Today is “Lots Going On” day in Downtown Memphis. Here’s a summary:
- St. Jude Marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids’ race. The first runners depart at 7:00 and people will be running through Downtown and Midtown into the early afternoon
- Netherlands vs. USA in the World Cup knockout round of 16 at 9:00 AM. Many Downtown bars are opening early for the match and the runners: Brass Door (6:30), Bardog (8:00), Blind Bear (8:30), Max’s Sports Bar (8:30), Silly Goose (9:00)
- College football conference championship games on TV all day. See my Wednesday post for a summary
- Dear Evan Hansen at the Orpheum, 2:00 and 8:00 performances
- The Memphis Tigers host Ole Miss at FedExForum tonight at 6:30. It’s a white-out – wear white if you’re attending. The first 5000 fans get a Memphis rally towel. National TV: ESPN2
- The annual Stumbling Santa pub crawl. Every year 1000 Santas meet up at Flying Saucer (7 PM) and stumble to various bars around Downtown
My point is, I don’t recommend driving Downtown today, especially before noon. If you have to, prepare to be frustrated and allow extra, extra time.
I see the Tigers-Ole Miss game as a barometer game for Memphis, one that will offer a hint as to how the rest of this season will go. A win and we’re good. A loss and we’ll find ourselves fighting for an 11 seed in the NCAA tournament.
There has already been a college football result this weekend that will shake up the playoff picture: 11 Utah 47, 4 USC 24. Bye USC. That opens the door for 5 Ohio State (who doesn’t play today) to re-enter the conversation.
The Grizzlies defeated Philadelphia 117-109 last night. At 13-9, they sit in 4th place in the West, trailing Phoenix, Denver, and New Orleans, 2 games out of first.
The DM’s Drew Hill and Chris Herrington have a new podcast up breaking down the Grizzlies’ first 20 games.
Today is National Green Bean Casserole Day!!! My favorite!
It’s also National Apple Pie Day. I recommend you celebrate with a shot of apple pie moonshine at Blind Bear, only $5 all weekend long for the anniversary of Prohibition’s repeal.
Music Fest passes are now on sale. The event will be back in Tom Lee Park May 5-7. The lineup will not be announced until February, but right now you can buy a 3-day pass at a discounted price.
30 years ago today, the first text message was sent.
With Blind Bear, my normal happy hour spot, closed for a private event, I happy houred at Bardog for the first time in several months… and I had a blast! Dani was slingin’ the PBR. I got to see my friend NightHawk, then later I had great conversations with my friends Jenn and Ian and Donald. And our friend Allison came in after she got off work. I hadn’t seen her all week, which is unusual to the point that I wondered if she was mad at me. (She wasn’t.) I had such a good time that I’m going to consider making Friday happy hours at Bardog a regular thing.
Since I have a very early start today, I called it an early night, departing Bardog at 9. Right as my head hit the pillow, I heard a text notification go off in the other room. It was Allison, sending me a photo of her receipt.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Off to the Blind Bear to watch soccer.