Friday update

Legendary radio hosting duo Drake & Zeke will be honored with a Brass Note on Beale Street’s Walk of Fame next Friday, September 16. Drake Hall and the late Zeke Logan were hosts of Rock 103’s afternoon drive-time show for many years.

Their note makes a point I stress in my Beale Street Walking Tour. Most of the notes are awarded to musicians – but not all. Anyone who had a long-lasting influence on the Memphis music scene and/or on Beale Street is eligible.

Here is another example of a Beale Street Brass Note. Lillie Mae Glover was a Beale Street blueswoman of the mid-20th century. She was also a conjure doctor who prepared mojo bags for her bandmates.

Did I use some unfamiliar terms in that last paragraph? Take my Beale Street Walking Tour and get familiar with them! The next time I lead the tour is Thursday, September 14 from 1:30 to 2:30.

A day ahead of the Southern Heritage Classic, there will be a UAPB pep rally on Beale Street in Handy Park from 5 to 7 PM.

Payment services providers Square and Cash App went down for a while yesterday evening. I was at one of my regular spots and several customers there were unable to pay their tabs.

Jonny and Clyde with Naomi Campbell perform tonight 7 to 10 at South Main Sounds.

FIBA World Cup basketball semifinals: USA vs. Germany, 7:40 this morning, on ESPN2.

Fast Company looks at the improvements to Tom Lee Park.

This sign board by Dinstuhl’s on Main Street is a reminder that pineapple is best served covered in chocolate, not atop pizza:

Deep Roots plays Slider Inn Downtown tonight at 7.

Volunteer opportunity: Take Action with the Grizzlies Wednesday, September 20 from noon to 3 PM. Volunteers must be 18+ and will receive a T-shirt and food truck voucher. The project will include school supply kits, food aid kits, and bicycle building.

A bride had her wedding dress stolen from her car while she was attending a wedding rehearsal dinner at Second and Monroe. This is the SECOND time her car has been stolen in Downtown Memphis while working on wedding plans.

There was a shooting at the Lil Baby concert at FedExForum last night. One victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

YogaSix seeks a teacher for vinyasa-based heated yoga and Sculpt Studio.

Not Downtown but likely fulfilling enough to make a drive to work worth it: Make-A-Wish seeks a wish coordinator

The Brooks Museum says that stopping work on the new Downtown location could cost $7 million.  Friends for Our Riverfront claims the museum is not within the “public promenade” wishes of the land’s original owners.

From the CA: Hive Bagel & Deli will bring bagels and much more to 276 S. Front

Also in the CA, Jennifer Chandler has a taste of Tom Lee Park’s food offerings.

That’s it for this morning. Back tomorrow.

Thursday update

I’m giving my 1-hour Beale Street Walking Tour today from 1:30 to 2:30. If interested, sign up using the link (it’s $15) and meet me on the patio of Alfred’s at 1:20.

Atomic Rose, the LGBTQ+ club a block south of Beale on Second, is back open again with their new A/C system installed.

The Memphis Flyer has a look at 2023’s fall fairs and festivals. Those happening Downtown include

There are not many places Downtown that do meat-and-two for lunch anymore, but walking home yesterday I discovered a place I didn’t know did it: King & Union Bar Grocery in the Doubleetree (the old TGI Friday’s space).

Paul Young, the Memphis mayoral candidate I support, has won the endorsement of the Shelby County Young Democrats.

Huge news: The University of Memphis has shattered its previous record amount of research grants awarded: This year it’s $86 million. Before this year, the record was set at $51 million in 2022. The U of M was designated an R1 (top) research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recently.

The Dermon Building, a 10-story high-rise at Court and B.B. King, may become a Holiday Inn Express.

DJ Cash Money (Jerome Hewlett), the very first inductee into the DJ Hall of Fame, will play the EIght & Sand Lounge in Central Station Friday from 8 PM to 1 AM.

From FOX 13: Woman thrown from car doing donuts in Downtown Memphis. It happened at Ida B. Wells and Gayoso, said to be a reckless driving hotspot. No police were around.

Today is National Beer Lover’s Day. May I recommend the PBR?

That’ll do it. Back tomorrow with more news.

Wednesday update

We’ve got back-to-back shows at FedExForum:

River City Records will have a sidewalk sale Saturday and Sunday. 50% off hundreds of select records and merchandise. Free stickers, buttons, and swag.

The Planters Peanut car will be back at the Peanut Shoppe Friday from noon to 4. Come hang out with Mr. Peanut and the gang.

The Blind Bear has announced its “Features” (specials) for this week:

  • Elote (Mexican street corn soup) – corn, cream, jalapeno, parmesan – cup 6, bowl 8
  • Fish tacos (two of them) – cod, aioli, mango salsa, fresh tortilla chips & salsa 16
  • Cobbler (strawberry or blackberry) – Margie’s 901 ice cream 8

The Mississippi Bullfrogs play Downtown Central BBQ Saturday at 6 PM.

Let’s have a look at Week 2 college football games of interest. All games below to be played Saturday, September 9:

  • Ball State at 1 Georgia, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
  • 20 Ole Miss at 24 Tulane, 2:30 PM, ESPN2
  • 23 Texas A&M at Miami, 2:30 PM, ABC
  • Kent State at Arkansas, 3:00 PM, SEC Network
  • Austin Peay at 9 Tennessee, 4:00 PM, SEC Network
  • 11 Texas at 3 Alabama, 6:00 PM, CBS
  • Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Tennessee State, 6:00 PM, Southern Heritage Classic
  • Memphis at Arkansas State, 6:00 PM, ESPN+
  • Grambling at 14 LSU, 6:30 PM, SEC Network
  • Auburn at California, 9:30 PM, ESPN

The owners of the former Commercial Appeal building at 495 Union are looking to subdivide it.

The same article has updated plans for the Dream Hotel at Main and Gayoso in the old Royal Furniture building.

A flight from Atlanta to Barcelona had to be turned around 2 hours after it took off because a passenger had diarrhea and it was deemed a biohazard.

That’s all. Back tomorrow with more news.

Tuesday update

Unranked Duke 28, number 9 Clemson 7. LOVE IT! I bet Clemson won’t even be ranked in this week’s AP Top 25.

New library card styles at the Cossitt Library to celebrate National Library Card Month:

From the CA: Coach Penny says Derrick Rose wants to rekindle his relationship with Memphis Tigers basketball. D-Rose was on the 2008 team that played Kansas for the NCAA championship. However, the Tigers’ wins ended up being vacated that year because it was believed that Rose had someone take the SAT for him. Rose returns to Memphis this fall as a Grizzlies free-agent signing.

It’s time for a run to Aldo’s Pizza Pies for National Cheese Pizza Day.

From ABC 24: What tourists have to say about recent crime in Downtown Memphis

Gladys Knight comes to the Orpheum Thursday.

Out in Victorian Village, the Woodruff-Fontaine House will have an attic sale at noon Wednesday. New pieces have been added.

Get free legal advice at 140 Adams this Thursday at 1.

Alice Reasons plays the King’s Palace Tap Room on Beale Friday night.

It’ll be $2 beer night at AutoZone Park Wednesday as Memphis 901 FC hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies. 7 PM kickoff.

Sip N Slurp: The Ultimate Ramen Party will be presented by Shroomilicious Meals Sunday evening at 200 Poplar Suite 105. Tickets are $35-$55.

Jonny and Clyde with Naomi Campbell play South Main Sounds Friday evening.

The annual Southern Heritage Classic, this year featuring UAPB vs. Tennessee State, kicks off at the Liberty Bowl Saturday at 6 PM.

That’s it for now. Back tomorrow with college football games of the week and more news.

Labor Day update

I walked down to the “new, improved” Tom Lee Park yesterday. Going in, I had no idea what my reaction would be.

On one hand, I believe our main river park needs to be an amenity enjoyed by ALL Memphians, 365 days a year. Not just people who can afford an expensive music festival ticket 3 days a year. Not just people who have hundreds of dollars to spend to join a BBQ team for 4 days a year.

On the other hand, as someone who was on such a BBQ team – The Ques Brothers and then The Moody Ques – for 13 years, I realized it was the end of an era. A magical place where I had some of the best experiences of my life would never be the same again.

So, for me to truly approve of the new Tom Lee Park, Memphis River Parks Partnership would have to NAIL the renovations.

My verdict, having spent an hour walking through the park Sunday?

I LOVE IT.

The temperature was about the same as Saturday – upper 80s – but the humidity was back, making it feel close to 100 outside. As I walked down there, I wondered if the heat would be too much and I’d have to turn back without seeing the entire thing.

So I was thrilled when I got past Beale Street Landing and saw a set of misters blowing cool mist out of the ground. I walked through them and instantly felt 10 degrees cooler.

I marveled at the diversity of spaces in the park. There were, as promised, wide-open fields big enough to hold fans of Music Fest acts. There were smaller, secluded, more intimate spaces. There were lush meadows and rolling hills.

I was impressed by the quality of the vendors. Paper Plate Pavilion was serving meals. Vice & Virtue was serving coffee. Ben & Jerry’s was serving ice cream. MemPops had a trailer there.

And yes, there were several stands selling beer and other alcoholic beverages. I think those are important to have, considering Downtown Memphis is the day-drinking capital of the U.S.

There was basketball, pickleball, and some kind of stretchy bendy class (my guess would be yoga, but I’m not entirely sure) under a covered pavilion. There were yard games and hula hooping out in the open. There were hammocks. There were people walking their dogs.

I positively love it.

Now, I do admit, the naysayers have some valid concerns. Memphis has a history of not properly maintaining amenities. I pass along these questions the critics have asked, which I think are valid:

  • Let’s say I take a book down to Tom Lee one Sunday in November, after the newness has worn off. What guarantee do I have that I’ll be able to read in peace, without being harassed and hit up for money? Or worse, robbed?
  • How do we know those hammocks won’t become a homeless encampment? Will they smell so bad in a month’s time that no one will want to use them?
  • For that matter, how do we know people won’t have sex in the hammocks? Happens in bar bathrooms Downtown all the time.
  • There’s a guy in my part of Downtown (Main/Madison) who seemingly gets arrested for public indecency every other day. Stuff like masturbating in front of women. How do we know he won’t be allowed to find a new audience at Tom Lee?

But overall, Memphis River Parks Partnership, ya done good. Real good. 4.75 stars out of a possible 5. People were comparing Tom Lee to NYC’s Central Park. Never been there, but it reminds me a little of Balboa Park in San Diego (with different flora, obviously).

LSU’s playoff hopes were possibly ended last night, thanks to a 45-24 trouncing by Florida State. One more game left in college football week 1: Clemson at Duke tonight at 7:00 on ESPN.

I saw several people walk out of a popular Downtown bar after learning they were charging $9 for a mimosa on a Sunday afternoon. Unless you have a fountain with five ducks swimming in it, that’s an outrageously high price point.

I received a tip yesterday from one of my neighbors that Alfred’s has one of the best secret menus in town. Since my company does ticket sales from their patio, I will investigate that lead this week.

Local on Main has revised their menu. They’ve added some new items and have lowered the prices on some of their crowd favorites.

I had to visit A. Schwab on Beale yesterday to prepare for the 1:30 walking tour of Beale I am leading today. In particular, I needed to get familiar with items used in the practice of hoodoo -magical ritual items and stuff.

I wasn’t surprised to find a deck of palmistry cards, cards that explain how to read people’s fortune by looking at the palms of their hands. However, I was surprised to find this:

PAW-mistry cards. They show you how to read your dog’s fortune. The way people love their dogs, I wouldn’t be surprised if the dog cards outsold the human cards several times over.

Downstairs I found this:

Because, you never know when goat noises are going to come in handy.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Team USA took a 110-104 loss to Jonas Valanciunas and Lithuania in FIBA World Cup action yesterday. But the news isn’t all bad. Team USA advances to the quarterfinals of the knockout stage, playing Italy at 7:40 AM Tuesday (TV: ESPN2). Also, yesterday’s showing qualified the Americans for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Today is Eat an Extra Dessert Day.

Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the October 5 mayoral and City Council elections.

For breakfast today: squid chips!

A friend of mine who recently traveled to Thailand brought me two bags of them: BBQ-flavored (pictured here) and original. Smelly but so good!

Almost time to give a tour. Back tomorrow with more news.

Sunday update

RIP Jimmy Buffett

Yesterday I learned there is a Gangster Museum of America only a two-and-a-half hour drive away from Memphis, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. That’s a museum I would not mind road-tripping to visit!

Today the DM profiles my choice in the upcoming mayoral election, Paul Young.

From Action News 5: Memphis residents celebrate Day One at Tom Lee Park

The Memphis Tigers rolled to 1-0 with a 56-14 win over Bethune-Cookman yesterday. Next up: at Arkansas State 6 PM Saturday. A-State got blown out 73-0 by Oklahoma yesterday.

The American Athletic Conference is said to be targeting Army as a replacement for SMU, which is departing for the ACC.

That’s it. Short post today. I’m going to try to check out the new Tom Lee Park today, so maybe I’ll have pictures tomorrow.

Saturday update

Working on Beale Street, I see the most fantastic T-shirts. Yesterday I saw one that read, I’M THE REASON THE BEER IS ALWAYS GONE

A.W. Willis around North Main will be limited to traffic next week due to trolley track repairs.

From FOX 13: Downtown’s annual cigar festival in Handy Park will raise money for the Raise the Bar Foundation, which promotes positive development for Black boys in Memphis. The festival runs through Sunday.

From the CA: Penny Hardaway takes the first shot on Tom Lee Park’s new basketball court. Don’t forget, today is Day One, the park’s grand reopening.

The first 1500 fans at AutoZone Park for the Redbirds vs. Gwinnett tonight receive a Jordan Walker bobblehead. The first pitch is at 6:35 and there will be fireworks after the game.

The Downtown safety plan’s numerous street closures on weekend nights continue to be confusing. I just spent about 20 minutes studying the safety plan and here is what I -THINK- you should do if you want to drive to the heart of the Downtown entertainment district and park there.

  • Get to the intersection of MLK and Danny Thomas
  • Travel west on MLK to Fourth/Ida B. Wells Street. MLK will allow traffic in both directions
  • Turn north on Fourth/Ida B. Wells St. from MLK. Fourth/Wells will apparently allow northbound traffic but not southbound.
  • Turn west on Peabody Place from Fourth/Wells and park in whichever of the public garages suits your fancy

DISCLAIMER: I have not tried to drive/park Downtown using this strategy and could be totally wrong. If I do have this wrong, please let me know, as I now work for a business affected by this plan! Contact me at paul.ryburn@gmail.com or on social media or text me.

From Action News 5: Downtown restaurant owners respond to the safety plan

Today is International Bacon Day.

Today is 902 Day. That’s the area code for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I wonder if they have celebrations there, as we do for 901 Day?

From Gizmodo: 11 cool tricks you can do with the Google search bar

Quemist (Michael Ivy) plays Central Station tonight.

That’s it for today. I’ll be brunching at Bardog with friends here in a bit. Happy Saturday!

Friday update

Today is 901 Day! Not only does 901 stand for the date, September 1, but 901 is the area code for the Memphis metro. Over the past decade, September 1 has evolved into a day to celebrate all that is wonderful about Memphis. It’s a day of civic pride.

There will be a celebration at 9:01 this morning at Main and Beale for A Little LOVE Goes a Long Way for the 901, a temporary art installation by Pat Milberry. It’s BYOB, so bring your favorite morning beverage for a toast (and don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if you spike your orange juice with vodka).

Local on Main will have $7 Old Dominick cocktails to celebrate the day.

 

Local on Main will also have BBQ pulled pork nachos on sale for $9.01 today.

The Redbirds will celebrate 901 Day tonight at AutoZone Park. The Overton Shell on Wheels will be outside 4-7 PM, featuring live music by The Lucky 7 Brass Band and Black Cream. Also before the game, there will be a party on the plaza with local vendors, games, a photo booth, and inflatables.

The first 1500 fans in the gates of AutoZone Park receive one of two 901 shirts. Prizes will be given away during the game, and after the game there will be fireworks.

There’s also a ticket bundle that gets you into tonight’s Redbirds game and the Mempho Music Fest coming up at the end of this month.

Memphis Made will celebrate 901 Day in The Ravine with live music by The Turnstyles, Solar Powered Love, and River City Tanlines. Also:

  • Board to Beers gaming truck
  • Memphis Roller Derby demos
  • Soi #9 food truck
  • Hot N’ Heavy Dogs
  • MemPops

Grind City Brewing Co. will celebrate 901 Day with live music by Benton Parker, Wyly Bigger, and Jad Tariq. There will also be a vendor market from 5 to 8 and drink specials. Bring your 2021 or 2022 Oktoberfest stein (or purchase your 2023 one) for $5 fills of Poppy’s Pils or Oktoberfest all night.

Feast & Graze will host a 901 Day Market and will have $9.01 lunch specials.

ACRHd at 65 Monroe (a couple of doors down from Bardog) has deals today:

– 8”x10” Memphis art prints for $9.01 (regularly $24)
– Single Memphis coasters for $9.01

These deals are in-store only.

Edge Motor Museum will have half-price admission and extended hours today.

Old Dominick will have $9.01 Old Fashioneds in its tasting room and free tours for anyone with a valid Tennessee ID.

EDITED TO ADD: $9.01 Jameson Slushies at both Slider Inns all day

There will be pickleball at Tom Lee Park all day Sunday.

That’s it for now. I’m off to do my second demo of the Beale Street Walking Tour for company management. It’s 1:30-2:30 PM Labor Day (September 4) and spots are still available if you want to go. Sign up here.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Thursday update: Smurfey’s Smokehouse is coming to the Downtown core

When I walk to the new job in the mornings, I usually take Madison east to B.B. King, then south on B.B. King to Beale where I work. So, every day I walk past the storefront at 149 Madison, most recently home to “fam,” a fast-casual Asian & sushi restaurant.

I hadn’t been to fam since before the pandemic. “Is it open?” I wondered as I walked by last week. “It sure looks dark in there.”

Yesterday I got my answer when I saw two new signs in the window.

This is fantastic news for those who live and work in the Downtown core!! Smurfey’s is a BBQ joint that has operated out of a food truck for years. The truck was a fixture at Thursday Court Square food truck rodeos.

The first Thursday of 2019, I walked over to Court Square. I was in the mood for BBQ, but I wanted something different. I was burned out on pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ nachos.

Smurfey’s had the answer.

I got a jumbo baked potato topped with slow-smoked pulled pork, cheese sauce, and Smurfey sauce. I added veggies, which were optional, for a couple of dollars more.

That baked potato was one of the BEST things I have ever put in my mouth! The flavor profile of the pork along with the sauces was out of this world. I am so excited I’ll be able to get Smurfey’s pulled pork any day I want it, not just Thursday lunch.

By the way, if you don’t eat pork, you can get your potato topped with brisket or chicken. I think turkey may be an option too.

The sign in the window says Smurfey’s will be open for breakfast too. I’ll be excited to see what they come up with there. With the demise of Blue Plate Cafe and River Tine Deli, the city center is in need of more breakfast spots.

A Chancery Court judge has issued a ruling that could stop the construction of the Brooks Museum of Art at Front and Monroe. Friends for Our Riverfront, which asked for the ruling, will have to post a bond covering the costs of stopping construction.

Today is Circle K Day. The convenience store will offer discounts on in-store items as well as on gas and EV charging.

Memphis Beer Blog has a look back at 10 years of Wiseacre beer.

They’re setting up tents in Handy Park for the annual Beale Street Cigar Festival this weekend.

Lenny’s at Main and Peabody Place is finally back open a full complement of hours: 10:30 AM to 8 PM Monday-Saturday. They are also available for catering.

Use promo code PBR to buy a Throwback Thursday ticket to see the Redbirds tonight and receive a PBR T-shirt and 2 beers for free. There are throwback prices of $2 PBRs and $1 hot dogs. The ‘birds take the field in their Memphis Chicks uniforms to play Gwinnett at 6:45.

YUMMY special at Local on Main this week: Cheesy Collard Greens dip. I didn’t get a photo but it’s collards topped with 3 kinds of melted cheese and bread crumbs, with house-made chips for dipping. I had some and it was so good.

Another shooting Downtown: A 15-year-old boy was shot near Union and Wagner Place, half a block east of Riverside Drive, at 5:20 yesterday morning. UPDATE: The 15-year-old may have been breaking into cars

I received a beer + shot mixer suggestion yesterday that sounded worth passing on to my readers: Wiseacre Gotta Get Up to Get Down + Skrewball peanut butter whiskey

Montenegro and Lithuania are the next two opponents for Team USA in FIBA World Cup action. Montenegro has NBA All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, while Lithuania has a center Memphians are familiar with: Jonas Valanciunas. Game times:

  • vs. Montenegro Friday 3:40 AM
  • vs. Lithuania Sunday 7:40 AM

France will be Memphis In May’s 2024 honored country.

We will soon have a NERF theme park a day’s drive from Memphis.

Downtown’s Hilton Garden Inn has a temporary food & beverage director position open. The position runs through October.

Whet Thursday returns to the Metal Museum tonight. Smithing demos, live music, a food truck on site, yard games. Admission is free.

Jad Tariq plays the final Summer  Acoustic Concert in the courtyard of Caption by Hyatt tonight.

Sunset Skate returns to River Garden tonight from 6 to 9. “Groove and glide down Riverside Drive.”

Goodlife DJs play Eight & Sand Lounge in Central Station Hotel Friday night.

That’ll do it for today. I’m about to get out in this beautiful weather. Back tomorrow.

Wednesday update

The Lobbyist, the new-ish restaurant in the Chisca, has announced that their chef’s table is now available for bookings. Chef Jimmy and Chef Jessica will thoughtfully create for you a 6- to 8-course meal.  There’s an optional pairing of two different tiers of wine. 901-249-2170 for reservations.

Blind Bear opens at 1 today with Jeannette herself behind the bar for happy hour.

Due to an air-conditioning system failure, Atomic Rose will be closed through Labor Day.

The DM reports that Hive Bagel and Deli will open Friday, September 8 at 276 S. Front. Owner Josh Steiner believes the high volume of foot traffic coming through the area makes the location ideal for a fast-casual breakfast restaurant.

The Memphis Redbirds host the Gwinnett Stripers tonight at 6:45.

Spaces, a co-working facility, will occupy the second, third, and fourth floors of 107 S. Main by November.

Today is Slinky Day.

Hurricane Idalia spins in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall along the elbow-bend of Florida this morning. It is currently on track to hit Savannah and Charleston as a strong tropical storm before heading back out to sea in the Atlantic.

Neighbors are sick of truck crashes at a low bridge on East Carolina Avenue.

Just City Memphis seeks a program coordinator.

I notice 111 Madison has been rebranded as an event venue. I thought that’s where Cafe Lit was going to be. Is that plan no longer going to happen? Anyone got the info?

That’s it for now. My updates may be a little slow coming this week as I practice my Beale Street walking tour for work. Back tomorrow, or maybe Friday, with more news.