The annual Polar Bear Plunge and Chili Cook-off to benefit the Special Olympics happens this Saturday, February 5 on Mud Island. Some local celebrities will be doing the plunge, and if you do it and raise $50 in pledges, you get a free plunge T-shirt and complimentary lunch. The chili cook-off features a People’s Choice judging event where you can pay $5 and sample all the teams’ chili. People’s Choice tasting will happen from 10:30 to 2, and Polar Bear Plunge at 2. Complete event schedule here.
The next Brooks Museum “Warm up to Wine” event will be Downtown, at Sole Restaurant, Thursday, February 17 at 6 PM. Mark Stuart of Buster’s Liquors will host, and attendees will get to experience six different “Monster Zins.” Complimentary valet parking. $25 for Brooks members, $30 non-members. Advance reservations are required; call 901-544-6209 or visit theartofgoodtaste.org/tickets.
The Folk Alliance will have their annual concert for kids Friday, February 18 at the Downtown Marriott in the Nashville Room. At 10 AM there will be an “instrument petting zoo” with over 200 different instruments assembled for kids to play with. At 11 there will be a folk artist’s showcase, as artists perform songs specifically written for children. Show is free and all ages are welcome.
What a busy night Downtown last night for the IBC… I walked into the Saucer at 6:15 and the Garden was PACKED, as blues bands came on stage for 20-minute sets. Later I walked around Beale and nearly every club was packed. Quarterfinals continue tonight, with a $10 wristband getting you in 17 Beale clubs, the Saucer and the Westin lobby. More info about the IBC at Blues.org.
Just learned how to read The Daily for free without an iPad, so I guess I have something to read while I eat lunch.
I may take the night off from the blues tonight… music was great but I need a night off from the big crowds. If I go out, I’m thinking about doing happy hour at the Silly Goose, then over to Bar None for Thursday night poker. Then again, I may just stay home. If I stay home there may well be another post this evening, so check back.