Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian got a chance to check out the new House of Hops inside FedExForum last night during the Grizzlies’ home opener. He describes it as a brewery taproom-style atmosphere, with Wiseacre on tap and other beers to come. There are free-play video games, a Pop-a-Shot, and the food they sell resembles what you might find on food trucks. Sounds like a nice place to go in the fourth quarter, a nice alternative to staying in your seat and watching the Grizzlies throw the game away.
Jared Boyd of the DM has a look at the other new features at FedExForum this year: A grab & go, theater box seating with food and drink included, a value menu, a lounge by vodka company Lit, a carvery cart, a smoked brisket and mac & cheese cart, a lactation station, a sensory room, and more.
DJ Spanish Fly will play a set at Eight & Sand, the cocktail bar inside Central Station Hotel, this evening along with several other DJs. Things will get started around 6.
There’s an event called Bullies on Beale, but it’s not on Beale. Trust the Process Kennels will have approximately 50 dogs in Court Square today from 4 to 9 PM for a showcase.
The CA has five things to know before you go to the Elton John show at FedExForum Wednesday night. The show is sold out, but there are verified ticket resales on Ticketmaster.
The Orpheum is showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the big screen tonight. Bring your own props or buy a prop bag at the theater for $5.
I may check out RiverArtsFest later today – they have unusually good festival food, as I recall – but for the time being I’m going to wait out the rain at Bardog. Back tomorrow with more news.
If you’re going to the Grizzlies’ regular season home opener at FedExForum tonight, Geoff Calkins has a photo of the growl towel you will get for free:
There will be festivities tonight to celebrate the return of the Grizz. DJ Paul of Three Six Mafia, Gangsta Boo, DJ Wyte, and Seed of 6 will perform pre-game. The national anthem will be sung by blues & rock guitarist Eric Gales. Garry Goin and the Grizzlies House Band will perform outside on the plaza at 5:30 and the Grizzline drum line will march down Beale Street at 6. The Delta Cats Blues Band and Keelyn Ellis will perform on the Plaza concourse pre-game and DJ Mack will be at the top of the north escalator near section 228. Tip-off is just after 7 and the opponents will be the Chicago Bulls.
Jared Boyd of the Daily Memphian has a new look at the yet-to-be-named lounge in the bottom floor of Hotel Indigo.
Edible Memphis is back with the latest installment of Familiar Faces, people you might have seen at your favorite places to eat, but you never knew their story. This week Edible sat down with Gerald Darling of Wok’n in Memphis. You can find Gerald at the Asian-American restaurant inside the Puck Food Hall at 409 S. Main. His dream is a career where he can pursue justice for humanity.
As your #1 source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my pleasure to inform you that the Edge District Fall Festival is coming up Saturday, November 2. From 4 to 7 that afternoon there will be live music, s’mores, fire pits, axe throwing, pumpkin carving, turkey legs, and more. Clean Memphis will be on hand to discuss its initiatives, and The Compost Fairy will be there as well. The festival is free to attend with food and beverages sold separately. Mmmm I haven’t had a turkey leg since Music Fest weekend… may have to stop by.
Jon McEuen and the String Wizards play the Halloran Centre tonight. McEuen plays the guitar, banjo, fiddle, and mandolin, and the band will be playing early Nitty Gritty Dirt Band music and bluegrass music in a multimedia performance.
SMU defeated Houston 34-31 last night in an AAC clash, and that is a good thing. Why? By remaining undefeated, SMU has increased the chance that ESPN College GameDay will come to Memphis on November 2, when the Tigers host SMU at the Liberty Bowl in a matchup of the two best Group of 4 schools. Now Memphis has to hold up its part of the bargain and beat Tulsa tomorrow.
The Green Beetle is looking to hire a part-time server, someone who can work 2-4 days a week with weekend day availability. Best time to apply is after 4 PM Wednesday-Sunday when their front-of-house manager will be there.
Cordelia’s Market wants everyone to know that their annual Fall Festival will still happen tomorrow despite the threat of rain. Parts of the festival may be moved inside, but the show will go on. They’ll have a $3.99 fire sale on pumpkins during the festival.
There will be a Fire & Flow Freak Show at the Brass Door Halloween night. The Goddesses of Fire will heat things up at the Irish pub that evening. Tickets are $20 and first beer is included with ticket.
The Memphis Flyer has video of the new Ojo seated scooters that can now be rented at Explore Memphis bike hubs.
Toronto Raptors news: Marc Gasol got Grit & Grind engraved on his NBA championship ring.
Yesterday we were playing the “Fuck, Marry, Kill” game at the Silly Goose where you’re given a list of three people and you have to murder one, marry one, and have sex with one. The game devolved into lists of cartoon characters, and in one iteration of the game Eeyore, Piglet, and Winnie-the-Pooh were the choices. If you’re on a BBQ team you pretty much have to kill Piglet.
A very happy birthday to Mama Bear AKA Jeannette, owner of the Blind Bear.
Time to run to work. Back tomorrow with more news.
RiverArtsFest happens this weekend, Saturday 10-9 and Sunday 10-5, on Riverside Drive between Jefferson and Beale. This is the Memphis metro’s largest arts festival of the year. It features a juried artists’ market with nearly 200 vendors; the market is a great place to buy Christmas presents or pieces to spruce up your home. There will be live music on two stages throughout the day. Of course, there will be plenty of festival food and beer and wine as well. $5 gets you a wristband that gets you in-and-out privileges all day for the day you go. Admission is free for
Kids 10 and under
Those with a Race for the Cure bib
Everyone after 5 PM on Saturday
The Jimmy John’s on Union next to Parking Can Be Fun is now open. I’ll probably give it a try once or twice but I don’t see it displacing River Time Market & Deli on Court Square as my go-to sandwich location.
The Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team takes the floor at FedExForum tonight for the first time this season. They will host Christian Brothers in an exhibition game. The game will not be broadcast on TV, so you’ll have to buy a ticket to get a look at James Wiseman tonight. The Daily Memphian has a look at the bonuses Penny Hardaway could receive. There are not only bonuses for progress into the postseason, but for home game attendance and ticket sales as well.
Hernando Road, just east of B.B. King Blvd. between Union and Gayoso, will be blocked between 8 and 10 AM tomorrow (Friday) while a contractor uses a crane to remove signs from the Doubletree Hotel.
Ghost River Brewing Co. will host a Birthday Bash with Jack Oblivian Saturday, November 9 in its taproom 7:30 to 10 PM. No cover for the show to celebrate the taproom turning 3. Plus, there will be giveaways in the taproom all day leading up to the show.
Memphis Made Brewing Co. will host Bigfoot Fest this Saturday. A celebration of our friend in the woods will unfold that day with films, evidence, witness accounts, giveaways, and trivia.
The Memphis airport will hold a job fair next Wednesday, October 30, with a wide variety of positions to be filled.
I played trivia at the Blind Bear last night. I heard a member of one of the other teams, who couldn’t be there, told his teammates, “Don’t let Paul’s team win again.”
Guess what? Paul’s team won again
For one week only, Charles will be back calling trivia next Wednesday. Join him at 7:30 for an attempt to win a $40, $20, or $10 Blind Bear gift card for top three team finishes and a $10 gift card for best team name. Beer and shot specials for trivia players.
Central Station Hotel opened yesterday, and with it, cocktail bar Eight & Sand. French brasserie Bishop inside the hotel will open next month. Book your stay at Central Station
The Grizzlies open the regular season on the road tonight, visiting the Miami Heat. Tip-off time is 6:30 and as always, the game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southeast (831 on Comcast).
Carrie Underwood brings her Cry Pretty Tour to FedExForum this evening.
The Flying Saucer will have an ’80s Halloween Slash Back Saturday beginning at 9 PM. Costume contest with prizes for the best, drink specials, music by DJ Superman.
The Brass Door will open at 7 AM Saturday for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure runners and supporters. They’ll have an Irish breakfast, and those not running are welcome to hang out and enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and Irish coffee. You can also leave your bag at the Door if you don’t want to run with the extra weight.
The Silly Goose is having their Halloween costume party Thursday, October 31 beginning at 9 PM. Every hour on the hour from 10 until 1 there will be a costume contest with prizes.
Little River Band has announced a July 11, 2020 Orpheum date. I had no idea they were still around.
Public relations pioneer Harold Burson will be at the Halloran Centre tonight. The show is presented by Burson, Cohn and Wolfe and American Advertising Federation Memphis. Hmmm… someone from the BBQ team’s public relations department should go to this, and it’s my trivia night. Perhaps I will send the troll over there.
The Memphis Chess Festival happens on the lawn of Cossitt Library Saturday from 1 to 3. This family-friendly event is an afternoon of chess education and fun. You can be a human chess piece or help move giant chess pieces around a giant board. DJ KOJACK will be spinning the tunes. There will be face painting and free superhero costumes. They are also looking for volunteers, who would need to be there at noon.
It’s hard to believe that this coming Friday is the last Friday of the month. October flew by, didn’t it? Friday it will once again be time for South Main Trolley Night. The SMA will have a free show, SoulRight Trolley Night in Slider Inn’s back yard (Main and Talbot) with live music by Kady Roxz, Jordan Occasionally, and Tailored Makers. Over at South Main Sounds that evening at 7 there will be a Raelyn Nelson Band House Concert with $20 admission getting you a bandana, poster, and collector wristband as well as the show.
The annual State of Downtown and the Downtown Vision Awards will happen in the Central Station Hotel from 4 to 7 PM Friday. RSVP to Christine Taylor at taylor@downtownmemphis.com if you plan to attend.
Also for Trolley Night, Doc and Byron will perform at the Arcade restaurant at 7 PM, Chris Johnson will play The Vault at 8, and there will be a live DJ in front of Downtown Candle Co.
There will be a Soulful Murder Mystery dinner theater experience at the Century House, 153 Vance Saturday (show times 1 PM, 4 PM, 8 PM) and Sunday (2:30 PM, 7:30 PM). Ticket package includes not only dinner and a murder mystery, but poetry, comedy, and live music. Purchase tickets
Congratulations to Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar, recently named one of the top 25 fine dining restaurants in America by TripAdvisor for the third year in a row.
PBR is coming to FedExForum, but I don’t mean the beer. Professional Bull Riders will bring their Memphis Invitational to the Forum on Saturday, February 15.
(Wed 6:30 AM: I forgot to hit Publish before leaving the apartment Tuesday! Sorry about that.)
I got to sleep late today! Work asked me to shift my hours to 1 to 5 for one day only for a special project. It was nice to be able to stay out past midnight without worry of not getting enough sleep.
The AP preseason basketball poll is out, and Memphis came in at number 14. That’s slightly disappointing given that the Tigers have the nation’s top recruiting class, but it just means Penny and the team will have to go out and work their way into the Top 10. The blue-blood programs (Michigan State, Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke) occupy the top four spots.
Leave it to the Tennessee state legislature to screw up sports betting. Betting on sports in Tennessee will be online only. People won’t be able to experience the fun of stopping in a sports book on Beale Street to place a bet on the Grizzlies game, then walking over to FedExForum to watch they game they bet on.
I’ve heard a couple of creative uses for Skrewball, the new peanut butter-flavored liquor that is becoming a craze Downtown:
Go to the Green Beetle and add a shot of Skrewball to the Bushwacker, the Beetle’s chocolate-flavored slushie
Go to the Silly Goose and add a shot of Skrewball to a Joe, the Goose’s house-made coffee-flavored shot
Edible Memphis released a Classic Cocktail Guide this week. Among the Downtown cocktails: Bee’s Knees at Belle Tavern; Boulevardier at 3rd and Court; French 75 at McEwen’s; Martinez at Catherine & Mary’s.
The Peabody Hotel will host a Jack Daniel’s tasting & dinner celebrating 150 years of the hotel and the whiskey on Thursday, November 7. This will be a progressive dinner in the Peabody’s ballrooms, starting off with a cocktail reception, followed by a whiskey tasting, and then a 3-course Southern banquet served family style. Have a look at the menu. Whiskeys to be tasted include
Jack Daniel’s No. 7
Jack Daniel’s No. 27 Gold
Jack Daniel’s 150th Anniversary Whiskey
Jack Daniel’s “Peabody Select” Single Barrel
Tickets are $150 and include valet parking. Reservations
Bardog Tavern is expanding its staff and is hiring a night time chef/kitchen manager. Apply within between 2 and 4 PM.
The downstairs lounge is now open at 3rd and Court Diner. The lounge has a retro 1970s feel. There will be live music Fridays and Saturdays and a DJ Thursdays and Sundays. There will be plenty of Memphis music and a concentration of blues, funk, and soul from the 1960s and 1970s. The 3rd and Court menu will be available downstairs during the hours the diner is open, with burgers after-hours. The diner now serves breakfast all day long.
Got a pro tip from one of my fellow Bardog regulars yesterday: Get the sliders and dunk them in the beer cheese soup. That is GENIUS, right there.
The University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner tipped over yesterday:
Delectable Festival is coming to Beale Street Landing Sunday, December 1. Attendees will get carefully curated desserts and cocktails from some of Memphis’ best chefs, bakeries, and restaurants. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Caritas Village.
Wok’n in Memphis, the Asian-American restaurant in the Puck Food Hall at 409 S. Main, is hiring a sous chef. Here’s a copy of the job description.
-Must be able to lift 50+ pounds
– Must be able to exercise good judgment and decision-making abilities
-Must have good customer service
-Able to use the Square App
-Ensure that food comes out simultaneously, in high quality and in a timely fashion
-Comply with nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards
-Maintain a positive and professional approach with coworkers and customers
-Must be able to go up and down multiple flights of stairs
-Ability to work on your feet for eight hours or more a day
-High level of professionalism
-Comfortable working with a team in a fast-paced kitchen environment
-Must be punctual
-Excellent verbal communication and organization skills
-Nights and weekend shifts required
-Task driven individual
-Dumpling folding/making experience is a plus, but not necessary
Open to training the right candidate. Your attitude means more than your experience. Submit resume detailing your experience.
Two days off. 40 hours a week must have Lead Line Cook or Sous chef experience
Wiseacre brewery and El Mero Taco will host Dia de los Muertos on November 1. Dressing up is encouraged and there will be face painting. Beer and taco specials. Funds raised at this event will benefit Alive Rescue Memphis.
I hear the Sprock & Roll/River City Pedalers party pedal bikes got banned from multiple bars this week after one of the people on a party bike jumped off the bike and onto a moving U-Haul. A seat on one of those things does not come with a license to be an asshole. I wish all the bars Downtown would ban those things.
Saturday is the final Memphis Farmers Market day of the season. A few of my faves will be absent from Bardog Saturday, so I am considering making a Farmers Market trip that day. I haven’t been since August. People have told me I am missed down there, which makes me feel good.
Yikes – out of time! Got to get dressed and head to Silly Goose for D-RANKS and pizza with B-RAD. Back tomorrow with more news.
There’s a new Downtown writers’ group that convenes weekly, on Thursdays from 11 AM to 2 PM (although, you’re not expected to stay the whole time; just show up on your lunch hour). They will meet at Cafe Keough until the new Cossitt Library opens, and then they will move to the library.
Click the image above to view in a larger (readable) size. There’s no weekly commitment to the group, and it’s genre-neutral – whether you are a poet, a novelist, a nonfiction writer, a blogger, or whatever, you are welcome. You can also bring copies of your work to be critiqued by others. To get more info on this group, email dkbsabatini@gmail.com.
Just to be clear, I am not associated with this group in any way… yet… but since I get off work at 1 and they go until 2, I may come home Thursday, grab my MacBook, and head downstairs to Keough. Only thing is, I usually do my daily update posts in the morning before I leave for work, so I’ll probably spend my time mining news for Friday’s post rather than actually writing.
Tinder Box cigar shop on South Main hosts the 5th annual Memphis Smoke today from 1 to 6. They’ll have over 20 cigar, pipe, and tobacco vendors on hand. Live music by Charvey Mac and Vanelli’s Deli will be there with BBQ. There will be multiple door prizes that you can win. Special guests:
Willy Herrera, master blender for Drew Estate
Bradley Rubin, Alec Bradley Cigars
Dan Welsh, Tatuaje Cigars
Erik Stokkebye
There’s a VIP ticket you can purchase to Memphis Smoke that gets you in the after-party at Loflin Yard, where there will be food, an open bar, and one-on-one time with the vendors.
Pontotoc Lounge will have an 8-course dinner by 5 chefs Thursday, October 24. Here’s the menu: (click to view in a larger size)
They say you can make a reservation for the dinner on Resy but it looks like just standard lunch and dinner reservations on that site rather than for special events. I’d recommend calling them at 901-207-7576 to secure your spot.
I tried one of those bourbon cider slushies at Max’s Sports Bar last night.
The flavor was absolutely on point. Cider taste with a hint of nutmeg, and you can’t even tell there’s bourbon in there. I recommend getting one if you go down there to watch the games today.
Reminds me… when you’re a winner you tap all available resources to stay at the very top of your game. I bet Alabama head coach Nick Saban called Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott this week to pick his brain for pointers on how to beat Tennessee.
The Grizzlies are giving away 500 tickets to Friday’s season opener. Be at FedExForum at 9 AM Monday to pick up your pair.
Following the Tennessee Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case, Greenspace, the nonprofit that owns the Confederate statues that used to be in two Downtown parks, is free to do what they want with the statues and wants them out of Shelby County. My suggestion is to toss them off the bridge and let Ol’ Man River decide where their new home will be. I’m sure they will be quite a hit wherever in Mississippi they wash up to shore.
The new Friday Night Smackdown comes to Memphis on January 5. Following its move to Fox TV on Friday nights, Smackdown has become WWE’s A-show, featuring the likes of World champion Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt, Bayley, and The New Day. This show is only a couple of weeks before the Royal Rumble and should be a good one. Here’s a video from the October 11 Smackdown that made a lot of kids cry:
There is still time to enter a team for the Memphis Grilled Cheese Fest happening at the Hi-Tone Sunday, November 10. They’re also still accepting vendors and volunteers.
That’s it for now. Leading off at Bardog today, then heading over to Blind Bear to watch the Memphis game and then the Alabama-Tennessee game. Back tomorrow with more news.
The Grizzlies are back on TV tonight. They have a pre-season road game against the San Antonio Spurs tonight at 7:30 that will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southeast. Suggestions for bar owners/managers who have Comcast: Put a sticker on the back of your remote that says “Grizzlies are on 831” so bartenders won’t have to hunt through the channels to find it.
We’re a week away from regular season Opening Night at FedExForum. The Grizzlies will take on the Chicago Bulls on Friday, October 25 at 7 PM and all fans in attendance will receive a Grizzlies growl towel.
Bruce V of the Memphis Flyer has an excellent op-ed piece in this week’s issue: Take me to the PILOT. It seems that poor little Raymond James, which wanted to move its offices out east, couldn’t afford to do so on the measly $7.2 billion it brought in last year. So it had to panhandle the city to finance its move, getting a $3.2 million PILOT. This is not why the PILOT program was created. Shame on the EDGE board for pandering to corporate America.
While we’re on the topic of corporate America, here’s a list of the most hated terms among engineers and developers. Yes to every single one of these. “Agile” most of all. About 80% of companies that say they’re “doing Agile” aren’t actually doing Agile, although there are a few that get it right, like Lokion down the street from me at Main and Union. My one minor gripe with this list: They forgot that “action items” has a brother named “deliverables.”
Here comes Rusty aaaaannnnnddddd… they’re off. But Rusty isn’t going to come much longer and the greyhounds aren’t going to get off much longer. We’re approaching the end of an era. An agreement between Southland Casino Racing and the Arkansas Greyhound Kennel Association specifies that live dog racing at the park will be phased out entirely by 2022. The move shouldn’t hurt Southland much, since these days it is so much more casino than dog racing track. Besides, from what I’ve heard recently, it’s kicking all the Tunica casinos’ asses.
As you know, I have not been the biggest fan of Bird and similar e-scooters down here. However, this new development is one I can get behind:
We’re thrilled to partner with OjO Electric to bring a network of station-based seated scooters to Memphis, and we want you along for the ride. Volunteer to help get scooters docked at stations throughout the city next Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/pkiBHSOLb8
The scooters are seated, making them considerably safer. Also, you can’t just park them anywhere you feel like it; you have to dock them at one of Explore’s hubs. Now, this is a scooter program I would actually consider using. Kudos to Explore for an excellent addition to Memphis transportation.
Happy weekend, YOGA! Downtown Yoga has two special workshops coming up tomorrow, Saturday, October 19. At 1 PM guest instructor Ruben Del Bosque will teach a Mystic Vinyasa Flow class. The practice focuses on lessons from the Peruvian Medicine Wheel and begins and ends with the breath. Cost is $20.
Then at 4, del Bosque will lead The Liquid Spine Workshop. This practice will relieve stress and tension while enjoying an open heart and… oh, I don’t do yoga-speak very well, just click the link if you want to read the class description. Cost for that one is $35.
Phillip Ashley Chocolates has signed a contract with the new Central Station Hotel. They will provide candies for turndown service, as well as client and thank-you gifts, and at some point Phillip Ashley Chocolates will have a small presence on the restaurant menus as well.
Max’s Sports Bar has added a Bourbon Cider Slush to warm you up on these fall days while you watch football and the MLB playoffs.
The Memphis Tigers football team will once again be on national TV tomorrow night, hosting Tulane at the Liberty Bowl in a 6 PM game on ESPN2. After that game ends, switch over to ESPN to watch Alabama stomp Tennessee into the ground in a game that begins at 8 PM.
“Like” River Time Market & Deli on Facebook to find out which soups the deli on Court Square has as their daily specials. Blast! I missed white bean & ham yesterday. That is one I really want to try.
It’s Songwriter Night #128 at South Man Sounds, 550 S. Main, tonight at 7. Come hear Stephanie Addington, Aaron Lessnard, Katrina Burgoyne, and Yolanda Harper perform original music in an intimate setting.
Fans of the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck: It’ll be Downtown at Ghost River Brewing Co. tonight beginning at 5.
Roll over, Beethoven: Robert Moody and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra Unplugged present Beethoven Inside Out tonight at the Halloran Centre. Tickets are $35.
I’d like to close this post with one of the classic songs of the 20th century. Perhaps the MSO will perform this at a future concert.
Off to work. After work I’ll get out to Blind Bear and later Max’s Sports Bar on this beautiful fall day. Back tomorrow with more news.
The Memphis Union Mission posted an urgent equipment need to Facebook yesterday. I’m going to copy it below in case anyone can help.
As a lot of you know we are in the process of building a new Men’s Emergency Shelter! The current building is over 50 years old and so is most of the equipment. This past week we the large commercial washing machine went on the blitz and then 2 of the 3 backup residential washer also went out. We are running clothes, towels, sheets, etc. back and forth across Poplar Avenue to another facility, but the load is too much.
You may not know this, but we average 192 men who stay at the shelter overnight. In the winter we will be serving over four people system-wide nightly. Every man who comes in gets a hot shower (towel); a clean change of clothes, and of course dinner and breakfast.
You can see the need! We are in need of 3 new residential washers. We can pick them up! We would like to pick them up at the Home Depot located at 1627 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104. Is there anyway that you could help? Please email me at rdaniels@memphisunionmission.org if you want to get one for the men!
Tonight is Tropical Thursday at River Garden Park on N. Riverside Drive from 7 to 9 PM. Come dance to Latin music while enjoying river views. Don’t know how to dance in the Latin style? No worries – some of the best dance teachers in Memphis will be there.
As your #1 source of news and information about The Edge District, it’s my pleasure to tell you about a Midnight Halloween Party at Club Spectrum (600 Marshall) on Saturday, October 26. The event is BYOB and cover is $20. There will be an extra special Halloween drag show at midnight.
Thompson Square and Teddy Robb play a free, all-ages show at Handy Park (B.B. King Blvd. at Beale Street) as part of the KIX 106 Fall on Beale concert series tonight at 7:30.
Two performances for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert have been announced at the Orpheum for Saturday, November 30. The movie will play on the big screen while the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performs the score.
Service industry jobs: The GM of the Downtown Huey’s posted that she’s looking for hostesses, expeditors, and food runners.
Three punks attempted to rob the wrong people in an alley near Front and Talbot. Two men were looking at some art in the alley when the three would-be robbers pulled guns on them. The two men were FBI special agents. They pulled their concealed weapons, sending the punks running away. While I’m glad the robbery was thwarted, this shows the need for increased police presence in South Main, as a deterrent.
There’s a butcher dinner tonight at Puck Food Hall, 409 S. Main. The event is hosted by City Block Salumeria and features courses by Dave Krog of Dory, Nick Scott of Alchemy, and Chris Thorn and Mitchell Marable of P.O. Press. The event will wrap up with dessert by Franck Oysel of Interim. Tickets are $100 with an optional $30 beverage pairing.
Your Inner Yogi will host Silent Yoga on the Square at 5:30 PM this Sunday, October 20. This event will combine yoga and silent disco, complete with headphones. Cost is $15 and advance reservations are recommended. YOGA!
Trivia at Blind Bear every Wednesday continues to be a blast. Patrick releases the categories in advance. This week one of the topics was war. So I studied the great wars of history – the Peloponnesian War, the Hundred Years’ War, the Wars of the Roses… didn’t help much. Among the questions were: How do you win the card game War? as well as Name 5 songs from the band War’s greatest hits album. Same as last week though… I don’t regret studying the wrong stuff because I learned a lot.
The Center for Southern Folklore invites you to a taping of The Hollywood Show Sunday from 1 to 4 PM. Mid-South singers, dancers, and comedians will perform.
Yay… little barky dog didn’t get let out until 7:05 this morning, by which time I was already wide awake and about to get up anyway. I looked out my window to try and figure out what breed it is, but I couldn’t see it.
The Grizzlies hit the road to play Oklahoma City tonight at 7. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Southeast.
Cordelia’s Market will host Halloween Trivia Thursday, October 24 from 6:30 to 9 PM. Some of the categories will include Halloween movies, Halloween songs, and the history of Halloween. Space is limited so sign up in advance if you want to play. Teams of 6 or less are encouraged.
The 6th annual Making Strides Charity Poker Night happens tomorrow at 6 PM at the Blind Bear. This event will benefit American Cancer Society – Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Top three finishers will win prizes. This how the game will work:
Buy-in:
$20 donation gets you a starting stack of 2000 chips
$30 donation gets you a starting stack of 4000 chips
One rebuy allowed:
$10 donation = 1000 extra chips
$20 donation = 2000 extra chips
Rebuys may be by blind, instead of just one, based on attendance
If you want to play real poker, rather than “I’ll go all in with 9-4 offsuit and rebuy a bazillion times if I lose” like bar poker typically is, this is your chance.
Beer news: Max’s Sports Bar got a keg of Bell’s Uberon, a beer aged in Traverse City Whiskey barrels to coax out the flavors. It’s said to be a copper-colored beer, with whiskey characteristics that portray woody, vanilla, and toffee flavors. It packs a punch, weighing in at a powerful 10.30% alcohol by volume. Mike who bartends there says it’s the best beer ever. Um, Mike, it couldn’t possibly be more than the second best beer ever. You’re forgetting about PBR.
Not a Downtown thing but worth mentioning anyway: Iconic Midtown bar Zinnie’s is set to reopen November 1. This would be the corner bar at Madison and Belvedere that was Old Zinnie’s, not the building next door that was Zinnie’s East.
It’s being reported that Hasheem Thabeet, the Memphis Grizzlies 2009 #2 draft pick who turned out to be an absolute bust, has signed an NBA G-League deal. He last played NBA ball in 2014. As long as the deal is not with the Memphis Hustle… geez, Chris Wallace would attend every Hustle game and chant “CALL HIM UP! CALL HIM UP!”
Meritan at 345 Adams is holding a career fair today. They are hiring for Case Manager, Family Model Caregiver (full-time), home care specialists (part-time), home care specialists (personal care attendants, part-time), and RNs (full-time).
Curious Bike Tours will host a Downtown Memphis bike tour tonight starting at 6:45. Meet at 6 W. G.E. Patterson.
