Welcome Back Raiford's?

According to this article from the Memphis Business Journal, Raiford's could be re-opening soon.

Gov't Mule To Play On Gibson Roof Top October 24

Warren Hayes and Gov't Mule will return to Memphis and play on the Gibson Roof Top on Wednesday, October 24. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

Wine Tasting at Mantia's

Mantia's is hosting a wine tasting on Friday, September 7 at 6:30 pm. There will also be hors d'oeuvres to complement each wine.

Tickets are $25/person and seating is limited. Reservations are recommended.

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions Week Of 9/4/2007

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly on Monday afternoons to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The playoff field for the week of 9/4/2007:

1. USC (PAC 10 Champion)
2. LSU (SEC Champion)
3. West Virginia (Big East Champion)
4. Florida (At Large SEC)
5. Wisconsin (Big 10 Champion)
6. Louisville (At Large Big East)
7. Oklahoma (Big 12 Champion)
8. Georgia (At Large SEC)
9. Texas (At Large Big 12)
10. Virginia Tech (ACC Champion)
11. California (At Large PAC 10)
12. TCU (MWC Champion)
13. Hawaii (WAC Champion)
14. Southern Miss (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Troy (Sunbelt Champion)

Dropped Out: Michigan (#4, Big 10 Champion)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
SEC (3), Big 12 (2), Big East (2), Pac 10 (2), ACC (1), Big 10 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0)

Match ups round by round assuming higher seeds win.

Round 1
(16) Troy vs (1) USC
(9) Texas vs (8) Georgia
(12) TCU vs (5) Wisconsin
(13) Hawaii vs (4) Florida
(11) California vs (6) Louisville
(14) Southern Miss vs (3) West Virginia
(10) Virginia Tech vs (7) Oklahoma
(15) Central Michigan vs (2) LSU

Round 2
(8) Georgia vs (1) USC
(5) Wisconsin vs (4) Florida
(6) Louisville vs (3) West Virginia
(7) Oklahoma vs (2) LSU

Round 3
(4) Florida vs (1) USC
(3) West Virginia vs (2) LSU

Championship Game
(2) LSU vs (1) USC

Wilco September 13th at Snowden Grove

Wilco will visit Snowden Grove Amphitheater in Southaven on September 13. Concert Tickets are still available.

Big Fun At The Agricenter

The 2007 Delta Fair & Music Festival kicked off last night at the Agricenter in Memphis. I've never been to this festival, but it looks like a good time. Fair food, games, contests and lots of live music. The music ranges from country artist Mark Chestnutt to High School The Musical and from the Spin Doctors to the legendary Otis Day and the Knights.

The festival ends on September 9.

Don't Miss The Lion King

That's what I've been hearing at work..."Don't miss The Lion King." Apparently the family-friendly stage performance of The Lion King at the Orpheum is a must see. The show will be in town through September 16. Get your tickets now.

2007 College Football Has Finally Arrived

The 2007 major college football season kicked off this week on Thursday night with several televised games, including LSU's 45-0 thumping of the hapless Bulldogs of Mississippi State.

Virginia Tech, America's new favorite team, opens up today at home against East Carolina. This will be the first Hokie football game since last spring's shooting tragedy. ECU will put up a fight, but the far superior and emotionally motivated Hokies will take care of business. Beamer Ball wins big 38-14.

In other action today look for Memphis to edge Mississippi 20-16.

Tennessee-Knoxville will have their hands full today with California. The Bears will squeak by at home 27-24.

And look for the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss to easily handle Tennessee-Martin 35-10.

Tickets are still available for most of these and other big games this season.

Art On Tap - Friday, September 7

Art On Tap, one of the best events in Memphis, is coming up on Friday, September 7 from 6-9pm. Ticket prices vary depending on your membership status at the Dixon Gallery. The cost is worth it when you factor in the all of the great beers you get to sample, the food and the people watching. I encourage everyone to get there early, because this event will be packed.

Wear Your Colors On Friday

With the start of the major college football season this weekend, everyone is encouraged to participate in the third annual National College Colors Day celebration on Friday, August 31, 2007. Per College Colors Day, the oragnization strives to promote higher education through increased awareness and celerates achievements of higher eduction in the United States.

Whether your cheer for Rhodes College, Morehead State or Memphis, be sure to wear your favorite college gear this Friday.

2007 Court Square Concert Series Kicked Off Today

Velvet Revolver & Alice In Chains Coming to Snowden Grove

Concert Announcement: Pnuma Trio at Newby's September 14th

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Pre-Season Playoff Predictions

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions will return for another college football season. Click here to see last season's final predictions.

Memphis Lagniappe's Fabled College Football Playoff Predictions are published weekly on Monday afternoons to show a possible college football playoff format. Similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, 11 conference champions receive automatic bids. 5 additional spots are available for at-large bids.

Round 1 games would be hosted by the higher ranked seeds. Rounds 2 - 4 would incorporate the bowl system with host cities/bowls bidding to host the games. The "Big 4" BCS bowls would be permanent playoff hosts on a round-rotating basis (Championship, semi-finals and 1 round 2 game).

The pre-season playoff field for the 2007 season is:

1. USC (PAC 10 Champion)
2. LSU (SEC Champion)
3. West Virginia (Big East Champion)
4. Michigan (Big 10 Champion)
5. Texas (Big 12 Champion)
6. Virginia Tech (ACC Champion)
7. Florida (At Large SEC)
8. Wisconsin (At Large Big 10)
9. Louisville (At Large Big East)
10. California (At Large PAC 10)
11. Ohio State (At Large Big 10)
12. TCU (MWC Champion)
13. Hawaii (WAC Champion)
14. Southern Miss (CUSA Champion)
15. Central Michigan (MAC Champion)
16. Troy (Sunbelt Champion)

Number Of Teams by Conference:
Big 10 (3), Big East (2), Pac 10 (2), SEC (2), ACC (1), Big 12 (1), CUSA (1), MAC (1), MWC (1), Sunbelt (1), WAC (1), Independent (0)

Match ups round by round assuming higher seeds win.

Round 1
(16) Troy vs (1) USC
(9) Louisville vs (8) Wisconsin
(12) TCU vs (5) Texas
(13) Hawaii vs (4) Michigan
(11) Ohio State vs (6) Virginia Tech
(14) Southern Miss vs (3) West Virginia
(10) California vs (7) Florida
(15) Central Michigan vs (2) LSU

Round 2
(8) Wisconsin vs (1) USC
(5) Texas vs (4) Michigan
(6) Virginia Tech vs (3) West Virginia
(7) Florida vs (2) LSU

Round 3
(4) Michigan vs (1) USC
(3) West Virginia vs (2) LSU

Championship Game
(2) LSU vs (1) USC

Just In Time For Football Season - National Bourbon Heritage Month

The United States Senate has voted to declare September 2007 as "National Bourbon Heritage Month." The Senate may not do many things right, but this declaration is a much needed boost for bourbon brand awarness.

As regular season football season begins in September remember to have several glasses of your favorite bourbon. ML recommends Maker's Mark and Old Grand Dad.

Hey hosers, its Canada Day

To celebrate Canada Day, the Big Foot Lodge will have $2 Canadian drink specials all day. I've already had the traditional pancake breakfast, so I guess I'll paint my face red and white and head Downtown for some fun. Hopefully the McKenzie brothers will be there.

Big Music Fun In Southaven

Looks like Southaven is going to have a few good concerts this summer. Poison and Ratt seems like a fun throwback show and the White Stripes will be a must see.

Happy Hour At Los Compadres

It appears that Los Compadres is adding a patio to its outside seating. This should fit in perfectly with their new happy hour specials. 2 for 1 domestic beers on Monday/Wednesday and 2 for 1 margaritas on Tuesday/Thursday. I think I'll have to stop by Los Compadres this week.

Flying Fish Lands In Downtown Memphis

The Flying Fish, a causal seafood restaurant, has opened in Downtown Memphis. The menu is loaded with catfish, shrimp, crawfish, oysters and more. The food it pretty good and is reasonably priced. You can also buy buckets of domestic beer for a little over $2 per beer.

I believe they have daily specials, with my favorite being $.25 raw oysters on Sundays.

Check this place out. Its great place to grab a bite to eat and have a beer when you are Downtown.

Memphis International Film Festival March 22 - 25

Memphis' premiere film event will kicks of tomorrow at Malco's Paradiso and Studio on the Square theaters. Along with feature films, The Memphis International Film Festival will also present documentaries, shorts and more.

I've never been to the festival, but I've heard its a good time.