Valentine's Day in Memphis

Good morning, Memphis. And a huge welcome to the 51 (!) subscribers who joined us for our very first newsletter.

After almost 6 years of sharing news, events, and memes (oh so many memes) on Instagram, we wanted to send the best of what’s happening in the 901 in this weekly roundup.

But don’t look now, we’re less than a week away from Valentine’s Day. Still planning your date? We got ya covered.

In today’s newsletter:

• Memphis International gets an upgrade

• Mardi Gras & Valentine’s Day activities

• Live music in Memphis

And so much more! Let’s get to it.

- Jonah Baer, Reuben Skahill, and Gabe Kisber

Presented by Clockwork Catering Co.

🥙 Need food catered to your next event?

Finding a trusted caterer is challenging (but not impossible) in Memphis.

That’s why Clockwork Catering Company, a locally owned catering group with 15+ years of restaurant service experience, started their business in 2023: to become your trusted catering option.  

For everything from your son’s birthday party or wedding to your next corporate meeting or retreat, order breakfast, lunch, or dinner for your next event.

The biggest reason to choose Clockwork? They are always on time (like clockwork), in the right place, and with exactly what you ordered. Make sure to try the Everything Sesame Salmon, the most popular entree, along with the biscuit sandwich trays and coffee service.

Check out the menu and get in touch with Reuben from Clockwork through their website (and get 10% off your first order if you mention THIS IS MEMPHIS in your call or email).

🗞️ The Rundown 

Memphis International Airport gets a $16.1 million facelift

In a boost for Memphis International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a $16.1 million grant as part of the Airport Infrastructure Grants program. This funding will help with modernizing the terminal, with expansions also planned for ticketing, bagging, and security areas. The airport is the city’s first impression for millions of travelers a year so we’re happy to see more work going into it!

What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?

If you’re one of the lucky ones with a Valentine’s date this year, it’s time to book that reservation. That’s why we’re sharing a compiled a list from I Love Memphis of the best options for Valentine’s Day in Memphis. Check it out here.

Grizzlies trade Xavier Tillman Sr. to Celtics

On Wednesday, Memphis traded Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Boston Celtics for two 2nd-round picks. After being drafted in 2020 and almost four seasons with the team, Tillman has played a pivotal role for the Grizzlies in multiple playoff runs. The Grizz also said goodbye to Steven Adams in the last week. The city will miss him, but the big question is… what is the Grizzlies’ front office planning from here? Reply and let us know what you think about the trade.

Have a juicy piece of news you want us to share? Send us a DM on Instagram, and we’d love to hear from you.

📷️ Photo of the Week

This is Foggy Memphis 👀 

📸 @allyperkins | Memphis Skyline

DM or tag us @This_Is_Memphis_ for the chance to be featured next week!

🤸 9 things to do in the 901

From plays and standup comedy to Grizz games and guest speakers, check out what’s going on in Memphis this week.

Theater & Comedy

• Les Miserables from Feb 6-11 | Orpheum Theatre

• An Evening of Comedy with Alex Edelman and Special Guest Ariel Elias on Feb 8 @ 7 PM | Germantown Performing Arts Center 

• Super Funny Comics on Feb 9 @ 8 PM | The Comedy Junt

Sports

• Memphis Grizzlies vs. Chicago Bulls Feb 8. @ 7 PM | FedEx Forum

• Memphis vs. Tulane Women’s Basketball Feb. 10 @ 2 PM | Elma Roane Fieldhouse

• Memphis vs. Tulane Men’s Basketball Feb. 11 @ 1 PM | FedEx Forum

• *Bonus: Super Bowl Sunday @ 6PM | Overton Square (or wherever your SB party is)

Other Things to Do

• Valentine’s Dance Classes (couples only) from Feb. 10-14 | Blue Suede Ballroom Dance Studio

• African-American History Trail Program Preview on Feb. 11 at 11 AM and 1:30 PM | Memphis Museum of Science & History

• 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Party on Feb. 13 at 3 PM | Silky O’Sullivan’s

Want your event featured next week? Message us on Instagram!

_{Source: The Memphis Flyer}

Best of Memphis

🍳 Where’s the best breakfast place in Memphis? 

Cafe Eclectic, Sunrise, Arcade, and more are competing in the Best Breakfast Bracket Challenge on our Instagram page.

Will we see a Cinderella story winner (like 16-seed Pancake Shop) or will frontrunners like Sunrise or Bryant’s run the bracket? We’re settling the debate once and for all.

ONLY newsletter subscribers will be eligible for a $50 gift card of the winning restaurant! We’ll share more details later. For now, check out our Instagram page to cast your vote in the bracket.

🎶 Live Music Rundown

Now, here’s a list of live music in Memphis over the coming weekend.

Thursday 2/8

Buddy Albert Nemenz @ Silky’s

Denver Masse & DJ Stringbean @ Tin Roof

Eric Hughes @ Rum Boogie Cafe

DJ Alpha Whiskey @ Central Station Hotel

Video Jukebox Lounge @ Black Lodge

Blind Mississippi Morris @ Blues City Cafe

Corey Lou & Da Village, Rudy Love & the Encore @ Hi Tone

John Williams & the A440 Band @ Neil’s Music Room

Abe Partridge @ Hernando’s Hideaway

Friday 2/9

Chris Gales & Mule Man @ Rum Boogie Cafe

Buddy Albert Nemenz @ Silky’s

Big Al & the Heavyweights @ Lafayette’s Music Room

Gideon @ Growlers

Cupcakke @ Minglewood Hall

Rustenhaven, Computermane @ Tin Roof

Eras of Elvis @ Graceland Soundstage

Solar Powered Love @ Hi Tone

Jesse Wilcox, Cloudbelly, Runi Salem @ Bar DKDC

Amber McCain Duo @ Brookhaven Pub & Grill

Lumin @ Central Station Hotel

Fevertree with Special Guest Stretch @ Hadley’s Pub

Devil Train @ B-Side

Computermane @ Tin Roof

‘90s Country Night and Line Dancing with DJ Dudecalledrob @ Lafayette’s Music Room

Saturday 

Walt Phelan @ Wiseacre Brewery

Amber and Josh, Driver, Seeing Red @ Lafayette’s Music Room

Mardi Gras DJ Set with Marcella Simien and Kristen Hobbs @ Memphis Listening Lab

Chris Gales @ Rum Boogie

Rick Monroe & The Hitmen @ Hernando’s Hide-A-Way

Leebo, Hunter, Jordan, Hogleg, Sauce King, Skip, 2 Critikal, King Quez, VVS @ Growlers

Rodell McCord, DJ Stringbean, JT McCaffrey @ Tin Roof

Pantera @ FedEx Forum

DeltaCappella @ TheatreWorks

‘Love is Weird’ Party @ Bar DKDC

Lizz Wright @ Germantown Performing Arts Center

Eskimo Brother @ Blues City Cafe

Forest Hill, After Hours, Henry Najem @ Hi Tone

DJ Starrkiller | Mardi Gras Carnival Party @ 310 Beale

Sunday

Joe Restivo 4 @ Lafayette’s Music Room

Mule Man, Baunie & Soul @ Rum Boogie Cafe

Gary Abbott @ Delta Blues Winery

Finley Watkins @ Marlowe’s Rib & Restaurant

Some Sons of Mudboy (with Special Guests!) @ Huey’s Midtown

McLeod & Lonardo @ Huey’s Poplar

David Ingle One Man Piano Show @ Silky O’Sullivan’s

Chris Staples with Walt Phelan @ Comeback Coffee

Rodell McCord @ Tin Roof

Brainiac, Margin Walker @ Hi Tone

Aubrey McCrady @ B-Side

_{Source: The Memphis Flyer}

That’s all we got today!

Thanks for reading the This is Memphis newsletter today. If you found something useful or interesting, please share it with a friend, family member, or co-worker who loves our city. We think every Memphian will love This is Memphis.

Keep grinding,

This is Memphis Team

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