Last night I was at the Saucer, having a couple of pre-game beers before I headed to South Main Trolley Night. I pulled out my iPhone and caught up with Facebook. Someone had posted that the Green Beetle looked open. I finished my beer and headed south to check it out.
The doors were open, but they were not serving food. I talked to one of the people with a Beetle shirt on. “We’re not open yet, but we hope to be by next weekend,” he told me. “We’re shooting for July 4 at the latest. We’ll serve lunch and we’ll have food late-night.” Very very cool. I know a lot of people are waiting for the Beetle to open. This means I can hang out at Max’s Sports Bar and Earnestine & Hazel’s, then walk north and get Paul’s Drunkass Food from the Beetle to take home.
Insider tip for those attending Trolley Night: When you get there, go immediately to Harry’s Detour courtyard, around the corner from Main on G.E. Patterson. Every month they have a cookoff between South Main residents, and you get to be the judge. Really good food this month, including beef filet with risotto and lettuce wraps with pork belly. When I got there it was 8:00 and they were already wrapping up, so you want to make this one of your early stops to be sure you get samples. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
In other news: For those of you watching your weight, I walked by Rio Loco last night and saw a sign in the window about a new diet margarita they have.
The Orpheum will show the critically acclaimed indie drama Hustle & Flow next Friday, July 1 at 7:15. Before the movie begins, filmmaker Craig Brewer will give a brief talk.
The Madison Hotel is holding a cookout on the rooftop on Sunday, July 3. Chef Chris Windsor will grill a selection of locally produced products including Black Angus hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken and more. Live music, a la carte beverages. Dinner begins at 6:30 with fireworks starting about 9. In case of bad weather, July 4 will be the rain date. Event is reception style with limited seating available, so if you want to go call 901-333-1224 and make reservations now. $35 per person.
All right, let’s take a look at some things going on Downtown tonight:
Bar None will have an ’80s party tonight at 9. DJ Jack spinning ’80s tunes, prize for the best ’80s costume. $2 Jello shots, $5 Long Island Tea, $4 Fireball, $4 Kamikaze and $1 off domestic beers. Ya know, I just realized, this is probably the one time when you can pop your collar and not be a douche. Then again, I remember 1985 when people did it and it was pretty douchey back then too. Pop at your own risk.
The Dancing Fire, Memphis’ troupe of fire dancers, will perform The Hidden Art II at the Rumba Room at 7:30. Their show is described as “a show of belly dancers, fire dancers, circus style performers, manipulating fire with staves, hoops and poi on fire. All the while these dramatic performers are practicing their craft, add to the mix continuous DJ music from all around the world and live drummers and you have an evening that is both a departure from the usual and exciting!” $10 cover, and you can stay for salsa afterward. More details here.
Stomp is at the Orpheum tonight. I’ve seen it before and this is a great show. I’ll just summarize it as an exploration of all things percussion. I most definitely recommend this show. It’s not a conventional musical with a plot and storyline; rather, it would be better described as performance art.
Jam band FreeWorld takes the stage at the Flying Saucer at 9:30.
Over at the Old Daisy, there will be a great night of soul music beginning at 7 PM. It will be a tribute show to Al Green and Willie Mitchell.
As far as my plans for tonight, I plan on at least checking out ’80s night at Bar None for a little while, although I don’t have an outfit. Definitely won’t be “heading south” for the stupid karaoke night my friends go to. Funny, even the guy who likes to sing songs William Shatner-style admitted to me he’s sick of going there, but a couple of people insist on going every week. Time to find a new Saturday night activity maybe?
Sorry for taking an extra day to make my comeback. I’d said I’d probably resume posting yesterday, but I had to use my entire lunch break (and then some) running my car through the inspection station. Thank goodness it passed; with older cars it’s always a worry. I’m now fully back, though, and regular posting schedule will resume.