Troll the ancient Samhain carol… fa la la la la, la la la la

Special guest post
by Perjorie T. Roll

Greetings and salutations, my fellow citizens of Memphis. I’m Perjorie, Paul’s troll. In case you forgot what I look like, here’s a pic of meeeeeee!

I was about to tear into a Honey Sriracha hot wing from the Flying Saucer. It was sooooo good. Give them a try if you like spicy food. Christina is working  day shift today, maybe I can talk Paul into going to see her!

Anyway, Paul is taking a little time to put his costume on, so I volunteered to totally bring the blogging excellence today. Paul asked me to make a list of what is going on today, like he did yesterday. There’s less happening than there was yesterday, because Saturday is the big party night, but I’ll see what I can find.

Atomic Rose – Spooktacular Rainbow Brunch with food service starting at 11 and a drag show hosted by Bella DuBalle at 12:30; bingo with Pattie O’ at 2

Bass Pro at the Pyramid – Trick-or-treating 3-6 PM

B.B. King’s – The Blues Trio 11:30 AM; Flic’s Pics Band 3 PM; Divercity 7:30 PM

Blind Bear – Second day of their Saturday-Monday 3-day Halloween celebration

Blues City Band Box – FreeWorld, 8 PM

Cannon Center – Je’Caryous Johnson presents “Set It Off”; tickets from $47

Earnestine & Hazel’s – They have a throwback DJ in the back room (5 Spot) on Sunday nights

Elmwood Cemetery – True Crimes of Bygone Times: A Cemetery Tour 3-5:30 PM $20 (sold out)

FedExForum – Memphis Tigers vs. Lane College Dragons, 1 PM

Ghost River on Beale – Pam & Terry 3:30-6:30 PM

Loflin Yard – Grassfire Bluegrass Band, noon

Moxy Memphis – Post-Halloween-party recovery IV Hydration Station by Elite Total Wellness 10 AM-2 PM

Rum Boogie Cafe – Eric Hughes (solo) 4:30-7:30; Vince Johnson at night

Tin Roof – Evil Dead Brunch with bottomless mimosas starting at 11 AM

Wiseacre Downtown – 20% off six-packs sale continues today

I met some creepy dolls this past week. Would you like to see them?

Are you a fan of puppets that look like old people? The Golden Girls Show – A Puppet Parody comes to the Halloran Centre next Friday-Sunday. It’s been rescheduled from February 28 when distancing restrictions were still in effect.

The Silly Goose got new bar stools in yesterday. Here’s me standing on one of them:

And here’s me standing next to a goose who’s thinking, “What kind of crack this fool been smokin’.”

Paul and I heard several people say they were setting their clocks forward yesterday. Paul asked me to post this public service announcement:

  • The time change happens on the first Sunday in November. Today is the last Sunday in October. We’re not in November yet, so no time change this weekend.
  • We fall back an hour for the November time change. We spring forward in March.
  • Daylight Time ends on the first Sunday in November, and Standard Time begins. Daylight Time returns in March.

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center opened its first Health Hub at 534 N. Second. The Health Hub will give people and trolls who live in the Uptown neighborhood better access to health care.

Here’s me with a fried jalapeno bite from Flying Fish:

Memphis 901 FC beat Indy Eleven in the final match of the regular season last night. As the third-place time in the USL Eastern Conference’s Central Division, 901 FC will hit the road to play Charlotte Independence, the second-place team in the Atlantic Division in the playoff first round.

Memphis’ other team playing at home last night, the Grizzlies, didn’t do as well, losing to the Miami Heat 129-103.

Here’s me with the corned beef hash that was the brunch special at Bardog a week ago yesterday:

The first rankings of the season by the College Football Playoff Committee will be released Tuesday night. Fun fact: Paul and I were sitting next to Michigan State Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III’s former English teacher at Bardog yesterday.

Here’s me with the Shrimp Lo Mein from Stix Downtown:

Paul tried to upload this pic twice last week and got an HTTP error both times. For me, it went right up without a problem. If you need something important done, ask a troll to do it. This is the Stix food that came with that yummy cup of teriyaki sauce. Paul said he highly recommends it.

Did you know that my birthday is coming up? I will be FIVE YEARS OLD on December 7! I’m glad Paul let me write this post today, because it’ll give everyone plenty of time to go out and buy presents.

Time to get this party started. We’re off to the Blind Bear for the second day of their 3-day celebration. Paul said to tell his readers that church is not the only place they might find Jesus today. Happy Halloween!

Saturday update

OK. Let’s do a quick rundown of everything I’m aware of that is happening Downtown today. To make things easier to find, I’m going to do this in alphabetical order. For more details about any of these events, visit the venue’s website or social media.

Atomic Rose – Drag show hosted by Bella DuBalle at 10, with special guest Minerva from Denver and final performance by Pristine Decay; costume contest 11 PM $300/$50 (bar tab)

AutoZone Park – Memphis 901 FC vs. Indy Eleven, 6 PM

Bardog – Costume contest at 11 PM sharp with cold, hard cash for the winners. $250/$100/$50

Bass Pro at the Pyramid – Trick-or-treating 4-8 PM

B.B. King’s – The Blues Trio 11:30 AM; Flic’s Pics Band 4 PM; The B.B. King’s Blues Club All-Star Band 8:30 PM

Blind Bear – Happening Halloween: Brimstone Jones plays 9 PM-1 AM. Costume contest, drink specials, food specials. The Bear has posted that they will celebrate “3 Days of Halloween Saturday-Monday.”

Blues City Cafe Band Box – Eskimo Brothers 8 PM

Brass Door – Wear your costume and get $1 off any local draft

Carolina Watershed – Live performances and a $300 costume contest

Cordelia’s Market – Trunk-or-treat and meet & greet 3-6 PM.

Earnestine &Hazel’s – Max Kaplan and the Magics 9:30 PM

Elmwood Cemetery – Tombs: A Mausoleum Tour noon-1:30 PM $20

FedExForum – Memphis Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat, 7 PM: Grizz-o-ween: Free Grizz face masks to the first 10,000 fans

Fire Museum of Memphis – Scavenger hunt, 9 AM-4 PM

Ghost River on Beale – Costume contest 8-9 PM

Ghost River on Main – Prizes for best costume handed out every hour, on the hour all day

Grind City Brewing Co. – 10% off for adults in costume; bring your child or fur child and receive a treat

James Lee House – The James Lee Hallow Masquerade 6:30-11 PM, tickets $100

Loflin Yard – Loflin Grave Yard: DJ in the Coach House, adult costume contest at 9 (singles, couples, and group winners) and spooky specials

Majestic Grille – CLOSED for brunch and dinner today due to a wedding; back open tomorrow

Max’s Sports Bar – All the games, all day long, on a dozen TVs. $2.75 PBR

Memphis Farmers Market – Final day of the Market’s regular season, 8 AM-1 PM

Moxy Memphis – Howling Halloween featuring House in the Midsouth, 6-9 PM

Mud Island – Kayak Memphis Halloween Sunset Tour, 5-7 PM (sold out)

Paula & Raiford’s Disco – Discoween: Doors open 9 PM-3 AM

Rumba Room – $300 costume contest; free salsa lessons with Edgar Mendez and the Salsa Memphis Dance Team 9:30 PM

Rum Boogie Cafe – Eric Hughes (solo) 4:30-7:30 PM; FreeWorld 8 PM-midnight

Silly Goose – $100 in house cash to the best costume every 30 minutes from 10 PM to 3 AM

Tin Roof – Nightmare on Beale Street costume contest $125/$50/$25

Wet Willie’s – Wicked Willie’s Halloween Bash: Costume contest 8-9 PM $250/$50/$25; $2 bloody finger shots; Halloween “Hocus Pocus” daiquiri special

Wiseacre Downtown – Left Unsung, a Grateful Dead tribute, in the outdoor beer garden 5-7. This show was rescheduled from yesterday due to rain. All 6-packs on sale for 20% off Friday-Sunday

Let’s get on to the other news…

The State Senate and House of Representatives both passed a bill yesterday which would limit the Shelby County Health Department’s authority. During a pandemic, no local official or health department would be able to supersede a governor’s health-related order.

I have mixed feelings about the bill. On one hand, people in Shelby County – not Nashville – should be the ones to decide when to implement or lift local mask mandates. On the other hand, the county health department is getting exactly what it deserves for implementing some of the incredibly stupid restrictions on restaurants last year – things like 2-hour max time for a table to dine and a rule that you must purchase food to order alcohol. I bet the preachy Facebook “health experts” who supported (and even seemed to look forward to) such restrictions are having a cow at this latest turn of events.

Penny says that Emoni Bates, Landers Nolley II, and Johnathon Lawson, all of whom sat out last Sunday’s game vs. LeMoyne-Owen, will play tomorrow’s exhibition vs. Lane College. Still out: Chandler Lawson, waiting for his transfer from Oregon to be completed.

For a list of college football games of interest to Memphians today, see my Monday update post.

ALSAC, the fundraising arm of St. Jude, invites the public to a community meeting Monday, November 1 from 5-6 PM to discuss the proposed 7-story parking garage along A.W. Willis Ave. in Uptown. To prevent the spread of COVID, they will hold the meeting outside, on the lot on Seventh St. north of A.W. Willis.

Hugging is one of many activities you can do with sheep, and today is Hug a Sheep Day.

FINALLY! The FDA has announced emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine in kids 5-11.

That’s it for today. Halloween tends to be a very slow news day, so it may be Monday before I post again. Or maybe I’ll let the troll do a guest post tomorrow.

A love letter to trivia, poker, and live bands, plus a ton of Friday news

Dear trivia, poker, and live bands,

Tonight I realized something important. All these years I took you for granted. I never realized how much I enjoyed you until you weren’t around anymore. I’m truly sorry. Please come back.

Sincerely,
Paul Ryburn
9:32 PM Thursday, October 28, 2021

There. I said it. And now, let’s get on to the news.

Tonight is a huge night in Downtown Memphis, as the Music on Main festival happens on three stages and at various shops and restaurants on and around South Main. Let’s have a look:

In Barboro Alley, Main at Barboro next to Aldo’s Pizza Pies:

  • 2:30: Memphissippi Sounds
  • 4:00: Lydia Warren Band
  • 5:30: Maxann

G.E. Patterson Stage by the Arcade Restaurant:

  • 6:00: Dottie
  • 7:30: Southern Avenue

Beale Street Stage by the Orpheum:

  • 6:00: The PRVLG
  • 7:15: Al Kapone
  • 9:00: North Mississippi Allstars

Other things to do in the area tonight:

  • Central Station Hotel: Halloween party
  • Slider Inn Downtown: Max Kaplan in the Slider Out yard 7-10
  • Earnestine & Hazel’s: Mobile beer and shot carts out front; Werewolf Metal by New Science System at 8
  • The Vault: Brenton Parker playing late night
  • Vibe & Dime: Bourbon tasting
  • Civil Axe Throwing South Main: Grand opening
  • Odds Atelier: Fashion Killer Halloween party
  • Max’s Sports Bar will have the World Series on
  • Primas Bakery + Boutique: Viva la Plant Bus will pop up outside
  • Paper & Clay: Greenhouse by Ainsley pop-up selling homemade juices
  • Carolina Watershed: Jackie and Kota at 8 PM

The Downtown Memphis Commission is hosting a State of Downtown virtual panel discussion Wednesday, November 3 at 11 AM. Panelists include

  • Paul Young who runs DMC
  • Rick Shadyac from ALSAC/St. Jude
  • Beverly Robertson from the Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Mark Resnick from the Brooks Museum

The event will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook.

A bill in the Tennessee House would strip local health departments’ authority to override the governor’s executive orders during times of health emergencies. 6 of Tennessee’s 95 counties, including Shelby, have independent health departments that have autonomy. If the bill passes, if Shelby County health officials wanted stricter restrictions than the rest of the state, they would have to ask the Tennessee Department of Health. Also, if the bill passes, future county health department directors would be chosen by the state rather than County Mayor Harris.

For those of you who live in The Rise out in The Edge District, you can now show your Smart Partner card at Sabor Caribe to receive 10% off your order. If you call in a to-go order, say you’re a Smart Partner. The discount cannot be combined with specials of the day or other discounts.

In other Edge District news, Evelyn & Olive is selling stuffed jerk Thanksgiving turkeys starting at $65. Call 901-748-5422 to place your order. Orders must be paid in full at the time you place them.

YOGA! Chloe Elam will host an all-levels yoga class in Butler Park on Saturday, November 6 at 9 AM. Following the class, walk over to By the Brewery restaurant for a cup of coffee, on them. Register here. You’ll need to bring a yoga mat and water bottle.

Silly Goose will have its Halloween party Saturday, October 30 from 10 PM to 3 AM. The Goose is now keeping its wood-fired pizza oven operating late into the night on weekends.

LeMoyne-Owen College will hold a homecoming pep rally in Court Square Saturday at 10:30 AM. Following that, Bruce Johnson Hall on the LOC campus will host volleyball (noon), women’s basketball (4 PM) and men’s basketball (6 PM).

I saw a commercial advertising the Monday, December 6 live broadcast of WWE Monday Night Raw from FedExForum. The matches are always subject to change, but as of now, the main event is a six-man tag team match: RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Matt Riddle) and WWE Champion Big E vs. Bobby Lashley, A.J. Styles, and Styles’ personal colossus Omos.

South Point Grocery, the grocery store planned for Webster Avenue in the South Main District, now has its own Facebook page.

The Grizzlies defeated Golden State in overtime, 104-101, to improve to 3-2 on the season. The Grizz return home, where they will host Miami (Saturday) and two games against Denver (Monday and Wednesday).

FedExForum is no longer requiring fans to wear masks at Grizzlies and Tigers games. The entrance policy, however, is still in effect – you must show proof of at least one dose of COVID vaccination or a negative COVID test result no more than 72 hours old.

The DM has a podcast with an inside look at the Bigfoot Festival happening at Memphis Made Brewing Co. tomorrow.

Lil Baby plays FedExForum tonight, along with Gunna, 42 Dugg, and Mooski. The vacc-or-test policy enforced at Grizzlies and Tigers games does not apply to this show.

The CA has a preview of Downtown Dining Week.

UGH the forecast… high 56 with light rain showers and a northwest wind at 14 miles per hour… low 50 with a slight chance of drizzle tonight. I’m going to triple-layer my PBR hoodie, a windbreaker pullover, and a T-shirt (but don’t worry, I will still have shorts on) and try to enjoy tonight’s festival despite the cold. Back tomorrow with more news.

Thursday update

The new sign is up at Downtown Walgreens

Saturday will be costume contest time at both Ghost River locations. At the taproom and Main and Crump, dress to impress the beertenders no matter what time of day you come in. They’ll hand out prizes every hour.

At the Beale Street taproom, the costume contest will happen between 8 and 9 PM. Be prepared to strut across the stage. Prizes:

  • 1st place: Ghost River sweatshirt and $1 off a 4-flight
  • 2nd place: Medallion T-shirt and stickers
  • 3rd place: Ghost River pint glass and stickers

Ghost River will have limited-batch Halloween beers at both locations this weekend.

If you’re bummed out that the free outdoor yoga classes Downtown come to an end as October does, the DMC points out that you have a few more yoga opportunities as part of the Fieldaze festival happening the weekend of November 5-7.

  • Saturday, November 6 from 11 AM-noon: Flow Yoga with Candace from Yoga Kickback at Wiseacre Downtown
  • Sunday, November 7 from 2-3 PM: Flow Yoga with Candace from Yoga Kickback at Wiseacre Downtown
  • Sunday, November 7 from 5-6 PM: Sunset Yoga with Bridget in Fourth Bluff Park

YOGA!

Yeah, about that Sunset Yoga class on the 7th: Technically, the sun will set before that class begins. Daylight Time ends at 3 AM on Sunday, November 7, when the clocks will “fall back” to Standard Time. Sunset that day should occur around 4:59 PM. UGH.

People always ask, if the clock falls back to 2 AM, are the bars allowed to stay open until the second 3 AM that occurs that night, which would be 4 AM if we didn’t switch over to Standard Time? The answer is no, and the reason behind observing the earlier closing time is that the people on the Tennesee Alcoholic Beverage Commission are a bunch of assholes.

Struggle Jennings, the grandson of country music legend Waylon Jennings will perform with his band A Killer’s Confession Tuesday night at Tin Roof. Doors open at 7, show at 8.

The DMC wants to take the frustration and confusion out of parking Downtown. In a meeting of the Downtown Mobility Authority yesterday, the DMC unveiled a plan to become the information hub for parking in the area, price parking to encourage shorter stays on street parking and longer stays in garages, and to unlock vacant garages and lots for parking.

In case you missed my second post yesterday: The mask mandate is over!!! Health Directive No. 27 changes its language to make masks in most public indoor spaces “highly recommended” rather than a “must.” Masks are still required in schools, government buildings, and on public transportation. The health department warns that the mandate could be brought back if the holiday season leads to another surge in case numbers.

The Grizzlies stumbled in a 116-96 loss to Portland last night. They’ve got to turn around and get right back in the saddle, with a 9 PM game at Golden State tonight.

Today looks like my first PBR hoodie and shorts day of the year, with a temperature of 60 as I type this and not expected to get much warmer during the day. Good chance of rain, gusty winds, low of 50. I notice that MemphisWeather.net’s extended outlook has a good chance of below-normal temperatures for the November 4-10 period. Typically highs are 64-67 during that stretch and lows about 20 degrees lower. “Below normal” temps could indicate our first lows in the 30s of the season.

The Peanut Shoppe will not die at the end of 2021. The CCDC approved a $30,000 retail tenant grant yesterday to upgrade the shop’s new location at 121 S. Main. The shop has to move from its current space at 24 S. Main at the end of the year. This is exciting news indeed. If you live too far away to shop the Main Street location, you can order online.

WREG Live at 9 has a look at next week’s Downtown Dining Week. I must say, I’m a little disappointed that, only 4 days out from DDW, half the participating restaurants have not uploaded their menus to the DDW website. I usually do a “Paul’s Picks” of the best menus right before the week starts, but what’s the point when half the menus aren’t available?

I will say this: Rizzo’s and Felicia Suzanne Restaurant are worth a DDW reservation even without seeing the menu. Those are two restaurants that always show out big time for Downtown Dining Week.

The pandemic caused cigarette sales to rise last year. It’s the first time in 20 years sales went up from the previous year.

Today is National Chocolate Day.

A man is charged with stabbing his wife to death at the Edison Apartments near Danny Thomas and Jefferson yesterday. He allegedly tried to clean up the blood with household cleaner and a vacuum.

View a list of trucks that will be at today’s Court Square food truck rodeo. DJ John Best will supply the tunes.

Max Kaplan will perform an acoustic set for the season finale of Live at the Tracks at Central Station tonight 6:30-9:30.

Memphis’ music incubator The Consortium MMT presents Raneem Imam and Better in Color at Moxy Memphis tonight 6 to 9.

Plans for tonight: I’ll probably play the always-fabulous Bad Bear Bingo with Sharmin at the Blind Bear (8 PM start time) then grab a 6-pack at City Market and come home and watch the Grizzlies-Golden State game. Hmmm… given the market’s tendency to close earlier than its posted time, maybe I better go ahead and get that beer run done now. Back tomorrow with more news.

Wed update #2: Shelby County drops mask mandate

Health Directive No. 27 is out and it is now “highly recommended” that businesses require their employees and customers to mask up, but the businesses are no longer required or mandated to make that requirement.

It makes sense. COVID Act Now has Shelby County at 9.9 new cases per day per 100K, a fifth of the 50/day/100K level at which the CDC recommends everyone including vaccinated people mask indoors.

I’ve been openly flouting the mask mandate at some places I frequent for about 2 weeks now and no one has said anything. I’ve also witnessed health inspectors visit 2 restaurants in the past month, and they did not check for masking at all. Might as well remove the mandate since it’s clearly not being enforced.

 

Wednesday update

The DMC has released an updated flyer for the Music on Main festival happening Friday. Although the main performances start at 6, you can catch live music as early as 2:30 in the afternoon in Barboro Alley. (Click the image to view it in a larger size)

A rock legend is coming to Downtown Memphis. Nick Mason is the drummer for Pink Floyd and the only musician who was a member of that band throughout its entire existence. He and his band Saucerful of Secrets will tour North America in 2022, where they’ll play early Floyd classics. They’ll be at the Cannon Center on February 9.

Good news about a Downtown business: Prospero plans to hire 300 new employees in the next 5 years and will move from One Commerce Square to the office building at 50 S. B.B. King. Prospero helps seniors get Medicare benefits that are already included in their plan, but which they may not be aware they are entitled to. I hear it is a great place to work.

Memphis Farmers Market is now accepting vendor applications for its Turkey Day Market (November 20) and its Homegrown Holiday Market (December 11). Email manager@memphisfarmersmarket.org for more details. The last market of the regular season happens this Saturday.

The Memphis Redbirds, Memphis 901 FC, and AutoZone Park are looking for a Corporate Sales Account Executive. They’re looking for someone with at least 2 years sales experience in sports, broadcast, or entertainment, and who can be available to work some nights, weekends, and holidays.

Memphis 901 FC has a home match against FC Tulsa tonight in what is effectively a playoff game – the winner gets the 3 seed in the USL Central Division for the playoffs and the loser gets the 4 seed. $2 draft beers for those over 21 who attend. Watch the game on channel 906 (Comcast), 6 (Dish), or 5.5 (rabbit ears).

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Portland for a game that will be nationally televised on ESPN tonight at 9.

Rumors are out that Pancho’s will close its two remaining restaurants at the end of this week to focus on the distribution of its dips to supermarkets. However, nothing official has been released. Employee “Anonymous” told the DM’s Jennifer Biggs Saturday would be the last day.

Could this be a marketing gimmick to drive business to the restaurants? Kudos to Pancho’s if that’s the game they’re playing. Few forces drive human emotions more than the feeling of scarcity.

Forbes has a look at the Hyatt Centric Hotel.

If you’re a systems integration nerd, you’ll enjoy this story about the challenge First Horizon faced merging its operations after acquiring IberiaBank.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. hosts its annual Bigfoot Festival this Saturday. There will be encounter stories, presentations by experts, and the latest videos suggesting the existence of Bigfoot. There will be a costume contest as well. $10 admission.

Today is American Beer Day. May I recommend the PBR?

I ended up getting sidetracked and I missed the DNA meeting last night. I’ll try again in November.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

You read it here first and now it’s official – Felicia Suzanne Restaurant will move to the old Spindini location, 383-385 South Main, in Spring 2022. The restaurant will continue to operate in its current Brinkley Plaza location until the end of March.

I am SUPER excited to attend my first Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting in 14 years this evening! It’s at The Landing Residences, at 1 MLK Ave. (corner of Wagner Place). The rooftop has city views and an infinity pool, and is said to be a must-see space. City Council Chair Frank Colvett and City CFO Shirley Ford will speak. Social hour 5-6, meeting & presentation 6-7. I’d love to meet some of my blog readers who are DNA members. I’ll be the guy with the long blond hair and shorts, come say hello!

Maciel’s has announced that they will have birria available on Thursday. Wikipedia describes birria as “a traditional ancestral soup or stew made from a combination of chili pepper-based goat meat adobo, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, and thyme, and cooked at a low heat.” Beef, lamb, or sheep may be substituted for goat. Birria is served with corn tortillas.

Cool app I learned about yesterday: Weather Puppy. Every time you check the weather, you get a pic of a cute puppy too.

Edible Memphis recently sat down with Drew Barton and Andy Ashby, proprietors of Memphis Made Brewing Co., and they talked about plans for the new Memphis Made location in The Edge, surviving the pandemic, and plans to expand distribution.

Cordelia’s Market is looking for an energetic cafe associate to join their team.

Food & Wine answered a question that a friend of mine asked recently: What’s the difference between snow crab and king crab?

Useful: 9 YouTube URL tricks you should know about

State Senator Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) has been indicted on federal campaign finance charges. The government alleges he illegally transferred money from his state Senate campaign to “a national organization that rates members of Congress” (sounds like the NRA) and then to his failed 2016 U.S. House campaign. I’ve heard a lot of Republicans participated in a similar scheme in this time frame.

Today is Chicken Fried Steak Day.

Four teenagers stole a car at the Springhill Suites as the driver was dropping it off for the valet.

The Flying Saucer will host Halloween trivia tonight, with questions about movies, TV shows, and candy.

Rock out with some Werewolf Metal at Earnestine & Hazel’s Friday night.

Chris Gray plays the Tin Roof tomorrow 5:30-7:30.

The Rumba Room will hold a Halloween party Saturday night with a $300 costume contest. Free salsa lessons at 9:30. Earlier in the day, at noon, they will host a Hallowoof dog costume contest.

The James Lee House at 690 Adams will host The James Lee Hallow Masquerade Saturday night. Tickets are $100 and guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes or cocktail attire. The Kruzz Kontrol Band will perform and there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

Tomorrow night and every Wednesday night is College Night at Craft Axe Throwing. Throw for 25% off with valid college ID.

Moxy Memphis will host a Howling Halloween party featuring DJs from House in the Midsouth Saturday 6-9 PM.

Wet Willie’s on Beale Street will host Wicked Willie’s Halloween Bash Saturday from 6-11 PM. Costume contest 8-9 for a chance to win a $250, $50, or $25 Wet Willie’s gift card. “Hocus Pocus” Halloween daiquiri special: Sour Apple, monster Melon, Call A Cab, and garnished with rum-soaked gummy worms.

The Family Safety Center will Light a Path of Hope tomorrow at 6 PM. The Hernando de Soto Bridge will turn purple to commemorate domestic violence victims and survivors for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Memphis Spine and Sport at 372 S. Main will hold a blood drive this Saturday.

Join Just City this Friday from 5 to 8 PM at the Commonwealth Building, 240 Madison, for an exhibit entitled Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration. Artist Mark Loughney is currently incarcerated, and this is a project he began in 2014 to humanize fellow prisoners. Proof of COVID vaccination will be required upon entry, or you can upload it when you register online.

We’re down to a 7-day rolling average of 93 new COVID cases per day in Shelby County.

That’s it for now. I had meant to attend the DMC Safety Task Force meeting this morning but overslept. If anybody went and wants to give me a recap (in particular, if anything was said about the recent shooting at the Riverset Apartments on Mud Island), that’d be cool. Back tomorrow with more news.

Monday update

I sure hope construction on Riverside is finished by October 2022 so River Arts Fest can be moved back to its traditional location. Having it at the Renasant Convention Center just wasn’t as much fun.

The kids’ activities, art demos, and live music were outdoors on Exchange Avenue, and you didn’t need a wristband to partake in those activities. Three food trucks were parked there as well – Smurfey’s, Stickem, and Trap Fusion. They’re all excellent, of course, but River Arts Fest was missing festival food and a wide variety of vendors. In past years, I have enjoyed Cajun food, Chinese fried rice, cinnamon pecans, Pronto Pups, and funnel cakes from festival vendors. None of that was there.

The artists’ booths were in the convention center and you had to have a $10 wristband to get in. You couldn’t bring food in with you and walk around and munch as you looked at the art. The art was every bit as excellent and diverse as I expected, but it felt more like a museum setting than a festival one.

Still, though, cheers to River Arts Fest’s organizers, who did the best they could with the situation they had. Also, cheers to the Renasant Convention Center for the assist in providing the space. It would have been a shame if Downtown’s premier arts festival hadn’t happened 2 years in a row.

The Memphis Tigers got a 105-57 win over LeMoyne-Owen in Sunday’s exhibition game at FedExForum. Four players who are expected to be strong contributors to this year’s team did not play: five-star recruit Emoni Bates, returning player Landers Nolley II, Oregon transfer Chandler Lawson, and his brother Johnathon Lawson. Next up: The second and final exhibition game vs. Lane College, Sunday at 1 PM at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies had their first loss of the regular season last year, 121-118 in overtime to the L.A. Lakers. Ja Morant had 40 points and 10 assists.

I know it’s early in the week, but since Monday’s a slow news day, let’s go ahead and list college football games this coming weekend of interest to folks in the Mid-South. All listed games will be played Saturday, October 30.

  • Memphis, Arkansas, and Tennessee all have bye weeks
  • 2 Cincinnati at Tulane, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
  • 6 Michigan at 8 Michigan State, 11:00 AM, FOX
  • 1 Georgia vs. Florida, TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, 2:30 PM, CBS
  • Arkansas State at South Alabama, 4:00 PM, ESPN+
  • 10 Ole Miss at 18 Auburn, 6:00 PM, ESPN
  • 12 Kentucky at Mississippi State, 6:00 PM, SEC Network
  • 19 SMU at Houston, 6:00 PM, ESPN2
  • 20 Penn State at 5 Ohio State, 6:30 PM, ABC

Tomorrow’s post may be late getting up because I may have a meeting to attend at 9 AM.

Sunday update

It’s Tiger basketball time! Penny’s team hosts the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians, with head coach Bonzi Wells and assistant coach Lionel Hollins, at FedExForum at 4. If you go to the game, be sure to read the arena’s health screening policies.

The Grizzlies improved to 2-0 in league play last night with a 120-114 victory over the L.A. Clippers on the road. They’ll remain in Los Angeles for an 8:30 game against the Lakers tonight.

The matchup you really want to mark down on your calendar, though, is Wednesday’s 9 PM game at Portland, nationally televised on ESPN. Ja vs. Dame. This is a chance for Ja to make an early-season statement that he is All-Star level this year.

Memphis 901 FC lost to Louisville last night on the road. They’ll be back home Wednesday in an important match vs. FC Tulsa that will determine who is the USL Central Division 3 seed and 4 seed in the playoffs.

That Alabama-Tennessee game was absolutely delightful. The Vols looked competitive in the first half, and I had to remind myself, “This is Tennessee. They’ll screw it up. They always do.” Sure enough, the Vols’ defense apparently thought college football games only last 45 minutes, and Bama rolled to a 52-24 victory, its 15th consecutive in the series.

This Friday is the 2021 South Main Trolley Night grand finale. I’ve never known Trolley Night to take months off before, not counting during the pandemic of course. Anyway, there will be a lot going on that night. Trolley Night will coincide with the first-ever Music on Main festival, with one stage by the Arcade and another by the Orpheum. North Mississippi All-Stars, Al Kapone, Southern Avenue, and The PRVLG will all perform and it’s absolutely free to attend. Also that night:

  • Civil Axe Throwing will have the grand opening of its South Main location, and you can book a reservation and be entered in a chance to win Grizzlies tickets.
  • Black Sheep Meats and Memphis Modern Market will have a night of shopping, music, and drinks in 409 S. Main
  • South Main Hemp will have a night of live music by Raneem
  • Halloween parties at Central Station Hotel and Odds Atelier

What will the weather be like Friday? The MemphisWeather.net forecast says it will be near 60 for a high and near 50 for the low, with a 40% chance of showers. Sounds like perfect PBR hoodie and shorts weather for me.

Here’s a link to James Aycock’s COVID Week-in-Review for Shelby County. Good news: Our rolling average of cases/day/100K and our positivity rate are among the lowest at any point of the pandemic. Vaccinations are low, though, and I agree with James’ frustration that it’s taking so long for the FDA to approve vaccinations for kids 5-11.

Loflin Yard will become Loflin Grave Yard next weekend. On Saturday the 30th they’ll have a DJ in the Coach House and an adult costume contest at 9 PM, with prizes for individual, couple, and group winners. On Sunday the 31st they’ll have candy for trick-or-treaters, and at 8 there will be a costume contest for dogs.

Today is Food Day. Well, that’s about as generic as holidays get. It’s also National Crazy Day and that’s a holiday I hope leaves me alone.

The Daily Memphian has a look at day 1 of RiverArtsFest. I’m heading down there for Day 2 in a little while. Back tomorrow or Tuesday with more news.