OUR 1958TH ISSUE 09.03.26
Free THE WORST OF THE WORST P8 STAR & MICEY P18 CHEF JEFF P24
Fall Fairs & Festivals
JOEY MILLER
From fried fair food to live music, here’s where to fall into fun.
Natalie Tangeman & Ethan Shaw
FREE DRONE SHOW. COUNTLESS GIVEAWAYS.
70 YEARS CELEBRATION YOU’VE NEVER SEEN A SHOW LIKE THIS
September 3-9, 2026
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 • GATES OPEN AT 4:30PM FREE ADMISSION • ALL AGES Prepare to be astonished at our free Drone Show. Enjoy food and drinks, while you watch tiny drones create an enormous celebration of 70 years at Southland. Featuring live entertainment with Troy Laz.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE Must be 21 years or older. Play responsibly; for help quitting call 800-522-4700. Image is for illustrative purposes.
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8/27/26 11:49 AM
OUR 1958TH ISSUE 09.03.26
SHARA CLARK Editor-in-Chief ALEX GREENE Managing Editor, Music Editor BRUCE VANWYNGARDEN Senior Editor TOBY SELLS Associate Editor KAILYNN JOHNSON News Reporter CHRIS MCCOY Film and TV Editor MICHAEL DONAHUE, JON W. SPARKS Staff Writers KIMBERLY HAM Calendar Editor, Copy Editor JESSE DAVIS, EMILY GUENTHER, COCO JUNE, ANDRIA LISLE, PATRICIA LOCKHART, FRANK MURTAUGH, LINDSEY D. RHEA Contributing Columnists SHARON BROWN, AIMEE STIEGEMEYER Grizzlies Reporters
s r i a F l s l l a a F v i t s e F &
From fried fair food to live music, here’s where to fall into fun. PHOTO: COURTESY MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM
p12 Mended Therapy
JANICE GRISSOM ELLISON, KAREN MILAM, DON MYNATT, TAMMY NASH, RANDY ROTZ, LEWIS TAYLOR, WILLIAM WIDEMAN Distribution KENNETH NEILL Founding Publisher THE MEMPHIS FLYER is published weekly by Contemporary Media, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101 Phone: (901) 521-9000 Fax: (901) 521-0129 memphisflyer.com CONTEMPORARY MEDIA, INC. ANNA TRAVERSE Chief Executive Officer LYNN SPARAGOWSKI Controller/Circulation Manager JEFFREY GOLDBERG Chief Revenue Officer MARGIE NEAL Chief Operating Officer KRISTIN PAWLOWSKI Digital Services Director
National Newspaper Association
Association of Alternative Newsmedia
The Worst of the Worst
It’s time to break the chains.
p8
Playoff Bound
For the first time in eight years, the Memphis Redbirds will play for a league title.
p11
PHOTO: WES HALE
NEWS & OPINION THE FLY-BY - 4 AT LARGE - 8 FINANCE - 9 SPORTS - 11 COVER STORY “FALL FAIRS & FESTIVALS” BY KIMBERLY HAM - 12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WE RECOMMEND - 17 MUSIC - 18 AFTER DARK - 19
CALENDAR - 20 NY TIMES CROSSWORD - 21 WE SAW YOU - 22 SPIRITS - 23 FOOD - 24 METAPHYSICAL CONNECTION - 25 NEWS OF THE WEIRD - 26 ASTROLOGY - 27 FILM - 28 NOW PLAYING - 29 CLASSIFIEDS - 30 LAST WORD - 31
Ashley specializes in working with LGBTQ+ populations and mood disorders. For more information or to book an appointment, visit mendedtherapypllc.com. Now taking clients for Mended Therapy Group. Please go to the website for more details. She currently accepts most insurance plans. Self-pay is $125 for individual sessions
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
KELLI DEWITT, CHIP GOOGE, SHAUNE MCGHEE Senior Account Executives
Combining mental health with a love of fashion, creativity, and sustainability, Mended Therapy was born. Ashley wants to show that although things may seem like they cannot get better, there is hope. Just like a mended piece of clothing is brought new life, the same can be said of us. She is here to walk with you through this journey with laughter, creativity, and challenging your beliefs about yourself. She is MENDED (and constantly mending). She hopes you will let her join you as you MEND.
CONTENTS
CARRIE BEASLEY Senior Art Director CHRISTOPHER MYERS Advertising Art Director NEIL WILLIAMS Graphic Designer
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THE
fly-by
MEMernet Memphis on the internet. TYRIN JOHNSON “Tyrin Johnson was shot in the back by the Tennessee National Guard (as part of the Memphis (un)Safe Task Force),” Earle J. Fisher posted to Facebook POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY over the weekend, “and JOSH HELFGOTT the autopsy contradicts the official account of his killing.” “This ain’t the first time law enforcement narratives don’t line up with the facts ... yall remember #TyreNichols??? “Memphis deserves the footage, a full independent investigation, and accountability.” DOLLY
POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY MIGHTY LIGHTS
September 3-9, 2026
“In honor of the beloved icon Dolly Parton, the #MightyLights will sparkle in pink tonight,” Mighty Lights posted to Facebook last week after Parton’s death. “Look like a pair of jugs too,” Donnie Other Page commented.
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POSTED TO FACEBOOK BY MIKE DOUGHTY
And Memphis rocker Mike Doughty praised Parton last week and suggested a deep dive on her song “9 to 5” for anyone who makes music. Doughty’s own vocals shine rhythmically. So he understands the mechanics of the song’s phrasing on lines like “the traffic starts jumping” and “the boss man’s ladder.” After a “comprehensive listen,” Doughty decided “this is basically the Sistine Chapel.”
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Questions, Answers + Attitude Edited by Toby Sells
W E E K T H AT WA S By Flyer staff
Parking, Vouchers, & Bow Echo Storm Crosstown policy sparks mobility debate, more funding for voucher shools, and MLGW cleans up. PAY TO PARK A new parking policy at Crosstown Concourse urged Memphis residents to advocate for increased mobility options. Crosstown Concourse implemented paid parking in all lots and garages from 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Officials said as of Friday, August 21st, Crosstown is partnering with Metropolis to “bring a new parking system designed to make every visit smoother and more effortless than ever.” Though visitors can still go to certain businesses and organizations to receive validated parking, transportation advocates and residents said this decision brings attention to the limited mobility options for visiting Crosstown. “Many of the evening visitors are there for community, not to spend money,” Kelsey Huse, a public transit and social media organizer, said. “Additionally, many of those people are forced into car ownership by a city that does not prioritize other methods of transportation.” Huse, who also runs the @Memphisurbanism Instagram account, started a petition calling on Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Memphis City Council, and Crosstown Concourse President and CEO Todd Richardson to prioritize transportation to Crosstown. VOUCHER GAP New data shows participating state voucherprogram schools receive more funding than PHOTO: CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE | FACEBOOK public schools. Crosstown Concourse implemented paid parking in According to the Tennessee Senate Democrats, its garage and lots between 6 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. Advocates said it Gov. Bill Lee allocated $6.9 billion in funding to drew attention to Crosstown’s limited mobility options. public schools for the 2026-27 school year. That totaled $7,272 per student, which is $258 less per student than for those participating in the Education complete for customers who could receive power. Some Freedom Scholarship program ($7,530 per voucher). customers remained disconnected because storm damage Data from the Tennessee Board of Education showed to their homes had to be repaired before electricity could be there are 29 school districts where public schools received restored. less funding than voucher schools. University Schools in Memphis have a reported $663 “gap versus voucher” MANHUNT ENDS WITH amount, while Sevier County Schools have a gap of $4,049. BODY FOUND “In some Tennessee communities, the state funding A man who police believe shot and killed is dramatically worse than the state average,” said Senate a woman in Cordova last week was found Democrats. “This isn’t a new problem, but it is compounding.” dead near Marks, Mississippi. PHOTO: COURTESY The Memphis Police Department MPD BOW ECHO STORM (MPD) said a multi-agency effort led them Larry Berry to locate Larry Berry in a wooded area Power was restored last week to nearly all of the more than 140,000 MLGW customers who lost electricity after near Marks. Berry was found with “what a powerful storm ripped through Memphis and Shelby appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head.” County on Saturday, August 22nd. Police launched a search for Berry last Thursday. He The bow echo event brought straight-line winds of more allegedly fled the scene of the fatal shooting of a female in a than 70 mph and became the seventh-most damaging storm black Mercedes-Benz sedan. in MLGW history. Visit the News Blog at memphisflyer.com for fuller versions of By Friday night, MLGW said its restoration work was these stories and more local news.
RUMOURS ATL
NEWS & OPINION
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE
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CITY REPORTER B y To b y S e l l s
Speeding Up Justice
Shelby County criminal cases are moving faster, but the system still lags behind its peers.
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riminal cases in Shelby County moved about 100 days faster from June to July through a system that has historically moved slower than its Tennessee peers and national benchmarks. The median time to resolve a felony case fell from 622 days in June to 527 days in July — a drop of 95 days, or about 15 percent. Misdemeanor disposition time fell from about 98 days to 88 days, according to Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy’s office. This is thanks largely to the increased use of data, the office said. It now uses data to track cases, identify bottlenecks, and “better manage how cases move through the criminal justice system.” It publishes that information on a new data dashboard called the Case Outcomes Tracker. It tracks prosecutor caseloads, how long cases remain open, and how they are ultimately resolved. The office’s Chief Data Officer, Bobby Zipp, said the reporting has “contributed to faster case resolution, giving leadership greater visibility into case flow and helping identify where resources and attention are most needed.” “We’re not collecting data just to produce reports,” Mulroy said in a statement. “We’re using it to make this office work better. “It helps us see where cases are getting stuck, better manage our prosecutors’ workloads, and move cases toward resolution faster. And just as importantly, we’re making that information available so the public can see how cases are moving through the system and how they’re being resolved.” In one example of increased data use, the office announced in February that it had started working with an AI-powered evidence management agent. Memphis-based Foltrigg.AI designed the program for free to help prosecutors here. “It organizes, searches, summarizes, and analyzes large volumes of digital evidence,” Mulroy said in February. “Prosecutors can search it with natural
language prompts. It saves time so our prosecutors can focus on the legal analysis, working with victims, and public safety generally.” The program does not make decisions or replace human judgment, Mulroy said. But it is expected “to move cases forward faster, improve outcomes for victims, and support our staff in one of the country’s busiest DA offices.” The new data dashboard shows that cases are moving quicker. However, 527 days to dispose of a felony case is still almost a year and a half. That is slow compared to other state courts and the national average.
PHOTO: SHELBY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
DA: Data fuels faster outcomes.
Felony cases moved 100 days faster from June to July. The national standard is to dispose of 98 percent of felony cases within one year, according to a 2020 report from the National Center for State Courts. That report, though, found courts at the time were disposing of about 83 percent of criminal cases in one year. Using that metric, Shelby County ranked last among Tennessee’s six most populous counties in a March 2025 report by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. Only about 33 percent of felony charges filed in Shelby County in 2022 were disposed of within one year. Hamilton County disposed of 48 percent, Davidson County 54 percent, Williamson County 61 percent, Rutherford County 64 percent, and Knox County 71 percent.
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NEWS & OPINION
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
in PRODUCE, MEAT and SEAFOOD in the Mid-South!
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A T L A R G E B y B r u c e Va n W y n g a r d e n
The Worst of the Worst It’s time to break the chains.
I
guess you heard about the big raid last Saturday night by ICE and other members of the “Memphis Safe Task Force.” Yeah, they went to Lafayette’s Music Room in Overton Square and locked all the doors, trapping everyone inside. Then they wouldn’t let anybody leave until they’d checked their ID. And anyone whose ID they decided wasn’t acceptable was put in chains and loaded onto buses waiting outside. They didn’t have arrest warrants for anyone, but more than 100 people, at least 30 of them women, were just taken … somewhere. Did I mention they were in chains? Oh wait, my bad. It wasn’t Lafayette’s in Overton Square. It was El Corralón on Macon Road in Berclair. Does that make a difference to you? It shouldn’t. If federal agents can come to a public club in Berclair and lock the doors and keep people inside, they can do it anywhere. If they can seize brown people without arrest warrants, put them in chains, and force them onto buses, they can do it to anybody. Even white people in Overton Square.
CELEBRATING LIVE MUSIC in Memphis 365 DAYS A YEAR! Wednesday, September 02 Brad Birkedahl @ Blues City Cafe - 7pm Thursday, September 03 Alabama with Special Guest Michael Ray @ Radians Amphitheater – 8pm**
September 3-9, 2026
Friday, September 04 The Band Camino @ Satellite Music Hall – 8pm**
A girl whose mother was taken in the El Corralón raid.
Saturday, September 05 Memphis Powerpop Festival @ Overton Park Shell - 7pm Sunday, September 06 Delta Fair & Music Festival @ Agricenter International – 6pm** Monday, September 07 B.B. King's Blues Club Allstar Band @ B.B. King's Blues Club Memphis – 7pm Tuesday, September 08 Mark Allen @ Crosstown Brewing Co - 4pm **Ticketed Event
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@memcity @citymemphis memphistn.gov/occeengage
OFFICE OF CREATIVE & CULTURAL ECONOMY
What took place in Memphis Saturday night was unconstitutional, illegal, and immoral. It was a blatant trampling of people’s civil rights. It was the equivalent of throwing a big net into a lake and dragging every fish to shore, hoping to catch a snake. It was pretextual traffic stops writ large. It was rounding up prisoners first and asking questions later. It’s what happened to Jews in pre-war Germany. It’s what routinely happens in police states and banana republics around the globe. And it’s what’s happening right now in the United States of America in small towns and in major cities all over the country. They aren’t arresting the “worst of the worst,” the rationale given by the Trump
administration when this bogus operation started. There’s not even a pretense of that any longer. ICE is just profiling and rounding up brown people, the great majority of whom have no arrest record, and sending as many as they can to detention centers — or Guatemala or Africa or wherever — as fast as they can get them on a bus or a plane. It is legalized terroristic racism. It is federalized white supremacy. These are human beings with families and jobs and lives. Most of them contribute to our communities, often doing the manual work the rest of us don’t want to take on. Now they are being treated like animals by masked, unidentified agents of the federal government — and in this city they are being aided and abetted by the Memphis Police Department, no matter what Mayor Paul Young says. “Helping with crowd control” at the raid in Berclair is quite literally aiding and abetting. MPD should be protecting the people who live here, not the masked agents from out of town illegally destroying residents’ lives and families. Memphis leaders have bent the knee to this travesty of justice for far too long. Where is their outrage? Where is their courage? There’s a reason ICE raids are no longer happening in Minneapolis: The people there rose up in protest and the political leaders there demanded that the harassment and seizures stop. It took two people being killed by ICE in Minneapolis to push that city’s citizens and political leaders to say “Enough!” The death count for the “Memphis Safe Task Force” (MSTF) is four — so far — the latest being Tyrin Johnson, the young man who was shot in the back in July by the National Guard. Somehow, the national media has overlooked the number of ICE-related deaths in Memphis, which is higher than in any other city. Light needs to be shined on the situation. I was pleased to see this week that a group of more than 50 local businesses (and counting) has organized what they’re calling the “Free the 901 BUYcott.” They are refusing to allow “search or service” to the federal task force. On Monday, they held a press conference calling on local elected officials to use their power and influence to “restrict the Task Force’s access to our city property and resources,” and “resist the normalization of militarized police separating families and murdering Memphians in the streets.” It’s a good start. And it’s about time.
FINANCE By Lindsey D. Rhea
Big Life Changes? From saying “I do” to saying goodbye to the working world, these life moments deserve a financial check-in.
Having a Baby According to a LendingTree analysis, the 18-year cost of raising a child grew to $303,418 after tax exemptions and credits in 2026. With planning, you can minimize the financial drain and maximize the cuddles. Work with your advisor to map out a savings strategy for managing these costs, including starting a college fund. Buying a Home Whether you’re looking to buy a condo or a sprawling estate, a home is likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make. Don’t let emotion overtake your buying or selling decisions, and be financially prepared before moving ahead. For example, save for a down payment. A 20 percent down payment avoids Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) on a conventional loan. Getting a Divorce Though this may be one of the hardest times in life, checking in with your financial advisor may alleviate some stress. For example, an advisor can use cash flow modeling to show what your single life could look like financially. Involving a financial planner early on can help positively shape the divorce settlement. Planning for Retirement Put the boat or vacation on hold until you meet with an advisor. Because retirement comes with new considerations, like accounting for increased insurance and learning to access Social Security funds, you may need to develop a new budget.
Starting a Business Even if it’s a part-time gig and you’ll be staying at your 9-5 for the foreseeable future, run this new endeavor by your financial advisor. They’ll likely offer guidance on taxes and record keeping. Selling Your Business (or Inheriting Money) Remember that part-time gig you told your financial advisor about? Now you’ve built it into big business and are selling it. Or you received an inheritance. You may be tempted to blow the first few thousand on dreams of things you’ve always wanted to do if you had the money to do them. Slow it down, let the adrenaline and excitement subside, and before you spend, consult with an advisor for recommendations on how to spend, invest, and save the money in the right buckets to make the best decisions for you and your family. Figuring Out Social Security Social Security is one piece of your retirement plan, but it’s a powerful piece. Choosing a certified financial planner often means your advisor will be better versed in figuring out how to work payments into your long-term financial plan. You may be eligible to collect Social Security as early as 62 but waiting until age 70 may yield greater benefits. Dealing with a Serious Illness or Disability Managing an illness can consume most, if not all, of your time. Let others help where and when they can, from everyday tasks like grocery shopping to finances. An advisor can help lighten the load by reviewing health and disability insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage and helping you establish a budget, cut costs, and prioritize expenses. Change is inevitable. Financial uncertainty doesn’t have to be. When life takes an unexpected turn, a check-in with your financial advisor can help you adjust your plan, avoid costly missteps, and keep moving toward the life you want. After all, your trusted tribe is there for a reason. Lindsey D. Rhea, CFP, is owner and wealth strategist at Alia Wealth Partners, connect@ aliawealth.com.
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m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Saying ‘I Do’ It’s especially important if this is a second marriage, or you’re going into it with significant assets, to discuss next steps with your financial advisor, as there may be estate and tax implications. Proper titling and management of assets is also vital. Before tying the knot, share personal financial histories and disclose everything, including the not-so-good parts. Talking about money now will bring you closer to one another and make it easier to plan.
Getting a Raise Congrats. Now, let’s get serious about making that new money work for you. A financial planner can help navigate your new financial situation — a raise may move you into a higher tax bracket — set goals, and take advantage of any new benefits or compensation options.
NEWS & OPINION
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he only thing we can count on in life is change. How have you navigated life’s inevitable curveballs? Likely, with a tribe of trusted people. Life changes also may necessitate a review of your financial plan. Someone who should be part of your trusted tribe, a financial advisor can offer advice and make adjustments to your plan to keep you on track, no matter what life throws your way. Check in with your financial advisor when …
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[ P U B L I C
N O T I C E ]
SHELBY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING FY 2026 – PY 2025 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT Shelby County Department of Housing (SCDH) is preparing its Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER) for the program year (Shelby County Fiscal Year 2026, Federal Program Year 2025) that began July 1, 2025 and ended June 30, 2026. The CAPER is required by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to describe CDBG and HOME activities undertaken by SCDH to address housing and community development needs, especially in low- and moderate-income areas of Shelby County, outside the City of Memphis. SCDH expended approximately $438,228.30 in Community Development Block Grant funds, $188,367.84 in HOME funds, and $179,582.20 in HOME-ARP funds, for the following activities: lowto-moderate income housing rehabilitation, minor home repair, and lead hazard reduction; infrastructure/community development improvements to benefit low-to-moderate income communities within the Urban County; public service activities to benefit Urban County seniors; supportive services to address needs of qualifying populations at risk of homelessness; administrative expenses; and program delivery costs. Note as of the time of this publication, SCDH plans to make one final drawdown from available program funds to account for the remainder of expenditures through June 30, 2026. The CAPER will be available for public review and comment from Wednesday, September 9, 2026 through Monday, October 12, 2026 on the Department of Housing website https://www.develop901.com/ planning-and-reporting. The proposed CAPER will also be distributed via email to the City of Memphis library listserv and physical copies will be held at 6465 Mullins Station Rd, Memphis TN 38134 and at the following library branches across Shelby County: Benjamin Hooks Central Library, Arlington Library, Bartlett Library, Collierville Library, Germantown Library and Millington Library. To solicit comments on the CAPER, Shelby County Department of Housing will host two public hearings on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00pm and 5:30pm with both in person and virtual attendance options.
September 3-9, 2026
In Person Attendance Option: Shelby County Code Enforcement, Conference Room, 6465 Mullins Station Road Memphis, TN 38134. Attendees should enter the Code Enforcement Building through the front entrance; upon walking up to the building, attendees will need to follow the signage that leads to the meeting.
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Virtual Attendance Option: A virtual option to join is also provided, and participants can join the meeting with a computer, tablet, or smartphone at https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2798283288 00591?p=xTpuZHwkCK6Pd5U1oh Meeting ID: 279 828 328 800 591 Passcode: 9Ma2CR9d +1 323-591-8428,,502497587# Phone conference ID: 502 497 587# at the above noted meeting time. Written comments or suggestions regarding the CAPER will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. on September 25, 2026. Written comments should be sent to Dana Sjostrom (dana.sjostrom@ shelbycountytn.gov) at Shelby County Department of Housing, 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134. SCDH will respond to all written comments within three working days of receipt and comments will be included as applicable in the final CAPER submission to HUD. For questions concerning the public hearing or the CAPER, please contact the Department of Housing at 901-222-7600. This notice also serves to amend the HOME ARP allocation and associated Implementation Plan. The HOME ARP Allocation Plan was approved by HUD in 2022 to administer funds in support of
qualifying populations in the form of eligible supportive services and administration activities. The allocation was increased by $1,802.00 for a revised allocation of $1,559,065.00. This non-substantial amendment will increase the budget for Supportive Services by $1,531.75 for a total of $1,325,205.25. The budget for administrative costs will also increase by $270.25 coming to a total of $233,859.75. SCDH is proposing two amendments to previous Annual Plans. Comments regarding these amendments can be directed to dana. sjostrom@shelbycountytn.gov through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The following two amendments are included:
1. SCDH proposes a substantial amendment to the Annual Plan for FY24 (AP2) by cancelling the Northaven Sidewalk Project. It will be replaced with Collierville’s Waterline project. Should the Northaven Sidewalk Project become viable in the future, updates will be added to the appropriate AP and/or CAPER. 2. In order to comply with recent Executive Order 14151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, and Executive Order 14173 Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, FY26 Action Plan (AP3) is hereby amended to exclude language inconsistent with the above referenced Executive Orders in the following manner: • Page 5 (executive summary): The Regional Fair Housing Goals & Strategic Partnership Opportunities document in the attachments illustrates the goals associated with Shelby County’s most recent Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, which also serves as a joint City-County Plan to guide our programming to better address community needs with an equitable focus. • Page 66/67 (homeless and other special needs): Our system performance measures also include improving our community’s rate of exits to permanent destinations, decreasing our rates of return homelessness, improving the length of stay standards for program types, addressing issues of equity in access to housing and homelessness, and increasing income for clients. Those with special needs that plan to attend the public hearing are encouraged to contact SCDH at (901) 222-7600 by 4:30 pm on Monday, September 21, 2026 and we will work to accommodate you. Para mas información en Español, por favor llame Dana Sjostrom al 901-222-7601. The Shelby County Department of Housing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provision of services. Equal opportunity/equal access provider. Mickell Lowery Shelby County Mayor Attest: Scott Walkup, Administrator Department of Housing
S P O R T S B y Fr a n k M u r t a u g h
Playoff Bound For the first time in eight years, the Memphis Redbirds will play for a league title.
PHOTO: WES HALE
win. He’s able to process information, and get back to pulling for his team. I’ve started pointing to him for his younger teammates: This is how you go about it.” Joshua Baez (outfielder) — On June 16th at AutoZone Park, Baez became the first Redbird to homer four times in a game. He’s also the first player in franchise history to hit more than 20 home runs (34) and steal more than 20 bases (21) in the same season. On August 15th at Wrigley Field in Chicago, in his debut with the Cardinals, Baez homered in his first three big-league at-bats, an achievement unmatched in baseball history. “He’s another great leader,” says Johnson, “and he does it through his actions. Incredibly hard-working. I’ve never seen a group happier when a teammate went up [to the big leagues]. He hasn’t had the easiest road, but he’s worked so hard, willed himself to a dream. He’s got tools, but he’s persevered. He doesn’t let anything bother him. He’s wired for action and wants to be in those big moments.” Blaze Jordan (third baseman) — A graduate of DeSoto Central High School, Jordan hit .313 with 11 homers in 57 games for Memphis before being promoted to take over the hot corner in St. Louis. “We challenged him to be a better defender,” says Johnson. “He played his ass off at third. For him to keep his focus in Memphis, because he grew up here … there’s a lot of noise that can come along [with that]. He never let it faze him.” Entering Tuesday’s game at AutoZone Park, Johnson was one victory shy of 500 for his Redbirds career. No other skipper has won as many as 400 with the franchise. He’ll need just two in late September for the club’s fifth championship.
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Redbirds manager Ben Johnson
NEWS & OPINION
T
he Memphis Redbirds will play for the International League championship later this month, a three-game series at AutoZone Park (September 22-24). This will be the first postseason for Redbirds manager Ben Johnson, who took the job in 2019, a year after the franchise’s last title as members of the Pacific Coast League. We asked the skipper for his take on a few of the players who helped Memphis win the league’s first-half championship. Leo Bernal (catcher) — A switch-hitter, Bernal is among the St. Louis Cardinals’ top 10 prospects. He’s batted .278 with 16 home runs and 77 RBIs through Sunday. “Leo has grown in so many ways,” says Johnson. “Not just on the field, but off the field. He’s taken a leadership role with the pitching staff and the other catchers. He spends time before every series studying the opposition, studying the hitters. He leads meetings in English, which isn’t his first language. Leo shares a lot of the smarts of [Hall of Famer] Ted Simmons. There’s depth to his thought process. When I think of championship-caliber players, I think of players [like Bernal].” Quinn Mathews (pitcher) — Minor league baseball’s Pitcher of the Year in 2024, Mathews has been the Memphis ace in 2026, posting a 3.27 ERA with 120 strikeouts in 99 innings. “We challenged Quinn to be a leader not just through his actions, but also to start pulling guys along with him,” says Johnson. “He’s done an outstanding job. The growth in his emotional regulation from last year to this year has been leaps and bounds. There were times last year when Quinn would have a rough outing, and it would affect his energy, how he carried himself in the dugout. Now, if he has a bad day, he understands his job is still to help his team
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s r i a F s l l l a a v F esti F & From fried fair food to live music, here’s where to fall into fun.
PHOTOS: (ABOVE) GARY COX; (LEFT) COURTESY OVERTON PARK SHELL
(above) Delta Fair & Music Festival; (left) Orion Financial Free Concert Series
September 3-9, 2026
COVER STORY By Kimberly Ham
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F
rom county fairs to food fests and Memphis traditions, fall is basically an open invitation to eat, explore, and have fun. Grab your calendar — and maybe stretchy pants — and get ready for all the fall festivities.
SEPTEMBER Delta Fair & Music Festival Carnival rides, live music, livestock, fair food, and all the fried goodness your heart could possibly desire. Agricenter International, September 4-13
Orion Financial Free Concert Series Free fall concerts serving up everything from Korn tributes and power pop to blues, cumbia, opera, and Shakespeare. Overton Park Shell, Select dates through September 4-October 11 WLOK Stone Soul Picnic Free soul and gospel music from one of the city’s great radio stations. New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, September 5 Memphis PowerPop Festival The Smithereens and friends bring big guitars and catchy hooks. Overton Park Shell, September 5
2026 Craft Food & Wine Festival Come for the art, stay for the 35-plus local vendors, tastings, cocktails and wine — because sometimes the best way to appreciate culture is with a full glass and an empty plate. Memphis Brooks Museum, September 6 Art on the Rocks: A Garden Cocktail Festival Botanical cocktails, craft beer, wine, bites, and live music. Dixon Gallery & Gardens, September 11 Zoo Rendezvous A wild night of bites, booze, DJs, and live music for your inner party animal. Memphis Zoo, September 11
Southern Heritage Classic Cultural Celebration Weekend Football, massive tailgates, marching bands, and fireworks — Memphis’ annual excuse to party like it’s fourth quarter. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, September 11-12 Like You Children’s Film Festival Kid-approved indie films, giant-screen magic, and big feelings aplenty. Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, September 11-13 90th Birthday “Shellebration” It starts with Booker T. Jones playing a ticketed Shell Yeah! show, followed by three days of free concerts steeped in the Shell’s epic history. Overton Park Shell, September 10-13 Germantown Festival Crafts, food, rides, music, and the gloriously weird Running of the Weenies, because every fall festival needs dachshunds. Civic Club Complex, September 12-13
Memphis Yoga Festival Stretch, sweat, and find your inner yogic Zen zone. Rhodes College, September 13 A Taste of Memphis Local neighborhoods and community development corporations celebrate the city’s vibrant flavors, music, and people. Tiger Lane, September 17 Memphis miniFEST A musical mash-up of local and touring acts, visual art, and community vibes. Your Friday night just got a festival upgrade. The Hi-Tone Cafe, September 18 Cooper-Young Festival 400+ artists, multiple music stages, local eats, and enough handmade goodies to make your wallet nervous. Throughout Cooper-Young, September 19
Medical District Collaborative 10Year Anniversary Ten years’ worth of big plans, good food, and drinks, plus a mystery celebrity guest — what’s not to love? Renasant Convention Center, September 19 The Memphis Food Truckers Food Truck Festival Tacos, barbecue, and enough food trucks to officially make your diet a lost cause. Shelby Farms Park, September 19 Oktoberfest(s) by Soul and Spirits The first Oktoberfest brings beer and brats to Soul & Spirits; if you’re still thirsty, Overton Square follows with German food, craft beer, and polka. Soul & Spirits Brewery, September 19 Overton Square, October 24
PHOTOS: (ABOVE) BRANDON DILL; (RIGHT) JAMIE HARMON; (BELOW) JOEY MILLER
(above) Cooper-Young Beerfest; (right) Mid-Autumn Festival; (below) Ethan Shaw & Marquis Dijon Archuleta perform at the Annual Free Shout-Out Shakespeare Series
Tennessee Pumpkin Fest Pumpkins, pig races, corn mazes, fireworks, and enough fall fun to make you forget you came for just one pumpkin. Donnell Century Farm Adventure, Jackson, TN, September 19-November 1 Gonerfest 23 Four days, 30+ bands, and enough loud, weird rock-and-roll to make your ears file for workers’ comp. Featuring headliners Man or Astroman?, Death, Toody Cole and Her Band, and
Horsegirl. Wiseacre Brewery on Broad, September 24-26; Overton Park Shell, September 27 Memphis County Blues Festival Memphis and Mississippi blues are back where they belong, with the North Mississippi Allstars and others. Overton Park Shell, September 25 Mid-Autumn Festival Lunar celebration activities including dragon dances, face painting, crafts, live music, and enough Vietnamese goodies to make the moon jealous. Crosstown Arts, September 25 Annual Free Shout-Out Shakespeare Series Shakespeare gets outdoorsy in Love’s Labor’s Lost, with free performances around the city. Various locations around Memphis, September 25-October 18 Annual Pink Palace Crafts Fair Shop more than 150 artisans at this fall favorite, where your wallet goes to die happy. Pink Palace Museum & Mansion Lawn, September 25-27
Mighty Roots Music Festival Two days of Americana, roots, camping, and questionable decisions. Stovall, MS, September 25-26 Hattiloo Theatre 20th Celebration Hattiloo turns 20 with a soulful revue including R&B, Broadway tunes, and plenty of theatrical flair. Overton Park Shell, September 26 High Point Arts Fair Get your shop on with local artists, makers, and crafty goodies. High Point Terrace, September 26 Latin Fest 901 Music, dancing, tacos, and enough Latin flair to make your Saturday say, “¡Olé!” Overton Square, September 26 Memphis EuroFest Car Show A parade of British and European beauties, because regular cars just aren’t fancy enough. C. O. Franklin Park, September 26 continued on page 14
COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival Where the blues come home to roost. With Leela James, Bobby Rush, and many others. Greenville, MS, September 19
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continued from page 13 Asian Night Market Come hungry, leave with a full belly, a lantern, and absolutely no regrets about that third order of dumplings. Agricenter International, September 26-27 30 Days of Opera Free pop-up performances around Memphis, because opera refuses to stay in the theater. Various locations, through September 30
OCTOBER Mid-South Fair 50+ rides, fried-everything, and enough funnel cake to make your cardiologist nervous. Landers Center, October 1-11 2026 Bartlett Festival, BBQ Contest & Car Show BBQ, hot rods, and fall vibes: Bartlett’s answer to “What should we do this weekend?” W. J. Freeman Park, October 2-3
September 3-9, 2026
Inaugural Evergreen Street Fair Evergreen goes car-free and party-ready with music, bikes, and family fun. Overton Park Avenue, October 3
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Urban Earth’s Fall Flicker Fest Fall is flickin’ fabulous at Urban Earth, with pumpkins, pinecones, live music, and enough garden goodies to make your yard jealous. Urban Earth Gardens, October 3 V&E Greenline Artwalk Local artists, live music, food, and crafts; basically, the Greenline’s excuse to throw a really artsy party. Kirby Stationhouse Grounds, October 3 Mempho Music Festival Genre-hopping music, good vibes, and questionable dancing under the trees at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Radians Amphitheater, October 9-11 Edge Motorfest Live music, 150+ cars, and enough horsepower to make your wallet nervous. Edge Motor Museum, October 10 Ska-Tober Fest Ska, brews, and nonstop skanking, Oktoberfest with way more checkers and fewer lederhosen. Meddlesome Brewing Company, October 10 Wine on the River Memphis Sip and swirl to your heart’s content at this riverside wine-and-spirits bash. Tom Lee Park, October 10
FUN • FOOD • RIDES GAMES • ATTRACTIONS
The CoLab Formerly known as the Tambourine Bash. Local musicians mash genres to benefit Music Export Memphis. Overton Park Shell, October 16 Fall Fest Fall into fall with live music, tasty food, carnival rides, and enough fun to make your pumpkin jealous. Catholic Church of the Incarnation, October 16-17 Monster Market Memphis’ annual freaky shopping spree for weird art, spooky treasures, and things your grandma definitely wouldn’t approve of. Medicine Factory, October 16-25 Soul of the City Elmwood’s dead have stories to tell … and this year, they’re getting gloriously weird. Elmwood Cemetery, October 16-17 Yazoo County Fair Where carnival rides, fried food, and family-fun come together for one glorious week. Yazoo, MS, October 16-24 23rd Annual Memphis Tri-State Blues Festival Blues, big-name talent, and enough
soul to make your feet start moving without permission. Landers Center, October 17 Cooper-Young Beerfest An excuse to sample approximately 900 beers and call it “research.” Bluff City Sports, October 17 Harvest Moon Fall Festival Pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, and enough fall fun to make your inner basic witch very happy. Bobby Lanier Farm Park, October 17 Shroomlicious Mushroom Festival Come for the fungi, stay for the foraging, food, music, and just a little bit of mushroom magic. Overton Park, October 17 River Arts Fest 150+ artists, live music, and food that prove that “just browsing” is a hilarious lie. Riverside Drive, October 17-18 Holiday Market Memphis Holiday shopping that’s festive, fun, and fueled by margaritas and mimosas. Agricenter International, October 23-25 Wolf River Fall Fest 2026 Fall fun goes feral with costumes, continued on page 16
2026-2027
SEASON
LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST
JOHN WAITE
BRITTNEY SPENCER
Tennessee Shakespeare Company returns for our popular Theatre By The Lake with LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Full of comical mix-ups, & hilarious wordplay. Performed at sunset with yummy food trucks on the banks of Lake Appling. One of Shakespeare’s best comedies!
A rock icon. Leader of bands: The Baby’s & Bad English – legendary solo artist. Hits include: Isn’t It Time – Everytime I Think of You – When I See You Smile – Missing You with 330 million streams on Spotify. John Waite…only at BPACC!
Brittney made her Billboard debut with Beyonce on Cowboy Carter! This singer-songwriter loves turning life, truth & wild imagination into songs. Toured with Carrie Underwood. Sang with Willie Nelson – Brandi Carlile – opened for Bruce Springsteen. Check-out Brittney Spencer.
HANNA HARPER
MATILDA – THE MUSICAL
DAN TYMINSKI
NOV. 14 / 2:00 & 7:30P.M.
Hannah Harper won 2026’s American Idol, the first female country artist to win Idol since Carrie Underwood! She captured audiences with her moving song, String Cheese, crossing 50 million TikTok & Facebook views. Her schedule is filled with festivals – 2 Dollywood shows – 3 at Grand Ole Opry. Buy your tickets now. Hannah Harper…only at BPACC!
STEVEN PAGE FEB. 12 / 7:30P.M.
Musician, singer, co-founder of the band Barenaked Ladies. Steven & his band, The Steven Page Trio, sing Barenaked classics like If I Had A Million Dollars – The Old Apartment – Brian Wilson – It’s All Been Done – What A Good Boy – Pinch Me, & more. Catch Steven Page singing the songs we love!
BUY 5 OORWS MORE ESH20% SAV
OCT. 9 / 7:30P.M.
DEC. 4 / 7:30P.M. DEC. 5, 6 / 2:00P.M.
By Roald Dahl, Matilda is the story of a girl dreaming of a better life. Matilda has wit, intelligence, extraordinary creativity, oh, & – “psychokinetic powers.” Sent away to school, the school’s headmaster hates children. Matilda uses courage & cleverness, becoming the pupils saving grace! Great family fun, see why Matilda sells-out world-wide!
ALTAN
OCT. 17 / 7:30P.M.
FEB. 6 / 7:30P.M.
Dan Tyminski left a mark on modern music. He played & sang with Allison Krauss, & he was George Clooney’s singing voice in the film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, think of I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow. Hey Brother was streamed more than a billion times worldwide! See Dan Tyminski up close…only at BPACC.
FANTASY:
Iconic Irish Band
Earth, Wind & Fire Experience
From County Donegal, no Irish traditional band in the past few decades has had a wider impact on audiences. Altan loves traditional Irish songs. Their music reflects the rich heritage, breathtaking landscapes & vibrant culture that is Ireland. It’s been a few seasons since BPACC’s hosted an Irish band. Don’t miss Altan!
A one-of-a-kind concert blending world-class musicians & powerhouse vocals. FANTASY captures the essence of a live Earth, Wind & Fire concert! Music fans unite with the infectious rhythms, & tight horn arrangements of Earth Wind & Fire’s hits like – September – Boogie Wonderland – Let’s Groove – One Week & more. Dig love, diversity & positivity at a FANTASY concert.
MAR. 4 / 7:30P.M.
APR. 17 / 2:00 & 7:30P.M.
OTHER TERRIFIC SHOWS
HOURGLASS: JAMES TAYLOR TRIBUTE – THE NUTCRACKER – INTO THE WOODS – CHRISTMAS WITH THE PETERSENS WIND IN THE WILLOWS – SAIL ON: THE BEACH BOYS TRIBUTE – LANDON BRYANT – SUPER SCIENTIFIC CIRCUS CAP’N KRACKEN’S YO-HO-HO PIRATE SHOW – BARTLETT COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND – MUSIC BY THE LAKE
901.385.5588 ♦ Box Office Hours 10a.m. to 2p.m. ♦ Tickets & Info @ BPACC.org ♦ Artistic Director, Michael Bollinger ♦ Mayor, David Parsons
COVER STORY m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
SEP. 25 / 7:00P.M. / FREE
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continued from page 14 scavenger hunts, and moonlit greenway shenanigans. Shady Grove Trailhead, October 23 Annual Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival Memphis goes full fiesta with colorful Día de los Muertos traditions, music, and a parade Downtown. Downtown Memphis, October 24 Broad Avenue Art Walk Broad Avenue shows off arts and crafts from Memphis and beyond, with over 50 vendor booths, live music, and artistic performances. Broad Avenue, October 24 Fantasy Faire Costumes, Shakespeare, and a marketplace. It’s Halloween for people who alphabetize their spellbooks. Cordova Library, October 24
NOVEMBER
September 3-9, 2026
Memphis Japan Festival Come for the sushi, stay for the sumo suits, cosplay, and general Japaneseculture chaos. Memphis Botanic Garden, November 1
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Indie Memphis Film Festival After a brief pause, savor the return of the city’s celebrated cinematic spectacle, where indie films, big feelings, and astute movie opinions take over Memphis. Various Locations in Memphis, November 5-8 901 Hot Wing Festival Hot wings, cold beer, and questionable decisions — all for a good cause. Grind City Brewing Company, November 7 Memphis Crafts & Drafts Festival: Holiday Market Holiday shopping featuring all manner of local artisans, paired with cold brewskies. Crosstown Concourse, November 7 Lantern Festival The Memphis Zoo transforms into a wild winter wonderland of giant, dazzling animal lanterns. Memphis Zoo, November 13-February 14 Memphis Running Festival Run for 12 hours, eat donuts mid-race, and question every life decision that brought you there. Old Forest Lane, November 14
STOVALL, MS (70 MILES SOUTH OF MEMPHIS)
Enchanted Forest: Festival of Trees Holiday magic, gingerbread villages, and enough decorated trees to make Santa jealous. Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, November 21-December 31 Memphis Whiskey Festival Whiskey, bourbon, scotch, bluegrass, and sippers saying “just one more,” all for a good cause. The Kent, November 21 Memphis Monster Con Two days of monsters, mayhem, cosplay, and movie villains. Agricenter International, November 21-22 Starry Nights Drive through a glittering Arctic wonderland where “Beti the Yeti” and millions of Christmas lights make your car feel like Santa’s sleigh. Shelby Farms Park, November 21-January 3
Cooper-Young Holiday Market Cookies, cocoa, Santa, and local goodies. Cooper Street, December 5 Mid-South Toy Fest Come hunt for vintage toys, popculture treasures, and the excuse you needed to buy the action figure you “definitely had as a kid.” Agricenter International, December 5 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend Run and sweat for a great cause and pretend you’re enjoying every mile, or just stand on the sidelines and cheer your favorite athletes. AutoZone Park and throughout Memphis, December 5
JANUARY
DECEMBER
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Memphis’ annual excuse to eat stadium food, wear team colors, and cheer for college football players. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, January 2
“Delight” Holiday Lighting Festival Flip the switch on holiday magic with dazzling lights, live music, and skating. Throughout Crosstown Concourse, December 4
Elvis Birthday Celebration Celebrate the King’s birthday with live music and enough sequins to make Memphis sparkle. Graceland, January 7-10
Memphis’ Tastiest Night By Kimberly Ham
PHOTO: COURTESY MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Craft Food & Wine Festival
Memphis food lovers, consider this your official invitation to graze. The seventh annual Craft Food & Wine Festival returns to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art on September 6th, bringing together more than 35 local foodpreneurs, chefs, and artisans for an evening of bites, sips, music, and reasons to loosen your belt. Presented by Feast and Graze, the festival grew from founder Cristina McCarter’s original Butcher Board Festival, inspired by her love of cheese boards. Since becoming the Craft Food & Wine Festival years ago, the event has expanded its focus beyond restaurants and chefs to celebrate the broader Memphis food ecosystem — including farmers, beekeepers, bakers, pickle makers, and other small producers. “It’s more than just chefs and restaurants,” McCarter says. “It’s a whole ecosystem. Everyone deserves a chance to show that.” This year’s festival will feature tastings of artisanal foods, beer, wine, and cocktails, along with live entertainment by The Earnestine and Hazel’s Band and DJ Sledro. McCarter is especially excited about a dedicated mocktail area, reflecting what she sees as a growing interest in wellness, natural ingredients, and alcohol-free drinks. Guests can also shop while they sample. Everyone receives a tray and glass to collect bites and beverages through the festival, with some vendors offering products to take home. For those looking to make the evening extra special, the VIP ticket includes 4 p.m. early admission, a champagne toast, exclusive wine tastings, seating, and a special menu from Chef Joshua Mutchnick of JEM Dining. His menu will spotlight some of JEM’s signature flavors, including a 24-hour braised short-rib adobo and vegan kimchi arancini, with wine pairings designed to enhance each dish. Mutchnick says the VIP experience is meant to be more than a meal. Tucked into a secluded area of the Brooks, it offers guests a chance to settle in and enjoy a custom food-and-wine experience away from the bustle. McCarter hopes first-timers leave thinking, “I don’t know why it took me so long to find out about this festival!” With full bellies, local discoveries, and a little art along the way, that seems like a pretty good outcome. 7TH ANNUAL CRAFT FOOD & WINE FESTVIAL, MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM 0F ART, 1934 POPLAR AVE., SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 5-7 P.M.
VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES September 3rd - 9th Metal Museum at Overton Park Grand Opening Metal Museum, Saturday, September 5, 11 a.m. Celebrate the grand opening of the Metal Museum at Overton Park with a free, all-ages day of art, crafts, and community. The festivities will feature live metalworking demonstrations, hands-on activities, music and performances, food, and new exhibitions. Bring your family and friends to be part of this exciting new chapter for Memphis’ arts community. Rachel Harrison with Mandy Martin at Elmwood Cemetery: Kiss Slay Replay Elmwood Cemetery, Thursday, September 3, 6 p.m. Rachel Harrison, author of Play Nice and So Thirsty, comes to Elmwood Cemetery for a conversation
with Mandy Martin celebrating the release of her new horror novel, Kiss Slay Replay. The twisty thriller follows Willa Sullivan, whose best friends’ picture-perfect wedding turns into a nightmare when a masked killer strikes, only for Willa to wake up and find herself reliving the wedding day again and again. Metal Forming Class: Leaves & Pods Memphis Botanic Garden, Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn the art of metalworking at the Metal Forming Class: Leaves & Pods. Artist Brandy Boyd will guide participants through basic metal manipulation techniques, including filing, hammering, torch coloring, and chemical patinas, as the class transforms copper sheets into nature-inspired jewelry. All materials are provided, with enough
supplies to make several pendants and a pair of earrings. Delta Fair & Music Festival Agricenter International, Friday, September 4-Sunday, September 13 The Delta Fair & Music Festival returns to the Agricenter International in Memphis, bringing 10 days of family-friendly fun, live music, and classic fair attractions. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, livestock shows, a petting zoo, circus performances, craft demonstrations, food, special events, and more, along with a full lineup of regional and local musical acts. With theme days, contests, rodeo events, and activities for all ages, the Delta Fair celebrates the culture, entertainment, and community spirit of the Mid-South.
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MUSIC By Alex Greene
Star & Micey: Back in the Saddle Their hiatus over, the rootsy quartet finds their best work in a batch of long-lost demos.
September 3-9, 2026
A
s the Flyer was casting about for great bands to play our Best of Memphis 2026 party, to be held at Loflin Yard on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., signing Black Cream up for the proceedings was a no-brainer. That genre-hopping trio has been a mainstay of the local scene in recent years, even selling out their recent show at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts. But then some news crossed our desks that we hadn’t anticipated: Star & Micey are back at it! This has been welcome news indeed among their many fans, as it’s been quite some time since the band, featuring Josh Cosby, Nick Redmond, Geoff Smith, and Jeremy Stanfill, released new material — their last album came out 10 years ago. In the years leading up to that album, when they were at the height of their local and touring popularity, there was no group that matched their unique Americana-meets-indie-rock, kitchensink aesthetic. Sure, they have played one or two shows a year since then, but now, suddenly, they were releasing single after single. Indeed, as each track rolled out, it became clear that, despite being released in piecemeal fashion, this was a bona fide album, to be called, somewhat mischievously, Greatest Hits. Suddenly, it seemed the group had moved beyond just playing the occasional show. To find out what was really going down, I gave Cosby a call.
pitch to people, looking for a producer at the time. Like, ‘Hey, do you want to work with us?’ This was a long time ago, but they ended up just being so much fun because we didn’t care. We were in the practice space. We were having fun. And it was kind of the first time we weren’t under a microscope, with producers watching us. We weren’t on Ardent [Studio’s] time, and that vibe is in the recordings. Jeremy was like, ‘Man, you know, we all see each other at the coffee shop. We never broke up as a band. Let’s let people have these.’ Especially our fans that have known these songs for a long time through our live shows in the past. A lot of them are songs we would always play at shows, but people never had a way to listen to them other than live. And so Jeremy’s request got the okay. We all said, ‘You know what, you’re right, Jeremy.’ Like, why not?
Memphis Flyer: Star & Micey are now dropping a series of singles, all with the same cover image. How did this new “album” come about? Are they new recordings? Josh Cosby: The new releases are actually demos we originally made to
That practice space, behind what’s now Rockhouse Live, has played an important role in a lot of bands’ development. Yes! We called it Superman Ranch, and we had it for, like, five to seven years. I think Andrew McCalla has it now. And that was our practice space, and we
Was anyone there engineering and overseeing the recording process at the time? Yes, Curry Weber. He produced our first record, and then he was the manager of our band. He booked all our shows for touring for seven plus years, and he was always there to cheerlead us and to capture us as best he could. He’s a mixing producer/engineer, who went to school for it and all that. Then we all became best friends and brothers, you know, working off the clock. There’s so much money and time he sacrificed for us. It’s in the millions, probably. Curry was the one who recorded all those. And he and I would stay up there
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would all just end up gathering there. But we rarely ever practiced there. We kind of just hung out, and friends would come over, you know, like that. It all started when Thirty Tigers bought us out of our deal with Ardent. They’re good people. The weirder and more fun and experimental we were, the more they liked it. So at that point, we had this burst of creativity. It was like, ‘We’re free!’ you know? So we were just writing and recording all night long in this little space. And that’s what these songs are.
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Star & Micey after everyone left, and that’s when I first started thinking, ‘Oh, mixing’s fun and cool!’ But these songs, they’re band-produced. You know, we all had our ideas, and we didn’t really have a producer standing over us telling us what we needed to be or any of that. All that fits the communitarian vibe that I’ve always heard in your guys’ music. You get that feeling of everyone just kind of pitching in, and that’s rare as people increasingly arrange and produce music in the box, so to speak, and it all just becomes dragging waveforms around. Oh yeah! Mark Stuart would be hanging out there drinking a beer and we’d say, ‘Mark, play guitar on this song!’ So he’s playing guitar on some of the songs, and then Kate Lawson’s singing a duet with Nick. That’s not released yet, but it’s from this batch, and we’ll end up releasing it. And then a super fan, Natalie Jones, was there one night, and we were like, ‘You’ve loved us for five years — sing on this song! We know you know it by heart.’ And she was over the moon to be singing with her favorite band.
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AFTER DARK: Live Music Schedule September 3 - 9 Duane Cleveland
The Way
Sunday, Sept. 6, 12 p.m.
A musical recovery service with George Kilby Jr. Friday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.
LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
THE CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE
Ask Dylan
A country act fronted by Coleman Williams, the greatgrandson of Hank Williams. Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m.
B-SIDE
Jeremy Schrader’s “Octocats”
Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. GROWLERS
Along with Kevin & Graham and The Twin Heart Trap. Friday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.
The Band of Heathens The Debbie Jamison Band Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
Elmo & the Shades
Featuring Eddie Harrison. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
John Williams & the A440 Band Thursday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
Landslide (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. NEIL’S MUSIC ROOM
Live at the Garden: Alabama
The ’80s country hitmakers revisit their classic catalog. Thursday, Sept. 3, 8 p.m. RADIANS AMPHITHEATER
Van Duren
Thursday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m. MORTIMER’S
On their Country Sides Tour. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m. MINGLEWOOD HALL
Bey Day
It’s Queen Bey’s Birthday Bash: The Ultimate Beyoncé Dance Party, with DJ A.D. Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Cunt Coded
With Van Gogh, Superstarsipa, Billie, and Cinema. Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. GROWLERS
Daphnie & Chris Duo Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Delta Stardust
Saturday, Sept. 5, 12 p.m. CENTRAL BBQ
THE HI-TONE CAFE
The New Orleans-based singer presents Amercana songs rich with hard-earned wisdom. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 8 p.m. B-SIDE
Carlos Elliot Jr.
Blending African, Native American, North Mississippi, and Colombian sounds. Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
With Sandra Messinger. Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY
Jon Cowherd & Ted Ludwig Trio
JD Simo
With Ghalia Volt. Saturday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m.
Pianist Cowherd is cofounder of the Brian Blade Fellowship. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.
HERNANDO’S HIDE-A-WAY PHOTO: DOUG HARDESTY
THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS
KaRRot (KoRn Tribute)
Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. OVERTON PARK SHELL
Louder Than Bombs (The Smiths and Morrissey Tribute)
With Blondme (Blondie Tribute). Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 p.m. B-SIDE
Lunar Vacation
George Kilby Jr.
ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
With Closebye. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m. 1884 LOUNGE
Major Moment
Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. GROWLERS
JD Simo Memphis PowerPop Festival: The Smithereens
With The Sonny Wilsons, Your Academy, and Joybomb. Saturday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m. OVERTON PARK SHELL
Orchid Mantis
With Missed Dunks at Summer League and ET Cruiser. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7 p.m. BAR DKDC
Pulse (Pink Floyd Tribute) Sunday, Sept. 6, 5 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Souled Out
Saturday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
Toby Vest & The Dream Machine With Frank McLallen & Extra Eyes. Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. THE GREEN ROOM AT CROSSTOWN ARTS
Stone Soul Picnic
WLOK’s annual gospel and soul festival. Saturday, Sept. 5, noon-7 p.m. NEW SALEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Yacht Rock Revue
Hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band.” Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. GRACELAND
Twin Soul
Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 p.m. LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM
WYXR Stereo Sessions: KWICK’s To The Point
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. MEMPHIS LISTENING LAB
Memphis Symphony Big Band Swinging sounds and food trucks in a park-like setting. Friday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. THE GROVE AT GPAC
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SEPTEMBER 18
KOOL & THE GANG AND PATTI LABELLE
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Featuring Deborah Swiney. Sunday, Sept. 6, 3 p.m.
IV & the Strange Band
2000s Emo Party
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
First Sunday Gospel and Jazz Jam Munch
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Send the date, time, place, cost, info, phone number, a brief description, and photos — two weeks in advance — to calendar@memphisflyer.com. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, ONGOING WEEKLY EVENTS WILL APPEAR IN THE FLYER’S ONLINE CALENDAR ONLY. FOR COMPREHENSIVE EVENTS LISTING, VISIT EVENTS.MEMPHISFLYER.COM/CAL.
CALENDAR of EVENTS: September 3 - 9, 2026 AR TS AND S P ECIAL E X H IBITS
Anwesha Biswas: “Of Forests & Florals”
Anwesha Biswas is a representational artist based in Memphis. Her primary works are based in oils, painted with the alla-prima technique using a limited palette of around six colors. Through Sept. 30. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
“The Art of Community: 90 Years of Service”
Through an array of archival milestones and stories of service, this display honors the Collierville Contemporary Club’s 90-year commitment to ensuring that Collierville remains a vibrant, supportive place for every neighbor to call home. Through Sept. 5. TOWN OF COLLIERVILLE MORTON MUSEUM
Artists’ Link Autumn Showcase
In this exhibition, Artists’ Link members offer a variety of creative subjects and artistic media to enjoy. This collection of nearly 60 original works of art include paintings, mixed media, clay, fiber, encaustic, fused glass, and so much more. Free. Through Sept. 30. WKNO GALLERY
David Uzochukwu: “Bodies of Water”
In this show, 22 photographs present hybrid beings, part human and part animal, who inhabit surreal, dreamlike landscapes. Adorned with fins, scales, and other features, these figures are equipped to survive and thrive in challenging waters. Through Sept. 27.
September 3-9, 2026
BUCKMAN ARTS CENTER AT ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
“From the Bluff to the Park: The Metal Museum’s Collection Through Time”
The first major exhibition in the Metal Museum’s new home traces the history and evolution of the museum’s collections, from the Metal Museum’s founding in 1979 to its expansion. Through March 21. METAL MUSEUM AT OVERTON PARK
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Jennifer Stanford: “Piecework”
Stanford creates her own pieces for collage using a variety of
GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Cooper-Young Night Out
Justin Bowles: “L’Esprit”
SHAPESHIFTER ART SCHOOL & GALLERY
PHOTO: COURTESY JIMMY CROSTHWAIT
Untitled Bas Relief 1 by Jimmy Crosthwait is on display in his show at The Circuit Playhouse.
“Living in Layers”
Enjoy art by Debbie Likley Pacheco. She works in mixed media, combining digital and analog methods to create layered images that straddle a line between naturalism and abstraction. Through Sept. 27. DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
Meredith Olinger: “On Repeat”
This show uses the language of pattern and surface to chart the domestic and intimate, taking inspiration from all aspects of life. Through Oct. 17.
“Paul R. Williams: American Architect”
New Works by Vera Feldman and Bobo Huettel will be on exhibit in the Levy Gallery. Through Sept. 21.
Kick off your day with a warm cup of coffee, lively conversation, and the joy of adult coloring pages. Thursday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.
THE CIRCUIT PLAYHOUSE
Emily Leonard: “Prairie”
“Floral Infusion”
Coffee & Color: Morning Session
Exhibition of artwork by Jimmy Crosthwait, that includes artwork created by pen and ink, as well as with bees wax, enamel print, and alcohol links on fiberboard, and more. Through Oct. 4.
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
DAVID LUSK GALLERY
COM M U N I T Y
Jimmy Crosthwait: “Medallions, Magic, and Micro-Worlds”
Paintings, works on paper, and acrylic box assemblages by Justin Bowles. Her latest work culminates in a show entitled “L’Esprit,” a French word used not only for “spirit” but also for a certain vivaciousness or capacity for joy. Through Oct. 17.
This show is devoted to Paul R. Williams, the Black architect known as “Architect to the Hollywood Stars,” who designed the original St. Jude Children’s Memorial Hospital and influenced the decision that it be free to all. Through Oct. 10.
THE ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Photographs by David Horan An exhibition bringing together a career-spanning selection of Horan’s work. Through Oct. 10.
THE ART MUSEUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
Stephanie Howard: “Keep Safe”
Howard is inspired and influenced by outsider and folk art, vintage photography and illustration, as well as embroidery and quilting. When working, she often thinks of her materials as fabric and thread instead of pen and paper. Through Sept. 19. SHEET CAKE GALLERY
dians will be funny. Some will objectively be terrible. That’s why it’s free. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m. HAVENHAUS
ELMWOOD CEMETERY
TOWN OF COLLIERVILLE MORTON MUSEUM
SHAPESHIFTER ART SCHOOL & GALLERY
Throughout “Prairie”, Leonard’s compositions move between moments of openness and areas of dense activity. Through Oct. 10.
wild and twisty new horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of So Thirsty and Play Nice. Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m.
printmaking techniques, while simultaneously amassing a (too) large collection of curated papers and books which frequently find their way into her work. Through Sept. 19.
Summer Art Garden: “Wax Print Wonderland”
Samilia Pelshak presents an enchanting installation of her vibrant African wax print designs. Through Sept. 27.
worked, and learned at the museum since the program’s founding. Through Jan. 31. METAL MUSEUM AT OVERTON PARK
A R T HA P P E N I N G S
Opening Reception: “Medallions, Magic, and Micro-Worlds”
Meet the artist, Jimmy Crosthwait, and learn more about his creative process. Sunday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m. THE CIRCUIT PLAYHOUSE
MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
BOOK E V E N TS
Summer Exhibition
Emily Skaja & Marcus Wicker: Black Lake and Dear Mothership
Three summer exhibitions at Crosstown Arts, featuring works by Barbara Penn, George Edward Walker, and Romain Collin in collaboration with filmmaker Matthew Palmer. Through Sept. 6. CROSSTOWN ARTS GALLERIES
The Third Hand Group Exhibition
This group show examines creativity and its relationship to identity through figurative representation. These relationships are explored by 12 artists through paintings, drawings, ceramics, and installation. Through Oct. 16. URBAN ART COMMISION
“Strike! Pour! Create!”: Works by Metal Museum Apprentices
A showcase of the work of 20+ apprentices that have lived,
A night celebrating the release of two poetry collections, Black Lake and Dear Mothership, by two talented poets. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. NOVEL
Rachel Harrison with Mandy Martin at Elmwood Cemetery: Kiss Slay Replay
Every wedding guest’s worst nightmare is on repeat in this
PHOTO: COURTESY CROSSTOWN ARTS
The film, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, is a powerful documentary playing at Crosstown Theater.
Businesses and restaurants in Cooper-Young kick up the fun a notch with music at the gazebo, discounts on food and drinks, two for ones, sidewalk sales, retail bargains and events, trivia games, happy hours, open houses and art shows. Thursday, Sept. 3, 5 p.m. BURKE’S BOOK STORE
Labor Day Sound Bath
Join Taj Chander for a deeply restorative Labor Day Sound Bath devoted to the ancient balance between work and rest. Monday, Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m. THE BROOM CLOSET
C LASS/ WOR KSH OP
Acrylic Painting with Gay Rhodes
Join Instructor Gay Rhodes for this four-session painting series where students will gain new skills from the instructor’s 20-plus years of teaching experience. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Country Swing Dance Lessons
It’s never too late to start and a partner is not required to join the class. Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. WHISKEY JILL’S
Metal Forming Class: Leaves & Pods
Learn a new skill in metalworking and create leaves and pods from copper sheet into beautiful jewelry. Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Tree Stewards Class 2026
Instruction and outdoor learning will cover tree physiology, tree species identification, tree care, how trees support wildlife, the history of urban forestry, tree law for homeowners, arboretum requirements, and more. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
COM EDY
Comedy Open Mic
A free weekly stand-up comedy open mic at Havenhaus, hosted by Malcolm Castle & Charlie Vergos. Some come-
FAM I LY
All Your Friends
Led by Kristen Zemaitis, Caterpillar Club is one of the few preschool adventures in Memphis that gets your little one discovering nature, hands-on, in the great outdoors. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Kaleidoscope Club
Each week, kids (ages 5 to 9) will enjoy an art or horticulture project that sparks creativity and critical thinking. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m. DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
Preschool Play-Along
A-B-Cs are as easy as 1-2-3 when you attend this program specifically designed with stories, sing-alongs, and crafts all featuring the letter or number of the week. Thursday, Sept. 3, 10:30 a.m. GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Rhythm & Roots
Each week, students explore drumming, dance, teamwork, and creative expression in a safe and inspiring environment led by experienced instructors and mentors. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. MEMPHIS YOUTH ARTS INITIATIVE CENTER
Story Time
At Story Time, kids can enjoy stories, songs, art activities, and creative play that connect with Collierville history. Friday, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m. TOWN OF COLLIERVILLE MORTON MUSEUM
Super Saturday Printmaking
Participants will explore Memphis artists’ prints in the exhibtiion “Memphis College of Art, 1936-2020: An Enduring Legacy,” and then make a styrafoam print of their own. For ages 5 to 12. Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Toddler Time
Bring your toddlers ages 1 to 3 to read and do crafts. Thursday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. BARTLETT LIBRARY
FEST I VAL
7th Annual Craft Food & Wine Festival Memphis’ premier tasting event returns this year to celebrate local foodpreneurs, chefs, and artisan makers alongside carefully curated wine and cocktail pairings. $75. Sunday, Sept. 6, 5 p.m. MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
C A L E N DA R : S E P T E M B E R 3 - 9 , 2 0 2 6
AGRICENTER INTERNATIONAL
Healthier 901 Fest
Powered by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, enjoy this family-friendly celebration of wellness and community. Whether you walk, run, dance, learn, or simply connect with others, you’ll discover fun and inspiring ways to live healthier in the 901. Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. SHELBY FARMS PARK
FI L M
Crosstown Arts Film Series Presents - Ernest Cole: Lost and Found This powerful documentary reexamines the life and work of South African photographer Ernest Cole, whose groundbreaking images exposed the brutal realities of apartheid to the world. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m. CROSSTOWN THEATER
FOO D AND DR IN K
Yoga
Strengthen your yoga practice and enjoy the health benefits of light exercise with instructor Laura Gray McCann. Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
LECT U R E
Ideas Over Lunch - Capturing the “Mystery of the Ordinary”
How does a photographer capture the “Mystery of the Ordinary”? In this edition of Ideas Over Lunch, Czech-American Photographer Annette Fournet takes us through her practice and world travels. Friday, Sept. 4, 11:45 a.m. MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART
Munch and Learn - Painting in the Wild: Outdoor Painting in Remote Landscapes
Matthew Lee is an artist who was born in Paris, France, to American parents from Mississippi. He spent his childhood primarily in France and Germany before returning to Mississippi to earn a degree in architecture from Mississippi State University. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 12 p.m. DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN
Gather your team and put your collective knowledge to the test in downtown’s most engaging battle of wits. Sunday, Sept. 6, 5 p.m. MFS BREWING
HEALTH AND F IT N E SS
Get Outside Fitness: Mat Pilates
Pilates will lengthen and strengthen your core muscles, build body awareness and balance, and create space for mental clarity. Free. Friday, Sept. 4, 4:30 p.m. SHELBY FARMS PARK
Get Outside Fitness: Meditation
Meditation Mondays is a safe space for anyone seeking self-regulation and a peaceful pause from the demands of daily life. Free. Monday, Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m. SHELBY FARMS PARK
Get Outside Fitness: Yoga Sculpt
A creative blend of yoga-inspired flows, short cardio bursts, balance sequences, and bodyweight strength training all set to crazy fun music. Free. Thursday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. SHELBY FARMS PARK
Hustle & Flow HIIT
This free, energizing, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout will leave you feeling strong, unstoppable, and ready to own your day. No matter your fitness level, this class is your ticket to sweat, strength, and unbeatable riverfront vibes. Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 a.m. SUNSET CANOPY, TOM LEE PARK
Tai Chi-Qi Gong for Beginners
Join instructor Marjean Liggett for free tai chi lessons featuring gentle moves that will strengthen and calm body, mind, and soul. No experience or pre-registration is necessary. Free. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 a.m. OVERTON PARK CONSERVANCY
Taijiquan
This Chinese martial art promotes relaxation, improves balance, and provides no-impact aerobic benefits. Saturday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS
PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE
Poetry in the Park: Peabody Park
Poetry in the Park is back! Pull up, catch a vibe, and share your story at this free adults-only event, hosted by Play Your Park in collaboration with Keeping It P! Ages 18+. Saturday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m.
The Music Man
Harold Hill, a charismatic con man, marches into River City and gets more than he bargained for. This masterpiece is a heart-stealing tribute to the power of community and unexpected romance. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m.
PEABODY PARK
S P EC I A L E V E N TS
THEATRE MEMPHIS
Metal Museum at Overton Park Grand Opening
Powerful Collection of One-Act Plays: Seven Stages of Grief
Join the Grand Opening of the Metal Museum at Overton Park for a free, all-ages celebration of art, craft, and community. Enjoy metalworking demos, hands-on activities, live music and performances, food, and stunning new exhibitions to experience. Free. Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m.
This compelling theatrical journey explores shock, denial, anger, bargaining, guilt, depression, and ultimately acceptance through seven distinctive and thought-provoking one-act plays. Friday, Sept. 4, 8 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m. THEATREWORKS @ THE SQUARE
METAL MUSEUM AT OVERTON PARK
Speak, Salvation, Speak
Speak, Salvation, Speak is a gripping family drama where faith is not just what you believe, it is what you inherit. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 2:00 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m.
T HE AT E R
Mean Girls: The Musical
Crossword
“Papa Bear Trivia” with Shawn
Sunday Trivia
MEMPHIS JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, August 15, 2019
Grab dinner from one of the handpicked food trucks, enjoy games and activities, groove to live music, and sip on your favorite drinks from the bar. Free. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m.
DRU’S BAR
Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. | Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2:00 p.m.
Mean Girls: The Musical brings Tina Fey’s hit comedy to the stage, following Cady P E RFO R M I N G A R TS Heron, a teenager who moves from being HATTILOO THEATRE York Times Syndication Sales homeschooled in Africa to navigating the Corporation Opera Memphis Concert at the J The New social world of North Shore High. 620complicated Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 Bring your friends and family to the JCC for
Food Truck Garden Party
Bring your brainpower and your crew for a night of free trivia. Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 p.m.
this lobby concert by Opera Memphis. Free. Sunday, Sept. 6, 12:30 p.m.
ACROSS
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m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Delta Fair is everyone’s fair, bringing communities together with safe, wholesome family entertainment while celebrating and promoting the rich art, music and history of the Delta. Friday, Sept. 4, 4 p.m. | Saturday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m. | Sunday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. | Monday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m. | Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. | Wednesday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Delta Fair & Music Festival
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We Saw You. with MICHAEL DONAHUE
I
September 3-9, 2026
n his artist’s statement, Adam Farmer describes his art show, “If Not Now, When?” as “an exhibition of works made over the last year consisting primarily of spider web abstractions along with images derived from television and film stills. Accompanying these paintings are a handful of sculptures and two videos.” The show, which opened August 21st with a reception, can be viewed by appointment only at The Medicine Factory at 85 West Virginia Avenue Suite 101 before the closing reception, to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on September 5th.
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PHOTOS: MICHAEL DONAHUE
above: (left to right) Alex and Dr. Kimberly Rice; Alec Ogg and Katja Barnhart circle: Andrew Farmer below: (left to right) Andrew and his dad Andrew, Ames and Michelle McDougal; Donita and James Cunningham; David and Gina Farmer; Alexandra Gardner, Alye Lowe, Rick Gardner bottom row: (left to right) Sheryl Gable, Shannon Baronowski; John Albright
SPIRITS By Andria Lisle
The Bitter and the Sweet Fernet-Branca offers a refreshingly unsweet spirits experience.
L
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OCTOBER 25, 2026
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 SHELBY FARMS PARK | MEMPHIS, TN Event Starts | 1 p.m. Memorial and Survivors’ Ceremony | 1:30 p.m. 5k and 1-Mile Walk Begin | 2 p.m.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ast week, a coworker Today, Fernet-Branca remains flabbergasted me with a popular in Italy and in Argentina, thank-you gift for doing where it’s imbibed with a Coca-Cola something that I considered mixer. The liqueur is also catching a routine part of my job. It was a truly on in Germany, where the preferred unexpected, generous gesture — and drinking method is Fernet-Branca and what she gave me was a surprise, Red Bull. On this continent, it’s most too. At first glance, I sized up the frequently consumed as a bracing shot, tall, sparkly gift bag and assumed it but recently has been turning up as contained a bottle of wine, always a an ingredient in many craft cocktail welcome present. When I opened it, recipes. however, I found a large bottle filled I was intrigued by a cocktail I with a coffee-colored liqueur that, found online called the Hanky Panky. when I unscrewed the cap, smelled The drink first appeared in 1925, leathery, minty, and herbaceous all at making its debut at the American once. And that’s how I came Bar at the Savoy Hotel in to fall in love with FernetLondon. Today, it’s making Branca. a comeback — likely due The aroma that emanated to both its simplicity and from the bottle reminded its complexity. The Hanky me of both root beer and Panky only has three iced tea — if the drinks ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces were filtered through my of gin (I used Beefeater’s), grandfather’s aftershave. 1 1/2 ounces of sweet Its taste, which I waited vermouth, and 2 dashes of to get home to discover, Fernet-Branca. You simply was astringent and almost stir the liquids with ice in uncomfortably bitter. It a mixing glass or cocktail reminded me of some dark shaker, then strain into spoonful of medicine served a chilled cocktail glass. by my childhood physician, Garnish the glass with a and I screwed up my face as twist of orange peel if you I swallowed. Then I poured like, and sip. a second glass of the amaro I also sampled what liqueur, which, according Argentines refer to as “ferne to most bartenders, is con coca” or “Fernecola” — best served neat. I tried to an ice-packed glass with a discern the flavor profile, few fingers of Fernet-Branca but with 40 herbs, roots and topped with sugary Mexican spices on the ingredient list, Coke. While the sweetness it’s complicated. of the cola hardly subdues Unlike most aperitifs the bitterness of the liqueur, and digestifs, Fernet-Branca the bubbles make the drink is very low in sugar. It’s particularly intoxicating. PHOTO: MJ, CREATIVE also one of the only amari During WWII, a FernetCOMMONS | WIKIMEDIA liqueurs to be aged for a Branca distillery opened in COMMONS full year in oak barrels, a Buenos Aires — today, it Best served neat process that adds intensity and Milan remain the only and complexities to the places in the world where the final result. Distilled in Milan, Italy, liqueur is made. The International Wine since 1845, its ingredients include the and Spirits Record, which monitors the familiar and the exotic: chamomile, world’s beverage alcohol market, recently peppermint, saffron, myrrh, Chinese declared that Argentina consumes threerhubarb, aloe ferox, angelica, colombo fourths of the world’s Fernet-Branca. root, cinchona bark, and orris root are But be warned, Fernet-Branca is not to just a sampling of the herbs that go everyone’s taste. I recommend taking the into the mix using both hot and cold liqueur for a test spin before committing infusion processes. The actual recipe to a full bottle. Ask your favorite is known by only one man, Niccolo bartender to pour you a shot or order a Branca, the great-great-grandson of Fernet-Branca-based cocktail if you see Bernardino Branca, who invented the one on the menu. Andria Lisle, best known for her writings liqueur and originally promoted it for on Memphis music, is also known to take its health benefits, including flatulence, a sip now and then. overeating, gas pains, and hangovers.
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FOOD By Michael Donahue
Behind the Stove, Not the Wheel Chef trades auto work for culinary world.
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September 3-9, 2026
ot many chefs will tell you painting an automobile is the same as preparing a dish, but Jeff “Chef Jeff ” McCraw says just that. “Mixing paint is the visual version of building a recipe,” says McCraw, 55, who spent more than 35 years in the automobile collision repair business before moving across the street to become executive chef at his girlfriend Whitney Fullerton’s restaurant, Chef Jeff ’s, at 1825 Vanderhorn. McCraw feels the area needed a restaurant. “We’re right at Covington Pike. You’ve got car dealers. You’ve also got industrial supply places, HVAC suppliers, warehouses — a lot of companies.” He did the demographics and discovered that “11,000 people punch in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. And there’s no place to eat out there.” And that doesn’t include shoppers. Since going to work at Chef Jeff ’s, McCraw says, “I’ve gotten a regular following that is very faithful.” The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, but McCraw will hold a pop-up with 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. seatings on September 11th. Describing his fare, McCraw says, “There’s a twist on everything. We’re all clean, whole food. We’re all scratch. We don’t use anything canned. We don’t use anything processed. We don’t buy anything cooked. We use hand-cut fries. We cut them and blanch them. We brine and smoke our own meat.” Along with his smoked turkey and other sandwiches on the menu, diners will find McCraw’s “Memphis Reuben”. It’s similar to the classic pastrami sandwich, but it’s on grilled sourdough focaccia instead of rye bread. And, he says, “We’re a sourdough bakery, too.” McCraw makes his sourdough bread from a 236-year-old starter named “Isabelle,” which he got from a friend in Washington state. “I already had a two-year-old starter on my own. So we made a hybrid with hers.” He uses sourdough in his cinnamon rolls, hoagies, hamburger buns, and fried pies. McCraw is a purist when it comes to ingredients. “Even when they say ‘organic,’ I don’t buy it. We try to get our hands on everything local we possibly can.” Art was his first creative expression as a child. He took classes at the old Memphis Academy of Arts (before it became the Memphis College of Art) from the third to sixth grades. “I did it all,” he says. But he was “rushed and messy. I would make a mess of anything on paper. So, 24 sculpture ended up being my thing.” McCraw began cooking for his
PHOTO: MICHAEL DONAHUE
Jeff McCraw, Whitney Fullerton, and chef de cuisine Gannon Hamilton
McCraw makes his sourdough bread from a 236-year-old starter named “Isabelle.” family when he was eight years old. “I was a latchkey kid. Honestly, I didn’t like hearing my mother complain about having to come from work and clean and cook dinner.” And, he says, “anything you wanted to eat, you had to cook it.” McCraw’s first culinary creation was pizza. “I cut the crust off of some bread and rolled it flat with a rolling pin, put cheddar cheese, and made a pizza with lunch meat on it.” He continued the Italian cuisine route with the spaghetti he made for his first family dinner. “My mother had a celebrity cookbook. This was Sammy Davis Jr.’s recipe for spaghetti.” It was sweet. “It had about a tablespoon [of sugar] in a two-pound ground beef batch.” McCraw still loves “anything Italian. I was really interested in hand-rolled pasta. By the time I was 10, I was doing that. And making tortellinis stuffed with ricotta and pesto.” One of his greatest inspirations was On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, by Harold McGee. “He was a scientist, but he had a big passion for cooking.” McGee’s topics included “what chemical reactions were going on that caused browning in meat. Once I got onto that and learned how emulsions work, I stopped using recipes.” Oil and eggs, for example, create an emulsion called mayonnaise. McCraw discovered he “had a natural
understanding of it.” He originally wanted to be an architect. “I really liked mechanical drawing,” he says, adding, “I never thought I would cook for a living.” He even considered becoming a lawyer when he entered Memphis State University. But, he says, “I dropped out and started an auto detailing shop.” His business, “Perfection Auto Detail,” grew into a “pretty big business.” McCraw later did auto detailing and car cleaning at a car dealership until he was hired by a company that did paint touch-ups for auto dealers. “That’s where I learned that I had a natural knack for painting and mixing paint and fixing wrecked cars.” Yet he continued to cook. “Just at home. And I always catered.” He’d barbecue and do other cuisine at events. “I started cooking for groups like that when I was 19. It started with cooking for friends. And friends of friends wanted me to cook for them.” Eventually, McCraw also got jobs — and enjoyed them — working as a line cook at the old The Elegant Farmer and The Grove Grill. “I like the pressure. I like a really high demand.” McCraw still caters, something he wants to develop even more. “The mission of this place is to have a kitchen plant that runs 24 hours a day. The restaurant would be just one of the outlets.” He also wants to do more baking,
which he began doing as a child. McCraw was running his own body shop near Covington Pike when he “realized how many people were over here and there was nothing to eat.” While he was still operating the body shop, McCraw and Fullerton began operating “this little restaurant across the street.” On July 1st, 2025, McCraw began working at the restaurant full time. He describes his fare as “soul food — for lack of a better word. Meatloaf, hamburger steak. Our lasagna does really well when we run it.” Other popular items include his grilled chicken avocado club sandwich. A recent special was his fried green tomato and pimento cheese BLT. He also makes his own rubs, dressings, jellies, and sauerkraut. He does meal prep three days a week and a “clean version of a Lunchables” for kids, which might include pizza made with pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and sourdough bread. “I love to share what I’ve learned about gut health,” McCraw says. “I love coming up with new ways to do it.” He created a pecan pie with a “zero glycemic index” that includes honey, blue agave, and monk fruit. Nowadays, McCraw has no desire to trade mixing up a batch of red marinara for mixing up a batch of red touchup paint. The auto business is a thing of the past. “I think it’s evolved away from me.”
M E TA P H Y S I C A L C O N N E C T I O N B y E m i l y G u e n t h e r
Zeus’ Law What happens when hospitality is not moral code?
Violating Zeus’ Law brings consequences. To the Greeks, xenia was a divine contract. Zeus Xenios, “Zeus the Protector of Strangers,” watched every interaction between host and guest. The entire plot of The Odyssey turns on who honors this law and who violates it. Odysseus’ journey home becomes a map of hospitality — its blessings, failures, and catastrophes. The suitors in Ithaca commit the epic’s most serious breach. They invade Odysseus’ home, consume his food, harass his household, and plot against his son. They break Zeus’ Law, and their eventual slaughter is framed as divine justice rather than simple revenge. Odysseus survives by practicing and testing xenia. The Phaeacians welcome him, feed him, listen to his story, and send him home with gifts. Circe and Calypso
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begin as violators by detaining him, but eventually shift into proper hosts who aid his journey. Polyphemus the Cyclops, by contrast, rejects hospitality entirely. He mocks the tradition and devours his visitors. Homer uses him to show that violating xenia is not just immoral, it is inhuman. Civilization itself is defined by whether one honors Zeus’ Law. The poem’s message is clear: A society’s treatment of travelers, strangers, and the vulnerable is its truest test of legitimacy. This ancient idea casts a long shadow over modern geopolitics. In the lead-up to the recent conflict with Iran, officials from that country said they met with American intermediaries to discuss proposed terms. A follow-up was held in Tehran, during which the compound was struck in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, members of his family, and senior officials. Some observers described the timing of the strike as a symbolic breach of Zeus’ Law — the expectation that those who receive envoys should not be harmed. In their view, the offer presented abroad was carried, metaphorically, into the Supreme Leader’s home and preceded the attack. The ancient world offers a cautionary parallel. Odysseus paid for his reluctant role in the sack of Troy, and for conceiving of the Trojan Horse, with 10 years of god-cursed wandering. That is often cited as the moment when centuries of civilization gave way to centuries of instability. The Trojan Horse became the emblem of that turn: a weaponized gift that violated the oldest rule of the ancient world, turning hospitality itself into a trap. The Iran episode is only one part of a broader pattern. In recent years, longstanding norms and alliances — from Greenland to Cuba, Ukraine to NATO, Venezuela to Canada, and even the expectations of American citizens — have been strained or upended. If Homer taught that violating Zeus’ Law brings consequences not only to the offender but to the wider world, one wonders how long America — and the democratic order it helps sustain — can absorb the impact of such disruptions. The fate of nations, like the fate of Odysseus’ household, may depend on whether the rules of hospitality, honor, and mutual obligation are restored before the damage becomes irreversible. Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Z
eus’ Law, known as xenia, is one of the oldest moral codes in civilization and a central theme of The Odyssey. It refers to the sacred obligation of hospitality, reciprocity, and the protection of strangers. In ancient Greek belief, kindness toward guests mattered because any stranger might be a divine being in disguise. Violating this code was not just rude — it was a spiritual offense. Versions of this law appear across cultures. The Norse Hávamál, attributed to Odin, teaches that generosity toward travelers is a mark of civilization. The Bible echoes the same principle: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels without knowing it.” The Torah and Quran preserve the story of Abraham welcoming angelic visitors disguised as ordinary men. Iranian culture carries its own expression of this tradition. In Zoroastrian belief, Mithra oversees the sacred duty of honoring guests. In modern Iran, mehman-navazi — literally “guest-cherishing” — remains a living practice, emphasizing respect, generosity, and the idea that hospitality reveals a person’s moral character.
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NEWS OF THE WEIRD By the editors at Andrews McMeel Syndication Toxic Teammate A teenager in Maumelle, Arkansas, played with a rather toxic teammate during a recent high school football practice. According to an Aug. 12th report from WBAL-TV 11, after playing for about an hour, the student brought his helmet to his coach, explaining that it felt “unusual.” Upon examination, a venomous cottonmouth snake was found hiding behind the padding. They called animal control, who had to submerge the helmet in water to get the snake out. “I’ve removed a snake out of a car vent, in the engine, purses, backpacks — in a helmet? Never,” said Chris Davis, director of Maumelle Animal Services, adding that a bite could have been fatal. [WBAL-TV 11, 8/12/26]
September 3-9, 2026
Feathery Fire Alarm A family in Fort Bend County, Texas, credits their pet goose with saving their barn after it caught on fire. KHOU-11 reported that in the early morning hours of Aug. 4th, Bert Gerber was asleep on his couch when he was awakened by a series of loud honks — sounds the family hadn’t heard before from the 4-month-old aptly named Goosey. Security camera footage showed that their barn was on fire. “I just casually came outside and I saw a fire billowing out of there,” he said. Gerber used a water hose to put the fire out quickly, and none of the animals in the barn were injured. [KHOU-11, 8/8/26]
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Raccoon in a Jar A raccoon wandered a Dallas neighborhood for several days with its head stuck in a mayonnaise jar before finally being rescued by animal control workers. NBC DFW reported on Aug. 7th that after many capture attempts, the critter — which the locals named Mayonesa — holed up in a tree near an abandoned house while Animal Services officers waited patiently for her to emerge. Once they had safely captured her, they took her to Dallas Animal Services, where they sedated her and gave her fluids before removing the jar. “Aside from dehydration after several days without food and water, she was in remarkably good condition and full of energy,” Animal Services said in a social media post. Texas Metro Wildlife will care for
Mayonesa before releasing her back to the wild. [NBC DFW, 8/7/26] Plot Twist Jennifer McFadden, the owner of Booklegger, a bookstore in Eureka, California, received a surprising note from an anonymous author, UPI reported on Aug. 6th. The apology letter was accompanied by a book, The Unstrung Harp by Edward Gorey, and $100. In the note, the author explained they recently found the book in a box in their garage and confessed to having stolen the book from the store about 40 years ago. “I was so happy to find that the store was still in business so I could return the book and tell you how sorry I am for my utter lack of principles,” the note said, and asked the store to get in touch if there was “anything further I might do to right this wrong.” [UPI, 8/6/26] Crime Report A Shake Shack employee is charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and armed robbery after robbing the store where he worked, Yahoo! News reported on Aug. 12th. According to the Maricopa County Deputy Attorney’s complaint, Keondre Simmons, 33, of Arizona, pointed a gun at two employees, demanded $2,800 in cash from the store safe and locked them in the store’s cooler. The employees’ description of the robber matched Simmons, and he was arrested days later when investigators who were surveilling Simmons watched him leave his apartment wearing his Shake Shack uniform and return to the store for his shift. A representative from Shake Shack confirmed that Simmons’ employment has been terminated and that the company prioritizes the safety of their customers and employees. Simmons is currently in custody on a $100,000 bond. [Yahoo! News, 8/12/2026] Send your weird news items with subject line WEIRD NEWS to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com. NEWS OF THE WEIRD © 2026 Andrews McMeel Syndication. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The English idiom “cut to the chase” comes from the silent films of the early 20th century. When the plot dragged, directors would literally switch to a chase scene to restore audience interest. Various languages have other ways to say “get to the point” or “skip to the crux.” Spanish: ir al grano. French: aller droit au but. Italian: venire al dunque. Japanese: hondai ni hairu. In accordance with astrological omens, Taurus, I suggest you do that in the coming days. Skip the boring parts. Jump to the action scenes. You can return later and fill in the story details, but for now you’re best served by moving toward the exciting essence or the crucial core of things. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): This is one of those unusual times when laziness and apathy work in your favor. Life is organizing a relaxing renewal on your behalf, and your main job is to not interfere. So I advise you to skip the hustle and enjoy the thrill of being still. Put a pause on doing and indulge in the fine art of simply being. Please, Gemini? Set aside your ambitions for now. Hide your to-do list. Inform your chattering monkey mind that it’s on temporary leave from its usual jumping and squawking. Feel guilt-free as you immerse yourself in the most relaxed versions of feeling good and welcome whatever fresh vitality wants to flow in. CANCER (June 21-July 22): In the 17th century, Dutch inventor Christiaan Huygens discovered that two pendulum clocks hanging on the same wall gradually synchronized their swings. Why? He eventually realized that tiny vibrations traveled through the wall and made the clocks influence each other. Scientists call this “entrainment.” Now is prime time for you to capitalize on this phenomenon, Cancerian. I urge you to be extra alert for how your moods, rhythms, and intentions subtly affect the people around you, and vice versa. If you cultivate qualities you’d like to predominate in your relationships, you will find others unconsciously aligning with your rhythm.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Now is an ideal time to have fun cultivating the art of receptivity. Have fun being as open to influence as you can imagine. Be innocent! Be amenable! Be willing and eager to be surprised! It doesn’t mean surrendering your drive or drifting aimlessly while life happens around you. I’m talking about an active, alert sensitivity that invites wonder and transformation. You think boldly, act with purpose, and radiate what’s uniquely yours, and yet you also remain humbly aware that learning never ends and that wisdom can arrive from unpredictable directions. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I am asking you to give yourself slack in situations where you sometimes treat yourself carelessly or unkindly. Instead of tightening, loosen. Instead of cornering yourself, offer an escape hatch. Ask: “What if I give myself 20% more mercy, 20% more time, or 20% less pressure?” Maybe you’ll get an extension on a deadline or allow yourself to be a learner instead of an expert. Rather than calling yourself a failure because you’re less than perfect, you’ll decide, “It’s good enough for now.” As you slip away from the traps you set for yourself, you’ll teach your nervous system a fresh truth: You can be gentle with yourself but still be responsible. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio, you rarely need to be lighter and breezier. Your assignment is almost always to delve deeper and explore further. This is true now even more than usual. Other people might shiver and cower in the face of your intensity, but I celebrate it because it drives you to excavate the rich, messy truths and complicated feelings that really shouldn’t stay hidden. Regard this horoscope as your authorization to wield your emotional X-ray vision with precision, and to trust that the treasures you seek are often buried in places that scare others away. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In classical music, composers often develop a simple motif into a complex symphony. A short sequence of notes becomes the foundation for an entire composition. A key passage gets rearranged and elaborated in multiple ways. You will have a comparable opportunity in the coming weeks, Sagittarius: a seed of potential that seems modest at first could expand into more substantial riches if you cultivate it patiently. Your visionary aplomb and optimism can transform a core cell into a full orchestration. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You seem to be wandering in a frontier for which there are no maps. You’re hovering in liminal zones, between worlds. So for now, I guess you will have to steer without your usual guidance. That’s a good thing! What I can do is name the gifts
that are likely to come your way as you explore the unknown: 1) turbo-charged intuitions about your best possible future; 2) a talent for spotting surprising connections you didn’t even know you were looking for; and 3) a provocative unpredictability that magnetizes allies who can help tease out and illuminate your hidden and buried desires. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The placebo effect has a lesser-known counterpart called the nocebo effect: Negative expectations can create negative outcomes. If you’re told a harmless pill might cause headaches, you’re more likely to develop them. Your belief in harm creates actual harm. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I’m worried you may be nocebo-ing yourself right now. Your conviction that certain outcomes are inevitable is encouraging them to manifest. So here’s my counsel: Which negative expectations or predictions are you treating as facts? Consider the possibility that the problems you’re so skilled at identifying are being called into existence by your identification of them. And if you find that’s happening, STOP! Formulate some healing alternatives. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Dear Rob: Your horoscopes delight me in a spooky way. They make me feel as if you’re watching me from afar, not like a stalker, but like an eccentric guardian angel who gives me a heads-up before I do something foolish, tells me about opportunities I haven’t noticed, and shakes awake the part of me that’s inclined to quit. Thanks a million times! — Deep Pisces.” Dear Deep: You have exquisite timing, because now is an ideal moment to pour out gratitude for the people who’ve lifted you up and helped you. Offering appreciation now will function as a potent prayer that will be far more effective than pleading for what you don’t have. It will set in motion an irresistible magic that draws even more blessings in your direction.
MAKE YOUR CLOSET HAPPY, MANE. m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Most of us are surprisingly clueless about the inner workings of our own bodies. Do you know where your gallbladder and spleen actually live or what jobs they perform on your behalf? Can you trace the journey your breath takes after it slips into your lungs? Have you ever experimented to discover in detail which foods best suit your one-of-a-kind system? Do you know, from experience rather than guesswork, how much sleep you require to stay vividly awake and emotionally balanced? The current astrological climate favors you becoming a curious apprentice of your body’s gorgeous mysteries.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ve been extra reasonable lately. How do you manage to be so responsible, measured, and composed? I’m not complaining. I admire your integrity. But now the cosmic omens are clear that it’s time to address your soul’s needs for more wonder and awe and reverence. So I will slip you a tantalizing prod: What’s the best, most healing trouble you could provoke right now? I’m not referring to recklessness and chaos, of course. I mean twists and tweaks that stir up inspiration and liberate creativity. Are you bold enough to follow the truth and beauty that thrills and intrigues you?
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY By Rob Brezsny
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FILM By Chris McCoy
Coyote vs. Acme The film Warner Bros. couldn’t kill is hilarious proof of Looney Tunes’ greatness.
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September 3-9, 2026
verybody has their own weird little hill to die on. Here’s mine: I firmly believe that future historians will recognize the Merrie Melodies and Looney Tunes animated shorts produced between 1935 and 1964 as some of the greatest works of art of the 20th century. Yeah, that’s right, I’m putting “One Froggy Evening” on the same level as Guernica. Come at me, bro. The Warner Bros. animation unit worked out of a notoriously rundown building known as Termite Terrace. Each 6- to 10-minute, one-reel short film included upwards of 5,000 hand-drawn cels. They were originally produced to be shown between newsreels, trailers, serials, and feature films in the days when going to the movie theater was a much looser experience. Thus, the comedy in these films had to be for everyone. Kids loved the adorable talking animals and the slapstick comedy, while Looney Tunes spoke to adults through cultural references and sly wordplay. How many people’s first exposure to Wagner came through “What’s Opera, Doc?” Through 998 animated shorts produced during this period, directors like Friz Freleng, Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, and Chuck Jones refined screen comedy to its essence. A Looney Tunes short might feel chaotic, but they were meticulously planned — Jones famously counted individual frames to make sure his jokes landed perfectly. Looney Tunes shorts came in all shapes and sizes, but by the early 1940s, a formula emerged. One character, a square like Elmer Fudd, has a goal, but they are repeatedly thwarted by a trickster figure, like Bugs Bunny. This formula reached its apotheosis in 1949 with “Fast and Furry-ous.” The dialogue-free cartoon introduced the Road Runner, a flightless bird who spends its time zooming around the scenic Utah desert, and Wile E. Coyote, who hunts him. Since the Coyote can’t outrun the Road Runner, he has to devise increasingly ludicrous plans to catch him, usually involving products from the Acme Corporation. But these giant fireworks, rockets, and winged bat suits always fail in humiliating ways, while the Road Runner cruises on unbothered. In 1990, writer Ian Frazier penned a short article for The New Yorker magazine’s humor section called “Coyote vs. Acme,” in which a personal injury lawyer sues the megacorp for selling obviously faulty products. Years later, Superman director James Gunn pitched a film adaptation to Warner Bros. as a way to get their historic Looney Tunes franchise 28 back in action on the big screen. Directed by Dave Green, the film was completed
“Coyote vs. Acme is a near-perfect film, hilarious with heart to spare.” PHOTO: COURTESY KETCHUP ENTERTAINMENT
In Coyote vs. Acme, Wile E. Coyote takes his Acme grievances all the way to court. in 2023, soon after Warner Bros.’ merger with Discovery, Inc. Incoming studio executives have been known to neglect projects they didn’t greenlight, but David Zaslav, who helmed the new company, took the unprecedented step of shelving a number of completed films in order to take a tax write-off, including Coyote vs. Acme. The filmmakers took to social media to insist that their film, which they had spent years of their lives making, deserved an audience. Eventually, the animation-hating Zaslav was convinced to sell the $70 million film at a loss to Ketchup Entertainment, a smaller distributor with big ambitions that still believed in the power of the Looney Tunes legacy. Now that Coyote vs. Acme is finally in theaters, it’s clear that Ketchup was right and Zaslav was wrong. Coyote vs. Acme is the best live-action/animation hybrid since Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Like that 1988 classic, real humans co-exist with cartoon characters in this world. It begins in 1992, in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Lorre, based on the actor who was frequently a caricature in early Looney Tunes shorts. After subjecting Daffy Duck to a series of strange tests, Dr. Lorre has become disturbed by what his bosses at Acme are ordering him to do, but as he is trying to leave, he is cornered by mysterious operatives who force him to jump into a portable hole. Thirty years later, Wile E. Coyote is still failing to catch the Road Runner. After a humiliating incident with some rocket-
powered in-line skates, he sees a TV commercial from the law firm of Avery, Jones, and Maltese. “Have you been injured by faulty Acme Corporation products? You may be entitled to compensation.” In his cave, surrounded by hundreds of broken Acme products, Coyote very much believes he is entitled to compensation. He straps on some Acme springloaded sneakers, packs up his bindle, and heads for the big city of Albuquerque. The spring-loaded sneakers fail, but he makes it to the law office anyway, where he meets Kevin Avery (Will Forte). Kevin is not a great lawyer, or even a good lawyer. What he is good at is settling cases for peanuts, and making it up on volume. That’s the theory, anyway. In practice, it’s not working out so hot, and the firm is perpetually on the brink of bankruptcy. Kevin’s niece Paige (Lana Condor) is interning with the firm, and she convinces Kevin that Coyote’s case is worth taking. When faced with the sheer scale of Coyote’s product failure, Acme lawyer Buddy Crane (John Cena) offers him a settlement that seems big to Kevin. But Coyote rejects it out of hand. He wants his day in court for reasons that are not entirely on the up and up. Director Green gets the tone ex-
actly right. The humans take the cartoon slapstick gags going off all around them for granted, while Foghorn Leghorn is Acme’s CEO and toons sit beside humans in the jury box. The extraordinarily versatile voice actor Eric Bauza follows in the tradition of the great Mel Blanc, giving voice to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and the Road Runner’s “meep meep.” Wile E. Coyote remains silent throughout the proceedings, but he is one of the best-realized animated characters in recent memory, alternating between sympathetic, villainous, and hilarious at will. Coyote vs. Acme is a near-perfect film, hilarious with heart to spare. Today, Zaslav has involved Warner Bros. Discovery in another controversial merger, this time with Paramount, which will leave the combined companies with more than $60 billion in debt incurred to fund the purchase. Zaslav will reportedly walk away from the deal with somewhere north of $800 million. Maybe that’s the reason he tried to kill Coyote vs. Acme. He knew who the real villain was. Coyote vs. Acme Now playing Multiple locations
N O W P L AY I N G B y C h r i s M c C o y
Tony This excellent biopic depicts celebrity chef, writer, and No Reservations host Anthony Bourdain (Dominic Sessa) in his early years as a wild
2026
The Hunger Games series The franchise starring Jennifer Lawrence offers re-releases before the upcoming prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping. Thursday, The Hunger Games (2012); Friday, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013); Saturday, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014); and Sunday, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015). All screenings are at the Malco Paradiso.
PARTY WITH THE BEST Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026 5:30pm - 8:30pm ■ Loflin Yard
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Star Trek 60th Anniversary Star Trek debuted on September 8, 1966, and Paramount is celebrating with re-releases of the franchise’s big screen outings. Friday, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979); Saturday, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982); Sunday, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984); and Monday, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). All screenings will be at the Malco Paradiso at 7 p.m.
young cook apprenticed to a demanding chef (Antonio Banderas) at a beachside restaurant in Cape Cod. Emilia Jones co-stars as Nancy, Bourdain’s would-be girlfriend. Matt Johnson of Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie fame directs.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Our critic picks the best films in theaters.
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AUTO AUTO AUCTION Elite Collision Services, 948 E Brooks Rd, Memphis, TN 38116, on 9-21-26 @ 9am. 16’ Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk VIN: 1C4PJMBSXGW293463 13’ Cadillac XTS VIN: 2G61S5S33D9148516
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LEGAL NOTICES 2000 NISSAN XTERRA 4-door black VIN: 5N1ED28T6yc603187 Anyone holding interest in this vehicle, call 901-607-0483 within 10 days of the date of publication.
EMPLOYMENT SOFTWARE ENGINEER III ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - the fund-raising organization of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - is currently looking for a Software Engineer III as follows. <br>Responsible for providing technical leadership while actively engaging in the design, development, implementation, and support of multi-layered enterprise applications. Position reports to ALSAC’s office in Memphis, TN, but may work fully remote from anywhere in U.S. Requires MS degree in Comp Sci, Data Sci, Info Sys, or a related field and three (3) years of technical, analytical, systems, and programming experience - OR - a BS degree in Comp Sci, Data Sci, Info Sys, or a related field followed by five (5)
years of technical, analytical, systems, and programming experience. To review the full job description and apply, go to https://www.stjude.org/jobs/alsac.html (Job ID R0011135). SR ADVISOR - ANALYTICS IMPLEMENTATION ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - the fund-raising organization of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - is currently looking for a Sr Advisor - Analytics Implementation as follows. As a key role on the Digital Analytics & Insights team, the Sr Advisor - Analytics Implementation is responsible for implementing and validating data collection across all ALSAC online web properties according to Digital business needs. Position reports to ALSAC’s office in Memphis, TN, but may work fully remote from anywhere in U.S. Requires MS degree in Comp Sci, Info Tech, Info Sys, or a related field and 3 yrs of technical, analytical, systems, and product management experience - OR - a BS degree in Comp Sci, Info Tech, Info Sys, or a related field followed by 6 yrs of technical, analytical, systems, and product management experience. To review the full job description and apply, go to https://www.stjude.org/jobs/alsac. html (Job ID R0011130).
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T H E L A S T W O R D B y Pa t r i c i a L o c k h a r t
Burgers and Golf More teen-approved Memphis adventures.
Alright, Memphis! The summer has ended and school is underway! So that means it’s time to refocus these articles all about Memphis teens. This city has jam-packed events for adults on any given weekend. There are even events and playdates for elementary kids all over the city. But for teens, I have to dig deep! With three precious teenagers, twin 14-year-old boys and a 12-year-old girl, I want them to love their city just as much as I do. And most importantly, I don’t want them to have to wait until they’re older to enjoy it.
PHOTOS: PATRICIA LOCKHART
A burger from Jack Brown’s Burger Joint; Enjoying a day of golf
THE LAST WORD
Memphis Public Links I’m learning a lot about Memphis’ golf scene since my son started playing golf with his school. He is loving the sport! He has an amazing coach who is patient, practical, and encouraging. I love watching him learn not just how to swing a club, but how to slow down, focus, and keep trying when a shot doesn’t go exactly the way he planned. The Memphis Public Links consist of seven different golf courses located all around the city for easy accessibility to all Memphians: Audubon, Fox Meadows, Galloway, Whitehaven, Riverside, Pine Hill, and Overton 9. My son’s home course is The Links at Pine Hill on Mallory Avenue in South Memphis. This is where he practices with his school and coach. The people here are extra friendly. I love it because it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump to Downtown. He gets to golf in peace while I hang out Downtown. It’s a win-win situation. He also enjoys practicing at The Links at Overton 9. This course is perfect for beginners. I love it too, because junior golfers can golf for free on weekdays. That makes it so much easier to get him out on the course for a little extra practice without breaking the bank. And if you’re looking for a weekend option, The Links at Galloway has a wonderful Saturday Golf Special: After noon on Saturdays, any parent, grandparent, or guardian playing with a junior (17 and under) plays for half price, while the junior plays for free. I’m discovering that Memphis has plenty of opportunities for young golfers to get out, practice, and fall in love with the game. Together, we plan to golf at all of the courses offered by the Memphis Public Links. The only thing we need now is for me to buy my own set of clubs. And that’s really what these Memphis teen articles are all about. I want my kids to experience Memphis now, not someday when they’re old enough to go wherever they want on their own. I want them to know the restaurants, parks, golf courses, coffee shops, museums, and hidden gems that make this city so special. And if I’m being honest, I’m having just as much fun discovering with them. So, Memphis, keep the teen-friendly places coming! I’ll keep searching, my teenagers will keep rating them, and hopefully, somewhere along the way, they’ll fall in love with this city just as much as their mom has. Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. By day, she’s a librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep.
m e m p h i s f l y e r. c o m
Jack Brown’s Burger At the start of the school year, there are several meetings with parents. Most of the meetings begin at 5 p.m. So instead of picking the teenagers up from school, taking them home, only to have to leave out again, I decided to just pick them up and get something good to eat. When the twins hopped in the car, I said, “Let’s grab a bite to eat before the parent meeting. What would you like?” In unison, they replied, “A burger.” So I pulled up my map and typed in “burger.” It led us to a place that was minutes away, Jack Brown’s Burger Joint. We arrived there early in the evening and the place still had the quiet feel of “just opening” to it. Upon sitting down, I was thrilled at their beer selection. The twins, on the other hand, were thrilled with the Tony Chachere’s seasoning on the table. One twin had the Greg Brady burger that’s layered with their housemade mac and cheese and barbecue chips and a side of fries. The other twin had the Classic Jack with caramelized onions and JB Sauce, and he added his side of fries onto his burger! As for me, I had the Dr. Gonzo with griddled mushrooms, caramelized Guinness onions, and applewood smoked bacon. The food was absolutely delicious! This place is definitely teen-approved. If you have not explained the “birds and the bees” to your teen, I might hold off on taking them here. My teenage boys said that the place was a little suggestive, with bras hanging everywhere, but it did not put a damper on their day. The fact that the burgers are amazing and that they had Tony Chachere’s seasoning overrode everything else. They’ve actually asked me when they can go back again. I replied, “Soon boys … very soon!”
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