First of all, a very happy birthday to my friend Karen. Karen is a South Mainer who is always so sweet and supportive of all her Downtown friends. I’ll see her tonight at the Double J where she’ll be celebrating.
The FedExForum has announced that Elton John will appear in concert on Saturday, March 16. This will be his first appearance in Memphis in seven years. Tickets will go on sale a week from today and will range in price from $29 to $139.
There’s an International Auto Show going on at the Cook Convention Center today through Sunday. New cars, trucks, crossovers and hybrids will be on display. $8 adults; $6 for seniors, students, and military; $5 children.
There will be an “Art Under the Gazebo” event tomorrow in Court Square from 6 to 10 PM. There will be local music, art, and vendors. High will be in the upper 50s tomorrow, so you’ll be able to enjoy the art without shivering in the frigid temps we’ve had for most of the week.
The Grizzlies have a home game against the Sacramento Kings tonight at 7. Don’t forget that if you want to pre-game at the Double J on G.E. Patterson Avenue, they have a limo that will take you to the FedExForum and back. Good way to avoid Forum traffic and parking hassles. I read that Z-Bo will be out with an injury. Wonder who will start at power forward, Darrell Arthur or Marreese Speights? We are definitely stacked at that position.
Ever had Greek beer? I don’t think I have, odd considering I have seven plates on the wall at the Flying Saucer. The Rendezvous has a Greek beer special going on right now: Mythos Greek Beer for $2.50 a bottle.
Last night I started off at the Silly Goose for Jessica’s Thursday happy hour shift. She actually had the night off because her brother was in town, and Chris was covering for her. I checked in on Foursquare and this happened:
So that makes me triple mayor of Flying Saucer, Silly Goose, and Blind Bear. It’s going to take a lot of work to hold on to all three! I’ll buy former mayor Clay a Fireball shot next time I see him.
After leaving the Goose, I caught up with some friends at the Flying Saucer, then headed to Dancin’ Jimmy’s for the Thursday night poker game. This week they moved the game upstairs, to what is now being called Bar 12. Y’all, that upstairs lounge area is swanky. Even if you’re not a big poker fan, you should come play one week (it’s free to play) just to get a look at that lounge. Plus, the folks who work at Dancin’ Jimmy’s are SO nice. Any little thing they could do to make the experience better for the poker players, they did. First class all the way.
I had an unusual situation where I won a multi-way all-in in the middle of the first blind level, 25/50. That left me with 13,000 in chips, or the equivalent of 260 big blinds! You don’t see that often in bar games. I made the final table but didn’t win. I didn’t eat either but poker host Muruako had some BBQ nachos that looked and smelled delicious.
Plans for tonight: I’ll defend my mayorship at the Goose around 6, then hit the Saucer at 7 for the tapping of the yummy Lazy Magnolia Indian Summer cask beer. After that I’ll head south to say happy birthday to Karen. Maybe the Blind Bear on the way back. A fine Friday night Downtown indeed!