flipside memphis

(Flipside Memphis is a partnership between the CVB and Live From Memphis)

Despite tattoos’ rock’n'roll reputation, there are a lot of rules at Underground Art in Cooper Young. The first set is on a sheet of paper Scotch taped to the door:

For Real. Underground Art, Memphis, Tenn.

The second set is on a laminated poster hanging at the front desk. The sign reminds clients that body art is not a spectator sport, the shop can ask you to leave at any time, and that no racist or hateful tattoos will be given, so don’t even bother asking.

Maybe it’s the rules that make the 17 year-old shop a perennial local favorite (one wall in the lobby is lined with “Best of Memphis” plaques). Currently, Underground Art employs three tattoo artists, a tattoo apprentice and a piercer.

Vanessa Waites at work, Underground Art, Memphis, Tenn.

Artist Vanessa Waites has worked at Underground Art for four years. She spent about two years doing her apprenticeship. Since then, she’s done countless hours of inking – she said she does an average of 650 tattoos per year. Personally, she’s had about 29 hours of work put into her eight tattoos.

When I stopped into the shop, she was prepping her station for her afternoon appointment – Steven, 23, was getting his fifth tattoo (a cave drawing that’s also a logo for an industrial band).

Getting the tools ready, Underground Art, Memphis, Tenn.

It takes serious time to get ready to give a tattoo. All artists have to be state certified, and standards are high. All of the needles, razors (for removing hair on the tattoo surface), and tools are sterilized. Waites went through several pairs of rubber gloves before she even started touching her needle to Steven’s skin.

Tattoos at Underground Art start at $60, and the hourly rate is $120. Walk-ins are taken as time allows, but if you’re going to have something done, I’d recommend making an appointment. The shop is open Tuesday – Saturday, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Go There:

Underground Art

2287 Young Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 272-1864

When you’re on Beale St., it’s hard to miss the Beale St. Flippers. They’re a pack of acrobatic wonderboys whose aerial stunts have been drawing huge crowds since the late 1980s.

The Flippers have been featured on “America’s Got Talent”, and they perform regularly at halftime at Grizzlies games. Most of the time, though, they can be found on Beale, flipping for tips (which are collected by younger flippers-in-training).

(Flipside Memphis is produced through a partnership of Live From Memphis and the Memphis CVB)

About a month ago, I was invited to participate the Wiseguys’ “Storytellers Night” at the Full Moon Club. I had a blast talking about the beauty pageant I entered on a dare in college during the show, which is sort of like a combination of the Moth and “Whose Line?”.

Every so often, the improv troupe will invite Memphians to share true stories on a randomly selected topic. After the story is told, the Wiseguys act it out to the best of their ability. In addition to their “Storytellers” shows, the group has monthly improv shows at the Full Moon Club and Cafe Eclectic.

The group is made up of a handful of whip-smart local comedians who manage to be funny without being too wacky or over the top. Audience participation is encouraged at their shows, and each performance is different.

If you’d like to see them live, check out their full performance schedule.

(Flipside Memphis is produced through a partnership of Live From Memphis and the Memphis CVB)

Rock’n’romp is an excellent solution for parents who love their kids, but miss going to rock’n’roll shows.

It’s a series of kid-friendly afternoon concerts held in backyards and willing outdoor venues in Midtown. The shows feature some of the most notable bands Memphis (think Harlan T. Bobo, Mouserocket, Vending Machine, River City Tanlines and the Warble) playing well before midnight. There are plenty of activities for kids – dancing, sidewalk chalk, toys and crafts are frequent favorites. Picnics are welcome and there’s beer for the grownups.

There’s one catch, though – you have to have a kid to get in.

Bring your kid (or borrow a friend’s) and bring them to the next Rock’n’Romp Show on June 19th at Mud Island.

(Flipside Memphis is produced through a partnership of Live From Memphis and the Memphis CVB)

Matt and Brandon (two parts of the trio that runs Electrocity) are quick to dispel one of the major myths about their monthly dance party. “It’s not a rave,” Matt said. “It seems like a rave, but it’s more of an all-out celebration. It’s positive and forward-thinking.”

The Electrocity crew has been throwing their monthly dance parties in Memphis for a year. In honor of their first birthday, they’re throwing a huge two-night blowout at Nocturnal. The first night will feature Hood Internet, a pair of mashup artists that, like GirlTalk, combine unlikely songs into instant dance party classics. On Saturday night, the Eletrocity crew will play.

After this weekend’s parties, Electrocity will be taking a summer off while they revamp Odessa (the party’s launching point) into a viable gallery space and venue.

Tickets to this weekend’s shows are $10 for both nights in advance, or $7 at the door each night. If you buy advance tickets online, you can avoid long lines at Nocturnal.