It seems like most years, when October fades away into November, life becomes a lot more dull. Festival season and Halloween party season are over, we fall back an hour, and the weather starts to get cold. However, this year’s first weekend in November is not boring in the least. Let’s have a look at some of the fantastic events taking place this weekend.
Guts & Glory: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain is tonight at the Orpheum at 8. Bourdain will share insights about his life in restaurant kitchens, and there will be an open Q&A session with the audience. The chef has tweeted that every dollar he makes from this performance will go to New York City storm recovery efforts. More details and ticket info here.
This isn’t a Downtown event, but it’s worth a drive out east to the Agricenter: India Fest happens this Saturday starting at 10 AM. There will be school band performances, a performance of salsa set to Indian music, and Indian dance performances. There will also be activities for the kids, a concert by the Raga Boyz at 5:30, and a cooking demo from 11:30 to 1:30. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
Tomorrow night at the Orpheum, Cedric the Entertainer & Friends will perform. That show is at 8 as well. Details and ticket info here.
Want to be among the first to check out the newly-completed Beale Street Landing? All you have to do is buy a ticket to Artafactor, which happens tomorrow night. According to the website, Artafactor “is an annual event that celebrates the best in Memphis arts – past and present – while raising funds to ensure their future and build a vibrant cultural community for everyone.” They go on to say of the event, “Rhythm ‘n’ blues to ballet and barbeque…we’ve got it all on the Mississippi! See original works, dance to old favorites, eat and drink in the arts.” Tickets are $75.
Moving on to Sunday, it will be time for the Memphis Farmers Market’s annual Harvest Celebration. The theme is “Barnyard Ball, where party animals come to make hay.” Heavy hors d’oeuvres from some of the city’s best restaurants will be served. Beer, wine. Live entertainment by the Bluff City Backsliders and Deering and Down. 4-7 PM.
As for me, I have one more Halloween party to attend tonight. It’s a private party thrown by some of my South Main friends that raises money for the Church Health Center. I’ve missed it the past two years due to conflicts with other parties. Super excited that it has its own night this year. After bar parties at the Bear, Saucer, Goose, and Mollie Fontaine’s, it will be nice to wrap things up with a super-sized house party with friends. If you missed my Jesus costume, it will be back tonight. I’m going to simplify things and wear the fake beard that came with the costume, rather than paint a beard on with brown makeup. The painted beard looked cool but it proved messy when I tried to hug people.
I think what I’m going to do is put the Jesus costume in a bag, then walk down to Max’s Sports Bar near the party and put it on once I get there. That way I don’t have people shouting at me from cars, “HEY DUMBASS, HALLOWEEN IS OVER!”
Check back this evening. I easily have enough news for a second post. One of the news items will be a much-awaited announcement of an annual gift card sale. If you’re going to the same party I am, see you on South Main tonight.