Farmers Markets Always Offer the Best Produce

When it comes to quality produce and substantial savings, Farmers Markets win hands down every time. That being said, you should definitely check one out for yourself if you haven’t, and the Downtown Memphis Farmers Market going on this Saturday, August 14 is the perfect opportunity for  you to do so.

The Downtown Memphis Farmers Market takes place in Downtown Memphis (obviously) at Central Station, S. Front Street at GE Patterson in the Historic South Main District, and occur every Saturday through October. Admission and parking is free, and there is also pet sitting available so you don’t have to leave your furry babies at home. You know how much they enjoy those car rides!

At the Downtown Memphis Farmers Market, you get so much more  than produce. This Saturday, you’ll hear live music from Ritchie Schuman (7-8 am), Daniel Foster Johnston (8-10:30 am), Ken & Robyn Greene who will play from 10:30 am until 1 pm.

There’s also a kids craft corner for the kiddies. Around 9:30, Liane will be face-painting with the kiddies. Just to reiterate how there’s something for everyone at the farmers market, at 10:30 there will be a performance by Desert Rose Belly Dancers and Hoopers Troopers. There’s also a back to school special presentation on making a healthy school lunch.

Take advantage of this great produce and spectacular deals, and support local growers and farmers while you can!

Do you visit Farmers Markets often?

photo credit: alossix, Wikipedia

Get Ready to Get Your Laugh On: Mostly Comedy! Show @ Full Moon Club

Hey all! Do you need a good laugh? Well, Memphis’ only alt-comedy show is back, and it’s being brought to you by Andy Fleming and Katrina Murrell. This week’s Mostly! Comedy Show features Richard Douglas Jones and Jane Haze, with Los Angeles import Kyle Kinane!

So when is this awesome show you ask? It’s on August 3rd at 8 pm at the Full Moon Club, upstairs from Zinnie’s East (Midtown). For those out there who don’t know our hosts, Andy Fleming is an award winning comic, improviser with the Wiseguys and Podcaster. In 2009, Andy was the Funniest Person in Memphis contest winner. Katrina Murrell is the co-host and token female of the award winning Mostly Comedy! podcast. She is a mother and can drink you under the table. At least, that’s what she says in her bio. I thought it was pretty funny.

It’s sure to be a different kind of funny! If you want you can check out Andy Fleming and Katrina Murrell on YouTube. Admission is $5.

All the World’s A Stage…

And it’s just waiting for your all-star performance! Hey Madison at Schilling residents, have your friends ever told you that you belonged on stage? Do you ever watch movies and say ‘I could’ve played that part!’, or have you ever seen television shows where you just wish that you could have been an extra for just one minute? If so, don’t you think it’s about time for you to hone  your skills to make your dream come true? And to have fun while doing it?

FreakEngine is hosting an Open Improv workshop tonight from 7-9 pm at the Evergreen Theater. True enough, improv acting may not necessarily land you an Oscar, but it’ll definitely be fun (and entertaining to your friends!).

This sounds like a really fun event, so if you’re in the Memphis Midtown area tonight, why not stop through. Otherwise, it’s about a 20 minute drive.

Directions from Madison at Schilling:

Head north on Madison Farms Ln toward Madison Row. Turn left at Madison Row. Take the 1st right onto Schilling Blvd. Turn left at Schilling Blvd W. Turn left at W Poplar Ave. The Evergreen Theater will be on your left.

Vegan? Give Chef Tom A Call!

How do  you feel about having your food prepared fresh at home…and you don’t have to do ANY work. That’s what Chef Tom does. Starting at $180, Chef Tom, a chef specializing in vegan food, will come to your home (or wherever you are), cook the meal (with the ingredients and utensils that he brings), and clean up afterwards after vacuum sealing your food. That’s not half bad.

Especially when the food tastes the way that it does; I’ve heard a lot of great reviews. A showstopper of his is what he calls a nasty sandwich. Not nasty as in taste, but the nasty in the way foods coated with BBQ sauce and coleslaw can be. The sandwich is a hand-made sausage topped with made-from-scratch barbecue sauce and coleslaw, and totally vegan.

So if you’re looking to watch what you eat, shoot Chef Tom an email. You’ll be glad you did.

Do you know of any vegan restaurants around Collierville?

photo credit: The Commercial Appeal

Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Mmmm…I can smell the barbecue already. The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will be held on May 13-15 at Tom Lee Park. Hundreds of teams are competing for over $90 K worth of prizes and of course, bragging rights. Teams often adorn their areas with elaborate decoration, trophies attesting to their boasting rights, have loads of fun coming up with clever and creative team names.

There’s also the Ms. Piggie competition where men dress up in tutus and snouts and women kick their heels (hooves) up. You can get tickets online at Ticketmaster or by calling (901) 525-1515.

Unfortunately, you can’t taste the foods prepared in the competition, but you can surely buy some yummy BBQ from vendors around the area.

Mark your calendars!

Now for something a little different

In this world of social media, there are so many new venues to explore and so many paths that have yet to be crossed. There has been an entire new crop of events to spring up based on the social media platform. There have been “Tweet and Greets” and multitudes of social media conferences around the country. The newest event is being held right in your own backyard: “Face Up at the Garden” is being held tomorrow, April 21 at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Facebookers, Tweeps, bloggers, et al unite at this one of a kind mixer hosted by the Memphis Botanic Garden. The event is from 7 to 9 pm, prime social networking hours, so why not spend the time that you’re on the computer anyway with people who share your same passions for the social status updating world.

The event includes hors d’oeuvres, live music by the Latest, and door prizes, including a chance to win tickets to upcoming Live at the Garden concerts.

Unfortunately, almost everything comes with a price. Admission is $5 for members of the Botanic Garden, and $8 for non-members. Hey, the price isn’t that bad, and the experiences you will gain are priceless.

Are you a social media guru? Do you think you would attend an event like this?

Cheesesteak Tacos

Yes, I know. The name kind of throws you off right? When I think cheesesteak, I’m thinking of a lovely concoction with shredded steak, Swiss chess, green peppers, and buttery toasted buns. Not a taco.

Well it seems like cooks at El Toro Loco are on a different mind set than everyone else. This is where they serve the cheesecake tacos. And it’s good. The kicker to it is the white cheese sauce. Way different for a taco, but it works.

The steak comes chopped up as you would expect it, and it’s topped with onion and cilantro, all coming together on a corn tortilla. Add the white cheese sauce and it’s a ‘wrap’!

El Toro Loco just opened last week in the former Los Compadres location at Union Extended and Poplar, so I’m not going to ask if you’ve had one yet. But I am advising you to go and check it out! And don’t worry about breaking your budget, you can get a meal for $7 and under.