As my buddy Neal would say, Ophelia Ford is D.U.N. done! Lee Harris defeated her in last night’s election 43 percent to 27 percent. Finally the people who live in District 29 will have full-time representation in the State Senate. I’m sure Mr. Harris will do a fine job.
Local is rolling out a new menu that is available now Downtown and on Tuesday at Overton Square. Mostly it will consist of updates on old favorites, but new dishes include a seafood ceviche, vegetarian portobello mushroom Philly, a New York strip, and a vegan burger.
Memphis Music Club presents Snapdragon & Metal Confetti this evening at 6:30 as part of the free Friday “Memphis Jams” series in Handy Park.
There will be a new six-concert series benefiting the Maria Montessori School at the Harbor Town Amphitheatre, 740 Harbor Bend Road on Mud Island, beginning Saturday, August 23. The concert series will run through spring 2015. Artists confirmed for the fall portion of the calendar:
August 23: The Memphis Dawls and Robby Grant
September 20: John Paul Keith and Mark Stuart
October 18: Ex-Cult and The Limes
Gates will open at 6 PM with music beginning at 7. A minimum $5 donation for the Maria Montessori School will be requested at the door.
Elvis Week kicks off tonight with the semifinals of the “Last Chance” Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest at the Hard Rock Cafe. Elvis impersonators compete for the final spot in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest that begins next week. $5 cover.
B.B. King’s will host Elvis trivia Wednesday, August 13, from noon until 6 PM. Every hour on the hour, patrons will have the chance to show off their Elvis knowledge and win free food or drinks.
Tomorrow’s Memphis Farmers Market’s theme is Nothin’ but a hound dog. The market will celebrate Elvis Week with its own professional Elvis onsite from 10 to 11 to take photos and sign autographs. He will also emcee an Elvis look-alike contest, with the winner getting $50 in market tokens. Music by Matt Blake at 7, South Side Supper Club at 8:30, and Zoo Girls at 11. 7 AM to 1 PM tomorrow, at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.
Possible good news for Uptown: a proposed expansion of Second Street from I-40 to Frayser could spur development. It’s being seen as a new major route into Downtown from the north.
That’ll do it for this Friday update. Absolutely no idea what I’ll be doing tonight. May rest up for Stumbling Elvis tomorrow.