Go Memphis

How 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.
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At Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center at Harrah's, you can hunt and not hurt a thing except clay targets (and don't be so sure about even doing that). It's a 14-station course and each station has three shooting activities for different skill levels. As my level was exactly zero on a 100-point scale -- I'd never held a shotgun -- I got a quick lesson from Willows manager Barry Kelly, who made it all sound so Zen. Full story »

Though pageants and talent shows have always been a part of Southern life, the Orpheum Star Search is still among the newer ways a talented kid can get noticed. The latest hopefuls, including two classical musicians and a slew of singers who cover everything from jazz standards to soul hits, vie Saturday night. Unlike other talent competitions, finalists at the Orpheum get to sing with a live band. Full story »

The creation of the program for Saturday night's Memphis Symphony Orchestra concert was a collaborative effort, says guest conductor Alastair Willis. But it is, in fact, very much a reflection of his sensibilities as he makes his debut with the MSO. This is also an audition of sorts for the 38-year-old former associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony, who is one of three candidates being considered to replace David Loebel as conductor and music director for the MSO. Full story »

Earlier this week, Alastair Willis was in town getting ready for his first date; the one with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra where, if things work out, he could become the next conductor and music director. You know how it is with first dates — it’s about good impressions, making the right choices and hoping there are more dates to come. But Willis is not the only suitor. He’s one of three announced candidates being considered to take the position held for a decade by David Loebel. Full story »

If, as Shakespeare has written, “the lunatic, the lover, and the poet are of imagination all compact,” then Dan McCleary is in good company. He makes his living quoting Shakespeare, and if that weren’t looney/romantic/poetic enough, he aims to do it in Germantown. The Tennessee Shakespeare Company had a "wildly successful first year," McCleary says, and on Saturday opens “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at the Poplar Pike Playhouse. Full story »

For Baayork Lee, being in the original 1975 cast of "A Chorus Line" was a life-changing experience, which is why, in 2009, she's still talking about it. Lee, the show's original dance captain, has kept the choreography alive for three decades in "Chorus Line" revivals around the world. And on Tuesday, the show comes to Memphis, opening at The Orpheum. Full story »

The dance floor at the Ballet Memphis rehearsal studio isn't strictly for dancers. There have been architects and puppeteers, folk singers and visual artists. They don't come for lessons, but they do come to make dance. This weekend, Ballet Memphis opens its 23rd season not with a performance, but with a party that highlights the company's collaborative process. "FUSE" is the result of a contest in which children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis were asked to submit videos of a "happy dance." Full story »

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra is presenting a free concert Sunday at LeMoyne-Owen College to celebrate not only the school, but also the Soulsville USA neighborhood. "From the Heart to the Soul" brings not only the symphony to the campus but other musical groups as well, including the Memphis Boychoir and choirs from two campuses of St. George's Independent School and Independent Presbyterian Church in East Memphis. LeMoyne's Gospel Choir and Concert Choir also will perform. Full story »

For 38 years, the Germantown Festival has proven to be a top attraction, pulling in families from around the region to sample the exhibits, food and entertainment. What began as a one-day street fair is now a flagship two-day event held on 17 acres and expected to lure up to 65,000 people this weekend. The zaniest event is the Running of the Weenies race, where dozens of dachshunds assemble on Sunday at the Germantown Horse Show Arena. Full story »

The Memphis Symphony Orchestra starts its 2009-2010 season with familiar and stirring flavors. Sunday afternoon's opening concert is "Bach at Idlewild," marking the fifth year of the series at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, a popular performing venue for its beautiful sanctuary and acoustics. Full story »

After a season of well-crafted and widely varied theater productions, no single show stole the spotlight at the 26th annual Ostrander Awards Sunday night at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Instead, the plaques honored a broad spectrum of performances, ranging from period pieces such as "Cyrano" and "1776," to powerfully acted contemporary shows, "Bad Dates" and "Third." Theatre Memphis once again dominated the design categories, taking a total of 14 awards. Full story »

This weekend's IndiaFest 2009 is presented to you by Zero. And Infinity. Santosh Kumar, a festival's official, says the two mathematical concepts were created by Indians and the world has thought about things differently ever since. In honor of that contribution, Kumar came up with the theme "From Zero to Infinity" to identify this annual celebration of art, culture, music and cuisine presented by the Indian Association of Memphis on Saturday at Agricenter International. Full story »

"The Sound of Music" is one of the quintessential musical theater titles, the kind of show that either makes theater lovers rush to get tickets or roll their eyes with exasperation. Surprisingly, however, when Theatre Memphis opens its 90th season this weekend with a new staging, it's not back because of popular demand. The theater hasn't performed "The Sound of Music" since 1991, when it received its Theatre Memphis debut. Full story »

In the past 10 years or so, there has been a handful of Broadway musicals that seem perfectly conceived for the regional theater stage, such as "Avenue Q," the musical with hand puppets, or "The Drowsy Chaperone," set in the small apartment of a musical theater aficionado. One might even go a few notches down from regional theater with "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," which opened the season at Playhouse on the Square last weekend. Full story »