Month: July 2010

I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up about next week… blog posting will likely be on a rather erratic schedule Monday through Friday.  I will be attending a national bridge tournament for work, to see what happens at such an event.  I’ll also be attending bored meetings (that both is and is not a typo).  I’ll have the MacBook with me, but probably not during the day.  I will have access to e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter via my iPhone, but I may be slower than usual to respond to anything sent my way.  Also, I may do a post or two from the WordPress app on my iPhone, so please forgive those posts for spelling and brevity.

I was just looking at the event listings on DowntownMemphis.com and it reminded me how much fun regular stuff there is to do Downtown every Saturday.  A few things:

– The Memphis Farmers Market is every Saturday next to Central Station at Front and GE Patterson.  In addition to fresh fruits and veggies, you can buy meat, arts and crafts, jellies and preserves, flowers, and whatever else the vendors bring down there.  There are also kids’ activities and musical entertainment.

– The Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club and the Farmers Market host historic Downtown bike rides every Saturday.  These tours leave from Central Station at 9 AM.  No cost, all skill levels welcome, but they do require helmets.

– Pam and Terry perform on the King’s Palace patio most Saturdays from 1 to 4.  Check their Facebook page to see a photo of Pam and Terry with Robert Plant.

– Ghost River Brewery at Main and Crump gives tours every Saturday at 1.  These are free, but you need to make reservations in advance.  More info here.

– If you have friends in from out of town and they think they have to see an Elvis impersonator to have a true Memphis experience, Radford Ellis performs his show “The ‘E’ Factor” every Saturday at Alfred’s from 6:30 to 9:30.

– Singer Susan Marshall and a piano player perform every Saturday night at Itta Bena at 7.  Itta Bena is the restaurant on the third floor of BB King’s.

– The Center for Southern Folklore has shows every Saturday night.  If you want to hear something different than a Beale Street band playing “Mustang Sally” or bands playing the same tired old ’80s covers, this is the place to hear some good music with a real Southern feel.  Today they have the Bluff City Backsliders.

– If you must do karaoke, the Downtown Blue Monkey has it every Saturday night.

There ya go… a full day’s worth of events, all walkable or trolley-able, and these are just the regular events.  Lots to do Downtown on a Saturday.

I talked to one of the managers at the Saucer last night, and wrote down the menu for the beer dinner next Friday, July 23.  Here it is:

First course:  Cioppino (seafood soup)

Second course:  Mozzarella, proscuitto and melon salad

Third course:  Lasagna

Fourth course:  Young’s Double Chocolate Stout ice cream float

Each course will be paired with a beer, and there will be four bonus beers.  A cicerone (whatever that is) will lead everyone through the dinner, telling you how to taste the beer to bring out the flavor in the food.  As I’ve said before, if you’re still skeptical whether beer can really be paired with food, you need to give this a try.  They usually provide paper so you can write down what you thought of each beer.

Here’s a link to Wikipedia’s article on cioppino, for those who have never heard of it before.  I had it at Bardog one time, and it is delicious.

The fourth course is like a root beer float, except without the “root.”  Ice cream in beer.  Chocolate-flavored beer.

Tickets are $35 if you’re a member of their UFO Club, $40 if not.  They’re limiting attendance to 50, and the manager told me last night that ticket sales are already in the 20s.  If you want a ticket, just go to the Saucer and ask your server, bartender or manager.

Jerry Lawler is opening up a new shop called “King Jerry Lawler’s.” It will be at Main and Adams in the ground floor of the Claridge, in the spot that has been a deli and coffee shop in recent years. At this time, Lawler is not sure whether it will be a restaurant, retail shop, or something else. He’s leaving the business development to his good friend and fine, upstanding citizen Joe Cooper. Hmmm. Kinda worried because of Cooper’s involvement and the lack of direction, but I hope it works out… sure would be nice to have the King’s presence Downtown.

Several retail and office applications went before the CCC this week, including Aldo who owns Bardog, who asked for a facade grant and forgivable loan for his new idea, Aldo’s Pizza Pies at 64 S. Main. I hope he gets approved and construction moves forward… I’m ready to sit at the bar, watch some TV and enjoy a slice of pizza and a PBR!

I dropped by Calhoun’s last night, and Max told me they’re thinking about having a bacon cookoff on Saturday, July 24. Definitely a good idea. I’d like to point out to my health guru that you never hear about anyone having a tofu cookoff.

Brad Birkedahl, formerly the guitarist of the Dempseys, will play the Madison rooftop party next Thursday with his Burnin’ Love Band. If you haven’t made it down to Blues City to check out the new band, here’s your chance to do it while enjoying some beautiful views of Downtown.

There will be a “Could you be Elvis’ leading lady?” contest at South Main Trolley Night on Friday, July 30. Come dressed in your leading lady best that night to win the title of Elvis’ leading lady. More details to come. If you’re trying to figure out how to dress like a leading lady, I have two words for you: TUBE TOP.

GREAT blog post by Mayor Wharton about giving Memphis the bike-friendliness it deserves. Think King Willie would’ve got this done when he was still mayor? He’d likely have viewed this as a trivial detail that is beneath him, as he focuses on more important things, like fighting retired boxers and putting on a three-ring circus for the media.

Reminds me… Early voting starts today! Get goin’! Vote Cohen! Let’s show Willie how irrelevant he has become in this city.

That’s all for now… time for lunch.  No plans for tonight but I’m sure I’ll be out drinking beer somewhere.

Lotsa stuff today on this steamy Thursday…

LivingSocial, another of the group-coupon sites, has a Downtown deal today: half off at South of Beale.

If you’ve been meaning to try Ferraro’s Pizza, they have a special tonight from 7 to 9 – large two-topping pizza and a bucket of four beers for $25.

Trying to decide whether you’d like an Android better than your current phone? Lifehacker has an article explaining how to test-drive Android on your PC.

Ryan Peel, who opened the first Peabody rooftop party of the season, proved to be so popular that he’s back this week. The Peabody says he “brings the sound of old-school soul with a modern pop twist. Think Al Green with the drumming skills of STAX legend Al Jackson, Jr.” Alexis Grace will also appear as a special guest. Food theme is “Passion for Italy” with Mini Pizzas, Meatballs in Marinara Sauce, Penne Pasta Salad w/ Olives, and Ham & Mozzarella on the buffet. IN VIP there will be Antipasto Platter of Italian Meats, Cheeses, Olives, Roasted Vegetables, Toasted Ravioli w/ Marinara Sauce, and Assorted Bruschetta. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Shelton Clothiers is putting their spring and summer clothes on sale – 50-70% off sportswear, 50% off suits and sportcoats. The Main/Peabody Place block party from 5:30-7:30 tonight would be a great time to check them out.

I joined Social Media Expedition – Memphis on Meetup.com this morning. Not sure why I’m just now getting around to it – should have joined them months ago.

Randy Houser and Sunny Sweeney play KIX on Beale tonight. I’m not a big fan of country music, but I have to admit, this event draws a lot of tube top hotties. There’s an 18+ after-party at Hollywood Disco on Vance.

It’s also poker tournament night at Calhoun’s, 7 PM but you better get there before 6:30 if you want a box (it’s done on the Buzztime Trivia monitors).

That’s all for now.  Time for a run to Zaxby’s for lunch.

Bicyclists, runners, rollerbladers, skateboarders and unicyclists are being asked to come to City Hall this Friday, July 16 at 12:30 PM. Last month, 30 miles of federally funded bike lanes were excluded from the city’s repaving plans. If you want to have room to bike, come out and show your support, and encourage Mayor Wharton to send the repaving plans back to the city engineers. If Memphis wants to get itself off the “most unhealthy” lists, this is a good way to make it happen.

Google launched a new site about Google Fiber this week. No info on which cities have been selected yet, but they have clearly seen that there is a need for better, cheaper broadband. See this post on the Google blog for additional info.

Voting for the Memphis Flyer’s “Best of Memphis” annual poll is now underway. Although the poll has been copied by imitators, the Flyer’s poll remains “Memphis’ most” relevant indicator of what Memphians love. You can vote here. Unlike the poor imitation, in the Flyer’s poll you only vote once, the way it should be, rather than once per day.

Next Thursday, July 22, will be the season kickoff party for Bravo, ArtsMemphis’ arts group for 21-40somethings. The public is invited to this event at the Center for Southern Folklore, where you will be able to TOUR Center for Southern Folklore and the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art… WATCH a mesmerizing fire performance by Nadia Sophia… DANCE to the soulful sounds of the Bluff City Backsliders… POSE for a rock ‘n” roll portrait in the photo booth… ENJOY fabulous food from The Majestic Grille and beers (free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up)… and PURCHASE discounted memberships for the 2010-11 Bravo season.

Bravo events start with an hour of socializing/networking with great food, beer and wine, and then a performance or tour. Stops this year include the Brooks, Stax Museum, Opera Memphis, Playhouse on the Square, and much more. A complete list of this year’s events can be found here. I was a member of Bravo for 5 years, and it’s a very good way to meet people and learn about all the opportunities Memphis offers to enjoy the arts.

Congrats to my team the Rapscallions on a win at trivia last night. Two weeks in, we’re now the point leaders toward the “big three-week prize” the Saucer is giving away. Pete the Trivia Guy told me the “big prize” is dinner for two at Texas de Brazil, with all the trimmings. How in the world is a team of 15 going to use a prize of a dinner for two?

Speaking of the Saucer, one of the managers told me that Dos Equis Lager is the Fire Sale today… if that’s the case, I will be there for a nice long time after work tonight.  BEER!

AntiDuckface.com is kinda, sorta doing the states in alphabetical order in its “50 states of duckface.”  This morning they posted pics of South Carolina duckface.  They did South Dakota and North Dakota together, so I’m betting Tennessee will be the next post.  Keep your eye on the site… I know for a fact that at least one pic of TN duckface was submitted.

Ya know, maybe the Peabody could do something with this… maybe a pro-duckface contest… although, I don’t know why anyone would want to encourage that.

(Edited to add: Dayum… nice tube top hottie, Rhode Island.)

I copied this Facebook.  I could add witty comments, but wait, I’m drunk.  Just read on.

You’re all invited (bring friends!) to the Pub Run/Crawl this Saturday, July 17!!

Start: Bardog Tavern (73 Monroe Ave) @ 7 PM
Theme: 70’s/DISCO — Dress to impress as there will be guaranteed awesome prizes for best female and male costumes!! (Note: Guys, if you’re planning to attend Raiford’s you cannot wear sleeveless shirts per dress code policy. But no one said anything about short shorts!)
Bring: Credit card/cash (highly recommend cash over cc to make transactions more speedy) and picture ID
Mileage: Approx. 2.2 miles

Route*:
1) Bardog Tavern @ 7 PM (73 Monroe Ave)
2) Flying Saucer @ 7:45 PM (130 Peabody Place)
3) Earnestine & Hazel’s @ 8:30 PM (531 S. Main) — Also a food stop
4) Paula & Raiford’s Disco @ 9:15 PM (14 S. 2nd St.) — 1 mi. from E & H’s so may want to consider taking the trolley/cab to Raiford’s pending functional status (this is where cash could also come in handy!)
*Estimated times. Disclaimer: You are responsible for your own behavior.

FYI: Raiford’s is charging a $10 cover. I asked if they would waive the cover fee, but no luck. Again, guys cannot wear sleeveless shirts so you may have to find alternative but equally creative methods to show off your amazing guns.

Robert Plant is in town tonight, to play a sold-out show at The Orpheum with his band The Band of Joy. Plant received a star on the Orpheum’s Walk of Fame in a ceremony yesterday, and it was proclaimed Robert Plant Day in Memphis. He discusses the new band, Memphis, and Led Zeppelin in the Daily News blog.

If you have an .edu e-mail address, you can get a free year of Amazon Prime, which gives you free two-day shipping on any item purchased, no minimum. Details in this LifeHacker article.

South Main Association meeting tonight at Beignet Cafe. John Moore, president of the Greater Memphis Chamber, will speak on “Memphis by the Numbers.” Free for SMA members, $5 for non-members. Social at 6, meeting at 6:30. Cash bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by Beignet Cafe. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

There will be another block party at Main and Peabody Place this Thursday. The Josh Shoe Band and the Slidin’ Clyde Roulette Band will provide live music, and businesses in that block will offer food and drink specials and retail discounts.

Rusty Lemmon will play an acoustic set tomorrow night and every Wednesday at 9 PM at the Silly Goose… I’ll definitely have to check that out… too bad Brick is out of town this week.

Outta here for lunch… I’ll be at trivia tonight at 7 at the Saucer.

On Saturday, July 24 at 8 PM, Paula & Raiford’s Disco will host Disco Dating, an event for singles 25-37.  If you’re single but have been shy about trying a traditional speed dating event, this is one where you can put on your boogie shoes and get down.  $20 includes two complimentary beverages, and you can stay and enjoy the club after the event ends.  To make a reservation, e-mail ladonnamariebooking@gmail.com.  They’re asking people to RSVP in advance so they can keep the number of men and women approximately equal.