Discover the flavors of Memphis

Balletmemphisat interim restaurant pg 10

the

performing arts issue

fall 2011 memphis spoon

memphis symphony plays a different tune

theatre memphis takes center stage

new Ballet ensemBle dances the Blues

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4 spoon | fall 2011 5

If variety is the spice of life, then Memphis is the place to spice things up.

You may be here on a musical pilgrimage—visiting the site of the first

rock-and-roll recordings, the home of the King, or the rich history of

the blues. Perhaps you are dropping by for a chance to sample our

mouth-watering barbecue, or maybe you come as a business traveler,

here to collaborate with our world-class organizations. Whether you’ve

traveled from near or afar, for business or pleasure, Spoon magazine is

your guide to go beyond the blues and barbecue and taste the rest that

Memphis has to offer.

One way to experience our city is through the innovative performing

arts scene. from grassroots theatre to nationally acclaimed ballet com-

panies, from professional actors to light-hearted entertainers, this issue

of Spoon introduces Memphis’ most talented performers. You can find

classical music, exciting shows, unique dance performances and laugh-

out-loud comedy in nearly every corner of the city.

as always, we bring you the most complete guide to the best restau-

rants in Memphis. On every page you'll find a mouth-watering menu

and an open invitation to join the chefs and staff for a satisfying meal.

let them know you saw them in Spoon, and they’ll be sure to offer an

extra helping of heavenly hospitality. all of the artists in this issue (per-

forming or culinary) have two things in common: a love of Memphis

and a love of their craft that they're eager to share with locals and visi-

tors. So pick your dining spot, pick your performance and explore the

sights and sounds in the most entertaining city in the Mid-south.

Cheers,

spoon staff

editorHolly wHitfield

creative directorJason Prater

designerstina lovettCHris strain

photographyJay adkinsJustin fox burksbrandon dilldonny GranGerJoey Miller

salesbev saMsPatriCia landersriCky delasHMitkelly laCkey

SCRIPPS BC DEVELOPMENTvp of business developmentrob Jiranek

director of productionsCott binford

department coordinatorCHiP wiley

frO

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10 at the Barre Ballet MeMPhiS at

interiM reStaurant and Bar

14 the Grizz Girls at lOcal GaStrOPuB

16 the Best Medicine WiSeGuYS iMPrOv at the BBQ ShOP

18 at the Movies indie MeMPhiS filM at

PlaYhOuSe On the SQuare

20 Wrestlers at KOOKY canucK

22 singing for supper OPera MeMPhiS at ciaO Bella

24 perfect Characters theatre MeMPhiS at GrOve Grill

26 Magician Michael Clayton at the SillY GOOSe

28 a Different tune MeMPhiS SYMPhOnY at MajeStic Grille

30 King of rock and roe elviS at Blue fin

32 soul Men Stax acadeMY StudentS at cOrKY’S BBQ

34 Double, Double, toil and trouble tenneSSee ShaKeSPeare cO. at naPa café

36 Movement with heart neW Ballet enSeMBle at BlueS citY café

38 Collective harmony PrOject MOtiOn + cOllaGe dance

at BruShMarK

43 restaurant Menu Directory Over 30 PaGeS Of reStaurantS and MenuS

45 project Green fork

82 the spoonful OuttaKeS and extraS

frOM the MaKinG Of SPOOn

Contents

BalletMeMphIs at

InterIM

on theCover

PerfOrMinG artS iSSue

10 spoon | fall 2011 11

Julie (front), Kendall (center) and travis of Ballet MeMphis. costuMes By Bruce Bui

attheBarre

By holly whitfieldphotography By donny granger

choreography inspired By eMily coates and lacina couliBaly's où Que nous

soyens/ Wherever We Are.

Founded in 1986 by lifelong Memphian Dorothy Gunther Pugh, the company has grown from humble beginnings into a nationally respected artistic organization. “We’re a very innovative and community-centric company,” describes Ms. Pugh. “We’ve crashed a lot of barriers because we’re a ballet company for now; we don’t just pull the same old tired things out of the closet.” As a result, Memphis boasts a dance scene that is fresh, unique, and exhilarating.

The first performance of the 2011-2012 season in September is Connections: Food, where three talented members of Ballet Memphis—Travis Bradley, Kendall Britt and Julie Niekrasz—will perform their own culinary-inspired pieces and those of accomplished choreographer Matthew Neenan. The three dancers convened at Interim Restaurant and Bar in East Memphis to discuss their upcoming works, and why Ballet Memphis is an integral part of the Memphis performing arts scene.

ast latin guitar, strong drumbeats and blue-hued light accompanied the dancers’ lively movements. Intricate footwork and perfectly sculpted leaps were evidence of dedicated classical ballet

training, and the pulsing, staccato movements that echoed the music were fresh and engaging. The controlled but urgent steps of dancers in formation alluded to a school of fish, swimming through a turbulent river. Their flowing skirts flared like a splash of water as they jumped, then hung long and still as they froze for an instant, arms at right angles, before twirling again. The specific elements of this performance were no accident. The piece, Trey McIntyre’s The Barramundi, was inspired by the fish of the same name. McIntyre choreographed and premiered the the piece with Ballet Memphis in 2006. The Barramundi is only one example of the contemporary works produced and supported by the company, which celebrates its quarter-century anniversary this year.

For 25 years, Ballet Memphis has been an anchor of the performing arts scene in Memphis.

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STuffed MounTaIn TrouT wITh orzo PaSTa

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12 spoon | fall 2011 13

Kendall Britt, Jr.

Kendall is originally from new York City, and joined the company in 2006. he has performed several roles including the lion in Steven McMahon’s Wizard of Oz, romeo and Mercutio in Romeo

and Juliet, and Puck in Mark godden’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Julie nieKras

Julie is from arlington heights, Ill. and is beginning her eighth season at Ballet Memphis. She has danced lead roles in Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, the Nutcracker (Clara), Travis

Bradley’s Beauty and the Beast, and Mark godden’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (hermia), and others.

travis Bradley

Travis has been with the company since 2004 and is from Mechanicsville, Va. he is an accomplished choreographer and has collaborated with many acclaimed artists.

he has performed in Romeo and Juliet (friar lawrence, romeo), Beauty and the Beast (The Prince), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (oberon), and several Trey McIntyre ballets.

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The dancers of Ballet Memphis have a collection of reasons why they enjoy the unique company. “It’s wonderful to be a part of so much new work,” explains Kendall Britt. “our director [dorothy gunther Pugh] does a great job of pursuing new work, especially innovative ‘work that matters,’” agrees Travis Bradley. Ballet Memphis is a relatively small company of about twenty members who perform locally and nationally at a variety of venues. “we genuinely are a family, which is very rare with larger dance companies,” says Julie niekras.

while Ballet Memphis often participates in the creation of new work, well-known ballets are an equally important part of their repertoire. Julie niekras danced in The Barramundi and other roles in contemporary pieces, but she has a special connection with the classic story ballets. “My most recent role was Juliet. That is every ballerina’s dream to dance—even the greatest ballerinas don’t have the opportunity to perform this in-depth role,” Julie shares. “In any story ballet, people are already involved because they are familiar with the characters,” explains Kendall, who played the role of plucky, sprightly Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. To deepen audience involvement and keep stories fresh, Ballet Memphis sometimes updates the time or setting, or reinvents the character with a dancer’s personal interpretation.

Travis was particularly fond of the Scarecrow role from Steven McMahon’s Wizard of Oz. “I’ve never had so much fun onstage. In certain roles, we are able to transcend ourselves and become something completely different,” he shares. “It’s one thing to act and to speak a role, but it’s an entirely different thing to embody a role through dance.” facial expressions, precise movements, and the particular energy of the character all contribute to the immersion in a ballet role. The dancers lose themselves “from the inside out,” as Kendall says.

Ballet Memphis emphasizes the fundamentals of ballet performance as the first step in reaching people, especially young children or others who may not be the expected audience for ballet. Julie’s recent portrayal of Juliet was more than a personal dream; it was a chance to interact with the local students who were invited to performances. “we brought Shakespeare alive for them,” Julie explains. Such exhibitions are part of Ballet Memphis’ community and school outreach programs, which also include dance avenue, a dance curriculum offered to several Memphis City Schools, Youth Villages and the Stax academy. In addition, collaboration with local authors, musicians, visual artists, and chefs is a way that Ballet Memphis reaches out and brings together the rest of the arts community.

dorothy gunther Pugh and the talented team at Ballet Memphis strive to make ballet relevant and accessible and by all accounts have succeeded. The heart of their message lies in the quality of the performances and the passion of the dancers. “what the dancers do in the theatre, in many ways, is the apex of outreach. all people are capable of being drawn into the story or the dialogue [that happens onstage],” dorothy explains.

Beef TarTare wITh frIed QuaIl egg and herB Salad

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18 spoon | fall 2011 19

by holly whitfield | PhotograPhy by joey miller

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Ryan PaRkeR & BRian PeRaat the MoviesRyan parker and Brian pera were both

born outside Memphis city limits, but

after decades of living in the Bluff City,

both consider it to be their home.

the two have collaborated on several

award-winning films, including “the

way i See it” (2008) and “woman’s

picture” (2011), as well as individual

projects like parker’s short film “fresh

Skweezed” (2010).

the close-knit community of artists,

musicians, performers, and film buffs

makes Memphis the ideal place for up-

and-coming artists like this pair. Ryan

studied film at the University of Mem-

phis, and met Brian—who has been

interested in film since childhood—

while both were living in midtown.

“i’ve always looked for like-minded

collaborators,” Brian shares.

Ryan and Brian are looking forward to

this year’s indie Memphis film festival.

the two have entered the first three

installments of their series “woman’s

picture,” which focuses on what Brian,

the director, describes as cinematic

portraits of women. the film was shot

by Ryan and includes a performance

by Memphis songstress and actor

amy lavere.

rom november 3-6, 2011,

filmmakers from across the

country will come together in

midtown, Memphis for the 14th annual

indie Memphis film festival. the three-day

event showcases features, documentaries,

and short films from indie filmmakers,

including plenty of Memphis artists. the

festival has gained national press for

being an accessible, worthwhile festival

for movie lovers and movie makers alike.

the screenings and events will take place

at Malco Studio on the Square, the Brooks

Museum, and playhouse on the Square,

where two filmmakers met to enjoy

some Huey’s burgers and talk about their

Memphis roots and the upcoming festival.

HUey’S awaRd winning

BaCon CHeeSeBURgeR and onion RingS“Memphis is the kind of environment thatfosters good stories.”- ryan parker

when these hard-working moviemakers get hungry, they head to midtown neighborhood favorites young avenue deli, the beauty shoP, or enjoy burgers and brews from huey’s. F

peRfoRMing aRtS iSSUe

36 spoon | fall 2011 37

by holly whitfield | PhotograPhy by brandon dill

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EnsEmblEmovement with Heart“We have a fresh approach to some-

thing that’s been around for a long

time,” says Jayme Stokes, company

dancer and instructor at the school.

one example, Nut Remix is a redo of

Nutcracker set on beale Street and

features hip hop, ballet, african dance,

flamenco and more. the children’s

ballet Peter and the Wolf gets a similar

nbe makeover. “the Hunters are

break dancers. the Duck is a modern

dancer, and the bird is a ballerina. I

play the cat, whose piece is a jazz

dance,” Jayme shares.

company dancer Gene Seals is a new

ballet ensemble success story. Seven

years ago, he started dancing at a

school program and soon after was

introduced to Director Katie Smythe.

“later, I came to ballet class and I

stayed. I loved it,” he shares. “We bring

people together, and we care about

the community. new ballet ensemble

feels like family.”

When Jayme takes a break from

teaching class and rehearsing, she en-

joys meals with friends at downtown

spots like ernestine and Hazel’s or blue

fin, while Gene recommends Mem-

phis favorite Interstate bbQ.

Jayme stokes (left) and gene seals show off moves from a recent Piece by Performing artist and choreograPher kevin guy.

hen it comes to style, the

dancers of new ballet ensemble

aren’t concerned about labels;

they simply love to move. Memphian

Katie Smythe founded the nbe in 2001

with a goal of offering dance training for

talented students regardless of their ability

to pay. the end result is a motivated,

vibrant group of dancers and students

from every corner of the city. company

members Jayme Stokes and Gene Seals

gave an exciting demonstration of ballet-

meets-Memphis at blues city café on

beale Street.

nEwballEt

"If you have a heartbeat, you can move.a turn of the head or a curl of the fingers,it's all dance." - Jayme StokeS

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full racK of bbQ rIbS (top)GarlIc broIleD SHrIMp SKIllet (bottoM)

perforMInG artS ISSue