Seed Hatchery is looking for bold, audacious ideas. Like yours. 

Memphis has a proud history of iconic entrepreneurs like Sam Phillips, Fred Smith and Kemmons Wilson. People who saw beyond what was, and envisioned what could be. People who took risks, and didn’t let their critics back them down.

Our city is renewing that tradition- with the entrepreneurs and their big, game-changing ideas that drive an innovation economy- through programs like Seed Hatchery.

Seed Hatchery is a mentorship-driven business accelerator that takes raw ideas with huge growth potential, and develops them into solid startup companies. We do that by providing resources in three key areas:

An intense 90 day bootcamp.
It’s not for the faint of heart, but it gives you the business practices and technical assistance to refine your product or service, set up operations, develop a marketing plan, and perfect your investor pitch.

Mentors.
We have 40+ mentors from diverse backgrounds and industries who share their insights and experience with our founding teams. Our latest round of rock stars includes Spotify’s own Andrew Mager.

Money.
Yes, we do provide early stage investment funds. $15,000 to be exact. Plus the tools and connections you’ll need when ready to seek follow-on funding.

Our programming is much like TechStars and Silicon Valley’s Y Combinator- but here, in Memphis.  And here, in Memphis, we’ve piqued the interest of The Next Web, who selected us as the focus of their Inside the Accelerator series (yes, that means if you’re part of our 2012 group you have some cool press coming your way).

So what are we looking for? Our main criterion is that you pioneer a new business model. Due to our timeline and level of funding, that model is probably connected to technology (but that does’t mean that you must personally know how to build your technological platform). You should check out our inaugural Seed Hatchery companies for some examples.

Otherwise, we know game-changing ideas can come from anywhere. While not a Memphis story, as an English major I love this example: Yancey Strickler- also an English major- wrote for Pitchfork, Spin and Flavorpill (among other cool things) before co-founding Kickstarter. Entrepreneurs and innovative ideas come from diverse creative circles. Including yours.

So to come back arond: Memphis’ own Seed Hatchery is looking for bold, audacious ideas. And we’ve extended our application deadline to January 7, so you can spend your post-holiday blahs honing an opportunity to drastically impact your 2012.

• An intense 90-day program- called ‘bootcamp’ for a reason- that pushes entrepreneurs through the discovery process, to scaling and pitch perfecting;
• Mentors representing a wide array of backgrounds that provide business and industry experience, and domain expertise;
• $15,000 in seed capital.

Seed Hatchery is gearing up for its Spring 2012 cohort, and is taking applications through December 23. While there is no set criteria for the type of idea selected, their programming and level of funding is usually most suitable for information technology-based products and services.

Sound like this is for you? Learn more about Seed Hatchery’s process and programming, and check out their inaugural companies. Also take a look at an excerpt from this blog post from Work for Pie’s Cliff McKinney, as he shares from experience why Seed Hatchery is not for the faint of heart…and why that makes it a game changer:

…It was an awakening, to say the least.  Turns out everything I thought mattered didn’t, and everything I thought was true wasn’t (except for the bit about the genius co-founder), and everything I had learned wasn’t relevant anymore.  By the end of that first week, I was huddled in a corner with my rifle, crying, hoping the whole thing would just blow up and take me along with it.’

But I kept coming back, because it was the most awesome thing I had ever done.  Humbling, yes, but awesome nonetheless.  I was doing THIS.  I was being brought to my knees HERE, doing OUR THING.  We didn’t answer to anyone but ourselves.  We were keeping late nights because we wanted to, not because some freaking busybody micro-manager in another department needs her TPS reports by noon tomorrow.  We were living the dream!

And we were getting better.  Bit by bit.  By week two the pitch had improved.  We met mentors who had been there and were willing to guide us through the trials and tribulations.  We were doing customer research and starting to turn our crappy little idea into something that just might work.

We had this amazing, awesome group of cohort companies, each with great entrepreneurs and talented individuals, helping us along the way.  We were making progress, and we were doing it at a speed that my counterparts in “the real world” wouldn’t even be able to comprehend.

Treehouse Stories
Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5
Join the Treehouse Friends at Germantown Community Library for stories, music and puppets. Two sessions are offered each day- they’re free but you must pre-register. And if you can’t make it, keep in mind that this is a monthly series (and next month includes Sweet Treats with Santa!).

Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE
Friday, November 4 at 4pm and 7pm
Wiggle wiggle wiggle GO!! I am in no way ashamed to admit that I love this show as much as five-year-old Flannery. So we’ll be getting our dancey dance on at the Orpheum this Friday with DJ Lance Rock, Brobee, Foofa, Muno, Plex, and Toodee!

Race for Grace 5k and Family Fun Walk to benefit the Church Health Center
Saturday, November 5 from 9am-12pm
It’s time for the 15th annual Race for Grace! In addition to a 5k there will be a 1 mile family fun run/walk, as well as music and games. The event benefits the Church Health Center, who since 1987 has provided quality affordable healthcare for working uninsured people and their families. They also promote healthy lifestyles and habits through their amazing Wellness Center (that offers a ton of children’s activities as well as exercise facilities, health education sessions and cooking classes).

Family Studio: Houdini to Hugo
Saturday, November 5 from 10:30am-12:30pm
This month the Dixon focuses their Family Studio on the current Houdini to Hugo exhibition of award-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick. Families will get to create their own works of art, play games, solve puzzles and explore art through children’s books. Family Studio is free with museum admission- and you most sincerely want to see the Selznick exhibition! If not this Saturday, then mark your calendar for Brian Selznick Family Day at the Dixon on Saturday, November 12.

Indie Memphis Film Festival
November 3-6, various times and locations
I’m trying to prioritize the screenings Ian and I want to see at this year’s Indie Memphis Film Festival (like The Interrupters) so we can finagle childcare. That said, there are a couple of showings that are definitely worth mentioning in a post about family activities. On Saturday morning at 10:45am Playhouse on the Square will show the Southern Teen Filmmaking Showcase, and on Saturday at 11:30am Malco’s Studio on the Square will show the Oscar-nominated French animated film Eleanor’s Secret.

Thankful Art
Saturday, November 5 at 11am
Head to the Children’s Museum of Memphis – voted #1 children’s museum by AAA Southern Traveler – and let the kids create Thanksgiving masterpieces. Later that day they can also enjoy Okie Dokie Karaoke, Fabulous Fine Art: Henri Rousseau, and Super Science. Activities are free with museum admission.

Rock N Romp at the Levitt Shell
Saturday, November 5 from 2-5pm
Two of our favorite things about being a family in Memphis- Rock N Romp and the Shell. This Saturday’s show features the Wuvbirds, Arma Secreta and the Rising Star Fife and Drum Band. There will also be a craft area set up for younger children to make some super cool bird puppets. As usual, Rock N Romp is $5 for adults and FREE for children. A pretty tremendous deal considering you also get Central BBQ, Trolley Stop pizza, snacks from Whole Foods and beer!

Little Helpers November Project: Habitat for Hope
Saturday, November 5 from 2:30-5pm
Little Helpers was formed last year by three Memphis moms who want to raise their children to see the blessings in their lives, and to understand from an early age the value of giving back throughout the community. The group organizes monthly service activities for tweens and children 12 and under. This month they’re working with Habitat for Hope- who serve children with serious illnesses and their families, and who sponsor the already infamous LUVMUD fundraiser- to provide crafts and face painting for the organization’s 5 year anniversary party. Check out the Facebook event linked above if interested in learning more about Little Helpers!

Project Green Fork

Loving Local Fall Fundraiser
Sunday, October 2 at Central Station
3-6pm; $30 per ticket
Enjoy local food, local beer, organic wine, a live and silent auction, and local merch from Victory Bicycle Studio, Apothecary Fairy and Memphis Threat. All proceeds benefit Project Green Fork.

Margot McNeeley is one of my very favorite Memphians. One of my favorite people, even. I had the chance to get to know Margot better when I took yoga from her when pregnant with Flannery. Although she didn’t win me over to the idea of a water birth, you can count me in on just about any other idea or initiative she’s behind.

Of course, it’s pretty hard not to support Project Green Fork, her brainchild founded on the idea that a significant way to contribute to a community’s sustainability is to focus on its restaurants. The average restaurant produces 25 tons of garbage per year, roughly 95% of it recyclable or compostable. Margot set up a 6-step certification process that involves sustainable products, kitchen composting, recycling, non-toxic cleaning products, reduced energy and water consumption, and pollution prevention. To date, 36 locally-owned Memphis restaurants have been Project Green Fork certified, with 6 more currently in process.

And the results are impressive. Thanks to committed restaurant owners, donors and volunteers – and PGF – 600,000 gallons of plastic, aluminum and glass, and 79,000 gallons of food waste, have been recycled locally. For our part, Ian and I always check the latest PGF restaurants when it’s time for a special occasion dinner, and the habit is catching on even when looking for a random family dinner out.

Some of our favorites are Tsunami (try the Asian Nachos on the Izakaya menu), Cafe Eclectic (cheddar grits with fresh jalapeno slices!), Felicia Suzanne’s, McEwen’s and Fuel Cafe. When we do BBQ, it’s Central BBQ, although a huge coup to PGF is certification of the world-famous Rendezvous (Central still wins our vote because it’s around the corner, offers vinegar and spicy sauce options, has killer sides like their homemade chips AND includes a barbecued portobello sandwich for vegetarians). Ripley’s favorite PGF spots are Huey’s Midtown and RP Tracks- also huge wins for certification- as their burgers are on her short list. And she loved her birthday cupcakes from Muddy’s. Flannery is a huge fan of YoLo frozen yogurt, sorbet and gelato. Okay, perhaps we are all fans of YoLo.

Back to my support of all things Margot, do check out this weekend’s Loving Local fundraiser – yummy food from locally owned sustainable restaurants, local beer (hm, Ghost River?), and some very cool merchandise from local vendors. Like Memphis Threat. Another personal favorite connected to a favorite person (my husband Ian!)… BUT I’ll save that one for another day. See you Sunday!

Smithsonian (Free) Museum Day at participating Memphis museums
Saturday, September 24 during regular hours
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors …for free. Head to the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Rock-N-Soul Museum, the Museum of Biblical History (Collierville), and the National Ornamental Metal Museum on Saturday during regular hours and enjoy their treasures for free!

Chalk Art Festival
Saturday, September 24 from 10am-2pm
The Brooks Museum celebrates its 95th anniversary with a colorful party on the plaza. Local artists will be on hand as you create your own masterpiece. You can bring your own chalk, or purchase at the Brooks for $3. Hot dogs and drinks will be for sale. And the day wouldn’t be complete with live music on the plaza by Michael Hurtt & His Haunted Hearts , and birthday cake at noon!

Harvest Fest at the Memphis Zoo
Saturday, September 24 from 10am-2pm
The Memphis Zoo is ushering in the fall season with a trip back in time, for a “down home harvest event” featuring local musicians, artisans and craftsmen. The festivities are included in regular zoo admission. While you’re there, check out the Sea Lion show and keeper chats. And go ahead and mark your calendars: Zoo Boo will be October 21, 22, 28, 29 & 30, and Zoo on Ice will be open at select times from November 18-January 30.

Dragon Boat Races
Saturday, September 24 from 10am-3pm
Memphis has Dragon Boats! Who knew we were so cool? Thanks to Duncan-Williams, Inc. for Memphis’ inaugural Dragon Boat Races at Mud Island River Park, where teams will race in 46-foot dragon boats, to benefit the Tennessee Clean Water Network. Definitely a family friendly event, complete with music, and free (food and beer will be sold)!

Rock N Romp
Saturday, September 24 from 3-6pm
Unfortunately we’ll have to miss this RnR (although it’s for a mini cousin birthday party with a moon bounce!), but it promises to be a huge amount of fun. Rock N Romp at the Mid-South Maze with Pezz, Punching Nicholas, and the Vignettes. As always there will be free Central BBQ, snacks from Whole Foods and beer. Also as always, adults are only $5 and kids are free! And yes, adults really must be accompanied by children.

Enjolras leads the company in a riveting- and newly choreographed- One Day More. (photo by Deen Van Meer)

Now for some details, starting with the new set design. I realize that updating such iconic staging initially caused some concern with Les Mis purists, but we found it to be pretty spectacular. The backdrop swirled with visuals inspired by Victor Hugo’s own paintings (who knew?), most remarkably transporting theatre-goers to 19th century Paris and its sewers. Sets like those of the slums were more intricate, and enhanced special effects further closed our aesthetic distance.

Exquisite staging does not alone create a theatrical masterpiece, and let me extend my kudos to the cast that brought these characters to life. J. Mark McVey has performed as Jean Valjean over 2,900 times, and for clear reason. His voice (and range) enraptured the audience, particularly during Bring Him Home; further, I do not recall watching an actor in this role adapt his demeanor as effectively, even hunching gradually as life and age weighed upon him.

Javert's Soliloquy (photo by Deen van Meer)

Chasten Harmon’s performance as Eponine was similarly strong, and her heart wrenching On My Own moved even my teenager to ask for a tissue. Ripley also marveled that for the first time she saw Marius’ feelings for Eponine accurately portrayed, as he tearfully clutched his friend during A Little Fall of Rain. A starker presentation of the slums and barricade added substance to the anguish of Andrew Varela’s Javert; his Soliloquy on the bridge was a personal highlight of the evening. Like McVey’s aging and the redesigned staging,  meticulous attention to detail made this production intense and unforgettable.

I don’t want to repeat what’s already been expressed hundreds of times about the show’s (and 1862 novel’s) themes of despair, revolution, redemption and hope… but it’s hard not to recognize Les Mis as being one of the most complex narratives in musical theatre, and as having a  fundamental mass appeal that can soften the heart of even the staunchest Broadway detractor.

If I may close with a bit of unsolicited personal context, Ripley became obsessed with Les Mis when she was 3 and our pledge to WKNO earned us the 10th Anniversary Concert. Soon after she would stand in her bedroom belting out Lovely Ladies without the slightest awareness of what these women were doing “standing up or lying down or any way at all.” Fast forward nearly 15 years, and I was thinking how sentimental it would be to experience the musical with her again, curious if it would hold the same appeal.

But as my tears fell during I Dreamed a Dream, I recognized my own growth- I had a more profound empathy for Fantine, 20 years of life, love and motherhood since my inaugural performance. And as Ripley was moved by On My Own and Eponine’s unrequited love, I remembered that was what most struck me when I first saw Les Mis… when I was 17.

Dream the dream: purchase tickets while you can to the remaining performances of Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Tour at the historic Orpheum Theatre. And reserve your seats for MEMPHIS when it kicks off its touring debut next month- 5 new performances have been added to its Memphis run!

‘ The old aspiration? Independence. The new reality: Interdependence.’

Memphis’ own New Ballet Ensemble performs today for Interdependence Day, a celebration hosted at 3LD Art and Technology Center, located near Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. Using state of the art technology provided by 3LD, the celebration will connect venues across the globe for a series of world café style community discussions, with musical and arts components deeply intertwined.

New Ballet’s performance will be live streamed from the National Civil Rights Museum: watch them rehearse at 11:00am, or  join them at 2:30pm for their historic performance (you can even literally join them, as part of a flash mob)! Both activities are open to the public, and free.

More from Katie Smythe, Founder, CEO and Artistic Director of New Ballet:

The entire day promises to be wonderful. Participants will work on common solutions and plan for future action in breakout sessions at 3LD, punctuated by multimedia presentations, musical interludes, artistic performances, and addresses by various distinguished guest speakers. The Signing Ceremony for the Declaration of Interdependence will feature several Symposium speakers, President Leon Botstein of Bard College, cellist Yo-Yo Ma  and Interdependence Movement Founder Benjamin Barber, as well as the awarding of the annual Interdependence Prize and the new Interdependence Film Prize for Young Filmmakers. This will be followed by a concert featuring young hip-hop and spoken word artists from both sides of the Atlantic.

South Main Trolley Tour
Friday, August 26 from 6-9pm
Uniquely Memphis and family-friendly, the monthly Trolley Tour is a great way to experience the locally owned shops, galleries and dining spots of the South Main Arts District. Bonus for the kids: trolleys run free on the South Main stretch… but expect lots of fellow riders!

Firefly Glow Party
Friday, August 26 from 7-9pm
Memphis Botanic Gardens have come up with yet another cool and clever event, this time themed around the beloved summer firefly. Crafts that shine, science projects about luminescence, firefly dancers from Project:Motion, LED hoop action from Hooper Troopers, even story time around a campfire complete with s’mores. All for only $5 for members, $5 + Gardens admission for non-members.

Alice’s Tea Party
August 26 and 27 at 7pm; August 28 at 2pm
An original adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice’s Tea Party premiered at this summer’s Children’s Theatre Festival hosted by Voices of the South. It’s a wild narrative ride and a whole lot of fun- for parents, as well!

Forrest Spence 5k
Saturday, August 27 starting at 8am
The mission of the Forrest Spence Fund is to assist with the non-medical needs of critically or chronically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-South. The 4th Annual Forrest Spence 5K in Overton Park is actually much more than a 5k- enjoy a 1 mile fun run, 100 yard dash for younger kids, music, food, and tons of kid activities like bouncy houses, huge slides, face painting, and games.

Rock N Romp
Sunday, August 28 from 2-5pm
I maintain that Rock N Romp is one of the best things about being a parent in Memphis- and this month’s show is even cooler than usual. In addition to performances from the Side Street Steppers, El Dorado and the Ruckus, and Dandelion and the Raindrops, there will be 75 minutes of shorts from the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (thank you, Indie Memphis!). Plus a craft station hosted by Grace St. Luke’s. Plus free YoLo. And the usual Central BBQ and kegs. And this event is still only $5 for adults and FREE for kids. Seriously!

Not yet convinced? There will also be a free early evening show from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, at Goner Records, 2152 Young Ave. and a free day party from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Shangri-La Records, 1916 Madison Ave. And whether or not you can make it to the shows, you should definitely check out the online auction that runs through midnight on August 21.

The show premiered at one of Memphis’ own family classics, the company’s annual Children’s Theatre Festival. If you missed it- or just want to see it again- you can catch the show August 19-21 and August 26-28 at Theatreworks. Call (901) 726-0800 for tickets, or reserve them online.

Bonus: the performance on Sunday, August 21 at 2pm is FREE for Memphis City and Shelby County teachers! Call (901) 726-0800 for reservations.