Cinco de Mayo Eve update: Fidget cubes and more

Yeah, I know a lot of people call today Star Wars Day, but I dare to be different.

Last night I played trivia at the Blind Bear with my friend Stacey, and she had the coolest thing: a Fidget Cube. This is a six-sided hand-held stress reliever with a different activity on each side. You can spin a dial, run your fingers over rollers, rub a surface that resembles a worry stone, flip a switch, glide a joystick-like device, or click buttons. It is one of the highest funded Kickstarter projects. I want one for my desk at work!

There will be an opening party for Open on Main at 7 and 9 N. Main tonight from 5-7 PM. These storefronts will house a different business each month through November. Tonight there will be live music from The Pocket, a live painting demonstration by Adam Exelbierd, wine and hors d’oeuvres, and a raffle with proceeds benefiting St. Jude.

Change is coming to Peabody Place – the street, not the former mall that is now the ServiceMaster headquarters. Starting June 26, the city will embark on a demonstration project that will add bike lanes to what the CA calls “a stretch of Peabody Place from Front to Fourth” (although that is the entirety of Peabody Place, not just a stretch). There will be protected bike lanes along with murals and portable kiosks where artists can show their work, in a partnership between the city and the UrbanArt commission. A few parallel parking spaces will be lost on the street. This is part of a plan to complete a cycling route between Downtown and Midtown, meeting up with cycling lanes being put on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.

Frankie Hollie & The Noise headlines tonight’s Peabody rooftop party. Your $10 cover (or entry with $150 season VIP pass, which can be purchased at the door) gets you live entertainment plus a buffet of chicken taquitos, tortilla chips and dip. If you’re a VIP there’s also a taco bar, refried beans, chicken enchilada dip, and cinnamon churros. The drink specials are traditional margaritas, cinnamon apple margaritas, and Firefly blackberry lemonade moonshine. Doors open at 6, ladies and hotel guests free before 7.

Celtic Woman: Voices of Angels comes to the Orpheum tonight. Showtime is 7 PM and tickets are $42-102.

Random thing I discovered yesterday: I was looking at Google Maps yesterday, trying to discover alternate routes out of Downtown while Riverside is closed. Any place on the map that is known to Google is reviewable, including the Probation & Parole Office at Crump and Kentucky. Four people have submitted reviews. One user gave the office a 3-star (out of 5) review on Google, while three users gave the office a 1-star rating. That averages out to a pitiful 1.5 stars out of 5. Sounds like the probation and parole officers could stand to read a few customer service books! Those of you who visit the office, don’t forget that you can walk across Crump after you’re done and get drunk at The Dirty Crow Inn!

Scam alert: If you get an email notification that someone shared a Google Docs file with you, contact that person and asked if they really shared the file. I am hearing that there is a very sophisticated phishing scam happening on that platform right now.

Holly has a look at the new Front Street Deli. Very cool: They’re going to have delivery, including beer. Very, very cool: They’re apparently going to have a kiosk at Paula & Raiford’s for late night delivery.

I didn’t discover it until recently, but local BBQ team Porkosaurus has a really good Twitter account showing off what you can create with their locally-sold sauce and rub. Follow them at @porkosaurus.

901 Wings at 97 N. Main is now open.

Moody Ques BBQ team menu news: We’re going to have bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers and a roasted vegetable orzo pasta salad in addition to the entrees and sides I named in yesterday’s post. Who sez we got nothin’ to eat? We’re gonna have so much to eat in our booth that our members are going to have to do a 3-day juice cleanse post-BBQ Fest to atone for their sins! (Hopefully our team attorney will have less of a problem with this statement than “We’ll get you so drunk in our booth that you’ll have a seizure and die”)

Inspirational quote of the day:

Wanna gamble? Frontier has announced a nonstop flight from Memphis to Vegas. Or, “LAS Vegas” as my friend Bicycle Bobby calls the city.

That’s it for now. Time to grind out the afternoon at work then Silly Goose happy hour. Back tomorrow with more news.

Wed update #2: Saucer re-opens, a note on my focus at BBQ Fest this year and more

The Flying Saucer is back open, a day earlier than previously announced. They have a new beer selection and a new menu that includes gourmet burgers.

Looking to get away from the Music Fest madness that will happen Downtown Friday night? I have a suggestion. Wiseacre Brewing Co. out on Broad Avenue will host a brewery tour at 6 PM. They’ll explore beers that are “sour” versus those that are fermented with the wild yeast called brettanomyces. Sampling will include Golgi Apparatus, a Belgian Trippel brewed with brettanomyces and a Berliner weisse, Beach within Reach with watermelon. $10 per person and you can sign up here.

Bedrock Eats and Sweets at Main and Vance is looking for Saturday line cooks for an 8 AM to 3 PM shift. Additional shifts will be available but are not required. Email brandi@bedrockeatsandsweets.com to apply.

Michael McDonald has been announced for an Orpheum date. His first new album in 10 years, Wide Open, will be released September 15, and he will go on tour to support it, with a Memphis visit scheduled for November 4 with special guest Marc Cohn. Tickets go on sale at the Orpheum box office Friday, May 12 at 10 AM.

When the levee breaks, have no place to stay… if you have friends or family in Pocahontas, Arkansas, keep a close eye on the news. A Black River levee broke and the town is under a flood emergency.

I hear there’s bad flooding in southeast Missouri as well. I hope everything is OK with my BBQ teammates Jeremy and Jeana’s farm up there.

Beale Street Caravan has announced two big shows not this weekend, but next weekend (the weekend between Music Fest and BBQ Fest). On Friday, May 12, Al Gamble, George Sluppick, and Joe Restivo will put the band back together. The City Champs were a popular band in Memphis several years ago, releasing albums in 2009 and 2010. However, offers of better-paying, wider-touring projects broke the band up. They have stayed in touch, though, and on May 12, they will be back on stage together at Loflin Yard (9 PM showtime) and they have even written some new material. Tickets are $10 in advance at brownpapertickets.com. Cover charge at the door will be $12.

On Saturday, May 13 at Loflin Yard, ten-piece Lovelight Orchestra will perform the sounds you might have heard on Beale Street in the 1940s and 1950s. Think of the sounds you might have heard at The Palace on Beale, the big-band sound on Duke and Peacock Records. The sounds of hometown kids of that era who came up through the music programs of Booker T. Washington and Manassas High School. This show will be taped for broadcast on radio program Beale Street Caravan. Tickets are $10 in advance at brownpapertickets.com. Cover charge at the door will be $12.

Want to check out the new Memphis Grizzlies Memphis Escape Room at Main and G.E. Patterson? Retweet what you see below and you might get to go for free.

Been thinking about photos at BBQ Fest. In past years, I have taken 200-300 photos a day and have posted them to my blog the next morning. The trouble is, I have relied on Google Picasa as a fast way to edit the photos and get them online. Picasa has been discontinued, so I will be using Google Photos, which is not quite as fast or user-friendly. So, if I can only post, say, 50 photos a day, I asked myself, what kind of photos should be my priority?

The answer is obvious… the food. The Moody Ques are a competition shoulder team, but we do more than cook to impress the judges. We feed our members and their guests very well, with 2 meals planned for Wednesday night, 4 meals for Thursday, 4 for Friday, and pulled pork all day Saturday. There will be sausage and cheese plates, burgers, wings, ribs, brisket, pizza and “a surprise” by the cook team in addition to pulled pork. Of course there will be sides and desserts too. My plan is to take photos of every type of food that is served in our booth BBQ Fest weekend. There is an inaccurate, outdated perception out there that if you come to our booth, you won’t get anything to eat. That has not been true for the past two years and has not been true since our current cook team took over the kitchen. For 2017 I plan to completely squash that perception once and for all. Request for my teammates – if food is being served and you notice I am not in the booth, text me and tell me “Paul, get down here” or take photos of the food yourself and text them to me.

Don’t worry, I will get photos of the team and the booth as well – but the food will be my main focus. I feel that is the best way to fulfill my Director of Public Relations role with the camera.

All righty then, that’ll wrap this one up. I’ll be out at the Silly Goose after work getting silly.

Wednesday update

One of the things I like to do on this blog is give my readers a sense of what it’s like to be on a Memphis in May BBQ Fest team. We’re less than two weeks away from load-in and build, so it was time to go shopping in preparation for BBQ Fest. What I bought:

Cargo shorts: Yes, I know these are a fashion no-no, but for BBQ Fest they are necessary. Four pockets are not enough. I need six. I have to carry my keys, pens, my iPhone, my external charger, a camera, spare batteries for the camera, paper wristbands for booth guests, and samples and other random stuff I get handed in Tom Lee Park. Really, thinking about it I wish we had ordered team shirts with pockets so I’d have a 7th one.

BBQ Fest sandals: No, I don’t mean Memphis in May official sandals or anything like that. The idea is that a week in the muddy, swampy park is going to ruin whatever footwear I have on, so I don’t want them ruining my good sandals. I always go to Payless and buy an el cheapo pair to wear to Tom Lee Park.

Rain ponchos: Two-mile walks from the south end of the park to the Downtown core in the pouring rain are not fun. Trust me, I know this from experience. I have three ponchos in reserve. By the way, those of you attending Music Fest or 901 Fest should keep ponchos in mind too. Gift shops on Beale sell these. I think Downtown Walgreens does too.

I’ll add a Music Fest tip for those who have moved to the Downtown core or South Main the past year and therefore don’t already know: Leave work early on Friday. Traffic and parking turns into a nightmare from about 5 on. I pay for a parking garage, but if I’m not home by 5 I find myself parking on level 6 rather than level 2 or 3.

Tacos & Tunes returns to the patio of Felicia Suzanne Restaurant this Thursday, May 4, at 7 PM with live music by Deering & Down. This is a weekly event with different entertainment every week and taco and margarita specials.

Got a couple of pieces of news about the Ghost River taproom. They’re opening up at 2 PM Friday, May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Beer-itas, their Grindhouse ale with margarita mix, will be back and will be made all day. Fuel food truck will be on site at 4 to serve up some tacos.

In Sunday brunch news, Flying Sobies has been such a huge hit that Ghost River is extending its brunch hours, formerly from noon to 4 PM, to noon to 9 PM. Flying Sobies will be there all day slinging fried Cornish game hens, in any of five sauces (or plain), paired with waffles and fries. They’ll be serving Bloody Beers and will have other beer specials on some Sundays. Crockett Hall will host Sunday Evening Slowdown: Songwriter Sessions with a guest each week 5:00-7:30 PM.

If you’re going to Music Fest Friday night and aren’t staying Downtown, I would advise you to not take Union as your route back to Midtown or out east. There will be a sobriety checkpoint at Union and East in the Medical Center District from 8 PM to 2 AM.

Janet Jackson is coming back to FedExForum for a December 6 concert. Tickets go on sale Friday at 10. The show is part of her State of the World tour.

That’s it for now. Probably a second post at lunchtime.

Tuesday update

Planning to run or bike trip to Arkansas? You won’t get past the gate. Starting today, the gate on the Arkansas side of Big River Crossing will be locked as a precautionary measure, anticipating the yearly rise of the Mississippi River. The gate on the Memphis side will remain unlocked and accessible through the normal operating hours of 6 AM to 10 PM.

Don’t worry, the river is not going to rise enough to flood Tom Lee Park and force BBQ Fest to be moved, as was the case in 2012.

Old Dominick Distillery is open! They had their public soft opening yesterday. There are $12 tours and tastings, and bottles in its gift shop. The distillery is at 301 South Front near Gus’s. They will have a grand opening June 24.

The next in the series of Freewheel Slow Rides happens tomorrow. Meet at 603 Monroe at the former Kudzu’s for a bike ride at a leisurely pace exploring Vance, Peabody, and the Annesdale Historic District. Don’t have a bike? You can reserve one of theirs. Come early for discounted pints at High Cotton.

If you’re looking for something to do after Beale Street Music Fest Saturday night, come to the Dirty Crow Inn at Crump and Kentucky. Cam Kimbrough will bring the Hill Country Blues, with a few special guests, to the outdoor deck.

Twilight Sky Terrace on the rooftop of the Madison Hotel is hosting Titos and Tacos with live music tonight and every Tuesday 5-7 PM.

The Artery Alley Party, rained out last week, has been rescheduled for May 10. In Barboro Alley, there will be live music, games, and art on display.

Not a whole lot of news today. Back tomorrow with a longer post, hopefully!

Monday update

If you didn’t get a chance to check out Old Dominick Distillery when they had their open house Friday night, another opportunity is coming up soon. The South Main Association will hold their monthly meeting there Tuesday, May 9. There will be 20-minute tours of the distillery at 6:00 and 6:20, with the meeting starting at 6:40. Owner Chris Canale will discuss the story of the distillery, its products, and why South Main was the right place to locate. There will be a Q&A as well. There will be appetizers and spirits provided by the distillery, with additional adult beverages provided by SMA. Free for members, $10 non-members. Old Dominick is at 305 South Front.

It’s the merry, merry month of May and we are ready to honor Colombia this month as the official Memphis in May country for 2017. South Main and Latino Memphis will be raising their glass to Colombia with the official Latino Memphis Festival cocktail, the Colombian Passion Fruit Mojito. You can get one at Rizzo’s, Cafe Pontotoc, or Spindini.

Award-winning Colombian artist Jorge Yances will have his work on display this month at Art Village Gallery, 410 South Main. There will be an opening cocktail reception at the gallery this Friday, May 5, from 6 to 9 PM.

The following day, Saturday, May 6, there will be An Intimate Evening with Jorge Yances at the gallery from 4 to 6 PM. Cocktails and Colombian fare will be provided, and you’ll have the chance to get to know the artist and his work. Get tickets here.

Bathhouse Soapery and Caldarium has opened at 506 South Main. There are handmade soaps, mineral salts, and bubble baths there that would make perfect gifts for Mother’s Day.

Moody Ques teammates: The tentative cooking schedule has been posted on the team website. Although we are a competition shoulder team, members and their guests will be treated to much more than just pulled pork. Wings, ribs, sausage and cheese plates, brisket, burgers, and pizza are on the menu, and Friday afternoon the cooks have a surprise for all of us. We are looking for people to sign up to bring desserts.

Dancing with the Stars Live has been announced for the Orpheum for July 13. Tickets are now on sale.

Wine Race was a blast yesterday. In past years I have stayed on the sidelines and taken photos for the blog, but this year I wanted to be a part of Team Blind Bear and march in the parade with them. Part of the reason I wanted to be with the team is that Stacey, the Bear’s Queen of the Vine competitor, has been a loyal friend, an insightful confidant, and a good listener, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate her. Also, the grape stomp competitor for the team was none other than my regular Sunday bartender B-RAD.

Stacey (in the white hat)

B-RAD

However, going to get a second Call-a-Cab at Wet Willie’s cannot be counted among my good decisions this past weekend. By the end of grape stomp I was thinking “NEED. FOOD. NOW.” So I missed the wine relay and went over to Flying Fish.

That’s it for now. Probably out at Bardog for Melissa Monday after work.

Beale Street Wine Race – today at Handy Park

Shitshow. There is no other word to describe it.

The Beale Street Wine Race happens today on Beale Street and in Handy Park (corner of Beale and B.B. King). It is the most glorious hot mess you will find in Memphis outside of BBQ Fest. Bars and restaurants enter teams to compete in four events.

Wine Race begins with an opening parade, as teams march down Beale Street in floats and into Handy Park. Best performance wins.

Next up, beginning about 1:20 in the afternoon, is the must-see event: Queen of the Vine. This is a beauty pageant/talent contest of sorts with the creepiest emcee in the city. Contestants are told to keep it classy but sometimes a nipple or something else accidentally slips out.

Following that is a grape stomp. Contestants get a tub of grapes and whoever can stomp the most juice in a set time limit is the winner. For those partial to the Blind Bear, B-RAD will be your grape stomp contestant this year.

Last up is the wine relay, with teams of four competing. The first participant opens a bottle of wine, pours a glass, and then puts the bottle, glass and bar tool on a tray and runs to the other end of Beale Street. Then the second teammate takes the bar tool, opens another bottle of wine, pours a glass, puts everything on the tray… and so on. As you can imagine there is quite a bit of spilled wine. However, some teams (Huey’s comes to mind) practice and do really well.

This is the best free entertainment a Downtowner can ask for, so don’t be afraid of the rain – come on out. If and only if you’re not driving, stop by Wet Willie’s for a Call-a-Cab, probably the most alcoholic drink on Beale. If you can’t handle that, get you a Big Ass Beer.

In other news, I recruited a new Moody Ques member while drinking out of another BBQ team’s koozie yesterday at a massive three-and-a-half-hour session at Earnestine & Hazel’s. Every year I marvel at the way our BBQ team pulls it all together in the final weeks and enters BBQ Fest week strong as an ox. That’ll do it for now. Time to put on my Team Bear shirt and get things started.

You need one of these for BBQ Fest

While he had his clothing store on Main Street, Tom Shelton launched a line of clothing called Pink Pig Apparel. Having seen the Izod alligator and the Polo by Ralph Lauren horse, Tom wanted to create a line of clothing that was nice enough to wear to work or business casual events, but which kept you true to your Memphis roots. So the Pig was born. Tom started off with polos and expanded the line to hats. dress shirts, T-shirts, fleece zip-ups and more Pink Pig logo items.

When Shelton Clothiers closed, the Pig didn’t die. It lived on at Life Is Good in the Peabody Place office tower. Now that Life Is Good is no more (does that mean Life Isn’t Good now?), the Pig has taken up residence at Sache at 525 S. Main. Yep, you can buy a “Take That For Data” shirt and a Pink Pig hat all in one convenient location.

Last night, we had a mini-BBQ team meeting at the Silly Goose, with team president Clay, vice-president John D, treasurer Misty, me, and Deputy Director of Public Relations Perjorie T. Roll. Post-meeting Perjorie and I headed south to South Main Trolley Night. “Do me a favor,” said Misty. “Take a picture of the Pink Pig hats and text it to me. I’ll tell you what color I want and I’ll pay you back. We can use PayPal, Venmo or whatever to get you the money.”

“Or, you could just give me the money the next time you see me, when I give you the hat,” I replied.

I went down to Sache and found the Pig on a table outside. Tom and his lovely wife Christine were there. I told them my shopping assignment and they let me snap a photo of the hats. “Yellow one in the front,” Misty texted back.

As of yet they only have hats and polos at Sache. I told Christine I would be very interested in seeing Pink Pig T-shirts there. I don’t have to wear a shirt with a collar to work, so I wear the same clothes at work that I do at home most of the time. For the past several years I have been running across the street from work to Target any time I needed a new shirt. I would much rather wear the Pig.

I hope they bring the fleeces back in the winter. I bought two zip-up fleeces about six years ago and they are perfect with a pair of shorts when it’s about 55-60 outside. They are second only to my PBR hoodie in terms of favorite clothing.

After shopping, it was time for a visit to Earnestine & Hazel’s. Perjorie T. Roll guarded Misty’s hat while I ordered a beer.

On to the news. There will be a night of pole dancing and acrobatics tonight at the Rumba Room. Community jam session 6-8 PM and then the show from 8 to 9.

Gannett is holding back severance pay to the Commercial Appeal employees they let go earlier this month because of a petty squabble with the newspaper union that has nothing to do with the employees in question. They also made all their advertising staff re-apply for their jobs. I encourage all of you to call Mike Jung, interim publisher, at 239-335-0277 and tell him what you think about this.

The Bluff City Backsliders take the stage at the Dirty Crow Inn tonight at 9.

It’s ’90s Night at the Redbirds. Mr. Belding from Saved By The Bell will be there, Roxi Love will perform ’90s hits before the game, and of course it’s fireworks night. 6:35 first pitch.

Full day ahead. I will lead off at the Memphis Farmers Market, then over to Clarence’s bar at Earnestine & Hazel’s, then down to Max’s Sports Bar for their crawfish boil. After that the next stop will be Floyd Alley between Fourth and Danny Thomas for The Edge Gets Lit alley party. Eight bands, fun and games, a dog olympics, Jamaican food and more! Of course, I could probably talked into wandering down the street to the High Cotton taproom for a beer while I’m in the neighborhood, if anyone is interested! That’s it for now, back tomorrow with more news and probably some alley party photos.

Friday update: Irish Heritage Night at the Redbirds

If you’re going to the Redbirds tonight, you might want to make plans to get there early. It’s Irish Heritage Night, presented by Silky O’Sullivan’s. The first 1500 people through the gates (which open at 6:00, 7:05 first pitch) receive a special green Redbirds logo hat. There will be corned beef and cabbage and beers on special in “The Brewhouse” just inside the main gates. The Silky O’Sullivan’s dueling pianos will perform in the plaza before the game.

The Halloran Centre had a free night on its calendar, so they’re showing classic movie E.T. tonight on the big screen at 7. $5 to get in.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem will perform at the Orpheum tomorrow night at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets are $25-69 and there’s a $79 VIP ticket.

Lettuce turn up the beets is the theme at the Memphis Farmers Market this Saturday. You can buy many varieties of lettuce at the Market, then toss in some radishes, beets, leeks, turnips, and onions to make a delicious salad. Kids can start their own garden from 9 to 11, choosing their seeds and then planting them in a see-through greenhouse. For adults who garden, the Master Gardeners will be back from 9 to noon to answer your questions. UT Operation Heart will check your blood pressure for free 8 to noon. Mid-South Transplant will have a table at the Market so you can learn more about their organization. Live music by Bailey Bigger 8:30 to 10 and Kim Harmon 11 to 12:30. The Memphis Farmers Market is held under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson every Saturday until the end of October, 7 AM to 1 PM.

I sure hope they’re done with film shoots at Earnestine & Hazel’s on Saturday mornings for a while. Last Saturday I walked there after the Market and there was a DO NOT ENTER sign on the door. I was like, “Nooooo! I can’t get in my Saturday morning happy place!” I shoulda got a stool and some popcorn and set up a perch across the street, to see how many people would walk up, see the DO NOT ENTER sign, and then go in anyway. From what I understand, Tennessee Ballet had rented the place out for filming.

The MemphisWeather.net blog looks at this weekend’s weather. Things are not looking good for the Wine Race on Sunday. Rain, possibly heavy, is expected all day.

THANK YOU to the Memphis Grizzlies for a great season. Most analysts had Memphis missing the playoffs and going to the draft lottery. Instead, the Grizz took one of the league’s best teams to six games. Not a shabby season in the least.

As part of South Main Trolley Night, there will be an art show by veterans tonight 6-10 PM. Gallery owner Ephram Urevbu has been working with veterans who were impacted by the ravages of war, encouraging them to express what they saw and felt through works of art. The works will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to the building of the first State Veterans Home.

After getting postponed by rain last week, it will once again be time for a crawfish boil at Max’s Sports Bar tomorrow, Saturday, April 29. Doors open at 11 with the first batch coming off at 12:30. $10 for a 2-pound box plus taters, corn, and sausage. I’m a crawfish fan and can attest that they do crawfish right at Max’s. I WILL BE THERE after my usual Saturday morning stops at the Farmers Market and Earnestine & Hazel’s, although I may refrain from eating crawfish so I will have room for some Jamaican food from Evelyn & Olive at The Edge Gets Lit later in the afternoon.

That’s it for now. Will probably happy hour at Silly Goose then head south for Trolley Night. Back tomorrow with more news.

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.