Category: Soulsville

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, Funding, Music, NEIGHBORHOODS, Non-profits, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South Memphis, TourismLeave a comment

CA: Elvis, Isaac, B.B. and Otis were card-carrying members of this venerable Memphis institution

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CA: Elvis, Isaac, B.B. and Otis were card-carrying members of this venerable Memphis institution Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding and B.B. King were card-carrying members. So were vaudeville performers, accompanists to silent movies, rockabilly artists and makers of radio jingles. They’re part of a musical lineage that traces to 1873, when Mississippi River showboat performers and others formed the forerunner of the Memphis Federation of Musicians. It hit the bigtime in the 1960s, riding the popularity of Memphis-style soul music typified by Booker T. and the MGs, the Bar-Kays, Eddie Floyd and Wilson Pickett. A new union hall opened … Continue reading CA: Elvis, Isaac, B.B. and Otis were card-carrying members of this venerable Memphis institution

Health, NEIGHBORHOODS, Outdoors/Parks, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South MemphisLeave a comment

CA: Memphis Rox coming to Soulsville

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CA: Memphis Rox coming to Soulsville A benevolent ex-Hollywood director with strong Memphis ties will turn a failed Soulsville grocery into Memphis Rox, a community center complete with climbing gym; cafe; juice bar; meditation, yoga and dance space; and an area for outdoor events. The project will cost $2.5 million to $4 million. But otherwise, money is no object. Youths unable to pay can still get access by participating in mentoring or doing community volunteer work. Application for a permit for partial demolition was to be pulled Friday. If all goes to schedule, Memphis Rox will open by Thanksgiving. Tom Shadyac … Continue reading CA: Memphis Rox coming to Soulsville

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, NEIGHBORHOODS, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South Memphis, TourismLeave a comment

Flyer: Memphis Heritage Stabilizes Aretha Franklin Home in “Guerilla Preservation” Action

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Flyer: Memphis Heritage Stabilizes Aretha Franklin Home in “Guerilla Preservation” Action A handful of Memphis Heritage members and preservation enthusiasts met at Aretha Franklin’s childhood home on Thursday morning to board up and secure as much of the unstable structure as possible. The home at 406 Lucy in South Memphis is facing potential demolition if a group doesn’t step in to save it soon. June West, executive director of Memphis Heritage, called their action “guerilla preservation” since her group isn’t the one charged with saving the home. That task fell to the LeMoyne-Owen College CDC, but that group has failed … Continue reading Flyer: Memphis Heritage Stabilizes Aretha Franklin Home in “Guerilla Preservation” Action

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, education, EDUCATION/RESEARCH, Funding, LeMoyne Owen College, NEIGHBORHOODS, Non-profits, Quality of Life, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South MemphisLeave a comment

Flyer: Tom Shadyac Reveals Plans for Towne Center

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Flyer: Tom Shadyac Reveals Plans for Towne Center When I arrived at the Soulsville Town Center for a guided tour with Hollywood film director-turned-philanthropist Tom Shadyac, a man whose name is now as synonymous with Memphis as it is with his filmAce Ventura: Pet Detective, Shadayac was standing in the sprinkling rain and speaking to a smiling World War II veteran who lost his legs and was in a wheelchair. Minutes later, Shadyac shared that moment with a group of about 20 attendees at the High Ground News-sponsored tour to communicate the ideology behind One Family Memphis, the nonprofit organization … Continue reading Flyer: Tom Shadyac Reveals Plans for Towne Center

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, Funding, Music, NEIGHBORHOODS, Non-profits, Quality of Life, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South MemphisLeave a comment

HGN: Ioby effort helps with Soulsville USA amphitheater

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HGN: Ioby effort helps with Soulsville USA amphitheater A local amphitheater for the Soulsville USA community is being built adjacent to Jim and Samella’s House restaurant on Bullington Avenue. Talbert Fleming is a part-owner of Jim and Samella’s. He said the amphitheater will serve the community as a free facility for arts performances. The amphitheater will be equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, lighting, outdoor kitchen and full-service herb garden. The project deadline is April 30 to raise $8,264. The official fundraising stage for ioby Green Up’s awardees began March 1. The public can support these initiatives through monetary donations … Continue reading HGN: Ioby effort helps with Soulsville USA amphitheater

CREATIVES, education, EDUCATION/RESEARCH, NEIGHBORHOODS, OPPORTUNITIES, Quality of Life, Soulsville, South MemphisLeave a comment

High Ground News: Soulsville school receives $50K for finance education

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High Ground News: Soulsville school receives $50K for finance education “Launched in 2005, the Soulsville Charter School has produced graduating classes with 100 percent college acceptance every year since the first class walked the stage in 2012. The success story isn’t meant to end there, thanks in part to the work accomplished before graduation. The school’s Money Matters personal finance course might not have a direct correlation to graduation rates, but it will play a vital role in developing adults who are more responsible financially. On Jan. 25, the school received an important donation that will help sustain the program, … Continue reading High Ground News: Soulsville school receives $50K for finance education

Accelerators/Incubators, CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, Music, NEIGHBORHOODS, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Soulsville, South Memphis, Technology, TourismLeave a comment

MDN: The Grind Budding music ecosystem helping Memphis musicians ‘make it’

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MDN: The Grind Budding music ecosystem helping Memphis musicians ‘make it’ “For Memphis musicians like John Paul Keith, the grind is not a catchy rallying cry or slogan. It’s a philosophy, a work ethic that allows musicians like him to earn a living dedicating themselves to their craft in one of the most important music cities in the world. Someone can definitely make a living here playing music, Keith says, “but you have to work almost nonstop, and you have to be versatile and professional.” … Other musicians he works with and knows have “bread and butter” gigs, in places … Continue reading MDN: The Grind Budding music ecosystem helping Memphis musicians ‘make it’

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, education, EDUCATION/RESEARCH, Innovation, LeMoyne Owen College, Music, NEIGHBORHOODS, Pop-ups, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Restaurants, Soulsville, South Memphis, TourismLeave a comment

MBJ: Tom Shadyac discusses Soulsville vision at ULI panel

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“Sept.15, the Memphis Chapter of the Urban Land Institute brought together a panel to discuss a long-term visioning process for the Soulsville neighborhood. The Soulsville USA strip is the stretch of McLemore Avenue between Mississippi Boulevard and College Street — home to the historic Stax Museum of American Soul Music as well as Soulsville Charter School and Stax Music Academy. … Filmmaker Tom Shadyac & Collective, who recently purchasing the Town Center across from the Stax property, was in attendance to share his vision. The New Town Center’s mission is to heal through meals, art and mentorship among other means. … Continue reading MBJ: Tom Shadyac discusses Soulsville vision at ULI panel

CREATIVES, Cultural Attractions, education, EDUCATION/RESEARCH, Food, Health, Innovation, LeMoyne Owen College, Music, NEIGHBORHOODS, Pop-ups, Quality of Life, Redevelopment, Restaurants, Soulsville, TourismLeave a comment

MDN: ULI Panel Tackles Soulsville’s Dilemma as Shadyac Reveals Concept

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“Local shareholders and national development leaders got deep in the heart of Soulsville USA this week with an all-day deliberation on how to bring placemaking to one of Memphis’ struggling historical areas. The “technical advisory panel,” assembled by the Memphis chapter of the Urban Land Institute, culminated in a town hall meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Stax Music Academy. Nearby on McLemore Avenue loomed the New Towne Center, the bankrupt community anchor that sold at auction last month. Filmmaker Tom Shadyac bought the 77,000-square-foot center for $1.85 million. At the meeting, he presented his concept for a “St. Jude-like” … Continue reading MDN: ULI Panel Tackles Soulsville’s Dilemma as Shadyac Reveals Concept