The Memphis Flyer reported some disappointing news yesterday afternoon… there will be no Memphis Music & Heritage Festival this year. The festival, normally held the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, is a celebration of regional heritage in all its forms, including music, art, cooking, and storytelling. Folks with the Center for Southern Folklore, the regular presenter of the festival, say it is taking a hiatus this year as they plan for new and big things to be announced soon. I look forward to those announcements, but I sure will miss the music, food and fun this September.
It’s all-inclusive night at the Redbirds. This special $20 ticket gets you a Club, Dugout, or Field Box seat along with free hot dogs, hamburger baskets, chips and cheese, popcorn, and small fountain sodas. First pitch is 7:05 with gates opening at 6.
WEVL has made Memphis Made Brewing Co. its beer sponsor for the 30th annual Blues on the Bluff, held this Saturday from 6 to 11 PM on the grounds of the Metal Museum. In addition to the popular Fireside, Memphis Made will be bringing cans of a new, limited-edition beer to the event. Head Brewer Drew Barton brewed a batch of Junt cream ale with lime juice to give it a summertime flavor. Blues on the Bluff will have live music from Kenny Brown Band, Marcella & Her Lovers, and Lightnin’ Malcolm. There will be a silent auction and Central BBQ will be on site. Following the event, Memphis Made will have the beer available on draft and in six-packs at its taproom.
In other brewery news, Memphis Made is having a Community Day benefiting Playback Memphis this Saturday, July 21 from 5-7 PM. Playback Memphis brings stories to life in a safe space to unlock healing, transformation, and joy. Saturday’s event is free but you are encouraged to come have a pint and make a donation to Playback Memphis and share in the fun and fellowship.
There will be a book signing by author Cheryl Mattox Berry at South Main Book Juggler on Trolley Night, Friday, July 27, from 6 to 9 PM. Berry will be signing copies of her book Memphis Blues. The story is sent in the Memphis of the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike, and follows three people making amends and learning to make better choices in hopes of improving their lives.
High Ground News is hiring a Project Editor for their On the Ground series.
Wiseacre Brewing Co. is having a pretend-it’s-not-hot Christmas in July party on Saturday, July 28 starting at 1 PM with special beers on tap. Want to pre-game for the party? At noon that day they’ll have a “wine” and cheese pairing: Not really wine, but beers that relate to wine, including
Snowbeard 2015 Barleywine
Symphonic 2016 American Wild with Berries
Symphonic 2017 American Wild with Montmorency Charries
Charlemayne 2017 Belgian Stout aged in Congac Barrels with Cocoa Nibs
Beach within Reach 2018 Berliner Weisse Mimosas
Your $25 ticket includes not only these beers but cheese, charcuterie, crackers, pastries, and (to keep it classy) a Pancho’s cheese dip fountain and chips. Make your reservation here.
Sleep Out Louie’s has announced all-you-can-eat crab legs Sundays from 4 to 8 PM. They also have oyster Mondays with all oyster dishes $9.99.
It still feels weird to be writing about Sleep Out Louie’s in 2018.
Oh. My. God. It’s not even 8 AM yet and we have this:
Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018
I have no words. No, wait, I have one word: COVFEFE!
With that, I’m outta here. Back tomorrow with more news.