[Johnny Ryall]

Performa throwing party to celebrate Beale Street rejuvenation efforts
the Commercial Appeal | By Wayne Risher

Beale Street will throw a party in three weeks to welcome new and relocated tenants. The entertainment district also will launch a speaker's series beginning Wednesday at a new eatery, Lil Anthony's Cafe. The events come as Beale Street's management firm, Performa Entertainment Real Estate, attempts to rejuvenate the easternmost block of the district between Handy Park and Fourth Street.

Performa announced target reopening dates of Ground Zero Blues Club April 21 at 310 Beale and Red Rooster April 14 at 340 Beale. Both are moving off a side street, Lt. Lee. Lil Anthony's, 341 Beale, will host the first speaker, librarian and author Wayne Dowdy, during a noontime Dutch treat luncheon. Dowdy will discuss his new book "Hidden History of Memphis." At noon April 14 musician Sid Selvidge will talk about how he got into blues music. The April 22 party, which starts at 6 p.m., includes historian Jimmy Ogle making a presentation on the Brass Note Walk of Fame and Elaine Turner of Heritage Tours providing information about the Handy House. The Big Jerry Blues Band will play.

Wristbands will be sold for $5, providing admission to clubs and access to food and beverage specials. Proceeds will be split among nonprofit groups Mpact Memphis, Volunteer Mid-South and KnowledgeQuest. "It will be a street party celebrating a milestone accomplishment for Beale Street," said Performa chairman and CEO John Elkington. "The evening will be a celebration of entrepreneurism, music, culture and civic pride, just like our original intent when we set out to redevelop Beale Street."

Work has been under way since early March on converting the shuttered Pat O'Brien's into the new home of Ground Zero and the former Double Deuce club into the Red Rooster. Beale Street crews also improved access to the W.C. Handy House at Beale and Fourth by trimming overgrown shrubs and installing a new gate and sidewalk leading from Beale to the historic residence.