People who made Paramount possible — as in everything from doing the woodwork to installing heating and air — got a sneak peek at the restaurant/bar on July 23rd. The next night was a get-together for friends and family.
Paramount, which was used in the Bluff City Law TV series, is slated to open August 3rd at 265 South Front.
Guests dined on some of the restaurant’s fare and drank specialty cocktails, including the “Tom Donahue,” which, I’m proud to say, was named for my dad, who was branch manager for Paramount Pictures. One of his offices was in the building that now houses Paramount. Samantha Pilcher created the drink, which is composed of bourbon, allspice dram, lime, sugar, and Angostura. She and Tony Smith created all the drinks, which include the Memphis Manhattan, Blood Orange Cosmo, and Meadow Mule.
Food served at the parties included fried green tomato with burrata; a caramelized onion bisque, and sea-salt-honey, Parker house rolls.
Asked what type place he wants Paramount to be, chef/owner Dirk Meitzler says, “I want it to have a Memphis feel to it. Especially with a lot of hotel guests coming into town staying next door.”
In two words: “Southern hospitality.”
LAS VEGAS POOL PARTY
Someone recently asked on Facebook if adults go to pool parties. Or something like that.
Well, they do, based on the Phoenix Club’s Las Vegas Pool Party, held July 23rd at the University Club of Memphis. Not everybody, but some guests suited up and got in the club’s swimming pool.
For $60, guests could drink beer, wine and a specialty cocktail: The Phoenix Sunrise. It was equal parts orange juice, pineapple juice, with a splash of grapefruit juice, with shots of vodka and rum.
For $150, they could partake of the ice luge, drink champagne and, as the invitation states, “top shelf liquor,” and mingle in the VIP section in the gazebo.
All proceeds went to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis.
“It was our first pool party in four years,” says Elliott Stovall, head of membership for The Phoenix Club. “I think it went well. We ended up raising about $3,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.”
Their next event will be held on New Year’s Eve. “We’re combining our Fight Night, which usually was the end of August or middle of August, with New Year’s Eve.”
They’re planning to have a “deejay in the first part while the fights are going on and have a big band in the second part of it. Almost like two parties in one.”
As of now, they’re planning it to be “a black tie affair,” Stovall says. Location is still to be determined, but people can get more information at phoenixclub.org.
3 p.m. ACHI HOUSE
Well, I made it to one Achi (pronounced ‘AH-chee’ House) concert. Louie Gettings, 20, who hosted the outdoor concerts at his home, is moving to Chattanooga in August.
I’m glad I was there. It was a packed yard at Gettings’s house. People gathered around the stage to watch Avon Park while I was there taking photos.
I didn’t know much of the history, though.
Gettings told me he held between six and eight shows, which concluded with the one July 10th.
“Achi” is “a Hebrew term, which means ‘bro’ or ‘brother,’” Gettings says. “When you say it along with ‘shalom,’ which means ‘peace,’ it’s ‘Peace, brother.’ I think it just sounds cool. It’s something people probably haven’t heard before and it makes us stand out.”
Achi House, which is in the University of Memphis area, is “sort of my house, but it’s more the environment and the music scene I’ve built. I’m going to Chattanooga and do shows up there, but I’ll still call it ‘Achi.’ It’s become more than the house itself.”
Gettings featured about 17 local and out-of-town bands during his series of Memphis shows. “I really like all kinds of music and hosting all kinds of bands. The biggest thing I look for are genuineness, artists who truly love their art and love to perform. Love performing and creating music and creating art that holds more value than just plain old entertainment. Bringing real connections to people with their music and the interactions we have between sets and after shows when people stay and talk. Those are the moments I live for.
“And then the sort of scene and culture and environment I tried to create with Achi is one where the majority of people coming are also there for the art and the experience of live music. And not there simply just to party or use substances, which, again, I think substances are fine if that’s what people want to do and more power to them. But I really want people to enjoy the music and experience what good music and good art is like, and meet genuine and good people.”
I asked Gettings, who, obviously, has loads of friends, why he was moving to Chattanooga. “I’m ready for a fresh start and new experience in life. I love Memphis and I love the people here, but I’m at a good spot in life where I have the freedom and ability to move. See where life takes me. I’m sure I’ll be back in Memphis, but I want to grow Achi even more. Touch more people through Achi as kind of a movement.”
But never fear; Achi shows in Memphis will continue. “I plan at some point to host shows in Memphis again remotely. Like plan them and organize them remotely from Chattanooga and come in town for the show.”
CRAFTS & DRAFTS
Memphis Flyer’s Crafts & Drafts, held July 10th on the Plaza at Crosstown Concourse, was a hit.
About 3,000 guests attended the event, which included local and regional craft beers curated by Cash Saver.
Also, a total of 38 artists, makers, and crafters took part.
And if you missed it, or you just want to re-live the experience, the Crafts & Drafts Holiday Market will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 13th and 14th.
