MSO Pops and RiverArtsFest make for typical fall weekend

It's been a busy weekend for me in the man and the arts areas.

The little boy in me had the time of my life Friday night watching my Texas Rangers advance to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. It was one of the greatest sports moments in my life.

So to say I started my weekend off on a good note would be an understatement. But that was Friday and I had a couple of arts things to do during the remainder of the weekend.

Saturday night was my first time to see the Memphis Symphony Orchestra -- or any orchestra, really -- in person. We have Pops season tickets and Saturday was the first show. It was a 1970s theme evening and featured three female soloists and an a Capella men's group. So it wasn't just the symphony playing, although I found that my favorite moments of the night came when there was no singing.

We're pretty sure the little girl sitting next to us, who seemed to be enjoying herself, had no clue any of the songs. I've gotta be honest: the show was a lot of fun. Would I be saying the same thing if the performance was a traditional masterwork? I have no idea, but I think a Pops show makes a great intro. to symphony music.

Sunday saw us head downtown for the RiverArtsFest. We weren't able to stay long because the rain hit in a pretty big way about an hour after we arrived. But that's probably a good thing since my wife made a few purchases. I can't really complain about the pieces; they are paintings of musical instruments done by a Texas artist. The paintings will be hanging in my 4-year-old son's bedroom soon.

A note on the art-buying experience: Like my wife said, it's always great to buy art from an artist you've actually talked to. The Austin, Texas-based artist and his wife were they ones who sold us the pieces and I know my wife had a long conversation with them while I chased our son around in the rain.

What will the next week or two bring? I have a feeling it will be much more man than it will be art since the World Series starts Friday. But this was a great October weekend and just one more example of how fun Memphis can be in the fall.

Hey, hey it's baseball time

When I started this blog back in the late summer I was looking forward to a great fall of arts events in Memphis: South Main Art Trolley Tours, "Wicked" at The Orpheum, a new season of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Art on Tap, RiverArtsFest and too many other great events to attend.

Yes, I'll be attending many of those. This Saturday I'll be attending the opening performance of the MSO's Pops season. I hope to make it to at least one screening at this weekend's Indie Memphis film festival and also make my way down to South Main for RiverArtsFest.

But a funny thing happened on the way to October. My favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers, decided to dominate their division, qualify for the playoffs and, so far, dominate this postseason. I just watched them dominate the New York Yankees 10-3 for a 3-1 American League Championship Series lead, one win from the franchise's first World Series appearance.

So my mind the past few weeks has been on baseball. Not football, as is normal for me this time of year. And not on a great fall season of arts events. So you'll have to forgive me if you see me at one of this city's great arts events this weekend and I'm wearing a Rangers hat (like I did a week ago at the Broad Avenue Arts Walk).

Let's Go Rangers !!!! (And Memphis arts)

Where have I been?

I feel really bad for not blogging the past two weeks. The reason? It's simple, Man won out over Arts.

I've spent the past two weekends on man-related endeavors. Two weekends ago I went with some friends to Cincinnati for a guys weekend. Ate good food, sampled excellent beverages and watched plenty of football. No art allowed that weekend.

Then, this past weekend our family went to Dallas so I could take my 3-year-old son to his first Major League Baseball games at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington while my wife spent too much time and money at IKEA, her "shopping amusement park." (see Design Insider).

I have to be honest, my mind was not on arts. It was on seeing a couple of Rangers baseball games. As I write this, I'm watching my favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers, win their second playoff game.

I probably should have written a review of "Who Shot Rock n Roll," the fabulous exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art that I was fortunate to experience the night I hit the road for that guys trip to Cincinnati.

I will say that exhibit was amazing. As a music fan I was very much into the fabulous photos on exhibit. That exhibit was just one more example of why the Memphis Brooks is a great arts asset for the city of Memphis.

I could also preview some things I'm considering for this weekend. Of course my mind will be on sports since the Rangers can clinch a series win on Saturday. But Friday night there are a few great options: ArtsMemphis will have its Shell out for the Arts event at the Levitt Shell, the Downtown Alley Jams outside of One Commerce Square will welcome the employees of Pinnacle Airlines and the Broad Avenue Arts Walk will take place.

Right now I think I'm leaning toward the Broad Avenue event. I'll let you know next week how it goes.

Bravo! It's Bravo Season

ArtsMemphis is launching the 2010-2011 season Thursday. Will you be there? I will, as will most my readers, I suppose, since you're all pretty much Bravo members. Well, at least the "official" followers of this blog are Bravo members.

So things get under way at the Memphis College of Art at 5:30 p.m. with a reception followed by a digital docent-led private tour of the "Who Shot Rock & Roll" exhibition at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

I honestly don't know much about this exhibit. I know a few friends who have been looking forward to it. I love music, so yes, I guess I'm looking forward to it too.

So let's assume one or two of you out there aren't members of Bravo. May I ask why not? I mean, it's about 10 arts events over the next year with food and drinks thrown in. It's $95 for a single or $145 for a double membership. An art exhibit, ballet performance or play, along with good food and drinks and you're not going to consider that?

This year is only my second season to participate in Bravo. The first has actually been a few years. So I'm looking forward to this season. Sure, the mingling, food and beverages are a good time. But experiencing all of the art opportunities in town is pretty cool too.

If you're a young professional and into the arts, or even if you're not into the arts but looking to get out and socialize with other young Memphians, I encourage you to consider a Bravo membership. It's not too late.

MSO: Providing an Education to a Musical Idiot?

With all the attention lately on the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and its new conductor Mei-Ann Chen, I thought the time was right for this post.

See, we bought a season ticket for MSO's Pops season that starts in October. I love music; even listen to classical on a rare occasion. And when I was in middle school I played the trombone in the band (I definitely don't like to admit that too often but I was actually pretty good; won a few awards at competitions). Of course now I can't even read music.

But since Mei-Ann Chen had her debut last weekend and the "Russian Masters" series kicks off Saturday at the Cannon Center, the timing is right for this Man Versus Art thought. I won't be attending the "Russian Masters," or at least not this Saturday's show. I mean, come on, it's the debut of Tiger Lane for University of Memphis fans. Where else would I be?

But my mind isn't always on football and tailgating, although those types of things certainly are much more front and center in my mind than the symphony. But that's kind of the point in this blog: A football-loving, "typical" guy immersing himself in the arts.

So I don't know what to expect when we attend our first Pops performance. Music? Sure, that's stating the obvious. The Pops season is not the pure classical stuff. I mean, the first night is called "Disco Days and Boogie Nights." Should be fun, or at least I hope.

There have been times in my life when I've listened to classical music. It's peaceful, relaxing and, honestly, it's amazing these guys wrote this music. I think all composers, for that matter, have an amazing ability.

Speaking of "these guys," I couldn't tell you the difference between Tchaikovsky, Chopin or Beethoven. Honestly, I just had to Google them to get the names correct.

Does that make me an uncultured slob? I don't think so but maybe you do. Well, it is what it is I guess. Not that I've ever been too concerned about impressing people with my knowledge of the classics, of course.

Honestly, where and when was I supposed to pick up that knowledge? American education, at least the one I got, didn't stress classical music. Or maybe it did and I just didn't pay attention.

I guess my lack of knowledge can be somewhat blamed on me. I took music appreciation freshman year at Memphis. I attended all of three classes. Managed to pass thanks to a lot of extra credit earned by attending lots of concerts and writing about them.

Anyway, I look forward to getting a bit of an education in person this season. Hopefully the hard-working musicians in Memphis can do a better job educating me than the educational system has done.

Music and Suds in the Great Outdoors

What did you do last weekend? Did it involve the local arts scene?

My weekend got off to a good start with one expected arts event and another one that was not expected but I was very happy it happened.

On Thursday night I took my 3-year-old son (this is starting to become a trend, I see) to the Thursday Night Live event at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. It was the ArtsMemphis night meaning all members got in free. And as a Bravo Memphis member that included me. I'm a sucker for free things so despite the fact I had to drive to Collierville ... from my office in Downtown ... only to turn right back around and drive back Downtown (yes, a lot of driving) I did it.

I thought my music-loving son would be really interested in seeing Memphis group Star & Micey, and he was somewhat. But he was more interested in the amazing view of the river from the museum's lawn. I was pleased to see the band and was even more pleased to hear new tunes not on their CD I bought several months ago.

It was a good time and something I encourage you to check out. It will be going on the next two Thursdays. (Spoiler alert: My newspaper, The Daily News, will have a story on the event in Thursday's edition.)

The other event I attended was Friday's Art on Tap at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens. I had no plans to attend considering the $50 per person admission. Of course that's even more reason to join the city's many great arts organizations such as ArtsMemphis and buy museum memberships. Young at Art, for example, costs $150 per couple per year and includes admission to Art on Tap and other events.

But on this night I had an offer for two free tickets. And OF COURSE I'LL TAKE YOUR FREE TICKETS. It's nice to be friends with people who have friends with great connections.

So we went and had a great time. It was a bit warmer than I would have liked. And there weren't as many beers to sample as Zoo Brew but I think the selection was strong. I actually enjoyed the vibe more. The presence of food from a number of Memphis restaurants, including those awesome sliders from Bardog, made it even better.

Didn't get a chance to check out the art inside the Dixon. So I'm not really sure if I can include Art on Tap in my year of arts events challenge. But hey, I did walk through the front gardens. That has to count for something, right?

Memphis Arts Weekend: Music, Lights and More

So what do you have planned this weekend? There are several arts events to consider, from tonight's second installment of Thursday Night Live to a cool new outdoor video projection. Here's a look.

Tonight at the National Ornamental Metal Museum is the second installment of Thursday Night Live. For just 5 bucks (and tonight only it's free for ArtsMemphis members) Star & Micey will perform on the lawn overlooking the Mississippi River.

On Friday night there are a couple of events to consider.

Over at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is Art on Tap from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dixon members pay $40 and nonmembers pay $50 to enjoy great beer and food. Live music will be performed by Mean Green Music Machine.

Downtown afternoons the next five Fridays will get loud and colorful during The Downtown Alley Jams, which get under way Friday at 4:30 p.m. Every Friday through Oct. 8 in a different Downtown location there will be free live music. The cash bar opens at 4:30 p.m. followed by music from 5 to 8:30.

The events are free but donations are accepted at each event benefiting The Hospitality Hub. Along with the music will be a new art concept, digital projections that will be shown on the sides of adjacent buildings. The series of outdoor video art exhibitions are hosted by the UrbanArt Commission and Center City Commission.

This Friday Memphis Jones and The Soul Shockers will be the featured performers at the corner of Main Street and Peabody Place. The digital projection, which will be shown on the side of The Orpheum Theatre, will be by Jill Wissmiller.

The Soul Shockers are an R&B band with music spanning classic 1960s Motown and Stax to '70s funk and disco to recent dance favorites. Memphis Jones is a one-man-show that is part comedian, part singer, part storyteller and part preacher.

Wissmiller's video art is titled "Magic Meaning Making Machine." It came from the concept of theatrical staging.

Elsewhere on Friday "Russian Folklore," presented by Memphis Symphony Orchestra at Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center, will be the debut of music director Mei-Ann Chen as she opens the Paul & Linnea Bert Chamber series at 8 p.m.

"Godspell" starts its run Friday at the Germantown Community Theatre, running through Sept. 26. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Here's hoping you get out and enjoy arts in Memphis this weekend.