Memphis in May
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-->Memphis in May is a month long festival held in Memphis, Tennessee. The festival itself is split into 4 main events: The Beale Street Music Festival, the kick-off event, showcases a mix of local and national music acts, the International Events is a group of events dedicated to the country that is sponsored that year, The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one of the most popular barbecue contest in the country, and the Sunset Symphony, a night of classical music.This event will celebrate its 30th anniversary in May 2006.
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The Beale Street Music Festival
The Beale Street Music Festival, known to the locals as The Mardi Gras of the Mid-South, is a three day music fest that has a mix of big-name stars while mixing local acts as well. Held during the first weekend of May in the city's Tom Lee Park at the foot of Beale Street, it is considered as the kick-off event of the entire Memphis in May celebration. The festival was added a year after Memphis in May was created. Its history can be traced back to the 1800's, when African-American musicians throughout the South would come to Beale Street and perform.Below are just a few of the acts that have performed in the past:
- B.B. King
- The B-52's
- Richie Rich (219 Boyz)
- Creed
- Sheryl Crow
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- George Thorogood
- Jack Johnson
- Joan Jett
- Jonny Lang
- LL Cool J
- John Mayer
- Medeski Martin & Wood
- Nickel Creek
- Stir
- Seether
- Three Doors Down
- Wilco
- ZZ Top
- Puddle Of Mudd
- Three Days Grace
- Foo Fighters
International Events
Every year the festival sets its theme around a different country. There is a week, starting the day after the music fest, that is dedicated to this country and it showcases the local foods and entertainment of that location. This year's (2006) country is Costa Rica.10 Countries previously honored:
Ireland 2005
South Africa 2004
Korea 2003
Argentina 2002
The Netherlands 2001
India 2000
Morocco 1999
Portugal 1998
Brazil 1997
No Theme 1996
Thailand 1995
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
Sunset Symphony
External links
- [http://www.memphisinmay.org] Official Website.
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