Well, I think as you have probably gathered this is not my “day job” so to speak (at least not yet anyway! (*lol*). With that, my apologies that I am a bit later than normal on my post this go around. I hope you won’t hold that against me and what we are trying to do hear with Hole In the Wall.
If you recognize that line from the Grammy Award-winning song of Marc Cohn then you know that this week, we are talking about Memphis, Tennessee! Memphis is at the heart of what many consider the “mid-south” of the United States. Memphis has a long history with food, and with music as the home of Delta Blues amongst others. One of the coolest months in Memphis from an events, things to do sense is the Memphis In May International Festival. An eclectic month that celebrates an international partner/neighbor over the course of the four weeks and also some Americana in the process.
Just to give you a sense, for the year 2021 the MIM partner nation is Ghana. There are multiple events and opportunities that expose Memphis and the surrounding communities to not only Ghana, but the music, food and richness of the mid-south. Here are a few examples.
The Beale Street Music Festival is a staple of Memphis in May and held in Tom Lee Park. Usually, a multiple stage, multiple-day event this festival has had a track record of attracting some of the biggest talents both in the Mid-South and also from the national music landscape.
The Memphis In May Barbeque World Championship, holly hannah if you are a meat eater then you will be in hog heaven. Yes, pun intended! These teams have qualified through a number of different directions and entry pathways so you really are going to get to meet some top-notch bbq cooking teams and get to taste their wares a lot too.
As a part of the salute to Ghana (in 2021, different countries every year), there will be performances from the theater, dance, and a partnership with the Memphis Indy film community to salute Ghana film. Art, both through painting and sculpture, will be highlighted. These are just a few of the educational aspects alone. Events featuring Ghanaian food and prominent figures within the country, beyond the arts above, will also be a part of the overall scope of the month.
From an outside perspective, there are many events in the MIM calendar that are often overlooked too. The Great American River Run for the more athletically inclined is another great event. 10k, 5k, and Half Marathons are all available to challenge yourself.
There are many resources regarding Ghana that are made available to area educators too. Beginning with a Ghanaian Education guide to be able to highlight Ghanaian contributions to the global community. I am hopeful that the crate in a box program will be able to begin again once COVID is under control (think mobile, portable, museums in crates). There is a world of learning that is made available at mid-south students’ fingertips through this program. The National Theater of Ghana is also offering school program performances to supplement the teaching guides.
I have been a fan of Memphis in May for many years, in part because of the variety of opportunities and exposure that they have offered members of the mid-south community to the global community. One of my all-time favorite events that MIM has hosted was the Sunset Symphony from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. For quite a long time, it featured a closing number with a gentleman by the name of James Hyter with a deep, deep (I’m talking deep) voice (not sure whether it would be considered bass or baritone). He would sing with the Symphony “Old Man River”. For frame of reference, Tom Lee Park where it was held, (and where some events still are today) is literally on the banks of the Mississippi River. The Symphony was broadcast on the local CBS affiliate and was a marquee event of the year. Let me end this post with a link to the Symphony with Mr. Hyter who passed away a few years ago. Hope you enjoy it.
Next post, we did this thing over Labor Day..wanted to share some thoughts on it with you.
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