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MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES SET ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR OPENING NIGHT OCT. 27

-Opening Night, presented by First Tennessee, to include performances by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Al Kapone, Booker T. Jones,
The Barkays, Vaneese Thomas and Garry Goin-

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — The Grizzlies Opening Night contest against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 27, presented by First Tennessee, will celebrate their 10th Anniversary Season in Memphis by paying homage to the diverse spectrum of Memphis music that helps to define the city.

Pregame entertainment on Opening Night will incorporate the Memphis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mei-Ann Chen and acclaimed Memphis hip-hop star Al Kapone. Half-time is set to feature a Memphis Music Showcase with Booker T. Jones of Booker T and the MG’s, Stax music legends The Barkays, soul-music star Vaneese Thomas (daughter of Rufus Thomas) and Garry Goin and the Memphis Grizzlies House Band.

As part of the tribute to the team’s relationship with the city over the past decade, Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton has encouraged all Memphians to celebrate the Grizzlies 10th Opening Night with a “Blue-Out” of the city and FedExForum, and the Grizzlies are doing their part by providing 10th Anniversary Beale Street Blue t-shirts to the first 10,000 fans in attendance, courtesy of First Tennessee.

“Opening Night is always one of the most exciting evenings of the season, and as we are about tip-off our 10th Anniversary Season in Memphis, we know that this particular one has added significance to the city and the franchise,” said Grizzlies President of Business Operations Greg Campbell. “Our entertainment lineup on Opening Night will speak to the city’s deep musical roots and acknowledge our own place as a piece of the past and future of the fabric of Memphis as we begin what we hope will be our most exciting season yet.”

As part of the evening, the Grizzlies will honor Rudy Gay for representing all of Memphis during his gold-medal winning appearance at the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this summer. Opening Night on Oct. 27 will also represent the first game in a series of 10th Anniversary In-Arena Auctions that benefit Memphis Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Fans will have the chance to bid on autographed items and memorabilia from throughout the team’s decade in Memphis.

The Grizzlies will also give a nod to the city’s culinary fame with the debut of their Rib Races, which are sure to be a fan favorite. Opening Night goers can also expect to see a performance from one of the hottest acts in entertainment, Lil P-Nut, whose appearance on the Ellen show garnered national recognition and many more surprises.

The home opener two years ago with Saliva is still one of the more incredible openings I've witnessed. That's the only home opener we've won. Let's make it two this year!

Just a little stat for the upcoming season...Every team that has won every one of their preseason games or lost only 1 game has made it to the playoffs.

So who says the preseason doesn't matter...

(10-21-2010 01:53 PM)UofMark Wrote: [ -> ]The home opener two years ago with Saliva is still one of the more incredible openings I've witnessed. That's the only home opener we've won. Let's make it two this year!

That was a great game. I still remember my whole group freaking out when Rudy hit that baselinie jumper and wondering how jealous my cousin (who was not there) would be for missing the game.

Great entertainment package, Kitten.

My wish is that this game will sell out. My concern is that the Grizz seem to be doing everything in their power to get that sellout because it's not already. It's a given that the Heat, Lakers and the Bulls on MLK day will sell out. It should be the same for opening night. But I guess not.

This is Tiger basketball country for sure. I just don't understand why an opening night game, against an attractive and elite team like the Hawks, has not already sold out. Then again, I'm not surprised. This town is odd sometimes.

Already got my ticket. Can't wait.

The nba game is not exciting enough so they have to hire more entertainers to come in? fantastic.

(10-21-2010 10:04 PM)SouthavenTiger Wrote: [ -> ]The nba game is not exciting enough so they have to hire more entertainers to come in? fantastic.

This is about celebrating 10 years in Memphis not about it not being exciting enough. The Grizzlies are just trying to do it up right for the city. Trust someone to try and put a negative spin on it. If the Grizzlies had done nothing, someone would have criticized them for that.

Man, the Grizzlies just can't win with some of you.

(10-22-2010 12:45 PM)MemphisKitten Wrote: [ -> ]Man, the Grizzlies just can't win with some of you.

When the city kissed their ass and gave them the FXF and then the griz tried to screw the University out of money due to attendance it told me all I need to know.

(10-22-2010 12:45 PM)MemphisKitten Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-21-2010 10:04 PM)SouthavenTiger Wrote: [ -> ]The nba game is not exciting enough so they have to hire more entertainers to come in? fantastic.

This is about celebrating 10 years in Memphis not about it not being exciting enough. The Grizzlies are just trying to do it up right for the city. Trust someone to try and put a negative spin on it. If the Grizzlies had done nothing, someone would have criticized them for that.

Man, the Grizzlies just can't win with some of you.

Don't worry about them. Haters.

Some people have to constantly rain on a parade.

(10-22-2010 03:51 PM)SouthavenTiger Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-22-2010 12:45 PM)MemphisKitten Wrote: [ -> ]Man, the Grizzlies just can't win with some of you.

When the city kissed their ass and gave them the FXF and then the griz tried to screw the University out of money due to attendance it told me all I need to know.

You know, the one thing I have found out is that not everything is black and white. Some issues are actually very gray and the University is not completely blameless in a lot of these issues. The fact anyone would believe anything RC and Shirley says amazes me. They have definitely screwed us Tiger fans over a lot in the past 10 years. The Grizzlies aren't blameless but they aren't completely at fault either.