#molly fontaine lounge

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

When burlesque performer Velvetina Taylor decided to hit the road – leaving her NYC home behind for a bit – and create a burlesque show residency, Memphis was her first and only choice. After many visits to the Bluff City, diving into our Americana music scene, connecting with locals, and getting to know Mollie Fontaine Lounge owner, Karen Carrier, she’s ready to bring the show to town. By motorcycle. Tonight. Photo by @HouseIndulgence. Design by Todd Johnson. She’ll launch the Velvetina Blue Moon Revue on April 3 at Mollie Fontaine Lounge. The show runs nightly, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. To start, the Blue Moon Revue will be a six month run, with a lineup of burlesque performers that changes weekly, and a lineup of local musicians that changes monthly. Tickets are $30 per person and you can get yours here. Meet Velvetina She’s originally from Indianapolis, but is currently based in New York City…when she’s home. Most of the time, Velvetina travels the country on her Pistons & Pasties Tour, riding her motorcycle from city to city, performing burlesque shows and staying, couch-surfer style, with local performers. “I’ll pack two costumes on my bike and hit the road,” she explains. It was on one such stop in Memphis in 2016 that she started to fall in love with Memphis. At the time, a show residency was far from her mind. Later, as she started to contemplate the next steps of her career, the question to herself was, “Where do I want to be?” The answer? Memphis. She’s been back six times since, brought both her parents, sampled our cuisine (“give me all the BBQ!” she says) and connected with the locals, particularly in the “rockabilly” scene. Think classic cars, pinup and burlesque enthusiasts, and most importantly, Americana music. Memphis Burlesque Show at Mollie Fontaine The two front rooms of Mollie’s will be reserved for the Blue Moon Revue, while the upstairs will remain open as usual for dinner and cocktail service. The whole place will be open as usual after the end of the Blue Moon Revue, around 9 p.m. Velvetina’s Blue Moon Revue is a traditional burlesque show, performed nightly Tuesdays through Saturdays at the swanky Mollie Fontaine Lounge in Victorian Village in downtown Memphis. The intimate show seats only 30, set up in the eclectic atmosphere of an historic home filled with contemporary art and furnishings. Most people don’t think of Mollie’s as a place for dinner, but the menu is approachable and delicious. Read more about the venue here. Three local groups will rotate to provide the music for the show, including John Paul Keith Trio, Marcella & Her Lovers, and Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, and Shawn Colvin Velvetina will host the show and perform herself, along with two other performers. She has scheduled burlesque pros from around the country, including New Orleans, Chicago, NYC, and more, to fly into Memphis for the shows. Expect different faces each week. (You can check out the schedule here.) I’m on board with a show that brings people to Memphis, and shows them a good time while they’re here. I love Velvetina’s choice of Memphis-soaked music, and I’m hoping to see some local performers represented in guest spots. While we don’t currently have a every-night burlesque show situation, we do have established local groups with regular shows (check out the upcoming La Fleurs from Sock-It-To-Me Burlesque and Evolution from Coco Rosie). Here’s hoping we’ll get to see some familiar Memphis faces on stage while also getting to know the talented performers that Velvetina’s bringing to town! Go There: Velvetina’s Blue Moon Revue Mollie Fontaine Lounge Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets $30 21 and up bluemoonrevuememphis.com Instagram: @bluemoonrevuememphis and @VelvetinaTaylor Facebook: facebook.com/bluemoonrevuememphis Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/04/velvetinas-blue-moon-revue-revs-up-at-mollie-fontaine-lounge/

[misssophiachase]

Learning to Fly

Thanks for the lovely reviews last chapter, everyone! 37 days until Christmas (not counting at all)! If you haven't started shopping yet I suggest you do hehe. I hope you enjoy this part. Points of view will alternate as usual.

Synopsis: It's only three days until Christmas and flight attendant Caroline Forbes thought her day was going to be all candy canes, Santa Claus and carols until she meets an unusual passenger on a flight and soon realises there's more to him and the situation than she first thought. Chapter one HERE

"I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings, coming down is the hardest thing…"

Chapter 2: So this is Christmas

Mollie Fontaine Lounge, Memphis TN – 22nd December

"Do you have some remote tracking device on me or something?" Klaus demanded, slamming his whiskey glass on the bar in frustration. He'd finally managed to break free from their over-protective clutches to enjoy some alone time and wasn't impressed to see them appear unexpectedly and ruin his evening.

"Believe me Rebekah tried but apparently it's like against the law or something," Kol drawled, signalling to the bartender for a drink.

"Not funny, idiot," she snapped, flicking her blonde hair over her shoulder and managing to whip his face in the process.

"Hey! Watch where you're throwing those coarse split ends."

"How dare you," Rebekah growled. If there was anything Rebekah prided herself on it was personal grooming. Klaus knew exactly where this was headed and figured the nearby patrons would much prefer jazz than a needless cat fight between his brother and sister.

"For the last time, I'm not some three-year-old that needs to be babysat twenty-four bloody seven," Klaus hissed. "The least you could do is leave me in peace, I think it's the least I deserve."

After landing in Memphis, Klaus had checked into his suite at the Westin then left immediately, headed towards Beale Street for some much needed live music. He'd loved jazz ever since he could walk and talk thanks to his grandfather and if he was going to be held hostage in the city by his family he might as well take advantage. Another reason had brought him there and it was to reminisce over the gorgeous, blonde flight attendant he'd come across on his flight into town. She had calmed his nerves unlike anyone else and Klaus hadn't stopped smiling since. He just wished that he'd been his usual smooth self instead of his emotionally inept flying alter ego. Klaus prided himself on his way with women and he'd failed miserably when it had come to her unfortunately.

There was no denying he was a nervous, if not completely neurotic, flyer. He'd been that way since his first family vacation to San Francisco at age eight. Given flying time was less than an hour and his dramatic reaction, his parents had been somewhat concerned. All vacations were kept closer to home after that trip, Mikael hated when his children made a scene and embarrassed him.

Every time he flew since then his mind was cluttered with 'what if' scenarios and he would find himself standing up then pacing back and forth down the aisle even during the seatbelt induced parts. It was like his body and mind were disjointed and Klaus couldn't control his actions. Given he was usually so confident in life it had thrown him and he'd vowed never to fly again until his unexpected inheritance had changed that particular promise.

"How did you find me anyway?"

"You are too predictable," Kol offered. "Come on Nik, live jazz? Do you think we're that stupid?"

"Obviously my expectations were stupidly low." What he hadn't expected were his nosy siblings tracking him down like he was some missing child who was the subject of an amber alert. He had to deal with them most of the time and craved some time away from the Mikaelson madness. Was that too much to ask?

"Nik, did you ever think maybe that we want to just hang out together?" Rebekah implored, lower lip extended for extra effect.

"You've been pulling that pathetic puppy dog look since we were kids, what on earth makes you think I would ever fall for it?"

"We're just trying to help, no need to throw it back in our faces." Klaus felt slightly bad knowing what they were trying to do but resented the fact he should need any assistance at all.

Growing up, he'd been the most outgoing, charismatic, intelligent and popular out of the siblings and bedded a new conquest pretty much every week. In fact, Klaus considered himself practically invincible until life had thrown him a curveball he'd never seen coming. He could still remember the unexpected news like it was yesterday.

It was Spring Break of junior year in College. Klaus had finished top of his graduating high school class in Los Angeles and had every Ivy League School interested but had chosen Yale. Although he wouldn't admit it aloud, Klaus wanted to put as many miles between him and his father Mikael as possible.

He'd returned home to visit his mother in Los Angeles. His siblings were spread far and wide at the time. Elijah was studying at Harvard, Kol a freshman at Princeton and Rebekah completing her final year of boarding school in Chicago. Klaus had been extremely excited for the quiet solace of an almost empty house given his raucous and tiring adventures at college. What he hadn't expected was to find his mother in such a vulnerable position on arrival.

"Your father died yesterday," his mother Esther sobbed. Klaus was immediately confused upon finding her crumpled in a heap in the family home. No one else was there, including his father who was in Phoenix for work. As much as he detested Mikael, Klaus knew that tyrant was still very much alive.

"Mum, he's fine, unfortunately."

"No, he's gone."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he muttered in frustration, spying the empty spirit bottle and half full glass. "Did you take your back pain meds after one too many vodka martinis again?"

"I lied," she admitted sadly, her blue eyes brimming with unshed tears. Klaus was dumbstruck at first, unsure of what to say. It was obvious she'd been drinking but something in her tone was telling him she was deathly serious. "I'm so sorry, Niklaus."

"I think I should put you to bed," he said, attempting to move her towards the bedroom.

"No," she growled in defiance, pulling free from his grasp.

"Okay, if you don't want to go to bed, what exactly did you lie about then?"

"I was lonely and Mikael was…" Klaus swallowed knowing just what an ogre his father was. "And Ansel he cared about me..."

"Who is Ansel?"

"Ansel was your father." The life he once knew seemed to be unravelling in a split second. "And now he's gone," she murmured, taking a long sip from the glass.

"I don't understand, that can't be…"

"We had an affair before you were born." Klaus sat down running his hands through his dark blonde curls, unable to process what she was telling him. Was his whole life a lie? She moved towards him placing a hand on his shoulder, Klaus immediately shaking it off. The last thing he wanted right now was her of all people comforting him.

"Did Mikael know?" He managed to bite out, unable to look her in the eye. Given her betrayal all Klaus needed was the facts and not to see her cry.

"Yes," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I guess that explains why he hated me so much," he growled. Klaus always assumed he'd done something wrong given the way Mikael would belittle him unlike the rest of his siblings.

"Niklaus…"

"I've heard enough," he barked, standing to face her.

"But I want to explain…"

"How can I believe anything you say to me anymore?" He brushed past her before she could give him some feeble excuse and made his way to the door. Klaus never wanted to step foot in that house again, it was tainted for him now after all the lies he'd been fed there over the years.

Klaus shook his head, attempting to dislodge the memories before his siblings thought he'd completely lost the plot.

"Fine," he conceded, knowing that he'd been moody but given his current challenge it was hardly unexpected. "A round of drinks for my brother and sister. Speaking of brothers, where is Elijah? Don't tell me it's past his bedtime already?"

"You know him too well."

"He saw a girl half dressed and now he's down for the count, he really needs to get laid," Kol chuckled, earning a whack from Rebekah along with a steely gaze.

"What's going on, Rebekah?"

"Nothing, it's just something I don't want to be visualising right now and I don't think he wouldn't appreciate us talking about his…"

"Shortcomings?" Kol finished, his brown eyes lighting up mischievously. Klaus joined in, he'd already had his fair share of whiskey and after his day he needed some form of release.

"Well, now my attention is piqued, how and why did Elijah see a naked woman? The only possibility would be a strip club and we all know how he feels about them ad nauseam."

"He, uh, accidentally switched onto an X rated film in the hotel," Kol explained. "In true Elijah fashion, he's now concerned he'll be charged for the privilege."

"If that's the case, I insist on escorting him to check-out in the morning," Klaus chuckled. Sometimes life seemed so rough but it was these times he found some pure happiness with his siblings, even if it was at their own expense.

"Well, in that case we need to be out at six," Rebekah instructed. She always was the schedule planner in the family. "Our Delta flight to Denver leaves at eight."

"Delta?" Klaus asked, his enthusiasm coming across more than he'd hoped. If she was on his flight again, Klaus was suddenly buoyed by that fact, knowing everything might just be okay.

"Yes, Delta," Rebekah confirmed. "Sounds like you're finally a little excited about flying, Niklaus?" Klaus didn't respond, knowing that it was a predictable trap his sister liked to try and pull him into. Plus, he didn't know if he'd see her ever again, even if every fibre in his body was screaming for a reunion. Given it was almost Christmas, Klaus hoped his festive wish would come true.

On FF HERE What’s going to happen next? Would love to hear your thoughts : ) 

[didiletyouknooow]

32. Death Song

Hey, 

here is another new chapter!  I hope you like it although it’s very sad I guess.  Thank you for reading and liking what I create in my head!  Have a nice weekend!

_______________

October 

Two days later my grandmother died. 

Five days ago I took the next flight back to LA where she was in hospital and already in coma. When I arrived at LAX my brother picked me up from the airport and we drove directly to the hospital. We didn’t speak any word while driving. I guess we both didn’t find the words to say. I looked very messy because I was still wearing these clothes from the night before. I didn’t even shower. I felt ugly and sad.

My parents and Maggie were waiting at the hospital when we arrived. On our way to her room Marc told me roughly what happened. She had some heart disease for years but it seems that she was living well with it. She saw her doctor on a regular basis and even in LA she found a doctor she saw. But one week ago she didn’t feel well. Her doctor said it would be better if she would go to the hospital to have a check up. No one knew what happened here but her condition deteriorated. She started talking polish, she never did it but she was raised in Poland. My family didn’t understand a word. Then, when Marc called me five days ago in the middle of the night she fell into a coma and on October 3rd, she died at the age of 89. I knew that she had a great life. She accomplished so much in her life and she was always such a positive person. I was happy so share the last months with her in my hometown but I regret that I didn’t visit her more often in the last years. Even when I was studying in Berlin I only visited her twice in one year. I felt so bad. You start to realize what you lost when it’s already fading away.

 My grandmother wanted to be buried in Germany where her husband was buried. So my dad organized everything and we would all fly to Cologne the next week for her funeral. It would be a hard time: long flight, jet lag, funeral. I didn’t know how I should survive it because at the moment I was a crying mess. I didn’t change my clothes in two days. I only stayed in bed and watched some weird sit-coms. I didn’t even watch them, I only wanted to hear the voices in my TV so that I didn’t feel so lonely anymore. Marc had Maggie, my mother had my father but who was with me? I knew that I had friends and I called them and yesterday Jacob tried to cheer me up and listened to me but today I was all alone in my small apartment. I guess I never felt so lonely in a long time.

I was looking at the pictures I took with my grandmother in the last months. I was so happy that she lived here the last months of her life. That’s what she wanted – to be close to her loved ones. Maybe she knew that she would die soon? Sometimes people know it. Maybe she felt happier here in LA. I didn’t know.

The picture I took in Las Vegas where she accompanied me to Josh’s concert caught my eye. She was smiling so bright and so was I. We looked so happy in the photograph. She liked taking selfies at that night. I also saw the pictures she took with Chad and Flea. She really felt like a fangirl at that night. I guess it made her very happy going to this concert.

When I was still starring at the picture of my grandma and me I almost forgot that Josh was the one who took all the other pictures of her and me. The last picture from that day showed our three. Josh, my grandma and me. We were standing in front of the Fontains of Bellagio, all smiling. Josh had the longest arm so he had to take the picture. It was a bit fuzzy but I could see the happiness in our faces at that day. When I realized that I lost both of them I started crying and couldn’t stop.

“We keep this love in a photograph We make these memories for ourselves Where our eyes are never closing Our hearts were never broken And time's forever frozen still.”

(Ed Sheeran - Photograph  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSDgHBxUbVQ)

Just when I was about to stop crying I realized that it was Josh’s birthday when grandma passed away. I didn’t notice it because I was living like in a trance since Marc’s phone call. I didn’t congratulate him. Not because I didn’t want to but because I didn’t think about his birthday. My grandma died on that day so I guess this date will always be in my memory connoted with negative feelings.

Although I didn’t want to leave my apartment for like the next two years I had to. I couldn’t get away from work and I guess it was a good try to distract me from my feelings. I told my boss about what happened because I wanted to have a day off in the next week so I could fly to Germany. She understood and agreed. I felt a bit relieved. When I was sitting in the faculty lounge correcting some essays my students wrote a voice interrupted me. “Hey, you are Eileen, am I right?” “Uhm, yes” I looked up from my desk and saw a new face. It was a new teacher who started working at our school just a few weeks ago. I didn’t know his name. “Sorry I didn’t want to interrupt your work” he said. “No…it’s….it’s okay, I’m almost done” “Honestly, I was surprised that there is still a mate here at 4:50pm. I thought everyone was already at home” he laughed. “I had to do some work” I told him. “Yeah me too” he said. “I guess I replaced you from being the new teacher here” he laughed. “Seems like you did” I said while packing my bag. “I’ll leave now” I let him know before leaving the room. “Yes me too” he said and followed me until we arrived at the street. I knew it wasn’t his fault because he only started making small talk but I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. “What do you teach?” he asked me. “History and German” “Wow, really? German is a very difficult language, isn’t it? Did you study it?” “No….I was actually born there and raised in English and German” “Oh wow….when did you move to the US?” “When I was three” “Cool…I was born in England. But I moved here for studying and stayed” Yes, there was a bit of a British accent in his voice I noticed. “By the way I’m Adam” he said and we shook hands. “I don’t want to bother you but I thought maybe we could have a coffee some day? I’m new in LA and I just want to get to know some people and since we seem to be the only teacher in the same age at the school I thought maybe we could have a coffee. Only if you want….I don’t want to bother you I just want to connect with people, you know” I looked at his black curls he had in his hair. He reminded me of someone but I didn’t know who it was. “Well” I sighed. “Only if you want” he repeated and smiled. I thought about the last days I spent with crying and talking to Lara on Skype. It was like she was the only one who understood my pain. Sure there was Jacob who listened to me, there was Molly with whom I phoned yesterday and who told me that Eric and her are always there for me. But to me it felt like no one really understood me. So maybe I should have a few nice hours talking to a mate who doesn’t know what happened to me? “Sure, why not” I finally said to him. “Cool, what about Tuesday? Right after work?” “Yes” I faked a smile and went to my car.

  It’s crazy how there a phases in your life when you just function. You don’t want to go to work, meet friends, go to the grocery store, clean your house. But you have to. Survival mode. I think I didn’t experience it before like in the last days. I talked a lot with my brother and with my parents. My mother was so sad she cried the whole day and couldn’t organize anything for the funeral. I’ve never seen her like that before. She lost her mother and I guess there is no comparable pain. When I left school today I almost forgot that I agreed to meet Adam for a coffee. So I drove home, changed my clothes into more comfortable clothes and drove to the café he picked. I was a bit late but I hope he wasn’t mad at me. I also hoped he couldn’t see my dried tears.

“Hey, nice to see you” Adam said with a smile on his face when I entered the café. He was already sitting at a table near the window. “Sorry, didn’t find a parking lot” “Yeah, the struggle is real” he laughed. “What do you want to drink?” “Uhm, I guess….coffee? Although I’m more a tea-person I think today I need coffee” “Rough day?” “Rough week” I let him know. “Sorry to hear that….” “It’s okay” “So….how long are you teaching at the school?” he asked me and I started telling him. 

While talking and drinking coffee I got to know Adam a little bit more. He was born in Manchester but moved to the US for studying. He studied Maths, Geometry and Sports in San Diego and later moved to San  Francisco to work as a teacher. Last year the school had to be closed so he decided to make a move to LA. He didn’t know anyone in the city but he always wanted to go to LA someday. I found it very brave that he did this step. “It’s just a short story about my life” he laughed and took a sip of his coffee. “Wow, not everyone would’ve done it” “I know….but in the end it’s just LA, you know” “It is!” “You grow up here?” “Yes….not Downtown or in Hollywood but in LA” “I don’t like Hollywood” “Me neither. It’s not my type of style I guess” “I prefer Echo Park, Pasadena is also nice…or El Sereno. Have you been there?” “Yes” I answered. He hit me with El Sereno because my brain automatically started thinking about Josh. “Sure….you live here for 29 years….sure you were in El Sereno before” “No I think it’s not. I know many people who never leave their neighborhood” “Well….you’re right. But obviously you belong to the group of people who do” he grinned. “Obviously” “I thought about moving to El Sereno but then I found a nice flat in Echo Park which is great, too” “It is!” “Maybe a bit more hipsters” “I guess they’re coming to El Sereno soon. At least I’ve seen some of them there already” “You seem to know El Sereno very well. Did you live there?” “No….no” I said while looking into my empty coffee cup. “But I used to know someone who lives there” “Oh” Adam said. “Seems that I shouldn’t have started talking about El Sereno” “It’s okay…it’s totally fine. It’s just….my ex lives there” “Yep, Adam, you blundered, congratulations” Adam said to himself. “Totally fine.” I faked a smile and ordered another Latte Macchiato. “My ex still lives in San Francisco…with her now-fiancé so maybe I know the feeling that you want to avoid talking about the city and everything that has to do with it” he told me. I was surprised that he was so open with me. “So you moved after your break up?” “Yeah….now you got me” he grinned. “Kind of” “I know this situation. Almost two years ago I moved to Berlin when my relationship was over and my ex decided to bang a 20 year old girl” “The El Sereno-ex?” “Oh….no” I laughed. “Sorry….that was another ex. My current ex” “Okay…” “Sorry….oh my gosh I must sound like a vamp!” ”No….not at all” “My now-ex broke up with me in June….so I still try to avoid El Sereno” “Okay now I got it” Adam laughed. “It’s interesting that one of the first things we’re talking about is our relationship status and our exes” It felt so good to talk to someone who didn’t know anything about my grandma’s death. We only had a good talk and I think he was a nice and likeable mate.

I was still so heartbroken and sad at the same time. I missed my granny and the weird fact was that my sadness about her passing relieved my broken heart a bit. Sure I was still thinking about Josh sometimes but not so often anymore. Most of the time I missed my granny and wondered if she was at a better place now. I hoped so. 

Adam and I spend most of the lunch breaks together and it was quite fun. I was happy that there was someone in my age who I could’ve talked to in the breaks. He was such a funny guy and intelligent. I loved this connection. But he wasn’t my type of guy and if I was honest I didn’t want to date a new guy until next year. I guess I needed a break from guys, dates, sex, love and all this stuff. Just me and my friends, Netflix and some good music. That’s what I needed now.

On Friday my family and I took a flight over to Germany. I think I’ve never cared less about a flight. I wasn’t afraid of the start or the landing. I just didn’t care. Most of the time we were in the plane I was reading or listening to music. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. When we arrived in Germany it was already evening and rainy. It reminded me of last year when I spend my year in Berlin. I never saw so much rain since I left in March. But this time it felt good. It fitted to our mood. We drove to the hotel and all I did after checking in was watching some TV and finally falling asleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep anymore. I wondered what I should do because I was going nuts in my hotel room. So I left the room and went into the sports room. Yes, there was a sports room in our hotel and I tried it at 3:42am in the middle of the night. After one hour of power running on a treadmill I went back to my room, showered and tried to sleep for a few more hours. It worked.

We met at the cemetery the next morning. It was still rainy and cloudy and the weather couldn’t be any better for a funeral I guess. Sure we weren’t the only one at the funeral. There were some friends, neighbors, family members I knew and some I didn’t knew. For some of them we were always the “family that moved to California and since then didn’t give a fuck about the family in Germany” but this was bullshit. My parents cared so much about their uncles, aunts, parents (when they were still alive), sisters and brothers. We were the family who always traveled to Germany every Christmas some years back. We were the family who took a flight over to Germany to be at the wedding of my mother’s cousin. Yes we did. I guess there are not many children who spent most of their childhood in planes flying around the world during the holidays. But we did. And there were still people who were mad at us because my parents chose to move to the US.

After shaking so many hands and looking into so many foreign faces we finally sat down at the little church. The pastor of the church my granny was part of did the mass for her. She went to church very often when she was still able to do it in Cologne.

He mentioned so many facts about her life – some I knew of and some I didn’t knew of. I really tried to stop me from crying but I couldn’t. Marc was the one who was strong while my mother and I couldn’t stop crying. Everytime I was looking at her picture that was shown in the middle of the altar it broke my heart. She was gone now, like, completely gone. Forever.

After the mess we went to the cemetery. There were so many people who came to my granny’s funeral that I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know that there were so many people who knew her and who obviously cared about her. But this feeling made me happy and maybe one day I could find peace with knowing that she was a good friend for many people, a loving mother and grandmother. 

While we were leaving the church “What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong was playing in the background and it made me cry so much. This song was so wonderful and sad at the same time.  I knew that she loved this song so much. My father was the one who told the church to play it because my granny would’ve loved it. The rain was so heavy and it was so windy. It just fitted to our current situation. I was so afraid of the moment when my grandma’s casket would be buried into the earth. It broke my heart to see her leaving. Friends, family members, neighbors, people who knew her took farewell of her. The ladies were throwing some roses to her grave while the men were taking a shovel of soil into it. My family were the last one to do it. When I was standing in front of her grave I couldn’t believe it. I still didn’t recognize that she was gone. But she was. No one could take her back. Never. I clung on my brother’s arm so heavy that he couldn’t move away. I didn’t want to feel alone in this moment. I was so glad that he was there for me, for all of us. It’s like Marc was the only strong person in our family during this hard time although I knew that he was sad as well.

I was looking at all the funeral wreaths and one sentence caught my eye.

“It’s a piece of heaven that you were with us” 

It was my family’s wreath. My mother chose this quote from a German song.

When I was turning around I saw a silhouette of a man who I knew. But I couldn’t believe that it would be him. I mean what should he do here? In Germany? How should he know that we were here today? “Is that Josh?” Marc asked me whispering so that no one could hear him except of me. “N….no…I don’t think so. What should he do here?” I said with a shivering voice. “I don’t know” Marc and I went to my parents and Maggie. Noel wasn’t with us, Maggie’s parents took care of him. “Eileen, is this Josh?” now my father was the one asking and pointed at the guy who was now coming towards us. I didn’t say anything at all. When the man who looked like Josh came closer I couldn’t believe it. It was him. It was definitely him who was coming closer and closer to us. He wore a black jacket, black pants and was holding a funeral wreath in his hands.   I felt a lump in my throat. My breathing was faster but I tried to stay cool. There was only one question in my mind:

What was he doing here???? 

When Josh finally was standing right in front of us we all looked at him with different faces. My mother didn’t say anything and just left together with Maggie. My father looked at Josh and I guess I saw him smiling. My brother just starred at him with an angry face. “Hey….I just wanted to tell you my deepest condolences of losing Elizabeth. She was such a wonderful woman, mother, grandmother….great-grandmother” We heard Josh saying. “Thank you Josh” my father said and they shook hands which lead into a hug. Marc didn’t say anything he just looked at Josh before he went away to our car. “I think you’re the only person I wouldn’t have expected here today” my father said to Josh. “I know….” “How comes that you’re here?” “My grandma told me about Elizabeth’s passing and we decided to send a wreath but since I’m in Europe at the moment I thought I could bring it here by myself…” Josh told us before he went to the grave and put the wreath on to it. It was already buried. When I saw the inscription of the wreath I wanted to cry.

“The birds they sang At the break of day Start again I heard them say Don't dwell on what Has passed away Or what is yet to be.

Love,

Adelaide & Josh Klinghoffer”

 Why? Why did he have to do it? Why this quote from Leonard Cohen? Why was he always the one finding the best and emotional quotes that brought me to tears? Why? When he came back my father slapped his shoulder before leaving the cemetery. There we were. Just the two of us. In the middle of an almost dark cemetery in the pouring rain.

“I’m so sorry Eileen….honestly. I was shocked when my grandma told me the news” Josh said and it was the first time he looked into my eyes. “Thank you….” “I don’t know what to say. I’m not good in finding the right words in a situation like that, as you might know. But I just wanted to tell you that I’m very sorry” “Thanks Josh” I said and now it was the first time that I was looking into his eyes. He didn’t look well. He looked very tired and was very thin. It was the first time since the middle of June that we saw each other. It was four months ago. “Should we go back to your family?” Josh asked me. I nodded and so we went through the dark and lonely cemetery without saying anything.

When we arrived at the streets I saw my parents, Marc and Maggie waiting in front of our rental car. I knew that they would drive to the memorial ceremony but right now I had the feeling that I couldn’t attend it. I just couldn’t. I couldn’t stand all the other family members asking dumb questions and maybe even starting a discussion who cared about her the most. So I looked at Marc and I guess he knew so they drove away without me. “What are they doing?” Josh asked me. “They’re going to the Memorial Ceremony in her favorite café” “And what about you?” “I just can’t….I can’t stand the people” I said to him. “Are you sure?” “Yes I am…..” “Really?” “Yes Josh!” I let him know and went a few steps away from him. I couldn’t stand his closeness and I couldn’t even stand his appearance. Why did he have to come to the funeral? Why? Sure it was a cute gesture and very kind of him to put a funeral wreath by him and Adelaide at my granny’s funeral in Germany but why did he have to appear himself? Couldn’t he just send it? Like any other person?

I started walking through the rain. Josh was following me. Why didn’t he just leave? “What are you doing?” he asked me. “I’m taking the subway to the city” “Okay….me too!” he let me know. So a few minutes later we were sitting in the subway without talking. I looked out of the window and tried to avoid looking at him. But I could feel his gaze on me. When we arrived in the city I went straight forward to the Rhine. I just wanted to sit here and watch the Rhine. Like I did when I was 16 and spent my whole summer at my grandma’s house in Cologne. “Eileen, it’s raining….do you really wanna sit here?” “YES!” I let him know. My voice sounded angry because I was angry. Angry at the people at the funeral, angry at the rain, angry at my grandma for passing away and angry at Josh. Why did he have to attend the funeral? “Okay so….uhm my hotel is right over there so then….goodbye” he said to me. I didn’t look at him but when he left I gazed after him until he entered the hotel. 

I was sitting in the rain, an umbrella in my hand and watched the water in the Rhine. Sometimes ships crossed it. There weren’t many people walking around because of the weather. But a homeless guy sat next to me for a few minutes and drank his coffee. He grinned at me and wished me a good day before he left. I gave him some money for buying something to eat. He thanked me with a smile and left. I remembered the summer 12 years ago when I spent the whole summer vacation with my grandma in Cologne. I wasn’t on my own, my parents also traveled to Germany for the summer. But while they were doing a roadtrip through the country I wanted to stay in Cologne. I loved this city at that time. It was so unlike LA. While my hometown in California was very big, shiny, glamorous, loud, hot and hectic Cologne was smaller but also a big city. It was separated by the Rhine and people where celebrating carnival for weeks and were going crazy here. I remembered visiting the chocolate museum with my granny, walking along the Rhine with her, she told me many stories from her own youth in the city. She also told me about her life in the USA when she was a young woman. She told me how she fell in love with my grandpa. It was a hard time but they always believed in their love. I wished I could say the same about my love life. Maybe I stopped believing in it.

I was listening to some music when this special song was playing in my phone. It was the song Josh and his grandma quoted on their funeral wreath. He showed it to me last year and I fell in love with the song immediately. I knew he loved Leonard Cohen and he often teased some of his songs on tour. It was so typical for him that he took a song by Cohen to quote on the wreath.

“The birds they sang at the break of day Start again I heard them say Don't dwell on what has passed away or what is yet to be. Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in.”

(Leonard Cohen - Anthem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDTph7mer3I)

After sitting here for quite some time – which felt like hours – I decided to get up. I was freezing so much and although I had an umbrella my jeans and my shoes were very wet. Before taking the subway to my hotel I thought about my conversation with Josh. I felt terrible for treating him like that. I didn’t really speak with him. I felt sorry for it but it wasn’t easy for me. I think it was so surprising and shocking for me seeing him at the funeral. No one expected HIM. Maybe I should apologize to him? When would we see each other again? Now we were staying in the same city on a foreign continent. Crazy situation. So when passing the hotel he was staying in I decided to do it. I wanted to apologize for my dismissing behavior. I didn’t want to talk with him about our break up. I only wanted to apologize for today. I entered the hotel and when I just wanted to ask the lady at the information for his room he was standing next to me.

“What are you doing here?” he asked me. “I wanted….wanted to apologize for my behavior. I treated you terrible. I didn’t want to be bitchy” “It’s okay….you have a hard time right now” “Yes….” I noticed his hand on my shoulder and looked at it. He took it away immediately. “So uhm, why are you even here in Cologne?” I asked him. “We’re having a TV show tomorrow in Brussels. But today is an off day. So I decided I should take the opportunity to go to your granny’s funeral” I looked at him. He looked so tired and kind of sick. I really hoped he was feeling well. “Thanks…” I whispered. “I have to go now I guess I…” I heard myself saying. But suddenly I felt dizzy. I saw black wholes. What was going on?

“Is everything okay?” Josh asked me. “My head is spinning” I told him. “Come on, sit down here” he told me, put my hand and walked me to a chair. “Can we have some water please?” I heard him asking the lady at the information. She gave it to him and I took a few sips. “I think you have a hard time now. It’s totally okay to feel ill and sad” Josh said to me. I nodded. “Maybe it’s the jet lag” I agreed. “Could be.” he looked into my eyes and I had the feeling that the world stopped for a moment. Argh, I hated this feeling. When does it stop? “I….I have to go now” I said and got up from the chair. But when I got up my head was spinning again. “Eileen, are you sure you wanna leave now? Where is your hotel?” Josh asked me. “It’s….it’s like 30 minutes from here with the subway” “Please….do me a favor and stay a little longer here. You don’t look well” “I know….” I sighed and realized that I started crying. I couldn’t stop it. It was just running down my face. I noticed Josh’s arms around me and I laid my head against his chest to cry. Oh well, how deep did I fall?

“You know….maybe you should take some rest” he said after a while and took my hand. We went to the elevator and finally arrived at his hotel room. “If you want you can sleep in my bed for a few hours. I think you aren’t able to drive to your hotel at the moment” he suggested. I couldn’t say anything against it because I felt so tired. So I sat down at his bed, took off my shoes and tried to make myself comfortable in the bed. It smelled like him. Josh was sitting in a chair and looked at me. “Do you want something to drink?” “No thanks” I let him know. My voice sounded so weak. “I don’t need anything” “Okay….I’ll let you sleep. I read a book in the meantime” he told me before I fell asleep.   It was already dark outside when I woke up. I was a bit confused until I realized where I was. Josh was still sitting in the chair but instead of reading he was working on his computer. “What time is it?” I asked a bit panic. “You’re awake” Josh smiled. “It’s 10pm. Are you feeling better?” “A bit” I let him know. “I’m hungry” “Should we order something? Or should I get us something to eat?” he suggested. “No….no it’s not necessary I guess. I’ll leave now” I said while getting up from the bed but at the same moment I sat down again. My head was still spinning. “Are you sure I shouldn’t call a doctor?” “No….it’s okay. I just….” “You’re going nowhere until you’ve eaten something!” Josh told me with a determining voice. “What about pizza?”

30 minutes later we were sitting on his hotel bed eating pizza. He still knew my favorite: tomatoes, rocket and mozzarella. I loved it. Josh preferred a salami pizza. “Thank you so much for this pizza” I said with my mouth full. “You don’t have to thank me” he chuckled. “I was also very hungry and wanted to eat pizza” “Okay well….whatever thanks for everything” “Sure….you’re welcome” Silence. We still didn’t talk about what happened four months ago. We got both one year older since then but seems like we both didn’t want to speak about our break up. “So….how does it feel to hit the 35?” I asked him just to start a conversation. “Like 34 why?” “Just….just a question. Some people say it’s kind of a rock you hit like 30 or 40” “30 was the worst” he laughed. “Now I’m afraid” “You don’t have to be afraid. You still look like 25” he smiled at me. “One of the most beautiful women I know” “Don’t say that!” “Why? It’s just the truth. You should know that” “But….” “No but Eileen. Believe me. You’re beautiful even with some pizza in your mouth corner” he grinned and wiped it away. Our eyes met each other and I couldn’t look away. For a moment it felt like last year when we had our first kiss. Suddenly I felt his lips on mine. His lips tasted like salami pizza and I could felt his breath so close to me. It really felt like coming home to me but after a few seconds I realized that I couldn’t do it. I pushed him away. “Sorry….I….I can’t” I let him know. I couldn’t look at him. He was so sweet to me and I behaved like a bitch.

“It’s okay….I didn’t want to take you by surprise and I don’t even know why I did it” he said. “Can we….can we just sit here and….just sit here” I sighed. “Yes of course we can.” Josh said and made himself comfortable next to me. After a few minutes of silence between us he started asking. “What did your granny die of?” It hit me that he changed to this heavy topic but at the same moment I realized that maybe it’s good to talk about it with someone instead of bottling up. “She had a heart disease for several years and suddenly it got more serious. I don’t know why. I wasn’t in LA when it happened” “Where were you?” “I was in New Orleans with Molly. She had this important lecture at the university” “Oh so you accompanied her?” Josh seemed to be surprised. “Yes I did. We’re….we’re good friends you know” “Eric mentioned it….I think he was on tour at that time” “He was. So Molly and I flew over to New Orleans for two days” “And you had a great time until you got these shocking news?” When he asked me this question I remembered the night I spend with this stranger from the bar. What was his name again? Ah right, Dylan. “Yes….we had” I lied. It was one of the most horrible nights I’ve ever had. “Until Marc called me. But I didn’t answer his calls because I was….kind of busy you know” “Mhmhm” Josh looked at me. I felt like being caught! That he could read in my eyes that I met a stranger in a bar and had a one night stand. But….who cares? I mean, he had his fun as well. So why shouldn’t I have fun, too? “And then?” he asked and I realized that my mind went a bit absent in the last seconds. “Well uhm….yeah I called him back and he told me that she was going to die so I took the next flight to LA and….two days later she died” I said without showing any emotions. It was so weird. I could talk about it without feeling anything but when I started thinking about her it brought me to tears.   “On my birthday” Josh noted. “Yes….” I sighed. “Such a horrible day” he said. “Your birthday?” “Yeah” “Why?” “Uhm….I don’t know. It was a bad day but I don’t want to moan. I mean, your granny died on that day so I don’t want to lament that my birthday was such a bad day” “No it’s okay….what….what happened?” “You know….just life” he answered and looked at his computer. “Do you want to watch a movie?”  “I don’t know….I think I should go back to my hotel. It’s already late” I let him know and took my phone to call a cab. Josh was looking at me with a weird face when I was talking to the woman from the cab office on the phone. He didn’t understand my German so it must’ve looked very weird gesticulating and talking in German. “So….I officially hate Cologne” I told him when I hung up. “Why?” “The next cab will be available in 1.5 hours!” “What about the subway?” “It takes me like 30 minutes and I don’t know if I can do it on my own in my situation now” “I can accompany you” “No….you don’t have to. I can call Marc, he can pick me up” “Or you just sit down, watch a movie and then you can take the cab” Josh suggested. I didn’t know why but I agreed.

Josh started a movie with Tom Hanks and I think after a few minutes I fell asleep again. When I woke up it was already the middle of the night. His computer was snapped shut and when I turned around I saw him lying next to me in the bed. But it felt like there was a kind of a wall of blankets between us. I watched him sleeping for a while and noticed his phone he was still holding in his hands. He looked so cute.

I went to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Eileen, what are you doing here? You’re spending the night with your ex in a hotel room in Cologne! Although all you want to do is crying. I was so overwhelmed by my feelings. It was too much for me. I wanted to cry but at the same time I felt a bit happy being in Josh’s closeness. What was wrong with me? Why did I push him away when he kissed me? It felt so real to me but at the same time it reminded me of all the good times we shared and I had to think about grandma and then I started crying again. That’s why I pushed him away. I couldn’t believe it anyway.

When I came back from the bathroom I wanted to lay myself a bit closer to Josh but at the same moment I noticed his phone screen flashing. I saw an incoming message from….Chloe. Although I didn’t want to read it I couldn’t look away from it. It was seen in his lock screen. And when the screen was already dark I carefully pushed the big button on his phone to read the message again. What did I become?

Sweatheart <3

How are you feeling today? Is it already night in Europe? I don’t know haha. I thought about you and all the crazy little things I want to do with you! ;) Miss u

Kissssss Chloe

 I guess this was the moment I turned around to the other side of the bed and tried to fall asleep again. If I wouldn’t have been so tired I guess I would have get up and leave immediately but I felt like something retained me. 

Obviously I could continue to sleep because when I woke up it was already 11am. I was kind of shocked when I looked at the clock in the hotel room. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and looked to the left, but no one was there. Hm, maybe Josh was in the bathroom. But then I saw a note at the nightstand.

 “E….

I’m sorry that I had to go but since we have a TV show today I had to get up very early to drive back to Brussels. The show is tonight but we meet at noon so I have to catch the next train.

It was so great to see you again. I know I wasn’t desired at the funeral at least your brother and your mom treated me like that but….I wanted to say goodbye to your grandma. She was one of the nicest, funniest, smartest and strongest women I’ve ever met. I’m so grateful that I got to know her! You’re such a lucky girl that you had a grandma like her. I bet she watches you and your family in heaven and knows everything about us haha.

Thank you for staying with me. I really wanted to talk to you about some things that happened in the past which I’m sorry for. I know I didn’t tell you the exact reason why I ended our relationship. I’m sorry. But I guess I still don’t know why….I had my reasons. Okay, this sounds terrible. Sorry for that. Truth is, I don’t know. It just didn’t feel real to me anymore. I experienced a lot in the following weeks. Maybe I had to learn it. I’m still feeling confused. I know I shouldn’t because I’m already 35 and I should know what I want in life but truth is – I don’t.

Sorry for my weird words. I wanted to explain to you why I behaved like shit but….I guess I can’t. 

You can stay in the hotel room as long as you want. I paid for everything. Breakfast included. Make yourself a beautiful morning in Cologne and don’t feel bad for crying or missing your grandma. It’s totally okay to feel this way even when we’re grown ups because loosing someone you love can break your heart. I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been there before.

Goodbye Eileen,

J”

 It kind of brought me to tears to read these words. There he was. The Josh I missed so much. The Josh who thought about himself, criticized himself so much, who always wanted others to feel good and make comfortable. The nicest human on earth I knew.

Before I drown in my own tears I decided to get up and do what Josh wanted me to do. I ordered some breakfast and enjoyed it while looking out of the window with a great view over sunny Cologne. After that I left the hotel and drove back to my “real” hotel where I paid for a room I only used for one night instead of two. When I came into the lobby my family already waited there to check out. “Eileen, where were you?” my mother asked me with a surprised face. “I thought you were still in your room. We haven’t seen you at breakfast so we thought you were still sleeping” “No I wasn’t. I couldn’t sleep so I got up and took a walk through the city” I lied.  “Oh okay, well….but now we have to check out and get to the airport” she said and while she was saying it I noticed my brother’s gaze on me. I guess he knew where I was. __________

[reeltoreal-cl]

Loving Memphis: A List of Bright Places to Enjoy and Meet People

Memphis, TN is a city known for four things that people typically know of before making any travel plans there: BBQ, blues, Elvis, and crime. I was raised in Memphis, and returned for two years after college graduation. I quickly realized how much easier it was to enjoy the city as a 21-year-old with a car than anyone under the age of 18. I have since maintained a list of the best and brightest places to visit based on my own experiences:

Restaurants:

Huey’s - This is hands-down my favorite place. Known for their burgers. I always get the World Famous Huey’s Burger and Tennessee Tea.

Osaka - A nice sushi and hibachi gem in Poplar Plaza. I recommend the Big Daddy sushi roll.

Bluff City Coffee - The cutest little coffee shop downtown! They get their pastries from a local baker, and offer homemade dog treats for your furry friends. The chai tea latte and all of the sandwiches are faithfully good.

The Green Beetle - Downtown on Main Street, this seems like a dive, but has food that’s rich in flavor. The Philly cheese steak, patty melt, hot wings, and fries are to die for!

Jim ‘n Nicks - BBQ win!

Central BBQ - Another BBQ win, but the dry rub especially!

Jerry’s Sno Cones - Crack in a cone in the depths of North Memphis.

Scoops - A black-owned gelato and crepe bar downtown. Red Wine Sorbet is my flavor of choice.

Onix - A black-owned soul food restaurant that features live bands. The sweet tea is everything, but the lemon pepper wings are good, too.

DeJa Vu - A black-owned New Orleans-style restaurant in downtown Memphis. Can be pricey, but the food’s delicious.

Coletta’s - An Italian restaurant in Bartlett with an old-school, family feel.

Happy Mexican - Guess the style? lol The staff is always friendly here, and the food and drinks never fail. I recommend the fajitas, quesadillas, Taquitos Mexicanos (my fav), and the Margarita Dip! Also, please drink a Walk Me Down while you’re there. Thank me later.

Boscoe’s Squared - A cool spot in Overton Square with a huge beer menu, cool brunch menu, and intimate seating.

Babalu - A Mexican-Cuban fusion restaurant in Overton Square known for their tapas. They have really good seasonal drinks around the holidays.

Sweet Noshings - A sweet shop in Overton Square with their own candy, chocolate, ice cream, and popcorn! Let your inner child run wild!

Don Don’s Hot Wings - Wangs and thangs.

Dixie Queen - Absolutely love their lemon pepper and honey gold wings, their seasoned fries, and their lemonade.

Rendezvous is our claim to fame a la Food Network. I’ve also heard fabulous things about Southern Hands.

Tourist Attractions:

Stax Museum - An incredible history of the music of the South, particularly Memphis and Stax Records artists, starting all the way back with the significance of “field songs.” It’s beautiful and so enlightening.

National Civil Rights Museum - Fun fact: I worked here as a tour guide for a year. Your experience touring the museum after its renovation will be much better than mine working there, lol. But it’s extremely profound and an experience the whole family can appreciate and learn from.

Woodruff-Fontaine House - A cool Victorian house for an old, famous family in Memphis, known for its architecture, décor, and hauntings.

Slave Haven - A small house-turned-museum that allegedly served as a safe house for slaves traveling on the underground railroad. Historical accuracy is contested, but still cool to see.

Yes, Gracelend is here, but most natives have never been! There are also the Blues Hall of Fame and Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum.

Bars, Clubs, & Lounges:

Fox & Hound - If you’re a foxy lady or hound dog who likes great drinks, sports on every flatscreen, and pool, this is the place for you. I always go for the beer-battered fish and chips, and the Kryptonite ‘Rita.

Greencork Wine Bar (closed until 2018) - A snazzy little spot near the Cooper-Young district that allows you to buy a card to test out wines from about 20 dispensaries as you lounge by the fire or sit at tall tables with friends. Food options are more expensive than they’re worth, though, and you’ll need to know which types of wines you favor before testing to get more bang for your buck.

Club Love / Love Lounge - A recent business development, this lounge that typically caters to the 30s+ crowd is an excellent mix of throwback jams and new music as the night goes on. If you want a more sophisticated night out, this place is great. Hosted my 23rd birthday here.

Mollie Fontaine Lounge - Across the street from the Woodruff-Fontaine House, this historic home turns into a lounge at night with great truffle fries, girls dressed as vampires, and men Vogue-ing. It’s lit!

Wet Willie’s - While the history behind this place is pretty ugly (see Ida B. Wells placard outside), it now serves as the best place for a frozen alcoholic beverages. The Bob Marley is where it’s at! I once went with the girls, recognized a guy I knew having a birthday outing, and his crew bought 20 jello shots for us all to share. Such is the Beale Street party life.

Peabody Rooftop - This is something different. You can see the sun set, hear cool live bands, and enjoy drinks and complimentary food if you’re there on time when it starts. Great chance to be with a different crowd and have some fresh air as you sweat out the liquors, lol.

Arts & Entertainment:

Studio on the Square - A quirky, old-school theater in Overton Square that serves alcohol and real food to go along with your movie. Along with typical showings, has indie films and other cool stuff.

Paradiso Theatre - Styled like an Italian villa, this theatre also serves alcohol to accompany your film.

Hollywood 20 Cinema - More in my neck of the woods, aka in Bartlett.

Hattiloo Theatre - A black-owned performing arts theatre that hosts plays and musicals with African-American casts and narratives, as well as panel discussions and other events with topics related to the black community.

Playhouse on the Square - A theater in Overton Square.

Crosstown Arts - An art gallery in the Sears-Crosstown area that hosts changing art exhibits and other artsy-fartsy events.

Rumba Room - A nightclub that specializes in salsa dance lessons and Latin foods, while also hosting poetry nights and dance recitals from other companies and troupes around the city.

We’re also home to the Indie Memphis Film Festival and On Location: International Film & Music Festival. That scene is slowly building.

Nature:

Memphis Botanical Gardens - Make sure you go in full bloom or else it’s like your backyard, lol. But it’s really great, with a relaxed path through the entire thing as well as a Japanese garden bridge. I also enjoy their on-location restaurant Fratelli’s.

Shelby Farms - This huge, huge, huge plot of land is the best place for a wide variety of hiking and running trails. They’re also home to the Starry Nights drive for Christmas, and Earth Day in April.

W. J. Freeman Park - This little park is tucked into Bartlett, and it’s usually empty if you want some privacy for a quick jog or to walk the dog.

Mississippi River Walk - Beautiful and serene location if you want to go for a walk near some water. Just don’t stay too long into the night or when it’s storming, for obvious reasons.

Shopping:

Wolfchase Galleria

Wolfchase Commons

Collierville Carriage Crossing

Poplar Plaza

Polish Girl - A black-owned nail shop with cool sugar scrubs, mixed drinks, and a playlist that your girlfriends will enjoy.

Diva Nails - An Asian-owned nail shop designed like a Venetian spa.

Events:

Grizzlies Games - Basketball is what makes the world go ‘round here.

Redbirds Games - Good family or work event if it’s not too hot out. If so, wear a hat to shade yourself and buy some frozen pink lemonade.

Africa in April - A festival of art, food, and performances celebrating the diversity of Africa in Robert Church Park downtown!

Latino Memphis Festival - A festival of the same things, but in Overton Park with the country of celebration changing every year!

Events on my to-do list are Beale Street Music Festival, Latino Memphis Dia de los Muertos, Curtis Givens All White and All Black Affairs, Omega Psi Phi Sundresses & Linen Party, Best in Black Awards, 40 Under 40 Urban Elite, and Wine on the River.

That concludes my recommendations, everyone. A lot of things are coming to Memphis in 2017, so keep your eyes peeled for new adventures in the 901. I can’t wait to explore even more places to add to this list. Enjoy!

[weditchthemap]

The Ultimate Memphis Weekend: A Guide to BBQ, Blues, and Booze with Photos

INTRODUCTION TO MEMPHIS

Memphis is city that doesn’t get much press, but its gritty charm is hard to find elsewhere.  I may be a tad biased as I used to live here—that still doesn’t change the fact that 7 years have passed and I now get to share my love of Memphis with my wife.

Soul food, blues music, and racial tensions have created a complex cultural narrative that is best understood by diving in head first. Below is a greatly abridged historical timeline I made emphasizing large developments in and around Memphis Tennessee.

ARRIVE FRIDAY NIGHT

After settling in your accommodation head out to Beale Street to catch some live Blues Music—feel free to stick your head in and choose a vibe that suits you.  There are dozens of restaurants on and around Beale Street serving a variety of cuisine though you’ll mostly find soul food. See the bottom of the post for some Beale Street recommendations.

If you have the stamina after a day of travel and listening to some electric blues head over to Earnestine and Hazel’s on South Main St (pictures below).  This local gem perpetually seems to stay under the radar despite its infamous history.  The building has, in part, served as a brothel as recent as the late 1990s.  You can order cheeseburgers and cheap beers until 3 in the morning while exploring the eerie rooms upstairs—some even come with a haunted backstory.  If you’re interested in the history of E&H please click here.

SATURDAY

Stop by a local coffee roaster in the Cooper Young, Midtown area of Memphis for a coffee and small bite to eat.  Java Cabana has a cozy intimate seating area serving up some baked sweets and affordable coffees with free refills.  If you want more of a standard breakfast selection then head over to Otherlands Coffee Bar, which houses multiple rooms and contains a larger but equally affordable food menu.

Walk around the trendy, yet unpretentious, Cooper Young intersection then head back downtown and check out The Peabody Hotel to watch the famous ducks waddle down from the roof, out of the elevator, and into the lobby’s main fountain at 11:00am (arrive early to get a spot).  Google “Peabody Ducks” and you’ll understand what I mean or click here for a short video.

After watching the Peabody Ducks take a bath in a fancy fountain take a walk down South Main Street and then Front Street to see some of the city’s oldest buildings, which have been transformed into art galleries, shops and restaurants. You can visit the world famous Gus’s Fried Chicken—hold off on their sides as all the locals know that they just don’t come close to their fantastic chicken thighs. Get your fried chicken to go and enjoy it with a tasting at Old Dominick Distillery across the street.

You can take a stroll in Tom Lee Park, which sits along the Mississippi River, and is home to the world’s largest BBQ pork cook-off competition. A 5-minute drive from downtown takes you to Mud Island, a peninsula in the middle of the Mississippi River. You can park on the main street and walk among the quaint upscale neighborhood before heading back into the city by 2pm.

“Mud Island's main draw is Riverwalk, an outdoor, 2,000-foot-long scale model of the lower thousand miles of the Mississippi. Every sandbar, oxbow, and topographic contour is faithfully reproduced in cement. The river -- a little stream -- flows lazily south past minimalist cities and bridges rendered in steel.” Roadside America (click here for detail on the Riverwalk)

BBQ Tasting Tour 2-6pm: As you probably already know Memphis is world-renowned for its BBQ so do yourself a favor and sample the wide variety they have to offer. Where to start with so many options? Sign up for a BBQ tour to sample Memphis’s best variety of pork and beef barbecue preparations. Tastin’ ‘Round Town tours will take you to 6 of the best BBQ joints in the downtown and midtown area (Central BBQ, A&R BBQ, and The Bar-B-Q Shop just to name a few) . You’ll sample dry rubs to die for, falling off the bone ribs, barbecue nachos, and even barbecue spaghetti. Make sure you come hungry since you’ll spend 4 hours eating food. 

End your night with drinks and live music at the Mollie Fontaine Lounge. This old Victorian mansion, located a between midtown and downtown, has been converted into a saloon with retro arm chairs, chic chandeliers, and multiple seating areas. Sip on cocktails and enjoy their soul food while listening to the baby grand being played in this hidden gem—a vintage venue in Victorian Village.

SUNDAY

Brunch Tasting Tour—Make sure to save an appetite for City Tasting Tours, which starts at noon and takes you to 3 local brunch hotspots along S Main St.  Owned and operated by Cristina McCarter, a Memphis native and former food blogger, this tour takes you to three local restaurants where you’ll sample a variety of southern brunch fare. Cristina is passionate about finding and sharing her love of local dishes. The tour includes savory southern comfort food and your choice of a mimosa or Bloody Mary at each stop. You’ll try different preparations of grits, poached eggs topped with blackened cat-fish drizzled with homemade hollandaise accompanied by a chorizo scramble, and crispy chicken and waffles. Of course everything comes with a Memphis twist—pecan butter and pimento cheese, anyone? Fill your belly and satisfy your soul in great company on this 2-hour tour. 

Civil Rights Museum—The tour ends next to the National Civil Rights Museum, so it’s a great time to check out this historically significant site. This museum chronicles the civil rights movement in the US with emotional and informative exhibits. It’s a simultaneously powerful and sobering experience to wander the museum and learn about the struggle for civil rights. The museum resides inside the preserved Lorraine Motel—the locale where Dr. Martin Luther King Junior was assassinated. The former boarding house where the killer resided is open and part of the museum.

NOTABLE MENTIONS

EATS:

Kooky Canucks, as seen on the Man Vs. Food TV Show, has gained fame for the notorious Kookamonga burger, but the menu stands on its own. Specializing in generous portions of bar food and comfort food the owner’s personalize the menu with a “kooky” Canadian twist. Cheese curds or poutine, anyone? 

At Kooky Canuck's there’s a burger for everyone—maple syrup candied bacon, fried green tomatoes, heaping portions of meat—pick your fancy. If you’re craving something on the lighter side you’ll be pleased by the extensive salad menu. 

Don't miss the deserts! The skillet desserts arrive table-side sizzling in their caste iron pans. The divine fresh from-the-oven smell will empower you to devour the dessert no matter how full your belly. Striking the perfect balance of gooey and crispy, the cookie skillet is heavenly. 

Flight is the place to eat if you’re looking for upscale dining but always seem to be asking your friend for a taste of their food. This intimate restaurant on Main St offers fabulous food in a unique way—serving almost everything on their menu in flights! Did I mention it’s rated as the #1 place to eat in Memphis?

MUSIC:

Keep a lookout for Silky O'Sullivan's when you’re on Beale Street. They have dueling pianos every night and will play whatever you ask…for a small tip. It’s a dive inside but a great place to listen to some music—if you’re into piano music that is. Order The Diver—probably the strongest drink you’ll ever have in your life—and share it 4 ways or else you won’t be able to walk to your cab.

If you want something more Memphis Blues Style then don’t miss Rum Boogie Cafe, which is just across the street from Silky O’Sullivan’s. It was my favorite place to listen to music while living in Memphis. They have bands playing every night and the environment is fabulous—famous musicians donate their guitars which hang from almost every surface inside the venue.

[evelinalinn]

Mollie Fontaine Lounge/Victorian Village. It’s a Memphis thang! #evelinadillon #memphisartist #blueprint #architecture #victorianvillagememphis https://www.instagram.com/p/BozFYIeAfBP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11vnl368qduc8

[futureclear-pyramidtour-blog]

Last night we danced in this Victorian mansion turned locals lounge. Hands up 👐🏻👐🏽👐🏿 to Memphis for using a house in this way. #moreplease #dirtydancing #becauseofthenight (at Mollie Fontaine)

[photosindarkness]

@con4cyn Halloween 2015 Copyright © Graeme Morris. All rights reserved. I don't mind sharing/reblogging, but PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE CAPTION

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Updated August 2020 Ed. Note: Restaurants are FREQUENTLY changing their hours, open status, dog-friendly status, and patio availability due to the pandemic. We are trying to keep up with information but things change hourly. For that reason, I recommend calling the restaurant for the most up-to-date info! Here it is: Memphis area patios, listed (generally) by neighborhood. I will continue to update this list of patios, so if left off your favorite patio all you have to do is leave me a comment! Belly Acres I’ve created this based on older posts about patios here, here, and here, and many, many more. While those other blog posts give a bit more commentary on the patios and have more pictures, this post you’re reading right now is meant to be more of a big reference list of patios. I have added *dog friendly if the restaurants allowed leashed dogs on their patios. Some of these patios are big, some are tiny, some are just table or two, some are covered or partially enclosed, and some patios are not. I can’t control when a restaurant decides to open their patio or not, so call ahead if you have a doubt. Many of these places technically do allow smoking outside, so call ahead if  that’s a dealbreaker for you. If there’s a place I think you’re likely to encounter smoking, I’ve made that note. OK, without further ado, here’s a list of patios in Memphis, including pet friendly patios and Memphis dog friendly patios. Sunglasses on, bottoms up. Downtown – Loflin Yard *dog friendly (the whole place is basically a patio) – Central BBQ Downtown *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Automatic Slim’s (just a few tables)  – Terrace at the River Inn (the covered rooftop bar/restaurant at The River Inn at Harbor Town) – Blue Monkey Downtown (might be some smoking) temporarily closed – Cafe Eclectic Harbor Town – Lunchbox Eats patio is temporarily closed, sometimes to-go orders available – Momma’s *dog friendly (might be some smoking) temporarily closed  – Carolina Watershed (open Fri-Sun. only) – Old Dominick Distillery (rooftop access via the upstairs bar when it’s open) temporarily closed – The Greyhound at Hilton Garden Inn *dog friendly temporarily closed – Slider Inn Downtown *dog friendly Main Street – Felicia Suzanne’s *dog friendly (water bowls sometimes available) – Cafe Keough – Maciel’s *dog friendly (just a few tables)  – Aldo’s *dog friendly – Local Gastropub *dog friendly – Blind Bear Speakeasy (might be some smoking) temporarily closed – Blue Fin – Majestic Grille *dog friendly temporarily operating as Cocozza American Italian/temporarily closed – South of Beale *dog friendly – Green Beetle *dog friendly – Bluff City Coffee – Rizzo’s (just a few tables) – Max’s Sports Bar *dog friendly when they’re not crowded (might be some smoking) temporarily closed  – Ghost River Brewing Taproom *dog friendly patio temporarily closed, you can still pick up beer curbside – Pontotoc Lounge (just a few tables – call ahead for dog-friendly patio info) temporarily closed – The Vault *dog friendly – Hu. Hotel (formerly the Madison Hotel, they’ve reopened and have a rooftop patio) temporarily closed – Swanky’s Taco Shop at the Chisca Beale Street – Bleu (at the Westin) – Silky O’Sullivan’s – Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe – Alfred’s on Beale – Rum Boogie Cafe – B.B. King’s – Tin Roof Cafe Ole Crosstown / The Edge – Mollie Fontaine Lounge temporarily closed – High Cotton Brewing taproom *dog friendly – Edge Alley – Crosstown Brewing Co. *dog friendly patio temporarily closed, you can still pick up beer curbside – Crosstown Concourse including Saucy Chicken, MEMPops, Next Door American Eatery (multiple patios, dog friendly) Midtown  – Cafe 1912 – ECCO on Overton Park *dog friendly – Otherlands Coffee Bar  *dog friendly – Central BBQ Midtown (2249 Central Ave.) *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Bhan Thai *I’ve heard it’s dog friendly, but I get mixed reports. Call ahead to be sure. – Slider Inn *dog friendly – Cafe Eclectic Midtown – Huey’s Midtown – Railgarten *dog friendly – I Love Juice Bar – Blue Monkey Midtown (might be some smoking) –  Hattie B’s Cooper Young – most everywhere has at least a few tables outside  – Memphis Made Brewing taproom *dog friendly – Beauty Shop / DKDC (there will 100% be some smoking late-night at DKDC) – Tsunami – Alchemy *dog friendly – Hammer & Ale *dog friendly – Mulan *dog friendly – Sweet Grass Next Door *dog friendly – Young Ave. Deli *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Cafe Ole *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Celtic Crossing *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Stone Soup Cafe *dog friendly – Soul Fish Cafe *dog friendly Loflin Yard Overton Square – Babalu – Second Line *dog friendly, please inform the hostess you have your furry friend with you – Memphis Pizza Cafe Midtown (2087 Madison Ave.) *dog friendly – Bayou Bar and Grill – Bosco’s – Local on the Square *dog friendly – Deli on the Square *dog friendly – Side Street Grill (might be some smoking) – Lafayette’s Music Room – Belly Acres *dog friendly – Robata *dog friendly – Hopdoddy – Saltwater Crab Broad Avenue – Maximo’s on Broad – City & State *dog friendly – Wiseacre Taproom *very dog friendly, like, so many dogs – The Cove  *dog friendly (likely to be some smoking) – The Liquor Store *dog friendly Wiseacre Taproom East Memphis – Lost Pizza Co. *dog friendly – Cheffie’s *dog friendly – High Point Pizza *dog friendly – RP Tracks (likely be some smoking) – Swanky’s Taco Shop (4770 Poplar Avenue) – Memphis Sports Pub *dog friendly – Memphis Pizza Cafe Park Ave. (5061 Park Ave.) *dog friendly – Elwood’s Shack *dog friendly – Sam’s Deli *dog friendly – Ciao Bella – Las Delicias on Quince – Newby’s – The Bluff – The Casual Pint *dog friendly – La Michoacana – Cafe Eclectic U of M – ACRE – Ronnie Grisanti’s  – Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken East Memphis – Lucchesi’s Beer Garden *dog friendly – Owen Brennan’s – Patrick’s – Los Jarochos – Mortimer’s *dog friendly Brookhaven Circle – Hog & Hominy *dog friendly (temporarily closed due to fire) – Brookhaven Pub (695 West Brookhaven Circle) *dog friendly – Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen – Bogie’s Deli – Fox Ridge Pizza Hammer & Ale Suburbs – The Half Shell Southwind (7825 Winchester Rd.) – Huey’s – pretty much all the Huey’s – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – Casablanca (7609 Poplar Pike) – Russo’s New York Pizzeria in Germantown (9087 Poplar Ave. #111) *dog friendly – Mesquite Chop House in Germantown (3165 S. Forest Hill Irene Rd.) – Mellow Mushroom in Germantown (9155 Poplar)** *dog friendly – Kooky Canuck in Cordova (1250 N. Germantown Parkway) – Flying Saucer in Cordova** – My Favorite Place in Cordova – Three Guys Pizza in Cordova (Germantown Rd.) – Meddlesome Brewing *dog friendly – Cajun Catfish Company in Collierville (336 New Byhalia Rd.) – Square Beans in Collierville – Bangkok Alley in Collierville – East Coast Wings & Grill (2946 Kate Hyde Blvd.) – El Mezcal in Bartlett – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – El Porton in Bartlett – Bahama Breeze** at Wolfchase – Los Cabos in Bartlett – El Idolo in Bartlett – El Patron in Bartlett – Pizza Social in Bartlett ** I don’t normally include non-local chains in my lists of Memphis patios, but so many people suggested these patios that I added them. When I started to update the old posts and realized I’d gotten past 100 total patios, I got worried the list was too long. So, I did what I always do when I’m wondering something and I posed the question to Twitter: How many patios are too many patios for a list of MidSouth patios? The answer was pretty much this: Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2020/08/the-ultimate-memphis-patio-list-100-places-to-eat-and-drink-outside/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Updated March 2020 Here it is: Memphis area patios, listed (generally) by neighborhood. I will continue to update this list of patios, so if left off your favorite patio all you have to do is leave me a comment! Belly Acres I’ve created this based on older posts about patios here, here, and here, and many, many more. While those other blog posts give a bit more commentary on the patios and have more pictures, this post you’re reading right now is meant to be more of a big reference list of patios. I have added *dog friendly if the restaurants allowed leashed dogs on their patios. Some of these patios are big, some are tiny, some are just table or two, some are covered or partially enclosed, and some patios are not. I can’t control when a restaurant decides to open their patio or not, so call ahead if you have a doubt. Many of these places technically do allow smoking outside, so call ahead if  that’s a dealbreaker for you. If there’s a place I think you’re likely to encounter smoking, I’ve made that note. OK, without further ado, here’s a list of patios in Memphis, including pet friendly patios and Memphis dog friendly patios. Sunglasses on, bottoms up. Downtown – Loflin Yard *dog friendly (the whole place is basically a patio) – Central BBQ Downtown *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Automatic Slim’s (just a few tables)  – Terrace at the River Inn (the covered rooftop bar/restaurant at The River Inn at Harbor Town) – Blue Monkey Downtown (might be some smoking) – Cafe Eclectic Harbor Town – Lunchbox Eats – Momma’s *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – The View Rooftop Bar at Residence Inn (call ahead for hours) – Carolina Watershed (open Fri-Sun. only) – Old Dominick Distillery (rooftop access via the upstairs bar when it’s open) – The Greyhound at Hilton Garden Inn *dog friendly – Slider Inn Downtown *dog friendly Main Street – Felicia Suzanne’s *dog friendly (water bowls sometimes available) – Cafe Keough – Maciel’s *dog friendly (just a few tables)  – Aldo’s *dog friendly – Local Gastropub *dog friendly – Blind Bear Speakeasy (might be some smoking) – Blue Fin – Majestic Grille *dog friendly – South of Beale *dog friendly – Green Beetle *dog friendly – Bluff City Coffee – Rizzo’s (just a few tables) – Max’s Sports Bar *dog friendly when they’re not crowded (might be some smoking) – Ghost River Brewing Taproom *dog friendly – Pontotoc Lounge (just a few tables – call ahead for dog-friendly patio info) – The Vault *dog friendly – Hu. Hotel (formerly the Madison Hotel, they’ve reopened and have a rooftop patio) – Swanky’s at the Chisca Beale Street – Bleu (at the Westin) – Silky O’Sullivan’s – Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe – Alfred’s on Beale – Rum Boogie Cafe – B.B. King’s – Tin Roof Cafe Ole Crosstown / The Edge – Mollie Fontaine Lounge – Midtown Crossing Grill – High Cotton Brewing taproom + Edge Alley *dog friendly – Crosstown Brewing Co. *dog friendly – Crosstown Concourse including Saucy Chicken, MEMPops, Next Door American Eatery (multiple patios, dog friendly) Midtown  – Cafe 1912 – Muddy’s Midtown* dog friendly – ECCO on Overton Park *dog friendly – Otherlands Coffee Bar  *dog friendly – Central BBQ Midtown (2249 Central Ave.) *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Bhan Thai *I’ve heard it’s dog friendly, but I get mixed reports. Call ahead to be sure. – Slider Inn *dog friendly – Cafe Eclectic Midtown – Huey’s Midtown – Railgarten *dog friendly – I Love Juice Bar – Blue Monkey Midtown (might be some smoking) –  Hattie B’s Cooper Young – most everywhere has at least a few tables outside  – Memphis Made Brewing taproom *dog friendly – Beauty Shop / DKDC (there will 100% be some smoking late-night at DKDC) – Tsunami – Alchemy *dog friendly – Hammer & Ale *dog friendly – Mulan *dog friendly – Sweet Grass Next Door *dog friendly – Young Ave. Deli *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Cafe Ole *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Celtic Crossing *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Stone Soup Cafe *dog friendly – Soul Fish Cafe *dog friendly Loflin Yard Overton Square – Babalu – Second Line *dog friendly, please inform the hostess you have your furry friend with you – Memphis Pizza Cafe Midtown (2087 Madison Ave.) *dog friendly – Bayou Bar and Grill – Bosco’s – Local on the Square *dog friendly – Deli on the Square *dog friendly – Side Street Grill (might be some smoking) – Lafayette’s Music Room – Belly Acres *dog friendly – Robata *dog friendly – Hopdoddy – Saltwater Crab Broad Avenue – Maximo’s on Broad – City & State *dog friendly – Wiseacre Taproom *very dog friendly, like, so many dogs – The Cove  *dog friendly (likely to be some smoking) – The Liquor Store *dog friendly Wiseacre Taproom East Memphis – Lost Pizza Co. *dog friendly – Cheffie’s *dog friendly – High Point Pizza *dog friendly – RP Tracks (likely be some smoking) – Swanky’s Taco Shop (4770 Poplar Avenue) – Memphis Sports Pub *dog friendly – Memphis Pizza Cafe Park Ave. (5061 Park Ave.) *dog friendly – Elwood’s Shack *dog friendly – Sam’s Deli *dog friendly – Ciao Bella – Las Delicias on Quince – Newby’s – The Bluff – The Casual Pint *dog friendly – La Michoacana – Cafe Eclectic U of M – ACRE – Ronnie Grisanti’s  – Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken East Memphis – Lucchesi’s Beer Garden *dog friendly – Owen Brennan’s – Patrick’s – Los Jarochos – Mortimer’s *dog friendly Brookhaven Circle – Hog & Hominy *dog friendly – Brookhaven Pub (695 West Brookhaven Circle) *dog friendly – Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen – Bogie’s Deli – Fox Ridge Pizza Hammer & Ale Suburbs – The Half Shell Southwind (7825 Winchester Rd.) – Huey’s – pretty much all the Huey’s – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – Casablanca (7609 Poplar Pike) – Southern Social (2285 S. Germantown Road) – Farm and Fries (7724 Poplar Pike) – Russo’s New York Pizzeria in Germantown (9087 Poplar Ave. #111) *dog friendly – Mesquite Chop House in Germantown (3165 S. Forest Hill Irene Rd.) – Mellow Mushroom in Germantown (9155 Poplar)** *dog friendly – Kooky Canuck in Cordova (1250 N. Germantown Parkway) – Flying Saucer in Cordova** – My Favorite Place in Cordova – Three Guys Pizza in Cordova (Germantown Rd.) – Meddlesome Brewing *dog friendly – Cajun Catfish Company in Collierville (336 New Byhalia Rd.) – Booya’s in Collierville (330 Market Blvd.) *dog friendly – Square Beans in Collierville – Bangkok Alley in Collierville – East Coast Wings & Grill (2946 Kate Hyde Blvd.) – El Mezcal in Bartlett – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – El Porton in Bartlett – Bahama Breeze** at Wolfchase – Los Cabos in Bartlett – El Idolo in Bartlett – El Patron in Bartlett – Pizza Social in Bartlett ** I don’t normally include non-local chains in my lists of Memphis patios, but so many people suggested these patios that I added them. When I started to update the old posts and realized I’d gotten past 100 total patios, I got worried the list was too long. So, I did what I always do when I’m wondering something and I posed the question to Twitter: How many patios are too many patios for a list of MidSouth patios? The answer was pretty much this: Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2020/03/the-ultimate-memphis-patio-list-100-places-to-eat-and-drink-outside/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Here it is: Memphis area patios, listed (generally) by neighborhood. I will continue to update this list of patios, so if left off your favorite patio all you have to do is leave me a comment! Belly Acres I’ve created this based on older posts about patios here, here, and here, and more I added in March 2017. While those other blog posts give a bit more commentary on the patios and have more pictures, this post you’re reading right now is meant to be more of a big reference list of patios. I have added *dog friendly if the restaurants allowed leashed dogs on their patios. Some of these patios are big, some are tiny, some are just table or two, some are covered or partially enclosed, and some patios are not. I can’t control when a restaurant decides to open their patio or not, so call ahead if you have a doubt. Many of these places technically do allow smoking outside, so call ahead if  that’s a dealbreaker for you. If there’s a place I think you’re likely to encounter smoking, I’ve made that note. OK, without further ado, here’s a list of patios in Memphis, including pet friendly patios and Memphis dog friendly patios. Sunglasses on, bottoms up. Downtown – Loflin Yard *dog friendly (the whole place is basically a patio) – Central BBQ Downtown *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Automatic Slim’s (just a few tables)  – Terrace at the River Inn (the covered rooftop bar/restaurant at The River Inn at Harbor Town) – Blue Monkey Downtown (might be some smoking) – Cafe Eclectic Harbor Town – Lunchbox Eats – Momma’s Bar *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – The View Rooftop Bar at Residence Inn (call ahead for hours) – Carolina Watershed (open Fri-Sun. only) – Old Dominick Distillery (rooftop access via the upstairs bar when it’s open) – The Greyhound at Hilton Garden Inn *dog friendly – Slider Inn Downtown *dog friendly Main Street – Felicia Suzanne’s *dog friendly (water bowls sometimes available) – Cafe Keough – Maciel’s *dog friendly (just a few tables)  – Aldo’s *dog friendly – Local Gastropub *dog friendly – Blind Bear Speakeasy (might be some smoking) – Blue Fin – Majestic Grille *dog friendly – South of Beale *dog friendly – Green Beetle *dog friendly – Bluff City Coffee – Rizzo’s (just a few tables) – Max’s Sports Bar *dog friendly when they’re not crowded (might be some smoking) – Ghost River Brewing Taproom *dog friendly – Pontotoc Lounge (just a few tables – call ahead for dog-friendly patio info) – The Vault *dog friendly – Hu. Hotel (formerly the Madison Hotel, they’ve reopened and have a rooftop patio) – Swanky’s at the Chisca Beale Street – Bleu (at the Westin) – Silky O’Sullivan’s – Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe – Alfred’s on Beale – Rum Boogie Cafe – B.B. King’s – Tin Roof Cafe Ole Crosstown / The Edge – Mollie Fontaine Lounge – Midtown Crossing Grill – High Cotton Brewing taproom + Edge Alley *dog friendly – Crosstown Brewing Co. *dog friendly – Crosstown Concourse including Saucy Chicken, MEMPops, Next Door American Eatery (multiple patios, dog friendly) Midtown  – Cafe 1912 – Muddy’s Midtown* dog friendly – ECCO on Overton Park *dog friendly – Otherlands Coffee Bar  *dog friendly – Central BBQ Midtown (2249 Central Ave.) *midtown and downtown locations are dog friendly – Bhan Thai *I’ve heard it’s dog friendly, but I get mixed reports. Call ahead to be sure. – Slider Inn *dog friendly – Cafe Eclectic Midtown – Huey’s Midtown – Railgarten *dog friendly – I Love Juice Bar – Blue Monkey Midtown (might be some smoking) –  Hattie B’s Cooper Young – most everywhere has at least a few tables outside  – Memphis Made Brewing taproom *dog friendly – Beauty Shop / DKDC (there will 100% be some smoking late-night at DKDC) – Tsunami – Alchemy *dog friendly – Hammer & Ale *dog friendly – Mulan *dog friendly – Sweet Grass Next Door *dog friendly – Young Ave. Deli *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Cafe Ole *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Celtic Crossing *dog friendly (might be some smoking) – Stone Soup Cafe *dog friendly – Soul Fish Cafe *dog friendly Loflin Yard Overton Square – Babalu – Second Line *dog friendly, please inform the hostess you have your furry friend with you – Memphis Pizza Cafe Midtown (2087 Madison Ave.) *dog friendly – Bayou Bar and Grill – Bosco’s – Local on the Square *dog friendly – Deli on the Square *dog friendly – Side Street Grill (might be some smoking) – Lafayette’s Music Room – Belly Acres *dog friendly – Robata *dog friendly – Hopdoddy – Saltwater Crab Broad Avenue – Maximo’s on Broad – City & State *dog friendly – Wiseacre Taproom *very dog friendly, like, so many dogs – The Cove  *dog friendly (likely to be some smoking) – The Liquor Store *dog friendly Wiseacre Taproom East Memphis – Lost Pizza Co. *dog friendly – Cheffie’s *dog friendly – High Point Pizza *dog friendly – RP Tracks (likely be some smoking) – Swanky’s Taco Shop (4770 Poplar Avenue) – Memphis Sports Pub *dog friendly – Memphis Pizza Cafe Park Ave. (5061 Park Ave.) *dog friendly – Elwood’s Shack *dog friendly – Sam’s Deli *dog friendly – Ciao Bella – Las Delicias on Quince – Newby’s – The Bluff – The Casual Pint *dog friendly – La Michoacana – Cafe Eclectic U of M – ACRE – Ronnie Grisanti’s  – Gus’ World Famous Fried Chicken East Memphis – Lucchesi’s Beer Garden *dog friendly – Owen Brennan’s – Patrick’s – Los Jarochos – Mortimer’s *dog friendly Brookhaven Circle – Hog & Hominy *dog friendly – Brookhaven Pub (695 West Brookhaven Circle) *dog friendly – Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen – Bogie’s Deli – Fox Ridge Pizza Hammer & Ale Suburbs – The Half Shell Southwind (7825 Winchester Rd.) – Huey’s – pretty much all the Huey’s – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – Casablanca (7609 Poplar Pike) – Southern Social (2285 S. Germantown Road) – Farm and Fries (7724 Poplar Pike) – Russo’s New York Pizzeria in Germantown (9087 Poplar Ave. #111) *dog friendly – Mesquite Chop House in Germantown (3165 S. Forest Hill Irene Rd.) – Mellow Mushroom in Germantown (9155 Poplar)** *dog friendly – Kooky Canuck in Cordova (1250 N. Germantown Parkway) – Flying Saucer in Cordova** – My Favorite Place in Cordova – Three Guys Pizza in Cordova (Germantown Rd.) – Meddlesome Brewing *dog friendly – Cajun Catfish Company in Collierville (336 New Byhalia Rd.) – Booya’s in Collierville (330 Market Blvd.) *dog friendly – Square Beans in Collierville – Bangkok Alley in Collierville – East Coast Wings & Grill (2946 Kate Hyde Blvd.) – El Mezcal in Bartlett – East End Grill – both Bartlett and Southwind locations – El Porton in Bartlett – Bahama Breeze** at Wolfchase – Los Cabos in Bartlett – El Idolo in Bartlett – El Patron in Bartlett – Pizza Social in Bartlett ** I don’t normally include non-local chains in my lists of Memphis patios, but so many people suggested these patios that I added them. When I started to update the old posts and realized I’d gotten past 100 total patios, I got worried the list was too long. So, I did what I always do when I’m wondering something and I posed the question to Twitter: How many patios are too many patios for a list of MidSouth patios? The answer was pretty much this: Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/12/the-ultimate-memphis-patio-list-100-places-to-eat-and-drink-outside/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

It’s that weekend, Memphis. You know the one that happens every October, where there are so many festivals and things to do in that the city seems to buzz with energy. So gird your loins and jump in with both feet to this amazing weekend in Memphis, starting with these five ideas. But first, be sure you didn’t miss anything on the blog lately: – The Best People Watching Ever at Memphis Comic Expo – Visit The Stax Museum For Free (+ live Music and Food Trucks!) at Soulsville USA Fest (this weekend) – See Jack White, Wu-Tang Clan, The Revivalists, DJ Paul and More at Mempho 2019 (this weekend) – People Are Turning Trash Into Clothes For The 2019 Trashion Show – Pumpkin Patches, Haunted Houses, and Halloween Parties for 2019 – 4 Food Trucks You Can’t Miss In Memphis Right Now 1. Memphis Comic Expo, Agricenter International, Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 pm. $25+, free for kids 12 and under This two-day family event focuses on comic creators but also features vendors, cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, and guest panels. It’s featured guests list is stacked with big names who’ve worked on big projects like Uncanny X-Men, Black Panther, Wonder Woman, Bitch Planet, and so much more. 2. Soulsville USA Festival, College & McLemore, Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., free, all ages Enjoy the soulful music line-up, food and crafts from over 40 vendors, free admission to Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and much more during this festival celebrating South Memphis’ innovative and robust global contributions to music and culture. 3. Mempho Music Fest, Shelby Farms Park, Saturday – Sunday, $119 and up Mempho follows up last year’s explosive lineup with The Raconteurs, Brandie Carlisle, and the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. You’ll also be able to see hometown heroes such as DJ Paul, Valerie June, Amy LaVere, and John Paul Keith. 4. Cheer on the Home Team 901 FC v. Louisville City, Autozone Park, Saturday, 7 p.m., $15 and up, all ages/kid-friendly It’s the last home game of the season, so this is your chance! Thank the boys in blue pink for a kickass inaugural season in Memphis. First 5,000 fans will receive pink t-shirts from Baptist Cancer Center and the players will wear/sign pink warm-up jerseys in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you buy tickets before midnight on Thursday, you can donate to the cause. Memphis v. Tulane, Liberty Bowl, Saturday, 6 p.m., $20 and up, all ages/kid-friendly Memphis v. Errrrrbody. Let’s show the Tigers team that we’re on their side by filling up the Liberty Bowl on Saturday night.  5. Victorian Village Home Tour, Sunday, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., $25-$30, all ages Enjoy docent-led tours of some of the city’s most beautiful historic mansions, including Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum and Mallory-Neely House, and view antiques and never-before-seen architectural treasures. Learn about archaeological history and preservation efforts in this gem of a neighborhood, as well as unique bits of Memphis history. Then head to Mollie Fontaine Lounge to sip Sunday libations on the new patio.  More ideas… Repair Days 2019, National Ornamental Metal Museum, Thursday – Sunday, free to attend, all ages Bring your busted, rusted, and otherwise damaged metal items to the Metal Museum for a little TLC. During Repair Days, the museum’s crew of blacksmiths and metalworkers will fix your items for a fee, which benefits the museum. The day also includes family friendly activities, workshops, and a dinner and auction. Harvest Festival, Agricenter International, Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., free event, all ages The fall-themed fun of the Harvest Festival returns for its sixteenth year. Paint pumpkins, go on a hayride, learn about agriculture, and dance to some bluegrass at this family-friendly event. Beale Street Art Crawl, Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., free, all ages It’s not just folk art! Artists of all disciples from around the Mid-South come together on Beale to build community and showcase their works for this free event. Bring the family and discover Memphis heritage. Cooper-Young Beer Fest, 795 S. Cooper. Saturday, 1-5 p.m., $45-$50, 21+ If you didn’t already know, Cooper-Young is incredibly active in the Fall thanks to both Cooper-Young Fest and the Cooper-Young Beer Fest—featuring food vendors and beers from over 30 regional craft breweries. Goner Records will supply tunes and food trucks will be on site. (This might sell out!) Edible Memphis Dinner In The Gardens, Central Gardens, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., $200, 21+ Local foodie outlet Edible Memphis will co-host an impressive endeavor on Saturday, October 19 in Central Gardens between Peabody Ave. and Glenwood Place: a seven-course farm-to-table dinner for 1,000 people. Five local chefs will prepare unique dishes, and there will be beer and wine, plus a welcome cocktail from Old Dominick. If you donate $25 to the Central Gardens Association, you get a $50 discount on your dinner ticket. Read all the FAQs here and reserve your seat here. Art on Fire 2019, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Saturday, 7-11 p.m., $75+, 21+ If you’ve got $75 and are old enough to legally enjoy alcoholic beverages, then head to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for this casually classy fundraiser. There’ll be live music and other entertainment, art sales, a silent auction, and great local food the Dixon’s south lawn. Proceeds benefit the Dixon’s art education and outreach programs. Time Warp Drive In, Summer Drive In, Saturday, sundown, $10 per person, parental discretion advised It’s a spooky edition of the cult movie marathon, featuring OG Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, The Monster Squad, and Clue. They’ll show them all back-to-back at the Drive-In, which is like going back in time TBH.  And even more ideas… All Weekend – Memphis Urban Laughs Comedy Festival at Cordova Event Center (Thursday – Sunday) – The Parting: Paranormal Pop-Up at Evergreen Theatre. (Explore what wicked weirdness lurks beneath midtown’s Evergreen Theatre in this haunted tour of the theater, where each room tells a different creepy tale) – HauntedWeb Haunted Attraction at 2665 S. Perkins – Paranormal Cirque at Wolfchase Galleria – Romeo & Juliet at Ballet Memphis Overton Square – Head Over Heels Musical at Playhouse on the Square – Zoo Boo at the Memphis Zoo – Monster Market at 618 S. Main Street – Mound City Corn Maze in Marion, Ark. (Fri. and Sun only) – CATS the musical at Theatre Memphis – Cedar Hill’s Haunted Farm in Hernando, Miss Friday – Food Truck Fridays at the Dixon – Penn & Teller at the Orpheum – Happy Glaze Donut Shop Grand Opening in Germantown – Laser Show at the Pink Palace Saturday – Memphis Farmers Market downtown – Cooper Young Community Farmers Market – Great Pumpkin Celebration at the Bass Pro Pyramid – Family Fun Day at the Metal Museum (part of Repair Days) – Engage Memphis Festival at River Garden – Tennessee National Period Day at Overton Park Sunday – Great Pumpkin Celebration at the Bass Pro Pyramid – Pumpkin Carving Competition at Lucchesi’s – International Sloth Day at the Memphis Zoo – Reharvest Memphis at the River Garden – LeMoyne-Owen College Homecoming Week Kick-off – Blues Brunch by Chef Fran at Slice of Soul – 2020 Mister & Miss Mid-South Pride Pageant at Dru’s Place For even more, check out the blog’s calendar. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/10/5-things-to-do-this-weekend-10-18-10-20/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Fall is here in Memphis, and that means it’s time for pumpkin patches, Halloween parties, haunted houses, corn mazes, ghost tours, and plenty of costume contests. Here are a bunch of ways to celebrate this time of year in Memphis. Add your events here. TOURS + HAUNTED HOUSES – Historical Haunts Memphis (ongoing) Historical Haunts hosts ongoing spooky tours, haunted pub crawls, and ghost hunts at various downtown locations, plus the Woodruff Fontaine House. This goes on year-round, not just during this spooky season. But you’ll want to make your reservations for October tours and crawls quickly as it tends to get crowded this time of year. – Backbeat Tours (ongoing) Backbeat hosts walking Ghost Tours downtown on a regular basis as well as a haunted pub “crawls” where you pedal the Sprock ‘n’ Roll pedal bar to three stops with a side of haunted history (Wednesdays and last Fridays). – MidSouth Corn Maze (ongoing Sept. 14 – Nov. 3) It’s a Memphis tradition – get lost in the corn maze at the Agricenter. It’s “haunted” (might be scary for younger kids) on weekends in October and Nov. 3 Prices and hours vary, so check their website for details. Pro tip: lines can get quite long especially on haunted maze nights, so arrive early to avoid wait times. – Mound City Corn Maze (weekends in October) Head over to Marion, Ark. for a non-haunted corn maze, hayride, and concessions at the Mound City Corn Maze. It’s $10 admission to the maze. Hayrides (reserve for 8 people or more) are $10. – Wicked Ways Haunted House (select days Sept. 28 – Oct. 31) I’m hearing this haunted house – at 160 Cumberland near Wiseacre – is the most terrifying in town. Check out the website for ticket info and hours, which vary depending on the day. – Jones Orchard Shadowlands of Fear (select days Oct. 5 – 31) Imagining yourself in cute flannel, picking apples and such? Forget it. At Jones Orchard, creatures and creeps come out to haunt the corn fields and woods at the farm during the month of October for the Fest of Fear ($15). There’s also a Hangman’s Hollow Hysteria Haunted Hayride. Say that five times fast before the zombies eat you. ($12) Buy tickets to both for $25. – HauntedWeb of Horrors (Oct. 5 – Oct. 31) If their five haunted houses are anything like the scary sounds that emanate from their website, fright-seekers will love the HauntedWeb at 2665 S. Perkins Road. Open Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets are $20 for four houses or $25 for five. – Shelby Forest Trail of Terror (select days Oct. 9 – 31) This haunted trail through the woods is legit scary and not for the kids! $10 cover and don’t forget to print your ticket – there’s no cell phone service out there (or buy tickets in cash at the gate). PARTIES + EVENTS – Monster Market at Crosstown Concourse – (Oct. 2 – 31) Shop for local art with a creepy/spooky/dark/monster twist inside the Crosstown Concourse at this annual pop-up shop. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Spooky-Themed Cerrito Trivia Nights (Oct. 4 – 31) Catch special Halloween themed trivia nights (with costume contests!) several days a week during October. Think Stranger Things, Nightmare Before Christmas, Walking Dead, Hocus Pocus, and more. – Cemetery Cinema at Elmwood (Oct. 5) Watch “The Wolf Man” and “The Bride of Frankenstein” at Elmwood Cemetery. Tickets are $15. – Lizzie The Musical at Theatreworks – (Oct. 12 – 28) I’ve heard high praise for this Lizzie-Borden based rock musical at Theatreworks in Overton Square, presented by New Moon Theatre Company. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $25. For adults. – Dracula at Theatre Memphis (Oct. 12 – 28) Adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel, this Theatre Memphis version of Dracula is on at the Lohrey Stage in October. Tickets are $25. – Movie Night at Shelby Farms (Oct. 13) Watch Casper at 6:15 p.m. and The Shining at 8 p.m. on the Great Lown at Shelby Farms. It’s $10 per car for parking, and they’ll have food trucks. – Agricenter Harvest Festival (Oct. 13) Free family-friendly event with pumpkin-painting, arts and crafts, hayrides, educational stations, and entertainment. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Zoo Boo (Oct. 19 – 21, 26-28, 31) Candy stations, hay rides, mazes, magic shows, and more fun for the kids at the Zoo. Advance tickets are $13, day-of tickets are $15. Discounts for members. – Halloween Spooktacular at the Children’s Museum (Oct. 20) Take the kids to this fright-free event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a magic show, spooky science experiments, treats, costume parade, pumpkin carving, and more. – Sweet Dreams Are Made of Tease at Rockhouse Live – Sat. Oct. 20 The Raleigh LeGrange Rockhouse hosts this Halloween-themed burlesque show at 9 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.) – Boos + Booze at Shelby Farms (Oct. 20-21) Grown folks 21+ can spend the night at Shelby Farms – you’re welcome to camp (BYO-tent) after you enjoy drinks, a haunted hike, and a scary movie. The $35 ticket includes drinks, snacks, and continental breakfast. – Lana Blanc on The Fright Fest Tour at Growlers (Oct. 25) Horror rock and rap tour is coming through Memphis right before Halloween. $20 cover. Doors at 6 p.m. – Halloween at Hogwarts at The Abbey – Fri. Oct. 26 The Mystic Krewe of Pegasus hosts their fourth annual Halloween bash; this year it’s Harry Potter themed. Entertainment, open bar, food, and a costume contest. Benefits Tennessee Equality Project. $30. 21 and up. – Haunted Trolley Night in South Main – Fri. Oct. 26 It’s your favorite monthly Trolley Night – only with a spooky twist! Shops and businesses host open houses, some with free refreshments. The Vault will host a costume party. All ages, free. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. though some festivities might go longer. – Addams Family on Adams Avenue – Fri. Oct. 26 Watch the classic spooky movie on the lawn of the Mallory-Neely House. Open house in the mansion at 5:30 p.m. and movie at 7 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are ok for the outdoors movie. All ages, free. – Lafeyette’s Fright Nite – Fri. Oct. 26 A Halloween bash at Lafayette’s in Overton with music, costume contest, and drink specials. Doors at 9 p.m. Ages and cover charge unclear. – Dia de los Muertos Parade & Festival (Oct. 27) No, it’s NOT Halloween, but the Day of the Dead Parade & Festival hosted by the Brooks Museum is going on the list due to timing. The parade goes from Overton Square to the Brooks starting at 11 a.m., and the party starts at noon. – Booffalo Bash at Shelby Farms (Oct. 27) Family-friendly night of trunk-or-treats, crafts, inflatables, hikes, and food trucks. It’s $10 per car for parking and $1 per slide ride; everything else is free. – 2nd Baptist Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 27) Free event for kids with trunk-or-treat, games, snacks, inflatables, and more. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Haunted Happenings at Woodruff-Fontaine (Oct. 27) It’s the 10th anniversary of Haunted Happenings – learn about the people who lived in this Victorian Mansion, have your fortune told, and enjoy music, food trucks, dancing, and more. Feel free to wear costumes. – Spaceface Halloween at Railgarten (Oct. 27) If you want to feel like you’re floating in an ocean of colors and sounds, mark your calendars for Spaceface’s annual Halloween hometown show. Their live shows include jam moments, rock guitar solos, and a full on psychedelic experience. 7 p.m. 21 and up. free. – Soul of the City Tour at Elmwood – Sat. Oct. 27 Tour guides in costumes lead you through a tour of Memphis’ most historic and beautifully haunting cemetery. At the time of this post, there were only a few spaces left for Saturday night (Oct. 27). $20. Adults only. – Flick or Treat Movie Night at the Garden – Sat. Oct. 27 Memphis Botanic hosts a double feature with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at 7:15 p.m. and “Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride” at 7:45 p.m. Kettle corn, food trucks, photo pops, booze available for sale. Tickets are $10 for non-members. All ages. – Hannyaween feat. HANNYA CHA0$ at The New Daisy – Sat. Oct. 27 Halloween night live music bash at The New Daisy on Beale. Doors at 8 p.m. $15 adv./$20 on the day of the show. Ages unclear. – Germantown Fall Fest at Bobby Lanier Farm Park – Sat. Oct. 27 Celebrate with haunted trails, food trucks, guided tours of Oaklawn Garden, bounce hours, games, and more. Fairy Tale Trail 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Trail of Terror 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. $4 per person for the trails, some activities are a few bucks. All ages. – Scary Sexy Freaky Frightening Halloween Party at Memphis Sounds Lounge (Sat. Oct. 27) Memphis Sounds on Mud Island will host live music, dance party, and costume contest. Admission is $15, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21 and up. – Black October at the Slim House (Wed. Oct. 31) The Collective hosts the 4th annual Black October Halloween Party with DJs, bonfire, drink specials, and a costume contest. Doors at 9:30 p.m. $5 with costume, $10 without. – Here For The Boos Party at Ghost River (Wed. Oct. 31) Wear costumes to Ghost River (no masks) and enjoy food trucks, Halloween-themed trivia, flight night beer specials, costume contest, and live music. 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Free to attend. All ages, 21 to drink. – Metal Museum Halloween Pop-Up at Memphis Rox (Wed. Oct. 31) The Metal Museum takes their mobile forge to Memphis Rox climbing gym in Soulsville from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Watch the foundry team create metal castings and then make your own metal crafts. All ages, free. – Halloween Party at Dru’s Place (Wed. Oct. 31) Expect karaoke, drag show, dancing, Halloween-themed apps and beverages included in cover charge. You better wear a costume! Halloween movies all day. $10 cover starting at 7 p.m. – midnight. 21 and up. – Hell House at Mollie Fontaine (Wed. Oct. 31) The annual Mollie’s Halloween dance party is back again. Doors open at 8 p.m. with DJs and rages until 3 a.m. Costumes encouraged, but optional. 21 and up, $10 cover. – Halloween Bash at Crosstown Brewing (Wed. Oct. 31) Food truck, live music, costume contest, games, and of course, beer. – Plus, Trunk or Treats on Wed. Oct. 31: – Bass Pro Pyramid – Crosstown Concourse – Snowden Grove Park – Wolfchase Galleria Mall – Oak Court Mall – Southland Mall – Kroc Center   Did I miss something? Add your events here. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

https://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/10/2019-memphis-halloween-events-haunted-houses-pumpkins-patches-and-fall-festivals/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Ed. Note: You’ve probably been to Victorian Village to see the the historic homes there, or maybe for drinks at the Mollie Fontaine Lounge. Contributor Aisling has more fun facts and lesser known places to look for while you explore one of Memphis’ oldest neighborhoods.  Victorian Village was Memphis’ first suburb, featuring spectacular mansions built along Adams Avenue by the city’s business elite on what was the outskirts of town during the Gilded Age. Mollie Fontaine Lounge Today, Victorian Village is home to six sites on the National Register of Historic Places: Mallory-Neely House Museum, Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum, The Massey House (home to Memphis City Beautiful), Mollie Fontaine Lounge, and The James Lee House.  Now is a great time to get to know this charming historic neighborhood. Here are seven sights to get you started.  The Gingerbread Playhouse Built in 1870, the Woodruff Fontaine House is a gorgeous French Victorian Mansion that’s open to the public for tours. In the garden behind the mansion, you’ll find the whimsical Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse, which looks like it was transported from a children’s storybook. John V. Handwerker, a pharmacist, had this adorable Victorian playhouse built for his children circa 1890. Today, the Gingerbread Playhouse is rented out for small weddings and other social gatherings.  Mallory-Neely House Stained Glass Windows Mallory Neely Hoouse The historic Mallory-Neely House, a 25-room Italianate mansion, retains its original historic interiors, furniture and artifacts, including two original stained glass panels that were purchased at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.  A third stained-glass panel may also have been purchased at the same World’s Fair, but it came from a since-demolished house next door on land that today houses the juvenile court building. That house belonged to Hugh Neely, uncle of longtime Mallory-Neely House occupant Frances Neely Mallory, affectionately known as “Miss Daisy.” The panel sat in a judge’s chamber for years, after she saved it from the wrecking ball. In the 1980s it was brought to Mallory-Neely House for preservation. The rescued panel is housed on the third floor, which isn’t included on the tour, but it can be seen from the second floor. The room where it’s housed, by the way, once served as an office for another judge, Camille Kelley, who aided Georgia Tann of the Tennessee Children’s Home in her notorious, long-running baby-selling scandal in which poor children were stolen and sold to wealthy families.  Memphis Martyrs Tribute  The Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878 was a devastating chapter in Memphis history. The epidemic resulted in so many deaths that Memphis lost its city charter due to depopulation. St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral was home church to a group of nuns, whose superior, Sister Constance, led the mission to nurse yellow fever victims. She, along with three other Episcopal nuns and two priests, came to be known as “Constance and Her Companions,” and the Episcopal Church has a feast day dedicated to their memory.  St. Mary’s Cathedral houses a Memphis Martyrs Hall, featuring a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Memphis and the martyrdom of Constance and her companions, who died after contracting the disease. The sisters’ names are also inscribed in the cathedral.  The Teddy Bear Connection Shelby County Attorney General Luke Wright lived in Victorian Village. The circa 1840 carriage house at 688 Jefferson still stands and is today a private residence. On the wall outside, you’ll find a historic marker that tells the story of Luke Wright.  One of his guests was Theodore Roosevelt, and the Wright family is said to have plated their sterling silver gold for his presidential visit. Roosevelt spent the night at the Wright House before a famous 1902 bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi, where he famously refused to shoot a black bear that had been tied to a tree. He’s rumored to have said, “Spare the bear! I will not shoot a tethered animal!”  American newspapers reported the incident, which became the subject of a newspaper cartoon, and New York candy store owners Morris and Rose Michton created a stuffed toy bear called “Teddy’s Bear.” They sent one to Roosevelt, asking for his permission to name the bear after him, which he approved.  Lowenstein House  The currently vacant mansion at the corner of Jefferson and Manassas, a spectacular mix of Italianate, Queen Anne and Romanesque styles, was built in 1891 by German-born Jewish merchant Elias Lowenstein, who came to join his brothers in the dry-goods business. The Lowenstein brothers ran what became one of the city’s leading department stores. In 1921, his daughter, Cecilia, donated the house to the Nineteenth Century Club, which used it as a boarding house for young women who traveled to Memphis from rural areas to work in factories as part of the war effort.  The property was later turned into a treatment center for mental health outpatients in 1979. Today, it’s privately owned and it’s future is unknown.  The Steamship Bell James Lee House The James Lee House is a spectacular mansion in the heart of Victorian Village that’s been transformed into a luxury bed and breakfast. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Victorian-Italianate-style house once belonged to Charles Goyer, founder of Union Planters Bank. It was purchased in 1890 by James Lee, a Princeton-educated riverboat captain who was heir to his father’s steamboat company, who lived in the mansion with his wife and 10 children. The house later served as the James Lee Memorial Art Academy, the predecessor to the Memphis College of Art. Outside, on the side of the house, is the bell from the eponymous steamship The James Lee, which was donated to the James Lee House by Lee’s descendents during the 2013 groundbreaking for the renovation of the historic house into a bed-and-breakfast.  Thunderbird Lounge The famous Thunderbird Lounge, opened in 1965, was located in the basement of the Shelbourne Tower at Manassas and Adams Avenue, the site of what’s today the Helix at the District Apartments. Elvis Presley hosted parties at the lounge, including his 1968 New Year’s Eve party, and a number of famous musicians, including Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Rich, and Sam & Dave, performed at this swinging sixties club. Victorian Village Inc. is seeking stories from folks who have memories of the club.  What’s next for Victorian Village?  – Two new houses built to blend into the historic neighborhood, which will be Airbnbs. – New 40-person outdoor patio at Mollie Fontaine Lounge. – New restaurant called Wright Cafe, which will have coffee and two New Orleans style courtyards. You can follow Victorian Village on their website, Instagram, and Facebook for more updates. Woodruff Fontaine House About the Author Aisling Maki is a freelance writer, editor, and public and media relations specialist with awards from The Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America, as well as several awards for fiction writing. Her work has appeared in publications in more than 20 countries. You can usually find her cheering on the Grizzlies, doing outdoorsy things, or traveling with her daughter, Brídín. They live in Cooper-Young with a dog, a guinea pig and a pair of pet mice. Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/07/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-victorian-village/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Go ahead and make your dinner plans for this week – assignment #114 on the 365 Things to Do in Memphis list is to participate in the annual Dine Out For Life week, which benefits the local Friends For Life chapter. Here’s how it works: on the last week in April every year, Friends for Life releases a list of local restaurants who have been generous enough to offer some of their proceeds as a donation to Friends for Life. You go eat, and you’re giving back. For 2019, Dine Out For Life Week is April 22 – 28. You eat at one of the participating restaurants, and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Friends for Life group, which works to prevent the spread of HIV and help those affected by HIV/AIDS live well. Here’s the list. Special shout-out to Fratelli’s Cafe inside the Botanic Gardens, which will donate 75 percent of their all their sales during lunch to Friends for Life. RESTAURANTS DONATING 75% OF SALES (Excluding bar sales and beverages unless noted) Fratelli’s Cafe at the Botanic Gardens – Lunch – All Week – All Sales   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Fratellis Fine Catering (@fratellis_cafe) on Mar 5, 2019 at 11:04am PST RESTAURANTS DONATING 50% OF SALES (Excluding bar sales and beverages unless noted) Libro at Laurelwood – Brunch – Sunday, April 28 RP Tracks – Dinner – Thursday, April 25 RESTAURANTS DONATING 25% OF SALES (Excluding bar sales and beverages unless noted) Dru’s Place – Food Sales Only – All Week, Every Day Raw Girls, Inc – Date TBD The Second Line – Lunch – Monday through Saturday Sunday, April 21 Zebra Lounge – Sing Along – Sunday, April 21 Monday Interim – Dinner – Monday, April 22 Rawk’N Grub – Lunch & Dinner – Monday, April 22 Restaurant Iris – Dinner – Monday, April 22 Tuesday Alchemy – Dinner – Tuesday, April 23 Beauty Shop – Dinner – Tuesday, April 23 Majestic Grille – Lunch & Dinner – Tues. April 23 (and Wed April 24) Wednesday  Deli On The Square – Lunch – Wednesday, April 24 Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen – Dinner – Wednesday, April 24 Beauty Shop – Dinner – Wednesday, April 24 Catherine and Mary’s – Dinner – Wednesday, April 24 Hog and Hominy – Lunch & Dinner – Wednesday, April 24 Majestic Grille – Lunch & Dinner – Wed April 24 (and Tues. April 23) Mollie Fontaine Lounge – Weds., April 24 and Thurs., April 25 The Gray Canary – Dinner – Wednesday, April 24 Thursday Mulan Asian Bistro CY – Lunch – Thursday, April 25 Cafe Society – Lunch and Dinner – Thursday, April 25 McEwen’s On Monroe – Thursday, April 25 Mollie Fontaine Lounge – Weds., April 24 and Thurs., April 25 Friday Midtown Crossing Grill – Dinner- Fri, April 26 (and Sat, April 27 All Sales) Saturday Midtown Crossing Grill – Dinner-  Sat, April 27 All Sales (and Friday) Sunday Grecian Gourmet – Lunch – Sunday, April 28 Restaurant Iris Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout http://bit.ly/1B5z3Pc

http://ilovememphisblog.com/2019/04/365-things-to-do-in-memphis-114-dine-out-fight-aids/

[tyleroakley-obsessed]

Halloweekend is here! Celebrate the holiday with these 31 events, parties, haunted houses, and Memphis trunk or treats for the kids. Most of these Memphis Halloween events are this weekend – especially Saturday the 27th – but I’ve rounded up several on the 31st as well. Pumpkin patches and more events listed here. Don’t forget to check out the River Arts Festival and Mighty Lights this weekend, too. Got more? Leave them in the comments! – Monster Market at Crosstown Concourse – Thu. Oct. 25 – Wed. Oct. 31 (closed 10/29) Shop for local art with a creepy/spooky/dark/monster twist inside the Crosstown Concourse at this annual pop-up shop. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m – MidSouth Corn Maze (through Nov. 3) It’s a Memphis tradition – get lost in the corn maze at the Agricenter. It’s “haunted” (might be scary for younger kids) on weekends in October and on Nov. 3. Prices and hours vary, so check their website for details. Pro tip: lines can get quite long especially on haunted maze nights, so arrive early to avoid wait times. – Mound City Corn Maze (Fri. Oct. 26 – Sun. Oct. 28) Head over to Marion, Ark. for a non-haunted corn maze, hayride, and concessions at the Mound City Corn Maze. It’s $10 admission to the maze. Hayrides (reserve for 8 people or more) are $10. – Wicked Ways Haunted House (select days through Oct. 31) I’m hearing this haunted house – at 160 Cumberland near Wiseacre – is the most terrifying in town. Check out the website for ticket info and hours, which vary depending on the day. – Jones Orchard Shadowlands of Fear (select days through Oct. 31) Imagining yourself in cute flannel, picking apples and such? Forget it. At Jones Orchard, creatures and creeps come out to haunt the corn fields and woods at the farm during the month of October for the Fest of Fear ($15). There’s also a Hangman’s Hollow Hysteria Haunted Hayride. Say that five times fast before the zombies eat you. ($12) Buy tickets to both for $25. – HauntedWeb of Horrors (select days through Oct. 31) If their five haunted houses are anything like the scary sounds that emanate from their website, fright-seekers will love the HauntedWeb at 2665 S. Perkins Road. Open Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets are $20 for four houses or $25 for five. – Shelby Forest Trail of Terror (through Oct 31) This haunted trail through the woods is legit scary and not for the kids! $10 cover and don’t forget to print your ticket – there’s no cell phone service out there (or buy tickets in cash at the gate). – Halloween at Hogwarts at The Abbey (Fri. Oct. 26) The Mystic Krewe of Pegasus hosts their fourth annual Halloween bash; this year it’s Harry Potter themed. Entertainment, open bar, food, and a costume contest. Benefits Tennessee Equality Project. $30. 21 and up. – Haunted Trolley Night in South Main (Fri. Oct. 26) It’s your favorite monthly Trolley Night – only with a spooky twist! Shops and businesses host open houses, some with free refreshments. The Vault will host a costume party. All ages, free. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. though some festivities might go longer. – Addams Family on Adams Avenue (Fri. Oct. 26) Watch the classic spooky movie on the lawn of the Mallory-Neely House. Open house in the mansion at 5:30 p.m. and movie at 7 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are ok for the outdoors movie. All ages, free. – Lafeyette’s Fright Nite (Fri. Oct. 26) A Halloween bash at Lafayette’s in Overton with music, costume contest, and drink specials. Doors at 9 p.m. Ages and cover charge unclear. – Zoo Boo (Fri. Oct 26 – Sun. Oct. 28, also Oct. 31) Family-friendly fun at the Zoo – hayrides, straw maze, magic show, and candy. All ages. $13 for non-members. 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Lizzie The Musical at Theatreworks (Fri. Oct. 26 through Sun. Oct. 28.) I’ve heard high praise for this Lizzie-Borden based rock musical at Theatreworks in Overton Square, presented by New Moon Theatre Company. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $25. For adults. – Dracula at Theatre Memphis (Fri. Oct. 26 through Sun. Oct. 28) Adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel, this Theatre Memphis version of Dracula is on at the Lohrey Stage in October. Tickets are $25. – Soul of the City Tour at Elmwood – (Sat. Oct. 27) Tour guides in costumes lead you through a tour of Memphis’ most historic and beautifully haunting cemetery. At the time of this post, there were only a few spaces left for Saturday night (Oct. 27). $20. Adults only. – Flick or Treat Movie Night at the Garden (Sat. Oct. 27) Memphis Botanic hosts a double feature with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at 7:15 p.m. and “Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride” at 7:45 p.m. Kettle corn, food trucks, photo pops, booze available for sale. Tickets are $10 for non-members. All ages. – Hannyaween feat. HANNYA CHA0$ at The New Daisy (Sat. Oct. 27) Halloween night live music bash at The New Daisy on Beale. Doors at 8 p.m. $15 adv./$20 on the day of the show. Ages unclear. – Germantown Fall Fest at Bobby Lanier Farm Park (Sat. Oct. 27) Celebrate with haunted trails, food trucks, guided tours of Oaklawn Garden, bounce hours, games, and more. Fairy Tale Trail 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and Trail of Terror 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. $4 per person for the trails, some activities are a few bucks. All ages. – 2nd Baptist Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 27) Free event for kids with trunk-or-treat, games, snacks, inflatables, and more. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Haunted Happenings at Woodruff-Fontaine (Oct. 27) It’s the 10th anniversary of Haunted Happenings – learn about the people who lived in this Victorian Mansion, have your fortune told, and enjoy music, food trucks, dancing, and more. Feel free to wear costumes. – Spaceface Halloween at Railgarten (Oct. 27) If you want to feel like you’re floating in an ocean of colors and sounds, mark your calendars for Spaceface’s annual Halloween hometown show. Their live shows include jam moments, rock guitar solos, and a full on psychedelic experience. 7 p.m. 21 and up. free. – Dia de los Muertos Parade & Festival (Oct. 27) No, it’s NOT Halloween, but the Day of the Dead Parade & Festival hosted by the Brooks Museum is going on the list due to timing. The parade goes from Overton Square to the Brooks starting at 11 a.m., and the party starts at noon. – Booffalo Bash at Shelby Farms (Oct. 27) Family-friendly night of trunk-or-treats, crafts, inflatables, hikes, and food trucks. It’s $10 per car for parking and $1 per slide ride; everything else is free. – Scary Sexy Freaky Frightening Halloween Party at Memphis Sounds Lounge (Sat. Oct. 27) Memphis Sounds on Mud Island will host live music, dance party, and costume contest. Admission is $15, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. 21 and up. – Black October at the Slim House (Wed. Oct. 31) The Collective hosts the 4th annual Black October Halloween Party with DJs, bonfire, drink specials, and a costume contest. Doors at 9:30 p.m. $5 with costume, $10 without. – Here For The Boos Party at Ghost River (Wed. Oct. 31) Wear costumes to Ghost River (no masks) and enjoy food trucks, Halloween-themed trivia, flight night beer specials, costume contest, and live music. 4 p.m. – 11 p.m. Free to attend. All ages, 21 to drink. – Metal Museum Halloween Pop-Up at Memphis Rox (Wed. Oct. 31) The Metal Museum takes their mobile forge to Memphis Rox climbing gym in Soulsville from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Watch the foundry team create metal castings and then make your own metal crafts. All ages, free. – Halloween Party at Dru’s Place (Wed. Oct. 31) Expect karaoke, drag show, dancing, Halloween-themed apps and beverages included in cover charge. You better wear a costume! Halloween movies all day. $10 cover starting at 7 p.m. – midnight. 21 and up. – Hell House at Mollie Fontaine (Wed. Oct. 31) The annual Mollie’s Halloween dance party is back again. Doors open at 8 p.m. with DJs and rages until 3 a.m. Costumes encouraged, but optional. 21 and up, $10 cover. – Halloween Bash at Crosstown Brewing (Wed. Oct. 31) Food truck, live music, costume contest, games, and of course, beer. – Plus, Trunk or Treats on Wed. Oct. 31: – Bass Pro Pyramid – Crosstown Concourse – Snowden Grove Park – Wolfchase Galleria Mall – Oak Court Mall – Southland Mall – Kroc Center Got more? Leave them in the comments! Are you a home owner in Memphis, with a broken garage door? Call ASAP garage door today at 901-461-0385 or checkout https://ift.tt/1B5z3Pc

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