free after three

Free After Three on Mondays for TN Residents

National Civil Rights Museum
450 Mulberry
Memphis, TN  38103

It was a totally normal Monday off. Woke up,  coffeed out, read a book, paced around my apartment pretending to be productive, re-potted one of my plants, and  read my book again. I hopped on the interwebs in search of something fun and free to do. And well, hell! Whattya know? The National Civil Rights Museum is free after three on Mondays for Tennessee residents!

I wouldn't call myself a regular, but with three younger brothers, I've definitely been to the Lorraine Motel a couple more times than the average joe. You've got to wait til right til 3pm to get in so plan accordingly. This time there were a couple of new things:

1.) [film]: The Witness- A 32-minute film projects the memories of the witness who stood next to Martin Luther King Jr. at the exact moment of his assassination. Watch and you'll be amazed. Also, if you didn't know they had an auditorium inside of the museum, keep an eye out for new showings of short films and documentaries. Check out their First Thursday Film Series. These films are free and open to the public.

2.)[fotography] & [form]: "For All The World To See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights" is an exhibit that "focuses on a select number of actions, objects, and episodes that most vividly, or typically, demonstrate the relationship between visual images and the struggle for racial justice during the period of the modern civil rights movement." Find magazines, articles, posters, signs, photos, drawings, and more art forms from different eras and artists. The temporary exhibit will show until August 20th.

One last thing: If you want a headset full of information, you gotta holla fo two dolla. Otherwise, take your literacy to the next level and read all of it.

locals supporting locals:
Accendo Media Presents Earth Day!

 I know it’s a crazy weekend for all kinds of Earth Day activities, so I understand if your weekend is booked. But if you’re looking for something [fun] to do Saturday night, join me at Accendo Media’s Earth Day! I was so excited about the March show that even after I had my wallet stolen out of my car en route to the show (BOO!!!), I still went.  And I’m so happy I did because I had a blast.

The event will feature art [form] by Shaun Barber, Alexandra Lee, Veronica Birmingham, Molly Rose Freeman accompanied by tunes [funk] from On & Ohn, Sin City Scoundrels, and Chinese Connection Dub Embassy. It’s only a [fivedollar] cover and proceeds will go towards funding the local organization’s 501(c)3 status. Meet me at The Warehouse, 296 Monroe Ave, an intimate space perfect for this event. I’m so looking forward to supporting this local organization, artists, and musicians. Check out Accendo Media's website for more information.

Doors at 8.

$5 to get in.

18 to enter.

21 to get down.

So what are you doing Saturday night? Be a local and support the locals. Hope to see you there, Memphis.

Broad Avenue Art Walk: Full of F-ing Things

On Friday, I went down solo to this fun art event on Broad Avenue Arts District in Memphis. I found a lucky porn star parking spot (best parking spot available) as soon as I pulled in so I knew it was going to be a good time. Here's what I got from it:

[free] No "$5 Cover",  "$10 Parking",  or "Pay Here for Entry" signs. I did, however, spot a couple of "Cash Only" beer stands on the block. There was an ATM conveniently placed inside Jack McGoo's so I definitely had some beer.  It's nice to see this somewhat-secret-hiding-spot get some traffic.

[fun] All kinds of folks were there so there's proof that it was fun. Young, old, single, couples, black, white, yellow, orange, red, purple, bike riders, car drivers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, long hair, short hair, fat, skinny, medium, medium rare, sunburned, pale, long fingers, short toes--- all kinds. I was pleasantly surprised with the event turnout in comparison to last year which was still successful, but growth and expansion is always a plus. With significantly more art activity and foot traffic, the factory-type lot across the stree provided extra space for more local artists, food trucks, and the band, Tiger High. It was the perfect space for this event.

[fitness] One of the stops I made on the art walk was to the Memphis Martial Arts Studio. As I was walking by, I heard these "Hiya!" and "Huh!" noises that reminded me of Power Rangers and the Asian in me said, "I'm walking in. There's Kung Fu inside."  And what did I find??  KUNG FU!  Check out the Sanctuary Martial Art classes to be a real life kung fu ninja. It's good for the body, mind, and soul.

[fotography]  The AMERICAN VALUES PROJECT team was out taking photos of what Memphians valued. Check out their website to contribute to this moving Memphis project and/or to see if you made it in the background (I did.) :)


FOTOCOPIA, the exhibit in the Adam Shaw Gallery, featured photographers known as the "New" Memphis Photographers:  Andrew Edwards, Elaine Miller, Amanda Gahan, Jonathan Rogers, Yeinier Gonzalez, & Julie Kopel.  They were also offering free tequila shots so there's that whole thing. Check out The New Memphis Photographers website for more information.

The Amurica Photobooth provided a splash of spontaneity for passerbyers. I mean really, who can pass up a photobooth? Aside from the most random props to liven up your photobooth experience (such as a Spanish Bible, big blue band cap and crazy-eye cut out of Mr.Bean's face), the set-up outside of the silver trailer was a large screen projecting the magic happening inside so EVURBODY can see what's going on inside the booth. Watch people pose, poke, and pick at their photos.  Since I flew solo, I grabbed these folks to take a genuine Amurica photo with me. Thanks to Holly, Adelai, and Cameron for participating. Without you, this photo experience would be non-existent.

Until next time. Cheers, Memphis.

p.s. And here's a shout out to my dear friend Shaun Barber - local Memphis artist who was one of the only artists who posted up sidewalk style on Broad Avenue.

[first] real post

Here's my #First post.

I've been postponing for a couple of reasons.  1.)  motivation. 2.) March kinda sucked. 3.)I wanted to have a couple of things ready for you that were fun in the categories of fun, food, funk, friends, family, fashion..etc. 4.) start in April with a full list of 'somethings' to post about. So here goes of list from thefwordmemphis:

[food]  Local Gastropub's Leap Day Dinner. I can't say it enough: it was delicious.  The seven-course meal paired with beers from  Red Brick Brewery  (folks from Atlanta) was a first time experience for me. I gave a promise not to eat any dairy, but I felt like this free opportunity was going to be a rare opportunity-so why not. :) Although my guest and I walked away belly satisfied, we certainly wouldn't have turned away another bite of whatever they decided to put in front of us. 

[friends] I've got great friends and two of them have set their destinations to a different city! A close girlfriend from highschool , Kristin, made her way out of Memphis today heading #boulderbound. She's in the pursuit of happiness and Boulder, I hear, is totally happening. My co-worker from celery (job) is heading east to Franklin, North Carolina to live in a sweet space in the mountains. I've been lucky enough to do absolutely nothing with these ladies and I think those are the best kinds of friends. Anyway, you lucky, bitches.  I'll see you both in the future :) In the mean time, safe travels and I love you both.

"All dreams can come true-if we have the courage to pursue them."

 -Walt Disney 

[fashion] Memphis Fashion Weekend.  What's up: I won tickets on Twitter. It was a good reminder that anything can happen-and this time, it did.  And in that, we made an event out of it. The  ladies  of celery: Ladies Upscale Resale dolled up for the fashionista-extravaganza . We attended the show on Friday evening at the Jack Robinson Gallery in a personal space upstairs lit just enough to make the perfect atmosphere. The music was bumpin', the models were hot, and the crowd was loving every minute of it. The inaugural event showcased Ellis Dixon , Carol Peretz, and Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti.

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[fun:  flex] Meeman-Shelby Forrest State Park. Y'all, this is in Memphis. It's funny to think that there's this really fun place to possibly climb trees, go for a nice walk that kinda sorta feels like a hike, and forget that I'm in Memphis. Last month, I spent a lot of time going out there for easy adventures. Sometimes we'd get to the top of climbing a steep side only to see that we have to climb right back down-but it really doesn't suck. It's actually really awesome because it's about a 30 minute drive from just about anywhere. Take time to silently enjoy this beautiful weather! There are little water streams, baby blooming buds, crazy plants, and it's all so fun! I've taken my family and friends out there and every time- someone always says "I always forget this is here! This is so fun!" So here's your reminder, folks. Meeman-Shelby Forrest State Park. MEMPHIS, TENN.

[funk] Kansas vs. Kentucky. What a funky question,right?  Go Kansas. Cal Sucks.  

That's all for now, I think. What do you think?