des bonnes idées

Let me begin with a number of recommendations:

1. If you have not seen The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, do so post haste. This latest film directed by Julian Schnabel and based on a novel by the same title is honestly one of the best movies that I have seen to date. Beautifully done and heart wrenching, the film follows the story of a man who wakes up from a coma only to find himself completely paralyzed and mute. He learns to communicate through the use of his eyes and is thus able to dictate his amazing story.

2. Umai - Japanese/French fusion restaurant on Madison Ave. Absolutely delicious and rather intriguing. Sushi and duck all on the same menu, what more do you want?

3. Drive down South Main and check out the mural (located just past the Arcade restaurant along the wall of the train station) by local artist Anthony Lee. Working with the Urban Art Commission, Lee undertook this project that stretches some 700 feet depicting various contemporary signs. Images that we see constantly and yet do not always pay attention to. Lee refers to them as "modern-day hieroglyphics," asking his viewers to consider how these symbols and others will be read long after we're gone.

4. Rozelle Artist's Guild - A cool group of kids renovating an abandoned warehouse (at Rozelle and Evelyn) and doing interesting things in the community. This weekend they threw a rave/dance party/fête with djs spinning all night which attracted a pretty diverse group of people from the respective MCA, Rhodes, and Memphis crowds. People just let go and threw their hands in the air, giving into the music. Keep on the lookout for what this group gets up to next... definitely worth checking out.

With these marvelous tidbits, go forth and prosper... eat, drink, and be merry. and make art.