🎲 What pick will the Grizz get in the NBA Lottery?

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Happy Friday, Memphis! The energy and excitement is high after a successful first Riverbeat Music Festival last weekend and anticipation for BBQ Fest next weekend.

Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is this weekend… we’re sending Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers subscribed (or not subscribed) to our little growing newsletter. 💌 

In today’s edition:

• 7 things to do in Memphis this weekend 🤸 

• Grizzlies eye the NBA Lottery this weekend 🎲 

• Le Bonheur gets major upgrade 🏥 

• Bail calculator nixed ❌ 

And so much more! Let’s get to it.

🗞️ The Rundown

Grizzlies with eye on lottery this weekend 🎲 

For better or worse, the Grizzlies will be watching the lottery this Sunday with a vested interest (rather than preparing for their next playoff game). They have a 7.5% chance of getting the #1 pick, the seventh best odds of landing the top pick in the draft. But the Grizzlies may be in luck as the team in the 7th spot of the lottery has received a top-4 pick in four of the last drafts.

Watch the lottery this Sunday at 2 PM CT on ABC.

Le Bonheur opens $95M expansion 🏥 

On Wednesday, May 8, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital unveiled a brand new $95 million expansion. The 128,000-square-foot expansion, built by Turner Construction, added four floors on the west side of the hospital to accommodate their growing number of patients. With a new neonatal intensive care unit on the fourth floor with 70 beds, this gives Le Bonheur status as one of only three Level IV NICUs in Tennessee.

Bail calculator nixed ❌ 

Shelby County nixed the use of a bail calculator when setting up the initial bail. The reason why? There’s a new state law that brings forward reform plans enacted with Shelby County’s Standing Bail Order in Feb. 2023. But the new law will still allow judges to consider defendant’s financial situation, only prohibiting them from doing so in the context of their ability to pay.

Confused on this decision? Learn more here.*

Ritz nomination moves forward ⚖️ 

Kevin Ritz, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, was cleared for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals judgeship after his nomination passed through the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee by one vote. The next step is a vote to the full U.S. Senate.

Ramblin’ Joe’s opening new Memphis location ☕️ 

Memphis-founded coffee shop Ramblin Joe’s, formerly known as Ugly Mug, has plans to expand to its second location in Memphis beyond its original location in East Memphis at the corner of Poplar and Perkins. In November, it will open its new cafe at the corner of Tillman Street and Sam Cooper Boulevard. The new location will be a bit larger at 1000 sq. feet versus the OG location at 700 sq. feet.

Learn more here.*

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〽️ A Trip Down Memphis’ Memory Lane

📸 via FB post in Memphis in Pictures, Places, and People | Remember the old Overton Square?

DM us for a chance to have your picture or Memphis history nugget featured next week!

🤸 What To Do This Weekend

• Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour with Gabriel Iglesias | Friday, 8 PM | FedEx Forum
  
  Laugh with one of the world’s most successful stand-up comedians, Gabriel Iglesias, when he brings the Don't Worry Be Fluffy Tour to FedExForum on Friday, May 10.
  
  Cost: Starting at $45
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Art For All Festival 2024 | Saturday, 11 AM - 3 PM | Brooks Museum
  
  Mark Your Calendars! The Art For All Festival is back, bigger and better than ever!

  Join us on Saturday, May 11th from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for a FREE celebration of art, culture, and community.
  
  Cost: Free
  Learn more here.
  

• Canoes + Cocktails | Fridays at 6 PM - 8:30 PM | Shelby Farms Park
  
  Experience the unrivaled sunset with a guided evening paddle on Hyde Lake. Immediately following the guided paddle, join us for specialty cocktails provided by Old Dominick Distillery, wine, beer, and individually packaged snacks from Cheffie's at the First Horizon Foundation Visitor Center.
  
  Cost: Starting at $45 for a standup paddleboard
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Manes on Main Festival | Saturday, 1 PM - 10 PM | 845 N. Main
  
  Join us for our 3rd Annual Manes on Main Festival, May 11th! The release of our Smoked Festbier - What A Mane, beard & hair competition and more! Food Trucks: Hot n' Heavy Dogs & Sno Junt.
  
  Cost: Free
  Learn more here.
  

• The Hot Wing King | Showing May 10th - June 2nd | The Circuit Playhouse
  
  A searing new comedy, The Hot Wing King follows a group of friends as they prepare for the “Hot Wang Festival” in Memphis, TN. As Cordell and his beau Dwayne embark on their journey to win the “crown,” they find their way through their personal struggles and relationships, figuring out the true meaning of community.
  
  Cost: $25
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Spring for Forest Cocktail Party | Friday, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Shelby Farms Park
  
  Join us for the 9th Annual Spring for Forrest Cocktail Party and Auction at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park.  There will be delicious food, beer and seltzers from Wiseacre Brewing Company, wine, live music, a silent and live auction, and great company! 
  
  Cost: $75
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Comedy on Beale ft. Christopher Ingram | Saturday, 2 PM - 6 PM | Handy Park
  
  Memphis Parks presents Comedy on Beale, hosted by Jayson Foley and featuring comedian Christopher Ingram! Join us this Saturday, May 11, from 2-6 p.m. at Handy Park on Beale Street. Enjoy an afternoon filled with laughs and comedic talent from across the Mid-South.
  
  Cost: Free
  Get your tickets here.
  

📆 Mark Your Calendars For These Future Events

• Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Contest | May 15 - May 18 | Liberty Park

  
  The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (WCBCC) is the largest pork barbecue contest in the world and was featured in the nationally broadcast finale of BBQ USA on the Food Network. T
  
  Cost: Single day tickets at $15 and 4-day pass at $54
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Smokeslam BBQ Showdown | May 16 - May 18 | Tom Lee Park
  
  Another BBQ fest? On the SAME week??
  
  Buckle up for an epic three-day throwdown on the river! Introducing SMOKESLAM — the World’s Ultimate BBQ Showdown. Bring your empty belly and your whole family to historic Tom Lee Park as we fire up an all-new tradition: a fully inclusive and interactive experience celebrating the craft and culture of our legendary BBQ, as well as music and all things Memphis.
  
  Cost: Single day tickets at $25 and 3-day pass at $65
  Get your tickets here.
  

• Great American River Run | May 25 | AutoZone Park
  
  The 2024 Great American River Run will take place on Saturday, May 25th over Memorial Day weekend in downtown Memphis and along the Mississippi River.

  Whether its the half marathon, 10K, or 5K, sign up early for the lowest registration fee of the year. The longer you wait, the more you’ll pay, so register early to save! 
  
  Learn more here.
  

• Lionel Richie / Earth, Wind & Fire | May 29, 7:30 PM | FedEx Forum
  
  Legendary singer, songwriter and producer Lionel Richie is bringing his Sing A Song All Night Long tour with special guests, Earth, Wind & Fire to Memphis at FedExForum on Wednesday, May 29.
  
  Cost: Starting at $25
  Get your tickets here.

🌡️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Mother’s Day weather is shaping out to be a dry one. 🤞 

Friday

75 🌡️ 56 | ⛅️ | 6%

Saturday

82 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ | 5%

Sunday

83 🌡️ 64 | ⛅️ | 4%

THANK YOU MEMPHIS!

Thanks for reading the This is Memphis newsletter today. Please share this newsletter with your Mom (or Mother-like figure).

Feel free to reply to this email with anything else you’d love to see us cover here in the future.

Let’s do this again next week!

This is Memphis Team

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