Memphis August 2026

O U R A N N U A L G U I D E to everything you need to know I N M E M P H I S

MAGAZINE

BECAUSE WE ARE STILL IN LOVE WITH MEMPHIS

WHO'S WHO

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T HE S OU TH’ S L E A DE R IN ESTAT E J EW ELRY AND DIAMOND SOLITAIRES HISTORIC DOWNTOWN NEW ALBANY | ON THE SQUARE IN OXFORD | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TUPELO 1. 8 66 .VA N AT K I N S | W W W.VA N AT K I N S .C O M

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UP FRONT 10

FROM THE EDITOR

B Y A N N A T R AV E R S E

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MUSTS

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BY SE Y NEURINGER

WE SAW YOU

BY MICHAEL DONAHUE

MUSICAL MAGNETISM

BY ALE X GREENE

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FILM: THE RETURN OF INDIE MEMPHIS

The arts nonprofit is set to revive their annual film festival in November.

MEMPHIS MUSTS

Fifty places that make the Bluff City absolutely unforgettable.

WHO’S WHO

Our annual look at the city’s movers, shakers, and other news-makers.

Sonic waves attract musical minds from far and wide to the Bluff City.

OUT AND ABOUT

FEATURES 16

50 MEMPHIS

B Y C H R I S M C C OY

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ARTS: THIS ARTIST AIN’T STARVING, BUT HE’S HUNGRY

Hank Miles Smith finds inspiration in food — and the cooks and kitchens behind it.

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VENUE MENU

A guide to the best business event and meeting locations in Memphis.

128 DINING: WHAT’S THE OCCASION?

A guide to the best places in town to mark life’s most memorable moments.

EDUCATION

A comprehensive listing of schools (private and public) throughout Shelby County.

B Y G R AC I E D R I V E R

135 SIPS: STEAMPUNK CHIC The bartender at Amelia Gene’s loves a challenge.

105 COLLEGE GUIDE

A how-to manual for higher learning in the Mid-South.

125 THE MEMPHIS MAGAZINE TRIVIA QUIZ

Did you really read our magazine, or just brag to your friends?

B Y B R U C E VA N W Y N G A R D E N

136 CITY DINING

The city’s most extensive dining listings.

144 LAST STAND

A newsstand packed with every Memphis City Guide. Ever.

B Y VA N C E L AU D E R DA L E

SPECIAL SECTION 82

MEETING GUIDE

BY BROOKS L AMB

ON THE COVER:

Al Green

Memphis Magazine (ISSN 1622-820x) is published monthly for $18 per year by Contemporary Media, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 © 2026.

Telephone: 901-521-9000. For subscription info, call 901-575-9470. Subscription customer service mailing address is Memphis Magazine, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101.

All rights reserved. • Periodicals Postage Paid at Memphis, TN. Postmasters: send address changes to Memphis Magazine, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101.

PHOTOGRAPHS: JULIAN HARPER, BLACKMOON MEDIA, COURTESY OF INDIE MEMPHIS

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MAGAZINE

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1950

CEO AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

anna traverse EXECUTIVE EDITOR michael finger

Memphis Magazine's

THE 2026

MANAGING EDITOR frank murtaugh

FACE

SENIOR EDITORS jon w. sparks,

bruce vanwyngarden

OF

STAFF WRITERS michael donahue, alex greene,

ORIENTAL RUGS

chris mccoy EDITORIAL INTERNS camille culbertson,

gracie driver, sey neuringer CONTRIBUTORS

tom jones, brooks lamb,

vance lauderdale

ART DIRECTOR hudd byard ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR christopher myers GRAPHIC DESIGNER neil williams PHOTOGRAPHERS

blackmoon media, justin fox burks, creation studios, brandon dill, jesse ditmarr, michael donahue, jordan goul, mary gunning, julian harper, jackson hendrix,

Hand Cleaning Appraisals Sales Reweaving Repairs Color Run Restoration Pet and other Stain Removals Moth Damage Odor Removal and much more Spread love, not germs by having your rugs disinfected.

Master Weaver Ali Taghavi restoring an antique Persian Farahan rug.

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frank murtaugh, alex shansky, alan spearman, caleb suggs, craig thompson, bruce vanwyngarden

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE shaune mcghee ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES kelli dewitt, chip googe PUBLISHED BY CONTEMPORARY MEDIA, INC.

memphis, tennessee 901-521-9000 subscriptions: 901-575-9470

CONTROLLER lynn sparagowski CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER jeffrey a. goldberg CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER margie neal DIGITAL SERVICES DIRECTOR kristin pawlowski WAREHOUSE MANAGER chet hastings NEWSSTAND CONSULTANT joe luca SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR molly willmott

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS DESIGN PEOPLE PLACES

PUBLISHER EMERITUS kenneth neill

AUGUST 2026 We want to hear from you! letters@memphismagazine.com

Blair Parker Design, LLC. Site / Master Planning 9 0 1 . 7 6 7 .6 5 5 5

member: City and Regional Magazine Association member: Circulation Verification Council

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WE HAVE NEWS!

W

E A R E E X C I T E D and very happy to announce that Memphis Magazine, along with our sister publication, the Memphis Flyer, is joining Noisy Creek, a media company that’s working to bolster independent, local publications. The Noisy Creek network also includes Seattle’s The Stranger, the Portland Mercury, and the Chicago Reader, with more members onboarding soon. ¶ Becoming part of Noisy Creek will enable our publications to deliver more plentiful and robust content, while implementing a stronger business model that incorporates philanthropic support and reader participation — and all this without interference in our editorial decisions. Our magazine will be stronger, and our business model will be more secure. ¶ For the past 50 years, Memphis Magazine has delivered long-form writing by some of the best authors in town, paired with visuals created by the city’s most talented artists and photographers. And we will continue to do just that — with more structural support. ¶ Over the past several months, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the people behind Noisy Creek — founder and CEO Brady Walkinshaw, and his brilliant team. I’m excited to introduce you to Brady through the following message directly from him.

Anna Traverse editor Meet BRADY WALKINSHAW C I T Y M A G A Z I N E S and the alternative press in America defined civic life, arts, culture, news, and politics in communities for decades. Memphis Magazine and the Memphis Flyer are beloved publications, and with the magazine celebrating its 50th anniversary, it’s won scores of regional and national awards for editorial and design excellence.

The Flyer’s crusading journalism has shaped conversations in the Bluff City.

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I passionately believe in the power and potential of these publications. I started Noisy Creek two years ago, with the strong belief that local community, analog content and print publications, in-person experiences where we gather together, and ways that we can build trust and connection to one another and to the place we live and love, is more important to our collective future than ever before. Publications like Memphis Magazine and the Flyer are backbones to building local culture and community — we need publications like this that we love and trust, and that bring us laughter, connection, tears, provoke us to act and get together, try new food, and see live performances.

These are all things that bring us together.

I am so excited to get to know the Memphis community more deeply. I grew up in rural Washington State, and through a circuitous career discovered my passion to invest in and support beloved local media. We’re in Chicago, Anchorage, Seattle, Portland, and now Memphis, and everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve invested in our editorial newsrooms and doubled down on our commitment to community. We’re so fortunate to be doing this in close partnership with leaders in the Memphis community who ran Contemporary Media for so long — Ward Archer, Henry Turley, Kate Gooch, and Gayle Rose.

We look forward to spending more time in Memphis and investing in this incredible community for many years to come!

ANNA PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS

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Thee tr T Th ttrusted ruste ru t d re te rreal a estat al estate attee au at aauthority t ori th r tty in Memp ri Memphis m mphi h s since 1868

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Now N No w ser serving erv er rvin in ngg TN T TN, N, MS N, M and AR

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OUT AND ABOUT IN MEMPHIS

ELVIS WEEK

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MEMPHIS CHICKEN AND BEER FESTIVAL ­

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AUGUST 2026

LORD BUFFALO

DEEP PURPLE AND KANSAS

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GORILLA GOLF TOURNAMENT

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SUNNY SIDE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND ­

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MEMPHIS REDBIRDS BASEBALL

1970S COMMUNITY NIGHT

TINGEY PAINTING WITH PARKINSONS PROGRAM ­ ­ ­

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ZOSO: THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

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SPEAK, SALVATION, SPEAK

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THE MUSIC MAN

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ELVIS: FROM HOLLYWOOD TO BURNING LOVE

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STRICTLY JAZZ: THE MUSIC OF PAT MARTINO AND PAT METHENY, FEATURING GERARD HARRIS

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY GRACELAND

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WE SAW YOU

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IFTY

years ago, a publishing company in Whitehaven was looking over the first issue of a brand-new publication called City of Memphis, and an old building on South Front Street was home to a machinery supply company. Fast forward a half-century, and that publication had evolved into Memphis Magazine, and 305 South Front had become home to Old Dominick Distillery. On the evening of April 30th, the past met the present, when we celebrated our 50th anniversary on the rooftop of the distillery, now in the heart of a bustling arts and entertainment district.

Former editors and writers mingled with a veritable Who’s Who of Memphis — to salute the past 50 years, and look forward to the next.

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1 Carrie O’Guin, Kelli deWitt, Michael Donahue, Mary Helen Randall, Mary Ellen Kelly, Penelope Huston • 2 Kristin Pawlowski, Kelli deWitt 3 Richard and Kristy Alley • 4 Tim Sampson, Chip Googe • 5 Jeffrey Goldberg, Sheryl Butler • 6 Henry Turley, Ward Archer, Wanda Shea 7 William Bateman, Joy Bateman • 8 Erika Cain, Ashley Bobbitt 9 Michael Finger, Anna Traverse, Frank Murtaugh, Jon W. Sparks 10 Frank Murtaugh, Sharon Murtaugh, Penelope Huston 11 Al Kapone, Anna Traverse, Alex Turley • 12 Alex Greene, Michael Finger, Michael Donahue • 13 Laura Jean Hocking, Jackson Baker, Chris McCoy • 14 Maritza Davila and Larry Conley • 15 Al Kapone and Alex Greene • 16 Amy Lawrence, Justin Fox Burks, Anna Traverse, Cameron Fogle • 17 Rachel Belz, Huger Foote, Leanne Kleinmann • 18 Roxy Matthews, Shaune McGhee • 19 Brittany Neal, Margie Neal, Ashley Neal

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL DONAHUE

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I N T H E Y E A R W E C E L E B R AT E Memphis Magazine’s golden anniversary, the number

50 has been top of mind. As City Guide season approached, this had us pondering: What are the 50 experiences that most distinguish Memphis, Tennessee? In compiling the list, we decided these had to be places you can visit. Boots on the ground, you might say. Some are indoors (with ducks!) some are outdoors (with bison!), but they all, together, help make our city among the most unforgettable in the world. Whether you’re a first-time visitor (welcome!) or you’ve been here a half-century yourself, these are our “Memphis musts.” Consider them a starter kit for Bluff City bliss.

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local college program that has enjoyed 12 consecutive seasons of bowl eligibility.

The stadium has undergone a $226.5 million transformation, one that has reduced capacity (to 45,000) but dramatically enhanced the gameday experience, from an open concourse to a tower of luxury suites and the latest, greatest in videoboard technology.

Graceland You’ve likely heard of the Jungle Room. And maybe the downstairs bar with three televisions. (Elvis liked to watch football on all three networks.)

But on your next visit — or your first visit, Memphians; you know who you are — take a look to the right as soon as you enter the mansion. There’s a white baby grand piano that matches the tone and decor of Presley’s living room.

It’s a reminder that this was the home of a musician, an entertainer. As we approach the 50th anniversary of that homeowner’s passing, there’s an ethereal quality to both the piano and the room. Enjoy all the jumpsuits and fancy cars, but remember the man.

Memphis Zoo Our zoo has become one of the world’s most acclaimed because it continues to grow in the areas of nurture and research. What started with Cat Country in 1994 has become a veritable movement to present our furry and feathered friends in habitats where their comfort is as

important as that of paying customers. Watching a grizzly bear soak in Teton Trek’s river — fed by a waterfall you can reach out and touch — makes for an encounter impossible to (safely) imagine in the wild. It also, somehow, makes you love our NBA team even more.

Sun Studio He stood here.

Him. Here.

Memphis music has impacted the world for well over a century, but when Elvis Presley — newly graduated from Humes High School — recorded “My Happiness” for his mother in the summer of 1953, things shook up a little extra. Pop culture was born on Union Avenue. Today, you can stand in the precise place Elvis later recorded “That’s All Right, Mama,” in the room where Jerry Lee Lewis first screamed “Great Balls of Fire.” You’ll hear samples on your tour. Much better … you’ll feel them.

Elmwood Cemetery A stroll through our city’s oldest active cemetery is a walk

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back in time. Shielded by oaks and elms, its 80 acres are home to ornate memorials to our city’s most well-known families, along with humble gravestones marking the last resting places of musicians, writers, religious leaders, and some 75,000 others. Heroes are buried here, such as the priests and nuns who died treating victims of the 1878 yellow fever epidemic.

Throughout the year, walking tours with costumed actors tell personal stories of those buried here, bringing the past into the present. Can a place be somber and uplifting at the same time?

Elmwood offers both.

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium To longtime Memphians (particularly those who remember when the stadium opened in 1965), it will always be the Liberty Bowl. The Rolling Stones have played there. Paul McCartney has played there. Football legend Reggie White called it home for two seasons (1984-85) as a Memphis Showboat.

But it’s primarily home to the Memphis Tigers, our

AutoZone Park Tomorrow’s St. Louis Cardinal stars are playing today as our Memphis Redbirds, and they play at a jewel of a downtown diamond.

In 2000, it was Albert Pujols, on his way to becoming only the fourth player in majorleague history to slam 700 home runs. Here in 2026, it’s Joshua Baez, who became the first player in Redbirds history to slam four home runs in a single game (and before his 23rd birthday). Minorleague baseball is the last truly affordable family outing in professional sports, and on most Saturdays, you’ll see the best postgame fireworks show in the Mid-South.

Greenbelt Park This is a list of 50 essential Memphis places, but were it a “list” of only one, it would be the Mississippi River, the reason the Bluff City is here in the first place. And Greenbelt Park, in front of Harbor Town (the city’s most distinctive neighborhood), is a glorious stage for gazing at one of the world’s natural wonders. The park features a 1.5-mile paved track, but it’s best experienced along the grassy river’s edge, several trees providing enough shade for The Perfect Picnic Spot. You’ll take the sunsets with you.

Big River Crossing The mighty Mississippi is one of America’s great natural wonders, but for years it was

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG THOMPSON

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a barrier to anyone needing to cross it. In 1916, the Harahan Bridge carried trains and vehicles only. The idea of walking across the river — for fun! — seemed absurd until the Big River Crossing opened in 2016. America’s longest pedestrian crossing of the river is a unique experience, a two-mile roundtrip journey along a sturdy all-steel pathway that suspends you high over the rushing waters below. The view is unforgettable — even more exciting when a Union Pacific locomotive rumbles past, just yards away.

Crystal Shrine Grotto Cemeteries are usually quiet places that provoke moments of reflection, mourning, and loss. Memorial Park in East Memphis offers the Crystal Shrine Grotto to enhance that experience. Completely designed and constructed in the 1920s and ’30s by Dionicio Rodriguez, a folk artist from Mexico, the main feature is a winding cavern cut into a hillside where visitors can study sculptures and scenes from the Bible. Outside is the tranquil Pool of Hebron, and other creations, such as the massive Abraham’s Oak, all formed from concrete stained to resemble tree branches, even down to cracks and worm holes, using a secret process the mysterious artist never revealed.

Shelby Farms Our 4,500acre outdoor wonderland has a dog park, disc-golf course, tree-climbing venture, miles of walking trails, and bison. But Hyde Lake is a centerpiece almost beyond comparison. A walk around the lake (2.25 miles) is the best form of active therapy in the Mid-South.

You’ll stroll alongside geese and ducks (and an occasional crane) as kayakers and paddle-

PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANK MURTAUGH

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boarders take to the water itself. If ambitious, extend your walk on the Shelby Farms Greenline, a 13-mile path well chosen from Binghampton to Cordova. Best of all, you’ll pass dozens of other Memphians — and lucky first-time visitors — in just as good a mood as yours. This city’s diversity is its superpower and Shelby Farms helps it shine.

The Overton Park 9 Nestled in the heart of Midtown is the nation’s oldest continuously running municipal golf course. The Overton Park 9, as it’s now called after an extensive 2022 renovation, opened in 1906.

The course’s charming 2,222yard, par 34 layout rambles over old stone bridges across Lick Creek and through the

center of the Old Forest, presenting quirky challenges to all levels of golfer, from beginners to seniors, including the unique hole four, which is a par 3 and a half, leading to the question: Is 3 and a half a birdie? After your round, don’t skip the 1920s Tudor-style Abe Goodman Clubhouse and its shaded patio — a nice spot for a cold beverage even if you’re not a golfer.

Lichterman Nature Center An often overlooked gem, Lichterman is a wildlife sanctuary and nature area tucked away in East Memphis.

It’s located on the former grounds of the home of Clarence Saunders, founder of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain. In the 1940s, the 65acre property was purchased by the Ira Lichterman and William Loewenberg families; in 1963, much of the land was donated to the Memphis Park Commission. The sanctuary now provides a habitat for diverse birds and wildlife, with almost three miles of hiking trails and boardwalks passing through and over lakes, fields, and forest. No trip to Lichterman is complete

without a visit to the Backyard Wildlife Center, with live animal habitats and viewing areas that interest children of all ages.

Cooper-Young Neighborhood It’s easy to see why this neighborhood is a beloved artistic and cultural hub in Midtown. Life bubbles from every corner and colorful awning: Diners enjoy their meals on its outdoor patios, music threads through open doors, and ambient chatter spills onto its narrow sidewalks and rainbow crosswalks, even into the late hours. The neighborhood is also home to the annual Cooper-Young Festival, a year-round farmer’s market, Porchfest (a music festival for emerging and local musicians), and other events throughout the year. Follow where the artists and musicians go — you’ll probably end up in Cooper-Young at least once.

Burke’s Book Store In the manner of many used bookstores, Burke’s is a lovingly curated assemblage of the old and the new. It carries its 150-year-old legacy proudly,

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dining excellence and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. And there’s no place quite like the Peabody Skyway for views of downtown and the river.

in its shelves of used books; its collections of donated vintage typewriters; and its massive wooden checkout counter, which is as old as the store itself. Rare books have their own section, as do book displays of Memphis history.

Yet tucked amid the well-worn shelves, you’ll also find new, glossy-backed novels, posters and art lining the walls, paper chains and lanterns, and even Polaroids of pets. Take a walk through its stacks — Burke’s offers something for everyone.

The Peabody Since it opened in 1925, “The South’s Grand Hotel” has been called the spot where the Mississippi Delta begins.

Twice a day, the Duckmaster leads live ducks to and from their rooftop penthouse to splash in the marble fountain in the lobby. The recently renovated lobby bar is the perfect spot to have a cocktail and people-watch.

Under chef Keith Clinton, the Chez Philippe restaurant was awarded the Triple A Five Diamond Award for

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Memphis Barbecue Memphis offers a plethora of barbecue restaurants, but if you only have time to eat at one (or two, or three), these spots are legendary. The extensive menu of Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous includes its famous dry ribs, beans, and signature coleslaw as well as barbecued chicken and shrimp. The restaurant itself is famous for its cluttery decor, with statues, photographs, paintings, and other memorabilia filling every square inch of the walls. Payne’s Bar-B-Q is another legendary Memphis spot. Their savory barbecue sandwich is a must; don’t leave without trying their barbecue bologna sandwich served on white bread with the restaurant’s famous slaw.

Cozy Corner rounds out the legendary places. They offer great ribs and sandwiches, but also serve barbecued Cornish game hen.

The Orpheum From reverberating voices to shiny pointe shoes and glowing movie screens, the historic Orpheum Theatre is a palace for the performing arts in Memphis.

Opened as the Grand Opera

House in 1890, destroyed by fire, and rebuilt in 1925 at the corner of Main and Beale, the current Orpheum has showcased vaudeville acts, motion pictures, and Broadway tours. Along with The Peabody, it was a star of downtown Memphis’s revitalization. In recent years, the Orpheum and the adjacent Halloran Center offer education programs, candlelight concerts, and efforts like The Balcony Project that recognizes Memphis’ history of segregation.

Leftwich Tennis Center An impact that bounces beyond the four corners of the tennis court, Leftwich Tennis Center will host the first Women’s Tennis Association tournament in Memphis in nearly 15 years. The Memphis Classic will attract women’s tennis players from across the globe, reinforcing Leftwich’s position as one of the leading tennis centers of the MidSouth. Hosting year-round youth training and outreach programs, Leftwich shares its 12 indoor and 24 outdoor courts with the community, as a sports complex for players of all ages.

Memphis Riverboats Reflecting an image of the Memphis skyline along the Mississippi River, the Memphis Queen is the first all-steel boat to traverse the Mississippi and now offers a unique river cruise experience. Memphis Riverboats, originally known as the Memphis Queen Line, started its business with the Memphis Queen II, offering rides up and down the river in 1952. With Memphis shifting into a tourist destination along the river in 1988, the business grew, allowing passengers to enjoy a constant celebration of the waters that shape Memphis’s riverfront.

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Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid When the Great American Pyramid opened on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1991, it was a 20,000-seat arena where the Memphis Tigers played basketball, and musicians the likes of Shania Twain, the Rolling Stones, and Prince played sold-out shows. In the mid-2000s, the arena was retired in favor of FedExForum, and the city found a new tenant for the striking building. Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid opened in 2015 to great fanfare. It is far more than just a hunting, fishing, or sporting-goods store — with a hotel, giant aquarium, restaurants, bowling alley, lookout, and a vast shop floor styled to look like the wetlands that attract so many sportsmen to the area.

The Pink Palace Museum of Science and History Clarence Saunders was the founder of Piggly Wiggly, and credited with the creation of the modern supermarket. He built himself a dream home on Central Avenue with a façade of pink marble. The mansion was never finished before bankruptcy derailed Saunders’ plans, and it was donated to the city in the 1920s, when it was converted to a museum. With expansions over the years that included a giant screen theater and planetarium, the museum is now a favorite for school groups and adults alike.

Chucalissa The bluffs over the Mississippi River have been occupied by humans for thousands of years. In the 1930s, workers building what is now T.O. Fuller State Park discovered a forgotten complex of mounds built by the Mississippian peoples around 1000 CE. The rich archeological site became the C.H Nash Museum at Chucalissa. The museum PHOTOGRAPH BY ALAN SPEARMAN

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tells the story of the people who dwelled in the MidSouth before the coming of European settlers, helps train new archeologists, and hosts events for contemporary Native American groups.

Overton Park Shell An outdoor music venue that has witnessed legends for decades, the Shell has presented the Memphis Symphony, Furry Lewis, Bukka White, Reverend Robert Wilkins, and even the Rolling Stones. On the weekend of September 10th the Shell will celebrate its 90th birthday, complete with cake cutting, live music, and more.

In the fall, keep a camping chair handy because the Shell will host their signature free concert series until October.

They even offer summer workouts each week as part of the Baptist Health and Wellness series. Instructors come to teach Pilates, yoga, and Zumba on stage.

Our Rivers Chicago has its architecture cruises. In New York City’s harbor, you can see the Statue of Liberty by ferry. All well and

good, and worthy ways to savor those cities’ skylines. But in Memphis, we recommend a different kind of aquatic awe: Clamber into a canoe or kayak (with a knowledgeable guide, of course) and paddle your way along the shores or in the harbor of the Mighty Mississippi. For an altogether different but no less mesmerizing outing, explore the Ghost River section of the Wolf — an otherworldly sensory experience.

Old Dominick Distillery Who makes the best whiskey in Tennessee? Is it the storied Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg? The George Dickel distillery in Tullahoma?

Nope. According to the judges at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, it’s Old Dominick in downtown Memphis. Old Dom’s is a relative newcomer in the spirits world, but during its short tenure, it’s become a staple of the neighborhood, hosting numerous soirees in its event spaces, which includes a cozy rooftop patio. The popular distillery tour includes tastings of the distillery’s award-winning whiskey, the best in Tennessee.

Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time Decades ago, Mud Island was home to the Mississippi River Museum, a 38,000-square-foot facility full of artifacts from the history of river commerce and navigation. But flagging attendance closed the museum in the 2010s, leaving a major Memphis asset vacant and decaying. In 2025, Memphis artist Christopher Reyes took over the space to create an interactive exhibit which combines state-of-the-art digital video projections and Dolby sound systems with playground-sized sculptures designed to delight visitors both young and old. Baron Von Opperbean is lost in the multiverse, and you can help find him by following the clues in the winding labyrinth of time and space. Think Santa Fe’s Meow Wolf meets St. Louis’ City Museum, and you’ll have an idea of the wonder that awaits you at BVO. Tom Lee Park Memphis may not have mountains or beaches, but the gravitational pull of the Mississippi is just as profound.

The river defines our city — not just geographically but spiritually, too. A visit to Tom

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Soul Museum, and the W.C. Handy House Museum. Don’t miss the civil rights landmark Beale Street Baptist Church, and make a shopping run at the lost-in time A. Schwab emporium (more fun than any Buc-ee’s — and it even has an old-timey soda fountain), and take a stroll in Handy Park. We hear there’s something called FedExForum nearby as well, if you like to groove on that sort of thing.

Lee Park is a strong reminder of why: Currents coursing downstream, folks young and not-so-young hooping, everywhere the energy of Memphis pulsing. The park hosts annual music and barbecue festivals, of course, but it’s so much more than that — and with the recently completed Memphis Flyway, there’s even more space to explore, and views to savor.

Memphis Botanic Garden An oasis in the summer and a wonderland in the winter, Memphis’s 96-acre botanic garden offers delights for kids (and kids-at-heart) as well as anyone seeking a respite from phone screens and city streets.

Track the seasons’ passage with regular strolls through the garden’s peaceful paths; learn about exotic plants in the greenhouse; glean homegardening tips from the cozy farm area (complete with chickens!). For an extra taste of Memphis, cool down with a Mempops popsicle by the

fountain — a special must on toasty August afternoons.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens A former private estate that opened to the public 50 years ago, Dixon Gallery and Gardens presents exhibitions of international quality. Works

by Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh have been displayed here. A special treat is the 17 acres of formal and informal gardens, laid out by owners Hugo and Margaret Dixon. The entire museum complex is surrounded by the gardens, dotted with sculptures and hidden gems.

This place is special because each visit peels back a layer to reveal something new.

Whether a lover of the arts or the outdoors (or both), the Dixon is a must-see.

Farmers Markets Community markets, where everyone seems to know the vendors and their fellow shoppers, make our city feel like a small town. CooperYoung, Memphis, Arlington, Lightfoot, Collierville,

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Bartlett and others support and showcase local artisans and farmers. A Saturday visit is incomplete without a giant tote bag on your shoulder and iced coffee in hand. The showstopping heirloom tomatoes, abundance of fresh herbs, and fragrant Southern peaches are something out of a painting. A good strategy is to make a full circle around the market before purchasing anything, then strategize what looks best. Grab what you love and bring something home you’ve never cooked before.

Beale Street Wander on and around Beale Street to soak up blues, food, and attitude. Get all that at B.B. King’s Blues Club, Silky O’Sullivan’s, Rum Boogie Cafe, and Blues City Cafe, but don’t skimp on the history at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Memphis Rock ’n’

Memphis Libraries The best cities have the best libraries, and Memphis has plenty — 18 branch locations. These places are top-notch sites for reading, research, chilling (literally so cool), getting into tech, experiencing art, taking the kids, and so much more.

The big one is the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, with its creative CLOUD901 attraction, meeting rooms, and the history archives of the Memphis and Shelby County Room on the fourth floor. The historic Cossitt Library downtown has been renovated and has the usual amenities plus a performing space and cafe. Also check out the University of Memphis’ Ned R. McWherter Library on campus, open to the public.

Dance Companies As the saying goes: “Gotta Dance!” And Memphis is a hub of terpsichorean goodness. Ballet Memphis has long been an acclaimed professional dance company that excels in both traditional and innovative contemporary repertoire. It has a beautiful, multi-use facility at Overton Square. A newer and equally dynamic organization is the Collage Dance Collective, a nationally recognized troupe that brings a diverse classical and contemporary offering to audiences. It also has a stateof-the-art dance center in the Binghampton area that serves communities small and large.

Notable pre-professional

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companies include New Ballet Ensemble & School, Ballet on Wheels, and Children’s Ballet Theater & Memphis Youth Musical Theater.

On Stage Memphis is a stage town, with theater companies all over ready for a standing ovation. Playhouse on the Square/Circuit Playhouse is a professional company with hefty seasons of works both mainstream and edgy.

Theatre Memphis is the leading community theater organization with robust seasons of popular shows on two stages. Hattiloo Theatre is a freestanding Black repertory theater company PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIAN HARPER

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known for staging powerful works. Tennessee Shakespeare Company offers first-rate plays by the Bard and other classical offerings. The Orpheum brings touring Broadway shows and much more to town. And there are plenty more smaller companies treading the boards.

National Civil Rights Museum Chances are, if you grew up in Memphis, you’ve been to the National Civil Rights Museum on a field trip or two.

The building chosen for this museum was a very thoughtful decision. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was

assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. A space that could have been left as a very dark portion of our city’s history opened in 1991 as a platform for education and remembrance and has steadily expanded over the years. Visitors say they will never forget being able to look into the room where Dr. King stayed during his final days, and are inspired by sitting next to a statue of Rosa Parks inside a replica of the bus where she decided to make her stand.

Victorian Village Visitors claim the ghost of Molly Fontaine wanders the hallways of her former home.

If so, she couldn’t have chosen a better place to haunt. The

Woodruff-Fontaine House, erected in 1871, is one of the incredible nineteenth-century mansions lining Adams Avenue that form Victorian Village.

Other grand homes include the Mallory-Neely House and the James Lee Memorial, built by wealthy cotton merchants and steamship owners. The exteriors are impressive and the interiors breathtaking, with gilt mirrors, ornate plasterwork, and stained-glass windows. This area endured rough times in later years, but several homes have been lovingly preserved and stand today as shining examples of the Gilded Age.

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costumes, and curiosities of the city’s luminaries in all genres, from Booker T. Jones to Kallen Esperian. Originally sandwiched between Lansky Bros. and the Hard Rock Café at 126 Beale Street, it’s now the only tenant since Rock ’n’ Soul bought the entire building, in which century-old hardwood floors and beams are still visible.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music From 1957 to 1975, Stax Records kept Memphis on the musical map by putting out some of the best soul music in America.

Artists like Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. and the MGs, Sam & Dave, David Porter, and Isaac Hayes recorded hits at the McLemore Avenue studio. That storied building is now gone, but in its place is the museum dedicated to keeping the memory of the music alive, and the Stax Music Academy, where the Memphis music legends of tomorrow get their start. It’s a must-see for both visitors and native Memphians. (Almost directly across the street from Stax — part of the Soulsville neighborhood — is Memphis Rox, the largest nonprofit climbing gym in the world. It’s a civic treasure.)

Bluff City Brews Our city’s incredible water makes incredible beer. So, when local craft beers pour here, it is Memphis pride in

liquid form. Wiseacre Brewing Co.’s incredible Tiny Bomb pilsner is, basically, the unofficial light beer of Memphis. For rocksolid brewing and innovative one-offs, head to Soul & Spirits Brewery in Uptown. Ghost River’s South Main taproom offers an incredible indoor/ outdoor spot to quaff some of the city’s first craft beers.

Head to Crosstown Brewing Co. for a lineup of always-great beers in its good-times taproom.

Flyway Brewing in The Edge is the city’s newest brewery with a spot-on beer for every taste, amazing food, and one-of-a-kind space for a great hang.

Brooks Museum of Art Once the centerpiece of Overton Park, the Brooks Museum is currently the talk of the town since it will be leaving its longtime home and moving downtown this year, slated to reopen in December 2026. A current exhibit celebrates its longtime park neighbor, with some 80 artists featured in “Memphis College of Art, 19362020: An Enduring Legacy,” on view through September 27th, when the building closes to prepare for the move.

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FedExForum Some of the biggest events in the city are hosted at FedEx Forum, seating up to 18,400 people from concerts to NBA basketball games since its opening in 2004. Countless celebrities have performed on the stage including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Billy Joel, and Ariana Grande. October is already stacked up with three music tours, but the biggest attractions of FedexForum are the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and the University of Memphis basketball team that will begin their season in November. Are you really a Memphian if you haven’t had a seat in the arena’s upper deck, with a sense that you’re vertical from the floor below?

Memphis Music Hall of Fame Founded in 2012 by the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, MMHOF has inducted a new cohort into its ranks nearly every year since, apart from the Covid era. While its parent museum has a more regional view, MMHOF is Memphis-proud, featuring the instruments,

Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum One of the Smithsonian’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 1996 was a touring exhibition focused on the origins of American music, which led to the Smithsonian opening their brick-and-mortar Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum here in 2000. Now adjacent to FedExForum, it will likely move to Second and Beale once funds are raised. Wherever it is, the curation is Smithsonianquality and a perfect overview of the region’s musical roots before visitors dive into other historical landmarks. Last year, USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards ranked Rock ’n’ Soul among the top 10 music museums in the country.

Overton Square In 1969, after establishments were allowed to sell liquor by the drink in Tennessee, T.G.I. Friday’s in Overton Square became the first bar in Memphis to do so, and others nearby soon followed suit.

This made Overton Square a key hub of Memphis nightlife through the ’70s, including Lafayette’s Music Room, a short-lived but influential venue that featured the likes of Billy Joel, KISS, Big Star, and Leon Russell at the time. After some doldrum decades, the square was revived in 2012 and Lafayette’s shortly thereafter, making Overton Square once again a hot spot of music, food, and entertainment once again.

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Hernando’s Hide-A-Way For a taste of swinging Memphis circa 1955, 1965, or 1975, don’t miss this gem, a Whitehaven hole-in-thewall with an authentic oldMemphis vibe. Having played host to Memphis greats like Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Duck Dunn in those days, it fell into disuse until 2018, when Texas country rocker Dale Watson and wife Celine Lee bought and renovated the place in style. Nowadays their eclectic bills include their own music, similarly roots-friendly regional acts, and local genrebusters like Turnstyles or Amy LaVere and Will Sexton. The club’s Chicken Sh!t Bingo has to be seen to be believed.

Opera Memphis It’s notable that the reach of Opera Memphis extends far beyond the city itself. As executive director Ned Canty told the Memphis Flyer, “A lot of artists are coming here from singing at Carnegie Hall or the San Francisco Opera or Chicago.” They’re drawn to working with local talent because of Opera Memphis’ quality. Yet Opera Memphis is committed to its hometown, as when it presented a new staging of La Bohème set on Beale Street, or its premiere of Pretty Little Room this year, the music commissioned from Memphis native Robert Patterson.

Our Orchestras Being the Home of the Blues (and Birthplace of Rockand-Roll) can obscure just how refined the level of musicianship in Memphis can be, but there is a thriving classical performance scene here. At the top of the bill is the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, led by Robert Moody, along with the Memphis Symphony Chorus, led by Moody and Joseph Powell. There’s also the Germantown Symphony Orchestra, bursting with PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIAN HARPER

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volunteer talent, celebrating its 50th anniversary this season.

Somewhat younger is the Iris Collective, founded as the Iris Orchestra by Michael Stern in 2000, now more focused on outreach and chamber music, but still presenting orchestral works using a stable of international musicians.

Indie Music Venues At the heart of the city’s most innovative music are the small venues that still feature live bands. With these clubs, the more original, the better, and they don’t shy away from the edgy acts that, through Gonerfest and other events, are what Memphis is best known for. Bar DKDC is one mainstay of such bands, though it can get crowded. The Lamplighter Lounge, once an old-school dive, is now a new-school dive, still funky but with a better sound system. B-Side Memphis has spaciousness, great sound, and arguably the most eclectic lineups.

Metal Museum Not one, but two art museums in Memphis are moving across town this year. After closing in 2020, the former Overton

Park campus of the Memphis College of Art will once again be filled with art, when the main building becomes the new home for the Metal Museum. They will keep their current location on the edge of downtown, on the high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Part of a former hospital complex, the historic buildings will serve as studios and housing for a new artist-inresidency program.

Jones Orchard Founded in 1940, Jones Orchard began with the humble peach and snowballed to the full fruit farm we see today. Available at both the Cooper-Young and Memphis Farmers Market, everything is picked that morning. To maintain their freshness, not a single piece of fruit is refrigerated. Instead, Jones Orchard turns the fruit they don’t sell into jams and jellies.

On their Millington property are two produce stands as well as seasonal fun activities like berry picking and getting lost in corn mazes. The orchard isn’t just about fruit, but offers the occasional donut, softserve ice cream, and slushie

specials from produce grown at their farm.

Crosstown Concourse In 1927, Sears Roebuck and Company added to its national presence with a massive building in Midtown.

With its distinctive tower, the buff-brick structure served as both a retail store and distribution center, where catalog orders were shipped all over Middle America. The company added to the building over the years until it included more than 1.5 million square feet. Times changed, the Sears company’s fortunes waned, and the building closed in 1993. After sitting vacant for decades, it was revived in 2015 as a multiuse community center, with restaurants, a 450-seat theater, shopping, a high school, Church Health Center, and YMCA. Crosstown Arts provides the city’s most cutting-edge artists with resources and a place to show their work, with programming in their extensive galleries and the Green Room music venue. Anything you want to do, you can do it in Crosstown.

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W HO’S WHO OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO THE CITY’S MOVERS, SHAKERS, AND OTHER NEWS-MAKERS. ( ZERO PROOF)

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IKE ANAND Named president and CEO of American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities in July 2025, Anand is in charge of the powerhouse fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. ALSAC is midway through a six-year, $12.9 billion strategic plan — the largest initiative in the organization’s history — to advance research and treatments for childhood cancer. He served as ALSAC’s chief operating officer from 2020 to 2025. Anand was previously global vice president of strategy for the Expedia Group.

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RAUMESH AKBARI A member of the Tennessee Senate since 2019, representing District 29, and currently the Democratic leader, Akbari took a leading role in the 2025 legislative session for projects as varied as funding for a new Shelby County jail and increased support for K-12 girls sports. She is a leader of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators and served as financial secretary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. A member of the Commerce and Labor Committee and the Ethics Subcommittee, she served on the National Criminal Justice Task Force and as the Marshall Memorial Fellow in Europe for the German Marshall Fund.

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E V E R Y Y E A R , WHEN WE COMPILE THIS LIST, WE ASK

OURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS: WHAT HAS THIS PERSON DONE FOR MEMPHIS? HOW HAVE THEY SHAPED OUR CITY IN THE PAST? AND HOW ARE THEY GUIDING US TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE? BEING A “NEWS-MAKER” SEEMS OBVIOUS, BUT A “MOVER” OR (ESPECIALLY) A “SHAKER” ISN’T ALWAYS SO CLEAR. EVEN SO, WE BELIEVE THIS YEAR’S “WHO’S WHOS” HAVE MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. TAKE A LOOK AND LET US KNOW IF YOU AGREE.

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CITY GUIDE 2026

JEN ANDREWS The first official employee of the Shelby Farms Park Alliance, in 2016 Andrews was named CEO of the renamed Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.

Prior to her current role, she led communications and development for the conservancy, including leadership of the $75 million capital campaign for park improvements (among those, the Shelby Farms Greenline, Woodland Discovery Playground, and the Heart of the Park). Her stewardship includes daily operations along with generating support and revenue to further enhance the future of Shelby Farms Park.

WARD ARCHER A board member of Contemporary Media, Inc. (publisher of this magazine),hu Archer’s accomplishments include the creation of ArcherMalmo (now Archer), Tennessee’s largest and most successful advertising shop. He created Music + Arts Studio for recording artists and film sound mixing, and brings contemporary music to the world through his creation of Archer Records. Archer also founded Protect Our Aquifer to ensure that the Memphis Sand Aquifer stays clean and accessible to future generations. Now he spends much of his time at the Archer Farm & Forest in Fayette County, where he’s part of a national carbon sequestration program.

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WHO’S WHO SHANTE K. AVANT A 27-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, Avant began her tenure at the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis in 2008.

Now, she is the organization’s president and CEO. A former member of the school board, Avant is Chair Pro Tempore of the Shelby County Commission, representing District 5. She was the first Black woman to be elected to a newly formed district in Shelby County, and only the second to hold her current title.

EKUNDAYO BANDELE The founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre has written and directed plays across the country and led a $10 million capital campaign. Bandele established the accredited Hattiloo Institute of Black Theatre Studies at LeMoyne-Owen College and launched cultural exchanges with theaters in South Africa, Norway, Nigeria, and Rwanda.

BRETT BATTERSON As president and CEO of the Orpheum Theatre Group since 2016, Batterson leads the theater and its next-door facility, the Halloran Centre, in their presentations of Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, and community events. He helped create Mending Hearts Camp, a program for young people who have experienced the death of a parent, and shaped the expansion of the High School Musical Theatre Awards.

He is the founder of the Memphis Cultural Coalition, a roundtable of city leaders in arts and culture.

KIMBERLY & WILLY BEARDEN As executive director of Elmwood Cemetery, Kimberly Bearden creates innovative programs like outdoor film showings and guided tours, where actors portray Elmwood’s famous residents.

She is co-author with husband, Willy, of Elmwood Cemetery and has contributed to academic publications on cemetery culture. From Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Willy has produced documentaries on blues, cotton, and garage bands, and has published books on local history. In 2010, Willy released the feature film, One Came Home, and has produced Memphis Memoirs segments for WKNO and hosts Dialogue with Willy Bearden for library channel WYPL. In 2024, Willy released his autobiography, Mississippi Hippie.

CRAIG BREWER The director of Hustle & Flow put Memphis on the filmmaking map in 2000 with his groundbreaking digital feature The Poor & Hungry. Brewer reunited with his Hustle stars Tarji P. Henson and Terrance Howard during their stint on the hit series Empire, and later for Fight Night, an award-winning series on Peacock which also included Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Hart. His two films with Eddie Murphy, Dolemite is My Name and Coming 2 America, were both streaming hits. His 2025 film Song Sung Blue earned an Academy Award nomination for star Kate Hudson. Brewer is currently developing a biopic of Snoop Dogg for Universal Pictures.

DOUGLAS V. BROWNE Since 2003, Browne has been president of Peabody Hotels & Resorts. He has served as board chair of the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association and was the 2022 board chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber. Browne was named a 2023 Inside Memphis Business CEO of the Year — and is a competitive ballroom dancer.

DR. PETER BUCKLEY As chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center since 2021, Buckley serves as CEO of the six doctoral programs in the UT system in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a board member of the Schizophrenia International Research Society. Buckley is the author of more than 300 articles in psychiatric research and 200 book chapters.

STEWART BURGESS Named director of the Children’s Museum of Memphis in 2019, of more than 600 children’s museums in the U.S., Burgess is the only director with professional experience in early childhood education.

The Fresno, California, native earned a Ph.D. and planned a career in academia, but when his wife took a job with Wright Medical, Burgess became early childhood director at St. George’s School. Over the years, he has continually added new exhibits, with the goal “to provide a space for playful learning.”

MAURICIO CALVO In 2023, Calvo became one of the first Latinos to hold public office in Shelby County when he was appointed to the school board. He is currently the president and CEO of Latino Memphis, an

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organization devoted to empowering the third largest community in Memphis by providing immigration and legal services, connecting people with healthcare and job opportunities, and advocating for Latino issues in government and the private sector. “For many Latinos living in Memphis, we are the first step in their pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families,” Calvo says.

NED CANTY Since 2011, Canty has served as director of Opera Memphis and initiated nationally acclaimed efforts to popularize the art form. In addition to traditional productions, he has brought initiatives from pop-up performances to commissions of bold new works. The company’s “30 Days of Opera” takes opera to the public and modernizes the art form by blending it with newer genres. Last year it hosted the Opera America conference — the smallest company to ever host the influential gathering of opera producers.

ELIZABETH CAWEIN Founder and executive director of Music Export Memphis, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for Memphis artists beyond the city, Cawein has served the Memphis

music scene since 2011. At Music Export Memphis, she created an exporting office that uses public and private support to share Memphis music. Previously, in 2011, she founded Signal Flow Public Relations, a boutique PR firm to serve Memphis music.

Outside of Music Export Memphis, Cawein also provides strategic consulting at Sound Diplomacy, an organization that combines music and advocacy, and teaches as an adjunct music urbanism professor at Rhodes College.

PAUL CHANDLER As president and CEO of Memphis River Parks, Chandler oversees the nonprofit organization that manages numerous public spaces along the Mississippi River riverfront, including Tom Lee Park, Mud Island, Greenbelt Park, and Martyrs Park.

He is the former executive director of the Germantown Performing Arts Center, where he led the design and creation of The Grove and Germantown’s public art master plan.

ASHLEY COFFIELD The CEO of the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate since 2013 first volunteered with the organization as a Rhodes College student.

In 2018, Coffield oversaw the merger of the Memphis and Nashville affiliates to form

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GOOD The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis helps you turn generosity into lasting impact.

However you choose to give, rely on our guidance and trusted fund management to help you support the causes and communities you value. Get started at cfgm.org.

WHO’S WHO Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi. Under her leadership, the affiliate provides reproductive healthcare via four health centers and PP Direct (a telehealth app), comprehensive sexual health education, and advocacy for reproductive rights.

JENNIFER COLLINS The president of Rhodes College since 2022 previously spent eight years as law school dean of Southern Methodist University.

Earlier in her career, Collins was a member of the law faculty at Wake Forest University, where she created that university’s first LGBTQ+ Center and Women’s Center.

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STEVE COHEN The congressman served nearly two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives and planned to run for another term, but this spring, the GOPcontrolled General Assembly split his district into three parts that Cohen says were “drawn to beat me.” He’ll finish his job in Washington in January after a 47-year career in public service from the Shelby County Commission to the Tennessee Senate to Congress. Equal parts maverick and establishmentarian, Cohen saw his national stature certified in 2025 by his appointment to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was an early advocate of impeachment during Donald Trump’s first term and recently submitted articles of impeachment against Chief Justice John Roberts. Cohen sponsored an official House apology for slavery and, as chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, conducted hearings on potential reparations for African-American citizens.

and scientific programs in Memphis and around the globe. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, an ambitious sequencing effort to discover why childhood cancer arises, spreads, and resists treatment. Downing has championed St. Jude Global, a program dedicated to raising pediatric cancer survival rates internationally. He is stepping down as CEO before the end of 2026 and will move into a faculty role in the Department of Global Pediatric Medicine.

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sponsorship of the MPD “Scorpion” unit, which included five officers charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols. She continued to serve on an interim basis, however, and was ultimately confirmed by the council as police chief last year as homicides and violent crimes trended downward.

DR. REGINALD COOPWOOD Since 2010, Coopwood has served as president and CEO of Regional One Health, the primary source of medical care for much of our city’s population, in addition to providing trauma and burn care for the region. His work is complemented by a commitment to improve community well-being. A major project will be moving Regional One to a new campus at the former Commercial Appeal building on Union.

CHRISTOPHER DAVIS The president of LeMoyne-Owen College since 2024, Davis is the first pastor in the role, and hopes that tying the college back to its church roots will reinvigorate its future. Davis is the 14th president of the nation’s fifth-oldest HBCU; he is also senior pastor at St. Paul Baptist in Whitehaven.

His appointment comes after years of instability, but he’s ushered in optimism for finances, enrollment, and retention. Since becoming president, he has launched a bachelor’s degree in religion and reinstated voluntary weekly chapel service.

Additionally, FedEx has joined to invest in the college’s success.

CERELYN “CJ” DAVIS In 2021, Davis became the first woman chief of the Memphis Police Department.

In 2024 city council members declined to approve her reappointment by Mayor Paul Young. One reason was unease about her

HUNTER DEMSTER Co-founder of Vecindarios 901, a rapidresponse network to report Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities, Demster uses videos shot on a phone and social media to document law enforcement

interactions. From Demster’s and other activists’ recordings, the ACLU filed a lawsuit that challenges Memphis Safe Task Force Agents from criminalizing civilians who record their actions up-close. At V-901, Demster supports individuals ICE targets and tracks ICE raids, where he takes calls reporting ICE activity across Memphis and alerts the community on social media.

MICHAEL DETROIT For more than three decades, Detroit has been the face of Memphis theater. The executive producer of Playhouse on the Square oversees casting, production, and outreach/education programming of the city’s largest professional theater operation, and created the largest U.S. professional audition conference (Unified Professional Theatre Auditions). Detroit has appeared as an actor or voiceover artist in stage productions, TV commercials, and nine feature films.

DR. JAMES DOWNING The president and CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 2014, Downing has led a $12.9 billion commitment to accelerate progress in the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases by expanding St. Jude clinical care

LAKEISHA EDWARDS By trade a social worker, Edwards now serves as executive director of the UrbanArt Commission (UAC). Under her leadership, UAC’s public art projects have celebrated the unique and diverse stories of 27 Memphis neighborhoods, with an increased focus on community-led initiatives. Other efforts like their Tiny Gallery, Billboard Gallery, and free exhibition space have supported local artists.

STEVE EHRHART For three decades, Ehrhart has been executive director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic, one of the oldest annual postseason games in college football, broadcast internationally on ABC. The annual economic impact of the game is estimated at more than $20 million. This season’s matchup — between teams from the SEC and Big 12 — will be played on January 2, 2027. He was general manager of the original Memphis Showboats (1984-85) and inducted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

JIMMY GENTRY Southern food connoisseur, James Beard Award semi-finalist, and The Lobbyist owner, Gentry’s experience ranges from catering to vegetable fine dining. Cofounding the largest boutique catering company in the Mid-South, Paradox Catering & Consulting, Gentry mastered private aviation catering, the art of charcuterie, and exclusive dining with the Paradox Underground Experience series.

His downtown restaurant, The Lobbyist, has received numerous accolades, with his signature corn mash named a 1924 New York Times’ Best Dish of the Year and his restaurant elevated to Michelin Recommended status.

GLORILLA Ever since her single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” produced by Hitkidd, went platinum in 2022 and landed her a contract with Yo Gotti’s

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WHO’S WHO

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Collective Music Group, the artist born Gloria Hallelujah Woods has held her crown as one of rap’s reigning queens. With her 2024 debut album, Glorious, yielding more hits, she toured the world with Megan Thee Stallion and headlined at FedExForum last year. Nationally, she’s the face of “Glo’s BBQ Jacked Burger” at Checkers and Rally’s food franchises, where she once worked; locally, she’s the star who donated $25,000 to Melrose High School.

ROBERT GORDON The author of several classic histories of Memphis music and culture, including It Came From Memphis, Memphis Rent Party, Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters, and Respect Yourself: Stax Records and the Soul Explosion. Gordon is also a filmmaker, including the film versions of Respect Yourself and Can’t Be Satisfied; Best of Enemies, an Emmy-winning history of the 1968 Buckley/Vidal debates; and Very Extremely Dangerous. His contribution to Written in the Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos brought him two Grammys. His latest documentary, Newport & The Great Folk Dream, premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival.

AL GREEN With a surprise appearance at the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations at Morgan Freeman’s tiny Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the man also known as Bishop of the Full Gospel Tabernacle let it be known that he was not above mingling with his more worldly ’70s masterpieces, produced by Willie Mitchell for Hi Records.

He also dips into recording new secular music, as with 2018’s “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” or his 2023 take on Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” featured, along with covers of the Bee Gees and R.E.M., on his 2026 EP, To Love Somebody.

MICAH GREENSTEIN The senior rabbi of Temple Israel, Greenstein has devoted more than three decades to Memphis’ 170-year-old synagogue, the largest Jewish congregation in a five-state Southern region. He was recognized as Memphis Magazine’s inaugural Memphian of the Year in 2013 for reaching across racial and religious lines to cultivate a more relational community. Greenstein was named one of America’s Top 50 Rabbis by Newsweek/The Daily Beast.

CARMEON HAMILTON The interior designer first started attracting attention in 2011 when Hamilton started

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THE CITY MAGAZINE

VOL XLIII NO 9 | DECEMBER 2018

PENNY HARDAWAY 2018 MEMPHIAN OF THE YEAR

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writing about making spaces more beautiful in a blog intended for her friends.

Her renown grew beyond that circle, and her business took off in a big way. In 2021, she won the grand prize on the HGTV reality competition show Design Star: Next Gen, which led to her own filmed-in-Memphis reality show, Reno My Rental, which brought affordable elegance to the masses.

She recently introduced her own line of rugs. With almost 200,000 followers on Instagram, the in-demand Hamilton is more than a designer — she’s a “Life Curator.”

PENNY HARDAWAY The greatest basketball product in the history of a city that loves its hoops, Hardaway will be coaching his ninth season at the University of Memphis when the 2026-27 season tips off in November. He won at least 20 games in each of his first seven seasons before enduring a 13-19 season last winter (the program’s worst record in 56 years). His Tigers won the 2025 AAC regular-season and tournament championships, though Memphis has still won only one NCAA tournament game on his watch. Hardaway was the national player of the year as a senior at Treadwell High School (1990), an All-America at then

Memphis State (1993), and twice first-team All-NBA with the Orlando Magic.

BILL HARDGRAVE Named the 13th president of the University of Memphis in 2022, Hardgrave created the Ascend Strategic Plan to chart the university’s future over the following five years. Goals include increasing funding, continuing to make tuition accessible, and sustaining student and faculty recruitment.

Under Hardgrave’s tenure, the university has earned Carnegie R1 status as a top research institution.

MARCELLUS HARPER & KEVIN THOMAS In 2007, Harper and Thomas moved their professional dance company, Collage Dance Collective, from New York City to Memphis, hoping to expand access to classical dance and improve racial diversity on the stage. In 2009, they began Collage Ballet Conservatory. Harper serves as executive director, Thomas as artistic director. Together, they have made the company one of the largest Black-led performing-arts organizations in the South with an international touring company and a student roster that includes more BIPOC

classical dancers than any other Memphis nonprofit. In 2022, SouthArts and the Ford Foundation named Collage a “Southern Cultural Treasure.”

LEE HARRIS After his reelection in 2022 to a second four-year term as Shelby County Mayor, Harris won county commission support for an ambitious agenda, including funding for two new high schools and the renovation and expansion of the Regional One medical campus. He has continued to emphasize early childhood education, public health, workforce development, and criminal justice reform. His term will end on September 1st.

SARAH HOUSTON A self-described “water nerd,” Houston is tireless in the fight to protect Memphis’ greatest asset, the sand-filtered aquifer which provides our drinking water. She began her career with a YouTube channel, Wander Like Water, where she biked 8,000 miles while doing educational videos about the water sources she encountered along the way. Now, she is executive director of Protect Our Aquifer and researches hydrology with the University of Memphis’ Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER).

CHARLES HUFF The head football coach at the University of Memphis was hired in December 2025 to succeed Ryan Silverfield, who departed for the University of Arkansas after six seasons at the helm. In one season at Southern Miss, Huff led the Golden Eagles to a record of 7-5, a dramatic turnaround from the previous campaign (1-11). In four seasons at Marshall, Huff led the Thundering Herd to a record of 32-20 and the 2024 Sun Belt championship. At age 43, Huff’s mission, in his words, is to “close the gap” between the Memphis program and those of the four “power conferences,” with hopes of the Tigers joining one of those leagues in the near future.

CARISSA HUSSONG Under executive director Hussong, the Metal Museum continues to thrive as a hub for the metal arts. It showcases exhibitions by internationally renowned metalsmiths, offers year-round educational programs, and hosts events like Repair Days and Whet Thursdays. This is a big year for the museum, which is expanding in September into the former home of Memphis College of Art in Overton Park. This new facility

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The Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®

2026-27 MULTI MILLION DOLLAR CLUB BOARD OF GOVERNORS The Multi Million Dollar Club is an honor society created to give recognition of REALTOR® and REALTOR®-ASSOCIATE members of the Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® who have achieved outstanding sales performace during any one calendar year.

In line with its objective of encouraging cooperation and goodwill within the real estate industry, the club hosts educational classes, several social events and networking opportunities throughout the year including its annual Holiday Party, Awards Ceremony and an Election Celebration.

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FRED JONES His brainchild, the Southern Heritage Classic presented

by FedEx, is an annual cultural celebration that culminates with a football game between historically black universities. Arkansas-Pine Bluff made its debut in the 2023 event and will face Alcorn State this year on September 12th at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Jones is the longtime president of Summitt Management Corporation, an entertainment consulting firm. Since first held in 1990, the SHC has averaged upwards of 50,000 in attendance.

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BRYAN JORDAN From a single branch that opened in Memphis during the Civil War, First Horizon emerged as the largest bank in Tennessee, with assets of more than $80 billion, some 7,000 employees, and more than 400 banking centers across 12 states in the Southeast. Since 2007, Jordan has served as chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer.

ZOE KAHR When she took over as executive director of the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in 2022, Kahr came prepared to lead the organization as it transitions to a new $180 million facility on the Mississippi River. She previously served as deputy director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Under Kahr’s leadership, Brooks announced it would quadruple their public programs, with a goal of making the museum not only a place to view artwork but also a community-gathering place.

The new downtown museum will also guarantee perpetual free entry for Shelby County residents to promote greater access to the arts.

KEVIN KANE President and CEO of Memphis Tourism for more than 30 years, the slogan, “Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock-and-Roll,” was created under Kane’s direction.

He has expanded awareness of Memphis with satellite

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offices in England, Germany, Austria, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. He created the Memphis Tourism Education Foundation and the Memphis Sports Council. The lifelong Memphian is also president and CEO of the Memphis Management Group, which runs the newly refurbished Renasant Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

AL KAPONE This rapper, who first emerged from the ’90s Memphis hip-hop scene and later contributed tracks to the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, remains remarkably active today.

This year, he and DJ Zirk spearheaded the second annual group performance of the “Memphis Rap OGz,” also featuring many of their peers, at the RiverBeat Music Festival. Aside from penning “Whoop That Trick,” now a staple chant at Memphis Grizzlies games, Kapone, aka Alphonzo Bailey or Al Kapeezy, has lately blended his unique hip-hop style with the blues, collaborating with guitarist Eric Gales and Luther and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars.

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ZACH KLEIMAN As executive vice president of basketball operations for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies since 2019, Kleiman retains a low profile in one of the city’s highestprofile jobs. Under his watch, the Grizzlies won the first two Southwest Division titles in franchise history and have made the NBA playoffs four times. The 2022 Executive of the Year endured his most challenging season in 2025-26 as the team suffered through a 25-57 campaign, made far worse by the death of forward Brandon Clarke in May 2026. Less than a week before trading star Ja Morant to Portland, the Grizzlies selected Duke All-American Cameron Boozer in June’s draft, a large first step toward a return to post-season contention.

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WHO’S WHO ROBERT MOODY This musical dynamo wears many hats: He’s now in his 11th season as music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, his 21st as music director of the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, and his third as music director of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. Locally, Moody has pursued imaginative, unconventional programming, commissioned several new works, made the MSO’s first commercial recording in 30 years, and received a $25 million endowment, all of which have helped transform the MSO. And Moody’s connection to the wider world of classical music — guest-conducting in Canada, South Africa, and China — only elevates our city’s standing.

PATRICK LAWLER Now in his 45th year as CEO of Youth Villages, which is celebrating its own 40th anniversary in 2026, Lawler has grown the organization serving more than 40,000 young people across 29 states annually, with two campuses in the Memphis area.

The White House cited Youth Villages as an example of “effective, innovative nonprofits” that are “high-impact, resultoriented” organizations. In 2020 Lawler was the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, a national honor considered the Nobel Prize for service. In 2022 he was named a CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business.

DEBBIE LITCH Being active in the arts comes naturally to Litch, who worked with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Memphis Brooks Museum of Art before taking the reins at Theatre Memphis 22 years ago. For the theater’s 100th anniversary in 2021 she initiated a $6.2 million renovation and expansion. She’s the executive producer, but also a performer who can belt out a cabaret tune like nobody’s business.

JASON LITTLE In 2014, Little was named president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation, a network of full-service hospitals and specialty centers, providing comprehensive care to patients in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi since 1912. Before joining Baptist in 2002, he was operations administrator for the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Little is a recipient of the Early Career Healthcare Executive Award from the American College of Health Executives.

DAN MCCLEARY The founder and producing artistic director of Tennessee Shakespeare Company, McCleary has guided the 18-year-old company that focuses on classical performances, education, outreach, and training for more than 20,000 Memphians a year. TSC remains the state’s only permanent, professional Shakespeare theater. Outreach includes nationally recognized school residencies and yearround programs for incarcerated youth and military veterans. McCleary is a prolific director, actor, teacher, and playwright.

E “BOO” MITC ENC HE R W LL A L December 2 0 1 9

KEVIN McENIRY Until 2022, McEniry was CEO of neXAir, the 82-year-old Memphis company that provided both welding supplies and bottled oxygen for healthcare applications.

Then, the company was sold to Linde Gas & Equipment, and McEniry “retired” to become the founder of Forward Momentum.

His new company merged with Mempho Presents, and now he is responsible for putting on Mempho Music Fest at Memphis Botanic Garden in the fall, and RiverBeat, the May music festival in renovated Tom Lee Park.

DOUG McGOWEN A retired U.S. Navy aviator, McGowen first drew attention in Memphis when he organized the recovery effort from a 2009 flood at the Millington Naval Base. He served as chief operating officer for the city during the Jim Strickland administration, then led the Shelby County Covid-19 Joint Task Force from 2020 to 2022. Now, he serves as president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas, and Water, a role in which he has been in tension with the NAACP and others over the utility company’s handling of xAI’s supercomputer site.

LAWRENCE “BOO” MITCHELL After Willie Mitchell’s death in 2010, his grandson Boo, who Willie raised as a son, stepped up as a producer, engineer, and co-owner of Royal Studios. Since then, he’s won acclaim for engineering the hit “Uptown Funk” and the Grammy-winning group Silk Sonic, as well as producing Cedric Burnside’s Grammy-winning I Be Trying. Last year, his work on the soundtrack for the cinematic blockbuster Sinners earned him a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media — only a day after his mother passed away. “It felt like my mom was smiling down,” he said upon receiving the award.

PAT MITCHELL-WORLEY The former executive director of the Stax Music Academy, Worley is now president and CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, the parent nonprofit that operates the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Music Academy, and the Soulsville Charter School, all at the original site of Stax Records. For more than 20 years, Worley has co-hosted the globally syndicated blues radio show, Beale Street Caravan.

STEVE MULROY As district attorney general since his election in 2022, Mulroy has modernized bail procedures and upgraded the office, winning county commission support for a Memphis-based crime lab. His prosecution of the police assailants in the death of Tyre Nichols has been cited as a “blueprint” for the handling of such cases. The former county commissioner and University of Memphis law professor has been active with causes such as voting-machine reform and ranked-choice voting. He’s also clapped back at critics, notably the politically ambitious state Senator Brent Taylor, who has sought to diminish Mulroy’s role.

KACI MURLEY Overton Park Conservancy named Murley its executive director in 2024, following five years of service as the deputy executive director. Before working for Overton Park, she was director of Post-Secondary Success at Tennessee Promise, which provides college access through scholarships, and director of engagement and advocacy at Complete Tennessee, an organization that increases post-secondary access and completion. As deputy executive director at OPC, Murley led strategic leadership and development management functions in Overton Park’s first planning effort in more than 30 years and is now implementing a comprehensive park improvement plan.

JUSTIN PEARSON The activist and member of the state House of Representatives for District 86, Pearson became nationally famous in 2023 as a member of the “Tennessee Three,” the trio of Democratic House members who ran afoul of the Republican majority for their

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cityCURRENT connects businesses with community to power the GOOD. Each year, cityCURRENT hosts more than 150 free community events in the Mid-South, including our signature speaker series featuring national guest speakers, workshops, executive lunches, nonprofit tours, volunteer experiences, and more. These events, along with our media and philanthropy, spark collaboration, enrich lives, and strengthen our community. Join us for an upcoming event or be inspired by GOOD news with our media, including tv and radio shows, by subscribing to our newsletter or scanning the QR code.

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strenuous activity in behalf of gun safety measures.

He was expelled but quickly returned to the House in a special election. Pearson has continued as a watchdog and opponent, on environmental grounds, to Elon Musk’s local xAI operation. He opted to make a primary run against U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen before the 9th Congressional District was carved up. Cohen dropped out, but Pearson remains in the running although the district is now heavily Republican.

DAVID PORTER This has been a banner year for Stax Records’ first staff songwriter, due to the release of his compelling new self-published autobiography, The Soul Man: Life of Songwriter David Porter, in which he elaborates on his life story with vivid details. Some of that story figured in the HBO documentary, Stax: Soulsville USA, or lives in the grooves of his 2022 album, Chapter 1: Back in the Day. Meanwhile, Porter is a veritable Memphis institution, overseeing both The Consortium MMT nonprofit for young talent and Made In Memphis Entertainment (MIME), whose operations include a recording studio, music distribution services, music publishing and licensing services, and MIME Records.

MOLLY QUINN As CEO of OUTMemphis, Quinn has doubled the size of Tennessee’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ organization’s facilities, budget, and staff. She has forwarded OUTMemphis’s initiatives of belonging by opening a youth transitional shelter in 2022.

Previously, she directed the Memphis Literary Arts Festival in 2018 and worked in nonprofit arts in New York. After joining OUTMemphis, Quinn worked on the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis’s Forever Fund Steering Committee and the Tennessee HIV/AIDS Provider Coalition.

CHRISTOPHER REYES The creator of the new immersive experience Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time (BVO) on Mud Island, Reyes has previously worked on projects Cat and Fish, Ninjacat Multimedia, and Live From Memphis,

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FREE DISTILLERY TOURS Discover Downtown Memphis and raise a glass to our city’s history with FREE distillery tours through September 7th. Locals and visitors alike can book a free tour of our Downtown Memphis Distillery and learn how award-winning spirits are made.

305 S. FRONT ST. || DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS DISCLAIMER: Free tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and tours are limited to 15 spots. Tours may be booked in advance online or on a walk-in basis at the distillery. Tours are available 7 days a week starting at noon and leave at the top of every hour until 6 pm. Guests must be 21+ to take a distillery tour and must present a valid photo ID upon check-in. Please note that tour spots are not guaranteed at the desired date or time. The distillery tour schedule may change due to company holidays or staffing needs. Please call ahead or book online for updated tour times and further information.

WHO’S WHO

A L K A P O NE April 2 0 0 5

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which collaborate with creative media and corporate advertising organizations across Memphis. His personal pieces, often multimedia art installations, have appeared at Crosstown Concourse, in downtown Memphis, and other locations around the city. With BVO, his current project, Reyes spearheaded its creation, development, and promotion while building extensive community support for the continued expansion of BVO as a beacon for art, innovation, and tourism on Mud Island.

ASHLEY BOGGS ROBILIO As president of the citywide Huey’s restaurant chain, Robilio continues her family’s work. Following days of busing dishes and serving meals in high school, she returned to Huey’s after graduating from the University of Alabama, trained by her father, previous Huey’s owner Thomas Boggs. After opening Huey’s locations downtown and two in East Memphis, she rose to the position of vice president of operations, then chief operating officer. In 2026, she was named Distinguished Restaurateur of the Year.

VANESSA RODLEY Born in Beverly Hills, Rodley relocated to the Bluff City in 2011. Soon after volunteering for Mid-South Pride, she quickly climbed the ranks of the organization until she was a board member and president. Under her leadership, the annual LBGTQ parade and street festival has grown by leaps and bounds, with tens of thousands of people gathering annually to celebrate equality and acceptance.

GAYLE S. ROSE The music major from Iowa has played vital roles in Memphis. Rose is a board member of Contemporary Media, Inc. (publisher of this magazine), director of the Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis, and former chair of the Memphis Symphony. She has been named CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business and Humanitarian of the Year by Diversity Memphis. She cofounded the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis and is well-known for her role landing the Grizzlies. In 2010 Rose founded Team Max, “a movement of service,” honoring the memory of her late son.

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JAZZ SERIES

COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA 1 | 9 | 27

LAKECIA BENJAMIN

10 | 3 | 26

TERENCE BLANCHARD: MILES + COLTRANE CENTENNIAL

11 | 7 | 26

SAMARA JOY

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STELLA COLE

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HIGHLAND CAPITAL PERFORMANCE HALL AT GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

FLOYD NEWSUM, River Niger, 1992; Oil and acrylic on paper; Estate of the artist © Estate of Floyd Newsum

FRED JONES September 2 0 0 5

ELIZABETH ROUSE As president and CEO of ARTSmemphis, the Mid-South’s primary arts funder, Rouse has been crucial to ensuring the support of the creative class. Serving the organization for 20 years, she recently surpassed a major milestone of granting more than $100 million since its founding in 1963.

The organization serves as a funding partner, advocate, and connector for local artists and organizations.

ARTSmemphis grantee partners enabled more than two million art experiences across every Shelby County ZIP Code last year.

DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS

= JUNE 21 – SEPTEMBER 6, 2026

PRESENTED BY THE JOE ORGILL FAMILY FUND FOR EXHIBITIONS ORGANIZED BY DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS WITH ORDRUPGAARD AND JOSLYN ART MUSEUM

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4 3 3 9 PA R K AV EN U E M EM P H I S , TN 3 8117 #D I S C O V ERTH ED I XO N | D I XO N .O R G HENRI EVENEPOEL, In the Café d ’Harcourt in Paris, 1897; Oil on canvas; Städel Museum, Frankfurt, 1811; Städel Museum, Frankfurt au Main, Germany / Bridgeman Image

CHANDELL RYAN Named head of the Downtown Memphis Commission in 2023, Ryan took over the position of now-Memphis mayor Paul Young. Previously she was the first woman to serve as chief operating officer for the City of Memphis, where she oversaw more than 6,000 employees and 20 labor organizations. As DMC head, Ryan has pursued incentives to enhance the downtown experience for citizens, investors, and prospective business clients. Among these are reduced parking fees and reinforced security measures in high-intensity areas.

ED SCOTT After a first year as University of Memphis athletic director unlike any of his predecessors (Top 25 spots for both football and men’s basketball), Scott saw the Tiger football program lose its last four games (after a 6-0 start), then the worst basketball season (13-19) in 56 years. Upon football coach Ryan Silverfield’s departure (for Arkansas), Scott hired Charles Huff to lead the program, now in a dramatically renovated ($226.5 million) Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

A new facility for U of M soccer and Track & Field is also underway. Scott’s primary challenge: Memphis membership in a “power conference” (i.e. ACC, Big XII).

KEVIN SHARP The Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea Director of the Dixon Gallery and Gardens since 2007, Sharp was named a 2026 CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business. He

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THE LAW OFFICE OF

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WHO’S WHO

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has contributed to more than 25 books on American and French art and organized more than 100 exhibitions. The Dixon showcases important works of art, hosts dozens of education programs, maintains a 17-acre garden — and now offers free admission for all.

1BR | 2BR | 3BR | Utilities Included

LINN SITLER Recognized as the longest-tenured film commissioner in the world by the Association of Film Commissioners International, Sitler has served as Memphis & Shelby County Film Commissioner since 1987. During that time, she has worked with filmmakers on major and independent films as well as commercials and TV shows. She expanded the film commission to include music as it relates to film. She’s also co-founder of the official Sister Cities International relationship between Memphis, Shelby County, and Porretta Terme Bologna and its Sister Cities International Film Competition & Exchange.

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KATIE SMYTHE In 2002, after a career as a professional dancer in Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles, Smythe returned to her hometown to found New Ballet Ensemble & School to teach excellence in dance while bridging racial and economic barriers. Her eclectic work, such as the everpopular NutRemix, has drawn international attention.

In 2014, New Ballet received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award at the White House for its work in Orange Mound. Today, Smythe serves as New Ballet’s chief strategy officer and artistic advisor, working in partnership with alum and executive director Matthew Best. She is currently leading efforts to open a new performing arts and technical school at Elvis’ alma mater, Humes Middle School.

JACK SODEN Priscilla Presley asked him to develop a business plan for Graceland in 1982. How did that turn out? Since it opened to the public, the King of Rock-and-Roll’s former estate has evolved into one of the nation’s premier tourist attractions, drawing visitors from around the world — some 650,000 annually — and generating an estimated $200 million annual economic impact.

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Local Matters.

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WHO’S WHO

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2026

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Todd Chappell, M.D., Paul R. Brezina, M.D, Amelia P. Bailey, M.D. Raymond W. Ke, M.D, and William H. Kutteh, M.D., Ph.D.

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Proudly part of the history & fabric of our terrific city!

This exhibition is organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington.

MMA’s presentation is supported by Teiger Foundation, Visit Jackson, Southern Poverty Law Center, Baker Donelson, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP, and Clarion Ledger.

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On view July 25 – November 8, 2026

Doris A. Derby, Member of Southern Media photographing a young girl, Farish Street, Jackson, Mississippi (detail), 1968. Gelatin silver print, 12 ⅞ x 8 ⅝ inches (32.7 x 21.9 cm). Collection of the National Gallery of Art, Gift of David Knaus, 2022.149.2. © Doris A. Derby.

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Every mom deserves a beautiful beginning.

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WHO’S WHO

OVER 124 SWEET YEARS

MATT THOMPSON

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ANDREW TICER & MICHAEL HUDMAN

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WHO’S WHO Mississippi River; and the development of the Uptown community. In addition to his real estate ventures, Turley is also the founding member of the Society of Entrepreneurs.

MICHAEL UGWUEKE The president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare since 2017, Ugwueke oversees all operations of Methodist University Hospital, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. He has twice been named one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare.

Serving the runners and walkers of the Mid-South since 1993.

ERIC VERNON A few years ago, the general manager and part owner of The Bar-B-Q Shop got a call from the Food Network’s Bobby Flay, who said he heard about their barbecued spaghetti and wanted to try it. Since then, Vernon’s restaurant has been featured nationally on TV at least 10 times. In 2017, the Food Network named their ribs the number-one ribs in America. Also, a Jolly Food Testing Crew video with Vernon showing two Brits the correct way to eat ribs has received more than 22 million views.

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RICE Wrote The Book On Divorce Literally.

“The Complete Guide to Divorce Practice is published by the American Bar Association and is recognized as the standard reference for divorce lawyers across the nation.”

CRAIG UNGER Since 2014, Unger has been president of the Memphis Redbirds, the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.

He has led a dramatic reshaping of AutoZone Park in the interest of enhancing the fan experience. Club-level dining options and a pair of grassy bluffs provide a variety of ways to experience professional baseball downtown. In June, the Memphis City Council approved $5 million for maintenance needs at the ballpark. On the field, the Redbirds have won a pair of league titles on Unger’s watch (2017 and 2018) and will compete for the 2026 International League championship in September, having won the circuit’s first-half title.

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KENON WALKER For the past six years, the previous hotel concierge has served as the Peabody Duckmaster, responsible for herding the world-famous ducks from their rooftop home to the hotel’s elevator and down to the lobby fountain each morning — and back home again each afternoon.

Walker was in the national spotlight in 2022 with an appearance on To Tell the Truth. He is also a musician (using the alias Slim Riggs) and an actor who’s performed in various stage and film roles since he was 13. Last year, he starred in the Memphis-centric film, Betray: Thirst.

MACK WEAVER President and CEO of the Memphis in May International Festival, Weaver aims to celebrate Memphis culture, cultivate economic growth, and promote international awareness. Under his direction, Memphis in May continues to attract tourism in the thousands and garner massive revenue for the city. Major events include the internationally recognized World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Great American River Run. Before filling the president position in 2024, Weaver served as executive vice president and CFO for 25 years.

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WHO’S WHO RUSSELL WIGGINTON President of the National Civil Rights Museum since 2021, Wigginton was previously the chief postsecondary impact officer for the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education. From 2017 to 2019, he was vice president for student life and dean of students at Rhodes College. He is the author of numerous articles and essays on African-American labor and social history.

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TOMEKA HART WIGGINTON As president and CEO of United Way of the Mid-South, Wigginton brings a long résumé of achievement to the nonprofit powerhouse. She has been a leader in the region in business, philanthropy, and education, working with numerous organizations. That gives her insight into the network of some 200 agencies that play a role in helping people achieve financial stability, the motivating force of the United Way’s Driving the Dream initiative that has served more than 20,000 people.

FELICIA WILLETT Melding Creole flavors and Southern classics, Willett, owner of Felicia Suzanne’s, adds more of Memphis to the Michelin map. Her restaurant on South Front Street earned a recommendation in the 2025 Michelin Guide for the American South, and Willett has partnered the restaurant with numerous philanthropic organizations like Make-A-Wish, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Willett also created Flo’s, a product line featuring tomato jam to pepper jelly, anticipated to open as a restaurant. Putting her work to the page, Willett co-authored the cookbook Every Day’s a Party and has helped write and produce Food Network programming.

DUNCAN WILLIAMS The newly named interim chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber’s Board of Directors and founder of Duncan Williams Asset Management, Williams strives to propel economic momentum in the Memphis business community. At DWAM, Williams specializes in financial management for individual investors, businesses and nonprofits, garnering over $2.5 billion in Assets Under Management. Additionally, Williams is president of Williams Holding Company, previous chairman of the board/president of SouthState | DuncanWilliams Securities Corp, the 2012 Memphis Public Relations Society of America Communicator of the Year, and a 2013 Inside Memphis Business CEO of the Year.

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STACY WRIGHT Appointed executive director of Crosstown Arts in 2024, Wright had served 10 years with the organization as assistant director and director of events. She is a fervent advocate of the nonprofit’s mission to cultivate the creative community in Memphis in the unique Crosstown Concourse space in the former Sears department store and catalog warehouse.

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Credit: Rendering courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

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Opening December 6th

WHO’S WHO

PAUL YOUNG January 2 0 2 4

PAUL YOUNG Elected mayor of Memphis in 2023 in a large field of contestants, Young prevailed largely through effective campaigning and voter respect for his lengthy career in local governmental and civic positions, including prior roles as director of Housing and Community Development and president and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission. Espousing technological advances, including a growing citywide network of video surveillance cameras, Young has claimed reductions in the crime rate. In 2025, he received criticism for insufficient oversight of Elon Musk’s mammoth xAI project in southwestern Memphis and was the target of a kidnap plot. Since the federally imposed Memphis Safe Task Force came to town, Young has been both praised and criticized for going along with the effort.

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ELLEN ZAHARIADIS Executive director of the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County since 2018, Zahariadis has greatly expanded its services. The organization now provides a low-cost community veterinary clinic, pet food community pantry for families in crisis, dog training, and youth education and career workshops in addition to adoption counseling and volunteer opportunities. She champions a full continuum of care for animal welfare.

BO ZOU A 2025 Michelin-recognized chef, Zou brings Sichuan cuisine from Cordova across Memphis. The Michelin Guide describes Zou’s restaurant as “ground zero for fiery, tongue-numbing, chili-laden Sichuan cuisine.”

From the restaurant’s humble beginnings in 2023 in a Cordova strip mall, the chain has quickly grown to include locations in Overton Square, downtown Memphis, East Memphis, and Collierville under the sister branch Little Petal Chinese, providing in-person meals, take-out, and catering services.

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JUL 10 - 26, 2026 TheatreWorks@TheSquare

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SEP 11 - OCT 4, 2026 The Circuit Playhouse

NOV 13 - DEC 20, 2026 The Circuit Playhouse

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NOV 20 - DEC 20, 2026 The Memphian Room

JAN 8 - 24, 2027 TheatreWorks@TheSquare

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is w We in Memph compulsively remind the orld of our native sons’ and daughters’ musical achievements, and rightly so.

From Big Star to Boo Mitchell, the degree to which locals’ sonic combinations have impacted the broader world is truly remarkable. But not all of the innovators at work in this town are homegrown. The musical dynamo that is Memphis seemingly radiates waves of sonic goodness that inexorably pull new talent into its orbit.

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from Mississippi who consider Memphis a second home.

Here, we’re casting a wider net, focusing on five artists who’ve come from even farther afield, hoping to understand just why they moved here and where they’re going.

John Németh

A quick look at the most famous names to emerge from the city confirms this.

W.C. Handy, Sam Phillips, Al Green, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and many others came here from elsewhere, usually with the goal of improving their musical fortunes. Who among the musical migrants of today will be the next Otis, the next Elvis?

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BLACKMOON MEDIA AND CALEB SUGGS

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It may surprise casual fans just how many of the current mainstays of the local scene are transplants. Amy LaVere (from Michigan) and Will Sexton (from Texas) are musicians who have seemingly always been here, as are John Paul Keith (East Tennessee), Mark Edgar Stuart (Arkansas), and Hi Rhythm’s Lina Beach (Central Tennessee). And then there are the many artists

IT’S AN indication of how powerful and pervasive the blues have become that one of the city’s greatest blues singers grew up in Idaho. There’s no telling where or when some new youngster’s imagination will be fired by the form. As a young teenager in Boise, John Németh was galvanized by mix tapes of blues music that a friend made him, blasting them from his car stereo. “I had this old 1964 Comet, and I

was just pumping Hoodoo Man Blues and singing along with it,” Németh told the Memphis Flyer in 2017, “and the friend who loaned [the tape] to me said, ‘Man, you kind of sound like Junior Wells.’”

He taught himself harmonica and started a band, which served him well when he moved to San Francisco with his fiancé and fell in with the likes of Junior Watson from Canned Heat and Elvin Bishop from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Németh recorded albums with them and others, began taking his own band on the road, and made a full-fledged career out of music.

Today, he reflects on the choices he faced at the time.

“In San Francisco, the cost of living was getting crazier and crazier, and their clubs

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were shutting down, because kids there don’t go out to see music.” He would tour for 10 weeks at a time, but that was increasingly challenging. “I started a family. I had my first kid in 2010 and so she was about two and a half, and I was like, ‘I’d like to spend a lot more time with my kid, and have another kid, and spend some more time with my family.’

“So that’s why I came to the middle of the country. I could have moved to a lot of different places. I could have moved to Nashville. People were like, ‘Oh, wow, why didn’t you move to Nashville? You’re insane for not moving to Nashville.’ But the area from Chicago, down to Memphis, down to New Orleans has always been my favorite musical and rhythmic region. I always loved that kind of stuff. So, when I was looking for a place to move, Memphis was my number one.”

The decision paid off immediately. “I moved here, and then within three or four days, I cut my record, Memphis Grease,” he says. “I already knew Scott Bomar, who was a fan and wanted to produce a record for me, so that was

already in the works. We had a great cast of musicians on that album: Howard Grimes, Scott Bomar, Joe Restivo, Percy Wiggins, Kirk Smothers, Susan Marshall, Al Gamble, Reba Russell, Art Edmaiston, Marc Franklin.” (And those last four names are also transplants.)

The next year, Németh won a Blues Music Award in the Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year category; the next chapter of his life had begun.

He’s remained here ever since, releasing four more albums so far (plus two more fronting the Love Light Orchestra) and continuing to tour nationally and internationally with his group, The Blue Dreamers.

Marcella Simien AS THE daughter of Grammy-winning zydeco luminary Terrance Simien, music was etched into Marcella Simien’s heart and soul from the start. And, as one of the first Creole families to settle St. Landry Parish, the Simiens strongly identified with Mallet, Louisiana, a small community outside of Opelousas. Though her father

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often played New Orleans, young Marcella was equally taken with her semi-rural heritage, especially the tradition known as Mardi Gras Run. “In the country, they start drinking really early on Mardi Gras day, she told the Memphis Flyer in 2022. “People would be on horseback, in pickups with truck beds full of hay, and instruments on the truck beds, playing music. And you’d go down these trails out in the country and just party!

Everyone’s together. It’s a big tradition. That’s how the Prairie Creoles would do it.”

With such a vibrant milieu, and with New Orleans only a stone’s throw away, you might wonder why a young musician would leave home. But, Simien says today, “By the time I was 18, I really wanted to leave and get an experience farther away from home. Memphis was just far enough, and I thought, ‘I can really start my adulthood in a really interesting new place.’”

For the teenaged Simien, the Bluff City had always seemed full of promise. “My family spent a fair amount of time in Memphis — when my parents would have a Recording

Academy meeting, for instance, because they served on the board for a long time in different ways and positions, and they would take me out of school for those trips. So I always identified Memphis with that sort of fun escape as a kid.”

That was only compounded when a college recruiter led her to consider attending the Memphis College of Art, which she then visited at age 17. “That moment when we visited MCA for the first time, I’ll never forget it,” she recalls.

“I got chills when I walked in, and even when we drove into Overton Park, it was, like, chills!

I felt like I needed to be here.”

Simien was pursuing her interest in visual art, but music was never far away. “I knew that I wanted to be performing in some way, and even though there wasn’t a music program at MCA, I knew that I would be in the right place,” she says. “I thought, ‘They’re my tribe of people, they’re artists, they’re creatives, they’re doing something exciting and different.’ Then, once I got here, I realized very quickly, within a month or two, that I wanted to sing.”

Things snowballed from there, as her naturally soulful voice, blended with her accordion playing and musical tastes ranging from Nina Simone to The Troggs, led her to coin her own genre “Psychedelic Swamp Soul.”

Marcella & Her Lovers, at one time featuring the late, great Dave Cousar on guitar, have been regulars on the Memphis scene ever since, even as Simien continues to join her father on stage, or play with Anne Harris, a Chicago-based fiddle player, as Magnolias.

Soon, she says, she’ll release some archival material featuring Cousar from the sessions for her Got You Found album, to be titled Got You Lost.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AUDREY STIMPSON ROSENFELD

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TW O B UIL DINGS. ON E P OWERF UL EX P ERIENCE. You don’t have to travel far to stand at the center of history.

The National Civil Rights Museum’s new Legacy Experience is open. With so much more to share, we want to celebrate our 35th anniversary year with you because this story belongs to Memphis and the world.

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Reflecting on the life she’s built here, Simien says, “Memphis has a way of just getting all over you in a good way. Just the soul of it. If you’re any sort of intuitive, sentient being, you’re going to feel what’s happening here.”

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Mississippi. They all migrated two generations ago to the Chicago Heights area,” says Kid Maestro, born Keynan Harden II. Growing up on the margins of the Windy City, the young Maestro was into music, but not necessarily tuned in to where his favorite artists came from. “I was not tapped into anything that was happening specifically regionally here,” he recalls. “I knew of Three 6 Mafia, but as far as the artists I loved, I really didn’t look into where they were from. I don’t think that I held on to regional pride, even living in Chicago, super strongly.”

That made sense because music, as Maestro developed his skills as a DJ while attending Prairie State College in his hometown, was a thing made of plastic. It lived in the records, CDs, and other media he was spinning at parties. What did geography have to do with it? Yet that all changed when Maestro’s father decided to move to Memphis.

“He wanted a fresh start, and since he worked at the railroad, BNSF, at the time, he was able to transfer his job,” says Maestro. “And he has a detail shop that he’s been running since we lived in Illinois.” Family played a role in the move. “As long as I’ve been alive, my grandmother has been living in Memphis,” he says. “I’d visited Memphis back when I was growing up. So we moved in with my grandmother when we drove PHOTOGRAPH BY JACKSON HENDRIX

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2026

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down here. And on August 1st, the day we were driving down, I got a call from admissions saying I got accepted to the University of Memphis.”

His interest in DJing and beats having developed at Prairie State, Maestro decided to focus on recording engineering. As luck would have it, his family was moving to a city with one of the few universities offering courses in the subject. And right off the bat, he met a variety of players and producers who still figure heavily in his life.

“That first year, I think because I was so focused, I was meeting all the right people,” he says. “We took a tour of the school’s studio during my program orientation, and, because there was this huge recording session that happened to be happening that day, I volunteered to help out. Right away I met IMAKEMADEBEATS. I met PreauXX, the first rapper I heard in Memphis, and I just remember saying to myself, ‘One day I’m going to work with him.’ I met Aaron James playing flag football, and he became my best friend — and we’ve been collaborators ever since.”

Indeed, all the artists he met on his first day would go on to form the core of a music, media, and fashion collective known as UNAPOLOGETIC. Founded by the returning Memphis native IMAKEMADEBEATS, aka James Dukes, it’s evolved into one of the city’s powerhouse production companies in hip-hop, soul, and indie rock.

Since 2021, Maestro has been the collective’s president. Beyond that, he’s parlayed PHOTOGRAPH BY JORDAN GOUL

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his experience there as a producer into greater recognition in the hip-hop world, serving as the playback engineer (controlling backing tracks during onstage performances) for Lauryn Hill. Moreover, Maestro’s now learned what it is to identify with our town’s music.

As he notes, “Moving to Memphis, I observed that there’s a lot of pride in being from here.”

Where Memphis Gathers for Delicious Ice Cream and a Smile.

Matt and Nikki Hill UNLIKE THE other artists highlighted here, Matt and Nikki Hill didn’t move straight to Memphis when seeking a musical home. They tried a few other cities first.

“We’re both from North Carolina,” says Matt, who sometimes leads his own group, The Heartbreak Hill Trio, and sometimes backs his wife, Nikki, who specializes in rock and blues. “We met there and then lived in St. Louis. We lasted two winters there, and then we were in New Orleans for about seven years. Then we moved to Memphis at the end of 2020, right in the middle of Covid. We both just dug it immediately. It just instantly had a very homey vibe.”

Because the couple was already touring and releasing records, the Bluff City’s legendary studios were an added draw. “There are so many great studios, that’s always been a pull for us,” says Matt. “When Nikki first recorded in Memphis, she did an EP with the Bo-Keys years ago. They did a countrymeets-soul record here, and that’s how we initially linked up with Scott Bomar. He’s been a big supporter of both of us for a long time. In fact, Nikki has been working on a new record over at Sam Phillips with Scott just recently.”

As with John Németh, the couple has found Memphis to be a good base from which to launch tours, both nationally and internationally. To be sure, they’ve found a receptive audience here for their very eclectic aesthetic. But the most powerful draw, Matt emphasizes, was the plethora of vintage studios here. “I mean, getting to be friends with Boo Mitchell, and you go into Royal, and there are Ann Peebles’ master tapes, just sitting there on the shelf. Oh, and here’s the microphone that Al Green used. I love how so much of any Memphis studio’s approach is, ‘Don’t mess with it. There’s nothing wrong with it. Don’t mess with it.’

That’s not the case in so many other places.”

And of course, there were the people. “We both feel that Memphis has embraced us so quickly,” says Matt. “As soon as we needed help or asked for anything, someone was always there, and that’s a beautiful thing here.

I tell people all the time, Memphis’s only downfall is that so many Memphians don’t know how great it is.”

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by Chris McCoy

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n a humid evening in May, a crowd packed into Studio on the Square for a preview screening of Obsession, courtesy of the arts nonprofit Indie Memphis.

The film, written and directed by Curry Barker, is a horror story loosely based on the classic short story “The Monkey’s Paw.” The guest of honor at the screening was Memphian Vivian Gray. As Obsession’s production designer, she was responsible for the look of the film.

At the Q&A afterwards, she told the audience how she created the “One Wish Willow,” the dime-store novelty of mysterious origin which grants the wish of Bear (played by Michael Johnson) that his unrequited crush, Nikki (memorably portrayed

by Inde Navarette), would love him more than anything in the world. After the applause died down, Gray told the audience that she owed her career to the Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival, where she learned the basics of filmmaking by directing her first short film, which was sponsored by one of Indie Memphis’ grant programs.

“This is why those festivals are so important,” says Joseph Carr, Indie Memphis’ coexecutive director. “We have so many kids in college right now who attribute the Indie Memphis youth program to their success and getting into college and working on film sets. It’s a launch pad for amazing things to happen, and I don’t know that the general public realizes how much of a PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY INDIE MEMPHIS

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ripple effect that it has.”

Barker, a 25-year-old native of Mobile, Alabama, made Obsession independently, without the support of a studio, on a budget of $750,000. The film premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, where it was bought by national distributor Focus Features for $14 million. No one in the Indie Memphis screening’s audience that night could have suspected that it would go on to make more than $400 million at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing independent film ever bought at a film festival market, and the highest-grossing film that cost less than $1 million to produce — a record which Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon had held for 53 years. uring the 2010s, Hollywood was riding a wave of blockbuster hits, led

by James Cameron’s Avatar, the renewed Star Wars franchise, and a series of comic

book superhero movies from Disney’s Marvel Studios and Warner Bros.’ DC Studios.

2019 was one of the biggest years in box office history.

Then, the Covid pandemic hit in March 2020, closing movie theaters for more than a year.

Soon after they reopened, twin strikes by the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild shut down the Hollywood production pipeline for months.

Even once the labor issues were resolved, audiences did not flock back in prepandemic numbers. For a nonprofit film festival like Indie Memphis, which specializes in undiscovered talent and artsier cinema experiences, times were tough.

“It has been a difficult time for exhibition generally, and certainly for regional festivals specifically,” says Brandon Harris, artistic director for Indie Memphis.

But 2026 has brought signs of fresh growth. Theater attendance nationwide is trending towards 2019 numbers, led not by the titanic legacy franchises, but instead by smaller, original films.

Obsession outgrossed both the latest Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and the latest comic-book film, Supergirl.

“Something is happening, and I think there’s a bunch of cultural factors,” says Harris.

“I don’t think it’s just the meme-ability of the thing, as in the case of Backrooms, and the way in which these guys [like Obsession’s Barker] had YouTube followings. I think it’s also that young people have been pushed to be alone, to be tied to their phones.

There’s been this thinking in the culture industry at large that’s the only way they were going to be willing to consume media, and the pleasures of gathering with people in a dark space, and experiencing something communally, was something that Gen Zers and those even younger than them just fundamentally weren’t interested in doing. Now, I think there’s something almost countercultural for a lot of these kids about going to the movies.” he revival in interest of original movies couldn’t come at a better time for Indie Memphis. In the 2010s, the annual fall film festival was selling 12,000 tickets per year. During the

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pandemic, a partnership with the Sundance Film Festival, which conducted screenings at the now-defunct Malco Summer Drive-In, helped keep the festival in the public eye. But after pandemicera stimulus funds were exhausted, grant funding got more difficult, and the festival scaled down significantly for its 2024 edition.

“The organization was no longer sustainable,” says Carr. “We were doing way too much, and there were not enough sustainable practices in place to continue the programming that was happening. The Black Creators Forum was free. The youth program was free. And that was wonderful, but in the post-Covid fundraising world, it became impossible to continue to fundraise for all of these endless programs.”

In 2025, as government budget cuts devastated the world of arts nonprofits, Indie

Memphis announced a pause.

The annual fall film festival, which had been held every year since 1998, was canceled.

The nonprofit’s full-time staff, including Carr and executive director Kimel Fryer, lost their jobs. Many feared it was the end of the line for the festival.

“When I saw that it took a pause, and then realized nothing was happening after several months, the thought that we could not have a film festival in a city this size with as many creatives that were

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here, it really hurt,” says Alicia George, Indie Memphis’ other co-executive director. eorge has deep ties to the independent film industry in Memphis. In 1982, her uncle, Marius Penczner, directed I Was A Zombie for the FBI, arguably the first independent film produced in Memphis. George has worked in the hair and makeup department on dozens of productions, and

was an associate producer on Morgan Jon Fox’s acclaimed 2011 documentary This Is What Love in Action Looks Like. “I feel like Indie Memphis launched my career, and most of the people that I’m around feel that way, too. Even Craig Brewer recently wrote a letter and made a donation.

He said to his people, ‘Indie Memphis launched my career,’ and I think most Memphis filmmakers feel that way.”

George says news of the festival’s impending demise hit her hard. “You think it’s always going to be there. It is what it is, and you expect it every year.

But there was this moment where I thought, it may not survive, because I had been working in nonprofits with the Metal Museum, raising money for the new building on the capital campaign for the move to Overton Park. And I could just kind of see the writing on the wall, and it was making me really nervous.

“When you work in the nonprofit world in Memphis,” she continues, “you hear a lot of things, and it was not sounding good to me. So I reached out to Joseph and said, ‘I think we need to start a new film festival. Do you want to be involved?’ And he said, ‘Why don’t you just try to help save Indie Memphis?’”

George asked her friends and colleagues in the nonprofit world for advice.

Should she start a new organization or save Indie Memphis? “Every single person, 100 percent, said I should save Indie Memphis.

It still has a great reputation.

It’s been around a long time.

Most people don’t know about the struggles, but some do, so you are going to have PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY INDIE MEMPHIS

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Colorado. So George dusted off the plans created for Sundance and scaled it down a little bit. “That’s how that whole thing came about to where we could really focus on keeping it real tight in one area that feels very communal and very walkable,” says Carr.

some uphill battles with that.

But the paperwork’s already been done, which is very complicated, and you already feel so passionately about Indie Memphis, and you have such a connection to it. When Joseph said that he would help, I was like, okay, yeah. I can’t do without him.”

Carr, who previously served as the festival’s operations manager, knew all the ins and outs of putting on an annual festival where dozens of films screen across multiple venues. With a new board in place, George and Carr asked Brandon Harris, a director and producer who had served as Indie Memphis’ programmer in 2016-2017, to return as artistic director. Harris, whose first exposure to the Bluff City was when the festival programmed his film Red Legs PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY INDIE MEMPHIS

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in 2012, says he was thrilled to say yes. “I think Memphis is magical and fascinating, a beautiful and tragic place, all rolled into one,” he says. “I’ve been embraced by so many people in this city in my 15 years of coming there.”

When Harris suggested that the festival consider moving from Midtown to downtown, Carr and George knew there was already a plan for that.

In 2021, the Sundance Film Festival announced that it had outgrown Park City, Utah, and was looking for a new home. George helped work on a proposal to hold the massive festival in the area surrounding South Main. The prospectus got attention, and Memphis advanced to the final round of consideration before Sundance ultimately decided to relocate to Boulder,

ndie Memphis 2026 will take place at the Orpheum Theatre’s Halloran Center and the Malco Powerhouse Theater November 5-8.

Festival panels and parties will take place in various venues within walking distance of the two theaters.

Encore screenings will move to Midtown’s Studio on the Square on November 9-10. The organizers expect to screen more than 50 feature films during the long weekend.

“One of my priorities this year is programming a festival that feels like there’s work that speaks to every conceivable audience,” says Harris. “My real focus in the programming is kind of getting back to the festival’s American independent roots. That’ll be reflected in the program we reveal in September.”

George says saving Indie Memphis is about more than just gathering in a darkened

theater with friends to watch films you probably won’t see anywhere else. Film festivals help put their host cities on the cultural map. After all, would anyone have heard of Park City, Utah, if Sundance hadn’t been founded there? It’s a way to introduce the city’s creatives to outsiders, and to bring in influential people who might have never ventured here otherwise. And there’s no denying the positive economic impact of filmmaking.

“I’m really focusing on arts and culture,” says George.

“Both the city and the county have an arts and culture office.

Film plays such a huge role in every major city, and I think that in Memphis, we need to do a better job of putting more focus on that.”

As George and Carr have made their case to potential donors, sponsors, and city officials, they are able to cite economic impact studies which reveal the art of filmmaking’s deep reach. “It’s crazy,” says George. “Filmmaking and film festivals come in number one every time.”

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ARTS

THIS ARTIST AIN’T STARVING — BUT HE’S HUNGRY. HANK MILES SMITH FINDS INSPIRATION IN FOOD — AND THE COOKS AND KITCHENS BEHIND IT.

BY BROOKS LAMB

M

Y C O N V E R S AT I O N with Hank Miles Smith wasn’t planned. A few months ago, I was prepping for a podcast reporting trip to rural Colorado. I had a new microphone and needed to test it before heading to the field. So, on a whim, I called my friend Hank and invited him over for an impromptu interview. Hank is a Memphis-based artist. When asked, he’ll describe himself as “emerging,” but that isn’t exactly right. He has hosted several solo shows around town, and his paintings and collages hangs in homes across the city and around the South. He is a member of the Ugly Art Co., a popular gallery and artist collective in the Edge District, and he’s a mentor to up-and-comers. Hank’s work has also raised money and awareness for local organizations like the Wolf River Conservancy. Without a doubt, the Appalachian-born painter has emerged, and he’s leaving a mark. Our conversation started with a Sky Dog and no direction. When the talk turned to home-cooked meals, fishing, and blackberry jam, we found a groove and stuck with it. Hank shared how food and the cultural practices that surround it have shaped his life and art.

Brooks Lamb: Food is a big part of your life. You love to cook, you like to hunt and fish, and you enjoy foraging.

How have food and foodways influenced your art?

Hank Smith: Food is one of the ways I learned to understand where I come from and where my family comes

from. A lot of my work looks at the past as a living thing without using the crutch of nostalgia. Nostalgia is kind of a self-serving fabrication of the past, a piecemeal selection of what’s desirable. That’s not what I paint.

My earliest memories with my grandma and my granddad are around food and the almost

religious way they went about making it. Their meals were always the core of any family get-together. So was the preparation. When I was a kid, my mom took me and my siblings out to pick blackberries, or my grandma had us shuck corn or help harvest whatever was in the garden.

This sounds corny, but for me, food is a way to interact with my ancestry and history.

It’s my mom using the same flour brand that my great grandma used, or my granddad taking me mushroom picking in a southwestern Virginia apple orchard that only he and a handful of other people even know about because it’s hidden on the side of a mountain. It’s just a direct way to pay respect to the people that came before you while also providing for the present and future. That theme is wound into a lot of my art.

editor’s note: As an adjunct professor at Rhodes College, Brooks Lamb teaches a course on farming and society, while working full-time in the fields of conservation and agriculture. He is the author of Love for the Land: Lessons from the Farmers Who Persist in Place and Overton Park: A People’s History.

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BL: Right. You tell your story through your artwork, and it’s very much your story — but, at least for your food-focused paintings, you share it in a way that resonates with others, in part because eating is an integral act in everyone’s life.

HS: When I’m painting some of those more mundane things that are special to me — and sometimes I think they’re only special to me — it’s cool to see the reaction it prompts in others. I painted a deer shank, seen after gutting the deer and prepping it. The viewer has to wrestle with emotions stirred by something that a lot of people are so removed from, which is butchering. But just by the fact that they’re looking at it and not avoiding it, you can almost feel a respect for that tradition and that language of food.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARY GUNNING MEDIA

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I can paint a bloody deer shank and it may seem dark, but I’m coming from a perspective of happiness and sustenance and fellowship. Hopefully you can see that translated into the art, and people can understand the point of it without me having to tell them it’s beautiful. Then they can backtrack from the joy, the colors, and the design of the painting to get to the subject in a way that they really see it.

BL: Tell me about some of your other paintings with food themes. Where did you find the vision for these works? Why did you decide to paint them?

HS: A lot of them come from specific memories. For example, there’s the painting with the tobacco pouch and the mountains. It’s got a fish

being gutted and cicadas, and it’s trying to grasp the feeling and the taste and the smell of a specific moment with my granddad. It uses iconography, all to get to gratitude for his influence on me. I’m trying to articulate that tradition and make it beautiful as opposed to pretty.

BL: That’s a great line. “Make it beautiful as opposed to pretty.”

HS: It feels like a cliché. I say this all the time, but I’m not trying to be a landscape painter or a food painter or a rural painter. Instead, I’m trying to

do portraiture of moments and people I care about by using the landscape and objects — and, as we’ve talked about here, food. I’m not trying to make something feel wistful. I’m showing the weight of it, or trying to.

Because in farming and foraging and hunting and fishing — there’s an aspect of grime and heaviness to all these things. We have the tendency to take away the rougher edges, but those are what make the activities real. As we move further away from our food sources, we forget the value of these acts of sustenance.

We become merely consumers instead of stewards. We keep the pretty parts and forget about the hard parts. But when you get closer to food, how it’s grown and acquired and made, you take that responsibility back.

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ARTS

BL: I remember you getting those care packages when we were in college.

BL: Let’s go back to something you mentioned earlier. Your paintings highlight people you care about — but few of your paintings have any people in them. That said, in the big blackberry-picking painting you made last year, you do have a person in the background.

Why is she there?

HS: That was kind of impulsive. I was spending a lot of time thinking about all the work that the women in my family have done just to keep everybody alive. So that painting is dedicated to them and their acts of self-sacrifice to support the family — but also to carry on our Appalachian traditions. I put the woman in this painting because I’m painting it from a perspective of someone outside of our tradition and culture looking in. In this case, people need to see her.

BL: Just to pause on what you said about sacrifice. … Blackberry picking can be difficult. It’s not usually carefree. There are thorns and briars and snakes, and they can all tear you up. You eventually arrive at something tasty, but to get there, you’ve got to either have the skills to avoid adversity or just be willing to endure it.

HS: Yeah, as a food group, homemade jams and jellies made from blackberries and other things are interesting.

They’re not nutritious at all.

I guess you kind of get a jolt from the sugar, and that’s why people put these things on their biscuits in the morning. It kind of captures that taste of peak summer and ripeness so that, once its canned and preserved, you can have it in the middle of the winter.

It’s a ton of work for something that’s not “healthy,” but it’s a good demonstration of happiness and joy. My grandma and mom, they make jam and then give it away to people they

HS: Yeah. Food has been a way to communicate with them, living so far away. It’s like a 700-mile drive to get home from here. And then it’s also a way for me to share with others. If I want to connect with somebody, I’ll usually try to make them a meal at least once. Sometimes I botch it. I get nervous.

BL: I doubt anyone can tell — you’re a great cook. Just a couple more questions. In your view, what do we get wrong about food as a culture?

I WAS SPENDING A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT ALL THE WORK THAT THE WOMEN IN MY FAMILY HAVE DONE JUST TO KEEP EVERYBODY ALIVE. know every year. It’s a subtle celebration of indulgence, I guess, that they can then give to other people.

BL: Your mom and grandma put in all that work and time, and the jams and jellies eventually go on to be enjoyed by someone else.

HS: Yeah, it’s a gift, which is kind of cool. There’s also another reason I decided to do that blackberry-picking painting. A few years back, my mom was doing what she has always done, just going to the side of some random rural road and picking blackberries. Some lady who was new to the area

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drove up and just started yelling at my mom. She was like, “You can’t pick these blackberries.

These are my blackberries.”

And they were on the side of the road in a public right-ofway. She told my mom that she likes to watch them ripen and fall, which I thought was such a fantastic difference of thought between two people.

She liked to see the beautiful colors, and she liked to watch them rot on the ground. I thought that was wild.

BL: Beyond your art, how has food shaped your identity and who you are?

HS: A lot of new chefs are making food more communityoriented nowadays, which is good. We mess up when we treat food as just something to consume. That makes us distant from what we eat and who we are. There are a lot of other things that we get wrong, but I think that’s one of the biggest. It’s not understanding food and its creation as an act of community. It’s more than just eating as a means to an end.

Done right, it can almost serve as an act of prayer.

BL: How can art address what you just described, those problems of distance and lack of reverence?

BL: Do you have a go-to meal you like to make when you’re missing home?

HS: Art is a form of communication that doesn’t require a discussion. I can articulate my ideas, and they may not be completely grasped in the moment, but I can inform others’ thoughts. That way, people can create their own understanding.

Hopefully they come to reverence on their own.

HS: I make a lot of chicken and dumplings, homemade biscuits, ham beans. But even when I was living far away from home, my mom would send jams and canned goods, pickles, and stuff like that through the mail.

hank miles smith has a new solo show, “Deep Brakes,” opening September 12th at Ugly Art Co. To learn more, visit HankMilesSmith.com or follow him on Instagram @hmiles_smith

HS: I’ve always been obsessed with food. It has been an easy way — when I’m missing home — to interact with my family and where I’m from.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARY GUNNING MEDIA

7/15/26 1:46 PM

CASINOS 1st Jackpot Casino Tunica

­ Fitz Tunica Casino and Hotel

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Gold Strike Casino Resort

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Hollywood Casino & Hotel Tunica

Horseshoe Casino and Hotel

Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel

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Southland Casino Hotel

VENUE MENU

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F H O L I N G U P in the office conference room doesn’t quite cut it, business leaders have plenty of options in the Bluff City to host their next gathering, whether it’s a small meeting at a boutique hotel, or an enormous conference at the Renasant Convention Center. The 2026 Venue Menu contains both new and familiar settings, but all those featured in the following pages are some of the best places to host your next corporate event.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIAN HARPER

COLLEGES Christian Brothers University

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Rhodes College

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University of Memphis

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VENUES The Atrium at Overton Square

Corporate events and meetings. Space for 175 seated guests, up to 250 standing.

In-house catering and bar services available. 901-213-4514; events@ memphiseventgroup.com. 2105 Madison Ave. • theatriummemphis.com

The Avenue Downtown

Corporate events. Room for up to 200 guests. 901-334-1550; info@ avenuedowntown.com. 10 N. Second St., Suite 104. • avenuedowntown.com

Bing on Broad

Corporate events and meetings. Room for up to 100 guests. 901-407-2214; info@ bingonbroad.com. 2531 Broad Ave. bingonbroad.com

Cadre Building

Corporate, formal, and nonprofit events.

36,000 sq. ft., Space for 350 seated guests, 1,000 standing. 901-779-1501; betsy.mckay@ cadrebuilding.com. 149 Monroe Ave. cadrebuilding.com

The Columns

Corporate events. Up to 20,000 sq. ft., 200-800 guests. 901-5524732; resourceentertainment.com/ event-planning. 40 S. Main St. resourceentertainment.com

Esplanade

Corporate events and conferences. 14,000 available sq. ft., 10-700 guests. 901-753-3333; info@esplanadememphis.com. 901 Cordova Station Ave. • esplanadememphis.com

FedEx Event Center

Corporate events. From 272-7,700 sq. ft., 20-800 guests. 901-222-7280; events@ shelbyfarmspark.org. 415 Great View Dr. N. shelbyfarmspark.org

Fogelman Executive Conference Center & Hotel

Corporate events and conferences.

35,000 available sq. ft., 15-1,500 guests.

901-678-5410; conferences@memphis.edu.

330 Innovation Dr. (Conference Center); 3700 Central Ave (Hotel). • memphis.edu/ conferences

The Front Porch

Wedding receptions, corporate events, and special gatherings. 48-85 guests. (901) 695-2513; thefrontporchmemphis.org/ spaces/event-space/. 4688 Walnut Grove. thefrontporchmemphis.org

The Great Hall & Conference Center

Corporate events and conferences. Up to 8,675 sq. ft. available. 60-800 guests.

901-757-7373; ianslinger@germantowntn.gov. 1900 S. Germantown Rd. thegreathallevents.com

The Kent

Meetings, events, and conferences. Up to 27,000 sq. ft. available. 934 standing guests, 600 seated, plus outdoor patio area. 901-569-6611; toni@thekentmemphis. com. 61 Keel Ave. • thekentmemphis.com

Believing Church

Corporate events, parties, and classes.

Confrence room and open space options.

120-240 guests. believing.church/roomreservations. 4798 Summer Avenue believing.church/

The Meeting Center of Collierville

Meetings and conferences. Variety of room options. Seating for up to 15 guests. 901861-6304; info@tmccollierville.com. 340 Poplar View Ln. E. #1 • tmccollierville.com

Minglewood Hall

Corporate events and fundraisers. Up to 13,000 sq. ft. available. Up to 1,600 guests. 901-312-6058, ext. 1107; info@ minglewoodhall.com. 1555 Madison Ave. minglewoodhall.com

No. 2 Vance

Corporate events and meetings. Indoor and outdoor space for up to 75 seated guests, 100 total. 901-237-2786; no2vance@ gmail.com. 325 Wagner St. • no2vance.com

Premiere Palace Ballroom

Corporate events. 2,500 sq. ft. ballroom for up to 400 guests. 901-527-5660; info@ premierepalace.com. 629 Monroe Ave. premierepalace.com

Reign Event Venue

Meetings and large corporate events.

Indoor and outdoor spaces for up to 250 guests. 901-748-5148; info@ reigneventsmemphis.com. 3243 Players Club Circle.

Rumba Room

Small corporate events. Tables and private rooms available on a limited basis. 901523-0020; edgarmendez71@gmail.com.

303 S. Main St. • memphisrumba.com

Woodruff-Fontaine House

Weddings and special and corporate events. Variety of room options for 30-200 guests. 901-526-1469; j.cooper@woodrufffontaine.org. 680 Adams Ave. woodruff-fontaine.org

HOTELS Arrive Hotel

Corporate meetings. Up to 1,000 sq. ft. 901701-7575; memphis@arrivehotels.com. 477 S. Main St. • arrivehotels.com/memphis

Big Cypress Lodge

Corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Variety of room and outdoor options for 10-800 guests. 800-223-3333; concierge@big-cypress.com. 1 Bass Pro Dr. big-cypress.com

Canopy by Hilton Memphis Downtown Beale Street

Meetings. 450 sq. ft. boardroom for up to 10 guests.901-479-1001. 164 Union Ave. hilton.com

Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis

Meetings. 350 sq. ft. of indoor boardroom space. 901-613-5656. 245 S. Front St. hyatt.com

Comfort Inn Memphis Downtown

Meetings. 1,250 sq. ft. for up to 132 guests. 901526-0583. 100 N. Front St. choicehotels.com

Courtyard by Marriott– Downtown Court Square

Meetings and corporate events. 3,756 available sq. ft. for 12-125 guests. 901-5222200. 75 Jefferson Ave. • marriott.com

Courtyard by Marriott– Germantown

Small meetings. 200 sq. ft. for up to eight guests. 901-751-0230. 7750 Wolf River Blvd. marriott.com

Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown

Corporate events and meetings. 8,686 available sq. ft., up to 257 guests. 901-5251800; info@cphotelmemphis.com. 300 N. Second St. • ihg.com/crowneplaza

Crowne Plaza East Memphis by IHG

Corporate events and meetings. 15,000 available sq. ft., up to 800 guests. 901-3626200. 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. • ihg.com/ crowneplaza

Curio by Hilton at Central Station

Corporate events and meetings. Up to 6,572 sq.ft. for 10-500 guests. 901-524-5247; inquire@centralstationmemphis.com.

545 S. Main St.

Doubletree Hilton in Memphis Downtown

Corporate events and meetings. 6,252 available sq. ft., 5-400 guests. 901-5281540. 201 Union Ave. • hilton.com

Doubletree Hilton (Sanderlin)

Corporate events and meetings. 6,000 available sq. ft., 8-300 guests. 901-7676666; 5069 Sanderlin Ave. • hilton.com

Embassy Suites Memphis

Corporate events and meetings. Up to 3,000 sq. ft., 15-200 guests. 901-684-1777.

1022 S. Shady Grove Rd. • embassysuites3. hilton.com

Guest House at Graceland

Corporate events and conferences.

22,000 available sq. ft., up to 1,200 guests. 1-800-238-2000; ghagsales@ guesthousegraceland.com. 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd. • guesthousegraceland.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis–Beale Street

Corporate events and meetings. 1,200 available sq. ft. for up to 50 guests. 901260-4000. 175 Peabody Pl. • hilton.com

Hilton Garden Inn (Downtown)

Corporate events and conferences. Up to 1,278 sq. ft. for 10-70 guests. 901-528-1540.

201 Union Ave. • hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com

Hilton (Ridge Lake Blvd.)

Corporate events and meetings. Up to 30,000 available sq. ft. for up to 1,600 guests. 901-684-6664. 939 Ridge Lake Blvd. www3.hilton.com

Holiday Inn (Downtown)

Corporate events and meetings. 425-3,456 sq. ft., 12-300 guests. 901-525-5491; cateringmemdn@isquarecap.com. 160 Union Ave. • hisdowntownmemphis.com

Holiday Inn (University of Memphis)

Social and corporate events and conferences. 14,244 available sq. ft., 15-1,500 guests. 901-678-8200; dspeight@ holidayinnuofm.com. 3700 Central Ave. ihg.com

Holiday Inn Express (Medical Center Midtown)

Small meetings. Meeting rooms available for small groups as available. 901-276-1175; 1180 Union Ave. • ihg.com Hotel Indigo

Corporate meetings and events. 560-720 sq. ft., up to 50 guests. 901-527-2215; info@ downtownmemphishotel.com. 22 North B.B. King Boulevard. • ihg.com

Hu. Hotel

Corporate events and meetings. 476-2,052 sq. ft. for 15-315 guests. 901-333-1200; info@huhotelmemphis.com. 79 Madison Ave. • huhotelmemphis.com

Hyatt Centric on Beale Street

Meetings and conferences. Up to 9,000 available sq. ft. for 10-560 guests. 901-4443232; MEMCT-RFP@hyatt.com. 33 Beale St. hyatt.com

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Farm Fresh Flowers That Bring Smiles All Over Our City

Locations: 2316 S. Germantown Rd. Germantown • 6779 Stage Rd. Bartlett 1149 Union Ave. Downtown/Midtown hollidayflowers.com • 901.753.2400

Hyatt Place Memphis (Primacy Parkway)

Meetings. Up to 1,170 sq. ft., 20-50 guests.

901-680-9700; alyse.purdy@hyatt.com. 1220 Primacy Pkwy. • memphisprimacyparkway. place.hyatt.com La Quinta Inn & Suites

by Wyndham–Downtown

Corporate events and meetings. 800 sq. ft., 5-55 guests. 901-522-2383. 310 Union Ave. wyndhamhotels.com

Marriott Memphis East

Corporate events and meetings. 22,553 available sq. ft., 8-300 guests. 901-6820080. 5795 Poplar Ave. • marriott.com

Peabody Hotel

Corporate events, meetings, and conferences. 80,000 available sq. ft., 102,000 guests. 901-529-4000. 149 Union Ave. peabodymemphis.com

River Inn of Harbor Town

Corporate events and meetings. Banquet hall, meeting room, and terrace options for up to 120 guests. 901-260-3333, ext. 2105; events@riverinnmemphis.com. 50 Harbor Town Sq. riverinnmemphis.com

Staybridge Suites

Small meetings. 800 sq. ft. available for small business meetings. 901-682-1722.

1070 Ridge Lake Blvd. • ihg.com

Springhill Suites Court Square

Corporate events and meetings. 625-2,300 sq. ft., 20-150 guests. 901-522-2100. 85 W. Court Ave. • marriott.com

Westin Memphis Beale Street

Corporate events and meetings. 320-3,040 sq. ft., 8-300 guests. 901-334-5900. 170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. • marriott.com

LARGE VENUES Agricenter International

Corporate events and trade shows. Variety of small and large venues, ranging from 4,800-86,000 sq. ft. 901-757-7777; info@ agricenter.org. 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. agricenter.org

Beale Street Landing

Large corporate events. Large outdoor space, with capacity up to 5,000+ guests. 901-312-9190. 251 Riverside Dr. partymemphis.com

Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

Large corporate events and conferences.

Large theater-capacity events with 2,100 seats. 901-576-1200. 255 N. Main St. • thecannoncenter.com

FedExForum

Large corporate events and meetings.

Large stadium with a variety of venue options for 30-17,500 guests. 901-205-1522; booking@grizzlies.com. 191 Beale St. • fedexforum.com

Landers Center

Large corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Multiple venue options, from 46817,010 sq. ft., 30-1,888 guests. 662-280-9120; ahunt@landerscenter.com. 4560 Venture Dr., Southaven, MS. • landerscenter.com

Memphis Sports and Events Center

227,000-sq.-ft. youth sports facility at Liberty Park with capabilities for large corporate events and meetings. 901-695-1209. 995 Early Maxwell Rd. • themsec.com

Renasant Convention Center

Large corporate events, meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Over 300,000 available sq. ft. of meeting, exhibit, and pre-function space. 901-576-1200. 255 N. Main St.• memphistravel.com

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

Large corporate events. Large stadium and fairgrounds with variety of venue options for 125-58,325 guests. 901-729-4077. 335 S. Hollywood St. • thelibertybowlstadium.com

PUBLIC AutoZone Park

Corporate events and meetings. Indoor and outdoor venues available. Capacity depends on venue. 901-721-6000. 200 Union Ave. • memphisredbirds.com

Ballet Memphis

Four separate event spaces, from 775 sq. ft.

Board Room for corporate events to 3900 sq. ft . Fly Studio for weddings and social events up to 300 people. 901-737-7322; csage@balletmemphis.org. 2144 Madison Ave. • balletmemphis.org

Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center

Corporate events and small meetings.

Smaller room options or auditorium for 75-350 guests. 901-385-6440. 3663 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN. • bpacc.org

Blues Hall of Fame

Corporate events. Entry level and ground level spaces for 100 guests. 901-527-2583, ext. 13; andrew@blues.org. 421 S. Main St. blues.org

Brooks Museum of Art

Corporate events and meetings. Meeting and reception options for 20-400 guests. 901-544-6200. 1934 Poplar Ave. (Information subject to change during the move downtown in December 2026). brooksmuseum.org

Cotton Museum

Corporate events. 3,200 sq. ft. for up to 150 guests. 901-531-7826; rentals@ memphiscottonmuseum.org. 65 Union Ave. memphiscottonmuseum.org

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Corporate events and meetings. Pavilion and auditorium options for 20-250 guests.

901-761-5250, ext. 101. scatmur@dixon.org.

4339 Park Ave. Dixon.org

Metal Museum

Corporate events. First floor of the Library Building for small meetings; terrace and tented outdoor areas for 300-800 guests.

901-774-6380; rentals@metalmuseum.org.

374 Metal Museum Dr. (Information subject to change during the September 2026 move to Overton Park). • metalmuseum.org

Mirimichi Golf Course

Corporate events. Indoor and outdoor venues for 10-800 guests. 901-259-3800.

6195 Woodstock Cuba Rd., Millington, TN. • mirimichievents.com

MoSH (Museum of Science and History)

Corporate and special events in acclaimed Pink Palace. 901-636-2362. 3050 Central Avenue.• moshmemphis.com

Graceland (Home of Elvis Presley)

National Civil Rights Museum

Halloran Centre at the Orpheum Theatre

Opera Memphis

Corporate events and meetings. Multiple indoor and outdoor facilities for small and large gatherings. 901-473-6005. 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd. • graceland.com

Corporate events, meetings, private parties, special events. 1,011-3,500 sq. ft., 45-361 guests. 901-525-3000; adams@orpheummemphis.org. 225 S. Main St. • orpheummemphis.com

Kroc Center

Corporate events and meetings.

Conference and hall space for between 12-100 guests. 901-729-8007; events@ krocmemphis.org. 800 East Parkway S. krocmemphis.org

Memphis Botanic Garden

Corporate events. Variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for 2-600 guests. 901-6364125; rentals@memphisbotanicgarden.com.

750 Cherry Rd. • mbgrentals.com

Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum

Corporate events and conferences.

Museum exhibit included. 850-8,500 sq. ft., 60-300 guests. 901-205-2533; annette@ memphisrocknsoul.org. 191 Beale St. Also offers Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum for receptions and corporate events. 2,500 sq. ft. 30-100 guests. memphisrocknsoul.org

Memphis Zoo

Corporate and special events and weddings. Indoor and outdoor spaces for up to 3,000 guests. 901-333-6571. 2000 Prentiss Pl. • memphiszoo.org

Corporate events and meetings.

Conference rooms and auditorium, plus outdoor space available. 901-521-9699, ext.

2439; bwilliams@civilrightsmuseum.org.

450 Mulberry St. • civilrightsmuseum.org Corporate events. 1,450-5,400 sq. ft. lobby and hall spaces. 901-257-3100; info@ operamemphis.org. 216 S. Cooper St. operamemphis.org

Orpheum Theatre

Corporate events. Small rooms and main auditorium available for 70-2,300 guests. 901529-4234; brown@orpheum-memphis.com.

203 S. Main St. • orpheum-memphis.com

Playhouse on the Square

Corporate events and meetings.

Auditorium and meeting facilities for 12-347 guests. 901-725-0776; tyler@ playhouseonthesquare.org. 66 S. Cooper St.• playhouseonthesquare.org

Ridgeway Country Club

Corporate events. Indoor and outdoor spaces for between 200-350 guests.

901-853-2247, ext. 106; bernadetteslavin@ ridgewaycountryclub.com. 9800 Poplar Ave.• ridgewaycountryclub.com

Stax Museum

Corporate events. Museum space available for 10-450 guests. 901-261-6338; jeff. kollath@soulsvillefoundation.org. 926 E. McLemore Ave. • staxmuseum.com

West Memphis Eugene Woods Civic Center

Corporate events and meetings. Meeting rooms available for up to 1,000 guests.

870-732-7597; khamilton@citywm.com.

212 West Polk Ave., West Memphis, AR. explorewestmemphis.com

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TPC Southwind

Corporate events and meetings. Membership is not required. 580-1,952 sq. ft., 30-120 guests. 901-748-0330; AprilDoby@pgatourtpc.com. 3325 Club at Southwind. tpc.com

University Club of Memphis

Corporate events and meetings. Variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for 12-450 guests. 901-772-3700; banquets@ ucmem.com. 1346 Central Ave. • ucmem.com

Victory Ranch

Corporate events. Outdoor team building experiences for businesses. 731-659-2880; harrison@victoryranch.org. 4330 Mecklinburg, Bolivar, TN. • victoryranch.org

Ba rt l e t t Performing

rts

& conference center

WE’LL MAKE YOUR EVENT A SUCCESS Conferences. Meetings. Performances. Receptions.

BPACC.org / 901.385.6440

RESTAURANTS B.B. King’s Blues Club

Corporate events. Club available for rent, with room for 25400 guests. 901-524-5464. 143 Beale St. • bbkings.com

Capital Grille

Corporate events. Private dining rooms for 12-50 guests.

901-683-9291. 6065 Poplar Ave. • thecapitalgrille.com

Char Restaurant

Corporate events and meetings. Woodland and Bluff Rooms can seat up to 14 and 48 guests, respectively. 901-2493533; private.dining.memphis@charrestaurant.com. 431 S. Highland St. • memphis.charrestaurant.com

Corky’s BBQ

Private party room for minimum of 25 people, 3-hour maximum. 901-685-9744. 5259 Poplar Ave. • corkysbbq.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Corporate events. Private rooms available for 25-65 guests.

901-761-6200. 6245 Poplar Ave. • flemingssteakhouse.com

Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

Corporate events. Private dining and event rooms for up to 80 guests. 901-762-8200; groupsales@folksfolly.com. 551 S. Mendenhall Rd. • folksfolly.com

No Ordinary Venues, Only Extraordinary Memories

Lafayette’s Music Room

Corporate events. Various rental options for 12-325 guests.

901-207-5097; sales@lafayettesmusicroom.com. 2119 Madison Ave. • lafayettes.com

Loflin Yard

Corporate events, weddings, and special events. Indoor bar and outdoor private and semi-private areas available. 901453-4777; info@loflinyard.com. 7 W. Carolina Ave. loflinyard.com

Iris

Corporate events; private dining rooms for 4-30 guests. 901590-2828; catering@restaurantiris.com. 4550 Poplar Ave. restaurantiris.com

Owen Brennan’s

Private events and private rooms. 901-761-0990; https:// www.brennansmemphis.com/private-events-catering. 6150 Poplar Suite 150. • brennansmemphis.com

Put your event center stage at the Orpheum Theatre or Halloran Centre. For nearly 100 years, countless memories have been made at the corner of Main & Beale. Whether you’re hosting a small reception or a large conference, we can help make your next event one your guests will never forget.

Learn more or request pricing at

Orpheum-Memphis.com/Rent

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S

MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART World- C l a s s A r c h ite c t u r e . S e a mle s s Event Planning. Built for Ever y Occasion.

The Memphis Art Museum provides an unforgettable backdrop for any event. A flexible platform for groups to gather and connect. Think of the Memphis Art Museum for your next corporate retreat, outing, sponsor reception, board meeting, gala, and more.

The Boardroom features cutting-edge plug-and-play digital tech for flawless executive meetings.

The Rooftop Pavilion offers breathtaking, elevated skyline views and is surrounded by a quarter-mile walking trail and sculpture garden for grand receptions.

The River Window Terrace includes amphitheater-style seating for 150 plus another 2,500 sq. ft. of open-air, and covered space that opens up to the Mississippi River for your most beautiful background.

The Theater is perfect for presentations, panels, screenings, and curated experiences, giving groups a

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sophisticated space with state of the art technology and the cultural energy only Memphis’ Art Museum can offer.

The Courtyard anchors the campus between the galleries and the river, providing a stunning, open-air hub for private celebrations.

Book now! Call 901.205.9191 or email events@brooksmuseum.org.

Food and Beverage — Full catering kitchen, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack service, coffee and beverage, and full bar service available.

SPECIFICATIONS SPACES: The Boardroom — Seated 30, Standing 30 The Rooftop Pavilion — Banquet: 180 seated, Theater Style: 280, Cocktail 250 The Courtyard — Banquet: 750, Theater Style Cocktail: 1000 River Window — Banquet: 200 , Theater Style: 330, Cocktail: 250 Theater & Mezzanine — Theater Style: 200, Cocktail: 250

Excursions — Arrange for additional activities such as a private figure drawing or floral arranging class, a guided tour of your favorite galleries, or a wine paired with art happy hour on your schedule: in between your work day, as an extra-curricular to your event, or as an employee appreciation initiative!

FOOD AND BEVERAGE: Full catering kitchen. Food, coffee, and bar service

available.

AV & TECHNOLOGY: Portable A/V systems including mixing panels, SPEAKERS, WIRELESS MICS, A PODIUM WITH MICROPHONE, TWO 85” 4K TVS, AND MORE. HYBRID MEETING CAPABILITIES FOR UP TO 30 IN-PERSON GUESTS. THEATER SPACE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CAPABILITIES, INCLUDING AN 18X12’ SCREEN AND A HIGH-LUMEN PROJECTOR, RECORDING AND LIVE-STREAMING CAPABILITIES, AND MORE. BOOKINGS: Events@brooksmuseum.org; 901.205.9191

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1. Riverside Evening 2. Classroom View 3. Courtyard Entry View 4. River Window View 5. Front Street View

Renderings courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron

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P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S

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1. Crosstown Concourse: Located in the heart of Memphis.

2. The East Atrium: Atop the red spiral staircase, the East Atrium is surrounded by Crosstown Arts’ galleries, providing a space where your creativity can shine.

This space can accommodate corporate meetings, weddings, and fundraisers alike. Combine with the Crosstown Arts’ Art Bar and Green Room for an expanded space.

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3. Crosstown Arts Theater: This flexible space offers a state-ofthe-art audio/visual system, VIP lounge, catering kitchen, and multiple dressing rooms.

Configurable to auditorium, banquet-style, or open floor, this space perfectly fits elegant dinners, giant dance parties, and corporate meetings.

4. Satellite Music Hall: Satellite Music Hall is the newest addition to Memphis’ live music scene.

The 1,300-capacity venue fills a longstanding gap in the local market, offering a purpose-built performance space designed to take events of all kinds to the next level. In addition to a diverse concert calendar, this exciting new venue accommodates events ranging from 25 to 1,300 guests across 30,000 square feet and offers full-service event production, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, access to

world-class entertainment, and customized catering and cocktail programs for private events.

5. The Vinyl Room: For smaller gatherings, the Vinyl Room offers an elevated, hospitality-driven experience. Inspired by Japanese high-fidelity listening lounges, the intimate space reimagines the listening bar concept. A curated collection of vinyl and music memorabilia lines the walls, celebrating Memphis’ rich

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE Crosstown Concourse is a fully renovated, 1920s art-deco building located in the heart of Memphis — a vibrant destination where art, commerce, wellness, and community intersect. With its dynamic mix of restaurants, event spaces, and cultural experiences, Concourse is a vertical urban village that offers a one-of-a-kind environment to gather.

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SPECIFICATIONS: CROSSTOWN ARTS THEATER: Capacity 900*, proscenium or open floor, catering

kitchen, audio/visual package, movie-grade projector, integrated audio, and lighting system THE EAST ATRIUM: Capacity 600*, configurable open space, stage, audio/visual, and catering kitchen THE GREEN ROOM: Capacity 140*, configurable space, modular stage, full audio/visual, and catering kitchen THE GLASS ROOM: Capacity 60*, classroom or auditorium, projector and screen with integrated audio THE COMMUNITY ROOM: Capacity 100, configurable space, audio/visual, kitchenette MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB: Capacity 70 SOUTH PLAZA: 29,000 sq ft flexible outdoor space NORTH PLAZA: 8,000 sq ft flexible outdoor space SATELLITE MUSIC HALL: MAIN HALL: Capacity 1,300*, configurable, two-level space, audio/visual

package, catering kitchen, full-service event production VINYL ROOM: Capacity 75*, configurable space, catering kitchen, full-service

event production *Can be combined offering expanded space.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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LOCATION: 1350 Concourse Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 CONTACT: info@crosstownconcourse.com WEBSITE: crosstownconcourse.com

musical legacy.

6. The Green Room: Draped in dark green velvet, this intimate venue sits next to the East Atrium and connects to Crosstown Arts’ Art Bar. Perfect for a private dinner, holiday party, or artistic wedding.

7. South Plaza & North Plaza: The

South Plaza offers a broad open area in front of Concourse’s main entrance. In front of Crosstown Arts Theater, the North Plaza can be configured individually or as an add-on to the theater.

8. Memphis Listening Lab: Surround yourself with over 50,000

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vinyl albums in one of the most unique spaces in Memphis. Book just the listening room or the entire lab.

9. Crosstown Arts’ Glass Room: This small space is perfect for training sessions, board meetings, and more. Not pictured.

10. Church Health Community

Room: Centrally located in Concourse, the Community Room is perfect for meetings and offers flexible setup, equipped with kitchenette and audio/visual. Not pictured.

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P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S

ELVIS PRESLEY’S GRACELAND Graceland offers more than 100,000 square feet of event space throughout its campus — including more than 20 unique spaces to entertain and delight your guests. From Graceland Soundstage to the Guest House Grand Ballroom, our venues are flexible and accommodating to events of all sizes, whether a small, private ceremony or a large-scale reception.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex allows guests to take in the rock ‘n’ roll experience while enjoying music, food, and fun! At Presley Motors, guests can enjoy dinner and drinks surrounded by Elvis’ classic cars, including his iconic pink Cadillac! We also offer the option to add after-hours tours of Graceland Mansion, which offers guests a unique and exclusive experience.

Graceland Soundstage, one of Graceland’s most popular and versatile spaces, has played host to corporate meetings, conferences, trade shows, sporting events, concerts and more. The space offers three large projection screens, an expandable stage, full sound and lights, dressing rooms and concession area.

The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel boasts 430 spacious rooms with a king or two queen beds and 20 themed specialty suites. The

Grand Ballroom, at almost 11,000 square feet, is the hotel’s largest meeting space, divisible into five separate meeting rooms. The hotel is also home to the TCB Showroom, a 413-seat dinner theater, with a mix of intimate table seating close to the stage and comfortable stadium seating in the Mezzanine. Adjacent to the hotel is Graceland’s Chapel in the Woods, our beautiful wedding chapel.

The Graceland Exhibition Center is the largest event space on the Graceland campus.

With four bays of almost 10,000 square feet each and 18,000+ square foot adjacent concourse, the possibilities for this space are endless.

From an event with the flair of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — to a blank canvas on which you can create your own atmosphere, we offer a turnkey solution for planning — from the venue to on-site catering. Come let Graceland rock your next event.

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SPECIFICATIONS CAPACITY: Elvis Presley’s Memphis can accommodate up to 3,000 guests. The

Graceland Exhibition Center has 60,000 square foot of space for groups up to 3,000+. The Guest House at Graceland offers more than 22,000 square feet of space accommodating groups of up to 1,100.

CATERING: Graceland Events & Catering has pre-designed menus to choose from or can customize any menu.

BARTENDERS: Full bar services available.

PRESENTATIONS: Full-service audio and video setup and services available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LOCATION: Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis CONTACT: Graceland Events — 866.757.7007, 901.473.6005, events@graceland.com WEBSITE: PartywithElvis.com and GuestHouseGraceland.com

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Elvis Presley’s Graceland offers multiple event spaces to have your next special event: 1. Presley Motors Automobile Museum: Surround your guests with Elvis’ classic cars while enjoying dinner and drinks.

2. Graceland Soundstage: Our most versatile space, offering projection screens, expandable stage, sound, lights and more!

3. The Guest House at Graceland Grand Ballroom: The hotel’s largest meeting space, with the option to

divide into five separate meeting rooms.

4. The TCB Showroom: The perfect spot for a reception or dinner with a live entertainment element.

5. Graceland Exhibition Center Concourse: Over 18,000 square feet,

featuring four separate food bays and abundant space for additional bars. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.

SPECIAL PROMOTION

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P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S

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1. The Memphis Botanic Garden is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization centrally located in the heart of Memphis. Your event rental helps support yearround educational & community programming and horticultural efforts. Photo Credit: Mike Kerr

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2. Hardin Hall: At 5,400 square feet, Hardin Hall is the largest indoor event space at the Garden and includes an outdoor terrace.

Located inside the Garden’s Visitors Center this venue easily connects with other spaces for larger or staged events.

Photo Credit: Alex Ginsburg Photographics

3. Goldsmith Room: This flexible indoor space just over 3,330 square feet offers direct Garden access via the Sculpture Garden and is located inside the Garden’s Visitors Center. Removable

walls and nearby add-on smaller spaces offer the opportunity for breakouts sessions, simultaneous programming, & pre- or postevent spaces.

4. Sara’s Place: A short walk from the Garden’s Visitors Center, Sara’s Place offers a large,

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN Celebrate every day with 96 acres of versatile spaces in the heart of Memphis. From corporate retreats to outdoor picnics and holiday parties, you will find the perfect space to elevate your next event.

The Garden offers multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces for groups of all sizes. Rentals include personalized event layouts plus complimentary parking, parking lot security, and an on-site concierge.

About the Memphis Botanic Garden: The Memphis Botanic Garden is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to being an exemplary center for horticulture and environmental enrichment. Serving over 40,000 school-aged children annually, and hosting over 260,000 visitors

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each year, Memphis Botanic Garden strives to enhance lives by connecting people with nature, increasing awareness and appreciation of our environment.

The 96-acre property includes 30 specialty gardens, a TUFC Level 4 & ArbNet Level 2 Arboretum, a 2.5-acre children’s garden, and an outdoor event amphitheater.

SPECIFICATIONS: CAPACITY: The Memphis Botanic Garden offers 96 acres of versatile venues for

corporate events & private rentals. The multiple flexible indoor and outdoor spaces available can accommodate from 10 to 500 all within the beautiful grounds of the Garden.

CATERING: The Garden offers a diverse list of the Mid-South’s best caterers for you to choose from.

BARTENDERS: Full bar service is available.

PRESENTATIONS: Select spaces include projector(s) and retractable screen(s), audio, and more.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: LOCATION: 750 Cherry Road; Memphis, TN 38117 CONTACT: 901.636.4121, rentals@membg.org WEBSITE: membg.org/rentals

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flexible indoor floor plan with an adjacent outdoor patio overlooking The Woodland. Large glass windows offer views of the Garden. At 2,750 square feet it works well for panel discussions, private parties, award ceremonies, and corporate retreats.

5. Water Garden & Water Garden Room: The Water Garden Room is approximately 600 square feet and features floor-to-ceiling views of the recently modernized Water Garden.

The adjacent 1,600 square foot Water Garden features a landscaped patio with water feature and colorful

sculpture. These spaces work well for small gatherings or as an add-on to one of the nearby venues. Water Garden Photo Credit: Steve Roberts.

6. On the Grounds: The Garden offers 30 specialty gardens over 96 acres. From dramatic backdrops in the Japanese Garden to the

sweeping vista of the Great Lawn and more intimate settings such as the Sensory Garden or Blecken Pavilion, you will be sure to find your perfect place at the Garden.

Japanese Garden Photo Credit: Mike

Photo Credit: Steve Roberts

Kerr

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P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S

RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER From the moment guests arrive at the Renasant Convention Center, it is easy to imagine an event taking shape. Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, the venue offers flexible meeting spaces, large-scale event halls, riverfront views, indooroutdoor options, and the built-in support needed to bring events of all sizes to life.

The RCC features 46 meeting rooms for business meetings, workshops, breakout sessions, and training seminars. Larger spaces, including the Grand Ballroom, can be configured in multiple sizes for banquets, galas, receptions, and general sessions. The 118,000-squarefoot, column-free exhibit hall provides an open, adaptable setting for expos, performances, concerts, cheer competitions, and other large-scale events.

Beyond the interior spaces, outdoor areas along Main Street and Front Street offer additional opportunities for block parties, activations, and events that take advantage of the energy of downtown Memphis. For more elevated gatherings, select rooms feature river views and access to a connected patio, creating a beautiful setting for weddings, receptions, and celebratory events. Spacious lobbies throughout the venue add even more flexibility, offering convenient areas for registration, networking, vendor booths, activations, and pre-function gatherings outside the rooms.

From IT, electrical, and audiovisual capabilities to full food and beverage service, all the essentials are in place.

In 2024, RK Group Bluff city joined the RCC team as the official food and beverage partner. They bring chef-driven, customizable menus and a fresh culinary perspective to events of every size. With a focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, their team creates dining experiences that can be tailored to each client’s taste,

theme, dietary needs, and guest count.

Prestige AV & Creative Services offers complete audiovisual production services, including sound, projection, lighting, video, staging support, rigging, and on-site technical expertise. Whether you’re hosting a board meeting, conference, trade show, or live event, customized solutions are available to create a seamless and professional experience.

The venue also makes downtown access easier with a connected parking garage offering 1,086 spaces and direct access into the building.

For clients, that combination of space, service, and support makes a meaningful difference.

“The entire RCC staff was amazing… a true extension of our team, checking our meeting spaces and checking in with our staff frequently and consistently” – Adrienne Richardson, Orgill For events built around interaction, education, and community, the flexibility of the space is especially important.

“Ours is a show that’s known not just for walking past a booth but for engagement. The RCC allows us to have educational, economic, and exhibit components, in a facility where we can encourage dialogue” – Tim Price. Mis-South Farm & Gin Show With adaptable spaces, experienced partners, and a location rooted in downtown Memphis, the Renasant Convention Center continues to serve as a place where meetings, celebrations, conventions, and community moments come together.

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SPECIFICATIONS POST-MODERNIZATION ACCOLADES

• Smart Stars Award for Best Convention Center —Smart Meetings • Annual Centers of Excellence and Best Customer Service & On-Site Support Awards — Exhibitor Magazine • Readers’ Choice Award — ConventionSouth Magazine • Metamorphosis Award — Retrofit Magazine • Best Renovation – Large Category — Memphis Business Journal CAPACITY:

• 300,000 SF of flexible meeting, exhibit & pre-function space • 118,000-SF column-free Exhibit Hall (the largest in the region) • 28,000-SF ballroom • 2,100 Seats at the adjoining Cannon Center for Performing Arts • 46 Flexible meeting rooms, totaling over 90,000 SF • 600 Hotel rooms at the connected Sheraton Memphis Downtown ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LOCATION: 255 N. Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103 CONTACT: Camille Wellington, Director of Events at cwellington@memphisrcc.com WEBSITE: renasantconventioncenter.com

1. An event on the Main Street Plaza outside Renasant Convention Center, photo by: Creation Studios 2. NATE UNITE Conference at Renasant Convention Center, photo by: Julian Harper 3. River View Lobby, photo by: Creation Studios

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Celebrate Your Company’s Milestone

Contemporary Media — locally owned publisher of Inside Memphis Business, Memphis Magazine, the Memphis Flyer, and more — is proud to offer book publishing for your company. We produce the finest quality books through our Creative Content division for many of the Memphis area’s leading businesses.

For additional information or to discuss the creation of your book or other custom content for your brand, please contact: Jeffrey A. Goldberg | 901.606.7542 | goldberg@contemporary-media.com

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E D U C AT I O N Evangelical Christian School

PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE MID-SOUTH Bodine School

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Bornblum Jewish Community School

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Briarcrest Christian School

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Christ Methodist Day School

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

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N T H E S E PAG E S ,

we present information about independent schools, those with optional programs, schools for special needs, and more.

Whichever place you choose will help lead your child down the road to success.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/ISTOCK

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Christ the King Lutheran School

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Fayette Academy

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First Assembly Christian School

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Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School

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Harding Academy

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Christian Brothers High School

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Collegiate School of Memphis

Immanuel Lutheran School

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Concord Academy

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Hutchison School

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Lamplighter Montessori School

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E D U C AT I O N Lausanne Collegiate School

1381 W. Massey, 38120 • 474-1000 • lausanneschool.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK2-12 • Tuition: $15,132-$31,257 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 900; 7:1 • Religious affiliation: nonsectarian • Beforeand after-school care: yes Madonna Learning Center

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School 8151 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 •

753-1181 • olphowls. org/ • Student body: coed • Grades: PreK 1-8 • Tuition: $5,744-$9,321 Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 196, 8:1 (Fall 2025) • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Beforeand after-school care: yes

Presbyterian Day School 4025

7007 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 • madonnalearning.org • 901-752-5767 • Ages: 4-40+. • Tuition: $17,628 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 108; 4:1 (lower school program) • Provides individualized education and vocational training for children and adults with special needs.

Poplar, 38111 • 842-4600 • pdsmemphis.org • Student body: male • Grades: Age YK- 6th • Tuition: $8,480-$26,460 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 485; 9:1 (Fall 2025) • Religious affiliation: Presbyterian • Before- and afterschool care: yes

Margolin Hebrew AcademyFeinstone Yeshiva of the South 390 S. White Station, 38117 • 682-

280 High St., Rossville, 38066 • 853-0200 • rossvillechristian.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK-12 • Tuition: $8,791-$12,123 (financial aid available) • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 375; 12:1• Religious affiliation: Interdenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: Yes

2400 • mhafyos.org • Grades: PreK-12/co-ed (PreK3-8), female (9-12), male (9-12) • Tuition: $8,750-$20,950 • Enrollment: 190 • Religious affiliation: Jewish • Before- and after-school care: after only

Maria Montessori School

740 Harbor Bend Rd., 38103 • 527-3444 • mariamontessorischool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 18 mos.-8 • Tuition: $11,460-$12,000 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 100; 11:1• Religious affiliation: none • Before- and after-school care: no Memphis Adventist Academy

50 N. Mendenhall, 38117 • 683-1061 • memphisadventistacademy.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK-10 • Tuition: $7,000-$8,600 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 93, 13:1 • Religious affiliation: Seventhday Adventist • Before- and after-school care: yes Memphis University School

6191 Park, 38119 • 260-1300 • musowls.org • Student body: male • Grades: 7-12 • Tuition: $26,800 • Student-faculty ratio: 7:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational • Before- and after-school care: after only

New Hope Christian Academy 3000 University St., 38127 •

358-3183 • newhopememphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 3 years-6 • Tuition: $12,750 (financial aid available, need-based on a sliding scale) • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 423, 12:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: after only, K-7th

Northpoint Christian School

7400 Getwell Rd., Southaven, MS, 38672 • 662349-3096 • ncstrojans.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK3-12 • Tuition: $8,165$13,675 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 1,046; 15:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes

Rossville Christian Academy

St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove,

38117 • 767-1377 • saa-sds.org • Student body: St. Agnes, female; St. Dominic, male • Grades: 2K-12 (girls), 2K-8 (boys) • Tuition: $9,200-$23,725 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 796; 9:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: yes

St. Benedict at Auburndale High School 8250 Varnavas Drive

at Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 260-2840 • sbaeagles.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 9-12 • Tuition: $17,880-$19,025 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 337; 7:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: no St. George’s Independent School - Collierville Campus

1880 Wolf River Blvd., Collierville 38017 • 457-2000 • sgis. org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK-5 Germantown & Memphis locations • Grades: 6-12 at Collierville • Tuition: $18,400-$26,700 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 986 (all locations) (Fall 205); 5:1 • Religious affiliation: Episcopal • Before- and after-school care: yes (PK-8th).

Additional Locations: Germantown Campus, 8250 Poplar, 38138 • 261-2300 • Grades: PreK5; Memphis Campus, 3749 Kimball Avenue, 38111 • 261-3920 • Grades: PreK-5 St. Mary’s Episcopal School

60 Perkins Extd., 38117 • 537-1472 • stmarysschool.org • Student body: female • Grades: Age 2 yrs.-12 • Tuition: $5,600-$28,800 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 783; 8:1 • Religious affiliation: Episcopal • Before- and after-school care: after only

Tipton-Rosemark Academy

Holy Rosary School 4841 Park,

Trinity Christian Academy 10

Incarnation Catholic Preschool 360 Bray Station Rd.

8696 Rosemark Road, Millington, TN 38053 • 829-6500 • tiptonrosemarkacademy. net • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K2-12 • Tuition $6,479-$11,456 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 698; 18:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes Windy City Rd., Jackson, TN, 38305 • 731-6688500 • tcalions.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Pre-K–12 • Tuition: $7,937-$13,717 • RISE/REACH program: $17,000-$21,940 • Little Lions: Infants and Toddlers • Tuition: $563-$1,022 Monthly. Little Lion students can enroll in a 10- or 12-month pay plan.

Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 650 (Fall 2024); 9:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian, Interdenominational • Before- and afterschool care: yes (including holidays

University School of Jackson

232 McClellan Rd., Jackson, TN, 38305 • 731-664-0812 • usjbruins.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 6 wks.-12 • Tuition: $8,000-$14,700 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 1,100; 10:1 (Fall 2025) • Religious affiliation: nondenominational • Before- and after-school care: after-school care and summer daycare

Westminster Academy 2520

Ridgeway Rd., 38119 • 380-9192 • wamemphis. com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: JK-12 • Tuition $8,600-$18,875 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 455; 7:1 • Religious affiliation: Classical Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes

West Memphis Christian School 1101 N. Missouri St., West Memphis,

AR, 72301 • 870-400-4000 • wmcs.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K-12 • Tuition: $8,500-$9,700 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 218, 9:1 (Fall 2024) • Religious affiliation: Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes

Woodland Presbyterian School 5217 Park, 38119 • 685-0976 •

woodlandschool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 2 years-8 • Tuition: $6,050$18,850 (Tuition Assistance available) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 340; 7:1 • Religious affiliation: Presbyterian • Beforeand after-school care: yes

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Christian Brothers High School 5900 Walnut Grove, 38120 •

261-4900 • cbhs.org • Student body: male • Grades: 9-12 • Tuition: $18,320 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 735; 11:1 • Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic • Before- and afterschool care: no

38117 • 685-1231 • holyrosarymemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK2-8 • Tuition: $8,570-$9,380; $21,900 for languagebased learning differences • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 450, 20:1 (Fall 2025) • Before- and after-school care: yes

Collierville, 38017 • 861-5414 • goics.org • Ages 1-4 • Enrollment: 150 (Fall 2024) • Before- and after-school care: yes Our Lady of Perpetual Help School 8151 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 •

753-1181 • olphowls.org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK-8 • Tuition: $3,539-$9,078 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 215, 8:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: yes

St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove,

38117 • 767-1356 • saa-sds.org • Student body: St. Agnes, female; St. Dominic, male • Grades: 2K-12 (girls), 2K-8 (boys) • Tuition: $6,700-$22,800 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 795; 7:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: yes

St. Ann School – Bartlett 6529

Stage Rd., 38134 • 386-3328 • sascolts.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK-8 • Tuition: $8,100 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 200+, 14:1 (Fall 2024)• Before- and afterschool care: yes

St. Benedict at Auburndale High School 8250 Varnavas at

Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 2602840 • sbaeagles.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 9-12 • Tuition: $16,630-$17,775 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 450; 16:1 (Fall 2024)• Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: no St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School 2100 N. Germantown Pkwy.,

Cordova, TN 38016 • 901-388-7321 • sfawolves. org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 2K-8 • Tuition: $10,925-$11,475 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 400; 15:1 • Before and after school care: yes

St. Louis School 5192 Shady Grove

Rd., 38117 • 255-1900 • stlouismemphis.org/• Student body: co-ed • Grades: PreK3-8 • Tuition: $5,490-$10,150 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 532; 15:1 (Fall 2024) • Beforeand after-school care: yes

St. Paul Catholic School

1425 E. Shelby Dr., 38116 • 346-0862 • stpaulschoolmemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-8 • Tuition: $5,900 (Fall 2024) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 250; 22:1 (Fall 2024)

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MEMPHIS MEMPHIS SSCCHHOOOOLL OOFF EEXXCCEELLLLEENNCCEE

Excellence & Equity in STEM Education Excellence & Equity in STEM Education

Tuition Free, Free, College College Tuition Preparatory Public Public Charter Charter Preparatory

Mendenhall Mendenhall PreK-8th PreK-8th

Winchester Winchester 9th-12th 9th-12th

WHO WE WE ARE ARE WHO

Memphis School School of ofExcellence Excellenceprovides providesaasafe, safe, Memphis collaborative, college-preparatory college-preparatoryenvironment environmentwith witha a collaborative, strong focus focus on onSTEM: STEM:Science, Science,Technology, Technology, strong Engineering & Math.

We equip students withthe theskills skills Engineering & Math. We equip students with succeed in in the the classroom, classroom,workplace, workplace,and andininlife lifeby by to succeed serving families families all all across acrossMemphis Memphisthrough throughour ourfour four serving campuses. campuses.

15

years years serving serving Memphis Memphis

Cordova Elementary Elementary K-5th K-5th Cordova

Cordova Secondary 6th-12th Cordova Secondary 6th-12th

Mendenhall PreK-8 Mendenhall PreK-8 Winchester 9-12 Winchester Cordova9-12 K-5 Cordova6-12 K-5 Cordova Cordova 6-12

1800+ 1800+ students studentsenrolled enrolledacross across four fourcampuses campuses

100% 100% college collegeacceptance acceptance rate rate

WHAT WHAT WE WE OFFER OFFER

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E D U C AT I O N

MEMPHISSHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS OPTIONAL PROGRAMS 160 S. Hollywood, Room C106, 38112 • 416-5338 • scsk12.org/optional Optional schools offer a world of choices to students. SCS has two optional programs: schools that use the school-within-a-school approach (optional program and traditional classes) and those that are optional-only (meaning all students participate in the program). In the following profiles, optional programs are described, and optional-only schools are designated with an asterisk (*). *Balmoral-Ridgeway Elementary School 5905

Grosvenor Ave., 38119 • 416-2128 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12.org/ balmoralridgeway-es • International Baccalaureate (IB) World School Primary Years Programme. Balmoral Ridgeway promotes education of the whole child with a one-of-a- kind global education.

Bellevue Middle School 575 S.

Bellevue Blvd., 38104 • 416-4488 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12/org/bellevue-ms • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program prepares students for secondary and post-secondary education with enriched language arts, mathematics, and science classes. Art, music, and robotics/STEM classes available.

Bolton High School 7323 Brunswick

Rd., 38002 • 416-1435 • Grades: 9-12 • schools. scsk12.org/bolton-hs • The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides an internationally accepted education which opens the way for graduating students looking for higher education. Automotive technology and Agri-STEM classes are available.

Brownsville Road Elementary School 5292 Banbury, 38134 • 416-

4300 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12. org/brownsvilleroad-es • The Enriched Academics/International Studies program provides students with advanced multicultural educational opportunities and teaches students problem-solving skills to guide them to be self-sufficient.

Central High School 306 S. Bellevue Blvd., 38104 • 416-4500 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/central-hs • The College Preparatory program promotes collegereadiness with honors and AP courses.

Central also offers outstanding arts and athletic programs.

Colonial Middle School 1370

Colonial Rd., 38117 • 416-8980 • Grades:

6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/colonial-ms • With a central focus on arts, academics, and athletics, Colonial offers creative and performing arts classes, enriched academics, and exploratory classes.

of extracurricular activities including cheerleading, school newspaper, Arts and Crafts Club, and more.

Cordova Elementary School

416-8144 • Grades: PreK-5 schools.scsk12.org/ doubletree-es • As a modified Montessori/ Technology school, Double Tree provides a Montessori approach for K-2nd grade and an emphasis on technology for grades 3-5.

7925 C.D. Smith Rd., 38138 • 416-0950 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/germantown- ms • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory, STEM, and World Languages (Latin, French, and Spanish) programs provide every student numerous challenging, educational opportunities; and an array of specialized clubs and extracurricular activities keep students engaged.

Douglass High School 3200 Mt. Olive Rd., 38108 • 416-0990 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/frederickdouglass-hs • The Public Service and Communication Arts program helps students develop 21st-century skills. Students are taught traditional and core academics while having the opportunity to take honors and AP classes as well as career and technical education courses.

7653 Poplar Pike, 38138 • 416- 0955 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/germantown-hs • Germantown’s International Baccalaureate College Preparatory program sets students up for success in the future and is recognized globally. The Creative and Performing Arts program continuously garners national recognition for achievements.

*Douglass Elementary School 1650 Ash St., 38108 • 416-5946

Grahamwood Elementary School 3950 Summer Ave., 38122 •

750 Sanga Rd., Cordova, 38018 • 416-1700 • Grades: 1-5 • scsk12.org/cordova-es • Enriched Academics encourages students to develop and expand artistic, athletic, musical, and media skills with rigorous classes, academic competitions, STEM clubs, athletics, computer education, and art & music classes.

Cordova Middle School 900 Sanga Rd., Cordova, 38018 • 416-2189 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/cordovams • Cordova Middle provides a stimulating learning experience for students interested in computer and environmental sciences.

Extracurricular and after-school activities include robotics and STEM programs.

The school also has indoor and outdoor environment-based learning labs.

Craigmont High School 3333 Covington Pike, 38128 • 416-4312 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/craigmont-hs • Craigmont High boasts a college preparatory program, International Studies Optional Program, Robotics Club, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Junior Chapter, and more; it caters to a wide range of abilities and needs from special education to honors/ advanced placement and dual enrollment.

Craigmont Middle School 3455

Covington Pike, 38128 • 416-7780 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/domain/3406 • The only Optional and International Studies middle school in Shelby County, Craigmont Middle prepares students for higher education by encouraging problem-solving skills and critical thinking while increasing global awareness.

*Cummings School 1037

Cummings, 38106 • 416-7810 • Grades: K-8 • schools.scsk12.org/cummings-k8 • The Developing Masterful Mathematical Minds (DM3) program emphasizes learning of mathematics and integrates these lessons into other areas of the curriculum. Cummings K-8 Optional offers an Enriched Academics program that focuses highly on STEM principles. Cummings also serves as a laboratory school for LeMoyne-Owen College and is provided innovative teaching and learning strategies by the Center for Urban Education (CUE).

*Delano Elementary 1716 Delano Ave., 38127 • 416-3932 • Grades: 1-5 • schools. scsk12.org/delano-es • Delano Optional School is a 2018-19 Reward School that has a STEM, Broadcasting, and Communications Focus. The school also offers a variety

*Double Tree Elementary School 4560 Double Tree Rd., 38109 •

• Grades: *K-5, 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/ douglass-k8 • The Chess and Public Service programs aim to provide opportunities that enrich students with an advanced curriculum.

Downtown Elementary School 10 North Fourth St., 38103 •

416-8400 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12.org/ downtown-es • The Enriched Academics/ Social Studies program takes advantage of its unique urban location by using downtown Memphis as a “living laboratory.”

Students take frequent field trips to historical, educational, and cultural sites; guest speakers from nearby businesses and organizations stop in to speak with the students. A variety of in-school enrichment classes and after-school tuition-based activities are offered.

East High School 3206 Poplar, 38111

• 416-6160 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/ east-hs • East High and its T-STEM Academy encourage students’ growth by emphasizing problem-based learning, professional learning, college and career readiness, and by increasing partnerships with industry, university, and community partnerships to support STEM education.

Germantown Elementary School 2730 Cross Country Dr., 38138

• 416-0945 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12. org/germantown- es • The Enriched Academics/International Studies program teaches students global and community awareness. Students also receive a number of opportunities through a learning garden, French classes, side-by-side concert with Memphis Symphony Orchestra, art expression experiences, partnerships with Germantown Middle and High School, and CLUE classes for gifted students.

Germantown Middle School

Germantown High School

416-5952 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12.org/ grahamwood-es • The Enriched Academics program encourages students to be productive and well-rounded by providing a safe, diverse, and academically challenging environment.

Havenview Middle School

1481 Hester Ln., 38116 • 416-3092 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/havenview-ms • The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program offers rigorous academic concepts while exposing students to real-life experiences to further develop social and intellectual skills.

*Idlewild Elementary School

1950 Linden Ave., 38104 • 416-4566 • Grades: K-5 • schools.scsk12.org/idlewild-es • Idlewild provides a diverse and academically invigorating curriculum that combines enriched science, technology, art, and music.

*John P. Freeman Optional School 5250 Tulane Rd., 38109 •

416-3156 • Grades: 1-8 • schools.scsk12. org/ johnpfreeman-k8 • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program prepares students to succeed globally by instilling rigorous academic practices and by encouraging using a growth mindset and building meaningful relationships.

Keystone Elementary Optional School 4301 Old Allen Rd.,

38128 • 416-3924 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12. org/keystone-es • ECO: Educating Children Through the Outdoors is Keystone’s central focus, where students receive an enriched education in outdoor classrooms (gardens, pond, “grow rooms,” and amphitheatre) and science and computer labs.

Kingsbury High School 1270 N.

Graham St., 38122 • 416-6060 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/kingsbury-hs • With its

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E D U C AT I O N

Global Health Studies: Applied Health Science and Health Science Policy program, Kingsbury prepares students for college with a focus in the healthcare industry. *Maxine Smith STEAM Academy 3 N.

Holmes St., 38111 • 416-4536 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12. org/maxinesmith-ms • The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program is designed to engage students and provide a rigorous curriculum.

*Oak Forest Elementary School 7440 Nonconnah View Cove, 38119 • 416-2257 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12.org/ oakforest-es • With its International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, Oak Forest provides an enriched and globally recognized education.

Overton High School 1770 Lanier Ln., 38117 • 416-2136 • Grades 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/overton-hs • The Creative and Performing Arts program fosters students’ development of talents in the performing arts with programs in vocal and instrumental music, jazz, orchestra, dance, drama, visual arts, broadcasting, and creative writing.

Peabody Elementary School 2086 Young

DO GOOD. BETTER.

Ave., 38104 • 416-4606 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12. org/peabody-es • A multicultural melting pot, Peabody incorporates international studies in its enriched academics program.

Ridgeway High School 2009 Ridgeway Rd., 38119 • 416- 8820 • Grades: 9-12 • schools.scsk12.org/ ridgeway-hs • International Baccalaureate World School.

Ridgeway provides a course of study that is acknowledged worldwide for its rigorous curriculum.

Ridgeway Middle School 6333 Quince Rd., 38119 • 416-1588 • Grades: 6-8 • schools.scsk12.org/ ridgeway-ms • The International Baccalaureate World School Middle Years Programme strives to encourage students to become independent thinkers and risk-takers who are internationally minded.

Riverwood Elementary School 1330

Stern Ln., Cordova, 38016 • 416-2310 • Grades: 1-5 • schools. scsk12.org/ riverwood-es • The Environmental Science and Community Service program encourages students to be community and environmentally conscious.

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We help nonprofits succeed.

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Worship with us!

Each Sunday at 10:30am Rev. Curtis L. Nelson, Pastor Please support the Church with your tithes and offering.

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*Rozelle Elementary School 993 Roland St., 38114 • 416-4612 • Grades: K-5 • schools.scsk12.org/rozellees • In Rozelle’s Creative and Performing Arts Program, instructors use the arts to teach academic subjects and develop individual skills.

Sherwood Elementary School 1156 Robin

Hood Ln., 38111 • 416- 4864 • Grades: 1-5 • schools.scsk12. org/sherwood-es • The Academic Enrichment Through the Arts program provides a challenging curriculum with an emphasis through the arts. Students are required to read classic literature, books, solve problems, and develop writing skills. The program is further enriched by involvement from ARTSmemphis, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Snowden School 1870 N. Parkway, 38112 •

416-4621 • Grades: 1-8 • schools.scsk12.org/snowden-k8 • Snowden’s Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program offers STEM courses while also stressing academics, arts integration, athletics, and social development.

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PARTNERING WITH PARENTS. BUILDING FOR LIFE. At ECS, we are teaching the whole child - academically, athletically, creatively, socially and spiritually - and equipping each of our students through intentional discipleship to become godly leaders in their homes, churches, careers and communities.

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E D U C AT I O N *Springdale-Memphis Magnet Elementary School

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From to At Harding Academy, we teach students that everything they learn is connected to God. In art, we create because we are made in the image of a Creator God. In science, we explore the nature of God by discovering and creating order.

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E D U C AT I O N

Fear of speaking keeps many people from being heard.

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designed to train students in specialized fields that include aviation, robotics, and information technology. Students have the opportunity to work on or finish their Federal Aviation Administration’s private pilot certificates.

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY

Memphis School of Excellence 8364 Macon Rd. 38018 • 590- 2111 • sememphis.org • Various campuses • Grades: PK-12 Memphis STEM Academy 2180 Frayser Blvd.,

38127 • 708-3001 • mbacharterschools.org/memphis-stemacademy • Grades: PK-5

Perea Elementary School 1250 Vollintine Ave.

38107 • 203- 6420 • pereaelementary.org • Grades: K-5

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from their school districts. Each school follows its own mission while adhering to state-required education standards. Charters serve as an alternative to families seeking a public school education but in a smaller, academically enriched environment.

Promise Academy 1346 Bryan St., 38108 • 324-4456 •

Arrow Academy of Excellence

southernavecharterschools.org • Grades: K-5

645 Semmes St., 38111 • 207-1891 • arrowacademyofexcellence. org • Grades: K-5 Aspire Public Schools Memphis

3210 Raleigh-Millington Rd., 38128 • 567-7068 • aspirepublicschools.org • Various campuses • Grades: PK-8

Aurora Collegiate Academy

4841 Summer Ave., 38122 • 249-4615 • auroracollegiate.org • Grades: K-5

Beacon College Prep 5130 Raleigh-Lagrange, 38134 • 701-6750 • beaconcollegeprep.org • Grades: K-4 Believe Memphis Academy 2230 Corry Rd. • 881-7970 • believememphisacademy.org • Grades: K-8

promiseacademy.com/hollywood-campus/ • Grades: PK-5

Soulsville Charter School 1115 College St., 38106 •

261-6366 • soulsvillecharterschool.org • Grades: 6-12

Southern Avenue Charter Elementary School 2221 Democrat Rd., 38132 • 743-7335 • STAR Academy 3260 James Rd., 38128 • 387-5050 • staracademycharter.org • Grades: PK-8 Veritas College Preparatory Charter School 1500 Dunn Ave., 38106 • 526-1900 •

veritascollegeprep.org • Grades: 5-8

Vision Prep 260 Joubert Ave., 38109 • 775-1018 • visionprep.

org • Grades: K-5

SCHOOLS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS Bodine School 2432 Yester Oaks Dr., Germantown, 38119

Bluff City High School 4100 Ross Rd., 38115 •

• 754-1800 • bodineschool.org • Grades: 1-6. Serves students with dyslexia and dyslexia-related reading differences.

Circles of Success Learning Academy

Concord Academy 4942 Walnut Grove, 38117 • 6823115 • concord-academy.com • Grades: 6-12. Serves students with learning and social disabilities.

iotaschools.org/schools/bluff-city-high-school/ • 730-8157 • Grades: 9-12

867 S. Parkway 38106 • 322-7978 • coslacharter.com • Grades: K-5

Harwood Center 4075 Park Ave (Main Office), Memphis,

City University School - Girls Preparatory 1475 East Shelby Dr., 38116 • 755-2219 •

cityuniversityschool.org/girls-prep • Grades: 6-8 for girls

38152 • 584-8281 • harwoodcenter.org • Ages: 18 months-6 years.

Provides support and education for young children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. Other locations: 680 Hanley St., 38114

City University School of Independence

Madonna Learning Center 7007 Poplar,

1475 East Shelby Dr., 38116 • 775-2219 • cityuniversityschool. org/school-of- independence • Grades: 9-12

City University School of Liberal Arts 1475 East Shelby Dr., 38116 • 775-2219 • cityuniversityschool.org • Grades: 9-12 Compass Community Schools 61 N. McLean

Blvd., 38104 • 618-7422 • compassmemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K-12 • Compass is a charter school of choice and is 100% free to attend. Compass believes in providing a world-class education within a supportive, joyful, and hopeful school culture. Our schools are intentionally small to foster a family environment where teachers can focus on the individual child. Enrollment: 1,420+ across six campuses • Six locations: Compass-Berclair (K-8) - 3880 Forest Ave., 38122; CompassBinghamton (K-8) - 2540 Hale Rd., 38112; Compass-Frayser (K-8) - 3690 Thomas St., 38127; Compass - Hickory Hill (K-8) - 3572 Emerald St., 38115; Compass - Midtown (9-12) - 61 N. McLean, 38104; Compass-Orange Mound (K-8) - 2718 Lamar Ave., 38114 Cornerstone Prep - Lester Campus 320

Carpenter St., 38112 • 416-3640 • cornerstoneprepmemphis.org • Grades: PK-5

Germantown, 38138 • 752-5767 • madonna-learning.org • Ages: 4-30. Provides individualized support for special-needs children and adults.

Memphis Oral School for the Deaf 7901

Poplar, Germantown, 38138 • 758-2228 • mosdkids.org • Ages: birth–6 • Teaches children who are deaf or hard of hearing how to listen and talk.

Phoenix School for Creative Learning 2404

Arthur Rd., Germantown, 38138 • 757-4360 • thephoenixschool. net • Grades: 1-12. Offers individualized arts-based learning for students with average or above-average IQ with ADD/ADHD, high-functioning autism, or other learning disabilities.

Shelby Oaks School 2000 N. Germantown Parkway, Cordova, 38016 • 737-3355 • shadyoaksmemphis.com • Ages: 7-14. Offers special, individualized instruction for students with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disorders.

St. Francis of Assisi RISE Program 2100

Germantown Parkway, Cordova, 38106 • 388-7321 • sfawolves.org • Grades: 1-8. Our RISE program is for students diagnosed with a learning difference including but not limited to dyslexia/reading disorder, language/math processing disorder, and auditory processing disorder.

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E D U C AT I O N

Cornerstone Prep - Denver Elementary

1940 Frayser Blvd., 38127 • 416-3640 • cegmemphis.org/cpd • Grades: PK-5

Cornerstone Prep - Knight Road 3237 Knight Rd., 38118 • 416- 3645 • cegmemphis.org/cpk • Grades: PK-3 Crosstown High School 1365 Tower Ave., 38104 • 401-5500 • crosstownhigh.org • Grades: 9-12 Fairley High 4950 Fairley Rd., 38109 • 730-8160 •

tn.greendot.org/fairley • Achievement School District • Grades: 9-12

Freedom Preparatory Academy Westwood Elementary 778 Parkrose Rd., 38109

• 538-9500 ext. 1 • freedomprep.org • Achievement School District • Grades: PK-5

Freedom Preparatory Academy Whitehaven Elementary at Millbranch Campus 3750 Millbranch 38116 • 538-9500 ext. 2 •

freedomprep.org

Freedom Preparatory Academy Middle and High School 617 Brownlee Rd., 38116 •

538-9500 ext. 5 • freedomprep. org • Grades: 6-12

Gestalt Community Schools 2650 Thousand Oaks Blvd. #2200, 38118 • 213-5161 • gestaltcs.org • Various campuses • Grades: K-12 Granville T. Woods Academy of Innovation 3824 Austin Peay Hwy., 38128 • 800-1209 •

gtwacademy.com • Grades: K-8

Journey Community Schools 6870

Boys grades 6-12 | Founded in 1893

(901) 260-1300 musowls.org

Winchester Rd. 38115 • myjourneycs.org • Grades: K-5

KIPP: Memphis Collegiate Schools 2670 Union Ave. Extended #1100, 38112 • 452-2682 • kippmemphis. org • Various campuses • Grades: K-12 Leadership Preparatory Charter School

4190 Elliston Rd., 38111 • 512-4495 • leadmemphis.org • Grades: K-8 Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering 1266 Poplar Ave., 38104 • 333-1580 •

discovermase.org • Grades: 6-12

Memphis Business Academy Elementary School 1082 Berclair Rd., 38122 • 591-

7267 • memphisbusinessacademy. com • Grades: K-5

Memphis Business Academy - Hickory Hill Elementary & Middle School 4443 South Germantown Rd. 38125 • 505-0551 •

memphisbusinessacademy.com

Memphis Business Academy - Middle & High School 3306 Overton Crossing, 38127 • 357-8680 •

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

EDUCATING FUTURE LEADERS

ACCEPTING TN EFS and ESA SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN HOUSE OCTOBER 13, 2026 • 5-7PM

mbacharterschools.org • Grades: 6-12

Memphis College Prep Elementary School 1500 Dunn Ave., 38106 • 620-6475 •

memphiscollegeprep.org • Grades: K-5 Memphis Delta Prep 1237 College St, 38106 • 251-1010 • memphisdeltaprep.org • Grades: K-5

Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory 168 Jefferson

Ave., 38103 • 474-0955 • grizzliesprep.org • Grades: 6-8

Memphis Merit Academy 4775 American Way

38118 • 617- 3690 • memphismeritacademy.org

Memphis RISE Academy 5221 Raleigh Lagrange

Rd., 38134 • 333-2750 • memphisrise.org • Grades: 6-12

GRADES 2K 2K-8 8

www.sfawolves.org 2100 N. Germantown Parkway Cordova, TN 38016 901•388•7321 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 103

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SCO’s campus is being transformed through a $35 million campus enhancement effort!

Learn more at sco.edu/greatervision

sco.edu

2026

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2026 COLLEGE GUIDE

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

C

O L L E G E P R E P I S A B O U T more than

taking the right classes. It involves developing skills and interests, becoming involved in extracurricular activities, and practicing good study habits. Read below for a detailed step-by-step preparedness list from the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) that both prospective college students and parents can consult to ensure optimal college readiness.

START IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Students:

­ ­

Parents:

­

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LIMITLESS Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom.

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2627-MKTG-044 Memphis Magazine College Guide 1

15/07/2026 2:38 PM

2026 COLLEGE GUIDE

9th GRADE Students:

• Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language.

Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.

• Get involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working, volunteering, and/ or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science. Remember: It’s quality (not quantity) that counts.

• Ask your guidance counselor or teachers what Advanced Placement courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them.

• Research your career options.

• Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school.

• Learn about budgeting your money.

• Explore reasons to consider college or career school, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your parents, school counselor, and older students as you prepare.

Parents:

• Talk to your child about college plans as if they will definitely go to college.

• Keep an eye on your child’s study habits and grades — stay involved.

• Encourage your child to take Advanced Placement or other challenging classes.

• Add to your child’s college savings account regularly, and make sure you are fully aware of the provisions of the account.

• Address your concerns about whether your child can or should go to college or career school.

10th GRADE

Students:

ALL YEAR

Students:

• Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements.

• Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or check out the ACT Aspire exam “sandbox.”

• Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college).

• Go to career information events to get a more detailed look at career options.

• Research majors that might be a good fit with your interests and goals.

• Learn the differences between grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.

Parents:

11th GRADE

• Find out whether your child’s school has college nights or financial aid nights. Plan to attend those events with your child.

• Help your child develop independence by encouraging them to take responsibility for balancing homework with any other activities or a part-time job.

• Learn about the standardized tests your child will be taking during 10th through 12th grades.

• Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh).

• Learn about choosing a college and find a link to the free college search tool (studentaid.gov/ resources/prepare-for-college/ students/choosing-schools).

• Attend college fairs and collegepreparation presentations by college representatives.

FALL

• Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). You must take the test in the 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

SPRING

• Register for and take exams for college admission. The standardized tests that many colleges require are the SAT and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

• Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search (careerinfonet. org/scholarshipsearch) to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

• Find out what government financial aid you can apply for.

• Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft as you look for financial aid and then attend college.

PLANNING AHEAD WILL SAVE YOUR FAMILY STRESS AND POSSIBLY MONEY LATER.

SUMMER BEFORE 12TH GRADE Students:

• Create a StudentAid.gov account.

You’ll need a StudentAid.gov account to access your federal student aid information and electronically sign your federal student aid documents. Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.

• Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending.

If you can, visit the schools that interest you.

• Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.

• Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early-decision, early-action, or regular-decision program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.

• Begin working on essays for admissions, update your resume, and think about the best candidates for letters of recommendation.

• To supplement any federal student aid you may receive, be sure to apply for scholarships.

Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow so you have less to pay back later.

Parents:

• Take a look at your financial situation, and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college.

• Get in-depth information on the federal student aid programs.

• Create a StudentAid.gov account if you don’t have one yet. Note: You must create your own StudentAid.gov account. If your child creates it for you, or if you create your child’s, that will cause

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Built in Chattanooga.

Backed by Tennessee.

Public university value.

Midsize-campus access.

City life with career opportunities.

Apply

utc.edu

2026 COLLEGE GUIDE confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.

• Talk to your child about the schools they are considering.

Ask why those schools appeal to your child and help them clarify goals and priorities.

• Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen and let your child do the talking.

• Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.

• Make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships.

• Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.

• Learn about student and parent loans.

12th GRADE Students:

ALL YEAR

• Work hard all the way to graduation — secondsemester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.

• Stay involved in after-school activities and seek leadership roles if possible.

FALL

• As soon as possible after its October 1st release, complete and submit your FAFSA form at fafsa.gov, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen school(s) may require.

You should submit your FAFSA form by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.

• After your FAFSA form is submitted and processed, you should receive an email with instructions on how to access an online copy of your FAFSA

Submission Summary for the 2024–25 award year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025) or Student Aid Report (SAR) for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). These documents list your answers to the questions on your FAFSA form and give you some basic information about your aid eligibility. Review the documents, make any necessary corrections, and submit the corrections.

• If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

• Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and pay close attention to deadlines.

• Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.

• Complete any last scholarship applications.

SPRING

• Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.

• Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.

• Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what — they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.

• When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1st.

Parents:

• Work with your child on filling out the FAFSA form.

• Make sure your child’s personal information is safe when they apply for financial aid.

• Read IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.

• Understand the benefits of federal student loans.

• Help your child learn about the responsibilities involved in accepting a student loan.

• With your child, look at communications from schools to which your child sent FAFSA information.

HOPE FOR TENNESSEE STUDENTS

Y

O U M AY H AV E

everything for college prepared — where you’re going, your roommate, your major, but you may be struggling with the financial aspect. If your college savings can’t quite cover the costs of tuition, there are solutions to assist in your journey. One for many Tennessee residents attending eligible in-state institutions is the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program. The traditional HOPE Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who meet the minimum requirements. The need-based HOPE Aspire supplemental award is available to those whose family’s adjusted gross income is $36,000 or less. The General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS), also known as the HOPE Merit, is a merit-based supplemental award.

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TRAINING TENNESSEE’S HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE Memphis | Nashville | Knoxville | Chattanooga

Healthy Tennesseans.

Thriving Communities. uthsc.edu

The traditional HOPE Scholarship is awarded to entering college freshmen who meet the following requirements: • Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at fafsa.gov.

Applications must be received by September 1st for the fall semester or February 1st for the spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended.

• Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year prior to the application date.

• Graduate from a Tennessee eligible high school. Exceptions may be granted to Tennessee residents who meet certain criteria, including those who graduate from high schools located in bordering out-ofstate counties, high schools in which dependents of active-duty military or civilian workers of the U.S. Department of Defense,

HOPE / Aspire / GAMS Eligible Institutions • Austin Peay State University (003478) • Baptist Health Sciences University (034403) • Belmont University (003479) • Bethel University (003480) • Bryan College (003536) • Carson-Newman University (003481) • Chattanooga State Community College (003998) • Christian Brothers University (003482) • Cleveland State Community

members of the Armed Forces or the Tennessee National Guard who are classified as an in-state student under the Tennessee Board of Regents, high schools in which dependents of full-time religious work foreign nations, and out-of-state boarding schools that are regionally accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

• Enroll in one of the eligible Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges (see list below).

• Entering freshmen must achieve a minimum of a 21 on the ACT (or minimum of 1060 on the SAT), exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests or have an overall weighted minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA).

Check with act.org for testing dates in the fall.

• The minimum average revised GED score is 170.

• The minimum average HiSet score is 15.

• If required, ACT/SAT exams must be taken on a national or state test date prior to the first day of college enrollment after high school graduation. The ACT residual test and the ACT Superscore

College (003999)

• Columbia State Community College (003483)

• Cumberland University (003485)

• Dyersburg State Community College (006835)

• East Tennessee State University (003487)

• ETSU School of Pharmacy (E01254)

• Fisk University (003490) • Freed-Hardeman University (003492) • Jackson State Community College (004937) • John A. Gupton College (008859) • Johnson University (003495) • King University (003496)

are not accepted.

• Must enroll within 16 months following high school graduation at any post-secondary institution.

Enrollment at an ineligible postsecondary institution during the 16 months will make the student permanently ineligible.

The HOPE Scholarship can be renewed annually if requirements continue to be met. Qualifying recipients who attend two- or four-year institutions with oncampus housing can receive up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore and up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior • Students who qualify for the HOPE Scholarship but decide to

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS RECEIVE HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS EACH YEAR

attend an out-of-state regionally accredited institution will not receive the award; however, if the student transfers back to a HOPEeligible institution in Tennessee, the student may receive the award if they have met all academic and non-academic requirements while attending the out-of-state institution. Visit tn.gov/collegepays for more information.

• Prospective students are encouraged to do their research and apply for all available scholarships and grants for which they qualify. Begin with filling out the FAFSA, which is used by colleges across the country to determine the amount of financial aid to award to students.

• In addition to standard needand merit-based awards, many schools offer scholarships based on academic achievement, area of study, and other more specific criteria. When choosing a school, be sure to ask about all available financial aid, what’s needed to qualify, and respective deadlines.

While many students are eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan regardless of income or circumstances, loans should be taken out only if necessary.

• Lane College (003499) • Lee University (003500) • LeMoyne-Owen College

• Rhodes College (003519) • Roane State Community

(003501) • Lincoln Memorial University (003502) • Lipscomb University (003486) • Maryville College (003505) • Meharry Medical College (G03506) • Middle Tennessee State University (003510) • Milligan College (003511) • Motlow State Community College (006836) • Nashville State Community College (007534) • Northeast State Community College (005378) • Pellissippi State Community

College (009914) • South College (004938) • Southern Adventist University (003518) • Southwest Tennessee Community College (010439) • Tennessee State University (003522) • Tennessee Technological University (003523) • Tennessee Wesleyan University (003525) • Trevecca Nazarene University (003526) • Tusculum College (003527) • Union University (003528) • University of Memphis

College (012693)

(003509)

• University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (003529)

• University of Tennessee, Health Science (006725)

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville (003530)

• University of Tennessee, Martin (003531)

• University of Tennessee, Southern (003504)

• University of the South (003534)

• Vanderbilt University (003535)

• Volunteer State Community College (009912)

• Walters State Community College (008863)

• Welch College (030018)

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What if you could follow your dreams?

Schedule a tour today at utm.edu/tour.

2026 COLLEGE GUIDE

THE HALLS OF LEARNING

W

I T H ST U D E N TS

varying in lifestyles, degrees, and budgets, Memphis and the greater Mid-South offer the college or university for just about anyone.

Across the street or a short road trip away, here’s a list of institutions to consider for secondary education nearby.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES Mid-America College

­

Christian Brothers University

­

Gould’s Academy

­

­ ­ ­

LeMoyne-Owen College

­

Moore Tech

­

­

Northwest Mississippi Community College

­

­ ­ ­

­ ­

­

Rhodes College ­

­

Southwest Tennessee Community College

­

¡

­

­

Union University ¢ ­

­

University of Memphis

­

­

­

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Christian College in TN

by Niche.com

Office of Undergraduate Admissions admissions@uu.edu 1-800-33-UNION

Fall 2027-28 Applications Are Now Open! scan the qr code to apply today.

uu.edu/apply

Where Will a Rhodes Education Take You?

Rhodes College graduates students with a lifelong passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their communities and the world. Our numbers speak for themselves. One year after earning their Rhodes degree, 97% of our graduates enjoy full-time employment, attend graduate school, or volunteer full-time.

Rhodes Ranks in the

Top

2%

Nationally for the Proportion of Graduates Who Earn PhDs Over the Past 10 Years

93%

2/3

of Those Applying for Graduate Programs are Accepted by Their First-Choice School

Acceptance Rate for Students Applying to Law School

82%

Acceptance Rate for Students Applying to Post-Graduate Medical Programs (National Average: 40%)

Rhodes is a Top-Producing Institution for A Top Volunteer-Producing College

Fulbright

U.S. Scholars and Students

rhodes.edu 1

Memphis Magazine Ad August 2026.FINAL.indd 1

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2

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2026 COLLEGE GUIDE (continued from page 114) University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law 1 N. Front Street (38103) 901-678-2421 memphis.edu/law ENROLLMENT: Approximately 241 Juris Doctorate students STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 TUITION: $21,288/year for in-state students (2025-2026) University of Mississippi DeSoto 5197 W.E. Ross Parkway, Southaven, MS (38671) | 662-342-4765 olemiss.edu/desoto ENROLLMENT: 800 (Fall 2024) Faculty: 32 (Fall 2024) TUITION: $10,395/semester (2026 Fall full-time undergraduate non-resident); $5,139/semester (2026 Fall full-time undergraduate resident) HOUSING: N/A Visible Music College 200 Madison Avenue (38103) 901-381-3939 visible.edu ENROLLMENT: 100 (2025) Faculty: 33 (2025) UNDERGRADUATE TUITION: $22,000/year (2023-2024) Accredited 10-month certificate programs in modern music, music business, music production, media, and ministry tuition: in-person $12,000, online $8,500 MASTER’S DEGREE TUITION: $11,000/year on average HOUSING: $7,000/year (2023-2024)

Concorde Career College 5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132, Memphis, TN (38137) | 901-881-2694 7900 Airways Boulevard, Suite 103, Southaven, MS (38671) | 662-5971131 concorde.edu ENROLLMENT: 420 (Fall 2024) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 34:1 (Memphis, Fall 2024)); 23:1 (Southaven, Fall 2024) TUITION: Varies by program; visit concorde.edu HOUSING: N/A Methodist Healthcare Education Program | Methodist University Hospital Schools of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences 1265 Union Avenue (38104) 901-516-8099 methodisthealth.org/education/ School-of-Radiological-andImaging-Sciences RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM TUITION: $7,000/year ADVANCED MEDICAL IMAGING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TUITION: $1,000/3 months DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM TUITION: $13,000/15 months

MEDICINE

Southern College of Optometry 1245 Madison Avenue (38104) 901-722-3200 sco.edu ENROLLMENT: 535 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 9:1 TUITION: varies dependent on state (for more information, visit sco.edu/ tuition-and-fees). Before assistance: $43,540/year

Baptist Health Sciences University 1003 Monroe Avenue (38104) 866-575-2247 baptistu.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,129 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 9:1 TUITION: $519/undergraduate credithour; $686/graduate credit-hour HOUSING: Undergraduate: $1,785/ trimester double occupancy; $2,905/trimester single occupancy.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center 910 Madison Avenue (38163) 901-448-5500 uthsc.edu ENROLLMENT: 3,157 (Fall 2025) Faculty: 1,500+ permanent and temporary (statewide) TUITION: $8,682-$37,559 (in-state); $13,683-$75,876 (out-of-state) (for more information go to uthsc.edu/ finance/bursar/fees.php)

RELIGIOUS COLLEGES AND SEMINARIES Bethel University 325 Cherry Avenue, McKenzie, TN (38201) | 731-352-4000 bethelu.edu ENROLLMENT: 3,000 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 15:1 TUITION: $20,160 full-time/ academic year (undergraduate); $600/credit-hour (MS in Criminal Justice); $720/credit-hour (MBA); $600/credit-hour (MA in Education); $723.81/credit-hour (physician assistant) HOUSING: $6,240-$10,520/per year Mid-South Christian College 4540 Knight Arnold Road (38118) 901-375-4400 midsouthchristian.edu ENROLLMENT: 32 (as of 2023) Faculty: 16 TUITION: $350/credit hour HOUSING: $2,500/semester

OUT OF TOWN Arkansas State University Mid-South (ASU Mid-South) 2000 W. Broadway, West Memphis, AR (72301) | 870-733-6722 asumidsouth.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,388 Student to faculty ratio: 11:1 TUITION: $136/credit-hour (Crittenden County residents), $159/credit-hour (in-state), $159/ credit hour (Metro Area: DeSoto (MS), Fayette (TN), Marshall (MS), Shelby (TN), Tate (MS), Tipton (TN), and Tunica (MS) counties); $205/ credit hour (out-of-state) HOUSING: N/A Belhaven University 1500 Peachtree St., Jackson, MS (39202)| 601-968-5940 belhaven.edu ENROLLMENT: 4,500 (Fall 2025, traditional, online, and graduate) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 13:1 TUITION: $15,350/semester HOUSING: $4,925-$6,425/semester Belmont University 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN (37212) | 615-460-6000

belmont.edu ENROLLMENT: 8,932 (2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 11:1 (2025) TUITION: $45,200/year Housing and Meal Plan: $16,130/ year (first-year students); $23,170/ year (Housing and meal plan rates can differ depending on housing and meal plan assignments) Delta State University 1003 W. Sunflower Road, Cleveland, MS (38733) | 662-846-3000 deltastate.edu ENROLLMENT: 2,700+ STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 14:1 TUITION: $4,217.50/semester (fulltime undergraduate), $351/credit hour (part-time undergraduate); $4,217.50 (full-time graduate), $469/ credit-hour (part-time graduate) HOUSING: $2,000-$4,200/semester Harding University 915 East Market Avenue, Searcy, AR (72149) | 501-279-4000 harding.edu ENROLLMENT: 4,802; Harding School of Theology: 179 Faculty: 300+ TUITION: $14,175/semester HOUSING: $2,500/semester (freshman) John Brown University 2000 W. University Street, Siloam Springs, AR (72761) | 479-524-9500 jbu.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,423 (traditional undergraduate) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $33,692/year (undergraduate) HOUSING: $5,212/year (+ $5,844/year average meal plan) Lyon College 2300 Highland Rd, Batesville, AR (72503) | 870-307-7000 lyon.edu ENROLLMENT: 781 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 15:1 TUITION: $31,396/year (not including fees) HOUSING: $5,944 (standard room, double occupancy); dining plan: $4,980/year (14 meals/ week + $25 flex)

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The advantage is still human.

At Millsaps College, students are prepared differently.

They graduate with the human skills employers increasingly say are hardest to find: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, ethical reasoning and adaptability. They also develop the technological knowledge and real-world experience needed to contribute in a rapidly evolving economy.

Through internships, research, leadership opportunities and hands-on experiences across Mississippi’s capital city, Millsaps students learn how to solve complex problems, work across disciplines and apply emerging technologies in meaningful ways.

As technology transforms the workplace, Millsaps prepares graduates who combine technical knowledge with leadership, communication and cross-disciplinary thinking.

>> Human skills. Tech fluency. Real-world experience.

BECOME SOMETHING MAJOR millsaps.edu | 601.974.1000 | admissions@millsaps.edu

2026 COLLEGE GUIDE

Every

HERO needs a

mentor, every mentor needs a GUIDE.

Millsaps College 1701 North State Street, Jackson, MS (39210) | 601-974-1000 millsaps.edu ENROLLMENT: 578 (undergraduate, 2025-26) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 8:1 TUITION: $21,820/year (full-time undergraduate); $1,346/sem. hour (part-time undergraduate) HOUSING: $4,055-$5,805/semester Mississippi Christian University 200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS (39056) 601-925-3000 mc.edu ENROLLMENT: 3,120 (undergraduate) Faculty: 349 faculty TUITION: $11,000/semester (full-time); $600/hour (part-time) HOUSING: $3,000-$6,050/semester (housing); $1,700-$2,780/semester (meals) Mississippi State University 75 B.S. Hood Drive, Mississippi State, MS 39762 662-325-5198 msstate.edu ENROLLMENT: 23,563 (Fall 2025) Faculty: 1,345 instructional staff, 86 research faculty, 55 extension faculty, 80 clinical TUITION: $11,095/year (in-state), $30,086/year (out-of-state) HOUSING: $9,990/year; meal plan: $5,210 Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL (35229) 205-726-2011 samford.edu ENROLLMENT: 6,324 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 14:1 TUITION: $42,590/year (undergraduate) HOUSING: $8,130/year (Vail/Smith); meal plan: $7,250/year Philander Smith University 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR (72202) | 501-375-9845 philander.edu ENROLLMENT: 780 (Fall 2023) Student-to-faculty: 13:1 TUITION: $5,902/semester (Full Time, 20252026); Part time: $495/semester HOUSING: $3,000-$3,250/semester (2025-2026); meal plan: $2,000/semester

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Tennessee Tech University 1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN (38505) 931-372-3888 tntech.edu ENROLLMENT: 10,701 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 16:1 TUITION: $5,63/semester (Full-Time, in-state);

$8,063/semester (Full-Time, out-of-state) (2025-2026) HOUSING: $2,800-$6,770/semester (2025-2026) Tennessee Wesleyan University 204 East College Street, Athens, TN (37303) 423-745-7504 tnwesleyan.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,398 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 (2023-2024) TUITION: $31,820/year (full-time, undergraduate); $32,880/year (traditional nursing); $34,125/all three semesters (dental hygiene) HOUSING: $3,700-$6,690/semester (including meal plan) University of Alabama 801 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL (35487) 205- 348-6010 ua.edu ENROLLMENT: 42,360 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 19:1 TUITION: $12,718/year (in-state), $36,724/year (out-of-state) HOUSING: $10,000/year; meal plan: $5,478/year University of Arkansas 1 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR (72701) 479-575-2000 uark.edu ENROLLMENT: 34,161 (Fall 2025) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 20:1 TUITION: $10,496/year (in-state, undergraduate including fees); $31,550/year (out-of-state, undergraduate including fees) (2025-2026) HOUSING: $9,600/year; meal plan: $5,360/year (2025-2026) University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) University, MS (38677) | 662-915-7211 olemiss.edu ENROLLMENT: 28,405 (Fall 2025, combined across 7 campuses) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 18:1 (Fall 2025) TUITION: $10,278/year (in-state, undergraduate), $31,068/year (out-of-state, Undergraduate) HOUSING: $8,030/year (estimate); food: $5,580/year The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS (39406) 601-266-1000 usm.edu ENROLLMENT: 12,132 (undergraduate and graduate, Spring 2026) STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO: 16:1(Fall 2025) TUITION: $5,397/term (in-state, undergraduate including fees); $6,843/term (out-of-state, undergraduate including fees) HOUSING: $2,300-$4,595/semester

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More than just your college, MC will become your home.

Join us for an upcoming preview day and see for yourself. mc.edu/previewday

©2026 Mississippi Christian University. All Rights Reserved.

2026 COLLEGE GUIDE The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

Christian Brothers University doesn’t simply open the door to success, it begins a lifelong journey toward a better you, a stronger Memphis, and a better world.

Through innovative partnerships and a careerfocused education, CBU prepares you for what comes next. In fact, 98% of graduates are employed in their chosen field or enrolled in graduate school within six to twelve months of graduation.

Be ready for tomorrow, today.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

­ ­ ­ The University of Tennessee at Martin

­ ­

­ ­ ­ ­ Vanderbilt University

­ ­ ­

Learn more at

Webster University

­

­ ­ ­ ­

cbu.edu

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Small Steps Lead to Extraordinary Outcomes Walk with us!

10.24.26 | MEMPHIS, TN

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A S K VA N C E

L EF T: T HIS AD FROM SY LVES T ER MEE PROMOT ED WHAT SERVICES?

THE MEMPHIS MAGAZINE TRIVIA QUIZ

DID YOU REALLY READ OUR MAGAZINE, OR JUST BRAG TO YOUR FRIENDS? HERE’S A QUICK WAY TO FIND OUT.

BY VANCE LAUDERDALE

T

H I S I S A T E S T. It is only a test. No — not of the Emergency Broadcasting System, but to see how carefully you’ve read the stories we published in the past year. We looked through issues produced since August 2025, and posed questions about columns that appeared in “Ask Vance” as well as feature stories throughout the magazine. This is an “open-book” test, so if you’d like to look back through the 1,100+ pages printed in the past 12 months, take your time.

Now look, there’s no prize involved. Instead, your reward will be our reward — the satisfaction that you enjoyed the stories we scribbled by quill pen under candlelight, hoping to inform and entertain you.

If we accomplished that, we can go to bed happy.

1. When Sylvester Mee ran ads imploring customers, “Let Mee Do It!” what service was he offering? a. Golf lessons b. Moustache waxing c. Plumbing d. Lawn care 2. When the memorial of E.H. Crump was unveiled in Overton Park, what key feature of the man did the sculptor leave off? a. His floppy hat b. His wooden leg c. His distinctive eyeglasses d. His silly toupee 3. What other locations did the Crump Memorial Association consider for the statue? a. The median in the middle of Crump Blvd. b. Crump Stadium c. The parking lot of what is now Crumpy’s Hot Wings d. The Peabody Skyway 4. In the 1940s, two cousins — Pete Romeo and Sam Bomarito — opened a business on Airways.

They called it: a. The RomBom Café b. Pete’s Pizza Parlor c. The Rendezvous d. Pete & Sam’s

5. What was the Handwerker Gingerbread Playhouse used for over the years? a. A sno-cone parlor (which later became Jerry’s) b. A beauty salon c. The Handwerker family’s lending library d. A guest house for relatives of the Lauderdales who didn’t need a bathtub 6. When we referenced a 1983 story, writer Andrew Yale asked our readers, “Looking for a den of iniquity?” He didn’t find it, but what place was he talking about? a. The Lauderdale Mansion b. Shakey’s Pizza Parlor c. Hotel Tennessee d. The Jungle Room at Graceland 7. What statue in Memphis was cast by the Marinelli Bell Foundry in Florence, Italy? a. Richard Halliburton b. Elvis Presley c. Danny Thomas d. W.C. Handy 8. What disaster halted production at Aeolian Piano in 1969? a. They ran out of black keys. b. A blaze destroyed two buildings. c. They realized they had been misspelling “Aeolian” all this time. d. Elvis Presley canceled his order for a gold-plated grand piano.

9. This is our 50th anniversary.

What famous Memphian appeared on the cover of our very first issue? a. Elvis Presley b. E.H. Crump c. Vance Lauderdale d. Prince Mongo

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A S K VA N C E

10. In the 1930s, what distinctive feature could the Shriners enjoy in the basement of their headquarters building on Monroe? a. The city’s first Mexican restaurant b. An indoor race track for those little cars they drive in parades c. A movie theatre, called The Fez d. A swimming pool for members only 11. In the 1960s, which restaurant chain in Memphis introduced a specialty called “The Big Scot?” a. Sandy’s b. Handy’s c. McDonald’s d. Scotty’s 12. How did Memphian Ruth Welting gain national fame? a. Writing and singing the theme song for the Mr. Bingle puppet show b. Performing with the Metropolitan Opera c. Answering the phone when you called “Dial ‘n’ Smile d. Walking the length of the Appalachian Trail 13. The sculptures of Memphis artist Jim Buchman, displayed at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Botanic Garden, and Overton Park, are unusual because they are formed of: a. Gold b. Brass c. Glass d. Concrete 14. Joseph Newberger was the original owner of the mansion that later became home to: a. The Handwerker Gingerbread Cottage b. The Dixon Gallery and Gardens c. The Children’s Museum of Memphis d. Memphis Theological Seminary

L EF T TO RIGH T: RU T H WELT ING , HARRY HOUDINI, AND E .H. CRUMP 15. At age 90, Memphian Dale Sanders embarked on a challenging adventure: a. To visit the capital of every U.S. state b. To hike the entire Appalachian Trail c. To swim the length of the Mississippi River d. To sing the “Star Spangled Banner” at Memphis in May 16. Last year, this local business celebrated its 150th anniversary: a. Memphis Magazine b. FedEx c. Burke’s Book Store d. International Harvester

c. The newest additions to the Memphis Zoo (a meerkat and an aardvark) d. Twins who ran the downtown shop, Tea for Two 19. Where would Memphians find a memorial to famed escape artist Harry Houdini? a. Audubon Park b. Metal Museum c. Houdini Park d. Orpheum Theater 20. What White Station High School graduate won a 1990 Academy Award? a. Cybill Shepherd b. Alan Lightman c. Kathy Bates d. Bruce Willis

17. What Memphis establishment featured a neon sign showing “Mr. Brown Goes to Town”? a. Brown’s Costume Shoppe b. Brown’s Coffee Shoppe c. Leonard’s Pit Barbecue d. Town Park Hotel

21. In 1985, who did this magazine feature on the cover, asking, “Is This Man America’s Happiest Millionaire?” a. Kemmons Wilson b. Fred Smith c. Elvis Presley d. Danny Thomas

18. In our May 2025 issue, who were Junebug and Dido? a. Editors’ dogs who (supposedly) wrote two stories for the Pet Guide b. Nicknames of the bartenders in that month’s “Sips” column

22. Who did we declare was the “Queen of Memphis Soul”? a. Carla Thomas b. Yeah, probably Carla Thomas c. Pretty sure it was Carla Thomas d. Who else but Carla Thomas?

23. According to the famous song, “Walking in Memphis,” where is “Muriel playing the piano”? a. Amro Music b. The Peabody Lobby c. The Hollywood Cafe d. Muriel’s Tacos and Tapas 24. In addition to Memphis International Airport and Mud Island, what other local landmark did architect Roy Harrover design? a. Sterick Building b. Halliburton Tower at Rhodes College c. Memphis College of Art in Overton Park d. Brooks Museum of Art in Overton Park 25. What city was the original “den” of the Grizzlies before they came to Memphis in 2001? a. Denver, Colorado b. Vancouver, Washington c. Seattle, Washington d. Vancouver, British Columbia

ANSWERS: 1-c, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d, 5-b, 6-c, 7-d, 8-b, 9-b, 10-d, 11-a, 12-b, 13-d, 14-d, 15-b, 16-c, 17-c, 18-a, 19-d, 20-c, 21-a, 22-any or all, 23-c, 14-c, 15-d

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TONICA

FOR A NIGHT OUT WITH FRIENDS

WHAT’S THE OCCASION?

I

F Y O U ’ V E E V E R made a reservation at an upscale restaurant, chances are you were asked one very important question: “What’s the occasion?” Well, we don’t know what important event is next on your calendar, but we do have ideas about where you could celebrate it. Whether you’re racking your brain about anniversary plans or just searching for a festive Friday out with friends, let these suggestions ignite your celebratory spirit.

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COZY, CHILL, and full of charm, Tonica’s Midtown location is a perfect spot to snack, sip, and catch up with friends. Their newer Main Street location is a little more of a party, with high ceilings, a spacious layout, and easy access to the rest of downtown.

Both locations offer the same menu but present different experiences depending on what your group is into. Co-owners of the restaurant group Riunire, John-Paul Gagliano and Sabine Bachmann manage Ecco, Libro, and Tonica. John-Paul has recently caught the public’s attention with news of his role in opening a restaurant in December at the new riverfront Memphis Art Museum.

I was too intrigued not to try some of his food at Tonica.

Recommended by my waiter, the pork empanada was immensely comforting. Gentle spices, tangy sauce, and savory braised pork filled a short and crumbly crust.

The roasted asparagus with romesco (a sauce made from tomatoes, charred red peppers, and several pantry staples) was a fresh addition to the table. Their drink menu features extensive, creative cocktails, a variety of sangrias, and many gin-andtonic variations. Tapas are the perfect thing for any group to share. The more people you invite, the more you get to try!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS

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GOOD FORTUNE

FOR THAT FIRST DATE GOOD FORTUNE is a casual and affordable ramen restaurant downtown with a buzzing dining atmosphere and elevated yet approachable food. Choosing this spot shows off your knowledge of the local food scene and conveys interest in your date without coming on too strong. Co-owner Sarah Cai says, “I’ve had many people tell me that they bring their first dates here.”

Whether you and your date are adventurous foodies or wobbly with chopsticks, Arturo Leighton and Cai purposefully designed their menu to please every palate.

I started the night off with their refreshing “cukes.” One bite of cucumber with their bright and punchy green sauce, and I knew it was going to be a good meal. Then came a round of their famous pork dumplings with chili oil. A full-time employee is tasked with the single purpose of handmaking thousands of dumplings each week. For the main course, I enjoyed a big bowl of Coco Curry with creamy coconut broth and fragrant lemongrass and Thai basil.

“We really have a passion for serving the Memphis community,” says Cai, “and for cooking and connecting through food.” I wish you Good Fortune on your next date.

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FAWN

IN-LAWS IN TOWN

THE LOBBYIST

FOR POPPING THE QUESTION PREPARING A proposal is no easy feat. You need a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, a reliable staff behind you, and food so impressive that it distracts your partner from the stress you’re trying to contain.

The Lobbyist is serving up global flavors with modern flair, including their jerk swordfish with coconut milk and summer tomatoes, inspired by the traditional Jamaican dish “escovitch,” as well as

their Japanese sweet potatoes with tamarind chimichurri and toasted pistachios. Chef Jimmy Gentry says, “The world forces us to change.” There’s a sense of urgency and liveliness to a restaurant that cooks with fleeting seasons.

A particular favorite of the evening was the smoked whitefish dip, served in a caviar tin and opened at the table like a present. The tangy crème fraîche, glistening salmon roe, and house-made

potato chips are a fun addition to the table, adding an interactive element.

The Lobbyist is no stranger to proposals. Even a former employee of theirs was presented with a ring one night. The staff changed the music and helped set up. Soon, operations manager Jessica Lambert says, “The entire restaurant was applauding. It was so cool to get the entire place involved in something like that.”

FAWN IS a lovely restaurant, no match for even the most difficult of in-laws. The charm of their Cooper-Young location, relaxed atmosphere of the dining room, and seasonality of their thoughtful menu will set the stage for good conversation.

Chef Theresa Schuenke says, “There’s something about the energy of being in the space of a busy night, and you look around the dining room, and everybody’s laughing and eating and drinking and sharing moments with their friends and family. It makes my heart feel so full.”

The French onion tartine was the first to land on our table. Hearty sourdough creates the base for smoked onion jam, oyster mushrooms, melty gruyere cheese, thyme aioli, and a red wine reduction.

It’s a satisfying dish to savor on your own or share with the table. The miso deviled eggs infuse Southern charm with Asian influences, including chili crisp and fermented miso.

“French Kiss the Hibiscus” was a refreshing mocktail that broke through the richness, featuring zingy raspberry, floral Seedlip Garden nonalcoholic spirit, and ginger juice for a bit of bite. If things don’t go to plan, there are other (stronger) drinks as well.

Originally from Wisconsin, Chef Schuenke moved around Washington, D.C., and New Orleans before settling in Memphis. Her friend of 15 years, Mary Oglesby, wanted to open a restaurant with Paul Gilliam and convinced Theresa to join the team as head chef.

No matter how well you get along with your family, there’s no tension that can’t be broken by good food.

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JOSEPHINE ESTELLE

FOR BIRTHDAYS

ACRE

FOR ANNIVERSARIES I’VE PROBABLY driven past Acre a dozen times without really noticing it.

The popular restaurant is surrounded by flowers, trees, and bushes, creating a romantic oasis within walking distance of busy Poplar Avenue. Their experience with love is nothing short of impressive, with 15 years of weddings under their belts, from 40 to over 400 guests hosted. They will cover every detail, from icing the cake to packaging the party favors. Executive chef Andrew Adams says, “We have a lot of people coming in that have been married since we opened.”

Booking a reservation where you said “I do” is

a pretty perfect place to revisit those vows.

Their food is centered on seasonal, modern American cuisine, which Adams explains is a “way of saying, we’re everything.” They are inspired by food from all over the world. Their pastry chef even completed a six-week course in Italy this summer and brought her experience to life with dishes like panna cotta with cornflake crunch and peaches and ricotta ice cream with a traditional chocolate almond cake and local blackberries.

Owner and chef Wally Joe works alongside Adams to create a special dining experience, with the menu

changing practically every day.

All of their bread is made from scratch, fermented 100 percent with sourdough, and served with a pad of cultured butter.

The crudo was my favorite bite. The clean raw fish paired so well with the shaved fennel, juicy segmented grapefruit, and herbaceous sauce. The bitter, buttery, herby, sweet, salty, and sour bite hit every taste bud on my tongue.

“I didn’t know the rules of the game,” says chef Adams.

“I didn’t know about the business. I just wanted to cook.

And 30-something years later, I still like to do that.” Acre’s passion for creating a warm space is evident.

FOUNDERS OF Josephine Estelle, Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, are almost always fully booked since opening their new establishment in East Memphis in late May. Up top, you’ll find a bar with classic dishes like burgers and salads with slabs of bacon. Josephine Estelle, however, is an elevated Italian restaurant with delicate handmade pasta and carefully executed Italian classics.

An expertly trained staff, bustling atmosphere, and variety of dishes are reliable attributes for a big group. Every staff member seemed eager to share their recommendations. The hostesses, in particular, flagged down the chicken parm and vodka pasta. It’s popular for a reason.

But the wild card of the night was “Carbinizzatto,” meaning charred. This smoky element is represented in the form of sweet snap peas. There’s a crunchy umami bomb on the bottom of the plate made from anchovies, breadcrumbs, spicy chilis, lemon zest, and some sort of magic. They could jar this stuff. It’s like Italian chili crisp.

Then there’s the Green Goddess dressing, so tart and perfectly seasoned you could drink it. I can’t decide which element of this dish I liked more.

If you want a night to splurge and a scratch-made tiramisu topped off with a birthday candle, this is the spot for you.

Between work and the challenges that life demands, special occasions are sometimes put on the back burner. We hope these suggestions not only encourage you to support local businesses but help celebrate every moment — little or big — life has to offer.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SCENE DINING 2026

Looking for the right spot for that first date? What about something new for your next anniversary? Or do you simply find yourself with a hankering for a nice, thick burger and fries? Whatever your craving may be, you’re sure to find a delectable destination on the following pages.

Bao Toan Kitchen & Bar

Broadway Pizza

Opened in the Crosstown Concourse in 2025 as a vibrant, family-owned Vietnamese eatery led by a mother-daughter duo. Rooted in tradition yet boldly modern, Bao Toan serves up soulful dishes like 10-hour pork belly, signature pho with Wagyu beef, and crispy pho noodle pillows. Guests can enjoy house cocktails inspired by Vietnamese ingredients and a curated beer and wine list. Vegan and gluten-free options are available, and the menu features bold flavors perfect for happy hour, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Dine-in, patio seating, and takeout are all available.

Old-fashioned pizza house with a lovely comfortable atmosphere where the staff has you feeling like you are in their pizza home. Delicious hot pizzas overflowing with toppings of your choice. Appetizers, salads, spaghetti, catfish, cheeseburgers, Philly cheese steaks, Broadway whole wings, daily plate lunch specials, and more. Located in Memphis’ Broad St. Arts District and look out, Memphis ... NOW a second location at 629 South Mendenhall at Poplar. Legendary Pizza since 1977. Call-in orders are welcomed!

1350 Concourse Ave • 901.695.1265 • baotoanmemphis.com

2581 Broad Ave • 901.454.7930 & 629 South Mendenhall • 901.207.1546

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Huey’s hueyburger.com

Jack Pirtle’s Chicken

5 Memphis Locations • jackpirtleschicken.com

Huey’s is a Memphis institution with a history spanning over five decades.

This local chain features crowd-favorite burgers, hand-made appetizers, specialty sandwiches, salads, and is also known for its many unique traditions: every location boasts frame and art covered walls commemorating the restaurant’s long history in Memphis, live local bands every Sunday, a full bar, and friendly graffiti left by customers over the years. It’s a fun, quirky establishment full of character and beloved by old and new generations alike.

From the start, people have loved the chicken at Jack Pirtle’s. Seasoned just right and fried with pride by people who are proud to serve it. Fresh biscuits, hot from the oven; our signature country-fried steak sandwich; mashed potatoes, crinkle-cut fries or rice with our homemade chicken cracklin’ gravy, which is so popular people get gravy to-go even when they’re doing the cooking themselves. You’ve heard Southerners talk about gravy so good you could drink it by the glass? Well, they must’ve been to Jack Pirtle’s, where we really do sell gravy by the cup.

Mulan Asian Bistro East

Pete & Sam’s

mulaneast.com Mulan Asian Bistro has proudly been named Memphis’ No. 1 Chinese Restaurant for over 13 years. Since 2004, we’ve been serving the greater Memphis area with authentic Chinese cuisine, fresh Japanese sushi, and inspired Asian fusion dishes. Our East location now features a newly opened Bubble Tea Bar, a full bar, and happy hour specials — creating an inviting setting for both casual evenings and special occasions. Let us cater your weddings, family gatherings, and anniversaries, or host your birthdays, work events, and graduation parties in our private party room.

Takeout & Delivery Available. Order online today at mulaneast.com

3886 Park Avenue • 901.458.0694 • peteandsams.com Serving Memphis for nearly 78 years to diners of all ages. Offers delicious steaks, seafood, and traditional authentic Italian dishes, including homemade ravioli, lasagna, chicken Marsala, and fabulous thin-crusted pizzas. Consistently voted one of the best Italian restaurants in the area

by Memphis magazine readers. Open every night for dinner and even most holidays. A Memphis Tradition Since 1948.

Sufi’s Mediterranean Grill & Bar 7609 Poplar Pike • 901.779.2201 • sufigrillbar.com

Located in Germantown, TN, Sufi’s offers a unique dining experience featuring authentic Mediterranean and Persian cuisine. With a menu full of bold flavors and fresh ingredients, Sufi’s brings the rich culinary traditions of the region to life. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and soak in the ambiance on the beautiful patio. Don’t miss the live belly dance shows every Friday and Saturday at 6:30 and 7:30 PM. Table-Side Magic once a month. Hosting a special occasion? Sufi’s private party room is perfect for celebrations.

Discover a place where flavor, entertainment, and hospitality come together.

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To advertise in the February 2027 Scene Dining please contact Margie Neal at: 901.521.9000 or margie@memphismagazine.com.

SIPS

ADRE ANA HAMILTON AND “ T HE FINAL ROSE”

STEAMPUNK CHIC THE BARTENDER AT AMELIA GENE’S LOVES A CHALLENGE.

BY BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN

W

H E N A D R E A N A H A M I LT O N

first became a student at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga 10 years ago, she decided to create a challenge for herself. “I wanted to force myself to be in uncomfortable positions,” Hamilton says, “to get out there and be more social and stop being anxious around people. I wanted to talk to strangers, to make eye contact. That’s why I started working at a restaurant. And it’s what really got me into hospitality. My first job was as a greeter, right at the front door.” Hamilton was a quick study, and before long she was moving up the restaurant ladder. After stints at various restaurants, including Houston’s, she’s been a bartender at Chef Nate Henssler’s downtown restaurant, Amelia Gene’s, since early 2024.

“As soon as I was old enough to start making cocktails,” she says, “I hopped behind the bar.

As a bartender, you’re essentially on stage, the face of the restaurant for many people. I’m 28 now, so I’ve been doing this for eight years.”

In those eight years, Hamilton also managed to earn two degrees — a B.A. in biology from UT-Chattanooga, and another in PR/strategic media from the University of Memphis — and made straight A’s while doing it. Oh, and she also works a full-time corporate job during the week. “I don’t know how to sit still,” she says, and I believe her.

Hamilton grew up in the Arlington area, but has become a big fan of downtown Memphis.

“It’s so nice being here,” she says. “If you’re not from this area you might have a misconception of what it’s like. I live here and walk everywhere.

It gives me pride in being from here. It’s been amazing to work at a place that is so unique.

This building has been here for more than 100 years. It has such good bones and so much history. And now it has a new life.”

Amelia Gene’s is located in a former industrial machine shop a block from the Mississippi River, and it is a striking venue, with relics of

its former life still in place, from the cast-iron pulleys overhead to the large factory windows behind the bar. Call it steam-punk chic. Whatever it is, it works.

“We didn’t know if Memphis would be ready for a place like this,” Hamilton says, “but the city is catching on to a trend that is taking hold in other cities. Fine dining doesn’t always have to be stuffy with white tablecloths. We can have a little more fun. Servers don’t have to hide their tattoos. We play music you might not expect to hear. Chef Henssler came here from Chicago, and we’re very chef-driven and creative.”

“I bet that creativity spills over into the drink menu,” I say, making a clever segue.

“Yes, it does,” Hamilton replies. “And we collaborate with some local sources, including Old Dominick Distillery and Cxffee Black, whose espresso we use for our ‘Cxffee Black Old Fashioned.’ It’s been on our drink menu for two years and it’s very popular.”

“So what do you plan to make for me?” I ask.

“Well, I created a drink I call ‘The Final Rose,’ for all the Bachelor and Bachelorette fans out there,” she says. “Want to try it?”

I’ve only seen those shows a couple of times, but I get the concept. And of course I want to try the drink, so I say, “I do.” It’s my job, after all.

I watch as Hamilton mixes lychee syrup, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, dashes of rosewater, lemon juice, and Fee Brothers Fee Foam bitters, which creates a nice froth to float a garnish of dehydrated rose petals. After a vigorous shaking, she pours it into a coupe glass and sets it on the white marble bar. It’s a very pretty drink, indeed, and one that a soonto-be-former Bachelorette would love, I imagine.

“It’s bright, floral, and herbaceous,” Hamilton says. “I created this drink with the idea that it would be something you could order more than one of — an easy sipper.”

Challenge accepted. I take a sip. Then another. Mission very much accomplished.

It’s a tasty cocktail, and one that I would drink more than one of without hesitation, given the right circumstances. But it’s only mid-day and knowing what I’ve learned about Hamilton, I suspect she has work to do before evening arrives.

So here’s an easy challenge for you: Go see Adreana at Amelia Gene’s. You’ll enjoy her company and her drinks.

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CITY DINING

COCOZZA AMERICAN ITALIAN—”The red sauce joint of your dreams” serves up classic Italian-American fare from the owners of Majestic Grille. Closed Sun. 110 Harbor Town Sq., 609-1111. D, $-$$ COZY CORNER—Serving up ribs, pork sandwiches, chicken, spaghetti, and more; also homemade banana pudding. Closed Mon. 735 N. Parkway, 527-9158. L, D, $ CURFEW—An elevated sports bar/American tavern concept by Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani at the Canopy Memphis Downtown hotel. 164 Union, 467-0308. B, L, D, $-$$ DOCKS OFF FIFTH—Fine dining and special plates, including mango habanero-glazed salmon, seafood linguini, glazed lamb “lollipops,“ lobster rolls, plus wings and sliders. 310 Beale, 423-3765264. D, $$$ ESCO RESTAURANT AND TAPAS—Shareable dishes, turkey ribs, and seafood mac’n’cheese at this 2 Chainz franchise. 156 Lt. George W. Lee, 808-3726. L, D, $$-$$$ FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Elevated down-home farmhouse food, using locally sourced ingredients, served in an atmoshere of classic Southern charm. 383 S. Main, 623-7883. L, D, $$$-$$$$.

FERRARO’S CHEESY CORNER & PIZZERIA—Plenty of pizzas, along with a whole new cheese-inspired menu (fancy grilled cheeses and build-your-own mac and cheese bowls). 111 Jackson, 522-2033. L, D, $ H I S C U R AT E D restaurant listing is offered as FISHBOWL AT THE PYRAMID—Burgers, fish dishes, sandwiches, and more served in a unique “underwater” setting. Bass Pro, 1 Bass Pro a service to our readers. Broken down alphabetically Drive, 291-8000. B, L, D, $-$$ by neighborhoods, our directory does not list every FLAME RAMEN—Traditional Japanese ramen restaurant serving up restaurant in town. It does, however, include the bowls of noodles. 61 S. Second, 441-6686. L, D, wheelchair accessible, $-$$ magazine’s “Top 50” choices of must-try restaurants in FLIGHT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR—Steaks and seafood, Memphis, a group that is updated yearly. Establishments with such specialties as bison ribeye and Muscovy duck, all matched with appropriate wines. 39 S. Main, 521-8005. D, SB, MRA, open less than a year are not eligible for “Top 50” but are noted as “New.” This guide also includes a representative sampling of other Bluff City eating $-$$$GARDEN BRUNCH CAFÉ—Fish and grits, steak and eggs, and establishments. No fast-food facilities or cafeterias are listed. Restaurants other upscale takes on Southern brunch classics. 492 S. Main, 249-7450. B, L, $$ are included regardless of whether they advertise in Memphis Magazine; THE GENRE—Burgers, tenders, catfish, and plenty of vegan options those that operate in multiple locations are listed under the neighborhood made to order at this music-themed restaurant/lounge. 200 Poplar, Suite 105, 410-8169. B, L, D, $-$$ of their original location. This guide is updated regularly, but we GOOD FORTUNE CO.—Authentic handcrafted noodles, ramen, recommend that you call ahead to check on hours, prices, or other details. and dumplings. 361 S. Main, 561-306-4711. L, D, $-$$ Suggestions from readers for restaurants to be included are welcome: THE GOURMET GALLERY—A variety of elevated comfort dishes, like fried ribs and waffles, shrimp and grits, grilled salmon, and more. Closed dining@memphismagazine.com.

Mon. 412 S. Main, 848-4691. L, D, $-$$$ GROOVY GRATITUDE—Offers a vibrant selection of cold-pressed DOWNTOWN BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB—Irish and New-American cuisine includes juices, handcrafted smoothies, and healthy eats like paninis and acai such entrees as fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s pie, all-day Irish bowls. Closed Sun. 605 N. Second, 417-8007. B, L, WB, $ ALDO’S PIZZA PIES—Serving gourmet pizzas — including Mr. breakfast, and more. 152 Madison, 572-1813. L, D, SB, $-$$ T Rex — salads, and more. Also 30 beers, bottled or on tap. 100 S. GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN—Serves chicken

BY THE BREWERY—Breakfast and lunch café, with a focus on Main, 577-7743; 752 S. Cooper, 725-7437. L, D, $-$$ with signature spicy batter, along with homemade beans, slaw, and Southern-style biscuits, salads, and soups. 496 Tennessee, 310-4341. pies. 310 S. Front, 527-4877; 3100 Forest Hill Irene (Germantown), AMELIA GENE’S—Globally inspired fine-dining cuisine at the B, L, $ 853-6005; 2965 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 373-9111; 730 S. One Beale project, including Rohan duck, Wagyu filet, and an Mendenhall, 767-2323; 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN, 901-294-2028.

CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Offers prime steaks, extensive cheese cart. 255 S. Front, 730-7650. D, $$-$$$ L, D, MRA, $ fresh seafood (lobster tails, grouper, mahi mahi), pasta, and several THE ARCADE—Memphis’ oldest cafe. Specialties include sweet Northern Italian specialties. 149 Union, The Peabody, 529-4199. B, L, D, HIVE BAGEL & DELI—Bagels, bagels, and more bagels at this potato pancakes, a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, and SB, MRA, $-$$$$ new downtown deli offering baked goods, sandwiches, and breakfast served all day. 540 S. Main, 526-5757. B, L, MRA, $ salads. Closed Mon./Tue. 276 S. Front, 509-2946. B, L, $ CAROLINA WATERSHED—This indoor/outdoor eatery, set around ARNOLD’S SMOKEHOUSE—A classic smokehouse with vegan and silos, features reimagined down-home classics, including fried green HU. ROOF—Rooftop cocktail bar serves toasts with a variety of toppings nonvegan options seasoned to perfection. Closed Mon. 2019 E. Person, tomatoes with smoked catfish, a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, including beef tartare with cured egg, cognac, and capers or riced 922-5950. L, D, SB, $-$$$ burgers, and more. Closed Mon.-Thurs. 141 E. Carolina, cauliflower with yellow curry, currants, and almonds.

AUTOMATIC SLIM’S—Longtime downtown favorite specializes in DINING SYMBOLS Also salads, fish tacos, and boiled peanut hummus. 79 321-5553. L, D, WB, $-$$ contemporary American cuisine emphasizing local ingredients; also Madison, 333-1229. D, $ CATHERINE & MARY’S—A variety of pastas, extensive martini list. 83 S. Second, 525-7948. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$ B — breakfast grilled quail, pâté, razor clams, and monkfish are HUSTLE & DOUGH BAKERY & CAFE— BARDOG TAVERN—Classic American grill with Italian influence, among the dishes served at this Italian restaurant in the L — lunch Flaky, baked breakfast goodness every day with Bardog offers pasta specialties such as Grandma’s NJ Meatballs, as well D — dinner Chisca. 272 S. Main, 254-8600. D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ fresh pastries, sandwiches, and more at Arrive Hotel. as salads, sliders, sandwiches, and daily specials. 73 Monroe, 275-8752.

SB —Sunday brunch 477 S. Main, 701-7577. B, L, $ CHEZ PHILIPPE—Classical/contemporary B (Mon.-Fri.), L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$ French cuisine with Asian and Nordic influences, WB —weekend brunch ITTA BENA—Southern and Cajun-American cuisine BELLE TAVERN—Serving elevated bar food, including a butcher board presented in a luxurious atmosphere with seasonal served here, located above B.B. King’s Blues Club on MRA — member, Memphis with a variety of meats and cheeses, as well as daily specials. 117 Barboro tasting menus from chef Keith Clinton. Afternoon tea Beale St.; specialties are duck and waffles and shrimp Restaurant Association Alley, 249-6580. L (Sun.), D, MRA, $ served Thu.-Sun., noon-3:30 p.m. (reservations and grits, along with steaks, chops, seafood, and pasta. $ — under $15 per person BEN YAY’S GUMBO SHOP—Spiritual successor to DejaVu, offering required). Closed Sun.-Tues. The Peabody, 149 Union, 145 Beale, 578-3031. D, MRA, $$-$$$ fresh and authentic Creole staples. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 111, without drinks or desserts 529-4188. D, MRA, $$$$ JEM DINING—Chef Josh Mutchnick offers a 779-4125. L, D, $-$$ $$ — under $25 CIMAS—It’s breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, dining experience that’s memorable, refined, BISCUITS & JAMS—Offering sweet and savory brunch with a Cajun $$$ — $26-$50 chilaquiles verdes, and plenty of other Southern and unpretentious, and welcoming with dishes from around flare. Specialties include smoked sausage or spicy fried chicken on Latin-American twists at the Hyatt Centric. 33 Beale, $$$$ — over $50 the world. Closed Sun./Mon./Tue. 644 Madison, 286biscuits, lemon blueberry waffles, and rum custard French toast. No 444-3232. B, L, D, $-$$$ 1635. D, $$-$$$ walk-ins on weekends. 24 N. B.B. King Blvd., 672-7905. B, L, WB, $-$$

We celebrate our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat the best Memphis food at M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M / F O O D 136 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

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(This guide, compiled by our editors, includes editorial picks and advertisers.)

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS

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CITY DINING

KING & UNION BAR GROCERY—Classic Southern favorites including catfish plate, pimento cheese, po-boys, chicken & waffles.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with cocktails served with flair and favorite Memphis beers. Locally made confections available in the grocery. 185 Union, 523-8500. B, L, D, $-$$ KOOKY CANUCK—Home of the four-pound Kookamonga Burger (no charge to anyone who can eat it in less than 60 minutes), plus other (smaller) burgers, sandwiches, wings, soups, and salads. 57 S. Second, 901-578-9800. L,D, MRA, $-$$ LITTLE BETTIE—New Haven-style pizzas and snacks from the Andrew-Michael team at Wiseacre’s Downtown location. 398 S. B.B. King Blvd, 334-9411. L, D, $-$$ THE LOBBYIST AT THE CHISCA—Chef Jimmy Gentry brings his farm-to-table ideas downtown, with seasonal, and sometimes weekly, new menus, and an emphasis on creative vegetable dishes. Closed Sun. 272 S. Main St., Suite 101, 249-2170. D, $$-$$$$ LOFLIN YARD—Beer garden and restaurant serves vegetarian fare and smoked-meat dishes, including beef brisket and pork tenderloin, cooked on a custom-made grill. Closed Mon.-Tues. 7 W. Carolina, 249-3046. L (Sat. and Sun.), D, MRA, $-$$ THE LOOKOUT AT THE PYRAMID—Serves seafood and Southern fare, including cornmeal-fried oysters, sweet tea brined chicken, and elk chops. 1 Bass Pro Dr, 620-4600/291-8200. L, D, $-$$$ LUNA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE—Serving a limited menu of breakfast and lunch items. Dinner entrees include citrus glaze salmon and Cajun stuffed chicken. 179 Madison (Hotel Napoleon), 526-0002. B, D (Mon.-Sat.), $-$$$ MACIEL’S—Entrees include tortas, fried taco plates, quesadillas, chorizo and pastor soft tacos, salads, and more. Closed Sun. 45 S. Main, 526-0037; 820 S. Cooper, 443-4356. MRA, $ MAHOGANY RIVER TERRACE—Upscale Southern restaurant offers such dishes as coffee-rubbed lamb chops and baked Cajun Cornish hen. Closed for dinner Sun. and all day Mon.-Tues. 280 Island Drive, 249-9774. L, D, SB, $-$$$ THE MAJESTIC GRILLE—Features aged steaks, fresh seafood, and such specialties as roasted chicken and grilled pork tenderloin; offers a pre-theater menu and classic cocktails. Well-stocked bar. 145 S. Main, 522-8555. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$ McEWEN’S—Southern/American cuisine with international flavors; specialties include steak and seafood, sweet potato-crusted catfish with macaroni and cheese, and more. Closed Sun., Monroe location. 120 Monroe, 527-7085; 1110 Van Buren (Oxford), 662-234-7003. L, D, SB (Oxford only), MRA, $$-$$$ MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including prime fillet, rib-eyes, and prime-aged New York strip; also, some seafood options. 88 Union, 527-5337; 5960 Getwell (Southaven), 662-8902467. D, SB, $$-$$$ MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE—Specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. Closed Sun.-Tues. 679 Adams, 524-1886.

D, MRA, $ MOMMA’S ROADHOUSE—This diner and dive at Highway 55 serves up smoked wings, burgers, and beer, among other solid bar-food options.

855 Kentucky, 207-5111. L, D, MRA, $ PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flair, including such entrees as filet Paulette with butter cream sauce and crabmeat and spinach crepes; also changing daily specials and great views. River Inn, 50 Harbor Town Square, 260-3300. B, L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$ RENDEZVOUS, CHARLES VERGOS’—Menu items include barbecued ribs, cheese plates, skillet shrimp, red beans and rice, and Greek salads. Closed Sun.-Mon. 52 S. Second, 523-2746. L (Fri.Sat.), D, $-$$ ROCK’N DOUGH—A blend of Italian and American foods like artisan pizza, salads, pasta, burgers, and house-brewed beers. 704 Madison, 587-6256. L, D, $-$$ SABOR CARIBE—Serving up “Caribbean flavors” with dishes from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Closed Sunday. 662 Madison, 949-8100. L, D, $ SAGE—Restaurant and lounge features daily lunch specials and tapas with such dishes as braised short ribs, teriyaki pulled pork, and the Sage burger made with Angus beef, avocado mash, fried egg, and flash-fried sage. 94 S. Main, 672-7902. L, D, WB, $-$$ SILLY GOOSE LOUNGE—Gourmet, wood-fired pizzas and handcrafted cocktails at this downtown restaurant and lounge. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 111, 435-6915. L, D, $

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CITY DINING

SOUTH MAIN SUSHI & GRILL—Serving sushi, nigiri, and more. 520 S. Main, 249-2194. L, D, $ SOB—Elevated gastropub that serves favorites like general Tso’s cauliflower or duck fried rice. 345 S. Main, 526-0388; 5040 Sanderlin (East Memphis), 818-0821; 1329 W. Poplar, 286-1360. L, D, WB, $-$$ SOUTH POINT GROCERY—Fresh and delicious sandwiches made to order at Downtown’s new grocery market. 136 Webster. B, L, D, $ SUGAR GRITS—Who said breakfast has to be in the morning? The Westmorelands offer grits and other breakfast goodness all day long, in addition to other Southern-style lunch and dinner options. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 111, 249-5206. B, L, D, $-$$ SUNRISE MEMPHIS—Serves breakfast all day, including house-made biscuits, frittatas, kielbasa or boudin plates, and breakfast platters. 670 Jefferson, 552-3144; 5469 Poplar Ave. (East Memphis), 844-6117. B, L, MRA, $ TERRACE—Creative American and Continental cuisine includes such dishes as filet mignon, beef or lamb sliders, chicken satay, and mushroom pizzetta. Rooftop, River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square, 260-3366. D, MRA, $$ TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes, and Brazilian sausage; also a salad bar with extensive toppings. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 103, 526-7600. L (Wed.-Fri.), D, WB, $$-$$$ TUG’S—Famous for New Orleans gumbo, fabulous burgers, fried thin catfish, and specialty pancakes. Now serving Grisanti Crafted Pizza. 51 Harbor Town Square, 260-3344. B, L, D, WB, $$-$$$ WAHLBURGERS WILD—Wahlburgers brings its classic menu, but with a few gamey twists at the Bass Pro Pyramid. 1 Bass Pro Drive, 291-8000. B, L, D, $-$$ WESTY’S—Extensive menu includes a variety of wild rice dishes, sandwiches, plate lunches, and hot fudge pie. 346 N. Main, 543-3278.

L, D, $ WINGMAN—Downtown lounge and hookah bar offering wings galore with ten signature sauces, and plenty of other goodies. 143 Madison, 907-0586. D, WB, $-$$ MIDTOWN (INCLUDES THE MEDICAL CENTER) ABNER’S FAMOUS CHICKEN—Fried chicken tenders and dipping sauces galore at this Mid-South staple. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 137, 425-2597; 1100 N. Germantown Pkwy., 754-5355 (Cordova). L, D, $-$$ ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian/Mediterranean menu includes beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrees, and vegetarian dishes; also a lunch buffet. 2600 Poplar, 321-0082. L, D, $-$$ ART BAR—Inventive cocktails feature locally foraged ingredients; snacks include house-cured salt & vinegar potato chips and herb-roasted olives. Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 280, 507-8030. D, $ ASHTAR GARDEN—Southern twists on classic brunch dishes, and plenty of cocktails. Closed Mon.-Wed. 898 S. Cooper, 443-1514. L, D, $-$$ BABALU TACOS & TAPAS—Spanish-style tapas with Southern flair; also taco and enchilada of the day; specials change daily. 2115 Madison, 274-0100; 6450 Poplar, 410-8909. L, D, SB, MRA, $-$$ BAIN BARBECUE & BAKERY—Brian Bain’s popular Texas-style barbecue is back, alongside an assortment of baked goods. 993 S. Cooper, 310-4141. B, L, $-$$ BAO TOAN—Traditional Vietnamese restaurant offering small bites and home-style plates, plus creative versions of street-food favorites. 1350 Concourse Avenue. 695-1265. L, D, WB. Closed Tues. $-$$ BAR DKDC—Features an ever-changing menu of international “street food,” from Thai to Mexican, Israeli to Indian, along with specialty cocktails. 964 S. Cooper, 272-0830. D, MRA, $ BAR KEOUGH—It’s old-school eats and cocktails at the new Cooper-Young neighborhood corner bar by Kevin Keough. 247 S. Cooper, 654-3851. D, $ BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, spaghetti, bologna, other classics. Closed Sun. 1782 Madison, 272-1277. L, D, MRA, $-$$ BARI RISTORANTE ENOTECA—Authentic Southeastern Italian cuisine (Puglia) emphasizes lighter entrees. Serves fresh fish and beef dishes and a homemade soup of the day. 524 S. Cooper, 722-2244. D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ BARKSDALE RESTAURANT—Old-school diner serving breakfast and Southern plate lunches. 237 S. Cooper, 722-2193. B, L, D, $ BAYOU BAR & GRILL—New Orleans fare at this Overton Square eatery includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish Acadian, shrimp dishes, red beans and rice, and muffalettas. 2094 Madison, 278-8626. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$

BEAUTY SHOP—Modern American cuisine with international flair served in a former beauty shop. Serves steaks, salads, pasta, and seafood, including pecan-crusted golden sea bass. Perennial “Best Brunch” winner. Closed for dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper, 272-7111. L, D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ BOSCOS—Tennessee’s first craft brewery serves a variety of freshly brewed beers as well as wood-fired oven pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks, and sandwiches. 2120 Madison, 432-2222. L, D, SB (with live jazz), MRA, $-$$ BROADWAY PIZZA—Serving a variety of pizzas, including the Broadway Special, as well as sandwiches, salads, wings, and soul-food specials. 2581 Broad, 454-7930; 627 S. Mendenhall, 207-1546. L, D, $-$$ BRIZA—Featuring specialties from the chef Moisés Hernandez’s native El Salvador, around the theme “Land–Sushi–Sea.” 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 181, 585-0553. L, D, MRA, $$-$$$ CAFE 1912—French/American bistro owned by culinary pioneer Glenn Hays serving such seafood entrees as seared sea scallops with charred cauliflower purée and chorizo cumin sauce; also crepes, salads, and onion soup gratinée. 243 S. Cooper, 722-2700. D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ CAFE ECLECTIC—Omelets and chicken and waffles are among menu items, along with quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Menu varies by location. 603 N. McLean, 725-1718; 111 Harbor Town Square, 590-4645. B, L, D, SB, MRA, $ CAMEO—Three longtime Memphis bartenders join forces for creative cocktails, cheese boards, snacks, and Sunday brunch. 1835 Union, Suite 3. 305-6511. D, SB, $-$$ CELTIC CROSSING—Specializes in Irish and American pub fare.

Entrees include shepherd’s pie, shrimp and sausage coddle, and fish and chips. 903 S. Cooper, 274-5151. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$ CENTRAL BBQ—Serves ribs, smoked hot wings, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, turkey, nachos, and portobello sandwiches.

Offers both pork and beef barbecue. 2249 Central, 272-9377; 4375 Summer, 767-4672; 147 E. Butler, 672-7760 ; 6201 Poplar, 417-7962. L, D, MRA, $-$$ COMPLICATED PILGRIM—Quick-serve coffee shop, bar, and restaurant all in one at The Memphian hotel. 21 S. Cooper, 538-7309.

B, L, D, $-$$ COOPER’S—“A charming experience for all ages,“ with po-boys, wraps, wings, fettucini. 959 S. Cooper, 343-0103. L, D, MRA, $-$$ THE COVE—Nautical-themed restaurant and bar serving oysters, pizzas, and more. The Stoner Pie, with tamales and fritos, is a popular dish. 2559 Broad, 730-0719. L, D, $ THE CRAZY NOODLE—Korean noodle dishes range from bibam beef noodle with cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables, to curry chicken noodle; also rice cakes served in a flavorful sauce. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 2015 Madison, 272-0928. L, D, $ ECCO—Mediterranean-inspired specialties range from rib-eye steak to seared scallops to housemade pastas and a grilled vegetable plate; also a Saturday brunch. Closed Sun.-Mon. 1585 Overton Park, 410-8200. D, $-$$ EVERGREEN GRILL—Serving classic American cuisine like patty melts, burgers, phillies, and more to bring you the comforting taste of home. Closed Mon./Tue. 212 N. Evergreen, 779-7065. L, D, X,$$-$$$ FARM BURGER—Serves grass-fed, freshly ground, locally sourced burgers; also available with chicken, pork, or veggie quinoa patties, with such toppings as aged white cheddar, kale coleslaw, and roasted beets.

1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 175, 800-1851. L, D, $ FAWN—Seasonal, tapas-style dishes (don’t miss the sourdough bread and butter) in a chic setting. Closed Mon. 937 S. Cooper, 310-4890. D, SB, $$ FEAST & GRAZE—Whipped goat toast, open-faced grilled cheese, and other local pantry snacks and charcuterie boards. Closed Sun./Mon. Inside Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar, 654-5926. L, $ FINO’S FROM THE HILL—Italian deli offers old favorites such as the Acquisto as well as a new breakfast menu. Germantown location paired with Happy Glaze Donuts. 1853 Madison, 272-FINO; 7781 Farmington (Germantown), B, L, D, $ FLAME RAMEN—Traditional Japanese ramen restaurant serving up bowls of noodles in Midtown. 1838 Union Ave. 779-8666, 61 S. Second St., Suite 160 (downtown). D, $-$$ FLIP SIDE—Pinball meets pub in the Crosstown neighborhood, with plenty of games alongside a Caribbean- and Latin-inspired menu. Closed Mon. 1349 Autumn, 207-6193. L, D, $-$$ FRIDA’S—Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex standards, including chimichangas, enchiladas, and fajitas; seafood includes shrimp and tilapia.

1718 Madison, 244-6196. L, D, $-$$

GLOBAL CAFÉ—This international food hall hosts three immigrant/refugee food entrepreneurs serving Venezuelan, Sudanese, and Syrian cuisines. Samosas, shawarma, and kabobs are among the menu items. Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 157. L, D, MRA, $ GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes. 2097 Madison, 728-5111. L, D, $-$$ GOOD GROCERIES MARKET & CAFÉ—Providing fresh, healthy, cruelty-free meals, Good Groceries offers a classic American menu with a twist: instead of pork, they use duck for their BBQ. They also sell quesadillas, mac-and-cheese, sandwiches, and more. Closed Sun. 585 S. Cooper, 325-1269. B, L, D, $ GROWLERS—Sports bar and eatery serves standard bar fare in addition to pasta, tacos, chicken and waffles, and light options. 1911 Poplar, 244-7904. L, D, $-$$ GUAC FRESH MEX—Authentic Mexican cuisine and four types of guacamole. Closed Sun. 782 Washington, 587-4100. L, D, $ HATTIE B’S—Fried chicken spot features “hot chicken” with a variety of heat levels; from no heat to “shut the cluck up” sauce. Sides include greens, pimento mac-and-cheese, and black-eyed pea salad. 596 S. Cooper, 424-5900. L, D, $ HUEY’S—This family-friendly restaurant offers 13 different burgers, a variety of sandwiches, and delicious soups and salads. 1927 Madison, 726-4372; 1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 754-3885; 77 S. Second (downtown), 527-2700; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville), 8544455; 7090 Malco Blvd. (Southaven), 662-349-7097; 7825 Winchester, 624-8911; 4872 Poplar, 682-7729; 7677 Farmington Blvd. (Germantown), 318-3030; 8570 Highway 51 N. (Millington), 873-5025. L, D, MRA, $ IMAGINE VEGAN CAFE—Dishes at this fully vegan restaurant range from salads and sandwiches to full dinners, including eggplant parmesan and “beef” tips and rice; breakfast all day Sat. and Sun. 2158 Young, 654-3455. L, D, WB, $ INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb shish kabobs, and chicken tikka masala are among the entrees; also, vegetarian options and a daily all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar. 278-1199. L, D, $-$$ INSPIRE COMMUNITY CAFE—Serving breakfast all day, in addition to quesadillas, rice bowls, and more for lunch and dinner. 510 Tillman, Suite 110, 509-8640. B, L, D, $ JACK BROWN’S BEER AND BURGER JOINT—Another spot to satisfy your burger craving, this time with 100% American Wagyu beef.

2197 Central, 512-6957. L, D, $-$$$ THE JUICE JOINT—Locally owned purveyor of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, açai bowls, and snacks. 1350 Concourse Ave., 572-1127; 3139 Poplar Ave. (East Memphis), 207-2535. B, L, $-$$ LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM—Serves such Southern cuisine as po’boys, shrimp and grits, and wood-fired pizzas. 2119 Madison, 2075097. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$ LOS COMALES—Authentic Mexican cuisine, daily specials, and strong margaritas. 1322 Madison, 440-8393; 345 Madison Ave. (downtown), 590-4524; 2860 S. Perkins (East Memphis), 369-0528. L, D, $-$$ LOUIS CONNELLY’S BAR FOR FUN TIMES & FRIENDSHIP—An upgraded dive bar with a neighborhood feel and a rockin’ SMASH burger.

Closed Sun. and Mon. 322 S. Cleveland, 433-9582. L, D, $-$$ MADISON TAVERN—Indoor and outdoor seating available, plus a full menu with a range of comfort foods and drinks on tap. 2126 Madison, 417-8029. L, D, $-$$$ MARY’S B.O.T.E.—This bar of tropical escapism offers over 30 specialty drinks, pizzas, bar snacks, and a cozy interior that transports customers to the beach. 21+ only. Closed Mon. 588 S. Cooper. D, $ MEMPHIS JAMAICAN KITCHEN—Authentic Jamaican specialties, including jerk chicken and oxtails. 1354 Madison, L, D, $$ MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2087 Madison, 726-5343; 5061 Park, 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington (Germantown), 753-2218; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville), 861-7800; 5627 Getwell (Southaven), 662-5361364. L, D, $-$$ MEMPHIS TOAST—Provides authentic Memphian breakfast cuisine and features themed rooms to honor iconic Memphis figures. Specialties include French toast, shrimp and grits, and their little Lucille breakfast burrito. 954 Jackson, 417-7817. B, L, WB, $-$$ MEMPHIS WHISTLE—Cocktails, cocktails, and even more delicious cocktails alongside burgers, sandwiches, and other tasty snacks. 2299 Young, 236-7136. Closed Mon.-Tue. D, $-$$ MOLLY’S LA CASITA—Homemade tamales, fish tacos, a vegetarian combo, and bacon-wrapped shrimp are a few of the specialties. 2006 Madison, 726-1873. L, D, MRA, $-$$

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PAYNE’S BAR-B-QUE—Opened in 1972, this family-owned barbecue joint serves ribs, smoked sausage, and chopped pork sandwiches with a standout mustard slaw and homemade sauce. About as down-to-earth as it gets. 1762 Lamar, 272-1523. L, D, $-$$ PETALS OF A PEONY—Authentic Chinese restaurant serving chicken, fish, tofu, and more, smothered in spicy sauces. 2110 Madison, 207-6680.

L, D, MRA, $-$$$ SALTWATER CRAB—Offers an array of seafood dishes including boils with blue crab, crab legs, lobster tails, and more, and specialty sushi like the Dynamite or Royal King rolls, in addition to signature sangrias and cocktails. 2059 Madison, 922-5202. L, D, $$ THE SECOND LINE—Kelly English brings “relaxed Creole cuisine” to his newest eatery; serves a variety of po’boys and such specialties as barbecue shrimp, andouille shrimp, and pimento cheese fries. 2144 Monroe, 590-2829. L, D, WB, $-$$ SEKISUI—Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrees. Poplar/Perkins location’s emphasis is on Pacific Rim cuisine. Menu and hours vary at each location. 25 Belvedere, 725-0005; 1884 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 309-8800; 4724 Poplar, 767-7770; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville), 854-0622; 2990 Kirby-Whitten (Bartlett), 377-2727; 6696 Poplar, 747-0001. L, D, $-$$$ SEN TRANG—Serving a wide variety of Chinese and Vietnamese soups, stir-fries, and noodles. 1615 Madison, 276-0006. L, D, $-$$ SLICE MIDTOWN—Serving New York-style pizza as well as subs and pasta dishes (formerly known as Little Italy). 1495 Union 725-0280; L, D, $-$$ SMOKY CITY BBQ—Serving authentic Memphis barbeque, including burgers, ribs, wings, and daily specials. Closed Sun. 1023 Jackson, 4253115. L, D, $-$$$ SOUL FISH CAFE—Serving Southern-style soul food, tacos, and po’boys, including catfish, crawfish, oyster, shrimp, chicken, and smoked pork tenderloin. 862 S. Cooper, 725-0722; 3160 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown), 755-6988; 4720 Poplar, 590-0323. L, D, MRA, $-$$ STICKEM—Brick-and-mortar location for the popular food truck, which offers grilled meat on a stick. 1788 Madison, 474-7214. Closed Sunday. L, D, $ TEKILA MEXICAN CUISINE—Mexican cuisine with a modern twist.

Specialties include chicken mole, enchiladas verde, and the trio special. 1433 Union, 510-5734. L, D, WB, $-$$$ TAMBOLI’S PASTA & PIZZA—Pasta-maker Miles Tamboli whips up Italian soul food with seasonal menus featuring dishes like crispy fried chicken or creamy bucatini with pecorino cheese. Serves dinner Tues.-Sat. 1761 Madison, 410-8866. D, $-$$ TAKASHI BISTRO—Fusion restaurant with an open kitchen that lets customers watch chefs prepare a variety of Japanese and Thai cuisine. 1680 Union, Suite 109, 800-2936. L, D, $-$$ TONICA—Paella and other Spanish-inspired dishes with an Italian touch, alongside an extensive list of gin and tonics. 1545 Overton Park, 474-7693; 265 S. Front, 949-7693. Closed Mon.-Wed. D, $-$$ TUYEN’S ASIAN BISTRO—A variety of Asian dishes from the minds and chefs behind Saigon Le. Closed Sun. 288 N. Cleveland, L, D, $-$$ ZINNIE’S—Dive bar classic reopens with a makeover and signature Zinnaloni sandwich. 1688 Madison, 726-5004. L, D, $ SOUTH MEMPHIS (INCLUDES PARKWAY VILLAGE, FOX MEADOWS, SOUTH MEMPHIS, WINCHESTER, AND WHITEHAVEN)

BALA’S BISTRO—Authentic West African cuisine available to order or by the pound, alongside traditional American dishes and an extensive vegan menu. 4571 Elvis Presley, 509-3024. L, D, $-$$ CACHE 42 KITCHEN & COCKTAILS—Elevated fine dining (think golden rack of lamb or lobster queso) and cocktail lounge at MoneyBagg Yo’s restaurant; menu by chef Daris Leatherwood. Brunch and lunch options.

4202 Hacks Cross, Suite 121. 494-5458. D, $-$$ COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves such specialties as homemade ravioli, lasagna, and pizza with barbecue or traditional toppings. 1063 S. Parkway E., 948-7652. L, D, $-$$ CURRY BOWL—Specializes in Southern Indian cuisine, serving Tandoori chicken, biryani, tikka masala, and more. Weekend buffet. 4141 Hacks Cross, 207-6051. L, D, $ DELTA’S KITCHEN—The premier restaurant at The Guest House at Graceland serves Elvis-inspired dishes — like Nutella and Peanut Butter Crepes for breakfast — and upscale Southern cuisine — including lamb chops and shrimp and grits — for dinner. 3600 Elvis Presley, 443-3000. B, D, $-$$$ DWJ KOREAN BARBECUE—This authentic Korean eatery serves kimbap, barbecued beef short ribs, rice and noodles dishes, and hot pots and stews.

3750 Hacks Cross, Suite 101. 746-8057; 2156 Young. 207-6204. L, D, $-$$

FABULOUS FLAVORS & FRIENDS—”The Candy Lady” Precious Thompson Jones comes up with a little bit of everything: omelettes, quesadillas, t-bones and waffles, and plenty of soul food. 2063 E. Brooks, 314-0735. L, D, $ THE FOUR WAY—Legendary soul-food establishment dishing up such entrees as fried and baked catfish, chicken, and turkey and dressing, along with a host of vegetables and desserts. Around the corner from the legendary Stax Studio. Closed Mon. 998 Mississippi, 507-1519.

L, D, $ HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY—No one cares how late it gets; not at Hernando’s Hideaway. Live music, killer happy hour, and plenty of bar fare at this South Memphis hang. 3210 Old Hernando, 917-982-1829. L, D, $ INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped pork-shoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. 2265 S. Third, 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline (Southaven), 662-393-5699. L, D, $-$$ JIM & SAMELLA’S—It’s a revolving menu of soul food delight from Chef Talbert Fleming, with anything from Southern ribs to fried tamales.

841 Bullington, 265-8761. L, D, $ LEONARD’S—Serves wet and dry ribs, barbecue sandwiches, spaghetti, catfish, homemade onion rings, and lemon icebox pie; also a lunch buffet. 5465 Fox Plaza, 360-1963. L, $-$$ MARLOWE’S—In addition to its signature barbecue and ribs, Marlowe’s serves Southern-style steaks, chops, lasagna, and more. 4381 Elvis Presley, 332-4159. D, MRA, $-$$ UNCLE LOU’S FRIED CHICKEN—Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for good reason: fried chicken (mild, hot, or home-style); jumbo burgers four patties high; strawberry shortcake, and assorted fruit pies.

3633 Millbranch, 332-2367. L, D, MRA, $ SUMMER / BERCLAIR / RALEIGH / BARTLETT 901 HOT POT & KOREAN BBQ—All-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean BBQ, from short ribs to garlic shrimp. 2965 N. Germantown Pkwy., 512-4963. L, D, $$-$$$ BISCUITS & JAMS—Biscuits, waffles, French toast, and plenty of sharables at this Bartlett breakfast spot. Closed Mon./Tue. 5806 Stage, 672-7905. B, L, $ BRYANT’S BREAKFAST—Three-egg omelets, pancakes, and The Sampler Platter are among the popular entrees here. Possibly the best biscuits in town. Closed Mon. and Tues. 3965 Summer, 324-7494. B, L, $ CEVICHERIA AND GRILL CHILEMON—Ceviche, of course, but also plenty of other postres, aperitivos, and mixed grilled meat and seafood feasts. Closed Sun. 4509 Summer, 672-7905. L, D, $ CHEF FLAVAS AND BARTLETT BREAKFAST FACTORY— ”Flavaful” sandwiches, soups, pastas, and more from the makers of the popular local spinach artichoke dip. Traditional breakfast options served

by Bartlett Breakfast Factory. Closed Sun./Mon. 6301 Stage, 779-2200.

B, L, D, $-$$ DIM SUM KING—All the best from a selection of authentic Chinese dishes: roasted duck, sizzling hot plate, Cantonese BBQ, and plenty more.

5266 Summer, Suite 65, 766-0831. L, D, $-$$ ELWOOD’S SHACK—Casual comfort food includes tacos, pizza, and sandwiches. Specialties include meats smoked in-house (chicken, turkey, brisket, pork), barbecue pizza, and steelhead trout tacos. 4523 Summer, 761-9898. B, L, D, $ EXLINES’ BEST PIZZA—Serves pizza, Italian dinners, sandwiches, and salads. 6250 Stage, 382-3433; 2935 Austin Peay, 388-4711; 2801 Kirby Parkway, 754-0202; 7730 Wolf River Blvd. (Germantown), 753-4545; 531 W. Stateline, 662-342-4544.

L, D, MRA, $ HABANA CLUB RESTAURANT, BAR & GRILLE—Offering authentic Cuban fare. 6110 Macon, 480-8173. L, D, $-$$ LA TAQUERIA GUADALUPANA—Fajitas and quesadillas are just a few of the authentic Mexican entrees offered here. A bonafide Memphis institution. 4818 Summer, 685-6857; 5848 Winchester, 365-4992. L, D, $ LOTUS—Authentic Vietnamese-Asian fare, including lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, Pho soup, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer, 682-1151. D, $ MORTIMER’S—Contemporary American entrees include trout almondine, chicken dishes, and hand-cut steaks; also sandwiches, salads, and daily/nightly specials. A Memphis landmark since the Knickerbocker closed. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 590 N. Perkins, 7619321. L, D, $-$$ NAGASAKI INN—Chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer, 454-0320. D, $$

NAM KING—General Tso’s chicken, hot and sour soup, and homemade chicken wings are back at the longtime Raleigh Chinese eatery. 3624 Austin Peay, Suite 3, 373-4411. L, D, $-$$ PANCAKE SHOP—Classic breakfast items plus meat-and-three lunches, sandwiches, soups, salads. Open 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day except Wednesday. 4838 Summer, 767-0206. B, L, $ ÓRALE TACOS & BAKERY—Tacos, enchiladas, and other traditional Southern Mexican dishes alongside baked pan dulces. 2204 Whitten, 571-1786. B, L, D, $-$$ PANDA GARDEN—Sesame chicken and broccoli beef are among the Mandarin and Cantonese entrees; also seafood specials and fried rice.

Closed for lunch Saturday. 3735 Summer, 323-4819. L, D, $-$$ QUEEN OF SHEBA—Featuring Middle Eastern favorites and Yemeni dishes such as lamb haneeth and saltah. 4792 Summer, 207-4174. L, D, $ SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrees; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sun./Mon. 5689 Stage, 377-2484. D, $-$$ TACO PRIME—Modern taqueria where bold Mexican dishes meet Southern hospitality. 8222 U.S. 64, 585-0858. Closed Sunday.

L,D, $-$$ TORTILLERIA LA UNICA—Individual helping of Mexican street food, including hefty tamales, burritos, tortas, and sopes. 5015 Summer, 685-0097. B, L, D, $ UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT (INCLUDES CHICKASAW GARDENS AND HIGHLAND STRIP)

A-TAN—Serves Chinese and Japanese hibachi cuisine, complete with sushi bar. A specialty is Four Treasures with garlic sauce. 3445 Poplar, Suite 17, University Center, 452-4477. L, D, $-$$$ BROTHER JUNIPER’S—This little cottage is a breakfast mecca, offering specialty omelets, including the open-faced San Diegan omelet; also daily specials, and homemade breads and pastries.

Closed Mon. 3519 Walker, 324-0144. B, $ CHAR RESTAURANT—Specializing in modern Southern cuisine, this eatery offers homestyle sides, charbroiled steaks, and fresh seafood. 431 S. Highland, Suite 120, 249-3533. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$ EL PORTON—Fajitas, quesadillas, and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown), 754-4268; 8361 Highway 64, 380-7877; 3448 Poplar (Poplar Plaza), 452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova), 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville), 854-5770. L, D, MRA, $-$$ PLANT BASED HEAT—All of your favorite Southern-style recipes, but deliciously transformed into a vegan format. Specialties include the spicy fye junt burger, or the chopped ‘n’ smoked BBQ jackfruit sandwich. Closed Sun. 669 S. Highland St.; 363 S. Front St. (downtown). L, D, $ EAST MEMPHIS (INCLUDES POPLAR / I-240) ACRE—Features seasonal modern American cuisine in an avantegarde setting using locally sourced products; also small plates and enclosed garden patio. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 690 S. Perkins, 818-2273. L, D, $$-$$$ AGAVOS COCINA & TEQUILA—Camaron de Tequila, tamales, kabobs, and burgers made with a blend of beef and chorizo are among the offerings at this tequila-centric restaurant and bar. 2924 Walnut Grove, 433-9345. L, D, $-$$ AMERIGO—Traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine includes pasta, wood-fired pizza, steaks, and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall, 761-4000. L, D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ ANDALUSIA— Authentic Moroccan cuisine, including tagines, brochettes, and briouates. 5101 Sanderlin Ave., Suite 103, 236-7784.

L, D, $-$$ ANDREW MICHAEL ITALIAN KITCHEN—Traditional Italian cuisine with a menu from two of the city’s top chefs that changes seasonally with such entrees as Maw Maw’s ravioli. Closed Sun.-Mon. 712 W. Brookhaven Circle, 347-3569. D, MRA, $$-$$$ ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE—Offering several varieties of eggs Benedict, waffles, omelets, pancakes, beignets, and other breakfast fare; also burgers, sandwiches, and salads. 6063 Park, 729-7020; 65 S. Highland, 623-7122. B, L, WB, $ BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai fusion cuisine includes noodle and curry dishes, chef-specialty sushi rolls, coconut soup, and duck and seafood entrees. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. at Brookhaven location; call for hours. 715 W. Brookhaven Circle, 590-2585; 2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee (Collierville), 854-8748. L, D, $-$$

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BELLE MEADE SOCIAL—Upscale Americana cuisine including lamb lollipops, spicy tuna stack, and steak & noodle salad. 518 Perkins Extd., 480-7054. L, D, $-$$$ BELMONT GRILL—Burgers, steak sandwiches, and other classic American fare at one of Memphis’ longstanding bars. 4970 Poplar, 767-0305. L, D, $-$$ BENIHANA—This Japanese steakhouse serves beef, chicken, and seafood grilled at the table; some menu items change monthly; sushi bar also featured. 912 Ridge Lake Blvd., 767-8980. L, D, $$-$$$ BIG BAD BREAKFAST—Fresh biscuits, house-made cured meats, jams, jellies, and more for the most important meal of the day. 6450 Poplar, 881-3346. B, L, $-$$ BOG & BARLEY—An all-Irish fine dining experience by the owners of Celtic Crossing, and a full bar with plenty of beer and 25-year-old Macallan. 6150 Poplar, Suite 124, 805-2262. L, D, WB, $-$$ BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT—Specializing in such homemade entrees as spinach lasagna and lobster ravioli; a seafood specialty is horseradish-crusted salmon. Closed Sun. 1779 Kirby Pkwy., 755-7413. D, $-$$$ CAPITAL GRILLE—Known for its dry-aged, hand-carved steaks; among the specialties are bone-in sirloin and porcini-rubbed Delmonico; also seafood entrees and seasonal lunch plates. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. Crescent Center, 6065 Poplar, 683-9291. L, D, $$$-$$$$ CASABLANCA—Lamb shawarma is one of the fresh, homemade specialties served at this Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant; fish entrees and vegetarian options also available. 5030 Poplar, 725-8557; 1707 Madison, 421-6949. L, D, $-$$ CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL—Burritos, quesadillas, tacos, salads, and bowls made to order while customers watch. 5865 Poplar, 416-1944; 2046 Union, 729-2640; 4726 Summer, 590-1839; 2110 West St., 256-6202; 695 N. Germantown Parkway (Germantown), 416-1944. L, D, $-$$ CHUKIS TACOS 2—Traditional homestyle Mexican recipes. 3445 Poplar Ave., Suite 1, 888-4139. B, L, D, $-$$ CIAO BELLA—Among the Italian and Greek specialties are lasagna, seafood pasta, gourmet pizzas, and vegetarian options. 5101 Sanderlin, 205-2500. D, MRA, $-$$$ CITY SILO TABLE + PANTRY—With a focus on clean eating, this establishment offers fresh juices, as well as comfort foods re-imagined with wholesome ingredients. 5101 Sanderlin, 729-7687; 7605 W. Farmington, Suite 2, 236-7223 (Germantown). B, L, D, $ COASTAL FISH COMPANY—Upscale offerings of international fish varieties utilizing styles ranging from the Carribbean, East Coast, West Coast, China, Philippines, and more. 415 Great View Dr. E., Suite 101, 266-9000 (Shelby Farms Park). D, $$-$$$ CORKY’S—Popular barbecue emporium offers both wet and dry ribs, plus a full menu of other barbecue entrees. Wed. lunch buffets, Cordova and Collierville. 5259 Poplar, 685-9744; 1740 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 737-1911; 743 W. Poplar (Collierville), 405-4999; 6434 Goodman Rd., (Olive Branch), 662-893-3663. L, D, MRA, $-$$ THE CRAZY COOP—Plenty of hot wings and sauces, plus sandwiches and other dinner plates. 1315 Ridgeway, 748-5325; 7199 Stage (Bartlett), 433-9212. L, D, $-$$ DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers, and other Irish and American fare; also lunch and dinner specials.

4694 Spottswood, 761-3711; 3964 Goodman (Southaven), 662-890-7611.

L, D, $ ERLING JENSEN—For decades, Chef Erling has presented “globally inspired” cuisine to die for. Specialties are rack of lamb, biggame entrees, and fresh fish dishes. 1044 S. Yates, 763-3700. D, MRA, $$-$$$ ERLING JENSEN SMALL BITES—Enjoy Erling Jensen’s specialty dishes in a sharable, small-plate format alongside TopGolf Swing suites.

5069 Sanderlin, 587-9464. L, D, $-$$$ FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE—Serves wet-aged and dry-aged steaks, prime beef, chops, and seafood, including salmon, Australian lobster tails, and a catch of the day. 6245 Poplar, 761-6200. D, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE— Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall, 762-8200. D, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin cuisine, including broccoli beef, hot-andsour soup, and spring rolls. Closed Mon. 6685 Quince, 753-9898. L, D, $-$$ FOX RIDGE PIZZA & GRILL—Pizzas, calzones, sub sandwiches, burgers, and meat-and-two plate lunches are among the dishes served at this eatery, which opened in 1979. 711 W. Brookhaven Circle, 758-6500.

L, D, $

FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts, all with an Italian/Mediterranean flair. Closed Sun. 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis Botanic Garden, 766-9900. L, $ HALF SHELL—Specializes in seafood, such as king crab legs; also serves steaks, chicken, pastas, salads, sandwiches, and a ”voodoo menu.” 688 S. Mendenhall, 682-3966; 9091 Poplar (Germantown), 590-4304. L, D, WB, MRA, $-$$$ HEN HOUSE—Hybrid wine/cocktail bar and tasting room with plenty of cosmopolitan eats. 679 S. Mendenhall, 499-5436. D, SB, $-$$$ HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, and sides. Closed Mon. A neighborhood fixture. 477 High Point Terrace, 452-3339. L, D, $-$$ HOG & HOMINY—The casual sister to Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen serves brick-oven-baked pizzas, including the Red-Eye with pork belly, and small plates with everything from meatballs to beef and cheddar hot dogs; and local veggies. Closed for lunch Mon. 707 W. Brookhaven Circle, 207-7396. L, D, SB, MRA. $-$$$ LA BAGUETTE—An almond croissant and chicken salad are among specialties at this French-style bistro. Closed for dinner Sun. 3088 Poplar, 458-0900. B, L, D (closes at 7), MRA, $ LAS DELICIAS—Popular for its guacamole, house-made tortilla chips, and margaritas, this restaurant draws diners with its chicken enchiladas, meat-stuffed flautas, and Cuban torta with spicy pork. Closed Sun. 4002 Park, 458-9264; 5689 Quince, 800-2873. L, D, $ LIBRO AT LAURELWOOD—Bookstore eatery features a variety of sandwiches, salads, and homemade pasta dishes, with Italian-inspired options such as carbonara and potato gnocchi. Closed for dinner Sun. 387 Perkins Ext. (inside Novel), 800-2656. B, L, D, SB, $-$$ THE LIQUOR STORE—All-day breakfast, sandwiches, and entrees such as Salisbury steak and smothered pork chops. 669 S. Mendenhall, B, L, D, $-$$ LITTLE ITALY EAST—New York-style pizzas galore and homemade pasta. Closed Sun. 6300 Poplar, Suite 113. 729-7432. L, $-$$ MAGNOLIA & MAY—Southern-inspired, family-owned, casual dining restaurant serving up a variety of sandwiches, chef-inspired dishes, and craft cocktails. Popular items include shrimp and grits and the double cheeseburger. Closed Mon. 718 Mt. Moriah, 676-8100. L, D, WB, MRA. $$-$$$ MANDE DIBI WEST AFRICAN BBQ GRILL—Pairs traditional West African BBQ with Memphis BBQ for a menu that offers a wide variety of flavors, including daily specials and vegan-friendly options. 6825 Winchester, 672-8995. L, D, $-$$$ MARCIANO MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALIAN CUISINE—Veal Saltimbocca with angel-hair pasta and white wine sauce is among the entrees; also steaks, seafood, and gourmet pizza. 780 E. Brookhaven Circle, 682-1660. D, $-$$ MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, masala dosa, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrees; also a daily lunch buffet, and dinner buffet on Fri.-Sat. 6524 Quince, 753-8755. L, D, $-$$ MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, Thai calamari, rainbow panang curry with grouper fish, and other Pan Asian/ fusion entrees. Closed Mon. 850 S. White Station, 683-8889. L, D, MRA, $ MULAN ASIAN BISTRO—Pan-Asian fare includes sushi and Sichuan dishes. 4598 Spottwood, 347-3965. L, D, $-$$ NAM KING—Offers luncheon and dinner buffets, dim sum, and such specialties as fried dumplings, pepper steak, and orange chicken. 4594 Yale, 373-4411. L, D, $ NAPA CAFE—Among the specialties are miso-marinated salmon over black rice with garlic spinach and shiitake mushrooms. Closed Sun. 5101 Sanderlin, Suite 122, 683-0441. D, MRA, $$-$$$ ONE & ONLY BBQ—On the menu are pork barbecue sandwiches, platters, wet and dry ribs, smoked chicken and turkey platters, a smoked meat salad, barbecue quesadillas, Brunswick Stew, and Millie’s homemade desserts. 1779 Kirby Pkwy., 751-3615; 567 Perkins Extd., 249-4227. L, D, $ ONO POKÉ—This eatery specializes in poké — a Hawaiian dish of fresh fish salad served over rice. Menu includes a variety of poké bowls, like the Kimchi Tuna bowl, or customers can build their own by choosing a base, protein, veggies, and toppings. 3145 Poplar, 618-2955. L, D, $ OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and crawfish etouffee are specialties. Closed for dinner Sun. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar, 761-0990.

L, D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ PARK + CHERRY—The Dixon offers casual dining within the museum.

Seasonal menu features sandwiches, like rustic chicken salad on

croissant, as well as salads, snacks, and sweets. Closed for breakfast Sun. and all day Mon. 4339 Park (Dixon Gallery and Gardens), 761-5250. L, $ PATRICK’S—Serves barbecue nachos, burgers, and entrees such as fish and chips; also plate lunches and daily specials. 4972 Park, 682-2852. L, D, MRA, $ PETE & SAM’S—Serving Memphis for 60-plus years; offers steaks, seafood, and traditional Italian dishes, including homemade ravioli, lasagna, and chicken marsala. 3886 Park, 458-0694. D, $-$$$ PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Specialties are orange peel shrimp, Mongolian beef, and chicken in lettuce wraps; also vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant. 1181 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall, 818-3889. L, D, $-$$ PHO SAIGON—Vietnamese fare includes beef teriyaki, roasted quail, curry ginger chicken, vegetarian options, and a variety of soups. 2946 Poplar, 458-1644. L, D, $ PYRO’S FIRE-FRESH PIZZA—Serving gourmet pizzas cooked in an open-fire oven, wide choice of toppings, and large local and craft beer selection. 1199 Ridgeway, 379-8294; 2035 Union, 208-8857; 2286 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 207-1198; 3592 S. Houston Levee (Collierville), 221-8109. L, D, MRA, $ RED HOOK CAJUN SEAFOOD & BAR—Cajun-style array of seafood including shrimp, mussels, clams, crawfish, and oysters. 3295 Poplar, 207-1960. L, D, $-$$ RED KOI—Classic Japanese cuisine offered at this family-run restaurant; hibachi steaks, sushi, seafood, chicken, and vegetables.

5847 Poplar, 767-3456. L, D, $-$$ RED PIER CAJUN SEAFOOD & BAR—Owners of Red Hook bring more Cajun-style seafood dishes. 5901 Poplar, 512-5923. L, D, $-$$$ RESTAURANT IRIS—French Creole-inspired classics, such as Gulf shrimp and rice grits congee served with lap chong sausage and boiled peanuts, are served at this newly remodeled restaurant owned by Chef Kelly English, a Food and Wine “Top Ten.” 4550 Poplar, 590-2828. L, D, $$-$$$ RIVER OAKS—Chef Jose Gutierrez’s French-style bistro serves seafood and steaks, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 5871 Poplar, 6839305. L, D, $$$ RONNIE GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—This Memphis institution serves family classics such as Elfo’s Special and handmade ravioli, along with house-made pizza and fresh oysters. Closed Sun. 6150 Poplar, Suite 122, 850-0191. D, $-$$$ ROTOLO’S CRAFT & CRUST—Louisiana-based pizza company’s first Memphis location, whipping up pizza pies with homemade sauces and fresh ingredients, pasta, wings, and other shareables. 681 S. White Station, 454-3352. L, D, $-$$ RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar, 761-0055. D, $$$-$$$$ SALSA COCINA MEXICANA—Mexican-Southern California specialties include carnitas, enchiladas verde, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such as snapper verde. Closed Sun. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar, Suite 129, 683-6325. L, D, $-$$ SEASONS 52—This elegant fresh grill and wine bar offers a seasonally changing menu using fresh ingredients, wood-fire grilling, and brick-oven cooking; also a large international wine list and nightly piano bar. Crescent Center, 6085 Poplar, 682-9952. L, D, $$-$$$ STAKS—Offering pancakes, including birthday cake and lemon ricotta. Menu includes other breakfast items such as beignets and French toast, as well as soups and sandwiches for lunch. 4615 Poplar, 509-2367; 3660 S. Houston Levee Road, Suite 104 (Collierville), 286-4335; 7704 Poplar (Germantown), 800-1951; 2902 May, (Southaven). B, L, WB, $ SWANKY’S TACO SHOP—Taco-centric eatery offers tortas, flatbreads, quesadillas, chimichangas, burgers, and more. 4770 Poplar, 730-0763; 6641 Poplar (Germantown), 737-2088; 272 S. Main.

779-3499. L, D, $ THREE LITTLE PIGS—Pork-shoulder-style barbecue with tangy mild or hot sauce, freshly made coleslaw, and baked beans. 5145 Quince, 685-7094. B, L, D, $ TJ MULLIGAN’S—Cold drinks, comfort food, and plenty of live entertainment. 1817 Kirby Pkwy. (East Memphis), 755-2481; 8070 Trinity, Suite 1 (Cordova), 756-4480; 2821 N. Houston Levee, (Lakeland), 377-9997. L, D, $-$$ TOPS BAR-B-Q—Specializes in pork barbecue sandwiches and sandwich plates with beans and slaw; also serves ribs, beef brisket,

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and burgers. 1286 Union.,725-7527; 4183 Summer, 324-4325; 5391 Winchester.,794-7936; 3970 Rhodes, 323-9865; 6130 Macon, 371-0580. For more locations, go online. L, D, $ TORCHY’S TACOS—Plenty of Tex-Mex variety, with creative monthly special tacos. 719 S. Mendenhall, 343-8880. B, L, D, $ VENICE KITCHEN—Specializes in “eclectic Italian” and Southern Creole, from pastas, including the “Godfather,” to hand-tossed pizzas, including the “John Wayne”; choose from 50 toppings. 368 Perkins Ext., 767-6872. L, D, SB, $-$$ WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrees, including the golden-sesame chicken; next door is East Tapas, serving small plates with an Asian twist. 6065 Park Ave., Park Place Mall, 763-0676. L, D, $-$$ WASABI—Serving traditional Japanese offerings, hibachi, sashimi, and sushi. The Sweet Heart roll, wrapped — in the shape of a heart — with tuna and filled with spicy salmon, yellowtail, and avocado, is a specialty. 5101 Sanderlin Rd., Suite 105, 421-6399.

L, D, $-$$ THE WING GURU—A staple of the Memphis wing scene, featuring everything from classic buffalo to exquisite lemon pepper.

5699 Mt. Moriah, 509-2405; 875 W. Poplar, Suite 6 (Collierville), 221-7488; 8253 Highway 51 North, Suite 103 (Millington), 8720849; 4130 Elvis Presley (Whitehaven), 791-4726; 5224 Airline, Suite 107 (Arlington), 209-0349. L, D, $-$$ WOMAN’S EXCHANGE TEA ROOM—Chicken-salad plate, beef tenderloin, soups-and-sandwiches, vegetable plates, and homemade desserts are specialties. Closed Sat.-Sun. 88 Racine, 327-5681. L, $ CORDOVA THE BLUE ROOM RESTAURANT—An elevated take on traditional Southern recipes, located in the U of M Kemmons Wilson Culinary Institute. Closed Mon. 1245 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 101, 249-7512. D, SB, $$-$$$ BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Pkwy., 755-4114. L, D, $-$$ THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. filets to a 20-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood.

107 S. Germantown, 757-4244. L (Fri. and Sun.), D, $$-$$$ GREEN BAMBOO—Pineapple tilapia, pork vermicelli, and the soft egg noodle combo are Vietnamese specialties here. 990 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 104, 753-5488. L, D, $-$$ JIM ’N NICK’S BAR-B-Q—Serves barbecued pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, and fish, along with other homemade Southern specialties. 2359 N. Germantown Pkwy., 388-0998. L, D, $-$$ EL MERO TACO—This food truck turned restaurant serves up Mexican and Southern-style fusion dishes, including fried chicken tacos, chorizo con papas tacos, and brisket quesadillas. 8100 Macon Station, Suite 102, 308-1661. Closed Sun.-Mon. L, D, WB, $ MINGXIA DUMPLING—Specializing in Chinese cuisine and street food, with handmade dishes: dumplings, soup, fried rice, meats, and vegetables. 1014 N. Germantown Pkwy., 961-6999. L, D, $-$$. Closed Tues.

POKÉ WORLD—Serves up Hawaiian poké bowls filled with rice and diced, raw fish. Also offers Taiwanese bubble tea and rolled ice cream for dessert. 1605 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 111, 623-7986. East Memphis: 575 Erin, 779-4971. L, D, $ PETALS OF A PEONY—Authentic Sichuan cuisine, from crispy duck to peony fried chicken. Be prepared for spice! 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy., 787-8886. L, D, $-$$ SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrees include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrees. 2324 N. Germantown Pkwy., 384-4122. L, D, $-$$ TANNOOR GRILL—Brazilian-style steakhouse with skewers served tableside, along with Middle Eastern specialties; vegetarian options also available. 830 N. Germantown Pkwy., 443-5222. L, D, $-$$$ VILLA CASTRIOTI—From traditional pasta dishes and family concoctions to hand-tossed brick oven NY pizza. 714 N. Germantown Pkwy., 753-3894. L, D, MRA, $$$ GERMANTOWN BLUE HONEY BISTRO—Entrees at this upscale eatery include brown butter scallops served with Mississippi blue rice and herb-crusted beef tenderloin with vegetables and truffle butter. Closed Sun. 9155 Poplar, Suite 17, 552-3041. D, $-$$$ FIRST WATCH—Fresh, made-to-order breakfast, brunch, and lunch creations. 7810 Poplar, 665-5590. B, WB, L, $-$$

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GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches; Mon.-night all-you-can-eat ribs. 2290 S. Germantown Rd., 754-5540. L, D, MRA, $-$$ LAS TORTUGAS DELI MEXICANA—Authentic Mexican food prepared from local food sources; specializes in tortugas — grilled bread scooped out to hold such powerfully popular fillings as brisket, pork, and shrimp; also tingas, tostados. Closed Sun. 1215 S. Germantown Rd., 751-1200; 6300 Poplar. 623-3882. L, D, $-$$ LIMELIGHT—Wolf River Hospitality Group brings Wagyu beef, duck gnocchi, and other fine dining dishes on a rotating seasonal menu. Closed Mon./Tue. 7724 Poplar Pike, 791-2328. D, $-$$$ LOCAL LIME—Tacos and margaritas in a casual environment, plus other goodies like the Mexican caramel apple crisp skillet. Closed Mon. 7605 W. Farmington, Suite 1, 224-2204. L, D, $-$$$ MELLOW MUSHROOM—Large menu includes assortment of pizzas, salads, calzones, hoagies, vegetarian options, and 50 beers on tap. 9155 Poplar, Shops of Forest Hill (Germantown), 907-0243. L, D, $-$$ MOONDANCE GRILL—From the owners of Itta Bena and Lafayette’s.

Serves steak cooked sous vide and seafood dishes including Abita-barbecued shrimp and pan-seared sand dab, in addition to an extensive wine and cocktail list. 1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 117, 755-1471. L, D, $$-$$$ MR. P’S WINGS—Casual eatery featuring hot wings, burgers, fried fish, and other American food. 2075 Exeter, Suite 35, 587-6777. L, D, $$ NOODLES ASIAN BISTRO—Serves a variety of traditional Asian cuisine, with emphasis on noodle dishes, such as Singapore Street Noodles and Hong Kong Chow Fun. 7850 Poplar, Suite 12, 755-1117. L, D, $ RIO LOBO CANTINA—Mexican and Latin-American cuisine.

3165 Forest Hill Irene Rd., 310-3432. L,D, $-$$ ROCK’N DOUGH PIZZA CO.—Specialty and custom pizzas made from fresh ingredients; wide variety of toppings. 7850 Poplar, Suite 6, 779-2008. L, D, SB, MRA, $$ ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Royal Panda chicken and shrimp, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops, 756-9697. L, D, $-$$ SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties here.

2060 West, 758-8181; 4840 Poplar (Memphis), 572-1002; 255 New Byhalia (Collierville), 316-5638. L, D, $-$$ SOUTHERN SOCIAL—Shrimp and grits, stuffed quail, and Aunt Thelma’s Fried Chicken are among the dishes served at this upscale Southern establishment. 2285 S. Germantown Rd., 754-5555. D, SB, MRA, $-$$$ STONEY RIVER STEAKHOUSE AND GRILL—Specializes in handcut steaks, a fresh seafood selection, and plenty of house specials. 7515 Poplar, Suite 101, 207-1100. L, D, $$-$$$$ SUFI’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL & BAR—Offers authentic Mediterranean and Persian cuisine, from hummus shawarma to traditional moussaka. Closed Mon. 7609 Poplar Pike, 779-2200. L, D, $-$$$ TAZIKI’S—Mediterranean-inspired dishes all made from scratch. 7850 Poplar, Suite 26, 612-2713; 540 S. Mendenhall Rd. (Memphis), 290-1091; 7974 U.S. 64 (Bartlett), 203-0083. L, D, $ THE TOASTED YOLK CAFE—Churro donuts, signature Eggs Benedict, and plenty other boozy brunch options at this franchise’s first Tennessee location. 9087 Poplar, Suite 11. B, L, $-$$ UNCLE GOYO’S—More than 30 dishes with a focus on authentic Mexican cuisine, from the brains behind TacoNganas. 1730 S. Germantown Rd., 310-4855. L, D, $-$$ WEST STREET DINER—This home-style eatery offers breakfast, burgers, po’boys, and more. 2076 West, 757-2191. B, L, D (Mon.-Fri.), $ ZEN JAPANESE FINE CUISINE—A full sushi bar and plenty of authentic Japanese dishes, like Hibachi or Wagyu beef. 1730 S. Germantown Rd., 779-2796. L, D, $-$$$ COLLIERVILLE BELLY ACRES—Upscale burger restaurant, featuring creative combos such as the Cowboy (fried onion strings, pickled jalapeños, and BBQ saucer, or the Hot Pow with pepper jack and spinach. 3660 S. Houston Levee, 209-0168; 6130 Poplar (Memphis), 707-7638. L, D, $-$$ CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Specializes in gourmet pizzas (including create-your-own), panini sandwiches, and pasta. Closed Sun. 139 S. Rowlett, 861-1999. L, D, $-$$

CIAO BABY—Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza made in a woodfired oven. Also serves house-made mozzarella, pasta, appetizers, and salads. 890 W. Poplar, Suite 1, 457-7457. L, D, $ COLLIERVILLE COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches. 3573 S. Houston Levee, 979-5540. L, D, MRA, $-$$ DAVID GRISANTI’S ON MAIN—Serving Northern Italian cuisine and traditional Grisanti family recipes. Closed Sun./Mon. 148 N. Main, 861-1777. L, D, $-$$$ DYER’S CAFE—Juicy hamburgers, split dogs, and milkshakes at the historic Collierville restaurant. 101 N. Center, 850-7750. L, D, $-$$ EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 9947 Wolf River Pkwy., 853-7922; 402 Perkins Extd., 761-7710; 694 N. Germantown Pkwy.

(Cordova), 755-1447; 1492 Union, 274-4264; 11615 Airline (Arlington), 867-1883; 9045 Highway 64 (Lakeland), 383-4219; 7164 Hacks Cross, CASINO TABLES CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE AT THE GOLDSTRIKE—1010 Casino Center, Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-24KSTAY / 662-357-1225 FAIRBANKS AT THE HOLLYWOOD—1150 Casino Strip, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-871-0711 IGNITE STEAKHOUSE AT SOUTHLAND CASINO HOTEL—1550 N. Ingram, West Memphis, AR, 1-800-467-6182 JACK BINION’S STEAK HOUSE AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE LUCKY 8 ASIAN BISTRO AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE SOUTHLAND CASINO HOTEL’S THE KITCHENS—1550 N. Ingram, West Memphis, AR, 1-800-467-6182 THE STEAKHOUSE AT THE FITZ—711 Lucky Lane, Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-766-LUCK, Ext. 8213 TWAIN’S STEAKHOUSE AT SAM’S TOWN TUNICA—1477 Casino Strip Resorts, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-456-0711

(Olive Branch). 662-890-3337; 8834 Highway 51 N. (Millington), 8723220; 7424 Highway 64 (Bartlett), 417-6026. L, D, $ EMERALD THAI RESTAURANT—Spicy shrimp, pad khing, lemongrass chicken, and several noodle, rice, and vegetarian dishes are offered at this family restaurant. Closed Sunday. 8950 Highway 64 (Lakeland), 384-0540. L, D, $-$$ FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, and wood-grilled salmon and other seafood, as well as seasonal entrees.

4600 Merchants Circle, Carriage Crossing, 850-1637; 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett), 379-1300. L, D, $-$$$ JIM’S PLACE GRILLE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 3660 Houston Levee, 861-5000. L, D, MRA, $-$$$ MAEVE’S TAVERN—An Irish-themed eatery with elevated tavern classics, from signature burgers to hearty entrees featuring locally sourced ingredients. 78 N. Main on the Town Square, 403-5100. L, D, SB, $-$$$ MAROON BREW CO.—Family-friendly restaurant serving up gourmet hot dogs, smash burgers, chicken, and shareables, all made to pair with beers brewed on-site. Closed Mon. 642 W. Poplar, 799-0354. L, D, $-$$ MULAN ASIAN BISTRO—Hunan Chicken, tofu dishes, and orange beef served here; sushi and Thai food, too. 2059 Houston Levee, 8505288; 2149 Young, 347-3965; 4698 Spottswood, 609-8680. L, D, $-$$ NASHOBA—Offers live music, sports games, and pub classics.

Specialties are hot honey flatbread pizza, brisket fried rice, and the Nashoba burger. 4600 Merchants Park Circle, Suite 111, 630-4683. L, D, $-$$ OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE—Featuring an extensive sushi menu as well as traditional Japanese and hibachi dining. Hours vary for lunch; call.

3670 Houston Levee, 861-4309; 3402 Poplar (Memphis), 249-4690; 7164 Hacks Cross (Olive Branch), 662-890-9312; 2200 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova), 425-4901. L, D, $-$$$ RAVEN & LILY—Eatery offers innovative Southern-inspired cuisine with such dishes as crispy shrimp and cauliflower salad, spiced lamb sausage and parmesan risotto, and bananas foster pain perdu. Closed Mon. 120 E. Mulberry, 286-4575. L, D, SB, $-$$

STIX—Hibachi steakhouse with Asian cuisine features steak, chicken, and a fillet and lobster combination, also sushi. A specialty is Dynamite Chicken with fried rice. 4680 Merchants Park Circle, Avenue Carriage Crossing; 854-3399; 150 Peabody Place, Suite 115 (Downtown Memphis), 207-7638 L, D, $-$$ WOLF RIVER BRISKET CO.—From the owners of Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza, highlights include house-smoked meats: prime beef brisket, chicken, and salmon. Closed Sun. 9947 Wolf River, Suite 101, 316-5590; 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 165, 791-4389. L, D, $-$$ ZOPITA’S ON THE SQUARE—Cafe offers sandwiches, including smoked salmon and pork tenderloin, as well as salads and desserts.

Closed Sun. 114 N. Main, 457-7526. L, D, $ ARLINGTON / LAKELAND BRENDALAY GRILLE—Wide variety of steaks, flatbreads, pasta, soups, sandwiches. Favorites: Brendalay BBQ Shrimp and Cajun Rosemary Shrimp. 6259 Quintard (Arlington), 317-6998. L, D, SB, $$$$ KITCHEN TABLE—“Crafted comfort food that makes you feel right at home.” Steaks, seafood, catfish, chicken, chops, soups, salad, even hand-spun cotton candy. 12062 Forrest (Arlington), 317-6402. L,D, SB. $-$$ VILLA CASTRIOTI—From traditional family dishes and pasta concoctions to hand-tossed brick-oven NY pizza. 9861 W. Lake District Dr., (Lakeland), 466-8288. L,D, MRA, $$$ OUT-OF-TOWN BOZO’S HOT PIT BAR-B-Q—Barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, and subs. 342 Highway 70 (Mason, TN).,901-294-3400. L, D, $-$$ CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic cuisine; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed for dinner Sun. 152 Courthouse Square (Oxford, MS), 662-232-8080. L, D, SB, $$-$$$ COMO STEAKHOUSE—Steaks cooked on a hickory charcoal grill are a specialty here. Upstairs is an oyster bar. Closed Sun. 203 Main, (Como, MS). 662-526-9529. D, $-$$$ ELFO GRISANTI’S NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE—Grisanti family classics like lasagna, homemade ravioli, garlic bread, and Northern Italian pizza. Closed Sun. 5627 Getwell (Southaven, MS), 662-4704497. L, D, $-$$ HARRY’S ITALIAN—Authentic Italian dishes using traditional recipes made from scratch, plus steaks and other entrees. 8472 U.S. Highway 51, (Millington, TN), 872-0056. L, D, $-$$$ MANILA FILIPINO RESTAURANT—Entrees include pork belly cutlet with lechon sauce, and shrimp and vegetables in tamarind broth; also daily combos, rice dishes, and chef specials. Closed Sun.-Mon. 7849 Rockford (Millington, TN), 209-8525. L, D, $ MARSHALL STEAKHOUSE—Rustic steakhouse serves premium Angus beef steaks, seafood dishes, rack of lamb, and more. 2379 Highway 178 (Holly Springs, MS), 628-3556. B, L, D, $-$$$ MEMPHIS BARBECUE COMPANY—Offers spare ribs, baby backs, and pulled pork and brisket. 709 Desoto Cove (Horn Lake, MS), 662-536-3762. L, D, $-$$ PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, nachos, and stuffed barbecue potatoes. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. (Millington, TN). 872-2455. L, D, $ SAINT LEO—Offering sophisticated pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads. A James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant in 2017. 1101 Jackson (Oxford, MS), 662-234-4555. D, L, WB, $-$$ SIMON’S—A unique dining experience situated on Court Square in a charming small town, offering Angus steaks, catfish, BBQ brisket. Closed Mon./Tue. 201 N. Main (Bolivar, TN), 731-403-3474. L, D, $$-$$$ SNACKBAR—An intriguing mix of “French Bistro with North Mississippi Cafe.” Serving a confit duck Croque Monsieur, watermelon-cucumber chaat, pan-fried quail, plus a daily plate special and a raw bar. 721 N. Lamar (Oxford, MS), 662-236-6363. D, $-$$$ TEKILA MODERN MEXICAN—Modern interpretations of classic dishes from all over Mexico. 6343 Getwell, (Southaven, MS), 662-510-5734. B, L, D, $-$$ WALK-ON’S SPORTS BISTREAUX. Cajun classics: fried alligator, pepperjack boudin, shrimp, gumbo, along with unique specialties. 2715 Snowden Lane (Southaven, MS), 662-870-8379. L, D, $$ WILSON CAFE—An impressive culinary destination in the heart of the Arkansas Delta. Serving jambalaya, Waygu flatiron, butternut ravioli, swordfish & shrimp kabobs, burgers. 2 N. Jefferson (Wilson, AR), 870655-0222. L, D, WB, $-$$$

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WE’VE HAD IT COVERED

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O U A R E H O L D I N G Memphis Magazine’s 43rd City Guide. Collected (since our

first in 1984, which we called “Newcomer’s Guide”), these would make quite a newsstand display. We know this because, well, here’s that newsstand. Our most distinctive annual franchise has evolved over four decades. What once, pre-internet, was packed with listings for everything from dining to hospitals, now serves as a one-issue reminder for both Memphians and visitors that the Bluff City is among the world’s most distinctive places. Our skyline has appeared on the cover of multiple issues. Same for our glorious river. But it’s the people — you — who make Memphis our favorite place on the planet. Makes the “guide” part rather easy.

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