Old Man River...

Ask people when summer begins and some will say the official day, usually the end of June (this is silly of course - where in the south summer temps have been hanging around since early May), some say when the schools let out, some will say when baseball begins or ends, but for me and many Memphians Summer starts with Memphis in May. The highlight for me is Sunset Symphony. Sure I love Music Fest and the outdoor music festival feel, but nothing really separates Memphis’ music festival from Bonnaroo or Jazzfest. It’s the same bands following the same music circuit. It is where I heard the Steve Miller Band, the Black Crowes, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and many many others, but I have heard most of them at other festivals too. It is Sunset Symphony that makes me really happy, and that I am supremely disappointed if I have to miss (as was the case last year - Harper Ann was born 2 weeks later). My mama and I have gone to Sunset Symphony every year that we have lived in Memphis, whether it be just the two of us or with friends or family, we make the short trip downtown with a blanket and ice chest full of food and drinks and take up our usual plot, Alice Ann has a spot, you know, and is quite particular about finding the proper real estate, close to the river and walking path. It is not uncommon for us to make friends with our neighbors and end the night sharing our food with those on the pallet next to us. My mama can cook and tends to prepare meals for an army: She makes the best chicken salad of all time and has never let me down, preparing the picnic staple every year. Memorial Day weekend to me is not complete without Sunset Symphony. If you are from Memphis and grew up going then you know how beautiful the experience is: the sunset over the Mississippi; kids playing in open areas; the symphony playing beautiful music, great food; and a spectacular fireworks show. The only thing that I really miss is James Hyter singing Old Man River. For decades, Mr. Hyter would sing the Showboat Classic in the sweetest baritone you can imagine backed by the orchestra and embraced by the orange-pink hue of the sun reflecting off the water. He would start just as the Sun was tucking itself into the river and after multiple encores would find himself singing into the summer night sky with the thousands of picnickers echoing the chorus. I will never hear that song without the desire to sway to the music and think about standing on an ice chest, trying to get a better view, with my mom’s arm wrapped around my waste pulling me in time with the notes; both of us singing along. I don’t think you can know what a beautiful memory this is to me.

Holt was a big help hauling the cooler

For a little while anyway

Shane, Anjanette, Bacon and Lisa joined us this year. We all did a fine job huddling under the tarp while a minor thunderstorm threatened the festivities, but as it always seems to do the storm passed and a beautiful sunset topped off the afternoon.

Harper Ann was one tired puppy when we got there

Roll Tide

Dancing to "KC and the Sunshine Band" who played and played and played

Holt informed us that this was his surfboard then his nascar

This makes me smile

Waiting for the fireworks to start

While, Holt and Harper Ann won’t experience Old Man River, I know that they will have their own wonderful impressions from Sunset Symphony. I loved watching my mom with Holt as the 1812 Overture was played. I eavesdropped as Holt sat rapt as my mother narrated the Tchaikovsky Opus. She explained each note as Napoleons Army marched across Russia. and the people prayed, and fought, and the church bells rang, and then the freeze, and marching, and then the cannons and then victory! She is such a wonderful story teller and Holt and Harper Ann are certainly lucky, even I got caught up in her rendition. Following the Overture all attention is turned to the barge, loaded down with fireworks, that has positioned itself in the middle of the river. Fireworks over the Mississippi with the Memphis Orchestra providing the soundtrack is a fine way to end a night and begin summer.