Before I get started, let me say a big THANK YOU to my friend Randy. When he heard I was having computer problems, he brought me a spare MacBook Pro he wasn’t using. I unpacked it this morning and this computer is wonderful! I’m having to re-acquaint myself with the quirks Macs have, but that’s OK because I know that Macs are far better computers than Windows PCs. See you at Bardog, Randy!
Sad news to report this morning: Tony Barone Sr. has passed away at the age of 72. Barone was a key member of the Memphis Grizzlies’ front office in the team’s early years. He was also interim head coach briefly in 2009 after Mike Fratello was fired. The Grizzlies may not have got every draft right, but Barone played a big role in the team’s very first draft as the Memphis Grizzlies, in which they selected Pau Gasol and Shane Battier. I’d say they sure got that one right.
Friday is going to be a special night at the Redbirds, especially for kids of all ages who are fans of the Harry Potter series. It will be Wizards & Wands Night, with a special parade prior to game time in which people dressed in costume can participate. There will be a photo op station with props, and butterbeer, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be available for purchase. There will be a specialty ticket ($19 field box/$22 dugout/$26 club) which includes a game ticket and a handmade wand. On the day of the game, you will choose your wand style at the specialty ticket table behind section 119. Gates open at 6, parade at 6:30, first pitch 7:05.
There’s a game tonight as well, with a 6:35 first pitch, and it is Woof Wednesday with a special ticket that gets both you and your dog in the park.
Yesterday I blogged that Ariana Grande has added a FedExForum date of Saturday, December 7 to her tour. My friend Dennis emailed to point something out: That’s one more event added to one of the hugest days of the year Downtown. The first Saturday in December is the day of the St. Jude marathon, the Beale Street Christmas parade, bars full of people watching the SEC championship game, and Stumbling Santa, the pub crawl that draws over 1200 participants in Santa-themed attire. Sometimes there’s an 11 AM or noon Tigers game at FedExForum too.
Friday is the last Friday of the month, and that means it will be time once again for South Main Trolley Night, when many of the businesses in the South Main Arts District stay open until 9 or later and neighbors come out and mingle. If you’re an SMA member, there will be a member area between Primas Bakery+Boutique and Peddler Bike Shop with free hot dogs, hamburgers, and beverages. Guests are $10 – or, they can sign up to be an SMA member on-site, and receive a member card good for discounts at many South Main businesses.
For Trolley Night, Jack Robinson Gallery (44 Huling) will host a pop-up shop, a new exhibit, and specialty cocktails. Puck Food Hall (409 S. Main) will host the Memphis Film Prize Top 10 announcement. More than 80 filmmakers, all of whom shot their movies locally, are competing for a $10,000 prize, the winner of which will be announced in August. South Main Sounds (550 S. Main) will host a Songwriter Night with Joe Leathers, Grace Askew, Rice Drewry, and John Hirt. Stock & Belle (387 S. Main) will have a photographic installation by artists Meg Armstrong and Averell Mondie. Sue Layman Gallery (125 G.E. Patterson) will have Sue’s latest pieces on display.
There will be a Meet the Developer event tonight at 6 PM at the St. Patrick’s Outreach Center, 297 S. Fourth Street. Archie Willis III, founder and president of ComCap Partners, will speak on how plans are progressing for the South City (38126 zip code) neighborhood. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
The Daily Memphian has a look at the Tom Lee Park proposal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ point of view. If changes to the park cause dikes to fail, river navigation could be affected for months.
You can get free Chick-Fil-A on July 9, but there’s a catch. You have to wear a cow costume or some form of cow apparel. The offer is good from open until 7 PM that day. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.
Renowned Chanel artist Rama Moering will be at Lanksy 126 in the Peabody for one day only this Saturday, June 29, from 10 AM to 6 PM. She will be booking appointments for makeup and skincare consultations with the latest collections from Chanel Beauty. One appointment will be booked every 45 minutes. Call 901-405-7625 to schedule your appointment. If you want to purchase the products that are suggested in your consultation, Chanel representatives will be on hand to take your order.
There’s a car dealership in Alabama that offers a Bible, a shotgun, and an American flag with every car purchase. MURICA!
Twenty One Pilots: The Bandito Tour comes to FedExForum tonight. WMC Action News 5 reports that some fans have been camped out outside the arena since yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, over at the Orpheum tonight, Peter Frampton makes a stop on s farewell tour.
If you know people traveling to Memphis this summer, tell them about the Summer Dream Bed special going on at River Inn of Harbor Town through August 29. Rates start at $199 plus taxes and fees. In addition to your room, you get a glass of wine or champagne at check-in, a gourmet a la carte breakfast at Paulette’s, chocolate truffles and Port wine at nightly turn-down service, free parking, free Wi-Fi, and free access to Harbor Town Fitness. Book a room
For my grillmaster friends, here’s a super easy recipe for bacon-wrapped corn. Everything’s better with bacon and ranch.
The US Women’s National Team survived their match with Spain yesterday. They didn’t win; they looked lost at times and only survived because of two Megan Rapinoe penalty kicks. However, Rapinoe also picked up a yellow card. She will have to be extra careful not to get a second in Friday’s game, or the USWNT will have a situation where the Golden State Warriors had to do without the services of Draymond Green in one game of the NBA Finals because he got too many techs. The USWNT takes on France Friday in a hotly anticipated match at 1 PM. I do mean “hotly”: There’s a heat wave going on in Europe and the expected high in Paris is 92, which is about 20 degrees above normal.
That’s all I’ve got for today. Back tomorrow with more news.