Between 2003 and 2010 I attended many performances of rockabilly band The Dempseys and got to be friends with them. About eight years ago Dempseys singer/guitarist Brad Birkedahl invited me to his house for a July 4 cookout and I discovered that he has a second passion in addition to music: vintage 1950s cars. Well, now Brad and his fellow entrepreneur, Brandon Cunning, are combining those two passions into Rockabilly Rides, a new tour company in town. They are both Elvis lovers in particular, and they recall that Elvis used to love to drive his friends around Memphis. You can’t ride with Elvis, but Brad and Brandon can give you a ride in the next best thing: A 1995 Chevy Bel Air or a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner Galaxie in which you can see the town as Elvis saw it. Check Rockabilly Rides out if you’re a fan of The King or classic cars.
On Friday, September 25 at Marshall Arts in The Edge, a new concept to present public art and secure funding for projects will be presented. It will be called “The Collaboratory: The Edge Survey,” led by artist Catherine Pena and showcasing public art concepts for The Edge by eight artists selected by the DMC. Since spring the artists have brainstormed and blogged about their concepts for The Edge. In early October, the concepts will be presented to the DMC for funding consideration. You can meet the artists on the 25th from 6 to 9 at Marshall Arts.
The Commercial Appeal has rolled out its new website. There is no hard paywall anymore: Non-subscribers can read up to a dozen articles a month. Take a look.
The paywall coming down means that Chris Herrington’s guide to the 2015-16 Grizzlies schedule is now available to non-subscribers.
Newman Farms ground pork tacos are the featured $2 tacos at tonight’s Tacos and Tunes on the patio of Felicia Suzanne’s, 7-10 PM. $2 tacos, $5 cocktails, live music.
There’s another singer-songwriter night tomorrow from 7 to 9 PM at 550 South Main. The lineup is ‘out-of-towners’ Amanda Ashley and Angie Keilhauer, first-timers Christopher Jones and Amber Rae Dunn, plus Zeke Johnson, and 4-timer Andrew Cabigao.
South Main Book Juggler’s events go beyond mere book signings. Tomorrow night there will be a BBQ sauce signing there! The creators of Uncle Murle’s Tennessee Crafted BBQ Sauce will be on hand. You can taste-test the sauce, buy a jar, and get it signed. 6-9 PM tomorrow.
The Brass Door will be open early this weekend for the Rugby World Cup. Lineup of games can be found here.
One of Memphis’ largest outdoor street festivals, the Cooper-Young Festival is this Saturday from 9 AM to 7 PM. If you’re a new Memphian and don’t know what top expect, Holly has an excellent guide. Tip #7 (embrace the insanity) is especially worth reading.
I will probably be back with a second news post around 5:30 this afternoon. I have Memphis Farmers Market news and we will see what else I can find to talk about.