Yesterday when I was writing my lunchtime update, I hit the DowntownMemphis.com events page to see what was going on. I saw an event named Party on Patterson, to happen on G.E. Patterson between 2 and sunset yesterday.
Now, a couple of things struck me as strange about this event. First of all, most of it was to happen on a Friday afternoon, when most of the people who would attend the event would still be at work.
Secondly, I found it strange that I hadn’t heard about it. South Mainers have a very tight-knit community. Usually, any event they have, whether as large as RiverArtsFest or as small as Downtown Olympics, gets very well promoted by the people who live there. I usually get multiple requests saying, “Paul, will you mention (event name) again?” So I found it weird that none of my South Main friends had mentioned it.
Still, the event was mentioned on DowntownMemphis.com, which is one of my more credible sources. Credibility was enhanced by the fact that the event had its own website, with registered domain name. So I posted it, and went to lunch at Arby’s.
I came back to find a message from one of the business owners on the very block of G.E. Patterson where the party was supposedly taking place. It was the first she’d heard of the party, too. Very, very odd. She told me that the street was not blocked off for the event, and traffic was flowing as usual. I corrected it on my blog.
Then a couple of hours later I got a text from a friend who lives in the area, saying “Paul don’t bother to come down here. Nothing is on the street.” So I didn’t.
What is going on with this event? Did it actually happen at all? Were there specials at any of the businesses listed as participating on the website? Or was this a hoax like the Union Street Bath House was? If this is indeed a monthly event, I’m going to need to see proof that they have their act together before I bother to tell my readers about it again. I apologize to anyone who read about this party, went down there and was disappointed.
Stuff going on today: There’s a Valentine’s concert at the Cannon Center, the Tigers play Southern Miss at the FedExForum at 5, and there’s a “Purple Party” fundraiser against bullying at Spectrum, which is the building many of us know as Six-1-Six on Marshall. Tennessee plays Florida at 5 on ESPN, to which I say CHOMP CHOMP.
Just found that the complete program for tonight’s Tiger game is viewable/downloadable here. Pretty cool.
Slow morning here… cleaning, chugging Mountain Dew Throwback, taking notes on the poker video training site I subscribe to. Man, video really kills the MacBook’s battery. Putting a plan together to start a #MemphisHatesKaraoke hashtag on Twitter to speak out against a bad habit some of my friends have. Need to go eat lunch somewhere. May post again later. Will probably show up at the Saucer around 5 to watch the Tigers game on TV.