Last Sunday, the blues singer Redd Velvet and I headed down to Central Bar-B-Que in Midtown Memphis to check out an outdoor performance by Memphis folk/rock artist Nancy Apple and her band. It was great food, great fun and great music. 7/8/12
events
Turtle Landing, Pearlington MS
Turtle Landing is a relatively recent waterfront bar and grill at Pearlington, MS 7/6/12
An All-Star Brass Band at Canal and Bourbon, 2012
After the TBC Brass Band performed, an all-star band made up of members from various young New Orleans brass bands performed at the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets, 7/4/12
Canal & Bourbon: Where It All Began For The @TBC_BrassBand
The TBC (or To Be Continued) Brass Band has performed all over the country, and have been the subject of a documentary film called From The Mouthpiece On Back. But despite national and international acclaim and regular gigs at the Hot East Daiquiri Shop and the Blue Nile, they still take the time to perform at the legendary Canal and Bourbon Street corner where it all began. 7/4/12
All-Star Blues Jam at the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic (@DontBeSoEvil)
Every year, the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic is closed with an all-star jam of many of the great blues performers that appeared during the two days of the festival. This year’s jam included appearances from Kenny Brown, Duwayne Burnisde, Garry Burnside, Eric Deaton and Jimbo Mathus. It was definitely a great way to close out this year’s festival. 6/30/12
V-Dog and @BlackGold901 at Juneteenth in Douglass Park, 2012
Memphis rap duo V-Dog and @BlackGold901 perform at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12
Classic Cars at Juneteenth, Douglass Park, Memphis, 2012
Juneteenth commemorates the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, where planters apparently attempted to defy it (in the remainder of the South, the proclamation took effect on May 8). What is unclear is why the Texas “Juneteenth” has become the day of celebration for African-Americans nationwide, replacing the “Ada May” celebrations that used to be held in the rest of the south. In Memphis, Juneteenth is held in Douglass Park as a three-day festival of music, food, dance and wholesome activities for children. This year there was also a classic car show in Douglass Park. 6/16/12
Overton Square Block Party featuring @starandmicey and @CarolinaStory, Memphis, 2012
Carolina Story and Star and Micey performed on stage at the Overton Square Block Party in Midtown Memphis, 6/15/12 #MemphisRising
Otha Turner Summerfest 2012
Summer Festival at Otha’s Place, Gravel Springs near Senatobia, MS, 7/7/12 featuring the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band, other gospel and blues artists, 3-11 PM.
Taboo Nation Live at the Tate Street Block Party 2012
Taboo Nation was the final act to appear on stage at the Tate Street Block Party, and they brought a degree of crunkness and enthusiasm with them, but unfortunately, the lateness of the day and a series of confrontations in the crowd had caused the fans to begin to disperse. A final scuffle sent a crowd of teenagers walking, then running west down Tate Street toward the former Cleaborn Homes, where they gathered in the parking lot of a church. Thankfully, there were no further incidents. It was all the more sad, and ironic, that the Tate Street Block Party was explicitly promoted as a “Stop The Violence” event.Â