a BIG Bravo update

It's been a while since our last post and I apologize for the dead space. There is just so much great stuff going on in the arts right now! Our biggest Bravo event of the season is next Thursday (and you can come in for free), but we will get to that soon...

Have you heard the buzz about ArtsMemphisTV v2.0, Artafactor, the May ArtsMemphis magazine, and JamJam? I hope so, because that would mean we are doing our jobs, but in case you have been on internet-rest, let me give you a brief update on each.

ArtsMemphisTV is a free web-based series that spotlights a different artist or performer in the Memphis arts community each week. We teamed up again with our pals at Live from Memphis to bring you the best in backstage passes. What is even better is you, the arts patrons, nominated the featured artists! We have aired two episodes already at www.artsmemphis.org and they are picking up speed. We will feature a new artist every Monday, so be sure to tune in, tweet, update your facebook page...you know the drill.

On to Artafactor. It is truly an affair of the arts! Do you remember your first experience with a breathtaking dance, a moving visual work, or a performance that just took you to another realm? That is what we are celebrating on May 1 with Artafactor, An Affair of the Arts. This is one of ArtsMemphis' largest fundraisers and we have A LOT of fun doing it. Keeping the arts alive in Memphis is up to you, the ones who love the art produced. Help us keep the vibe alive and come experience your own nigh mysterious on Friday, May 1 at Artafactor. Visit www.anaffairofthearts.com for more details.

Be on the lookout for the next issue of ArtsMemphis magazine. I will drop some hints...Pigs, rock, and Chilean rock stars. It just doesn't get more entertaining than that!

Ok, I know we all used to call JamJam1 back in the day but this isn't your grandma's weather report anymore! Now you can get up-to-date arts listings by dialing 526-5261 while you are sitting behind a car on Poplar Ave and figuring out what you want to do tonight. Choose option 3 and you are on track to hear what's coming up this week in the arts. Just another free service we use to keep you connected when and where you need it.

AND NOW FOR THE BIG BRAVO EVENT! You just can't afford to miss the soirée of the season on Thursday, April 23 at the Orpheum Theatre with Bravo Memphis and Opera Memphis...now let me tell you why. We will start in the Broadway Room (yes, that big snazzy one) with champagne, wine, beer, good eats and a glimpse of the 09/10 Bravo season. You can be the first to know not only what we are doing next year, but get your membership at a great discount! After the pre-party, we will see the final dress rehearsal of FAUST by Opera Memphis. That means you see this great performance (that has a lot of buzz around town) before any of the ticket holders do.

That is all good fun, but here is the kicker. As a Bravo member, you get to bring two friends for FREE to this event! We are already thinking bigger and better for next year, and we are starting early by showing everyone just how Bravo throws down. So, Bravo members make sure you get your friends' names to Elizabeth at erouse@artsmemphis.org so they can get in. Not a Bravo member? We are still going to let you preview this event for free because, honestly, we want to see you at every event next year. All of the deets are at www.artsmemphis.org/bravo or you can shoot us an email anytime.

Phew, that was a big update. We like to stay busy so that you have plenty of things to do in this amazing city we call Memphis.

PS: Don't forget we can send you Bravo text updates! Don't worry, we won't flood your phone. We just send a reminder one week out and the day of so you don't miss the hottest ticket in town. Just text BRAVO to 79704.

Have a GREAT week and we will see you soon!