Festival season has officially begun and our city's busiest month kicked off this weekend. Attendance for this year's Memphis In May festival is expected to outperform previous years due to the new event structure.
The festival began this weekend with the Beale Street Music Festival and of course will include the World Championship BBQ Contest. However this year's event also includes the inaugural River Run Half Marathon & 5K along with 901Fest at the end of the month. It will certainly be an exciting time to visit downtown!
Of course if you've been a downtown resident during Memphis In May before, then you know to use alternate routes and expect heavy traffic. But let's face it, we wouldn't live downtown if we didn't enjoy all of the unique characteristics it comes with. We hope you find some time to enjoy our city's and downtown's most popular event!
I look forward to seeing you all at our next membership meeting on May 24th at The Arcade Restaurant where Mayor Mark Luttrell will be our guest speaker.
Pat Halloran served as President and CEO of the Orpheum for 35 years until his retirement last year. This month, he was our DNA speaker and entertainer at the newly constructed Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education. With his characteristic humor, Halloran talks to us about the Orpheum, the new performing arts center, his gallery downtown, and how it all came to be...
The art community is abuzz with news that the South Main Artspace Lofts are coming to Downtown Memphis, transforming a historic three-story warehouse on St. Paul into a mixed-use arts facility with affordable live/work units, a gallery space and an outdoor arts garden. The project will create long-term affordable live/work space and establish a permanent population of artists in South Main to anchor the neighborhood in the arts.
North Main Station Commander gives us the inside scoop
Ever wonder about those police surveillance cameras you see around downtown and throughout Memphis? This month we asked Colonel Gloria Bullock, Commander of the Memphis Police Department's North Main Station about them. Check out what she said.
Have you heard of the new Transloc Rider app? If not, you're missing out!
TransLoc, a leading provider of transit technology across the country, partnered with Uber and MATA to launch a pilot of the TransLoc Rider mobile app in Memphis. The app helps connect several modes of transport to make getting from here to there as simple as possible.
Tuesday, May 24, 6PM \ Arcade Restaurant, 540 S Main St
Our guest speaker is Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell. He'll be speaking to us at the historic Arcade Restaurant on South Main. Snacks and beverages will be available. Attendance is Free for Members - $10 for Guests
Mark you calendars for our May happy hour, and check out our facebook page for location details.
We captured the creation of downtown's newest mural on Main Street. #DowntownMemphisMural
Welcome to our new and renewing members in April!
NEW MEMBERS
Cherita Jackson
Randy & Peggy Witt
RENEWING
Dr. Nancy Chase
Alan Datri and Laurel Adamsen (family)
Jo Speak
SAFETY TIPS FROM COLONEL BULLOCK
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people crowd Downtown to enjoy the festival season that is Memphis in May. We asked Colonel Bullock of the North Main Station for some safety tips this time of year:
Stay alert and aware of your environment at all times. Do not let cell phones distract you!
Do not leave weapons and valuables in your cars (theft from vehicles is the most common crime downtown)
Park and walk in safe, well-lit areas
Try not to take purses with you in large crowds
Walk in a group or with at least with one other person when possible
Call MPD if you see something that does not seem right
Be a good witness! If you see something, try to get clothing, car and/or physical descriptions
The Communications Committee makes sure DNA members are kept aware of upcoming events and important downtown issues. Have a story idea or want to join the team?
The Events Committee plans monthly membership meetings and social events. Know a great happy hour spot or event speaker? Want to be part of the planning team?
