The 901: Company d begins summer intensive; a peek at Memphis football during AAC Media Day
Good morning, Memphis, where we get a first look at the Tigers’ football team during the AAC Media Day — right before the team starts its preseason practice next week.
But, first, Company d — a nationally recognized dance company for young adults with Down syndrome — has its dancers participate in weeks of workshops to practice different styles of dance including jazz and ballet this summer, our Gina Butkovich reports in her story for subscribers.
During this summer intensive, dancers train with local guest artists while Steven Prince Tate, a Memphis-based choreographer helps with the steps for the shows.
Gina gives us an inside look at Company d during its workshops, tells us about its mission and what it means for the dancers.
The Commercial Appeal wins two awards in journalism contest
Two awards in The Green Eyeshade contest honored “Memphis False Confession,” an in-depth feature published last year written by our Daniel Connolly.
The contest is an 11-state journalism competition that honors the best work in the Southeast.
A contest judge commented on the work: "Daniel Connolly's 'Memphis False Confession,' a narrative nonfiction account of how the Memphis Police Department railroaded a vulnerable man to confess to murder — and likely let the real killer get away — captures the story with meticulous, dramatic detail."
The article raised questions about the MPD's interrogation tactics.
(Not a subscriber? Get unlimited access to the stories that matter to you and your community with this offer for new subscribers: Only $22 for 2 whole years!)
Veteran jazz pianist Sidney Kirk dies at 78
Pianist Sidney Kirk, one of Memphis’ great jazz and R&B musicians and a key member of The Isaac Hayes Movement, died Wednesday, our Bob Mehr reports.
A pivotal figure in the musical life of Hayes, over the course of his career Kirk also performed with Dionne Warwick, Albert King, Rufus Thomas, and many others. A fixture on the Memphis club scene, he hosted jam sessions on Beale for the city’s top players and became a touchstone for several generations of young musicians.
Bob tells us about Kirk’s legacy he leaves behind and his mark on Memphis music.
What was said about Memphis football at AAC Media Day
Sporting a new look with his thick beard at AAC Media Day, Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield said he doesn’t want a repeat of last year, where the Tigers finished 6-6 and tied for seventh in the AAC, our Evan Barnes reports.
“Six and six is not a record that we want to hang our hats on,” Silverfield said. “That’s the name and game of college football, right? Would’ves, could’ves, should’ves, what ifs.
“We did a lot of good things last year but a lot of things we need to continue to improve upon.”
Evan tells us everything that was said from Silverfield and players at the AAC Media Day, as well as what we can expect as the Tigers begin their preseason practices.
Memphis football, basketball are starting to feel how bad the AAC is getting
No matter how admirable American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco attempts to spin it into something positive, the league is getting worse, our Mark Giannotto writes in his latest column.
Here’s an excerpt:
American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco can’t come out and just say it about the three schools leaving the league for the greener pastures of the Big 12. He can’t explicitly say he wants anyone but them to win this season; certainly not on media day. Heck, the checks from Houston, Cincinnati and UCF for their exit fees might not have even cleared yet.
But Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield could.
For a brief moment, upon being asked about the Tigers facing Houston and UCF one last time at home this season, he smirked and let his guard down.
“There’d be nothing sweeter than to send those teams out with a loss,” Silverfield said.
In one comment, he encapsulated the odd and precarious existence for those being left behind in the AAC.
5 toughest games scheduled for Memphis basketball, Penny Hardaway
Memphis basketball announced its 2022-23 nonconference schedule, which fifth-year coach Penny Hardaway said he fashioned in an effort to challenge a roster that underwent a vast overhaul this offseason, our Jason Munz reports.
The Tigers are set to play at least 11 games against teams that finished 2021-22 in the top 70 of the NCAA's NET rankings, and the team will face four teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament as well as five that advanced to the National Invitation Tournament.
Jason dives into Memphis’ schedule and examines the five biggest matchups in his story for subscribers.
The 901 is written by Ray Padilla, digital producer for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at raymond.padilla@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter at @Ray_Padilla_.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: The 901: Company d showcases talents of dancers with Down syndrome
