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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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Putting a wrap on summer’s live concerts in Handy Park

Memphis-based artists and musicians burned up Beale Street’s Handy Park stage with two crowd-pleasing performance series: “GET LOUD!” and “Blues on Beale.”

Both series kept Handy Park crammed all summer with music lovers, celebrating a variety of music genres – jazz, blues, fusion, rock, R&B, soul, and everything in between.

Local bands and vocalists displayed uniquely staged performances worthy of the city’s world-class music reputation.

GET LOUD! kicked off the summer on June 5. The final performance of the series was Aug. 12.

Blues on Beale featured local blues favorites ripping up the stage every third Wednesday of the month, beginning on May 18. The popular blues series was set to culminate with a final performance of Memphis singer Toni Green on Wednesday (Aug. 17) evening.

Memphis Tourism teamed up with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Downtown Memphis Commission, and Beale Street to sponsor GET LOUD! at the newly renovated Handy Park venue.

Memphis Tourism President Kevin Kane said this year’s Handy Park performances were even more significant, following the global pandemic.

“Live, stage performances by local artists help draw more than 10 million tourists each year from all over the world,” said Kane. “This year, Handy concerts put artists, musicians, and event production people back to work. Live music this summer activated the Beale Street entertainment district.”

Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development said Memphis music drives annual tourism across the state.

“Tourism is vital to our state’s economy,” said Ezell. “Bringing music back to historic Beale Street and Handy Park is an important step in restoring our industry after the pandemic shut down. We’re grateful to Memphis Tourism and all the outstanding artists who brought the summer concert series to life.”

Green – excited about getting back to work – has new music and is anxious for fans to hear what’s she’s been up to.

“To say that Toni Green is ‘back on’ is a mistake,” said Green.

“I’ve been on, and I never stopped, not even when the pandemic closed entertainment venues across the globe. I’m 70, and about to turn 71, on Sept. 3. I just dropped a new album, ‘Memphis Made.’ Growing through the shutdown created a better version of myself. I can’t wait to get back on that stage.”

Green will embark on an international tour through France and Italy in late August. Her popularity overseas continues to define her broad appeal.

“I’m so booked up over there,” said Green. “It is always an honor and blessing to take the stage in my hometown. But performing in another country gives a whole new level of pride. Over there, I am an ambassador, promoting our city’s musical heritage. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love at this age.”

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