Delta Fair & Music Festival, Labor Day Weekend and Beyond!

Hey all! Have you ever been to the Delta Fair and Music Festival? If not, you’ll have your chance starting tomorrow, September 3rd and lasting until September 12th. It’s the perfect Labor Day weekend activity for you and yours!

You know that the city of Memphis couldn’t let a holiday pass without some sort of music or food festival, lol. The Delta Fair and Music Festival boasts that it’s the Mid-South’s premier family event. Are you in agreement? There are so many contests, events, and vendors at the festival this year, that it’s hard to keep up with them all.  There are two national contests: Pillsbury Pet-Ritz Pie Baking Championship and Fleischmann’s Yeast Bake for the Cure Baking Contest, and these take up the Delta Fair’s culinary area.

Since it’s taking place at the Agricenter International (7777 Walnut Grove, Memphis , 38120), 15 minutes from Dogwood Creek Apartments, agricenter events will be present as well. There will be competitions, family entertainment and educational farm tours. The interactive exhibits and shows include Open and Jr. Livestock competitions, Tn High School and Jr. Rodeo Competitions and an educational farm tour open daily to school groups and fair goers.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, it’d be great if you stopped by and told everyone how it was on your return!

photo credit: bucklava

Get Your Bounce On @ The Memphis Hip Hop Expo!

Hip hop heads stand up! Where else can you find an entire weekend dedicated to hip hop than the city that practically invented music? Only in Memphis baby! It’s all going down September 2-5 with the Memphis Hip Hop Expo taking place at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in Downtown Memphis on September 3-4.

Now, there’s more to this Hip Hop expo than just 16 bars and rhythmic beats; there are exhibits and vendors. It’s also a way to learn about community organizations in the city, job opportunities and more. There’s even activities for the kids! Parents are encouraged to bring the kids out to meet and take pictures with the Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Redbirds and celebrities while enjoying performances by some of the top hip-hop and soulful kid performers along with other great acts.

This weekend you can look forward to music, entertainment, conferences, arts, fashion shows, tattoo ink show, celebrity ball game, liver performances, celebrity guest speakers and so much more! Tickets can be brought at eventbrite.com.

Since this is the first expo, it’s uncertain about what all may take place, but it’s guaranteed to be entertaining!

photo credit: Wikipedia

Midnight Bike Ride…Sounds Promising!

Have you ever wanted to ride a bike under the stars without having to expressly fear for your safety? Why not join a group of other people who love biking and the nighttime just as much as you do? The Midnight Classic Bike tour is the perfect time to bike under the stars and meet so many new people! It takes place this Saturday, August 28 at 10 pm.

The Midnight Classic Bike tour starts at Poplar Plaza Shopping Center. Registration for adults is $35 before noon on August 27, and is $40 on race night. Children 12 and under are $20 either way. So who’s participating? Folks from Mid-Town, the burbs, college students, artists, athletes, professionals, doctors, lawyers, fry cooks, firemen, and families from infants to octogenarians and more! Everyone can participate, and it’s sure to be a blast! There’s even a post-ride festival for participants.

The festival will feature music by the Venus Mission, bike checks, vendors, doors prizes, and more! The ride starts at midnight and ends at 3 am. People will begin to arrive at 10 pm and that’s a great time to socialize and make sure that everything is in order for the ride. The ride will be touring beautiful downtown Memphis with traffic safety protection along the way.

Did I mention that it’s BYOB? That’s bring your own bike. Don’t forget those helmets!

photo credit: ItzaFineDay

U of M Football: The Dawn of A New Era

Well, it’s about that time again: screaming fans, grills firing up, and orange, white, and blue filling the streets. It’s time for football at the University of Memphis. And Dogwood Creek, here’s hoping that this will be a season to remember, especially since this is the dawn of a new era. The Larry Porter era.

Preseason practice is sure to be demanding as the Tigers strive to beat a 10 game losing streak and make a good start against Mississippi State on September 4th. But, things should look pretty good with Larry Porter leading the pack. He’s been handling the reigns of the Tigers team since November, which gave him a good amount of time to put together a good recruiting class, and also gave him enough time to put together a gruelling spring practice. Many times, a grueling practice is what is needed to make a team phenomenal.

I actually think the Tigers will do well under Porter; he brings with him a love of Tigers football, seeing as he is a former running back for the team. He has a lot of pressure on him however, with trying to beat the team’s 10 game losing streak; no coach has done this since Rey Dempsey led the U of M over Arkansas State, 17-2, in 1984. Here’s hoping that history will repeat itself this season.

How do you think the Tigers will do this season?

8th Annual Orpheum Star Search this Saturday!

Hey Dogwood Creek! Get ready to see some amazing local talent this Saturday, August 7th at 7 pm at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis at the 8th Annual Orpheum Star Search.

What is the Orpheum Star Search? It’s a yearly event that showcases young musical  talent from across the Tri-State area. It’s like our very own American Idol! From the string of auditions this summer that saw over 200 contestants, twelve finalists between the ages of 15 and 21 were chosen.

These twelve finalists will get a once in a lifetime chance to perform onstage at the Orpheum, backed by professional musicians. All of the finalists are awarded $500 Savings Bonds and the Grand Prize winner receives a $3000 Savings Bond, and the opportunity to perform onstage at the Jefferson Awards for Public Service in Washington, DC.

Tickets range from $10-$35 and are on sale now at the Orpheum Box Office, Davis-Kidd Booksellers and all Ticketmaster locations.

Hope to see you there! These are definitely stars in the making.

Elvis Week 2010

The summer months just got hotter! Well, at least August will, any way. Hey all you Elvis fans out there. Are you ready for Elvis Week?

It’s almost that hip swinging, blue suede shoe wearing, all-white jumpsuit rocking time of year again. August 10 marks the beginning of Elvis week once again in Memphis. Well, if you’re a true Memphian/die-hard Elvis fan, you know that this is actually the second Elvis week: the first being in January around his birthday.

So what is there to look forward to this year? Many, many things of course; you know that Graceland will absolutely be buzzing! This year’s festivities are going to be particularly large – if Elvis were still living, he would have turned 75 this year. So, here are a handful of events going on around town:

• Tuesday, August 10
  • Shake, Rattle & Roll™ at the Shell – The Official Elvis Week 2010 Kickoff To Benefit The Alzheimer’s Association – 7 pm to 11 pm
    • Elvis Week will officially kick off with a live recreation of one of Elvis’ first concerts that he performed at The Shell.VIP tickets are $75 and include a preshow tour. General admission is $40. Click here or call (901) 565-0011 for tickets.
• Wednesday, August 11, 2010
  • Graceland Trivia Tour – 5 pm
    • Tour Graceland and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while answering trivia questions. Each participant receives a gift and trivia winners receive a prize. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids 7-12. Click here or call (800) 238-2000 for tickets.
  • Club Elvis – 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight – Graceland
    • Attend a private party for Elvis fans, held in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum and Graceland Plaza. There will be Elvis music, dancing, and a cash bar. A wristband ticket will allow you to go between Club Elvis and the other activities on the property. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online or by calling (800) 238-2000.

List provided by about.com

These are only a few of the myriad of events going on that week. Check here for a full list!

Are you going to attend any of the events?

Last Tuesday Wine Tasting @ Cafe Society

Hey Dogwood Creek! Do you have a taste for wine? If not, I’m sure you’ll find one by tomorrow. John Vego with Buster’s and Cafe Society host the monthly Last Tuesday wine tasting at 6:30 p.m. on July 27, 2010.

For the price of $25, there will be six wines to taste, along with assorted cheeses. Additional small plates made by chef/owner Cullen Kent are going for $5.

Wine tastings are always some of my favorite events. I’ve always been striving to find a perfect wine for me. I’m not necessarily looking for a wine to pair with dinner, but something that I can pop in some jazz music and relax with. Red wines are more up my alley, but I’m definitely up to trying something new.

If you’re like me and are looking for something new or just want to taste some premium wines from South Africa, head on out to Cafe Society tomorrow evening.

Music Video Production Summit

Hey Dogwood Creek! Are there any of you out there who have always been interested int the music industry but have no talent whatsoever? Have you or someone  you know always dreamed of making music videos? Well, here’s your chance to gain some insight into the industry at the Music Video Production Summit hosted by the Memphis Music Foundation and Live From Memphis.

This workshop is geared toward filmmakers and musicians seeking to expand their craft and exposure. This is perfect for you communications and video production majors out there. There will also be a panel discussion ranging from the following topics:

• Explaining the unique aspects of producing a music video
• How a music video can publicly showcase the talent of a musician or video artist
• Comparing the difference in filmmaking and music video production
• Discussing the creative relationship with the musician and the director
• And more!

Panel guests include: Mike McCarthy (Memphis Filmmaker); Nathan Black (Unbreakable Productions); Sarah Fleming and Christopher Reyes (Live From Memphis); and Joe Gotti (JG Productions).

So if you’re interested in the music industry, this just may be  your ticket in. The event is free, but space is limited, so RSVP as soon as you can.

Let’s Go Bowling @ FunQuest!

Hey Dogwood Creek! Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not make it a game night and go bowling at FunQuest, about 15 minutes away from the apartment complex?

Actually, at FunQuest, you can get some skating in as well. What could be better than a group of good friends, and a night of skating and bowling? For those that are new to the bowling and skating scene, there are lessons that can be taught to you right in the bulding! Actually, I may have to take them up on that offer, seeing as how I never learned how to skate backwards. It looks so cool!

On the other hand, if skating and bowling aren’t really your thing, there is also a laser tag arena and video game arcade. Great for the young and young at heart.

There are so many great things to do around Collierville. The hard part is deciding what to do next.

Directions to FunQuest

We are conveniently located at the Collierville 72 Exit off the 385 Parkway, one mile north on Hwy. 72 just behind Fred’s Dollar Store.

Shop ‘Til You Drop in Collierville

Hey DC-ers! If you’re new to the Collierville area, you probably want to know about all of the shops and restaurants around town. Well, one thing that’s great about the Collierville area is it’s proximity to Memphis and the wonderful shopping.

One cool place in Collierville that’s very near to Dogwood Creek is the Avenue Carriage Crossing (4674 Merchants Park Circle), an open air mall. It’s a brilliant mall that has over 75 stores and some choice restaurants including a Carraba’s Italian Grille. (Which is one of my personal favs). Sure it’s like other malls, but how many can boast that they’re open air?

Another great mall is the ritzy Oak Court Mall (4465 Poplar Avenue).  This mall an upscale shopping center adorned with Italian marble and bronze sculptures. It’s even been recognized multiple times as one of the most beautiful businesses in Memphis. Oak Court boast many fine retail stores, and is open during regular mall areas.

The last place that I will mention is the Wolfchase Galleria. The Wolfchase Galleria is anchored by Sears, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and J.C. Penney and offers more than 130 other stores and restaurants. The galleria also has a six screen cinema and carousel. At Wolfchase you get everything that you want/need in one.

These are only a few of the many options available to you in Collierville and the surrounding area.

Hey Collierville natives, where is your favorite place to shop?

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