Imagine spending a warm, spring evening in Memphis riding on a trolley in the historic South Main district while listening to a live jazz singer and stopping to mingle at galleries along the way.
This dream will become reality Friday night when Memphians can catch a free ride to 28 galleries on South Main in the art district.
“We are very welcoming and all about fun,” said Terry Woodard, developer and sponsor of events the South Main Historic Association puts on.
The district started as the South Main Street Historic Association in 1982 and focused on preservation. The district changed its name to The South Main Association in 2000 and now focuses more on development according to Woodard. The association’s purpose is furthering the districts’ development and accelerating its art community.
The first trolley tour was in November of 2000 and has been offering free trolley rides to art thirsty customers ever since.
The event focuses the public getting a chance to view merchandise in art related businesses along South Main. From serious galleries’ like Julie Smith to a store called Carnivale which specializes in table decor the tour will offer something to every type of art lover said Woodard.
Mirabella owned by Kennedi Benjamin, one of the galleries on South Main will be opening a new show entitled Head Shot tonight.
Meikle Gardner, the featured artist at the gallery said he is excited about the trolley tour and his new show.
“An event that brings a lot of people down here and really exposes the art scene to the public is great,” said Gardner who graduated from Memphis College of Art in 1996.
Another event the association is sponsoring is the annual South Main Arts Festival which will take place on April 27.
This year’s festival which is the third annual, will offer visual and performing arts.
“We even have art on a stick,” said Woodard.
She said the event is open to every type of art including poetry slams and street performers.
The event will offer food like corn dogs and funnel cakes along with a fine dining area that will serve wine and beer.
Three stages of music, the Grizzlies’ mascot and tours of decorated lofts will entice anybody to come and enjoy the fun said Woodard.
Don’t miss the trolley art tour tonight on South Main Street from 6-9 p.m.
