Wow.  The weekend was so much fun I barely remember last week.  I also have a terrible memory, so it’s not as severe as it sounds.  This weblog turns 3 weeks old this Thursday, but it feels like it’s been months since the beginning of June.  It’s been a pretty hectic time for me – attempting to do/see/hear everything within a 10 mile radius gets challenging at times.  Fortunately, I’m not someone that backs down from a challenge.

Armed with a new camera, business cards, and a better sense of how to budget my time, I hope to continue providing a perspective on Memphis that’s a little off the beaten path.  It helps that I spent most of my 20s in neutral, moving through the world without making an impression on anyone.  I embrace fly-on-the-wall observation and only seek out answers when I have a good question.  It’s been great learning about new people and places that I was intimidated to visit back in my East Memphis white-bread days.  Anyway, I’m just rambling.  I’m elated by what I’ve found in Memphis so far.  I plan to keep going until I run out of things to do.  And then I’ll probably go back for more.

This week is pretty straightforward.  You can do something, or you can stay home and save up for the weekend.  Most of the happenings I’ve dug up seem fairly low-key, so it just comes down to whether you want to put on pants or not.

Monday has a smattering of the usual.  Young Avenue Deli has Reggae Pint Night featuring DJ Cush.  The pints start at 7PM and music will start around 10PM.  I have to admit that I’ve seen this on the Deli calendar for months and have never made it there.  I honestly don’t know if I like reggae music, though it seems like I would.  I’m just not a very discerning beer drinker, so “pint night” in general has never appealed to me directly.  If there are some beer snobs out there that want to educate me on what I’m missing, this seems like a good place to start.

Something I do enjoy is open mic events.  Monday night is the weekly open mic at P&H Cafe, kicking off around 9PM.  I’ve been to these a few times and had a great time.  I still don’t have the nerve to stand up – I’ve been known to write a poem on occasion – but I am completely appreciative of the people who do put themselves out there.  This is a really great atmosphere for having a beer and relaxing with strangers.

If you want to find something a little more interactive, 5 in 1 is hosting a Rubber Stamp night from 6PM to 10PM.  I know I could use a few stamps around the house.  This will be a great chance to learn some DIY craftiness and potentially walk away with something useful.  Haven’t you always wanted to be able to randomly stamp someone with silly designs when they get admitting to your event?  Or perhaps you have a dry sense of humor and would like the ability to label things as “Actual Size!“?

On Tuesday, things get a little groovier.  The Buccaneer has Dave Cousar playing around 10PM.  If you haven’t experienced this local legend, this is a great venue to start.  As a singer/songwriter, Cousar has a soulful craziness that makes you want to buy him a shot of whiskey.  Definitely nothing you’ve heard before, go grab a drink and hang out like a pirate at port.

For something a little earlier in the evening, the Overton Square Bluesday Tuesday has Don McMinn starting at 6:30.  A musician that helped revitalize blues on Beale Street in the 80s, McMinn is an authentic artist that encapsulates Southern blues.  This evening should be smooth and easy, the way it should be.

Wednesday starts to pick up speed in preparation for the weekend.  I will probably take it easy since the USA plays Germany on Thursday.  If you haven’t been to a USA World Cup game yet – this is THE ONE to see.  It will either be epic or tragic, but insanity will ensue either way.

To get your motor running the night before, check out the show at Hi Tone.  Whitechapel, from Knoxville, headlines with a group of metal bands that will be sure to knock your eardrums together. Local group What We Do In Secret will join the lineup, so be sure to support your Memphis musicians.  It’s only $13 at the door and the show goes on early at 6:30PM because it’s an all ages affair.

For something more on the subtle side, you can jump down to 422 Cleveland for the Crosstown Arts screening of Make, a 2011 documentary by Scott Ogden.  This film takes a closer look at 4 self-taught artists with a story that weaves their passion for art together.  For the more serious film buffs, there will be a discussion of the film after the show.

Another artistic expedition available is the closing night of Unchained II, featuring a talk by Mary Jo Karimnia about self-curated exhibits.  I attended the opening night for this and had a great time.  Don’t miss your chance to see it before it goes away.  Show will be open from 6PM to 8PM at The Rozelle Warehouse.

I think that sums it up for me.  Go forth.  Be safe.  Report back with what you find.