There’s a Pride Month event in Downtown Memphis tonight, and I wanted to mention it prominently because I’ve been told it got left off some Pride Month schedules. The annual Big Gay Dance Party happens tonight at the New Daisy on Beale from 8 PM to 1 AM. Tickets are
- $15 for those ages 18-20; these tickets do not include alcohol
- $25 for general admission for 21 and up; includes a spirited punch while supplies last
- $130 for the Drag Superstar VIP experience. That gets you access to the New Daisy’s balcony “with all its quirky little rooms,” an open bar, and a wide selection of hors d’oeuvres.
The theme is “Hate Is a Drag!” and the purpose is to support drag performers and the LGBTQ+ community during a time of political turmoil. As you may have heard, the Tennessee legislature passed a ridiculously stupid law severely restricting drag performances in public places. A restraining order has blocked enforcement of the law until a judge can rule further next week, so the dance party is safe to proceed.
The party will provide a safe environment where you need not feel afraid to be yourself. DJ AD will provide the music. There will be drag performances and entertainment by QCG productions.
Do me a favor if you go… look for a blonde named Cinnamon behind the bar and tip her generously! She’s been a great friend to me.
In other Pride Month news:
Dos Hermanos is on the ground floor of the Cossitt Library, northwest corner of Front and Monroe.
I woke up yesterday morning to a post on Facebook saying the kitchen would be closed at one of my favorite Downtown spots all day. “I know they’ve had trouble with the kitchen ceiling there,” I thought. “I guess they’re doing repairs.”
No. That wasn’t the reason.
The kitchen of the business is manned by almost all Mexicans. They were participating in a nationwide one-day strike by Hispanic workers to protest Florida’s new immigration law.
In my ongoing job search, I set up an account on ZipRecruiter and filled out some preferences. Among the jobs it recommended I apply for:
- Sales Specialist – Firearms at Bass Pro Shops (I have never fired a gun in my life)
- Server at Flying Saucer
Methinks I need to refine those preferences a bit.
The reason the “server at the Saucer” job is so funny is that I was a regular there for years and made fun relentlessly on this blog of some of the flyers they put up. To review a couple of their greatest hits:
- “Enjoy a Guiness on St. Patrick’s Day at the Saucer.” You’d think folks who work in a business that positions itself as a beer garden would know how to spell “Guinness.”
- Posted November 1: A picture of a clock along with “Daylight Saving Time begins this week.” DST actually ends the first week of November and Standard Time begins.
Yep, pretty sure Saucer corporate would veto any attempt I made to get a job there.
At least the Saucer never put “since MMXVIII” on a T-shirt. Pat yourself on the back if you got that reference.
Okay, I refined the search criteria and now ZipRecruiter thinks I should be a boat sales specialist at Bass Pro. Scroll down to yesterday’s post to see how I feel about boats.
Drake will bring It’s All a Blur Tour to FedExForum June 29. 21 Savage will open.
The final of the River Series spring concerts in Harbor Town Amphitheater will happen this Saturday starting at 4 PM. Aquarian Blood will perform, as will the Turnstyles and DJ Bizzle Bluebland. Get tickets in advance $10 adults/$5 kids.
Grind City Brewing will host Headspace, an IPA and sour festival, Saturday beginning at noon. Live music, food trucks, games.
Today is National Donut Day and WREG has a list of where to get free donuts. Unfortunately, none of the locations are Downtown. Free donuts? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Gril will show up.
Today is also National Leave the Office Early Day.
Wow I never would have guessed this… Modelo Especial has overtaken Bud Light as the best-selling beer in the U.S. Bud Light sales are down 25.7% from this time a year ago.
The SEC has voted to play 8 games in the 2024 football season. A 9-game schedule was also under consideration. Once Texas and Oklahoma join, the SEC will be divisionless; no more SEC West and SEC East. In addition to the 8 conference games, each SEC team must play at least one nonconference game per year vs. an opponent from the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, Pac-12, or a major independent.
UGH… a new poll shows King Willie leading the race for mayor. WHY MEMPHIS WHY??? Paul Young is an exciting, dynamic candidate who would be so much better in that role. People gripe about how old President Biden is… WILLIE IS OLDER THAN BIDEN!
It boggles my mind that in 2023 I’m blogging about Willie Herenton.
The DM has a look back to Hard Rock Cafe’s 1997 Memphis opening, considered at the time to be a major score for Beale Street. The restaurant will close July 30.
Incoming Memphis Tigers basketball player Mikey Williams has lost one of his endorsement deals. Williams is facing six felony gun charges. Williams might want to ask Ja Morant how waving a gun around can affect your earning potential.
Speaking of Ja: NBA commish Adam Silver says the league is purposely waiting until after the NBA Finals to announce its findings on the latest incident of Morant allegedly waving a gun on an Instagram video. Silver said he does not want the announcement to distract from the Finals.
Kingpin Skinny Pimp plays Carolina Watershed tonight.
We Are Here, an exhibit celebrating contemporary LGBTQ+ metal artists, will open at the Metal Museum on Sunday.
Apple will unveil its first virtual reality headset on Monday.
Air-conditioned football helmets are now a thing.
Arrow Creative’s Marketplace in Motion returns to Loflin Yard this Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
The Good Groceries Mobile Diner food truck will be in Health Sciences Park today from 11:30 AM to 1 PM.
That’s it for today’s post. Back tomorrow probably.
