Friday update #2

The 2017 BBQ Fest schedule has been released. Although Wednesday is now a public day, the park will not open to the public until 5 PM. There will be Sauce Wrestling Wednesday night 6:30-7:30.

A sellout crowd of 10,220 watched the Battle of the Birds at AutoZone Park last night. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Memphis Redbirds, 9-3. The Redbirds’ home opener is April 11. The Daily News has a report.

Memphis Made is having a Grizzlies watch party Sunday starting at 2 PM (2:30 tip-off vs. the Lakers). I Love Memphis, Grizzly Bear Blues, and Grizz Essentials are teaming up for this one. The game will be on the big screen, limited edition beers will be on tap, and the Gourmade food truck will be onsite. There will be ticket and swag giveaways.

901FPV.com is a local charitable organization that promotes the building and flying of radio-controlled drones. Their goal is to extend the educational and scientific purposes of aviation advancement. A week from tomorrow, Saturday, April 8, they will have a fun and family-friendly event, Tiny Whoop Drone Race, at High Cotton 6-10 PM. They will race drones around the brewery. All ages are invited to race or watch, and if you’re 21+ you’re invited to enjoy a pint or two as well.

The 6th annual Harbor Town Crawfish Festival will happen Saturday, April 15 from 11 AM to 9 PM at Movie & Pizza Company (soon to be Bluff City Pizza Company). The event benefits the Mid-South Food Bank and the Maria Montessori School in Harbor Town. Crawfish and cold beer will be for sale, and there will be live music. $5 admission, or bring two canned goods for the Food Bank.

I plan to happy hour at the Silly Goose after work then hit South Main Trolley Night. In particular I plan on stopping by Earnestine & Hazel’s to hear the E&H Band and to drop some money in the bucket for Keenon. Keenon has had medical issues the past few months and has been unable to work. It’s time for the community to come together and take care of him, the way he has taken good care of us for so many years.

Back tomorrow with more news.

Friday update

No Foolin’! is the theme of Opening Day tomorrow at the Memphis Farmers Market. It may be April Fools’ Day, but the market is not foolin’ when they say they are back with a bushel of new vendors, live music, and food trucks. Here’s the stall map for Opening Day. Here’s a list of public parking options nearby. The Market runs every Saturday from 7 AM to 1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

People for Bikes has a great post about the changes to the intersection of Monroe and Marshall in The Edge. The changes, including an installation over the intersection by artist Cat Pena, is said to be the “interim design” step on the spectrum of tactical urbanism. There are large planters to set off pedestrian space, benches, bicycle racks, and a bike repair station.

I-55 between Riverside/Crump/river bridge and Malfunction Junction (intersection with I-240) will be closed tonight at 7 PM and will remain closed until Monday, April 3 at 6 AM. An old railroad bridge above the freeway is being removed. Local southbound traffic will be allowed to the McLemore exit and local northbound traffic will be allowed to South Parkway.

For my readers who work in the service industry who drive home very late at night: There have been incidents on Memphis freeways this week where drivers have been rear-ended, then when they pull over to inspect the damage they have been robbed and carjacked. If you are rear-ended in an area where no one is around, keep driving until you arrive at a well-lit and populated area before you get out of your vehicle.

Also for my service industry friends: Your restaurant can fill out an application to compete in the Beale Street Wine Race on Sunday, April 30. Teams compete to win an opening parade, Queen of the Vine, a grape stomp, and a wine relay. This is a chance for restaurant folks to blow off some steam before Memphis in May starts. It is also either the second biggest or the biggest shitshow Downtown in the spring, depending on whether you are or are not on a BBQ Fest team.

The Grizzlies tip off against the Dallas Mavericks tonight at 7 at FedExForum. It’s a KFC Meal Deal night where a family can get four Grizzlies tickets, four Memphis Grizzlies hats, and a coupon for a free 8-piece Family Fill-Up including three sides, four biscuits, and four Pepsi fountain drinks. Ticket packages start at $70.

The Dead Soldiers have their album release party for “Great Emptiness” tonight at 9 at the New Daisy. Tickets are $10-20.

This sucks: President Pussy Grabber’s proposed transportation cuts would eliminate Amtrak service from Memphis to New Orleans.

That’s it for now, gotta get to work. Got a couple more pieces of news I didn’t have time to blog about here, so check back for a second post later today.

Thur update: The Edge Gets Lit alley party, Latte Throwdown, Tart Express to open

You may have heard about Arnold’s BBQ, set to open its second location in The Edge district next month. In something of an unusual move for Memphis, Arnold’s front door will open to an alley, specifically onto Floyd Alley which runs parallel to Madison and Monroe (and in between them) from Fourth to Danny Thomas. “Memphians aren’t known for walking down alleys to go to restaurants,” I pondered, somewhat ironically because I was sitting in Belle Tavern, a bar with an alley entrance, as I had that thought. “They are going to have to do something major to draw people there if they plan on Arnold’s, or any other business opening onto that alley, to be a success.”

Well, they ARE doing something major. The Edge Gets Lit is a free alley party in Floyd Alley Saturday, April 29, from noon to 11 PM. It is free to attend and there will be live music including Side Street Steppers, The River Bluff Clan, Delta Nomads, Ghost Town Blues Band, Deering and Down, Devil Train, and an electronic dance music showcase with DJ Cameron. More acts to be announced. The reason to celebrate is the installation of year-round overhead lighting in the alley between Fourth and Danny Thomas, creating a district of vibrancy and safety that will draw people to alley businesses like Arnold’s.

In addition to the live music, there will be food trucks, a dog show where dogs and their humans can participate in games, demonstration art, crafts and vendors, and more to be announced. The people organizing the alley party are lucky enough to have some of the best neighbors in the city – the Memphis Redbirds – and are in the process of working out a deal to offer tickets to the 6 PM Redbirds game that night to alley party attendees.

There’s going to be a Latte Art Throwdown at Tamp & Tap, on Gayoso between Main and Second, tomorrow, Friday, Mary 31. Signup starts at $10 (cash entry) at 6 PM, with the throwdown starting at 7:15. Two drinks are included in the cost of entry, and there will also be $2.50 pints and other drink specials. It’s winner take all, so if you have mad barista skillz, come show them off and you might go home with a pocket full of cash!

Last summer it was announced that Tart, a French restaurant in Midtown, will open a second location in One Commerce Square. Well, tomorrow is the big day, as announced on Instagram. The new location will be called Tart Express and will offer catering and fresh-food dining. The doors will open into the interior of the One Commerce Square high-rise office building.

That’s all for now. I may be back with a second post at lunchtime, possibly with news about opening day at Memphis Farmers Market.

Wednesday update #2: South Main Trolley Night info and more

South Main Trolley Night is back this Friday. The last Friday of every month, the shops of South Main stay open late into the evening. Some stores offer appetizers, beverages, discounts, and/or live music. It will be South Main Songwriter Night #51 at South Main Sounds, 550 S. Main, starring Ashlee K. Thomas with her record release “Bend the Light.” Paul Jewell, Me & Leah, and Steve Smith will also perform.

If you can’t make it to the songwriter night, you will have another chance to see Ashlee at the Memphis Farmers Market Saturday morning.

Superlo on the Go at 552 S. Main will have an open house at Trolley Night. Come learn about online ordering of groceries with pickup at that location.

The closing reception of “Breaking Barriers,” supporting women in the arts, will happen at Art Village Gallery at 410 S. Main on Trolley Night.

If you’re a South Main Association member, look for the booth next to Bluff City Coffee. There will be burgers and beverages for you. Non-SMA members can partake for $10.

Sache is sponsoring Trolley Night and will donate 10% of all its sales that night to Youth Villages.

There is also one more event running in conjunction with Trolley Night that deserves your attention. Many of you know Keenon, a manager at Earnestine & Hazel’s who is often found behind the downstairs bar on the weekends. Keenon has been sick and has been unable to work for a while. There will be a fundraiser for Keenon Friday from 6 to 9 PM. The E&H Band will be playing. Come drop a donation in the tip jar.

Also on Friday night, over in The Edge, there will be a special comedy show at High Cotton. “Hart of the City,” a TV show created by standup comedy superstar Kevin Hart, plans to film an episode in Memphis this summer. 20 of Memphis’ best comedians will be on stage, looking for a chance to be invited on the show. Admission is free and the laughs begin at 7 PM. There will be no trivia at High Cotton this Friday to make room for the show.

Bedrock Eats & Sweets is gearing up for the busy season and is looking to hire a few friendly faces with reliable transportation. Positions are part-time or full-time front of house/deliveries. Email brandi@bedrockeatsandsweets.com. Bedrock Eats & Sweets is at the corner of Main and Vance next to the Green Beetle.

RAWK’n Grub food truck will be at Food Truck Wednesday at Miss Cordelia’s tonight 5 to 8 PM:

High Ground News has a good article on the redevelopment of Central Station Tower. Previously housing 50 apartment units, the tower is being reconfigured to hold 135 boutique hotel rooms and commercial space. The Powerhouse next door will house a six-screen Malco Theater.

Extremely sad to hear about the latest round of layoffs at the Commercial Appeal, including a few people well-known names in the community: Michael Donahue, Mark Richens, Phil Stukenborg, @PhotoNikki.

Some good points made here: The Grizzlies should embrace the 7 seed in the West and not claw and struggle for the 6 seed or higher. Doing so would result in tired players for the playoffs. The Grizzlies host the Indiana Pacers tonight at FedExForum.

Here’s what’s going on at Jerry Lawler’s bar on Beale for WrestleMania weekend. WrestleMania is Sunday, April 2.

Vandals broke out windows of 100 N. Main last night around 11 PM. They were seen inside with flashlights. This comes a week after a fire was started on the 34th floor of the building, a fire later ruled to be arson.

If it’s your first time here today and you aren’t familiar with the Memphis Farmers Market… keep scrolling. I wrote a long post this morning about all the things there are to do, see, and eat there. That’s it for now. Probably I will do happy hour with Jessica at the Silly Goose after work.

10 things to do at the Memphis Farmers Market besides buying produce

The Memphis Farmers Market returns to the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson this Saturday, April 1. It will run every Saturday though October 28 from 7 AM to 1 PM.

It’s a place to purchase fruits and vegetables, for sure, but the Memphis Farmers Market has so much more to offer. Here are 10 things you can do at the Market other than buying fresh produce.

1. Listen to live music

Every week there are two or three live musicians/bands at the Market. Chairs are set up so you can get off your feet for a little while and take in some tunes.

If you want to get connected with the South Main music scene, find music director Mark Parsell at the Market and ask him where you should go, what bands you should see. Not only does he book music at the Market, but at South Main Sounds’ songwriter nights and at bars in the area.

2. Eat

Go to the back of the main pavilion, behind the restrooms, and you’ll find a Bluff City Coffee stand and some food trucks. Not sure which ones they’ll have this year, but in the past, the Fuel truck has been there selling its bison tacos and breakfast burritos. Rock ‘n’ Dough was selling pizza including breakfast pizza. Monkey Train Grazing Co. was there with burgers and pork mole mac & cheese. My favorite, however, was the Tandoori Cuisine truck selling kabobs, chickpeas, naan, basmati rice, and other dishes.

Cuisine from the tandoori truck

Bluff City Coffee sells an extensive array of pastries. Check out the duffin, a creation that is half donut, half muffin. The cinnamon one is my favorite.

The So Fresh juice truck is usually there selling smoothies and juices. Note that this is a very popular truck and waits for your orders can exceed 15 minutes during peak season.

The So Fresh juice truck

3. Get your dog a sitter and buy him some treats. Don’t have a dog? Adopt one.

Due to Health Department regulations, dogs aren’t allowed under the main pavilion where food is sold. However, Memphis Farmers Market volunteers provide a pet-sitting service on the grass near Front and G.E. Patterson. They will watch your pooch while you shop.

There is a vendor who sells homemade dog treats. All-natural ingredients are used to keep your pet in the best health possible. Also, some of the meat vendors (see below) have bones for your dog.

If you don’t have a dog but want to own or foster one, most weeks rescues set up shop on the grass with dogs that are ready and willing to find a new home.

4. Use your card.

Most vendors are cash-only, but if you stop by the information booth at the front of the Market, they can run your credit, debit, or EBT card. They will then give you tokens to spend with the vendors.

5. Decorate your home.

Pottery, bird houses, wind chimes, and plants are some of the items sold at vendor booths that you can use to spruce up the inside or outside of your home. In the fall, decorative gourds are on sale at several vendor booths.

Of course, there are also flowers! Whitton Farms and several other vendors sell all kinds of flowers. Perfect to put in a vase for the centerpiece of your dinner table. Or, give them to your sweetheart.

Sunflower from one of the flower vendors

6. Round out your grocery shopping.

Almost any cut of beef you can think of is available at the Market. You can buy ribs, bacon, and other cuts of pork. Chicken is sold too. There’s a refrigerated truck selling fresh seafood. I don’t know if any vegetarians who read my blog are regulars at the Market, but if there are any, there’s even a vendor called Pigasus who sells smoked tofu. Fresh eggs are also sold to put on your breakfast plate.

You can also buy jellies, jams, preserves, and honey from multiple vendors to put on that breakfast plate, perhaps on top of bread sold by a Market vendor. There are fresh cheeses (including goat cheese) sold too.

I’m not saying you can complete all your shopping for the week at the Market – you won’t find toilet paper and diapers for sale there – but get an Amazon Prime subscription for those and you’re basically done.

7. Bring the kids

Some weeks there are kids’ activities where they can make crafts to take home, with the activities led by a Market volunteer. If your kids have lived in the city all their lives, they can get the chance to learn what life is like on the farm.

Be sure to take your kids by the vendor selling frozen pops and Italian ice when it’s hot outside. The cherry Italian ice is my favorite, although it makes me look like I put lipstick on.

8. Sauce it up

I love spicy food. Two of my favorite Market vendors sell hot sauce. Check out Papi Joe’s booth for his Tennessee hot sauce (he often has samples). Farther back under the pavilion, look for Crazy Good sauces, selling sauces with several different levels of heat and Bloody Mary mix too.

Papi Joe’s Tennessee pepper sauce

9. Take home pre-made meals

If you don’t have time to cook the meats and fresh produce sold at the Market, no problem, there are still options for you. There are vendors that sell pre-made soups, sides, and entrees ready to take home and heat up.

10. … and much more!

Really, there’s too much going on at the Market to get it done in 10 items. You never know what you’re going to find there.

Cooking demos happen from time to time. Felicia from Felicia Suzanne’s occasionally will show up to give cooking demos using her Flo’s line of products. Folks from UT Health Center also come over the Market to give demos on how to cook healthy food, often matching up to the Farmers Market theme of the week.

YOGA! Downtown Yoga taught several complimentary classes at the Market last year, laying yoga mats out over the grass near Front and G.E. Patterson.

For Market patrons who grow their own garden, Master Gardeners were on hand several times last year for helpful Q&A sessions.

Med and pharmacy students came to the Market last year and offered free blood pressure screenings and passed out tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks for reading. I hope to see you at the Market this Saturday, and Saturdays throughout the season!

Tuesday update: Popper winner, We Are The Edge, events this Saturday, and more

Happy Tuesday everyone! Sorry for no post yesterday – I had a bad headache and staring at a computer screen was not helping. Back today with lots of news!

Congratulations to Sushi Jimmi on winning the 901 Jalapeno Popper Throwdown Sunday! If you haven’t tried Sushi Jimmi’s food, you are missing out. On most Thursdays you can find the Sushi Jimmi food truck at the Court Square food truck rodeo from 11 to 2. The festival, by the way, raised $1500 for Memphis Pets Alive.

There is a new Facebook page called We Are The Edge that will highlight businesses in that neighborhood, promote neighborhood events, promote its pedestrian and pet-friendly character, and be a place for residents and businesses to post photos. The page’s creator looks to raise visibility of The Edge and hopefully draw new residents and businesses to the area. Perhaps one day a few years from now, she’ll be sitting at the bar at the High Cotton taproom, and someone will tell her, “I decided to move here from out of state because of what you wrote.”

We’ve got several events coming up Downtown this Saturday, April 1. Spring Fling 2017 will happen at Miss Cordelia’s Saturday from 11 AM to 3 PM. There will be a pig roast and live music, along with over 20 local vendors. Face painting, Ghost River beer, the El Mero Taco food truck and more.

Over at Loflin Yard on the 1st, there will be a crawfish boil from 11 AM to 2 PM. Presented by Loflin Yard and the Rotary Club, the boil is a fundraiser to help bring clean water to the world.

In observance of April Fool’s Day, Elmwood Cemetery will lead a guided tour of people NOT buried at the cemetery. Douglas Fairbanks is one of many names on the tour. Call 901-774-3212 to register for this tour, which will happen at 10:30 AM on the 1st.

Oh yeah, one other thing happening on the 1st… the Memphis Farmers Market returns! I am preparing a long post about all there is to do at the Market. You better believe you will find me there Saturday! The Market is every Saturday 7 AM-1 PM under the pavilion at Front and G.E. Patterson.

Richard Douglas Jones, creator and host of the Black Nerd Power (BNP) podcast, headlines a free comedy show tonight at 7:30 at High Cotton. The show features Kayla Esmond and Charles Michael Guidry, and is hosted by Doug Gillon and Jeremy Bratsveen with Ben Aviotti.

Hopped III has been announced by Memphis Made Brewing Co. It will happen Saturday, April 15 from noon to 9 at the brewery. Free Hopped III beer glasses to the first 100 customers. Limited run beers will be released throughout the day. Music by The Tinglers 1-3 PM, South Side Supper Club 3:30-5:30, Devil Train 6-8. The Lucky Cat Ramen, Gourmade, and MEMpops trucks will be there. This is a family friendly event.

Superlo’s online pickup of groceries will launch Downtown next Monday, April 3. The pickup location will be 552 S. Main.

The second annual Palestine Festival will happen Saturday, April 29 from 10 to 3 at the Overton Park Greensward. Learn about traditional Palestinian culture with music, dance, fashion, cultural activities and vendors. Free admission.

That’s it for this post. Probably going to hit the Silly Goose or the Blind Bear for happy hour after work, not sure which. Back tomorrow with the Farmers Market post and more news.

Kentucky fans, North Carolina fans, locals… got a lunch suggestion for you. Two, actually.

So, tip-off in the NCAA South Regional is not until 4:05, giving you half an afternoon to kill. What to do with half an afternoon? My suggestion… grab some grub.

About 5 blocks south of the FedExForum, on G.E. Patterson Avenue, Max’s Sports Bar is having its bi-weekly crawfish boil. You get two pounds of crawfish, plus taters, corn, and sausage for $10 (troll not included). Plus they have pints of PBR for only $2.50. You can’t find a better deal on crawfish and beer than that! Glaze who caters Max’s crawfish boils has got the recipe right. Consistently good, consistently spicy. Max’s is at 115 G.E. Patterson. Go to the traffic light at Main and G.E. Patterson and turn east (away from the river) and it’s at the far end of the building that also houses Arcade restaurant. After you eat, Max’s has a limo that will shuttle you to the arena and back.

If you want something closer to the Forum, do what I do on Sundays… at 119 S. Main there is a speakeasy called the Blind Bear. It opens at 11 and there are $3 mimosas, Bloody Marys, cinnamon whiskey, and moonshine until 6 PM. My favorite bartender in all of Memphis B-RAD will take good care of you.

Pierre Landaiche, the general manager and vice president of the Memphis Cook Convention Center, will be the speaker at Tuesday’s Downtown Neighborhood Association meeting. Mr. Landaiche will speak about the planned $900 million upgrade to the convention center, tying it to the Cannon Center next door and to the Wolf River Harbor nearby. The meeting will be at Kooky Canuck, 87 S. Second, with social at 6 PM and program at 6:30. Free for members, $10 for non-members; go here to join. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Hmmm, isn’t Tuesday the day that Kooky fire-sales its 34 ounce mixed drinks for $5? Could be a really interesting meeting.

The National Civil Rights Museum is giving $2 off to those attending the game. Show ticket stub or state ID to get the discount. Check out their exhibit on the L.A. riots in the wake of the Rodney King arrest.

Even after leaving this Earth, the man’s style was impeccable… Hollywood Raiford had a disco themed visitation Friday afternoon. He was dressed in his white suit and his gold crown, with his red cape next to him. You know, when I first moved Downtown in 2002 and people asked why, I explained “now I will be able to walk to Raiford’s.”

I am going to take my blog’s own advice today. Starting out atBlind Bear for D-RANKS with B-RAD at 11, then down to Max’s for cray without a side of cray cray this afternoon. Back to the Blind Bear for a special performance by Grace Askew at 9. Sunday Fun Day! Back tomorrow with more news.

Saturday update

The Trauma and Coping Research Group at the University of Memphis is conducting a study and is interested in talking to active military and veterans, deployed after 9/11, who have some symptoms of PTSD. You do not need to have a prior diagnosis of PTSD. Full participation in the study can result in compensation of up to $350. This important study will hopefully improve understanding and care of veterans suffering from PTSD symptoms. If interested, you can go to www.memphisveterans.org to learn more or sign up, or you can call 901-678-5966.

If you don’t qualify for the study but know someone who would, please pass along this information. I know this seems like a rather odd item to show up in my blog, but I’ve been told the doctor conducting the study reads this blog regularly. Also, I have known people (although they weren’t military) who have had forms of PTSD and I have witnessed first-hand the suffering it inflicts upon them.

1 North Carolina defeated 4 Butler 92-80 and 2 Kentucky defeated 3 UCLA 86-75 in the NCAA South Regional yesterday. North Carolina and Kentucky will play for the right to cut down the nets at 4:05 PM Sunday at FedExForum, probably the biggest NCAA game ever played here that did not involve the Memphis Tigers. Coach Cal is one game away from having another Final Four appearance to vacate.

Bring your dog to Dog Days at Bass Pro at the Pyramid today between 11 and 4. Free dog toy to the first 100 dogs, free photo download noon to 4, free dog treat with purchase, and there will be a dog costume contest at 1 with the winner receiving a $20 gift card. Can’t make it today? Dog Days will happen next Saturday, April 1, as well.

The Big Red Machine, The Devil’s Favorite Demon, The Undertaker’s storyline brother, Kane is planning to run for mayor of Knox County, Tennessee in 2018. Qualifications include setting play-by-play announcer Jim Ross on fire on national TV, and adopting the persona of Dr. Isaac Yankem and impersonating a dentist. Given that Knox County residents are stupid enough to root for the Tennessee Vols, they’ll probably be stupid enough to elect Kane mayor.

Signage is up at ServiceMaster’s future HQ:

North Carolina fans and Kentucky fans: If you want advice from a local on what to do in Memphis on your Saturday between games, I invite you to come talk to me today. I plan on being at Bardog Tavern (73 Monroe) from 11 AM to 1 PM and Blind Bear (119 S. Main) from 1 PM to 3 PM (times approximate). I have lived blocks away from FedExForum for 15 years and love talking about my neighborhood, helping out-of-towners find the good places that aren’t touristy. I will have on a purple T-shirt with a quote on it, and there will probably be a little troll figure with green hair standing on the bar next to my beer (it’s a girl troll and her name’s Perjorie). I’m very approachable, so ask me anything you want about Memphis. I will most likely have friends with me who are good sources of information too.

Time to climb aboard the PBR train… happy Saturday everyone, and stay dry.

Friday update

The Tin Roof has opened The Green Room in a space next door to its main building. Traditionally a Green Room in a live music joint is a place for musicians to relax offstage, but the Tin Roof’s Green Room is open to everyone. There are big TVs, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, arcade game, a full bar and menu, and a backyard patio. Thursdays through Saturdays the room will have a DJ, and on Fridays and Saturdays they will be grilling burgers on the patio.

Those who have purchased a seat in the Redbird Club ($75) for the Memphis Redbirds vs. St. Louis Cardinals “Battle of the Birds” exhibition game next Thursday, March 30, will receive an additional benefit. John Mozeliak, general manager of the Cardinals, will speak prior to the game. Redbird Club tickets include an all-you-can-eat buffet, pool tables, couches, televisions, and beer and wine. Tickets are still available.

Mike Pence, the man who will become president after Donald Trump is committed to a mental asylum, was rumored to be coming to Memphis today. His wife went to Butler, playing today in the NCAA South Regional at FedExForum. However, Pence has canceled his trip because a vote on health care is expected to take place today.

South Main Sounds Songwriter Night #50 is tonight at 7 at 550 S. Main. Bud Summers, Steve Lockwood, Meredith Grace Koch, “Piano Man” Tim Plunk, and Phil Cox will perform, as will Anna Jordan from Nashville. Nikki’s Hot Ass Products has donated 50 bags of chips for the songwriter night.

Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary Tour comes to the Orpheum for four shows tonight through Sunday.

Paula Raiford has announced that in honor of her hero and father, Robert Raiford, Paula & Raiford’s Disco will be OPEN tonight and tomorrow.

That’s it for now! Back tomorrow.

Dicey weather postpones Saturday events + more news

Showers and thunderstorms, possibly severe with high winds, are forecast to move through the Memphis metro on Saturday. That has forced a couple of events this weekend to be changed to a rain date.

The bi-weekly crawfish boil is back at Max’s Sports Bar. Normally on Saturday, this one will happen on Sunday, March 26. The first batch of crawfish usually comes off the cooker by 12:30. You get two pounds of crawfish along with corn, taters, and sausage cooked in the crawfish boil for $10. Glaze, the cook Max brings in, really knows what he is doing and the crawfish have the perfect amount of spice. The Elite Eight games will be on Max’s 10 TVs with three more on the back deck. Not a bad seat in the house!

The 901 Popper Throwdown has also been moved to Sunday. It will be 1-6 PM in front of High Cotton, 598 Monroe. High Cotton was scheduled to have a crawfish boil on Sunday; not sure how the popper fest’s move will affect the status of that event. The taproom manager (who recently sent me a friend request on Facebook) is welcome to contact me with an update.

Whether you’re going to crawfish at Max’s, the popper fest, or somewhere else, why not wrap up your Sunday with a little live music? Grace Askew plays the Blind Bear Sunday night at 9 PM.

Driving home yesterday, I took the Second Street exit off I-40 where I normally have a straight shot to my parking garage. Not last night, though. I was diverted onto Poplar with many fire engines and police cars blocking the road. The 34th floor of 100 N. Main was on fire. The building did not have electricity so firefighters had to climb 34 flights of stairs with all their gear and equipment to battle the blaze. The building’s owners were cited in August 2015 for failure to maintain fire and life safety standards.

MATA will add bus routes to accommodate visitors in town for the NCAA Regional this weekend.

The Downtown Memphis Commission wants to give local entrepreneurs and makers free rent to set up shop for two weeks to two months. The pop-up business will be located at 7 and 9 North Main, across the street from Walgreens.

Shannon Labrie from Nashville will perform at the Ghost River taproom Saturday at 6 PM. Rolling Stone describes her musical style as “As if Norah Jones and the late Jeff Buckley had started a band and gone a tiny bit country.”

The Memphis Tigers could be getting a quality in-conference basketball opponent in the coming years:

Today is the last Thursday for 30 weeks that I will not be telling you about what is happening at the Memphis Farmers Market on Saturday. So excited that Opening Day is almost here! April 1! I have an introductory post in the works for those of you who have never been to the Market before. It’ll be up early next week.

Moody Ques teammates: We have posted a park map with our booth highlighted. Don’t forget, dues go up April 1. Pay by the end of March to lock in the $350 individual/$500 couple rate. If you want to pay by cash or check, contact moodyques@gmail.com and we can arrange payment.

I’ll lead off at Silly Goose as usual after work, but I may wander down to Max’s Sports Bar to watch tonight’s Sweet Sixteen games. Back tomorrow with more news.