After notching their fourth consecutive Conference USA tournament title, the Memphis Tigers, riding a 25-game winning streak, roar into NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament as the 2 seed in the West Region. The Tigers’ opening-round tussle tips off today at 11:25 in Kansas City against the Cal State Northridge Matadors, the 15 seed. The underdog Matadors, who snagged a tournament bid by taking the Big West tournament title, enter the contest with a 17-13 record. Having reached at least the Elite 8 the past three seasons, including a run to the title game last year, Memphis knows what it takes for a deep run in the tourney. And it’s not just die-hard Memphis fans who like the Tigers’ chances this year. Of the seven ESPN analysts to post picks on espn.com, four have picked the Tigers to reach the Final Four. Even President Obama has picked them to reach the Final Four!

Psyched about today’s game but bummed it’s in the middle of the day? Here are a few ways to still catch the game, though some may not sit well with your boss.

- Use a personal day.
- Leave work "sick."
- Take an extended lunch break and head to a sports bar or restaurant like Dan McGuiness or Buffalo Wild Wings.
- Watch the game on your computer at www.cbs.com
- If you have TiVo or a DVR, just record the game.

Although the Tigers won’t be returning to the FedEx Forum during the tournament, you can still catch some March Madness action in person when the South Regional (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) comes to town March 27 and 29. With a tournament known for twists and upsets, there’s no way of guaranteeing which teams will vie for a spot in the Final Four, but the South Region features ACC regular-season champs and perennial powerhouse UNC Tarheels (1), the Oklahoma Sooners (2), led by Player of the Year Blake Griffin, the Syracuse Orange (3) who just a week ago won an astounding six-overtime game against UConn in the Big East tourney, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs (4), once an annual Cinderella team, now a regular bracket favorite. Although tickets are officially sold-out, you can still find plenty of tickets at StubHub (http://www.stubhub.com/ncaa-tournament-south-regional-tickets) and other fan ticket-selling sites.

Think you’ve seen everything to see at Graceland? Think again. Three new exhibits debut this month at the home of the King, giving visitors more glimpses into the life and career of the timeless rock ‘n roll icon.

Elvis in Hollywood Exhibit – Legendary movie producer Hal Wallis once said, "An Elvis Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood." Starring in 31 films, including King Creole and Jailhouse Rock, Presley epitomized cross-over appeal. In fact, some of Presley’s biggest hits—"Return to Sender," "Can’t Help Falling in Love," "Viva Las Vegas"—appeared on soundtracks to his films. The new exhibit, located in Sincerely Elvis, offers visitors a look at Presley’s film wardrobe from the likes of Viva Las Vegas, Charro, and Jailhouse Rock, scripts with his handwritten notes, rare photos, and more.

New Editions to the Car Museum – As if the car museum hadn’t been impressive enough before, Elvis’s two Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limo have been added to the collection. The 33-vehicle exhibit also includes favorites like Elvis’s pink Cadillac, a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, and the red MG from his film Blue Hawaii.

Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture Exhibit – Through a combination of videos, photos, displays, and listening stations featuring some of the King’s classics, visitors follow a timeline of Elvis’s career to learn more about not only his indelible impact on the music world but also on the world. The exhibit also features a collection of memorabilia from the 50s to now and a performance area where you can try your hand at an Elvis song and "sing like a King."

Elvis image(s) used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Speaking of trivia, here are some facts and figures that give just a little glimpse at the reach of Elvis’s popularity.

600,000 – The average annual number of visitors to Graceland

75,000 – The most visitors to Memphis ever during Elvis Week (2008)

140 – The number of singles to make the Top 40 on Billboard’s pop chart

30 – The number of #1 hits on the U.S. and U.K. pop charts combined (18 in the U.S.)

With snow still on the ground from this past weekend, Memphis events synonymous with warm spring days—the start of the Redbirds’ season, Memphis in May, even picnics at Shelby Farms—feel a long ways off. But before we bid adieu to cool temperatures for good, there’s still plenty going on in March in Memphis.

For college basketball fans March means one thing—March Madness. The surging Memphis Tigers, led by seniors Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier and stand-out freshman Tyreke Evans, will look to make another run deep into the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have made it at least to the Elite 8 the past three seasons, coming up just short of winning the national title last year against Kansas. Before the team vies for a spot at this year’s Final Four in Detroit, they’ll look to win their fourth straight Conference USA Tournament, which runs March 11-14. Including post-season games, Memphis is riding an incredible 56-game C-USA winning streak. To watch the Tigers try to extend that streak and take home another conference tournament title, order your tickets now at www.fedexforum.com or by calling 1-888-867-UofM.

If you’re looking for some roundball action with lots of razzle-dazzle, the Harlem Globetrotters will make at stop on their 2009 World Tour at the FedEx Forum on March 15. The Globetrotters have wowed spectators with their unique blend of skill, athleticism, and comedy for nine decades. For a look at their current roster, go to www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

Put on something green and head down to Beale Street on March 14 for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Don’t limit your day to just downing some green beer and parade-gazing, though. Stop by one of the city’s Irish pubs to enjoy the day’s festivities by feasting on some traditional Irish cuisine—and maybe having another pint of green beer. I recommend Celtic Crossing. The cozy pub located at 903 South Cooper offers a host of tasty lunch and dinner dishes as well as a nice selection of Irish beers, whiskeys, and liquors. If the weather is nice, be sure to ask for a seat on their patio. Other pubs include Murphy’s, Dan McGuiness, and Silky O’Sullivan’s, home of the "diver," a gallon-sized bucket of beer.

With this year’s conference being my first, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I learned quickly that though the performance schedule was handy, particularly for making sure I didn’t miss a favorite act, all I had to do to hear some incredible music was wander around. From official artist showcases on Performance Alley (the meeting rooms on the hotel’s second floor) to private showcases (intimate 20-30 minute performances in hotel rooms on the top three floors) to impromptu jam sessions in the second floor thoroughfares, the Marriott swam in music. It was basically a giant folk music sampler—traditional folk, singer-songwriter, Americana, blue grass, folk rock, chamber music, Celtic, and the list goes on.

In addition to getting to hear some of my local favorites like Dan Montgomery, Jed Zimmerman, Kim Richardson, and others as well as industry legends like Rodney Crowell, I was introduced to the music of a number of other astonishing artists. Among my favorites were the Creaking Tree String Quartet, a group of classically trained musicians whose music is a mélange of blue grass, folk, jazz, chamber music and avant-garde; Caleb Hawley, a 23-year-old graduate of Berklee who pairs a soulful, sand-papery voice with impeccable, jazz-influenced guitar playing; Anthony da Costa, an alt-folk troubadour who’s still in high school; Madison Violet, a female duo that can mesmerize with their heart-felt country-tinged folk pop; and Allison Lickley, a Canadian songstress in the same vein as Joni Mitchell who possesses a penetrating voice and an amiable, humorous stage presence.

The conference would be worth attending if just for the music, but it offers even more. Mornings and early afternoons featured a host of panels, clinics, workshops, and films geared toward helping artists hone their craft, connect with other musicians, and celebrate and further the folk community. The sessions began Thursday morning with the keynote address from Roger McGuinn, former lead singer and lead guitarist for the legendary folk-rock group The Byrds. One of my favorite sessions was "How to Get Radio and Press," a panel discussion hosted by Cash Edwards from CEMS that gave insight to new artists who have an album and need a sound strategy on getting their music heard.

The neighboring Cook Convention Center housed the conference’s exhibit hall, which featured booths from record labels, promoters, studios, guitar companies, and more. The exhibition provided a great venue for musicians to network and offered some goodies too—like free guitar restringing by the folks from Taylor and Martin.

Whether you’re someone making a career in folk music or just a music enthusiast, don’t miss next year’s conference February 17-21 at the Marriott and Cook Convention Center. Registration for the conference begins June 1, but you can join the Folk Alliance now. For more details, go to www.folkalliance.org

Images from top to bottom:
Creeking Tree String Quartet, Dan Montgomery, Ebony Hillbillies, Kacy Crowley and Folk Alliance exhibit hall.

Jason Middlekauff

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, don’t wait any longer to plan something special for you and your sweetheart.   Whether it’s food, flowers, or entertainment you’re looking for, Memphis has it all.  

Dining

The Tower Room
5100 Poplar Avenue
http://www.towerroom.com/
Located on the 33^rd floor of the Clark Tower, the Tower Room offers a meal with a view.   Sip a glass of wine and gaze at the evening sky stretched out across East Memphis as you enjoy an elegant dinner, with a menu ranging from fine steaks and poultry to succulent seafood. 

Valentine’s Dinner at the Zoo
2000 Prentiss Place
http://www.memphiszoo.org/specialevents
No, these aren't the zoo's concession stand offerings.  Enjoy an exquisite five-course dinner prepared by Matthew Crone and Jackson Kramer, executive and partner chefs respectively at Sole Restaurant and Bar, in the Northwest Passage exhibit.  Each course will be paired with a wine selection courtesy of Southwestern Distributors.
$125 per person
$1,000 per table of 8
Call 901-333-6572 for tickets.

Memphis Riverboats’ Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise
45 South Riverside Drive
http://memphisriverboats.net/
Experience a romantic evening on the Mississippi with a sumptuous buffet, live music, and gorgeous views.
$50 per adult
Call (901) 527-BOAT for further information or to make reservations.

The Art of Love Valentine’s Dinner
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art
1934 Poplar Avenue
http://www.brooksmuseum.org/events
Begin your evening by listening to romantic music, then sit down to a delicious five-course dinner prepared by Chef Wally Joe.  The cost is $80 per person.  To see the evening’s menu, go here: http://www.brooksmuseum.org/valentinesdinner/valentinesdinner
Call (901) 544-6225 for information or reservations.

Valentine’s Dinner at Chez Philippe
149 Union Avenue
http://www.peabodymemphis.com/
specials_and_packages/
calendar_of_events.cfm
With “food to get you in the mood,” Chez Philippe’s four-course menu includes three aphrodisiacs per course.  The cost is $95 per person or $133 per person with wine pairing.  You can follow up your dinner at Chez Philippe with a stay at the Peabody.  Their Valentine’s Day package includes a one-night stay for two, champagne, a carriage ride, and in-room breakfast.   The cost is$279.  Call (901) 529-4000 for further information or to make reservations.

Entertainment

 The Music of Nat King Cole
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
255 N. Main
http://www.thecannoncenter.com/
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra and vocalist John Pizzarelli will perform tunes by Nat King Cole, one of the all-time greatest romantic crooners.  Tickets start at $28 per person.

Songwriters Circle at Otherlands Coffee Bar
641 South Cooper
http://www.myspace.com/otherlands
Looking for a more informal setting to enjoy some music with your sweetheart?  Drop by Otherlands for a special Valentine’s Day songwriters circle featuring Jed Zimmerman.  $5 per person will get you in the door for an evening of intimate music.  And, of course, don’t forget to indulge in one of Otherlands’ delicious drinks.

Cyrano de Bergerac at Theatre Memphis
630 Perkins Extended
http://www.theatrememphis.org/
This classic love story will mark the first ever collaboration between the theater and the University of Memphis.  The show runs from February 13^th-March 1^st. 

Memphis Roller Derby’s 3^rd Birthday Bash:  Love Hurts
539 South Highland
www.newbysmemphis.com
Carrying around a broken heart this Valentine’s Day or just looking for a different take on a Valentine’s Day celebration?  Head down to Newby’s for Memphis Roller Derby’s “Love Hurts” birthday bash.  The party will feature music from Dead-I-On and DJ Cupcakez and Cool Ice Cream.  Admission is free.

Flowers and Gifts

Men, are you looking to charm your lady with flowers or gifts?  Visit Shackleford’s Florist (http://www.shackelfords.com/) or  Boggan’s Florist (http://www.boggansflorist.com/), two of the finest florists in Memphis.

From February 13-22, don’t miss top ATP and WTA pros in action at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and Cellular South Cup at the Racquet Club of Memphis, the only private club to host an indoor event for the men’s and women’s pro tours combined. 

The ATP (the men’s tour) has been making a stop in Memphis since 1977 when the tournament was known as the U.S. Indoor National Championships.  Since Bjorn Borg took home the title that year, the tournament has seen the likes of other men’s greats like Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Stephan Edberg, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Andy Roddick.  This year’s field features seven players ranked in the ATP Top 25, including American star James Blake, who finished the 2008 season ranked 10th in the world.  A three-time champion at this event, Tommy Haas will also vie for the title.  Haas was saddled with injuries throughout much of the 2008 season but is healthy now and looking to grab a record-breaking fourth title in Memphis.

In the fall of 2001, tournament owner Mac Winkler bought the rights to a WTA event that had been hosted in Oklahoma City, and in 2002, Cellular South signed on as the title sponsor, hence the tournament’s title.  Since moving to Memphis the tournament has included two two-time champions (Lisa Raymond and Vera Zvonareva) and greats such as Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport, last year’s champion.  This year’s field features 2006 champion Sofia Arvidsson as well as Caroline Wozniacki, who is ranked 12th in the world, and Victoria Azarenka, ranked 16th.

The legendary Pete Sampras, the all-time leader in Grand Slam singles titles (14) who finished #1 a record six consecutive seasons, will face former world #1 Lleyton Hewitt in an exhibition match on February 16th to kick off the event.   Hewitt holds a narrow edge in their head-to-head match ups, most notably besting Sampras in the final of the 2001 U.S. Open.  

Tickets are going fast.  Order now by calling 901-765-4401 or emailing ticketsales@racquetclubofmemphis.com.  For more tournament information go to http://www.rmkchampionships.com/1/home/.

Jason Middlekauff

Chances are unless you’re a hardcore outdoors enthusiast, the recent frigid temperatures haven’t compelled you to leave the cozy confines of your house. But come warmer temperatures, get off your couch and head to Shelby Farms Park. The 4500-acre park draws over a million visitors a year, delighting young and old alike with its running trails, bike paths, lakes, playgrounds, and serene natural beauty.

And as wonderful as the park already is, the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy aims to make it even better. In 2009, the park will undergo the first of many improvements included in the $80 million plus master plan unveiled last August. With a flagging economy, prospective donors have been harder to come by. The Hyde Family Foundations, which offered a $20 million challenge grant, extended the deadline until the end of 2009 to offset the increasing fund raising challenges. Still, $4 million will be released this year to set the master plan in motion.

This year’s improvements include an expansion of Patriot Lake from 54 to 150 acres, the addition of a Park Pedestrian Circle, and an overhauling of the Plough Park Playground. The improvements aren’t all simply to make the park more aesthetically pleasing or to bolster its recreational appeal, though. The plans coincide with the SFPC’s green initiatives. Construction has already begun on new restroom facilities in Plough Park that will utilize sustainable elements, and in the spring the planting of a million new trees in Shelby Farms Park will get underway. On April 19^th the park will host an Earth Celebration, welcoming a host of Green Vendors and EcoArtists to display their work and share their green-living ideas.

Speaking of "going green," the concept was at one time a countercultural idea, but now even the corporate world is beginning to adopt more environment-friendly practices. If you’re looking for some simple ways to help the environment, consider some of these ideas:

The City of Memphis Solid Waste Management offers a recycling service to all single- family homes. On regular trash pick up day, just place your recyclable items in the tan recycling bin. For a list of what’s recyclable and what’s not, check out their website here: http://www.cityofmemphis.org/framework.aspx?page=666

Join MLGW’s Green Power Switch. The program, headed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, raises funds for the expansion of green electric generation technology. "Funds?" you ask. "What’s this going to cost me?" Not much. Here’s an explanation from MLGW’s site: "Each unit, or ‘block,’ adds $4.00 to your bill. One ‘block’ equals 150 kilowatt hours (kWh), which represents 10-12% of the average household’s monthly electric use. You can buy as many blocks as you wish." Just $4.00. For more information, go here: http://www.mlgw.com/frameset.php?head=about&content=greenpower

For some more tips on how you can "go green," particularly when you travel, take a look at the list of ideas on our main site: http://www.memphistravel.com/visitors/goinggreen.aspx

Few cities boast a musical heritage as rich as Memphis'. It is after all the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock'n'Roll, the city where the likes of B.B. King, Al Green, Jerry Lee Lewis, and the King himself, Elvis Presley, reshaped the country's musical landscape. But music runs through the city's veins as powerfully today as it did decades ago, and from festivals to a new state-of-the-art venue to a chance to shine in the national spotlight, 2009 promises to be a big year for Memphis music.

2009 International Folk
Alliance Conference
Memphis Cook Convention Center
255 N. Main
www.folkalliance.org
The Downtown Marriot and Cook Convention Center will host the 21^st annual International Folk Alliance Conference from February 18-22. The five-day event offers a host of activities, including over 50 workshops, panel discussions, and peer group meetings; 200 juried performances; over 300 unofficial private showcases; and various special events, such as awards ceremonies, networking receptions, booking sessions, and community outreach concerts. The Folk Alliance’s aim is to bring together artists from across the globe to celebrate and preserve folk music and dance. Over 2000 people are already registered for the event. For more information, see the Folk Alliance’s website.

Minglewood Hall
1555 Madison Ave.
www.minglewoodhall.com
Undaunted by construction setbacks and a struggling economy, The DeHart Group is set to open Minglewood Hall in Midtown in the old Strings and Things building early this year. After renovations, the new building boasts nearly 80,000 sq. ft. of space, including the concert hall, offices, and room for retailers and a restaurant. Mike Smith of Young Avenue Deli will serve as general manager of the concert hall, which will seat up to 1,500 people. Without a "tweener" venue (bigger than a club, smaller than an arena) as DeHart describes Minglewood, Memphis doesn’t draw a ton of national acts. But with the opening of Minglewood Hall that could change. The building is still undergoing some finishing touches, but five shows are already slated for early 2009—Old Crow Medicine Show, Lotus, Stetsons and Stars, Ryan Adams and The Cardinals, and Umphrey’s McGee. In addition to hosting concerts, Minglewood will also be available for weddings, graduations, and other events. To book an event, call 901-312-6058.

$5 Cover
Craig Brewer, the local filmmaker best known for 2005’s Hustle and Flow, has partnered with MTV to create $5 Cover, a 15-episode online program featuring Memphis musicians and actors. Shot last summer at various Midtown venues, the program will be online in the spring and will feature the musicians playing fictionalized versions of themselves as they "fight for love, inspiration, and the money to pay the rent" according to Brewer. Each eight-minute "webisode" will be based around a song by the featured artist. Brewer hopes that $5 Cover will garner some national attention for Memphis’ music scene. Here’s a list of the cast:

Amy LaVere; Ben Nichols, singer for Lucero; Cody Dickinson, drummer for North Mississippi All-Stars; Al Kapone; Kate Crowder of Two-Way Radio; Brad Postlethwaite of Snowglobe; Harlan T. Bobo; Muck Sticky; Valerie June; Alicja Trout of River City Tanlines and Mouserocket; Jack "Oblivion" Yarber; Clare Grant; Jeff Pope; Claude Phillips

New Releases
Some notable local acts will be releasing new albums in 2009. Here are just a few to anticipate:

Jay Reatard (his debut for Matador Records)
Jack Yarber
Harlan T. Bobo
Lucero (major label debut on Universal)
Charlie Wood

International Blues Challenge
Orpheum Theatre
203 S. Main
http://www.blues.org/ibc/
From February 4-7 the Blues Foundation will present the 25^th annual International Blues Festival. The event, the largest gathering of blues musicians from across the globe, features performers vying for cash, prizes, and industry inroads as the competition judges search for artists ready for the big time. This year’s event promises to be at least as big as last year’s, which included 100 bands and 60 solo/duo acts. Musicians will showcase their talents in clubs along Beale before the event culminates with the finals at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday. This year’s event will also feature a Youth Showcase. For more information, see the IBC website.

But Wait, There’s More
For a look at some more events and artists sure to shape Memphis music in 2009, check out the What’s New on our main site: http://www.memphistravel.com/visitors/january.aspx.

Jason Middlekauff