For the second time in two days, I’ve been asked to be a celebrity judge. I will be judging the costume contest at the Brass Door’s alley party tomorrow night, Saturday, September 8. To celebrate the first birthday of the Irish pub, the male and female best-dressed as leprechauns will win prizes of $100, $75, and $50. The contest will happen around 9, so come on down. Actually there’s plenty of reason to come earlier than 9, because the bands start at 3. Bands will include Forklift, The Door Knobs, Striking Midnight, Joe Guyton, Big Betsy, Favourite Fallen Idol, and Reverend Hitchhikers. Although yesterday I suggested a tube top as a good start to a female leprechaun costume, I promise I will be open-minded about non-tube top costumes as well.
There will be a series of concerts in Court Square on Sundays from September 23 to October 14. Concerts will be from 4 to 6 PM. Coolers and lawn chairs are welcome, and pets are too as long as you clean up after them. You can view the lineup here. Excellent time of year for concerts. It will have cooled off so it’s not 100 outside like it was yesterday, but it will still be warm enough for ladies who want to rock a tube top on a fine fall Sunday.
Sick of people’s political rants on Facebook? Lifehacker has a tutorial on how to block people’s annoying political posts.
Traffic alert: The Southern Heritage Classic is tomorrow night at the Liberty Bowl at 6 PM. A lot of fans of the Classic come Downtown after the game, so expect heavy traffic after 9 PM, especially around Beale Street. If you plan on going to the Beale district, expect super-long security lines.
New Orleans is trying to require a license for tour guides. To get the license, guides would have to pass a history exam, a criminal background check, and a drug test. Living in Downtown Memphis which is also a popular tourist district, I know exactly why they’re doing this. “Hey mayne, you from out of town? You look like you’re from Germania, or one of them countries. That over there is the Peabody, they got ducks that swim in a pond in the lobby. And that over there, that’s Redbirds Stadium, where the Cardinals play. And down there is Beale Street where you can hear a lot of good bands. Hey big time, hey bro, can I get a dolla? Come on, I’m showing you around Downtown, let me have a dolla or two. You ain’t gonna give me no dolla? Well, f*** you then! F***ing bitch!” I’m sure the same thing happens in NOLA, and it’s probably worse down there.
Several Memphis basketball-related items this morning:
1) The Grizzlies are getting a new court. It will replace the one they’ve been using for 10 years. It costs $200,000 and can be installed or taken down in 75 minutes. That’s necessary for days when there’s a Tigers game at noon and a Grizzlies game at 7. The Tigers will get a new court in 2013 after they join the Big East. More details in the MBJ.
2) Speaking of the Big East, they’re considering a name tweak. With San Diego State and other Western schools joining the conference, that’s probably a good idea.
3) Justin Timberlake will be part of the local minority ownership group of the Grizzlies. Buyer Robert Pera recruited Timberlake to be part of the group. Details here.
That’s it for now. Not sure what I’ll be doing tonight, but I’ll be out about 6 PM.