Sat update: Dragon boat races, Bluff City Oktoberfest, Battledish, Ira Glass, Comcast announces data cap, new “Just Landed” board at Flying Saucer

We’ve got several big events happening Downtown today, so let’s go through them quickly.

Dragon boat races happen today at Mud Island River Park. Teams in authentic Chinese dragon boats will compete, and there will be live entertainment and kids’ activities. Sponsored by Duncan-Williams, benefitting the Tennessee Clean Water Network.

Bluff City Oktoberfest continues all day today, on Riverside between Jefferson and Beale. From 2 to 6 there will be a beer festival, and tickets are $35 at the gate. Other than the beer part, admission is free and there will be live entertainment, artisans and food trucks.

Also today is Dishcrawl’s Battledish. Chefs around the world will be competing, and from 2 to 6 you can taste! Participating restaurants include Automatic Slim’s, Rizzo’s Diner, 12 Bar (upstairs of Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe), Tamp & Tap, Belle Diner, and Lunchbox Eats. Check the website for menus and admission fees. PRO TIP: Try the Trishalicious (that’s a drink) at 12 Bar.

Tonight at the Orpheum, WKNO presents Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass. Show starts at 8 PM.

In other news, Comcast has announced a data cap in Memphis. However, the Flyer reports that you could watch 64 movies, 150 half-hour TV shows, and 150 video clips and still be below the cap, so for most people it won’t matter.

The Flying Saucer has re-done their chalkboard. It now lists the 21 most recent “just landed” beers. For each beer, the board now lists serving size, alcohol by volume, and price. This is very useful since the new beers aren’t often on the “Fly Paper” beer menu yet. I won’t have to have the bartenders look up the price of the new beers to make sure I’m not accidentally ordering a $9 beer. People who drive to the Saucer (not that it’s ever an issue for me) won’t order a 10.5% beer by mistake.

That’s the news for now. On my way to Panda’s bar when Bardog opens at 11. Later in the day I have an engagement party to attend, then Bluff City Oktoberfest if it doesn’t rain. It’s been a great week at work and I’m going to cap it off with a great Saturday at play.