This weekend will be one of the best festivals in Memphis. I posted before that the Center for Southern Folklore's Memphis Music and Heritage Festival will take place Sat., the 30th and Sun., the 31st, but I also have some specific recommendations to offer.
The festival happens on several stages on Main St. between Peabody Place and Gayoso, and it showcases music, food, and traditions of all heritages that make up our local culture. You can find a map here of the festival and of the closest parking.
There are marching bands, blues bands, gypsy jazz, and workshops as well as performances. There are art vendors and beer booths in addition to all the restaurants, and the talent ranges from off-the-charts quirky to off-the-charts good. All is entertaining, and to make it better, you probably don't have to work Monday!
Here are my recommendations:
Sat, 30th
1:30pm - Mr. White (DJ and vocal set) - Gayoso Stage - This is a friend of mine who's a very talented and internationally-known DJ.
4:30pm - Devil Train (Gypsy Jazz) - Gayoso - I don't remember if I've seen this band before, but as the festival is full of esoteric demonstrations, it's good to expose yourself to things like "gypsy jazz."
5:00pm - Billy Gibson Blues Band - Peabody Place & Main St. Stage
5:45pm - Billy Lee Riley (Rockabilly)- Folklore Hall
5:50pm - Salsa Memphis (Dance Routine) - Trolley Stop Stage - If rockabilly's not your thing, it's always fun to watch people who really know how to dance.
8:30pm - Al Kapone (Hip Hop) - Gayoso Stage
10:00pm - Bobby Rush - Peabody/Main Stage - MUST SEE! - This guy puts on a hilarious show!
Sun, 31st
3:45pm - Judd Grisanti of Spindini (Italian Cuisine Cooking Demo) - Trolley Stop - You know I wouldn't miss this.
5:00pm - Reba Russell - Peabody/Main Stage - That's what I'm talking about!
6:15pm - Eden Brent - Folklore Store - Great blues singer/piano player.
6:25pm - Chef Michael Patrick (Creole Gumbo) - Trolley Stop - If you'd rather watch someone cook, gotta love M.P.
8:00pm - Freeworld (Jam Band)- Peabody/Main Stage - MUST SEE!
10:00pm - Jason D. Williams (Boogie Woogie) - Peabody/Main Stage - MUST SEE! - This Jerry Lee Lewis-like piano rocker puts on a great show.
10:15pm - Blind Mississippi Morris - Folklore Store - I also highly recommend this guy if blues is more your thing.
You can find a full schedule here.
In related news, the Rumba Room at 303 South Main is supposed to open soon. I don't know the details yet, but it will be a special events venue with a Cuban Cafe and Salsa Nights hosted by Salsa Memphis on Fridays. This might be fun for girls' nights or for girls to drag their husbands or boyfriends to.
Another of several festivals in September will be Gonerfest 5. This is Goner Records' showcase of bands to take place primarily at the Hi Tone September 25 - 28. However, there is something else exciting in the works Downtown for that weekend, but I can't announce it just yet.