Sketchbooks, The Wiz, Karoke, Hip-Hop, Oh My!

The weekend is here and I have to say, I’m pretty stoked. It’s jam-packed with festivities so I have to find a way to fit in all in but I have to say, I love when my weekends are like this. I’m still waiting to get the word on Saturday’s activities but based on all there is to do Friday, Saturday may just have to be a day of rest!

First up we have the Project Sketchbook: 2010 Exhibition at the Adam Shaw Studio (2547 Broad Avenue).

Hosted by the Rozell Artists Guild, this is the opening reception for the exhibit. On display will be dozens of the 12 page completed sketchbooks (all filled with various forms of artwork) submitted from both amateurs and professionals. I’m excited to see the finished products. Who knows, next year I may submit one myself.

To find out more about Project Sketchbook, click here. The reception will be from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; the exhibit will be up for 2 weeks.

If you can’t make it to the exhibit but still want to get out for a bit, mosey in over to Marshall Arts Gallery (639 Marshall Ave) for Neosoulville presents…Soul Cinema.

Starting tonight, Neosoulville will be hosting a series of vintage African American film screenings while offering entertaining renditions of songs from the featured movie’s soundtrack during the breaks. Following the movie, DJ Manus will be spinning a set for those who want to mingle a little while longer.
 

If you were fortunate enough to go to the DVD screening of Timeless: The Composer/Arranger series (which featured an amazing tributeto J. DIlla) earlier this year,  you know that this is an experience like no other.

The show starts at 7:00 p.m.; this week’s feature is ‘The Wiz”. Advanced tickets are $20 (includes popcorn and beverage). Click here to purchase online.

If a movie isn’t your thing, you can go and get your laugh on at Comedy & Karaoke Fridays at 2 for 1 Bar & Grill (7144 Winchester Road). Hosted by funnyman Prescott & Karaoke King Time Bachus, admission is free before 9:00 p.m. with drink and food specials all night. Tonight’s comedian will be Big Sean Larkin (click here to check him out). His set will start at 10:00 p.m.

Finally, if you're a fan of hip-hop and Dubstep, swing by Odessa (2613 Broad Avenue) to check out performances by Oz Alone, Youre_Strooly, and Walks of Life as they celebrate their Daytime Nightmares EP release.

Doors open at 10:00 p.m.; admission is only $5. Click here for more info.

So dear readers, how will you be spending your Friday? Comment below and keep us NDLoop! ~KT

Fun Times: Cooper-Young Festival

This Saturday, The CYBA hosts the annual Cooper-Young Festival. One of Memphis’ most anticipated outdoor events, The Cooper-Young Festival is a pleasurable time to enjoy with your friends and family.

Offering a diverse mix of arts & crafts, live entertainment, and food, there will be over 300 vendors to visit.  This will be the 23rd year of the festival, so I look forward to seeing how it has grown.

The fun begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until 7 p.m. In the event there is rain, it will be held on Sunday. Please note, pets are not allowed.

For more information on sponsors, vendors and volunteer opportunities, click here.

Will you be out Saturday? Comment below and keep us NDLoop! ~KT

Creative 4 Cause x Westham Records x Cool Sessions = Fun Times!

Peeps, this weekend is JAM PACKED with festivities! In addition to CGI's Can I Live Celebrity Weekend, you have, many, many other options to choose from. Here are a few that are standing out for me!

Tonight, Photographer/Graphic Designer Akeara Williams hosts her 1st showcase, Creative 4 Cause Charity Art Exhibit. A Digital Art Exhibit,  there will be 10 original pieces for viewing and silent auction.

Admission is only $5, and proceeds from the door & sale of the pieces will be donated to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief. It's only been 6 months since the devastation that struck Haiti, so if you can attend, please swing by to show support!

It's from 6:30p-9p at Aquarius Creative Studio (688 S. Cox, Memphis, TN 38104), and there will be food and drinks, with DJ Rocksteddy on the 1's and 2's!

Also tonight will be the label release of Westham Records. A record label with influences ranging from Hip-Hop, Soul, Electro, and Dub Reggae, tonight's launch will be for the true music lover.

Performances by Memphis' own Preaux, Ify, Cities Aviv, and Homework (he is such an amazing DJ.& Producer I once sat in on a studio session and got a chance to see him scratch on a beat he created. I was in awe!)

It starts at 9p, is only $5, and will be at Nocturnal (1588 Madison Ave.) 

I listen to both mainstream and underground artists so I 'm really excited for this label's launch in our city. They already have singles on Itunes so they are making moves!

Ok, so you've been to Saturday Sessions at Senses and Rumba Room. You've been to Cool Out at Round One. But have you been to Cool Out Sessions?

Tomorrow's edition promises to be EPIC. Moody Inc. and The Cool Out Crew are collaborating on the ultimate Day Party at Republic Nightclub. Both floors will be open, including the patio with Memphis' best kept secret, DJ Houston.

I'm usually out running errands but I plan on stopping by. Free admission, and it's from 2p-7p. Hope to see you there!

Dear readers? Will I see you at any of the other festivities? Comment below and keep us NDLoop!

Are You On The Flipside?

Saturday was the Season 2 premiere party for Flipside Memphis. Presented by Live From Memphis & CVB, Flipside Memphis is a docu-series highlighting 15 people & places around the city that are unique to the Memphis area.


Held at the Brooks Museum, there was free food and entertainment from some of the people featured in the series;when I got there, The Wise Guys (an improv comedy group), was performing and they were hilarious. I’ve always liked improv comedy so I’m interested in attending one of their live shows.

Also featured was Strange Fruit Vintage, an online vintage store owned by my friend Shalishah “Petey’ Franklin. If you’re a fan of 80s and 90s apparel & accessories, check her out!

Other highlights from the documentary (Click on their names to learn more):

Rock-N Romp-A live concert with arts and crafts for parents and their kids. Held at different venues around the city, you must be accompanied by a child.

Mollie Fontaine Lounge-Located in Victorian Village, Mollie’s is known for its cool uptown/downtown vibe. The walls are covered with cool artwork, they serve yummy food (try the mac-n-cheese), and they have two forms of entertainment: a piano player/singer & a DJ upstairs.

Fire Tribe Memphis- Fire eating, fire breathing, belly dancing with fire palm torches-this is just an all around “HOT” performance. They perform all around the city, and you can catch them at Overton Park on Sunday afternoons in a drum session with Rico Rumba’s drum circle.

I seriously enjoyed the documentary. As I’ve said before, Memphis has so much culture, both mainstream and underground. I was happy that I was familiar with some of the artists/businesses featured (hi-five for me lol) but it also gave me some activities to look forward to. Please visit Live From Memphis’ website to see the documentaries and find out what you’ve been missing on the Flip Side!

So readers, did you attend the screening? Are you looking for new things to do around the city? Comment below and keep us NDLoop! ~KT

Arts Day in Memphis

Yesterday Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. proclaimed Tuesday, June 22 as Arts Day in the city of Memphis. ArtsMemphis coordinate an Arts Fair & Artist Market downtown at the Civic Center Plaza; it included performances by New Ballet Ensemble, American Soul Music/Stax Music Academy and Stax Museum. It was also City-Wide Jeans Days. Individuals and businesses that participated allowed employees who donated $5 to wear jeans/casual clothes to work. Proceeds were donated to Arts Memphis, an organization dedicated to raising funds to ensure excellence in the arts and build a vibrant cultural community for everyone.

There were informational booths from the Center for Southern Folklore, Memphis Music Foundation, Playhouse on the Square, UrbanArt, and The Brooks Museum just to name a few. There were also local vendors on hand with artwork and jewelry for purchase.








Although I was late, I’m glad that I attended because it was an opportunity for me to find out more about Memphis’ diverse art community. There are quite a few plays and art exhibits (particularly Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History exhibit at the Brooks Museum that will run from June 26-September 26) that I plan to check out in the upcoming weeks.

Memphis' art community is so rich. Take the time out to support while also having some fun!

Readers: Did any of you attend? What events are you looking forward to this summer? Comment below and keep us NDLoop!

Escape from the Asylum: Pure Dopeness

Saturday, May 15 was the opening reception for Escape From The Asylum, a new exhibit showcasing original work from 5 of Memphis’ most creative artists: Anthony Brown Jr, Jamon Bullock, John Bullock, Patrick Tabor, and Joseph Boyd.

A collection of work including custom footwear, paintings, drawings, illustrations and CG, the theme of the collections was DC Comic’s Batman. I took a moment to talk with John for more information regarding the concept, and he informed me that while they always knew they wanted to do a comic book themed show, initially, the work was going to be centered around Batman & Robin, but the focus shifted to Villains and Heroins. Months in the making, he also hinted that this exhibit could be the beginning of a series for their group (unofficially named “The Legion”). I for one, am ready to see what’s next!



For anyone that’s seen a Batman movie or reads the comics, this exhibit is a MUST because the photos that are posted will not do this work any justice! Limited edition prints are available for sale, with a % of proceeds going to MIFA (notice a theme here guys? While living your dreams, give back to your community).
The Exhibit runs daily through May 29 at the Marshall Arts Gallery located at 639 Marshall Avenue and is open for all ages. Closing night will also mark the announcement of the winners of a contest they are holding for local artists.

For more information on exhibit hours, the contest, and to also find out more information on the artists, please visit their website at http://www.escapefromtheasylum.com/ ~KT