Around Town #5

"Around Town" involved late (late for me) night viewing of Macbeth at the University of Memphis Theater and Dance auditorium. 
I thought it was well done and found it so different from one other Macbeth I've seen. Edgy, as it were.
The movement and eery voices of the actors on stage took on roles as he "original witches," zombie like tormentors and even the cauldron with its fire. The unusual sparse set, which intrigued me, provided for all of that.
Yet, it was still Shakespeare's Macbeth and I think has an appeal for a far broader audience than Shakespeare aficionados. The blood, murder and madness is still, there but with a visual twist.

The UM production sent me back to my own 1901 copy of Macbeth. I hope it will do the same for the 35+ senior English students I was "chaperoning."

It's fun to go "around town" occasionally with the younger set---even if it means staying up past my bedtime.

Around Town #4

What's with all the "Around Town" blog entries?

Part of it is in preparation to share all the activities going on in M-town with a group of widow ladies.

But....now it has become a conviction of my mine. There are good things happening in Memphis---regardless of what the front page of the Commercial Appeal says.
"Positively Memphis" is a way to continually confirm to me (and readers) the good aspects of Memphis. Think positively.

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted...(Proverbs 11:11)

So....I have set out to love my neighbors and thus love my town.

Around Town #3

Overton Square is on the rise.

"Thursdays Squared" was last summer's concert series and it showcased the energy that was pulsing thru this recently dubbed "Theater District." 

New restaurants there were also on everyone's culinary destination list. Babalu was my first find with their tableside "best guac on the bloc." 

Today's "find," Belly Acres, would be a "build your own burger" paradise for lovers of grain fed beef. I, on the other hand, was "rurally"enchanted by the decor and the unique street signs assigned with each order. 

I also have a quirky habit of checking out a restaurant's restroom---it's part of a  many a "lady's" dining experience. Since the restaurant's interior has been described as looking like "Willy Wonka" bought a farm," I knew checking our the restroom was a must. 

A bucket sink and straw on the walls----I was not disappointed. 

Around Town #2

Delightful describes three recent happenings around "Memphis Town."

Three "events" made me smile. Smiles made even bigger because events were attended with dear friends!!

• Chaperoning HHS English students at Opera Memphis production of Hansel and Gretel was a treat. The inventive set was an example of less is more and the hand-drawn screens, which enabled shadow play, were mesmerizing. Plus, a friend's daughter was one of the gingerbread men. Ned Canty continues his mission to bring opera to the people---from the pop-up opera introductions in the routines of our lives from farmer's mkt., Botanic Garden and Shelby Farms playground to the upcoming Midtown Opera Festival in April. Kudos to Canty who has elevated opera acceptance throughout our town.
• 
• Paddington, the movie, showing at several Malco theaters will make you smile, whether your are 9 or 90. So rare to find such a family type movie these days. It's worth adopting a child for a day if you need a reason to go see it. As for me, I was the youngest in our group---at an age some folks consider elderly, and I smiled---a lot!
  
• TV Dinners, a lunchtime option at River Oaks. Chef José Gutierrez takes all food to the next level of delicious. Every morsel delightful. José's TV Dinner concept provides 4 small portions. Think...."Four-Course Prix-Fixe"......including salad, entree, veggie and dessert. Definitely more sophisticated than the Swanson dinners of the 50s. The warm dark chocolate cake is a favorite dessert.....
  
  but the creme brulee made me smile!

Around Memphis Town #1

Choose 901 is a website for the twenty-somethings or thirty-somethings---with lots of instagrams, snapwidgets, hashtags, memes and things I don't really "get." But.... I like its positive "newsy" approach to living in Memphis.

Yesterday when I was at Muddy's Grindhouse, I recognized pottery from Paper and Clay and realized it had been featured on Choose 901---I felt "with it."

I'm too old to post or tag Choose 901 or the I love Memphis blog, tho I appreciate their events updates. But, I can share a few "new to me" places or happenings in Memphis with my "mature" readers.

A "White Tie" cupcake to take home to hubby who was busy staining and painting---after putting in  pocket door for me. He deserved a whole cake.

This cozy Cooper-Young place has tea for me, (coffee for most) and some yummy biscuits, scones, cupcakes, etc.  A "crazy good" kind of place as young folks dub it. The study bench/table near the window was also perfect for prayers with my sweet friend, Nancy Emanuel.