VOL. 133 | NO. 36 | Monday, February 19, 2018
It seems the only thing consistent about this hot again, cold again weather is the rain. As we enter another week of the waning winter, there are plenty of events to keep you entertained. But don’t forget the umbrellas, Memphis!
The Shelby County Commission meets Monday for what is expected to be another relatively short session in the political lull before budget season for local governments. Across the Main Street Mall, the Memphis City Council meets Tuesday and has what is expected to be a post-mortem of the city’s decision earlier this month to paint over the Paint Memphis murals on Willett Street at Lamar Avenue. That is scheduled for the 2 p.m. executive session at City Hall.
(Daily News File/Lance Murphey)
The Beale Street Music Festival line-up is announced Wednesday – a key date not only for your spring planning purposes but also a test of your hipness. Be very careful about your reaction to that band you loved in the ’90s that is coming to BSMF – ’90s bands are now nostalgia bands in flannel.
Later Wednesday evening, the public gets its first look at the plan to reconfigure and expand Memphis Zoo parking in Overton Park. The 6 p.m. meeting at the Memphis Pink Palace Museum is part of a compromise plan that would create 415 additional parking spaces for the zoo, creeping onto the western and northern borders of the Overton Park Greensward. The zoo and the Overton Park Conservancy have put up a total of $3 million in private funding for the design and construction work. The timeline to have the expanded parking lot up and running is by the end of this year when cars can remain off the greensward.
The Hands of Hope Gala & Auction Party benefiting The Exchange Club Family Center will be held Saturday at Ballet Memphis, 2144 Madison Ave., beginning at 7 p.m. The gala will include entertainment, gourmet food and beverages, and live and silent auctions for vacations, fine jewelry and unique entertainment packages. All proceeds benefit Exchange Club programs that support troubled families and provide anger management, counseling, education and group therapy for adults and children. Last year’s event raised $165,000. Tickets are $125 for individuals, $250 for couples and $1,000 for a table of 10. Contact Kim Weiss and kim.weiss@exchangeclub for more information and sponsorship opportunities.
The Shelby County Republican Party’s annual Lincoln Day Gala is Saturday evening at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis. The keynote speaker is U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. While Scott is expected to have a lot to say about national politics, contenders in the Republican primaries for U.S. Senate and governor this election year also will be present, as well as those running in the May county primary election.
Marco Pave (staxmuseum.com)
Musician Marco Pave and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, at 926 E. McLemore Ave., are hosting a panel discussion Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. titled, “From ’68 to ’18: Perspectives on Memphis Music.” It will probe how Stax artists like Isaac Hayes and the Staple Singers were early advocates for social justice and economic equality here and around the world. There’s a straight line from those artists to modern local musicians like Marco Pave, a hip-hop artist who blends local activism and socially conscious lyrics into his work. Dr. Zandria Robinson, associate professor of sociology at Rhodes College, will moderate the discussion. Admission is free.
Start Co. is hosting a Midtown Edition of its Start Co. Lounge event on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Alchemy, 940 S. Cooper St. Attendees will get to network with other innovators, tech enthusiasts and others in the Memphis startup community.
Also on Wednesday, the Center City Development Corp. will review creative communications consulting firm DCA’s plans for upgrades and new community-oriented amenities at its South Main headquarters. While DCA is the primary tenant in the former Nabisco warehouse at 11 W. Huling Ave., the firm plans to treat the building as its own brand complete with community amenities available to the public. The planned changes include a cyclorama photography cove with a catwalk and garage-door access. An attached three-level, 2,200-square-foot private residence on the property to operate as an Airbnb also is planned. The center city board will review DCA’s application for a $100,000 development loan and $44,041 exterior improvement grant.
And on the hardwood, the Memphis Grizzlies return from the long All-Star break to host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Tip-off at FedExForum is at 7 p.m. The Grizz then catch a flight for Miami for a date with the Heat on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
The Memphis Tigers, meanwhile, face the Houston Cougars on Thursday at 8 p.m. at FedExForum. Houston just handed the No. 5 Cincinnati Bearcats their first loss in the American Athletic Conference this season. The Tigers travel to face UConn on Sunday.
The Daily News staff compiles The Week Ahead for you, our readers, every week. You'll receive it as part of our Monday online edition. Email associate editor Kate Simone at ksimone@memphisdailynews.com if you have items for consideration.