Category Archives: Places

Where I’ve been and where I’m going.

Let’s Go with Plan B

Art, Black Lodge, First Impressions, P & H Cafe, Republic Coffee, The Brass Door

The Black Lodge was on fire last weekend.  Not literally, though firemen were discussed at one point.  There was a massive dance party on Saturday night.  Guerilla Stone was cooking, young folks were loitering.  I have it on good authority that some of the people inside were dancing too!  I was only able to manage a drive-by because Saturday was full of events city-wide.  I spent the previous night at Black Lodge enjoying a different show, but I’ll get to that in a minute. Continue reading Let’s Go with Plan B →

Don’t Be Afraid Memphis

Dru's Place, Hi Tone

They say laughter is good medicine.  After a heavy September, I decided to test the theory.  Luckily, it wasn’t hard to find a hook up for the funny.   Once a month there’s a showcase at the Hi Tone called Don’t Be Afraid of The Comedy.  The event was on my radar after some ostentatious advertising at the P&H open mic night.  Josh McLane and Benny Elbows sparked a seemingly unprovoked feud that escalated to physical violence at an alarming rate.  Despite a somewhat affected delivery, the resolution to the local feud between Josh McLane and Benny Elbows promised an entertaining climax.  As I guessed in my earlier post, I paid $3 to get a healthy dose of laughter therapy. Continue reading Don’t Be Afraid Memphis →

Let’s Do the Time Warp Again

First Impressions, Hi Tone, Time Warp Drive In

Last weekend was so busy I’m just now recovering from the fallout. Gonerfest had everyone amped up and looking for a good time.  You didn’t even have to brave the Crosstown crowds to take advantage of the excitement.  The entire city hummed with energy and there were things happening everywhere.  Staying true to form, I avoided heavily populated areas and enjoyed some quality time doing something new.  Nothing personal Hi Tone, I just find the No Re-Entry policy a bit unsettling.  Feels a little too Gulagish to me.  Continue reading Let’s Do the Time Warp Again →

Best 3-way Ever.

Buccaneer, DKDC, First Impressions, Mollie Fontaine

I think I’m a groupie. I went to see Marcella Simien perform three times in a row and I was fully entertained the entire time. Generally, my attention span for any type of show is limited to once a week at best. Rarely do I want to follow any particular group or artist from one venue to another, let alone record the experience each time. The last time I did that was the Yojimbo double feature earlier this summer. That pair of shows was entertaining not only because Yojimbo has amazing stage presence, but also because of the contrast in the venues. From a Midtown Memphis pirate bar to a Tupelo highway honky-tonk shack. Yojimbo performed with gusto each time and it’s encouraging to see people from all walks of life enjoy the same music, even if they don’t all do it in the same place. The places where Marcella performs aren’t quite so disparate, but it wouldn’t matter because her stage presence could make a TJ Mulligan’s swanky.  Continue reading Best 3-way Ever. →

The funny thing about Memphis

Crosstown, First Impressions, Hi Tone, P & H Cafe

The transition from August to September was jarring this year.  After a weekend out of town and then a weekend of unbridled debauchery celebrating my birthday, I wasn’t ready to get back to business last week.  Instead, I went in search of something new and free to do in Memphis.  The aforementioned trip left me a little broke, so my options were limited.  For inspiration on Monday I visited the best free entertainment in the city – open mic at P&H presented by Tiffany Harmon. Continue reading The funny thing about Memphis →

Le Fil (The Thread) ~ Camille

Buccaneer, Dizzy Bird, First Impressions, Java Cabana, Sun Studio, Tap Room

Wow.  Memphis was rocking and everyone came knocking this weekend.  Saturday, I hit five parties and only 3 of them were intentional.  You couldn’t swing a black cat without hitting a good time last night.  The effects were felt as far away as Spain.  Unfortunately, I left my camera at home.  It wasn’t entirely intentional but I’ll admit I took it as an omen to go off script.  Continue reading Le Fil (The Thread) ~ Camille →

Shameless Pimpin’

Amurica, Black Lodge, Crosstown, First Impressions

Today felt like August.  Maybe it’s because the hot, oppressive humidity came out in full force this afternoon.  It could also be the electric buzz of energy permeating downtown after the annual tribute to Elvis.  I’m pretty sure it’s the heat lighting flashing in the northern sky tonight.  Either way, I’m ready for September.  *sigh*  As Mr. Frost says, there are certainly miles to go before I sleep. Continue reading Shameless Pimpin’ →

Exciting News for Music Lovers!

Crosstown, Hi Tone, Reasons for Things, Venues
CCDE turns up the heat and the crowd boiled over.
CCDE turns up the heat and the crowd boiled over.

I went out to the Hi Tone last night for the Back To School Costume Party organized by Robbie House.  It was a great night with a broad range of entertainment, so everyone got the chance to try something a little different.  Band of Ooo, Greedy Kidney, Sin City Scoundrels, Chinese Connection Dub Embassy, and Medicin Men.  There was also some great local craft art for sale from QUIP in the back, next to where Richard set up his delicious soul food.  That’s exactly the way I want to spend my night – 1 cover, 5 completely different shows, food and shopping.  It’s like crawl down Main Street, without the annoying crawling.  =D Continue reading Exciting News for Music Lovers! →

Pirate Bar Hustle

Buccaneer, First Impressions, The Cove

After a long week of chaotic events and whiskey, I decided to go for a low-key option last night.  At least that’s what I thought I was doing.  One of the things that comes along with relaxing is the potential to end up somewhere unexpected.  It’s where the whole “go with the flow” concept comes from I think.  Anyway, there were definitely some currents flowing last night and I got ride along in the slipstream. Continue reading Pirate Bar Hustle →