Category Archives: Venues

A place where you would primarily go to see a live performance. May or may not serve alcohol depending on performance.

August Already?

Amurica, Art, Black Lodge, Buccaneer, Coffee, Dives, Future Plans, Hi Tone, Java Cabana, Minglewood, Overton Square, P & H Cafe, Venues

In the month of July I sort of dropped the ball on events and happenings around Memphis.  Let’s face it, the month was jam-packed full of fun things to do.  If you were waiting for me to tell you about them…  well then this blog must be way more popular than I thought.

Anyway, I had a great time enjoying myself and writing up some of the highlights. I’m going to give you some of the events for August so you can mark your calendars and plan ahead, before The Christmas in September hits.  Also at the end of this post I will announce something completely new and innovative…

Continue reading August Already? →

Nots/Fire Retarded/Sheiks @ Black Lodge 7/29/14

Black Lodge, First Impressions

Last night at Black Lodge – chaos reigned.  Okay, not really.  But the party was epic for a Tuesday night.  Most of my favorite Memphians converged on the video shop for a collection of bands that was stellar from start to finish.  It was my first proper experience with a show at Black Lodge and I was piqued for excitement.  The rumor of the Lodge transforming to a full-on venue is ever-so-promising.  The potential for a truly unique party environment lies within those red curtains and I believe the people who attend the shows now will help shape what happens at 831 Cooper in the future.

Continue reading Nots/Fire Retarded/Sheiks @ Black Lodge 7/29/14 →

Dead Soldiers @ DKDC 7/21/2014

DKDC, First Impressions, Hi Tone

After Blues on the Bluff last weekend I walked away more “Memphis” than ever before.  The love I’ve developed for this city has surprised me more than anyone.  However, I was still carrying my own musical badge of shame – I’d never been to a Dead Soldiers show.  Honestly, their brand of Rockabilly (emphasis on the Rock) is not something I ever thought would appeal to me.  I’m the first to admit I was close-minded to the potential.  So when they scheduled a Monday night show, I was out of excuses.  Fate is great like that sometimes.

Continue reading Dead Soldiers @ DKDC 7/21/2014 →

Memphis Needs Lyft

Art, Bars, Daily Life, Dining, Dives, Large Events, Overton Park, Places, Reasons for Things, Venues

[Legal caveat: This article does not represent the opinions of Lyft or any of its employees.  Except me, of course.]

Haven’t tried Lyft?  Download the app here.
Use the code RO96 and your first ride is free!

*ahem*

Picture this.

Empty stage.
Matte black floor dotted with the remains of old tape.
A single light bulb dangles from an unseen chain above the stage.
Dusty curtains hang limply, neither open nor shut, simply there.

A woman emerges into the unflattering light carrying a wooden box.
She places the box on the black floor with a thump.
Reaching in her back pocket, she pulls out a container of hand soap.
Using a small caddy, she hooks it over the edge of the box.

Stepping up to stand on top of the box, spreading her arms for balance, the woman turns toward you and folds her hands demurely.
Holding a steady gaze, she smiles and begins to speak…

Continue reading Memphis Needs Lyft →

Rum Rebellion @ Hi Tone 7/6/2014

Crosstown, First Impressions, Hi Tone

Part three of my amazing holiday weekend involved a show at the Hi-Tone on Sunday.  This event was held in the small room behind the lounge, so it felt like I was part of a secret club when I paid my cover.  Memphis Punk Promotions put together a trio of incredible music ranging from here to Portland, OR.  The party was thrown to celebrate the birthday of an upright Memphis citizen.  And celebrate we did.

Continue reading Rum Rebellion @ Hi Tone 7/6/2014 →

Cinco de Julio

Amurica, Ernestine & Hazel's, First Impressions, Hi Tone
The teaser photo booth outside the party.
The teaser photo booth outside the party.

I love the way summer heat and handheld explosives eke out the wild side of most Amuricans in the beginning of July.  I think it’s an innate response to all the social repression and politeness that has engulfed civilization.  Granted, the thrill of fireworks has been watered down a bit since I was a kid but there’s still something to be said for simply enjoying explosions.  I think most people my age can fondly recall the year someone’s dad set fire to the yard while under the influence of child-like enthusiasm and beer.

This year, I spent most of the Fourth hanging out at home.  My events calendar convinced me that the real action was on Saturday this year.  I was invited to see a large group of upstanding citizens shake their groove thangs during the Big Bad Mamajamma No Excuses Dance Party over in Crosstown.  I’m not much of a dancer but there is one specific genre of music I find irresistible – 90s disco.  So pretty much from the moment I walked in, I was infected with the beats.  Continue reading Cinco de Julio →

Crosstown Traffic

Crosstown, First Impressions, Hi Tone, Quick Thoughts

I went out last night with very little idea of where to go.  The only thing I needed to do was drop a package at the post office.  While there, I noticed a crowd of young ne’er-do-wells loitering in front of Crosstown Arts.  My inner old lady immediately wanted to shake a cane and tell them to all get haircuts.  After I reeled that instinct back in, I meandered across the street to investigate.

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It’s New 2 U!

Crosstown, Hi Tone

I fully intended to go over to the Time Warp Drive-In and wish Matt a happy birthday yesterday.  Then the bottom fell out.  I wasn’t really excited about the muggy heat, but I was still excited to see the all the hot rods.  Torrential downpour is where I have to draw the line for drive-in movies.  My windshield wipers just aren’t that good.

Luckily, there was another event that caught my eye – and it was indoors!  I recently discovered the Cleveland Street Flea Market and I was curious to see their New-2-U fashion show. Continue reading It’s New 2 U! →

Let’s Go to the Movies

Black Lodge, Orpheum

My adventure from last night is far too sordid to discuss here.  So, I want to bring up the two best sources of movie-watching in Memphis: Black Lodge Video and the Orpheum Summer Movie Series.  For completely different reasons, each of these venues represent a mandatory Memphis experience.

When I was in high school, the AFI released an official list of the 100 greatest movies of the 20th century.  Qualifying their choices with “the past 100 years” seemed a bit banal considering the American movie industry didn’t get churning until the 40s, but I suppose that’s just semantics.  Anyway, back then I lived out on the border of Germantown – which is what people referred to Easternmost Memphis as before Cordova and Bartlett started really growing.  There’s a little Malco theater out there called the Ridgeway Four.

Continue reading Let’s Go to the Movies →