After procrastinating repeatedly, I finally made it out (thanks to Mark & Katie) to the beautifully-renovated Levitt Shell on Sunday night for a terrific performance from Samarabalouf (pronounced sah-MAH-rah-bah-LOOF), a Gypsy swing trio from France who energized the crowd in attendance. Seeing this show made me enthusiastic about the future of the arts in Memphis. This isn’t the old Overton Park Shell — it is transformed, ultimately, into something much more grand and beautiful than I could have imagined. More info and a video after the jump.
I just haven’t had the time this week to properly mention and promote this wonderful show. You need, and I do mean need to be at the Levitt Shell @ Overton Park tonight for COMO NOW. This press release is culled directly from a press release, but the music speaks quite for itself. Enjoy & I hope to see you tonight.
COMO NOW: The Voices of Panola Co., MS, the latest release from Daptone Records (and first that moves away from the Brooklyn funk and soul) continues to get rave reviews from critics all over. Says Grant Alden from No Depression:
“It is a relief once again to fall in love with an album — an entire album — to become enraptured by the music of artists who are unknown to me. To discover something of such great and glorious sounds that it is worth moving from the truck to the house stereo and back, to find music so rewarding to listen to that I have not opened the mail for a week, because this is enough. This is plenty…this is — by far — the best album I’ve heard this year.”
You can check the mini-documentary Daptone made about the album here, or, if you’re lucky enough to be in the Memphis area, the entire group of singers will be performing a very special show at the Levitt Shell next Friday, September 26 at 7pm.
You can also watch a special performance by the Como Mamas, one of the groups included on the compilation, on YouTube’s music homepage, or below.
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*** Pay What You Can Night = FOR 1776 the Pay What You Can date is – Thursday, September 25, 2008, 8pm (Sponsored by The Blue Monkey, Thomas & Betts, and AutoZone)
Pay What You Can Night allows people who would not normally be able to afford the regular ticket prices to “pay what they can afford.” The goal is to make the productions available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. There is one Pay What You Can performance for each production. “Pay What You Can” Tickets go on sale one week before the performance. Tickets must be purchased in person, cash or check only. Limit of 4 tickets per person.
You’ve got to come join us for Tuesdays at Dish for new music, great sushi from Sekisui, and an exciting new menu of asian-influenced tapas that will make your mouth water. Music starts promptly at 9pm, so come hang out with friends.
Memphis, get ready to get up for the get down at the Hi-Tone on Saturday night with Buck Wilders, The Hook Up, Chase One (Memphix) and Redeye Jedi (Memphix). When these shindigs happen, the parking lot is always full, the place is always packed, the music is always funky, and the vibe is always good. See You There!
Seating is limited! Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium For more information call 544.6208 or e-mail diane.jalfon@brooksmuseum.org
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 2 pm
Film: Two Soldiers Exclusive Screening with C. Robert Holloway, production designer for the film 39 minutes Free with museum admission!
Based on a short story by William Faulkner, Two Soldiers is a heart-warming story about two poor Mississippi brothers, one only a kid, the other old enough to volunteer for the war effort shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The younger brother doesn’t want to let his older brother go, and he sets out on a quest to enlist in the Army himself. With excellent cinematography and creative artistry, Two Soldiers evocatively captures the feeling of the country during this period.
Have lunch at the Brushmark before the film! For lunch reservations call 544.6225
Mark your calendar! Undiscovered Gems on Tuesdays
A series of monthly films
The Brooks Museum is pleased tobe launching “indieWIRE: Undiscovered Gems,” a series of monthly films presented in association with the New York Times and the California Film Institute. These films are chosen from indieWIRE’s annual list of the top 15 films from major festivals around the world that have yet to find a theatrical distributor.
The museum will screen one film per month from indieWIRE’s annual list of top festival picks. Look for these Undiscovered Gems on the last Tuesday of every month through November, 2006.
TUESDAY, MAY 30 | 7 pm Film: Puffy Chair A film by Jay and Mark Duplass Not Rated, 1 hour 25 minutes $5 Brooks members, $7 Not-yet members Seating is limited, purchase your tickets today! Call 544.6208 or e-maildiane.jalfon@brooksmuseum.org
Josh’s life is pretty much a mess. He’s a failed NYC indie rocker, and a failing booking agent. He decides to purchase a 1985 Lazy Boy on eBay, just like the one his dad had when Josh was a kid. The plan is to drive cross-country, pick up the chair, and deliver it to his father as a surprise birthday gift. But when his friend Rhett ends up coming along for the ride, and an ex-girlfriend joins along the way, the van suddenly seems way too small.
“Disarmingly sweet and consistently funny; it’s insightful, unpredictable and unexpectedly poignant. In other words: it’s a low-budget winner.” –Efilmcritic.com
Events subject to change. Click here for a complete calendar of events.
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 2 pm
