Perfect Memphis Day

I started Saturday out at the downtown Memphis Farmers Market, as I always do when I'm in town. Two weeks ago there had been enormous tubs of red tulips that made me yearn for my watercolors, but I hadn't had them with me. This time I took a cooler for purchases and went to sketch as well. And talk to friends. I always see good people down there.

From the market, I walked two blocks to the Tennessee Brewery. A group of local business guys and committed, involved Memphians have opened up this glorious old building for a month's worth of beer garden, food trucks, and live music. I wanted to go sketch, since I wrote my term paper in 11th grade on the architecture and history of this marvelous place.

I happened to catch Taylor Berger and Doug Carpenter, two of the visionaries behind this pop up party, as they were standing at a table. Andy Cates, the third musketeer, showed up just a bit later and seemed ok to have missed being sketched.

I also took advantage of the chance to take some photos there.

They've got food trucks in the courtyard every day (they're open Thursday to Sunday through June 1st, starting at 11am each day). Tacos were on offer on Saturday, and I tried a Crawfish and chorizo one along with a Mexican grapefruit soda. Opera Memphis showed up to do some pop up opera for us while I had lunch. Perfect. And one of my favorite local bands, Den of Strings, is playing Friday evening. AND the whole place is dog friendly. I'm totally taking Mr. Darcy down there next time!

Mr. Darcy did walk over to Overton Square with me after I got home. Sew Memphis was hosting a pop up craft market, and I brought home this gorgeous tea set from Bridgman Pottery. Melissa Bridgman put the show together from her Creative Collective group of small businesses owned by women, and Mary Allison Cates hosted it in her courtyard. She's married to Andy, who is one of the partners in the Brewery Untapped. I feel lucky to know so many creative and committed Memphians.

I finished the day seeing Harvey, which was delightful, at Theater Memphis with my family. My escorts, who shared their back seat with me, were two 10 year old boys. We had a blast. And I did this sketch of the audience before the play started.  A perfect day.