Paul Ryburn's Journal

If you missed the three crawfish boils in the southern part of Downtown yesterday, don’t worry, you’re not out of luck for the year. Max’s Sports Bar has announced, weather permitting, it will host boils by Glaze Hardage Saturdays at noon through the end of April. Glaze cooks the best mudbugs in Memphis.

How bout them HOGS! 10 Arkansas upset 2 St. John’s yesterday to advance to the NCAA men’s Sweet Sixteen. Next up for the Razorbacks: vs. 3 Texas Tech. A highly winnable game against an old Southwest Conference foe.

Unfortunately 2 Tennessee has managed to stick around. The Vols will play the winner of today’s 6 Illinois vs. 3 Kentucky game.

6 Ole Miss plays 3 Iowa State in the round of 32 tonight at 6:45. TV: truTV

There was a shooting outside the Westin yesterday about 2:45. One person died and another was injured. The shooting is said to be targeted, not random. One TV station is reporting that musicians/rappers may have been involved.

Thunderstorms are a possibility in Memphis this afternoon from about 2 to 7.

The Grizzlies have lost Brandon Clarke for the rest of the season due to a PCL sprain in his knee.

That’s it for today. Back tomorrow.

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As I was blogging yesterday about Easter being on 4/20 this year, I got a Facebook notification announcing Beale Street Wine Race for the following Sunday, April 27.

Wine Race is a giant day of debauchery centered around a competition among metro Memphis restaurants. It consists of

• An opening parade with floats
• A Queen of the Vine beauty pageant
• A grape stomping competition
• A wine relay race, 4 people per team

The event is held in Handy Park, right across from Wet Willie’s, and many Call-a-Cab daiquiris (containing 190 proof grain alcohol) are consumed over the course of the day.

So, anyway, I returned to my blog post about Easter being 4/20 – the third Sunday of the month. And I thought, “Houston, we have a problem.” Well, not Houston, but Downtown Memphis.

You see, there is another day of debauchery, Rajun Cajun Crawfish Fest, that typically happens the third Sunday in April on Riverside Drive.

Except, that is, when Easter falls on the third Sunday of April. Then they move Rajun Cajun to the fourth Sunday. I did a little research and confirmed, yes, that is what will happen this year.

Rajun Cajun and Wine Race are going to happen concurrently in 2025.

I’ll make the same comment I made last time this happened – OMG this is going to be a SHITSHOW. Riverside Drive and Beale Street are going to be lined with red lumpy vomit, the result of mixing crawfish and Call-a-Cabs.

On to the rest of the news…

I hate to say “I told you so” about Colorado State, but… I told you so.

10 Arkansas vs. 2 St. John’s, 1:40 today, CBS. Pitino meets Calipari once more.

7 UCLA vs. 2 Tennessee, 8:40 today, TBS, truTV.

The Memphis Redbirds host the St. Louis Cardinals at AutoZone Park Monday in the first Battle of the Birds in 6 years. The Redbirds have their AAA opener Friday in Louisville and their home opener on April 1.

RIP George Foreman. I owned one of his grills.

The I-55 bridge will be closed this weekend.

St. Jude seeks a supervisor, food service.

The Juice Mane Health & Wellness Festival will happen in Tom Lee Park Saturday, April 5.

Crawfish boils today at Max’s Sports Bar (noon), Momma’s (all day until they run out), and Ghost River’s South Main location (1 PM).

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow.

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Yesterday as I was typing my Thursday blog post, someone pointed out that Easter falls on 4/20 this year.

Who’s gonna have a different kind of grass in their Easter basket?

Who’s the bunny gonna bring some of that wacky tobacky?

Who’s more interested in lighting up some doobage than eating Marshmallow Peeps or Cadbury Crème Eggs?

Today is National Crunchy Taco Day.

The Ginger’s Bread & Co. is coming to the Downtown core in a two-story location next to City Market.

Residents of the 99 Front apartment building may have been exposed to lead.

An unnamed upscale Downtown restaurant seeks a sous chef.

Take a walk across the river tonight to support those with Down syndrome.

Read the history of Mud Island

10 Arkansas upset 7 seed and preseason number one Kansas last night. The Hogs next face 2 St. John’s on Saturday.

Break out your orange gingham shirts, Bozo wigs, and clown noses: 2 Tennessee has survived to reach the second round of the NCAA tournament. They’ll face 7 UCLA on Saturday.

GO MEMPHIS TIGERS! Back tomorrow with more news.

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An 1867 townhouse in Victorian Village is for sale. 4 BR, 2.5 BA, could be repurposed as an AirBNB, a restaurant, or offices.

AP looks at Penny Hardaway’s growth as a head coach.

Watch March Madness 11 AM-5 PM Friday at the Sunset Canopy in Tom Lee Park. Memphis tips off at 1.

World Ballet Company: The Great Gatsby comes to the Cannon Center tonight.

Let’s all turn on TNT at 5:50 and root for those Wofford Terriers to pull off a 15 seed-2 seed upset of the Tennessee Vols. Ournaments are so much better once you get rid of the “T”.

Also today: 10 Arkansas vs. 7 Kansas, 6:10 on CBS.

Back tomorrow probably.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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That WIND!!! Good day to fly a kite.

It’s National Poultry Day. I recommend you celebrate with a short drive to Thomas and Chelsea for some Jack Pirtle’s chicken. Get you a two-piece with some of their delicious gravy and a biscuit. Or, if you prefer, get chicken livers.

It’s also the day after Ariel’s birthday.

Did you know Cordelia’s Market is under new ownership? Erica & Robert want to meet you at Toast to New Beginnings Thursday 5-7 PM at the Mud Island grocery store. Drinks and snacks will be served. Champagne toast at 5:30. Take a free commemorative glass home with you.

Old Dominick Distillery will host a Special Event Expo Thursday from 5 to 8. You can talk to more than 20 local vendors you might want to hire for your upcoming event: caterers, florists, photographers, DJs, and more. Cash bar. Free and open to the public.

Memphis Tiger PJ Haggerty is a second-team All-American.

Explore Harriet Tubman’s teenage home

It’s Pinto vs. Vega vs. Gremlin vs. Beetle in this 1971 Car & Driver review

The Grizzlies are in Portland for a 9 PM game. TV: FanDuel Sports

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Looking ahead to Memphis’ chances in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, is anyone else more concerned about the first-round matchup against 12 Colorado State than potential second- and third-round matchups against 4 Maryland and 1 Florida?

The Tigers tend to play to their opponents’ level – see the close games in the AAC quarters and semis, for example. I can imagine a scenario where the Tigers get behind 25-9 or 31-10 in the first half and almost come all the way back several times in the second half.

If Penny’s team can survive the Rams, though, there’s no limit to how far they can go in March Madness. These Tigers can hang with anyone.

Those of you planning on playing hooky from work Thursday-Friday, I have a recommendation for where to watch the Madness: Max’s Sports Bar at 115 G.E. Patterson. Enough TVs to show all the games, awesome crowd (except for a few Tennessee Vols fans), PBR and other beers on draft, full bar, great food, rocking patio. Max’s is kind of small, so get there early to claim your seat.

The Memphis Hustle, the developmental team affiliated with the Memphis Grizzlies, seeks a mascot.

Cordelia’s Market seeks a full-time cafe team member.

The Sheraton seeks a culinary supervisor.

The Orpheum’s 2025-26 Broadway season has been revealed.

Wednesday from 3 to 4, the Cossitt Library will commemorate the 65th anniversary of sit-ins at the library by LeMoyne-Owen students.

That’s it! Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Most bracket projections had Memphis as an 8 seed. It seemed the very best they could hope for was a 7.

Instead, the committee rewarded the Tigers’ fine body of non-conference work with a 5.

Bracket

They play the Colorado State Rams, a 12 seed, in the first round. (West Regional, Seattle, 1 PM Friday, TBS) If they win that game, the likely second-round opponent is 4 Maryland.

29-5, AAC regular-season and tournament champions. I guess the “Penny can’t coach” crowd can STFU now.

Hey Jahvon, Jay’kwon, Jahlon, and the rest of the 2023-24 Tigers: See what can happen when you stop playing me-ball and start listening to coach?

In other college basketball news, congratulations to the SEC tournament winners the Florida Gators. I never tire of watching the Gators beat that Tennessee Vol ass.

On to the news…

Memphis Made Brewing Co. celebrates 10 years of its amber ale Fireside with Fireside Fest this Saturday in the taproom. $5 Fireside pints, live music by Walt Phelan Band, Smoke and Toast food truck, new Fireside merch.

The Grizzlies are on the road at Sacramento tonight. 9:00 tip. TV: FanDuel Sports

The MLB season opens in Tokyo tomorrow. Stream the Dodgers vs. Cubs at 5 AM Central. Yes, I said AM.

Music & dance performance A Taste of Ireland comes to the Cannon Center Wednesday.

South Point Grocery’s patio music series kicks off Saturday with Jesse Wilcox. Noon-2 PM.

Judy Collins comes to the Halloran Centre Tuesday evening.

Not Downtown, but I’ll mention it anyway: There will be a paella pop-up on Broad Avenue Saturday. I know there are some paella fans who read this blog.

Back tomorrow.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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Penny’s Memphis Tigers play the UAB Blazers at 2:00 for the American Athletic Conference Championship. TV: ESPN

The Selection Sunday show for the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be at 5 PM on CBS. Find out where the Tigers will play next weekend and their seed and first-round opponent.

Bardog has the following specials through Monday: $3 green PBR and $6 Jameson, Guinness draft, Irish car bombs, and green tea.

Horn Lake restaurant Cheers, featuring Southern-style comfort food, is rumored to be opening a location in Downtown Memphis. It’s said to be near Beale and South Main. Old Blind Bear location maybe?

Tuesday Tunes at the Renasant Convention Center will take on an Irish theme this week. From Facebook:

Hey there lads & lassies!

If you’re looking for an authentic Irish celebration around St. Patty’s Day, join us March 18 @ 4p for all the beer and pub food you can handle!

Don’t forget to wear your favorite GREEN attire so you can dance in style to amazing LIVE MUSIC!

Grab your friends & meet us on the lobby level at 4p!

When cornhole meets speed dating

Back tomorrow, probably.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
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Penny’s Memphis Tigers got a tight 83-80 victory over Wichita State in the AAC quarterfinals yesterday. Memphis advances to the semis, meeting Tulane at 2 PM today. TV: ESPN2

Whose Live Anyway? comes to the Orpheum tonight. This is a troupe of people who come up with comedy routines and songs on the spot based on suggestions from the audience. Tickets are $56.90-$72.90.

Then on Monday at 6 PM, the Orpheum will have its 2025-26 Broadway season reveal.

Fun thing to do: Google “elon musk before hair transplants”

StyleBlueprint has an excellent Downtown dining guide divided into family-friendly, date night, gals’ (or guys’) night, and brunch.

It’s National Corn Dog Day. Celebrate with a basket of Mini Corn Pups at Westy’s.

If anyone has interest in reading the daily bulletins from the bridge (card game) tournament ongoing at the Renasant Convention Center. they are here. A new one will be added each day through the 24th.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade on Beale is ON for 2 PM. The bad weather will be outta here by then.

I’d like to remind everyone of my recommendation to avoid pub crawls run by out-of-town organizations with generic-sounding names.  ESPECIALLY on holidays that bring out the amateurs. WHERE TO GO TODAY INSTEAD: Brass Door Irish Pub, the parade, Silky O’Sullivan’s. Local brewery taprooms and the Saucer if you like beer.

Back tomorrow probably.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
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YOUR. MEMPHIS. GRRRRRRRRRRIZZLIES are back in action at the Grindhouse tonight, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7. It’s Women’s Empowerment Night and there will be a Faith and Family post-game conversation. TV: FanDuel Sports Network

Tonight‘s game is the first game of a back-to-back. On Saturday night, the Grizzlies host the Miami Heat at 7. It will be Tony Allen’s jersey retirement ceremony with the first 5000 people getting a free commemorative vinyl record. TV: FanDuel Sports Network and Action News 5

Penny’s Memphis Tigers play Wichita State at noon today in the AAC quarterfinals. TV: ESPN2

The 10th annual Memphis Black Restaurant Week happens Sunday to Saturday, March 16-22. Participating restaurants will offer $15 two-course lunches and $25 three-course dinners. The CA has a complete guide.

You may have caught jam band FreeWorld around town, but did you know that is NOT band leader Richard Cushing’s main job? Richard researches Alzheimer’s as a scientist at UTHSC.

Jeremy Scott, Victoria Dowdy, and Jesse Davis play South Main Sounds tonight 7-9.

The following food trucks will be outside the Renasant Convention Center today:

• Champs BBQ
• Clay’s Smoked Tuna
• Mexico in Memphis
• Mr. Casas
• Nibsay

These and other food trucks will be set up most days this weekend and next week outside the convention center for the bridge tournament that is in town. You do not have to be a bridge player to order food at the trucks. On Thursday of next week the trucks will be in Court Square.

Don’t forget to check the DMC’s list of St. Patrick’s events for holiday stuff to do this weekend and Monday.

Back tomorrow with more news.

This blog is free to read, but I gratefully accept tips: 
Venmo: @Paul-Ryburn (8113 if it asks for digits)
Cash App: $PaulRyburn1
Zelle: paul@paulryburn.com
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