Category: Uncategorized

We start the week with a few days of above-normal temps for November. MemphisWeather.net’s forecast has us at 72/48 today, 72/50 tomorrow, and low 70s/high 50s on Wednesday. Then rain moves Thursday and we’re back to below normal temperatures. Normal for this time of year is mid 60s/mid 40s.

Commuters, keep in mind that today is Meat Loaf Day. What’s that, you ask? It’s the day when everyone drives like a bat out of hell. For some reason, sunset occurring before people leave work causes Memphis drivers to tailgate 6 inches from the car ahead’s bumper as opposed to the normal 12 inches, drive at least 20 MPH over the posted limit, and check every social media app on their phone while driving.

Red Bones Turkey Legs, the stuffed turkey leg restaurant and caterer that operates out of Carolina Watershed, has started doing to-go orders 7 days a week. Call 901-207-6172 to order. This won’t change the hours Watershed itself is open, which are 4-10 Thursday and Friday, 11-10 Saturday, and 9-11 Sunday. Menu

Silly Goose has completed its training and maintenance and is once again staying open until 3 AM on Sundays. Previously they had been closing at 7 PM for a few weeks.

The Grizzlies host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7. Catch the game on Bally Sports Southeast (Comcast 831). I like it when games start at 7 because it is easier to get them on TVs at bars if Monday Night Football has not already kicked off.

Tennessee Highway Patrol is assigning more cars to the Memphis interstates. This is great news because it will allow Memphis police to focus more on city crime. Thanks to Jerred Price of the DNA for sharing that news on Nextdoor.

Congratulations to the Memphis Tigers women’s soccer team, who defeated South Florida yesterday to win the NCAA championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. You can stream the selection show at ncaa.com this afternoon at 3:30 to be among the first to learn the Tigers’ seed and who they will face in the first round.

Disney’s The Lion King begins an 18-day, 22-show run at the Orpheum this Thursday. That is great news not only for Broadway lovers, but also for nearby restaurants that will see an increase in business. Looking for a place to dine before the show? The Majestic, Pontotoc Lounge, and Rizzo’s would be three of my top recommendations.

That’s it. Slow news day. Back tomorrow.

Today is the last day of Downtown Dining Week, and some of the restaurants have 3-course Sunday brunch specials for $20.21. For those of you who are fans of the extremely popular chicken & waffles at Blind Bear: You can get them with a soup or salad or biscuits & gravy and apple moonshine bread pudding for $20.21 today 11 AM to 3 PM.

It’s also the last day of Fieldaze, celebrating the many things to do outdoors.

Pleased to see Arkansas and Memphis upset ranked teams yesterday: Memphis topped 23 SMU and Arkansas beat 17 Mississippi State. Arkansas became bowl-eligible with that win. Memphis needs one more.

Congratulations to all the kids who participated in the World Junior Barbecue League Championship at AutoZone Park yesterday.

Here’s a link to James Aycock’s COVID Week-in-Review that he posted yesterday. This tweet is the one in the conversation that stands out the most:

The very good news is that kids can now get vax’d.

Finally.

But I don’t understand the strategy here. We’ve had months to plan for this. And yet, per https://t.co/VtdRXZMOy0, this is the map of where vaccine appointments are located.

Wtf, y’all?

Seriously, wtf?

12/ pic.twitter.com/gnKhcm78kV

— James Aycock is vax’d & masked (@firstresponses) November 6, 2021

If you’re a Downtowner with kids aged 5-11, you have to drive for miles and miles to get them vacc’d. Actually, that’s not my biggest concern, because most Downtowners are affluent enough to afford transportation. But what about our friends two miles to the north at KIPP Middle School? What about our friends two miles to the southeast at Larose Elementary? Why don’t they have the same access to vaccines as kids who live near Kirby Parkway or Poplar Pike or Germantown Road? To quote James, seriously, WTF?

Memphis 901 FC’s season has ended. They lost to Charlotte in a road playoff game last night. Congratulations to the Memphis squad on their best season yet.

Urevbu Contemporary, the gallery at 410 S. Main, hosts Art, Cocktails & Conversation for the Art Curious this afternoon at 5:00 (which by the way is sunset today). Participants will receive an introduction to the gallery, a tour, and information on how to get into collecting art.

Rumba Room hosts 90s vs. 2000s karaoke tonight 6 to 11.

Grassfire Bluegrass Band plays Loflin Yard at 12.

Louise Page will perform a pop-up concert Friday at lunchtime at Edge Plaza at Monroe and Marshall. If you get hungry, the Stick’em and Smurfey’s Smokehouse food trucks will be there.

Here’s an event with a name that is so Memphis: Brews, Breakfast, & Bullets. You can grab breakfast, get your concealed carry weapon permit, then celebrate with a beer. It happens at Grind City Brewing at 8:30 AM Saturday.

Veterans, you can receive a free Legendary Burger at Hard Rock Cafe all day long Thursday (Veterans’ Day).

Downtown Local has $3 tacos and live music every Tuesday.

College GameDay will be in Oxford on Saturday for the Texas A&M-Ole Miss game.

ABC 24 has a look at the history of Daylight Time, which ended for 2021 this morning at 3 AM/2 AM.

Please support your local Jack Pirtle’s this week. Its Bellevue store was heavily damaged by fire but its kind, wonderful owners made sure that the Bellevue employees were relocated to other stores and no one was put out of work. The closest Pirtle’s to Downtown Memphis is at 890 Thomas.

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

Tonight is the latest possible night on the calendar, November 7, that the clocks can fall back an hour. That means:

• Today’s sunrise, at 7:26 AM, is the absolute latest sunrise Memphis can see
• Today’s sunset, at 6:00 PM, is the absolute earliest Daylight Time sunset Memphis can see

I don’t normally wish for individual players on other teams to have bad seasons, but it’s of note to Memphians that Portland point guard Damian Lillard is in a slump right now. That could allow Ja Morant to jump into the All-Star conversation even more than he already is.

Those of you who frequent bars and restaurants on the southern end of the Downtown core (approximately Union to Beale): Keep an extra close eye on your belongings when you’re out this weekend. We have a homeless guy who has been coming to the restaurants and looking for anything he can take. He mainly looks for cigarettes, but he has been known to pick up and chug a beer a customer left unattended while using the restroom. I don’t know for sure that he’d take a phone or a laptop, but I wouldn’t advise finding out the hard way.

The thing about this guy is, although he asks for cigs/money/beer, I don’t get a “professional panhandler” or “bad guy” vibe from him. I get an “off his meds and doing the best he can under those circumstances” vibe. I’d like to get him information about the Hospitality HUB, but it’s about a mile walk from where I’ve seen him. I get the feeling he wouldn’t remember what I told him, even if I drew him a map. This is a problem a friend of mine was talking about on Facebook last week – how do we safely reach out to people in need, where they are, and get them connected to resources?

The Grizzlies took a bad road loss to the Washington Wizards last night, 115-87. Next up: At home vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Monday at 7.

Memphis Tigers on national TV alert: Tune into EPSNU at 11 AM for the football Tigers’ home game vs. SMU.

Two of the DMC’s programs won awards from the International Downtown Association this week. The programs were the BuildDowntown Master Plan, and the South City Good Neighbor Grant.

New York Times: Will world-class architecture bring civic pride back to Memphis?

Local 24’s Eryn Rodgers visited Cupcake Cutie as part of Downtown Dining Week.

Ditty TV has a tour of Wiseacre Downtown’s brewing facility.

Today is National Wine Tasting Day, although I have one friend who did plenty of celebrating of that holiday Wednesday and Thursday.

Rumba Room celebrates Dia de los Muertos tonight. Authentic decorations, free salsa lessons, photo opportunities, free makeup artist.

Impala with The Turnstyles plays the Harbor Town Amphitheater at Maria Montessori School 2-5 this afternoon.

Bass Pro at the Pyramid kicks off its annual Santa’s Wonderland this weekend. Today’s 5-7 PM event is strictly outdoor with reservations required. Santa starts appearing in the store tomorrow.

Feelin’ Groovy Fest happens today starting at 1 PM at the Ghost River taproom on Beale Street. Jeffrey & The Pacemakers, The Bugaloos, and Pam & Terry play soft rock classics all day.

Black Cream plays a free concert on Wiseacre Downtown’s outdoor beer garden stage tonight 5-7.

The Memphis Youth Symphony Program’s Fall Orchestra Concert happens today at 1 at the Cannon Center.

Nashville country act Lazy Jane plays a free show at Tin Roof at 3:15 this afternoon. Chase Wright, also from Nashville, plays at 7.

7-day rolling average of new COVID-19 cases in Shelby County has dropped to 79. I wonder if the average will rise a bit next week as we begin to see cases that developed after the mask mandate was lifted.

That’s it for now. Heading out to either Bardog or Blind Bear to watch the Memphis-SMU game. Back tomorrow with more news.

Everyone in the Downtown core and South Main areas, please be on the lookout for an English cocker spaniel named Oakley. She was in a car that was stolen earlier this week, and she was dumped out of the car on Pontotoc Avenue Downtown. She’s been seen in the area of the Hyatt Centric and also around the intersection of Tennessee and Huling.

Fieldaze, the festival that introduces you to all there is to do in the great outdoors in Memphis, kicks off today and runs through Sunday. Offerings include half-marathons, 5Ks, bike rides, dance classes, walking tours, kayak races, yoga classes, Zumba classes, a Grizzline performance, scavenger hunts, and much much more.

New business to follow on Facebook: Downtown Hookahs. They sell disposable hookahs that eliminate the need for cleaning and are travel-friendly.

This would never happen at Bardog: A bar in Dallas has banned playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on the jukebox before December 1. After December 1 it is limited to once per day.

Downtown’s federal office building may soon be getting a new name. Rep. Steve Cohen got a bill passed in the House to strip the building of the name of Clifford Davis, who at one point in his life was a klansman.

From the DM: The Brooks Museum, which will move Downtown by 2026, could be the crown jewel of riverfront development

Michael Donahue has a look at the cashew crunch at Dinstuhl’s. Get it at the shop on South Main next door to the Majestic.

Here’s a list of the 5 best fishing spots near Memphis.

Black Violin plays the Orpheum tonight, blending classical music with hip-hop.

Arlo McKinley will have an in-store performance and album signing today at 4 PM at River City Records.

There’s a tree tour of Elmwood Cemetery tomorrow at noon. Learn about the 1400 trees there, many of them older than the cemetery itself. Cost is $20 and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Tomorrow is Dollar Dalmatian Day at the Fire Museum on Adams. For only a dollar, you can tour the museum and meet the Memphis Fire and Life Safety Dogs.

If you go to the Memphis-SMU game at the Liberty Bowl tomorrow, stop by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s November 6 tailgate party at Tiger Lane. It’s free and open to the public and there will be food, drinks, and giveaways. November 6 is the only day of the year to have a Memphis street named after it, celebrating the day citizens voted overwhelmingly to receive public power from TVA.

Yesterday was a great day for several reasons. Number one, my friend Jason told me, “I saw something and had to get it for you.” It was a PBR beanie.

Back in 2009, I was given a PBR hoodie. I thought, “I appreciate the gesture, but I’ve never worn a hoodie in my life. I’m not gonna use this thing.” Of course, we all know what happened. I put the hoodie on and immediately loved it, and ever since I’ve worn it half the days between November and March every year. I suspect the beanie is going to be the same way.

The second reason yesterday was a good day was that the beanie brought me good luck… I played Bad Bear Bingo at Blind Bear last night and scored a BINGO in the second round! I got to spin the prize wheel and landed on a gift card for $10 off food. I’ll probably cash that in today toward either the shrimp scampi or the arancini.

Shortly after I bingoed, I overheard a bartender say words that were music to my ears. “We’re not having our Thursday night drag show tonight.” YAAAAAY! I stayed a couple of hours longer than planned after bingo ended. So nice to be able to watch Thursday Night Football without queens wanting to know why I’m looking at the TV and not them.

That’s it for today… hoping for another A-plus kind of day… back tomorrow with more news.

In November, the days get shorter… and so do my daily update posts. There’s just not as much happening as there was in September and October.

The Grizzlies defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-106 last night at FedExForum. They improved to 5-3 and are tied with Dallas and the Lakers for third-fifth place in the Western Conference. Two pieces of good news coming out of the game: Jaren Jackson Jr. looked like his old self, and rookie Ziaire Williams looked like a solid contributor with 3 first-quarter threes. Next for the Grizzlies: A trip to Washington for a 6 PM Friday game.

The Shelby County Health Department will begin administering Pfizer COVID vaccines to 5-to-11-year-olds today at its walk-in clinic at 814 Jefferson. The parents must provide legal documentation of the child’s birth date either in the form of a birth certificate or shot record. Kids will receive a smaller dose than adults. However, like adults, they will need to come back 3 weeks later for a second dose.

Walgreens has announced that appointments for kids’ doses could be rolled out as early as Saturday, November 6. More info

The DMC announced six finalists yesterday to redevelop the 100 N. Main tower. Two of the finalists (Kevin Woods/Billy Orgel and Chance Carlisle) are experienced Downtown Memphis developers. Also, two of the finalists are minority and/or women-owned businesses.

Today is International Stout Day. If you want to celebrate this style of beer, you’ll find multiple options at the Flying Saucer or Aldo’s Pizza Pies. Of course, any of Downtown’s craft breweries would make an excellent option too.

MATA will test a modern streetcar on the Madison line in the next 3-4 months. The Madison line has not had a real trolley since the fires of 2014 shut the trolley system down. The modern streetcars would have heating and air conditioning, unlike the historic trolleys. Whether the existing infrastructure can handle modern electric streetcars will determine the future of the Madison line.

As for the Riverfront line, Paul Young who runs DMC said they are looking at purchasing three historic trolleys to cover it.

Grind City Brewing Co. will host an all-day event called Grind City Groovery Saturday. Participating DJs will include

• TREE
• dudecalledrob
• Scotty B
• DJ A.D.
• DJ Juice
• DEFCON ENGAGED

There will also be food trucks, art vendors and live art. After the sun goes down, there will be fire art performances. $10 admission gets you this fun day of music, art, and beer.

Troubadour Bill Bloomer will play a concert tonight at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main. Harris and Fitz will open.

DJ Mike performs a 3-hour set at the Moxy tonight 6-9. No cover. The event is presented by Old Dominick Distillery.

Worth a Lyft or an Uber: Memphis Japan Festival is this Sunday at the Botanic Garden.

There’s a Wild Game/Wild Cider Dinner tonight at Cimas in the Hyatt Centric. $110 per person.

Makeda’s Cookies is back Downtown! They’ll have a grand opening at the new warehouse at 301 Jefferson Saturday at 1.

Well, this post wasn’t as short as I first thought it would be. Looks like there’s some good stuff coming up this weekend too. Back tomorrow with more news.

Leading off today’s post with news of a sophisticated art exhibition coming to Downtown Memphis on Sunday, November 14.

Falling Through Time, an exhibition by Weyes Experience, will happen 6-9 PM Sunday the 14th at Brickwood Hall at 391 S. Front. There will be live art, music, custom curated cocktails, and food. There will also be an after-party 9 PM to midnight. There are 2 ways you can enjoy this show:

The Full Experience ($50)

• Complimentary glass of champagne
• Choice of one complimentary craft cocktail
• Unlimited access to snack bar (assorted fruits and vegetables, assorted meats and cheeses, chicken salad, crackers, and a salad bar)
• Unlimited access to hot bar (grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, alfredo noodles, sauteed broccoli, garlic bread)
• Entry into art show
• Entry into after-party

General admission ($25)

• Complimentary glass of champagne
• Unlimited access to snack bar (assorted fruits and vegetables, assorted meats and cheeses, chicken salad, crackers, and a salad bar)
• Entry into art show
• Entry into after-party

Formal attire is the dress for this event.

The second annual Grind City Coffee Xpo comes to Wiseacre Downtown 10 AM-3 PM Saturday. It’s a day when all aspects of coffee in Memphis will come together in one place. Attendees will get to sample various brewing and roasting methods. There will be roasters, shops, and educational talks, and they even have a coffee farmer traveling from Colombia to attend the event.

A man died after being hit by a vehicle yesterday at 78 E. E.H. Crump Blvd.

It’s National Sandwich Day. River Time Market & Deli and Backlot are two ways you could have a quality celebration of the holiday while supporting local businesses.

There was a Dia de los Muertos march yesterday in Downtown Memphis to remember those lost to gun violence in the city.

Let’s take a look at this coming college football week’s games of interest to Memphians. All of these games will be played on Saturday.

• Army vs. Air Force, Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, TX, 10:30 AM, CBS
• Missouri at 1 Georgia, 11 AM, ESPN
• Liberty at 16 Ole Miss, 11 AM, SEC Network
• SMU at Memphis, 11 AM, ESPNU
• Appalachian State at Arkansas State, 1 PM, ESPN+
• Tulsa at 6 Cincinnati, 2:30 PM, ESPN2
• 13 Auburn at 14 Texas A&M, 2:30 PM, CBS
• 17 Mississippi State at Arkansas, 3 PM, SEC Network
• LSU at 2 Alabama, 6 PM, ESPN
• Tennessee at 18 Kentucky, 6 PM, ESPN2

I had my first Downtown Dining Week experience yesterday, at the Blind Bear:

Course 1 – Wedge Salad

Course 2 – Lasagna

Course 3 – Apple Pie Moonshine Bread Pudding

Sold separately, these items would cost you more than $30, so it’s quite a deal at $20.21 this week.

The State of Downtown address happens at 11 today. Watch it here. One highly anticipated piece of news will be the announcement of finalists to redevelop the 100 N. Main office tower.

Oregon in the top four? Really, CFP committee?

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

 

The annual Downtown Memphis holiday tree lighting has been set for Saturday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 PM. The tree will be at the corner of Main and Peabody Place.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will host its November membership meeting on the 18th at the Renasant Convention Center. They’ll elect officers for the coming year, hand out awards, and there will be a “State of Downtown” address. There will be live music, food, and drinks. Doors open at 4:45, social hour 5-6 PM, and then the meeting/presentation 6-7 PM. Free for DNA members to attend, $20 for guests.

As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my pleasure to inform you that David Quarles will lead a free outdoor Zumba class Saturday, November 13 at 1 PM at the Edge Motor Museum. Register here. The first 30 registrants will receive a free Edge District giveaway at the class.

It’s the beginning of the month, so let’s have a look at non-basketball events coming to FedExForum in November:

• Banda MS: “MS Tour Positivo” Friday, November 5 – Billboard Latin Music Award winners
• Luke Combs What You See Is What You Get Tour Saturday, November 20 – With special guests Ashley McBride and Ray Fulcher
• The Millennium Tour Sunday, November 21 – Featuring Omarion and Bow Wow with special guest Ashanti

The Blind Bear has announced that its Friday night burlesque shows will now start at 9 PM. Previously they started at 8. The Albert King Jr. Band plays 8-midnight on Fridays.

The New Wing Order food truck announced its special for November yesterday: They’re bringing back the Jerk Chicken Nachos. These loaded nachos include house-made queso, crispy chicken, our Mud Island Jerk sauce, black bean and corn salsa, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, and Caribbean Heat seasoning. The truck won’t be Downtown this week but you can catch them Saturday at the Memphis Made taproom in Cooper-Young.

From ABC 24: Downtown Dining Week is underway

Caught on camera: Driver slams into 8 parked cars on South Front Street. It happened outside Bar Ware. The female driver admitted she had been drinking. She passed a field sobriety test but refused a Breathalyzer. She was cited and released.

Louise Page will perform her solo piano album “Play Nice” at Mollie Fontaine’s on Saturday, November 13 from 7 to 10.

That’ll do it for this post. Back tomorrow.

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!

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.

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.