N’Dambi At “Pink Elephant” Album Signing Tomorrow

Good news, Memphis N’Dambi fans are in for a treat tomorrow.  She is in town for the “Pink Elephant” album signing.  It’s at the Stax Museum lobby, Thursday March 4th, between 5pm to 6pm.  Also if you don’t have a CD copy of her latest album, you can pick up a copy in the Museum Gift Shop.  Also she will be performing at the Rumba Room at 8pm that same evening.  I’ll see you there.

Memphis: The Chocolate Bar @ Zora’s Lounge (with Review)

thechocolatebar

Just received word about a very interesting event this weekend. The Hattiloo Theatre’s Zora’s Lounge is presenting “The Chocolate Bar” on September 19th @ 9pm. This will be a great chance for them to show off their newly redesigned Zora’s Lounge. They also have “We Two” performing at the event, which is a mostly Jazz with a dash of Neo Soul. The main premise is envisioning a sushi bar, but with chocolate and great wines. The wines include Relax Riesling… Frontera Shiraz… Barefoot Moscato, Sauvigon Blanc, Beringer White Zin, Zonin Baccorosa and Sonoma Merlot. The assortment of chocolate consists of triple chocolate cake, cocoa truffles, tiramisu, German chocolate cake, white Russian truffle, marzipan and fudge.

There is a cover charge of $10 per person. Zora’s Lounge is located at 652 Marshall, Memphis, TN.  Also to get more information please call (901) 525-0009.

UPDATE  With Review 9-26-09

We attended The Chocolate Bar last week, and it was an experience.  There were some good points, and some bad points.  I’m very glad that there are people trying to create quality events, that cater to the “Grown Folks” crowd.  I just think that they need more work on the execution of those events.  Here are my thoughts below.

Good Points

  • 1. Great concept for the event. Fine chocolates and wine to enjoy while enjoying soothing live music, with like minded people.
  • 2. Location and venue were perfect for this event.  The lighting was just right, to almost a fault.  It was a smoke free environment, with nice furniture to accent the mood.
  • 3. Event started on time, and the performers started on time also.  This shouldn’t be a big deal, but it is.
  • 4. Food was good, fresh, and was made to order.
  • 5. Event staff were very helpful when they were made aware of any issues.

Bad Points

  • 1. The flyer was very inviting, but left off basic information that would have helped attendees.
    1. a. There was an option to reserve tables in advance, but wasn’t listed on any communication. This would have helped, since it was a very small venue.
    2. b. There were two areas of the venue. The main lounge which was $10 cover (Music was performed here, but very cramped) or the side lounge $5 cover (music was heard over speakers, but more room).
    3. c. Event started at 9pm, but it didn’t list the time when doors opened.  The doors also opened at 9pm.  I like to arrive early, and enjoy the vibe.
    4. d. The performers started at 10pm, but that wasn’t listed anywhere. Attendees had no clue if the performers were late, until they asked the staff when was the performers starting.
  • 2. Before the performers started at 10pm, they had music playing. based on the crowd’s age and the event’s theme, they did not have the right music at all.  Each song was totally different genre from the previous song, and it was played way too loud for the over 30 crowd.  It was to the point where you couldn’t have a conversation as you at the chocolate and sipped wine.
  • 3. There were no samples for the food items on the menu. So you were ordering blind.  For example the Tiramisu @ $3 a piece, was a 1″ by 1″ swirl of whipped cream with sprinkles of coffee and chocolate. So, the first 8 items on the menu were small pieces of chocolate or miniature inspired creations.  The last four items (Chocolate Cheesecake, Triple Chocolate Cake, German Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Fondue) all were wonderful looking.  We only found that out when we saw someone in the other $5 lounge with them. No one in the $10 lounge had ordered any of those five items, so no in that lounge had know of the deliciousness they were missing.
  • 4. Lighting was a bit too dark.  There were some accidents, because people couldn’t see in some portions of the lounge.
  • 5. Performers were good, but didn’t perform any Jazz pieces.  They performed mostly R&B, Neo Soul and some Blues.  No jazz at all.

Now after reading all that you, would think that we had a bad time.  We had a good time, but there were the above things that kept getting in our way of having a great time.  We would love more events like this in the Memphis area, but they are few and far between.  So, that is why we expect so much from the few that are here.

Memphis: Najee & Will Downing Coming this October

Najee

Good morning.  Wifey just let me know that two of my favorite performers, Najee and Will Downing, are coming to Memphis in October.  The full details have not been released yet, but that should be soon.  The event is being put on by Mix & Mingle, who is no stranger to bringing good music for that Grown Folks vibe. Both artists have new material to entice listeners.  Najee’s releases “Mind Of Matter” on August 25th, 2009.  Also Will Downing released “Classique” on June 16th. I’ll update once more information is available.  Thanks.

Will Downing

Update 8/19/09

Mix & Mingle Entertainment have announced the details for this concert.  It is set for October 24th, 2009 @ 8pm at the Cannon Center.  Tickets go on sale this Friday August 20th, 2009 at 10:00am EST.  You can purchase them TicketMaster or call the Cannon Center Box Office at 901.314.2924. Tickets prices: $69.50, $59, $54, $49, $45 & $39.

Soul Food Festival Coming Near You

Soul Food Memphis

Here is the last event to help fill up your weekends.  The Soul Food Festival.  Bet you didn’t know one of those existed.  I was really taken aback when I saw the size of this event, and the numerous cities that it is taking place.  It has many musical groups for the “Grown Folks” crowd.  From Peabo Bryson, Silk, Ready For the World, O’jays, MC Lyte, and quite a few others.  The artists do vary from city to city, so check the flyer for your location.

There will be a variety of Soul Food vendors, some local and some national.  To become a vendor for your city’s event check here. Also for general rules about the event check here.

Tickets range from $25 – $35 for general admission, and VIP tickets are from $45- $50.  Gates normally open two hours prior to show time, and the show lasts about four to five hours.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at Front Gate Tickets. Below are the upcoming dates and cities for the Soul Food Festival.

July 11th   Nashville, TN

August 1st   Memphis, TN

August 8th   Charlotte, NC

August 15th   Cleveland, OH

August 22nd   Kansas City, MO

August 29th   Cincinnati, OH

September 5th Palm Beach County, FL (Info not released)

Memphis: A Tribute To Prince

Tribute To Prince

The second event to help fill your weekend, is A Tribute To Prince.  It’s being produced by Memphis Rebirth. Here is a snippet from their site, that best describes their  goal. “Memphis Rebirth Entertainment was conceived in 2006 with the dedication to restore music back to its original soul element and create unity among diverse culture through the concert series – Rebirth of Soul, which will be a scholarship benefit that will give assistance to high school students seeking continued education in Music and the Arts in an accredited college or institution.”

They are putting together this event, that features Karen Brown, Thomas Anthony, Preston Shannon and The Flow.  They will be performing classic Prince songs to give tribute to his legacy of great music.  Also they will perform a few songs to give respect to the passing of Michael Jackson.  More info on the artists is available here.

It will be held at the New Daisy Theater on July 11th Saturday at 7pm.  General admission tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door.  VIP tickets include 3 course dinner (catered by DeJa Vu Creole Restaurant), VIP seating and two beverages are $45 per person.  You can purchase tickets at Memphis Rebirth’s site via Paypal. It sounds like a good time.  I am planning on attending.