Memphis is My Home

29
Jul

Harry Potter Takes Over the Mid-South

Author: Kelly, Category: Uncategorized

My best friend is the manager of Southaven’s Books-A-Million and when she asked me if I’d like to volunteer for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I said “yes” without hesitation. I expected it to be a small little gathering, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the release drew hundreds of people to Books-A-Million to await the release of the last Harry Potter book.

I caught the whole thing on tape and had so much footage after the evening was over, I couldn’t possibly fit it all into one little video. So, here’s the first look at Harry Potter’s Memphis/Southaven Takeover with more to come in a couple of days.

Enjoy!

17
Jul

Road To One America Tour - John Edwards

Author: Kelly, Category: Uncategorized

Presidential hopeful John Edwards made a stop in Memphis tonight. The stop was part of his “Road to One America” Tour addressing the rising problem of poverty here in the United States.

JohnEdwards.com gives a bit more information about the tour:

“Everyday, one in eight Americans wakes up in poverty. That’s not okay. Today, we have Two Americas in our country - one America that has everything it needs and another that is struggling to get by. Our next president needs not only to understand the struggles facing the 37 million Americans living in poverty, but also have a plan to lift them up out of poverty. That is what this tour and my campaign are about - giving them a voice so that we can build One America, where every person has the opportunity to work hard and get ahead.”

Edwards’ Memphis stop was one of five stops here in the South. The tour kicked off in New Orleans, Louisiana just this morning as the Edwards campaign travels 1,800 miles across the Southern U.S. before ending the tour in Prestonburg, Mississippi on July 18.

Photo courtesy of Road To One America Tour - John Edwards. Originally uploaded by america_in_08 via Flickr.

17
Jul

Issac Hayes/Harry Potter Event Cancellation

Author: Kelly, Category: Uncategorized

You might recall me telling you that Issac Hayes would be reading from the 7th Harry Potter book at the Barnes & Noble at Collierville Crossing. However, after a follow up with Barnes & Noble, it appears Issac has had to cancel the engagement and will be in Europe instead.

However, yours truly will be attending the Potter Party at Southaven’s Books-A-Million. There will be costumes and prizes and me dressed as Luna Lovegood. And by golly, you certainly wouldn’t want to miss that.

10
Jul

Are You a Filmmaker in Memphis?

Author: Kelly, Category: Uncategorized

Went by Studio on the Square this weekend to check out Michael Moore’s latest, “Sicko.” While there, I checked out the plethora of pamphlets and promotional postcards they had on the counter for local indie film events. I picked up a couple of things, but the one that really caught my eye was the slick postcard released by the Memphis International Film Festival. The postcard is an advance entry notice for those filmmakers hoping to be exhibited in this years festival.

The festival takes place on March 27-30th, but of course, they have to start screening those films right about - well - now. Here’s the information direct from the notice to those hoping to make it into the festival:

“It’s not too early to plan to exhibit your film at the 9th annual Memphis International Film Festival.

Founded in 2000, the Memphis International Film Festival is a four day event presented in late March each year. From the beginning, the festival has featured a rich variety of regional, American and International films and education programs. Guests have included Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, Issac Hayes, Richard Gladstein and Alan Blomquist.

Memphis, the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock & Roll, has become an important American epicenter for film production and appreciation.

Categories: Feature, Documentary, Live Action Short, Animation and Music Video.”

You can find more information about the festival at www.MemphisFilmForum.org

09
Jul

Harry Potter Comes to Memphis

Author: Kelly, Category: Uncategorized

Well, kinda.

There are a good number of bookstores here in Memphis and a good number of those bookstores will be celebrating the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, at midnight on July 21.

Perhaps the most notable event, however, will be taking place at - you guessed it - Barnes and Noble in Collierville’s Carriage Crossing. There, you can hear none other than Issac Hayes read from an excerpt from the Deathly Hallows.

There are a number of other release parties going on in the area as well. You can keep up to date with Harry Potter release parties everywhere by checking out the Harry Potter Release Party lens on Squidoo.