There was a confluence of cool events downtown today, so I took off from both commissions and work on the fall show to go just draw something fun. First was the "Food Truck Rodeo" in Court Square. The food trucks have just formed an association and had a mini-festival to celebrate. Today is also the Blues Awards, and the food truck folks had some good blues playing in the bandstand. I loved seeing the park so alive.

Elmore met me after his regular kayak outing, and we had lunch while I painted. Then we walked down to Beale Street, where yet more blues musicians were playing a free afternoon series of sets before the awards tonight.

We heard Mary Flower, whose finger picking blues I really enjoyed, and I couldn't resist painting her as well. I was drawn to the darkness of the indoor scene back lit by the windows across the front of B.B. King's.

We finished up the afternoon listening to Eden Brent, a favorite of ours and awesome boogaloo piano player from Mississippi. She's got a voice that will knock you out of your chair, and I don't know of anyone who crackles with so much energy during a live show.

I loved my Memphis afternoon. We've got a great city.