Memphis is a city with a great love of food and an even greater love of the arts. So why not combine the two? That’s where The Grove at Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) comes in.
Their new series, Appetite for the Arts, welcomes any and all to come enjoy lunch in their park-like, outdoor space—The Grove—from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM every Wednesday this October. Some of the best local food trucks around will be on site each week serving up all your favorites while a variety of music and dance films plays on the big screen of their Highland Capital Stage. (And when I say big screen… I mean big. As in 18′ by 31.2′ HD kind of big.)
Admission is FREE and picnics are welcome, so whether you’re hitting up the food trucks or paper-bagging it, head over to The Grove to satisfy your appetite for the arts.
Get a Taste of Local Art
Each Wednesday, GPAC will highlight the work of different local creators, like their very own Jasmine Hirt—Facility Manager by day, artist by night—whose spooky pen and ink illustrations make for the perfect fall aesthetic.
Throughout the month there will be drawings, paintings, jewelry, textiles, sculptures, and many more mediums on display for you to browse. All items on display will be available for purchase on-site, but don’t fret. If you need some time to think on your purchases, there will be contact information available for you to reach out to artists directly.
Feeding Your Senses
I checked things out last week on my lunch break, and let me tell you, this is the perfect mid-day reset. Happy Brunch Spot was on the scene, and while I waited on my crinkle cut fries and wings (honey-gold, of course) I perused the artists’ booths, chatted with local creators, and found myself a nice sunny spot on the TruGreen lawn to enjoy my food and the film of the day: Muscle Shoals. I left feeling full of good food and great vibes and perhaps with a couple of treats I picked up from the artists’ station.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out this hidden gem of a venue… this is your sign.
What’s on the Menu?
- Wednesday, October 9
- Food Truck: 901 Eats and Treats
- On the Big Screen: Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man – a cinematic documentary that explores the world’s fascination with one of the greatest piano and keyboard players of all time. Go behind the scenes to hear from icons from the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd to the Black Crowes and John Mayer. Attendees will also get a special preview of a realm where imagination knows no limits with video shorts from experimental dance company Pilobolus leading up to their performance at GPAC on October 26.
- Wednesday, October 16
- Food Truck: Flipside Asia
- On the Big Screen: Take Me to the River – a documentary about the soul of American music that follows the recording of the film’s 2016 namesake record. See Stax records and Memphis music legends like Mavis Staples, William Bell, and Bobby “Blue” Bland
mentor and collaborate with rising stars and artists of today. Stick around for an exciting presentation of “The Art of Music with Sheryl Crow and Jason Isbel at the MET.”
- Wednesday, October 23
- Food Trucks: Just Wraps and Happy Brunch Spot
- On the Big Screen: The Wrecking Crew – a celebration of the work of a group of session musicians known as the “Wrecking Crew” who have provided backup instrumentals to recording artists like Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby. Plus, see a selection of short films from the 2023 San Francisco Dance Film Fest, including documentary shorts, narratives, and experimental screendance works.
- Wednesday, October 30
- Food Trucks: Flipside Asia and 901 Eats and Treats
- On the Big Screen: 20 Feet from Stardom – a documentary that offers a glimpse into the world of backup singers that lies beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers were until now. Hear from talents like Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and more. Then enjoy “The Last Repair Shop,” which tells the story of four unassuming heroes who ensure no student is deprived of the joy of music, reminding us all of how music can be the best medicine, stress reliever, and even an escape from poverty.
To check out more details on Appetite for the Arts and all the other goings on at GPAC, go to www.gpacweb.com and check them out on social media.
