My day yesterday started with a walk to City Market. I was already planning my day out in my mind. With a Moody Ques event at 6 and my position as Director of PR, I knew I would have to adult yesterday, taking photos to promote the team. Cafe Keough had words of encouragement:
Later in the morning I Farmers Marketed, again striking out trying to find mint so Bardog could make mojitos. At least the rain stayed away. Keeping to my usual schedule, about 10:40 I began my walk up Main Street back to the Downtown core. As I passed Bluff City Coffee, I heard “Paul!”
I turned around. It was my friend Zack who lives over in The Edge, across from High Cotton. Zack recently returned from a trip to Colorado to see the opening of a bridge his brother designed. He handed me what at first appeared to be a paper bag. “I saw this in Colorado and knew I had to get it for you.”
It wasn’t a paper bag. It was a koozie, with the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo, designed to look like a paper bag:
Memories of Sunday Night Swill at the Saucer! THANK YOU Zack! This is a gift I will actually use every day. I used it at Blind Bear where they sell PBR in 16 ounce cans. The cans fit perfectly, and everyone there loved the koozie. Zack, one of these days I will have to join you at the High Cotton taproom for a beer. I will leave the koozie at home that day though; I doubt I would be the most popular person in the room if I put a can of their Scottish Ale in a PBR bag.
Since I mentioned High Cotton, that brings me to my first news item: They’re having another live music Sunday Fun Day with live music from 4 to 6. Denver, Colorado band Metafonics brings everything from groovy electro funk to psychedelic jazz fusion, and when they travel they enjoy collaborating with local artists.
My next stop was Bardog, whose window seating offers scenic views of The Giant Hole.
Seriously, City of Memphis? You ever going to get this thing done? With all the 3:45 AM jackhammering last week, I was hoping for more progress than this.
My “DAWG” John D was of course on his phone playing Pokemon Go. “I’m evolving,” he told me, explaining that one of the goals of the game is to evolve the Pokemon you catch into some kind of higher Pokemon beings.
I wish we could evolve people who play Pokemon into people who don’t play Pokemon.
A poster for Kitty Wompas’ Cat House, the burlesque show happening at Bardog next Saturday, August 20 at 9, was on the window. (Click to view image in larger size)
Four women (plus some dude) will perform in a burlesque show. They are going to build a stage upstairs and are probably going to have to cover the windows. The performers will walk on the bar to the stage. The show is free, but Panda will be walking around with a tip bucket. All tips will go toward the $20,000 Kitty is raising for St. Jude, culminating in her head being shaved on the 28th at Bardog’s alley party/Monroe Fest.
Next stop was the Blind Bear. As I was sipping my bag of PBR three people came in and asked if they could put $5 on their card to play pool. “It’s cash only,” they were told. None of them had a dollar to get quarters. How can you walk around with NO cash on you? I understand we live in the age of the debit card, but what happens if the bank cancels your card (for example, if they suspect identity theft) and you don’t know yet? I can’t imagine going out without at least $30 in my wallet.
A little before 6, it was time to order a Lyft to the Poplar-Highland area for my BBQ/burger team’s burger tasting. It was a chance for our cooks Frank and Erik to practice before Best Memphis Burger Fest on the 28th (unfortunately the same day as the Bardog party; I hope this is the only year that ever happens).
Teamwork by the cook team: Frank was in charge of the grill…
and Erik was in charge of dressing the burgers. (Nice photobomb, Travis)
Lucy, the cutest dog in the world. Okay, that may be going a bit far, but at least she’s the cutest dog I’ve ever met named Lucy.
Team treasurer Misty feeding Lucy carrots
Nice buns
If you like spicy, you will love our entry in the Specialty Burger category. Man, that was hot!
Our Traditional Cheeseburger entry, hopefully the burger that will propel us into the World Food Championship in November.
Dinner is served! Specialty and Traditional burgers were put out for team feedback.
Erik prepping the final burger to be presented to the team, a black bean veggie burger.
Our Veggie Burger entry was our highest burger score last year, and we plan on kicking it up even further this year. Vegetarians love the Moody Ques!
I caught a ride back Downtown. As I left Frank said, “Hang on, Paul, get one more picture. This is the money shot, right here.” Steam coming off the grill.
Thanks to Frank and Laura (and Lucy) for having us out. We got to eat some good burgers and enjoy some camaraderie with the team. We hope to see everyone at Tiger Lane on the 28th!
That’s the Moody Ques news, but I also have news about our friends on one of the other BBQ teams, Porkosaurus. Their famous rub is now available for purchase at two new locations. If you’re Downtown, you can get it at South Main Sounds at 550 S. Main. North Mississippi residents, you can get the rub at The Butcher’s Block in Southaven.
As The Pub at the Brass Door (in the space that was formerly The Mad Earl) opens, they are going to need new faces to round out their staff. If you are interested in a barback/dishwasher position, give them a call at 901-572-1813.
The Redbirds host Tacoma at 6:05 tonight (gates at 5:00). First 2500 kids under 12 get an ice cream treat from Prarie Farms, and on exiting the game everyone gets a coupon for a free medium one-topping when they purchase any large pizza at regular price from Papa John’s. The all-inclusive Club Level tickets will be discounted to $40 for this game, and the in-seat-service Owner’s Seats discounted to $60.
On South Main Trolley Night, Friday, August 26, Stock & Belle is having a celebration of its first birthday. You can get 20% off all apparel that night. There will be coffee by Dr. Bean’s Coffee and Tea Emporium, beer by High Cotton, food by the El Mero Taco truck parked outside, and from 7 to 9 there will be music by Brennan Villines. The party will happen at 387 S. Main.
My friends in the airline business will enjoy this: The 70 worst people at the airport, ranked
Zeke Johnson & Friends (blues/folk) perform at the Center for Southern Folklore this afternoon at 5.
Corinne Bailey Rae performs at the New Daisy tonight. Doors open at 6, show at 7. Special guest Brennan Villines. Tickets $25-28.
Whew! Long post, and I’m not done yet; next up is getting the photos posted to the Moody Ques website. After that it’ll be time for D-RANKS with B-RAD at Blind Bear’s Sunday brunch. I have lots to tell B-RAD and of course I want to show him my new koozie too. Sunday Fun Days get more fun every week and this will be no exception.