Indie Memphis has been incredible so far. I have met so many nice people, went out for BBQ with three guys from Texas, met some film-makers, and have been – in general – really enjoying myself. Last night, we were going to a movie at 6:30 p.m., so we headed over to the block party on Cooper to hang out, the street blocked off for the days of the festival, with live music, beer, panels/talks happening in tents, and a general festive atmosphere. The sky was insanely dramatic (when we came out of the movie later, it was raining). Right in the middle of the block party is the Circuit – used to be called The Memphian – the old movie theatre Elvis used to commandeer so he and 80 of his closest hangers-on could go see whatever movie Elvis wanted to see. It’s still there, but it’s a theatre now, for plays and other things. I’ve gone and visited it before in former trips but now … It’s where I’ll be giving my Elvis talk, complete with clips from King Creole, Blue Hawaii, Viva Las Vegas and a couple of others. It’s cool enough that I get to do this talk but that I get to do this talk in this venue is almost too much!
Talk details here. I am so thrilled Robert Gordon will be introducing my talk and running the QA after. I feel so unbelievably thankful for this experience.
So excited for you, and so bummed to miss this. I lived in Memphis from 2010-2014, just about a mile from Overton Square, so it’s fun to see this picture — I hope you’ll post many more from your visit!
Tom – oh wow! So you were right near here! I was sorry I didn’t have any time to go walk through Overton Park – next trip! Yeah, it was a great time – not sure if you ever attended Indie Memphis while you were here, but the festival is so compact, with a block party in the middle of all those little cinemas – it was such a good time, and so good to be back in Memphis!!
I will definitely post more pics.
OK, now I am feeling the joy that must be radiating from you. So happy and proud for you.
Thanks Kathy! It was a proud night for me, for sure.
Getting pumped for your talk and preparing my question!
The Circuit is special to me particularly because my daughter did her Lighting design internship at Playhouse for the 2014-15 season. This meant that she designed all the shows for the Circuit that season to include “The Best of Enemies”, “The Fantastiks”45 year anniversary production, and “Assassins” for which her design was nominated in the annual Ostrander Awards up against long time veteran designers.
Lighting
Jeremy Allen Fisher – “The Addams Family,” Theatre Memphis
Jeremy Allen Fisher – “Of Mice and Men,” Theatre Memphis
John Horan – “Kiss Me, Kate,” Playhouse on the Square
John Horan – “The Rocky Horror Show,” Playhouse on the Square
Mary Lana Rice – “Assassins,” The Circuit Playhouse
She is currently Master Electrician and sometimes designer at the beautiful Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. The Fulton Theatre is thought to be the oldest continuously operating theater in America.
A mother can brag a little, right?
Melanie – so good to finally meet you!! Thank you SO MUCH for coming, and thank your daughter as well. It was good to meet her! Supernatural fans, unite.
I wouldn’t have missed it! Enjoyed your talk and meeting you and your parents. Next time you’re in town we’ll have to get together, watch some of our favorite show ?, and maybe catch some old guys playing rock and soul.
I will for sure be back! It’s a date!