The 2019 Spring North American Bridge Championship (NABC) begins today at the Cook Convention Center and continues through Sunday, March 31. Bridge players from around the continent and in some cases even beyond come here to play in the bridge equivalent of the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, or the World Series. There are three NABCs each year, rotating among major cities. Memphis last hosted the event in 2012.
Welcome, bridge players! I worked for the company that presents and sanctions the NABC for almost nine years. I live half a mile from the playing site and have written a blog about the neighborhood for 15 years. If you have any questions about Downtown Memphis, email me at paul@paulryburn.com and I will do my best to give you a true local’s perspective. If you ride the trolley during the NABC, it’s free if you show your convention card.
For those here in Memphis interested in bridge but not ready to compete at a national championship level, there are events for you too. Check out the Intermediate/Newcomer schedule.
Aces & Knaves, a documentary on the game of bridge and the characters involved, plays the Halloran Centre Monday for two showings at 10 AM and 7:30 PM.
All right, enough bridge stuff. Let’s get on to the rest of the news…
The date and time has been announced for Memphis’ second-round NIT game. It will be at 7:30 tomorrow, Friday, March 22, 3 Memphis vs. 2 Creighton on ESPNU. Here’s the full second-round schedule.
Taste of Fitness Memphis will happen Sunday, April 14 at Old Dominick Distillery from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. This event will offer 25-minute “tastes” of different workouts you can do around Memphis. On hand will be
- Spincult
- Neighborhood Barre Memphis
- Sumits Yoga Memphis
- Work & Play Studio
- Shred415
- Recess 901
Your ticket includes your choice of workouts, a sampling tour of the distillery including tastes of three Old Dominick favorites, visits to vendor booths, and a goodie bag to take home with you. Early bird ticket sales ($29) end soon.
Incoming Memphis Tiger recruit James Wiseman has been named the Gatorade high school boys’ player of the year. Congratulations James! Tiger Nation can’t wait to see you on the floor this fall.
Max’s Sports Bar will open at 10:30 today and tomorrow for your NCAA tournament viewing needs. Max’s is the best place to watch the opening round of the tournament, with enough TVs to show every game that is on. Max’s is at 115 G.E. Patterson, half a block east of Arcade restaurant.
Memphis 901 FC is on the road this weekend at Bethlehem Steel. The team will host a watch party at Silky O’ Sullivan’s Sunday, March 24 from 5 to 8.
Bailey Bigger will play original music this Sunday at the Ghost River taproom at 6:30.
The Brass Door will have live music this Sunday for brunch 11:30 AM-2 PM with singer-songwriter Freeman Shane Weems and Ron Shuman.
Also this Sunday, Crosstown Brewing Co. will have a crawfish boil, bluegrass by The Late Greats, and of course, beer. 1-4 PM.
With Memphis the honored place for Memphis in May this year, Memphis movies will be shown throughout the month. Eight movies will be shown around town.
Contemporary Media, the parent company of the Memphis Flyer and Memphis Magazine, is hiring a part-time staff graphic designer.
Speaking of Memphis Magazine, Vance Lauderdale has a piece on the bandstand at Court Square.
The Millennium Tour comes to FedExForum on Sunday. B2K, Mario, Pretty Ricky, Lloyd, Ying Yang Twins & Chingy. Doors open at 6:30.
The Downtown Memphis Commission, Memphis River Parks Partnership, Kayak Memphis, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association will present Sunset Happy Hour on the River next Monday, March 25, at Beale Street Landing from 5:30 to 7 PM. Come get a look at the plans for Tom Lee Park, and Kayak Memphis will tell you what you need to know to get on the river. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
But you don’t have to wait until Monday to view Tom Lee Park designs… Memphis River Parks is hosting a Party for the Park tonight at 6 at Loflin Yard. Free stickers for the first 40 people.
The Social Network is having a networking event at Blind Bear 5:30-8:30 tomorrow. Posting this not only to inform people who might be interested in the event, but to inform the Blind Bear regulars that the place will be super busy during those hours.
Those of you wondering, “When will the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck ever make it Downtown?” I now have an answer for you. It will be here for South Main Trolley Night on Friday, March 29. The truck will be parked outside Stock & Belle at 387 S. Main. (The truck will be in Cooper-Young at Memphis Made tonight, by the way.)
J. Edwards plays Earnestine & Hazel’s tonight at 8.
Harbor Town’s Cafe Eclectic has closed but there are signs it may be moving to a bigger location across the street. That would be the former Movie & Pizza Co. location.
Bring your dog to bingo at Loflin Yard on Sunday, March 24 and get an extra bingo card. There are new hours for bingo: 4-6 PM. Bingo is always free to play at Loflin and dogs are always welcome.
Teach your kids about pot! Memphis Made and Erica Bodine Pottery are hosting a Kids’ Pinch Pot class Sunday at 1:00.
The Daily Memphian’s Dan Conaway has recipes for some of the most popular items served at the Calvary Waffle Shop during Lent: tomato aspic, fish pudding, and chicken hash.
Relevant quote I saw online yesterday: “A pretty face can hide an ugly mind.” That was from “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers. In fact, based on personal experience I’d change it to “A pretty face can hide an ugly soul.”
Whew! I guess that’s enough information for one day. I’ll be back tomorrow with more news.