Monday update

I don’t get the Red Ball Project at all. For those of you who don’t know, last week and this week a giant red ball that is supposedly a work of art is visiting locations around Memphis. It was at 409 S. Main yesterday and as far as I could tell, all it did was block the sidewalk. Perhaps the point is to make a media blitz that some random object coming to town is an artwork of importance, and then see how many people come take selfies with it. That’s “art” in 2016. Selfies.

Apologies for those of you who went by Maciel’s yesterday after I blogged it was open, and found it to be closed. I got that info from a reliable source – they told the person who is probably their best customer (he ate there twice Saturday) that they would be open, but I guess they changed their minds. Understandable – you have to have some rest or you burn out.

Last week I mentioned that there is a new cigar store on South Main. Its name is The Tinder Box and is at 346 S. Main.

Massively successful BBQ team Victory Lane BBQ now has its rub in Kroger. They were the grand champions at Southaven Springfest a couple of weeks ago. I also see signs that another top team may soon start selling its rub via mail too. I will try to get more info about that at BBQ Fest.

If you’re curious what caused all the wind damage this past weekend, MemphisWeather.net has a blog on the wake low that affected the metro.

Train Day Memphis comes to the Railroad and Trolley Museum in Central Station Saturday, June 4. An Iowa Pacific “City of Granada” train set will be on display. There will also be E-units and passenger cars painted in Iowa Central brown and orange.

Ghost of the Blues will be on stage at the Orpheum this Friday. Said to be a “love letter to the blues,” it is headlined by Mud Morganfield, eldest son of Muddy Waters, stepping into the persona of his father.

The rescheduled MyHQ alley party is tomorrow night in Barboro Alley next to Local, with craft beer, DJ Alex Turley, ping pong, art displays, and that red ball I don’t understand.

Four and a half more workdays then my BBQ Fest vacation begins. Load-in is this Saturday through Tuesday of next week. Wednesday of next week is Friends & Family Night. Thursday-Saturday of next week are the public days and the Sunday following is load-out. Of course, I’m not allowed to be involved in the heavy lifting of load-in and load-out anymore given my new role on the team, but my public relations duties should keep me busy throughout the week.

Already getting way more “hey, can I come to your booth at BBQ Fest?” requests than I have guest wristbands to give out. To those who have asked, I will try my best to get you in, but due to us hitting capacity as set by the fire marshal during peak hours I can’t promise it. Reminds me, I have a “tips for getting into booths at BBQ Fest” in Drafts somewhere that I need to find and finish.

I have a BBQ meeting tonight at 7 at Blind Bear, so I may as well just go ahead and lead off there after work. Probably will have some news to put on the team website in the morning.