Author: paulryburn

Thur update #2

If you have a ticket to the 8:30 PM Grizzlies vs. Spurs Game 6 tonight and are looking for a place to pre-game Downtown, the Redbirds invite you to do so for free at AutoZone Park. Catch the first several innings of the Redbirds game and enjoy Thursday night select drafts for $2. All the Club Level TVs will be tuned to the Grizzlies, and the remainder of the Grizzlies game will be shown on the video board once the baseball game concludes.

More baseball news: Saturday is The Edge Gets Lit alley party in Floyd Alley between Fourth and Danny Thomas, and the organizers of the event have cut a special ticket deal with the Redbirds. The gate will be open where Floyd Alley dead-ends at Fourth by the YMCA. There you can purchase a standing room/bluff ticket for only $5, and you will be given a wristband so you can come and go as you please. The gate is the only place the ticket will be offered – it cannot be purchased in advance and will not be available at the box office.

Support the fight against AIDS by dining at one of the participating restaurants in Dining Out For Life today. Participating Downtown restaurants include Catherine & Mary’s, McEwen’s on Monroe, Mollie Fontaine Lounge, Rizzo’s Diner, and Tart Memphis.

Idle and Wild play LYFE Kitchen’s weekly farmers market and live music series on the patio tonight 6-8 PM. When you buy any beer, wine or cocktail, LYFE Kitchen + Chisca Bar will buy your first taco. (Limit one free taco per customer.)

If you enjoy working outdoors, and if you love Downtown and want to promote it, you may be a fit for one of two part-time positions at the Downtown Memphis Commission. Project Assistants will assist in the setup and execution of events, activations, and projects in the Downtown area. These are part-time utility positions.

In other job news, Elite Total Health at Main and MLK Ave. is currently interviewing for a part-time nurse practitioner.

The Pig has returned to Downtown! Pink Pig Apparel, originally available at Shelton Clothiers and more recently at Life Is Good, can now be found at Sache at 525 South Main. If you come visit tomorrow night for South Main Trolley Night, Tom and Christine Shelton will be there to personally help you pick out your clothing.

It’s the one year anniversary of Drafts and Laughs, hosted by Comma Comedians, at the Memphis Made brewery tonight. Start time is 8:30.

The Moody Ques had a brief meeting last night, and I got some surprising news given how late in the year it is: As of yesterday, we still had 4 more team wrist-tiks than we have members. That means spots are still open! If you’ve ever thought about being on a BBQ team, email me at paul@paulryburn.com for information on how to join.

That’s it for now. Headed to the Silly Goose after work. Back tomorrow.

Thursday update

Local favorites Star & Micey headline tonight’s Peabody rooftop party with a special performance by Ocean Park Standoff. The buffet (included in price of admission) will pay tribute to Memphis this week, with sausage and cheese platters accompanied by biscuits. If you’re in VIP, you’ll have a second buffet of French onion quiche, lobster mac & cheese, and crab cakes. The special margarita this week is chipotle pineapple, and the moonshine special is Firefly Peach Sangria. Doors open at 6, music starts at 7. $15 cover charge, ladies and hotel guests free before 7. VIP pass gets you in all the parties for the season for $150 and can be purchased at the door.

The Grizzlies have announced promotions for tonight’s game. Tip-off time is 8:30 PM.

She said, stroke it, Clarence Carter, but don’t stroke so fast. If my stuff ain’t tight enough, you can stick it up my… Clarence Carter has been announced for the main stage of BBQ Fest on Saturday, February 20.

This Friday is South Main Trolley Night, held the last Friday of every month. Shops in the area stay open until 9 or later, some offering discounts, appetizers, and/or beverages. Of particular note: Old Dominick Distillery at 305 S. Front will host an open house from 3-8 PM in the Open Tasting Room. For many of us, this could be our first chance to get a look inside the distillery. At 387 S. Main, Stock & Belle will showcase the visual artwork of Mary Ellen Kelly, and Salon 387 will show the art and objects of Chloe York. SMA member? Stop by the member area next to Bluff City Cafe for burgers and adult beverages. The folks at South Main Sounds will take a rare Trolley Night off to celebrate a wedding in the family.

The Redbirds are back in town tonight and there’s an all-you-can-eat specialty ticket that includes wings, hot dogs, and one Coca-Cola product or bottled water per person. There will be select domestic beer sold for $2, and college students can get a left-field bluff ticket with valid ID.

Meeting for those interested in a more walkable, bike-able Memphis:

Job news: Clean Memphis is hiring an office & dispatch administrator.

Bleu is moving its monthly wine dinner to Friday night so as not to conflict with tonight’s Grizzlies game at FedExForum.

Vote for Z-bo and The Conductor for the NBA Community Assist Award:

That’ll do it for now. Possibly a second post later today.

Unusual recommendation: Erotic burlesque by a Suicide Siren at The Pony this week

Going to make a very unusual recommendation today. If you want to see something really different, go to The Pony any night tonight through Saturday around 10:00 for a great show.

Now, just to clarify, for those new to my blog, I don’t hang out in strip clubs. I’ve been to strip clubs maybe 4 times in my life, the last time being 14 years ago. Very rarely will you see a mention of strip clubs in this blog. This time, however, is worth an exception.

About 5:20 last night I arrived at the Silly Goose for happy hour. A woman two seats down from me struck up a conversation. She told me that she was a performer, in town for the week from Las Vegas. Given the proximity to the Orpheum, I incorrectly assumed she was with whatever show was happening there.

She told me her name was Chelsea and we quickly bonded, after learning we share eerily similar crazy experiences the past couple of years. Chelsea asked me if the person we had been talking about was a Scorpio. “No, she’s a different sign,” I replied. “But I’m a Scorpio.”

“I’m a Scorpio too,” Chelsea said, and told me her birthday. It was the same as my birthday! We showed each other our IDs.

I noticed Chelsea was covered in beautiful, intricate tattoos, and was starting to suspect the Orpheum was not where she was performing. Now, I hate to be “that guy” in a bar who goes, “So, you have tattoos, huh?” But I felt like I had built up enough rapport, so I said. “I have to ask you something. Two of my good friends follow this performance troupe called The Suicide Girls and are even personal friends with some of them. Are you a Suicide Girl?”

“Well, sort of,” she replied. “I started out as a Suicide Girl. Then three of us branched off and became the Suicide Sirens. I’m the leader of the Suicide Sirens. Normally all three of us perform, but this week I’m solo at The Pony.” She pulled up a video of one of her performances. The Sirens videos are NSFW so I won’t link to them here, but Google “Suicide Sirens” if you’re curious. “Do you want to take a picture so you can text it to your friends?” she asked. So we did.

Chelsea explained that her performances could be described as erotic burlesque, and my Google searches described them as an erotic circus. “I dance on light bulbs, eat fire, hang stuff from my nipples, eat glass, things like that,” she explained. If that sounds like a show you would enjoy seeing, head to The Pony any night of the next four around 10 PM.

“I’ve traveled to 60 cities to perform,” Chelsea told me. “I wish I had kept a diary of my travels, to record that I met people like you in each city. I do like to collect trinkets from the cities I visit.” I told her about one of the unique things about Memphis – BBQ Fest. I told her I’m the director of public relations of a BBQ team. She then met team president Clay, one of the Suicide Girls fans, who had just come in. We arranged to get a Moody Ques 2017 tank top printed and shipped to where she lives, and I gave her my Moody Ques 2017 Colombia-themed rubber wristband (we have extras so I can get another).

Chelsea also took a photo of the reason she struck up a conversation with me, Perjorie T. Roll.

It’s amazing how many cool people I have met by having this little troll stand on the bar. She’s an amazing conversation piece. She is even responsible for adding new people to the BBQ team. I would say that everyone ought to have a troll, but then Perjorie wouldn’t be unique and people wouldn’t ask about her. So never mind, don’t go get a troll.

Chelsea, if you stumble across this blog, it was a pleasure meeting you.

In other, time-sensitive news: The alley party planned for Barboro Alley tonight has been postponed due to the threat of severe weather.

Back tomorrow with more.

Wednesday update

Tonight’s the night of “The Artery” Alley Party. Come on out to Barboro Alley, located halfway between Union and Gayoso between Front and Second Streets. (If you’re not good with directions: Local, Aldo’s Pizza, Belle Tavern, and the location that was the old Kooky Canuck all border the alley.) There will be live music by Southern Avenue, new murals, new lighting, cornhole, ping pong tables, the Amurica photo booth (for free), craft beer, and MEMpops. Happens 6-9 this evening.

There’s a book for everything and South Main Book Juggler’s book signing this Friday night, from 6 to 9 during South Main Trolley Night, really proves it. Milk and Sugar: The Complete Book of Seersucker book signing Come visit and get your questions answered about the suit of your Southern roots, seersucker. I WILL BE THERE* because you know what a big fan of wearing suits I am.

NOTE: I define “there” as somewhere in the same building. South Main Book Juggler is in the Arcade building on the southeast corner of South Main and G.E. Patterson. Max’s Sports Bar is also in this building.

CodeCrew is hiring a curriculum and instruction manager. Founded two years ago, this nonprofit is to encourage Memphis children to choose computer science in college, career, and entrepreneurship. They especially encourage those in underrepresented demographic groups to learn to code. CodeCrew has a couple of summer internships open as well.

Freewheel is back tonight with its weekly slow ride, and this week it is a ride to Uptown and back. Meet outside the old Kudzu’s at 603 Monroe at 6 PM, or come a little early for discounted pints at High Cotton across the street. This is a ride at a leisurely pace, not a competition to keep up. Register here and reserve a bike if you need one.

Register your kids for Kids Katch, a fishing event for kids 12 and under, to be held Saturday, May 6 at Mud Island River Park.

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus Live, an off-Broadway comedy based on the bestselling book, comes to the Halloran Centre Friday-Saturday, May 12-13.

Downtown Yoga has a deal for you when you use the promo code MAY at checkout: Get unlimited classes for one month for $95. That is over 30% off the regular price for unlimited classes for a month. Expires May 31. Perfect for a yoga addict. YOGA!

Probably back at lunchtime with a second post, so check back.

Tue update: New hot wing place, win Grizzlies tickets, Flying Saucer to re-open and lots more

If you’re a fan of chicken wings, the Memphis Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has some news you are going to like. 901 Wings is coming downtown. The first 901 Wings, which was actually in the 662 area code in Southaven, was so successful that second location is being opened at 97 N. Main. It could open as soon as late this week. In addition to nine varieties of wings, the restaurant will sell Philly cheesesteaks, turkey burgers, salads, and loaded fries.

It’s game day! The Grizzlies play Game 5 of their playoff series in San Antonio tonight, with tip-off at 8 PM. After the last two games, I believe. If Memphis plays like it did in Game 3 and in particular if Z-bo is a beast, I believe we can steal one on the road tonight.

By the way, if you play Texas hold’em, you might want to show up for the free 7:30 game tomorrow night, Wednesday, April 26 in the downstairs of Bardog Tavern. First place prize is a pair of tickets to Thursday’s Game 6 vs. the Spurs at FedExForum.

The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has detail’s of the Flying Saucer’s grand reopening on Thursday, May 4, and finally I can let something out of the bag that I have known for months: The new menu will be based on the same gourmet burgers sold at Rodeo Goat, the Saucer’s sister chain. The Saucer is also changing the beer menu, focusing on the craft beer scene that has exploded in the 20 years since it opened.

A rather interesting festival is coming to three Downtown and Midtown spots today through Thursday – Taste of Science Memphis. Each night at Cafe Eclectic, High Cotton, and Tamp & Tap, scientists will gently talk science to non-scientists over drinks. The best researchers will make their work accessible to those without a science background.

Speaking of science, this happened at the March for Science in Chicago.

It’s Memphis Volunteer Week and there will be a pop-up volunteer party at The Washburn, 60 S. Main, Friday during lunchtime. Come in and complete a volunteer project that takes as little as 60 seconds, and you will get free pizza from Aldo’s. You can choose a project benefiting MIFA, Memphis Botanic Garden, or Catholic Charities.

The Memphis Tigers basketball team has booked a home-and-home series against LSU. The LSU Tigers will come to FedExForum December 28, with Memphis going to Baton Rouge in the 2018-19 season.

From the CA: Construction is ramping up on the stretch of Union leading into the Downtown core.

Spring has sprung, YOGA! Sunset Yoga returns to Memphis Park at Front and Jefferson Tuesday, May 2 at 6 PM. This is a free class by Downtown Yoga but you need to click the link and register and get a ticket. Free parking in the garage next door. There will be free wine post-class, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic. They have some extra mats but ask that you bring your own if you have one. Sunset Yoga will happen the first Tuesday of every month.

Got an upcoming flight on GLO Airlines? If the date is after April 28, you need to call 1-855-IFLYGLO. The company filed for bankruptcy and is suspending flights for the time being.

There will be a cash & carry jewelry and accessories show at the Memphis Cook Convention Center this Friday through Sunday.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with more news.

The Edge Gets Lit this Saturday in Floyd Alley

What I think could be the hidden gem of the spring festival season happens this coming Saturday. Everyone knows about the big spring festivals like Hot Wing Fest, Brewfest, Rajun Cajun and Wine Race – but there’s a new party on the calendar this year. On April 29 from noon to 11 PM, The Edge Gets Lit.

It’s a celebration of the lighting of Floyd Alley between Fourth and Danny Thomas, creating a walkable, safe environment. This event is free for the public to attend and it is family-friendly. There will be live music, dance troupes, craft beer from the local breweries, and of course there will be food – in fact, Jamaican restaurant Evelyn & Olive, on Madison Avenue in The Edge, is the title sponsor. There will also be a dog olympics, story telling, art and craft vendors, and demonstration art.

The music lineup is strong, with the Side Street Steppers, The River Bluff Clan, Delta Nomads, Ghost Town Blues Band, Deering and Down, Devil Train, and an EDM showcase with DJ Cameron.

For those not quite sure how to get to Floyd Alley, turn south on Fourth from Madison. Half a block south of Madison, you will see an alley next to the Fielder Square parking garage. That’s it! This alley will soon be home to a new BBQ joint, Arnold’s BBQ.

The organizers of this event personally emailed me over the weekend and invited me to come. Invitation accepted! This should be a great event that brings the community together, so come support!

Grrrrrrrrizzlies and Saturday news

The growl towel for tonight’s Grizzlies vs. Spurs playoff matchup has been revealed. “Grit, Grind, & Represent.” The two teams collide at FedExForum at 7.

The Memphis Flyer covers the changes at LYFE Kitchen Chisca. Rather than being a cookie-cutter corporate chain where each restaurant is the same, LYFE tries to craft each location to match the surrounding neighborhood. They recognized that Downtowners like to drink, and have focused on craft cocktails at the bar. They also want to have a great patio, with patio parties and a farmers market every Thursday. In addition, LYFE Chisca is the first restaurant in the chain to have full table service.

The Memphis Redbirds have a really good blog post about manager Stubby Clapp and his mentor Gaylen Pitts, known as “Chief.” Chief was key to Clapp’s success as a baseball player and now as a manager. Clapp says he picks Pitts’ mind every chance he gets. As a little boy in Little Rock, I grew up watching Gaylen Pitts manage the double-A Arkansas Travelers.

If you were thinking a few beers at the Memphis Made taproom sounds good today, think again. They are closed for a private event and will be back open to the public tomorrow. Never fear, though, still plenty of good local craft beer to be had at High Cotton, Ghost River, and Wiseacre.

There will be an Addicts’ Lives Matter March tomorrow, Sunday, April 23, in Court Square at 2 PM. Every day 144 people are lost to an accidental overdose.

Papa Top’s West Coast Turnaround rides into Loflin Yard tonight at 10.

Want to work in The Edge? Trolley Stop Market is hiring for all positions: servers, delivery drivers, line cooks, and cashiers. Apply in person at the market after 2 PM, or send a resume to trolleystopmarket@live.com. They are requesting no phone calls.

Also out in The Edge, there’s free document shredding, up to 5 boxes, at the Commercial Appeal this morning from 9 to 12. Want more news about The Edge? The official Edge District Facebook page is a reliable and credible source.

Memphis in May BBQ teams who need to get shirts printed – if you don’t have a printer in mind, talk to my friend Josh Cottrell who works out of Winfield’s at Main and Madison. He has done the Moody Ques shirts for several years and has done an excellent job. He can help with the design too. Go by and ask for him, or if it’s more convenient email me at paul@paulryburn.com and I will put you in touch with him.

Speaking of BBQ Fest… check out the sweet koozie I scored from my friends’ BBQ team at Max’s Sports Bar yesterday!

This koozie is going to get some use this weekend. Thanks so much to Squeal Street and I look forward to spending a lot of time in your booth this year. You know how I like to say “thanks for the hospitality” with portraits of Andrew Jackson.

Which reminds me… public service announcement for my readers… if you are an invited guest to a BBQ Fest team’s booth, and you stick around a while and eat some food and drink some beverages, be sure to feed the pig (leave some money in the tip jar). Think about it – let’s say you visit a friend’s team booth and have ribs, a pulled pork shoulder sandwich, smoked sausage, beans and slaw, and four beers and two Jello shots as well. If you ordered that at Central BBQ you’d be looking at a $40 tab. I’m not saying throw $40 in the tip jar, but given that this is your friend who invited you to eat and drink and enjoy an event that most people don’t get to experience, can you imagine yourself putting half that amount in the pig? Of course, you can’t be forced to tip, but it buys you a good name and makes you likely to be invited back next year.

By the way, BBQ team members are not expected to feed their own team’s pig, since they already paid dues.

A wet morning was expected but it looks like the worst of it has passed the Memphis metro… so my weekly visit to the Memphis Farmers Market is on like neckbone! I wonder if any of the meat vendors sell neckbones at the Market? I’ll have to check. After the Market I’ll be over at Earnestine & Hazel’s being a jukebox hero and showing Clarence my new koozie. Back tomorrow with more news.

Friday update #2: More events tomorrow, The Edge gets a website, silo plan nixed

Want to watch people jump off a tall building? Over the Edge Memphis happens Downtown tomorrow, Saturday, April 22. Individuals who raise a minimum of $1000 for Orphanos, a nonprofit that helps orphans and vulnerable children in Memphis, will get a chance to rappel off the top of the 21-story Raymond James tower at Front and Jefferson. The fun starts at 9 AM.

The Memphis Silkies hike happens tomorrow, departing from Bass Pro at the Pyramid at 8 AM. Did you know that 22 veterans commit suicide every day? The group will hike 22 miles to raise awareness of this fact and to raise money for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Only veterans and active military are allowed to participate in the hike, but the public is welcome to come up and cheer and applaud the hikers and show support.

Bleu is posted its menu for its April 2017 wine dinner on Thursday, April 27 at 6 PM. Food will be prepared by Chef Ana and the event will be hosted by Bobby Maupin of West Tennessee Crown Distributors. The dinner is $60 plus tax and gratuity. Mmmm… Pork Three Ways will get everyone in the mood for BBQ Fest!

The Edge District has its own website now. Check it out. The Edge is the neighborhood bounded by Fouth, Jefferson, Manassas, and Union.

Memphis VegFest happens tomorrow at the Levitt Shell from 11 to 5. Bianca has the details.

If you’ve thought about taking up yoga but were never sure how to get started, Downtown Yoga is starting a new 6-week beginner’s series Tuesday, May 9. The cost is $60. Sign up here. One of my friends started a yoga practice several months ago, and just last week she was telling me not only has yoga built muscles, but it also has made her feel more balanced, how the little things that used to get to her don’t now.

The American Commercial Barge Line has dropped its plans to erect two silos that could block views of the river from the French Fort neighborhood.

The Memphis Flyer has a piece on how to make a soft-boiled egg. I will throw in one additional piece of advice… use eggs that are fresh from the farm, sold at the Memphis Farmers Market. It’s open from 7 AM to 1 PM tomorrow at Front and G.E. Patterson.

Finally, Friday is here. Normally I would lead off at Jessica’s bar at Silly Goose to kick off the weekend. However, my troll, who is still mad at me for not letting her adopt a Triceratops, has asked if we can do happy hour at Max’s Sports Bar instead. She wants in on that $3 Fireball they have until 7 PM. So I will defer to the troll… Max’s it is. It looks like some of my friends from the Squeal Street BBQ team are going to be there, and it will be a pleasure to catch up with them. Back tomorrow with more news.

Friday update

The Memphis Redbirds have announced a ’90s Night at the ballpark for Saturday, April 29, with special guest Principal Richard Belding from “Saved by the Bell.” There will be a special ticket called Detention with Mr. Belding at the Max where you will get a Meet & Greet with Mr. Belding, a game ticket in a suite, and a dinner menu inspired by The Max near Bayside High. Dinner will feature burgers, fries, onion rings, tots, soda, and an ice cream Sundae bar. Mr. Belding will be signing autographs through the fourth inning in this celebration of all things ’90s. Game time is 6:35 PM.

There will also be this deal on ’90s Night:

This is the dawning of the age of asparagus is the theme this Saturday at Memphis Farmers Market. “We’ve got another beautiful Saturday in front of us,” reads the weekly Market email. Clearly they didn’t watch a weather forecast before hitting Send. Pick Tennessee has a handy What’s in season this month? guide to help you know what to expect at farmers markets. Live music by Tony Manard 8:30-10 and Merit Koch 11-12:30. The Market happens under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM. If you go between 10 and 11, there’s a good chance you’ll see me there! And if you don’t, I’m probably sipping a PBR at Earnestine & Hazel’s down the street!

Hmmm playing ’50s and ’60s rockabilly and country tunes on E&H’s jukebox while it storms outside sounds darn near perfect… other than the “getting there while it’s storming outside” part… I’ll try to work something out.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is starting a new monthly concert series to benefit local nonprofits, choosing a different nonprofit to support each month. The first concert will be this Sunday, April 23, benefiting Citizens to Preserve Overton Park. Cash donations will be taken at the door, and a portion of proceeds will be given to CPOP. Doors open at 1 and Brandon Taylor leads off with the live music at 2. The Moon Glimmers take the stage at 3, there’s a free brewery tour at 4, and then the Turnstyles play at 5. Food trucks Arepa901 and MEMpops will be on site all day.

If you’re free this afternoon, Memphis Medical District Collaborative could use your help from 2 to 4. They will be organizing a clean-up of The Edge District, in particular The Edge Neighborhood Triangle Park and Floyd Alley. Meet at the MMDC office (656 Madison) at 2 for assignments and refreshments.

The first ever Ignite Memphis Edu will happen at Clayborn Temple on Monday, April 24. Ignite is a format in which 12 speakers fire off 20 slides in 5 minutes each. Ignite has been popular in Memphis for several years, but this one will be a bit different: All the talks will be about education. Some of the city’s most passionate and talented people will share their perspective.

There’s a new podcast called The Rub. It’s about BBQ, grilling, and competition cooking.

Temporary tenants have been named for the OPEN on Main Street initiative. Fourteen vendors will occupy spaces at 7 and 9 N. Main for one month each between May and November. Tenants will be able to set up shop rent-free. Of particular note: Phillip Ashley Chocolates in November!

From the Flyer: Three-time gumbo champ at Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest spills all her secrets

Want to taste the cuisine of Memphis in May’s 2017 honored country, Colombia? There will be a Taste of Colombia dinner at Chez Philippe Saturday, May 13. Chef Juan Felipe Camacho, highly regarded in the South American food scene, will prepare the dishes of his native country. Cost for the dinner is $75 and you need to make reservations in advance.

Help get RiverPlay ready:

Ludacris has pulled out of Music Fest. 2 Chainz will be his replacement. He will be on stage Saturday, May 6.

Off to work. Possibly back at lunchtime with more news.