Starting off with a correction today. The Grizzlies open practice and State of the Franchise, which I had blogged was happening tomorrow, is actually Sunday. Sorry about that. They had “Saturday” in the email blast they sent out, but if I’d thought about it I’d have realized that the 18th is not Saturday.
The big news, though, is that YOUR! MEMPHIS! GRRRRRRRRRRRIZZLIES!!!!! play their pre-season game tonight at the FedExForum at 7. First chance to see Zach, Rudy, Marc and the gang live on the court. Tickets are available here.
If you’re looking for something to do after the Grizzlies game, there will be a Sexy Santa party at Rehab Disco tonight. Multiple DJs, live dance performances, LED mistletoe, light show, Christmas movies on projector screens, VIP sections with special entertainment, drink specials and free giveaways. Wear your sexiest costume, because there will be a costume contest. Doors open at 9, $5 21 and up, $10 18-20.
Today is the last day of voting in the Obsidian PR ballot. Of the five nonprofits that are finalists, two winners will be selected to receive free PR services for six months (oops, almost typed free PBR services, wouldn’t that be a sweet deal). Go here to vote by “Liking” the image of your preferred nonprofit. Finalists are
The Blues Foundation
DeNeuville Learning Center
Pink Palace
Memphis Roller Derby
On Our Own of Memphis
Last night I served as judge for the fourth year in the Majestic Grille’s movie costume/tacky sweater contest. Every year they show National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and people did a great job dressing up like the characters. Tacky sweaters were good too. Bartender Lisa was ineligible to win, but if she’d been eligible she probably would have.
My honorarium for being a judge was Christmas ham with green bean casserole, mac and cheese, focaccia bread and a salad, along with a few bottles of PBR. By the end of the movie I’d nearly drifted into unconsciousness in a food coma. Apologies to my friends at Kooky Canuck, who had their Christmas party last night. First time I’ve ever not made it to the party. I was just so full that I couldn’t handle being around a huge crowd. Apologies also to my friend Zane who invited me to meet him at the Goose… I just needed to be somewhere where I was comfortable, and the Saucer is a much more comfortable environment to me, so that’s where I went. We’ll catch up soon I’m sure.
Not that I was exactly alone at the Saucer… within a few minutes of getting there, my friends Chris, Jeremy and Brian joined me, followed a short time later by my friend Joe, then the Nuh-Uh Girl, then Katie Mac. I was surprised to learn that the Nuh-Uh Girl did not have anything to eat at Kooky Canuck’s party. Well, I guess I didn’t miss any photo opportunities then.
There was a sign on the Saucer window that they’re having a Beerknurd Appreciation party next Thursday, December 22.
A Beerknurd is someone who has joined the Saucer’s UFO Club. It’s not a bad deal; for $18 you get a T-shirt, you never pay a cover to get in (except special events like New Year’s Eve), and you get a card you can swipe at the beer computer toward getting your plate on the wall. Now and then they have appreciation parties for members of the club. This one will have a Beerknurd Buffet and raffle prizes. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
One of the people who will work at the Blind Bear, the speakeasy going into the old Bar None space, showed me a few photos of the place on her phone. It looks great. The bar will no longer be next to the front door. GREAT MOVE. I understand why Circa did it that way (because it was a restaurant) and why Bar None kept it (to keep renovations to a minimum), but the space will be so much more comfortable with the bar moved away from the door. Some of the dining tables are poker and blackjack tables, in keeping with the speakeasy theme.
Oh, speaking of poker? Tuesday will be poker night at Blind Bear, I’m told, with (Edit: had it wrong earlier) Jamie hosting. With all the trivia nights happening around town on Tuesdays, poker is refreshingly different. I have high hopes for Blind Bear and suspect it may gain co-equal status with the Saucer as my home base. They hope to have the place open later this month. I’ll keep you informed as I learn more details. Don’t forget to “Like” The Blind Bear on Facebook to keep up with happenings there.
Plan for tonight: I’m going to hit the Saucer around 6:00 and figure out the rest from there. I’ll probably be rocking the Santa hat for the second night in a row, in case the Rehab Disco party makes it onto the agenda.