Month: February 2011

Every day this week, Fuzzy Brew has been posting YouTube clips of an interview they did with Ghost River brewer Chuck Skypeck.

In part 1, Chuck talks about what it’s like to run a brewery and brewpub.
In part 2, he talks about brewing different styles of beer.
In part 3, he talks about how he got into brewing.
In part 4, he talks about what he likes to drink.
In part 5, he talks about food/beer pairings.
In part 6, he talks about the most challenging part of the brewing process.

Check it out here.

I have friends who have been going to karaoke night on Saturday night Downtown for the past few months. I’ve objected, stating that karaoke goes against everything Downtown Memphis stands for. As I’ve said many times, I have no problem with the bar where it’s held, or the people who work there; it’s just that karaoke sucks. My friends haven’t listened.

This afternoon I overheard their plans for tonight. They’re doing karaoke, again. But first they’re meeting at the Fox and Hound. Yes, you heard that right. The Fox and Hound. In Cordova.

If this isn’t proof that karaoke is the musical equivalent of cancer, I don’t know what is.

One of my favorite Memphis food blogs, Eat Local Memphis, posted a fantastic interview with Felicia Willett, owner/chef at Felicia Suzanne’s. The interview covers how Felicia got her start, influences on her cooking, and of course her restaurant’s fabulous food. At the end she mentions a very unique cooking class she offers for groups of 4-12. Read the interview here.

Sad news for Downtown diners: George’s Coffee Shop on Third Street, famous for its inexpensive but delicious meat-and-two lunches, closed its doors today. Details in this CA article.

Into dance? Lord of the Dance will be at the Orpheum tomorrow, Saturday, February 19, for one night only. All of the dancers are national or worldwide champions. The Irish folklore adds a cultural and science fiction element, and the love story makes it a good show to bring a date. More info, tickets and video here.

VERY nice Groupon today: $99 for a one-night stay at the Hunt-Phelan Inn. If you live in another part of the city and have been contemplating a one-night staycation Downtown, you’re not going to find a much better deal than this one. Hunt-Phelan is a beautiful antebellum mansion that has been restored into a bed-and-breakfast. It has the charm of the Old South and yet is walking distance to the Beale entertainment district and the FedExForum.

I saw a tweet last night from the Memphis Redbirds, telling season ticket holders to be on the lookout for a deal to attend Memphis Brewfest on April 16. WOW they are hooking their season ticket holders up this year. They’ve already given half and full season ticket holders access to a new air-conditioned lounge, and those with full season tickets get a personalized mug that can be filled with soft drinks or beer for $2. When I was growing up in Little Rock, I held baseball season tickets, and we never got perks like these! Then again, I was too young to drink beer anyway!

If you friend Shelton Clothiers or Christine by Shelton Clothiers on Facebook, they’ll send you a free coupon on your birthday.

Also on Facebook, I saw an announcement that the FedEx hub is hiring. If you don’t mind tossing packages this is excellent work – many of my friends have put themselves through college or used it as an income source between jobs. It’s also a way to get your foot in the door to bid on FedEx corporate jobs. $11.55 starting wage, paid vacation and holidays, tuition assistance, insurance, retirement account, discounts on shipping. Call 901-369-3345 for more information.

Kooky Canuck will have 99 cent Bud Light all day Sunday as part of a pre-Presidents Day celebration.

I played the Thursday Buzztime poker tournament last night at Max’s Sports Bar and faced incredibly tough competition. Usually the winner is decided at the 800/1600 or 1500/3000 levels. However, last night the 1500/3000 level found me in an intense battle with my friends Chad and tube top Nikki (although she didn’t have on a tube top last night). Nikki came back from running on fumes to become the big stack as we went into the 3000/6000 level. She got knocked out halfway through, and Chad and I continued an intense heads-up matchup that nearly went all the way through 5000/10,000 into overtime. Finally, he got dealt Ace-9, a monster hand with the blinds as high as they were, and went all-in… and I just happened to have Ace-Jack. No Nines on the flop, turn or river and I won. My compliments to Chad and Nikki on a very well-played game.

Stuff going on this weekend: Monster Jam will be at the FedExForum tonight and tomorrow. Yee haw! Also, there will be an International Auto Show at the Cook Convention Center.

Going to put my Folk Alliance media pass to good use tonight and tomorrow. Really excited about attending the private sessions that my pass gets me into. Tomorrow I may wander around during the day a little and check out some of the musicians’ workshops, not that I’ll have a clue what they’re talking about.

Long post today… gonna grab a quick lunch at Zaxby’s then back to work. Will probably stop by the Saucer for a few beers before I head to the Folk Alliance conference.

Delphinium Boutique on G.E. Patterson next to the Arcade is having a makeover party. On Sunday, February 27 from 3 to 5 PM, they will have wine, hors d’oeuvres, and 30% off all Bare Escentuals starting kits. They’re asking attendees to RSVP at info@delphiniumboutique.com or calling 522-8600. When you RSVP you will receive a free gift as well. Free hors d’oeuvres? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up. Note that the 27th is the day of Soup Sunday at the FedExForum (11 AM-2 PM), so ladies, if you’re coming Downtown for that event, now you have an excuse to hang around and make a full day of it.

On Saturday, March 5, you can volunteer to help rid South Main of trash and debris. Meet at the corner of Main and Huling at 8 AM to be assigned to one of six areas. Memphis City Beautiful will loan rakes, shovels, gloves and bags (bring your own gloves if you have them). Free drinks and snacks will be provided. Free snacks? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

Stuff to do tonight… Hattiloo Theatre is performing the classic A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry through February 27… Nancy Apple’s Thursday night Pickin’ Party happens tonight at Kudzu’s… DJs Witnesse and Handsome Mark at Mollie Fontaine’s… Automatic Slim’s will show Dazed and Confused as part of its “Dinner and a Movie” series tonight at 8 with movie-related food and drink specials… Public “Performance Alley” showcase as part of the Folk Alliance Conference on the second floor of the Marriott (view schedule)… trivia night at Silly Goose (probably around 8, although it seems to operate on “Daniel Time”)… poker night at Bar None (7:30, part of Poker Jon’s league) and at Max’s Sports Bar (7:00, on Buzztime’s system)… The Stellas and Dynaflow play Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight, and don’t forget to bring a donation for Karen.

As for me, like I said earlier I will take the night off from the folk conference, then hit it hard Friday and Saturday. Tonight I’m itching to play some poker, and I’m in the mood to play deep stacked, which makes me lean toward Max’s. Unlike most of the Thursdays in 2011, it’s easily warm enough to walk down there.

Outta here… time to munch a sandwich and read stuff on my phone.

After dropping off my tote bag, I returned to the Folk Alliance Conference to enjoy the first evening. When I got there, an awards ceremony had just let out and a reception was going on. I bought a beer, hung out, and talked to more people from the Memphis music community. More on that in a moment.

At 8 I ducked in a ballroom to catch a performance by folk artist Paul Thorn. He played to a packed room as part of the Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s showcase at the conference. His performance was broadcast on XM Radio and will be seen on PBS. His newest album, Pimps & Preachers, just came out, and he performed tracks from it, each telling a story. He performed “I Don’t Like Half the Ones I Love,” which he told us was his daddy’s favorite track. He then told us that his daddy was a preacher, and he wrote, “Whatever You Believe, it Might Be Wrong,” where he tried to sort out his own beliefs. Then he did a song in honor of his mother, known to most people as “Brother Thorn’s wife.” He felt her voice deserved to be heard through a song.

I wandered around some of the other rooms, caught a couple of songs by Memphis band the Bo-Keys. I also talked to more members of the Memphis music community, as I mentioned earlier. One person looked at my badge and said, “You know you’ve got access to the private sessions on the top three floors, right? Come up. That’s where you hear the really good music.” He told me I could expect to be there until the wee hours.

Uh-oh.

Normally I don’t object to pushing it a little bit late on a school night, but this week is kind of an exception. We have board members in town at work tomorrow and Friday. As good as work has been to me, I owe it to them to not go in there looking like death warmed over when our board is in town. And I knew if I went up to the top floor, where most of the events started at 10, I wouldn’t get out of there until 1 or 2.

So, I did the right thing. I left early, and I’ll probably miss the conference tomorrow night. However, Friday and Saturday nights, it’s ON. A Folk Alliance employee told me I shouldn’t be surprised if I’m there at 4 AM listening to musicians jam. Looking forward to it.

I also took a walk through the Trolley Stop Bar, the Marriott’s bar. In all my years Downtown I’d never been in there. Nice setup, with a U-shaped bar where everyone can see each other, pool table and performance stage. I don’t see it replacing the Saucer on my permanent agenda, but I may keep an eye on conventions at the Marriott, and if any cool conventions come to town I may wander up there, have a beer and see who I can talk to.

Again, thanks to the Folk Alliance for the pass. Everyone I met in the Memphis music community was SO NICE tonight. I wondered if it would feel clique-y, but everyone was like, “We’re so glad you’re here. Come join us.” I really appreciate that. I felt underdressed though. And by that, I don’t mean a tie. I mean, there was plaid everywhere. I guess that’s what folk musicians wear. I don’t even own any plaid. I wore a black dress shirt, untucked over jeans. I figured that for the first night, I should at least try to look slightly professional. When I go back this weekend I may break out the shorts.

Made a quick stop at the Saucer on the way home, where I drank my 200th beer for my 5th plate. Now I’m off to get a quality night’s sleep. Folk Alliance attendees, I will see you on Friday.

Kinda sounds like a car, doesn’t it?

I just walked up to the Marriott, where The Folk Alliance hooked me up with a media pass to The 2011 Folk Alliance Conference. “You’ve got access to everything,” they told me. Then they pointed at the table where I could pick up my tote bag.

It was heavy! I didn’t want to carry it around all evening, so I decided to walk home to Number 10 and put it up. I kinda needed to go home anyway, because I forgot my notepad. I want to spend the evening walking around, listening to some good music, and talking to people and finding out what brought them to the conference.

I got home and spread out the contents of the bag on my coffee table:

Wow they loaded me up! I counted at least four CDs, several music magazines, and lots of other promotional materials, including a banjo catalog. That will be fun to flip through.

Think I’m going to enjoy it. In the 10 minutes I was there, I ran into several members of the Memphis music community, some of whom I’ve only corresponded with via e-mail, but when they saw me, they were like, “Hey, Paul!” like we were old friends. Very good vibe.

There’s a performance open to the public tonight at the Marriott if you want to stop by. Over the Rhine, Paul Thorn and many more artists on the second floor of the Marriott, $15 to get in.

Going to be a very interesting weekend. With notepad, digicam and conference pocket guide in my pocket, I’m about to head back up there.

Early voting on the issue of surrendering the City Schools charter starts today. This is an important issue, so please be sure to vote. Check out this web site to read 7 reasons why Memphis should vote YES, surrender the charter.

Want to party like a duck star? The Peabody offers parties with the Peabody duckmaster. There are two options for kids, and one for adults. Check them out here.

There will be a Gundlach Bundschu progressive tasting and wine pairing at the Majestic Grille Tuesday night, February 22 from 6 to 9 PM. The event will introduce the art of Betsy Bird, and original paintings and prints will be on display. Free to attend the reception; $15 for the tasting. Call 522-8555 to RSVP.

Foursquare has a new badge, the Century Club, awarded for 100 checkins at the same place, provided it’s not a home or office. I’ll get that badge when I check in at the Saucer tonight, then.

Speaking of which… I’m one beer away from completing my 5th plate at the Saucer. Date and time has been worked out for the plate party, which should be convenient for invited guests and inconvenient for uninvited pests. I’ll go ahead and drink the last beer tonight (they have a yummy Fruli Strawberry on draft) and then tomorrow I’ll fill out the paperwork. I’ll get a $125 party tab and a shiny new black M.O.U. (Master of the Universe) card for my achievement.

However, before I hit the Saucer I’ll be attending the Folk Alliance Conference at the Marriott. I should get there in time for the tail end of the Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony, and then there will be a reception and performances in several ballrooms. Covering this type of event as “media” is new to me. Not quite sure what to do. I guess I’ll just walk around, talk to people, and try to hear as much good music as I can. By the time the weekend rolls around, I should be able to have a good report what it’s like to attend a folk conference. Again, thanks to the Alliance for inviting me.

Found a Red Lobster gift card as I was cleaning my desk, so it’s time to hit Publish and grab lunch.

If you’re wondering where the world is heading with all the recent international developments, you may be interested in an upcoming talk at Rhodes. Downtowner and Rhodes professor Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba will discuss her new book The Future Faces of War: Population and National Security. She will talk about how recent events in the Middle East, developments in China’s population, and population aging in Europe will affect national security. After the talk, there will be a reception, and she’ll be available to sign copies of the book. It will be at the Blount Auditorium in Buckman Hall at Rhodes, at 7 PM Monday, February 21.