ashley and said, ‘Put me in coach,’” says Martin.

A fiery bird wall mural created from an original sketch by local artist Melanie Pyron is the backdrop for the performance utilizing Bobo’s metal sculpture. Stravinsky’s score, adapted for modern dance, provides the music. “We wanted music that was well-known, beautiful, and could be adapted. Not only is Stravinsky’s musical score well-known and beautiful — it’s public domain,” says Martin.

RICHARD MURFF

FRANK MURTAUGH

THE FIREBIRD, OFF THE WALLS, 360 WALNUT, OPENS SATURDAY, JULY 31, 7 P.M., 8 P.M., AND 9 P.M., CONTINUES SUNDAY, 4 P.M., 5 P.M., AND 6 P.M., THURSDAY-SATURDAY, 7 P.M., 8 P.M., AND 9 P.M. THROUGH AUG. 7, $12.

July 29-August 4, 2021

Pop the bubbly with Richard Murff ’s review on Digby champagne.

Spirits, p. 24

14

Baseball, Budweiser, and buddies: the perfect recipe for the perfect reunion.

Last Word, p. 31

VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES July 29th - August 4th “Yellow Jack” Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum, 680 Adams, opens Wednesday, July 28, noon-4 p.m., $15 The mansion will be staged for a Yellow Fever season of mourning.

The 1871 epidemic martyrs will be recounted and remembered.

Arthouse Film Series: Hell-Bound Train Crosstown Concourse Theater, 1350 Concourse, Thursday, July 29, 7:30 p.m., $5 An early example of Black filmmaking, the1930 silent film was shot by James and Eloyce Gist on 16 mm film. Features a live score by Elizabeth King.

Novel at Home: Grady Hendrix Live Online from novelmemphis.com, Thursday, July 29, 6 p.m., free with registration In horror films, the final girls are the ones left when the credits roll. But what happens next? Author discusses Final Girl Support Group via Zoom.

Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood Germantown Community Theatre, 3037 Forest Hill-Irene, closing weekend, various showtimes Fri.-Sun., $15 Ken Ludwig’s Robin Hood adventure directed by Julie Reinbold.

Teachers Comedy Night Out The Comedy Junt, 4330 American Way, Friday, July 30, 8 p.m., $20 Joe Means, Richard Douglas Jones, Ricky Franklin, and Latoya Tennille perform before teachers return back to the classroom.

Dinner with Dave Krog and Guest Chef Craig Richards Dory, 716 W. Brookhaven, Friday, July 30, 5 p.m., $95 A five-course tasting menu featuring PortoVino wines for an optional pairing. Duck lasagna and braised duck ragu will be featured.

George’s Truck Stop and Drag Bar The Evergreen Theatre, 1705 Poplar, Fri.-Sat., July 30-31, 8 p.m., $27 When a group of misfit drag queens/ kings are displaced by a fire at their country bar, they take refuge in a roadside diner run by waitresses Mary Kay and Maybelline.

Walt Disney Archives Tour & Tea Party Graceland Exhibition Center, 3717 Elvis Presley, Sat., July 31, 11 a.m., $30 A party with petite sandwiches, cookies, and tea service followed by a tour of “Inside the Walt Disney Archives.”

Live music at

PHOTO: CHRISTY CALVIN, COURTESY OF MMI

MMI hosted the indoor event Take the MMIc in 2020.

Block Party

By Julie Ray

Just outside the Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) Downtown office is a parking lot that is the perfect place to take indoor events outside. It’s so perfect that MMI composed a block party with Downtown neighbors including FedExForum, FedEx Logistics, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, and the Memphis Grizzlies that will be music to your ears.

All are invited to stop by and enjoy live music, food trucks, Grizzlies giveaways, activities for kids, and the company of community following a long hiatus of live music. “Our block party is our welcome back embrace after a long absence,” says Amber Hamilton, executive director of MMI. “We have been through so much over the last year collectively, and we need opportunities to reconnect and remember what is special about Memphis.”

The Memphis Grizzline will kick off the party at the intersection of South B.B. King and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Performances will include young people who are part of MMI as well as professional musicians who serve as MMI Fellows.

Guests can compete for prizes during a two-hour block of live-band karaoke. Don’t be shy. You know you want those prizes.

The party favors continue past Friday’s event. Guests who are Shelby County residents can also visit the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum for half-priced admission from Friday-Sunday, July 30-Aug. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

It has been a uniquely challenging year, but all are welcome. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.

RETURN TO MUSIC COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY, MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE, 198 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., FRIDAY, JULY 30, 4-8 P.M., FREE.

Wednesdays - 6:30pm Duwayne Burnside Blues Hour

7/28 - 6:30pm

Duwayne Burnside Blues Hour

7/30 - 7pm

Garry Goin

7/31 - 7pm

Seeing Red

8/4 - 6:30pm

Duwayne Burnside Blues Hour

8/4 - 7pm

Queen Ann Hines

8/5 - 7pm

Max Gomez & Friends

8/7 - 8pm

Thumpdaddy

8/11 - 6:30pm

Duwayne Burnside Blues Hour Snow Cones for Snow Leopards Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss in Overton Park, Sat., July 31, 6:30 p.m. $35-$40 Ticket price includes a T-shirt and snow cone, silent auction, and talk

by Ashleigh Lutz-Nelson, VP of the Snow Leopard Conservancy.

World Golf Championships: FedEx St. Jude Invitational TPC at Southwind, 3325 Club, Monday-Sunday, Aug. 2-8, $30 Brings the best players in the world to Memphis for one of the strongest fields of the year, benefiting St. Jude.

901 Wrestling: Battle at Black Lodge Black Lodge, 405 N. Cleveland, Saturday, July 31, 8 p.m., $5-$15 Athletes compete during a one-night tournament to crown the new 901 Wrestling champion. Pick winners ahead of the tournament for a chance at the bracket prize pack.

Prehistoric Plant Trail Party Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry, Tue., Aug. 3, 10 a.m., free with garden admission See exhibit improvements and meet the intern responsible for the sign redesign and artwork. Features lemonade, a dino-themed activity, and story-time.

“John F. Staub and the Architecture of the Country House” Online from Dixon Gallery & Gardens, dixon.org, Wed., Aug. 4, noon, free with registration Stephen Fox, architectural historian and author of The Country Houses of John F. Staub, will speak on topic via Zoom.

Collierville Cruise Night Collierville Town Square, 125 N. Rowlett, Wed., Aug. 4, 5-8 p.m., free Bring friends and family out to stroll the historic square while viewing Memphis Street Rods and other car enthusiasts.

8/11 - 7pm

John Williams and The A440 Band

8/12 - 7pm

Comedy Variety Show

railgarten.com 2 1 6 6 C e n t r a l Av e .

Memphis TN 38104

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Old might not be the best movie of the summer, but it might not be the worst either.

Film, p. 26

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

8/6 - 8pm

Lucky 7 Brass Band

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MUSIC By Alex Greene

Cutting Edge Opera Memphis renews its commitment to community and new works.

July 29-August 4, 2021

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andemic or no pandemic, Opera Memphis is on the move. As we recently reported, the 65-year-old institution has received a $500,000 grant from The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Inc. and a matching gift from Miriam and Charles Handorf, endowing the Handorf Company Artist Program.

This is prompting the group to move from Clark Opera Memphis Center to a smaller space closer to the city’s center, but it will have aesthetic consequences as well.

According to General Director Ned Canty, “With this move, we’re freeing up some money so when we do a big show, we’re able to put that money not into HVAC for a building that is larger than we need, but into hiring a larger chorus.” As Canty describes it, the new headquarters will allow Opera Memphis to focus both on the shows themselves, and how Opera Memphis relates to its hometown.

“The pandemic forced us to take an innovative approach that we never would have had the courage to do otherwise,” says Canty. “It caused the board to say, ‘Let’s think about the role of our location in what we do.’ Where we do performances will not change with the move from our building. That building is just our office space, rehearsal space, and costume shop.

So the pandemic opened up this new point of conversation.”

At the heart of that conversation is how Opera Memphis, and opera as an art form, can engage with the community.

“We’re really trying to become a company

where the ‘Memphis’ part of our name is at the center of what we do, rather than the ‘Opera’ part of our name,” explains Canty.

“How can we engage with the city in a way that’s more thoughtful and intentional?

We started actively experimenting eight years ago when we launched 30 Days of Opera [recurring months of free shows throughout the city]. Now, that work has grown a lot, and no longer takes place just during 30 Days of Opera.”

Ironically, one way to engage with the local community has been with out-oftown artists that the Handorf Company Artist Program helps to recruit. “A lot of artists are coming here from singing at Carnegie Hall or the San Francisco Opera or Chicago. These are folks who do not

PHOTOS: NATALIE EDDINGS

Opera Memphis plans to turn Pretty Little Room into a full-length opera. need to sing with us to pay their rent, but sing with us because they love art, and they know they’re going to be treated like longlost relatives and friends. For a company that’s pretty far removed from places where a lot of opera singers live, it’s important that we create an experience that people want to come back to.”

A work now in progress epitomizes these strengths. “In 2018, we did a 20-minute version of Pretty Little Room, with music

by Robert Patterson, a Memphis-based composer and musician. It’s based on the story of Alice and Freda, two young women

in the 1890s who went to school together and fell in love. It was a time before the word ‘lesbian’ even existed.

Alice was judged insane for believing that two women could live together as spouses, and was sent to the Bolivar asylum. Now, the two of them are buried near each other in Elmwood Cemetery. It’s a story that actually happened, that still resonates today.”

Immediately after the short version premiered, they received funding to expand it.

Bringing it all back home, Opera Memphis is exploring connections with the Edge District as it develops Pretty Little Room. “In September of this year, we’re doing an orchestra workshop of this full-length opera.

That will be in the Edge, no matter where the building we end up inhabiting will be.

One thing that appeals to me about the Edge is the fact that so much new music was created there. It is the cradle of so much American music. The idea of working on this new opera, that will be exported to other cities and go out into the world, near where Elvis and others created this world-altering music, is incredible. So that is something we’re considering as we look at spaces in the Edge and in other neighborhoods. Either it will be a way of starting to build community in our new neighborhood, or it will be a way of building community there in addition to wherever our new neighborhood is going to be.”

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS SATURDAY, JULY 31

JAMES TAYLOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

MARTIN LAWRENCE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

DUDE PERFECT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

The first touring event at FedExForum since March of 2020, PBR’s Bluff City Classic brings America’s original extreme sport back. Tickets available!

James Taylor & His All-Star Band, with special guest Jackson Browne, has been rescheduled. Previously purchased tickets will be honored. Tickets available!

Be there for Martin Lawrence’s rescheduled tour stop and see Ricky Smiley, DeRay Davis, B. Simone, Tommy Davidson, and Benji Brown. Tickets available!

Dude Perfect has rescheduled their 2021 Tour.

Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the Saturday, October 16 show. Tickets available!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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ART AN D S P EC IAL E X H I B ITS

38th Annual Juried Student Online Exhibition Featuring work by University of Memphis students. Ongoing.

ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (AMUM)

“Africa on My Mind”

Exhibition featuring new and recent artwork by Ethiopian artist Dereje Demissie and Nigerian artist Johnson Uwadinma. Ongoing.

UREVBU CONTEMPORARY

Artists’ Link Summer Show

Exhibition of work by members of Artists’ Link. Monday, Aug. 2-Sept. 2.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

“Contemporary & Ethnographic Works of Art”

Exhibition of contemporary and ancient works by multiple artists. Ongoing.

Exhibition of paintings by Ann Brown Thomason on display in the Grand Hall. Aug. 2-Sept. 30.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

“Folk Art”

Exhibition of works from the collection of Judy Peiser, cofounder and executive director of the Center for Southern Folklore. Through July 31.

Exhibition featuring items from The Marty Stuart Collection.

Ongoing.

DAVID LUSK GALLERY

“Drip”

Exhibition of paintings by Kevin Ford. Through Aug. 21.

TOPS GALLERY: MADISON AVENUE PARK

“On the Road: Chocolate Cities”

Exhibition featuring multiple artists curated by Larry OsseiMensah, which explores notions of Blackness coupled with the convergence of place and space. Through Sept. 18.

“Hindsight 2020”

Exhibition by four student curators, three professional mentors, and two student graphic designers offering a reflection of the events of 2020 through the lens of artists of color, LGBTQ+ artists, and others. Through Sept. 30.

“IEAA Ancient Egyptian Collection”

Exhibition of two-dimensional paper pieces and sculptures by Tim Crowder. Aug. 1-Aug. 28.

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

GRACELAND EXHIBITION CENTER

“Divine Legacies in Black Jewelry”

“Drift”

Artwork exhibition in the Crosstown Concourse West Atrium and the Church Health Welcome Center. July 30-Sept. 30.

“Hillbilly Rock”

ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (AMUM)

METAL MUSEUM

New Art by Dr. Tom Gettelfinger

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

JAY ETKIN GALLERY

Exhibition of jewelry to contextualize the history of modern Black American jewelry production during the 20th and 21st centuries, and to expand our understanding of Black jewelers and their work.

Through Sept. 12.

Support local artists at WKNO’s MGAL Member Showcase and/or Memphis Botanic Garden’s Artists’ Link Summer Show.

“Escape to Water and Sky”

Exhibition of Egyptian antiquities ranging from 3800 B.C.E. to 700 C.E. from the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology collection. Ongoing.

ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (AMUM)

“Images of Africa Before & After the Middle Passage” Exhibition of photography

by Jeff and Shaakira Edison.

Ongoing.

SLAVE HAVEN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD MUSEUM

“Inside the Walt Disney Archives”

Exhibition celebrating the legacy of The Walt Disney Company archives, with behind-the-scenes access never

TONE

“Persevere and Resist: The Strong Black Women of Elizabeth Catlett”

before granted to the public.

Ongoing. 10:00 a.m-4:00 p.m.

GRACELAND EXHIBITION CENTER

“Invisible Aquaphobic Art” Art installation in the plaza fountain reveals artworks when exposed to water, by artist Stacey Williams-Ng. Through Aug. 31.

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

“King of Karate”

Highlighting Elvis’ lifelong passion of karate. Ongoing.

GRACELAND EXHIBITION CENTER

“Light and Color Inspired”

Exhibition of work by Barbara Hicks, Katie Lindsey, and Ann Brown Thomason. Online viewing only. Through July 31.

GALLERY 1091

“Meet the Dixons”

Exhibition highlighting Margaret and Hugo Dixon’s personal lives, collections, and legacy.

Through Sept. 26.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“Micro-Aesthetic”

Exhibition of microscopic images forming a connection to everyday-life patterns, presented by Dr. Amir Hadadzadeh. Through Sept. 30.

ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (AMUM)

“Mona Hatoum: Misbah”

Exhibition of a contemporary art installation where the viewer stands in a darkened room, lit only by a rotating lantern dangling from the ceiling.

Through Jan. 9.

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

Exhibition highlighting the historic and current plights of Black women in America.

Through Aug. 31.

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART

“Piece of Cake”

Exhibition of confectious sculptures by Greely Myatt.

Sunday, Through Sept. 26.

“Sketching Europe: A Tour through the Eyes of Memphian Samuel H. Crone”

Exhibition of sketches and watercolor paintings by Samuel Hester Crone in the permanent collection. Ongoing.

ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS (AMUM)

“Structure(s)”

Exhibition of works by Lester Merriweather. Through Aug. 6.

2021 PROJECTS

“The Machine Inside: Biomechanics”

An immersive exhibit for all ages that takes visitors on a journey into the marvels of natural engineering. Through Aug. 31.

MEMPHIS PINK PALACE MUSEUM

Tributaries: Tiff Massey I “Everyday Arsenal”

Exhibition of works inspired by African standards of economic vitality. Includes both largescale and wearable sculptures, music, and performance.

Through Sept. 25.

METAL MUSEUM

Vietnam Veterans & Desert Storm Veterans Exhibition Veterans’ work on view.

Through July 31.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

MID-SOUTH ARTIST GALLERY

“Pieta Mondrian”

Warehouse Studios Artist Collective

Exhibiton of sculptures

by Christopher Chiappa.

Through Aug. 21.

TOPS GALLERY

“Point of View: Beauty in the Small Things” Exhibition of paintings by Anna Parker. Aug. 1-Aug. 31.

FRATELLI’S

Exhibition of work from metal arts to wood-working to vintage electronics to painters, by over 20 artists. July 30-Aug. 7.

OFF THE WALLS

“Watch for my Signals”

Exhibition of works made from found objects by Alex Lockwood. Through July 31.

DAVID LUSK GALLERY

continued on page 20

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

July 29 - August 4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR of EVENTS:

Send the date, time, place, cost, info, phone number, a brief description, and photos — two weeks in advance — to calendar@memphisflyer.com or P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101.

DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS WILL APPEAR IN THE FLYER’S ONLINE CALENDAR ONLY.

19

C A L E N D A R : J U LY 2 9 - A U G U S T 4 continued from page 19 “Wayne Thiebaud 100: Paintings, Prints, and Drawings”

Exhibition of works by artist.

Through Oct. 3.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

“Yellow Jack”

The mansion is prepared for Yellow Fever and a season of mourning. The dimly lit mansion will be staged, as the 1871 yellow fever epidemic will be recounted and martyrs remembered. Thursday, July 29.

WOODRUFF-FONTAINE HOUSE MUSEUM

An early example of Black filmmaking, the 1930 silent film Hellbound Train will be screened at Crosstown with a live score.

bold cuff bracelets. $85/general admission. Friday, July 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

ARROW CREATIVE

MGAL Member Showcase and Sale View and purchase artwork by local artists who are members of the Memphis Germantown Art League. Aug. 1-Aug. 31.

C O M E DY

Benefit for Brandy J Flynn

WKNO.ORG

Comedy for a cause. $20. Saturday, July 31, 8 p.m.

The Peace Project

Hear the peace offerings made up of artists’ voices, instruments, ambient noises, and reverberations in a healing space, featuring work by Hank Willis Thomas. Ongoing.

MEMPHIS PARK (FOURTH BLUFF)

ART HAP P E N I N G S

Art Trolley Tour

Tour the local galleries and shops on South Main. Friday, July 30, 6-9 p.m.

SOUTH MAIN HISTORIC ARTS DISTRICT

Candle Making with Brooke Williamson

Create your own custom scented candles. $65/ticket.

Friday, July 30, 6:30-8:30 a.m.

ARROW CREATIVE

Kitchen Table Silversmithing: Bold Statement Cuffs with Brandy Boyd

Virtual Tours at Two

Join a Dixon docent or member of the curatorial staff on a virtual tour of the current exhibitions. Free-$5. Tuesdays, 2 p.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

WE Gallery

Gallery benefiting artists.

Through Aug. 31.

WOMAN’S EXCHANGE OF MEMPHIS

Whet Thursday

Featuring live music, a food truck, metalsmithing demonstrations, and a gallery talk.

Thursday, July 29, 6-9 p.m.

METAL MUSEUM

July 29-August 4, 2021

Create your own beautiful,

Memphis Reads

Selected book, Thick: and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom, engages Memphians in the Black female experience in today’s America. Through Oct. 31 CHRISTIAN BROTHERS UNIVERSITY

Novel at Home: Erin Craig with Erin Hahn

Author discusses Small Favors in conversation with the author of Never Saw You Coming via Zoom. Saturday, July 31, 2 p.m.

NOVEL

Novel at Home: Grady Hendrix Live

Author discusses Final Girl Support Group via Zoom. Preorder book for a signed copy.

Thursday, July 29, 6 p.m.

NOVEL

Tennessee R.E.A.D.S.

Use your library card to check out ebooks and audiobooks.

Includes Big Library Read connecting readers around the world with the same book at the same time. Ongoing.

READS.OVERDRIVE.COM

For those impacted by COVID-19. Puts callers in contact with essential services, without individuals having to repeat the circumstances for the call. Follow-up ensures those connections were made.

Ongoing.

UWMIDSOUTH.ORG

THE COMEDY JUNT

DAN C E

Chris Thomas & Shaun Jones

The Firebird

Friday, July 30, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a second performance at 10 p.m., Friday-Sunday. $20.

CHUCKLES COMEDY CLUB

Teachers Comedy Night Out

A night of comedy before going back to the classroom. $20.

Friday, July 30, 8 p.m.

THE COMEDY JUNT

OFF THE WALLS

FAM I LY

KangaZoo Outback Experience

C O M M U N I TY

Thistle & Bee Ambassador Program

Become a steward for the Thistle & Bee mission. Email Oriana for more information, oholmes@thistleandbee.org.

Ongoing.

THISTLEANDBEE.ORG

A new immersive modern dance experience based on the original ballet and score by Stravinsky. Visit the website for schedule, offthewallsarts. org. $20. Saturday, July 31Aug. 7.

Experience the outback and meet one of Australia’s largest marsupials, the red kangaroo.

Through Oct. 31.

MEMPHIS ZOO

Walt Disney Archives Tour & Tea Party

Saturday, July 31, 11 a.m.-noon.

GRACELAND

Friday, July 30 Memphis Museum of Science & History

WWW.MEMPHISMUSEUMS.ORG

20

B O O K E V E N TS

United Way of the MidSouth: Driving The Dream

From 7PM - 10PM Telescope observations begin at dark.

C A L E N D A R : J U LY 2 9 - A U G U S T 4 F ES T IVAL

Return to Music Block Party

Enjoy live music, food trucks, activities for kids, Grizzlies giveaways, and more. Friday, July 30, 4-8 p.m.

MEMPHIS MUSIC INITIATIVE

Soulin’ on the River: Tia Henderson

Features music, food trucks, and more. Friday, July 30, 6 p.m.

TREADWELL/HEIGHTS PARK

Watermelon Festival

Features petting zoo, bounce houses, hayrides, watermelons, and more. Through Aug. 15.

PRIDDY FARMS

Carpenter Art Garden

Pick up seasonal veggies every Monday and Thursday. Cash or Venmo is accepted. Visit Facebook page for weekly offerings. Thursdays, 3:30 p.m.

Dinner with Dave Krog and Guest Chef Craig Richards

A five-course dinner featuring PortoVino wines for an optional pairing. Friday, July 30, 5 p.m.

CARPENTER ART GARDEN

DORY

City Tasting Tours

Food Truck Friday

Savor tastings at eateries, interact with chefs and managers, and sample local flavors while learning about the city. Ongoing.

CITYTASTINGTOURS.COM

Cordova International Farmers Market

Large selection of produce and meat. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.

INTERNATIONAL FARMERS MARKET

FI LM

Every Friday in Garrott Court through September.

Features food trucks and lunch in the gardens. Zio Matto Gelato will also be onsite for a sweet treat to cool off in the gardens. Fridays, 11:30 a.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

Haunted Pub Crawl

Knowledgeable and entertaining guides take you on an informative and humorous walking tour of Memphis restaurants, bars, and taverns. $25. Fridays, 7:30 p.m.

THE BROOM CLOSET

Old Dominick Distillery Tours

See firsthand the dedication and passion put into every bottle. Experience the spirits and learn recipes from experts. See the state-of-the-art distillery and learn about what makes it so special. $15.

Thursdays-Sundays, noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m.

OLD DOMINICK DISTILLERY

Peabody Afternoon Tea

Traditional three-course menu of savory tea sandwiches, assorted sweets, and scones. $35-$45.

Wednesdays, 1 p.m.

CHEZ PHILIPPE

continued on page 23

Arthouse Film Series: Hellbound Train

An early example of Black filmmaking features a screening of a 1930 silent film shot by a pair of self-taught, Christian evangelists, James and Eloyce Gist, on 16 mm film. Live score by Elizabeth King. $5. Thursday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

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MALCO CORDOVA

Grease

Family-friendly musical movie under the trees in The Grove with live music by Josh Threlkeld, bar, Lynnie’s Links Food Truck, plus the chance for you to learn more about Germantown Kiwanis. $10/general admission. Friday, July 30, 7-9 p.m.

THE GROVE AT GPAC

FO O D AN D D R I N K

CRAPS |

BLACK JACK |

ROULETTE |

SLOTS |

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Celebrates the 5th anniversary of the girl group debut. Revisit old memories and enjoy the passionate performances in the festive spirit. $15.

Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m.

for a chance to win $500 in cash.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Blackpink the Movie

Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 7PM - 9PM Must be 21+. Play responsibly; for help quitting call 800-522-4700.

Bestselling author Erin A. Craig will discuss, via Zoom, her newest novel, Small Favors, a haunting and chilling fantasy.

SPORTSBOOK

Canoes + Cocktails

Enjoy a guided evening sunset paddle on the lake followed by socially distant cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, yard games, and music at Hyde Lake Pavilion.

Fridays, 7 p.m.

SHELBY FARMS PARK

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C A L E N D A R : J U LY 2 9 - A U G U S T 4

Includes a T-shirt and snow cone, silent auction. Ashleigh LutzNelson, VP of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, will be speaking. $35/members, $40/nonmembers.

Saturday, July 31, 6:30 p.m.

MEMPHIS ZOO

St. Jude Courses and Cocktails

Enjoy live music and golf-themed games, bid on exclusive auction items, and dine on upscale Southern fare from chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. Saturday, July 31, 5:30 p.m.

TPC AT SOUTHWIND

Whitehaven Farmers Market

Features a University of Tennessee extension booth with children’s activities, recipes, and more. Mondays, 10 a.m.

MEDICAL OFFICE COMPLEX

H EALT H AN D F IT N ES S

Outdoor Total Body Burn A high-energy, fast-paced 30-minute workout that will require nothing but a little space and your own body. Bring some water, a mat, and a friend. $16.

Thursdays, 6:15 p.m.

GRIND CITY BREWING COMPANY

Classes held near Woodland Discovery Playground. $8.

Wednesday, June 30, 3 p.m.

SHELBY FARMS PARK

Yoga

Join Peggy Reisser in the garden, weather permitting. Free.

Saturday, July 31, 10:30 a.m.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

LECTU R E

“African American History of Elmwood Cemetery”

Celebrate the history of African-American individuals who contributed to the heart and history of Memphis and the United States, in the chapel with Kim Bearden. $20. Sunday, Aug. 1, 2 p.m.

ELMWOOD CEMETERY

“John F. Staub and the Architecture of the Country House”

Stephen Fox, architectural historian, fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas, and author of The Country Houses of John F. Staub will speak on topic via Zoom. Wednesday, Aug. 4, noon.

THE DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

P E R F O R M I N G A R TS

July Rainbow Rumble

Velvetina’s Blue Moon Revue

BLACK LODGE

A dazzling, classic burlesque dinner show with talent from all over the country, featuring live Memphis rock-and-roll, hosted by Velvetina Taylor. $15/general admission, $40/ table for two, $80/table for four, $100/VIP. Thursday, July 29, 7-9 p.m.

HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY

S P E C IA L E V E N TS

Bingo Night

Games are free to play, and there’s a prize for every game.

Tuesday, Aug. 3, 7-9 p.m.

CASUAL PINT

Collierville Cruise Night

Enjoy an evening with friends and family to check out some of the best rides the MidSouth has to offer with Memphis Street Rods. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 5-8 p.m.

COLLIERVILLE TOWN SQUARE

H2Oh! Splash Water Park Garden-themed exhibit with 40+ sprayers including jet streams, mists, geysers, and water tunnels. Free with admission. $15. Ongoing.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF MEMPHIS

Lip sync battle. $10. Friday, July 30, 8:30 p.m.

Literacy Conference

Designed to empower Memphis educators and literacy leaders with tools to promote meaningful literacy experiences for all students. $50.

Saturday, July 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

Nature’s Champions: Olympic Games Trek

Celebrate the Olympic Games Garden-style this summer.

Take a self-guided walk around the garden to discover nature’s amazing feats.

Through Aug. 8.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

Prehistoric Plant Trail Party

Celebrate the new improvements to this exhibit and meet the intern responsible for the sign redesign and artwork.

Features lemonade, a dinothemed activity, and a special story-time. Tuesday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN

Shantay Drag Queen Bingo featuring Miami Rose

Get down and dirty with the stunning Miami Rose. Ready to find out if every rose has its thorn? Free. Friday, July 30, 7-9 p.m.

MOXY MEMPHIS DOWNTOWN

Trivia Night at Celtic Crossing

Trivia Night emceed by Allan Creasy. Parties of eight or fewer will participate in four rounds of 10 questions.

Wednesdays, 7 p.m.

CELTIC CROSSING

S PO R TS

901 Wrestling: Battle at Black Lodge A one-night tournament to crown the new 901 Wrestling champion. $5. Saturday, July 31, 8 p.m.

one of the strongest fields of the year, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. $30. Aug. 2-Aug. 8.

TPC AT SOUTHWIND

T H EAT E R

Bye Bye Birdie

Musical comedy about rock star Conrad Birdie whose publicity stunt sends the wholesome enclave of Sweet Apple, Ohio, into chaos. $20. Through Aug. 1.

LANDERS CENTER

George’s Truck Stop and Drag Bar: The Original

When a group of misfit drag queens/kings are displaced by a fire at their country bar, they take refuge in a roadside diner run by waitresses Mary Kay and Maybelline. $27/truck stop ticket. Friday, July 30, Saturday, July 31, 8-10 p.m.

THE EVERGREEN THEATRE

BLACK LODGE

Memphis Redbirds vs.

Gwinnett Stripers

Redbirds take the field. Thursday, July 29, 7:10 p.m.

AUTOZONE PARK

World Golf Championships: FedEx St. Jude Invitational Brings the best players in the world to Memphis for

TO U R S

Haunted Memphis Bus Tour

Informative and entertaining guides will share tales of murders, hauntings and dark history. $25. Fridays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.

THE BROOM CLOSET

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Snow Cones for Snow Leopards

Tai Chi

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

continued from page 21

23

S P I R ITS By Richard Murff

The English Connection Digging into the French/English influences of Digby champagne.

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hat sparkling drink that we know as champagne is less a French innovation than you might think.

It was Sir Kenelm Digby, an eccentric Englishman and one-time political prisoner, who first created the wine bottles sturdy enough to hold the bubbles in check, although it never occurred to him that wine bottles would ever hold bubbles.

Over in Paris, one Marquis de SaintÉvremond — a court hanger-on and charming bon vivant — managed to enrage one of King Louis XIV’s more powerful and humorless ministers and got himself exiled. Being a gentler age (for aristocrats, at least), Saint-Évremond was allowed to take his cache of white, tart wine from the Champagne region with him. Because Champagne is cold and wet, the fermentation process of these wines would stop in the winter and pick back up in the spring — causing a little residual CO2 to linger. As wine was stored in big wooden casks, these bubbles would dissipate slowly and then all at once when the bung was removed.

The historical irony here is that Dom Pierre Pérignon — the Benedictine monk so associated with the drink — spent his life trying to get the bubbles out of champagne.

So Saint-Évremond, essentially a house guest of the English court, did what house guests do and brought some wine. What happened, in effect, was that he bottled the wine (in Digby’s strong English bottles) before the second fermentation picked back up, trapping the residual CO2 as the yeast started to do its thing again. When opened, the stuff fizzed and tickled noses, and the court went wild. He ordered more champagne and did it again. He wasn’t really doing it for science, or even industry.

For Saint-Évremond, the new wine was all about sex and money.

You could argue that it still is.

What made the Champagne region perfect for champagne is that it was cold and wet. Now, with rising temperatures, both yield and, in some cases, the flavors the grapes are producing are changing. Quick ripening in warmed weather causes sugars to concentrate, producing a honey-like wine. It isn’t just Champagne; Rieslingproducing regions in Germany are becoming more welcoming to hardier grapes like pinot noir, but more problematic for the delicate varieties. On the other side of this phenomenon is that some regions that haven’t been suitable for wine production

for centuries, are again.

Wine production in Britain essentially fell off with the global cooling period that coincided with the fall of Rome. Now, due to rising temperatures, places like Kent and Sussex in the south of England are starting to hit that just-so level of cold and wet to give good sparkling wines a go. I’d read about it, but it wasn’t until Mrs. M and I were having a St. George’s Day dinner that a friend brought a bottle of English “champagne” as a gift from one history nerd to another.

PHOTO: RICHARD MURFF

It’s appropriately called “Digby” after Sir Kenelm. It isn’t vintage — the company was founded in 2013 — so it lacks that breadiness of a lot of older sparklers. My suspicion is that these wines are so expensive (and therefore rare) that most people wouldn’t know that they are supposed to taste like that. Instead, you get something like the pastry of an apple tart. It’s a little weightier in feel and has a nice acidity that finishes clean. The bubbles are compact, sparkling with fizz, but if you are looking for that carbonated “bite,” you’ll be disappointed.

In some fit of cultural version of “what grows together, goes together” — the English have made an understated champagne.

As much as it galls the French, you can’t have champagne without the English. What the hell, they did it to us with rock-and-roll: bounced an import back to its homeland with a British twist. And like the rockand-roll lifestyle, it’s still all about sex and money.

Chef Daris Leatherwood “I just kind of picked it up on my own,” he continues. “I started doing it when no one was around. I knew at an early age that I could make things taste really good.”

Cooking “went from a hobby to a passion, and a passion to a career. In the back of my high school yearbook it says I wanted to be a chef. And I’m one of two people who lived up to what they wanted to be.”

His first job was at Isaac Hayes Nightclub & Restaurant in Peabody Place, where the chef took him under his wing. “He began teaching me about the mother sauces,” Leatherwood says. “I started doing sauté.

The rest is history. I started working around the kitchen mastering each station.”

Hayes? “I met him. We cooked for him.

Yes, I did. I think he had the rib tips with the french fries.”

Leatherwood then got a job at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, where he went from “salad guy” to “master broiler.” He kept learning. “Learning things from other people, but I bought my own books. Like teaching myself about French cuisine.”

The old Madison Hotel was next. “That was one of the best times in my life. I was running a boutique luxury hotel in Memphis.”

Leatherwood cooked for rapper Lil Wayne. “He had a show here in Memphis, and I ended up cooking for him and his whole entourage.”

He ended up going to Miami to cook for the performer. “He didn’t talk much, but I knew when I saw those clean plates he was happy.”

Leatherwood rose to executive chef while working on the American Empress cruise ship. “On that boat, I was able to save a substantial amount of money ’cause I couldn’t spend it. I was thinking of ways to create a business for myself. What better way than a food truck. Low overhead, full creativity.”

Leatherwood, who returned to Ruth’s Chris as executive chef, bought his first food truck in 2018. He thought, “Why can’t we have fine dining on a food truck? That’s a concept I’d never heard of.”

He began serving grilled salmon sliders, seafood gumbo, Cajun pastas, lamb chops, lollipop lobster tails, crab cakes. His food “mirrored the food” he was cooking on a corporate level. “The type of food I was comfortable with.”

He continued to work at Ruth’s Chris and operate his food truck until the pandemic. He then catered and did pop-ups.

Seven months ago, Leatherwood bought a bigger and taller food truck. He and chef Mary Wallace are collaborating this time.

“We just work so well together. We have the same passion about food. The love we put in the food. We’re ready to take it to the next level. I want to cater to the people who want the high-end cuisine, but I want some affordable cuisine as well,” he says. “It will be elevated street food, but I will have vegan options in there as well.”

“Sumlight” is what Leatherwood says when fellow chefs ask what he’s making.

“Oh, that’s sum’ [something] light.”

But, he still could be making “something that blows your mind.”

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m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

W

hen you visit the Sumlight Bistro food truck, bring a white tablecloth.

Chef/owner Daris Leatherwood serves “elevated street food” — the type of cuisine you’d get at a fine dining restaurant.

Leatherwood is slated to re-launch his food truck the first week of August. Instead of hamburgers, you might be eating his truffle-crusted lamb chops.

“I have the fine dining background,” he says. “So, it’s just taking something that you would normally sit down and eat at a white tablecloth setting, but off the food truck.

Same presentation. But it’s also comfortable at the same time.”

Leatherwood cooked as a child in Cleaborn Homes. “It started with me scrambling eggs. I went through two cartons of eggs. I would have too much heat, not enough heat, not enough oil, until I got the math right.

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White tablecloth fare at Sumlight Bistro food truck.

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FOOD By Michael Donahue

25

FILM By Chris McCoy

Not Getting Any Younger Old is M. Night Shyamalan’s best film in years.

“

W

July 29-August 4, 2021

hat movie did you see?” asked my friend Sarah this afternoon.

“Old,” I said. “The new M. Night Shyamalan.”

“Oh. How was it?”

“Meh. I didn’t hate it,” I said.

“Wow. That’s quite an endorsement, coming from you!” she said.

It’s true. I’m on record as not being a Shyamalan fan. More precisely, I hate his movies. It’s not personal.

I’m sure he is a lovely person who is kind to animals.

And I respect his skills. It’s obvious from even the most cursory examination of films like The Village and Signs that this is a guy who has memorized every frame Alfred Hitchcock ever shot. It’s just that he’s terribly one note, and not nearly the writer a generation of producers seem to think he is. After hitting with The Sixth Sense, he’s leaned on his signature gimmick of the late-film plot twist. Take The Happening, for example, where he sets up a high-concept premise, treads water for an hour, then belly flops when he tries to resolve cleverly.

(While I’m busy pissing cinephiles off, I recently watched the Turner Classic Movies tribute to another Hitch worshipper, Brian De Palma, and decided he’s

26

also a hack.)

Anyway, Old is Shyamalan’s return to the theaters after two box office successes, Split and Glass. You’ve got to admire the commitment to short titles. Old starts with a young family heading to a beach vacation at the allinclusive Anamika Resort on an island off the coast of Mexico. The marriage of the not very creatively named Guy (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Prisca (Vicky Krieps) is on the rocks.

They’re trying to keep it from their son Trent (played at this point by Nolan River) and daughter Maddox (Alexa Swinton, initially), but they’re not doing a very good job. When Trent plays with his action figures, they argue like mom and dad.

The hotel, though, is super nice, and the staff so attentive that they seem to know everything about their guests. Kinda spooky, right? It gets spookier: The resort manager (Gustaf Hammarsten) has the same energy as that guy in the Chevy commercials who plays sinister pranks on unsuspecting consumers. (“We’ve kidnapped your family to highlight all the features you’re going to love on our all-new Chevy Abductor crossover SUV.”) The manager offers to transport the family to a secret, secluded beach where nothing bad can happen. Spoiler alert: bad things happen.

(above) Aaron Pierre plays a rapper named Mid-Sized Sedan. No, seriously; (bottom-left) Nolan River is one of four actors who play Trent at various ages in Old. Once at the beach, Guy (seriously, was that a placeholder name that stuck?) and Prisca (was she once called “Girl”?) discover they’re not the only ones invited to this “exclusive” deserted beach. There’s also Charles (Rufus Sewell), a doctor; his wife Chrystal (Abbey Lee); daughter Kara (played at age 6 by Kyle Bailey); and mother Agnes (Kathleen Chalfant). Lurking on a beach is a guy who Maddox recognizes as a rapper named — I kid you not — Mid-Sized Sedan (Aaron Pierre). They soon find that they’re trapped on the beach, and aging at an unnaturally fast rate.

In the big picture of horror movie settings to get trapped in with a group of disposable characters, of which you might be one, I’d say a secluded beach is probably the best you could hope for. Usually, it’s a haunted mansion or deserted farmhouse surrounded by zombies or an eastern European hostel with a secret continued on page 28

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THIS IS HOW WE LIVE.

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4/7/21 8:42 AM

FILM By Chris McCoy continued from page 26 basement torture chamber. I have to admit, as Shyamalan went through his usual paces of stilted dialog and obvious, studio-note exposition, I occasionally zoned out and just watched cinematographer Mike Gioulakis’ vibrant images of the surf rolling in.

Maybe that’s why I didn’t gag my way through Old. Or maybe it’s because the premise is taken from one of my favorite Ray Bradbury short stories, “Frost and Fire,” in which survivors of a spaceship crash discover that the alien planet’s

radiation ages them a lifetime in only eight days, and it takes generations to effect an escape. Or maybe I’m just starved for entertainment.

Old never rises to Bradbury’s plane of contemplation, but at least it tries to explore the psychic side of aging as the ultimate body horror. Unlike, say, being dismembered at summer camp or transforming into a giant man-fly, it’s a horror scenario we will all face — if we’re lucky.

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T H E L A S T W O R D B y Fr a n k M u r t a u g h

Birds and Buds 7,500 miles apart can’t dent a lifelong friendship built on baseball and a few Budweisers.

PHOTO: FRANK MURTAUGH

m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m

Frank Murtaugh and friend Audie Artero reunite at one of their favorite pastimes.

THE LAST WORD

Earlier this month, I took a buddy of 38 years(!) to Busch Stadium for his first visit to the nest of the St. Louis Cardinals. Had the opportunity to introduce a long-distance traveler to several former Memphis Redbirds, in my happy place. Audie Artero didn’t grow up a Cardinals fan as I did (third generation), but he grew up a teammate of mine (basketball and soccer, in addition to baseball). We were small-town partners, and not just in the outfield for Northfield (Vermont) High School. We tended to travel as a tandem, at least when not on a date or scouting foreign turf (perhaps a party “way up” in Montpelier).

Ours is a cosmic friendship, of a sort, since the odds of the two of us ever crossing paths were astronomical. I was born in Tennessee and found my way to a small hamlet in central Vermont via California (among other family stops). Audie was born in North Carolina and found his way to Northfield via Texas (among other family stops). Our connective thread: Our fathers were hired, a year apart, by Norwich University.

Audie is now a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force and has called Guam home for more than two decades. This makes the days we actually share a room — or baseball stadium — a little more significant than visits across a time zone or two. We tend to make the most of them, and we’ve managed to get together the old-fashioned way every odd year since 2009. (I trail Audie by a few ocean-widths of air travel.)

Qualities in a friend you keep on the other side of the globe? It starts, of course, with our high school experience. We “shared our morning days,” as Oliver Wendell Holmes put it. But I’ll note a couple of Audie’s shining traits. I’ve never witnessed him act cruel, in the slightest, to another person. (Except on a basketball court. He introduced himself in a pickup game and swatted my first shot with malice beyond the reach of most 14-year-olds.) This is a guy who excuses himself when someone takes his place in line. And Audie has virtually no ego, despite an abundance of smarts and talent. (There was no Mutombo finger-wag after that block. He took possession of the ball and scored.)

Senior year in high school, I entered an essay contest in which we were tasked with writing about three people we admired, past or present. I wrote about Thomas Jefferson, Mohandas Gandhi, and Audie Artero. Took second place. Good friends, it turns out, make for inspired writing and good reading.

Audie and I have each been blessed with happy marriages for more than a quarter-century. We’ve each raised a pair of daughters.

(Like mine, Audie’s got his mother’s good looks.) Our friendship would make a decent Hallmark movie were it not for a few minor laws broken along the way. (In a small town, you can often answer the blue lights with a sincere apology.) The long distance component — Memphis is 7,500 miles from Guam — would be the tear-jerker, but our story has been packed with so much laughter, audiences would be too exhausted from the happy to waste any energy on the sad.

We followed our night at the ballpark with a Sunday tour of Anheuser-Busch. Audie and I have contributed to the company’s profit margin over the years, so a view of the Budweiser barrels, you might say, was overdue. It was one of those experiences, we often agreed, we’d enjoy someday. No need to write such plans down, or create a list, not even with 7,500 miles part of the equation. It’s funny. When “someday” arrives with a special friend, no matter how long it takes, it feels right on time.

Frank Murtaugh is the managing editor of Memphis magazine. He writes the “From My Seat” and “Tiger Blue” columns for the Flyer.

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