Paul Ryburn's Journal

Someone has stolen Louie, the mascot of Sleep Out Louie’s. Management has asked me to put out an APB. If anyone has seen a 5-foot-tall doll who looks like he spends all his time sitting at a bar, please contact SOL management.

Someone also stole the Bass Ale Sleep Out Louie’s sign that was hanging in the window… I hear management is PISSED about that one, to the point where they may press charges if they find out who did it.

Yeah, it’s looking like this is going to be the Sleep Out Louie’s blog this week.

Tuesday: The usual trivia night at the Flying Saucer, of course, but it’s also Fat Tuesday, which means I’ll be easily convinced to stay out afterward and celebrate. One of this blog’s regular readers has indicated that she might flash me if I bring her beads.

Thursday: Lantana Projects is hosting an event at the Fogleman Center at the University of Memphis. Lantana brings international artists to Memphis to do residencies, and their current artist-in-residence, Barbara Bickart, will be giving a lecture in room 123 at 6:30 PM, talking about her inspirations and plans for upcoming projects in Memphis. After the lecture there will be a reception for her at RP Billiards on Highland, which should get started around 8:00. Come on by for one or both; Lantana brings something new and different to Memphis, and deserves support.

Friday: I’ll be stopping by Sleep Out Louie’s for Bobby Durango, Smokin’ Lemon, and Crash Kole. Smokin’ Lemon: “We’re going to rock it out Friday night.” After their first set I’ll head down to South Main for Trolley Tour and a friend’s party. I hear it’s going to be 73 Friday; time to break out the summer clothes.

Saturday: Sleep Out’s final night with a performance by Pam & Terry. Wouldn’t be anywhere else. I had earlier posted that I might head out to East Bumblefuck to catch the Dempseys at Mulligan’s 64; obviously those plans have been changed now that I know it will be my last chance to hang out at SOL.

Sunday: Sunday brunch, The Next Generation. Looks like most of the brunch crew has agreed upon The Majestic Grille as our spot, at least for a while. Their new brunch menu isn’t on their site but you can view it here. Come on by and join us. Early risers: Keep in mind that the Majestic opens at 11, not 10:30 like Sleep Out’s did.

Not sure what I’ll do tonight and Wednesday… I probably ought to stay home, as I have plenty of projects I need to work on.

A lot of people have Presidents’ Day off but I’m not among them… back to the cubicle for an exciting afternoon of SQL Server stored procedures.

Got a flyer on my door about this… due to a schedule conflict I won’t be able to attend, but wanted to pass on the info.

Saturday, March 3 will be Downtown Night at the Memphis Grizzlies game vs. the Detroit Pistons. Downtowners will get discounts on tickets that night: Plaza seats for $65 (regularly $106.75), Club for $90 (normally $130.75), and Terrace for $25 (normally $71.75).

In addition to the 7:00 game, your ticket will get you into a pre-game party with UNLIMITED BEER AND HORS D’OUEVRES from 4:30 to 6:45. There will be a cash bar for those who want liquor. The Grizzlies and the dance team will be there, and there will be door prizes given away, including floor seats to upcoming games, Grizzlies merchandise, and prizes from Downtown businesses. After the game, all Downtowners will be invited to take a shot on the Grizzlies’ court.

For tickets call (901) 888-4467 ext.2.

Also, The Dempseys will be playing the Flying Saucer that night starting at 9:30, so that’s a post-game entertainment option.

Friday night is your last chance to see Bobby, Josh and Crash perform at Sleep Out Louie’s. Their musical projects will not die with Sleep Out’s but this is your last chance to see them in the bar that gave birth to it all. I’m going to show up late for a party in order to make at least their first set.

Rachel and the City asked me to post this to help promote this Friday’s upcoming event at the Hi-Tone, so here you go. Music by Snowglobe, Giant Bear, Jamie Randolph and the Bloodsuckers, Jump Back Jake, Holly Cole and DJ Witnesse. Looks like this is a benefit to help some of these musicians get to the SXSW competition in Austin next month, which is one of the music world’s most important events. It’s definitely worth it to help our fellow Memphians do well there.

The Fish N’ Flush Aquarium.

Thanks to Andy Ashby of the Memphis Business Journal for forwarding me this information.

As reported here earlier, Sleep Out Louie’s will close February 24 for an extensive renovation and will reopen as Mesquite Chop House. During the renovation, Sleep Out’s patio will be converted into a glass atrium, raising the seating from 90 to 120 and giving the place more of a restaurant-like as opposed to bar-like feel.

Like the original Mesquite Chop House in Southaven, it will feature a marble-topped bar, paintings and dark wood.

The restaurant will focus on steaks and chops and will feature 21-day-aged certified Angus beef. Steaks will be cooked over mesquite wood from Texas.

There will also be a wine room in the atrium. A large wine selection will be kept, and there will be monthly wine tastings.

There will also be a Sunday brunch and live music on the weekend.

Restaurant is scheduled to open June 1.

If you have a tie hanging at Sleep Out’s, stop by between now and February 24 to claim it.

HogCall.com has several news articles on the front page of its site, spelling out the controversies involving the Arkansas Razorback football program over the past several months. These incidents are in large part why athletic director Frank Broyles is reportedly being forced to resign.

Dance collective Project:Motion presents a performance called Emerge starting tonight. Their flyer/postcard reads,

Project Motion deepens the presence of modern dance in Memphis with Emerge – a dance concert which brings six new artists to the surface. These fresh artists (also lawyers, therapists and teachers by profession) raise works from various investigations – the pull of physical gravity, the complexity of family relationships, the portrait of strong women, and the struggle of immigration. Ideas, questions, and passions take shape and emerge, reaching the surface through the art of the body in space.

Performances will be at TheatreWorks, at 8 PM tonight, tomorrow, and the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. There will be 2 PM performances this Sunday and next. Tickets are $15 adults and $10 students/seniors. Last time they had a performance the Thursday night show was “pay what you can” night; not sure if they’re doing that again.

Should be a good show – it better be, because rehearsals have deprived my trivia team of one of its most valuable members over the past three months. If you’re into dance, you should definitely make plans to check it out.

The word I’m hearing is that Sleep Out Louie’s will shut down on Saturday, February 24, after a final performance by Pam and Terry. That means that this coming Sunday, February 18, is the final-ever Sunday brunch at SOL. So if you want to have one last mimosa or bloody mary at Josh’s bar on Sunday, you better come on by.

Pam and Terry have a page on their website about Sleep Out’s closing – be sure to check it out.

Today on A Better, Bigger Deal: I found a one-day (today) only sale where you can get a 2GB flash drive for under $10, a 500GB external hard drive for under $150, or a 1GB MP3 player for about $44.