If you want to hear some Memphis music in two very comfortable venues, the South Main district of Downtown is the place to be tonight.
At 7 PM, Brad Birkedahl takes the stage for an acoustic set at Double J SmokeHouse and Saloon. When he played his initial gig last week, it was described as “country with some 50s and 60s thrown in.” Having heard him play in the past, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear covers from artists like George Jones, Jerry Reed, and Johnny Cash, and it’s totally possible he’ll throw a little Elvis in too.
Then at 9, Dynaflow takes the stage down the street at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Good old fashioned rock and roll, played through vintage amps. There are few places in Memphis that have as much soul as E&H, a former brothel turned into a bar. If you’re hungry, try one of their Soul Burgers. Check out the memorabilia on the walls. If you look around you can even see daily lunch menus from the early ’80s, when E&H was still half bar, half brothel.
To get to both venues, take the Main Street Trolley all the way south to the end of the line. You’ll see Earnestine & Hazel’s on the corner, at G.E. Patterson. Double J is a half block walk east down G.E. Patterson.
Happy 85th birthday to Elvis’ clothier, Bernard J. Lansky. You can visit his clothing store in the Peabody and wish him a happy birthday in person. By the way, in coming weeks I’ll have details of a trunk show and designer appearance by Robert Stock, chief creative officer of the Robert Graham clothing line.
There’s a Groupon today for a team entry into the Urban Dare Adventure Race for $45, a $90 value. Teams of two people decipher clues, perform playful stunts, and navigate the city while raising money for breast cancer research. The race is on Saturday, April 7 and the starting point is the Flying Saucer.
I finished 3rd out of 17 in poker at the Silly Goose last night. I’ll give it a try again tonight in Jamie’s game at the Blind Bear at 8.