http://www.gomemphis.com/news/arts/?partner=RSSGo Memphis Stories: Artsen-usartshttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/06/separate-shows-conjoined-in-truths/?partner=RSS Having exhibitions by two very different sorts of artists "helps educate patrons," said David Lusk, owner of David Lusk Gallery in Laurelwood. "They generally like it. The space is big, and they can always turn a corner and see something else." There will be a reception tonight, from 6 to 8, for the exhibitions "From Peace Mountain," by local artist Don Estes, and "Connected," by Anne Siems from Seattle. koeppel@commercialappeal.com (Fredric Koeppel)Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:12:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163786-733717arts/visual-arts/newsFredric KoeppelMemphis, TN'Separate shows' conjoined in truthsGo Memphisseparate-shows-conjoined-in-truthsurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163786-733717Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/06/words-speaks-to-past-present/?partner=RSSPay close heed to Thomas Wilkins' first Memphis concert, for it has a message. "It's a look at how more recent composers look back at older composers or styles to reference or synthesize their styles," Wilkins said in a recent telephone interview. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163800-733717arts/stage-newsJon W. SparksMemphis, TNMemphis Symphony's 'In Other Words' speaks to past, presentGo Memphiswords-speaks-to-past-presenturn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163800-733717Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/05/classical-vision-of-a-classic-trip-to-oz/?partner=RSS It wasn't an assignment he would have chosen for himself. Steven McMahon, Ballet Memphis dancer, got word from his boss that his first big-time ballet as a choreographer would be "the great American fairy tale." The young Scotsman wondered if she'd made a mistake. He? Choreograph "The Wizard of Oz"? When his ballet adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" debuted in 2007, it helped establish McMahon as the company's go-to guy for in-house choreography. McMahon has reworked "The Wizard of Oz" for its revival at the Orpheum this weekend. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163811-733716arts/stage-newsChristopher BlankMemphis, TNClassical vision of a classic trip to 'Oz'Go Memphisclassical-vision-of-a-classic-trip-to-ozurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163811-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/05/actors-distill-stories-pour-emotional-gist/?partner=RSSFor some people, getting onstage and telling a personal story -- then having a troupe of actors play it out in front of them -- might sound like something out of a nightmare. And for others, it's a way to get in touch with the soul of a community. Playback Memphis, a new theater company staging one of its improvisational performances Friday and Saturday, is part town hall meeting, part group therapy, and part entertainment. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163804-733716arts/stage-newsChristopher BlankMemphis, TNActors distill real stories through Playback MemphisGo Memphisactors-distill-stories-pour-emotional-gisturn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163804-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/03/thursday-night-events-offer-art-music/?partner=RSSRegional artists flaunt their colorful wares in a big way on Thursday. A reception from 6 to 8 p.m. for an Artists Group show at Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry, will feature professional and student dancers in excerpts from the Children's Ballet Nutcracker, said Mary Roudnev, artistic director of the Children's Ballet & Dance School. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163518-733714arts/visual-arts/newsBill EllisMemphis, TNTrio of art exhibitions planned for Thursday Go Memphisthursday-night-events-offer-art-musicurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163518-733714Change733714Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/nov/03/orchestras-social-conscience-impresses/?partner=RSSThomas Wilkins has been music director of the Omaha Symphony since 2005, is principal guest conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and is his 10th season as resident conductor of the Detroit Symphony. What he wants now is to replace David Loebel as conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Wilkins leads Friday night's chamber music concert with a program titled “In Other Words.” Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163499-733714arts/stage-newsJon W. SparksMemphis, TNOrchestra's 'social conscience' impresses MSO conductor candidateGo Memphisorchestras-social-conscience-impressesurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163499-733714Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/31/if-it-goes-bump/?partner=RSSIf you've ever whacked a honeydew melon with a baseball bat, you might be surprised at how closely it sounds like blunt force trauma to a human skull. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163084-733711arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNRadio brings the sounds of imagination into play for a creepy, audio fright-night performanceGo Memphisif-it-goes-bumpurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163084-733711Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/31/news-in-the-arts-markell-film-will-debut-here-8/?partner=RSSMemphian Jodie Markell's Tennessee Williams adaptation, "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," will make its local debut Jan. 8 as the highlight of four months of special screenings organized by On Location: Memphis, a group "dedicated to promoting education, cultural diversity, and economic development through cinema arts," according to its mission statement. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163083-733711arts/stageMemphis, TNNews in the Arts: Markell film will debut here Jan. 8Go Memphisnews-in-the-arts-markell-film-will-debut-here-8urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-163083-733711Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/30/opera-does-20s-and-all-that-jazz/?partner=RSSThe late Mattie Emma Ridgway was never an opera buff, which adds a touch of irony to her posthumous patronage of opera buffa. Thanks to her, Mozart's comedy about fidelity, "Cosi fan tutte," has undergone a wardrobe update ... kind of. The Opera Memphis production, opening Halloween night at the Germantown Performing Arts Centre, will be staged in 1920s-era attire. The inspiration? Her closet. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:05 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162849-733710arts/stage-newsChristopher BlankMemphis, TNOpera does '20s and all that jazzGo Memphisopera-does-20s-and-all-that-jazzurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162849-733710Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/30/fed-up-on-gore-savor-dark-wit-flavor-of-stories/?partner=RSSThe deliciously dark "Gorey Stories" at Germantown Community Theatre is a welcome break from the routine fright-fests of the season. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162846-733710arts/stage-newsJon W. SparksMemphis, TNStage Review: Fed up on gore? Savor dark wit, flavor of 'Stories'Go Memphisfed-up-on-gore-savor-dark-wit-flavor-of-storiesurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162846-733710Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/29/art-finds-home-at-midtown-cafes/?partner=RSSArt is the perfect fit for coffee and conversation at two Midtown establishments. At the P& H Café, 1532 Madison, "Automatic Detour" features automatic drawings made by University of Memphis art graduate student Sarah Boyce, while at Otherlands, 614 S. Cooper, "River Panels" explores geometric abstraction through contact sheet-inspired multiples of the Mississippi River by Ed. Porter. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:55:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162834-733709arts/visual-arts/newsBill EllisMemphis, TNArt finds home at Midtown cafesGo Memphisart-finds-home-at-midtown-cafesurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162834-733709Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/28/stage-review-harrells-fiddler-has-its-moments-some/?partner=RSS“Fiddler on the Roof” has been around 45 years, running forever on Broadway, revived over and over, and touring frequently. And the awards! Oy! Little wonder. The timeless tale of tradition vs. modernity plus a dairyman’s cart-full of great music has ensured its popularity, especially in community theater. Collierville’s Harrell Theatre is staging “Fiddler” with some delightful moments, although not quite enough of them to call it a success. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162703-733708arts/stage-newsJon W. SparksMemphis, TNStage Review: Harrell's "Fiddler" has its moments, but some sour notesGo Memphisstage-review-harrells-fiddler-has-its-moments-someurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162703-733708Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/27/hyde-sheds-bright-light-on-darker-nature/?partner=RSSThe good/evil tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has delighted and thrilled readers and playgoers since Robert Louis Stevenson penned the novella in 1886. Theatre Memphis has staged a terrific Halloween season chiller, spinning a new version of the respectable physician who explores his darker nature by immersion. His addiction is a struggle of the soul of right vs. wrong, logic vs. emotion, order vs. mayhem. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161804-733707arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNStage Review: 'Hyde' sheds bright light on darker natureGo Memphishyde-sheds-bright-light-on-darker-natureurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161804-733707Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/27/bleeping-black-comedy-master-performs-orpheum/?partner=RSSAt 61, comedian Lewis Black is as vitriolic as ever. And that means he’s also as productive as ever. His new live concert film, “Stark Raving Black,” opened in select theaters Oct. 8 to positive reviews. On Friday night, Black takes the stage at the Orpheum theater with some set pieces from the film, as well as brand new material. Black is known for his salty rants on everything from politics to society, so some of this interview had to be bleeped out in the interest of sensitive readers. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162573-733707arts/stage-newsChristopher BlankMemphis, TN(Bleeping) Black comedy master performs at the OrpheumGo Memphisbleeping-black-comedy-master-performs-orpheumurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-162573-733707Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/22/halloween-happenings/?partner=RSSFRIDAY: Something wicked this way draws ... It's Good to Be Bad: Monster Portraits of Villainy: Monsters, villains, and folks who are good at being bad will be represented in this art show of black and white monster airbrushed portraits by artist Lin Workman. Event is free, family friendly and open to the public. Costumed attire is encouraged and will be rewarded. Art show reception, 6-10 p.m. at the Adam B. Shaw Studio, 2547 Broad Ave. Visit: LinWorkman.com. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161803-733702arts/stage-newsMemphis, TNHalloween HappeningsGo Memphishalloween-happeningsurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161803-733702Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/22/bigger-better-riverartsfest-weekend/?partner=RSSIf there are three words that will draw local fun-lovers and culture-seekers, they are “river” and “arts” and “festival”: Voila, the free — as in no admission charge — RiverArtsFest, which runs Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on South Main Street. A combination of two old events, Arts in the Park and the South Main Arts Festival, RiverArtsFest attracted about 40,000 people in 2007, its first year, and more than 70,000 people last year. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161692-733702arts/visual-arts/newsMemphis, TNA bigger, 'better' RiverArtsFest is this weekendGo Memphisbigger-better-riverartsfest-weekendurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161692-733702Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/21/stage-review-broadway-play-memphis-highest-complim/?partner=RSSIt seems a twinge mortifying that white Yankees have put race center stage in a musical that is called “Memphis,” as we’d prefer to be remembered for our triumphs rather than our foibles. And yet, perhaps because of the romantic lens of outsiders, the show that opened Monday night at the Shubert Theater in New York is the highest compliment yet paid to Memphis as a bastion of social change in America. Its plot may be simplistic, but the significance of “Memphis” isn’t. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:49:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161485-733701arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Broadway play 'Memphis' is 'highest compliment' for Bluff CityGo Memphisstage-review-broadway-play-memphis-highest-complimurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161485-733701Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/19/gutsy-memphis-struts-broadway-stage-today/?partner=RSSHow do you capture the city of Memphis in a Broadway musical? Tonight in New York City, the country's top theater critics will take their posts in Broadway's 1,400-seat Shubert Theatre to judge whether the latest original rock and roll musical lives up to the name on the marquee: "Memphis." The creators know they're playing with history. They're playing with the soul of America. No doubt, they're also playing with fire. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:07:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161375-733699arts/stage-newsChristopher BlankMemphis, TNGutsy 'Memphis' struts onto Broadway stage todayGo Memphisgutsy-memphis-struts-broadway-stage-todayurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-161375-733699Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/16/go-out-dont-miss-events/?partner=RSSSUNDAY: Ed. Porter, local musician and owner of the maverick record label Loverly (which currently "sits in a closet on the third floor," he says), shows off his artistic side in "River Panels," a group of photographic meditations on the Mississippi River, at Otherlands, 614 S. Cooper, that runs through Nov. 30. An opening reception is slated from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, and will feature ambient music by Dave Shouse. Call 278-4994 or go to otherlandscoffeebar.com. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-160737-733696arts/visual-arts/newsMemphis, TNGo Out: Don't-miss events Go Memphisgo-out-dont-miss-eventsurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-160737-733696Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/oct/16/lichtensteins-effortless-work-isnt/?partner=RSSIf you thought you knew Roy Lichtenstein, think again. The pop art icon gets a needed reappraisal in the exhibit, "Lichtenstein in Process," which opens Sunday at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, 4339 Park. Nearly 70 works from the 1970s-1990s, including almost 20 colorfully explosive collages, frame the show, which presents the preliminary drafts that went into Lichtenstein's seemingly effortless — tossed-off, to harsher critics — finished works of art. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-160726-733696arts/visual-artsBill EllisMemphis, TNRoy Lichtenstein's 'effortless' work isn'tGo Memphislichtensteins-effortless-work-isnturn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-160726-733696Change0Usable