Category: Uncategorized

At approximately 1:17 I heard the sound of two guns shooting amid engines revving. Lying in bed, I guessed the approximate location to be Second and Union, but a look at Nextdoor reveals it may have been further down. Summing up Nextdoor posts:

• Multiple shooting victims at Second and Beale (that was on the police scanner)
• Shooting suspects were possibly stopped at Vance
• Police were putting up crime scene tape near the new Hyatt Centric (which is becoming an almost-weekly occurrence)
• Because the police had so many crime scenes, it took a very long time and lots of waits in traffic for people to get from the south side of Downtown to the north side

I checked all the local news outlets – none of them have anything yet on this story. Maybe gunshots Downtown have become so common on the weekends that they’re not considered “news” anymore.

My prediction (and I hope I get this one wrong): It’ll take a restaurant customer sitting on a patio getting hit with gunfire before the police crack down.

Tickets for the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Utah Jazz playoff games 3 and 4 will go on sale to MVP season ticket holders tomorrow at 10 and to the public at 2. Times and TV:

• Game 3: Saturday, May 29, 8:30 PM. ESPN
• Game 4: Monday, May 31, 8:30 PM, TNT

Should the series go to a Game 6, that one will be in Memphis Friday, June 4, time and TV to be determined.

I don’t have a link because it’s subscriber only, but the CA interviewed Miss Suhair of The Little Tea Shop and she says her restaurant will be back.

Normally golf is a sport I don’t follow, but there’s a reason to tune in today. Phil Mickelson, age 50 years, 11 months, 1 week, is atop the leaderboard at the PGA championship. He will become the oldest golfer ever to win a major if he maintains that lead today.

Cicadas are plentiful right now… and they’re edible. Huffington Post has 10 recipes to help you take full advantage of nature’s bounty of these critters. In the recipes you’ll find everything from cicada tacos to cicada chip cookies. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl will show up.

The Grizzlies will host a Watch Party tonight at Fourth Bluff Park, 1 N. Front near the law school. Activities begin at 7 PM with game tip-off at 8:30. While supplies last, attendees get a Nxt Up Memphis growl towel and a Grizzlies face mask. The Claw Crew and Grizz Girls will be there, and there will be food trucks and MemPops.

Loflin Yard will host a watch party of their own, with an extended happy hour and $3 barrel-aged cocktails and draft beer.

Perjorie T. Roll celebrated her first time to stand on the bar at Bardog in over a year with their signature Jameson slushie:

Paula and Raiford’s Disco will hold a three-day storage sale June 4-6. Don’t worry, Paula isn’t closing the place. She’s just clearing stuff out to make way for the new. You’ll be able to buy home decor, furniture, speakers, clothing, and shoes.

Craft Axe Throwing is holding a beach party this afternoon. Dress like you’re going to the beach and get 15% off. Note that you have to wear closed-toed shoes, though, as a safety precaution since there are axes flying around.

Yubu and The Ancient Youth Band plays Loflin Yard today at 12.

Enjoy some ’60s and ’70s power pop this afternoon at Ghost River with The Bugaloos – Magical History Tour. The show starts at 4 PM.

Wishing a very happy birthday to Downtown’s own Nappin Ass Nate today. I’m sure the day will be full of sugar-free Red Bull vodkas and naps for him.

That’s it for today. I took last week off from professional writing to enjoy a restriction-free, mask-free week out on the town. I really need to get back to it today though. Or maybe tomorrow. Back tomorrow with more news.

Playoffs?

PLAY ON!

The Memphis Grizzlies are such a magnanimous group of gentlemen. They decided, with San Francisco being close to lifting its pandemic rules, that Draymond Green deserved a little extra time off to enjoy things getting back to normal. So they engineered a 117-112 overtime victory in the second play-in game, stealing the 8 seed in the West and sending the Golden State Warriors to the NBA draft lottery.

The Grizzlies advance to play 1 seed Utah. The first two games will be on the road:

• Sunday, 8:30 PM, TNT
• Wednesday, 9:00 PM, TNT

Jeeeeezzzzz y’all are killing me with those start times! Can we award Flagstaff, Arizona and Billings, Montana expansion teams and move Memphis to the Eastern Conference to balance things out?

Okay, one more comment and then I’ll move on to today’s news:

Ja > Steph

Let’s have a look at what I had for lunch yesterday:

I made my first visit to Sugar Grits in the Peabody Place building on Second Street. I ordered the Charleston Cheddar Grits: Cheddar cheese stone-ground yellow grits with blackened shrimp and chicken andouille sausage. This was delicious and one of the best meals out I have had in a long time! The shrimp were huge and plentiful. Also, I appreciated that the gravy didn’t entirely cover the cheddar grits, so that I could get a taste of them by themselves. Excellent food, excellent service, would and will dine there again!

Sugar Grits serves grits by Grit Girl: Stone ground yellow grits, stone ground rice grits, red popcorn grits, blue popcorn grits, and blackeyed pea grits. Their menu says you can get some to take home with you. Grits are one of those foods, along with asparagus and mac & cheese, that I couldn’t stand as a child but that I love as an adult.

File this one under ARE YOU F’ING KIDDING ME: With the I-40 bridge closed for repair, TDOT has announced I-55 lanes and ramps will be closed for re-striping next week. The Crump and Metal Museum Drive exits will be affected. Government bureaucracy at its finest. You’d think some supervisor with an intellect slightly greater than that of a pigeon would have thought, “Hey, maybe this is not the best time”!

Cool website I found yesterday: Social distancing in a world of memes. Oh, how I could have used the “Sermon Response Kit” meme to post on the Facebook timeline of the preachy-preachy “health experts” who thought I was irresponsible for going out to bars during Phase II.

The Orpheum will renovate The Broadway Club, its private donor lounge. Want to get in? Donate $1500 or more. You get free wine and private restrooms at shows.

The lost dog I mentioned at the beginning of yesterday’s post has been reunited with his owners.

It’s Bitcoin Pizza Day, the 11th anniversary of the first time cryptocurrency was used to pay for goods. A Florida man paid 10,000 bitcoin for 2 pizzas. If he’d held on to his cryptocurrency, he’d be worth $366 million today.

(insert Red Forman “Dumbass” meme here)

WREG asked a civil engineer, how bad was the I-40 bridge crack, really? His answer was that it could have been very bad and shutting the bridge down was completely responsible and not an overblown reaction.

I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn’t April 1 when I read this: The Pink Palace Museum will change its name to MoSH.

DJ Superbrad spins ’80s tunes at the Blind Bear tonight beginning at 9 PM.

Memphis Legends: Honoring Memphis Hot Rod History happens this weekend at Edge Motor Museum over on Marshall. They’ll have a rockabilly band tonight, food trucks all weekend, a Sunday church service, and demonstrations including chopping the top of a ’50 Mercury.

Enjoy merengue tonight for the kickoff of the Latin Dance Series at Fourth Bluff. Cat’s Ballroom instructors will teach the class.

My plan for today begins with sitting at the bar at Bardog! SITTING AT THE BAR. Not sitting at a table next to the bar, because you can’t catch COVID if you’re sitting at a table. Not crowding 8 of us regulars into the corner booth, because you can’t catch COVID in the corner booth. THE BAR. Back tomorrow with more news.

If anyone is missing a puppy, mostly white with a brown-and-white face, the folks at Walking Pants Curiosities on G.E. Patterson have him. It’s believed he may live near Bluff City Coffee and the Feelin’ Memphis gift shop.

YOUR. MEMPHIS. GRRRRRRRRRIZZLIES have a rematch at Golden State tonight, winner gets the 8 seed in the Western Conference tournament. There will be a watch party at Fourth Bluff Park tonight. Tip-off is 8 PM.

From the MBJ: “Jack of All Trades” Kim Derryberry opens South Main Nutrition

There will be a flea market near the Pyramid at 115 Jackson Saturday, July 17. $50 vendor fee and $5 admission.

Wiseacre releases another new beer tomorrow at its taprooms, this one a German rauchbier (smoked beer). It’s made with malted barley over an open flame and its name is The Return of Dr. Gibbler.

Private club The Pocket is hiring servers, bartenders, and bussers.

SOB Downtown is hiring a server.

Quench, the liquor store on Second, is hiring. Must be able to work weekends, nights, and holidays.

The Downtown Memphis Commission is hiring Blue Suede Brigade members.

Restaurant owners who survived the pandemic: Free money!

If you’re curious whether you’ve ever had COVID 19, Downtown Walgreens is selling do-it-at-home antigen tests. They’re by the cash register.

Chinese Connection Dub Embassy plays Carolina Watershed tonight at 8.

Turnstyles plays Momma’s tonight at 7.

There will be a wedding pop-up shop at the Deluxe Arcade building, 10 N. Second, tomorrow starting at 9 AM.

That’s it for today. Tomorrow I’ll be back with more news.

The Grizzlies play on. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs last night, 100-96, to advance to Friday night’s play-in game vs. the Golden State Warriors. That game will be at 8 PM on ESPN. The winner captures the 8 seed in the Western Conference and advances to play the 1 seed Utah Jazz.

The Redbirds honor their box office manager, Nate, with a special ticket called Nate’s Spectacular Cookout for this Saturday’s game. If you’ve ever called the AutoZone Park box office with a question or issue, it’s likely been Nate who’s taken care of you. Recently at a staff meeting, Nate spoke up and said he wanted to do something to welcome fans back at full capacity. Others asked him what he had in mind, and he said, “I want a cookout!” and so it has been done. Nate’s tickets start at $20 and include a hot dog, hamburger, chips, cookie, and soda. If you can’t make it this Saturday, the deal will be available June 5 and 12 as well. Don’t forget, every Saturday game wraps up with fireworks. Get the ticket

If you’re on Nextdoor, check your account for footage of a girl fight happening outside Local about 1:30 this morning.

The Downtown Memphis Commission could require that 5% of any new parking facilities built have charging stations for electric vehicles.

Job news: A large contractor in Downtown Memphis seeks a CFO. Pays $150-175K. The job requires 7 or more years of experience in construction or manufacturing and a solid knowledge of job costing.

The Crowne Plaza seeks a Lobby Attendant. Actually, two positions are open – full-time night and part-time flexible.

From NPR: Scientists say it’s time for America’s fixation with herd immunity to end

E.T. is the featured movie tonight in Downtown Neighborhood Association Spring Movie Series at Greenbelt Park. People will begin gathering at 7:30 and the movie starts at 8:00. There will be food trucks onsite, or you can pre-game at Mud Island’s restaurants. This is a free event.

Wiseacre debuts a new beer today at both taprooms: Strawberry The Beach Within Reach. The added sugar from the strawberries has upped the alcohol content of their Berliner Weisse beer to 7.3%.

Amber Rae Dunn with Shufflegrit headlines Central Station: Live on the Tracks tonight 6:30-9:30.

That’s the news for today. Forecast looks beautiful and I plan to be out after work. Back tomorrow with more news.

Recently I observed that Ghost River has been relatively quiet compared to the other breweries during the post-pandemic recovery, and I thought, “I hope they’re OK.”

They’re more than OK. They’re the latest Memphis brewery to plan a second location.

And it’s going to be on Beale Street!

The Daily Memphian reports that Ghost River will move into 341-345 Beale. They’ll have an outdoor beer garden and indoor taproom. They’ll also have a kitchen. Sobie Johnson of Flying Sobies Gourmet Kitchen will be the chef. If I’m looking at Google StreetView correctly, this should be the old Lew’s Blue Note location and it should serve as a strong anchor for the far eastern end of the entertainment district. It should also get Downtown locals on Beale Street, which is a win for everyone.

My only concern is, will the Ghost River taprooms compete with each other, being in such close proximity? It seems like the Main & Crump location will have to adapt and be a strong draw for the folks in its immediate neighborhood. Then again, it’ll be much easier to find parking near the Main & Crump location.

One other piece of Beale Street news: Yesterday at the COVID-19 task force press conference, county mayor Lee Harris announced Vaccine on the Green, your opportunity to come to Handy Park on Beale and get vaccinated. They’ll be there Sunday from 10 to 4. Details:

• Shots are free
• They’ll have experts on hand; if you haven’t made up your mind whether to get the shot, come ask them
• Get vacc’d and get a voucher to eat at a restaurant on Beale
• Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available
• Live music
• Learn about job opportunities at Satellite Healthcare

Charges have been filed in the carjacking and murder of a 23-year-old man at Main and Peabody Place on April 17. The suspect, who is only 16, wanted the victim’s 1987 Monte Carlo and took advantage of a traffic jam to approach the car. There is a second suspect who has not yet been reported arrested.

From the MemphisWeather.net blog: Farewell, spring as our first batch of 90s arrives this weekend and into early next week.

The crack that shut down the I-40 bridge has now been found to be visible in photos as far back as 2016.

TJ Larum and Friends will perform at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, 7 PM Friday night. Larum is a singer/songwriter from St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Tune in to ESPN at 6:30 tonight for the 9/10 play-in game, Memphis vs. San Antonio. If the Grizzlies win, keep watching ESPN at 9 to find out who the Grizzlies’ opponent will be for their next play-in game – L.A. Lakers or Golden State Warriors. Despite Sunday’s loss to the GSW, I would much rather face them in a play-in game. Nobody wants to look across the court and see LeBron James in a postseason situation.

The Redbirds host the Louisville Bats in a day game at 12:15 today.

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

The Grizzlies announced a piece of good news yesterday. Starting with the Western Conference 9/10 play-in game Memphis is hosting tomorrow evening, capacity at FedExForum will increase to 40%. It was formerly 20%. The Grizzlies worked with the Shelby County Health Department and the NBA office to make this happen. Tickets for tomorrow night’s game go on sale at 9 this morning for season ticket holders, 2 PM for the general public.

If you manage to be one of the lucky people who scores a seat to tomorrow’s game, you’ll find a growl towel on it. It’ll be the first time the towels have been out since 2017.

More complaints on Nextdoor about drag racing in the area of Waterford Plaza. My piece of advice: You’re going to have to be louder (figuratively speaking) than the drag racers to move the city into action.

I got some rather shocking news in an alumni email from Rhodes College this morning: They’re dropping their theater major. They say that interest in the major has dropped considerably in recent years. Rising seniors and juniors will work with the Academic Affairs department to complete their majors. McCoy Theater on campus will remain an outlet for the performing arts.

I mean, it doesn’t affect me much, but… wow. I never expected that news. I’m lucky to have met some talented theater majors at Rhodes who went on to build highly successful careers. I’m also grateful that I got to take an Intro to Theater class from the legendary Julia “Cookie” Ewing in McCoy Theater fall semester of my junior year.

Two metal silos sit in The Ravine, the pocket park that bisects The Edge District. They were used by Wonder Bread to store flour until the factory closed up eight years ago. The one closer to Union will be part of a plaza with food trucks and pop-up retail. Local artists Kong Wee Pang and Jay Crum have been commissioned to create a mural for that silo.

The Ravine will open this summer, and the second Memphis Made Brewing Co., which will back up to The Ravine on its northern end, is about 5 months away from completion on renovations.

I-40 bridge news: The inspector who failed to report the crack and gave the bridge passing grades in 2019 and 2020 has been fired, ARDOT reports. He may face criminal charges. All bridges inspected by that employee over the past year will be re-inspected.

ARDOT is responsible for inspection of the bridge and TDOT handles repairs. TDOT says the fracture affects 100% of the outboard and top plates and 20% of the bottom plate. I’m not an engineer, but that certainly doesn’t sound very good.

The Orpheum has announced its upcoming Broadway season as things get back to normal. Here’s the list:

• Come from Away October 5-10
• Disney’s The Lion King November 11-28
• HAMILTON December 21-January 2
• Hadestown February 1-6
• Tootsie February 15-20
• CATS March 22-27
• The Band’s Visit April 12-17
• Mean Girls April 26-May 1
• Jesus Christ Superstar June 28-July 3

The Redbirds return to full capacity at the homestand beginning today. First pitch tonight is 6:45 and the Louisville Bats are the opponent. Every ticket includes a free order of Ballpark Nachos, and you can upgrade to BBQ Nachos for a small fee.

From Food & Wine: Gigantic pickle-stuffed corn dogs are a thing. Get one at Disneyland for $13. It’s panko-crusted!

That’s it. Back tomorrow with more.

The Grizzlies have their work cut out for them following yesterday’s loss to Golden State, finishing the season 9th in the Western Conference. They’ll host the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday at 6:30 and

• The loser of that game goes into the NBA draft lottery
• The winner of that game plays the loser of the 7/8 game (L.A. Lakers vs. Golden State)
  • The loser of that game goes into the NBA draft lottery
  • The winner of that game becomes the 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs

This ESPN piece has the Grizzlies at +30000 (300-to-1) to win the NBA title. However, they do have Memphis as a 59% favorite over the Spurs Wednesday.

Hundreds of people marched Downtown yesterday in support of Palestinians under Israeli oppression. More coverage

From WREG: Can I still spread COVID if I’m fully vaccinated? A UCSF doctor who is an expert on infectious diseases says it’s “very unlikely.” Recent studies show the vaccines are about 94% effective in preventing the spread of asymptomatic COVID.

So, is there any legit purpose in forcing vaccinated people to still wear masks, other than providing leverage to force unvaccinated people to also wear masks?

It’s Tax Day. If you haven’t filed yet, you better get on that. Afterward, stop by the Peanut Shoppe on Main to celebrate National Walnut Day.

A professor of supply chain management at the U of M says the shutdown of the I-40 bridge for months will lead to higher costs for consumers. I sure hope this doesn’t result in higher PBR prices at bars.

I’m considering a southward journey next Sunday… Earnestine & Hazel’s, Loflin Yard, Ghost River taproom, Wiseacre 2 taproom, maybe Max’s Sports Bar if I’m still in the area when they open at 4:30. The core has become a bore for Sunday Fun Day so I may have to put my walking shoes on.

Anyone else’s allergies going bonkers this week? I’ve been having sneezing fits (thank goodness I can have those now without people asking if I have COVID) and my ears itch like crazy. Weatherbug says the dominant pollens right now are hickory/pecan, maple, and mulberry. Trying to remember if I sneezed a lot when I went to visit my grandparents in Trimble, Tennessee. They had pecan trees in their yard.

Time for work here in a bit – I wonder if the building I work in will still require masks – and then I’ll figure out the rest of the day. The angel on my shoulder is saying “you need to research articles to write this week” while the devil on the other shoulder tells me “Bardog, Silly Goose, and Blind Bear.” I kinda think the devil’s gonna win this one. Back tomorrow with more news.

Last night I was listening to the police scanner. Around 2:00, the supervisor asked what Downtown calls had been holding for a while. There were calls at 310 S. Main, the 200 block of Wagner, and Main and Huling. I hope none of those were important! There was also a report on Nextdoor of gunshots at Front and Nettleton about 12:50. We simply do not have enough police resources down here, and the criminals know it and realize they have run of the neighborhood.

There is a lot going on today, yet only one item that is a must-do: Watch the Grizzlies take on Golden State at 2:30 on ESPN. The winner of today’s game will finish the regular season 8th in the west, and will only have to win one game in the play-in tournament. The loser will finish 9th and will have to win two play-in games.

Look at this beautiful picture I snapped at Max’s Sports Bar yesterday!

What’s beautiful about this picture, you ask?

• The barstools are not socially distanced – you can sit 6 inches away from a person who’s not part of your family or “close contact group”
• No blue tape indicating “you can sit here, but you can’t sit there”
• No X’s in blue tape on the floor indicating “stand here if you’re waiting to order to-go food”
• No seat? No problem! You can drink while standing. You can stand at the bar and order. You can walk around with your drink.

Some kind folks at Economy Boat Store brought Rendezvous BBQ to the barges that were stranded along the Mississippi for several days.

Jobs are open at a legendary Memphis restaurant. Gus’s Downtown is looking to add to its back-of-house crew.

Yoga with a familiar name: Instructor Kelcie Zepatos will teach a Kundalini Yoga class at The Broom Closet, 552 S. Main, on Monday, June 14 from 4:00 to 5:15 PM. The class is said to focus on breath work and being present in the moment, and Kelcie integrates a variety of approaches into what she teaches. YOGA!

Interesting link I found yesterday: A rap topics generator. You can request a topic on any or all of the following categories: love, life, money, food, school, depression, heartbreak, frustration, racism, or fake friends.

It’s National Mimosa Day. Y’all better get out to Sunday brunch and celebrate that one!

Attention military service members and veterans: There will be an appreciation night for you at Grind City Brewing Wednesday 5:30-9:00 PM. Service members, spouses, and veterans get 2 free beers or a free flight.

That’s it for now. I will be out somewhere cheering on the Grizzlies this afternoon, then tonight I will tune in to WWE’s Backlash pay-per-view. Back tomorrow with more news.

Health Directive No. 21 was quickly rewritten last night based on guidance given by the CDC and President Biden.

Now, don’t worry. The important part is that the ridiculously stupid social distancing requirements have been reduced to recommendations. That hasn’t changed.

However, if you are fully vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask, indoors or outdoors, unless you are on public transportation, in a governmental building, or entering a business with clearly posted “must wear mask” signs.

I’M FULLY VACCINATED BITCHES!!! For me, the Roaring 2020s start today.

The I-40 bridge was deemed safe for commercial barge traffic yesterday morning, although it will still be closed to cars and trucks for months, most likely. Bad news in this morning’s DM: Speed limits on both river bridges may be reduced to minimize vibrations and damage.

Random related trivia I learned this week reading the excellent Creme de Memph blog, which focuses on pictorial Memphis history: Before it became the connector to the Memphis-Arkansas (I-55) bridge in 1949, E.H. Crump Blvd. was named Iowa Avenue and it came to an end at Mississippi Blvd. When it became the connector, Crump was extended diagonally northeastward, eventually leveling out at what had been Carr Avenue a block south of Peabody Avenue, and connecting with Pigeon Roost Road/Lamar.

Also, before the leg of I-55 connecting the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge to I-240 (you know, the part of I-55 that floods and where trucks get stuck under bridges), Riverside Drive connected to Arkansas Street, with a cloverleaf connector at Iowa/Crump. The thoroughfare was sometimes called Arkansas Riverside.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. responds to the warmer weather this weekend with some lighter beers. HUG, a smooth wheat with late-added hops, checks in a 5.4% and reminds us that it’s OK to hug once again. Soulful Ginger, a saison brewed with ginger and peppercorns, pairs well with Asian food and measures in at 6.2%.

After three months of upgrades, the Memphis Fire Museum has reopened. If you have kids, this is a fun place to take them.

Did you know that Local 24 meteorologist Chelsea Chandler is a certified BBQ Fest judge? Here’s a walk-through of the judging process by Chelsea.

It’s National Chocolate Chip Day and therefore a good day to get some warm cookies delivered to your door from Insomnia Cookies on Beale Street.

WREG interviewed South Main business owners in the masks or no masks debate.

Local 24 notes that some national chains have announced they will continue to require customers to wear masks, including two chains with Downtown locations: Walgreens and DGX. Since I make frequent stops at DGX on the way home from bars, I will stuff a mask in my pocket when I go out.

Steve Schad plays Carolina Watershed. The listing says both noon to 3 PM and 2-6 PM, so if you get there between 2 and 3 you’ll get to hear him no matter which is correct. Grateful Dead tribute band The Schwag takes the stage at Watershed tonight at 9.

Social distanced hippies dancing!

Eric Hughes plays Momma’s tonight 7-10.

Tune into channel 30.1 on Memphis rabbit-ears antennas to catch Memphis 901 FC playing an away match at Birmingham at 3:30 this afternoon.

We Are Memphis had a conversation with Will Davenport, manager of the Eight & Sand bar inside Central Station Hotel.

I’ll lead off with a stop at the Memphis Farmers Market this morning, followed by a visit to a South Main bar (which one TBD), then back north to the Silly Goose and the Blind Bear. Come on out if you’ve been vaccinated! If you haven’t been vaccinated, go get vaccinated… or come out anyway, just don’t expect much sympathy if you get sick. Back tomorrow with more news.

Time and TV have been set for Sunday’s schedule for the final day of the NBA regular season. Golden State will host the Memphis Grizzlies at 2:30 that afternoon on ESPN. That game looks more and more likely to be a shootout for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.

First, though, the teams have to get through tonight.

• Memphis hosts Sacramento (who they beat 116-110 last night) at 8 PM
• Golden State hosts New Orleans at 8:30, ESPN. Go Zion!

Max’s Sports Bar will open at 2 Sunday for those who want to watch the Grizzlies.

A new concert series was announced yesterday. Memphis Tourism is teaming up with several partners to present Get Loud, a series of 14 concerts in Handy Park (Beale at B.B. King Blvd.) in June, July, and August. First up: P.J. Morton with Marcella & Her Lovers on Saturday, June 5. All shows start at 6 PM and are free to attend.

President Biden appeared at a press conference yesterday. He said that if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s time to show your smile again, to hug, to shake hands. The CDC says we can do that. New guidance indicates fully vaccinated people can shed their masks in most indoor and outdoor situations.

Today is Dance Like a Chicken Day.

An expert says it could take up to a year to repair the I-40 bridge if more cracks are found via X-ray inspection. By the way, the same barge I wrote about yesterday is still sitting on the river, same spot. Too bad its crew can’t come ashore for a Backlot biscuit sandwich or some Maciel’s tacos while they wait. Local 24 interviewed shipping experts, who said the barges can’t make a U-turn.

I hope the disruption in shipping doesn’t affect PBR prices.

Good read: The women who enabled Jeffrey Epstein

Broke Tall Folk play The Vault tonight at 8:30.

That’s it for this post. Let’s get through today then gear up for a maskless weekend with no social distancing. Back tomorrow with more news.