Tonight is Star Wars Night at the Redbirds. Characters from the movie series will be available for photos throughout the game. There will be a costume contest for fans who dress as their favorite character, and those who dress up can participate in a special on-field parade at 6:30. There will be Light Sword classes the first two innings on the Terminix Terrace. (I guess “lightsaber” is a trademarked term they can’t use?) After the game there will be a drone race. A specialty ticket ($18 field box/$21 dugout/$25 club) includes a Light Sword that expands to 36 inches and features LED lights that rotate through 7 different settings of 4 colors.
I want a purple lightsaber like the one Mace Windu had. Samuel L. Jackson had it written into his contract that his character would have a purple lightsaber.
The Daily Memphian’s Jennifer Biggs has a recap of her visit to the grand opening of Puck Food Hall at 409 S. Main. Sounds like they have some delicious food there, as well as a re-thought business model that will keep their vendors around for a while.
The Memphis Business Journal has a look at 3rd and Court, the new diner going into the Hotel Indigo space at B.B. King and Court. Ryan Trimm is partnering up with Central BBQ’s Craig Blondis and Ryan Sapp to open the restaurant, which will seat 60 and employ 25 people. Trimm had always wanted to open a 1950s-style diner. He says the menu will be accessible to Downtowners and the restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. “Comfort food” is how he describes it.
I hope the new diner is a success. It will have to get past the (quite incorrect) perception that Monroe, home to the Little Tea Shop, Bardog, Flight, and McEwen’s, is the far northern edge of the food scene in the Downtown core. There are a number of places to eat beyond that, including Fam, Havana’s Pilon, Brass Door, Regina’s Cajun Kitchen, 901 Wings, and Willie Moore’s. All are north of Monroe but are sometimes forgotten.
I hope they keep the price points reasonable too. If they charge $22 for fried chicken, it’s not a diner, even if Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer have their own booth there.
Memphis Tigers football on national TV: On Saturday, August 31, the Tigers and Ole Miss will kick off on ABC at 11 AM. What a difference the past decade has made in Tigers football! They’re actually a ratings draw now, and that’ll be one of the best games during the normally slow first week. You know what would be really cool? If, during the broadcast, the camera cut to shots of James Wiseman and Ja Morant watching the game.
A Major League Soccer team is coming to Memphis. Memphis 901 FC advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup this week and will host Orlando City SC at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex on June 12.
The Brass Door will close at 3 PM today for a private event. They will reopen at 8 AM tomorrow and will have the Champions League final on tomorrow at 2, and of course there will be a watch party for the Memphis 901 FC vs. St. Louis FC at 7:30 PM.
Memphis in May has 2014-2017 Beale Street Music Fest shirts on sale for only $5 in its online store today.
Penny Hardaway’s new shoe drops at Nike retailers tomorrow.
From Distractify: Restaurant server tricks to get you to spend more money
The Harbortown 3 Mile happens tonight on Mud Island at 7:30. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis.
New shop Vibe & Dime opens tonight at 510 S. Main as part of the monthly South Main Trolley Night.
Bloom into flower power is the theme at tomorrow’s Memphis Farmers Market. Beautify your home with flowers grown locally this weekend. Flower Power music will be supplied by South Main Sounds all day long. The Cossitt Library will be there 9 to noon with some summer reading and info about its Explore Memphis programs. YOGA! At 9:45 there will be a yoga class taught by Amy of Downtown Yoga. Free pet sitting while you shop, to the left of the restroom/food truck area. The Market runs every Saturday at the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson, behind Malco Powerhouse, from 8 AM to 1 PM.
That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.