Yesterday Memphis in May announced that the 2022 Beale Street Music Fest and BBQ Fest will move to the Memphis fairgrounds. The move is happening for one year only (at least, that’s what they’re telling us) while construction is being done on Tom Lee Park.
Meh.
I mean, it was probably the best option they had. There was no other public outdoor space Downtown that was suitable for holding the two events.
But, still, meh.
To make it clear, my “meh” reaction is with regard to BBQ Fest. I haven’t been to Music Fest in many years and couldn’t care less where they hold it.
Not being able to walk to and from BBQ Fest is a major bummer. I’m not saying “I’m out” for BBQ Fest 2022, but I’m less than 100% sure I’m in.
If they get a strong and free shuttle service to and from Downtown for BBQ Fest participants, as they had in the Tiger Lane year of 2011, that would sway me much closer in favor of doing it. As many BBQ Fest team members live Downtown or stay in Downtown hotels, a shuttle would be a very good thing to have.
Anyone operating an AirBnB in Cooper-Young is about to make some money next May.
On a happier note, CHEERS to FedExForum management for doing the right thing! If you want to attend a Grizzlies or Tigers game this season and you’re 12 or older, you must show that you have had at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose, or you must show a negative COVID-19 test that is less than 72 hours old. The policies will be in place until at least November 19. Also, in compliance with the Shelby County mask mandate, all Grizzlies and Tigers fans will be required to mask up as long as the mandate is in place.
If you attend a Grizzlies or Tigers game, you might want to get there 15 or so minutes earlier than you usually do… checking vaccination cards and negative tests will probably take a little while to figure out.
Bet FedExForum has to hire some extra security to deal with unruly fans who are livid that they can’t get into a game without a vacc or a test.
The Memphis Redbirds are back at AutoZone Park for one final homestand of the regular season. Their opponent will be the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Let’s have a look at what is happening this week:
- Today: Final weekday matinee game with a 12:15 first pitch
- Thursday: Throwback Thursday, with $2 draft beers, $1 hot dogs, and the Redbirds in their classic Memphis Chicks uniforms. It’s the last Bark in the Park of the season, where a special ticket gets you and your dog admission. First pitch 6:45.
- Friday: There will be two specialty tickets. One gets you a St. Louis Cardinals puffy vest. The other gets you all-you-can-eat ribs, beans, chips, hot dogs, and up to 2 drinks (soft drinks or water) per ticket. First pitch 7:10.
- Saturday: There will be two specialty tickets. One gets you a replica of the 2006 World Series trophy. The other gets you a Costway red canopy chair. First pitch 3:15.
- Sunday: Free ice cream sandwiches for kids 12 and under. First pitch 2:05.
Mud Island residents, you’re getting a pharmacy. Harbor Town Pharmacy opens Saturday, October 9. They’ll be located at 103 Harbor Town Square and will be open 9 AM to 6 PM Monday-Saturday.
Buddy Albert Nemenz plays King & Union Bar & Grocery tonight at 9. That’s the space in the Doubletree Hotel that used to be TGI Fridays.
Feelin’ Memphis, the Memphis-themed gift shop at 509 S. Main, now has landmark coasters. Take home a coaster with images of classic signs outside The Rendezvous, Paula & Raiford’s Disco, Central BBQ, Silky O’Sullivan’s, Memphis Made Brewing, and many more.
Amber Rae Dunn & The Mulberries perform at Central Station Hotel’s Live at the Tracks series tomorrow 6:30-9:30.
Yesterday I heard a Sugar Grits employee say that there are plans to open a second location in Collierville.
I’d never heard of Quad Cities pizza until yesterday, but now that I have, I want one! Mountains of mozzarella, sausage, and fragrant tomato sauce on a crust that is cooked in such a way that it doesn’t go limp when you pick it up. The pizza is cut party-style. The Quad Cities are Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa. They are now on my bucket list to visit.
Four teenagers have been arrested following a string of about 10 car break-ins in South Bluffs. A stolen iPhone was tracked to Breedlove Street in the New Chicago neighborhood. There, police found all four teens wearing the same clothes they had on in security video. Stolen items were recovered, as were two weapons.
Miss Gay Arkansas America, Athena Sinclair, will make a special appearance at Atomic Rose’s drag show Saturday at 10:30 PM.
The Peabody’s mixologists have been busy upgrading the Lobby Bar’s drink menu. Have a look.
As your number-one source of news and information about The Edge District, it is my pleasure to share with you some news about one of The Edge’s businesses. Sunday is National Boyfriend Day, and Craft Axe Throwing is celebrating by offering free throws to all boyfriends and husbands. The place will fill up, so make a reservation to claim your spot.
The Peanut Shoppe is selling its two-story “PEANUTS” sign.
5 Star Story from WMC Action News 5: Downtown alleyways turned into neighborhood spaces
Today is Goose Day. I certainly plan to celebrate that holiday this afternoon.
A reader recently asked me: “Hey Paul, you haven’t posted any pics of Perjorie to your blog lately. How’s she doing?”
She’s doing well! I’ve posted a few pics of her to social media, but they didn’t make it onto the blog. Let’s catch up!
Here’s Perjorie standing next to the Daily Dog a few Saturdays ago at Bardog. This dog was topped with avocado, bacon, pico de gallo, and spicy mayo. Perjorie especially liked the avocados because they were the same color as her hair. Someone sitting next to me commented, “Avocados don’t belong on a hot dog.” Wrong. Ketchup is what doesn’t belong on a hot dog. Unless you’re 7.
Dude around the corner of the bar ordered some olives in his PBR, so I decided to give them a try. I found that neither the taste of the beer nor the olives changed much. At least I could say I ate a serving of green vegetables that day, and Perjorie liked the olives because they were the same color as her hair.
A friend of mine is doing some contract work in San Diego. Having lived there for 6 months, I offered some dining advice: “Go to any Mexican fast-food restaurant that ends in -o’s (ex. Alberto’s, Roberto’s) and get the fish tacos.” Fish tacos are to San Diego what BBQ is to Memphis.
Well, that made me hungry for fish tacos. Luckily, I have a Mexican restaurant as good as any in San Diego right down the street here in Downtown Memphis: Maciel’s. I got 3 baja fish tacos in fried tortilla shells, topped with lettuce, salsa, and cheese. Rice and beans on the side, of course. So good. Perjorie likes Maciel’s because two of the three sauces they give you are the same color as her hair.
Downtown Memphis dining just doesn’t get much more classic than fish & chips at the Majestic Grille. Perjorie and I met two good friends there for lunch last Friday, the day of the week they run seafood lunch specials.
Well, I thought I wasn’t going to have to write any more professional articles until October 1, but it turns out I need to squeeze one more in. No problem, I have an idea on the ready. Going to fire that up, do a few other writing-related tasks, and then get out and celebrate Goose Day. Back tomorrow with more news.